- I made it through my first week of school and I believe it’s going to be a lot less stressful than last semester. There will be a lot more papers due, but I’m excited! I don’t mean to be such a nerd, but the papers are going to be really interesting (especially my Sports Journalism papers) and I really want to throw myself into seeking out interesting stories, improve on my interviewing skills, and put my entire heart into the writing. I always have this fire in my belly when I begin a semester, but let life take over and don’t really put my heart and soul into my schoolwork. I want to change that. I want to keep that fire in my belly throughout the entire 17 weeks. And I want to turn out some of the best stories I’ve ever written.
- I have a long break between my classes, Tuesdays – Thursdays, which I planned on just staying at school for. Tuesday, I stayed and holy cow, it was long! I managed to catch up e-mails, blogs, and vlogs but I was bored silly! It’s about a 3-hour break on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a 4-hour break on Wednesdays, so I’m probably going to start coming home during that time. I only live about 15 minutes from school and may start staying there when homework gets heavy, but for now, I’ll be coming home and using that time to decompress before class. (Have I mentioned how happy I am about my schedule this semester?!)
- I’m taking a class called Social Media this semester, as I mentioned, and it’s probably going to be one of the most interesting classes I’ve ever taken. I really love everything about social media and would love to find a job that incorporates that. For people who use Twitter, what types of social media kings/queens should I be following?! I know some of you are so much more involved with this type of stuff than I am, and I’d love to learn more about them!
- I’m trying to come to terms with taking a step back from blogging. It tore me up last semester, but I think the best thing for me to do is blog when I can. Lately, I’ve been trying to write my posts on the weekends and schedule them throughout the week. I’m going to try my best to keep up with your blogs (especially the ones in my “Must Reads” folder in Google Reader), but I’m not promising anything. And I’m trying to be OK with that. I’m so consumed with this blog community and making sure all of you know how awesome I think you are, but sometimes life gets in the way.
- In awesome news, my grandma just finished up her chemotherapy earlier this month and had a PET scan on Tuesday to check to see if her cancer had come back. The good news is that her scan came back mostly clean. The bad news is that they found a tiny spot near her colon that they believe is nothing, but want her to get a colonoscopy just to make sure. I’m happy, though. My grandma has said that if her cancer comes back, she’s not going through chemo again. It really takes everything out of her and makes her so sick and weak. She’ll be 70 in a few years. Her body, her decision. So now I’m just praying her cancer doesn’t come back, because it’s scary to think of a world without my grandma.
- On the other end of the spectrum, my uncle is in the hospital. He was having chest pains, numbness, weakness, and a high heart rate on Wednesday night and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Throughout the night, they couldn’t get his heart rate down. I’m writing this blog on Thursday night and as of right now, they’re not sure what is causing his high heart rate or chest pains or anything. It’s extremely scary and I’m hoping we can find out what’s going on tomorrow.
- I have to buy 7 books this semester, and managed to find 3 of them at my library! This has never happened in any semester, so I’m super thrilled, especially considering my Spanish textbooks will be around $150. They do have my Spanish textbook at the library, but it’s checked out. Still, it saved me at least $40-$50 for those three.
- My mom had another x-ray of her elbow, which showed the fracture is healing. She still can’t use her elbow and can’t go back to her second job until October at the earliest. He also noticed a subtle clicking when she turned her wrist, which could mean her bone had shifted a little and was rubbing against the other bone in her forearm, which in turn means possible surgery down the road. For now, he’s not too worried about it and thinks it could heal on its own. In all her other areas, she’s healing very nicely! Her scar where her stitches were is barely recognizable, although the area is still pretty tender. She’s also dealing with some anxiety/fear so I’m trying my best to give her the support she needs. I just want to fast-forward to November and have this just be totally over!
- I really have no weekend plans. Get my planner caught up, do some homework, and just relax. I know this is going to be one of my last easy weekends for a while so I’m going to try to enjoy it!
Confessions, Part 2
I started this series, oh, 5 months ago? And I haven’t come back to it. Until today. Get ready for some confessions…
1. I am terrible at remembering to bring in my reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping. I probably remember it once in every 5 trips.
2. I have never had my own car. This doesn’t bother me as much as it did when I was in high school.
3. I still don’t like running. But I’m trying really hard!
4. I hate Chinese food.
5. I’m a grammar nerd but have never understood prepositions. And I don’t think I ever will.
6. I have never seen any of the Harry Potter movies, and have only read the first two books.
7. Every time I see a long stretch of grass, I feel this insane urge to do a round-off, back handspring, with a twist. I don’t know why. I’ve never been in gymnastics and can barely do a round-off.
8. My mom and I might have a minor obsession with Ziploc containers. Best invention of this decade? I think so!
9. For about 2 months, I ate a whole-wheat English muffin with just a smidge of peanut butter for breakfast. And now the thought of English muffins makes me want to throw up.
10. I also can’t stand the thought of Cup O’ Noodle soup. I ate one every day after school in middle school and haven’t been able to handle even the smell of them since.
11. Honestly, I think my dog thinks he’s my boyfriend. And he’s a clingy one, at that.
12. I’m not a shoe person. Usually, I buy one pair of $15 Target flip-flops and wear them until they get worn down, and then buy a new pair.
13. I am completely obsessed with Days Of Our Lives. I think it’s pretty amazing how long they can stretch out one teeny plotline.
14. I was 19 the first time I ever dyed my hair.
15. I have never been to a different time zone, other than Eastern. I need to travel more.
50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind, Part 2
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Writing for pleasure, such as writing for this blog, feature pieces for magazines, and fiction. Writing is my number one passion and I couldn’t last a day without it. Writing for this blog fills me with joy and happiness, and being a part of this amazing community does the same.
I think I would also like to take trips around the United States and the world to visit blog friends because some of you are closer to me than my own real-life friends.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
Hands down, I’m settling. I’m working at a job that’s not really going to do much to further my career, other than helping me deal with stressful situations and instill a work ethic. And I don’t feel as if I put enough effort into school as I need to. Every semester, I arm myself with notebooks and planners and the determination to make this one the Best One Yet and I never do. I become lazy around the fourth week and start settling for what is comfortable and familiar.
And while I don’t know if I’m doing what I believe in at my internship, I am doing work that fulfills and challenges me. I feel happy each day I arrive and maintain that attitude throughout the day.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
First of all, how sad would life be if this were true? I wouldn’t have my mom around or my grandparents or many of my mentors. Also, I would have less than 12 years to live! Eep! While I think I would still be concerned with school and writing, I would also want to live my life more freely. I wouldn’t have to worry about saving for a long period of time or opening any type of investment.
I would be more concerned with settling down, though, and having kids. I would want as much time possible with them before I died.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I think it’s important for me to take responsibility and say I have controlled it a lot. (While yes, I do credit God for steering my ship, as well.) I’m the one who has made some bad decisions and good decisions. I chose education over journalism, prolonging my undergrad experience and putting me in situations I should never have been in. I let my dad walk all over me until I finally had enough. I am the girl who strives to be someone people can count on and talk to.
Who’s to say where the next 22 years will take me? I hope I still have a semblance of control over my life and can make good decisions and embrace the bad ones for the lessons they’ll bring me.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
I am definitely more worried about doing the right things. I know everyone has a moral compass hidden deep within their layers and some of us choose to adhere to what it’s telling us, while others do not. Morally and ethically, I know what’s right and I know what I need to do to keep my conscience clean and God proud of me. I know that feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I do something wrong and I hate it.
I just know that I want to be known as a good person and someone who touched lives. I feel like I’m honoring and respecting myself more when I listen to my moral compass and do the right thing.
Ten on Tuesday (Vol. 20)
I realize I left you guys hanging about the accident itself. Basically, we’re dealing with a lot of issues since my mom did walk away from it, without getting any names or information. (She was in such a state of shock, that thought didn’t even cross her mind until later.) They did get out and tried to help, but have not reported the accident (although we have). And we could run into problems with medical bills, since her health insurance may not cover them. As they say, when it rains, it pours.
On a lighter note, let’s do a “Ten on Tuesday”!
1. Where did you go to college?
University of South Florida. And I’m still there. I’ll be here forever, quite possibly.
2. What did you study?
Cute, you think I graduated! Ah, I wish. Currently, I’m studying Journalism & Media Studies. It’s fun, although I’m more into the media and marketing side of things than journalism.
3. Was college really all that it was cracked up to be?
It’s not anything like they show you in movies, that’s for sure! No crazy parties, late-night studying, or classes with a million students. I’ve had maybe 2 or 3 classes where I’ve had 50+ students. (I think this also has to do with the fact that I go to a smaller-sized school, and took all my general ed courses in a community college.)
Still, I like college. I’ve been challenged and have had some amazing professors. I’ve met some great people and I just generally like learning. (Super nerd alert?)
4. How far were you from home?
In my first year, I was about 30 miles away but then I started commuting in my second and third years. When I changed my major from Education to Journalism, I switched over to their St. Petersburg campus, which is where I am now. It’s only 10 miles away from where I live.
5. Did you have the same roommate all four years?
I had one roommate in my first year and it was the worst living situation in the history of college dorm roommates. We were so different and barely spoke one word to each other. Thankfully, she moved onto another floor with another roommate by the Spring semester so I had the dorm to myself for 5 whole months. It was great!
6. Where did you order food from at 2am?
I don’t. I’m asleep at 2am. Always.
7. Did you date in college or were you tied down?
Here’s a fun fact: I haven’t been in a relationship since 2004, and really, we can’t even call that a relationship. To answer your question, no.
8. Funniest drunk college moment?
I’ve never been drunk, actually. While it seems like it might be a fun time, I’m not too keen on the hangover the next morning. I try to avoid all possible situations of vomiting, thanks.
9. Did you make it to class on time?
Usually. Last semester was hard with my Tuesday/Thursday class since I got off work at 10:30am and had to rush to class, which was at 11. I usually made it a few minutes before, or a few minutes late. And since I like to be at least 10 minutes early to class, this was not acceptable for me.
10. What was your favorite class in college?
My favorite class has probably been Magazine Design. If you read my blog any time from January – May, you know how much stress it put on me. I went from feeling as if InDesign was going to take my life to feeling as if I totally owned that program. My first assignments were total duds but my magazine turned out so super awesome, that I have to credit it as my favorite. I’ve never learned so much, or put so much work into, one class.
Ten on Tuesday (Vol. 19)
1. Do you have an innie or an outie?
I have an innie. I would also say I have a cute belly button, but nobody ever gets to see it. That is all.
2. What kind of milkshake do you order?
I don’t order too many milkshakes unless I’m at Steak-N-Shake. And then I go a little crazy. At Steak-N-Shake, I like to order their Double Chocolate Fudge milkshake. Oh, it is good! (Also, I just looked at their website, and now I really want a steak burger, some fries, and a milkshake.)
3. How often do you repeat outfits at work?
Considering my work attire is khakis and work shirts, weekly if not daily. During the winter, I wore the same khaki pants every single day. (They were my only pair.) I do have 5 different work shirts (3 polo’s, 2 t-shirts) that I rotate through. It’s never anything spectacular, though. I can’t wait to have a job where I can dress cutely!
4. What are your feelings about thank you notes?
I love receiving them, but I’m horrible at writing them. Writing them is the hardest part! Sometimes, there is so much you want to say, but you don’t want to get too mushy or cheesy. And other times, you have no idea what to say! It’s definitely not a fun process, and I don’t envy anyone who has to do it. (I’m looking at you, Kelly!)
5. Do you like spicy food?
Not particularly. There isn’t too much spicy food my mouth can handle. I like chili but I’m not a big fan of wings. Heck, I can only handle half a piece of Big Red gum! (I’m dead serious!)
6. How many toilet paper squares do you use?
Usually, during this most personal time for me, I just take hold of the hanging toilet paper and pull until I get a good number of squares. There’s no set number, just whatever feels right.
7. Were you in Girl Scouts?
No, though I desperately wanted to be one!
8. Notebooks/Journals: College ruled? Wide Ruled? No lines? Spiral Bound? Plain front? Decorative?
College-ruled, spiral bound, with some sort of decoration on them.
9. Do you snack throughout the day? What do you pack for snacks?
I do. I’m bad at snacking. I’m trying to get better at snacking healthy but it’s hard to break bad habits. Some common snacks: string cheese, yogurt, chocolate, 100-calorie packs, crackers, ice cream.
10. What is your favorite month? Why?
November! It’s my birthday month, Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), football is on, and it’s a precursor to the holiday season. Everything about November is great!
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