Overcoming Insecurities and the Person Helping Me Do It

Everyone has insecurities. Some people think they're too tall, others feel too short, some don't like the way their teeth are aligned, and others try to change their voice.

My insecurity is easily hidden most of the year but living in Florida, one season is hard to escape. Summer. I dread the heat flashes almost as much as I dread the words "beach" and "bikini". I've never liked the way I look in a bathing suit. My childhood scoliosis has caused one hip bone to fall slightly higher than the other, pushing my weight a little off center. Most people wouldn't notice it, but I'm not most people. In the past, I've overcome my insecurity by hiding my sides under a tankini. This is me two summers ago.

As I've grown older, not wearing a bikini has made me stand out more than I would if I wore one, so I've avoided the beach and pool altogether. My plan to avoid water activities this summer was working perfectly until Matt came into my life. The other night, we randomly started talking about what makes us feel insecure and I mentioned not liking the pool. He laughed at first, but then realized I was being serious and told me he thinks I'm perfect and since he's my boyfriend, his opinion is the only one that should matter. Sweet, but untrue. Unable to convince me I'm fine the way I am, he decided to make a workout and meal plan for the fall. He vowed to push me until I'm content with myself, no matter how angry or frustrated I get. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't stop helping me workout even if I threatened to break up with him. He's forcing me to take a look at myself and be happy with what I see. It's going to be a challenge and it could make or break our relationship, but he's just trying to show me that he cares and I might just be looking forward to the experience.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Do you and your family enjoy camping? What do you enjoy most/like the least when it comes to family camping? When was the last time you camped?

- My family and I used to go camping at the Disney campgrounds once every year or so. That's about as much camping as we ever did. The best part about camping at Disney is the indoor plumbing that exists just a short walk from your tent. You get to sleep outside, roast marshmallows, and enjoy family time without having to find your own place to relieve yourself. Camping outside of Disney isn't really something high on my to do list. I'd much rather stay in a hotel with air conditioning.

2. Did you attend a summer camp when you were a kid? Is that a happy or not so happy memory?

- Once I entered middle school, I attended church camp for a week each July. That week was something I looked forward to all year long. It was a chance to get away with my best friends and spend some quality time with both them and God. I had a special rock I'd go to each morning and evening to do my devotionals. I miss that rock and the peace it gave me. Once I started high school, I also attended band camp each summer. Band camp was a different story. Eight hours in the Florida heat each day was not something I ever looked forward to. Sweating, getting ordered around, and rarely being allowed to talk wasn't exactly fun, but it was necessary and helped me make some great memories.

3. Over the course of your life, what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?

- I spend a lot of time thinking about the future. What is planned for me and what I will be able to accomplish. The biggest thing I ponder is probably the "with whom?" as in "who will I be with? Who will I marry?"

4. Which of the seven natural wonders of the world would you most like to see? There are many lists of 'wonders' but this is the standard natural wonder list-Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, The Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janerio, Paricutan Volcano and The Northern Lights.

- I've had the privilege of seeing the Grand Canyon once a few years ago. It was absolutely magnificent. I'd love to have the opportunity to see the Great Barrier Reef before it gets destroyed, which is bound to happen relatively soon. I'm slightly afraid of sharks though, so snorkeling near the reef may be challenging.

5. What was your first real job?

- I've babysat since I was around 13 and I worked at my dad's office during the summers when I was younger, but the first legitimate paycheck I received was from First United Methodist Preschool.

6. Lemonade or Sweet tea...which do you prefer on a hot summer day?

- Arnold Palmers! I've always been too lazy to make my own and I never get the correct tea to lemonade ratio, but my boyfriend recently introduced me to Arizona Tea's Arnold Palmer and it's perfect.

7. What is something that always brings a smile to your face?

- A hug from a friend I haven't seen in a while. I love those running hugs friends give each other after a long summer apart or even just a weekend in separate places. It's wonderful.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- Oh sweet summertime, I'm more than ready for you to be over. Don't get me wrong, I love lounging around as much as the next girl, but too much isn't healthy. I'm ready to be back in class, in Orlando, with my friends.

HodgePodge

I've skipped a few hodgepodges lately and it's time to get back into them.

1. Have you ever been to the capital of the USA-Washington DC? If so what's your favorite site? If not, what site would you most like to see on a visit to that city someday in the future? Is it even on your list of places to visit?

- I've been a few times and I love it. I love all of the Smithsonian museums. The artifacts they have are absolutely amazing and I really want to go back soon. I wish I could find some old pictures from our family visits, but alas, they have yet to be scanned onto our desktop.

2. When did you last attend a wedding? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? Were you a summer bride? If you're single is summer the season of your dream wedding?

- The last wedding I attended was in February. My godbrother John married a sweet Southern girl named Sarah Grace.

John's younger brother, David, is getting married at the end of July so we're all heading back up to Alabama for that towards the end of the month. I'm a sucker for weddings so I'm extremely excited. As for me, I'd rather get married in late fall/early winter. I despise the summer heat and can't imagine trying to take pictures outside in a full length gown in the middle of the summer. I'd rather brave a little cold air than sweat through my dress.

3. What is your favorite way to eat strawberries?

- Strawberry shortcake. My grandma makes a cake that is to die for! Just thinking about it has made me hungry.

4. What is one thing you are especially looking forward to this summer?

- My good friends Felix and Julia are traveling to Florida from Germany in July and will be staying in town through the beginning of August. It's been two years since we've seen each other and I cannot wait to catch up, learn some new German phrases, and have an overall good time. I'm not quite sure how we're going to entertain them in T-ville for an entire month, but I'm sure we'll find a way.

5. Do you use/like the self scanner at the grocery store?

- I use it when I only have a couple things to buy. I always end up doing something wrong though, so I might as well wait in the regular line.

6. Share a favorite piece of common sense advice.

- Think before you speak.

I'm still working on that one. Things tend to sound a lot smarter in my head than they do coming out of my mouth.

7. Barefoot, flip flops, tennis shoes, sassy sandal-your first choice for summertime?

- Barefoot! My mom hates it when I walk out without shoes on, but it just feels so good. The second I walk into anyone's house, I toss my shoes in a corner and don't put them back on until we're going somewhere that requires footwear. When I am required to cover my soles, I wear flip flops. I'm not even sure if I own a pair of sneakers that fit...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- The lazy days of summer have never been so lazy. Today, I didn't get out of bed until around 1 or 2 and I didn't leave the house until 630. I'm enjoying having the opportunity to be lazy because I know, come August, I won't have free time anymore.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I missed last week's hodgepodge and I refuse to miss another week, so here it goes!!

1) What reveals more about a woman - her refrigerator or her purse?

- Definitely her purse. Everyone's fridge contains nearly the same things, milk, eggs, leftovers, sodas. The only differences are in the labels. But each woman has a different purse that says a lot about her. The contents of my purse would tell you that I like to be prepared, I have asthma, and I carry around nausea medicine for when I get stressed. All of which are good things to know about me. (side note: I took me three tries to spell "refrigerator" correctly. Why does it not contain a "d" if "fridge" does?)

2) When was the last time you visited the zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?

- Last June, I took Proverbs 31's prince and princess to the Brevard Zoo while she and her husband were out of town. We had a lot of fun! The prince had a million questions for the zoo keepers.

My favorite zoo animal is the elephants. I could spend all day at an elephant exhibit if anyone would let me.

3) What social issue really fires you up?

- Child abuse/neglect.

4) Are you a coupon clipper? Are you extreme?

- I can't remember the last time I used a coupon for something. When I cut out/print coupons, I always end up forgetting to use them.

5) What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?

- My great uncle owns an antique shop in upstate New York. We went to visit him a couple years ago and he took us to his shop and let us look around. He noticed me admiring a hand-beaded pillow from the late 1800s or early 1900s (I can't remember which). When I wasn't paying attention, he took it off the shelf and gave it to my mom to take home. That pillow is definitely cherished and I'm thankful for it. I'm sure my uncle could have gotten a good chunk of change for it but he decided to just give it away to make me smile.

6) Lemon meringue or key lime?

- I'm not a huge fan of either, but if I had to choose I'd say key lime. I can eat it in small amounts, but too much makes my stomach hurt.

7) What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?

love

8) Insert your own random thoughts here.

The end of the school year is approaching quickly. I didn't realize just how much I would miss my kids until now. One of the little boys in my class is leaving early to go on vacation so he had to say goodbye after class today. He gave me and Nichole huge hugs and told us to miss us. He was definitely a handful, but I'll miss him a lot. I don't want to have to say goodbye to the rest of my class next week!!!

The not-so-sweet smells of summer

Summer is supposed to be enjoyed, correct? It seems as if I'm spending most of my summer days wishing it was already fall semester. I'm homesick for UCF (which is a sentiment I welcome with open arms after my experiences freshman year).

Reasons I dislike summer:

1. I actually enjoy learning. I enjoy cracking open a book and trying to wrap my brain around a new concept. Sure, I'll complain while I'm doing it, but I prefer that to sitting around doing nothing.

2. Just because I was born and raised in Florida does NOT mean I enjoy the summer heat. Sitting outside is nearly unbearable. Sure, I could put on a pair of shorts and deal with it, but shorts nowadays aren't particularly appropriate or flattering.

3. Lovebugs. One of the only reasons I ever hate on the University of Florida. Why would you release a bug that was intended to eat mosquitoes when it doesn't? All they do is eat my car paint.

Things I miss about UCF:

1. Getting to see my best friends every day. A lot of my friends are now back home working.

2. Actually having something to do/learn each day.

3. The peace I feel when I look out the windows of the Teaching Academy.

4. Dare I say it? Astronomy class with Elise.

5. Asian Chao and Chick-fil-a. yum!

May the Fourth Be With You (Hodgepodge)

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Did you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?

- I'm pretty sure I have but I cannot remember when it was. I did sleep at my friend Melissa's a couple weekends ago and I woke up to her boyfriend making us pancakes, which is as close to breakfast in bed as I usually get. (I don't like eating in the morning). If I were getting served breakfast in bed this weekend, I'd love homemade waffles and fresh fruit.

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?

- I'm not a mom, but I know time goes by quicker than any of us want it to. So I'd tell them to savor every moment they're given with their children and be grateful for what they have. Being a babysitter, I also know it's important to get a night out once in a while, for sanity's sake of course, not for mine.

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.

- When I got my final grades yesterday. Screams of joy and relief, I mean. I knew I would pass everything, I just wasn't sure if passing astronomy meant a B- or an A (everything was riding on this last test).

4. Can you hula hoop?

- Absolutely not. I can't jump rope either. I think it's the whole coordination/balance thing. Yesterday, my friend Matt was trying to teach me about his Power Balance bracelet. He wanted me to stand on one foot and try not to fall when he pushed on my arms.... yeah right. I fell before he even touched me. So no, I can't balance a hula hoop on my hips.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?

- Tailgating. Definitely tailgating. I'm the kind of person who will drive no more than 5 mph over the speed limit when I'm on my way to school. If the road is empty, I go in the fast lane, if it's not I drive on the right. I get extremely frustrated when people come into the right lane and tailgate me when the left lane is completely empty. 99% of the time I'll slow down just to make them angry.

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?

- I try not to give people a hard time about that. Unless they're wrong about a homework problem or something. I'm an extremely stubborn person who doesn't like to admit she's wrong, so I understand where they're coming from most of the time.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?

- Honestly? The Spongebob song. "F is for friends who do things together. U is for you and me. N is for anywhere and anytime at all down here in the deep blue sea." I have no excuse for that one because none of the kids I watch are allowed to watch it.... I suppose I can blame my brothers.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- I realized how much of a mom/preschool teacher I am yesterday. I was at my friend's dinner party and someone spilled spaghetti sauce on their (white) shirt when they were cooking. I immediately went over to my bag and whipped out my Tide-to-go. My friend then peered into the pocket it came out of and laughed at me because the contents of that pocket included various pens and pencils, scrap paper, handinaps from Sonny's, and maybe a crayon. Normal single, childless 20-year-olds do not carry that sort of thing around every day.

The Royal Wedding Hubbub

I woke up this morning to my facebook newsfeed freaking out over the Royal Wedding. I had originally planned on taping the ceremony and reception and watching the interesting parts at a more reasonable time. It turns out, the only interesting parts involved Prince Harry being a complete dork, grinning as his grandmother walked past him, dancing down the aisle, and making goofy faces at his brother. I have to admit, I've always had a little crush on Harry and his actions today made that crush a little bigger (okay, a lot bigger).

Almost every little girl has dreamed of being a princess. I've dreamed of marrying Harry or William or some other French or British royal. But after watching William take his first look at his new bride, I realized I had a new dream. I don't want to be a princess. I don't want millions of people watching my wedding. I don't want my wedding to cost millions of pounds. I simply want to find a man who will look at me like this.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. What is something that bothers you if it is not done perfectly?

- My hair, which is extremely frustrating because it is never perfect. I could spends hours in front of the mirror straightening it and never be satisfied. When I walk in front of a mirror, I have to stop and adjust the flyaways. In high school, I carried around a hairbrush in my backpack for this reason. I've now learned to just avoid the mirror and stop brushing my hair so much.

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?

- Oh, so many to choose from. While racking my brain for my favorite, I randomly remembered my preschool graduation. It was held outside at Coquina's Children Center. My whole family (immediate and chosen) was there to cheer me on as I got my diploma. I was so proud of myself. I've stayed friends with some of the kids I went to preschool with, which is what makes this memory so great.

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?

- I have a bad case of wedding fever but I am not one to pull an all-nighter so I'll probably DVR the wedding and watch it at a more Godly hour. I actually wore a hat last weekend. My friend Melissa has this big floppy garden hat she wore to our field day and I couldn't resist trying it on.

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?

- I'm the middle child. I think my parents did a good job of giving my brothers and I equal attention, so I don't really have a case of middle child syndrome. I mean, I do like being the center of attention sometimes, but who doesn't? I like to make my own way in life and do my own thing, regardless of what my older brother has done. If anything, being the middle child has made me more social rather than less.

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?

- During the school year, I definitely spend most of my money on food. Last semester, I was good about waiting to eat until I got home, unless a friend called and wanted to grab lunch. This semester, I went to the union and paid for lunch everyday. I blame that on my cousin always being hungry.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, on the phone, by email or by letter? Why?

- I hate confrontation. I try to avoid it like the plague. Given the choice, I would much rather confront someone via texting or a phone call. I know it's terrible and I'm really trying to get better at face-to-face confrontation.

7. Dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.

- Freeze tag. Always freeze tag. My friends and I still play when we get together at a park.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- It's officially summertime, but I don't think that fact has sunk in yet. It's extremely hard to believe I've already completed another year of college. Pretty soon, I'll be graduating and trying to find a teaching job. I'm really hoping the school system is at least a little bit better by the time I graduate. If it's not, maybe I really will try grad school. One can never be too educated.

Easter Hodgepodge

1. What are your plans for Easter Day/weekend?

- This year, Easter falls smack-dab in the middle of exam week, so I'll be spending most of the weekend studying. Saturday evening, my family and I are planning on going to the Easter vigil at church. Sunday, my grandparents, uncles, and aunt are coming over for dinner. I'll probably end up eating and then retreating back to my room to cram as much astronomy in my head as I can.

2. Besides Jesus, what one person from The Bible would you most like to meet and why?

- That's a hard question... I'd have to say Joseph. I have always wondered what it was like raising Jesus. There's a lot of talk about Mary in the Bible and the Catholic church, but it seems Joseph always gets forgotten. I'd love to meet him and ask him what his life was like.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

- I grew up without a cell phone. I remember having to call my friends on the house phone. I had to make sure no one was on the phone first and I always worried that my parents would pick up the other line and eavesdrop on me. (not that I was ever talking about anything bad). Now everyone has a cell phone and people rarely spend time on an actual phone call. It's all texting, all the time.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained? If you don't know what that means there is an interesting little quiz here.

- Based on the quiz, I'm whole-brained, but I lean towards left. I've never considered myself to be a very creative person, so I think the quiz is pretty accurate.

5. What is something you intended to do today but didn't? Why?

- I actually made a "to do" list last night and I accomplished everything on it. The only thing I didn't do was study with my friend Matt, but that was because he had a test to take. I studied on my own though, so I think it still counts as getting accomplished. I'm actually quite proud of the fact that I finished my astronomy chapters. I've been known to complain non-stop about the class so it took a lot (deactivating facebook and leaving my computer at home) to finally finish my readings.

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses peanut butter?

- REESES! Reeses are my weakness. I've been trying to give up chocolate since January (in support of my head-teacher Nichole), but I sneak a Reeses cup every once in a while.

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

- hmm... I wasn't in to too many cartoons as a child. I was more of a Gullah Gullah Island girl. But I did love the Animaniacs. They were entertaining AND educational. Nowadays, I can't get enough of the Backyardigans and Wonderpets. I wish my cousins weren't growing up so fast.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- This time next week, I'll officially be on summer vacation. I feel like it's coming at a terrible time though. While I'm looking forward to being done with classes, I'm not looking forward to all my new friends going home. I'm hoping some of them choose to stay in Orlando over break.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time or have a significant conversation with two people?

- I'd much rather have a significant conversation with fewer people. Last weekend, I was at a party and I often found myself in a corner talking to two or three people rather than shouting to be heard in a group of fifteen.

2. What objects do you remember from your parent's living room?

- Well, I still live at home, but whenever I think of our living room, I can't help but picture the Precious Moments all over. We have shelves and shelves of figurines on each wall. I'm pretty sure my mom owns almost every figurine.

3. Do you hog the bed? Steal the covers? Snore?

- I definitely hog the bed and steal the covers. I'm used to sleeping alone, so I always feel sorry for my friends when we have a slumber party. I like sprawling out and wrapping myself in a cocoon. Maybe this is why my friends usually make me sleep on the floor.

4. Speaking of Easter dinner....what is your favorite way to cook/eat lamb? Or does just the thought of that make you squeamish? If you're not cooking lamb what will be your entree du jour on Easter Sunday?

- I absolutely love lamb! But my mom hates it (she's not a real Greek), so my dad can't cook it for Easter dinner. Instead, we have ham. I'm not a big fan of ham so my dad makes me my own little turkey. I suppose I'm a tad bit spoiled.

5. Let's throw some politics into this week's mix-oooohhh...Do you know the whereabouts of your birth certificate and when was the last time you had to produce it to prove you're you?

- I believe mine is either in the roll-top desk in the study or in our safety deposit box. I think I had to show it when I renewed my passport.

6. As a child, how did people describe you?

- Loud. Extremely chatty. Social butterfly. Violent.

All of the above work. My teachers had trouble keeping me quiet during class. I also tended to push kids around, but that's what happens when you grow up with two brothers. I remember my 1st grade teacher used to laugh when I'd knock the boys out of their chairs. She told them I was small and it was my only defense. She gave me the only excuse I've ever needed.

7. What do you complain about the most?

- School and not having enough time in the day. The education department in this country is going downhill fast and people are abandoning ship left and right. I often find myself wishing I was interested in something other than teaching, but alas, I am not. So instead of changing my major, I complain about the classes I'm in while secretly enjoying every minute of it.

8. Insert your own random thought here

- Read this please.

Prayer Request!!!

I can't stress how important it is to keep a close eye on kids when they're swimming! Everyone knows this, but accidents happen, even to the best/most responsible parents. This weekend, Alicia, my nail tech and friend, was with her family at a hotel. Alicia's daughter, Jada, was playing near the pool and somehow ended up in the water. I'm not sure how this happened, the details are vague, but the point is, she ended up underwater for some length of time. Jada is now at Arnold Palmer, basically in a coma. The doctors haven't been able to detect brain activity. I'm praying this is just because of the swelling and little Jada will find the strength to fight for her life. She's an adorable girl with a loving family. She deserves to make it through.

I'd love it if you'd pray for her and her family. Pray Jada has the strength to fight. Pray her family has the strength to fight with her. And, if the worst happens, pray her family has the strength to keep living.

Pedal to the metal

I passed the test I needed to take to get into the teaching program at UCF. I just have to wait three weeks to get my official scores so I can finally sign up for the classes I need. Now that that's over, I can finally focus on final projects and exams. With just two weeks of class and one week of finals, it really is pedal to the metal time. I have a unit plan to compose, two finals to study for, another astronomy test, and a couple reflection papers to write. Not to mention a formal, a birthday party, and two plays to attend. Why does everything always happen all at once?

It's honestly hard to believe this semester is almost over. I feel like last week was January and now it's suddenly the middle of April. Where did the time go?

HodgePodge

1. National Read a Road Map Day falls on April 5th. Would people say you have a good sense of direction? Do you rely on a GPS when you drive somewhere new? When was the last time you used a map?

- I have ALWAYS had a terrible sense of direction. I remember once, about five years ago, I was driving with my friend Blake. He didn't know how to get back to my house, so I was giving him step-by-step directions. All was going well until I told him to turn right at the 50/US1 intersection. Here's the problem: the river is on the right.... Oops. After that I bought a GPS and have relied on it ever since.

2. What's your favorite cookbook?

- I recently discovered my dads old cookbook. It's filled with a bunch of old recipes for cookies, cakes, lasagna, etc. I made the BEST applesauce cookie from one of his recipes a while ago. When I move into my apartment, I may try to steal the book...

3. What painting would you like to "walk into" and experience? Why?

- John Frederick Kensett's "Marine View of Beacon Rock". I saw it last year at the Cummer Museum and I fell in love. I absolutely love Newport Harbour and I think it'd be awesome

to step into that painting, sit on the little sailboat, and ride the waves. It just seems so peaceful.

4. What annoys you more- misspellings or mispronunciations?

- Depends on the word really. Misspelling difficult words is understandable, but when someone misspells "weird" or "definitely", I get annoyed.

5. What is something your mother or father considered important?

- My parents considered a lot of things to be very important. Manners, timeliness, and education to name a few.

6. Do you like or dislike schedules?

- I LOVE schedules. I'm the kind of person that has to be early wherever I'm going. My months are mapped out ahead of time and I have my entire college career basically planned. I like knowing what I'll be doing at any time of any day. Sticking to schedules is the only way I get work done.

7. Let's have some fun with National Poetry Month (that would be April)...write your own ending to this poem-

"Roses are Red

Violets are blue..."

I don't have much time,

But I've got a lot to do.

That's the best I can do right now. I'm not a huge fan of writing poems.

8. Insert your own random thought in this space.

- Time really does fly when you're having fun. I can hardly believe there are barely 3 weeks left in the spring semester. This school year has flown by MUCH faster than my year at Flagler. I just wish this year would slow down a little bit so I had time to enjoy the last few weeks instead of simply stressing over exams and tests.

April Fool's Hodgepodge

1. April rolls in at the end of this week and in celebration of that infamous date (April 1st) answer this question-What is something foolish you've done?

- A few years ago my friends and I decided to make "mystery cookies". We found random ingredients, threw them together, and popped them in the oven. One of the cookies was nicknamed "Shark bait". Basically, it was a sugar cookies with gummy bear bodies in them. Little did we know, gummy bears practically turn into glass when you bake them. Cleaning that pan took quite a bit of elbow grease.

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known asPeeps...so tell me...what's your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? That wasn't what you were expecting, was it? I 'fooled' you. teehee.

- I could eat Cracker Barrel's Broccoli Cheddar Chicken all day every day. It's baked chicken covered in cheddar cheese, ritz crackers, and broccoli.

3. What's the best museum you've ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you'd most like to visit?

- I absolutely love the Smithsonian's in Washington DC. I'm hoping to go back this summer when our old German exchange students come back. I love all the artifacts they showcase. I think the American History Museum is my all time favorite.

4. You know what they say about April showers...what's your preference-a shower or a bath?

- I love baths, but I rarely ever have time. I'm pretty excited that my apartment next year actually has a bath time. I'm definitely going to set aside time each month to relax.

5. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...fact or fiction? Why?

- Fact. and Fiction. I love to make things complicated. Romantic relationship wise, if it's meant to be, being apart will make the heart grow fonder. If it's not meant to be, being apart will tear you apart. Or at least make your relationship fizzle out. In my experience, with relationships of any kind, absence makes my heart grow fonder. Being away from home last year made me realize how much I need my family and friends.

6. What's your favorite product made/grown in your home state/province?

- Orange Juice :)

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?

- The fizzling out of the space shuttle missions. Countless families and friends have lost their jobs and have begun to move away. I'm afraid our town will die out once the missions are completely over. Tourism will definitely decrease, as will population.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- I just got back from a family vacation and I'm finding it extremely hard to get motivated to finish the school year. Final exams and projects are upon us. Time flies when you're having fun.

In case you didn't already know,

life is short and often ends abruptly.

Case and point: This past February, I went to Alabama for my god-brother's wedding. While there, I met a guy, named Ricardo, from Mexico. My god-mother had taken him in after a mission trip and he has basically become part of their family. Ricardo is a fantastic person, so I added him on Facebook and started talking to him through messaging. He went back to Mexico at the beginning on this month to be with his family again.

Recently, his facebook statuses have been rather sad. He's been talking about missing someone and how his life will never be the same again. I asked him what happened and here's the story he gave me.... Last weekend, his girlfriend went to Guadalajara to visit her family. A few days after she left, Ricardo received a phone call from a mutual friend. This friend delivered some terrible news. Ricardo's girlfriend was murdered, in her own home, while she was with her family. He is obviously devastated and doesn't know what to do. Who wouldn't be under these circumstances? What was supposed to be a relaxing trip home ended in horror.

I just don't understand what possesses someone to take the live of another human being. What could possibly cause that much rage within someone? Tonight, hug someone you love. Tell them how much they mean to you, because you never know when life will end.

Spring hodgepodge

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.

What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

- I love picnics! I'm usually not a big outdoorsy person, but I'd have a picnic on Memory Mall at school every day if I could. *note to self - call Keegan and schedule a picnic next week

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

- Buddy from Cake Boss! He apparently makes fantastic pizzas and of course he'd have to bake me a delicious cake too. If Buddy was busy, I'd call Rachel Ray. While a lot of people find her annoying, I find her sweet and funny. Her food always looks so delicious too.

3. When did you last fly a kite?

- I honestly can't remember.... I'm sure I took the Germans kite flying when they were here a couple years ago, but I can't remember the details.

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

- Physics and engineering. Most of my friends are science majors and I can't stand listening to them talk about their coursework. It just bores me to the bones. I try to get excited for them, but in the back of my head I'm thinking "Why in the world would you enjoy that?"

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

- Poppies remind me of music class in elementary school. My music teacher was slightly crazy but every year she'd put on a fantastic Veteran's Day celebration complete with a poppy flower for each and every student.

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

- John Glenn went to the moon again when I was in 2nd grade. He became the first person to fly on both the Mercury and the Shuttle missions. He is also the oldest person to go to space.

In 5th grade, the World Trade Centers/Pentagon were hit. I remember it being a Tuesday, because I was in GSP. My GSP teacher told us what was happening but then proceeded to say "But I think it's all a lie. The news stations don't know what they're talking about." I'm not sure if she was trying to comfort us, or if she was seriously that ignorant. But I lost respect for her that day.

I'm also still afraid of low flying planes (unless I'm near an airport).

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

- I do. I really shouldn't and I'm trying to replace my swears with pseudo-swears, but it's really difficult. It's an 11 year habit.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- This week has been extremely stressful. I took an astronomy exam today, I have three group projects due soon, an online music module, and an online technology module to complete, and I was supposed to be able to sign up for classes on Friday. Turns out, I can't sign up until I take a test and gain entrance into the College of Education. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do about that, but my friend Whitney is in the same boat as me, so we'll figure it out together if we aren't able to get overrides.

U. C.an't F.inish

Best part about college: Your education is finally up to you.

Worst part about college: Your education is up to you and only you.

Flagler provided every student with an advisor. They required students to meet with their advisor twice a year, no exceptions. If you forgot to schedule an appointment, you could not sign up for classes the next semester.

UCF doesn't give first or second year education majors an advisor. You are expected to seek out advice if/when you need it or just grab a course catalogue and follow the seemingly simple instructions. At first, I welcomed the change in mentalities. I've always been able to develop my own plans for my future classes and I wasted no time creating my schedule for now until graduation. Or at least I thought I had created my schedule. I realized today that I can't sign up for the classes I need until I take the General Knowledge Test. This wouldn't be a problem if the GKT didn't require a little refreshing on my math skills and the classes I need didn't only have 25 seats. By the time I take the test, get my results, and apply for acceptance into the College of Education, my classes will be full. This puts me an entire year, instead of the original single semester, behind.

All of this stress on top of an astronomy exam I'm not prepared for, a group paper, 30 hours of service learning, a week long lesson plan, work, and trying to have something that vaguely resembles a social life. Yikes!

I'm praying for a miracle or a sympathetic professor to give me an override. It's days like today that I wish I was interested in something other than teaching.

St. Patty's Day Blues

As I've already mentioned, I'm not a huge fan of St. Patrick's Day. I've always worn green and participated in the fun, but I've never really found it that enjoyable. These past seven St. Patty's Days in particular have given me the blues. My cousin Evan was a St. Patrick's Day baby and he was as Irish as they come. Red hair, fair skin, kind, compassionate, Catholic, and fun. Growing up, my brothers had a bad habit of not including me in sports and games, but Evan always took the time to make sure I wasn't feeling left out. He taught me how to play pool and helped me beat my other cousins. He'd even sit games out to keep me company.

He also taught me that life is short. In January of 2005, two months before his 17th birthday, he was killed in a car accident on the way to school. Any death is hard, but the unexpected death of a young person cause extra pain. I wasn't a close to Evan as I would have liked to be. He lived in N.C. with his dad and I probably only saw him once a year. But I still miss him dearly. I miss the times we could have had together. Family get-togethers just aren't the same without his smile or his laughter. He'd be 23 today. Graduated from college, starting his own life, doing something amazing I'm sure. I'll try my best to enjoy today because I know Evan would have wanted me to smile. He's my Irish angel.

Corned Beef and Hodgepodge

1. What would you do if you found a pot of gold? Let's pretend this pot of gold is worth exactly $1500 (which would actually be more like a cup of gold at current values). Anyway, let's also pretend you have to spend it as opposed to making a donation someplace. Now tell me what you would do with that cup pot of gold?

- Put it in my savings account and spend it on gas each week. Or splurge and buy the Coach purses I've been drooling over for the past couple weeks.

2. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form?

- I wear green because I hate getting pinched. But that's basically it, which is really bad considering I'm a quarter Irish. This year, I wasn't even going to wear green because I don't own any, but since I'm teaching I decided to join the festivities.

I'm actually looking forward to the Leprecaun's visiting my classroom this year.

3. Have you been bitten by the Spring Cleaning bug? What spring cleaning job most needs doing at your house? What spring cleaning job are you most dreading?

-I've been tidying up my desk drawers and trying to organize things for when I move in August. I'm definitely not looking forward to cleaning my closet. I'm not exactly sure what's living.... or dead... in there.

4. lime-shamrock-sage-forest...your favorite shade of green?

- If I had to pick a shade, I'd say lime. When I was younger, I wanted to paint my room lime and turquoise. A weird combination I'm glad I didn't pick.

5. Thomas Jefferson once said, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." So...do you believe in luck or do you believe we make our own luck?

- We definitely make our own luck. Wishing someone good luck on a test doesn't really mean anything unless they've studied. So I guess luck comes from time and dedication.

6. Monday (3/14) was Pi Day. Get it? Pi =3.14. Those math types are so clever aren't they? Since I'm not one of them tell me what's your favorite piE (the edible kind).

- Boston Cream Pie >

7. That same date (3/14) happens to be the birthdate of the late physicist Albert Einstein. I bet he knew the value of Pi. So...what do you think is more important and or valuable in life... intelligence or common sense?

- I'm a gifted student and as the joke goes, we're super intelligent but we have no common sense. That stereotype is generally true too. Most of my friends could solve a calculus problem in under a minute but possessed no common sense. In life, I think common sense is more valuable than being able to tell someone the value of x.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- I turned 20 yesterday. It's weird to think I'm not a teenager anymore. Birthdays seem to mean less and less as you get older. I've never been a huge fan of making a big deal about a birthday. Parties as a kid were fun, of course, but as a teenager, I'd rather hang out with a couple friends instead of have a huge party. Turning 20 is scary though. I'm trying not to think about the future much because the unknown freaks me out. I'm scared I'll never get married. I also have an irrational fear of never being able to have kids.

The Apartment Hunt

Wednesday, (after getting in at 3 from my birthday celebration) Keegan and I went with our parents to look at apartments in the UCF area. We signed a lease and are officially moving in August 10th!! I don't know who's more excited, Keegan or me (I? I'm bad at grammar). Here's the basic play by play.

Apartment Complex #1 - My friend Meli lives here and recommended it to me. I've stayed at her place before and I have always loved it. It has: a shuttle to campus, full washer/dryer in each apartment, 4 bathrooms and bedrooms, a full kitchen, a gate that closes when the front office does, 2 security guards on site from 10pm-6am, a security camera of the front gate that you can watch on your tv, phone and internet connections, a pool, gym, and sand volleyball court. This is the place I was in love with before we even went on an official tour and I was just waiting to see if Keegan and her parents would love it too.

Apartment #2 - We both know a few people who live here and have gotten mixed reviews. Some friends have re-signed for next year and some couldn't get out fast enough. They have: a shuttle to campus, a choice of 1 bathroom for every 2 bedrooms, or 1 for each, full kitchen, a security guard on call 24/7, a gate, pool, gym, basketball, phone and internet, and mold. Yes, mold. Our tour guide told us that mold has recently become a problem but they are renovating all 34 buildings (eventually). This means that while staying here, each and every tenant will eventually be asked to pick up and move to a new building. The complex will pay movers to pack and deliver your things, but during exam week or any other week for that matter, it's a bit of an inconvenience.

Apartment #3 - Neither of us know anyone who lives here, but we decided to give it a tour and see what they had to offer. They had: a movie theatre, full gym, shuttle to campus, off duty police officers, pool, full kitchen, phone, and internet. My first impression was good (mostly because our guide definitely wasn't an eyesore), but I was sad to learn they were out of 4/4 and the next available size was slightly above what we were willing to pay.

Keegan ended up loving #1 as much as I did so we went back for a second tour and signed our lease. We're already making lists of decorations and other items we need/want (including a 6 piece Disney princess dining set. No, I am not about to be 20.) I'm excited to move out again and I'm also glad I'll only be 30 minutes away from home. I'll still get to see my family whenever I need to/they need me.

Signing the lease lifted a huge weight of my shoulder and I know it did the same for Keegan. We were both stressing about where to live and I know we're both relieved to have found such an amazing place. God definitely loves us.

Mardi Gras HodgePodge

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

- I don't usually participate to the extent a normal Catholic does. I was raised in the Catholic church, but as I got older, I realized I associate more with Protestant beliefs. I still try to give something up for Lent, but I don't fast or refrain from eating meat on Fridays. Although recently, I haven't been eating that much meat on any day...

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year). So....butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? ewww, no thanks!! What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

- Pancakes of almost any kind are delicious. Over the summer, I went to Gainesville to visit a friend and we made pancakes with Cadbury chocolate pieces. Talk about delicious food! I don't put too much syrup on my pancakes because it tends to give me a stomach ache, but a little isn't bad.

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Two questions I know, but they're lightweights.

- Cherry blossoms count, right? I absolutely love the way cherry blossom trees look when they're in bloom. I thankfully, do not suffer from allergies which is good because my car is currently covered in pollen.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?

- I'd have to say I agree with this quote, occasionally. There are some people I don't like hanging out with because they make me see a side of myself I don't particularly like. For example, I have a friend who is a really judgmental. We'll walk around together and she'll constantly be nitpicking everyone she sees. When I'm with her, I tend to join in, but once she leaves I feel terrible.

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras....have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've seen?

- Oh, marching band. I was a member of marching band for 6 years in middle and high school resulting in being in about 8 parades. I was never a fan of participating in them. My arms and legs always felt like jelly afterwards. I honestly can't remember the last parade I got to see in person.... Always being in them stopped me from actually getting to enjoy the parade itself. But as Daniel Tosh says, "the worst fireworks are always better than the best parades", so I suppose I'm not missing out.

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you___________?

- I won the lottery. or cancer was cured.

Generic answers, I know...

7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

- As I said before, my car is currently covered in pollen. I see no point in washing it until spring has finally settled in, because it'll all just accumulate back in a couple days. My brother washed my car last Saturday and it's already just as bad as it was before. The inside is also not so clean. Dog hair all over the seats, random trash in my glovebox, a sweater, jumper cables, and boots in the trunk. Going to school 30 minutes away means I live in my car on Mon., Wed., and Fri.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- I'm going apartment hunting today, which I'm extremely excited about. I already know where I'd like to live, I just have to make sure my roommate loves the complex as much as I do. Moving back out is both an exciting and scary experience. I'm much more established at UCF than I was at Flagler. I have different groups of friends and different things I can do each night, so I'm sure I'll be okay. But there's always that voice inside my head telling me I'll just slip back into the funk I was in last year. and I REALLY don't want that to happen.

Marching into Wednesday HodgePodge

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

I am not a fan of oddly colored foods. When I was younger, colored ketchup (as in green and purple) was really in, but I couldn't stand to eat it. I also couldn't eat colored apple sauce or pizza sauce that came in Lunchables.

But I do love eggs. Sunny side up is delicious. In fact, I may make them for dinner.


2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

March is coming in a little less ferocious. Midterms are this week, but mine have been extremely easy.

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure.

I do work pretty well under pressure. I tend to procrastinate when it comes to assignments, but I never get below a B.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us, is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

I do love college basketball, but I haven't really been keeping up with it this season. March is always mad in my house. My mom and I both have a birthday. Midterms and spring breaks. A lot of running around really.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

Listening to music, in the shower, or lying in bed. I always come up with great ideas in the shower, but I forget them by the time I have paper.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

Definitely my jeans. I rarely ever wear anything other than jeans to school or work. I'm trying to expand my wardrobe, but it's difficult.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

It depends on who I'm talking to. With certain friends, I use it all the time. I'm rarely ever serious when I'm with Gemini Blvd. or Chrissy. But some of my friends don't understand sarcasm...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Midterms are officially over and my spring break has basically begun. I welcome the break, the time I get to spend with friends, and the opportunity to sleep in. Everyone needs a break once in a while.

Fire is a scary thing

I've always been fascinated by fire. When I was younger, I'd sneak a lighter into my room just so I could set paper on fire. As I got older, my fascination became less like pyromania. I satisfied my fascination by lighting candles or sitting by the fireplace instead of destroying old papers and plastic hangers. I was never afraid of burning myself or setting something ablaze, at least not until this past weekend.

I spent the majority of my weekend in Orlando hanging out with friends who live over there. Saturday afternoon, I got a call from my mom telling me to be careful because there were brush fires all over the Titusville area. I kind of blew off her warning and assumed the firefighters would have the fire controlled in no time. Boy was I wrong. Late Saturday night, I was driving home with Chris when I thought I saw something orange shooting up over the trees on Highway 50. He must have seen it too because he looked over at me with this look of fear, confusion, and curiosity. As we got closer to town, we saw the wetlands burning uncontrollably, trees covered in black soot, and firefighters trying to get into the woods to put the fires out. Witnessing this terrifying scene definitely changed my fascination of fire into complete fear.

The original blaze has been put out (after burning 6000+ acres), but another has popped up a town over. This new fire has already burned 16,000+ acres and is barely 25% contained. I'm worried about my friends who live over that way as well as the firefighters trying to contain the flames. One brave firefighter, Matt Wescott, has already been sent to the hospital with burns to his face. If you're the praying type, pray for rain. Pray for the safety of the firefighters and for protection and comfort over those affected. I don't even live in harms way and I was too scared to go to sleep until nearly 2 last night. Here's a picture from Florida Today of the flames I saw.

Aca-day

Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to a free concert in Lake Eola Park. Two of the best Contemporary A Cappella groups in the nation sang, an all-female group from BYU called Noteworthy and an all-male group from Tufts University called the Beelzebubs. The Bubs are actually on Glee right now, as the voices of the Dalton Warblers. The weather was beautiful, although hot, and the groups did amazing.

Tufts Bubs

BYU Noteworthy

I'm grateful for the opportunity to see both groups as well as the time to hang out with my aca-friends from UCF. It seems like it had been forever since I had seen them. It's days like yesterday that I wish I could sing well enough to join Gemini Blvd. But alas, I can't so I suppose I'll have to be okay with just being a fan and a friend.

Sleep Deprivation

I haven't slept as much this past week as I usually do and I think that sleep deprivation has finally begun to catch up with me. I found it extremely hard to concentrate during class today and the post I wrote for Wednesday HodgePodge is full of grammar mistakes and just plain nonsense. I blame this deprivation on my weekend vacation. I usually have a pretty regular sleep pattern. I go to bed around 12 on Monday and Wednesday nights because I wake up early for work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I usually stay up later because I get to sleep in before I have to rush off to school. Weekends are when I catch up on extra sleep, going to be late and sleeping in as long as I possibly can. During my Alabama vacation, I went to bed late and woke up early so I could get to Mary's for brunch. (Mary and her sisters have always been fabulous cooks.) I still haven't caught up on that lost sleep. Last night, I stayed up til nearly three playing the question game with a friend. In case you don't know, the question game is basically like truth or dare (with only truth). Someone asks you a question and you have to answer truthfully. While the game is fun, I regretted playing the second I woke up this morning. I'm amazed I made it through the day without falling over.

Anyway, this post was basically just a reminder to myself that I need sleep and I'm trying to go to bed at 9 tonight. (I doubt it'll actually happen)

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Did you know there is a National Day of pretty much everything in the universe? February 23 happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

My straightener inconvenienced me today, if that counts. The temperature setter wouldn't stay at 410, which is the only temperature my hair will actually straighten so it took longer than normal to get ready, making me late leaving, which makes it harder to find parking. I ended up parking somewhere completely new and getting lost on my way back to my car this afternoon. Other than that, I can't remember the last time I was inconvenienced by someone else.

2. When a room in your house needs painting who does the job?

Haha, well in 11th grade I decide my room needed a new paint job so I called up Zach, went to Lowe's to buy paint and we painted it together. We didn't really do a good job. I can still see white spots and bubbles we never managed to fix, so next time, I'll call a professional.

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

I am. Elise and I have a class together this semester so we get to see each other every day we're on campus. Growing up, I wasn't super close with my other cousins, we'd see each other one a year or so and not talk between meetings. I regret that terribly now that Evan is gone. I wish I could have spent more time with him when he was alive.

4. Do you use an alarm clock? If yes-is it an actual alarm, music, or something else?

I do. While I have an internal alarm clock that wakes me up at least 5 minutes before my real clock, I still set my radio every day. It's a regular alarm.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

I'm not a huge fan of ketchup. It's just too acidic for my taste buds. I'll put in on my hamburger, but that's it. Ranch, however, goes on everything.

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

Haha... the smell of bus fumes mixed with sweat brings back memories of band trips and camps. While the smell may not be pleasant, the memories are. I don't encounter those smells very often, unless I'm taking a trip back to the band room but when I do I'm automatically taken back to high school days.

7. Have you heard about the high school English teacher recently suspended as a result of some things she wrote in her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents. What are your thoughts-If you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students on fb? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss...

I honestly don't think she did anything wrong. She was as careful as she could be. She never mentioned her school, location, or the names of students or colleagues. I would never create a blog like that though. I'm studying to be a teacher right now and we're constantly given lectures on the dangers of facebook and blogging. We've been advised not to accept our students to our personal accounts, but to instead create a special teacher account that does nothing but focus on assignments and school life. I don't think I'd accept parents to my personal account either, unless they were a good friend. The internet really just opens up a lot of problems for future teachers...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This week has been a lot better than the past weeks. The weather is gorgeous and I got to enjoy it with Mayet on Monday. I haven't had as much course work to complete and life has been fun.

A Southern Wedding

I just got back from a weekend in Huntsville for my God-brother's wedding. The trip was short, but worth it and the wedding was hectic, but beautiful. Alabama's weather right now is absolutely beautiful. It was great being able to walk outside and not burn up from the heat and humidity, but not freeze in the snow. Wedding and weather aside, the highlight of my trip would have to be hanging out with the Phillipson kids. I've mentioned them before (Sam aka Superhero Sam is the little boy who had the accident a couple years ago that left him with prosthetic legs), but this was the first time I got to meet the whole crew. Paul, Mary, Sam, and Julia are an energetic bunch. They love one-on-one time, running outside, playing with the dogs, and goofing off. Sam keeps up with the pack like a little champion. He runs, jumps, fights, and laughs with the best of them and if you didn't know his story, you wouldn't be able to tell he had prosthetics. He really is an inspiration. Sam and Paul attached themselves to Landon while Mary and Julia stayed with me practically the whole weekend. Getting them to let go this morning was quite the ordeal. Sam ended up in tears and Julia kept asking if she could come back to Florida with me. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned I lived near Disney World... This weekend away was just what I needed after my stressful week last week. I wish I didn't have to go back to class tomorrow though. Silly unpatriotic colleges!

There are times I wonder if transferring to UCF was the right thing to do. I see Facebook updates from my friends at Flagler and I miss being able to lounge on the West Lawn, complain about D-hall food poisoning, and spend hours in Club Procter (aka the library). There are other times that I am reminded why moving was the best thing that could have happened to me. This week falls into the latter category.

This week I was reminded how blessed I am, how many amazing friends I have, and how moving to UCF has helped those friendships blossom. The biggest reminder of this came yesterday. I had a hectic day full of classes, tests, studying, and weird run-ins with people I didn't really want to see. After my day on campus was over, Keegan and I went shopping at Target and Plato's Closet. This was my first reminder of my blessings. Although she didn't quit understand why I was so overwhelmed, she allowed me to vent until I couldn't vent anymore. She helped me to calm down so I could finally take the time to enjoy our shopping expedition. My second reminder came after an hour of shopping. I got a phone call from Mayet asking me if I wanted to go get some on sale Valentines chocolate (how could I say no?!). I was still in Orlando at the time so I told her I'd call her when I was back in town and we'd go on an adventure. As soon as I got to town, I went to her house and we went on our way. I once again told the story of my day and Mayet understood completely. She laughed with me and felt for me and made me feel okay again. We then spent the rest of the night together talking, laughing, and eating delicious food.

Long story short, I am extremely blessed and it's times like this that let me know moving back was the best thing that I could have ever done. Sure, sometimes I'll miss the West Lawn and my friends at Flagler, but not nearly as much as I love UCF.

Wednesday HodgePodge (A Day Late)

I was extremely busy/overwhelmed yesterday, so I didn't have time to join the Wednesday Hodge Podge, but I decided better late than never.

1. Your favorite chocolate treat?

I've tried to be good and not eat chocolate recently, but I broke down yesterday and bought some Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate with Raspberry. Soooo delicious.

2. What more than anything else makes you feel loved?

I always feel loved when friends call out of the blue to just talk. I feel like talking on the phone is becoming a lost artform. Facebook chat, texting, AIM, and email have taken over and no one seems to remember how to pick up the phone.

3. Cherries or blueberries?

Cherries. Blueberries and I haven't been friends for a few years now. This broken friendship is partially my fault and partially blueberries fault, but I refuse to eat them now.

4. What is the one trait you most want the leader of your country to posses?

Honesty and Integrity. I can have both right? I want my leader to tell me the truth about what he/she is going to accomplish and have morals while trying to accomplish these goals. I want to be told the truth about what is happening and how bad/good the current situations are.

5. Are you a saver or a spender?

A little of both. Being in college, I have to save money for gas, groceries,etc, but I also have a little bit of disposable income. I try to save as much of that income as I can, but I inevitably buy something I don't necessarily need.

6. If you gave a party for all of your friends would they already know each other?

No. My high school friends would know each other and the majority of my college friends would know each other, but the two groups wouldn't know the each other. I'm sure they'd know certain stories. Where would I hold this party anyway? I don't think my house has enough room...

7. Are you interested in antiques?

Yes. My great-uncle owns an antique shop in Upstate New York. I loved going to visit and looking at all the antique furniture, pillows, paintings, and vases. It was all so cool and there were so many awesome stories.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I find it funny that I go to a school of over 50,000 people and I can randomly run into people I used to be friends with who I don't particularly care to see. I also find it funny that I can run into the three people I want to see the least on the same day. And that this day could also be the day I have the most school work to do and the longest classes to attend. Hence why my day was overwhelming yesterday.

Ode to Valentine's Day

I've never been particularly fond of Valentine's Day, not because I've never had a significant other to celebrate with, but because I think the idea is slightly ridiculous. Why do couples/families/friends need a special day to show each other how much they are in love? I, for one, would rather be surprised with flowers/chocolates on a random, insignificant day than be given a gift on a day when my love feels obligated to give me something. But alas, I don't make the rules for holidays, so I just had to bear with the rest of the world as they shared their love yesterday.

My Valentine's Day was really just another Monday. I rung in the holiday by taking (and probably failing) an Astronomy exams. Exams usually take me 20 minutes, this one took the entire class period and half the questions completely stumped me. After the exam, I ate lunch with Elise, Gabe, Chrissy, and Mark. Funny story: Burger King was out of burgers. How does that happen?

Anyway, after lunch Chrissy and I went outside the Student Union and got a romantical picture taken by the photographer the school hired. They were doing caricatures too, but the line was wayy too long, so Chrissy and I left campus and went to Waterford to get Valentines for her friends. We visited Nicole, got delicious cupcakes, and then I went home to study/watch Pretty Little Liars.

Not the most excited V-day, I know, but I still had a good time. People tend to expect too much out of Valentine's Day. They expect to find their true love, have the perfect day, etc. etc. I just expected to have a normal day with a little extra chocolate thrown in. And that's exactly what I got.

Things I Learned Today

I spent most of my day running around town doing random tasks, but I still managed to learn a few things. Some things are more useful than others... but I thought I'd still share.

1) Spending 12 hours cramming for 4 Child Care test may be stressful, but it can also be satisfying and have a good end result. (I passed the 4 tests I needed to take.)

2) I can hold my breath for 45 seconds. Nichole can only hold hers for 25. Having breath-holding contests on a gloomy day at snack time is a great way to laugh.

3) When a boy owes you money, never ever tell them they don't have to pay a portion of it back. They will not understand your sarcasm and will refuse to give you the rest of the owed amount.

4) Online assignments are becoming increasingly hard to complete. There are a million more interesting things that have nothing to do with astronomy out there.

5) I have 5 of the cutest "chosen" cousins in the whole world. And I'm blessed to have this time with them. I can't believe how fast they're all growing! (I already knew that though.)

6) Spending less than 5 minutes talking to my best friend makes me happy after not seeing each other for 2 weeks.

I Heart Wednesday Hodgepodge

I've finally decided to join the Wednesday Hodgepodge my good friend at Proverbs 31 does each week. It's written by Joyce if you want to join in too. Here goes nothing...

1. What is more important - doing what you love or loving what you do?

- This is hard to answer in a coherent statement.... Basically, if you are able to do what you love, then do it. But if you can't (maybe you can't afford to live off the job you love) then you need to love what you do. It's impossible to be happy if you're not doing one or the other.

2. Do you like Bleu Cheese?

- I actually love it. Maybe not as much as other do, but I still find it delicious. I remember the day my friend, Bethany, told me how it's made. I was grossed out for about 10 minutes, but then decided it was too delicious to stop eating and proceeded to make a salad drenched in the stuff.

3. What is the most difficult emotion for you to handle?

- Probably fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of bees. They're all paralyzing for me. I can handle grief and sadness just fine. But the second something scares me, I go into a vegetable-like state. I think I'm learning to cope with it, but it's still difficult.

4. Fresh flowers or a box of chocolate.

- Flowers. I've been trying to give up chocolate, but it's been hard. The box of Kinder from my German friends has been calling my name.

5. What's a song you love that has the word 'love' in its title? It doesn't have to be a 'love song'.

- "I Love College" by Asher Roth. Okay, kidding. Don't listen to that song, seriously, don't. I'll have to go with "Elephant Love Melody" from Moulin Rouge. Listening to it brings back fond memories of sitting on one of my best friend's bed or riding in the car serenading each other.

6. Are you the person you wanted to be when you grew up?

- Considering I'm not grown up all the way yet, this is a bit hard to answer. But I can tell you that if present me went back and told middle school me I'd be hanging out with the people I'm hanging out with, I wouldn't have believed myself. In some regards, I'm exactly who I wanted to be, but in others, I've strayed from the path. There are still several things I want to accomplish in my life, so you'll have to get back to me in a few years for a real answer to this question.

7. Any special Valentines Day plans?

- My plans haven't been 100% verified yet, but I believe the plan is to get together with a couple of my friends and have dinner. Or make Chris cook dinner for us. We're still in the process of planning.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- Life has a great sense of humor. A couple weeks ago, I was complaining about how easy this semester was and how I never have any work to do. Life decided that it wanted to be funny (or not so funny) so I now have to create a website, read two 60 pages chapters for one class, do 2 assignments and read two 30 page chapters for another, and study for a HUGE astronomy test. For some odd reason, I don't appreciate this type of humor.