Pumpkin carving

Hal writes:

Today was the annual pumpkin carving contest with the RDs and our supervisors. Four pumpkins were brought in and names were drawn out of a hat for teams. I was teamed with Trapper and Sherry. In addition to carving the pumpkins, we also use items found in the rooms that holds craft supplies for the RAs. Once completed, the pumpkins are brought out into the lobby for the judges (people we find in the hallway) to find a winner.

Below is a picture of Trapper and I working on the pumpkin. I am sporting what I call the "McDonald's Manager look", meaning that I had my tie tucked into my shirt and my sleeves rolled up. Trapper and I were having a GREAT time trying to make our pumpkin look like one of the other RDs. (I was laughing so hard at times that I had tears in my eyes.)

Here is a picture of RD Matt with the pumpkin we made in his likeness. The eyes are mini flashlights. It's hard to tell, but we poked little holes in the pumpkin to create the hairstyle and facial hair that Matt traditionally sports. Unfortunately, it freaked the judges out and we came in last place.

A group photo will all the staff and three of the pumpkins.

Back from UMR

Hal writes:

I have just returned from the UMR- ACUHO conference. There were a lot of laughs, some insightful programs, and reconnecting with old friends. I'll talk more later about it, I am somewhat tired (late nights having fun with friends and KJ and I working on our case study). I am also waiting for more pictures to go along with the stories. I took these pictures of off RD Stef's facebook.

Here is a picture of RDs Kelly, Hal and Jen at one of the banquet.

Kelly discovers that her head is smaller than Hal's shoes.

Which one is the REAL Mt. Rushmore?

Step on up to the microphone

Hal writes:

Homecoming is over. Also, I was on call this weekend which kept me busy, but that is done with as well. Hooray! It was miserable week for weather, including the 40 degree temp with rain for the football game on Saturday. I opted not to go outside and catch cold while UWP lost the homecoming game. Instead, I met up with some RDs at Badger Brothers Coffee and we stayed warm and dry playing board games in the community room. Later that evening we went to Dubuque to eat at the Olive Garden and Cold Stone before returning to Wisconsin. Add all of this to the Vikings and Tigers winning today, and it was a good day.

I went looking through the Facebook profiles of my students trying to add a picture of my colleagues and I in the Tug-of-War or variety show, but none have been posted. I did, however, find some photos from RA Training that were fun. Pictured below is when I was MC for the RA Skit Night and Variety Show in August.

Although it is a smaller picture, below is RD Nolan (far left) and I (far right) singing to one of my RAs. There is a prize box during RA Training and my RA Elise won a song from Hal and Nolan. Nolan and I are using our sub-par musical abilities to entertain the crowd with a song about why we like Elise so much.

Nolan and I, along with RD Kelly Jo, will be doing a "Pick Me Up" session at an upcoming conference called "You might work in Residence Life if...". The purpose is to have fun with our profession. My hope is that those who come will be eager to laugh along and poke fun at themselves. (Jim, I wish you could be there, but I'm guessing if you went to WCPA, you won't be at UMR.)