I am done with spring semester! It is such a satisfying feeling; a great load has been taken off of my back as a student and I feel a sense of freedom as I yearn for summer.
But, why I do I yearn for summer?? It's not like it's gonna be a relaxing one:
I take that back, 1 out of my 3 month summer will be somewhat relaxing. In May, I will be working at ChickfilA about 4 days a week...I would take getting paid over going to school any day! Also, I will be getting some practicum hours in twice a week at a local physical therapy center.
Then, the month of June - I am excited/scared about all I have to accomplish in the months of June and July. I will be taking 12 credits this summer (yes, that is a full semester load) and working full time. Along with studying for a personal trainer board exam and fulfilling more of my practicum hours. Yay for busy schedules.
My mom said that I packed too many things into my summer. That's what scares me; when my mom says I have too much to do, I REALLY have too much to do. But, I am determined to do it all; and all with excellence.
I am really looking forward to my summer job though! I get to spend my day with 60 of my favorite kiddos. Oh, there are times when I ask myself why I am a camp counselor - when the same girl (who is going into the THIRD grade) has an accident atleast 3 times a day, even in the pool; when I have a boy screaming, biting, scratching, and hiding under tables because he doesn't want to share ANYTHING (yes, he is an only child); when I have to deal with an 8th grader who thinks she's "in love" with a 3rd grader, that's just a whole different story; when we have to start getting ready an hour before we leave on a field trip because we have to bathe every child in sunscreen AND bug spray (and of course every mom sends their own spray and lotion for their own child and requests to not share with anyone else); and those infamous days where everyone is on their worst behavior, definitely my favorite. For some reason though, I wouldn't trade that job for any other.
So, yes, I am going to have a crazy busy summer. But for some reason, I feel as if it will be relaxing. Let's hope so!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Couple Reasons Why Girls are Smarter than Boys
Today I was studying in the library in a big cushioned chair, using the window sill as my foot rest. What a beautiful view...looking out at the pond on a nice sunny day. While I was studying 2 boys and their soccer balls stood at the top of the hill overlooking the pond. The guys put their soccer balls down and kicked them...straight towards the pond. And then looked at each other, blaming the other for the idea of doing it.
What did they think was gonna happen anyway? Of course, the balls landed smack dab in the middle of the pond. So, I watched in sheer amusement, for about 20 minutes as they tried everything under the sun to get their soccer balls back. They finally got one out, but the story doesn't end here.
The guy that got it out kicked it up the hill then walked away to try and retrieve the other ball. What goes up must come down right? Well, he obviously doesn't get this concept. The ball rolled up the hill....and rolled right back down again - into the pond.
What a genius.
I just smiled as he turned around and watched it land back into the pond...I'm sure he felt REALLY smart.
Hopefully they do well on their finals...
What did they think was gonna happen anyway? Of course, the balls landed smack dab in the middle of the pond. So, I watched in sheer amusement, for about 20 minutes as they tried everything under the sun to get their soccer balls back. They finally got one out, but the story doesn't end here.
The guy that got it out kicked it up the hill then walked away to try and retrieve the other ball. What goes up must come down right? Well, he obviously doesn't get this concept. The ball rolled up the hill....and rolled right back down again - into the pond.
What a genius.
I just smiled as he turned around and watched it land back into the pond...I'm sure he felt REALLY smart.
Hopefully they do well on their finals...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
LSINFWELIVLRGWIL
The above jibberish nonsense is pretty much how I feel right about now.
I feel ADD...I am struggling and man do I mean STRUGGLING with sitting down for longer than 30 minutes to study.
I am very impatient...I just want it to be Thursday at 3 pm. Is that so hard to ask for?
It seems so easy: two days, three finals to go. Should fly bye right?? WRONG! These next 2 days will probably be some of the slowest days of my life.
I just wanna go over to my window and yell as loud as I can to relieve all my stress for the whole world to hear, BUT thank the Lord He has given me more self-control than to do that :)
Instead, I decided to vent to you all about it...thanks for listening
I feel ADD...I am struggling and man do I mean STRUGGLING with sitting down for longer than 30 minutes to study.
I am very impatient...I just want it to be Thursday at 3 pm. Is that so hard to ask for?
It seems so easy: two days, three finals to go. Should fly bye right?? WRONG! These next 2 days will probably be some of the slowest days of my life.
I just wanna go over to my window and yell as loud as I can to relieve all my stress for the whole world to hear, BUT thank the Lord He has given me more self-control than to do that :)
Instead, I decided to vent to you all about it...thanks for listening
Monday, April 26, 2010
Post for Thought
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/04/26/something-for-nothing/
I read this blog every day and LOVE all the posts the authors write. This one was especially neat and I decided to share it with you! Maybe, even, you can add the Gospel Coalition Blog to your daily readings; I promise you will not be disappointed :)
Enjoy!
I read this blog every day and LOVE all the posts the authors write. This one was especially neat and I decided to share it with you! Maybe, even, you can add the Gospel Coalition Blog to your daily readings; I promise you will not be disappointed :)
Enjoy!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sophomore 75
I have finally gotten an answer to one of my odd observations. I really am ashamed that I made this observation, I feel really judgmental...but sometimes, things are just too obvious for one not to notice.
What is my observation? Well, I guess I'll just say it bluntly...that one of my classmates has gained weight and lots of it.
Now before you judge me for judging this person, let me explain myself and give some precursors.
First, about 25% of my major deals with weight management; therefore, it is becoming very easily for me to detect when someone gains weight, what a person's general weight is just by looking at them, etc. It's kind of disturbing actually. Next, I did not 'confront' this person or question them asking if they had gained any weight or why. And lastly, this person willingly told the class that he had gained weight.
75 pounds to be exact.
Woah! 75 pounds??! In 8 months? And he's only a sophomore! Is he going to gain another 200 pounds during the rest of his college career?? The other astonishing thing about this scenario is that he is an athlete here at Bethel...a TRACK athlete. So of course he couldn't be eating poorly if he is on the track team right?
I have come to the conclusion - just by LOOKING at the food here on campus, you gain weight.
What is my observation? Well, I guess I'll just say it bluntly...that one of my classmates has gained weight and lots of it.
Now before you judge me for judging this person, let me explain myself and give some precursors.
First, about 25% of my major deals with weight management; therefore, it is becoming very easily for me to detect when someone gains weight, what a person's general weight is just by looking at them, etc. It's kind of disturbing actually. Next, I did not 'confront' this person or question them asking if they had gained any weight or why. And lastly, this person willingly told the class that he had gained weight.
75 pounds to be exact.
Woah! 75 pounds??! In 8 months? And he's only a sophomore! Is he going to gain another 200 pounds during the rest of his college career?? The other astonishing thing about this scenario is that he is an athlete here at Bethel...a TRACK athlete. So of course he couldn't be eating poorly if he is on the track team right?
I have come to the conclusion - just by LOOKING at the food here on campus, you gain weight.
Mechanic Panic
I had to take my wonderful car into the mechanic today :( The airbag light came on a couple days ago and I just thought I wasn't distributing my weight enough so that it would sense me sitting in the driver seat. It sensed me all right, so need to fear of being too light (darn!). In fact, after I read my manual, it stated that either one of two things may happen as a result of the airbag readiness light coming on....neither of them ideal:
1) the airbag may not deploy if I were to get in a wreck
OR
2) the airbag may randomly deploy while driving
AWESOME!
Needless to say, I have been freaking out lately while driving; just waiting for my airbag to all of a sudden pop out and suffocate me and then end up making me crash.
I am going to my grandparents this weekend and they have a friend who is willing to fix my car [without ripping me off like other mechanics do - taking advantage of women that come into the shop and have no clue what they are talking about] so I was relieved to know that it will soon be fixed.
However, my manual said it needed to be fixed ASAP...does it really need to be checked that soon?
I had no idea, so just to make sure my air bag won't deploy as I am driving 70 on the highway, I decided to go get it checked.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Chevy dealership and immediately felt lost. There were so many doors, so many garages, so many cars, so many men....I definitely felt out of place.
So, right before I stepped out of my car, I took a deep breath and was determined to walk with purpose and make it sound like I knew what I was talking about.
I walked into the [correct!] door of the mechanic's garage and was intimidated by atleast 10 big men just standing there waiting for business.
I marched right up, told one of them what was wrong with my car, and asked if I really needed to get it fixed before I got my car serviced this weekend.
The mechanic asked if we could chat about my car for a couple minutes so that he could gain some ground on what he was working with. I was so nervous! I know NOTHING about cars. But to my surprise (and his as well) I carried myself very well and atleast made it sound like I knew what I was talking about. He even 'complimented' my car knowledge skills by stating, "Well, you DO know what you are talking about don't you?"
Yes, mechanic, I do...even if I had to do some extra research before I came in.
Good news - with my car being the model year that it is, the airbag will not deploy unexpectedly. It just won't deploy if I wreck.
So, in summary, I just have to make it to Plymouth (45 minutes away) without getting in a wreck...perfectly doable :)
1) the airbag may not deploy if I were to get in a wreck
OR
2) the airbag may randomly deploy while driving
AWESOME!
Needless to say, I have been freaking out lately while driving; just waiting for my airbag to all of a sudden pop out and suffocate me and then end up making me crash.
I am going to my grandparents this weekend and they have a friend who is willing to fix my car [without ripping me off like other mechanics do - taking advantage of women that come into the shop and have no clue what they are talking about] so I was relieved to know that it will soon be fixed.
However, my manual said it needed to be fixed ASAP...does it really need to be checked that soon?
I had no idea, so just to make sure my air bag won't deploy as I am driving 70 on the highway, I decided to go get it checked.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Chevy dealership and immediately felt lost. There were so many doors, so many garages, so many cars, so many men....I definitely felt out of place.
So, right before I stepped out of my car, I took a deep breath and was determined to walk with purpose and make it sound like I knew what I was talking about.
I walked into the [correct!] door of the mechanic's garage and was intimidated by atleast 10 big men just standing there waiting for business.
I marched right up, told one of them what was wrong with my car, and asked if I really needed to get it fixed before I got my car serviced this weekend.
The mechanic asked if we could chat about my car for a couple minutes so that he could gain some ground on what he was working with. I was so nervous! I know NOTHING about cars. But to my surprise (and his as well) I carried myself very well and atleast made it sound like I knew what I was talking about. He even 'complimented' my car knowledge skills by stating, "Well, you DO know what you are talking about don't you?"
Yes, mechanic, I do...even if I had to do some extra research before I came in.
Good news - with my car being the model year that it is, the airbag will not deploy unexpectedly. It just won't deploy if I wreck.
So, in summary, I just have to make it to Plymouth (45 minutes away) without getting in a wreck...perfectly doable :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
FaceLIFT
What is one of the first things you do in the morning? I bet atleast half, if not all of us, check our facebook.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy facebook and I check it daily. But sometimes, it just irritates me! The little things on/about facebook that simply could just be better
Facebook needs a facelift.
'People You May Know' - in other words, people you may know, but not well enough to be friends with. Put simply, if you haven't found your friend yet and they haven't found you, then you probably aren't even friends in the first place.
'Mini Feed' - yeah, cause we need reminders of things we have recently done or said. Thank you facebook but if it's important enough, I can remember those things without help.
'Bathing Suit Profile Pictures' - yes, you are young and skinny and probably fake and bake at a tanning salon, we get it. But we can observe this without you having to post a picture of it for all America to see.
'Picture Takers' - the people that have 60 photo albums...60 ALBUMS! And so, on any given day, you can count on these people to post atleast 10 pictures of their lives to their profile.
'People Who Spend Too Much Time on Facebook' - they totally take over my news feed with 12 different whiny status updates (so and so is still in love with her, so and so wishes she knew how this feels, and so on and so forth)
'People Who Update Facebook with Every Minute of Their Lives' - so and so is sleeping, so and so is eating cheese, so and so is standing in line at the store....I DONT CARE!
'Constant Layout Changes' - granted, change is needed to prevent staleness, but sometimes things need to be left alone. Just as the frustration dies down from one design, the site changes again. What's the difference between news feed and live feed? And why can't facebook remember which I prefer??
'No Dislike Button' - if there are going to be such things dominating my page like Mafia Wars and Farmville, there MUST be a dislike button.
'The Let Me Tell You Every Detail of My Day Bore' - which kind of goes with the one above, but I guess Im mentioning it again because it is TRULY a pet peeve. So and so is waking up, so and so had wheaties for breakfast, so and so is bored at work, so and so is stuck in traffic...your kidding! How fascinating! Really? I care about you, but I don't need a play by play.
'The Self Promoter' - there is a difference between letting others know what's going on in your life and dominating facebook with your biography.
'The Friend Padder' - no one has more than 500 [real] friends...if they do, then that's just showing off.
'The Town Crier' - "Michael Jackson is dead!" These people are the reason many of us learn of breaking news not from TV or news sites but from online social networks.
'The TMIer' - some things, just need to not be proclaimed to the world of facebook.
'The Bad Grammarian' - "So sad about Fara Fauset but Im so gladd its friday yippe". Yes, I know the punctuation rules are different in the digital world. And, no, no one likes a spelling Nazi...but please, get it right.
'The Sympathy Baiter' - there is a difference between genuine bad news and people with hopes of gaining concerned responses just to boost there self esteem. So and so is feeling sad today, so and so is glad that's over, so and so could use some good news right about now. You know what I mean?
'The Lurker' - the one who never updates their status or writes on your wall, yet you can randomly be talking and they will bring something up about one of your past posts. So really, you know they're on your page...STALKER! Or, even worse, you walk by someone who is on your page just staring at it...that is awkward as well. Also, they may be sitting right alongside you while you are both on facebook and read almost everything on your page out loud to you...really, I know what happened in my life today you don't have to remind me.
'The Crank' - there isn't anything they CAN'T complain about. I'm sorry that your life is terrible, but in reality it probably isn't as bad as you think it is...it could be a lot worse.
'The Paparazzo' - the person that posts pictures you SPECIFICALLY told them not to post or posts pictures of you that you didn't even realized existed.
'The Philosopher' - the person who has the deepest statuses (or the annoying, sappy, sad lines from various country songs) that no one understands and better yet they have to comment under their own status to further their previous status...enough is enough! Plus, half of the world doesn't even know what you are talking about in all of your status deepness.
'The Chronic Inviter' - support my cause, sign my petition, play Mafia Wars with me, which 'Star Trek' character are you?, here are the top 5 cars I have personally owned, here are 25 things about me, here's a drink; what drink are you?, We're related!, I took the what president are you? quiz and so should you! These people probably mean well, but stop; just stop...can't we simply just be friends and have normal conversations without having to add a million applications to take pointless quizzes and compare ourselves to others and try to beat someone else's IQ? Thanks
Now, do not feel offended if you feel yourself fit into one of the above categories; I still love you, you are still my friend, and I know that you meant no harm at all. It's just, when done in excess, it kind of bothers me...if you couldn't tell ;)
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy facebook and I check it daily. But sometimes, it just irritates me! The little things on/about facebook that simply could just be better
Facebook needs a facelift.
'People You May Know' - in other words, people you may know, but not well enough to be friends with. Put simply, if you haven't found your friend yet and they haven't found you, then you probably aren't even friends in the first place.
'Mini Feed' - yeah, cause we need reminders of things we have recently done or said. Thank you facebook but if it's important enough, I can remember those things without help.
'Bathing Suit Profile Pictures' - yes, you are young and skinny and probably fake and bake at a tanning salon, we get it. But we can observe this without you having to post a picture of it for all America to see.
'Picture Takers' - the people that have 60 photo albums...60 ALBUMS! And so, on any given day, you can count on these people to post atleast 10 pictures of their lives to their profile.
'People Who Spend Too Much Time on Facebook' - they totally take over my news feed with 12 different whiny status updates (so and so is still in love with her, so and so wishes she knew how this feels, and so on and so forth)
'People Who Update Facebook with Every Minute of Their Lives' - so and so is sleeping, so and so is eating cheese, so and so is standing in line at the store....I DONT CARE!
'Constant Layout Changes' - granted, change is needed to prevent staleness, but sometimes things need to be left alone. Just as the frustration dies down from one design, the site changes again. What's the difference between news feed and live feed? And why can't facebook remember which I prefer??
'No Dislike Button' - if there are going to be such things dominating my page like Mafia Wars and Farmville, there MUST be a dislike button.
'The Let Me Tell You Every Detail of My Day Bore' - which kind of goes with the one above, but I guess Im mentioning it again because it is TRULY a pet peeve. So and so is waking up, so and so had wheaties for breakfast, so and so is bored at work, so and so is stuck in traffic...your kidding! How fascinating! Really? I care about you, but I don't need a play by play.
'The Self Promoter' - there is a difference between letting others know what's going on in your life and dominating facebook with your biography.
'The Friend Padder' - no one has more than 500 [real] friends...if they do, then that's just showing off.
'The Town Crier' - "Michael Jackson is dead!" These people are the reason many of us learn of breaking news not from TV or news sites but from online social networks.
'The TMIer' - some things, just need to not be proclaimed to the world of facebook.
'The Bad Grammarian' - "So sad about Fara Fauset but Im so gladd its friday yippe". Yes, I know the punctuation rules are different in the digital world. And, no, no one likes a spelling Nazi...but please, get it right.
'The Sympathy Baiter' - there is a difference between genuine bad news and people with hopes of gaining concerned responses just to boost there self esteem. So and so is feeling sad today, so and so is glad that's over, so and so could use some good news right about now. You know what I mean?
'The Lurker' - the one who never updates their status or writes on your wall, yet you can randomly be talking and they will bring something up about one of your past posts. So really, you know they're on your page...STALKER! Or, even worse, you walk by someone who is on your page just staring at it...that is awkward as well. Also, they may be sitting right alongside you while you are both on facebook and read almost everything on your page out loud to you...really, I know what happened in my life today you don't have to remind me.
'The Crank' - there isn't anything they CAN'T complain about. I'm sorry that your life is terrible, but in reality it probably isn't as bad as you think it is...it could be a lot worse.
'The Paparazzo' - the person that posts pictures you SPECIFICALLY told them not to post or posts pictures of you that you didn't even realized existed.
'The Philosopher' - the person who has the deepest statuses (or the annoying, sappy, sad lines from various country songs) that no one understands and better yet they have to comment under their own status to further their previous status...enough is enough! Plus, half of the world doesn't even know what you are talking about in all of your status deepness.
'The Chronic Inviter' - support my cause, sign my petition, play Mafia Wars with me, which 'Star Trek' character are you?, here are the top 5 cars I have personally owned, here are 25 things about me, here's a drink; what drink are you?, We're related!, I took the what president are you? quiz and so should you! These people probably mean well, but stop; just stop...can't we simply just be friends and have normal conversations without having to add a million applications to take pointless quizzes and compare ourselves to others and try to beat someone else's IQ? Thanks
Now, do not feel offended if you feel yourself fit into one of the above categories; I still love you, you are still my friend, and I know that you meant no harm at all. It's just, when done in excess, it kind of bothers me...if you couldn't tell ;)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
This, my friends, is Hercules.We have a love - hate relationship.
Why?
Well, you see, every morning he comes at 5:45 AND 7:30 to wake us up - aka: empty the dumpster.
So, you now see why he is not on my friend list.
However, he may be making his way there...
because if it wasn't for him, I would have missed class the other morning...my alarm failed me.
But Hercules didn't...
No matter how much I dislike him, one thing is true - he is reliable, he never fails.
And for this, I am [sometimes] thankful.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Jettson & Genevieve
By now, you all know that Bethel College is home to about half of the squirrels in this country. They all look the same except for two we have recently been blessed with this spring semester...they are known as the naked squirrels. One has no hair at all and the other one only has hair for it's bushy tail. Usually, squirrels run away as you approach them; but as for me and another girl in my dorm, these two naked squirrels (whom we have named Jettson and Genevieve) like our company.
The other day, Hannah was studying outside on a blanket when Jettson came up and just crawled around on her blanket. He sat there contently as she fed him grapes...it was so weird! Every morning, before my 8:00 class, I walk outside and there they are by this one specific tree...they walk in front of me all the way to the building of my class. They run in front of me, and then will stop and look back to make sure I am still coming. Before I get to the building my class is in, they run up a tree and I don't see them until my last class is over; they are always right outside my dorm running around and then they stop and stare at me as I walk into my dorm....it is quite strange.
Twice last week, while I was doing homework out by the pond, they have crawled around on my blanket; it's kind of gross but really funny at the same time. I brought crackers with me and they just sit there and eat the crackers I give them and wait patiently for more when they finish.
It is so funny, we feel as if they are our pets, so yes we were weird and named them. They are so ugly, they are almost cute.
Will they be here next semester? I have no clue. Will they have hair by then? I sure do hope so!
The other day, Hannah was studying outside on a blanket when Jettson came up and just crawled around on her blanket. He sat there contently as she fed him grapes...it was so weird! Every morning, before my 8:00 class, I walk outside and there they are by this one specific tree...they walk in front of me all the way to the building of my class. They run in front of me, and then will stop and look back to make sure I am still coming. Before I get to the building my class is in, they run up a tree and I don't see them until my last class is over; they are always right outside my dorm running around and then they stop and stare at me as I walk into my dorm....it is quite strange.
Twice last week, while I was doing homework out by the pond, they have crawled around on my blanket; it's kind of gross but really funny at the same time. I brought crackers with me and they just sit there and eat the crackers I give them and wait patiently for more when they finish.
It is so funny, we feel as if they are our pets, so yes we were weird and named them. They are so ugly, they are almost cute.
Will they be here next semester? I have no clue. Will they have hair by then? I sure do hope so!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Slow & Distracted Mind...All for a Purpose
I went to Grace College this weekend and had a relaxing and very fun time! It was my first time driving there by myself from school so I printed off directions. Coming home, I was supposed to get on 30 and then follow 331 all the way back to campus.
Some people hate driving, but I like it. I find it relaxing and a good time to reflect. All while paying attention to the road of course :) Well today I got a bit distracted...I don't really know why though. I was listening to the radio and just thinking and talking to myself when I flew right by the 331 exit. Yes, I saw it...but not until about 5 minutes later did I realize that I didn't turn. So, I turned around and added about 10 minutes to my trip.
I missed my turn AGAIN to head to Mishawaka. And yes, again, I remember seeing the turn and driving right by it. But not until I reached the Elkart exit (about 10 minutes away) did I realize I had gone too far. That added about another 15 minutes to my trip.
I was kind of laughing at myself...I mean, if I get this distracted now, what kind of driver am I going to be when I'm older?! I'm gonna set out to drive to the grocery store one day that is 5 minutes away and yet drive all the way to Indy an hour a way...sheesh! I sure hope not!
But, I'm positive my distractedness played a part in this day. You see, when I finally did turn on the right road to Mishawaka, I was on the road for 5 minutes when I passed a semi on the side of the road and a car mutilated and smashed in front of it with emergency vehicles all around.
God used my mistakes to keep me safe. That could have easily been me; when I was thinking about the time that it happened, I would have been there at around the exact time the accident occurred. My life could have easily been drastically changed...just like that!
I CANNOT tell you how thankful I am for God's protection! It also reminded me that I need to be more thankful for all that God has done for me. An awesome reminder, and a good lesson learned :)
Some people hate driving, but I like it. I find it relaxing and a good time to reflect. All while paying attention to the road of course :) Well today I got a bit distracted...I don't really know why though. I was listening to the radio and just thinking and talking to myself when I flew right by the 331 exit. Yes, I saw it...but not until about 5 minutes later did I realize that I didn't turn. So, I turned around and added about 10 minutes to my trip.
I missed my turn AGAIN to head to Mishawaka. And yes, again, I remember seeing the turn and driving right by it. But not until I reached the Elkart exit (about 10 minutes away) did I realize I had gone too far. That added about another 15 minutes to my trip.
I was kind of laughing at myself...I mean, if I get this distracted now, what kind of driver am I going to be when I'm older?! I'm gonna set out to drive to the grocery store one day that is 5 minutes away and yet drive all the way to Indy an hour a way...sheesh! I sure hope not!
But, I'm positive my distractedness played a part in this day. You see, when I finally did turn on the right road to Mishawaka, I was on the road for 5 minutes when I passed a semi on the side of the road and a car mutilated and smashed in front of it with emergency vehicles all around.
God used my mistakes to keep me safe. That could have easily been me; when I was thinking about the time that it happened, I would have been there at around the exact time the accident occurred. My life could have easily been drastically changed...just like that!
I CANNOT tell you how thankful I am for God's protection! It also reminded me that I need to be more thankful for all that God has done for me. An awesome reminder, and a good lesson learned :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
I Want to Be Educated by a Noneducated Person
Kind of. I believe that as a professor, the more titles to your name, the less likely it is for you to relate to your students. I mean, some of my professors are so smart...almost too smart.
Do not get this confused with a professor who has no clue what he is talking about, because unorganized professors are just as bad as really smart ones.
And of course there are those rare professors who have a doctorate and a couple master's and yet they are AWESOME teachers...so there are a few exceptions.
If your anatomy professor is a retired surgeon, he will treat you like a surgeon in training. This means, memorize the whole book and maybe you will pass the test.
Don't get me wrong, I want to learn, and having someone very informed and professional on the topic will help me be the best I can be, but...Mr. Anatomy Professor - I do NOT want to be a surgeon, so can you please not teach me like one? I promise I will understand the material much better if you teach in English and not surgeonese...thanks!
Do not get this confused with a professor who has no clue what he is talking about, because unorganized professors are just as bad as really smart ones.
And of course there are those rare professors who have a doctorate and a couple master's and yet they are AWESOME teachers...so there are a few exceptions.
If your anatomy professor is a retired surgeon, he will treat you like a surgeon in training. This means, memorize the whole book and maybe you will pass the test.
Don't get me wrong, I want to learn, and having someone very informed and professional on the topic will help me be the best I can be, but...Mr. Anatomy Professor - I do NOT want to be a surgeon, so can you please not teach me like one? I promise I will understand the material much better if you teach in English and not surgeonese...thanks!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
I Never Realized How Great Those Days Were Until Now When I Look Back
Now a days, I feel like I get so much accomplished yet I still have so much to do; in other words, I never feel like I am "caught up", I never feel like all my school work is "completed". There is ALWAYS something to work on!
Looking back, high school was a PIECE OF CAKE! Yes, there were stressful weeks and hard tests but they were always do-able. There are things I look back on, and at that time, took them for granted: seeing my friends all day every day, having teachers that pretty much babysat us and made sure our work was done, having the little inside jokes that everyone knew about, etc.
Now, we have to "schedule" to spend time with friends, we take care of ourselves instead of our professors doing it for us, and yes there are plenty of inside jokes but now they are truly inside jokes because only about 5 people are in on them. I am not saying I miss high school, because I don't...college is way too much fun :)
I do wish I would have appreciated and cared about my life more in high school though, if that makes sense. My relationships with my teachers were the best that I will ever have with a prof, yet I rarely sincerely thanked them for all the time they spent on me and helping me succeed. I rarely stopped to tell my friends simply that I was glad to see them every day; of course I enjoyed talking to them and love them to death, but I can only think of a couple times that I simply thanked them for being with me all the time.
I do miss bathroom/locker room talks, decorating lockers, pep rallys, and other school events but, I am reminded those are being replaced by late night talks, leaving a note under someone's door, and college games and campus events.
The one thing I would trade - more easy classes! However, my classes are more interesting here at college but they are just SO hard! High school anatomy and trig seem like a walk in the park compared to my classes now...but, everything is not easy so I just have to get used to it!
I guess the lesson here is treasure every moment, don't take anything for granted, and be thankful for every blessing; live the life God has given you to the fullest!
Looking back, high school was a PIECE OF CAKE! Yes, there were stressful weeks and hard tests but they were always do-able. There are things I look back on, and at that time, took them for granted: seeing my friends all day every day, having teachers that pretty much babysat us and made sure our work was done, having the little inside jokes that everyone knew about, etc.
Now, we have to "schedule" to spend time with friends, we take care of ourselves instead of our professors doing it for us, and yes there are plenty of inside jokes but now they are truly inside jokes because only about 5 people are in on them. I am not saying I miss high school, because I don't...college is way too much fun :)
I do wish I would have appreciated and cared about my life more in high school though, if that makes sense. My relationships with my teachers were the best that I will ever have with a prof, yet I rarely sincerely thanked them for all the time they spent on me and helping me succeed. I rarely stopped to tell my friends simply that I was glad to see them every day; of course I enjoyed talking to them and love them to death, but I can only think of a couple times that I simply thanked them for being with me all the time.
I do miss bathroom/locker room talks, decorating lockers, pep rallys, and other school events but, I am reminded those are being replaced by late night talks, leaving a note under someone's door, and college games and campus events.
The one thing I would trade - more easy classes! However, my classes are more interesting here at college but they are just SO hard! High school anatomy and trig seem like a walk in the park compared to my classes now...but, everything is not easy so I just have to get used to it!
I guess the lesson here is treasure every moment, don't take anything for granted, and be thankful for every blessing; live the life God has given you to the fullest!
Your Hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
(JJ Heller)
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
(JJ Heller)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What it Means to Be a Man
I have results! From my surveys atleast...I surveyed 100 people, asked them certain questions and now, I am sharing my results with you :)
I surveyed 4 categories of people: women age 24 and younger, women age 25 and older, men age 24 and younger, and men 25 and older.
For women 24 and younger - 90% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's physical appearance made them most masculine. 93% of them also said that a guy's compassion and awareness of others is their most prominent characteristic. 90% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 100% of them said that men should be involved in household chores :) And 93% of them said that the #1 thing that they look for in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For women 25 and older - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 81% of them also said that a guy's loyalty is their most prominent characteristic. 83% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 93% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 81% of them said that the #1 thing that they look for in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For men 24 and younger - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 83% of them also said that a guys authoritative and domineering character was most prominent. 92% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 97% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 85% of them said that the #1 characteristic they expect in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For men 25 and older - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 81% of them also said that a guys authoritative and domineering character was most prominent. 85% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 93% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 85% of them said that the #1 characteristic they expect in a guy is their leadership and servanthood.
Some observations - With the first group, I agree, younger women tend to focus most on a man's appearance than any other aspect. 100% of them believed that men should do chores around the house! I think men should be involved in house work as well :) For the second group, women look mainly for how men lead in their relationships; after all, this is the time in their lives they are looking for marriage. They want to see who can lead and who can't. Only 93% believe men should be involved in household chores; maybe they have had experience with some of this and rather just do it their own way? :) For the younger men group, I agree with what they think is the most prominent characteristic; in society, men are viewed as the authority figure in most situations. This group also has a high percentage who say that men should be involved in household chores; most of them must have not been under a lady's instruction and given specific orders on cleaning :) The last group, the older men, also believe that men are authoritative and domineering; I believe it is good to be a leader, but not to abuse that leadership. In today's society, several have crossed the line on what leadership really is and turn out to be selfish and bossy. There are, however, many out there who take the role of a servant leader and play it well. The same percentage of this group was even with that of the older women when it came to household chores; they must have taken part of a woman's chore routine and wish to never return :)
All of this information is for my Sociology presentation; the one that I have shared research and interesting information about in the past. All I have to do is present it! I can't WAIT until it is over :) One more thing to check off my list; one step closer to summer!
I surveyed 4 categories of people: women age 24 and younger, women age 25 and older, men age 24 and younger, and men 25 and older.
For women 24 and younger - 90% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's physical appearance made them most masculine. 93% of them also said that a guy's compassion and awareness of others is their most prominent characteristic. 90% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 100% of them said that men should be involved in household chores :) And 93% of them said that the #1 thing that they look for in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For women 25 and older - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 81% of them also said that a guy's loyalty is their most prominent characteristic. 83% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 93% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 81% of them said that the #1 thing that they look for in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For men 24 and younger - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 83% of them also said that a guys authoritative and domineering character was most prominent. 92% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 97% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 85% of them said that the #1 characteristic they expect in a guy is their loyalty and honesty.
For men 25 and older - 87% of them that I surveyed said that a guy's role in relationships made them most masculine. 81% of them also said that a guys authoritative and domineering character was most prominent. 85% said that being a spiritual leader was a man's most important role to play in the family. 93% of them said that men should be involved in household chores. And 85% of them said that the #1 characteristic they expect in a guy is their leadership and servanthood.
Some observations - With the first group, I agree, younger women tend to focus most on a man's appearance than any other aspect. 100% of them believed that men should do chores around the house! I think men should be involved in house work as well :) For the second group, women look mainly for how men lead in their relationships; after all, this is the time in their lives they are looking for marriage. They want to see who can lead and who can't. Only 93% believe men should be involved in household chores; maybe they have had experience with some of this and rather just do it their own way? :) For the younger men group, I agree with what they think is the most prominent characteristic; in society, men are viewed as the authority figure in most situations. This group also has a high percentage who say that men should be involved in household chores; most of them must have not been under a lady's instruction and given specific orders on cleaning :) The last group, the older men, also believe that men are authoritative and domineering; I believe it is good to be a leader, but not to abuse that leadership. In today's society, several have crossed the line on what leadership really is and turn out to be selfish and bossy. There are, however, many out there who take the role of a servant leader and play it well. The same percentage of this group was even with that of the older women when it came to household chores; they must have taken part of a woman's chore routine and wish to never return :)
All of this information is for my Sociology presentation; the one that I have shared research and interesting information about in the past. All I have to do is present it! I can't WAIT until it is over :) One more thing to check off my list; one step closer to summer!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April Showers...
Who knows if they bring May flowers, but today they got me wet! Not rain...the automatic sprinklers! Since when did we get automatic sprinklers?! We didn't have them at the beginning of the year; since tuition went up, maybe they decided to use the extra money for sprinklers?
I was walking to lab today and all of a sudden the sprinklers turned on. They were obviously malfunctioning because they were watering the sidewalk (and myself), and not the grass.
This needs to be put at the top of the priority list for grounds keeping to fix because I am not a fan of wearing wet jeans. Please and thank you
I was walking to lab today and all of a sudden the sprinklers turned on. They were obviously malfunctioning because they were watering the sidewalk (and myself), and not the grass.
This needs to be put at the top of the priority list for grounds keeping to fix because I am not a fan of wearing wet jeans. Please and thank you
Monday, April 12, 2010
SUCCESS
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self satisfaction in knowing you have made the effort to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
This is a quote by Coach John Wooden and is one of my favorites. If you feel the need to read something on inspiration, success, or leadership pick up one of Wooden's books...one AWESOME and knowledgeable man!
One thing that I like about this quote is that it reminds me that we do not have to be perfect, God just wants us to put forth our best effort. We will fail, but as long we are giving our all, God is pleased. God made us, He knows all about us; He knows we are not perfect, therefore, He doesn't expect us to be.
What is success? John Wooden proposes that there are about 15 aspects that make up success:
1)Industriousness - we have to work...and work HARD. Give everything you got! It consists more of just going through the motions. "You can work without being industrious, but you cannot be industrious without work."
2)Friendship - the most important aspects of relationships are respect and camaraderie. There must be a spirit of goodwill between the two individuals of a friendship. If you respect someone, you will give everything you have to help them.
3)Loyalty - be loyal to everyone who you may impact...that's what people look for in a leader.
4)Cooperation - we must be willing to work with others if we want to accomplish anything. "To get cooperation, you have to give cooperation." You are not the only person with good ideas. If you wish to be heard, take time to listen. Always seek to find the best way rather than insisting that your way is the best.
5)Enthusiasm - you must love what you do. Without enthusiasm, you cannot work to your fullest ability or potential.
6)Self Control - this is essential for discipline and in order to master your emotions. You cannot function effectively unless your emotions are under control. When your self-discipline breaks down, your judgment and common sense suffer. "Control your self so that others won't have to do it for you."
7)Alertness - look at the big picture! As you strive to accomplish goals, keeping the big picture in perspective will make those tasks much easier. Observe constantly; be quick to spot a weakness and to correct it.
8)Initiative - have the courage to make decisions and act on them. Do not fear failure; if you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing. Use good judgment; initiate quickly but not carelessly.
9)Intentness - determination, persistence, tenacity, perseverance. It is the ability to resist temptation and stay the course; concentrate on the goal at hand with determination and resolve. Do not give up on the road to achievement no matter how tough it gets.
10)Condition - you must identify your conditioning requirements and then attain them. Without proper conditioning in all areas, you will fall short of your potential.
11)Skill - you have to know what you're doing and be able to do it quickly and properly. Execute! More skill with less experience is of greater worth than more experience with less skill. It requires learning; be a lifelong learner.
12)Team Spirit - "an eagerness to sacrifice personal interest or glory for the welfare of all."
13)Poise - be true and balanced...regardless of the situation at hand. Do not panic under pressure; hold fast to your principles and act in accordance with them.
14)Confidence - earned by tenaciously pursuing and attaining assets that help you reach your highest level of competency. Reap confidence, not arrogance.
15)Competitive Greatness - a real love for the real battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
This is a quote by Coach John Wooden and is one of my favorites. If you feel the need to read something on inspiration, success, or leadership pick up one of Wooden's books...one AWESOME and knowledgeable man!
One thing that I like about this quote is that it reminds me that we do not have to be perfect, God just wants us to put forth our best effort. We will fail, but as long we are giving our all, God is pleased. God made us, He knows all about us; He knows we are not perfect, therefore, He doesn't expect us to be.
What is success? John Wooden proposes that there are about 15 aspects that make up success:
1)Industriousness - we have to work...and work HARD. Give everything you got! It consists more of just going through the motions. "You can work without being industrious, but you cannot be industrious without work."
2)Friendship - the most important aspects of relationships are respect and camaraderie. There must be a spirit of goodwill between the two individuals of a friendship. If you respect someone, you will give everything you have to help them.
3)Loyalty - be loyal to everyone who you may impact...that's what people look for in a leader.
4)Cooperation - we must be willing to work with others if we want to accomplish anything. "To get cooperation, you have to give cooperation." You are not the only person with good ideas. If you wish to be heard, take time to listen. Always seek to find the best way rather than insisting that your way is the best.
5)Enthusiasm - you must love what you do. Without enthusiasm, you cannot work to your fullest ability or potential.
6)Self Control - this is essential for discipline and in order to master your emotions. You cannot function effectively unless your emotions are under control. When your self-discipline breaks down, your judgment and common sense suffer. "Control your self so that others won't have to do it for you."
7)Alertness - look at the big picture! As you strive to accomplish goals, keeping the big picture in perspective will make those tasks much easier. Observe constantly; be quick to spot a weakness and to correct it.
8)Initiative - have the courage to make decisions and act on them. Do not fear failure; if you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing. Use good judgment; initiate quickly but not carelessly.
9)Intentness - determination, persistence, tenacity, perseverance. It is the ability to resist temptation and stay the course; concentrate on the goal at hand with determination and resolve. Do not give up on the road to achievement no matter how tough it gets.
10)Condition - you must identify your conditioning requirements and then attain them. Without proper conditioning in all areas, you will fall short of your potential.
11)Skill - you have to know what you're doing and be able to do it quickly and properly. Execute! More skill with less experience is of greater worth than more experience with less skill. It requires learning; be a lifelong learner.
12)Team Spirit - "an eagerness to sacrifice personal interest or glory for the welfare of all."
13)Poise - be true and balanced...regardless of the situation at hand. Do not panic under pressure; hold fast to your principles and act in accordance with them.
14)Confidence - earned by tenaciously pursuing and attaining assets that help you reach your highest level of competency. Reap confidence, not arrogance.
15)Competitive Greatness - a real love for the real battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Personality DISC
We had an RA retreat this weekend, and to prepare for it, our RD's asked us to complete a personality test online. It was a very thorough test and gave us 15 pages of information on our personality. Before I sat down to read it, I figured it couldn't be that accurate. But, to my surprise, there were only a couple things in the 15 pages that I disagreed with.
The test divides personalities into 4 categories:
D - dominant, driver
I - influencing, inspiring
S - steady, stable
C - correct, compliant
A 'D' person is assertive, to the point, and wants the bottom line; some tend to be forceful, direct, and strong willed. They seek control. Their strengths include administration, leadership, and determination; their challenges consist of impatience, insensitivity, and being a poor listener. They dislike inefficiency and indecision. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with a 'D' person, you may tend to view them as argumentative, dictatorial, arrogant, domineering, nervous, and hasty.
An 'I' person is a great communicator and is friendly to everyone they meet; most tend to be optimistic, friendly, and talkative. They seek recognition. Their strengths include persuasion, enthusiasm, and entertainment; their challenges consist of a lack of detail, a short attention span, and low follow through. They dislike routine and complex situations. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with an 'I' person, you may tend to view them as egotistical, superficial, inattentive, and overly optimistic.
An 'S' person is a good listener and a great team player; most tend to be steady, patient, loyal, and practical. They seek acceptance. Their strengths include listening, teamwork, and good follow through; their challenges consist of being oversensitive, slow to begin tasks, and a dislike for change. They are turned off by those who get impatient. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with an 'S' person, you may tend to view them as dependable, self controlled, patient, kind, and attentive.
A 'C' person enjoys gathering facts and details and tends to be thorough in all activities; most tend to be precise, sensitive, and analytical. They seek accuracy. Their strengths include planning and orchestration; their challenges consist of being a perfectionist, critical, and unresponsive. They dislike disorganization and are very methodical in their decision making. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with a 'C' person, you may tend to view them as overly dependent, defensive, and too focused on detail.
Which personality are you??
The test divides personalities into 4 categories:
D - dominant, driver
I - influencing, inspiring
S - steady, stable
C - correct, compliant
A 'D' person is assertive, to the point, and wants the bottom line; some tend to be forceful, direct, and strong willed. They seek control. Their strengths include administration, leadership, and determination; their challenges consist of impatience, insensitivity, and being a poor listener. They dislike inefficiency and indecision. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with a 'D' person, you may tend to view them as argumentative, dictatorial, arrogant, domineering, nervous, and hasty.
An 'I' person is a great communicator and is friendly to everyone they meet; most tend to be optimistic, friendly, and talkative. They seek recognition. Their strengths include persuasion, enthusiasm, and entertainment; their challenges consist of a lack of detail, a short attention span, and low follow through. They dislike routine and complex situations. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with an 'I' person, you may tend to view them as egotistical, superficial, inattentive, and overly optimistic.
An 'S' person is a good listener and a great team player; most tend to be steady, patient, loyal, and practical. They seek acceptance. Their strengths include listening, teamwork, and good follow through; their challenges consist of being oversensitive, slow to begin tasks, and a dislike for change. They are turned off by those who get impatient. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with an 'S' person, you may tend to view them as dependable, self controlled, patient, kind, and attentive.
A 'C' person enjoys gathering facts and details and tends to be thorough in all activities; most tend to be precise, sensitive, and analytical. They seek accuracy. Their strengths include planning and orchestration; their challenges consist of being a perfectionist, critical, and unresponsive. They dislike disorganization and are very methodical in their decision making. When communicating and maintaining a relationship with a 'C' person, you may tend to view them as overly dependent, defensive, and too focused on detail.
Which personality are you??
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Modern Maturity
When do we become adults? What is maturity? When we get our drivers license? When we graduate from high school? When we become a "legal adult"? When we graduate with a degree? When we get married? When we have kids? WHEN?!
Everyone has different views on when we reach adulthood. But, what do those questions above have in common? They all have to do with a certain age, right? We get our drivers license in high school, we graduate from high school when we are 18, we are a legal adult at age 21, we graduate at around age 22, get married at around age 25, and have kids before we're 30! Yes, I have opinions and ideas on when one turns into an adult. But, for me, it doesn't depend on age....it depends on maturity.
In today's society, I believe we lack in educating our "adults-to-be" in transitioning from children to adults. Yes, adulthood varies from person to person. What does this mean? Well, not everyone gets the same type of degree...some go onto more schooling because that's what is most important to them. This type of person thinks that a spouse and family can wait...they are solely career minded for the time being. And that is perfectly fine! On the other hand there are others who go to college mainly to get hitched...they earn a degree so that they will meet someone else who is working for a degree and when they are married, have 2.5 kids, and live in a big house surrounded by a white picket fence their life is complete!
Today, we are spoiled! We think once we graduate we can move out of the dorms into a house ATLEAST the size of our parent's house now, buy that SUV, finally wear all of the designer clothes we like, and decorate our house right out of the pottery barn magazine. WRONG! Instead of being a poor college kid we will be a poor career woman/man or poor wife/husband/couple! We got to start out small, make smart choices, and go from there...where ever God takes us with happy thoughts mind you :)
For adults-to-be, a definition of what maturity needs to look like today : Create more, consume less.
What does THAT mean?!
As kids, we are consumers. Our parents set up our activities for us, we just had to sit back and enjoy them. We lived in their house, ate their food, and used their stuff. We used their free time and lots of their money. We made little impact on the world and had little ownership of our lives. In other words, we were dependent.
This is perfectly acceptable and expected...but our parents don't want this going on forever! But sadly, a lot of us aren't outgrowing this passive role. Some people are in their upper twenties and living in their parent's basement simply because of their sheer laziness.
We are dependent on "stuff" for our happiness. Instead, we need to take the gifts and abilities God has given us and create! Make a difference in your life so that you can impact others. The difference here is that when we create, our capacity for satisfaction increases as opposed to our need for satisfaction. When we create, we are initiating and are content and thankful for what God has done.
A big difference between consuming and creating is the idea of discipline and commitment. When we consume, we don't have to commit to anything. When we get bored or aren't satisfied anymore, we can just move on to the next thing. But when we create we have to commit everything; we have to surrender to God by letting Him make the calls and follow through on His plan. We must discipline our self to deny ourselves and to make God's desires our desires.
So what does consuming and creating have to do with growing up? Well, if we want to grow up and be treated like an adult we have to be proactive. We can't just sit back and let others make our lives for us. We must make an impact and create our world instead of consume it. Sounds hard! But, with God, all things are possible :) We are His workmanship; God didn't design us to just sit around and look pretty. He designed us as His light, to influence others in a positive way.
It doesn't matter how old we are...we just need to grow up! Pursue the life God has given us and embrace it.
Everyone has different views on when we reach adulthood. But, what do those questions above have in common? They all have to do with a certain age, right? We get our drivers license in high school, we graduate from high school when we are 18, we are a legal adult at age 21, we graduate at around age 22, get married at around age 25, and have kids before we're 30! Yes, I have opinions and ideas on when one turns into an adult. But, for me, it doesn't depend on age....it depends on maturity.
In today's society, I believe we lack in educating our "adults-to-be" in transitioning from children to adults. Yes, adulthood varies from person to person. What does this mean? Well, not everyone gets the same type of degree...some go onto more schooling because that's what is most important to them. This type of person thinks that a spouse and family can wait...they are solely career minded for the time being. And that is perfectly fine! On the other hand there are others who go to college mainly to get hitched...they earn a degree so that they will meet someone else who is working for a degree and when they are married, have 2.5 kids, and live in a big house surrounded by a white picket fence their life is complete!
Today, we are spoiled! We think once we graduate we can move out of the dorms into a house ATLEAST the size of our parent's house now, buy that SUV, finally wear all of the designer clothes we like, and decorate our house right out of the pottery barn magazine. WRONG! Instead of being a poor college kid we will be a poor career woman/man or poor wife/husband/couple! We got to start out small, make smart choices, and go from there...where ever God takes us with happy thoughts mind you :)
For adults-to-be, a definition of what maturity needs to look like today : Create more, consume less.
What does THAT mean?!
As kids, we are consumers. Our parents set up our activities for us, we just had to sit back and enjoy them. We lived in their house, ate their food, and used their stuff. We used their free time and lots of their money. We made little impact on the world and had little ownership of our lives. In other words, we were dependent.
This is perfectly acceptable and expected...but our parents don't want this going on forever! But sadly, a lot of us aren't outgrowing this passive role. Some people are in their upper twenties and living in their parent's basement simply because of their sheer laziness.
We are dependent on "stuff" for our happiness. Instead, we need to take the gifts and abilities God has given us and create! Make a difference in your life so that you can impact others. The difference here is that when we create, our capacity for satisfaction increases as opposed to our need for satisfaction. When we create, we are initiating and are content and thankful for what God has done.
A big difference between consuming and creating is the idea of discipline and commitment. When we consume, we don't have to commit to anything. When we get bored or aren't satisfied anymore, we can just move on to the next thing. But when we create we have to commit everything; we have to surrender to God by letting Him make the calls and follow through on His plan. We must discipline our self to deny ourselves and to make God's desires our desires.
So what does consuming and creating have to do with growing up? Well, if we want to grow up and be treated like an adult we have to be proactive. We can't just sit back and let others make our lives for us. We must make an impact and create our world instead of consume it. Sounds hard! But, with God, all things are possible :) We are His workmanship; God didn't design us to just sit around and look pretty. He designed us as His light, to influence others in a positive way.
It doesn't matter how old we are...we just need to grow up! Pursue the life God has given us and embrace it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
"You Look Tired"
is another phrase for "Wow, what happened to you? You look horrible!"
Why do I know these phrases coincide with each other? Because people only tell me that I look tired when I have had a stressful day and the last thing I am worried about is my appearance. Today for example:
I had to get up at 6 (yes, this is early for a college student) to make breakfast for the softball team as a project for my nutrition class. So, I showed up to breakfast in sweats, minimal makeup, and wet hair.
I was in a decent mood until the rest of the day decided to happen -
My financial aid packet dropped $5000 for next year (until we get it fixed hopefully!)
My meeting with my advisor went in the opposite direction I wanted it to.
They put hummus on my sandwich (which I didn't know) and I currently have a stomach ache.
And with an upset stomach, I got to go to lab for 3 hours and dissect a pig's stomach...awesome.
Yes, some of the things that I mentioned were minor and really didn't put me in a horrible mood, it just hasn't been the greatest day I have ever had. And really, I think I did a pretty good job of hiding my troubles.
Also, I haven't felt tired ONCE today! But yet, THREE times I have received the comment "you look tired".
What do you say to that? "well I'm not." - that's weird. After all, looking at my pitiful state in the mirror I would say I looked tired too. But, I had no time to take another shower, change my outfit, straighten my hair, or apply more make up; so, I just smiled.
When people say I look tired, I then feel like I have to be tired. After all, I look tired so I should be right? Well, tomorrow that's not going to happen; tomorrow will be a wonderful, wide-eyed, Wednesday :)
Why do I know these phrases coincide with each other? Because people only tell me that I look tired when I have had a stressful day and the last thing I am worried about is my appearance. Today for example:
I had to get up at 6 (yes, this is early for a college student) to make breakfast for the softball team as a project for my nutrition class. So, I showed up to breakfast in sweats, minimal makeup, and wet hair.
I was in a decent mood until the rest of the day decided to happen -
My financial aid packet dropped $5000 for next year (until we get it fixed hopefully!)
My meeting with my advisor went in the opposite direction I wanted it to.
They put hummus on my sandwich (which I didn't know) and I currently have a stomach ache.
And with an upset stomach, I got to go to lab for 3 hours and dissect a pig's stomach...awesome.
Yes, some of the things that I mentioned were minor and really didn't put me in a horrible mood, it just hasn't been the greatest day I have ever had. And really, I think I did a pretty good job of hiding my troubles.
Also, I haven't felt tired ONCE today! But yet, THREE times I have received the comment "you look tired".
What do you say to that? "well I'm not." - that's weird. After all, looking at my pitiful state in the mirror I would say I looked tired too. But, I had no time to take another shower, change my outfit, straighten my hair, or apply more make up; so, I just smiled.
When people say I look tired, I then feel like I have to be tired. After all, I look tired so I should be right? Well, tomorrow that's not going to happen; tomorrow will be a wonderful, wide-eyed, Wednesday :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
My Green Bean Shorts
I was so excited that it was warm outside today so that I could wear my NEW, GREEN shorts!
"Green?!" You may say; yes, green - my favorite color :)
Well, my Health teacher was making fun of them! He said I looked like a green bean. I assured him, that although they are a bright green color, they did not make me look like a green bean. I said that if I ever wear a green shirt with my green shorts then he has the right to call me a green bean.
Right after we finished that conversation, another student walked into the room and she was wearing something almost identical to this:
Now that, my friend, is what you call a green bean!
"Green?!" You may say; yes, green - my favorite color :)
Well, my Health teacher was making fun of them! He said I looked like a green bean. I assured him, that although they are a bright green color, they did not make me look like a green bean. I said that if I ever wear a green shirt with my green shorts then he has the right to call me a green bean.
Right after we finished that conversation, another student walked into the room and she was wearing something almost identical to this:
Now that, my friend, is what you call a green bean!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
I'm Lovin It...EVEN MORE
So, this morning on my way to my Grandparents house, I stopped at McDonalds to get an iced tea. I finished it before I got there and just left my empty cup in the car. Well, as I was heading back up to school I got tired...and thirsty.
Then, a question popped into my head...do you think McDonalds will refill my empty cup with iced tea again?
Probably not since I had left the restaurant and it wasn't even the same McDonalds, but I figured I'd asked.
Answer: Yes! Free of charge :)
Then, a question popped into my head...do you think McDonalds will refill my empty cup with iced tea again?
Probably not since I had left the restaurant and it wasn't even the same McDonalds, but I figured I'd asked.
Answer: Yes! Free of charge :)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
EASTER
What is it? In other words, what is the exact definition of this day that we celebrate? Well, I looked it up!
"the most important celebration of the year for the Christian about the resurrection of Christ; also called Easter Sunday."
What caught my eye about this definition was the beginning...the most important celebration of the year.
If it truly is the most important, do we treat it like so? If we go out and buy Easter candy, a new Sunday outfit, and paint Easter eggs for our family and friends, then what do we do to make this day special for God? How do we show Him how grateful we are for this holiday and how special He is to us?
Make Easter the most important day on your calendar!
"the most important celebration of the year for the Christian about the resurrection of Christ; also called Easter Sunday."
What caught my eye about this definition was the beginning...the most important celebration of the year.
If it truly is the most important, do we treat it like so? If we go out and buy Easter candy, a new Sunday outfit, and paint Easter eggs for our family and friends, then what do we do to make this day special for God? How do we show Him how grateful we are for this holiday and how special He is to us?
Make Easter the most important day on your calendar!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I'm Lovin It
The McDonalds slogan stands true. Why? Let me explain myself. No, I am not a huge McDonalds fan; in fact, I only get 2 things on their menu - sweet tea and yogurt parfait. I RARELY go there anyways. But, yesterday I drove by McDonalds to get a sweet tea for my drive home and I got one today just because I wanted one along with a yogurt parfait :)
Guess how much I had to pay for those two purchases.
ZERO DOLLARS!
Yes, my transaction was free both times! Why? Well, yesterday I asked for a large sweet tea and lemonade mixed and they only gave me tea. I can't stand the taste of just tea, so I asked them to add lemonade...and they also gave me my money back! Today, they got the orders mixed up and the car in front of me paid for my meal instead of theirs; their meal was more than mine so they didn't charge me.
If this is going to be a regular occurrence, I may have to stop by more often :)
Guess how much I had to pay for those two purchases.
ZERO DOLLARS!
Yes, my transaction was free both times! Why? Well, yesterday I asked for a large sweet tea and lemonade mixed and they only gave me tea. I can't stand the taste of just tea, so I asked them to add lemonade...and they also gave me my money back! Today, they got the orders mixed up and the car in front of me paid for my meal instead of theirs; their meal was more than mine so they didn't charge me.
If this is going to be a regular occurrence, I may have to stop by more often :)
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