Babbling Beka

I wish I could walk home from work.

2011-06-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

So, I had a great day at work to day. Then I got stuck in traffic for 2 hours on the way home. Traffic here is horrible! As I was thinking, "I wish that I could just walk home," this song came on the radio. I just laughed and cranked up the radio and sang at the top of my lungs. And after that, my horrible commute was just not as horrible.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Swamp People

2011-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well, if you haven't already figured it out by now, I'll go ahead and let you in on the big secret: I'm not the most avid blogger. My posts are sporadic at best. Blatantly negligent at worst. I use the same excuse for my lackluster blog performance that I do for my nonexistent exercise regiment. "I just don't have the time." Between school, work, and an attempt at a social life, how can I find a spare moment to devote to the elliptical or to my blog?

The only problem is that this is a horrific lie. And I can't even convince myself to believe it anymore. I have no excuse not to take a minute and record "my life as it happens" as my sister (a much more avid and interesting blogger) would say. You can take a look at her blog here.

So to record my life as it happens:

I just finished my sophomore year about a month ago. There were some good memories and some bad ones too. I had to "settle down" since I was an R.A. and taking some ridiculously hard classes, too. The crazy freshmen antics sadly have no place in your life when you're studying organic chemistry. The good news is that I finished all three of my organic classes and I still managed to hang onto my 4.0. How that happened I will never know. A lot of luck and very little sleep were the main factors, I think.

I'm now in the great state of Louisiana, living with the "swamp people" and interning for a major chemical company. I like it here. It's hot, but right now it's hot everywhere so that's not a big deal. I live in what I consider a super swanky gated community with a roommate named Katie from Mississippi State. She's a sweetheart, but possibly a little too smart for her own good. She graduated high school a year early, so even though she is going to be starting her junior year of college next year, she is an entire year younger than me. And while I think that's amazing to get a jump start on college and the real world, I've also noticed a year can make a lot of difference maturity wise. I don't really have words to describe the difference, but I can just feel it, you know? The difference may also be that she's never lived on her own before either. She lived at home the past two years and commuted to school.

While that may have been okay for her, I just can't imagine what my life would have been like if I had done that. Living on my own, without any parent supervision, really gave me a chance to be accountable and helped me to mature so much in a very little amount of time. I'll admit, I made my fair share of mistakes. Like eating nothing but Ben and Jerry's ice cream for dinner for a whole week. . . my mom never would have let me do that. haha. And now, I see why, because I have gained 22 lbs in the past two years. . . But that's a different story. One that I am currently trying to rewrite the ending to. Hopefully, the next time I mention it, the ending will be: And I worked incredibly hard and lost all 22 lbs plus 5 more. And now, I am a swimsuit model.

Ummmm. yeah right. Like that's gonna happen.

A girl can dream, though, right?

Anyways, back to my life in Louisiana. It's not all fun and games. I work 40 hours a week. I battle the horrible traffic another 12 hours a week commuting back and forth. When I'm not working. though, I'm hanging out here:

I told you I lived in a swanky neighborhood, right? There's not a single alligator here, I swear.

In all seriousness, though, I'm having a great time. It was really hard at first, starting from nothing. I didn't know a soul and I was 12 hours from home. But life goes on. You meet people, make friends and before you know it, your adventure will take you somewhere else. Or just back home. Which is starting to sound better and better all the time. Because if there's one thing I learned so far, it's that sometimes, you have to leave a place before you can truly appreciate what it's worth.

Just some food for thought.

Life Update

2011-01-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

So another semester of my collegiate life has come and gone and I haven't bothered to record one moment of it on this lovely blog. Basically my semester consisted of the following activities: Cal III class, working as an R.A., Engineering classes,English class, S.A.A. (I became a member of the executive board! Whoop Whoop!), and Organic chemistry, Organic chemistry, Organic chemistry.

By the grace of God, I managed to keep my 4.0. Though, it may very well be the last semester that I can say that, seeing as I am taking Organic chemistry II and Organic lab this semester. Not to mention philosophy (professional ethics), differential equations, and my engineering classes. That brings my total hours for the semester to 15.

The good news is that I am already a junior with 62 hours. :) Add the 15 from this semester and I'll be done before you know it!

I am in fact alive. . .

2010-05-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

The beauty of blogging is that you get to share your life lessons with others. . .

Life lesson no. 1.: NEVER under any circumstances take 19 hours with two labs. I made that mistake this last semester and have been so busy traveling to Hades and back that I haven't had a life - let alone time to blog about it.

Somehow I managed to get through, though, and keep my 4.0. Although, it wasn't without a lot of hard work, and even more tears. Which brings me to Life lesson no. 2: Office hours are your friend. Getting an A was never a problem for me until this past semester, when I faced off against the cal 2 teacher from your worst nightmare. I went to office hours, though and in the end when I was 0.003 points from an A he bumped me up even though he didn't bump up others in my class. Hurray!

On that same note, Life lesson no. 3: Whoever brought back the A- must be punished. I hate those things with a passion, seeing as I spent the last semester skirting the A/A- border in a couple of my classes. Ex. French 223, which requires a 94 to get an A. Really, a 94?! Does that not seem unreasonably high?

Enough about academics, though. Let's move on to my over-achieving extracurricular life. I was blessed enough to make it into SAA. I love the opportunity it gives me to serve past, present, and future students! I was fortunate enough to work the Billion Dollar Campaign Update luncheon and attend the dinner as well. I got to meet the Chancellor and Lelan Statom, as well as many of the generous donors that have made our great education at UT possible. :)

I look forward to working more with SAA next year, as well as working as an R.A. in the best building on campus. I prefer not to disclose which building for cyber safety, but we all know who's the best. :) haha.

I have a story to tell. . .

2010-02-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hello all! Hope you have been well. Things are good on my front. I made it through my first round of exams and my S.A.A. interviews. The results are in on the exams, but I don't here back from S.A.A. until next week so keep you fingers crossed, kay?

Now I have a story to tell. It's about a "friend" who is a shopaholic. Her funds are low and she just discovered the most perfect necklace in the world. The only catch is the price comes out to be around $250 when it's all said and done. I know, I know. It must be one heck of a necklace, huh? Well, judge for yourself:

This overwhelmingly beautiful necklace is now available at coach.com. It hurts your heart a little bit, doesn't it?

So to afford this necklace, my "friend" needs to sell a bunch of her useless stuff. First up, her VOLtastic Coach Op Art bag. It's on the chopping block for $50, so if one of you Vols wants it let me know. :) I won't lie; it's fake, but it's a really good fake. It comes from a pet and smoke free home. I have never carried it. :( I am selling it for the same price I paid, not because I don't want it but because I want the necklace more. Here's a pic:

I guess that's all!

P.S. I also have a Sociology 120 book for $50, if interested.

Better Now Than Never

2010-02-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

If I don't blog now, I won't get a chance for the rest of the day, so I figure that it's better now, at ten in the morning, than never. So far, my day has been an epic fail. I woke up 10 minutes after my Cal II class started, decided to go anyway. I got there and then decided that I better not walk in 30 minutes late to a 50 minute class. So, I listened to the remainder of lecture through the door, like some big creeper. The whole scene had a Goodwill Hunting vibe to it and I almost laughed myself silly. :) I'll get the notes from a friend tonight. Or should I say tomorrow since it will probably be past midnight when I get around to it?

Really though, my Monday's just too busy. Basically, they go a little something like this: Wake up exhausted from the weekend. Start the Morning off right with math at 9 a.m. Continue with a string of constant classes until 6:30, at which time I get out of lab, grab a bite to eat, and then head to my Massey Hall Council meeting. After that, I head to my usual spot on the third floor of the library and study for the coming week. This week, I have a Chem quiz on Wed. at 8 followed by my first Cal exam at 9. I don't know how professors always manage to collaborate and put all your tests on one day. I would be impressed by their organization if I weren't so stressed about keeping my 4.0. haha.

Anyway, I guess what's really stressing me out this week is my extracurricular line-up. On Tuesday, I have my next round of R.A. interviews. Basically, it's just a 45 minute orientation about the selection process, but I still need to make a good impression. Then on Wed at 5, I have my first interview for S.A.A., the most competitive organization on campus, enough said.

Oh well. . . at least it's the first day of a new month and I got to do one of my all time favorite things: rip last month's page off my desk calendar and tear it to shreds. Of course, I have to do this when my roommate is gone so she won't think I'm insane. haha. Really though, I find that it's a big stress reliever to get rid of last month's worries.

I guess that's it. :) Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday,

Consumer Warning

2010-01-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday is laundry day and doing laundry at college always stinks. Inevitably, the dryers are broken and the washers are full. Meanwhile, you're struggling to balance an overflowing hamper, a bottle of detergent, fabric softener, and a box of dryer sheets.

Honestly, there's no avoiding the first two, but supposedly there's a new product to eliminate the third: Purex's Three-in-One Laundry Sheets. So, I tried them and was amazed at how easy it was to just toss them in with the load and be done forever with detergent, softener, and dryer sheets. But. . . there's on old warning: "If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is."

Well, once again the old adage proved correct. Unfortunately, these super convenient sheets ruin all of your clothes. They spot everything and as if that wasn't bad enough they also stain all of the armpits brown. Yuck! So, I just wanted to post a consumer warning. If you're planning on using these laundry sheets, be prepared to be disappointed.

Everybody was Snowball Fighting, Those Vols Were as Fast as Lightning. . .

2010-01-30T14:23:00.001-08:00

Neyland Stadium in the Snow!!!

Snow Buddies!!!

Take Cover! The Fight is on!!

Snow Man in Progress. . .

Why yes, I am acting like an 8 year-old

In case you haven't been following the weather in Tennessee, I'll clue you in on a miracle: We had snow! Crazy, right?! I'm not talking about a dusting, either. It was a blizzard. . . comparatively speaking. haha.

And of course, the Volunteers know how to party on a Snow day. We sledded; we build snow men; we made snow angels; and we had an epic snowball fight in Presidential court at 2 in the morning. Then once we were all sufficiently chilled to the bone, we returned to our dorms and drank hot chocolate. All in all, it was the perfect Friday night.

The Life of Beka: Sparknotes Edition

2010-01-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't been the most avid blogger thus far in 2010, but I figured you'd rather have the spark note version of my life anyway. haha. Here it goes:

I made a lot of promises to myself about the year and have succeeded in breaking every one of them. I have eaten junk food, been a couch potato, and used shopping sprees to relieve stress. I feel like I deserved to break my last resolution, though, because I have been incredibly stressed seeing as I took on too many hours this semester despite the warnings of the older and wiser. I am now trying to balance Biology 140, Chemistry 130, Math 142 (Calculus II), and intensive French 223. That comes to a grand total of 18 hours and no social life. Meanwhile, what free time I have left is currently devoted to the application process to become an R.A. and an S.A.A. next year.

To top all this off, my hypochondriac tendencies have resulted in sympathy sickness for my best friend, who just got the swine flu. So, that's my life at the moment. Cue the sad violin. haha.

I'm grown up. . . sort of

2009-11-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

Growth is not consistent; growth comes in spurts. And today, I had a growth spurt. Today, I feel older than I did yesterday, not because I am almost finished with my first semester of college but because I cooked. I went to the store, bought the ingredients and cooked brownies for my friends. It's amazing how little things like that can make you feel so grown up. I guess it is just the fact that I made a decision and carried it out all on my own. I used my own eggs and oil and pans. I am an adult now and it freaks me out a little bit. The best I can do is remember that I am not quite as old as I think, because I still licked the spoon like a little girl when I finished mixing my brownies. :)

No More Mr. Nice Spy

2009-11-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share a promo for my one and only "story." I love Chuck. The show is well written. It's funny, romantic, and action packed. It comes on again January 10th, so be ready. :)

New Look

2009-11-24T19:14:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, I have been in something of a blogging slump. And you know what cures a blogging slump? A blog facelift!

So, there you have it; my blog has a new look. Now I want to share a few tips.

1.) Use smilebox to get some free digital scrapbook pages. It is such a cool program. I used it to make my new header. If you're interested, just click here to visit their site.

2.) Insert your own personalized signature at the end of each post. They are really cute and give your blog a unique feel. I made several before settling on the one on the bottom of this post. To make your own, click here. Once you get the HTML code, go under Settings > Formatting > Post Format. Then, it will be added automatically to all of your new posts.

3.) Get a fee version of photoshop. Alright, that one was too good to be true, but you can get almost the exact same program under a different name: Gimp. If you don't have photoshop, you should definitely look into trying out gimp. It's free! What harm could it do? Just click here to visit their site.

4.) Insert a post separator like mine with the birds. It can give any blog a little pizzaz! To learn how, click here. I chose to use my own separator image, but they have some on their site to choose from as well.

5.) Add a "Recent Comments" widget on the side of your blog. Why? Because it supposedly increases comments by 70%, and let's face it we all love comments! I named mine "The Buzz" in an attempt at originality. haha. To get yours, click here.

Well, I guess that's all the tips I have for now. Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Goodbye Eric Berry!

2009-11-23T16:42:00.000-08:00

So, I have officially made it through my first season of Tennessee Football. We won our last home game on Saturday against Vanderbilt. :) The saddest part about saying goodbye to the 2009 season was knowing that next year Eric Berry won't be here. In case you don't know much about SEC football, let me clue you in on a little something: Eric Berry is UT's Hero. We love him and will miss him next year when he heads off to the NFL. As a last tribute on my blog, I am including a music video about him.

Goodbye Eric! You will be missed!

So, I'm back. . .

2009-11-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

It's been quite a while since I have posted anything. I would like to blame it on stress or school or work or maybe a teeming social calendar. . . but sadly I cannot. I must admit to the world that the reason I have neglected to record my life is that I have been swept up in obsession. With one word, you may all lose any respect you had for me: Farmville. I know, I know. Right now you are probably thinking one of two things: 1.) Really, she has time for those lame facebook games? or 2.) AWESOME! Can we be neighbors?

If you are of the later persausion, feel free to friend request me and join my farming community. If you are of the former mindset, however, I can't blame you for your doubt. I'll admit that I too was once a nonbeliever. Then, I got tired of ignoring the requests and I joined "just to see what it was all about." Let me tell you. . . It is ADDICTING. I am now a level 25, just counting the days until I can become a level 26 and get my farmhouse. haha. Pathetic, but I am not ashamed.

Because, you see. . . Farmville is a fantastic stress releiver. You get to control your entire world for just a little while: what crops you plant, how your organize your land, where you put your trees. All of it is important and you are the only one that can control it. Plus, by looking at how other people play, you can truly get into their head and get to know them. By looking at someone's farm you can tell how organized they are, how motivated they are, how artistic they are, etc. I ate to sound shallow, but I think I have started judging people based on how cute their farm is. haha.

Some of my friends, however, seem to have mixed feelings about my obsession. Most of them have joined. Others say things like, "The only way I would play farmville is if I could put money into the game to pay for a drought on your farm." I don't blame them for not understanding, though. I just go on with my life. . . on the farm and off.

Love B

Grieving is Over

2009-10-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

So, I didn't get the position as a UT blogger and needless to say I've been pretty bummed. For a while, I decided to just give up blogging in general, but I realized that even if UT doesn't care what I have to say someone out there does. I mean, I have 10 followers. . . even if one of them is my mom. haha. Plus, not to get mushy or anything, but blogging is about more than just followers. Blogging makes my life better. My joys are sweeter when I get the chance to share them with others and my trials are easier when I know someone else can learn from them too. So take that UT Bloggers!

Anyways, I am now back and firing on all burners. I am very excited to announce that I have changed my major and I am now part of the very small percent of women in the chemical engineering program. For now, I am also still doing the whole pre-med thing, but in case that route doesn't work out the way I plan, I'll always have an engineering degree to back it up. With my history of fainting spells as a clinical intern . . . I'm thinking this back-up plan is a good idea.

My major change has also led me to question some other decisions in my life, like study abroad. I am currently studying French as one of my general education requirements and I have always wanted to study abroad in France. Sadly, there are no chemical engineering exchange programs in Paris, but there is one offered in Nice, which is in the French Riviera. I am pretty sure that it may be one of the most beautiful places on earth. In case you don't believe me, I am enclosing a picture below:

Other than that, I'm just trying to get through one day at a time. My main concern at this moment is where to get a CHEAP, MODEST, and CUTE Halloween costume. I had planned on being a cowgirl, because I already had all of the stuff. Then, I had to loan my stuff to my younger sister back in Mt. Juliet for a country western dance she was going to. This leaves me with no costume and back at square one. My other considerations are: a pirate, a witch, or an M&M. As you can see from my last pirate costume for a school skit, I was anything but cute. haha. Isn't the fake mustache the best?!

Anyways, I think I could probably make a cute M&M costume like the one in the picture below that I saw from Party city, but i just don't know when I'll have time to make it. . .

Best Game Ever!

2009-10-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing if you are any kind of sports fan, you've already heard about the huge upset in Neyland Stadium yesterday. You know. . . when Tennessee raped Georgia. I shouldn't rub salt in the wound, but I can't help but write about the BEST FOOTBALL GAME EVER!

I almost didn't even go to the game, because I thought we were going to get slaughtered. What kind of fan would I be, though, if I didn't tough it out with my team through thick and thin?! So I went and my seat was awesome. Section F. Row 19. Right on the 20 yard line, where every big play of the game happened. I swear I could feel Eric Berry's sweat. haha.

At first, I could only hope that we would put up a decent fight, but as the game went on and I saw we actually had a quarterback I started to hope. All thet hoping must have paid off, because we won: 45-19. I am honestly proud to be a Vol after that game.

Plus, the Pride of the Southland band did the circle drill! Definitely the coolest marching band I've ever seen. If you've never seen it, I suggest clicking here to watch the youtube video. While it's awesome online, it's even better in person. Anyway if you're interested in reading more about the game, click here. :)

"This May Qualify as the Most Random Interview Ever"

2009-10-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

"This may qualify as the most random interview ever." - Leigh Shoemaker, UTK Web Designer, Creative Communications

Today I had an interview with the technology directors, etc. in the office of admissions, because. . . I'm applying to be a blogger for UT. Isn't that fun? I sent in an application and sample blog a while ago, and I made it through to the interview stage. They went through around 100 sample blogs and narrowed it down to their favorite 14. They seemed to really like me. I mean, during the interview, they quoted my own blog back to me and told me how much they all laughed when reading it. That's a good sign, right? I'm trying not to get my hopes after the whole freshman council thing, but it's hard because this is something I want really, really bad. Oh well, all I can do now is wait and hope and eat chocolate. Because chocolate always makes everything better, right?

Where did the Weekend Go?

2009-10-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

With the days getting shorter and oh so, so much colder, it seems like I am not getting much accomplished anymore. I studied all night Thursday for my French test and my first Sociology exam, which I made a 100 on! My Friday night was devoted entirely to eating. Jake, Rachel, and I went to Macaroni Grill for dinner. The waiter spent most of the time hitting on Rachel while I ate my lasagna. haha. Sometimes it stinks to have hot friends. He did give us free cake for Rachel's birthday, which is in April. . .

Saturday, the weather was PERFECT. I went running for around 2 hours off and on, taking breaks on benches around campus when I couldn't breathe anymore. I discovered that if I start sprinting at the top of pedestrian walkway, I can pick up enough speed to run up all 95 steps to the top of the hill. I did that a few times until I almost got hit by a car crossing Volunteer Blvd. I decided then that I had probably ran long enough. . . so Morgan and I went to Target to stock up on essentials. On our way back, we went to eat at Captain D's, where I discovered that it's weird to eat cheese sticks with honey mustard. Morgan is the first person to ever tell me this, but it's too late for me to change my ways now. . .

Saturday night, we went to the Valarium to celebrate our losses. As it turns out, it's not a great place to go without a date. It was just super awkward, because none of us could dance with each other since we're friends and that would be weird. So, we danced alone while all the couples around us put on the major grind. . . It was basically a bust. To top it off, on the way back a car in the parking lot ran over a water bottle and it busted, essentially spraying its entire contents all over me. I was soaking wet and tired and mad that I wasted 10 bucks.

So, that was my weekend. Sunday isn't really worth mentioning since all I've done is sleep and study.

It's Midterm Time in Tennessee!

2009-09-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

I finished reading The Host, and while I hate to see a good book end, it's really time for me to quit reading and start studying. Because. . . it's MIDTERM time in Tennessee!

I already had my bio midterm and it was killer. :/ My professor, Dr. Reichert is an absolute genius. . . but she doesn't really explain things well to those of us who aren't. Her exam had 25 conceptual based questions, no facts just abstract application. Anyways, I made an 84, but there is suppose to be a big curve according to her previous students.

Other than that I am trying to study for my chemistry, french, and sociology midterms. I have chemistry and french covered, but sociology is worrying me. It, the final, and one other exam are the only grades in the course, and it doesn't look promising. My professor said he took the exam himself yesterday and got a 50%. Yeah, I'm terrified!

Once this week is over, however, I can relax and enjoy Tennessee beat Auburn silly! Mah-ha-ha. Let the evil laugh begin. : )

I'm Hooked

2009-09-28T07:08:00.000-07:00

With midterms coming up, I really should be studying, however, to distract myself from this stressful event, I've come up with an alternative: READING. Since our library's leisure reading collection is fairly limited, I only had a few choices, one of which was Stephanie Meyer's The Host. Though it didn't seem to be my type of book, my love for Twilight eventually won out and I chose The Host as my latest distraction. Well, I'm hooked. Not to be blasphemous, but I think it may be better than Twilight. It's packed full of suspense and you honestly get inside of the character's head. . . I honestly can't wait to find out what happens next. Plus, it too will soon be on the silver screen. Producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Schawrtz have acquired the screen rights to the novel, and Andrew Niccol will write the script and direct.

Evolution of Beauty

2009-09-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

So, I saw this video on Sweet, Sassy, Southern, and Classy's blog and I was shocked at how clearly it displays the distortion of "beauty". I am proudly joining Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, because I think it is about time we all celebrated our individuality and stopped attempting to conform to this media monster.

11 Signs You are in Love

2009-09-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

I got this in an email forward, but I thought it was really cute. : )

ELEVEN You walk really slow when you're with them.

TEN: You feel shy whenever they're around.

NINE: You smile when you hear their voice.

EIGHT: When you look at them, you can't see the other people around you, you just see them.

SIX: They're all you think about.

FIVE: You realize you're always smiling when you're looking at them.

FOUR:You would do anything for them, just to see them.

THREE: While reading this, there was one person on your mind this whole time.

TWO: You were so busy thinking about that person, you didn't notice number seven was missing

ONE: You just scrolled up to check & are now silently laughing at yourself.

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid. . .

2009-09-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

It has been raining here in Knoxville for about two weeks and according to my small-talk source in the elevator it is predicted to continue raining for the next 11 days. It seems to me that this is the perfect weather for vampires, which in itself is very scary, but even more frightening yet, it is the perfect weather for horrible hair days. I personally have taken to wearing a hat like the one in my profile photo, but other than that my hair has become untamable. The last day it looked good was September 13th as demonstrated in the pictures to my trip to the library above. Try to ignore the bad angle on the second photo. . . or is that the freshmen 15? Either way try to focus on my hair and not my chipmunk cheeks. : )

This Week at UT. . .

2009-09-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

MONDAY:

Sept. 14th. (tonight) Spike Lee will be coming to the BCC to speak as a "Living Ledgend" at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY:

2. Today and Tomorrow, Disney will be interviewing for paid interns this summer at the UC.

WEDNESDAY:

3. There is a blood drive going on around campus as a competition against Florida State. Be sure and drop by the UC or the various Bloodmobiles around campus to donate.

THURSDAY:

4. Volunteer Fair in the UC Ballroom on Thursday from 11-2. Many organizations will be on hand to discuss volunteer activities, including the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and Team VOLS.

FRIDAY:

Give SGA your input on bands for this year's Volapalooza, by voting online at http://sudentvoice.com/tenn/volapalooza.

SATURDAY:

6. Restoring the Streets will be working with "Keep Knoxville Beautiful" this Saturday, Sept. 19, cleaning the streets of Knoxville. If you would like to participate, please meet in front of the Black Cultural Center at 8:15 a.m. on the 19th. The group will work from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please wear tennis shoes and jeans that you do not mind getting dirty. Documentation for your service hours can be given. Questions? E-mail elipsey@utk.edu.

Cutest Pink Dorm Room known to Man!

2009-09-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

So, I want to brag on my awesome dorm room, but picture's are worth a thousand worth a thousand words so I'm posting them instead. : )

My awesome vanity! Isn't Massey the cutest!?

The wall art I made myself. ModPodge is my hero. : )

Full length view.

This one is my favorite.

The top shelf is holding $750 worth of texbooks! Pretty skimpy, huh?

New New Moon Trailer!!!

2009-09-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

So, I am super excited about the New Moon movie, especially since it is premiering here in Knoxville! Just wanted to share the newest trailer. : )

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Campus Fashion

2009-09-11T10:58:00.001-07:00

As seen on campus:

Nike Shorts in various colors. . .

MUST be paired with Rainbow flip-flops for maximum appeal.

Here's the down low on campus fashion: Most students wear Nike shorts and various university affiliated t-shirts to class, paired with rainbow flip-flops of course. I'll admit it. I gave in on the flip-flops. At first I was let-down, because I just paid $50 for these "fantastic" flip flops and low and behold they gave me horrible blisters. I then further complicated the situation by listening to the advice of a certain cute boy I know and covering the blisters with super glue. Well, that backfired and ripped off all the blisters and the accompanying skin. Ouch!

And though my feet are a little scarred now, it all worked out in the end. My Rainbows are completely broken in, and they are the most comfortable item in my wardrobe. They have plenty of arch support and the wide strap keeps them securely on my feet even as I trek up and down hills all over campus. Honestly, I get enough use out of them to cover the cost and then some. My advice: invest in a pair, but give yourself a good two weeks to break them in before you go trekking all over campus.

I have yet to give in on the shorts, however, because I see that as the ultimate sign of defeat. I prefer to look less like "I just walked out of the gym" and more like "I just walked off of the runway." I wish that campus was a little less casual and a little more like the show Gossip Girl. As you know, that show is my all time favorite fashion inspiration. In a previous post I blogged about how Instyle.com catalogs all of their outfits by season so you can purchase the same pieces online. You can't do that on a college kid's budget, though. . . Well, at least not mine. haha. Anyway, that is why I am super excited about the new Gossip Girl fashion line coming out at Target.

The collection, designed by Anna Sui, contains signature items representing each of the 4 main female characters: Blair, Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa. The line will be sold at Targets nation wide from September 13th to October 17th. Lucky for us, the pictures have leaked online, so to view them click here. Enjoy and if you see me at Target on September 13th, you'll have to forgive me for trampling you. ; )

Boomsday!!

2009-09-09T10:46:00.001-07:00

So, I had a great long weekend. Hope all of you did as well. : ) We had our first game against Western Kentucky and we owned them 63-7. Unfortunately, I didn't get a ticket, because I didn't really understand the new claim system. I have figured it out for this weeks game, though, and already printed my ticket for the UCLA game! If you missed last weeks game, too, or you didn't get a ticket to this weeks game, you can follow TN football online at the UT Sports Site.

In addition to the game, I went to Boomsday. . . or I guess I watched Boomsday from campus. We sat in the HSS plaza and saw the fireworks over the stadium. They were spectacular, but toward the end the smoke was so thick that they were almost hidden. Haha.

Other than that, I spent the weekend catching up on homework and reading my textbooks. Biology 130 is kicking my butt. And it's not I don't know the material or do my work, it's just that I haven't figured out how our assignments are graded. It seems totally arbitrary. It's like a completion grade, but based on effort. I'm meeting with my lecture assistant tomorrow night to discuss my grades. . . We'll just have to see how it goes from their.

Did I mention that I love Thursdays?

2009-09-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I was done bragging about how awesome my Thursdays are, but I'm not. I just had to share one more fun fact! Thursday's are free bowling shoe rental night at the Down Under, so my free bowling shoes were the perfect end to my perfect day. : )

While we're on the subject of shoes. . . I need to mention my new obsession: TOMS. I've seen them before in Whole Body (a division of Whole Foods), but I was never really interested until I saw them all over campus. So, I asked a friend from across the hall about them and she gavee me the scoop. Now I have decided: They are the cutest shoes ever and for every pair sold, they give a pair to a child in need. Isn't that amazing? My shoe fetish can final benefit someone else! My favorite design is the large polka dots. I really want a pink pair and a blue pair, but with my college student budget. . . I may have to settle for only one. Since I already own approximately one million pairs of pink shoes, I am seriously leaning toward the blue and green (pictured above). If you're interested in joining me in helping a child in need and getting a pair of fashionable, comfortable shoes, visit the official TOMS website.

Thursdays Are My Favorite Days!

2009-09-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today was basically the perfect day. Then again, Thursdays are my favorite days. Mainly because my classes end at 12: 25, which is really, really amazing. It almost makes 8 am classes worth it when I have the entire afternoon to chill out. Plus, Sophie's (my favorite cafeteria) has a potato bar on Thursday's. Last week, I got this amazing sweet potato with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. This week, I opted for a regular potato. I just decked it out with butter, cheese, ham, and bacon. It was basically the best thing I've ever tasted in my life. : ) Which is a pretty amazing complement considering they also had a customize your own cobbler line today with ice cream and everything.

Happy Biking!!

2009-09-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today is Bike Day at UT, so I just wanted to post a picture of my dream bike and share 10 funny reasons why we should all bike. : ) Enjoy!

10: You get ultra-cool tan lines!
We'll start with a fun one, and you can laugh if you want. We wear our cycling tans like a badge of honor, a sign of our healthy lifestyle choices, a tangible token of membership to an exclusive group. It says, "hey, I ride a bike," or "I grow turnips." Either way, or both, people are bound to be impressed at the beach. Just be sure to use sunblock so you don't overdo it!

9. You see your city like drivers can't!
On two wheels and moving at a comfortable pace you can enjoy your environment and see, smell and hear things you never notice in a car. Which of your neighbors has the best-landscaped yard? What bakeries smell so good you just have to stop? How many different architectural styles can you spot? On a bicycle you can take the scenic route and explore and become a tourist in your own city. Every ride is an adventure.

8. All those we-miss-you cards from your doctor!
Pedaling only 10mph, a 140-pound cyclist burns about 400 calories an hour. And studies prove that biking a few times a week reduces blood pressure and stress while increasing your energy and elevating your overall mood. Your doctor may have to wait a little longer to buy that yacht!

7. You never get stuck in traffic and always have a great parking spot!
If you ride in a city and bike during commuting hours you'll love being able to cruise past long lines of vehicles held up at red lights (be sure to watch carefully for right-turning traffic who might not see you). While drivers breathe exhaust (studies have shown that cyclists breathe less exhaust), and honk at each other, you feel the breeze and enjoy the sights off the roadside. Not to mention that you always get a great parking spot and often even beat your coworkers who drive to work.

6. You have one less car payment and don't pay registration or insurance fees, either!
According to our very unscientific study (read: quick Google search), the average car payment is $500 a month. On top of that, add the cost of insurance, registration, gas, maintenance, etc. By eliminating that vehicle and using your bicycle instead, just think of all the bike gear you can buy!

5. You find cool free stuff on the side of the road!
By observing the flotsam and jetsam along America's streets and highways, you never know what you may find. Loose change, designer sunglasses, cool tools, $20 bills — heck, maybe an entire bag of money? Of course, you'll have to come back to grab that awesome Naugahyde sofa with the "free" sign you spotted on someone's lawn.

4. You can cancel your gym membership!
Riding outside sure beats the treadmill, elliptical machines and the three pieces of cardio equipment you still haven't figured out. No waiting in line for those machines, either. Best, you'll no longer have to spot for Rocko while he's bench-pressing weights equivalent to a small car.

3. You'll never be late for work again!
Because you can avoid traffic and cruise faster than jammed vehicles, it's likely you'll commute faster on 2 wheels and never be late again. Plus, if you are late sometime, it'll probably be because you decided to take the scenic route in. We've done it, too. But tell your boss instead that you got a flat tire. We know you can fix a flat tire in a matter of minutes, but he doesn't. And, he should be impressed that you're making the effort to bike in, keeping yourself healthy in the process and saving a parking space for someone else.

2. Cyclists make better lovers!
According to a study led by Dr. Romualdo Belardinelli, director of the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Italy, the results of aerobic exercise are comparable to those of Viagra, because both widen blood vessels. Hmmm... that's a little scary. Our point is that regular exercise like cycling, will make you feel better, increase your energy and even help you look better, too. All of which make you more interesting to and interested in the opposite sex.

1. Bicycling is a Fountain of Youth!
It's an amazing thing. You feel younger and actually get more years out of your muscles, joints and organs simply by using your highly capable self to pedal around instead of sitting statue-like behind that steering wheel. In fact, cycling might just be the closest thing you can find to a genuine Fountain of Youth. Like few other sports it keeps you fit and young with very little risk of injury. For example, we know plenty of 55-year-old regular riders who look and move like they’re closer to age 35, and also 80-year olds who still love to ride — and can because they're been riding for years.

If you're interested in more tips for bicycle commuting visit the League of American Bicyclists.

Advice from the Older and Wiser. . .

2009-08-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

because if there is one thing college has taught me thus far it's that I know nothing. These 45 pieces of life advice were composed by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. I stumbled across them on a fellow college bloggers site, M in the Midwest. So I hope you enjoy the advice and be sure and look up M in the Midwest for other incredibly awesome posts. : )

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Week One: College Life

2009-08-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

My first week of college is officially over, and I've been asking myself: What in the world have I learned? In class, I've honestly learned very little. Mostly, we have had syllabus quizzes and spent our time deciding where to sit and who wants to drop. It's outside of class that I've learned a lot. Too much in fact to put in paragraph form, so I'm just making a list. Here are the ten most important things I've learned during my first week at the University of Tennessee:

1. You really do have to go to class. Teachers still take attendance even in my lecture classes with 600 people. They just use these fancy "clickers" that you have to pay $50 for. Plus, if you miss more than three classes, they start docking you grade by a letter (a.k.a. from an A to an A- to a B+ to a B-, etc.) Once you miss 9 classes, you automatically fail. Yeah, no skipping for me.

2. There really is a big difference GPA wise between an A and an A- and a B and a B+, etc. I haven't really figured it all out yet, but I do know that you have to be careful.

3. Time management is key. It is WAY, WAY, WAY too easy to put off work here, because living in a residence hall feels like a slumber party all the time. There will ALWAYS be friends going to the movies or the mall. There are always frat parties and pick-up games of ultimate Frisbee. Anything that can stop you from doing your homework will happen. Then, you find yourself up at all hours of the night scrambling to complete that English essay. You have to learn to make time for everything or you won’t have time for anything.

4. The meal plans are a total rip off if you don't know how to use them. i.e. CHECK to see when the cafeterias close so you don't have to eat out every night like me. CHECK to see when and where you can use your meal equivalency. Lastly, don’t be afraid to eat alone or eat with someone you don’t know. It’s a great way to meet new people when your friends no where to be found.

5. Teachers don't baby you here. They expect you to know what's assigned even without them telling you. For example, at UT they write it on "Blackboard." You have to check it constantly just to stay on top of things.

6. That brings me to my next life lesson: SYLLABUSES ARE YOUR COLLEGE BIBLES. The professors outline the entire class for you from the get-go. All you have to do is follow the road map. And yet, it's still harder than you think. It’s easy to fall behind and feel completely desperate, but if you stay on track with the syllabus this will be some other freshman’s horror story and you can just shake your head and feel sorry that they never read my blog.

7. So why is it so hard to follow the syllabus? Well, because you have to devote more time outside of the classroom than you ever imagined. In the words of my Chemistry 120 professor, "You must devote an hour a day, every single day to get a C in the class. If you want an A, be prepared to live and breathe chemistry." Easy enough, right? WRONG, because every single class holds this philosophy. It's might be easy enough to live and breathe chemistry and biology at the same time, because you get biochemistry. It gets a little more difficult, however, when you're immersed in biochemistry in French from a sociological prospective. Seriously, what does that even mean?

8. Drinking is STUPID. It's expensive. College kids can't afford it academically or financially. If you want to drink, DON'T. That is the single best piece of advice I an offer. College is hard enough when you're sober. With a hangover, it's impossible.

9. Textbooks are EXPENSIVE, so you need to actually read them. Why pay $200 for a book you never open? Seems ridiculous, huh? As for campus textbook reservations, I have mixed feelings. I’ll admit that it made purchasing my textbooks EXTREMELY easy. That ease comes at a cost, though, because I definitely paid top dollar for them. Overall, I would recommend the program to freshmen their first semester, because they need to focus on the transition into college life rather than where to get the cheapest textbooks. Nonetheless, next semester when I feel more adjusted, I will be shopping around for the lowest price.

10. This one was probably the hardest one for me – a former fashionista – to embrace. No one cares if you look cute during class. The pedestrian walkway is not a catwalk. Name brands and perfect hair rule do not rule the world – that was high school. So sleep an extra 20 minutes, wear shorts and t-shirts, and don't bother to straighten your hair in the mornings. After walking a mile and a half up and down hills to get to class, we all look windblown and sweaty anyway. : )

100 Things to Do Before You Graduate

2009-07-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Sports Illistrated has gratiously written a list off 100 things to do before you graduate, including traditions from colleges across the country. Unsuprisingly, UT's involves drinking. A.K.A. "Throw back a few abord a vote with Tennessee's volunteer navy." Oh well, at least we made the list. Check it out to see if your college made the cut:

1. Carolina-Duke basketball at Cameron
The Carolina-Duke frenzy reaches its delirious climax in the Crazy confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
John Biever
Why would someone spend as many as four weeks waiting in line for a basketball game that takes two hours to play? Because when it comes to a battle between North Carolina and Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the waiting is part of the experience. Krzyzewskiville, as the tent city outside Cameron is known, has all the comforts of campus. You can toss Frisbees and footballs, blast music, drink beverages, do homework -- made easier by high-speed Internet lines provided by the university -- take naps and scope out members of the opposite sex. (It has been scientifically proven that the closer your tent is to the front of the line, the better your chances are of hooking up.) As the big game approaches, Krzyzewskiville becomes even more sprawling, and the air outside the arena is electric. The players and coaches wander around "town" and press the flesh, and on the eve of the game Coach K himself provides pizza for the tenters and invites them inside Cameron for a chalk talk.

Finally, the big day arrives and you rush in. At tip-off the bubble that has been building bursts in a blast of heat and noise that's sustained until the last tick of the clock. After a Blue Devils' victory, you and the rest of the Cameron Crazies storm the floor and then cap off the win with a huge bonfire back on West Campus. The next day you return to Cameron, fold up your tent and head back to the dorm, whereupon your folks call and ask, "Was it worth the wait?" To which you reply, "What wait?"

2. Order room service with Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus, who calls Salt Lake City's University Park Marriott home.

3. Tailgate in the Grove at Ole Miss, the 10-acre, debutante-stacked meadow on campus.

4. Drop off a race bib or medal at Pre's Rock in Eugene, Ore., the near-holy shrine where distance runner Steve Prefontaine was killed in a 1975 car accident.

5. Make like Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School and do a triple Lindy off your school's highest diving board.

6. Scratch the belly of Georgia mascot Uga VI.

7. Pull a Rudy and walk on to a varsity team. Just promise us you won't make a damn movie about it 20 years from now.

8. Eavesdrop on the pregame speech of South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, college football's most rousing speaker.

9. Get a jump on March Madness with Midnight Madness (a.k.a. Late Night with Bill Self) at Kansas, the nation's best hoops launch party.

10. Visit Boathouse Row, a cluster of 19th-century buildings in Philadelphia that marks the epicenter of U.S. rowing.

11. Throw back a few aboard a boat in Tennessee's Volunteer Navy.

12. Go to a Saint Joseph's basketball game and shout "The Hawk will never die!" -- the most defiant cheer in college sports.

13. Streak through a large lecture hall during class (as U.S. mile-record holder Steve Scott once did at UC Irvine).

14. Shake it all about with Virginia Tech faithful as they do the "Hokie" Pokey between the third and fourth quarters of home football games.

15. Catch a baseball game at Mississippi State from the Left Field Lounge -- temporary stands set up on run-down pickup trucks.

16. D-u-u-ude! Surf to class at UC Santa Barbara.

17. Watch runners in the Boston Marathon pass by from your perch at Boston College.

18. Roll out of bed late and catch a Wildcats football game at Arizona Stadium; two residence halls are built into the facility.

19. Have a cold one at the Esso Club, a converted gas station on the edge of the Clemson campus.

MUST-VISIT SPORTS SHRINES
20. The Palestra. Host to the first NCAA basketball championship game, in 1939, and countless classic Philadelphia Big Five matchups.

21. Notre Dame Stadium. The Gipper never played here (he died three years before it was built), but seven Heisman winners did.

22. Pauley Pavilion (UCLA). Wooden, Alcindor, Walton, 11 NCAA titles.

23. Fetzer Field (UNC). Home to the greatest dynasty in sports, the Tar Heels' women's soccer team (17 national championships in 20 years).

24. Hayward Field (Oregon). U.S. track and field's spiritual center.

25. IUPUI Natatorium. The favorite pool of (and fastest for) U.S. swimmers.

26. The Rose Bowl (UCLA). Home to the Granddaddy of Them All.

27. Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas). Rock! Chalk! Jayhawk! Dr. James Naismith, Phog Allen and Wilt Chamberlain.

28. Yost Ice Arena (Michigan). The rowdiest crowds in college hockey.

29. The Pit (New Mexico). Site of the greatest NCAA upset: the 1983 men's basketball final (N.C. State 54, Houston 52).

30. Michie Stadium (Army). It's been decades since the Cadets were a pigskin power, but this stadium on the Hudson hasn't lost its charm.

31. Franklin Field (Penn). The oldest football stadium still in operation.

32. Michigan Stadium. The Big House is the largest stadium in the nation.

33. Get dirrty at Oozeball, Connecticut's annual mud volleyball tournament. (We promise no Christina Aguilera.)

34. Have lunch at Miami's student union while you watch the diving team practice in the adjacent pool.

35. Pile eight guys into a van and road trip to the Final Four.

36. Wave your index finger toward the opposing goal and yell "Sieve! Sieve! Sieve!" at Boston's Beanpot Hockey Tournament.

37. Make like a high schooler, and roll the giant oak tree at Toomer's Corner with toilet paper after an Auburn win.

38. Check out the annual Bayou Classic, a double whammy of Southern vs. Grambling State: a football game and, more important, a Drumline-style battle of the bands.

39. Try to do the backstroke across the blue "Smurf turf" at Boise State's Bronco Stadium.

More than 500 teams made up of students, faculty, and staff take part in Notre Dame's annual hoopsfest.
Bob Rosato
40. Come up with a cool name for your team in Notre Dame's Bookstore Basketball tournament, the world's largest outdoor five-on-five event.

41. Enter the Little 500 intramural bicycle race at Indiana.

42. Try to tear down the goalposts at Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium, which were reinforced with a steel-and-concrete base in 1998.

43. Scream your lungs out at Texas A&M's midnight Yell Practice.

44. Chill out at Dartmouth's Winter Carnival by taking part in the human dog-sled race or the polar bear swim.

45. Put on your best drag, join the masses of raging Wisconsin students and spend Halloween on Madison's State Street.

46. Fly ye to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.

47. Jump into the alcove between any of the exterior columns at Syracuse's Carrier Dome. The echo sounds eerily like a laser gun being fired in Star Wars. (The film's sound designer, Ben Burtt, was raised in Syracuse.)

MUST-EAT SPOTS
48. Cap off an Alabama win (Roll Tide!) with ribs and white bread at Dreamland Bar-B-Que. The small chain has expanded, but the the original location is in Tuscaloosa. (Look for the neon NO FARTING sign.)

49. Sneak into Vanderbilt's McGugin Center for a training table meal. Chef Majid Noori deserves his own Food Network show.

50. Order a pint of Peachy Paterno from the Penn State Creamery.

51. A wiener isn't a wiener unless you buy it off the cart of James Carter, better known as The Hot Dog Man, at Ball State.

52. Stop by The Rathskellar -- a.k.a. The Rat -- after a North Carolina game for its famous lasagna, billed as a "Bowl Of Cheese."

53. At Qualcomm Stadium for a San Diego State football game? Head to Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, founded by an SDSU grad. Fish tacos are the signature dish, but if you're a high roller, go for the lobster burrito.

54. Have an artery-clogging sandwich at the Grease Trucks, a group of independently operated trailers on College Avenue in New Brunswick, N.J., home of Rutgers. Many of the delicacies have Fat in the name.

55. Dine at the Air Force Academy, which has the nation's largest on-campus cafeteria. Don't worry about finding your buddies: All seats are assigned by squadron.

56. Sign your name alongside countless Colorado alums on the wall or the ceiling at The Sink, where Robert Redford once worked as a janitor.

57. Bite -- if you can -- into The Hammer, a 1 1/2-pound monstrosity at Burger Boy, one block from the Texas A&M campus.

58. Play 18 at Stanford Golf Course, where Tiger Woods ruled before leaving for fame, fortune and Swedish nannies.

59. Embark on a quest to discover whether anyone really plays coed naked lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey, etc.

60. Scale the Lindseth Climbing Wall at Cornell, the largest indoor natural-rock wall in the country, then tackle Maryland's seven-sided, 60-foot-tall tower known as the Beast.

61. Play pickup basketball at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse, site of the climactic game in Hoosiers.

62. Paint the A on "A" Mountain in both Tempe and Tucson, Ariz.

63. Attend the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, prelude to the Florida-Georgia football game.

64. Pay homage to the man who gave us basketball by visiting the grave of Dr. James Naismith in Lawrence, Kans.

65. Listen to a Washington football game while boating on Lake Washington, from which the stadium p.a. system is audible.

66. Travel to Collegeville, Minn., to see Saint John's legend John Gagliardi try to become college football's winningest coach.

67. Pick a friendly fight with a mascot; you won't do much damage through that furry suit.

The Big Ten title is often on the line when league heavyweights Michigan and Ohio State square off.
John Biever
68. Gather at 6 a.m. before a home football game for Kegs and Eggs -- washing down runny eggs with beers -- at Notre Dame.

69. Dot the i in the Ohio State marching band's script Ohio (and then be pummeled by security).

70. Hang out in Cambridge, Mass., on the banks of the river and watch the Head of the Charles, the world's largest two-day rowing event.

71. Spend a college football Saturday watching games at ESPN in Bristol, Conn.

72. Shake ya tailfeather during Howard's homecoming week at Yardfest, a giant concert-party that has featured Jay-Z, Erykah Badu and LL Cool J.

73. Strap on a helmet and enter the Purdue Grand Prix, a 50-mile, 160-lap go-kart race.

MUST-SEE RIVALRIES
74. So you washed out of ROTC after just one week? You can still attend the Army-Navy game. Then drop and gimme 20, you worthless maggot!

75. See a Connecticut-Tennessee women's basketball game. When the teams played in Hartford in a blizzard three years ago, more than 15,000 fans showed. This is now the fiercest rivalry in college sports.

76. Go jump in a lake, as they do in Columbus on the Thursday before the Michigan-Ohio State football game. Then towel off and enjoy the town for 36 hours before heading to Saturday's showdown.

77. Attend the only matchup that can claim the moniker The Big Game: Cal-Stanford football. (If you snag a seat on Tight Wad Hill when Berkeley hosts, you can watch sans admission.)

78. Channel your inner Ivy Leaguer and take in the Harvard-Yale regatta -- the oldest intercollegiate athletic event on these shores. The first race was contested on Aug. 3, 1852.

79. Find your way to Minneapolis, in a state where hockey is king, for the drop of the puck at a North Dakota-Minnesota game.

80. Pick your side in the Bluegrass State's Kentucky-Louisville war, whose intensity went up when Rick Pitino returned to the college ranks.

81. Watch a lacrosse game between Johns Hopkins and Maryland. The two powerhouses face off for the 100th time in April.

82. Travel to eastern Pennsylvania for the nation's oldest football rivalry, Lafayette vs. Lehigh. The schools have butted heads since 1884.

83. Perfect your drawl at the Iron Bowl, the Alabama-Auburn football game. Yell "War Eagle!" in the first half and "Roll Tide!" in the second. And you can't go wrong with Freebird during intermission.

84 Head to the Texas State Fair in Dallas for the Red River Shootout, the Oklahoma-Texas pigskin clash played at the Cotton Bowl.

85 Catch a performance of the Florida A&M Marching 100 -- the self-proclaimed "marchingest, baddest, most electrifying band in the world."

86. Ask out the starting quarterback or head cheerleader.

87. Climb to the top row of Wyoming's War Memorial Stadium, the highest
football stadium (7,220-foot elevation) in the country.

88. Arrive at a game with a letter painted on your chest so you and your friends can spell out your school's name. (Guys can do this, too.)

89. Go bowling at the Hippodrome on George Washington's campus, home to the only public lanes in downtown D.C.

90. Compete in such inebriated events as the Happy Meal 800 meters and the Naked 400 meters in the Beer Olympics at Oregon.

91. Attend the College World Series in Omaha, an 11-day baseball fest that gives you the chance to see future major leaguers pinging the ball out of Rosenblatt Stadium.

92. Visit the original Pizza Hut, a modest 1,077-square-foot building on the Wichita State campus.

93. Take a lap around the track at the Penn Relays.

94. Tailgate in South Carolina's Cockaboose Railroad, a string of 22 cabooses on unused tracks outside Williams-Brice Stadium.

95. Call it Inuit-ion, but we think you'll love Anchorage, site of the Great Alaska Shootout.

96. Pretend you're a Clemson football player and run down the Hill at Death Valley. Be sure to touch Howard's Rock before you begin your descent.

97. Complete a brewery tour near the Colorado State campus. Start with the Anheuser Busch facility, find your way to O'Dells Brewing Company then stagger to New Belgium Brewing Co.

98. Sit in the front row of the student section for a Kansas State football game. Crowd surf up to the top when the Wildcats score.

99. Pop an Altoid and head out to Full Moon on the Quad at Stanford. At midnight seniors and freshmen meet to lock lips.

100. If you really plan to graduate after doing all this, um, maybe you should go to a few classes?

Vera Bradley Giveaway

2009-07-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

This fantastic blog that I follow, Kristen's Palace, is having a giveway to celebrate it's 100th post! The Prize: this adorable limited edition Vera Bradley bag. Click here to visit Kristen's blog and find out more. : )

Gossip Girl Style

2009-07-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

While I don't envy the drama of the Gossip Girls, I turn into a little green monster when I think of their wardrobes. Their styles are to die for and more than a few times I've wondered where they get all of these fantastic pieces. {Or rather where the wardrobe department does. :) }

Well, I did a little research and I found that Instyle actually breaks down their looks online. So, we can all enjoy a photo gallery of their outfits complete with online shopping links! Just click here and let the fun begin. Just a quick warning, though, sometimes looking like a million bucks can cost about as much. hahaha.

Beauty Babbles: Natural Beauty Solutions

2009-07-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

One easy way to go green and save some serious cash is to start making your own beauty supplies. So, here's a few DIY recipes for everything for longer hair to clearer skin. : )

Apple cider vinegar toner
Mix one part ACV with two parts green or white tea and add a few drops of tea tree oil. Applied to the face at least once a day (it's usually at night for me), this toner will even out the skin tone and leave your skin glowing. The only downside is the funky smell, so you might want to add an essential oil of your choice.

Baking soda exfoliator
Mix some baking soda with your cleanser and carefully massage into skin, then rinse with warm water. This is much more gentle than most regular exfoliators and incredibly cheap.

Castor oil
This is amazing for promoting hair growth! Applied to your lashes at night (using either an old mascara brush or a cotton bud), it will make your lashes grow longer and thicker as well.

Salt & olive oil hand exfoliator
Mix some salt and olive oil and massage into your hands for a few minutes (be careful not to rub too much as the salt might scratch your skin), then rinse with warm water and moisturise.

Aspirin mask
Crush a few aspirin pills (I recommend using a mortar) and dissolve them in a few (!) drops of water, then mix with either honey or aloe vera gel. Apply to face, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then wet your fingers to lightly exfoliate your face. Afterwards, rinse with warm water.
The salicylic acid in aspirin recudes the appearance of pimples and minimizes the pores while honey is antibacterial and has soothing abilities.

Beach Body Like Jessica Biel

2009-06-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my fantastic sister and author of Always Pretty in Pink, I've learned to copy and paste! Yay me! So, here is the diet and exercise plan of Jessica Biel. Enjoy!

After watching the 30 best bikini bodies on E! last night, my new life goal is to get a bikini body like Jessica Biel's. Although she's number 5, I think she deserves number one. In 2008, she was voted most fit female celeb, and with good reason, she has a fantastic body.

So, today I looked up her diet and excercise plan online and am going to attempt to complete it. I just wanted to post it here in case some of you feel inclined to join me, or if I ever get the great honor of someone asking for my personal diet/exercise plan. : )

Diet:

Eat unprocessed, "clean foods" starting with complex carbs in the morning and tapering them off by the end of the day.

Eiminating processed foods from your diet is more than half the battle. It will provide you with drastic improvements to your health and your ability to perform functionally.

Breakfast: 1 cup of oatmeal with handful of berries or oatmeal with diced apple and cinnamon, and a side of protein (typically one egg scrambled with three egg whites)

Snack: 1 slice whole wheat toast with almond butter and sliced bananas on top.

Lunch: Vitamin-rich salad (spinach, asparagus, broccoli) dressed with lemon and a teaspoon of olive oil or vinaigrette plus with 5-6 oz of chicken

Snack: A banana or apple or strawberries or soy-based protein drinks made with nonfat milk or protein bars or a dozen unsalted almonds.

Dinner: 6oz. of fish, plate full of veggies, 1/2 cup of low-glycemic basmati rice. A couple of pieces of dark chocolate.

Pay attention to the glycemic index of foods and the resulting repercussions of eating too many foods with a high GI rating. Eat leafy greens in there with spinach and broccoli, some eggs, berries, chicken, etc.

Exercise:

Stretch: One of her favorite warm-ups is the walking lunge.

Cardio: After a ½-mile jog, they hit the track for two 200-meter, 150-meter and 100-meter sprints.

Core: “Hanging leg raises don’t build a six-pack, but they flatten,” says Walsh [Biel's trainer]. “Jessica hates them, but she powers through!” How-to: Hanging from a high bar or rings, pull knees up slightly above waist. Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

Plyometrics: How-to: Jump from the bottom step of a flight of at least 20 stairs to the third. Keep going, skipping a stair each jump.

Weight Training: “We tend to use lighter weights and do more reps,” he says. “We keep moving, so it becomes a cardio workout too.”

For the waist: They do the Russian Twist. Sit down and lean back slightly. Hold a 5-lb. medicine ball and twist from side to side, 15 twists per side, three reps.

For shoulders/biceps: Stand with knees slightly bent. Hold 10-lb. weights in each hand. Curl to chest. Rotate hands, palms face outward. Press overhead together. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Here are some of the components of her workout that I personally agree with. She does High Intensity Interval Training with track sprints, plyometrics, and weight training. Now you may say here “What!? Lighter weights and more reps? What gives here?” Well, let me explain. By “lighter weights”, Jason Walsh is prescribing a challenging weight with reps in the vicinity of 8-12… but the exercises are to be done back to back. He’s not saying that women should pick up 2 lb weights here!

From what I gathered, Jessica works out very intensely for hours at a time. When she was preparing for her role in BLADE 3, she was working out 4 hours a day, seven days a week, whether it was martial arts training, strength training or cardio.

Anyway, I am starting on this routine tomorrow and hope to see results by the end of next month . . . maybe even a before and after photo? We'll just have to play that by ear. : )

Getting a Body Like Jessica Biel

2009-06-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

So my new goal in life is to get a body like Jessica Biel. I realize this is a HUGE time commitment that will require a lifestyle overhual. I'm ready to make that transistion, and I wrote all about how on facebook. This note includes both Jessica's diet and exercise plan. To view it, just click here.

P.S. Isn't it just a pain that blogger won't let you copy and paste?

I scream. You Scream . . .

2009-06-25T18:16:00.001-07:00

We all scream for free ice cream. : ) So check out this deal for Ben and Jerry's.

I know where I'll be on Monday!

Quotables

2009-06-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

Two quotes this week stood out from the rest. Enjoy!

"Eating celery is like negative calories because you burn so many chewing."

"More than a handful is wasted . . . but boys hands are bigger."

Beauty Babbles: Preventing Razor Bumps

2009-06-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

With swim suit season upon us, there is one beauty issue weighing heavily on my mind: razor bumps. I absolutely hate the things and have so far been unable to avoid them. So, I've done some research on the topic and complied a list of seven steps that hopeful helps in their prevention.

1. Always use a new razor.

2. Shave as soon as you get into the shower/bath. Soaking in the water may be relaxing, but it causes the skin to soften and swell. This makes ingrown hairs more likely.

3. Shave the bikini area first so the razor is sharpest.

4. Use a shaving gel made specifically for the bikini line. Personally, I'll be testing Bikini Zone: Anti-bumps Shave gel. Let it sit on the skin for several minutes to soak in.

5. After shaving, apply a cream that contains lidocain to help prevent swelling.

6. Aoid friction from tight clothing, etc. immediately after shaving.

7. If bumps still appear, DON'T pick at them. Let them heal on their own and be sure to apply a healing product like neosporin.

I hope this regiment helps someone. I'm going to try it for a week and let you know how it works for me. : )

Amazing New Website

2009-06-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

So, I've discovered the most amazing new website . . . or rather was introduced to it by my Father. (It's Father's Day, so I figure I'll give him the credit he deserves.)

Anyway, the web address is Zinio.com - which translated means digital.

What does it have, you ask?

Well, it has every magazine, cookbook, textbook, etc. imaginable - from all over the globe - in digital format. You can preview back issues for free or subscribe online at a discount. It's very eco-friendly on all the paper it saves. Plus, it saves you space at home. If you're a college student like me, it saves you from lugging around heavy textbooks, too.

So where's the catch?

When you preview the magazines, they're very small, and you can only zoom in on 3 pages in each issue. This leaves the rest of the pages too small to actually read.

Really though . . .

It's great for all the fashion magazines, because you can just look at the pictures. Personally, I've taken to reading Polish fashion magazines, because 1.) I love the unique styles and 2.) I can't read polish anyway, so I don't feel the need to zoom.

Well, I really just encourage you all to check it out yourselves. Just click here.

New Hair Cut

2009-06-20T18:04:00.001-07:00

So, I got a new haircut which I love! So I wanted to give a quick shoutout to my stylist Paige at Michelle's Salon in Hermitage. She did a fantastic job on both the cut and the color! If you're looking for a new stylist or just really like my cut, give her a call at (615) 871-4135.

Little Church Handouts Compiled

2009-06-06T09:11:00.001-07:00

So, every Sunday at church, I inevitably end up with some little handout with a quote. Seriously, though, what the heck do you do with all these handouts?Well, I decided to compile al mine into a web post. So here they are. I hope that maybe one of them will mean something to someone out there. : )

Elder Richard G. Scott on Making Choices:

"Your agency, the right to make choices, is not given so that you can get what you want. This divine gift is provided sot hat youwill choose what your Father in Heaven wants for you. That way he can lead you to become all that He intends for you to be. That path leads to glorious joy and happiness."

Unknown on Choices:

"The spirit of the Lord will reveal to people, even in the simpliest of matters, what they shall do, by making suggestions to them. We should try to learn the nature of this spirit, that we may understand its suggestions, and then we will always be able to do right. This is the grand provolege of every Latte-day Saint. We know that it is our right to have the manifestations of the spirit every day of our lives."

President Spencer W. Kimball on keeping a personal record (a.k.a. a journal/blog/diary):

"We may think there is little of interest or importance in what we personally say or do - but it is remarkable how many of our families, as we pass on down the line, are interested in all that we do and all that we say. Each of us is omportant to those who are near and dear to us - and as our posterity read of our life's experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together for eternities, we will already be aquainted."

Elder Delbert L. Stapley on establishing good habits:

"Good habits are not aquired simply by making good resolves, though the thought must precede the action. Good habits are develped in the workshop of our daily lives. It is not in the great moments of test and trial that character is built. That is only when it is displayed. The habits that direct our lives and form our character are faashioned in the oft uneventful, commonplace routine of life."

Unknown on Personal Growth:

"Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who trangress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. [Some trials] are evidence tha the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more."

YW Value Stick (multicolored candy cane)

Red represents Individual Worth.

Remember that you are a daughter of God.

Orange represents Choice and Accounatability.

Make good choices and hold to the rod.

Yellow represents Good Works.

Serve others with all your might.

Green represents Knowledge.

Through study and prayer, seel truth and light.

Blue represents Divine Nature.

Strive to develop your divine qualities.

There are two more values --

And more thought should be given than what the eye sees.

The value of Faith can be found --

In the middle, which the other values surround.

Represented by white, faith is pure and true.

It is something you believe and underlies what you do.

now purple, where can it be?

It represents Integrity.

To find Integrity you must take a lick -

of the entire Young Women Value Stick.

And so it is with you and me,

We musst stick to our values to have integrity.

My Gospel Standards

I will remember my baptismal covenants and listen to the Holy Ghost.

I will be honest with heavenly Father, others, and myself.

I will seek good friends and treat others kindly.

I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself.

i will only read and warch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.

I will use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Reverently. I will not swear or use crude words.

I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.

I will do those things on the Sabbath that will help me feel closer to heavenly Father.

I will chose the right. I know I can repent if I make a mistake.

I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and serve a mission. I will follow Heavenly father's plan for me.

Gordon B. Hinckley on Marriage:

You will wish to be married to someone who lover you, who trusts you, who walks beside you, who is your very best friend and companion.

You will wish to be married to someone who will encourage you in your Church activity and in community activities which will help you to develop your talents and make a greater contribution to society.

You will want to be married to someone who has a sense of service to others. who is disposed to contribute to the church and to other good causes. You will wish to be married to someone who loves the Lord and seeks to do his will.

Are you the type of person that you would like to marry?

Baptism for the Dead

2009-05-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

While reading some blogs, I stumbled across a very hateful Mormon bashing blog. The author, a prominent figure in another religion had some very fictitious and plain hateful information regarding baptism for the dead. I decided to do my best to share the truth of the matter with everyone I know, because he's determined to share lies with everyone he knows.

I don't pretend to know everything, but I do know this: the gospel is true and I want others to know the truth, too. It my be too little, too late, but here it goes.

These are the facts.

Mormons believe that families are FOREVER.

Because we want to be with our families forever, we do special ordinances for those on the other side of the veil.

We do not simply do ordinances for huge lists of people.

We do the work for our ancestors only.

If we are not the closest living relative, we must request permission from whomever that might be.

Furthermore, we do not force the gospel on the dead.

They have just as much choice in the spirit world as people do here.

Our Heavenly Father would never take away the free agency he gave us. He will, however, give us every chance to be saved.

Since baptism is required for that and cannot be performed on the other side, we perform that ordinance and others like it in our temples.

In all, we are just trying to fulfill Malachi's promise that "he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

If you want to know more, please ask me, call your local mission office, or visit LDS.org.

Hurray for ebay!

2009-05-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

May is here and I am now officially 18.

I can vote, buy a lottery ticket, but most importantly have my own ebay account!

I love ebay. I am totally broke, but I am now the proud owner of a pair of Coach Paisley Tattersall rainboots. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain. They are the most beautiful things I've ever owned, just like my new turquoise necklace and my brown sandals and my pink raincoat and my orange dress . . . Well, you get the point. I'm a shopaholic and ebay is only making it worse. : )

To keep up with my shopping habits, I'm making a strategic career move. Currently, I'm studying for my CPC. I love working at a Plastic Surgeon's and this is the best way to get job security. While on the topic, I should mention the perks of a plastic surgeon's office, i.e. my birthday gift.

For my birthday, Dr. Rosdeuschter and all the wonderful staff at Cumberland Plastic Surgery gave me an Obagi Nu-derm kit, which I love! Not only is it going to clear up my skin, but it will also bleach out all my freckles. Goodbye Pippy Longstockings. Hello Beautiful skin.

So, my life is pretty much great. : )

Who's Your Celebrity Twin?

2009-03-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered which celebrity you look like? Well, the time has come to find out, via Myheritage.com. This amazing site not only helps you with your family history, but can scan a photo of you to tell you which celebs you look the most like. Surprisingly, I look 71% like Brittany Murphy in the photo I uploaded. Most people say I look like Reece Witherspoon, but she didn't even come up. Go figure. So, I know you're dying to try it. Just click here, create an account, and go under the celebrity tab. Here's my celeb collage:

I'm in Love . . .

2009-03-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

So I've fallen in love with some coach rainboots. I've been wanting rainboots FOREVER and these are absolutly perfect. They're cute, but also classic. I see them as an investment, because I'll be wearing them for years to come, right? Plus, they're number one on my "Things I am Allowed to Buy" list.

Yeah . . . the list. I've had to make this list, because I seem to have a shopping addiction. Then again, a Chanel little black dress is also on my list, so I may not be cured. (Retail: $6K+, but I saw one on ebay for $3,500. Not that I can afford that either.) I figure it'll probly take a decade to get that one, but I can wait. Good thing I'm gonna be a plastic surgeon, becase I'm gonna need a lot of cash to keep up with my spending habits.

I need your Help again . . .

2009-03-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hello, Everyone!

My name is Rebekah Patton, and I am the Salutatorian from Wilson Central High School . I am currently completing for a $20K scholarship in an online voting competition. First, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so far. I appreciate your votes as well as your time. Now, I need your help again. I have advanced to regions and you can all vote again. : ) Or, if you haven't voted yet, you can for the first time. This is not a scam; this is a legitimate competition that could me the opportunity of a lifetime.

Here's a more in-depth explanation:

1.) I am currently competing at the regional level in the Zinch March Madness Scholarship Competition. I was selected from over 7,000 students from Tennessee to represent our state. I have now advanced to regions by being in the top 6 of around 50 students in the state of Tennessee. I am in the South 3 region and the competition is fierce. To advance again, I need your help. I need each and every one of you to vote for me.

2.) So, how do you vote? It's an online vote. Go to zinch.com. It will take you to the page, but you have to be a member. Don't sweat, though. Sign-up only takes a minute, and it's 100% free. First, click on sign up. The first question will be "Who am I?" select "other." Then, you will pick a username and password. It will ask for your email address, but please don’t be deterred. IT WILL NOT SPAM YOU. After that, it will only ask for your name, gender, and zip code. Voila! You're done. They'll send you a confirmation email. After you confirm, you'll be free to vote!

3.) This might sound cynical, but I know a few of you are wondering, "Why bother?" Well, there are about a million and one reasons, but I only have time for three. First of all, when you do something nice for someone, good things happen. It's called karma. : ) Second, I'm planning on attending Vanderbilt in the fall. Tuition is roughly $50K a year, so this scholarship would really help me. (Hopefully this University choice will alert you to my academic and extracurricular record.) Lastly, I am going to be a plastic surgeon, specializing in pediatric reconstructive surgery. If you vote for me, you'll also be helping many, many children in the future.

Is that enough of a guilt trip? Only kidding, but seriously . . . please take a few minutes of your time to help me. Feel free to contact me at Beka709@yahoo.com with any further questions.

Thank You,
Rebekah Patton
Wilson Central High School

P.S. Please forward this message to as many people as possible. I REALLY need the votes.

I Need EVERYONE'S Help! ! !

2009-02-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

Hey again, everyone! My name is Rebekah P*****. I am a Senior in high school and am currently completing for a $20K scholarship. I've already sent around one message, but it was a little confusing. I just wanted to clarify a few things.

1.) I am currently a state finalist in the Zinch March Madnezz Scholarship Competition. I was selected from over 7,000 students from Tennessee to represent our state. To advance to regions, I must be in the top 6 of around 50 students. How do I get there? I need your help. I need each and everyone of you to vote for me.

2.) So, how do you vote? It's an online vote. Just click on the link below. It will take you to the page, but you have to be a member. Don't sweat, though. Sign-up only takes a minute, and it's 100% free. First, click on sign up. The first question will be "Who am I?" select "other." Then, you will pick a username and password. After that, it will only ask for your name, gender, and zip code. Voila! You're done.They'll send you a confirmation email. After you confirm, you'll be free to vote!

3.) This might sound synical, but I know a few of you are wondering, "Why bother?" Well, there are about a million and one reasons, but I only have time for three. First of all, when you do something nice for someone, good things happen. It's called karma. : ) Second, I'm planning on attending Vanderbilt in the fall. Tution is roughly $50K a year, so this scholarship would really help me. Lastly, I am going to be a plastic surgeon, specializing in pediatric reconstructive surgery. If you vote for me, you'll also be helping many, many children in the future.

Is that enough of a guilt trip? JK, but seriously . . . please take a few minutes of your time to help me.

Thank You,
Rebekah P******

P.S. Please forward this message to as many people as possible . . . just not the creepy stalkers.

http://www.zinch.com/Voting/Regionals.aspx?GroupId=42

Quotables

2009-02-23T11:52:00.001-08:00

My sister, Hannah, is so hilarious, but totally not on purpose. Here are a couple of examples.

Conversation in Car, driving by GirlScout cookie stand:

Hannah: I love GirlScout cookies! Too bad I don't have $14.

Me: What do you need $14 for?

Hannah: To buy a box.

Me: One box?

Hannah: Yeah . . . that's how much they cost, isn't it?

This morning while getting ready:

Me: Hannah, I'm really tired. I stayed up late watching CSPAN.

Hannah: What's CSPAN?

Me: Like, the Congress channel.

Hannah: Why in the world were you watching that?

Me: Because T. Boone Pickins was giving an address on foreign oil dependence. (Pause) Did you know that America uses 25% of the daily oil produced, but we only have 4% of the population?

Hannah: (completely serious) What do we use it all for? To fry stuff?

Quick Update

2009-02-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I feels like I haven't blogged in FOREVER. So, here's what has been going on with me. I've started my clinical internship at the hospital. It's actually a lot harder to be there than I thought it would be. These patients are real, and some of them are dying. Plus, sometimes I get a little queezy. I actually FAINTED! I was just watching a pick line insertion and well I ended up watching the ceiling. That's probly the most embarrassing moment of my life . . . so far.

On the bright side, I gave blood (on Friday the 13th) without fainting. I don't care what people say, giving blood hurts. My nurse or whatever totally screwed up. Just look at the bruise I got. This picture is about three days after; it was actually a lot worse. In fact, I still have a massive bruise and it's been 8 days.

Well, what else? Hmmmm . . . The seniors had our Top Ten Percent Banquet. It was unreal how boring it was, but it's one of those things that seniors do. I was having trouble deciding what to wear. In the end, I went way casual, maybe a little too casual . . .

That's me - the one on the far left in need of a serious hair cut. To my right are three of my best friends. We look so different, but I think it's so cool that we can be ourselves with our own styles.

Here's another pic with some more of my girls. : )

Better With Age

2009-02-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

The Young Richard Gere

Present Day Richard Gere

So, I was watching Nights in Rodanthe, which is super sad by the way. Anyway, I just can't believe how handsome Richard Gere is. I swear he gets better looking every year. So, here's a couple of pictures for you to decide for yourself.

How I Feel. . .

2009-02-16T19:12:00.000-08:00

“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”

- Oscar Wilde

Quotables

2009-02-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

An overheard conversation between Hannah and Isaac on the strange smell coming from the garbage can.

Isaac: Eww. That stinks.

Hannah: Then breathe through your mouth.

Isaac: No way. Then I'll taste it.

Octuplets Mess

2009-02-16T01:59:00.001-08:00

Well, I have been reading about this insane octuplet mother and her wish to be Angelina Jolee, and I remembered this hilarious video by the Venetian Princess. She's freakin' hilarious. She always dresses like the person she's making fun of. Doesn't she look like Angelina in this video? You should check out all her videos here.

Awards

2009-02-16T00:58:00.000-08:00

I got a couple of awards from who else? Leah at Always Pretty in Pink.

This first award is the Friendship Award.

This award states:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. "

This is the Lovely Lemonade Award.

As always here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

I nominate:

Katie at Dr. Katie Goes to Medical School

Melody at Mel's Belles

I got Tagged

2009-02-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

I got tagged.
The Rules:

1. Go to your documents/pictures.

2. Go to your 6th file.

3. Go to your 6th picture.

4. Blog about it.

5. Tag 6 people to do the same.

Well, this picture's pretty lame. I thought about cheating so I could post a fun picture, but I really just couldn't bring myself to it. Anyways, this is when my car got totaled. Mine's the blue Lexus ES300 on the bottom. Basically, this elderly lady (had to be close to 100) drove over a wall and parked her car on top of my car. This picture was taken while the tow truck was pulling her car off. In the end, my windsheild was busted, hood cruched, fender bukled, and bumper falling off. Plus, she knocked the muffler loose and unaligned the tires. Terrible, I know.

The worst part was that not even a minute before, I was under my hood checking my oil level. If she would have been a minute earlier, I would probly be dead right now. Makes you appreciate life a little more. Huh?

Quotables

2009-02-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm gonna have to brag on my sister Sarah. She's 10 and she's the most hilarious person I've ever met. Whether she is funny on purpose . . . that's questionable. : )

Sunday, during church.

Sarah: Beka, your breath stinks.

Me: No, it doesn't. I just brushed my teeth, and I'm chewing gum.

Sarah: Then, your nose breath stinks. Can you please breath through your mouth.

Monday, before school.

Sarah: I haven't been to school in a week. Hope I hope I don't act like a maniac.

I Love Jesus, but I drink a Little

2009-02-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

I saw this video on Dr. Katie's blog, and I just couldn't help myself. I have to put it on mine, too.

I Know how the Cardinals Feel

2009-02-03T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well, they announced rank today. Surprise! I am not, in fact, Valedictorian. I am salutatorian. I don't even know how to spell that, because that wasn't the plan. I haven't started crying . . . yet. I just can't believe that that's it. Four years of hard work and that's it. I lose. I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.I lose.It doesn't matter how many times I write it. It doesn't get better. It doesn't go away. I lost. I lost myself. I just feel empty. I guess that's how the Cardinals feel. They got to the Super Bowl and they lost. That's it. No ring. No fanfare. They are a disappointment. I am a disappointment. Now I am crying. Being a disappointment is the hardest part. My family cried. And I . . . I drowned my sorrow in 42 grams of blissful sugar. And I am not sure what's gonna happen to me. . . Maybe, I'll just have another cupcake.

25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

2009-02-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

I got tagged on facebook, so I figured since I already put the work into it I should post it here to. Here are 25 facts that you didn't know about me. : )

1. I am totally technologically challenged. I already typed up this entire list and accidentally deleted it.
2. I am a closet sugar eater. Shhhh! Don't Tell. ; )
3. My car is the loudest at Wilson Central (and not on purpose).
4. I drink organic milk from a farm in Rock Springs. It's chunky. : /
5. I get up at 4:00 a.m. every morning.
6. I love the smell of charcoal and wood burning.
7. I can grill babyback ribs. I even have a secret barbecue sauce recipe.
8. I hate Popsicles. Thinking about them makes my teeth hurt.
9. I hate KFC. The smell makes me sick.
10. I am completely unmotivated. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, despite what I might tell you.
11. I have 4 sisters, but I am sort of more like their mom than their sister. (B/C I am so bossy.)
12. I love all things pink. (See the post of my room for proof.)
13. My favorite movie is Mulan. I sing all the songs in the shower. : )
14. My favorite author is Jane Austen. I must have read Pride and Prejudice a hundred times.
15. I love to make my own clothes. My family, however, has warned me they are prepared to nominate my for What Not to Wear.
16. Goodwill is my hero. They provide jobs to those in need and great deals.
17. You need to stay on my good side, because I'm like Mr. Darcy. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.
18. I have 30 pairs of shoes. Mostly flats and boots and heels and tennis shoes . . .
19. I know my way around a Dutch oven. I especially love Dutch oven peach cobbler.
20. My dream is to be on SNL. (Yeah, I am secretly hilarious.)
21. I want to move to Australia and stay until I have an accent.
22. Sparkling Voss is my favorite water. It comes in really nice glass bottles.
23. I could not live without my North Face backpack.
24. Chicago is my favorite city of all time.
25. I am secretly obsessed with Joe Jonas.

Nerds Gone Wild

2009-01-30T08:24:00.000-08:00

So, class rank is like this big secretive deal. Today, they needed to check the Top 10's transcripts, so they called us all down to the guidance office. Then they passed out our transcripts and asked us all to approve our GPA's. But . . . wait for it . . . they punched out the rank. Now picture a room of hungry wolves, who have waited 4 years for a prime rib. Well, that's about what the room turned into. Everyone started to try and politely find out each others GPA's. Like they cared! They really just wanted to know if they beat you. Jerks. Mine's a 4.375. We'll just have to see what happens. At this point, though, I really just don't care. It was pretty hilarious, though, to watch the wild side of my peers. : )

25 Points of Light

2009-01-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

I've been working on this video for a National Honor Society program called 25 Points of Light. It's basically a program that recognizes the heroes within our school. I'm pretty proud of it. I think it's inspirational, so I thought I would share it with all of you. : )

Senior Superlatives

2009-01-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

So, today's the day! It's the day that the Senior class votes on all those silly titles like Most Likely to Change the World and Weirdest Laugh. It's sort of lame, but I'm a little excited about it. I was shocked by how many people on the list I didn't know . . . and probably never will now that we're mere weeks from graduation. I was also flattered by how many things I was nominated for: Most Likely to Succeed, Best Dressed, Most Likely to Change the World, and Most Likely to be President. In a class of around 400, it's an honor even to be in the few nominated. I can't wait to see how it all pans out. : )

P. S. I did not nominate/vote for myself for anything.

A Higher Standard

2009-01-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this is true, but someone told me that blogspot is 90% Mormon. In case you aren't though, I just wanted to give a quick testimony to tell you what we're all about.

So . . . I'm a Mormon. Most people wonder what that means. They think it's all about the rules. No coffee. No tea. No drugs. No alcohol. No tobacco. No dating 'till you're 16. No cursing. No miniskirts. No bikinis. No random body piercings. No tattoos. No going out on Sunday. No. No. No.
But that's not what it's all about.

We live by a higher standard, because the main part of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is an overwhelming devotion to our savior Jesus Christ. As Nephi said in the Book of Mormon, ". . . we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." I know that my Savior lives. Through his atonement, I can be forgiven of my sins. All these rules, they are not the big picture. In the eternal perspective, I follow these rules so that I can return to live with my Savior.

So, if you want to know more, visit LDS.ORG or message me.

Things that I Love

2009-01-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

So, I took these lists off my myspace blog and they're a few years old. I noticed a little something disturbing, though - the top two things that I loved involved sugary foods. Sadly, I gave sugar up almost a year ago (sort of). It's just today, however, that I am starting t feel deprived. A sugary treat every once in a while can't hurt me, right? I may have to rethink this lifestyle, because you only live once.

♥ eating cookie dough
♥ Cocoapuffs for dinner
♥ in the sun in my swimsuit, when my skin gets all warm
♥ little girls in dresses with matching bows
♥ fried chicken . . . my mom's
♥ the colorful leaves on the trees in fall
♥ The ocean breeze
♥ The sound of waves crashing
♥ Hot chocolate and marshmallows on a cold day
♥ a bonfire in Fall
♥ one good snow in winter
♥ Chocolate ice cream cones in July
♥ going to the Wilson County Fair
♥ the smell of steak cooking
♥ laughing so hard I forget what I'm laughing about
♥ singing in the shower
♥ singing in the rain
♥ Just singing for no good reason
♥ talking in funny voices
♥ Saturday Night Live
♥ dancing crazy and acting stupid
♥ hula hooping
♥ the smell of bacon when I wake up
♥ Joe Jonas
♥ Joe Jonas
♥ Joe Jonas
♥ Joe Jonas
♥ Writing on my laptop
♥ Scrapbooking
♥ Brads, eyelets, snaps, and stamps
♥ Wheat thins . . . the reduced fat kind
♥ Running in the rain . . . most of the time
♥ my family
♥ Math
♥ Summer vacation

Things that I Hate

2009-01-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

Things I Hate Current mood: discontent

♦ Dogs barking when you're trying to sleep
♦ Dropping a contact
♦ Original Krispy Kreme Donuts
♦ warm milk
♦ when you don't know what to wipe your hands on when you sneeze
♦ awkward silences
♦ when the hot water runs out halfway through the shower
♦ Plummer pants
♦ the suspenseful moment, then the commercial break
♦ when it barely sprinkles rain and you don't get wet, but your hair gets frizzy
♦ sand in my swimsuit
♦ runny noses
♦ broccoli, cauliflower, and peas. Peas are the worst
♦ squeaky shoes
♦ When people stop walking right in front of you and then get mad when you bump into them.
♦ spaghetti
♦ lasagna
♦ hair in my throat . . . and eyes, and mouth
♦ gnat in my eye
♦ drugs, alcohol, and cursing
♦ pit stains. . . the story of my life
♦ selling junk from catalogs for school
♦ hypocrites
♦ people who talk on their cell phones in restaurants . . . or while driving
♦ people who talk in the movie theater
♦ people who text while you're talking to them
♦ riding the school bus
♦ high gas prices
♦ sales tax
♦ school
♦ KFC
♦ Popsicles
♦ Shaving my legs : )

Hooprama

2009-01-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

I have officially found the coolest place: the Hooprama Hula Hooping Fitness Center. They are a charitable organization that offers free hula hooping classes to Breast Cancer survivors. They fund this project by holding fitness hula hooping classes and selling the most spectacular hula hoops I've ever seen. They are based out of East Nashville, but also have classes in Cool Springs. My new goal in life is to become an instructor. Wouldn't that be awesome!?

Click on this link to learn more or donate to their cause: http://hooprama.com/

I am Depressed . . .

2009-01-24T11:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I found the most AMAZING vintage dress online from this little boutique in Nashville called the Hip Zipper. Only to find out it's already been sold. A dress like this is one in a million. It's a 1930's satin robe, with cap sleeves, a zipper front, a wide waist and tie, and antique lace. It's to die for, and I can't have it. Maybe I could make one similar, but where would I buy antique lace? And then it wouldn't be vintage would it? I still recommend you check out this store, though. I am adding a link below. Be quick, the good stuff goes fast.

http://www.hipzipper.com/

In my dreams. . .

2009-01-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

In my dreams, I am Becky Bloomwood. She is the fashionable, flaky heroine from the "Shopaholic" books. I just finished reading Shopaholic Ties the Knot. Becky gets herself into so much trouble, but the cool thing about her is she always gets herself out . . . while wearing Prada shoes.

Here's an excerpt from the next book, Shopaholic and Baby:

Chapter One

Ok. Don't panic. Everything's going to be fine. Of course it is.Of course it is.
"If you could lift up your top, Mrs. Brandon?"

The sonographer has a pleasant, professional air as she looks down at me.

"I need to apply some jelly to your abdomen before we start the scan."

"Absolutely!" I say without moving a muscle.

"The thing is, I'm just a teeny bit . . . nervous."

I'm lying on a bed at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital, tense with anticipation. Any minute now, Luke and I will see our baby on the screen for the first time since it was just a teeny blob. I still can't quite believe it. In fact, I still haven't quite got over the fact that I'm pregnant. In nineteen weeks' time I, Becky Brandon, née Bloomwood . . . am going to be a mother. A mother!

Luke's my husband, by the way. We've been married for just over a year and this is a one hundred percent genuine honeymoon baby! We traveled loads on our honeymoon, but I've pretty much worked out that we conceived it when we were staying in this gorgeous resort in Sri Lanka, called Unawatuna, all orchids and bamboo trees and beautiful views.Unawatuna Brandon.Miss Unawatuna Orchid Bamboo-tree Brandon.Hmm. I'm not sure what Mum would say.

"My wife had a slight accident in the early stages of pregnancy," Luke explains from his seat beside the bed.

"So she's a little anxious."He squeezes my hand supportively, and I squeeze back.

In my pregnancy book, Nine Months of Your Life, it says you should include your partner in all aspects of your pregnancy, otherwise he can feel hurt and alienated. So I'm including Luke as much as I possibly can. Like, last night I included him in watching my new DVD, Toned Arms in Pregnancy. He suddenly remembered in the middle that he had to make a business call, and missed quite a lot--but the point is, he doesn't feel shut out.

"You had an accident?" The sonographer pauses in her tapping at the computer.

"I fell off this mountain when I was looking for my long-lost sister in a storm," I explain. "I didn't know I was pregnant at the time. And I think maybe I bashed the baby."

"I see." The sonographer looks at me kindly. She has graying brown hair tied back in a knot, with a pencil stuck into it.

"Well, babies are resilient little things. Let's just have a look, shall we?"

Here it is. The moment I've been obsessing over for weeks. Gingerly I lift up my top and look down at my swelling stomach.
"If you could just push all your necklaces aside?" she adds. "That's quite a collection you have there!"
"They're special pendants." I loop them together with a jangle. "This one is an Aztec maternity symbol, and this is a gestation crystal . . . and this is a chiming ball to soothe the baby . . . and this is a birthing stone."

"A birthing stone?"

"You press it on a special spot on your palm, and it takes away the pain of labor," I explain. "It's been used since ancient Maori times."

"Mm-hmm."

The sonographer raises an eyebrow and squeezes some transparent gloop on my stomach. Frowning slightly, she applies the ultrasound probe thing to my skin, and instantly a fuzzy black-and-white image appears on the screen.I can't breathe.That's our baby. Inside me. I dart a look at Luke, and he's gazing at the screen, transfixed.

"There are the four chambers of the heart. . . ." The sonographer is moving the probe around.

"Now we're looking at the shoulders. . . ." She points to the screen and I squint obediently, even though, to be honest, I can't see any shoulders, only blurry curves.

"There's an arm . . . one hand . . ." Her voice trails off and she frowns.

There's silence in the little room. I feel a sudden grip of fear. That's why she's frowning. The baby's only got one hand. I knew it.A wave of overpowering love and protectiveness rises up inside me. Tears are welling in my eyes. I don't care if our baby's only got one hand. I'll love it just as much. I'll love it more. Luke and I will take it anywhere in the world for the best treatment, and we'll fund research, and if anyone even dares give my baby a look--

"And the other hand . . ." The sonographer's voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Other hand?" I look up, choked. "It's got two hands?"

"Well . . . yes." The sonographer seems taken aback at my reaction.

"Look, you can see them here." She points at the image, and to my amazement I can just about make out the little bony fingers. Ten of them.

"I'm sorry," I gulp, wiping my eyes with a tissue she hands me. "It's just such a relief."

"Everything seems absolutely fine as far as I can tell," she says reassuringly. "And don't worry, it's normal to be emotional in pregnancy. All those hormones swilling about."

Honestly. People keep talking about hormones. Like Luke last night, when I cried over that TV ad with the puppy. I'm not hormonal, I'm perfectly normal. It was just a very sad ad.

"Here you go." The sonographer taps at her keyboard again. A row of black-and-white scan pictures curls out of the printer, which she hands to me. I peer at the first one--and you can see the distinct outline of a head. It's got a little nose and a mouth and everything.

"So. I've done all the checks." She swivels round on her chair. "All I need to know now is whether you want to know the gender of the baby."

"No, thank you," Luke answers with a smile. "We've talked it through at great length, haven't we, Becky? And we both feel it would spoil the magic to find out."

"Very well." The sonographer smiles back. "If that's what you've decided, I won't say anything."

She "won't say anything"? That means she's already seen what the sex is. She could just tell us right now!

"We hadn't actually decided, had we?" I say. "Not for definite."

"Well . . . yes, we had, Becky." Luke seems taken aback. "Don't you remember, we talked about it for a whole evening and agreed we wanted it to be a surprise."

"Oh right, yes." I can't take my eyes off the blurry print of the baby. "But we could have our surprise now! It would be just as magical!"

OK, maybe that's not exactly true. But isn't he desperate to know?

"Is that really what you want?"

As I look up I can see a streak of disappointment in Luke's face.
"To find out now?"

"Well . . ." I hesitate. "Not if you don't want to."

The last thing I want is to upset Luke. He's been so sweet and loving to me since I've been pregnant. Recently I've had cravings for all sorts of odd combinations--like the other day I had this sudden weird desire for pineapple and a pink cardigan. And Luke drove me to the shops especially to get them.He's about to say something, when his mobile phone starts ringing. He whips it out of his pocket and the sonographer puts up a hand.

"I'm sorry, but you can't use that in here."

"Right." Luke frowns as he sees the caller display.
"It's Iain. I'd better call him back."

I don't need to ask which Iain. It'll be Iain Wheeler, the chief marketing honcho of the Arcodas Group. Luke has his own PR company, Brandon Communications, and Arcodas is Luke's big new client. It was a real coup when he won them and it's given a fantastic boost to the company--he's already hired more staff and is planning to open loads of new European offices on the back of it.So it's all wonderful for Brandon Communications. But as usual, Luke's working himself into the ground. I've never seen him so at anyone's beck and call before. If Iain Wheeler calls, he always, always calls him back within five minutes, whether he's in another meeting, or he's having supper, or even if it's the middle of the night. He says it's the service industry and Arcodas is his mega-client, and that's what they're paying for.All I can say is, if Iain Wheeler calls while I'm in labor, then that phone is going straight out the window.

"Is there a land line I can use nearby?" Luke is asking the sonographer.

"Becky, you don't mind . . ."

"It's fine." I wave a hand.

"I'll show you," the sonographer says, getting up.

"I'll be back in a moment, Mrs. Brandon."

The two of them disappear out the door, which closes with a heavy clunk.I'm alone. The computer is still on. The ultrasound probe thing is resting next to the monitor.I could just reach over and--No. Don't be silly. I don't even know how to use an ultrasound. And besides, it would spoil the magical surprise. If Luke wants us to wait, then we'll wait.I shift on the couch and examine my nails. I can wait for things. Of course I can. I can easily--Oh God. No I can't. Not till December. And it's all right there in front of me . . . and nobody's about. . . . I'll just have a teeny peek. Just really quickly. And I won't tell Luke. We'll still have the magical surprise at the birth--except it won't be quite so much of a surprise for me. Exactly.Leaning right over, I manage to grab the ultrasound stick. I apply it to the gel on my stomach--and at once the blurry image reappears on the screen.I did it! Now I just have to shift it slightly to get the crucial bit. . . . Frowning with concentration, I move the probe around on my abdomen, tilting it this way and that, craning my neck to see the screen. This is a lot easier than I thought! Maybe I should become a sonographer. I'm obviously a bit of a natural--There's the head. Wow, it's huge! And that bit must be--My hand freezes and I catch my breath.

I've just spotted it. I've seen the sex of our baby!It's a boy!

The image isn't quite as good as the sonographer's--but even so, it's unmistakable. Luke and I are going to have a son!

"Hello," I say aloud to the screen, my voice cracking slightly. "Hello, little boy!"

And now I can't stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. We're having a gorgeous baby boy! I can dress him up in cute overalls, and buy him a pedal car, and Luke can play cricket with him, and we can call him--Oh my God. What are we going to call him?I wonder if Luke would go for Birkin. Then I could get a Birkin to be his nappy bag.Birkin Brandon. That's quite cool.

"Hi, little baby," I croon gently to the big round head on the screen. "Do you want to be called Birkin?"

"What are you doing?" The sonographer's voice makes me jump. She's standing at the door with Luke, looking appalled. "That's hospital equipment! You shouldn't be touching it!"

"I'm sorry," I say, wiping my eyes. "But I just had to have another quick look. Luke, I'm talking to our baby. It's just . . . amazing."

"Let me see!" Luke's eyes light up, and he hurries across the room, followed by the sonographer.

"Where?"I don't care if Luke sees it's a boy and the surprise is ruined. I have to share this precious moment with him.

"Look, there's the head!" I point. "Hello, darling!"

"Where's its face?" Luke sounds a bit perturbed.

"Dunno. Round the other side." I give a little wave. "It's Mummy and Daddy here! And we love you very--"

"Mrs. Brandon." The sonographer cuts me off. "You're talking to your bladder."

I was Tagged

2009-01-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

This is my first tag, so I'm not entirely sure what to do. The rules say you must:

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open to page 56
3. Find the Fifth Sentence
4. Post the text of the next 2 to 5 sentences
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual book. Pick the CLOSEST!

My closest book was The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston. But . . . page 56 was blank, so I went to the second closest, Billy Budd. This book is by Herman Melville. (The guy who wrote Moby Dick.) Yeah, it's pretty much my personal demon. We're doing a project with it in Senior English.

Here's page 56, line five, "the man who, to use Billy's own expression 'always had a pleasant word for him.' This is to be wondered at. Yet, not so much to be wondered at. In some matters, some sailors even in mature life remain unsophisticated enough."

The last line is sorta deep, though, don't you think?

Little Piece of Heaven

2009-01-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

My room is basically an extention of myself, so I thought a good way for you to get to know me is by showing it to you. It's taken my quite a few years to get it perfect . . . but here it is. My little piece of heaven. It makes me so sad to think I'll be going to college soon and have to leave it behind. : ( Almost makes me want to stay home . . . almost.

Introductions

2009-01-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, this is my first post, and I have to admit it's pretty terrifying. I guess I will start by introducing myself. I'm Rebekah, but my friends call me Beka. I'll go ahead and admit I'm not your average 17 year old girl. I must have been born into middle age, because I love to craft, crochet, and make Relief Society handouts for my mom. I got my Young Women's medallion at 15. I am contending for Valedictorian, and I am the President of the National Honor Society. Don't get the wrong idea, though, I'm not a nerd. Part of me is . . . but I am also an athlete - the Captain of my high school's Cross-Country team. Plus, I love shopping, but I'm not bad compared to my sister . . . she has a blog, too. You should check it out under blogs I follow: Leahequalsawesome.blogspot.com I guess that's about it for now. : )