Crashing for a Year

The Student Council has just completed their 4th Community Crash event. These events originated out of a mistake the Student Council made due to some assumptions on our part that opened an outpouring of debate that may very well be the first outright Scholar 360 debate ever. From that experience it was identified that a more appropriate avenue should be opened to address current diversity concerns within a safe environment. The Community Crash was born. Our first event went beautifully, the movie was perfect, the discussion that followed was rich with heartfelt concern and genuine openness. It was very clear however that we had only begun to touch the surface of the many concerns regarding diversity that we face during our Forest Institute journey.

We decided that the Community Crash would continue each term and the movie selection would be based on the current needs of the student body. At first we simply based the selection on our own perceptions of this need. However, by the third event, we were receiving topic recommendations from students.

Our most recent event held tonight was a continuation of those events in the past. There begins with some hesitation as the discussion is initiated. Slowly the discussion starts to roll and before long everyone is desperately waiting their turn to participate. Along the course of the discussion it is typical to feel some tension which rises and falls from input to input. Some participate much, others very little. But in the end we all leave with a better sense of the world around us. It certainly has proven to me to be a most valuable experience each term.

Spring Term Begins...Good Time for a Battlefield Visit

With Spring term now upon us many changes are certainly expected. These changes certainly will come in the form of new classes, new course assignments, and new clients (for those in practicum). I look forward to all these as they will each be enriching and most beneficial. However, one change that I have looked forward to since Labor Day 2007 is of course the Spring season. The warmer weather, the flowers, the trees full of bright green leaves, the dark thick grass, and of course all the new baby wild animals flourishing our undeveloped areas. I have discovered a very unique place to enjoy the wonderful changing seasons that can be had here in SW Missouri, a National Battlefield known as Wilson's Creek.




My family purchased an annual pass to the park last fall when we learned that we could see amazing foliage during that season. Our most recent visit proved to be just as enjoyable. The trees are filling, the animals are everywhere, and the wild grass can be seen all around. The history and legacy of this area amazes me and our kids love to watch the movie at the visitors center each time we stop in at the park. The park itself is very extensive and provides walking, biking, and horseback riding trails as well as a driving trail that circles the entire park. The park is located just about 4-5 miles from the academic campus of the school and is well worth the visit.

Kid's Night at Texas Roadhouse

Although my duties and tasks as a graduate student bring me much fun and joy, it is the joy I find being a husband and father that make my life truly worth while. Within this role I am often seeking ways to unite and strengthen my family. The other day my daughter brought home a flyer from school that stated that Texas Roadhouse was sponsoring the school by donating to the school some of the sales of a single night. What a fun and delicious night it turned out to be. Best of all, it was a night of family fun!

From clowns making balloon animals to a Texas Sized Armadillo playing games, this night was made for kids. On top of this they also had face painting and build-your-own sundays for the kids. My wonderful wife and I along with a friend from school all got to sit back, enjoy some perfectly cooked steak, and watch our children have the times of their lives... Texas Style.

While we were there we learned that Tuesday night is always "Kid's Night" at Texas Roadhouse and with a nearby location to the school, it certainly may be a valuable resource for other family based Forest Students like myself...... a love for steak and fun is a requirement though!

Spring Break "1984"

What to do when school is out for an entire week and you are spending it in Springfield, Missouri? Why not spend it 1984 style? Yes, 1984 is not only a year from the decade of "pop music" but its also a nostalgic arcade in downtown Springfield.

For a single $5 bill one can play all the arcade games they wish for an entire night. Yes, if nostalgic game playing is what you are craving, 1984 is the place for you.

I am not sure if it was the fun of watching my oldest daughter and my best friend smile and laugh as they concentrated so closely in their attempt to master the fine tuned moves of a joystick and buttons. It may have also been the fact that I got to play Xevious all I wanted without dropping a single quarter. Regardless, I had such a blast!

1984 is crammed with around 50 arcade games along with a handful of pinball games and a nice little snack bar. Not a bad place to spend an evening when hanging out in Springfield with nothing to do.

To learn more about 1984 check out their website: www.1984arcade.com