Winter Retreat

We'll try an icy color for this one! I spent my three day weekend chaperoning our church's youth group retreat up to the mountain. I had a great time getting to know the kids. I was using the opportunity of volunteering with the youth group to affirm my decision to teach high school...which now I know that I made the right choice. I even walked away from the weekend learning some things myself, also things about myself and walked away with a new close friend. The only downsides were lack of sleep (long hours and a hard hotel bed) and wow- I never knew how gassy teenage boys could be...then again, I had never been around so many for so long ;o) but I love them anyway! Definitely a great group of both kids and chaperones on the trip!

*The pictures above are of the hills we were sledding on at White Pass and of my cute little girl who was able to come along.

Superbowl...

I just want to wish my condolences for the Seahawks. My daughter became a huge fan this year...it's the first year that we have paid attention to football since we moved back from Germany. We spent Superbowl Sunday watching the big game on two giant screens at a Superbowl Party at our church. I have to toss my two cents in and agree that the referees made some really bad calls. Maybe next year! Go Seahawks!

Homecoming 2006

This year's student run Homecoming was beautiful and I'm not just saying that because I helped decorate ;o) I had heard rumors that in the past there were drawn out speeches that seemed to drag on, but this year it was pretty straight to the point. As a Non-Trad, I am proud to congratulate our Non-Traditional Students Senator Rachel Martinez for being named one of the two Student Leaders of the Year.

An article that ran about me in the Halo.

One semester down and going strong!

Meet Janey Fassbender, transfer student-mom-involved citizen extraordinaire!

Janey, who entered Saint Martin’s as a transfer student this past fall, is a person you can relate to: She’s doing it all. And she’s done a lot in the past, too.

An English major with plans to become a teacher, Janey is a 1994 Shelton High School graduate and the fifth person in her family to attend Saint Martin’s. Both parents, a sister and her brother-in-law graduated from Saint Martin’s, and she has ties with the University dating back to when she was 5 years old.

Like many transfer students she took a roundabout route to get here. After high school, she modeled for a year, then attended Olympic College for another year and one-half. Two years in intelligence with the U.S. Air Force followed, included a long stint in Germany, extension classes through the University of Maryland, marriage and motherhood. After that, it was a divorce and four years as an insurance agent.

Four years ago, she simply wanted to make a stable life for her daughter, now a kindergartner, and herself, she says. But in September 2004, she was a passenger in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. The accident made her take stock in her life and goals.

“It was a wake-up call,” she said. “I wanted to be able to have the same hours as my daughter, do something I enjoy and make a difference for students.”

Janey has approached her Saint Martin’s career with gusto. After a few short months here, she has become an important part of the University community. She currently is vice president for the Non-Traditional Students Club, serves on several committees and is on the Activity Advisory Board.

In her “spare” time, she sings with a church group, teaches AWANAS and is active in other church activities, things she enjoys doing because she can keep daughter Kristin with her.

“I’m way too overcommitted, but I manage to fit it all in,” she laughs. “I’ve learned time-management, and I’ve learned to schedule my life.”

Janey plans to graduate in 2008. As part of her position with the Non-Traditional Students Club, she’s glad to answer questions and help other transfer students connect. You can find out more about the club and its activities by e-mailing Janey at Janey.Fassbender@stmartin.edu or club President Jeff Bunnell, jbunnell@stmartin.edu.

Wow- Time flies!

I'm sorry that I haven't updated this since school has been back in session. I am taking 18 credits this semester and sort of lost track of time! So far most of my classes seem to be going well and I think that I am going to be able to handle taking this full of a course load without stressing out ;o) I will have some hours that I had originally anticipated as my Education class has us teaching Junior Achievement in the grade schools and I have been named one of the co-editors for the school newspaper "The Bell Tower".

I will be better about writing. This semester looks like it is going to have some exciting things coming up in it. Tomorrow night is our Homecoming Banquet, so I will be sure to update on how that went.

Thanks for reading! - Janey