Alumni Sponsor - December 2014


*   IT’S A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR   *

It sure has been cold the past few days!!!  Winter will be here soon and we might get tagged with another “polar vortex”.  How do people north of Dallas handle all the cold weather?  My daughter lives in Interlochen, Michigan and said that it probably won’t be above freezing until March or April of next year.  But the cold won’t last too long here because this is Texas.  One thing for sure is that you can count on it being cold when the rodeo comes to town in February.

Thanksgiving is just days away.  I hope you spend time with your family and friends, enjoy some great food and be thankful for all your blessings. Christmas will be here before you know it, but there are some things you must to do before then.  Study! Study! Study!  Finals are from December 12 – 18.  Give yourself an early Christmas present by getting ready now to ace all your finals!

Christmas is a great time of year, not only because of its religious significance, but also for time to be with family and loved ones.  Do you surprise your parents, friends, or potential in-laws when you go home?  I thought the picture of the guy with the Christmas Mohawk was funny.  Google “Christmas Mohawk”.  

I saw some interesting church signs while browsing the Internet.  Two of them are: “Dancing With The Stars of Bethlehem” and “Church Cancelled.  God took his son out for dinner for his birthday”. 

Christmas traditions vary around the globe.  In Ireland, one tradition is to put a tall, thick candle on the sill of the largest window after sunset on Christmas Eve to serve as a guiding light.  In Lithuania, there is an empty place setting at the table for a family member who could not make it or for someone who died during the year.  In the Philippines, a “parol” (bamboo pole or frame with a lighted star lantern on it) is used.  Learn more about Christmas traditions at www.whychristmas.com. I have a cat.  It is always fun at Christmas when you have a cat!  It is entertaining to watch a cat play with the ornaments or climb the tree. 

Christmas is a time for sharing.  Sure, it’s nice to get gifts.  I hear that the best gifts for college students are cash and food.  But it is even better to give gifts, especially those of your time and talents.  Why not start a new tradition this Christmas by helping someone else.  Classes don’t resume until January 14, 2015, so you have plenty of time to help.  Volunteer at Haven for Hope or the San Antonio Food Bank.  Spend some time with the dogs, cats and other animals at the pet shelter.  Whatever it is, do something to make a difference in someone else’s life. It will make a difference in your life too.

This month's question is "What is your favorite holiday memory on campus "?  I would really like to know your answers, so please forward them to me at kpettit@satx.rr.com.   I look forward to being with you again.  Call me at (210) 771-0030 if you have any questions or just want to talk.  

Kim Pettit

Alumni Sponsor