Now that I’m completely settled into school I’ve realized that my first view of Mines was completely wrong. Maybe it’s because I’m from the East coast and I don’t know anyone else who came here, but I assumed that Mines was full of studying and nothing fun to do. Well, this school pleasantly surprised me. Of course, I do spend a lot of my time studying, but there’s so much more out here than schoolwork. A few weeks into school I rode the bus (for free, thanks to my blastercard!) to downtown Denver for the Taste of Colorado festival with a couple girls on my floor, and it was a total blast! Since then we’ve been getting off campus every Thursday night without fail and walking to the frozen yogurt shop a few blocks away. It’s nice to just take some time for myself and have a tasty treat. Of course, there are plenty of other things around the Golden area to do. We go to Lakewood and see movies or to the mall and Target for some shopping. I joined YoungLife, an off-campus religious organization, so on Monday nights I do that. A lot of the girls on my floor go to all the home football games together, and we love cheering on our Orediggers! The homecoming game was especially fun. Our band’s halftime show was hilarious (they made radiation), and it was fun seeing all the students who dressed up for our theme, Reinventing the Wheel. I’m glad it really isn’t hard to make some free time so I don’t drive myself crazy studying 24/7.

Holly, me, and Jessica with the mascot at the Homecoming game!

This weekend (October 14-18) was fall break, a definitely helpful respite from classes. My boyfriend flew up from Georgia, long distance, I know, and I got to show him all around Denver and Golden. We actually accidentally drove all the way up the winding road on Lookout Mountain, past the huge M, and ended up seeing Buffalo Bill’s grave. The museum was small but interesting, and even though the grave was slightly anticlimactic, there was an absolutely stunning view from the top of the mountain and I got a gorgeous pair of hand-made turquoise, opal, and coral earrings at the gift-shop! We walked around downtown Denver too and ate at a couple great restaurants. Even though I have to buckle down and get back to studying now, it was great to get a break. I feel so refreshed! Still, I’m counting the weeks until the next time I get days off, Thanksgiving break! Only five more weeks!

On top of Lookout Mountain!