Monday, April 30, 2012

Joys and Woes of Quarters

It's days like today that I really hate college quarter system. Now, before I go on my rant as to why I don't like quarter system, I'm gonna start with what I like about quarter system. I like that if I don't like a class, I only have it for 10 weeks. I like that it allows for super long breaks (i.e., a month at Christmas) I like that I get to take three chunks of classes each year instead of just two. I like that my school is a whole heck of a lot cheaper than other schools. Granted, it doesn't pertain strictly to quarter system, but it is a nice plus anyway.

On to what I don't like. I don't like that I start and end a month after everyone else. When all of my other college friends are starting school in August, I don't start until September. And when they are going away to school, that means they leave. And when they are all taking their finals in the spring, I've still got another week until I have to worry about midterms, then another  few weeks before finals. So while everyone will be coming home within the next week or so (YAY!!) I won't be able to do much with them because I still have homework.

I guess this entire post sums up my thoughts about college. It has it's pros and cons, but it's not anything super spectacular nor dismal. It's just another stage in this process called "growing up" and today, I'm not a huge fan of it.

Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

One of Those Days

Today is shaping up to be one of "those days". You know what I'm talking about. The ones where Murphey's Law hits and everything just doesn't seem to go right. It's only 8:30 and I feel like my day has been awful. So, I stopped by the Starbucks on campus to boost my morning. Yeah. Instead of ordering a hot drink, without even thinking, I got a cold drink. Not what I wanted, and my day wasn't exactly boosted.

Now. I have two options here: I could either continue in my sulky-ness and allow my day to carry on in this less-than-ideal manner, or I can get over what has already happened and work to fix the rest of the day. I think I'm going to try for the latter. Shoot, even just writing this is making it a little bit better: I've acknowledged that things aren't right and recognized the fact that I can change my attitude and try to fix it. So, as of right now, the score stands Bad Day: 1, Me: 1.

So in an effort to make the most of the day, I hereby declare myself fully awake, upbeat, and positive! Here's hoping the rest of me catches up with my thought process. ;)

Exodus 15:2 ESV
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

Monday, April 23, 2012

Observation

So, for an assignment for one of my classes, I had to "shadow" someone in a field that I might possibly consider going into. I thought about it and decided that no chefs would let me hang out in a kitchen, and there aren't any publishing companies around, so I decided to shadow a teacher. I ended up in my friend's middle school science classes and merely observed. Here is how my morning went.

8:08--Leave the house later than I wanted, searching for this school that I didn't have any clue where it was.
8:27--Arrive. Phew. That wasn't as problematic as I expected.
8:36--Get lost looking for the classroom. Decide I should ask for directions.
8:38--Random kid wearing a straw hat similar to a Fedora tips his hat to me. I smile.
8:40--Lost again. Ask person number two.
8:41--Success! Found the room. Chat with teaching friend; make sarcastic remarks about his wall decor.
9:00--First class. Get random looks from every student who enters.
9:20--Some Junior Higher wolf-whistles at me.
10:00--Class two. More confused looks from students.
10:30--Decide this is not actually a science lab, due to the lack of Bunsen Burners.
11:00--Class three. Ignored by students who enter; listen to lecture on the Circulatory system...again.
11:15--Student to teacher: "Who's she?" Teacher: "A friend" Student to me: "Hi, Friend!" Me: "Hi, Student". Laughter.
11:48--Leave during class activity to beat the mobs of students at lunch on my way to the car.

In all, it was an...enlightening experience. I discovered that at the end of the school year, they just want to leave. Also, they don't stop moving. My conclusion is this: maybe I could be a middle school teacher. I might have to throw that option into the mix of possible life careers. I'm also considering observing a lower elementary class as well, before I write the essay on my experience. Just because.

Psalm 119:9 NIV
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."

Monday, April 16, 2012

10 Things

Hello there!!!! Sometimes, I like to make lists. Okay, that's a little not true. I LOVE to make lists. I make them for everything. Shopping lists, to do lists, book lists, that sort of thing. Anyway, I thought I'd make a list of 10 things that I really love. So here goes. Also, these are in no particular order.

1. Reese's Peanut butter cups: By far the best candy invented. Although peanut butter M&Ms are good, too.
2.Really soft blankets: Particularly when it's cold and there is a fire and I have a book. =)
3. RomComs: Or, romantic comedies. I love them, even if they are obscenely predictable.
4. Reading: Duh. It's only the greatest past time ever!!
5. Cats: Most people who don't like cats would argue that "Dogs are man's best friends" and "If you want a pet get a dog, if you want to be a pet, get a cat" and blah blah blah. But cat's have a mind of their own and they are kinda sassy. I'm more like a cat.  They're just better.
6. Country music: I don't even know why. But it's my favorite genre of music.
7. Home-cooked meals: There's always an element of love and food brings people together. Also, my mom is a pretty dang good cook.
8. The Bean: If you've been to Chicago, you know what it is.
9. My best friends: They just make me laugh. All the time. Even without meaning to. It's AWESOME. And they are totally cool with the fact that I'm kinda insane.
10. Laughter. Have you ever noticed that everyone laughs in the same language? It's something that I'm often struck by. I can see someone from another lifestyle, another culture, another language laughing and know that they just found something funny. It's something that unites everyone everywhere. We may have nothing in common with them, but we both laugh. I don't know if it has that effect on everyone or if it's just me. I just love it.

Hebrews 11:1 NIV
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Friday, April 13, 2012

Can Someone Shed Light on This?

I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but I've set a pretty  intense reading goal for myself this year. 100 new books. That's roughly two books a week. That's an AWFUL lot of reading. Not that I mind. You know, being a bookworm and all. The problem with this little goal is simply a matter of time. I never seem to have enough of it. (Which explains why I haven't blogged since mid March. Sorry!!!) So I try and set a little time aside for reading each night. It's usually the last thing I do before going to sleep. But somehow, it's still not enough. I'm currently on my 14th book. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. It's quite popular amongst teenage readers these days (despite the fact that it's a classic), but I just don't get the draw of it. I've met so many people that are all, "Oh my gosh! I love Holden Caulfield! I probably relate to him more than any other fictional character!" Now, I'm not trying to put you down if you are one of these people. I simply don't get it. I'm halfway through the book and all that's happened is Holden has gotten kicked out of school and he doesn't want to tell his parents yet. What is so exciting about that? It's also really, really, really angst-y. Maybe once I finish it and I've experienced the whole novel, it will make more sense and I'll appreciate it more. But until then, could someone please explain to me the allure that it holds? Thanks.

Isaiah 43:2-3a NIV
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."