On Thursday at 8am, I had to go to the dentist to fix all of my "problems", (lol ... so terrible!) I was there for almost 3 hours and I was sore until last night!
On Friday at 5:15am, I got up bright and early to go to Franklin for the President's Conference for Farm Bureau. Jessica and I were being recognized for representing TN for Collegiate Discussion Meet in next February during the lunch, and Mr. Curtis invited me for the day's activities. We had a great ham breakfast and then I learned a lot about groups that target agriculture from an intense woman from New York. During the breakout sessions, I spent a lot of time talking to David about Ag. Council. I also saw Clint!, my surrogate uncle. He was representing UT Extension. Before lunch, the Chairman and Chairwoman of both the Tennessee Democratic and Republican parties "debated" in front of the conference, and Lee Maddox was the moderator. Loving politics the way I do, I found it very interesting. It was also difficult masking my bias towards the Republican chairwoman, who did an exceptional job of representing John McCain. Despite having to wake up early, I'm glad I went, because I picked up a few things I can incorporate into Discussion Meet later on.
On Saturday, I desperately needed new jeans, and Mom and I went to Old Navy. I love Oldy Navy because sizes seem the most consistent and things there actually fit me! Because of a great sale, I got 4 (yes, four!) pair of pants. As silly as it sounds, I got a good range of "colors". A light pair, a dark pair, one in between, and some dark khakis. Then we went to Liz's and swam a little in her awesome pool! Later that night we watched Michael Phelps make history! I am extremely inspired by what he has done, and I have already thought of how I can incorporate his story into a unit for a leadership class. Dad and I watched some concert DVD's like we do some Saturday nights - last night was 311, Sheryl Crowe, Peter Gabriel, and The Police.
This morning I made breakfast, as usual for Sundays, and then Dad and I watched Vantage Point.
Then ... I started my huge task of "getting my life together" -- cleaning out my entire room. To most, this may seem easy. However, my room is almost as big as my parents', and I not only have tons of clothing and items from still from high school (that I never use or wear), but all of the things I accumulated while I lived in Corlew. So, as I glance in my planner and see nothing penciled in for this week, I am going to organize my entire tangible life. Tomorrow will be mostly culling all the clothing I don't wear so I can donate them. I also have gathered all of my old FFA shirts and am planning to make a quilt from them.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Change Of Plans
I had planned on living in Wood Hall this semester, then moving back home for the Spring semester so that I could be closer to where I will be student teaching. I was also planning on working around 18 hours a week as DA. On Monday, I got my "schedule" and saw I was only on for 6 hours a week. I was paniking! I have supported myself through college by always having a job, even when I was a state officer, but when I saw that schedule it seemed impossible to live on 6 hours a week. I called around every other department on campus - Rec Center, bookstore, Aramark (yes! Aramark! that was the level of my desperation), and some others. Finally, I decided that I should just take the money I was alloting to my Wood rent (for a private room), stay home, and commute like I used to. This seems crazy to most people, especially because I have class 4 days a week, but I did it for two years, and I really liked it. Other things compounded to make commuting more difficult - like being a state officer, working as a waitress, having very limited funds. But I'll have enough gas money, and Mom suggested putting it on a Pre-Paid Visa so that I'd have it seperate and always know its there. And I'm looking forward to it! Its only an hour, and its through the beautiful Sumner, Wilson and Rutherford counties. I have my iPod, my coffee, my sausage biscuit, I'll be good! And when I need to stay, I can stay at Ash's. I have a laptop now to work anywhere during breaks. And this way, I can use the rest of my scholarship money to support myself, and I won't work again until I'm hired as a TEACHER! I know this may sound terrible, but I've worked since high school, so I'm very excited to take the year off from work and be able to focus on my last year of college before my career! I'll be able to work on my methodology, lesson plans, my resume, and all the last minute ends that need to be tied up before student teaching. Needless to say, I can't really have a job during my student teaching semester anyway, so I guess I get my "no work" break a semester early!
The other benefit of doing this is that I get to spend more time with my family. In EXACTLY one month, my brother is getting married! I have a lot to help them with - all the decorations, all the music, all the flowers! and I'm a bridesmaid - and moving next week and being in Murfreesboro all the time really wouldn't lend itself to me doing my best for my one and only little brother. Not to mention, I would have had to get another off campus job that I'm sure won't like me asking off for three days in the first month. That also means I don't have to worry about any work obligations when it comes to Ag Council. I was elected President to coordinate, plan, delegate, carry out, and inspire. I really feel that the extra time I will have will ensure I do the best job for our department. I'm excited!!
On a side note, I went to the dentist today - my first visit since *cringe* 2005! I guess I got busy with college, Ag, FFA ... I got my teeth cleaned and then learned I have *another cringe* 4 cavities! Yuck. I brush my teeth! Twice a day, and sometimes 3! Geez. I have another appointment tomorrow morning bright and early at 8 to fix all but one of them, since its on the other side. That means I'll have a third appointment in the near future. Crazy!
The other benefit of doing this is that I get to spend more time with my family. In EXACTLY one month, my brother is getting married! I have a lot to help them with - all the decorations, all the music, all the flowers! and I'm a bridesmaid - and moving next week and being in Murfreesboro all the time really wouldn't lend itself to me doing my best for my one and only little brother. Not to mention, I would have had to get another off campus job that I'm sure won't like me asking off for three days in the first month. That also means I don't have to worry about any work obligations when it comes to Ag Council. I was elected President to coordinate, plan, delegate, carry out, and inspire. I really feel that the extra time I will have will ensure I do the best job for our department. I'm excited!!
On a side note, I went to the dentist today - my first visit since *cringe* 2005! I guess I got busy with college, Ag, FFA ... I got my teeth cleaned and then learned I have *another cringe* 4 cavities! Yuck. I brush my teeth! Twice a day, and sometimes 3! Geez. I have another appointment tomorrow morning bright and early at 8 to fix all but one of them, since its on the other side. That means I'll have a third appointment in the near future. Crazy!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Break, Week 2
The past few days have been eventful. On Thursday, I went to Murfreesboro and saw Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants 2 with Ashley, then we ate pizza and watched America's Best Dance Crew. Friday, Mom and I took pictures of Castalian Springs because it was so beautiful out, then we went shopping and got all the ingredients for spare ribs for Saturday night at Ashley's. Later, I watched the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics and anyone who saw it knows it was beyond amazing! I loved the globe that men were running on. I also waited the whole 2 or so hours it took during the Parade of Nations to see the USA - I love my country! I also loved how George W. was seated and without his jacket most of the parade, but when the US came out, he stood up and put his jacket back on and waved our flag. It made me proud of my President, too. I had voted for the man that rallied for our athletes.
On Saturday morning, Mom and I got up early and went to the Rutherford County Poultry Show. I judged the show, and Mom helped. There were 28 sets of Rhode Island Reds. The children were around the pens while I judged, something we'd never allow in Sumner Co., but I managed to make placements and write information on the cards without worrying about what the children would think. Thank goodness Mom was with me, she wrote everything down and also made me feel better when I had to assign a not-so-good score with the wide-eyed little kid standing right behind the cage. All in all, we learned some things to take back to Sumner Co. for our Chick Chain and had fun on a very beautiful Saturday morning. Afterwards, we went shopping again because we forgot to bring the ingredients for the sauce for spare ribs. By that time, Ashley was home from work, so we went to her apartment and I put everything in the crock pot for dinner that night. Mom hung out for a while, and after she left, we watched the Olympics allllll dayyyyyy. We love the Olympics. We cheered for Michael Phelps, the women's beach vollyball, and men's gymnastics. They also showed the President at various events, then an interview with Bob Costas. He made amazing points about our relationship with China, how the Olympics affect that relationship, and how proud he was of our athletes. Once again, I love our President! Last night I watched the amazing 4 man relay with Michael Phelps and the Americans. The French were heavily favored to win, but in order to keep hope alive for setting the record with the most Gold Medals, the team had to win for Michael. On the last leg, the USA team captain closed on the French and you could hear everyone going crazy in the "Water Cube". The announcers were amped and amazed that the distance could be closed in such a short time. It was unclear in the first seconds after the race ended who won, and when the times came up on the scoreboard, Michael Phelps went completely crazy, because they had won! It was the most amazing team effort I've ever seen! That's why I love love love the Olympics - so many opportunities to be proud of my country.
My second week of freedom is today, and I plan on getting down to the things I really need to do, like laundry and wedding decorations for Danny and Amanda. I need to clean out my things and get ready for the semester. I also sent in my availability for my new job as a DA. What an easy job! This semester should be a breeze.
On Saturday morning, Mom and I got up early and went to the Rutherford County Poultry Show. I judged the show, and Mom helped. There were 28 sets of Rhode Island Reds. The children were around the pens while I judged, something we'd never allow in Sumner Co., but I managed to make placements and write information on the cards without worrying about what the children would think. Thank goodness Mom was with me, she wrote everything down and also made me feel better when I had to assign a not-so-good score with the wide-eyed little kid standing right behind the cage. All in all, we learned some things to take back to Sumner Co. for our Chick Chain and had fun on a very beautiful Saturday morning. Afterwards, we went shopping again because we forgot to bring the ingredients for the sauce for spare ribs. By that time, Ashley was home from work, so we went to her apartment and I put everything in the crock pot for dinner that night. Mom hung out for a while, and after she left, we watched the Olympics allllll dayyyyyy. We love the Olympics. We cheered for Michael Phelps, the women's beach vollyball, and men's gymnastics. They also showed the President at various events, then an interview with Bob Costas. He made amazing points about our relationship with China, how the Olympics affect that relationship, and how proud he was of our athletes. Once again, I love our President! Last night I watched the amazing 4 man relay with Michael Phelps and the Americans. The French were heavily favored to win, but in order to keep hope alive for setting the record with the most Gold Medals, the team had to win for Michael. On the last leg, the USA team captain closed on the French and you could hear everyone going crazy in the "Water Cube". The announcers were amped and amazed that the distance could be closed in such a short time. It was unclear in the first seconds after the race ended who won, and when the times came up on the scoreboard, Michael Phelps went completely crazy, because they had won! It was the most amazing team effort I've ever seen! That's why I love love love the Olympics - so many opportunities to be proud of my country.
My second week of freedom is today, and I plan on getting down to the things I really need to do, like laundry and wedding decorations for Danny and Amanda. I need to clean out my things and get ready for the semester. I also sent in my availability for my new job as a DA. What an easy job! This semester should be a breeze.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Fanny Pak Summer is Over
This is very very random, but I had to say something about my favorite crew on America's Best Dance Crew, The Fanny Pak. They were amazing, and they got sent home by some "B-Boys", whatever that even means. Super Crew was always so boring and never as creative as Fanny Pak. If you don't watch the show, you're thinking I'm crazy right now, but they were great and I can't really even articulate why I liked them, except they always did something drastically different. They were more entertaining than anything else I've seen on any show on MTV period. I'd love to think that the way I operate is "Fanny Pak" style - unique, over-the-top, and creative. All summer I've watched them on the show, and now they're gone! I guess it just means the semester will start soon and summer is almost over. Long live Fanny Pak!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Night Owl
Mom and I went shopping at The Paper Mill on the Lebanon square, and I bought my first Vera Bradley piece! I never thought I'd get into Vera Bradley, mostly because of the price. But once I saw the new "Night Owl" pattern, I couldn't stop myself. I justify it by thinking of the many trips I do take, and how I truly do need new, long- lasting, adult luggage. One of the pieces I wanted most, and was somehow one of the least expensive, was the laptop bag. Now my new laptop has a home! On the drive home, I just sat it in my lap and was content. Totally lame, but I don't care!
After I checked out, I spotted something else and walked over to it, then came back to the counter and saw Mom had bought the Zip ID Case for me! So now I have two pieces, both of which were high on my Wishlist for the website, and I got to move them to the "My Collections" part of the site.
This morning I checked the Capture Music City website and saw that of the 5 most popular pictures from the entire contest yesterday, I had three of them! Many of my friends and family have voted, but I have also made friends with other people who frequent the site, and they seem to also like what I have. I'm reluctant to upload too many, because I don't want low quality or repetition, but I decided to upload one more that I took of bright orange life jackets at 4-H camp into the Sports and Recreation category. We'll see! I'm just having fun voting and talking to people. I still have two weeks left in my break, I hope to get some more done!
After I checked out, I spotted something else and walked over to it, then came back to the counter and saw Mom had bought the Zip ID Case for me! So now I have two pieces, both of which were high on my Wishlist for the website, and I got to move them to the "My Collections" part of the site.
This morning I checked the Capture Music City website and saw that of the 5 most popular pictures from the entire contest yesterday, I had three of them! Many of my friends and family have voted, but I have also made friends with other people who frequent the site, and they seem to also like what I have. I'm reluctant to upload too many, because I don't want low quality or repetition, but I decided to upload one more that I took of bright orange life jackets at 4-H camp into the Sports and Recreation category. We'll see! I'm just having fun voting and talking to people. I still have two weeks left in my break, I hope to get some more done!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Capture Music City contest
I mentioned that I have entered a photo contest for an art book that The Tennessean will put out in October called "Capture Music City". I started uploaded pictures on Friday, and now, on Monday, I have all but 1 of my pictures in the Top 5 of their respective categories! I cannot believe it!
To illustrate the chapters as of now, they show the top 5 photos in the category when you click on the chapter. Additionally, on the main page where each chapter only has one picture, they rotate the top 5 pictures to be that picture. Anyway! The point is, all but one of my 7 pictures is in the top - out of about 20,000 pictures!!
Here are screenshots of what I'm talking about. In case I don't get any pictures in the book, I want to remember that I did well for a few days! (My pictures are outlined in red).
I also just checked the "Daily Top Photos" section for the 5 photos that got the most votes yesterday, and two of mine are in that as well! Needless to say, I'm excited today.
In a few hours, I'm meeting Ashley at Opry Mills and we're going to see The Mummy. I'd say we're also shopping but I need to conserve!
To illustrate the chapters as of now, they show the top 5 photos in the category when you click on the chapter. Additionally, on the main page where each chapter only has one picture, they rotate the top 5 pictures to be that picture. Anyway! The point is, all but one of my 7 pictures is in the top - out of about 20,000 pictures!!
Here are screenshots of what I'm talking about. In case I don't get any pictures in the book, I want to remember that I did well for a few days! (My pictures are outlined in red).
I also just checked the "Daily Top Photos" section for the 5 photos that got the most votes yesterday, and two of mine are in that as well! Needless to say, I'm excited today.
In a few hours, I'm meeting Ashley at Opry Mills and we're going to see The Mummy. I'd say we're also shopping but I need to conserve!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Home for August
Keeping with my promise to myself to learn how to cook more things, last night I cooked Steak Fajitas and Mexican Rice. I've cooked neither of those things before, because I usually don't like rice, and although fajitas are just strips of steak, I hate the onions they have to be cooked in and never helped Mom with them when she made them all through the years. We also got a small griddle pan for the stove top, and used that for warming the tortillas. Since I don't usually eat rice, although I liked it, I didn't know if it was good, but Mom and Dad both said they liked it. The fajitas were good, we had lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, and Dad had onions (yuck). I enjoyed making that and can add it to my recipes. Tonight is rib eyes with baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and bourbon baked beans. All of those things are things I have cooked before, and I love to grill, so it should be easy and very yummy.
I'm typing this blog on my new laptop! I'm absolutely in love with it. It's an HP, and I'm going to admit I got it at WalMart. It was $598, and although I will still have to purchase Windows Home and Office, I would have had to with most computers from any store, so I feel like I got a good deal. Wireless card, DVD burner, and it even came with a remote. I LOVE IT! I can't wait to use it at school, in my dorm. I keep saying it, but no more computer labs!
Last night, while rummaging around for things to look at on my new laptop, I found a contest called "Capture Music City," where people submit photographs in different categories that capture the Greater Nashville Area. Living about 38 miles outside of Nashville, I realized this includes me! So I made an account and submitted five pictures between three categories - Pets and Animals, Nature, and Music. Votes for each picture are taken, but you can only vote once, so instead of making it a popularity contest, it is more whether or not it is an exceptional pictures. So in case anyone is reading, take a minute to go to
http://www.capturemusiccity.com/people/iamahoot
and take just a moment to register so you can vote for my pictures. Once you're there, you can also mark that you "Love" them, and leave comments. This makes people more inclined to submit a positive vote. If you have spare time, tell someone else how to sign up and vote, too. I only uploaded just last night, and so far strangers and friends of mine alike have voted, commented, and made them favorites. Thanks to anyone who does this!
I saw The Dark Knight again today with my family. My Dad, who usually is enamoured with superhero movies, just thought it was ok. I absolutely loved it, and was glad to see it for a second time. I usually don't enjoy dark action movies, and I didn't even see the first one, but this was very well made and I plan on buying the DVD once its out. Heath Ledger deserves posthumous Oscar win, and I could see it again just to watch him. I loved it, and I'd encourage other people to see it in the theatre just for the experience.
Tomorrow we may go again to see the new Mummy movie. That may sound excessive, but going to the movies in the summer for me is like going to the the beach in the summer for other people. I love it!
Have a great weekend!
I'm typing this blog on my new laptop! I'm absolutely in love with it. It's an HP, and I'm going to admit I got it at WalMart. It was $598, and although I will still have to purchase Windows Home and Office, I would have had to with most computers from any store, so I feel like I got a good deal. Wireless card, DVD burner, and it even came with a remote. I LOVE IT! I can't wait to use it at school, in my dorm. I keep saying it, but no more computer labs!
Last night, while rummaging around for things to look at on my new laptop, I found a contest called "Capture Music City," where people submit photographs in different categories that capture the Greater Nashville Area. Living about 38 miles outside of Nashville, I realized this includes me! So I made an account and submitted five pictures between three categories - Pets and Animals, Nature, and Music. Votes for each picture are taken, but you can only vote once, so instead of making it a popularity contest, it is more whether or not it is an exceptional pictures. So in case anyone is reading, take a minute to go to
http://www.capturemusiccity.com/people/iamahoot
and take just a moment to register so you can vote for my pictures. Once you're there, you can also mark that you "Love" them, and leave comments. This makes people more inclined to submit a positive vote. If you have spare time, tell someone else how to sign up and vote, too. I only uploaded just last night, and so far strangers and friends of mine alike have voted, commented, and made them favorites. Thanks to anyone who does this!
I saw The Dark Knight again today with my family. My Dad, who usually is enamoured with superhero movies, just thought it was ok. I absolutely loved it, and was glad to see it for a second time. I usually don't enjoy dark action movies, and I didn't even see the first one, but this was very well made and I plan on buying the DVD once its out. Heath Ledger deserves posthumous Oscar win, and I could see it again just to watch him. I loved it, and I'd encourage other people to see it in the theatre just for the experience.
Tomorrow we may go again to see the new Mummy movie. That may sound excessive, but going to the movies in the summer for me is like going to the the beach in the summer for other people. I love it!
Have a great weekend!
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