I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't do my annual "yearly review" when the new year began since it has been my tradition for the past million years, but oh well. When did something so important to me (like documenting a year in the life) just suddenly doesn't matter to me anymore? I don't know if I like that or not. The other day I got really nostalgic about my childhood, specifically my time spent in Ford City, and I got really upset thinking about how things have changed and I don't know if it has been a good change or not. More good than bad, certainly, but the family is even dramatically different...it's just a weird feeling. The fact that I didn't even get to spend Christmas with either side of the family (with the exception of the two families that live within 10 minutes of me) due to weather and other complications...I would never have agreed to that even months ago. I don't know...life is just so crazy sometimes.
I feel weird writing this blog post right now because we're talking about blogging in my Autobiography class and the reasons or motives behind the blogger--whether it's egotistical or a cry for attention or if it's just to document every little thing you do each day ("Today, I woke up and then I brushed my teeth. I made a bagel in the toaster with cream cheese. I walked to class and....."). And is it worth reading? Do you have to be a celebrity or someone with authority to be "worthy?" And I wondered about my motives in writing this blog. I don't feel like I'm particularly egotistical or anything...at least I hope not! I don't want the whole world to read this, but yet I want a few people to. It's rather paradoxical. I think it also has to do with the fact that things are so fast-paced nowadays that it's easier and more efficient to type everything out than to write it down in a notebook. (Sad.)
Now I don't even feel like finishing this post. There is some rendition of "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" coming through my wall that I can't concentrate. More later. :)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sophomore Slump
It’s been about a million and one years since I’ve blogged and the post prior was me ranting about studying (Thanks Tammy, by the way, for the great advice!). So a LOT has happened and, as usual, I am mad at myself for not documenting it. Alas, I shall try my best now.
I curled up in bed typing this (of course, typing it on Pages first since Westminster does not have wireless internet and it is a pain to stretch the cord from my desk to my bed....) since I have the chance to take a break. Can I just say the term “Sophomore slump” has come up once again? I used it four years ago to describe 10th grade and it seems pretty applicable now as well. It’s much different though, of course. I can’t say that this semester is going all that well. It’s definitely not bad--there are some great times--but it’s not awesome either. I think it’s been a real learning experience thus far, and sometimes that’s not enjoyable, but I hope it will be worth it in the end. Actually, I’m confident it will. It seems like the rest of my peers have been experiencing this as well. And we all relied on the fact that everyone else says sophomore year is the worst and it gets better. So I’ve been clinging to that notion that it’s all good once I get past this year--if I can just get by a little longer, it will pay off. But my roommate brought up an interesting point. She had been talking to a friend from home who is also a sophomore at another school and she was discussing how this year has been going (poorly) and he replied that having that idea that it gets better NEXT year or LATER or another time isn’t the right way to live. Instead of accepting that it’s going to be a drag or that it’s going to be difficult, make the change that makes it better. Of course, that is easier said than done and it takes more than just a change within one’s attitude to make it all “better,” but it is definitely a much more optimistic and intelligent way of looking at things. It’s going to take some time, but I hope I carry on that outlook as opposed to my current take.
One of my last real posts was about band camp. I can’t believe how long ago that was. I feel so different from that time and place, yet I also feel stagnant in my disposition as a “slumpy sophomore.” (That’s attractive.) It’s weird. Band has been interesting this season. I have really enjoyed it, particularly being an officer and a year older and all of the fun it brings, but I certainly was over marching band long before I should have. Every year, you reach a certain point when you’re ready to move on from something. For marching band, that usually occurs three quarters of the way into the season. This year, however, it occurred right around the first couple of games. It’s rather sad, considering that leads to poor attitudes about commitments during games and festivals, but at least I am not dreading it now. Only the weather makes me miserable. One more game to go next weekend and it is Senior Recognition. I can’t believe one year ago, we were watching Darnelle getting recognized. So sad. Now it’s Nick’s turn...wahh..It’s going to be so so weird without him. I miss Darnelle terribly...I wish she would come visit!! But anyway, overall I’m happy with how the season went, but I am definitely ready for it to end.
I’ve become even more involved on campus this semester, if you can believe that is even possible. As far as Kappa Delta goes, I’ve been doing a lot. I became the sophomore member of Standards board and accepted the appointed office of Historian. I am also on the Recruitment and Girl Scout committees. Currently, we are undergoing the process of electing a new council and I am applying for VP of Membership (aka recruitment) and VP of Membership Education. I have to turn in my application by tomorrow at midnight and will interview sometime next week. Should be interesting! If I don’t make council, I was nominated to attend PELC (Presidents and Emerging Leaders Conference) at KD Headquarters in January! So either way, I am pleased.
In addition to Kappa Delta, I am in Wind Ensemble now (by luck and default, to be honest, as I didn’t have to audition) and that is fun. We have a concert on Friday. Anddd I auditioned for Dance Theater and I am in Ali’s Kickline number to Dreamgirls “One Night Only.” I think I made it mostly by default, as well, but I’ve been enjoying it so far. It’s definitely something new.
I have to make a decision incredibly soon about auditioning for Chapel Drama or not this year. The auditions are tomorrow or Thursday. They are doing “Honk!” this year. I have been making a pros and cons list and I’m still unsure. The pros: I love musicals, singing, and dancing, I would get to be with Alyssa when she comes back from London, and I have been doing shows for 4 years now. The cons: I don’t want to kill myself by adding something else to my schedule. It’s a lot to think about and I don’t want to regret it...but I have to sacrifice something. One part of me says why not since I only live once and even if it’s crazy busy, I’ll get to do it and have fun. The other part says to me it’s not worth compromising my attitude or my free time or my academics for a show. I don’t know! At this point, it looks like I’m not auditioning, especially considering I don’t even know what I would sing. I just don’t remember what it’s like not to be in a musical at some point of the year. I will probably regret it when I go see the show and realize I could have been up on that stage and to have those memories with my castmates, but I have to give somewhere. If there’s something I’ve learned in college, it’s that as much as I want to do everything, I can’t. I have to give up some things in order to do others, even if I love them. Like Gospel Choir, for example. I love it and if I had the will power, I could make rehearsals, but I just have too much going on and it’s been placed at the bottom of the list. In a way, it’s really sad since that’s a big way for me to worship, but I think it will all work out in the end. Another thing that I feel sophomore year is all about is the feeling that everything has become a chore--an obligation, a requirement, a time commitment. Things that are supposed to be fun (and you signed up for with that intention) are just one more thing to add to the schedule. That’s not right at all. I’ve been trying to realize that and perhaps that is why I am not signing up for Honk! this year. I don’t want things I really enjoy to turn into something I resent and regret. Ah so contradictory.
I’ve been tutoring at the Walker House, in the Southside of New Castle. That has been an interesting experience for me. Because I am the only tutor that comes on Fridays and that is their “fun” day, I act more like a babysitter than a tutor. It’s frustrating for me because I chose Walker House to work with the older students, and yet I am babysitting the youngest children of the group. But I’ve learned that this whole program is bigger than me. It may be a requirement I am doing for school, but they need our help. They need my help on Fridays. They could not run smoothly and successfully if I wasn’t keeping watch of those kids while the others were learning. God has created this safe environment for them to come after school, where they can feel loved and cared for, and I am just a part of that. It doesn’t matter that I’m not getting the exposure to older students... it matters, but not in this case. What matters is that I help them. It gets annoying and sometimes I wish things were different, but I just remember that and I do it for the kids and for the adults there. I don’t get boastful of this and feel all high and mighty; in fact, it humbles me. I am so blessed with family, friends, school, a safe and comfortable home and environment, and the endless possibilities for learning and growing. Going to the Walker House reminds me of that.
I had a really fantastic weekend. On Friday, Aaron and I went to the outlets and to Thiel to visit his sister Sarah. That was lots of fun as always! Saturday, we had made plans to go to the zoo! It was SOOOO much fun! It was chilly and rainy so there weren’t many people there and the animals were out and moving around. We had a blast. Afterwards, we went to my house and surprised my family. We were able to relax and eat dinner with them. We traversed all over Butler to find Aaron a Halloween costume (and a little girl was saying in the next aisle “No one would wait until now to buy a costume!” hahahaa) and eventually made it back to school. It was an interesting night, but a very good one. All in all, a wonderful weekend and I’m really thankful for it.
Anyway, I am hoping to take a nap before my next class as well as get some work done. So byeeeeeeee.
I curled up in bed typing this (of course, typing it on Pages first since Westminster does not have wireless internet and it is a pain to stretch the cord from my desk to my bed....) since I have the chance to take a break. Can I just say the term “Sophomore slump” has come up once again? I used it four years ago to describe 10th grade and it seems pretty applicable now as well. It’s much different though, of course. I can’t say that this semester is going all that well. It’s definitely not bad--there are some great times--but it’s not awesome either. I think it’s been a real learning experience thus far, and sometimes that’s not enjoyable, but I hope it will be worth it in the end. Actually, I’m confident it will. It seems like the rest of my peers have been experiencing this as well. And we all relied on the fact that everyone else says sophomore year is the worst and it gets better. So I’ve been clinging to that notion that it’s all good once I get past this year--if I can just get by a little longer, it will pay off. But my roommate brought up an interesting point. She had been talking to a friend from home who is also a sophomore at another school and she was discussing how this year has been going (poorly) and he replied that having that idea that it gets better NEXT year or LATER or another time isn’t the right way to live. Instead of accepting that it’s going to be a drag or that it’s going to be difficult, make the change that makes it better. Of course, that is easier said than done and it takes more than just a change within one’s attitude to make it all “better,” but it is definitely a much more optimistic and intelligent way of looking at things. It’s going to take some time, but I hope I carry on that outlook as opposed to my current take.
One of my last real posts was about band camp. I can’t believe how long ago that was. I feel so different from that time and place, yet I also feel stagnant in my disposition as a “slumpy sophomore.” (That’s attractive.) It’s weird. Band has been interesting this season. I have really enjoyed it, particularly being an officer and a year older and all of the fun it brings, but I certainly was over marching band long before I should have. Every year, you reach a certain point when you’re ready to move on from something. For marching band, that usually occurs three quarters of the way into the season. This year, however, it occurred right around the first couple of games. It’s rather sad, considering that leads to poor attitudes about commitments during games and festivals, but at least I am not dreading it now. Only the weather makes me miserable. One more game to go next weekend and it is Senior Recognition. I can’t believe one year ago, we were watching Darnelle getting recognized. So sad. Now it’s Nick’s turn...wahh..It’s going to be so so weird without him. I miss Darnelle terribly...I wish she would come visit!! But anyway, overall I’m happy with how the season went, but I am definitely ready for it to end.
I’ve become even more involved on campus this semester, if you can believe that is even possible. As far as Kappa Delta goes, I’ve been doing a lot. I became the sophomore member of Standards board and accepted the appointed office of Historian. I am also on the Recruitment and Girl Scout committees. Currently, we are undergoing the process of electing a new council and I am applying for VP of Membership (aka recruitment) and VP of Membership Education. I have to turn in my application by tomorrow at midnight and will interview sometime next week. Should be interesting! If I don’t make council, I was nominated to attend PELC (Presidents and Emerging Leaders Conference) at KD Headquarters in January! So either way, I am pleased.
In addition to Kappa Delta, I am in Wind Ensemble now (by luck and default, to be honest, as I didn’t have to audition) and that is fun. We have a concert on Friday. Anddd I auditioned for Dance Theater and I am in Ali’s Kickline number to Dreamgirls “One Night Only.” I think I made it mostly by default, as well, but I’ve been enjoying it so far. It’s definitely something new.
I have to make a decision incredibly soon about auditioning for Chapel Drama or not this year. The auditions are tomorrow or Thursday. They are doing “Honk!” this year. I have been making a pros and cons list and I’m still unsure. The pros: I love musicals, singing, and dancing, I would get to be with Alyssa when she comes back from London, and I have been doing shows for 4 years now. The cons: I don’t want to kill myself by adding something else to my schedule. It’s a lot to think about and I don’t want to regret it...but I have to sacrifice something. One part of me says why not since I only live once and even if it’s crazy busy, I’ll get to do it and have fun. The other part says to me it’s not worth compromising my attitude or my free time or my academics for a show. I don’t know! At this point, it looks like I’m not auditioning, especially considering I don’t even know what I would sing. I just don’t remember what it’s like not to be in a musical at some point of the year. I will probably regret it when I go see the show and realize I could have been up on that stage and to have those memories with my castmates, but I have to give somewhere. If there’s something I’ve learned in college, it’s that as much as I want to do everything, I can’t. I have to give up some things in order to do others, even if I love them. Like Gospel Choir, for example. I love it and if I had the will power, I could make rehearsals, but I just have too much going on and it’s been placed at the bottom of the list. In a way, it’s really sad since that’s a big way for me to worship, but I think it will all work out in the end. Another thing that I feel sophomore year is all about is the feeling that everything has become a chore--an obligation, a requirement, a time commitment. Things that are supposed to be fun (and you signed up for with that intention) are just one more thing to add to the schedule. That’s not right at all. I’ve been trying to realize that and perhaps that is why I am not signing up for Honk! this year. I don’t want things I really enjoy to turn into something I resent and regret. Ah so contradictory.
I’ve been tutoring at the Walker House, in the Southside of New Castle. That has been an interesting experience for me. Because I am the only tutor that comes on Fridays and that is their “fun” day, I act more like a babysitter than a tutor. It’s frustrating for me because I chose Walker House to work with the older students, and yet I am babysitting the youngest children of the group. But I’ve learned that this whole program is bigger than me. It may be a requirement I am doing for school, but they need our help. They need my help on Fridays. They could not run smoothly and successfully if I wasn’t keeping watch of those kids while the others were learning. God has created this safe environment for them to come after school, where they can feel loved and cared for, and I am just a part of that. It doesn’t matter that I’m not getting the exposure to older students... it matters, but not in this case. What matters is that I help them. It gets annoying and sometimes I wish things were different, but I just remember that and I do it for the kids and for the adults there. I don’t get boastful of this and feel all high and mighty; in fact, it humbles me. I am so blessed with family, friends, school, a safe and comfortable home and environment, and the endless possibilities for learning and growing. Going to the Walker House reminds me of that.
I had a really fantastic weekend. On Friday, Aaron and I went to the outlets and to Thiel to visit his sister Sarah. That was lots of fun as always! Saturday, we had made plans to go to the zoo! It was SOOOO much fun! It was chilly and rainy so there weren’t many people there and the animals were out and moving around. We had a blast. Afterwards, we went to my house and surprised my family. We were able to relax and eat dinner with them. We traversed all over Butler to find Aaron a Halloween costume (and a little girl was saying in the next aisle “No one would wait until now to buy a costume!” hahahaa) and eventually made it back to school. It was an interesting night, but a very good one. All in all, a wonderful weekend and I’m really thankful for it.
Anyway, I am hoping to take a nap before my next class as well as get some work done. So byeeeeeeee.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I don't think I can study properly.
It's amazing to realize how much things have changed in the past decade, especially with studying. I am writing because I wanted to take a break from studying for my Ed Psych midterm tomorrow. I couldn't help myself from logging onto this website because the computer is right in front of me (even though I actually made it into the library...I'm still not apart from technology). I could barely concentrate on the homemade study guide I made on my laptop (yep, it's an integral part of studying for me), and I kept looking at my phone for text messages and continuously logging in to see if my email worked (which, by the way, doesn't, because Westminster email/internet=sucky). It's absolutely pathetic. I'm not trying to say I can't be a good studier because I can. There are times when I can get sucked into the material and I am not distracted by anything...but how often is that? As someone who doesn't study or hasn't studied much, I find it difficult when I do. I think study skills range for everyone and for me, it often involves typing up my own study guide on the computer or rewriting it out on paper and looking over it. The process of writing/typing it out is where I study the most. It's hard to concentrate on the words once their printed out and I'm just looking at it unless I'm asking a friend questions or vice versa. This is my problem currently, as I am just staring at my beautifully highlighted (another distraction/procrastination) study guide. I'm watching other people in the lab doing their work and wondering what they are going through or what they are thinking about. I just can't believe how much my mind is doing at this very moment. This age of multitasking is absolutely ridiculous sometimes. I pride myself on being a very good multitasker and it's proven to be extremely helpful in my life. But sometimes I wonder what the detrimental effects society and the media and technology are for our generation, and for myself. Though I get by pretty darn well and I love technology, I wonder what life would be like if it were a lot simpler...Fewer distractions, fewer worries, less stress, less grief. Now that I reread this and I think about it, I really believe I need a break. I am typing rather quickly and I can tell that my thoughts are just itching to spill out. Fall break is just around the corner, but to get there, I know I have to face this ridiculously busy Homecoming weekend and one more week after that. I just need to endure. Okay, well I will probably delete this later. Back to "studying."
Monday, September 7, 2009
I am not feeling the creative juices today to come up with a title!
So I thought I'd update about this past week.
By now I've had all of my various classes. I mentioned about Math Perspectives and Jane Austen already. But I am also taking Ed Psych, which is pretty fun because I have a really good class. My professor also starts out with an ice breaker every class, which is cool because we can keep track of them and use them in our own classrooms. I will have to do some observations (probably over Fall break) and another practicum experience. I think I would like to tutor this semester at the Walker House in New Castle, so we will see how that goes. I am also taking Bio 101 this semester. It's not going to be too bad, but I will probably just find it more of a waste of my time, especially considering the three hour labs we have on Wednesdays in addition to class three days a week. But once I complete this semester, all of my IP's (Intellectual Perspectives required at WC) will be completed so I can focus on my major and minor. I could potentially pick up another minor too, if I wish. So we'll see. Not sure exactly yet. But I'm also in symphonic band, of course, which is marching band right now. Which leads me to my next bit of news...
I decided once again NOT to try out for Wind Ensemble, mostly because I get very intimidated by such a short period of time to learn/practice the audition piece, I am terrified because I don't have any teaching assistance to help me beforehand (like in HS, where you ran the piece with the entire band, at least a few times before an audition), and I was just busy with everything else going on. So auditions came and went, 8 clarinets trying out and filling up the 8 slots. As luck would have it, one clarinet has dropped out for some reason, leaving an opening. Dr. Greig asked Ben if he wanted to fill it again, but he is overbooked this semester. So that left me. And I can fit it in my schedule so I took it! I am also hoping to get into Wind Ensemble next year because the group is going to Scotland! (I know. ds;gjalsdgjs;adgj) So I hope this year helps me improve so that when I actually...you know, try out, I can hopefully make it. But now that gives me another class that meets three days a week...yikes.
In addition to joining Wind Ensemble, I've been getting involved in new things. At our first KD meeting, we needed a sophomore for Standards board (ask if you want to know more about it), so that ended up being me....cool. And then I was asked if I would like to be an appointed officer as Historian. That would mean I would make scrapbooks, send monthly reports to nationals about what the sisterhood is up to, not just with KD events and activities. So I think that would be pretty cool, so I accepted. And I guess I'm part of recruitment committee now? I'm not really sure, I just went to a planning meeting and then my name got put on the list...oops. But that's fun too. I figure that this semester I don't have such a ridiculous schedule (except on Wednesdays...and it's probably a lot worse than I think once I continue to get more work) so why not get involved in things that are going to benefit me? My extracurriculars are going to be Gospel Choir and Seekers and MAYBE chapel drama...I don't know. Lambda Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi won't take up too much of my time. Ah, so much. :) I love it. Hopefully I won't be hating myself though...
Jane Austen is definitely a killer. Reading Northanger Abbey and preparing a presentation in a week was a challenge. I even paced myself and read every single day, but it was stressful knowing I had lots of pages to go yesterday. But I made it through! Only five more of her works to go? I really like that class though. It makes me happy to enjoy English classes because it reassures me that I am supposed to be an English teacher. I think I've found that my focus is going a lot more to my future career this semester, not that it didn't my freshman year, but more so it seems. I feel more confident than I used to. I still need to gain experience with middle and high school students though. It'll come though.
This past weekend was kind of a letdown overall, to be honest. Friday night was the Gateway Clipper dance and I loved getting dressed up all pretty and Aaron looked amazingly handsome. Once we got on the boat (after enduring ANNOYING girls, probably drunk, singing christmas tunes and yelling at our bus driver), we found that we weren't in much of a dancing mood. This is extremely surprising for both me and Aaron, as we used to take full advantage of our past dances. But I think we just chalked it up to the ridiculousness of the past week. We enjoyed watching the city go by, but it was freezing even with a sweater. Possibly the biggest reason why we didn't enjoy ourselves as much was because the music was awful. I can usually tolerate bad songs, but only when they throw in some good ones to keep me going. This DJ did not at all. So that was depressing. But what can you do? We ended up not getting home until 4 AM and then had to get up early the next day. Aaron and I watched his sister run in her cross country meet at 10 AM and then got ready for our first football game. As most of the band had gone on the boat, everyone was just dead and we also hadn't practiced much so the game was destined to be a fail. The show went surprisingly OKAY and it wasn't a disaster, but it could've been so much better. The game itself was so boring and obviously we lost. It was just really crappy to have to sit there for the second half...but we made it through. Afterwards, I fell asleep.
The evening was just as ehh as the rest of the weekend. I went to my mixer, which was just okay and was going to go out, but cautioned not to because of how crazy it was going to be, ended up having to read Northanger Abbey in my bed on Saturday night. Woo. Oh well, whatever. I woke up for church on Sunday morning and then went to brunch. After lots of homework, I had dinner and then the KD meeting I mentioned previously. So yay. I hope that this coming weekend is more fun.
Anyway, I'm off for now! Cross your fingers that I don't get the swine flu...our first case has cropped up!
By now I've had all of my various classes. I mentioned about Math Perspectives and Jane Austen already. But I am also taking Ed Psych, which is pretty fun because I have a really good class. My professor also starts out with an ice breaker every class, which is cool because we can keep track of them and use them in our own classrooms. I will have to do some observations (probably over Fall break) and another practicum experience. I think I would like to tutor this semester at the Walker House in New Castle, so we will see how that goes. I am also taking Bio 101 this semester. It's not going to be too bad, but I will probably just find it more of a waste of my time, especially considering the three hour labs we have on Wednesdays in addition to class three days a week. But once I complete this semester, all of my IP's (Intellectual Perspectives required at WC) will be completed so I can focus on my major and minor. I could potentially pick up another minor too, if I wish. So we'll see. Not sure exactly yet. But I'm also in symphonic band, of course, which is marching band right now. Which leads me to my next bit of news...
I decided once again NOT to try out for Wind Ensemble, mostly because I get very intimidated by such a short period of time to learn/practice the audition piece, I am terrified because I don't have any teaching assistance to help me beforehand (like in HS, where you ran the piece with the entire band, at least a few times before an audition), and I was just busy with everything else going on. So auditions came and went, 8 clarinets trying out and filling up the 8 slots. As luck would have it, one clarinet has dropped out for some reason, leaving an opening. Dr. Greig asked Ben if he wanted to fill it again, but he is overbooked this semester. So that left me. And I can fit it in my schedule so I took it! I am also hoping to get into Wind Ensemble next year because the group is going to Scotland! (I know. ds;gjalsdgjs;adgj) So I hope this year helps me improve so that when I actually...you know, try out, I can hopefully make it. But now that gives me another class that meets three days a week...yikes.
In addition to joining Wind Ensemble, I've been getting involved in new things. At our first KD meeting, we needed a sophomore for Standards board (ask if you want to know more about it), so that ended up being me....cool. And then I was asked if I would like to be an appointed officer as Historian. That would mean I would make scrapbooks, send monthly reports to nationals about what the sisterhood is up to, not just with KD events and activities. So I think that would be pretty cool, so I accepted. And I guess I'm part of recruitment committee now? I'm not really sure, I just went to a planning meeting and then my name got put on the list...oops. But that's fun too. I figure that this semester I don't have such a ridiculous schedule (except on Wednesdays...and it's probably a lot worse than I think once I continue to get more work) so why not get involved in things that are going to benefit me? My extracurriculars are going to be Gospel Choir and Seekers and MAYBE chapel drama...I don't know. Lambda Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi won't take up too much of my time. Ah, so much. :) I love it. Hopefully I won't be hating myself though...
Jane Austen is definitely a killer. Reading Northanger Abbey and preparing a presentation in a week was a challenge. I even paced myself and read every single day, but it was stressful knowing I had lots of pages to go yesterday. But I made it through! Only five more of her works to go? I really like that class though. It makes me happy to enjoy English classes because it reassures me that I am supposed to be an English teacher. I think I've found that my focus is going a lot more to my future career this semester, not that it didn't my freshman year, but more so it seems. I feel more confident than I used to. I still need to gain experience with middle and high school students though. It'll come though.
This past weekend was kind of a letdown overall, to be honest. Friday night was the Gateway Clipper dance and I loved getting dressed up all pretty and Aaron looked amazingly handsome. Once we got on the boat (after enduring ANNOYING girls, probably drunk, singing christmas tunes and yelling at our bus driver), we found that we weren't in much of a dancing mood. This is extremely surprising for both me and Aaron, as we used to take full advantage of our past dances. But I think we just chalked it up to the ridiculousness of the past week. We enjoyed watching the city go by, but it was freezing even with a sweater. Possibly the biggest reason why we didn't enjoy ourselves as much was because the music was awful. I can usually tolerate bad songs, but only when they throw in some good ones to keep me going. This DJ did not at all. So that was depressing. But what can you do? We ended up not getting home until 4 AM and then had to get up early the next day. Aaron and I watched his sister run in her cross country meet at 10 AM and then got ready for our first football game. As most of the band had gone on the boat, everyone was just dead and we also hadn't practiced much so the game was destined to be a fail. The show went surprisingly OKAY and it wasn't a disaster, but it could've been so much better. The game itself was so boring and obviously we lost. It was just really crappy to have to sit there for the second half...but we made it through. Afterwards, I fell asleep.
The evening was just as ehh as the rest of the weekend. I went to my mixer, which was just okay and was going to go out, but cautioned not to because of how crazy it was going to be, ended up having to read Northanger Abbey in my bed on Saturday night. Woo. Oh well, whatever. I woke up for church on Sunday morning and then went to brunch. After lots of homework, I had dinner and then the KD meeting I mentioned previously. So yay. I hope that this coming weekend is more fun.
Anyway, I'm off for now! Cross your fingers that I don't get the swine flu...our first case has cropped up!
Monday, August 31, 2009
And so it begins again!
I finally have a little breathing room today so I decided I needed to update about the past two weeks. It's so crazy that in such a short span of time I've finished working, come back to Westminster, gone through band camp, packed my life away into boxes and hung it up in a new room, made new friends, connected with old friends, gone home for the day, played a new board game, danced, slept in, and so much more. Needless to say, it's good to be back.
Where to begin? So much to say. I finished up my last week at Playcamp on a great note. I loveee my kids and my coworkers. It was a very bittersweet end to the summer. I was excited about what was to come, but I was also sad to leave everyone, especially when I knew there was still a week left of camp that I was going to miss. But alas, I was free! I spent the next couple of days packing and preparing for the craziness that was ahead.
On Tuesday, the 18th, I left for Westminster two days prior to band camp. On one of the hottest days of the summer, my family and I dragged all of my crap up to the 3rd floor of Ferg...only to find that I did not have bathroom stalls or shower curtains. LOVELY. That problem has eventually fixed itself, but I took two showers without curtains and had to use other bathrooms on other floors for about a week. But anyway, I wasn't feeling too great about Ferg, but currently I am pretty happy about it. After settling in a bit, I joined the other band officers down in the music department and Dr. Greig took us all out to dinner at Lanigan's, an Irish pub and eatery. That was a ton of fun. It made me feel so great to be back. The next day, we woke up bright and early and spent the day organizing, planning, and setting up for the next day. We also picked up a golf cart that we got to use for band camp!!! It was sooo awesome. Hahaha.
Anyway, the next day was band camp!! Band camp is one of those things, at least at Westminster, where you are completely excited because it's awesome, but you also have to take a step back, breathe a few deep breaths, and then dive in. It's absolutely exhausting, both physically and mentally, and it takes a lot of will power, but it's also really rewarding and fun. We met all of the new clarinets and realized just how AMAZING the section was going to be. The week was great. The drill looks really nice, the music is getting better each practice, and we had a really great time. Mandatory fun nights were all successful! I really enjoyed my experience as an officer...getting to know Dr. Greig has been extremely valuable and fun. The other officers were a blast to work with and I loved having some leadership and responsibility.
(Okay, so I wrote that yesterday and now I have another chance to continue writing...) Once band camp ended last Thursday, Fresh Start began, meaning Aaron and I had a weekend to ourselves to relax and hang out before everyone else arrived and classes started. On Friday, we slept in and took a little road trip back to my house to drop off some things and pick up a few items I had forgotten. My parents took us out to dinner and then we went to Target before relaxing a bit and making the trip back to WC. That evening, we played the most amazing game with Ali, Derek, Alyssa, and Milt. It's called the Game of Things and it's like a cross between Apples to Apples and Balderdash. I loveeee it. That was awesome. The next day, after sleeping in, Aaron and I went to Marks Music, Sheetz, a toystore, and then to Thiel to see his sister's new apartment. We had a really good time. It was great to see Sarah too. After a much needed nap, we went to the J.D. Eicher and the Goodnights concert on campus, which is always wonderful. I was happy to see my freshmen bandies enjoying themselves. Finally, we took a late night run to Walmart and crashed. Sunday morning, I accidently didn't get up until noon (oops). Aaron and I went to lunch, played N64, ate dinner, and took a nap. I had my first official hall meeting for the year and then we joined the freshmen at the Reggae dance. It was a good time. I tried to get a lot of things accomplished yesterday (Monday) and still ended up finding myself with nothing to do. Hahaha oh Westminster. It was such a great weekend though and VERY much needed after such a ridiculously crazy week.
Today was the start of classes! I always get that nervous/anxious/excited feeling before classes begin and this year was no different. I don't think I had as much time to comprehend or realize what was about to start, however. Or maybe I just didn't really worry so much. Who knows. I woke up at the dreaded hour of 6:30 AM (this will soon change) and got ready for my 7:40 Math Perspectives II class. It ended up going really well. I like my professor and it wasn't too painful. We went the entire hour and half though and I went straight to my Jane Austen class. I think I am going to loveeee this class, except it's going to be a ton of work. I already have to read Northanger Abbey and do a report/presentation for next week. Yikes. But my professor is so passionate about Jane Austen so that just makes things that much more exciting and enjoyable. Later on today I have my Ed Psych class, so that should be interesting. I hope it goes well. I know I will have to do another practicum experience, so that is both nerve-wracking and exciting. Tomorrow I luck out and don't have class until 10:30 (on MWF's), but it's Bio 101, so ew. And I have a lab. And band rehearsal...that's going to be a slight disaster, considering it's our only practice before our first game on Saturday! But yay!
This weekend is going to be awesome also because the Gateway Clipper Dance is on Friday! I can't WAIT. Ahh, it's so wonderful to be back. My goals this semester are to spend more time with new people, work really hard in my classes, and participate in things that are really going to benefit me and my future career. So, cross my fingers and hope that it all goes well!
Where to begin? So much to say. I finished up my last week at Playcamp on a great note. I loveee my kids and my coworkers. It was a very bittersweet end to the summer. I was excited about what was to come, but I was also sad to leave everyone, especially when I knew there was still a week left of camp that I was going to miss. But alas, I was free! I spent the next couple of days packing and preparing for the craziness that was ahead.
On Tuesday, the 18th, I left for Westminster two days prior to band camp. On one of the hottest days of the summer, my family and I dragged all of my crap up to the 3rd floor of Ferg...only to find that I did not have bathroom stalls or shower curtains. LOVELY. That problem has eventually fixed itself, but I took two showers without curtains and had to use other bathrooms on other floors for about a week. But anyway, I wasn't feeling too great about Ferg, but currently I am pretty happy about it. After settling in a bit, I joined the other band officers down in the music department and Dr. Greig took us all out to dinner at Lanigan's, an Irish pub and eatery. That was a ton of fun. It made me feel so great to be back. The next day, we woke up bright and early and spent the day organizing, planning, and setting up for the next day. We also picked up a golf cart that we got to use for band camp!!! It was sooo awesome. Hahaha.
Anyway, the next day was band camp!! Band camp is one of those things, at least at Westminster, where you are completely excited because it's awesome, but you also have to take a step back, breathe a few deep breaths, and then dive in. It's absolutely exhausting, both physically and mentally, and it takes a lot of will power, but it's also really rewarding and fun. We met all of the new clarinets and realized just how AMAZING the section was going to be. The week was great. The drill looks really nice, the music is getting better each practice, and we had a really great time. Mandatory fun nights were all successful! I really enjoyed my experience as an officer...getting to know Dr. Greig has been extremely valuable and fun. The other officers were a blast to work with and I loved having some leadership and responsibility.
(Okay, so I wrote that yesterday and now I have another chance to continue writing...) Once band camp ended last Thursday, Fresh Start began, meaning Aaron and I had a weekend to ourselves to relax and hang out before everyone else arrived and classes started. On Friday, we slept in and took a little road trip back to my house to drop off some things and pick up a few items I had forgotten. My parents took us out to dinner and then we went to Target before relaxing a bit and making the trip back to WC. That evening, we played the most amazing game with Ali, Derek, Alyssa, and Milt. It's called the Game of Things and it's like a cross between Apples to Apples and Balderdash. I loveeee it. That was awesome. The next day, after sleeping in, Aaron and I went to Marks Music, Sheetz, a toystore, and then to Thiel to see his sister's new apartment. We had a really good time. It was great to see Sarah too. After a much needed nap, we went to the J.D. Eicher and the Goodnights concert on campus, which is always wonderful. I was happy to see my freshmen bandies enjoying themselves. Finally, we took a late night run to Walmart and crashed. Sunday morning, I accidently didn't get up until noon (oops). Aaron and I went to lunch, played N64, ate dinner, and took a nap. I had my first official hall meeting for the year and then we joined the freshmen at the Reggae dance. It was a good time. I tried to get a lot of things accomplished yesterday (Monday) and still ended up finding myself with nothing to do. Hahaha oh Westminster. It was such a great weekend though and VERY much needed after such a ridiculously crazy week.
Today was the start of classes! I always get that nervous/anxious/excited feeling before classes begin and this year was no different. I don't think I had as much time to comprehend or realize what was about to start, however. Or maybe I just didn't really worry so much. Who knows. I woke up at the dreaded hour of 6:30 AM (this will soon change) and got ready for my 7:40 Math Perspectives II class. It ended up going really well. I like my professor and it wasn't too painful. We went the entire hour and half though and I went straight to my Jane Austen class. I think I am going to loveeee this class, except it's going to be a ton of work. I already have to read Northanger Abbey and do a report/presentation for next week. Yikes. But my professor is so passionate about Jane Austen so that just makes things that much more exciting and enjoyable. Later on today I have my Ed Psych class, so that should be interesting. I hope it goes well. I know I will have to do another practicum experience, so that is both nerve-wracking and exciting. Tomorrow I luck out and don't have class until 10:30 (on MWF's), but it's Bio 101, so ew. And I have a lab. And band rehearsal...that's going to be a slight disaster, considering it's our only practice before our first game on Saturday! But yay!
This weekend is going to be awesome also because the Gateway Clipper Dance is on Friday! I can't WAIT. Ahh, it's so wonderful to be back. My goals this semester are to spend more time with new people, work really hard in my classes, and participate in things that are really going to benefit me and my future career. So, cross my fingers and hope that it all goes well!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Things are winding down
I guess I didn't realize when I last posted that I would be leaving for school in exactly one month. Now it's down to nine days before I move myself into Ferg and start my second year of WC band camp. And I am SO EXCITED.
I feel like a lot of things have happened since I last wrote. I hung out with some friends, worked of course, oh, and turned 19 finally. My birthday was interesting. Aaron came the day before and celebrated with me. We had a fun time together, even though we didn't end up making it to Station Square for dinner. I was just happy that he was with me. On my actual birthday, I went to church and then family came over for a late lunch and dessert. It was pretty fun, but nothing too extraordinary. I was able to go out to dinner with Amy, Karen, and Megan at Applebees though and that was a good time. Amy and I got sung to (free dessertttt). Afterwards, all of us headed to the church to say hi to Brian, but that was kind of an epic fail. Alas, I became a year older. I am happy to say that I did not get my wisdom teeth out, go to Cedar Point, or get hit in the head with a frisbee this year. Woo!
Hmm...I really can't remember what else I've been up to. Aaron's visited a couple times and I've gone out to Agawam, which is always a highlight. :) I finally met up with Alyssa at Panera and we talked forever...so awesome. I also hung out with Katelyn and Jill one night at Starbucks, which was a lot of fun. I hadn't seen Katelyn since last fall and Jill since Christmas break so it was so nice to catch up. Ummm other than that, I guess just work. As I've mentioned before, I really love work. There's been so much drama recently, but it's all fun. We unfortunately had a big injury this past week, but luckily our little Katie will be alright! I have one week left and while I am really pumped, I am reallllly going to miss these kids. I have been so fortunate and blessed to have this job and it is going to be sad when I have to say goodbye. It's also hard to know that these kids probably won't remember me after a certain amount of time. But I hope that I've had some sort of effect on them, whether they remember or not :) Aww playcamp.
I've been packing a lot this weekend. My dining room is covered with all of my crap and while the pile is growing and growing, I am not done yet! I hope that packing now will prevent me from becoming stressed out later this week, even though I know the minor freaking out is inevitable. It's so weird to think about how I felt a year ago about leaving for school...scared, excited, nervous, uncomfortable but accepting, ready for something new. And now I feel extremely excited and anxious and just a little bit strange just because I've grown so accustomed to this summer routine and now it's all going to be different...but that's definitely good. It's also really crazy that I am moving in on the 18th and yet classes don't start until September 1st. Not that I'm complaining...I am not quite ready for the studying and homeworking and what not yet. Because I am a band officer this year, I am moving in early (two days before band camp) so I'll be able to get settled in and ready for my SIXTH year of marching....ahhh. That's kind of ridiculous hahahaha. It's things like band camp/marching band that I know are really awesome and fun, but I have to take a deep breath beforehand because I know how much work, time, and effort it takes. But it's so great.
You know, overall, I'm pretty pleased with this summer. It's weird for me to admit that, since I didn't do all that much, but I'm okay with that. I had fun for the most part and I did everything right with jobs and making money and also spending time with Aaron. I do wish I spent more time with friends, but I've had fun and it's not quite over yet :) I'm going to do my best to make the most of this week and enjoy it. I hope I'll be able to write an update soon once I get back to school...cross my fingers. I regret not making the time last year, but it's so damn hard! Let's see how it goes this year!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stickers, Half-Blood Princes, and Road trips
Wow! What a week. I am so exhausted from this week, but it was definitely a good one.
On Monday evening, Amy came over and we wrote letters and put together care packages for Karen and Megan at camp. That sounds innocent enough, right? Well, let's just say we went a litttttle bit overboard. And by a little, I mean A LOT. I brought out all the stickers I've had since fifth grade (Lisa Frank, those round stickers you got in machines at the grocery store that say like "Princess" and other stupid sayings, scratch and sniff, Britney Spears, and other random things) and we printed out pictures to put all over the boxes, insides and out. It was so much fun. We wrote letters to them and Leila and also Harry Potter valentines to Joel hahahaha. That ended up being a success! Good times.
Aaron came to Hampton on Tuesday evening on his night off! That is always such a great time. We ate dinner with the fam and then headed out to get a red box movie and we ended up at Ross Park Mall. I came up with this shopping game and we played it: We set a price limit and a time limit (well the mall kind of decided that, as it closed at nine) and went off in our own directions in search of an outfit for each other! It was a ton of fun and actually a lot more difficult than you can imagine. I probably had it easier than Aaron though, considering guy's clothes are so much easier to put together (They only have like a handful of different styles of things to choose from hahaa...). Anyway, I ended up getting him a bright blue polo and plaid shorts and then just because I got him a button up shirt. He got me a really pretty flowery top with a blue cami underneath and then this jean skirt, but that part didn't fit me. So we will have an excuse to go shopping again...yesss haha. But if you're ever bored at the mall, it's a fun game to play. We spent the rest of the evening watching the movie and hanging out.
Wednesday was a tiring day, but it was Harry Potter 6 day! After work, I got ready as fast as I could and Amy and I ventured out to the Mills to see Half- Blood Prince. I really liked it! They did change some things and I do think some of it was a little questionable (Burrow scene?), but I actually didn't mind for once. Normally, I raise all hell about changes in the movie, but it was well done. AND they finally got the humor from the books to come across! I laughed so much. I was really pleased and entertained all throughout. Afterwards, I realized I left the lights on my car (Grrrrrrrr.) sooo I had to have my dad come and jump my car. Annoying. But I finally got home and to bed.
On Thursday, Beth and I decided to trade shifts and see how it went. I worked from 8:30-4:30 and it was great. I enjoyed that much more than mine. It's amazing the difference one hour makes. I don't know if that will be a permanent change or anything, but it was good. Work is always fun, albeit exhausting. I really enjoy it though. There has been some drama this past week with staff, but that's to be expected. This Thursday, past staff members (that ended on a bad note with playcamp) came to the pool and caused a few problems. Mind you, these people are in their 20's and they are all there to get a rise out of everyone? The kids were all flipping out, excited to see them and not listening to our instructions. It was just like Wow, really? I just wonder why some people can't just grow up and let go of the past and not act like five year olds. Ohhh well. Anyway, I recently posted my American Girl Doll items on Craigslist and I had a guy come look at some things Thursday evening. He bought three things for $52! I was excited. I think Craigslist is a really good idea and a great alternative to eBay. Sure, it's a little annoying having to meet with the people, but you avoid fees and it's less of a hassle in my opinion. So hopefully the rest of the items will sell too! Mom and I also ventured out to TJ Maxx and Marshall's, but to no avail.
Anddd that brings me to yesterday. Amy and I took the day off for a road trip to Erie, PA for the Camp Lambec Music Camp concert. We started off a little after ten and headed up to Westminster for our first stop. Because it was the day before NWMC (http://nwmcmission.org/content/2009NWMC.aspx), delegates were already arriving. Low and behold, we saw Nolan and also Ginny Dawson. It was so great to catch up with Nolan. We also went in the TUB and I was so surprised to see that the "TV room" was changed into a new little coffee/cafe type room! That should be cool. Amy and I also tried to find the tower in Old Main haha, but that was an epic fail. Hahaha. Anyway, it was really great to be back and I felt really ready to be there all the time, on my own again. ONE MONTH till I go back! We left WC and headed to the outlets where we visited Derek at the Fudgery! It was so nice to see him and we witnessed a little bit of the Fudge jingles that he has to sing. After a little bit of shopping, we left for the Meadville Crackerbarrel (Lambec tradition). Due to construction, we got a little messed up and had to back track (hahaha) but we made it eventually! It was like 3pm and we hadn't eaten lunch yet so we were starving! It was a prime time to go and we were there for literally twenty minutes or so. Awesome. And then we were on our way to Erie! The plan was to go to the beach at Presque Isle. We did make it there, but it was pouring and cold. Figures. Hahaha but as luck would have it, Renee was one beach down from us and we met up! Ahhhh sooo great to see her! We went to her house and talked a bunch and went in her hot tub in the rain. It was so much fun. I miss that girl...wow. Then we were off for our last little leg of the trip to Camp Lambec! Due to the weather, the concert was moved to Springfield Elementary, so we weren't able to see the actual camp :( That was sad. But we arrived and managed to get really good seats.
The concert was really great. The band portion was how it always is...both blah and amazing at the same time. When you really consider the multitude of fourth graders playing in the same band as counselors that have been playing forever...it's truly incredible. I am really proud of Kristen and the work that she has done taking over for Ted. The styles of music they played were great choices too. But as always, band takes the back seat at music camp. The real fun begins with the choir. The music this year was really fantastic, even if it wasn't as musically challenging. Seeing Karen and Megan and the counselors up there...wow. It was really really hard. I started to get tears in my eyes during every song and it took everything not to cry. I was so surprised. I didn't realize how much I missed it until then. I didn't think it would affect me that much. It's so hard not having that in my life anymore. I realized how much I missed God's presence in my life so strongly, how much I've distanced myself from Him. I also realized how badly I want to be in a choir like that again. Hearing the harmonies and seeing the faces of all the kids really into what they were singing...I just wanted to stand up there with them. I knew the words to two of the songs and sang them in my seat...and I just felt like I needed to be up there on stage. It was definitely tough and it took me by surprise. But I was so happy to see Karen and Megan performing for the last time. After the concert, we were able to catch up with our favorite campers and counselors, which was awesome. It felt different this time, in a very good way. I felt like I could actually TALK to them. In the past, I've felt maybe intimidated or just not as close to them as I'd like to be to strike up a lot of conversation, but it was really nice this time. Amy, Karen, Leila, and I definitely got our creeper picture with Joel, of course! I am so proud of Karen for teaching the little cabin 6 girls about 1,2,3- Stare at Joel! It was just kind of a glimpse at how much I've grown and yet how much I loved about who I was even before college started because I had this camp. I just hope that other people have the same experience I did with music camp. I will never forget it. After the concert, Amy and I took the journey home, beat from the whole week!
And now I am just relaxing today. I woke up and my back is absolutely killing me. I have no idea how or when, but I must have pulled a muscle because it really hurts. Oh well. I will live. I don't know what the rest of the weekend will bring, but I am looking forward to just hanging around. Whew, what a week.
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