Thanksgiving break

Wishing all of you a great holiday break. Hope you have time to enjoy your families---even though I know most of you are working on finals coming up. Have a rest!

Thanksgiving break

Gets busy for the winter break

It always gets so busy on campus around winter break time. It is so much hurry up --- finals for classes, new enrollment for spring, lots of Compass testing, and financial aid questions. The days just seem to fly by.

In the summer we seem just to roll into the fall. But we have lots to look forward to at break. Don't forget that the last day Student Services is open this semester is Friday, December 4th. Get your class shopping done early!

Looking forward to thanksgiving...

don't know about you but I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving break. Not necessarily because we have a couple of days off ( :) ), but because all my family will be together for awhile. My daughter and her husband will be at my house for awhile and then we travel to my sister's in Mesa to gather. There we will meet my new grand niece Eve for the first time and we all are looking forward to this...family together--all of us. And of course dinner and my sister's "world" famous pecan pies.

Hope all of you enjoy the break and remember to give some thanks for . . .

Day off. . .

did everyone joy a day off from campus and classes? Or did you use that time to catch up on some homework? I enjoyed the day off. I visited with a group of Mohave County students--enjoying their day off by picnicking at Rotary Park with their group. Nice bunch of high schoolers.

Then I did take the rest of the day for me. I even stopped at Scoops and had (sigh) a carmel and hot fudge sundae! Then went home and read a favorite book and cap off the day with an old Mel Brooks movie! All in the middle of the week.

Starting the day off right. . .

I have a meeting at the Bullhead City Campus this morning so am into work really early. It is such a different feeling with all the lights off and only the maintenance crew here working. It is the sound of silence--completely---but I like the noise and rush of all the students on campus! Although I must say that having a cup of coffee and just listening to the snack bar ice machine is pleasing. Now back to work.

How was your Holloween?

I always say that the Pumpkin Fest that we just had was the best----and this year I think the Pumpkin Fest "team" out did themselves with the things to do, decorations, and good times. I don't know how many kids were trick or treating at LHC, but we were full to the top! I had a blast. Thanks to Diana and Cheryl and crew for a great evening. I think the Great Pumpkin even was here.

I got the chills....

Where did this wind come from? Guess I could read the weather report! It feels funny bundling up for work. I was in Kingman yesterday and that was really cold! I guess all of the great weather we usually enjoy will come back soon. The winters are beautiful, but of course I will begin complaining again when the hot spring begins---is it April? Put your coat on today.

Telesis Tour Today. . .

had a nice time this afternoon showing some students from Telesis Academy around campus before they went in to test in our center. I love showing off the campus and introducing area students to staff and faculty here. We also ran into one of Dr. Goodrich's Surgical Tech students in her bright red scrubs--boy those scrubs are really bright! I just love that look.

Back to work on dual enrollment for Lake Havasu High School for spring.

Hello Parker

Had a great morning yesterday with the seniors at Parker High School at their Senior College Fair. Lots of students interested in Allied Health and ready to start college. Wonderful bunch of students. Hoping to go back and meet some students from the other classes.

Spring semester registration is just around the corner. . .

so all of you returning students can begin to register online on November 2. It is always a good idea to check with your Advisor about classes for the next semester before you enroll and now is a great time to email or contact them--then get online and register! Payments for Spring are due on or before January 5th. So don't wait and let that class fill-up.

If you are a new student please come in now and get all "your ducks in a row" or you can respond to this blog or email me at afrazier@mohave.edu and let me help you get started.

I am so excited!

Dan Cook the assessment coordinator and I are Compassing at Telesis Academy today. This will be our first time at Telesis to Compass. Of course, each year we go to LHHS to test, but we are excited that Telesis is the first charter school here in Havasu that will be testing on their campus! All of their seniors will be taking the placement test for MCC today.

BTW, one of the Telesis moms that works here at MCC told me that today on their campus is "Nerds" day and I expect to see lots of pocket protectors and taped glasses. This is going to be fun.

Wiped out from Mid-terms?

Are you all done with your mid-terms and feeling completely wiped out? Don't worry. This is a normal occurrence, but you can help stave off some of this effect for finals this year. I can't tell you how much taking care of yourself by eating well and getting plenty of sleep will help you when you are under stress from homework and tests.

By pass the sugary and caffeine laden products and chose fruit and veggies for snacks---and brown bag a hearty lunch or dinner for when you are on campus for class. Also, cramming for the tests always helped me, but getting enough sleep the night before helped me remember what I crammed!

Take care of yourself!

What a great event!!!

The Chemical Dependency Assistant program under the direction of Lori Howell participated in the National Depression Day event at all the Southern campuses yesterday by holding an afternoon of depression screenings and substance abuse screening from 4 to 7 p.m. Students at LHC campus and members of the Havasu community came by to "take the test" and talk to counselors from some of the local behavioral health agencies.

This made me think (especially now during mid-term tests) of the importance for us all to be able to identify and ask for help when we are under stress--and not coping.

I just wanted to take this chance to remind everyone that help is available if you are feeling stress or feel that you aren't able to cope with life and college. Please talk to one of your instructors or go see your Academic Advisor. Talk to someone. Don't give up on your education or yourself.

And, remember during all of this rush time please "take time to smell the roses"...

GED--the importance of beginning your education circle

Got to do one of my favorite things yesterday...visiting with a GED orientation class and talking about continuing their education. Got to meet some terrific people who have taken a giant step with coming back to school!

You know sometimes life just gets in the way of plans and goals and I truly believe that all these students who are pursing their GED taken one of the biggest steps they are going to take in their future education by coming back to close the gap from their secondary education.

I can only wish them well and much success in obtaining their GED and invite to come see me about beginning their next step to a successful future.

Driving on the freeway

I was in Phoenix last week running all over the place trying to get to a couple appointments that were (of course) as far away from each other as they could be...anyway the traffic was terrible. Maybe I wasn't used to it, but even with going 10 miles over the speed limit I was still left almost standing still. And, that isn't to mention all of the drivers not using their lane changing lights! But all-in-all on the long road back to Havasu it (of course) made me think of education---what else!

I was thinking of people going back to school or even those that are just beginning college that go away to a big college or university. To me it is kind of like me in rush hour traffic. Too many people going in too many directions without lane changing signals. So community college is for us that need a nice divided four lane with a nice (but good paced) speed limit where are instructors and advisers help us with those lane changing signals.

I may be a little hoky about this, but sometimes I think it takes being stuck in too much traffic to help find out where we are going.

Visiting LHHS

Wow! Met hundreds of students yesterday at Lake Havasu High School at the Senior College Day! I don't think I have talked that much in that short of a time period before. Thanks to Cali and Renee from the LHHS Career Center for inviting us. Also, a big thanks for MCC people--
Diana Parker, Peggy Federici, and Audrey Ruffner for being there to help. I am looking forward to the Junior event in the spring.

House of plague

both my daughter and I are down with the flu! I think it is the flu. Lots of not feeling well going on here. All I can think about is if I didn't wash my hands enough! So you all take care and wash those hands---lots...I don't want anyone else to be as miserable as we are now.

Looking for a career? Then meet Sigi. . .

MCC has a wonderful website as part of the Career Center pages called Sigi3. Sigi is kind of a multi-tasking site that can help you find a major, choose a career, give you information about occupations and career choices, and is really fun to "play with". You can take surveys to help you choose an occupation based on your values, an income scale, your personality type. . .and much more. I love working with Sigi.

Type in an occupation/career--say Nursing--not only will you find out what type of education goals you needs, but also the multitude of occupation choices that you will find that come under nursing. You can look up salaries for across the country, occupation turn-over rates, and how that job choice looks in the future.

Sigi is open to MCC students and alumni by going to the MCC Home page at www.mohave.edu and clicking on Career Services in the left column. Try Sigi--you'll like it!

The best part of this job. . .

meeting all these new students! The hallway outside my office near Student Services is always "flowing" with people. It is exciting to see so many people becoming MCC students!

windy day

Looks like the wind is picking up today, but it was great out yeterday---in Kingman! Worked the MCC booth at the Mohave County Fair and met so many neat people...and talked, and talked, and talked! It is terrific to see so many people take an interest in their community (county)! Hope you got to visit and had a great time like we did.

Well, it is Friday

Finally here, but looking forward to visiting with fair goers this Sunday at the Mohave County Fair! The staff at the Southern Campuses divided the time at the MCC booth and Lake Havasu will be there Sunday to say hello. This is always a fun event for us.

Also, I am hoping that the weather starts to cool soon. I don't know about you, but I am ready for some cool days...now I don't need cold, but cool days would be nice. I know my dog would like some longer walks!

Isn't it Friday yet

A long and busy week and I thought all day that is was Friday! Working with the DES people on the ARRA program has been great. Meeting so many new people!

So I am looking forward to my second Friday this week and meeting more of the ARRA people and then I am going to veg out all day Saturday and do some reading.

Labor Day weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend this Labor Day. Of course, I think most people still work to help accommodate all of us that are running madly around enjoying what is usually the last big weekend of summer.

I remember (the Dark Ages) when school didn't even begin until after Labor Day! For the most part I think I slept most of the weekend away..ZZZZZZZ!

And, I know I broke my Pet Peeve Pledge as I yelled at a lot of trucks pulling boats trying to get to the water. Have these people never heard of turning lights?

The thing that is really strange though is all those shoes that seem to be in the middle of the road. I wonder how many people went home with just one shoe this weekend?

Pet Peeves Pledge

I was just reading about Pet Peeves (in a book about Zen--Complete Idiot's Guide to...) and I thought this was so "right" and wanted to share it with you.

How many times a day do we worry about things we have absolutely no control over---people chewing with their mouth open, rotten drivers---I go nuts when someone turns right on my left light---when someone is disrespectful or a dismissive boss?

The book says why waste the energy being irritated by things we can't control and I thought especially those that are instant, but we take them into the rest of the day so not only control us, but how we act to our family, friends, co-workers, students, etc.

So for September I am taking a Pet Peeve Pledge to dismiss this irritations and take back this control of my life. I am looking forward to all those minutes and hours that I waste being given back to me.

clouds in the sky

Waited half the night for the thunder storms and they didn't happen, but it is so nice outside this morning with the cloud cover---and it is so much cooler. Got to check the LHC weather for today to see if we are going to get some of storm from the Baja.

I am really looking forward to the cooler weather this year! Enough heat already.

Off to student orientation

Off to the last new student orientation before add/drop ends. I have LOVED being a part of this new orientation! I got to meet lots of new faces and learn what these new students are interested in doing. I can only tell you that this new group of MCC Freshmen have set their goals high and are excited to begin! Good luck--Frosh!

Back to school

What is better than classes beginning! What a rush. Students on campus and lots of activity PLUS Student Government has welcome back donuts and coffee this morning. Good way to begin a Monday. Welcome back. . .

Just thinking about thinking

Sometimes it is nice to to take a walk around campus and find a quiet spot to get away for a couple of minutes. No food or coffee--just to sit and let some of the quiet surround you. I just couple of couple of minutes to get away from the bustle of registration. Even though it is hot I walked out back and sat in the shade of one of the benches for a minute and just took it all in.

Birds, trees, an irrataed antelope squirrel...ready to get back to the work!

Early to office

Got into the office a bit early today so I would have time to run to Lake Havasu High School to drop off some paperwork and was surprised by a quail war as I parked my car this morning. The quail at LHC campus were doing battle by the 200 building. Don't know if it was a family fight or rival factions, but it was noisy!

Nice way to begin a morning. And, I got to see some of my favorite people at LHHS BEFORE classes began today so had time to chat!

How is your day going?

Back to school blues