The beginnings of semesters are always so boring....not too much to do except to be a super nerd and read through things and anticipate whats to come...
So as I'm looking through my Animal Bio lab manual....I'm starting to get a little nervous...cats, and pigs, mice, and beef eyes...oh my! I know I have to get used to cutting into things, and sticking things with sharp objects (i.e. needles) .... but being the animal lover that I am...to think that a poor animal had to die for me to cut it up and learn is beyond saddening....especially considering I'm not even totally comfortable with the fact that animals have to die so people can eat them....and at the risk of sounding like a total freak show...what if I cry for these poor animals in front of the class and everybody....I'm totally scared!
Its weird....I'm fine with death when it comes to humans (when it happens in a natural way...and by natural I mean old age, and some cases disease, etc.)....because I mean lets face it...humans can be pretty awful in some cases....but animals are so innocent and are always just minding their own business...and we humans always have to disturb that (case in point of humans being awful)....I'd much rather slice open a dead human and learn that way....especially since I don't think I'll be treating/caring for/nursing cats, pigs, and mice.....
Suggestion for Bio departments everywhere: let the animals live....lets dissect the real things....free the animals... vote cadavers!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A Rant on Relationships....
Disclaimer: If you are sensitive to things I say and find yourself offended often in my company, save yourself the internal conflict that is sure to follow and stop reading now...
If you look up family in the dictionary, you will find atleast 20 different definitions...ranging from traditional terms of the word, to the social constructs that make up families today. To me, this means that family can range anywhere from a circle of friends, to a group of coworkers, to parents and their children and beyond....
So if you really think about it....these definitions of families can be applied to all relationships in general....friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, engaged and married couples, etc. .... meaning the terms in which we define our closest significant others is a very large grey area to those on the outside looking in....and yet we all judge... we all compare...and we all relate what is personal to us.. in terms of others and the ways they define their relationships. I have to ask why?? To make ourselves upset that we are the lone rangers holding out in relationships that are "non traditional" .... when in actuality we're completely happy with things just as they are??? To pressure ourselves and the ones we love to conform to what society believes to be the "traditional" way of doing things....To basically upset ourselves for no reason at all what so ever....
As much as I dream of the perfect wedding, the perfect marrage, with my perfect husband, in our perfect house and our perfect family....I know that the only thing thats perfect is imperfection....The greatest things that happen to all of us are the very things that we forget to plan for. As much as it would kill my mother...I don't care if I ever get married....I know that I'm in a committed relationship, with a man who loves me for me (opinions and all, for better or worse), and I know that we're going to be together forever....signing a piece of paper sealed by some judge that doesn't know me from adam won't solidify it any more than me telling him I love him with all of my heart every day of our lives. I don't care if we "live in sin" and have 2.5 perfect little children out of "wedlock" ....and as much as it bothers some people...they need to know that it doesn't bother me...and in the relationship between David and I...we're the only ones that matter. People get divorced just as easily as they get married....and people walk out on their commitments just as easily as they make them. Sometimes its best to be happy...on your own terms...than it is to be unhappy conforming to the beliefs of others.
So I think we all need to take a moment to reflect on the judgements that we make of others....we need to remember that others and the choices they make in their relationships don't determine the terms of our relationships, and their opinions shouldn't affect the decisions we make in our own lives. Live the way YOU want to....be happy with the decisions and choices that YOU make...not the choices that others try and make for you....because at the end of the day...you make the bed you lay in......
So if you really think about it....these definitions of families can be applied to all relationships in general....friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, engaged and married couples, etc. .... meaning the terms in which we define our closest significant others is a very large grey area to those on the outside looking in....and yet we all judge... we all compare...and we all relate what is personal to us.. in terms of others and the ways they define their relationships. I have to ask why?? To make ourselves upset that we are the lone rangers holding out in relationships that are "non traditional" .... when in actuality we're completely happy with things just as they are??? To pressure ourselves and the ones we love to conform to what society believes to be the "traditional" way of doing things....To basically upset ourselves for no reason at all what so ever....
As much as I dream of the perfect wedding, the perfect marrage, with my perfect husband, in our perfect house and our perfect family....I know that the only thing thats perfect is imperfection....The greatest things that happen to all of us are the very things that we forget to plan for. As much as it would kill my mother...I don't care if I ever get married....I know that I'm in a committed relationship, with a man who loves me for me (opinions and all, for better or worse), and I know that we're going to be together forever....signing a piece of paper sealed by some judge that doesn't know me from adam won't solidify it any more than me telling him I love him with all of my heart every day of our lives. I don't care if we "live in sin" and have 2.5 perfect little children out of "wedlock" ....and as much as it bothers some people...they need to know that it doesn't bother me...and in the relationship between David and I...we're the only ones that matter. People get divorced just as easily as they get married....and people walk out on their commitments just as easily as they make them. Sometimes its best to be happy...on your own terms...than it is to be unhappy conforming to the beliefs of others.
So I think we all need to take a moment to reflect on the judgements that we make of others....we need to remember that others and the choices they make in their relationships don't determine the terms of our relationships, and their opinions shouldn't affect the decisions we make in our own lives. Live the way YOU want to....be happy with the decisions and choices that YOU make...not the choices that others try and make for you....because at the end of the day...you make the bed you lay in......
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Another "first day" of class....
When you really think about it....how ridiculous is it to call the first day of class every semester the "first" day...its like saying everyday when you wake up...its my "first day" of waking up. Its silly.
So another semester begins.....not so bright but definitely early!!! We're talkin 5am here people!!! I forgot how brutal 8am classes are when you don't live 2 buildings down from where your class is (oh the dorm days) .... but it wasn't so bad. Since the parking is outrageous here (with huge snow drifts taking up half of parking lots...and with my history of strong dislike for parking here in general) I decided I would just tough it out and not have a parking pass of my own this semester. With my dad working right across the river at the hospital, I rode in with him this morning....we rode the "cambus" together (which is kind of like campus shuttle system)....and I walked a few blocks to where my 1st class was to meet....the dreaded Chemistry Building. I only got there 30 minutes before class was supposed to meet and let me just tell you this place was a ghost town!!!! NO ONE was in this building....so I explored and found out where my discussion section was supposed to meet, and finally where my class was without looking stupid b/c I had no idea where I was going! (the early bird gets the worm yet again!)
My next class (Animal Bio) was at 9:30 in the same auditorium....score for not having to go out in the snow and book it to another building!!! And let me just say this professor is a joke!!! He was on a total power trip...you know the type...the kind who actually goes over material on the first day....what a douche bag!! He used big words...that sounded hard...but weren't and he even had a whole 5 minute "presentation" on how using cell phones in his class was strictly prohibited....we're talkin power point slides, sound effects and all....REALLY?! So this class is going to be somewhat torturous to get through I'm sure...not b/c of the material...but b/c this guy is going to totally get on my nerves (stay tuned for future blog posts/facebook statuses dedicated to his ridiculousness).
The good thing about early classes is that you're done before most people even get out of bed....my mom picked me up and I was home before lunch! (P.S. I don't know what I would do without my parents)....Once I get a job and am working I'm sure my days will be jam packed and she won't have to play "car pool lane pick me up" every day....but I'm definitely glad she's available for me when I need her on days like today! :)
So thats all folks....Tuesdays and Thursdays are 8-11 lectures and Monday and Wednesdays are 9:30-10:30 labs/discussions! Couldn't have planned my schedule better if I tried!
Now....lets just work on getting me that job.....
So another semester begins.....not so bright but definitely early!!! We're talkin 5am here people!!! I forgot how brutal 8am classes are when you don't live 2 buildings down from where your class is (oh the dorm days) .... but it wasn't so bad. Since the parking is outrageous here (with huge snow drifts taking up half of parking lots...and with my history of strong dislike for parking here in general) I decided I would just tough it out and not have a parking pass of my own this semester. With my dad working right across the river at the hospital, I rode in with him this morning....we rode the "cambus" together (which is kind of like campus shuttle system)....and I walked a few blocks to where my 1st class was to meet....the dreaded Chemistry Building. I only got there 30 minutes before class was supposed to meet and let me just tell you this place was a ghost town!!!! NO ONE was in this building....so I explored and found out where my discussion section was supposed to meet, and finally where my class was without looking stupid b/c I had no idea where I was going! (the early bird gets the worm yet again!)
My next class (Animal Bio) was at 9:30 in the same auditorium....score for not having to go out in the snow and book it to another building!!! And let me just say this professor is a joke!!! He was on a total power trip...you know the type...the kind who actually goes over material on the first day....what a douche bag!! He used big words...that sounded hard...but weren't and he even had a whole 5 minute "presentation" on how using cell phones in his class was strictly prohibited....we're talkin power point slides, sound effects and all....REALLY?! So this class is going to be somewhat torturous to get through I'm sure...not b/c of the material...but b/c this guy is going to totally get on my nerves (stay tuned for future blog posts/facebook statuses dedicated to his ridiculousness).
The good thing about early classes is that you're done before most people even get out of bed....my mom picked me up and I was home before lunch! (P.S. I don't know what I would do without my parents)....Once I get a job and am working I'm sure my days will be jam packed and she won't have to play "car pool lane pick me up" every day....but I'm definitely glad she's available for me when I need her on days like today! :)
So thats all folks....Tuesdays and Thursdays are 8-11 lectures and Monday and Wednesdays are 9:30-10:30 labs/discussions! Couldn't have planned my schedule better if I tried!
Now....lets just work on getting me that job.....
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Today's adventures....
The greatest thing about change....is that when you move somewhere you've never lived before...you learn something new everyday! And while sometimes this can be stressful....its also very exciting! I can only imagine all that David and I will learn about this super cool state once he actually gets here...but I can't wait to share it all with you guys through this blog... and when we start to get visitors!!! :)
Today I learned something super cool in Iowa's own back yard....apparently Bald Eagles nest along the river here in the winters! So as my dad and I ventured out...we checked out two spots that they can sometimes be spotted flying around their nests.....unfortunately the first place was closed....and the second place we saw a few flying around...but none were close enough to actually take pictures of....so instead I snapped a few shots of the scenery! :)
Also check out this link, IowaDNR, or google bald eagles in Iowa to see pictures too!!! :) I know I'm a super nerd and am probably the only person who finds this cool...but to see such a symbol of our country...that was once endangered...in our own back yard....is kind of a big deal....
Until the next adventure.....
Today I learned something super cool in Iowa's own back yard....apparently Bald Eagles nest along the river here in the winters! So as my dad and I ventured out...we checked out two spots that they can sometimes be spotted flying around their nests.....unfortunately the first place was closed....and the second place we saw a few flying around...but none were close enough to actually take pictures of....so instead I snapped a few shots of the scenery! :)
Also check out this link, IowaDNR, or google bald eagles in Iowa to see pictures too!!! :) I know I'm a super nerd and am probably the only person who finds this cool...but to see such a symbol of our country...that was once endangered...in our own back yard....is kind of a big deal....
Until the next adventure.....
The Weekend Update
I don't know what it is about orientations...and me...but we don't get along....it always seems like what I have planned out in my head....is never what actually can happen in real life....but I guess sometimes....that's just the way it goes! The ideal way...isn't always the way things happen....ever...or at least in my case....but nothing easy ever came without a few speed bumps!
So I went to orientation on Thursday....and while it was a tad stressful...it was really enjoyable. As most of you remember ... quite the opposite of USC's orientation...which if you didn't get the memo was A-W-F-U-L and ended in tears! Thursday however, was encouraging...people actually helped you....and even went out of their way to help you....very very refreshing! Two thumbs up to UI and their fantabulous staff!
The day started out a very brisk negative 6 degrees....and in case you didn't know....everythings pretty much frozen at negative 6 degrees...especially power windows in your car...and ramps you have to go up in parking garages....very scary! But the morning progressed very quickly...a few quick encouraging words from the PIC (aka. "people in charge"....everyone here speaks in acronyms or shortened versions of words...you'd think we're in the military or something...weird)....and we were all off to our advising appointments....I met with my advisor early (which is a good thing b/c if you know me at all you know that if something can go wrong...it will)....and she had some grim news (or so it sounded at first)....the nursing program at UI is restructuring....so lots of classes that I don't have that I need to take don't exist yet...so I had a few options...and I finally chose one....and with a few trips between the financial aid office and back to meet with my advisor I had my plan mapped out! :)
In the interim I got to explore campus and the downtown area a little more...which was cold yet fun....and even had the opportunity to be thoroughly entertained by a waiting room full of Asians...I know this isn't "pc" but who knew there would be 4 people named Chow Wong in one waiting room....yea the lady who called their name had no clue either...everyone found it quite hysterical!
So back to the plan....I'm now going to be going to school part time...taking only 2 classes a semester for the next year....then the following fall I'll be ready for clinicals and finish up my degree by 2014...which sounds kinda crazy I know...but only going part time allows me to pay by the credit hour instead of out of state tuition which allows me to pay less money and work more in the mean time....which is uber exciting!!! So by the time I have to go full time for clinical rotations I'll be considered a resident of Iowa...and thus get to pay the in state tuition rate! And in case you didn't know...that's a woping difference of a couple thousand dollars in my pocket! The University Hospitals have lots of opportunities for students to work as nurses aids....and I can get experience and go to school too...SCORE....which was exactly what I wanted to do in the first place! So while 2014 sounds like its light years away....its really just right around the next corner...or two....
So there you have it...the new and improved revised PLAN! This plan will probably change 4 more times before I'm actually done with this....but that's ok with me....for now...I'm looking forward to finding a job and starting Intro to Animal Bio and Inorganic Chem on Tuesday!
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
The day started out a very brisk negative 6 degrees....and in case you didn't know....everythings pretty much frozen at negative 6 degrees...especially power windows in your car...and ramps you have to go up in parking garages....very scary! But the morning progressed very quickly...a few quick encouraging words from the PIC (aka. "people in charge"....everyone here speaks in acronyms or shortened versions of words...you'd think we're in the military or something...weird)....and we were all off to our advising appointments....I met with my advisor early (which is a good thing b/c if you know me at all you know that if something can go wrong...it will)....and she had some grim news (or so it sounded at first)....the nursing program at UI is restructuring....so lots of classes that I don't have that I need to take don't exist yet...so I had a few options...and I finally chose one....and with a few trips between the financial aid office and back to meet with my advisor I had my plan mapped out! :)
In the interim I got to explore campus and the downtown area a little more...which was cold yet fun....and even had the opportunity to be thoroughly entertained by a waiting room full of Asians...I know this isn't "pc" but who knew there would be 4 people named Chow Wong in one waiting room....yea the lady who called their name had no clue either...everyone found it quite hysterical!
So back to the plan....I'm now going to be going to school part time...taking only 2 classes a semester for the next year....then the following fall I'll be ready for clinicals and finish up my degree by 2014...which sounds kinda crazy I know...but only going part time allows me to pay by the credit hour instead of out of state tuition which allows me to pay less money and work more in the mean time....which is uber exciting!!! So by the time I have to go full time for clinical rotations I'll be considered a resident of Iowa...and thus get to pay the in state tuition rate! And in case you didn't know...that's a woping difference of a couple thousand dollars in my pocket! The University Hospitals have lots of opportunities for students to work as nurses aids....and I can get experience and go to school too...SCORE....which was exactly what I wanted to do in the first place! So while 2014 sounds like its light years away....its really just right around the next corner...or two....
So there you have it...the new and improved revised PLAN! This plan will probably change 4 more times before I'm actually done with this....but that's ok with me....for now...I'm looking forward to finding a job and starting Intro to Animal Bio and Inorganic Chem on Tuesday!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Top 10 cRaZy things I've learned about Iowa so far....
#10: Target isn't as exciting as it should be .... forcing me to shop at Wal-Mart...which I HATE! Grrrrr
#9: Everyone (so far) has been uber nice and welcoming (I think they can tell I'm not from around here) --- Southern Hospitality may have worked its way to the mid-west!
#8: I thought Columbia loved their Gamecocks....but Iowa City LOVES their Hawkeyes!
#7: People sacrifice style for warmth...I haven't quite been able to let myself go there....and its probably why I'm still cold....but after all pain is beauty!
#6: The whole state (in terms of roads) is square! Seriously...you can turn down any road to the left or right and find a main road....so weird.....my new motto if I get lost....turn right.....
#5: It. is. cold. --- while I know all 48 states (except for Florida) have had their share of winter weather these past few weeks...the feeling of below zero temps are ridiculously insane...and you just have no idea...until you feel it...
#4: You can't build snowmen .... the snow here is like dust...it blows everywhere...and it blows.....literally
#3: There are all kinds of crazy gadgets and gizmo's to get you through the snow and ice....today I invested in a mat you lay over your windshield at night so you don't have to scrape it/brush snow off of it in the morning...you jsut lift the mat and go! Can't wait to use it bright at early at 7am tomorrow!
#2: Parking SUCKS! And I'm not talking about the availability of parking...I'm talking about how it is so incredibly hard to do something so simple like parking in a parking space....they scrape the parking lots...but not the parking spaces...wtf?! Everything about parking....SUCKS! (as well as driving in general...I swear I feel like I'm in Drivers Ed again in high school...State Farm should probably not lower my insurance just because I turned 25)
#1: People talk funny....and while I'm sure they think the same about me....there's no getting around it...everyone...talks...funny.
#9: Everyone (so far) has been uber nice and welcoming (I think they can tell I'm not from around here) --- Southern Hospitality may have worked its way to the mid-west!
#8: I thought Columbia loved their Gamecocks....but Iowa City LOVES their Hawkeyes!
#7: People sacrifice style for warmth...I haven't quite been able to let myself go there....and its probably why I'm still cold....but after all pain is beauty!
#6: The whole state (in terms of roads) is square! Seriously...you can turn down any road to the left or right and find a main road....so weird.....my new motto if I get lost....turn right.....
#5: It. is. cold. --- while I know all 48 states (except for Florida) have had their share of winter weather these past few weeks...the feeling of below zero temps are ridiculously insane...and you just have no idea...until you feel it...
#4: You can't build snowmen .... the snow here is like dust...it blows everywhere...and it blows.....literally
#3: There are all kinds of crazy gadgets and gizmo's to get you through the snow and ice....today I invested in a mat you lay over your windshield at night so you don't have to scrape it/brush snow off of it in the morning...you jsut lift the mat and go! Can't wait to use it bright at early at 7am tomorrow!
#2: Parking SUCKS! And I'm not talking about the availability of parking...I'm talking about how it is so incredibly hard to do something so simple like parking in a parking space....they scrape the parking lots...but not the parking spaces...wtf?! Everything about parking....SUCKS! (as well as driving in general...I swear I feel like I'm in Drivers Ed again in high school...State Farm should probably not lower my insurance just because I turned 25)
#1: People talk funny....and while I'm sure they think the same about me....there's no getting around it...everyone...talks...funny.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Photo Fun Game!
So before I left I tought it would be fun to play this super cool game I came up with in my head....its sort of my spin on those "games" that used to be on the back of cereal boxes when you were a kid...or on kids menus in resturants....where they would zoom in on a photo like super hard core and you had to guess what the picture was???? Well its kinda like that....except for these pictures are completely random things I saw along my superhero long car ride....as a way to entertain myself (believe me...when you're in a car for 16 hours....anything other than sitting and listening to books on tape sounds like fun)
So here we go....take a wild guess....anything goes!
Disclaimer: Winner must correctly guess 3 out of 6...no monetary prizes will be given but you could "win" something fun...that must be claimed only by your superhero fun visit...to see...the fabulous...awesome...really fun....IOWA CITY...and meeeee :)
Photo #1: This one is an easy one to get you started...don't over think it! Hint:We kicked off our drive here
Photo #2: Another pitstop along the way....bonus goes to the person who guesses the correct state this was taken in too!
Photo #3: Ok so this is an easy one...but to make it not so easy....you have to name the state too!!! :)
Photo #4: Good luck!
Photo #5:
Photo #6: Last but not least.....
Lets get our brain juices flowin people!!!!! Guess your little hearts out!!!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
...from the land of snow and ice...
So we made it...and while it still feels a little unreal (kinda like I'm just on vacation)...its been quite the adventure already so far. It all began with a 16 hour car ride through ice, wind, snow, and all kinds of craziness that I'm pretty sure aged me 30 years. While driving a solid 130 something miles through a straight up snow storm from hell...I can honestly say I had a moment where I didn't know if I was going to have a stroke, heart attack, or poo in my pants...thank goodness none of the above took place and we made it out alive...I'm just crossing my fingers now that I never have to do it again...and Daivd can make it through with a lot less stress and a little more time....and for that I think we should all say our prayers!
Day #1 was full of lots of errands...doing things for school/financial aid etc (not very fun...and VERY stressful). It included 3 calls to the IRS...2 incorrect tax return trascript forms...and one insane drive by yours truely in her very first snow storm (ok I exaggerate...snow "flurry")
Day #2 has been WAAAAAYYYY more fun!!! Still lots of driving to get familiar with the campus/city/town/etc. (in the sun!! yay for feeling halfway normal for 2.5 seconds!)...an adventure to find the cupcake shop.....that will hopefully become a staple in all my fav girls trips to see me (as well as a treat to myself for all the A's I'm going to make this semester)
...and a trip to the super cute Crazy Girl Yarn Shop....where I found my new Thursday activity..."Knit and Wine"....
For the past 3 days temperatures have been from the low 20's...all the way to NEGATIVE 7!!! I now realize why bears hybernate...and am STRONGLY considering it myself! Praying I make it through the winter...and desperately needing the love of my pookie bear to keep me warm!!!! (Hurry up February!!!)
In closing I must add...its way more fun "living" with your parents when they're older and a little more "senile" than it was when you were 12 and they were trying to tell you what to do...because while they still try and tell you what to do...its way more fun to laugh "with" them in their senior moments......and remind them how crazy they still are!
Day #1 was full of lots of errands...doing things for school/financial aid etc (not very fun...and VERY stressful). It included 3 calls to the IRS...2 incorrect tax return trascript forms...and one insane drive by yours truely in her very first snow storm (ok I exaggerate...snow "flurry")
Day #2 has been WAAAAAYYYY more fun!!! Still lots of driving to get familiar with the campus/city/town/etc. (in the sun!! yay for feeling halfway normal for 2.5 seconds!)...an adventure to find the cupcake shop.....that will hopefully become a staple in all my fav girls trips to see me (as well as a treat to myself for all the A's I'm going to make this semester)
(it was closed...opening back up on Monday...sad times)
For the past 3 days temperatures have been from the low 20's...all the way to NEGATIVE 7!!! I now realize why bears hybernate...and am STRONGLY considering it myself! Praying I make it through the winter...and desperately needing the love of my pookie bear to keep me warm!!!! (Hurry up February!!!)
In closing I must add...its way more fun "living" with your parents when they're older and a little more "senile" than it was when you were 12 and they were trying to tell you what to do...because while they still try and tell you what to do...its way more fun to laugh "with" them in their senior moments......and remind them how crazy they still are!
That's all for now....from the land of snow and ice....stay tuned for my featured game...guess what random thing this is...where everybody gets to guess... nobody wins a prize ... and I got to take random pictures along the boring ride to iceland!!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
...It's my year....
"It's my year"...that was my mantra...last year....and I really thought it was....my year..this time last year. Turns out...it was my year....just not in the way I had hoped....but that's the funny thing about life....sometimes the things we think we want/need/would like to have...turn out to be things we never knew we wanted in the first place....
As another year begins....I still have yet to determine what it holds....but I do know there are adventures to be had....challenges to over come...and plenty of things to learn...about life....about our relationships....and about starting over....in a new place....with new things to experience...new friends to make...and new sights to see.....
So I think I'll keep my mantra....and make it another..."its my year" kinda year....and as an old chapter closes...and a new one opens....I can remember that I don't have to be sad about the things I'm leaving behind....because there is a whole lot of room to be excited....about all the things to come.....
As another year begins....I still have yet to determine what it holds....but I do know there are adventures to be had....challenges to over come...and plenty of things to learn...about life....about our relationships....and about starting over....in a new place....with new things to experience...new friends to make...and new sights to see.....
So I think I'll keep my mantra....and make it another..."its my year" kinda year....and as an old chapter closes...and a new one opens....I can remember that I don't have to be sad about the things I'm leaving behind....because there is a whole lot of room to be excited....about all the things to come.....
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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