So finals are FINALLY over, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and I can finally breathe again! I really think the yoga helped. I’m sure I did really well on my exams, and I’m so glad it’s finally over. I’ve got a week to just chill out and relax, and a few days of pharmacy splendor to treat myself to at work and then it’s back up to Syracuse for a week of some much needed family time, and New Year’s Eve at the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls this year which is going to be so much fun.

I received an e-mail today that made me feel so good about myself. My Mycology professor e-mailed me to let me know she thought I did a great job on a project we finished last week. That was sweet, and made me feel like all of the hard work I put into that class this semester was really worth it. But what made me feel even better than her kudos was what she ended the message with:

“I enjoyed having you in Mycology Jonathan and am glad that you are back at Saint Leo. When you are ready for senior seminar, I would love to work with you on a mycology project if that would interest you.”

That right there, my friends, is the reason I came to Saint Leo in the first place, and why I came back this semester. I love that my professors care so much about my success that they take the time to send such motivational little messages. And she’s gotten my mind spinning with all the possibilities I could choose for my Senior project. Thankfully, I have the better part of 2009 to think about it! So with that, I’ll try not to let my excitement for what lies ahead next semester distract me too much from the relaxation I hope to enjoy a little of over the next few weeks.

2009 is going to be an incredible year for me. I can feel it already.

Posted by Saint Leo University at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Finals week is upon us. The stress on campus is actually palpable. I need to keep reminding myself to breathe and take little breaks from studying. But it’s going to be ok. I’m not sure if it’s new for Saint Leo, but the fitness center has been offering Yoga classes a few times a week and my friend Daniel and I have been going religiously this semester. The best part is that it’s totally free! I took yoga classes off campus when I was a sophomore, but it was getting really expensive to go to a studio. They were running about $15 per class, but I absolutely loved it.

I’m not sure exactly what it is but after an hour of yoga, all of my stress just melts completely away and I feel as though I’ve just woken up from the best, most restorative nap ever. We joke that it’s “addictive” and are always talking about when we’re going to get our next “yoga fix.” I suppose if you’re going to be “addicted” to something, yoga is really a good choice. There’s also a common misconception that yoga is easy, or wimpy. But let me tell you, Fridays we have an advanced class that completely kicks my butt, and I think I’m in pretty good shape. We concentrate on all of the little support muscles that a lot of other fitness activities generally neglect.

So this week, between studying for finals and working, and actually taking the exams I’m making a conscious effort to throw in a little yoga on my own. I think that a combination of that, sleeping well, and eating well will definitely help me perform my best. One of my favorite things about Saint Leo is that there are so many activities sponsored by the fitness center, and student involvement that are so much fun and beneficial, and generally free or next to free. I never found anything like that at USF, even though their student activities budget seemed limitless.

Posted by Saint Leo University at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)