Three Things

This week, I’m giving the last word to my faculty colleagues. I asked them to tell me three things they do to give themselves a boost in the cold and often gray days of February. This is what they had to say.

Anthony Bosman - Math

1. Talk to students about their summer and post-graduation plans — our students inspire us!
2. Enjoy the sunny days — anticipating the Spring!
3. Spend time in the Wellness Center — feeling good from the endorphins!

Alina Baltazar - Social Work

1. I schedule times that I realistically am more likely to be able to focus on writing. Friday afternoons seem to work well for me.
2. I break down the project into steps, so I won’t be so overwhelmed.
3. Though I may resist getting started, I tell myself that once I get started, I will enjoy the process.

David Randall - Chemistry & Biochemistry

1. Get outside: campus trails, beach, forests!
2. Go on a date (it’s happened).
3. Appreciate the sun, when it appears.

Timothy Newkirk - Medical Laboratory Sciences

1. Sit by a full spectrum lamp for 10 minutes a day while reading in the morning.
2. Find an interesting series/show to watch.
3. Spend time planning and daydreaming of trips and adventures that I will do in the year ahead.

Oliver Glanz - Old Testament

1. Ski
2. Have friends over
3. Watch German Comedy

Shannon Trecartin - Social Work

1. Visit friends I haven’t seen in a while.
2. Experiment with some new-to-me warm and cozy recipes like wild mushroom Thai peanut ramen.
3. Spend as much time outside as I can, when the sun graces us with its presence.

Tom Goodwin - Biology

1. Go for a walk 
2. Go birding for a few hours 
3. Read a funny story with my wife, Joanie

Bill Scott - Physical Therapy

1. When there is snow, I enjoy skiing and snowboarding locally or up north.
2. Play Basketball weekly with a group of guys.
3. Get out and walk in the woods to ensure that I get fresh air and exercise.

Rob Zdor - Biology

1. Go for a run.
2. Cross-country ski near the dunes at Lake Michigan
3. Count my blessings.

Ingrid Slikkers - Social Work

1. Learn a new skill for my brain—currently it is knitting and I just finished a scarf. It’s not beautiful but I did it!
2. I started a new book The 5-minute gratitude journal 
3. If there is any sun, I go outside.

Yun Oh - Math

1. Send my prayers for the family in a family group chat in the morning and at night. 
2. Memorize my favorite Bible verses. Galatians 2:20, Isaiah 41:10, John 13:34-35
3. Write a list of prayers and pray for others, students, friends, and people in wars and natural disasters.

Emely Poloche - International Languages & Global Studies

1. Go to the gym or practice an indoor sport. 
2. Drink a cup of tea.
3. Keep in mind that spring is coming. 

Meredith Jones Gray - English

1. Cook or bake something new–and share with friends!
2. Do the NYT crossword puzzle.
3. Buy a bunch or pot of flowers.

Erhard Gallos - Religion and Biblical Languages

1. When we have snow, I go cross-country skiing in Love Creek or further up in Michigan.
2. Spend time with the whole family over the weekends (i.e., we visit our girls in Bloomington, IN).
3. Prepare seminars for camp meeting in summer, and for church weekends in spring and fall.

Sonia Badenas - International Languages & Global Studies

1. Go for walks… outside if there is sun; inside if not.
2. Talk to friends.
3. Watch uplifting documentaries.

Nathan Hess - Physical Therapy

1. Be active in some way (take a walk, play intramurals, go to the gym). 
2. Get the 7 or 8 hours of sleep I need (or take a nap if I didn’t get enough last night). 
3. If I see the sun shining, I get out in it! If I can combine being in the sun with a walk, that’s even better. 

Melissa Poua - Medical Laboratory Science

1. Baking—even something simple like cookies.
2. Finding somewhere cozy to sit and read, like by a fireplace or a big armchair with a blanket.
3. Playing music in the car and singing along (my kids are on a Frank Sinatra kick).

Roy E. Gane - Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages

1. Get outside and exercise.
2. Play with my grandchildren.
3. Sledding behind my house when there is snow.

Monique Pittman - Honors

1. Go to a concert at Chicago Symphony Center.
2. Make a meal for friends and family.
3. Cultivate seedlings for spring in my indoor garden.

Benjamin Navia - Biology

1. Exercise.
2. Spend time with family.
3. Watch a good Netflix show.

Desiree Davis - Social Work

1. Practice regular self-care by spending time each day with God, having regular exercise, and eating healthy, and practicing humor by laughing often and singing most all the time.
2. Do something fun each week that I look forward to doing.
3. Connect often with my support system via text, phone, or Zoom. And be kind to others.

Kristin Denslow - English

1. Go outside, even if it's cold. 
2. Exercise! 
3. Schedule time with friends. Bonus points if you're also outside and/or getting exercise!

David Mbungu - Biology

1. Exercise at the Andreasen Center.
2. Connect with friends.
3. Have an outdoor walk.

Michelle Allyn - Physical Therapy

1. Connect with friends and family
2. Pray/talk with God
3. Listen to uplifting music

Marianne Kordas - Music Library

1. Walking down to the AU farm to see the animals
2. Eating a paczki donut on Mardi Gras
3. Listening to the Grammy 2024 playlist on Spotify or Naxos

Karin Thompson - Music

1. Visit the Fernwood Botanical Garden to see the blossoming winter aconites.
2. Walk to Wolf’s Prairie Park to view Lake Chapin.
3. Stroll around the Andrews University Arboretum to listen to the birds and look for bulbs sprouting green shoots.