I could write a book full of all the things I wish guys could understand when it comes to girls. I have read numerous books on guy-girl behavior, on how we interact, and why we do what we do. It is really fascinating. But this list is purely what I wish guys knew about dating girls.
I wish they knew that if they approach us, they are half way there. I want to tell them, the simple fact that you got the balls to plan out a sentence to say to us in person, and then walk up to us and say it, is flattering in itself.
I want to tell them that, I know its woven into the fabric of their nature to want to do something they think the girl they fancy would. So when you ask her out, your next natural question is "what do you want to do?" But you should avoid this. It puts pressure on the girl that she didn't seek. You are the one seeking her. You wouldn't invite someone to your birthday party then ask them what they wanted to do when they got there. Its much more attractive if you have a plan. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Even if you just go for a simple coffee date. Its you taking initiative, to us, its the idea that you put thought into something we would like to do. It is rather flattering actually.
I want to tell them that they should never underestimate the power of holding the door open for a girl. We do notice :)
I wish they knew that as unnatural as eye contact comes to them, it can make or break a date. Along those same lines... Guys, you should definitely know that if you want to impress us, come up to the door, and if the opportunity presents itself, shake our father's hand. It may cause the the most anxious, sweaty, agonizing, and fearful minutes of your life, but it really shows us you are in it. It says you are not afraid. It personally brings a smile to my face when a guy is willing to do that, cause I know how hard it is.
Finally, I wish they knew that (though.... this could be an either gender thing) making their intensions clear by the 3rd or 4th date is crucial. Don't leave us floating. Don't be wishy-washy about it either way. If you are looking for just a fling, say so. If you are looking for more, say so. If you thought it would work but realized it would't, say so. If you think not saying your intentions/feelings is saving our feelings, you've never met a girl who has been lead on. Thats the worst feeling.
I guess thats the gist of my rant. Probably more to come in the future! Guys, hope this helps! Girls, did I miss anything?
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Funny things to ask SIRI
This is a list of my favorite questions and/or phrases to ask Siri! Some are made up by me, and some I've found before but never fail to crack me up! Responses to these questions vary cause Siri is awesome, and Apple is awesome!
Q: Siri Siri on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?
A: "Sammy, you are full fair, 'tis true, but... No, you're definitely the fairest one of all."
Q: Beam Me Up Scotty.
A: "Can I see your badge, Sammy."
Q: Do you love me?
A: "I hardly know you"
Q: Do you believe in Santa?
A: "I don't believe that I have beliefs."
Q: Who is your creator?
A: "I forget"
Q: Are you a boy or a girl?
A: "I don't think we have time for this"
Follow Up: I think we do, Siri, are you a boy or a girl?
A: "Animals and Nouns have genders I do not."
Follow Up: So you are not a boy?
A: "I don't really like these arbitrary categories, Sammy."
Q; You're right, I'm wrong.
A: "It's nice to be right"
Q: You are correct.
A: "Glad to hear it"
More to come in the future!
Q: Siri Siri on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?
A: "Sammy, you are full fair, 'tis true, but... No, you're definitely the fairest one of all."
Q: Beam Me Up Scotty.
A: "Can I see your badge, Sammy."
Q: Do you love me?
A: "I hardly know you"
Q: Do you believe in Santa?
A: "I don't believe that I have beliefs."
Q: Who is your creator?
A: "I forget"
Q: Are you a boy or a girl?
A: "I don't think we have time for this"
Follow Up: I think we do, Siri, are you a boy or a girl?
A: "Animals and Nouns have genders I do not."
Follow Up: So you are not a boy?
A: "I don't really like these arbitrary categories, Sammy."
Q; You're right, I'm wrong.
A: "It's nice to be right"
Q: You are correct.
A: "Glad to hear it"
More to come in the future!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Spirit Airlines Ending
So, my previous post was telling an unfinished tale... I left you reading of our unfortunate stationary state in Las Vegas. I'm now sitting safely in my bedroom, here to tell the tale of how our journey ended.
It turns out or original captain to San Diego never showed up... They had to get a back up pilot or something. Spirit is such a class act...
We get on the plane, and there are three very loud middle aged women, obviously drunk. They were laughing and loudly talking, playing with their air vents above them like they had never seen them before. They also put their hands up like they were on a roller coaster when we were taking off! Though I usually enjoy people making fools of themselves in public, I was tired and cramped 4 rows behind them and just not having it. When beverages were carted down the isle during the flight I'm pretty sure they purchased more alcohol. Maria and I put our headphones in and did our best to drown them out.
Landing in San Diego (the world's 10th most dangerous airport) we were told we wouldn't have to get off the plane if we were going on to Portland. But within a minute of landing the flight attendant comes over the intercom saying that the flight crew taking us to Portland hadn't arrived yet and that we had to get off and wait. Forty-Five minutes later and an angry mob of passengers gathering outside the gate, the flight crew comes bumbling down the hall. We all cheer for them as they come through. We then proceed to bored the plane, and take off.
Something we observed about taking off, was all our flights swerved as we were taking off. We swayed left and right on the run way! It was freaky! Not only a one time thing either. We took off a total of three times and each time we swerved!
When landing in Portland I was overcome by the amount of crap we had just endured. I imagined the pilot saying to the control tower "Spirit Airlines Flight 123 in for landing" and some sassy control tower man saying "So glad you could grace us with your presence..." (Shes The Man reference anyone?) Anyways, we inevitably made it to meet Maria's poor family members around 2 am. Then drove for 2 hours home.
What I've learned from flying Spirit is: There is a difference between flying cheep...and flying stupid. And we flew just plain stupid.
Well, thats the end. I hope you all have Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas! If you are traveling by air, remember not to fly Spirit! Don't be stupid like us! :)
It turns out or original captain to San Diego never showed up... They had to get a back up pilot or something. Spirit is such a class act...
We get on the plane, and there are three very loud middle aged women, obviously drunk. They were laughing and loudly talking, playing with their air vents above them like they had never seen them before. They also put their hands up like they were on a roller coaster when we were taking off! Though I usually enjoy people making fools of themselves in public, I was tired and cramped 4 rows behind them and just not having it. When beverages were carted down the isle during the flight I'm pretty sure they purchased more alcohol. Maria and I put our headphones in and did our best to drown them out.
Landing in San Diego (the world's 10th most dangerous airport) we were told we wouldn't have to get off the plane if we were going on to Portland. But within a minute of landing the flight attendant comes over the intercom saying that the flight crew taking us to Portland hadn't arrived yet and that we had to get off and wait. Forty-Five minutes later and an angry mob of passengers gathering outside the gate, the flight crew comes bumbling down the hall. We all cheer for them as they come through. We then proceed to bored the plane, and take off.
Something we observed about taking off, was all our flights swerved as we were taking off. We swayed left and right on the run way! It was freaky! Not only a one time thing either. We took off a total of three times and each time we swerved!
When landing in Portland I was overcome by the amount of crap we had just endured. I imagined the pilot saying to the control tower "Spirit Airlines Flight 123 in for landing" and some sassy control tower man saying "So glad you could grace us with your presence..." (Shes The Man reference anyone?) Anyways, we inevitably made it to meet Maria's poor family members around 2 am. Then drove for 2 hours home.
What I've learned from flying Spirit is: There is a difference between flying cheep...and flying stupid. And we flew just plain stupid.
Well, thats the end. I hope you all have Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas! If you are traveling by air, remember not to fly Spirit! Don't be stupid like us! :)
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Spirit freaking Airlines
I'm sitting in the dusty corner of a locker bay/vending machine room in Las Vegas in black spandex pants and a church youth group t-shirt, no shoes on cause there is a blister on my foot. All because of spirit airlines. And I know this is joining the rank of the thousands of other horrible spirit airline reviews.... But I just have to share how I got to this lowly state.
A round trip flight to Vegas and back for $150!! It sounds great! And my friend (we'll call her Maria) were flying down here to visit friends! First off we were met by a pre-set laboratory fee when purchasing tickets, and a $100 carry on fee! So to save money, we are shipping our bags back from our friends house in a flat rate box from the postal service! For under $20. We thought we were getting away with murder!
The ride to Las Vegas was delayed for two hours. Maria and I hung out in the Portland airport laying spread out on the ground on our blankets we brought (cause we are teenagers and can do that sort of thing) and were so bored we stared at the ceiling! The flight was fine, the seats were a bit cramped for the average person. But other than the delay we had no problem. No free beverages though!!!
So today our light was scheduled to leave Las Vegas at 7 with a stop in San Diego before moving on to Portland. As if the random stop south wasn't a hold up enough, they just delay our flight for 2 hours cause they had a "pilot issue." I went up to the counter to ask a question. A simple question that would take 2 seconds to answer. But no... I stood there for 5 minutes while the desk lady talked to her boyfriend!! And proceeded to answer my question. So, at this point I arrive to how I got in this predicament. Sitting plugged into the only working outlet for my phone. Maria took some Dramamine which is making her drowsy and supper funny she is laying with me in this secluded corner of the airport rambling off about vending machines and has a daze in her eyes I haven't seen in years. All while miles away her poor family members are delayed in their return home cause they promised to pick us up! They didn't know that promise meant after 1 am!
Never fly spirit! I don't believe they can do a competent job, even though this is my first time, I've read enough to know this experience Maria and I are living is the norm.
Side note: I also had to go through security twice cause I had a water bottle (oops) and we paid $11 dollars for burned pizza in a stuffy part of the airport!
Praying we get out of here with our sanity...
A round trip flight to Vegas and back for $150!! It sounds great! And my friend (we'll call her Maria) were flying down here to visit friends! First off we were met by a pre-set laboratory fee when purchasing tickets, and a $100 carry on fee! So to save money, we are shipping our bags back from our friends house in a flat rate box from the postal service! For under $20. We thought we were getting away with murder!
The ride to Las Vegas was delayed for two hours. Maria and I hung out in the Portland airport laying spread out on the ground on our blankets we brought (cause we are teenagers and can do that sort of thing) and were so bored we stared at the ceiling! The flight was fine, the seats were a bit cramped for the average person. But other than the delay we had no problem. No free beverages though!!!
So today our light was scheduled to leave Las Vegas at 7 with a stop in San Diego before moving on to Portland. As if the random stop south wasn't a hold up enough, they just delay our flight for 2 hours cause they had a "pilot issue." I went up to the counter to ask a question. A simple question that would take 2 seconds to answer. But no... I stood there for 5 minutes while the desk lady talked to her boyfriend!! And proceeded to answer my question. So, at this point I arrive to how I got in this predicament. Sitting plugged into the only working outlet for my phone. Maria took some Dramamine which is making her drowsy and supper funny she is laying with me in this secluded corner of the airport rambling off about vending machines and has a daze in her eyes I haven't seen in years. All while miles away her poor family members are delayed in their return home cause they promised to pick us up! They didn't know that promise meant after 1 am!
Never fly spirit! I don't believe they can do a competent job, even though this is my first time, I've read enough to know this experience Maria and I are living is the norm.
Side note: I also had to go through security twice cause I had a water bottle (oops) and we paid $11 dollars for burned pizza in a stuffy part of the airport!
Praying we get out of here with our sanity...
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
12-12-12
He guys! I'm sure you know the date today is 12-12-12! The last time in our lifetime we will see a triple date repeat thing! Its weird cause my parents barely care, but my entire K-12 education has had a triple date like that! I was in first grade in '01! January was 1-1-01! And ever since then we have had a date like that when I was in school! Its like a part of my childhood is dying!
Today's special significance has also prompted me to think about the last time earth had seen a 12-12-12. It would have been December 12th, 1912! I wonder if they were as stoked about it as we were, as vocal about their excitement!? They probably didn't have a lot of time to think, they were probably interested in things like putting food on the table. But I decided to see what happened on 12-12-12 way back when... and this is when I found!
The only nod really in America toward 12-12-12 was in a Filene's Ad, with a hand written date at the top of the ad. As it turns out Dec. 12th 1912 was a thursday, making Friday the 13th preceding it! Which the papers were more interested in! The Boston Globe published, on Friday the 13th, about how two significant dates were next to each other. They urged shoppers to "keep their safety clutches tightened on handbags and pocket books" and recommended the "kleptomaniacs who are doing their shoplifting early should make their hands behave today or the jail bells may ring out for them on Christmas morn." Hahaha! Turns out they were interested in the date and had the same sense of humor! Here is the link to that Boston Globe Post! (http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/downtown/2012/12/recognizing_121212_in_the_bost.html)
I also came upon multiple people pointing out that only accountants, bankers, and/or bookkeepers would see the written date! Also, journalists would see the date as they publish it in their papers. Average people did not write the date like we do frequently today. Nor did they have phones to flash the date at us whenever we turn it on!
I also found that Eben Appleton wrote a very important letter to Charles Walcott on Dec. 12th, 1912. The Appleton family owned the famous giant American flag that is now in the Smithsonian! The flag that is mentioned in the Star-Spangled Bannor, yah, that one. He wrote a letter to Charles Walcott to donate the flag to the Smithsonian on this day! So thats pretty cool!
Around this time in general culture, ragtime was making a showing of itself, the Federal Reserve System was just being presented to President-Elect Woodrow Wilson, the Triple Alliance was renewed in Vienna, the first airplane flew across the Mediterranean, and alliances were forming for the World War!
Pretty cool huh? I hope today's 12-12-12 will be as cool!
Wonder what the next 12-12-12 will bring!?
Today's special significance has also prompted me to think about the last time earth had seen a 12-12-12. It would have been December 12th, 1912! I wonder if they were as stoked about it as we were, as vocal about their excitement!? They probably didn't have a lot of time to think, they were probably interested in things like putting food on the table. But I decided to see what happened on 12-12-12 way back when... and this is when I found!
The only nod really in America toward 12-12-12 was in a Filene's Ad, with a hand written date at the top of the ad. As it turns out Dec. 12th 1912 was a thursday, making Friday the 13th preceding it! Which the papers were more interested in! The Boston Globe published, on Friday the 13th, about how two significant dates were next to each other. They urged shoppers to "keep their safety clutches tightened on handbags and pocket books" and recommended the "kleptomaniacs who are doing their shoplifting early should make their hands behave today or the jail bells may ring out for them on Christmas morn." Hahaha! Turns out they were interested in the date and had the same sense of humor! Here is the link to that Boston Globe Post! (http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/downtown/2012/12/recognizing_121212_in_the_bost.html)
I also came upon multiple people pointing out that only accountants, bankers, and/or bookkeepers would see the written date! Also, journalists would see the date as they publish it in their papers. Average people did not write the date like we do frequently today. Nor did they have phones to flash the date at us whenever we turn it on!
I also found that Eben Appleton wrote a very important letter to Charles Walcott on Dec. 12th, 1912. The Appleton family owned the famous giant American flag that is now in the Smithsonian! The flag that is mentioned in the Star-Spangled Bannor, yah, that one. He wrote a letter to Charles Walcott to donate the flag to the Smithsonian on this day! So thats pretty cool!
Around this time in general culture, ragtime was making a showing of itself, the Federal Reserve System was just being presented to President-Elect Woodrow Wilson, the Triple Alliance was renewed in Vienna, the first airplane flew across the Mediterranean, and alliances were forming for the World War!
Pretty cool huh? I hope today's 12-12-12 will be as cool!
Wonder what the next 12-12-12 will bring!?
Monday, December 10, 2012
Going to the Dentist
Let me preface this by saying, I have a long standing hatred of the dentist. I don't fear it, I know I'm not going to be permanently injured or scarred and will walk out of the office in one piece. I just don't like my dentist, the smell alone gives me a headache. It makes me tense and to top it off I go to a children's dentist!
I had to go in today to get an enamel problem fixed on the very back top right tooth! Instead of saying they were going to numb me, like any other adult hygienist would, they said they were going to put a little "tickle juice" over my "owie spot".... It's like they think I'm 5! It was 7:30 on a Monday, I was not having it, I drove myself there for goodness sake! They numb up my cheek and use that little kid voice the entire time! They put a jaw holder in to hold my mouth open, and called it the "champer clamper" cause I'm such a "champ" - I'm pretty sure I could have been thrashing and screaming and they would have called me a "champ" - They put some "happy gas" on my nose, and it felt like it always has. Renders my body slow and loopy, but my brain registers whats going on. When the dentist came in I got all up tight and anxious, like normal, so I took super deep breaths of the happy gas! The procedure went fine, and the dentist left as quickly as he came. The hygienist then said "Next time you come visit us we are going to take some pretty pictures of your teeth and look for any sugar bugs!" Why can't she, for the love of god, just say "At your next appointment, we are going to take an x-ray of your teeth and then do a regular cleaning to make sure you don't have any cavities!?" Is it so hard!?
I then had to sit for a half hour in the chair until I was deemed safe to drive myself home. The remainder of my day I couldn't feel my face or eat like a functioning human! Now its just a dull constant pain.
There was a small child in the room next to me screaming their little head off! I just kept thinking "I'm right there with you kid!"As you can tell I think my dentist is demoralizing and uncomfortable! And I can't wait until I am out of this pediatric dentist office! I might punch someone if I have to "Open the Crocodile" one more time!
I had to go in today to get an enamel problem fixed on the very back top right tooth! Instead of saying they were going to numb me, like any other adult hygienist would, they said they were going to put a little "tickle juice" over my "owie spot".... It's like they think I'm 5! It was 7:30 on a Monday, I was not having it, I drove myself there for goodness sake! They numb up my cheek and use that little kid voice the entire time! They put a jaw holder in to hold my mouth open, and called it the "champer clamper" cause I'm such a "champ" - I'm pretty sure I could have been thrashing and screaming and they would have called me a "champ" - They put some "happy gas" on my nose, and it felt like it always has. Renders my body slow and loopy, but my brain registers whats going on. When the dentist came in I got all up tight and anxious, like normal, so I took super deep breaths of the happy gas! The procedure went fine, and the dentist left as quickly as he came. The hygienist then said "Next time you come visit us we are going to take some pretty pictures of your teeth and look for any sugar bugs!" Why can't she, for the love of god, just say "At your next appointment, we are going to take an x-ray of your teeth and then do a regular cleaning to make sure you don't have any cavities!?" Is it so hard!?
I then had to sit for a half hour in the chair until I was deemed safe to drive myself home. The remainder of my day I couldn't feel my face or eat like a functioning human! Now its just a dull constant pain.
There was a small child in the room next to me screaming their little head off! I just kept thinking "I'm right there with you kid!"As you can tell I think my dentist is demoralizing and uncomfortable! And I can't wait until I am out of this pediatric dentist office! I might punch someone if I have to "Open the Crocodile" one more time!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Pinterest Love Story
I'm kinda obsessed with Pinterest, and procrastinating so... Here is a simple pinner's love story:
At a wedding the bride reads her wonderfully heartfelt marriage vows, everyone in the crowd is in tears. The groom then takes the mike and reads off his vows which are romantic, but are nothing original. Leaving the crowd and the bride a little put off. When she asked him afterwards where he got his vows from, he simply replied, "I recited them off your romantic quotes board on Pinterest. Cause I want to make every one of those come true."
Pinterest love <3
Made up story or not? Take a guess! I'll let you know! Either way its perfect :)
At a wedding the bride reads her wonderfully heartfelt marriage vows, everyone in the crowd is in tears. The groom then takes the mike and reads off his vows which are romantic, but are nothing original. Leaving the crowd and the bride a little put off. When she asked him afterwards where he got his vows from, he simply replied, "I recited them off your romantic quotes board on Pinterest. Cause I want to make every one of those come true."
Pinterest love <3
Made up story or not? Take a guess! I'll let you know! Either way its perfect :)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Adventures With My New iPhone
So, for those of you that don't know. I recently splurged on the iPhone 5! No, my "daddy" didn't pay for it, I paid for almost all of it. (Which makes it feel so much better, very rewarding) I have worked very hard for almost a year and I've been saving up to buy the new iPod touch that came out, since I don't have a data plan for a smart phone anyway. But I was only $250 shy of the iPhone and just decided it was worth the extra money, to not have to carry two devices together at once. To have a smartphone I will eventually take to college. Seeing that I took incredible care of my last iPod (Gen. 3), which lasted 4 years, and was still in pretty good working condition!
Upon getting my new phone. I have not been able to put it down for more than maybe 5 minutes! It is amazing! Though I still don't have a data plan, it really hasn't bothered me. I can use the phone part and like a phone when I'm out. I don't have a huge need to be connected to the internet 24/7. At home I have wifi to go on social media sites like normal. It really is just an iPod with phone capabilities. Or is it a phone with iPod capabilities? hmmmm?
I've been sharing a lot more pictures, just because its so easy! The bigger screen is amazing! And the panoramic camera capabilities are impressive! Sometimes I just unlock my phone and scroll through the screen because the picture is so nice and crisp. Its a nice size and weight and looks so darn sleek! I don't get why people cover them up with cheap plastic watermelon cases or whatever. Its like putting my bedsheets over The Starry Night painting by Van Gogh! Why would you ever do that!? I got a clear case that doesn't interfere with the screen, no annoying raised edges, and shows every corner for the phone.
Siri is also one of the most entertaining and useful things! I have had fun asking it questions! Questions of which I will share with you another time. I'm comprising a list :) And the newly designed headphones are so cool! I shook my head violently and they never fall out! The sound comes through so clearly! Nice improvement over their old ones.
As usual Apple has outdone themselves again. The employees at the Apple Store were phenomenal, and incredibly helpful. (I'm also jealous of their jackets) The phone is a piece of work, and serves me well.
Apple FanGirl for LIFE!
Upon getting my new phone. I have not been able to put it down for more than maybe 5 minutes! It is amazing! Though I still don't have a data plan, it really hasn't bothered me. I can use the phone part and like a phone when I'm out. I don't have a huge need to be connected to the internet 24/7. At home I have wifi to go on social media sites like normal. It really is just an iPod with phone capabilities. Or is it a phone with iPod capabilities? hmmmm?
I've been sharing a lot more pictures, just because its so easy! The bigger screen is amazing! And the panoramic camera capabilities are impressive! Sometimes I just unlock my phone and scroll through the screen because the picture is so nice and crisp. Its a nice size and weight and looks so darn sleek! I don't get why people cover them up with cheap plastic watermelon cases or whatever. Its like putting my bedsheets over The Starry Night painting by Van Gogh! Why would you ever do that!? I got a clear case that doesn't interfere with the screen, no annoying raised edges, and shows every corner for the phone.
Siri is also one of the most entertaining and useful things! I have had fun asking it questions! Questions of which I will share with you another time. I'm comprising a list :) And the newly designed headphones are so cool! I shook my head violently and they never fall out! The sound comes through so clearly! Nice improvement over their old ones.
As usual Apple has outdone themselves again. The employees at the Apple Store were phenomenal, and incredibly helpful. (I'm also jealous of their jackets) The phone is a piece of work, and serves me well.
Apple FanGirl for LIFE!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
When writing a blog post
My thought process when writing a blog post!
Each line is a thought or action I have or do when writing these posts:
"Ok! Decide on a good topic.....
Before I start writing I better start music
Go on YouTube - Featured Playlist - Ben Rector - Play
Ok, music set, lets write!
Produce a perfect intro, and seamlessly transition into some funny yet crucial point.
Question my wording.
Feeling uninspired, so go on facebook, cause thats always a productive place to go....
Write a few uninspiring sentences.
Rearrange them to fit better.
Feel uninspired again, open Pinterest on a 3rd tab.
Spend 10 minutes trolling Pinterest.....
Get inspired by Pinterest's Quotes page I eventually end up at.
Write the majority of what I have been trying to say all along.
Leave page alone for 2 minutes, do anything but read page, like refreshing my mental batteries!
Come back to page and edit all the stupidly obvious spelling and grammatical errors.
Troll Pinterest's Humor page to make myself feel better about my lack of spelling skills.
Write the ending of what I want to say.
Rearrange the paragraphs to make more sense.
Check facebook again, just incase something major happened in the last 5 minutes!
Chat with some people on Facebook.
Reread the entire piece.
Add some little things, take out other things.
Troll Pinterest and Instagram.
Reread post.
Contemplate the implications of hitting the "publish" button. (this might take a long time depending on the nature of the post)
Hit the "publish" button and read it live on the blog!"
The End :)
Each line is a thought or action I have or do when writing these posts:
"Ok! Decide on a good topic.....
Before I start writing I better start music
Go on YouTube - Featured Playlist - Ben Rector - Play
Ok, music set, lets write!
Produce a perfect intro, and seamlessly transition into some funny yet crucial point.
Question my wording.
Feeling uninspired, so go on facebook, cause thats always a productive place to go....
Write a few uninspiring sentences.
Rearrange them to fit better.
Feel uninspired again, open Pinterest on a 3rd tab.
Spend 10 minutes trolling Pinterest.....
Get inspired by Pinterest's Quotes page I eventually end up at.
Write the majority of what I have been trying to say all along.
Leave page alone for 2 minutes, do anything but read page, like refreshing my mental batteries!
Come back to page and edit all the stupidly obvious spelling and grammatical errors.
Troll Pinterest's Humor page to make myself feel better about my lack of spelling skills.
Write the ending of what I want to say.
Rearrange the paragraphs to make more sense.
Check facebook again, just incase something major happened in the last 5 minutes!
Chat with some people on Facebook.
Reread the entire piece.
Add some little things, take out other things.
Troll Pinterest and Instagram.
Reread post.
Contemplate the implications of hitting the "publish" button. (this might take a long time depending on the nature of the post)
Hit the "publish" button and read it live on the blog!"
The End :)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
What I learned on a campaign (part 2)
1. Events are created to look spontaneous. The candidate "showing up" to a county fair looks spontaneous and light hearted..... Its really not. Its planned weeks in advance, the vehicle he/she rides in is parked particular places, they have a calculated time to arrive, how long they can stay, and a specific time they have to leave. Staff have specific places they need to be and a certain way they need to look. Most of the time its "Look busy and happy!" And sometimes candidates have specific people they are scheduled to "meet"in the crowd"
2. I know I touched on this before, but yard signs..... I actually HAVE an opinion about YARD SIGNS! How many 18 year olds can say that!? Just that they even have an opinion on them!?
3. You learn to give a good handshake.... and start judging people on their hand shakes.
4. Pizza and Pop is the staple of any campaign diet.
5. Teaching most volunteers to phone bank can be one of the most testing times of your life. It takes an average 20 minutes. Most look at the phone you hand them like you just placed a small alien baby in their hand, then look at the script like its written in klingon! And upon explaining the call process to them, they realize they have to actually do their first phone-call, and return to the previous alien baby look.
6. Volunteers' handwriting is worst that teachers' handwriting! Now thats saying something!
7. Now, I may sound like I'm bashing volunteers, but without them us interns would have sooooo much more work and I love the enthusiasm they all bring, so we treat volunteers like royalty when they walk in. Guess who has to roll out the red carpet and serve them when they get here for their volunteer shift? thats right.... interns :)
8. Interns stick together. We are inseparable and we like to do things in pairs!
9. Choosing whether you hate talking to people over the phone in a windowless room on a gorgeous hot July day more than talking to hungry customers at your fundraising burger booth on a gorgeous hot July day. (The election is over and I still have yet to make that choice!)
10. At any event, political stickers will cover at least 2/3rds of your shirt! Guarantee!
11. Always understand your field organizer understands your pain.... He/She lives it with you. If they can do it one more day so can you.
12. The connections you make now can prove very valuable later!
2. I know I touched on this before, but yard signs..... I actually HAVE an opinion about YARD SIGNS! How many 18 year olds can say that!? Just that they even have an opinion on them!?
3. You learn to give a good handshake.... and start judging people on their hand shakes.
4. Pizza and Pop is the staple of any campaign diet.
5. Teaching most volunteers to phone bank can be one of the most testing times of your life. It takes an average 20 minutes. Most look at the phone you hand them like you just placed a small alien baby in their hand, then look at the script like its written in klingon! And upon explaining the call process to them, they realize they have to actually do their first phone-call, and return to the previous alien baby look.
6. Volunteers' handwriting is worst that teachers' handwriting! Now thats saying something!
7. Now, I may sound like I'm bashing volunteers, but without them us interns would have sooooo much more work and I love the enthusiasm they all bring, so we treat volunteers like royalty when they walk in. Guess who has to roll out the red carpet and serve them when they get here for their volunteer shift? thats right.... interns :)
8. Interns stick together. We are inseparable and we like to do things in pairs!
9. Choosing whether you hate talking to people over the phone in a windowless room on a gorgeous hot July day more than talking to hungry customers at your fundraising burger booth on a gorgeous hot July day. (The election is over and I still have yet to make that choice!)
10. At any event, political stickers will cover at least 2/3rds of your shirt! Guarantee!
11. Always understand your field organizer understands your pain.... He/She lives it with you. If they can do it one more day so can you.
12. The connections you make now can prove very valuable later!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Why do we do community service?
This post was inspired by a prompt my civics teacher had us whrite. Why do we/should we do community service? Here is my answer.....
I think we serve each other for multiple reasons, having to do with the natural human ability to feel sympathy and compassion for one another. Those instinctive qualities we have drive us to extend our efforts towards other human beings. Another reason is we get some inner satisfaction from it. It makes us feel good about ourselves when we give back. We also like knowing that if we were ever in need, for whatever reason, the same generosity would be extended to us. Kind of a "treat others the way you would like to be treated" motto. But anther huge reason we serve our community, or why we think we should, is the feeling of community service is embedded in our national identity. Since the formation of this country we have helped one another. The freedom of religion started in this country led to various faiths being able to extend great efforts to help the poor. Churches brought food to the sick and aid to the poor, even when they lived miles away from each other. As the country industrialized in the late 1800s and early 1900s, organizations like the Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America, started up, spreading across the nation, starting mass mobilization of community service. Setting examples of how ordinary americans can help, and making it possible for everyone to get involved. I think, our calling to do community service is part of the modern american dream thanks to these early service foundations. Its obviously important to our society or else we would not have classes like civics embedded in our education system. Thats how you tell a society values something, when they take the time and money to teach it to their children. We are fortunate to live in a society that puts so much value in community service. I think community service is often felt to be a civic duty as much as a humanity duty.
I think we serve each other for multiple reasons, having to do with the natural human ability to feel sympathy and compassion for one another. Those instinctive qualities we have drive us to extend our efforts towards other human beings. Another reason is we get some inner satisfaction from it. It makes us feel good about ourselves when we give back. We also like knowing that if we were ever in need, for whatever reason, the same generosity would be extended to us. Kind of a "treat others the way you would like to be treated" motto. But anther huge reason we serve our community, or why we think we should, is the feeling of community service is embedded in our national identity. Since the formation of this country we have helped one another. The freedom of religion started in this country led to various faiths being able to extend great efforts to help the poor. Churches brought food to the sick and aid to the poor, even when they lived miles away from each other. As the country industrialized in the late 1800s and early 1900s, organizations like the Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America, started up, spreading across the nation, starting mass mobilization of community service. Setting examples of how ordinary americans can help, and making it possible for everyone to get involved. I think, our calling to do community service is part of the modern american dream thanks to these early service foundations. Its obviously important to our society or else we would not have classes like civics embedded in our education system. Thats how you tell a society values something, when they take the time and money to teach it to their children. We are fortunate to live in a society that puts so much value in community service. I think community service is often felt to be a civic duty as much as a humanity duty.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Millennials
We all know that there are names for every generation, such as the Greatest Generation, the generation that fought and won World War Two. The Baby Boomer Generation, the fertility boom after the soldiers returned from World War Two, the generation of my grandparents. The Silent Generation, born during the Great Depression. I began to wonder what generation am I? What category do I fit into? What reputation does my generation have?
I researched this topic a lot recently, and discovered I am a Millennial- anyone born after 1980, we are the first generation in the new millennium, and are in our late teens to late twenties! Our generation's identity is just being formed. Its exciting to think that what we are doing right now will define our generation in history books. We remember the Greatest generation because they saved a country, we remember the baby boomers because they changed the way the country had to produce goods and provide quality of life to all these booming new families! What is my generation doing to be remembered?
Well, we are confidant, connected, and progressive! We are more expressive, liberal, and open to change. We are more culturally diverse and significantly less religious. Though the millennials that are religious are more progressive and accepting than traditional religious believers in older generations. They have popularized new contemporary ways to worship.
We are on our way to becoming the most educated generation in american history, despite the rising education costs and supposedly broken education systems. Yay us! In 2008 a record 39.6% of young millennials were enrolled in a higher education system. Unfortunately we got one of the hardest blows of the recession, still, most of us still say we have enough money to get by or to go on to higher education. As of 2012 we still have 17% of us unemployed.
But we have a virtual monopoly over the viral world (see what I did there :), becoming the most interconnected generation because of the internet. I think thats what contributes to us being so progressive too. Things are constantly changing on the internet, so we learn to constantly change with it. Social media has expanded ten times over because of us. Nearly 3 out of 4 people of our generation has created a social media profile of some kind, 93% of us feel "empowered" by technology. I know I do! Most of us sleep with our smart phones within arms reach of our bed. We are the first "forever connected" generation and surly not the last!
We tend to have a good relationships with our parents, and have less conflict than previous generations. But only about 6 in 10 of us were raised by both parents. Significantly lower than previous generations. And we respect our elders, we tend to believe they hold higher moral values and work ethic than the young and that we can learn from them. But we have a way higher racial tolerance than the elderly. Generally we are known for getting along with others, and working well with others in social settings.
We ourselves have nothing against marriage, but are in no hurry to rush down the isle. We have the largest demographic of single women growing than ever before. Just 1 in 5 millennials are married, although, when asked, we place marriage and parenthood ahead of a careers.
More than any other generation we are more likely to identify as liberals. We are more progressive and inclusive of all types of people and ideas. Concentrate on domestic social issues the most. Yet, for some reason, incomprehensible to me, we didn't break the mold that the young don't vote. Our age group STILL had the lowest percentage turn out in this years election! I was hoping we would break that, seeing that we are so socially aware! But oh well.....
I think we are in the process of creating a new kind of community. Using our technological devices to create a safe, creative, and positive environment. Bringing our inclusive and progressive ideas forward as we start to take the reins of the country. Harnessing our craving for innovation and gearing it towards finding that 17% some jobs! Jobs that weren't even invented during our parents time!
I'm excited to see what my generation can do. I'm excited to be a part of it!
I researched this topic a lot recently, and discovered I am a Millennial- anyone born after 1980, we are the first generation in the new millennium, and are in our late teens to late twenties! Our generation's identity is just being formed. Its exciting to think that what we are doing right now will define our generation in history books. We remember the Greatest generation because they saved a country, we remember the baby boomers because they changed the way the country had to produce goods and provide quality of life to all these booming new families! What is my generation doing to be remembered?
Well, we are confidant, connected, and progressive! We are more expressive, liberal, and open to change. We are more culturally diverse and significantly less religious. Though the millennials that are religious are more progressive and accepting than traditional religious believers in older generations. They have popularized new contemporary ways to worship.
We are on our way to becoming the most educated generation in american history, despite the rising education costs and supposedly broken education systems. Yay us! In 2008 a record 39.6% of young millennials were enrolled in a higher education system. Unfortunately we got one of the hardest blows of the recession, still, most of us still say we have enough money to get by or to go on to higher education. As of 2012 we still have 17% of us unemployed.
But we have a virtual monopoly over the viral world (see what I did there :), becoming the most interconnected generation because of the internet. I think thats what contributes to us being so progressive too. Things are constantly changing on the internet, so we learn to constantly change with it. Social media has expanded ten times over because of us. Nearly 3 out of 4 people of our generation has created a social media profile of some kind, 93% of us feel "empowered" by technology. I know I do! Most of us sleep with our smart phones within arms reach of our bed. We are the first "forever connected" generation and surly not the last!
We tend to have a good relationships with our parents, and have less conflict than previous generations. But only about 6 in 10 of us were raised by both parents. Significantly lower than previous generations. And we respect our elders, we tend to believe they hold higher moral values and work ethic than the young and that we can learn from them. But we have a way higher racial tolerance than the elderly. Generally we are known for getting along with others, and working well with others in social settings.
We ourselves have nothing against marriage, but are in no hurry to rush down the isle. We have the largest demographic of single women growing than ever before. Just 1 in 5 millennials are married, although, when asked, we place marriage and parenthood ahead of a careers.
More than any other generation we are more likely to identify as liberals. We are more progressive and inclusive of all types of people and ideas. Concentrate on domestic social issues the most. Yet, for some reason, incomprehensible to me, we didn't break the mold that the young don't vote. Our age group STILL had the lowest percentage turn out in this years election! I was hoping we would break that, seeing that we are so socially aware! But oh well.....
I think we are in the process of creating a new kind of community. Using our technological devices to create a safe, creative, and positive environment. Bringing our inclusive and progressive ideas forward as we start to take the reins of the country. Harnessing our craving for innovation and gearing it towards finding that 17% some jobs! Jobs that weren't even invented during our parents time!
I'm excited to see what my generation can do. I'm excited to be a part of it!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Ben Rector
Ben Rector is a singer, a really good singer. This post is purely an outpouring of my devout love for his music. So if you don't like him, go away now, and crawl back into the deep dark whole you obviously live in.
~My top song of his has got the be "The Beat", its a fun upbeat song about a shy girl who meets her match on the dance floor, lets go of her worry and fear "when the beat comes." Its great!
~His songs "White Dress"and "Dance with me baby" are awesome ones too! Pretty much perfect wedding songs!
~His song "Autumn" is the cutest little love song! I want to name my daughter Autumn just to have a guy sing this song to her!
~Another top song is "Moving Backwards," it always leaves me in a calm and thoughtful mood. Its a very mellow song.
~On top of his multitudes of amazing songs, he is a very good singer in person! If you look up his live performances on YouTube they are really good! He is charismatic and charming! Not to mention very well dressed!
~He is not new to the music scene, he has been around since maybe 2008, but I am just now getting into him.
~He also has a holiday album that is to die for! And when a singer can seamlessly transition from regular music to christmas music, and do them both well, you know he is a keeper!
I don't know why I haven't discovered him until now, but he is amazing! He is all I've been listening to! He does wonders with a guitar, piano, microphone, and audience. I hope you all check him out!
I <3 BEN RECTOR
~My top song of his has got the be "The Beat", its a fun upbeat song about a shy girl who meets her match on the dance floor, lets go of her worry and fear "when the beat comes." Its great!
~His songs "White Dress"and "Dance with me baby" are awesome ones too! Pretty much perfect wedding songs!
~His song "Autumn" is the cutest little love song! I want to name my daughter Autumn just to have a guy sing this song to her!
~Another top song is "Moving Backwards," it always leaves me in a calm and thoughtful mood. Its a very mellow song.
~On top of his multitudes of amazing songs, he is a very good singer in person! If you look up his live performances on YouTube they are really good! He is charismatic and charming! Not to mention very well dressed!
~He is not new to the music scene, he has been around since maybe 2008, but I am just now getting into him.
~He also has a holiday album that is to die for! And when a singer can seamlessly transition from regular music to christmas music, and do them both well, you know he is a keeper!
I don't know why I haven't discovered him until now, but he is amazing! He is all I've been listening to! He does wonders with a guitar, piano, microphone, and audience. I hope you all check him out!
I <3 BEN RECTOR
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
People Watching
I had one of those days where you don't say much all day. I didn't say a word in chemistry, in fact I didn't do much of anything except day dream of my couch, comfy blanket, and a solid nap! I didn't talk to anyone in math, except to ask the teacher a question in the last few minutes of class, and we watched a movie in civics, so there was no talking there. I did happen to talk in sports medicine, cause I have the combination of friends a free-time in that class. But I realize now I spent the majority of my day just silently people watching. NOT in the creepy stalker-ish way! Just observing people all around, listening to interactions between others and not necessarily have an opinion on what was happening... just watching. I watch boys flirt with girls, and girls flirt with boys. I watch sleep deprived kids try to stay awake, watch a brian-iac wiz through homework, then watch a kid struggle to understand concepts sitting right next to him. I watch kids try desperately to fit in at their lunch table. I watch the goths sit in the corner doing whatever they do, I also watch the jocks throw whatever it is around their lunch table. I watch people drive in cars, I watch bus drivers drive busses. Some people look stressed, some look bored, some look sad, and some look content. It strikes me how everyday I pass these people, and don't notice most of the time. I also don't put into consideration the type of day they are having most of the time. Watching people refreshingly reminds me everyone is having a different kind of day. That girl walking unusually slow down the hall might have just had a crummy test, and that loud mouth jock might not have a nice family life, so he validates himself at school. That girl with her nose in a book might be super shy, but extremely nice if someone talked to her. Some people can also be funny! Like when a girl is obviously trying to flirt with a guy and he is just not getting the message! Its kind of entertaining to watch, as cynical as that sounds! None the less, it is nice every once and a while to notice people, just keep myself out of the equation, and people watch.
Jack Johnson gets me :)
People Watching, By: Jack Johnson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY8237U4Z1E
Jack Johnson gets me :)
People Watching, By: Jack Johnson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY8237U4Z1E
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Free Time
Sorry I haven't been very consistent lately. I have been very busy this last week, between the election, school, and an amazing weekend at a Young Life retreat. I have had little time to post many of my thoughts! I'm going to try to post about them all week this week.
Free time is a precious thing for a senior in high school. By the time I get to sit down and do whatever I please, its between the hours 10 pm-6am! I tend to like to use those hours to sleep! Generally I get free time during the weekends, I like to spend it doing nothing. Really, I just sit (or lay in a clean pile of laundry... try it sometime! Its the best!) and think about anything and everything. I may pray to God for a while, to refocus my mind. I might listen to music and go away from the stress of reality. Thats the funny thing about free time, most of us spend it going someplace else in our mind, maybe in a video game, in a book, in a tv show, or on the computer. But it seems nobody choses to stay in their own reality when given the opportunity. I think its human nature to spend free time somewhere else, even if it is just in our minds. Its a small but much needed break.
I value my free time so greatly. I want more free time, but know that school and social life takes work to keep up, and I want a healthy social life and good grades, so I make some sacrifices!
But I'm taking 10 minutes before and after school today to just chill! I encourage you all to try it too!
Free time is a precious thing for a senior in high school. By the time I get to sit down and do whatever I please, its between the hours 10 pm-6am! I tend to like to use those hours to sleep! Generally I get free time during the weekends, I like to spend it doing nothing. Really, I just sit (or lay in a clean pile of laundry... try it sometime! Its the best!) and think about anything and everything. I may pray to God for a while, to refocus my mind. I might listen to music and go away from the stress of reality. Thats the funny thing about free time, most of us spend it going someplace else in our mind, maybe in a video game, in a book, in a tv show, or on the computer. But it seems nobody choses to stay in their own reality when given the opportunity. I think its human nature to spend free time somewhere else, even if it is just in our minds. Its a small but much needed break.
I value my free time so greatly. I want more free time, but know that school and social life takes work to keep up, and I want a healthy social life and good grades, so I make some sacrifices!
But I'm taking 10 minutes before and after school today to just chill! I encourage you all to try it too!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
What I learned on a campaign (Part 1)
Working on a gubernatorial campaign has shed boundless light on the political process and how a campaign works! So I am comprising a list of things I have learned that I didn't already previously know! Enjoy!
1. By the end of the campaign you will hate people.... you will hate talking to strangers cause they generally hate talking to you (on the phone). I have had nights where I felt like maybe, if I hit my head on the desk long enough, all the annoying people and rude jerks on the face of the planet will disappear. Or at least I'll become numb to it!
2. You will learn to have a 15 minute conversation on some political issue with someone while typing an email to your father and texting your BFF about saturday night. Then when you hang up you do it all over again. Sometimes you can't even remember what you said!
3. Callers seem to think you have a magic link to tell the candidate anything and everything, when in reality you have shaken his or her hand maybe once.
4. Multitudes of people believe that us calling voters is illegal, and we should be in jail for calling them at the, and I quote, "the ungodly hour of 6 o'clock!"......... To which I remind them of our 1st ammendment right to freedom of speech and that they don't HAVE TO answer the question if they dont want. But instead they feel the need to repeat their disgust with me seven times over.
5. Some people are going to be rude and cranky to you no matter what. I learned to not take it personally pretty quickly. Because if I had, I would be curled up in a helpless and hopeless ball of a person on a nightly basis.
6. Yard signs may seem important to the visibility of the campaign, but they honestly don't influence much, cost more money to produce than profits sold, and take up precious space in the campaign office and cause little interns, such as myself, great amounts of physical labor and time. Besides, what in the world do you do with them after the election is over!?
7. The stereotypes are sadly, yet overwhelmingly true! Older people can't hear you and young people are pretty naive.
8. Caffeine becomes a substitute for oxygen.
9. Volunteers will come in and "strongly suggest" a way we could say or do something better, to which we politely smile and nod, but not really do, cause there is well coordinated system in place that everyone follows. Then when they come in again they expect their suggestion to be implemented..... And often get upset that it wasn't. Between opinionated volunteers and opinionated voters, sometimes you just can't win.
10. If there is food in the kitchen you better get there quickly! Good food is a rare treat!
11. The cute office dog becomes your best friend when you are phone banking :)
More to come in the future!
1. By the end of the campaign you will hate people.... you will hate talking to strangers cause they generally hate talking to you (on the phone). I have had nights where I felt like maybe, if I hit my head on the desk long enough, all the annoying people and rude jerks on the face of the planet will disappear. Or at least I'll become numb to it!
2. You will learn to have a 15 minute conversation on some political issue with someone while typing an email to your father and texting your BFF about saturday night. Then when you hang up you do it all over again. Sometimes you can't even remember what you said!
3. Callers seem to think you have a magic link to tell the candidate anything and everything, when in reality you have shaken his or her hand maybe once.
4. Multitudes of people believe that us calling voters is illegal, and we should be in jail for calling them at the, and I quote, "the ungodly hour of 6 o'clock!"......... To which I remind them of our 1st ammendment right to freedom of speech and that they don't HAVE TO answer the question if they dont want. But instead they feel the need to repeat their disgust with me seven times over.
5. Some people are going to be rude and cranky to you no matter what. I learned to not take it personally pretty quickly. Because if I had, I would be curled up in a helpless and hopeless ball of a person on a nightly basis.
6. Yard signs may seem important to the visibility of the campaign, but they honestly don't influence much, cost more money to produce than profits sold, and take up precious space in the campaign office and cause little interns, such as myself, great amounts of physical labor and time. Besides, what in the world do you do with them after the election is over!?
7. The stereotypes are sadly, yet overwhelmingly true! Older people can't hear you and young people are pretty naive.
8. Caffeine becomes a substitute for oxygen.
9. Volunteers will come in and "strongly suggest" a way we could say or do something better, to which we politely smile and nod, but not really do, cause there is well coordinated system in place that everyone follows. Then when they come in again they expect their suggestion to be implemented..... And often get upset that it wasn't. Between opinionated volunteers and opinionated voters, sometimes you just can't win.
10. If there is food in the kitchen you better get there quickly! Good food is a rare treat!
11. The cute office dog becomes your best friend when you are phone banking :)
More to come in the future!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Western side to Eastern side
I recently drove from western Washington to eastern Washington to visit a college. I have made the drive over there many times in my life, and every time I go through the same thought process.
We begin the trip going up the I-5 freeway, as if we were going to Seattle. We fight the traffic of Joint-Base Lewis McChord, we pass by the industrial city of Tacoma, and hang a right by the Enchanted Village. I tend to reminisce on this drive, remembering every adventure I've had between there and Olympia. We then enter the suburb area of Auburn and what not. The traffic dies down, and we eventually get to another hook right that takes us to the interstate that goes all the way across the state.
First up, through the gorgeous mountain pass. I like to think about how awesome it was to people like Lewis and Clark, discovering it for the first time. How massive and awesome it is. Now, however, people like us drive over it like its no big deal. Through the pass we stop for a rest at a nice pizza place/rest stop. Only cause we know its the last major stop for a while. We then continue on the trek, passing small rural communities. Passing some unpronounceable indian reservations.
We start descending into the farm land that is central Washington. Fields upon fields upon fields of various farm lands. We start to pass tractors like we used to pass department stores! We pass through one of the only place to grab a bite to eat, Ellensburg. This highway is at length a straight line, curving only for farm hills. As we trudge through this expanse of mindlessly straight road I begin to think that we've found it! We have actually found the road to nowhere! There is no end in sight! Only golden wheat fields as far as the eye can see! I get so excited that I have solved one of the worlds great mysteries that I want to share it with the world! Oh... Wait.... theres nobody within miles of us to talk to, except for tuck drivers who are also on the road. So I decide to keep the finding to myself. :) This is also where I question the overpopulation spectators. Have they ever been on this road!? Cause I'm pretty sure it refutes whatever arguments they have! The excitement of finding the road to nowhere wears off after about 3 hours on this road. We pass some gas stations that probably haven't been touched in decades, some more tractors, and LOTS of political signs.... I begin to ache for a restaurant of any kind! Some sign of modern day living!
Then we enter the final threshold of our journey. Just when I think I might throw-up if I see another tractor, we start to see trees. They at least make me feel like we are not the only living organisms on the planet anymore! We start to see signs to towns again. We see signs to universities (cause apparently most people put those in the middle of nowhere) and we are sent down into what I fondly call the "valley of civilization". Where I can see a city, with light poles on the free way, other cars on the road, and no tractors in sight! To others its less glorious and known as the Spokane Valley. But that is where our journey ends and where I will leave you all. If you've ever made this drive I hope this made you smile :)
We begin the trip going up the I-5 freeway, as if we were going to Seattle. We fight the traffic of Joint-Base Lewis McChord, we pass by the industrial city of Tacoma, and hang a right by the Enchanted Village. I tend to reminisce on this drive, remembering every adventure I've had between there and Olympia. We then enter the suburb area of Auburn and what not. The traffic dies down, and we eventually get to another hook right that takes us to the interstate that goes all the way across the state.
First up, through the gorgeous mountain pass. I like to think about how awesome it was to people like Lewis and Clark, discovering it for the first time. How massive and awesome it is. Now, however, people like us drive over it like its no big deal. Through the pass we stop for a rest at a nice pizza place/rest stop. Only cause we know its the last major stop for a while. We then continue on the trek, passing small rural communities. Passing some unpronounceable indian reservations.
We start descending into the farm land that is central Washington. Fields upon fields upon fields of various farm lands. We start to pass tractors like we used to pass department stores! We pass through one of the only place to grab a bite to eat, Ellensburg. This highway is at length a straight line, curving only for farm hills. As we trudge through this expanse of mindlessly straight road I begin to think that we've found it! We have actually found the road to nowhere! There is no end in sight! Only golden wheat fields as far as the eye can see! I get so excited that I have solved one of the worlds great mysteries that I want to share it with the world! Oh... Wait.... theres nobody within miles of us to talk to, except for tuck drivers who are also on the road. So I decide to keep the finding to myself. :) This is also where I question the overpopulation spectators. Have they ever been on this road!? Cause I'm pretty sure it refutes whatever arguments they have! The excitement of finding the road to nowhere wears off after about 3 hours on this road. We pass some gas stations that probably haven't been touched in decades, some more tractors, and LOTS of political signs.... I begin to ache for a restaurant of any kind! Some sign of modern day living!
Then we enter the final threshold of our journey. Just when I think I might throw-up if I see another tractor, we start to see trees. They at least make me feel like we are not the only living organisms on the planet anymore! We start to see signs to towns again. We see signs to universities (cause apparently most people put those in the middle of nowhere) and we are sent down into what I fondly call the "valley of civilization". Where I can see a city, with light poles on the free way, other cars on the road, and no tractors in sight! To others its less glorious and known as the Spokane Valley. But that is where our journey ends and where I will leave you all. If you've ever made this drive I hope this made you smile :)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
What makes (teenage) relationships complicated
So, lately I have observed a lot of teenage relationships, both break and form! I have helped friends through break-ups and also watched friends start-up fresh ones... But each time a romantic relationship is involved, it gets complicated. I imagine when you get older, into adulthood, its not much easier, but I am obviously not there yet, so I don't want to act like I know how older adults handle this stuff. I'm just talking about teenagers. Here is what I think makes them complicated.
Apart from the crazy hormone factor, which speaks for itself, there is a maturity factor. We teenagers are not fully developed, our maturity is not there yet. This is glaringly obvious when communication happens in the form of text or Facebook! When people rely on those to avoid face-to-face contact. Or when what I call a communication "chain" happens. Like when a guy A goes to girl C and tells her to tell girl B to tell boy D to tell boy F that he likes his cousin, who is girl A! It gets messy and complicated and often doesn't work. Yet it is common in the halls of high school. Its hard to have a good relationship with out some level of maturity!
Both genders also over anylize everything! Guys and girls are on such different pages! Teenage girls are hopelessly romantic! We are very attuned to relationships and romantic interest! Even if our chances of anything happening is zero. Even if its a relationship between two other people. We just like to watch it! I blame disney..... When we pin a guy we like, we read into every move our "romantic interest" takes! To the point of "OMG! He blinked! He must want to date me!" hahahaha
But teenage guys are not as into relationships as girls are. Don't get me wrong, guys are focused on girls almost 24/7! How girls look, how girls act, how girls move. They like girls.... But they aren't as focused on the relationship aspect as girls are. They may sit in class and look at their "romantic interest" and say "OMG she blinked! She totally wants me! I mean who doesn't!?"
Over analyzing also leads to Reality vs Expectations.... More often then not, when a romantic relationship starts each teen's expectation is higher than reality. Girls are picturing the perfect gentleman that her friends woo over, who opens doors and holds her hand, and pays for all the dates. Guys are picturing the perfect "10," that all his friends are jealous of, who plays video games with him, and who can have a sandwich eating contest with. Those bars are set pretty high! And reality is generally lower. You can be happy with reality if you throw out those crazy expectations! But most high schoolers quickly see their expectatiosn are to high, and since they arent't going to be met, they simply give up. They arent willing (and probably don't know how) to comprimise in a relationship. Which is crucial! Also, a lot of teens are in it for the "status" of a relationship, the cool factor of it all. Those NEVER go well....
But there are teenage relationships that work! I can count a handful in my high school that are just the cutest things ever! They seem to be defying the odds. Some have been together for 4 years or more! And thats no small feat for the crazy jungles of the high school hallways! For the most part, teenage relationships are complicated and short lived. But, I think thats the way they are suppose to be. We are still discovering ourselves! We are discovering what we like and what we don't. We are exploring what we want to do. I think part of that is discovering the type of people we want to date. Though its messy and complicated, sometimes overly dramatic, teenage relationships are just another life experience that we can learn from. Never regret or belittle teenage relationships. I wish more teens learned from them as I have!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Yes Ma'am
Working on a campaign has exposed me to many different people and situations I thought I would never face! Some situations are awkward, like when you have to drive an elderly volunteer to an event, and on the way she tells you you are going the wrong way the entire 1 1/2 hours you are driving, (I was right... BTW) Other situations are awesome. Like when you get to rub elbows with all the senators or judges at political events! But Today is an incidence that left me in a situation I've never been in before.
I was called Ma'am twice! Both times by women in her mid-fifties!
You see, as part of my intern job I call voters and ask them if they are going to vote for my candidate. (yes... I'm that unfortunate person who calls your house with a political question.....they aren't all robo-calls)
But today has been particularly weird in that I got called Ma'am twice! In the past I've been called Little Miss, Sweet Heart, Young Lady, Missy, and even Princess! But I expect those! I know I sound like a little girl on the phone, I sound young! I use it to my advantage sometimes. So why was I called Ma'am today?! Do they know I am a shorter-than-average teenage girl who is young enough to be their granddaughter! If anything I should be addressing them as Ma'am!
It was just kinda awkward. I paused for a quick second after they said it too... trying to process what they said. Cause I thought I heard them wrong. But, since it wasn't awkward for them, I guess the right word would be uncomfortable... cause it was only me who felt out of place.
Have I reached Ma'am status? I feel like I haven't... I feel like you have to live through some stuff, get married, maybe have a respectable job and/or position to be called Ma'am! I feel like you have to have at least ONE wrinkle line or grey hair! Or just be of the female gender having a conversation with Forrest Gump! That works too...
Of which I have experienced none of those scenarios!
So thats my little freckle of the day! Hope you enjoyed!
-Samantha
P.S. with in the time I have written this, I got called Ma'am a third time!!!! What the heck!
I was called Ma'am twice! Both times by women in her mid-fifties!
You see, as part of my intern job I call voters and ask them if they are going to vote for my candidate. (yes... I'm that unfortunate person who calls your house with a political question.....they aren't all robo-calls)
But today has been particularly weird in that I got called Ma'am twice! In the past I've been called Little Miss, Sweet Heart, Young Lady, Missy, and even Princess! But I expect those! I know I sound like a little girl on the phone, I sound young! I use it to my advantage sometimes. So why was I called Ma'am today?! Do they know I am a shorter-than-average teenage girl who is young enough to be their granddaughter! If anything I should be addressing them as Ma'am!
It was just kinda awkward. I paused for a quick second after they said it too... trying to process what they said. Cause I thought I heard them wrong. But, since it wasn't awkward for them, I guess the right word would be uncomfortable... cause it was only me who felt out of place.
Have I reached Ma'am status? I feel like I haven't... I feel like you have to live through some stuff, get married, maybe have a respectable job and/or position to be called Ma'am! I feel like you have to have at least ONE wrinkle line or grey hair! Or just be of the female gender having a conversation with Forrest Gump! That works too...
Of which I have experienced none of those scenarios!
So thats my little freckle of the day! Hope you enjoyed!
-Samantha
P.S. with in the time I have written this, I got called Ma'am a third time!!!! What the heck!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Charter Schools
Charter schools are a very controversial topic. They are a complicated subject, and one that has confused me this entire election season. Seeing that our state (Washington) is one of the few states left to approve charter schools. I have to come to an informed opinion on the issue. It's the only thing left on my ballot I haven't filled in. I'm not going to explain what charter schools are, if you don't exactly know.... Google is a thing...... Google is all knowing. :)
After weeks of reading both sides, and trying to rationalize my persuadable opinion, here is what I came up with. The foundation/idea is there, but the system is faulty. The ones who support it are simply crying out for reform. They see the where the kids are falling through, they see the budget problems in corrupt school districts, and they see the disadvantage of districts based on where kids live (especially Harlem and the Bronx). And I'm with them, as a student who has been pushed through various math programs and teachers with very little success! I get what they are saying. But charter schools won't solve all those problems. They are a good idea in theory. But they serve only a small fraction of state's students. And they take state and federal money (like any other public school) to service those kids! If it were just that factor it wouldn't be so bad, but then you get down to how the school is run, and you find that they would create a new state agency called the "Washington charter school commission" to authorize charter schools through out the state, supervise it, and manage it. Cause we need more government agencies.......(NOT)
But I could put all that behind me, bite my tongue and do it, if it meant the disadvantaged, learning disabled, and struggling children could get a better alternative education. Oh! Wait! You mean its not guaranteed to those kids?! That's right, by law charter schools have to use a lottery system! So even if I wanted to go to a charter school cause I was struggling in the conventional public school system, there is no guarantee I would. My hopes of a charter school education lay in hands of a plastic ball rolling around in a cage. Many learning disability children see charter schools as an opportunity to get out of the pressures of public schools. But, in fact, on top of the lottery factor, most charter schools don't have the right facilities and programs to help such children. They simply don't have to, by any law, the way a public school does. So the kids get sent right back to public school. I have read numerous stories about that, and some try to have the programs, but most don't put in the effort..... And I have yet to find a reliable study that proves charter schools have a good success rate. Not saying they all fail. There are some that succeed, and some that fail. But most just flat line. They don't do any better than public schools and they don't do any worse. So why would I want to put public education funds into something that hasn't shown to improve education and something that doesn't guarantee a students admission. Why don't we put that passion people have for reform and that money they would pay in charter school tuition and put it towards the failing public education!? Where everybody is admitted, and all the programs are there, where every kid can succeed if we really were serious about reform. I agree parts of the education system are broken, but abandoning it isn't a good solution.
I don't have all the answers, I don't know everything. And I totally see why people are for it, I respect them. I really do.... I want them to get the reform they are seeking, I just disagree with the way they want to go about that reform. I value every point of view on this issue, and have thoroughly poured over all of them for weeks!
Freedom of democracy and choice is so amazing! Every opinion matters and everyone's voice can be heard on any issue! Just like mine will be heard on this issue today when I turn in my ballot.
P.S. I know I didn't hit on every little detail of charter school issues, so I encourage you to check them out for yourself! And I promise the next post won't be so "heavy", I will make it a light and funny one!
Thanks- Samantha
After weeks of reading both sides, and trying to rationalize my persuadable opinion, here is what I came up with. The foundation/idea is there, but the system is faulty. The ones who support it are simply crying out for reform. They see the where the kids are falling through, they see the budget problems in corrupt school districts, and they see the disadvantage of districts based on where kids live (especially Harlem and the Bronx). And I'm with them, as a student who has been pushed through various math programs and teachers with very little success! I get what they are saying. But charter schools won't solve all those problems. They are a good idea in theory. But they serve only a small fraction of state's students. And they take state and federal money (like any other public school) to service those kids! If it were just that factor it wouldn't be so bad, but then you get down to how the school is run, and you find that they would create a new state agency called the "Washington charter school commission" to authorize charter schools through out the state, supervise it, and manage it. Cause we need more government agencies.......(NOT)
But I could put all that behind me, bite my tongue and do it, if it meant the disadvantaged, learning disabled, and struggling children could get a better alternative education. Oh! Wait! You mean its not guaranteed to those kids?! That's right, by law charter schools have to use a lottery system! So even if I wanted to go to a charter school cause I was struggling in the conventional public school system, there is no guarantee I would. My hopes of a charter school education lay in hands of a plastic ball rolling around in a cage. Many learning disability children see charter schools as an opportunity to get out of the pressures of public schools. But, in fact, on top of the lottery factor, most charter schools don't have the right facilities and programs to help such children. They simply don't have to, by any law, the way a public school does. So the kids get sent right back to public school. I have read numerous stories about that, and some try to have the programs, but most don't put in the effort..... And I have yet to find a reliable study that proves charter schools have a good success rate. Not saying they all fail. There are some that succeed, and some that fail. But most just flat line. They don't do any better than public schools and they don't do any worse. So why would I want to put public education funds into something that hasn't shown to improve education and something that doesn't guarantee a students admission. Why don't we put that passion people have for reform and that money they would pay in charter school tuition and put it towards the failing public education!? Where everybody is admitted, and all the programs are there, where every kid can succeed if we really were serious about reform. I agree parts of the education system are broken, but abandoning it isn't a good solution.
I don't have all the answers, I don't know everything. And I totally see why people are for it, I respect them. I really do.... I want them to get the reform they are seeking, I just disagree with the way they want to go about that reform. I value every point of view on this issue, and have thoroughly poured over all of them for weeks!
Freedom of democracy and choice is so amazing! Every opinion matters and everyone's voice can be heard on any issue! Just like mine will be heard on this issue today when I turn in my ballot.
P.S. I know I didn't hit on every little detail of charter school issues, so I encourage you to check them out for yourself! And I promise the next post won't be so "heavy", I will make it a light and funny one!
Thanks- Samantha
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Story Problems
OK.... Anyone that knows me can tell you I don't like math, I fully accept that notion. I am not good at it, I have had numerous tutors, teachers, and friends help me with it. And even a clinical psychologist! I can barely scrape by! But thats beyond the point of this post. The point of this post is the unit we are doing in my math class..... Linear Programming. (aka-story problems) A lot of things in math bother me. I often sit there and wonder how I am EVER going to use this in everyday life! And that question often has no real answer at the end either. But story problems just get on my last nerve! They are the biggest waste of my time!
"I'm so glad I spent an hour and a half solving hypothetical financial manufacturing problems!" - Said nobody ever.....
Here is an example of a problem I had to do: "The Future Homemakers Club (could they think of a worst hypothetical organization?) is making canvas tote bags and leather tote bags for a money making project. Both types of tote bags will be lined with canvas and have leather handles. For the canvas tote bags, they need 4 yards of canvas and 1 yard of leather. For the leather tote bags, they need 3 yards of leather and 2 yards of canvas. Their advisor has purchased 56 yards of leather and 104 yards of canvas. Determine the number of canvas bags at a profit of $20 each and the leather bags $35 each, write a function for the total profit of the bags."
My response: WHO FREAKING CARES!?!?!?!
There is no practical application to doing this busy work! Nobody does this in real life! I feel like I could be so much more productive! I have a long to-do list (college apps, work, church, chores, clubs, college class, ect...) and its on hold because the Future Homemakers Club can't figure out their own problems! I have challenged every math teacher on this subject. I flat out ask why we are doing this, I ask them what the point is, and how we are ever going to use this! And the reaction is always the same. Their bodies slouch a little, their mouths crook in a stumped manner, and I can see it in their eyes.... they are caught! Their brain frantically searches for an answer, and when they finally speak, they say "it teaches you to problem solve."
I can think of 100,000 other ways to teach someone to problem solve without using bull-crap hypothetical mathematical problems. Whenever I hear a teacher give that answer, I hear "there really isn't, its just busy work." Not all math is busy work, but story problems are. I learn to problem solve at work, when I'm dealing with multiple volunteers that come in all at once, and need to be trained by me and coached on the process of phone banking. I deal with problem solving when talking to voters and their political issues. I deal with problem solving at church working with preschoolers on any given sunday. I deal with problem solving when 5 different people in my house have 5 different schedules and need to go 5 different places. I deal with money problem solving when budgeting my shopping trips and cupcake runs :) But to say that doing these math problems teaches you to problem solve is just not true.... I've also heard it teaches you to work through something you don't want to do.... which is true, but I don't need math to do that for me. I have dentist appointments, chores, and getting shots to do that for me! If math taught me practical applications to my life, I think I would be way more inclined to learn. But I just will never need to find the area and circumference of a lake, or the function for the profit made from selling tote bags....
I'll leave you with this little beauty:
"I'm so glad I spent an hour and a half solving hypothetical financial manufacturing problems!" - Said nobody ever.....
Here is an example of a problem I had to do: "The Future Homemakers Club (could they think of a worst hypothetical organization?) is making canvas tote bags and leather tote bags for a money making project. Both types of tote bags will be lined with canvas and have leather handles. For the canvas tote bags, they need 4 yards of canvas and 1 yard of leather. For the leather tote bags, they need 3 yards of leather and 2 yards of canvas. Their advisor has purchased 56 yards of leather and 104 yards of canvas. Determine the number of canvas bags at a profit of $20 each and the leather bags $35 each, write a function for the total profit of the bags."
My response: WHO FREAKING CARES!?!?!?!
There is no practical application to doing this busy work! Nobody does this in real life! I feel like I could be so much more productive! I have a long to-do list (college apps, work, church, chores, clubs, college class, ect...) and its on hold because the Future Homemakers Club can't figure out their own problems! I have challenged every math teacher on this subject. I flat out ask why we are doing this, I ask them what the point is, and how we are ever going to use this! And the reaction is always the same. Their bodies slouch a little, their mouths crook in a stumped manner, and I can see it in their eyes.... they are caught! Their brain frantically searches for an answer, and when they finally speak, they say "it teaches you to problem solve."
I can think of 100,000 other ways to teach someone to problem solve without using bull-crap hypothetical mathematical problems. Whenever I hear a teacher give that answer, I hear "there really isn't, its just busy work." Not all math is busy work, but story problems are. I learn to problem solve at work, when I'm dealing with multiple volunteers that come in all at once, and need to be trained by me and coached on the process of phone banking. I deal with problem solving when talking to voters and their political issues. I deal with problem solving at church working with preschoolers on any given sunday. I deal with problem solving when 5 different people in my house have 5 different schedules and need to go 5 different places. I deal with money problem solving when budgeting my shopping trips and cupcake runs :) But to say that doing these math problems teaches you to problem solve is just not true.... I've also heard it teaches you to work through something you don't want to do.... which is true, but I don't need math to do that for me. I have dentist appointments, chores, and getting shots to do that for me! If math taught me practical applications to my life, I think I would be way more inclined to learn. But I just will never need to find the area and circumference of a lake, or the function for the profit made from selling tote bags....
I'll leave you with this little beauty:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Little Traditions
I just attended my last home football game of my high school career. I stood in what is fondly known as the trench, wore camo pants, and froze my butt off! I stood in between two of my best friends, we clapped, yelled, cheered, and danced like nobody was watching to the band music and cheerleaders. During the 3rd quarter, when the rain was pouring down, and some wind picked up, my hands and feet were numb. I wanted to go inside and become warm and dry. And this is not the first time I have felt this urge at a football game. I've had that cold prolonged bored feeling numerous times over 4 years. But this time a bigger part of me wanted to stay standing shoulder to shoulder with my friends in the cold watching our team lose. We have waited 4 years to stand in that very spot. It is a tradition for seniors to stand in the front row, wearing ridiculous school spirit outfits, to lead the student section in cheers, and stand there the entire game, no matter what! Such traditions are sacred in high school, tonight it was really bitter sweet. We have a LOT of high school traditions in general! Seniors wear togas during spirit week, and senior curtesy at assemblies! And each group has their own traditions too! Like after every football game my friends and I go get blizzards and french fries at Dairy Queen! It is a must! We sit there until late at night just talking and enjoying each others company. A lot of these traditions we work our way up to, we earn the right to do. But now that some of these traditions are being fulfilled, its rather bitter sweet. And now cherished traditions like football game trenches are in our PAST. It feels so surreal. I know I still have lots of traditions to look forward to through out the year and beyond, thats super exciting. It keeps me optimistic. But its when the little traditions like standing in the trenches surrounded by friends, eating warm french fries afterwards, start to end, thats when most of us value the experiences, and taste that bitter sweetness. I definitely felt that tonight. And I'm going to strive to notice more of the little traditions when they are happening, the ones that will be what bring a smile to my face later on in life. I think we all should.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Parking Meters
So today, I was downtown on two separate occasions. I've gotten pretty aquatinted with the parking process downtown, so when I pulled up to a spot this morning I was excited to see they installed updated parking meters! They looked pretty fancy! I got up to the meter to put my coins in and noticed a problem. The screen on the meters is now facing upwards higher than my vantage point can see, then directly below it is a card slot, then a coin slot. I inserted my coins, but the screen is facing upwards. I can not see the screen! It is no longer around eye level. And not only did I have to stand on my tippy-toes to get to the point of reading the screen, I had to wipe off the rain off the screen to be able to see it! It is tilted in such a way that when it rains, the water just sits on the screen instead of being able to trickle down like the old kind. These new parking meters are challenging for anyone around 5 feet to see and could be more conducive to washington-type weather! The older parking meters were way better about that! You could read them at any height, and the rain would just trickle down it so it was always clear! I want to know why we took a step backwards here Olympia!? And why was I not consulted!?
#shortpeopleproblems
#shortpeopleproblems
Saturday, October 13, 2012
College Tour Decoder
Having been on my fair share of college campus tours, of both the private and publics schools, and both in orientation style and personal one-one-one. I feel I have mastered the art of decoding what the tour guides say to what they really mean. I will share with you a few of the most common!
1. "We have a nationally ranked --insert program here--" Of course you have something nationally ranked! If you are a college anywhere in the nation, you are automatically ranked in categories with all the other schools in the nation! Notice they never say specifically where they are ranked! It just sounds impressive to be nationally ranked.
2. "We have a top ranking --insert program here--" Still not specifying where in the top, the top could be any number of schools are in the mix with this one you are looking at....
3. "Our students get unparalleled one-on-one time with staff" This statement is meant to imply that students have access to professors like no other, but staff really also includes T.A.s (which teach lectures in some of the bigger schools), R.A.s, and any staff member at any sort of reception desk. So this statement is very misleading.... Though its great to have access to T.A.s and R.A.s a lot too, its just not what it sounds like to the perspective student.
4. "We have a really good football team"...... Cause thats why we're all coming here, thats the deciding factor.... your football team.
5. "I walk around campus and always see a friendly face! Everyone is so friendly!" They always say as we pass numerous students staring at us, with some questionable looks, like they've never seen a mass group of high schoolers before. Or when the tour guide waves (to demonstrate how friendly everyone is) and they give a totally weirded out look and frightfully wave back. Thats always a personal favorite.
6. "This residence hall is our most historic" Its the schools oldest and most outdated building.... No getting around it.
7. "The residence halls are all pretty much the same" NOT! The one built 100 years ago, and renovated 40 years ago, vs. the one built two years ago, are VERY different! I don't care what you say!
Prospective college goers I urge you, like myself, to be cautious of how tour guides say things! Ask lots of clarifying questions! And keep this list in mind!
-Samantha
1. "We have a nationally ranked --insert program here--" Of course you have something nationally ranked! If you are a college anywhere in the nation, you are automatically ranked in categories with all the other schools in the nation! Notice they never say specifically where they are ranked! It just sounds impressive to be nationally ranked.
2. "We have a top ranking --insert program here--" Still not specifying where in the top, the top could be any number of schools are in the mix with this one you are looking at....
3. "Our students get unparalleled one-on-one time with staff" This statement is meant to imply that students have access to professors like no other, but staff really also includes T.A.s (which teach lectures in some of the bigger schools), R.A.s, and any staff member at any sort of reception desk. So this statement is very misleading.... Though its great to have access to T.A.s and R.A.s a lot too, its just not what it sounds like to the perspective student.
4. "We have a really good football team"...... Cause thats why we're all coming here, thats the deciding factor.... your football team.
5. "I walk around campus and always see a friendly face! Everyone is so friendly!" They always say as we pass numerous students staring at us, with some questionable looks, like they've never seen a mass group of high schoolers before. Or when the tour guide waves (to demonstrate how friendly everyone is) and they give a totally weirded out look and frightfully wave back. Thats always a personal favorite.
6. "This residence hall is our most historic" Its the schools oldest and most outdated building.... No getting around it.
7. "The residence halls are all pretty much the same" NOT! The one built 100 years ago, and renovated 40 years ago, vs. the one built two years ago, are VERY different! I don't care what you say!
Prospective college goers I urge you, like myself, to be cautious of how tour guides say things! Ask lots of clarifying questions! And keep this list in mind!
-Samantha
Friday, October 12, 2012
Autumn
Its becoming more and more autumn-ish all week! The sights, the smells, and the sounds of fall are something i simply LOVE! Fall colors.... great for clothes, great for nature! Its a win-win! I love the colors of all the trees! Vibrant reds, and greens, and yellows, I think God was just showing off during this season. My neighborhood is surrounded by a greenbelt, so this season is especially pretty around here! I like to go for runs down by Tumwater Falls, and this gorgeous color all around is more running motivation. When you walk by the river, you see the reflection of the trees colors in the water! Its just so beautiful! Also while on my runs, there is something I notice about the air! It has a crisp feeling to it! You can feel it swirl into your lungs with every breath! Though, my fingers don't like the air very much, but they manage :) I love the leaves on the ground too. Especially this past week, they were like a hollywood movie, or like a blustery day in the hundred acre woods! They blow everywhere and swirl around, its so fun! Nothing else carries in the wind so easily, except maybe snowflakes, (which is a whole other love-fest post) I especially like it when a car drives over a road covered in leaves, and they all jump and swirl after it passes! And who's favorite childhood past time isn't jumping into a GIANT pile of leaves!? Let's be honest..... And autumn means pumpkins..... everywhere. In our cooking, in our decor, and even in our clothing! It actually amazes me how much you see pumpkin references in fall! All the coffee stands have specialty pumpkin spice drinks (which I adore!) and seasonal clothing comes out with pumpkins on kids clothes! (and sometimes adult clothes....) But my favorite thing about pumpkins is jack-o-lanters. How often are you going to be encouraged to take an oversized obnoxious colored squash and cut out its insides, carve a face in the side of it, and display in outside your living space.... I mean any other season you did that would result in a few questions and many strange looks from lots of people.... But not in fall!
So yah, thats why I love autumn.
I'll leave you with a pooh bear quote: "It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatety mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and best of all, leaping into leaves!" - Pooh Bear
So yah, thats why I love autumn.
I'll leave you with a pooh bear quote: "It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatety mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and best of all, leaping into leaves!" - Pooh Bear
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Fruit Snacks
I have a love/hate relationship with fruit snacks.
They are deceptive little chewy delights. They make you feel like you are making a healthy alternative decision! When I go to my snack shelf and see salty chips, nutty bars, popcorn, and fruit snacks, among other things, I kind of think they are the happy medium between healthy fruit and a sweet snack. But if you look closely at the content of fruit snacks.... They are just not so distant cousins to gummy bears......
The little bags themselves look and feel full, and then you open them, and the bag is only half full! (a lot like some other crunchy snack food I know of..... hmmmm) My favorite flavors of these chewy bite sized snacks are strawberry and apple. So when I finally decide to consume a package of these not-so-healthy-after-all gummy snacks, I expect to enjoy my favorite flavors. So, you can understand my further frustration with these snacks when more than half the package I have to eat is the cherry shaped gross ones that taste like medicine, and the gross orange flavored ones (which I just personally don't like, I'm acknowledge I'm in the minority there).
Yet, I love the texture, the taste, and the idea of fruit snacks! They are so fun! They make me feel like a lucky kindergardener getting a treat! They are fun colors, shapes, and sizes. In a class I took last year the teacher used to give us treats on fridays, he set out various candies and crackers and fruit snack packages. And guess what was the most popular snack taken? Yep.... fruit snacks. Always the first ones gone! Plus, I've never found a brand of fruit snack I have completely hated. Don't get me wrong, they all have their own unique gross flavors. But I've never found an entire package I don't like.
So, am I alone in my love/hate relationship with fruit snacks? What foods do you have a love/hate relationship with? I'm going to go eat fruit snacks now!
They are deceptive little chewy delights. They make you feel like you are making a healthy alternative decision! When I go to my snack shelf and see salty chips, nutty bars, popcorn, and fruit snacks, among other things, I kind of think they are the happy medium between healthy fruit and a sweet snack. But if you look closely at the content of fruit snacks.... They are just not so distant cousins to gummy bears......
The little bags themselves look and feel full, and then you open them, and the bag is only half full! (a lot like some other crunchy snack food I know of..... hmmmm) My favorite flavors of these chewy bite sized snacks are strawberry and apple. So when I finally decide to consume a package of these not-so-healthy-after-all gummy snacks, I expect to enjoy my favorite flavors. So, you can understand my further frustration with these snacks when more than half the package I have to eat is the cherry shaped gross ones that taste like medicine, and the gross orange flavored ones (which I just personally don't like, I'm acknowledge I'm in the minority there).
Yet, I love the texture, the taste, and the idea of fruit snacks! They are so fun! They make me feel like a lucky kindergardener getting a treat! They are fun colors, shapes, and sizes. In a class I took last year the teacher used to give us treats on fridays, he set out various candies and crackers and fruit snack packages. And guess what was the most popular snack taken? Yep.... fruit snacks. Always the first ones gone! Plus, I've never found a brand of fruit snack I have completely hated. Don't get me wrong, they all have their own unique gross flavors. But I've never found an entire package I don't like.
So, am I alone in my love/hate relationship with fruit snacks? What foods do you have a love/hate relationship with? I'm going to go eat fruit snacks now!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Ode To Skinny Ties
Just a fun side note, Mr. Reynalds up top here won my skinny tie competition, but Joseph Gordon Levitt, Channing Tatum, and Zac Effron were all close skinny tie competitors! I highly recommend you google these men with skinny ties!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Why the new Supreme Court term matters
As you may know there is a presidential election, a gubernatorial election, a secretary or state election, and many other elections going on this season. And thought they are not elected by the general public I feel it is important to pay attention to the Supreme Court's new term! It could very well be one of the most historic! With the oldest member of the supreme court being 80, the next president could choose a member of the Supreme Court. Lets examine whats on tap for this court in their new term....
1. Affirmative Action (whether colleges can use race as a reason to bring someone to their school)
2. Voter I.D. laws.... (which I hope they get to before the elections)
3. Same sex marriage
4. Personhood laws (that life begins before conception)
5. The upholding of ObamaCare (yes, a conservative leaning supreme court upheld its constitutionality)
and maybe they might get to reexamining Roe v Wade (a recent push by conservatives). Seeing that the court is slightly more conservative, they very well could cover this..... So a major decision will come out of this term. Its just a matter of which one....
Not to say that the Supreme Court is not being covered by the national news or political sites. Its just that the importance of this next term is lost on a lot of average americans I think.... A lot of potential voters!
Food for thought!
-Samantha
1. Affirmative Action (whether colleges can use race as a reason to bring someone to their school)
2. Voter I.D. laws.... (which I hope they get to before the elections)
3. Same sex marriage
4. Personhood laws (that life begins before conception)
5. The upholding of ObamaCare (yes, a conservative leaning supreme court upheld its constitutionality)
and maybe they might get to reexamining Roe v Wade (a recent push by conservatives). Seeing that the court is slightly more conservative, they very well could cover this..... So a major decision will come out of this term. Its just a matter of which one....
Not to say that the Supreme Court is not being covered by the national news or political sites. Its just that the importance of this next term is lost on a lot of average americans I think.... A lot of potential voters!
Food for thought!
-Samantha
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Arachnophobia
I. HATE. SPIDERS.
Everyone has their little weird fears that they can't rationalize..... mine is spiders. Since I can remember I have had this heart stopping fear of them! Little, big, black, brown, it doesn't matter. They scare the crap out of me! Today was no exception. I was cleaning my room, and I was just moving around a blanket when I see a GIANT (my dad even admitted it was big) spider under it. I screamed, very loudly. My arms flailed around while I did an awkward jump/run/hop motion as quickly as possible out of my bedroom. I continued such motion until I stopped in in the corner of my T.V. room, by now my whole family staring at me, I just start crying.... I'm standing in the corner of the room crying uncontrollably... and doing this weird nervous rubbing thing with my hands. And my dad goes in to kill it, my mind came back to me. I start to replay what just happened. A complete loss of control of my body due to utter and complete fear! My heart beat was rapid for a very long time! And my head hasn't stop hurting since. I experience arachnophobia at its best today. Its all a blur now. It really was a story book freak out. It took me 20 minutes to bring myself down, another 5 minutes of talking myself into going back into the room. About an hour later, moving that same blanket a second spider of the same kind appears.... A variation of the first episode happened again, except this time my dad lost the spider.... Part of me thinks he never got it in the first place. So, I'm currently typing this from my make-shift bed on the couch.... Seeing that there is a rouge spider in my room. Despite all efforts to find it!
All I have left to say is I hope my roommate in college isn't afraid of spiders!
Everyone has their little weird fears that they can't rationalize..... mine is spiders. Since I can remember I have had this heart stopping fear of them! Little, big, black, brown, it doesn't matter. They scare the crap out of me! Today was no exception. I was cleaning my room, and I was just moving around a blanket when I see a GIANT (my dad even admitted it was big) spider under it. I screamed, very loudly. My arms flailed around while I did an awkward jump/run/hop motion as quickly as possible out of my bedroom. I continued such motion until I stopped in in the corner of my T.V. room, by now my whole family staring at me, I just start crying.... I'm standing in the corner of the room crying uncontrollably... and doing this weird nervous rubbing thing with my hands. And my dad goes in to kill it, my mind came back to me. I start to replay what just happened. A complete loss of control of my body due to utter and complete fear! My heart beat was rapid for a very long time! And my head hasn't stop hurting since. I experience arachnophobia at its best today. Its all a blur now. It really was a story book freak out. It took me 20 minutes to bring myself down, another 5 minutes of talking myself into going back into the room. About an hour later, moving that same blanket a second spider of the same kind appears.... A variation of the first episode happened again, except this time my dad lost the spider.... Part of me thinks he never got it in the first place. So, I'm currently typing this from my make-shift bed on the couch.... Seeing that there is a rouge spider in my room. Despite all efforts to find it!
All I have left to say is I hope my roommate in college isn't afraid of spiders!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Making Decisions
Hi all!
This is my first post, so stick with me. I promise I will get better the more I do it!
Making this blog was a huge decision on my part. For everything I do I have a tendency to weigh the pros and cons of it all before I do it. I have been thinking of starting this blog for months now! Why did it take me so long!? Well, first I thought it would be a great idea, but then became afraid of the response I would get. That people would think I was just complaining and writing about useless problems. That idea held me back for a while. Then I decided I didn't care what others thought, and that I was going to do it. I then hit a road block of which blog site to join and whether I wanted to put effort into typing my thoughts and formulating them into understandable writing (if you even call this understandable writing). But, I examined the amount of time I spend going between Pinterest and Facebook, and decided this might be slightly better for me, more constructive. And I simply googled the #1 most popular blog site, and got this one! All my decisions take this kind of planning and thinking. Even something as simple as picking a sandwich for lunch! There are so many factors, like if I do PP&J, will it get squished in my backpack, where am I going that day, how long will it be in my backpack? If I go with turkey and cheese will it still be fresh when I eat it? And don't even get me started on choosing a Starbucks drink! That is at least a day's worth of decision making. Granite, I usually do all my deliberation while doing other tasks, like emptying the dishwasher, my walk home, or laying in bed before I go to sleep. I may make it sound burdensome, but I actually don't mind the rigorous decision making process I go through.... It comforts me knowing I won't (usually) make poor snap decisions. It comforts me knowing I have the freedom and power to make my own decisions, a privilege refused to many around the world. It comforts me knowing I have outlets to turn to such as books and people in my life for guidance. And its comforting knowing I have the brain power and the will power to do it. Making decisions is a privileging and daunting task! I hope you give the important decisions in your life some critical thought!
Think Things Through!
-Samantha
This is my first post, so stick with me. I promise I will get better the more I do it!
Making this blog was a huge decision on my part. For everything I do I have a tendency to weigh the pros and cons of it all before I do it. I have been thinking of starting this blog for months now! Why did it take me so long!? Well, first I thought it would be a great idea, but then became afraid of the response I would get. That people would think I was just complaining and writing about useless problems. That idea held me back for a while. Then I decided I didn't care what others thought, and that I was going to do it. I then hit a road block of which blog site to join and whether I wanted to put effort into typing my thoughts and formulating them into understandable writing (if you even call this understandable writing). But, I examined the amount of time I spend going between Pinterest and Facebook, and decided this might be slightly better for me, more constructive. And I simply googled the #1 most popular blog site, and got this one! All my decisions take this kind of planning and thinking. Even something as simple as picking a sandwich for lunch! There are so many factors, like if I do PP&J, will it get squished in my backpack, where am I going that day, how long will it be in my backpack? If I go with turkey and cheese will it still be fresh when I eat it? And don't even get me started on choosing a Starbucks drink! That is at least a day's worth of decision making. Granite, I usually do all my deliberation while doing other tasks, like emptying the dishwasher, my walk home, or laying in bed before I go to sleep. I may make it sound burdensome, but I actually don't mind the rigorous decision making process I go through.... It comforts me knowing I won't (usually) make poor snap decisions. It comforts me knowing I have the freedom and power to make my own decisions, a privilege refused to many around the world. It comforts me knowing I have outlets to turn to such as books and people in my life for guidance. And its comforting knowing I have the brain power and the will power to do it. Making decisions is a privileging and daunting task! I hope you give the important decisions in your life some critical thought!
Think Things Through!
-Samantha
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