OMG I LOVE THANKSGIVING! I'm super excited to be home! It feels good just being with my brother and mom this week. I didn't realize how much I missed them. As soon as I saw them though, it just felt good. I typically didn't LOVE thanksgiving before. I mean, don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I think being away and coming home has made it ultimately AWESOME. I love thanksgiving.
When I was little, my brother, my mom, and I used to go to Chicago to see my family. We would leave school early to begin our 8 hour drive. We would get there sometime Tueday night, and go out for pizza with my step brothers. The next day, we typically spent with running errands, or just having a lazy day. Thursday, my entire family would go to our grandma tex's house. It was always a TON of food, with soo many options. Her little house would be packed, but it was always amazing. Friday, we would go Black Friday Shopping in downtown Chicago. That was always packed and crazy. Thinking back, I sometimes wonder why my parents took us there. It was a lot of hassle... but they knew I loved going, so they took me. The day after Thanksgiving is typically the day that they bring out the Christmas decorations. There is just something soo special about being downtown when the lights first turn on...
Now though, since I'm at USC we can't go to Chicago. But my mom's family is coming over to our house for Thanksgiving. I'm excited to see them again! I can't wait for Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
<3 Leadership <3
I've always thought of myself as a leader. The idea of letting someone else have control over me seriously drives me crazy. I've never really been a follower. I mean there are certain situations and scenarios where I'm willing to just hang out in the back seat, but for the most part, I tend to be the leader. I think honestly that a strength that all leaders should possess is knowing when to take a step back and let someone else take the reins. There are certain situations I know I can't handle so I'm more than willing to let someone else step up and conquer. Or there are situations when I see that someone who is less likely to step up is trying to, so I let them. I think a good leader recognizes that; if someone who is typically a "follower" is putting in the effort to lead, and you know its got to be hard for them to break out of that shell, then sometimes its better to just step aside. I guess what I'm trying to say is that a good leader recognizes that its not always important to be THE leader.
Another one of my strengths is that I'm super intuitive to people's feelings and body language. I can read just about anyone. If I spend about 15 minutes with someone, I can figure out what they're thinking, their strong points, and their weaknesses. I'm a people-reader; a trait that I think is super important in a leader. A leader should know who they are delegating to and the chances of that "issue" getting done.
WEAKNESS: STUBBORN
Ohhh mannn I'm stubborn about some things. More the most part, I would say I'm usually flexible, a very go with the flow type individual. But if theres something I've made up my mind about, thats it. I can be flexible about almost everything, but if I'm set on something happening a particular way, mann it takes a BIGGGGG force to change my mind. I just have this vision of how something should happen and I get sooo wrapped up in it that I have a hard time letting it go.
I plan to make a difference after my first semester, I plan on getting involved in college republicans. Because of a class I took this semester, I wasn't able to do it this semester. But I will next semester and hopefully I can gain some type of leadership position there. Or I was also thinking about being a U101 peer leader maybe? I think I could pull it off... :)
Another one of my strengths is that I'm super intuitive to people's feelings and body language. I can read just about anyone. If I spend about 15 minutes with someone, I can figure out what they're thinking, their strong points, and their weaknesses. I'm a people-reader; a trait that I think is super important in a leader. A leader should know who they are delegating to and the chances of that "issue" getting done.
WEAKNESS: STUBBORN
Ohhh mannn I'm stubborn about some things. More the most part, I would say I'm usually flexible, a very go with the flow type individual. But if theres something I've made up my mind about, thats it. I can be flexible about almost everything, but if I'm set on something happening a particular way, mann it takes a BIGGGGG force to change my mind. I just have this vision of how something should happen and I get sooo wrapped up in it that I have a hard time letting it go.
I plan to make a difference after my first semester, I plan on getting involved in college republicans. Because of a class I took this semester, I wasn't able to do it this semester. But I will next semester and hopefully I can gain some type of leadership position there. Or I was also thinking about being a U101 peer leader maybe? I think I could pull it off... :)
MENTORRRRINGGGG
My talks with Alexus about academic success are going beautifully. She has good grades, or at least thats what she tells me, and she tells me about her study strategies. We talk about tests and quizzes that she has upcoming that week and go over how she should go about studying for them. I think on the topic, we're okay.
Involvement is somewhat different. She is involved in chorus at Hand but I think that is about the extent to which she is involved. She did tell me that next year she wants to try out for cheer-leading, because sixth graders can't be on the team. I asked her if there was anything she could do in the mean time, but she said she wasn't really interested in anything else... so I guess I should work on finding something for her.
I think last week was a huge break through for us. She kept asking me questions and introducing me to her teachers and peers. Her comments were like "isn't my mentor nice?" or "isnt she sooo cool?". It was good to see that she's finally come around to accepting me. She even made me a "thank you for being my friend" card. AWWW :)
Saying goodbye.... ummm that's going to be hard. I don't know how I'll do it. maybe I make her like an inspirational card or something to hang in her locker... I don't know I'll think about it :)
Involvement is somewhat different. She is involved in chorus at Hand but I think that is about the extent to which she is involved. She did tell me that next year she wants to try out for cheer-leading, because sixth graders can't be on the team. I asked her if there was anything she could do in the mean time, but she said she wasn't really interested in anything else... so I guess I should work on finding something for her.
I think last week was a huge break through for us. She kept asking me questions and introducing me to her teachers and peers. Her comments were like "isn't my mentor nice?" or "isnt she sooo cool?". It was good to see that she's finally come around to accepting me. She even made me a "thank you for being my friend" card. AWWW :)
Saying goodbye.... ummm that's going to be hard. I don't know how I'll do it. maybe I make her like an inspirational card or something to hang in her locker... I don't know I'll think about it :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Spirituality
According to Dictionary.com:
Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Faith: belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
Spirituality: predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.
To me, religion is the specific domination or practice that you believe. Your religion defines what you believe and how you live your life. Faith is your acknowledgement that there is a higher power and Spirituality is a connection to that higher power.
I don't necessarily define myself as a religious person. I'm a non-denominational Christian: I believe that Jesus was the son of God; that he died on the cross to forgive my sins and rose on the third day; I regularly pray. But, to me, a religious person is someone who devotes their life to God. And while I wish I could say that I have, at this point in my life, I haven't. For that reason, I define myself as a spiritual person. I think it would be hypocritical to compare myself to people like Mary Grace, who have clearly devoted their lives to serving God and living His word.
I do, however, feel like I have a connection with God. I pray when I'm scared and in need of strength. I pray when I'm sad and in need of uplifting. I pray when I'm angry or frustrated and in need of patience. I pray when I feel that someone else needs God's love in their life. I trust that God will show me the right way, in some form or another. For me, though, I seek to make that connection stronger. I want to WANT to live my life by His word; I want God to live through me.
USC is HUGEEE when it comes to religion. I feel like it's even bigger here than it is in Tennessee. Everytime you turn around, its there. Whether it is the nice ministers giving out those little green Bibles around campus, or that crazy man that stands in front of Thomas Cooper, yelling that we're all going to Hell, religion is something that is hard to escape. I think religion has had a HUGE influence on the culture of the South. But it doesn't bother me. I actually enjoy that fact that the society I'm living in follows God's word. It feels natural, and I don't know if I could get along in a place that wasn't so open to religion.
Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Faith: belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
Spirituality: predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.
To me, religion is the specific domination or practice that you believe. Your religion defines what you believe and how you live your life. Faith is your acknowledgement that there is a higher power and Spirituality is a connection to that higher power.
I don't necessarily define myself as a religious person. I'm a non-denominational Christian: I believe that Jesus was the son of God; that he died on the cross to forgive my sins and rose on the third day; I regularly pray. But, to me, a religious person is someone who devotes their life to God. And while I wish I could say that I have, at this point in my life, I haven't. For that reason, I define myself as a spiritual person. I think it would be hypocritical to compare myself to people like Mary Grace, who have clearly devoted their lives to serving God and living His word.
I do, however, feel like I have a connection with God. I pray when I'm scared and in need of strength. I pray when I'm sad and in need of uplifting. I pray when I'm angry or frustrated and in need of patience. I pray when I feel that someone else needs God's love in their life. I trust that God will show me the right way, in some form or another. For me, though, I seek to make that connection stronger. I want to WANT to live my life by His word; I want God to live through me.
USC is HUGEEE when it comes to religion. I feel like it's even bigger here than it is in Tennessee. Everytime you turn around, its there. Whether it is the nice ministers giving out those little green Bibles around campus, or that crazy man that stands in front of Thomas Cooper, yelling that we're all going to Hell, religion is something that is hard to escape. I think religion has had a HUGE influence on the culture of the South. But it doesn't bother me. I actually enjoy that fact that the society I'm living in follows God's word. It feels natural, and I don't know if I could get along in a place that wasn't so open to religion.
Relationships
While being at USC, I've had to form completely new relationships. I've left everything I've ever known behind in Tennessee, and while it's been an adjustment, I have had to form new bonds.
Probably the most important bond I have is the one with my roommate. Alexis and I are super close, both being from out of state and all. We really seem to get each other, which is good. Alexis is VITAL to my academic success. She doesn't let me skip classes, which not gonna lie, would certaintly happen every Tuesday and Thursday morning if not for her. She also makes me focus when I'm trying to do my work but get distracted. (FACEBOOK.... ) In return, I try to help her with her homework. I'm a pretty decent paper writer, so I help her with thesis statements and such. I'm her shoulder to lean on if she's having a hard week.
I've also made friendships with different people in my hall. It would be hard to imagine my life without Justin and Zack. They live across the hall and I'm basically their third roommate. There's a running joke that their room is my room. In fact when I introduce them to people, I typically call them my roommates without thinking. They play a huge part in my life. Then of course there's Natalie and Krystin :) They live down the hall. I basically spend every night with them. Whether we're in my room, their room, or Zack and Justin's, we're one big family. These relationships have come to make USC feel like home. Without them, I don't think I could be successful. They've made me truely happy and I think that is a very important part of success.
My sorority has also helped me form some relationships. My big is awesome!! I don't know if I would have stuck with my sorority if it weren't for her. She is basically the bomb. She's a helpful resource if I ever have questions, but also basically just awesome to be around.
USC has turned my life upside down. I can't think of anything that isn't different. But its a good different. And I'm excited to see what these new relationships have in store.
Probably the most important bond I have is the one with my roommate. Alexis and I are super close, both being from out of state and all. We really seem to get each other, which is good. Alexis is VITAL to my academic success. She doesn't let me skip classes, which not gonna lie, would certaintly happen every Tuesday and Thursday morning if not for her. She also makes me focus when I'm trying to do my work but get distracted. (FACEBOOK.... ) In return, I try to help her with her homework. I'm a pretty decent paper writer, so I help her with thesis statements and such. I'm her shoulder to lean on if she's having a hard week.
I've also made friendships with different people in my hall. It would be hard to imagine my life without Justin and Zack. They live across the hall and I'm basically their third roommate. There's a running joke that their room is my room. In fact when I introduce them to people, I typically call them my roommates without thinking. They play a huge part in my life. Then of course there's Natalie and Krystin :) They live down the hall. I basically spend every night with them. Whether we're in my room, their room, or Zack and Justin's, we're one big family. These relationships have come to make USC feel like home. Without them, I don't think I could be successful. They've made me truely happy and I think that is a very important part of success.
My sorority has also helped me form some relationships. My big is awesome!! I don't know if I would have stuck with my sorority if it weren't for her. She is basically the bomb. She's a helpful resource if I ever have questions, but also basically just awesome to be around.
USC has turned my life upside down. I can't think of anything that isn't different. But its a good different. And I'm excited to see what these new relationships have in store.
Capstone Personal Challenge--- Veganism
As my personal challenge, I decided to go Vegan for one entire week. Now, on the surface, this may seem like a simple task, but let me tell ya, Veganism is hard core. By being vegan, one can not only not eat meat, but also any other animal by products. Do you like milk? Well too bad, you can't have it if you're vegan. This includes yogurt, milk chocolate, some soups, creamers (so coffee's out), cheese (goldfish? I don't think so mister), and sooo much more. Do you like eggs? Whoops, can't have those either. Muffins? nope they gave eggs. Cookies? humm yep they have eggs too. Veganism is hard; it takes a lot of dedication, especially if you're a food lover like myself.
But I found that throughout the week, Veganism wasn't that hard. If you take yourself away from the food that you can't have, you're not tempted to cheat. As long as its not staring at you, tempting you with it's delish smells, veganism is tolerable. Heck, it's even somewhat enjoyable. There's something refreshing about putting natural food in your body. Your body responds differently; you have more energy, you feel lighter. And yes, if you don't take the necessary precautions, veganism can be quite unhealthy. But supplements and vitamins take care of that; I started taking a multi vitamin which can make up for some of the nutrients my diet may lack.
Now, I'm not gonna lie. I could have never done it without the support of my roommate and friends. 4 of us made the decision to go vegan together and throughout the week we relied on each other for support. Having that type of buddy system in place really helped me succeed in my goal. I'm also happy to report that all 4 of us made it through the entire week :)
Now that the week is over, we've all had different responses. Natalie decided to stay vegan; she loves it. Krystin is now a vegetarian, I think. My roommate Alexis went back to meat, but light meat only. I think she'll eventually cut down to just vegetarian. And myself? Not gonna lie, the day after I had the best patty melt I've ever eaten. I also enjoyed that Twix bar. And the Goldfish. Oh and the baked ziti. But after my day of gluttony, I realized that veganism wasn't all that bad. I felt sick after gorging my body with the things that I had deprived it of for a week. My body was used to the vegan way, so I went back to it. I'm now back to veganism, for the time being. I don't know how long it will last, I guess I'll just have to see where my vegan journey takes me :)
But I found that throughout the week, Veganism wasn't that hard. If you take yourself away from the food that you can't have, you're not tempted to cheat. As long as its not staring at you, tempting you with it's delish smells, veganism is tolerable. Heck, it's even somewhat enjoyable. There's something refreshing about putting natural food in your body. Your body responds differently; you have more energy, you feel lighter. And yes, if you don't take the necessary precautions, veganism can be quite unhealthy. But supplements and vitamins take care of that; I started taking a multi vitamin which can make up for some of the nutrients my diet may lack.
Now, I'm not gonna lie. I could have never done it without the support of my roommate and friends. 4 of us made the decision to go vegan together and throughout the week we relied on each other for support. Having that type of buddy system in place really helped me succeed in my goal. I'm also happy to report that all 4 of us made it through the entire week :)
Now that the week is over, we've all had different responses. Natalie decided to stay vegan; she loves it. Krystin is now a vegetarian, I think. My roommate Alexis went back to meat, but light meat only. I think she'll eventually cut down to just vegetarian. And myself? Not gonna lie, the day after I had the best patty melt I've ever eaten. I also enjoyed that Twix bar. And the Goldfish. Oh and the baked ziti. But after my day of gluttony, I realized that veganism wasn't all that bad. I felt sick after gorging my body with the things that I had deprived it of for a week. My body was used to the vegan way, so I went back to it. I'm now back to veganism, for the time being. I don't know how long it will last, I guess I'll just have to see where my vegan journey takes me :)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Study Abroad
OMG yess, I sooo want to study abroad. I went to Europe this summer and had the most amazing experience of my life. I want to go back and live there forever. I think if I studied abroad, I'd either go to Italy again, or maybe try out Spain. Italy was amazing. I don't think anything will ever top it. While I was there, I became obsessed with learning Italian. I want to learn sooo badly. That would be incredible. But, I also took Spanish for 5 years in high school, sooo I feel like Spain would be an amazing opportunity. I can really advance my speaking skills there which was always my weakest ability in Spanish Class. I can read it, write it, listen to it, but speak it.... not so much. I sound like a southern hick, which is strange considering I don't typically have that strong of a southern accent. cool.
Barriers: BIG ONE- If I continue on the track I'm on now, I'll be done with school by the end of my 3rd year. Why is that a problem?
a) I don't know if I have time
b) I'm afraid that if I study abroad, I won't be able to graduate in 3 years.
I'm pretty proud of the fact that I can graduate in 3 years, without taking summer classes, or killing myself... so I'd really like to do just that. So the only way I could potentially travel would be if it fit into my schedule and I took all the classes I needed to still graduate at the end of my third year.
Smaller problem- money. Although there are scholarships and grants dedicated to studying abroad so I'm sure its not that big of an issue.
I hope I get the chance to study abroad. I just don't need it to mess up my plans, thats all :)
Barriers: BIG ONE- If I continue on the track I'm on now, I'll be done with school by the end of my 3rd year. Why is that a problem?
a) I don't know if I have time
b) I'm afraid that if I study abroad, I won't be able to graduate in 3 years.
I'm pretty proud of the fact that I can graduate in 3 years, without taking summer classes, or killing myself... so I'd really like to do just that. So the only way I could potentially travel would be if it fit into my schedule and I took all the classes I needed to still graduate at the end of my third year.
Smaller problem- money. Although there are scholarships and grants dedicated to studying abroad so I'm sure its not that big of an issue.
I hope I get the chance to study abroad. I just don't need it to mess up my plans, thats all :)
Shaping the Minds of the FUTURE
haha. Just kidding. that might be somewhat extreme. But, after going to Hand a couple of times, I've decided that mentoring is something I really enjoy. Granted, I'm not personally shaping the mind of all youth, but I'd like to someway leave an impression with my mentee. The first time I went to Hand, I was super nervous. I didn't want to go, and I was afraid of talking to my mentor. I didn't know how the student was going to approach the situation. But, now I look forward to seeing Alexus. She's opened up to me quite a bit. I've learned things about her life and I've shared some of my own with her.
I think with Alexus, the most important thing to cover with her is peer pressure. Alexus is pretty popular, from what I can gather, with most of the 6th graders in school. And I can see where it would be easy for her to get caught up in the moment and bow to peer pressure. She typically surrounds herself with the girls she claims "are always in trouble"; that makes me somewhat uneasy. Because Alexus seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but I question whether she'll continue to use it as she matures, or lose it to simply fit in (ha, sorry for the cliche rhyme)
I think I can combat this peer pressure by getting her involved in activities. Some questions I could ask her:
1. What types of activities do you typically enjoy outside of school?
2. Are they any clubs here that involve your hobbies and you would be interested in joining?
3. Would you be interested in finding out ways to start clubs for the hobbies you're interested in, but don't have clubs devoted to them yet? I'll help you figure out how to start them.
I think that if I can give her other options, maybe she'll find positive ways to spend her energy and time instead of falling in with "the wrong crowd". I'd also just like to clarify that, being in 6th grade, the wrong crowd is not something so incredibly terrible. Its the future and how she decides to mature that makes me somewhat uneasy. However, I have nothing but faith that Alexus will make the best decisions for herself.
Academically, she seems to understand the material in all her classes. She told me she's making all b's. We can strive for improvement, but I feel like I should also acknowledge the effort that the b's took.Questions I could ask her:
1. How do you typically prepare for tests?
2. What study tools do you use to study?
3. How much time do you typically spend on school work at night?
These questions will allow me to provide tips to improve her grades to perfection!
I think with Alexus, the most important thing to cover with her is peer pressure. Alexus is pretty popular, from what I can gather, with most of the 6th graders in school. And I can see where it would be easy for her to get caught up in the moment and bow to peer pressure. She typically surrounds herself with the girls she claims "are always in trouble"; that makes me somewhat uneasy. Because Alexus seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but I question whether she'll continue to use it as she matures, or lose it to simply fit in (ha, sorry for the cliche rhyme)
I think I can combat this peer pressure by getting her involved in activities. Some questions I could ask her:
1. What types of activities do you typically enjoy outside of school?
2. Are they any clubs here that involve your hobbies and you would be interested in joining?
3. Would you be interested in finding out ways to start clubs for the hobbies you're interested in, but don't have clubs devoted to them yet? I'll help you figure out how to start them.
I think that if I can give her other options, maybe she'll find positive ways to spend her energy and time instead of falling in with "the wrong crowd". I'd also just like to clarify that, being in 6th grade, the wrong crowd is not something so incredibly terrible. Its the future and how she decides to mature that makes me somewhat uneasy. However, I have nothing but faith that Alexus will make the best decisions for herself.
Academically, she seems to understand the material in all her classes. She told me she's making all b's. We can strive for improvement, but I feel like I should also acknowledge the effort that the b's took.Questions I could ask her:
1. How do you typically prepare for tests?
2. What study tools do you use to study?
3. How much time do you typically spend on school work at night?
These questions will allow me to provide tips to improve her grades to perfection!
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