Well it's almost turkey day, and that in itself makes me very, very happy.
As I have said before, fall is my favorite time of year, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. As I am writing this, the only thing that stands in my way of heading up 95 is about an hour, which I am waiting on the boyfriend. I am excited to head north, see my precious neice and spend some time with the family.
This is the first time I get to see my brother and his wife since we found out the good news that I will become an aunt again! It's short turn around, as my neice will turn 1 this December, unexpected, but nevertheless my family is thrilled. I love being an aunt and spoiling that child to death and can't wait for June when another will join our mix. Needless to say pap-pap is extremely excited, cause some little girl already stole his heart.
I am loving this break because I truly do have a break. I just finished Chapters 1-3 of my thesis and sent them to my chair for major revisions. I purposefully blocked out this time so I don't have to do school work. As soon as I come back I have a major project due, papers to grade, and data analysis to do. I will be working hard over the next few months writing the thesis, journal articles, and conference proceedings. Got to keep busy: publish or perish!
The last time Jeff came north, it was for Labor Day weekend, a short turnaround. This time it's for a few more days and we have no schedule besides Turkey Day, so I am looking forward to showing him around a bit more.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for in my life. I may not have alot in way of material possessions, but I have my health, and my family, and my few but faithful friends, and the most amazing boyfriend ever. I am able to have this amazing education, travel enough to satisfy me for now, and enjoy the simple things in life. I have love, hope, faith, joy, strength, drive and I know it all to my God. He is great and I know I owe it all to Him.
He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
Every day, and especially during Thanksgiving, I long for a simpler life. Yes, even though I am a lowly graduate student and don't really have that much going on right now besides my schoolwork, I have this vision. Not that I have my life planned out, heavens no. If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans. Instead I have a vision, a wide porch with two rocking chairs, a pitcher of sweet tea, the sun setting, looking over rolling hills of land, cattle grazing just off in the distance, the tree off the house changing with the seasons. It's absolute perfection. Sigh. Some day, hopefully. I want to have cows, a farm, a steady job, replace Paula Deen, slow the pace of life waaaaay down. I just need to get out of the city. I've done my time living in the big metropolis for school. I am tired of school, for the first time in six years, I am saying I am tired of school and am ready, really ready to take a job. Fingers crossed, as we have some promising looking options :)
Happy Thanksgiving to all and take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Albert Einstein = Gretchen Wilson?
If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; play is y; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
Albert Einstein, 1950
Currently, X > Z > Y ...... hopefully (preferably sometime soon) I get a better balance and let X= Y > Z.
Then I'd be quoting Gretchen Wilson, white trash and all.....
"I work hard, I work hard, I work hard..... I play harder."
Monday, November 8, 2010
To Those I've Loved Along the Way
To most, it won't come as a shock when I say that I love Eric Church. Last year I had an unhealthy obsession, where as this year it's come to more of a deep-seeding appreciation for the truthfulness that he brings to his music. I can only hope that someday (someday) when I have time to devote to my music that I can bring the same honesty and emotion to life through a melody. Yes, he's kind of a rebel, and yes most of the time he doesn't give a shit and does his own thing. Probably why I like him so much, ain't going to lie. For example, he was offered to tour with Rascal Flatts over four years ago, when Rascal Flatts' popularity was 110 and his was virtually 0. However, he refused to censor some of his songs and completely omit others and therefore was dropped from the tour. Since then he has risen from the depths of the dingy music halls in Nashville to make NC proud with several top ten hits and a bright future ahead of him in the country music industry, under his own rules.
One of his songs that I have always liked is "Those I've Loved," about those people who have wandered in and out of his life but ultimately have made him the person he is today. I never put much thought into the context until I started to think of it less of romantic relationships and family deaths and more of friends.
I am a lousy friend. I'll be the first to admit it. I don't call when I'm supposed to, I don't keep in touch enough, I don't ask the right questions. Sometimes I think it gets mistaken for disinterest or not caring. I'm not trying to make excuses, that's the last thing I would want to do. All I am saying is that it takes a conscious effort for me to share and listen to others emotions. That just wasn't hard-wired in somewhere. I am a task oriented person. I'll remember your birthday or that your favorite color is blue. I'll drop anything and do something for a friend. But emotions, it's a work in progress.
And I hope they know
I never would have made it this far on my own
Where would we all be without those
Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers,
Of friends I've made, the long lost lovers
I wouldn't be who I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way.
I've lost friends over the years, for one reason or another. Mostly stupid arguments, some not. Some I was really hurt, and others I hurt them. I am not proud of this, not even close. Others say to me, "there's a reason those from the past don't make it to your future." But is that true? Some people I know seem to have never had an argument with a friend before in their life. I don't see how that is possible. I don't like confrontation, but I would rather put the facts out there than dance around an issue.
Looking back, reflecting as my new found education department likes to call it, there are some friendships that needed to end, others not so much, and others that just fell apart and I still don't know why. Others fell apart and most if not all of the fault lies within myself. Those are the dark moments. The ones I still think about, the ones that I regret and the ones I would give anything to go back to. I talk about this as if it is a truckload of friendships that I have swept to the wayside, when really the ones I truly care about, the ones that I have cried over, I can count on less than one hand. Those are the ones that matter to me. The ones that make me wonder "what if?" What if I had been more considerate? More compassionate? Shut my mouth for two seconds, not fly off the handle?
This has been an ongoing progression, from high school until present day. And as my mentor's put it, it doesn't get any easier as you age. I could hope. I have my friends. The ones I can count on. The ones I know I could pick up the phone for at 4am. A couple from PA, a couple from NC it's good for me. I have had many acquaintances, friendships out of convenience. But that's all they were, some to party with, some to study with, some that were just there. If I picked up the phone to call them, honestly, they would probably ask who? But then again, if the table's were reversed, I would probably say the same thing. That's not to mean that they are less important in my life, because at the time, they were important, but there are those that I know will always, ALWAYS, be there for me. And there is always room for more of those.
This rant of mine was a long time coming (and an extremely long post). Something that recent events have triggered that I needed to get off my chest. I feel like I am in a 12 step program, even though no substance abuse is had on this end. I feel like I need to apologize to those who I felt I wronged. That somehow, even though it is ridiculously late (months to years) it might make some smidgen of difference because it's the right thing to do.
"Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7.
One of his songs that I have always liked is "Those I've Loved," about those people who have wandered in and out of his life but ultimately have made him the person he is today. I never put much thought into the context until I started to think of it less of romantic relationships and family deaths and more of friends.
I am a lousy friend. I'll be the first to admit it. I don't call when I'm supposed to, I don't keep in touch enough, I don't ask the right questions. Sometimes I think it gets mistaken for disinterest or not caring. I'm not trying to make excuses, that's the last thing I would want to do. All I am saying is that it takes a conscious effort for me to share and listen to others emotions. That just wasn't hard-wired in somewhere. I am a task oriented person. I'll remember your birthday or that your favorite color is blue. I'll drop anything and do something for a friend. But emotions, it's a work in progress.
And I hope they know
I never would have made it this far on my own
Where would we all be without those
Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers,
Of friends I've made, the long lost lovers
I wouldn't be who I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way.
I've lost friends over the years, for one reason or another. Mostly stupid arguments, some not. Some I was really hurt, and others I hurt them. I am not proud of this, not even close. Others say to me, "there's a reason those from the past don't make it to your future." But is that true? Some people I know seem to have never had an argument with a friend before in their life. I don't see how that is possible. I don't like confrontation, but I would rather put the facts out there than dance around an issue.
Looking back, reflecting as my new found education department likes to call it, there are some friendships that needed to end, others not so much, and others that just fell apart and I still don't know why. Others fell apart and most if not all of the fault lies within myself. Those are the dark moments. The ones I still think about, the ones that I regret and the ones I would give anything to go back to. I talk about this as if it is a truckload of friendships that I have swept to the wayside, when really the ones I truly care about, the ones that I have cried over, I can count on less than one hand. Those are the ones that matter to me. The ones that make me wonder "what if?" What if I had been more considerate? More compassionate? Shut my mouth for two seconds, not fly off the handle?
This has been an ongoing progression, from high school until present day. And as my mentor's put it, it doesn't get any easier as you age. I could hope. I have my friends. The ones I can count on. The ones I know I could pick up the phone for at 4am. A couple from PA, a couple from NC it's good for me. I have had many acquaintances, friendships out of convenience. But that's all they were, some to party with, some to study with, some that were just there. If I picked up the phone to call them, honestly, they would probably ask who? But then again, if the table's were reversed, I would probably say the same thing. That's not to mean that they are less important in my life, because at the time, they were important, but there are those that I know will always, ALWAYS, be there for me. And there is always room for more of those.
This rant of mine was a long time coming (and an extremely long post). Something that recent events have triggered that I needed to get off my chest. I feel like I am in a 12 step program, even though no substance abuse is had on this end. I feel like I need to apologize to those who I felt I wronged. That somehow, even though it is ridiculously late (months to years) it might make some smidgen of difference because it's the right thing to do.
"Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Personality Overload
Data collection is over. Repeat that, Data collection is over.
The weight of relief that is off my shoulders is astronomical. I would be jumping for joy if my sinus headache would allow it. Instead, I am loving this piece of information quietly and settling in on my couch with homemade chicken noodle soup, a good movie and the promise of carving pumpkins tomorrow with the Mr.
For those who don't know, my thesis research has been going on since last Wednesday, the 13th. That is, I have been at the NC State Fair for 10 straight days, and quite frankly I don't want to see it again for quite some time, like a year. For my research I needed to survey kids showing livestock at the fair between the ages of 16-21. It was a lot of being personable, smiling, being talkative and inquisitive. (Special shout out to those who suffered with me: The Always Helpful Mr. Jeff, My Office Wife Ms. Lendy, and the Ever Cheerful Mr. Michael along with my NCDA buddies, and last but not least, my Momma, from 500 miles away).
Typically, I consider myself a personable person, a people person, it's why I chose Extension. I love talking to people, I love finding out what they are doing, and at the beginning I thought I got pretty lucky at my research. I got to be at a place I like (the fair), talking to people I like (farmers and their kids) talking about stuff I like (their farms, 4-H, FFA, leadership). Grant it, I am extremely lucky with my research, because looking back I still didn't have that bad of a time. I was worried about response rate but ended up with 67%, (unofficially, still need a final count). But by today I just realized something about myself talking to my momma.
I was tired of begging. I am an independent person, no shock there. I don't like depending on others to get my work done. That's probably the worst part of my thesis for me; knowing that the fate of my degree rests in the hands of 16-21 year olds. I had a slight panic attack when I realized that. It was the beginning of the fair, one of the big days that three species were checking in at once. I realized that my fate rests in the hands of high schoolers who don't even know who I am. Wooooooooo. Had to remind myself to breathe. After that panic attack, we move on to.......
Personality overload.
Now as said previously, I like talking to people. But by today, I had enough. I'm sick (literally have a cold) and tired (sleep deprived) and just did not have it in me. It was down to my last two groups of show kids, dairy cattle and dairy goats. I walked the barns this morning, it was horrendous. One round produced 4 surveys. Wait ten minutes, another round produced 2. It's harder with people that you have never seen before in my life. By the end of the beef Jr. shows I was feeling good. I know most of the people, the parents recognize me from helping out for the past 4 years, and they don't mind pestering their own kids to take my survey. Again with the other species, I at least knew someone who was showing to help me out and point me in the right direction. This weekend I was completely lost and I don't like feeling lost. Cue my personality problem.
Because of my complete cold turkey walk-ups and the combination of the cold and exhaustion, I feel like I didn't give it my all today. I just wasn't into it. I got sick of talking to people. It came to the point where I felt like people were harder to talk to and it was disappointing as well as frustrating. It's when I decided to call it off, do a final count and consult with the higher powers. These higher powers turned out to be Drs. Bruce, Croom, and Jones, who got called in to see how good 63% looked. That is, 133 out of 210 surveys. I got a good job from the later, but the ever pushing advisor edged me on. It's funny about expectations, if someone raises them for you, you usually rise to meet them. More on that later, and my gratefulness for those people in my life.
"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."
The weight of relief that is off my shoulders is astronomical. I would be jumping for joy if my sinus headache would allow it. Instead, I am loving this piece of information quietly and settling in on my couch with homemade chicken noodle soup, a good movie and the promise of carving pumpkins tomorrow with the Mr.
For those who don't know, my thesis research has been going on since last Wednesday, the 13th. That is, I have been at the NC State Fair for 10 straight days, and quite frankly I don't want to see it again for quite some time, like a year. For my research I needed to survey kids showing livestock at the fair between the ages of 16-21. It was a lot of being personable, smiling, being talkative and inquisitive. (Special shout out to those who suffered with me: The Always Helpful Mr. Jeff, My Office Wife Ms. Lendy, and the Ever Cheerful Mr. Michael along with my NCDA buddies, and last but not least, my Momma, from 500 miles away).
Typically, I consider myself a personable person, a people person, it's why I chose Extension. I love talking to people, I love finding out what they are doing, and at the beginning I thought I got pretty lucky at my research. I got to be at a place I like (the fair), talking to people I like (farmers and their kids) talking about stuff I like (their farms, 4-H, FFA, leadership). Grant it, I am extremely lucky with my research, because looking back I still didn't have that bad of a time. I was worried about response rate but ended up with 67%, (unofficially, still need a final count). But by today I just realized something about myself talking to my momma.
I was tired of begging. I am an independent person, no shock there. I don't like depending on others to get my work done. That's probably the worst part of my thesis for me; knowing that the fate of my degree rests in the hands of 16-21 year olds. I had a slight panic attack when I realized that. It was the beginning of the fair, one of the big days that three species were checking in at once. I realized that my fate rests in the hands of high schoolers who don't even know who I am. Wooooooooo. Had to remind myself to breathe. After that panic attack, we move on to.......
Personality overload.
Now as said previously, I like talking to people. But by today, I had enough. I'm sick (literally have a cold) and tired (sleep deprived) and just did not have it in me. It was down to my last two groups of show kids, dairy cattle and dairy goats. I walked the barns this morning, it was horrendous. One round produced 4 surveys. Wait ten minutes, another round produced 2. It's harder with people that you have never seen before in my life. By the end of the beef Jr. shows I was feeling good. I know most of the people, the parents recognize me from helping out for the past 4 years, and they don't mind pestering their own kids to take my survey. Again with the other species, I at least knew someone who was showing to help me out and point me in the right direction. This weekend I was completely lost and I don't like feeling lost. Cue my personality problem.
Because of my complete cold turkey walk-ups and the combination of the cold and exhaustion, I feel like I didn't give it my all today. I just wasn't into it. I got sick of talking to people. It came to the point where I felt like people were harder to talk to and it was disappointing as well as frustrating. It's when I decided to call it off, do a final count and consult with the higher powers. These higher powers turned out to be Drs. Bruce, Croom, and Jones, who got called in to see how good 63% looked. That is, 133 out of 210 surveys. I got a good job from the later, but the ever pushing advisor edged me on. It's funny about expectations, if someone raises them for you, you usually rise to meet them. More on that later, and my gratefulness for those people in my life.
"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.........
Fall is in the air, and I couldn't be happier :)
I was just thinking today that I am so grateful my thesis research is going on now, because any other season and I just might not make it through. It has been a rough go at it, but thankfully, the data collection should be over very soon.
State fair season is typically one that I look forward to every year. It's my time to help out with the cattle shows, something that I always enjoy doing. However, this year the state fair was tarnished for me with my data collection. Mind you, I do want to do a thesis, and I constantly need to remind myself of that, it was just such a drag :( It was and continues to be a lot of stress. I hate having to depend on other people, like the office lady's at the fair for a master list of exhibitors, and depending on others to get me a parking pass, and others to actually fill out the survey. I hate having to beg, it's just not in me; but for the past five days I have been putting on a happy face and begging people to take my survey. It is damn tiring. Yesterday I slept in, then fell asleep in the afternoon, and again last night.... oops. Thankfully, I have an understanding boyfriend who is keeping me sane through all of this.
Hopefully the next few weeks will bring a mini-vacation for the boyfriend and I, some down time, carving pumpkins and relaxing. Hopefully.... but as the life of a grad student goes, something will inevitably come up.
Is it sad that I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving?
I was just thinking today that I am so grateful my thesis research is going on now, because any other season and I just might not make it through. It has been a rough go at it, but thankfully, the data collection should be over very soon.
State fair season is typically one that I look forward to every year. It's my time to help out with the cattle shows, something that I always enjoy doing. However, this year the state fair was tarnished for me with my data collection. Mind you, I do want to do a thesis, and I constantly need to remind myself of that, it was just such a drag :( It was and continues to be a lot of stress. I hate having to depend on other people, like the office lady's at the fair for a master list of exhibitors, and depending on others to get me a parking pass, and others to actually fill out the survey. I hate having to beg, it's just not in me; but for the past five days I have been putting on a happy face and begging people to take my survey. It is damn tiring. Yesterday I slept in, then fell asleep in the afternoon, and again last night.... oops. Thankfully, I have an understanding boyfriend who is keeping me sane through all of this.
Hopefully the next few weeks will bring a mini-vacation for the boyfriend and I, some down time, carving pumpkins and relaxing. Hopefully.... but as the life of a grad student goes, something will inevitably come up.
Is it sad that I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
I am soooooo bad
I feel ashamed that I haven't posted a blog in what seems like forever. However, I spent a very long time writing a wrap up to my summer in Idaho and getting back to school, and then it miraculously vanished. Therefore, leading me to be severely depressed and a little ticked at the blogging world. However, recently I have been inspired, and have desired to pick up my metaphorical pen and start again.
#2. I like to be domestic.
#5. Flowers-instant mood brightener.
While in Idaho this summer, Jeff and I had a garden out back in the yard. I had significant input into what was planted and was adamant about sunflowers. Now for the longest time, I didn't really care for sunflowers. But then, I realized it
was the context I was putting them in. Ugly sunflower trim for a kitchen and tacky dishes and paintings. Then, I took them out of that scenario in my mind, put them outside in a garden, or growing wild on a hillside, and I fell in love with them
all over again. They kind of became a mantra for the summer, where ever we went in our travels, somehow some little yellow flower would pop up and I would snap a picture :)
Everyday I get a reminder that I need to be a better person. This constant struggle is to be more compassionate, understanding, and to shut up and listen at times. I try to be a better daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, researcher, teacher and follower of the Lord. Every time I start in to complaining about someone my dad politely reminds me that it takes all kinds to take the world go round. That not everyone is like me and that I need to accept and appreciate that. Mostly, I think I do an ok job of recognizing people who are not like me in some ways and connecting to them through our similarities. However, there are just some people who are so opposite of my personality that it takes some time to wrap my head around it, and sometimes I just don't get it. Patience is a virtue that I know I need to work on. I've been independent, bossy, and impatient since the day I was born (quotes my mother). I realize that I need to work on other aspects of my personality.
Most people who know me know my love of lists. Therefore, to organize my thoughts, I like to number things, it keeps them straight in my mind however it does not necessarily prioritize things.
#1. I kind of like living on my own.
I know, I know, this won't come as a shock to a lot of people. I tend to not be the most social person in the world. I'm not saying I'm a hermit, just that I like my space. Living with two roommates my entire college career, I realized that I like that my entire apartment is mine. That I can leave my shoes near the door, my stuff on the coffee table, my computer on the couch and no one is going to get mad or pile up my stuff near my door when they clean. This fall I finally moved in to my own, tiny one bedroom apartment and am enjoying every second of it. Even if my grandma calls to check up on me all the time because she hates the idea of me living alone, I just remember that I am blessed to have people who care.
#2. I like to be domestic.
I love to cook. It's in my blood. I must say that I come from a long line of people who like to cook and are pretty darn good at it. Not only do both of my parents cook quite well, both of my grandmothers were cooks at one point or another in their lives. My dad is mostly where I get my desire to cook from. It's been a revelation of his over the past 15 years that he actually likes to cook and has fun creating new dishes. From him, I get my fearless nature in trying a new recipe or whipping something up from the top of my head. This may transcend into other aspects of my life.......
New toy!
So, in my journey of loving cooking, I decided that I needed my own slow cooker, while dragging Jeff down the housewares aisle of Wal-Devil. Then, my dearest Lendy gave me a slow cooker recipe book for my birthday after she heard me rave about my new toy. Therefore, I have been a slow cooking machine! Brunswick stew, steak and mushrooms, pulled pork. You name it, I'm going to try to slow cook it. This is a bond that will last a very long time, a girl and her slow cooker.
#3. Pumpkin, and all it's Goodness
Fall is the most wonderful time of the year. I know that there is this song about Christmas taking that title, but not in this girls mind. Now most people I tell this too think it's because my birthday is in the fall. Not neccessarily true. Birthday's to me aren't this big production, never have been. No, I wasn't a deprived kid, I had birthday parties, big ones even. I just don't think it's a big deal. However, this year was one of the best birthday's since I've been away from home. Front Ricks 207 was bombed with confetti and streamers, which are still up a week later to my disgression. My fabulous office family decorated the entire office, showered me with presents and took me out to lunch. I couldn't have asked for anything else. It was absolutley wonderful and many thanks go out to all those involved. My amazing day ended that way- amazing with Mr. Jeff coming all the way from Greenville, on a Wednesday, to celebrate my birthday.
Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins. I heard pretell there was a pumpkin shortage in New Mexico, but thank God it didn't come east. I would be one depressed girl. I love the smell of baking pumpkin. Which led me to bake three loaves of pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins all with chocolate chips. My apartment smelled AMAZING. I have also purchased a canned version of this smell in the form of a candle which is a good substitute but almost completely burnt down because I love it that much. Obviously, I must replace it soon.
#4. My love obsession with Fall.
Not only do I love to cook with and smell pumpkin, I cannot wait to carve pumpkins! Again, this is the one season where I transform back into my childhood self and allow myself to get giddy, which I don't do very often :) I cannot wait to go to the pumpkin patch, drag Mr. Jeff along, scoop out all the seeds, bake them off, and then carve my pumpkin into what ever odd design I find. Mind you, I am not all that artistic, but pumpkins are the one things I try on.
With all this love of fall, it may be surprising that I really don't like Halloween. It's one of those holidays that I wouldn't mind just skipping all together. Actually, now that I think of it, it's the only holiday that I would really want to skip. I just want to go straight to Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Fall colors, oranges, reds, yellows, browns, gerber daisies, leaves falling, cornucopias, pilgrims, dried indian corn, pumpkin and apple pie, family getting together, cool weather. It just warms my heart thinking about it.
#5. Flowers-instant mood brightener.
Speaking of gerber daisies, they are probably my favorite flower ever. My brother got married in October, two years ago, and as a bridesmaid I carried the most GORGEOUS boquet ever, gerber daisies, sunflowers, I don't even know what all was in it, but it was sooo pretty. I stopped by Food Lion the other day on my way home from the office, and right there at the front of the store, were some really pretty gerber daisies. I bought them. It's amazing how they can instantly brighten your mood. I immediately came home, got out a vase, cleared all the junk off my table, and put up my flowers. They are still sitting there, and I smile as I write this. No wonder they are the go-to for guys to get out of the dog box.
While in Idaho this summer, Jeff and I had a garden out back in the yard. I had significant input into what was planted and was adamant about sunflowers. Now for the longest time, I didn't really care for sunflowers. But then, I realized it
was the context I was putting them in. Ugly sunflower trim for a kitchen and tacky dishes and paintings. Then, I took them out of that scenario in my mind, put them outside in a garden, or growing wild on a hillside, and I fell in love with them
all over again. They kind of became a mantra for the summer, where ever we went in our travels, somehow some little yellow flower would pop up and I would snap a picture :)#6. Constantly Struggling
Everyday I get a reminder that I need to be a better person. This constant struggle is to be more compassionate, understanding, and to shut up and listen at times. I try to be a better daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, researcher, teacher and follower of the Lord. Every time I start in to complaining about someone my dad politely reminds me that it takes all kinds to take the world go round. That not everyone is like me and that I need to accept and appreciate that. Mostly, I think I do an ok job of recognizing people who are not like me in some ways and connecting to them through our similarities. However, there are just some people who are so opposite of my personality that it takes some time to wrap my head around it, and sometimes I just don't get it. Patience is a virtue that I know I need to work on. I've been independent, bossy, and impatient since the day I was born (quotes my mother). I realize that I need to work on other aspects of my personality.
In this reflection of trying to be more compassionate, I realize that I have lost some friends of mine along the way of life. We fell apart, an argument happened, something of that sorts. Looking back to high school, most of them were inevitable, high school friends who were really only friends because it's a small town, and options are limited. Again looking at undergrad, maybe it was the same thing, I fell into a group of friends that I was comfortable around and just stayed, out of convenience maybe? It's definitely a reflection sort of night. Yes, there are some things I would have done differently, but I am a firm believer in there is a reason some people don't make it through your life. True friends, I know who they are. I have a small, (small), group of friends that I have the amazing pleasure of calling my friends. The rest merely are acquaintances, not that it demeans their involvement in my life, however the ones that will drop everything for me, know me and accept me as I am, those are the ones that will be with me along life's journey, no matter where it takes me.
#7. Getting too deep.... lighten it up
#7. Getting too deep.... lighten it up
I like to not get too deep, let's say deep-light on my blogging. I don't mean to aim anything at any one person, cause really what I say here can be applicable in so many situations in my life. On a lighter note, G. Moore enlightened us today in seminar on the Franklin Covey method of planning and organizing, and I kind of fell in love. I am a sucker for school supplies anyway, so I knew it was just a matter of time before I would succumb to the evil of this. I love sharpies, fresh mechanical pencils, a new notebook, a set of three steno pads to start the semester, and of course a new planner. However, I kind of fell hook, line, and sinker, for the Franklin method and now am willing to dish out at least $50 for the overpriced binder and fill in sheets. G. Moore should really get a sponsor, or at least a cut of the profits from seminar and his time management class.
On another side note, G. Moore told us to write down goals for our lives. Which I may actually do. I am a firm believer in if you write it down or say it out loud, it is more probably to happen. Actually forming, and visualizing your plans, that is the step that starts the journey. It may even be the next blog....... stay tuned.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Coming to an End..... and the Beginning of Something Grand
So, it's been forever since I've wrote, and I have done way too much stuff to even mention everything. This will be the run down list if I can remember it:
New Orleans/Donaldsonville, LA - Wedding!
Milwaukee, WI- ALE Conference
Craters of the Moon National Park- Camping
Boise Hawks Minor League Baseball Game
Melba 4th of July Days (on July 3rd, the Mormons rule the town)
Party/Fireworks in Boise for 4th of July
Camping and Hot Spring Hunting- Donnelly/McCall
Idaho History Museum
Ice Skating
Bruneau Sand Dunes/ Observatory/ Star Gazing
Birds of Prey/ Peregrine Fund
Donnie Mac's Trailer Park Cuisine
Float down Boise River
Idaho Wedding Reception for Some Good Friends
Jeff's Birthday Dinner at The Sandbar and saw Lizard Butte
Jeff's Birthday Scavenger Hunt :)
In there we have had many great nights spent with Jeff's family and with friends, including some dips in the pool and a lot of camping. Also, some phone conversations with both new and old friends have brightened my time. I have also been slowly working on the thesis, and finally, finally, have found some objectives I can get behind, and that makes me happy.
Last week, we sat down and made a list of all the things we wanted to accomplish before I leave Idaho. It's a long list. And as plans always do, they went awry. So for the remainder of my stay, two whole weekends, we have camping and more camping planned, which is fine by me :) Kim and Joey, good friends of ours, have expressed interest in camping, Kim's first time. So, I am researching nearby camping grounds with bathrooms as we speak :)
The next weekend, we will be driving north east and meeting up with my aunt and uncle who live in Alder, MT. We plan on meeting them halfway somewhere around Salmon, ID and will be camping out.
My time is coming to an end here in Idaho, for now. I do love it here, especially the mountains, as I do have a thing for trees. Soon, I will be flying back to Pennsylvania where I get to be back for the Fayette County Fair, my home county that will always be dear to my heart. I will only be there a little over a week before I pack up and ship off to North Carolina where I will move in to my very first own apartment (gasp!). I am really looking forward to it. I realized I've come to a point in my life where I am ready to live on my own, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am a somewhat solitary creature at times, so I think it's for the best.
I will only be there a few days when Jeff will be flying in to Raleigh and then that next weekend my parents will be down with the rest of my stuff. They will be down to help get both Jeff settled in Greenville, and I settled in Raleigh. It's going to be the beginning of a new chapter, having Jeff in NC, will be the beginning of something great. I cannot wait to see what life has in store.... bring it on :)
New Orleans/Donaldsonville, LA - Wedding!
Milwaukee, WI- ALE Conference
Craters of the Moon National Park- Camping
Boise Hawks Minor League Baseball Game
Melba 4th of July Days (on July 3rd, the Mormons rule the town)
Party/Fireworks in Boise for 4th of July
Camping and Hot Spring Hunting- Donnelly/McCall
Idaho History Museum
Ice Skating
Bruneau Sand Dunes/ Observatory/ Star Gazing
Birds of Prey/ Peregrine Fund
Donnie Mac's Trailer Park Cuisine
Float down Boise River
Idaho Wedding Reception for Some Good Friends
Jeff's Birthday Dinner at The Sandbar and saw Lizard Butte
Jeff's Birthday Scavenger Hunt :)
In there we have had many great nights spent with Jeff's family and with friends, including some dips in the pool and a lot of camping. Also, some phone conversations with both new and old friends have brightened my time. I have also been slowly working on the thesis, and finally, finally, have found some objectives I can get behind, and that makes me happy.
Last week, we sat down and made a list of all the things we wanted to accomplish before I leave Idaho. It's a long list. And as plans always do, they went awry. So for the remainder of my stay, two whole weekends, we have camping and more camping planned, which is fine by me :) Kim and Joey, good friends of ours, have expressed interest in camping, Kim's first time. So, I am researching nearby camping grounds with bathrooms as we speak :)
The next weekend, we will be driving north east and meeting up with my aunt and uncle who live in Alder, MT. We plan on meeting them halfway somewhere around Salmon, ID and will be camping out.
My time is coming to an end here in Idaho, for now. I do love it here, especially the mountains, as I do have a thing for trees. Soon, I will be flying back to Pennsylvania where I get to be back for the Fayette County Fair, my home county that will always be dear to my heart. I will only be there a little over a week before I pack up and ship off to North Carolina where I will move in to my very first own apartment (gasp!). I am really looking forward to it. I realized I've come to a point in my life where I am ready to live on my own, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am a somewhat solitary creature at times, so I think it's for the best.
I will only be there a few days when Jeff will be flying in to Raleigh and then that next weekend my parents will be down with the rest of my stuff. They will be down to help get both Jeff settled in Greenville, and I settled in Raleigh. It's going to be the beginning of a new chapter, having Jeff in NC, will be the beginning of something great. I cannot wait to see what life has in store.... bring it on :)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Grrrrrrrrrin and bear it :)
It's been an odd day, one of those where I go from having my blood boil to just laughing it off and shrugging my shoulders and realizing that I can't control other people. I can't control their actions so I might as well move on, cause I can control mine. I pray everyday to make me a better person, and I think slowly but surely, it's happening. I try to be more tolerant, to understand the other side. I try not to be too proud, and try to be more giving and more open. Each day is a conscious effort to apply these to my life. And somedays, obviously I succeed more than others. But I am trying, give me that.
The last few weeks in Boise have been pretty amazing, nothing big to write home about.
Adventures have included a keyboard purchase, as well as pawn shop purchases of 10 movies for $20, which led to 30 movies and a nice pile on the living room floor. You can easily pick out my half of the movie selection :)
A trip north to Idaho City, an old gold mining town was interesting and a small-town tourist trap. I thought it was hilarious. That night, a late fishing adventure along the banks of the Snake River led to someone's foot in the fire and a cell phone in the river, thankfully neither belonged to me.
An iceblocking adventure came next. And yes I said iceblocking. The hill in front of the governor's mansion in Boise is pretty darn steep, which leads people on sunny days to purchase blocks of ice and ride them down the front lawn. It took me a while, but eventually I rode it all the way down the hill :) I had fun washing those grass stains out.
Memorial Day was a celebration at Jeff's house. We ended up grilling out and even ended the evening with some marshmallows over the grill!
Took the 4- wheelers out on a little adventure, brought the guns and ended up shooting at some badgers. Turns out my daddy liked to take me shooting when I was younger, unbeknownst to me. Obviously, something stuck, not bad for a girl. 9m are loud, that's all I have to say.
We ended touring the Idaho State Penitentiary which was active from 1862-1973. It is a huge complex on the north side of Boise. While there, we found an arms exhibit that Jeff absolutely loved. Which even to me it looked like an impressive collection that spanded from the beginning of guns right through World War II. Needless to say, we spent most of our time there, which led to little time spent elsewhere and we almost got locked in, which would not have been good. Oh well, guess we will just have to go back someday.
Jeff's nephews baptism/birthday party was also that day so we went over to his brother's house for some good food and company before we were off to downtown for some Rollerderby! Yes, that's right, rollerderby. It was surprisingly entertaining, I found myself getting into it, as well as enjoying the people-watching aspect of the crowd. For this I made sure to get a front row seat on the second level so I could look down :) Afterwards we made an evening of downtown and even ended up at a little Basque place that I have been dying to try.
Jeff, finally, finally, got all the paperwork and everything completed for ECU. Which means come August, he'll be in Greenville. Needless to say this mades me happy. Of course we had to celebrate with some brownies, frosted with cream cheese frosting. Hey, we're young, let's live life, right? Which brings me to enjoying the tail-end of some festivities the other night for a certain bachelor party, obviously all had a good time.
So, that's it for now, just recapping on some good fun and I'm trying to work on the thesis, but it just keeps bogging me down. Too many what-if's, too many variables, too many details. But it will get done, as always. Hopefully, I have a job lined up at an extension office here, which will help me manage my time better. I always do better when I'm busy and crunched for time. Next week it's off to Louisiana and to Milwaukee which should be definite good times. I'm excited for what both will bring!
When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.
Oh those pilgrims were on to something. Constantly striving, I like to think I have peace within myself, that I am grounded, that I am good with the person that I am. Which is why I don't bring conflict, I am at peace with others. Now only if others had peace within themselves.....
The last few weeks in Boise have been pretty amazing, nothing big to write home about.
Adventures have included a keyboard purchase, as well as pawn shop purchases of 10 movies for $20, which led to 30 movies and a nice pile on the living room floor. You can easily pick out my half of the movie selection :)
A trip north to Idaho City, an old gold mining town was interesting and a small-town tourist trap. I thought it was hilarious. That night, a late fishing adventure along the banks of the Snake River led to someone's foot in the fire and a cell phone in the river, thankfully neither belonged to me.
An iceblocking adventure came next. And yes I said iceblocking. The hill in front of the governor's mansion in Boise is pretty darn steep, which leads people on sunny days to purchase blocks of ice and ride them down the front lawn. It took me a while, but eventually I rode it all the way down the hill :) I had fun washing those grass stains out.
Memorial Day was a celebration at Jeff's house. We ended up grilling out and even ended the evening with some marshmallows over the grill!
Took the 4- wheelers out on a little adventure, brought the guns and ended up shooting at some badgers. Turns out my daddy liked to take me shooting when I was younger, unbeknownst to me. Obviously, something stuck, not bad for a girl. 9m are loud, that's all I have to say.
We ended touring the Idaho State Penitentiary which was active from 1862-1973. It is a huge complex on the north side of Boise. While there, we found an arms exhibit that Jeff absolutely loved. Which even to me it looked like an impressive collection that spanded from the beginning of guns right through World War II. Needless to say, we spent most of our time there, which led to little time spent elsewhere and we almost got locked in, which would not have been good. Oh well, guess we will just have to go back someday.
Jeff's nephews baptism/birthday party was also that day so we went over to his brother's house for some good food and company before we were off to downtown for some Rollerderby! Yes, that's right, rollerderby. It was surprisingly entertaining, I found myself getting into it, as well as enjoying the people-watching aspect of the crowd. For this I made sure to get a front row seat on the second level so I could look down :) Afterwards we made an evening of downtown and even ended up at a little Basque place that I have been dying to try.
Jeff, finally, finally, got all the paperwork and everything completed for ECU. Which means come August, he'll be in Greenville. Needless to say this mades me happy. Of course we had to celebrate with some brownies, frosted with cream cheese frosting. Hey, we're young, let's live life, right? Which brings me to enjoying the tail-end of some festivities the other night for a certain bachelor party, obviously all had a good time.
So, that's it for now, just recapping on some good fun and I'm trying to work on the thesis, but it just keeps bogging me down. Too many what-if's, too many variables, too many details. But it will get done, as always. Hopefully, I have a job lined up at an extension office here, which will help me manage my time better. I always do better when I'm busy and crunched for time. Next week it's off to Louisiana and to Milwaukee which should be definite good times. I'm excited for what both will bring!
When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.
Oh those pilgrims were on to something. Constantly striving, I like to think I have peace within myself, that I am grounded, that I am good with the person that I am. Which is why I don't bring conflict, I am at peace with others. Now only if others had peace within themselves.....
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Beautiful Boise
So, today marks two weeks since my arrival in Boise, and it has went by so fast. I haven't even had a moment to catch up on anything, let alone blog, even though I do want to recount my adventures of the summer.
I arrived here in Boise two weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon in the midst of some cold weather, similar to what I left in Pennsylvania. I flew from Pittsburgh to Phoenix, a five hour flight, and arrived just in enough time to walk off that flight and onto my next one to Boise. The two hour short flight up to Boise was made better by having all three seats in the row to myself :) which meant I finally got some sleep.
Rockies, the 50s diner in Boise, and I were acquainted soon after my arrival in Boise. Good food, good atmosphere, had the hockey game on tv, and a pretty nifty gum-ball machine :)
If anyone really knows me, they know my love of hockey. It's a by-product of growing up in the northeast and in the hockey town of Pittsburgh. So, when the opportunity arose here in Boise to watch their ECHL team in the playoffs on Saturday, of course I was game. The Idaho Steelheads were playing the Cincinnati Cyclones in the first round of the playoffs. They lost and eventually lost the series to Cincinnati 4-1, but it was a good showing of some hockey. Hopefully, this western state will finally gain some fans to the great athletic showing that is ice hockey.
Sunday we planted the garden. We'll see what starts to pop through here. The potatoes that he planted earlier are looking great. Hopefully, the onions, tomatos, peppers, lettuce, zucchini, cumumbers, and sunflowers, will do fabulous.
The next weekend started off great with an adventure that we took on Thursday. The options for His afternoon off were going for a drive or ice skating. Since it was such a nice day, we chose the drive in the mountains. All was going fine, we drove through some beautiful country, windy dirt roads, gorgeous cliffs, isolated areas. We were finally getting back to paved road and heading to the highway when there was this cutoff down to the reservoir. He decided to take it to look over the water. On the way back up to the paved road, the car just shut off. Lovely. No cell service. I just had to laugh. We were in Pine, ID. Try to find it on a map, go ahead, try. Luckily we were actually near a town and not in the middle of nowhere. We walked the half mile back up to the bar/restaraunt in Pine. The two wonderful ladies let us use the phone. He got to call his dad, tell him we were and hour on the OTHER side of Boise and then we waited. However, we waited in style. We ate supper at the restaraunt, had a few drinks at the bar, then he got to teach me shuffleboard. For such a small little town, I swear full-time population is like 75 people and half came through the bar that night, they had a sweet, very nice shuffleboard table. The locals all knew are story within five minutes. Eventually, his dad showed up and we loaded the car on the trailer and finally got home ten hours after our adventure began. I told him we should have gone ice skating :) Fun times.
Friday we got to show off our cooking skills for his mom's birthday. We were frying up some pork loin for sandwiches and making potato salad, lemon cake and vanilla ice cream completed the evening with some long talking sessions that lasted til well after 11pm.
Saturday we got to see his friend's new house, officially being the first house guests! We helped move some stuff over then went to Rockies for some good food.
Soon after, I had my first ever soccer experience! Friends needed some substitutes for their indoor team, so when asked, of course we volunteered. I surprisingly enjoyed myself. Actually, not so surprisingly, it's an athletic event where I get to be aggressive, so of course I enjoyed it. It's a beginning co-rec league, however, our opponents were anything but beginners. We made it through and had fun though, and that's what matters to me. I think there will be some soccer in my future now that I am armed with some cleats and shin guards!
My love of the zoo came through this past week. He had the morning off, so off to Zoo Boise we went. It's no Pittsburgh Zoo, but it's really nice and you can tell a lot of work went into it to make it what it is. There were a lot of school groups there, and it's always funny to hear the world through a child's eyes. However, a cavy is not a baby kangaroo, no matter what the chaperones might say.
My best news of all came yesterday. My journal article was accepted for publication, with only minor revisions! It will be out in July and revisions need to be done quickly so that will be on my plate first and foremost with the everlasting thesis and another research project for my boss coming in a close 2nd and 3rd. It's a busy summer so far and I haven't even started a job! Which by the way the hunt is still continuing....
That's all for now, this is entirely too long. But I will try to post more often so they are smaller and easier to read!
I arrived here in Boise two weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon in the midst of some cold weather, similar to what I left in Pennsylvania. I flew from Pittsburgh to Phoenix, a five hour flight, and arrived just in enough time to walk off that flight and onto my next one to Boise. The two hour short flight up to Boise was made better by having all three seats in the row to myself :) which meant I finally got some sleep.
Rockies, the 50s diner in Boise, and I were acquainted soon after my arrival in Boise. Good food, good atmosphere, had the hockey game on tv, and a pretty nifty gum-ball machine :)
If anyone really knows me, they know my love of hockey. It's a by-product of growing up in the northeast and in the hockey town of Pittsburgh. So, when the opportunity arose here in Boise to watch their ECHL team in the playoffs on Saturday, of course I was game. The Idaho Steelheads were playing the Cincinnati Cyclones in the first round of the playoffs. They lost and eventually lost the series to Cincinnati 4-1, but it was a good showing of some hockey. Hopefully, this western state will finally gain some fans to the great athletic showing that is ice hockey.
Sunday we planted the garden. We'll see what starts to pop through here. The potatoes that he planted earlier are looking great. Hopefully, the onions, tomatos, peppers, lettuce, zucchini, cumumbers, and sunflowers, will do fabulous.
The next weekend started off great with an adventure that we took on Thursday. The options for His afternoon off were going for a drive or ice skating. Since it was such a nice day, we chose the drive in the mountains. All was going fine, we drove through some beautiful country, windy dirt roads, gorgeous cliffs, isolated areas. We were finally getting back to paved road and heading to the highway when there was this cutoff down to the reservoir. He decided to take it to look over the water. On the way back up to the paved road, the car just shut off. Lovely. No cell service. I just had to laugh. We were in Pine, ID. Try to find it on a map, go ahead, try. Luckily we were actually near a town and not in the middle of nowhere. We walked the half mile back up to the bar/restaraunt in Pine. The two wonderful ladies let us use the phone. He got to call his dad, tell him we were and hour on the OTHER side of Boise and then we waited. However, we waited in style. We ate supper at the restaraunt, had a few drinks at the bar, then he got to teach me shuffleboard. For such a small little town, I swear full-time population is like 75 people and half came through the bar that night, they had a sweet, very nice shuffleboard table. The locals all knew are story within five minutes. Eventually, his dad showed up and we loaded the car on the trailer and finally got home ten hours after our adventure began. I told him we should have gone ice skating :) Fun times.
Friday we got to show off our cooking skills for his mom's birthday. We were frying up some pork loin for sandwiches and making potato salad, lemon cake and vanilla ice cream completed the evening with some long talking sessions that lasted til well after 11pm.
Saturday we got to see his friend's new house, officially being the first house guests! We helped move some stuff over then went to Rockies for some good food.
Soon after, I had my first ever soccer experience! Friends needed some substitutes for their indoor team, so when asked, of course we volunteered. I surprisingly enjoyed myself. Actually, not so surprisingly, it's an athletic event where I get to be aggressive, so of course I enjoyed it. It's a beginning co-rec league, however, our opponents were anything but beginners. We made it through and had fun though, and that's what matters to me. I think there will be some soccer in my future now that I am armed with some cleats and shin guards!
My love of the zoo came through this past week. He had the morning off, so off to Zoo Boise we went. It's no Pittsburgh Zoo, but it's really nice and you can tell a lot of work went into it to make it what it is. There were a lot of school groups there, and it's always funny to hear the world through a child's eyes. However, a cavy is not a baby kangaroo, no matter what the chaperones might say.
My best news of all came yesterday. My journal article was accepted for publication, with only minor revisions! It will be out in July and revisions need to be done quickly so that will be on my plate first and foremost with the everlasting thesis and another research project for my boss coming in a close 2nd and 3rd. It's a busy summer so far and I haven't even started a job! Which by the way the hunt is still continuing....
That's all for now, this is entirely too long. But I will try to post more often so they are smaller and easier to read!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
All who wander are not lost
I've decided to change this blog from it's original purpose for a graduate course to my own personal use, especially to relay my travels for the summer and all that jazz. I also wrote this post about three weeks ago and just never posted it.... oops :)
With that being said, it brings me to the name of my blog and more specifically, this post. Many have heard the expression that all who wander are not lost. I think that expression decidedly fits my personality. To wander: 1.) to travel about, on, or through 2.) to ramble without a definite purpose or objective. I love to travel, and lately I have been very lucky to have had the means to do so. When I travel I really do hate to have an itinerary. Some sort of a game plan, sure. A mental list of some of the highlights I want to see, ok. But a detailed, laid out plan of every single thing to do, timed out? No thank you. I love to take opportunities, try things out, take things as they come, which is incorporated into my traveling and seeing the world. I want to see the world, but I want to see it on my own time and in my own way. If I go to Rome, of course I want to see the pantheon, colliseum, st. peter's in the vatican, but I also want to take in the atmosphere. Get a vespa, find a local cafe, chill by a piazza, walk under the street lamps, party with some natives. That being said, I've traveled some recently with strict itineraries and some a little lax. Savannah, Orlando, Boise, Washington D.C. , Outer Banks and my million trips back and forth from little Fayette County, Pennsylvania to Raleigh. In my structured trips, Conferences in Orlando and D.C., I found myself looking forward to the "free time" that I would have to try to do something different. I think because of my "wanderings" I am not lost, in fact I think it has made me find myself even more. Every time I see something new, something different, it just makes me reaffirmed in my beliefs, values, morals.
I wander, and wonder, alot. There is a song that this woman sings every Christmas Eve service in my hometown entitled "I Wonder as I Wander." So, from now on, I'll be wondering as I wander. Stopping to take in all the good things. After the fact of an event, I always kick myself for not taking pictures. Then, I realized that it's because I would rather live in the moment, take it all in, instead of worrying about stopping to take pictures. So, from now on, I won't worry about whether I get the picture or not, I am going to take it all in, and live for that exact moment in time.
With that being said, it brings me to the name of my blog and more specifically, this post. Many have heard the expression that all who wander are not lost. I think that expression decidedly fits my personality. To wander: 1.) to travel about, on, or through 2.) to ramble without a definite purpose or objective. I love to travel, and lately I have been very lucky to have had the means to do so. When I travel I really do hate to have an itinerary. Some sort of a game plan, sure. A mental list of some of the highlights I want to see, ok. But a detailed, laid out plan of every single thing to do, timed out? No thank you. I love to take opportunities, try things out, take things as they come, which is incorporated into my traveling and seeing the world. I want to see the world, but I want to see it on my own time and in my own way. If I go to Rome, of course I want to see the pantheon, colliseum, st. peter's in the vatican, but I also want to take in the atmosphere. Get a vespa, find a local cafe, chill by a piazza, walk under the street lamps, party with some natives. That being said, I've traveled some recently with strict itineraries and some a little lax. Savannah, Orlando, Boise, Washington D.C. , Outer Banks and my million trips back and forth from little Fayette County, Pennsylvania to Raleigh. In my structured trips, Conferences in Orlando and D.C., I found myself looking forward to the "free time" that I would have to try to do something different. I think because of my "wanderings" I am not lost, in fact I think it has made me find myself even more. Every time I see something new, something different, it just makes me reaffirmed in my beliefs, values, morals.
I wander, and wonder, alot. There is a song that this woman sings every Christmas Eve service in my hometown entitled "I Wonder as I Wander." So, from now on, I'll be wondering as I wander. Stopping to take in all the good things. After the fact of an event, I always kick myself for not taking pictures. Then, I realized that it's because I would rather live in the moment, take it all in, instead of worrying about stopping to take pictures. So, from now on, I won't worry about whether I get the picture or not, I am going to take it all in, and live for that exact moment in time.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Leadership
The end of this semester is just jam-packed with a lot of stuff. I finally, finally, finished a paper to take to a conference and am just crossing my fingers that it gets accepted (eek!). My friends and family just don't get what I have spent the last month of my life working on non-stop and to be honest it's just really hard to explain.
When it is all said and done, I have a 14 page paper, including references, to show for my mountain of research. And, when talking to other, non-graduate students about this paper, I don't think they realize that it's not just a 12 page research paper that I b.s.'d my way through. This is 12 pages of my sweat and tears, literally. This paper is my quality research, a study that I performed, and just because it wasn't performed in a lab, doesn't mean it's not important, or credible.
The research I performed, was in the form of interviews, of a specific population to realize their perceptions and how that can be utilized. The paper then utilized previous research, methodology, results, and conclusions and implications to produce the final result. All in all this paper has consumed my life but I know it will be worth it. Hopefully, this paper will be accepted into conference and then hopefully, (fingers crossed), published in a journal. Then, maybe my friends and family will realize the dedication I made to this project.
When it is all said and done, I have a 14 page paper, including references, to show for my mountain of research. And, when talking to other, non-graduate students about this paper, I don't think they realize that it's not just a 12 page research paper that I b.s.'d my way through. This is 12 pages of my sweat and tears, literally. This paper is my quality research, a study that I performed, and just because it wasn't performed in a lab, doesn't mean it's not important, or credible.
The research I performed, was in the form of interviews, of a specific population to realize their perceptions and how that can be utilized. The paper then utilized previous research, methodology, results, and conclusions and implications to produce the final result. All in all this paper has consumed my life but I know it will be worth it. Hopefully, this paper will be accepted into conference and then hopefully, (fingers crossed), published in a journal. Then, maybe my friends and family will realize the dedication I made to this project.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The End is Near
So the end of the semester is drawing near, and I have been filling out applications for jobs like no other for the summer. As part of one of the applications I had to explain my experiences with multi-tasking. Ummmm.... I literally laughed out loud. I thought about simply writing "graduate student" to accurately answer the question. How do you explain to someone that by simply being a student, you have learned to master the art of multi-tasking? Just this afternoon, I sit on my couch, taking a quiz for an online class, tv on, cell phone beside me, facebook chat open, and simultaneously reading an article from an online journal. I think that technology has forced a new generation into being great at multi-tasking. Stimuli are needed at all times and because of that, we (Generation X) do multitask. Now the argument can be made at whether this is truly PRODUCTIVE multitasking, but at some level it is. By mixing personal and professional lives, one can accomplish a great deal. And how, pretell, do I, personally keep everything straight? It's not some fancy online schedule, no palm-pilot type planner.
A list.
Yes, that's right. Nothing is more refreshing than taking out a blank piece of paper and writing down my goals. It can be as narrow or broad as I want it to be. Sometimes they are lists for the day, week. Currently mine is everything to do before the end of the semester (yay!). Through all this technology, I know of one thing that will never fail me, and that is my list of accomplishments. Something about that sense of fulfillment when you get to cross something off that you've completed. Call me old-fashioned. But I don't care. A list has done me good so far, and I think the lists will stay.
A list.
Yes, that's right. Nothing is more refreshing than taking out a blank piece of paper and writing down my goals. It can be as narrow or broad as I want it to be. Sometimes they are lists for the day, week. Currently mine is everything to do before the end of the semester (yay!). Through all this technology, I know of one thing that will never fail me, and that is my list of accomplishments. Something about that sense of fulfillment when you get to cross something off that you've completed. Call me old-fashioned. But I don't care. A list has done me good so far, and I think the lists will stay.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wordle- A great invention
I am hooked, on what you may say? Besides my love affair with coffee and mashed potatoes, not together of course, I am in love, with wordle. Yes, the world of technology has sucked me in this once. Not that I'm resistant to technology, but I use what I have to and that's about it. However, this neat little gadget has won me over, falling head over heels in love.So here's what you have to do:
1. Go to Wordle.net
2. Enter in any body of text or insert a URL to pull text from. This can be anything really, I used the 4-H pledge and welcome off of the program book for National 4-H Conference for the link below and the USDA mission statement for the one above. Have fun with this!
3. Watch your cluster of words be created into something truly spectacular. All it takes is once.
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