Intimidation

Let me tell you that I am still adjusting to being back on a college schedule and craziness all day long. My blogging will eventually return to normal soon. My goal is to not stress this week as it is the first week back and I really don't need the extra stress right now. I will let you know how that goes :)

So now you may be wondering why I was intimidated and I am going to tell you. A little background is that I hang out with guy friends all the time and sometimes prefer them over girls. They just crack me up and are way less dramatic than girls and NO...none are anything other than friends. SO last night my Advanced Life guarding class had to take a swim test. You would think that there would be more girls than just me and another girl...but there was NOT! So I am stuck with 13 guys and me and another girl...fabulous! So we had to take a swim test which consisted of swimming 22 laps in a highly chlorinated pool with NO GOGGLES! Let me tell you it was plain heck after with the eyes but that's not where I was intimidated. I start my first two laps off really fast, too fast, and have to stop to breathe. My heart was beating so fast I could not breathe.

So I stopped. Let the boys swim. Did the brick swim test and then the boys left. I waited to redo my swim test until after the 13 boys left. My professor was totally cool about it but this feeling has never happened to me before. I have never been this intimidated by something like this. It may have something to do with the fact that I was in a bathing suit in front of some handsome young men...but it also was the fact that I had to stop in my swim test and redo. There are a few guys who are big ole boys and they finished. There are some guys who are totally adorable and that made me blush a wee bit. Then there are some guys who I have not decided on yet.

Let me just say...I passed my entrance exam to the course and am now enrolled in a class with 13 boys and 2 girls! I will let you know how the semester goes!

Same kind of different as Me

For a class {tomorrow}, I had to read Same kind of different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. If you have not read this book...do it!

The first few chapters were a little difficult but once you catch on that Hall and Moore switch off every chapter. I highly recommend it and it was a great read. I had to read it all today and I must say it was the best three hours of straight reading. There are 60+ chapters, but the chapters are sometimes just 2 pages. Something about the bond of these two men through their past, present, and future events are just astounding. It is a Christian based book that really opened my eyes. All I can say is WoW!

Use your imagination & questions

Use your imagination on this post as I can't take pictures and will be describing the room that I am in to you...ok? Here we go!
The room that I am in is like a classroom yet with a teacher's workroom inside and a library all in ONE. You see, ACU has this room that is set up like BIG people centers with die-cuts, computers, library books, tables, BIG books, and printers. This place is my new haven. There is color on the walls, pictures galore, and a "pretend" classroom to teach in. This place allows in the process education majors to come in and use all of these AMAZING materials. I am so jealous that my college does not have a room like this! Of course we have an early childhood classroom, but NOTHING like this...! This is like a teacher to be's dream room...or it could just be my dream!
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Now I have two questions for you...ready? Here we go:
1. What was your favorite thing in elementary school that was labeled "teachers/staff only?" Come on, did you not like the work/mail room or office? Time to be real here :)
2. If you could go back in time and change something about elementary school, what would it be and why?
3. What was/is your favorite thing about the classroom setting? It could be the colors to manipulates or the games played :)
4. What was your least favorite thing about the classroom setting?
5. Did you have a good classroom teacher in elementary school that impacted your life? If so, tell me!

After a few days, I will compile all the answers, including mine, and post them! I want your opinions first :)
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Hope you are having a great Wednesday!

Testy Tuesday

TESTY is the word of the day. Tomorrow I have a MASSIVE midterm at 8am. Then I also have a MASSIVE project due at 1pm during my Science Lab time. One of my lab partners, I have two, decided to miss two very important work days to hang with her boyfriend and also go home and stay an extra day. Do you know how annoying that is? My midterm tomorrow is for Beginning Literacy and I am almost ready. Studying has been my main activity today. Literally, I have been carrying around the book and review all day today. Not the best thing to do on a Tuesday.

I am also a little perturbed at a few people too. Usually when asked by authority to do some thing, I do it. But when the middle of the semester rolls around, things get piled on. People take advantage of the fact that I am a TYPE A personality and will do anything to get things done. People, I can NOT do it all!!!! Do things for yourselves. This really does get old.

If you think about it, keep me in your prayers tomorrow. Hurdles will be passed and it never says anywhere that life is easy; tell me where it says that life is easy. I take my midterm tomorrow at 8am and my science lab starts at 1pm. I know in my heart everything will be okay, it is just getting through it that is the tough part.

Live life

Exercise buddies...

Tomorrow morning while everyone is still sleeping, two friends and I are going to be attending an exercise class at a local health center. For our wellness and fitness class, we all have to attend a local club and take a class for free. The time of this class is 5:45am. We are meeting at 5:35am, which means I have to leave at 5:20ish. Have I lost it or what? Then I have a full day planned along with a 9pm meeting tomorrow night. The three of us have agreed that this is the best plan, so I may be a tad tired in the coming days. Other than that I am EXCITED!!!

I also have another "workout date" that I will be attending on Thursday. Since the above will count as a lab, I will not have that 50 minute class on Thursday. Therefore I will be walking with a friend-YAY!! I know, I am excited!!!

I think in some way exercising with a buddy does help. Sometimes I want one and other times I am fine by myself.

This week is busy and I have LOTS to do, but my workout buddies and I will sure have some fun.

Have a great evening!!!!

Just READ it

Today, well all week, in my Beginning Literacy class, we have been discussing the importance of reading aloud to children. One misconception is that adults and college students do not like being read to-well that is WRONG. My professor is taking time out of each class period to read Bunnicula to us. Yes we are college students and being read to but it is LOTS of fun. Here are a few of my favorite books: (just a few as my list could go on and on)

Hope you all had a wonderful Friday and are looking forward to the weekend. Mine is already booked and has lots of stuff included in just two days. I do plan to relax a little. Have a great evening and read something that interests you.

TGIF

3rd week already?

Apparently it is my third week of college this week. Where did the time go? Most of my classes are going well right now except for one. One professor is just not teaching and it is driving me a little crazy. So I talked to my advisor and I am getting someone else's notes from last year (different prof). I am hoping that this helps.

This will NOT get me down. Today it rained and rained!!! I love watching what God has in store for this world and the rain was awesome. The only thing that is not awesome is the MASSIVE flooding, but everything else is okay. Maybe some of West Texas will be green during winter. Hey, just a thought!!

This week seems to be more than usual jam packed, but I will get through it. Why is it so jam packed? I just have more meetings this week than normal. So it is not that bad, just bumpy!!!

Have a great night!!!!

No day off on Labor day?

So yes, there were some people who DID NOT have Labor Day off. I know, I know, how could people do this? But it happened to ME this year! So what did I do this morning on my NOT day off.

Let's see: I woke up at 5:55am, got ready, made my heavenly coffee, went to let my house sitting job's dog out, chased the dog (who never runs away), went to class till 11 (8, 9, and 10 classes), had lunch, got my application filled out for the School of Education, and then came home. Yes it was a VERY busy morning, but it was worth it.

I did learn some things this morning that I thought I would share:
** Sunrises are BEAUTIFUL when no one is around
** Some street lights go off at 7:19am
** When no one is on the road, it is so peaceful
** My morning coffee was awesome since 5:55 came WAY too early
** I did not have trouble getting up this morning-what a shocker

So yes, today is another day and I have lots in my schedule, but it is so worth it. Abilene may be small, but it is just the right fit for me.

Hope everyone enjoyed today off!!!

Tough day...

Today was a tough day mentally and emotionally. This morning started out with a call from my mom. My brother got his MRI results back this morning and they were not great. Basically he tore something in his shoulder and there is now fluid around his shoulder growth plate. Needless to say, the doctor will get him into the Orthopedic ASAP. I ask for prayers that my brother heals quickly and that his pain goes away soon!

In other news, I have not been sleeping that great lately and I have no idea why. It could be that I am really excited about school but am having a difficult time turning off my brain. So I am tired and this week (its only Tuesday) seems to be DRAGGING on forever. Usually the first week zips by; not this time My classes are going great and they mostly seem really cool, so that is a plus.

Tonight I have a newspaper meeting and am excited about that. Even though the meeting is scheduled for 9pm. Hopefully it will not last long.

Hope everyone is well and having a better week! Friday needs to come soon!!!

Have a great night!!!

Part 3: Thoughts of my last week as a college freshman

So much to tell-where do I start? Finals are over for me-yippee!!! I know for sure I have 2 A's, but I am waiting on two other classes for final grades. Another thought is that I go HOME today! I will be home in time for Grey's Anatomy-one of my favorite shows. I am so excited that I get to sleep in my own bed tonight too. No interuptions in the middle of the night from dramatic girls or a loud roomate! Horray! I am so excited that I have a little break before I start my Summer I critical thinking class that I have to have to get into the School of Education.

Speaking of classes-There are some days when I still feel like I am in High School with all the immaturity, but there are others when I am glad I have left HS. Some days are better than others. But for one thing-some "kids" still need to grow up and mature a little. One thing that gets me is when kids pay hundreds of dollars for a class and rarely show up! Come on-just go to class. They signed up for it, so it is their deal I guess, but really!

I am wondering where my first year has gone? Any ideas? It just flew by without me knowing it. So as of tomorrow, I will officially be a college sophomore-WOW! I will have 39 hours starting next fall and I am just impressed! I am not trying to brag, but geting up to this point is amazing! Being out sick this semester for 30 days and still doing so well in college amazes me. Some ask me how I do it and I study every day. I also study on the weekends too. What a studying life!

So as for plans-my plan is to sleep in tomorrow morning and then go from there! Hope everyone has had a good week!

The weekend is near!!!

Time

It is now time to register for classes! Lord, have mercy on me! I just found out that I have to wake up at 4:40am on Tuesday morning, so that I can register for summer courses, online, back home. So Tuesday will be a VERY LONG DAY!!!! I have already registered for classes at HSU for the fall, though. SO at least that is done! YAY!!!

I have been pondering on this verse today and thought I would share it with you all. It is on Hope and patience. It is Romans 8:25- "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

I have been really anxious lately since I only have 4 weeks left of college this spring and I have been looking at this verse on a daily basis. Sometimes I forget that GOD has a plan already mapped out for me. I have to remind myself that God will show me my "yellow-brick path" that HE wants me to follow. Reminding myself daily that GOD has a plan for me is easier said then done. I still worry, but at least Romans 8:25 puts me at ease when I remind myself about HIS master plan!!!

So remember, today one may worry, but in the end, God WILL PROVIDE!!!

Middle of the week post

This morning something unusual occurred, I woke up at 6am. Yes I needed to use the restroom, but the funny thing was I could not go back to sleep. I just laid in my bed thinking about what I had to do today and also updated my cell phone calender. I set alarms and everything. When my roommate's' alarm went off this morning, I was so ready to roll. Made the bed, had a banana, then checked email. I was so ready to roll.

Had breakfast at 8ish, then went to class. Then it hit me about 9:30. I started to get really tired. So I have to attribute this to not getting enough sleep last night. I am really trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep, but stuff happens and sometimes I do not. SO oh well!!!

Anything new going on? Well not really. I am back into my groove and loving being on my own. I can not believe that I have about 6 weeks left of this semester. I go home on May 8th, then start a local college course on the 9th-crazy I know.

My brother's troop master for the whole troop was killed in a car accident on 3-22-08. I ask you to pray for the family, who have two sons. This is a very difficult time and I can not imagine loosing one of my parents right now.

On the upside, I am very happy right now. Yes there is lots to do, but for some reason I am in an awesome mood!!

Have a wonderful week!

An update...finally

So sorry that it has been over a month since I have updated! First I got pneumonia in both lungs, then I had the flu, along with my asthma acting up, so February was a complete wash. I missed 3 weeks of college and continue to feel tired. But I am hoping to get all my energy back soon. Being sick is no fun either. I had zero energy and spent most of my time at home, feeling sick. My parents took me home on 2/1 and I returned to classes on 2/25. The result of missing 3 weeks of classes was not that bad. I had to drop my science class and I will just take it in the fall. Other than that, I have some computer assignments to complete, but I am actually all caught up-finally!!! What a relief!!!

Now as far as right now, I am really happy! Today I slept in (which I have not done in one month), then went to breakfast and got a complement from some football players that I "look good and have lost weight." I did not initially know what to say, but I am now really happy they noticed! Then I went shopping. I really loathe doing this, but when I am by myself, I am actually OK. So I went to Old Navy (got a bathing suit in a smaller size than I thought I could fit into), went to Lifeway, and Target. I found some really cool books for my Preschool class and also surprised myself! Then I went to HEB and got this week's groceries. Then I went to Subway and have been back in the dorms since 6:30.

So this typical (not) college student is now doing homework and about to get ready for bed. I feel so relaxed. Now only if my back would stop hurting. Why does it hurt? I slid off my bed while I was asleep this week and it messed it up.

To this day, I have lost 35 pounds! Woo Hoo!!! How and when? I have lost the weight over six months. How-I have been eating LOTS of fruits and veggies. Have been eating lean cuts of meat and have cut out all breads. I am also eating fat free yogurts and oatmeal. Yes I still eat gluten free pretzels and rice cakes, but in moderation. I also cut out all pasta and soft drinks!
I believe that eating smaller portions have also helped. Now I am not saying that I have the occasional bowl of ice cream, but not every day.

Now as for exercise-I am walking and currently go up about 5 flights of stairs on a daily basis. I sometimes do not even realize that I do this, but I do not mind it much anymore. I actually like doing it sometimes.

So this concludes my update! I hope all of you have a great weekend and a wonderful week!!!

First week back to classes update

Hello fellow bloggers,
Sorry I have not updated in a while-life just gets busy and blogging gets put on the back burner. So now that I am back in Abilene, classes are going good. I am taking 17 hours this semester and my homework schedule has not really picked up yet. I am sure that it will soon. But my other news is that I now have a title at the school newspaper "Special Projects Editor," so I actually have to do my job on a daily basis. I love all the excitement with the Brand, but sometimes I already think, "What did I get myself into?" Other than that, I am a tutor, babysitter (T/Th mornings), and also work at St. Paul U.M.C. 3 days a week. Some people think I am nuts, taking 17 hours and having four jobs, but I love being busy and keeping myself busy. I think that allows me to stay focused and not be homesick as much. I miss my family so much, but I do not have time to sit and whine about missing them on a daily basis.

I think that my job with the school newspaper will keep me occupied too. Whenever there is an event on campus, I have to make sure that it is covered, and I also make sure that the newspaper staff stay in contact and organized!!

In other news, I had toe surgery on Friday and both feet are SO sore. Both of my big toes were ingrown, so they had to come out and then there was an abscess on the rt. toe, so they had to get that out to (sorry-tmi). To say the least, my feet hurt!!! So I am staying off my feet as much as possible and am taking plenty of Tylenol. I may have to make a quick run to the supermarket and grab groceries and bandages and maybe something to eat for dinner (thinking salad), but that is the extent of my errand running.

Sunday is not as lucky, I work at the church for four hours, then have to go back that night for two. I also have to make a few errands tomorrow, so I am glad that I have Monday off (MLK) to relax.

As far as homework is concerned, I just have to make a unit plan for my science education class and have to read for a few classes, but that is it!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I promise to update more!!!