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This week, I’m giving the last word to my faculty colleagues. I asked them to tell me three things they do to give themselves a boost in the cold and often gray days of February. This is what they had to say.
Anthony Bosman - Math
- Talk to students about their summer and post-graduation plans — our students inspire us!
- Enjoy the sunny days — anticipating the Spring!
- Spend time in the Wellness Center — feeling good from the endorphins!
Alina Baltazar - Social Work
- I schedule times that I realistically am more likely to be able to focus on writing. Friday afternoons seem to work well for me.
- I break down the project into steps, so I won’t be so overwhelmed.
- Though I may resist getting started, I tell myself that once I get started, I will enjoy the process.
David Randall - Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Get outside: campus trails, beach, forests!
- Go on a date (it’s happened).
- Appreciate the sun, when it appears.
Timothy Newkirk - Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Sit by a full spectrum lamp for 10 minutes a day while reading in the morning.
- Find an interesting series/show to watch.
- Spend time planning and daydreaming of trips and adventures that I will do in the year ahead.
Oliver Glanz - Old Testament
- Ski
- Have friends over
- Watch German Comedy
Shannon Trecartin - Social Work
- Visit friends I haven’t seen in a while.
- Experiment with some new-to-me warm and cozy recipes like wild mushroom Thai peanut ramen.
- Spend as much time outside as I can, when the sun graces us with its presence.
Tom Goodwin - Biology
- Go for a walk
- Go birding for a few hours
- Read a funny story with my wife, Joanie
Bill Scott - Physical Therapy
- When there is snow, I enjoy skiing and snowboarding locally or up north.
- Play Basketball weekly with a group of guys.
- Get out and walk in the woods to ensure that I get fresh air and exercise.
Rob Zdor - Biology
- Go for a run.
- Cross-country ski near the dunes at Lake Michigan
- Count my blessings.
Ingrid Slikkers - Social Work
- Learn a new skill for my brain—currently it is knitting and I just finished a scarf. It’s not beautiful but I did it!
- I started a new book
- If there is any sun, I go outside.
Yun Oh - Math
- Send my prayers for the family in a family group chat in the morning and at night.
- Memorize my favorite Bible verses. Galatians 2:20, Isaiah 41:10, John 13:34-35
- Write a list of prayers and pray for others, students, friends, and people in wars and natural disasters.
Emely Poloche - International Languages & Global Studies
- Go to the gym or practice an indoor sport.
- Drink a cup of tea.
- Keep in mind that spring is coming.
Meredith Jones Gray - English
- Cook or bake something new–and share with friends!
- Do the NYT crossword puzzle.
- Buy a bunch or pot of flowers.
Erhard Gallos - Religion and Biblical Languages
- When we have snow, I go cross-country skiing in Love Creek or further up in Michigan.
- Spend time with the whole family over the weekends (i.e., we visit our girls in Bloomington, IN).
- Prepare seminars for camp meeting in summer, and for church weekends in spring and fall.
Sonia Badenas - International Languages & Global Studies
- Go for walks… outside if there is sun; inside if not.
- Talk to friends.
- Watch uplifting documentaries.
Nathan Hess - Physical Therapy
- Be active in some way (take a walk, play intramurals, go to the gym).
- Get the 7 or 8 hours of sleep I need (or take a nap if I didn’t get enough last night).
- If I see the sun shining, I get out in it! If I can combine being in the sun with a walk, that’s even better.
Melissa Poua - Medical Laboratory Science
- Baking—even something simple like cookies.
- Finding somewhere cozy to sit and read, like by a fireplace or a big armchair with a blanket.
- Playing music in the car and singing along (my kids are on a Frank Sinatra kick).
Roy E. Gane - Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages
- Get outside and exercise.
- Play with my grandchildren.
- Sledding behind my house when there is snow.
Monique Pittman - Honors
- Go to a concert at Chicago Symphony Center.
- Make a meal for friends and family.
- Cultivate seedlings for spring in my indoor garden.
Benjamin Navia - Biology
- Exercise.
- Spend time with family.
- Watch a good Netflix show.
Desiree Davis - Social Work
- Practice regular self-care by spending time each day with God, having regular exercise, and eating healthy, and practicing humor by laughing often and singing most all the time.
- Do something fun each week that I look forward to doing.
- Connect often with my support system via text, phone, or Zoom. And be kind to others.
Kristin Denslow - English
- Go outside, even if it's cold.
- Exercise!
- Schedule time with friends. Bonus points if you're also outside and/or getting exercise!
David Mbungu - Biology
- Exercise at the Andreasen Center.
- Connect with friends.
- Have an outdoor walk.
Michelle Allyn - Physical Therapy
- Connect with friends and family
- Pray/talk with God
- Listen to uplifting music
Marianne Kordas - Music Library
- Walking down to the AU farm to see the animals
- Eating a paczki donut on Mardi Gras
- Listening to the Grammy 2024 playlist on Spotify or Naxos
Karin Thompson - Music
- Visit the Fernwood Botanical Garden to see the blossoming winter aconites.
- Walk to Wolf’s Prairie Park to view Lake Chapin.
- Stroll around the ¶·Å£ÆåÅÆ University Arboretum to listen to the birds and look for bulbs sprouting green shoots.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of ¶·Å£ÆåÅÆ University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, ¶·Å£ÆåÅÆ University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.