Chilled to the bone

Well, I am finally at home in Michigan for the next 3 weeks for Christmas break! I must say, it is FREEZING here! I don't think my body has ever taken this long adjusting to Michigan weather. At times, it can be almost unbearable. My mom had to give in and give me one of my Christmas gifts early, a pair of slippers, because pretty much the only time my feet are not numb is when I'm in the shower. It's crazy!

On a better note, I'm so excited for Christmas this year! I'm probably one of those really annoying people that have the Christmas spirit right after (or before) Thanksgiving. I usually start listening to Christmas music about a week before Thanksgiving and I watch Christmas movies all during the week of Christmas. Today I watch "A Muppet Christmas Carol," which is my favorite holiday movie! Tomorrow my aunt and uncle are coming into town and are staying with us for the next week. I'm excited for everyone to get together on my mom's side of the family on Saturday and we'll have Christmas with my dad's side next Tuesday. It is the first year I've had more than one Christmas day! We're baking our traditional Christmas cookies in the morning, which consists of sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and possibly shortbread cookies. What are some of your family Christmas traditions?!

~Merry Christmas~

Almost home free!

These have to be the absolute 2 worst weeks of the semester every year. We get back from Thanksgiving break, which is always great, and have 2 weeks to cram everything we haven't learned into the curriculum and study for final exams. I actually think 2 last couple weeks have been more stressful than next week is going to be. Since I only have 1 final a day and none of them will be that difficult, I will actually have time to sleep! YAY SLEEP!!! But lately, I've been studying for pre-final tests, working on group projects and giving presentations. What I don't understand is why we have to take tests the week before finals. Why can't the teacher just tell us that we won't have a regular test on the stuff we just learned, but know it for the final? In my mind, this would be so much easier for the students because we wouldn't have to study the same material twice and for the teachers because they wouldn't have to grade the same stuff twice. Call me crazy, but it would be easier on everyone! Once I get through tomorrow and Friday, I'll be almost home free. I still have to make my last video (thank goodness) tomorrow and edit it this weekend to turn it in on Monday. Then I just have 2 exams and I will be back on a plane to Michigan next Thursday. I cannot express how much I am looking forward to not having to set my alarm to wake up every morning and being to just sit around. Knowing me, I'll get bored in about a week because I'll have nothing to do, but for now, it sounds wonderful! I'm just praying that God will get me through the next week in one piece. He always does!!!

Goodbye to a good friend

The day before Thanksgiving, my family lost a good friend to cancer. Sean O'Brien fought colon cancer for 7 long years. He was only 41. Today was his memorial service and it was one of the most touching funerals I have ever been to. He was one of my parents' best friends so it's been difficult seeing them grieve. I must say Sean's family is one of the strongest families I will ever know. I can't imagine going through a second of what they've gone through. We could always tell when he was having a good day and when he was having a bad day. He always enjoyed hanging out with friends even if he wasn't feeling well.

One of my biggest regrets was not going to visit him when he was living in Tulsa doing experimental treatments. Sean lived there for a few months and I probably made the excuse of being too busy or not having his phone number to go visit with him. I know my visiting wouldn't have cured him, but I would've been able to be a friend when he needed one the most. Now I know better. I also know that Sean is no longer suffering here on earth, but it completely healed and happier than ever. I pray that if I were to ever get sick, that I would fight as hard as Sean did. And whether Sean had beat the cancer or not, he still won in the end. Thank you, Sean, for being a wonderful friend to me and my parents and an example to us all!!! We miss you and we'll see you soon!

Holiday Poundage

The time of year has come to...gain that extra weight. I'm already feeling it. My friend and I were discussing at lunch how it is almost pointless to begin watching your weight now when Thanksgiving is only a week away. On top of that there are 2 other Thanksgiving dinners to go to before the actual holiday. As soon as that is over, Christmas season is here. I cannot begin to explain how much I LOVE Christmas! Happy people, good music, shopping, and, of course, food! Really, really good food!!! My weaknesses are Christmas sugar cookies, sweet potatoes and anything that has pumpkin in it!!! YUM :)

I've actually begun gaining weight besides the holidays. My freshman year I lost a little weight so pretty much all the clothes (especially pants), which I got for Christmas, had to be taken back for a smaller size. Now I have the opposite problem. No, I don't think I'm fat, but I'm not very happy with my metabolism speed. I have a pretty fast metabolism, but I can definitely feel it slowing down on me this year. I tend to skip the salad bar in the Cafeteria and stick to Ramon Noodles for lunch when I'm in my apartment. Probably not the best idea. I don't snack a whole lot, but I do try to avoid walking to any of my classes. When I lived in the dorms, I would walk anywhere I went unless it was off campus. For some reason, it seems like the apartments are further away from the academic buildings than the dorms, but honestly, it's most likely not true. Now that it's getting colder outside, that just gives me more of an excuse to drive everywhere. What's wrong with me? I know that walking is good for you, I guess I'm just lazy. My friend said that we're actually supposed to exercise 7 days a week, 60 minutes a day on top of our everyday walking routine. Who made that one up??? I don't know anyone who exercises that much, seriously!

Anyway, maybe I should start walking to class when it's nice outside. Maybe I should cut back on the pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes this holiday season... Then again, maybe next year!!! :)

Sick as a dog?

Have you ever heard this expression when you're really sick? I've never really understood it. I mean, what if your dog isn't sick at all? My mom used to say it all the time when one of us would have to stay home from work or school. "...Jennifer isn't coming to school today. She's sick as a dog!" I've been thinking about this expression as I've been lying on the couch the past couple days "sick as a dog." The more I think about it, the more I still don't understand it.

Anyway, I freaked out Sunday night at work when I felt a tickle in my throat and suddenly feeling the urge to drink a gallon of water in about a 30 second time span. This is how I can always tell I'm coming down with something. And knowing my interview at WBTC was coming up in just 5 days, I really freaked out! This is the one thing I didn't want to happen. I would rather go in there having not showered, wearing hobo clothes than go in there sneezing on everyone! It reminds me of a scene in "The Devil Wears Prada" when one of the girls, Emily, is delivering something to the editor-in-chief with a Kleenex in her hand, coughing like a crazy person. The editor-in-chief asks if anybody needs anything else after Emily has left the room and says, "...anti-bacterial wipes, perhaps..."

Luckily, I'm getting over this bug fast. I took off a couple of classes in order to rest and got someone to cover my shift at work last night. I pretty much only have a runny nose left and I'm hoping that will go away at least long enough for the interview, let's hope! Heaven knows nobody wants to hire someone who has infected the whole company with their germs. It's not really a good first impression, needless to say! Also needless to say, I will be bringing hand sanitizer with me to the interview!!!

It won't be long

...before I have to start dressing like this lady Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. As a kid I always dreamed of the day I would work full time, be a wife and a mother to 3 to 5 children. Now the only thing I am still looking forward to is being a wife, but I have yet to find the perfect guy.

This weekend is our homecoming weekend, where alumni come and see how their Alma Mater has changed and how it has stayed the same. Last night while watching the homecoming musical, I realized that this is the last musical I will see at OC as a student. Next year I will be an alumna. Do you know how scary that is? Well, it's really scary. This semester I have taken a lot of time to work on my resume and portfolio to make them look nice and professional.

On Monday I got an email from the CEO of World Bible Translation Center asking to meet with me for an interview. I have connections to this company through my grandparents. They had a meeting with the VP during fall break and since I spent my fall break with them, I had to go. What I wasn't expecting was to get a lead on an internship/job. They asked me what my major was and the moment I said PR they were asking me what I know about social media. They now want me...ME...to look over some of there work and make suggestions as to how to encourage the younger generation to become more involved with WBTC through social networking. I was completely taken back by this. I honestly thought it would be like any other internship or job I've applied for and flop, or not go anywhere.

So I now have this interview next Friday in Fort Worth to tell them my ideas. I have been trying to think of every question they are going to ask me so I can have the answer ready to go, but I'm so afraid they're going to ask me that one question that I would've never thought of and not have an answer for it. Nervous? I would say so! I'm not only nervous about whether they're going to like me or my ideas, but if they do and want me to come work for them after graduation, that means moving to Ft. Worth. Moving from OKC to Ft. Worth, I think, would be a bigger move than it was from Detroit to OKC. When you go to college, most people make friends instantaneously and if I do end up moving to Texas, I don't know a single soul in the Ft. Worth area. I would have to make new friends, find a new church, live in my own apartment (I think I'll get a dog...), and work full time. Talk about growing up. I honestly am not sure if I'm ready for this, but then again, it could be an answered prayer. I've been praying for a job to come my way where I can do what I love, which is PR and social networking, and not have to worry about it interfering with my morals and values. I mean, this is sharing the Bible with the world and I think that is very important.

So through all of this venting, rambling, and babbling what I'm trying to say is, please pray for me! Pray that they like me and my ideas and that I could possibly have a job after graduation. And that no matter what job I get, I will please God through my work!

"You give & take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord, Blessed be Your Name."

These past couple of days have been pretty rough. My friend, Stephanie, had a miscarriage and had to have a D & C this morning. Everything happened so fast. This was definitely not expected and is really heart breaking. I feel so much for her, Robin and Gabby, but I have never been in their situation and, honestly, hope to never be. Even after praying and thinking a lot about it, I still have no words that would make them feel better. I think I am asking the same questions they are... Why them? Why now? How can this be a part of God's plan? I know that God has a plan for everyone and I also know that good will come from this. But it doesn't always help the pain.

Just Monday Steph and I were talking about the size of the baby and 3 days later there's no more baby. I've known people and even family members who have gone through miscarriages, but I've never experienced it in this way. Needless to say, it's very sad. I pray throughout the day and at night that Robin and Steph can get pregnant again soon. But they are troopers and are handling this better than I ever could. They have so much faith in God it's incredible! I look up to them so much spiritually and as a couple. These situations can tear relationships apart, but this has definitely made theirs stronger. So, if you could, please say a prayer for my friends.

Unsafe Feeling

Have you ever felt totally unsafe driving your car. That's how I feel right now. Now I am going to vent:

I hate my car! I hate that every time things are going somewhat smoothly, something else goes wrong. I've had my car towed twice in less than a year, 3 or 4 dead batteries, my muffler is broken, the passenger door leaks water when it rains, and the tire just came off the rim, along with other instances I can't remember. Today felt like the icing on the cake. As I was driving I literally felt like I was in one of those cartoons where, if I stopped the car, all 4 sides would just fall down around me. The car was shaking so bad I could feel it in the dashboard and in the back of the car. I am terrified to know what would've happened if I had taken it on the main road going 45 mph. I'm thanking God right now that I didn't go out on the main road!

I've been praying a lot over the last several months that there will be a way we can afford to get me a dependable car. Unfortunately it hasn't happened yet. I know my parents work as hard as they can to keep me and my brother in schools we want to go to, so I feel awful when I go off on them, but I don't know who else to go off on. Right now I feel like I should cut down on my driving by walking to classes and going with friends to the grocery store when I need to. So for now I will continue to pray.

"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord."

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Yes, my parents' birthdays are only 5 days apart. Today is my mom, Leslie's, 43rd birthday. There are too many words to describe my mom. She is my best friend! As I've gotten older and moved away from home we've grown closer as mother and daughter and as friends. I can talk to her about anything. We talk on the phone almost everyday. She even sometimes gives my a wake up call if I ask her too! Who can say that about their mom?!

Her favorite hobby is photography. She loves to go on walks with my dad and the dogs and take pictures of nature. Some of my favorite times with my mom is when I am home on vacation, after dinner we sometimes go out for dessert and shopping just the 2 of us. She is always there for me, my brother, and my dad. She does things for me that I know I need help with at times, but don't ask for her help. She can somehow sense it. My biggest dream in life is to make her and my dad proud and and to be a fraction of the mother she has been to me, to my kids one day! Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you tons!!! :)

The Schmalon Talon

Dear Schmalon,

I don't like you very much. You dis the Talon and think it is okay. It's not. The writers and editors work really hard to make a good paper every week. I know that sometimes the stories are boring, but we cannot help that nothing exciting is going on on campus. Please do not make inappropriate "That's What He Said" jokes about the space chapel. They didn't even make sense which means they weren't funny. Most of us Talon writers are waiting for a decent issue of the Schmalon that will actually make us laugh. My point is, either write something half way decent and funny or stop writing. Thanks.

Yours Truly,

A Talon Writer

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Today is my dad, Steve's, 45th birthday, so I figured today would be a good day to tell everyone a little bit about him. As you can see in this picture, he loves cashews!!! He is an avid coffee drinker and, like me, he loves iced tea no matter what season it is. He has always been the jokester of the family and loves to make people laugh, even strangers. He is a big time family man. Growing up and even now, when he is home for dinner, we eat around the table as a family, no questions asked. He likes roller coasters, scary movies, history and video games. He and my brother, Sean, love to play video games for hours on end!

He and my mom, Leslie, have been married for 23 years and still love each other the same, if not more, as the day they got married. Whenever I go home for Christmas I have to go shopping with him for my mom so he can pick out the perfect gifts. Sometimes we will actually go around the mall 4 or 5 times because he can't decide! It may end up being a long day, but its still a lot of fun!

One of our favorite things to do as father and daughter is go out to breakfast about once or twice a week to the Coney Island right by our house. He orders 2 eggs sunnyside up, white toast, and sausage links...no hashbrowns with coffee refilled about 3 or 4 times. We sit and talk about school, work and the future. He is constantly encouraging me to follow my dreams, get married and have a family. It is our special time together. We also like to rent movies and watch them when I'm home.

I would not be the person I am today without my dad. Even though he is now half way to 90, I can still say I have a young dad compared to a lot of my friends especially since he still runs 10 miles at least once or twice a week. So Dad, thank you for being a great dad! Here's to another 45+ years!!! :)

I know it's been a while...

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I have been pulling out my hair this week trying to get everything done. I had a TON of homework due this week and we also had our first "OC 4 TOMS" meeting last night, so I was trying to get stuff ready for that. Let's start with the homework:

Since I had so much due, I basically had to take it one day at a time or I would've had a mental breakdown! I knew that I had a big report due for my Advertising Copywriting class due on Thursday, but there was no way I could even start it before Wednesday. Before then I had at least 2 or 3 assignments due Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Needless to say, I pulled an all nighter on Wednesday. I was awake from 7:15 Wednesday morning until I could take a nap at 2:30 Thursday afternoon. I was dead. Actually, I am still pretty tired and trying to catch up on needed rest.

OC 4 TOMS:

Aside from the craziness of the week, I am really excited about getting our "OC 4 TOMS" club going. Last night we had a pretty good first informational meeting, but I was nervous as could be! I do not like it when 7 pairs of eyes are just staring at me! I feel like they're waiting for me to screw up or something. But we talked about some things that we want to do this semester to raise awareness for TOMS Shoes. We're going to have a screening on the "One Millionth Drop" documentary hopefully in early December. We also want to have a shoe painting event. This is where students can buy a pair of TOMS and we'll have a night where everyone can paint their own design on their shoes. My friend Kim did this a couple years ago when I didn't know anything about TOMS and it went really well. I still see people walking around campus with their painted shoes! So, even through a hectic, no-sleep week, God can still get you excited about helping others. I am really hoping and praying that this club will last way past when I am gone!!!

Tis The Season...

...For Pumpkin Spice Lattes!!! I cannot fathom enough how much I LOVE Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte or Starbucks in general. They make my life so much better! It helps that they made my favorite kind of pie into coffee, but the downside is they only sell it between the beginning of September til like the end of December. This is my 2nd pumpkin spice of the season, so there will be more to come. Starbucks is also my best friend when it comes to all-nighters. I will go to Starbucks around 10:30 p.m. and get a grande coffee and be ready to finish whatever it is I have to do and I think those nights are coming sooner than later. And because I went to the grad school fair today, I got a $5 giftcard to Starbucks... yes please!!! So right after my class this afternoon, I went straight to Starbucks, not that I needed any caffeine, but who wouldn't go? Some people would think it is stupid to spend $4 on a cup of coffee, but it's really, really good coffee. I don't get it that often (except for this time of year) so it is a special treat to myself. I think I deserve it once in a while, don't you? I am actually thinking about investing in a coffee maker and buying like a pound of Starbucks ground coffee at a time so I can have it whenever I want! So what do you like to treat yourself to once in a while?

Pumpkin Pie & Apple Cider... YUM!!!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It's a lot better in Michigan, but I guess I'll take it anywhere! I love when the leaves on the trees change colors to red and orange and yellow...it's so pretty. I love how it is chilly enough for a light jacket in the early mornings and then warms up after lunch.

My absolute favorite thing about fall is the food! Pumpkin pie is my favorite kind of pie in general, but it just tastes better for some reason in the fall months. Apple cider is great too...cold is definitely better than hot. Growing up, my parents would take me and my little brother to the Cider Mill every year. In Oklahoma, nobody has heard of Cider Mills...what a shame! We would go and ride the hayride, drink apple cider and eat fresh, warm cinnamon sugar doughnuts. Then we would buy really good Michigan apples and apple cider to take home with us. I can still feel the hay poking my through my clothes and smell the freshly made doughnuts! Those are some of my favorite childhood memories of this season. Even if I do end up living in the south, I will take my family on a special trip up north to a good ol' Cider Mill!

Senior Year v. Freshmen Year

In one way, it seems like I arrived at OC a couple days ago and in another, I feel like I've been here my whole life. But life as a senior is completely different than life as a freshman. I'll give you a list of difference I notice looking back:

Freshmen Year

• Once you've arrived on campus, you feel like you've just made the worst mistake of your life.
• You stay out right until curfew just because you can. Forget about being tired or having homework that is due the next day. And on the weekends you stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning.
• You eat in the Caf for almost every meal because there is only 1 kitchen in the dorm for about 200 other students.
• Community bathroom become a way of life.
• "Open House" night is what you look forward to every month because it is the only time you can have the person of the opposite sex in your room.
• Everyone knows everyone in their dorm.

Senior Year

• You call school "home" even when you are actually home on vacations.
• You're in your apartment by 8 r 9 at night and go to bed by midnight at the latest. Make it 10:30 if you have an 8 a.m. class and are still in bed by midnight or 1 on the weekends.
• Your homework gets done because you know the consequences of failing a class...
• You try to avoid the Caf at all costs unless you are going with a friend because a) you don't know anyone there, b) the immaturity level is crazy, and c) you actually have your own kitchen to cook in!
• You now share a bath and a half with only 3 other people and nobody is fighting over the shower.
• Your friends of the opposite sex can come visit because it is no longer awkward since you have a living room with a couch instead of just room with a bed. (Believe me, that was so weird)
• You barely know your next door neighbors because you mostly just stay in your apartment.

Instruments or no instruments - the big controversy

I've grown up in a Church of Christ my entire life and I absolutely love it and I wouldn't change a thing about it...even the a cappella worship. Tonight I went to an Acappella concert (the guys happen to be friends of mine) at a local Church of Christ. There is really only one difference between the Church of Christ I attend and this Church of Christ. Every Sunday they have 2 services - an a cappella service and an instrumental service. This was actually the first church I visited in the area when I moved to Oklahoma (pre-instrumental service) because I had a friend who was a member there. I decided that it wasn't the church for me because it was too big with a membership of about 800. Which is funny now because the church I go to has about 3,000 members!

Anyway, besides Acappella performing, their worship team led several songs as well to support Habitat for Humanity. I must say, I was not the most comfortable in the setting. I am just not used to seeing drums and guitars and keyboards on a church stage. Please do not get me wrong, I don't think it is against the Bible to play instruments and I am not against people in any way who worship with instruments, it's just tradition for me sing a cappella while in church. I found myself focusing more on the song leader than on God and I got distracted easily. I could barely hear the people around because the music was so loud. Most people looked like they could feel God in their presence,which is great and awesome, but to me, when I sing with all I've got and can hear everyone else around doing the same, that's when I feel God's presence. They sang a lot of the same songs we sing in church, but at first I couldn't tell what songs they were because it seemed like they were sung completely different than how I would sing it.

Probably the most uncomfortable I felt was when a woman led an entire song. I grew up being taught that women are to be quiet in the church. Now, this does not mean we cannot speak, in fact, women can be very influential parts of the church. It just means that the men are the leaders of the church, including preaching, song leading, passing communion, leading prayers, etc., just at Christ is the head of the church. In school the rule is, once the closing prayer is finished, women can get up and make announcements and in the church I grew up in, women were allowed to make prayer requests to the congregation. I guess I just felt like it wasn't her place to be on stage leading a worship song. Once the Acappella guys got on stage, I felt about 1,000 times better and they were excellent, as always!!!

Needless to say, I was uncomfortable, BUT I think it is a good thing to sometimes get out of your comfort zone to find out why you believe what you believe. It can make you question some things, but it can also be very reassuring.

Graduation

I know it's still 7 months away, but graduation has been on my mind a lot lately. The fact that I am now counting down in months instead of years is scary as it is. A lot of my classes this semester are senior level classes and I think most of us don't know where we'll be a year from now. One of my recent homework assignments was to find a PR job or internship in the city where you'll be living in next summer. Uh...I have no idea. My plan was to stay at OC and do my master's program, but I'm thinking I may need to wait until I pay off the school debt that is on my shoulders now instead of just building it up. I would still like to stay in the Edmond/OKC area, but what a job offer comes my way and it is 500 miles away? I don't want to leave my friends who will not graduate with me or are getting jobs here, but I also don't want to pass up a 1 in a million job. It wouldn't be ideal either if I have to move to an area where I don't know a single soul. Where am I supposed to go?

There has also been a lot of talk about internships in my classes lately. I technically have one this semester with TOMS Shoes, but they haven't been very helpful at all in telling me what I need to do. We had a couple of guest speakers (who were classmates of mine last semester) come into our PR Principles class to talk to us about their jobs with a local PR Agency. Their biggest tip was to get an internship and get your foot in the door before graduation. I think I applied for 15-20 internships last spring and most of them wouldn't call back or they didn't want to receive phone calls regarding the job. It was a lot more frustrating, stressful, and time consuming than I thought it was going to be. One thing I don't like about being a PR major is that the field is so competitive. If you're wanting to intern for a non-profit, they'll hire you in a second because most non-profits don't pay their interns. But if you want to be able to actually pay your bills and only work 1 job, you are less likely to get the position because everybody else wants the exact same one! Why can't they just tell me they like my personality and give me the job??? I know it doesn't work that way, but it would be convenient!

Sometimes while sitting in class, I wonder what kind of field I've gotten myself into. Even after taking 2 full years of PR and advertising classes, I still don't know what some things mean. What gets me is, it seems like the freshmen and sophomores in my classes know more about my major than I do! Needless to say, I feel like the class dummie a lot of the time! It seemed like last year I understood a lot more, but I think it all washed away during the summer :( So, what do I need to do to not feel stupid in my classes and to be prepared for post graduation come early May?

New Apartment, New Beginning!

Last week, I decided to move to a different apartment. Things weren't going very well at my old one and I thought it would be best for all of us if I moved out. So, Kayla and I spent the day yesterday moving all my stuff...luckily it was just down the sidewalk! We actually got it all done in about 2 1/2 hours, which I think is a record. I still had time to go to Walmart, set up my TV and TiVo (so excited about that!), go out to dinner, and be on time to work. I am really hoping and praying that this move will be a lot better environment for me and I can actually get my homework done! I had a feeling once I walked in the door that it was going to be better.

Today, I need to get a few groceries and some supplies for my Video for Media class (I'll be talking about that class later...), TRY to get some interviews for my newspaper story (don't ask), and finish getting my room organized and decorated.

OH, I almost forgot to mention another great thing that happened this week...I am going to be an AUNT!!! Okay, not biologically, but one of my best friends, Stephanie, and her husband, Robin, are expecting their 2nd child in May. They have one daughter, Gabby, who is 12 and I consider her my niece even though I have known them for less than a year. Everybody is really excited and cannot wait for May to get here! I also got to see my good friend, Jonathan, whom I haven't seen or talked to since school ended in April and got to catch up with him :)

So, even through busy and stressful school weeks, God will put good things in your life...just make sure you don't overlook them!

The Honeymoon Does End

I recently had a good friend of mine tell me that their recent married life was very difficult. I really did feel for them, almost to the point of tears. This could be because I pretty much knew from the engagement time that this couple would not be happy together. My question is: what would God say about this, especially these days. I know that the Bible says the only reason for divorce is unfaithfulness. I also believe that any kind of abuse is reason to leave your spouse. But what if you know almost right away that you made a mistake and married the wrong person? Is it okay to call it quits or do they need to suffer the consequences? These days, sometimes you hear more about divorces than you do weddings or lasting couples. Don't get me wrong, my biggest dream in life is to marry the greatest man in the world! But when you have a friend come to you and basically says they are unhappy, how do you respond? All I could say was, "Everyone's marriage is difficult and every marriage needs work." I felt like my answer was kind of cliche, but I didn't know what else to say. Should I tell my friend that if they ever need someone to talk to or vent to, they can always call me? In a way, I feel like it's none of my business and in a way, I feel like I should've said something before they actually went through with the wedding. I don't know...you tell me what to do.

Life of a Newspaper Writer

You may or may not know that I have been writing for my school newspaper for almost 2 years. I am not going into journalism, but it is a part of my PR curriculum. We have to take at least 4 semesters of Newspaper Workshop during our college career. This is not exactly my favorite class, although sometimes I get lucky enough to land a really interesting story and get great facts about it. I've also made the front page 3 times, which to me, is a pretty good! But there are definitely cons to this class/job (although I don't get paid for it). Sometimes you get a really boring story that you know nobody will read because you wouldn't read about it either. One time I had to write a feature story about taxes...that's right, taxes. It was awful! It can also be difficult when you contact people to interview for the story and they either do not want to be interviewed or they don't have 5 minutes of their time for you (that's literally how long an average interview takes). Not difficult in my opinion. Let me give you some tips on what to do and what not to do if you are ever asked to be interviewed by a journalist (most are do-nots):

• Do not give 'yes' or 'no' answers...explain them (it gives the write more words)
• Please know something about the topic before the interview, if you don't know anything just tell us right after we ask so we have time to find someone else.
• Do not ask for an email interview because you're too busy for a real one and then either not get back to us at all or wait until the day after we've turned in the story to reply.
• Do not bail on us the day of your interview unless it is days before the story is due.
• Speak up so all your words can be heard on the recorder.

Environmentally Friendly or Just Plain Stupid?

Every year, my school makes improvements around campus, like adding a new science wing and a new walking trail. Most of the time I like when the renovate the campus to make it look nicer and newer, but the latest "improvement" is not my favorite. OC decided to get rid of our Cafeteria trays so they could "save" on hot water. In my opinion, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. The trays made it easier for students to carry all of their food and drinks and to get it into the dining area in one trip, if possible. So now we are stuck carrying only 1 or 2 plates at a time, and mind you, some of the plates are extremely hot and most of the time we have to go back for our drinks. I also do not think it saves on hot water much at all because the only thing they are cutting back on washing is the trays...everything else still has to be washed and sanitized. I mean, is it really that difficult to spray off a tray and then put it in a bucket of sanitizer??? I get that OC is trying to "go green" on a lot of things, but I honestly do not think this is going to help any. So, thank you, OC for taking away our Cafeteria trays and our sleds for the Winter time. Good job.

Senioritis

I know, I know, it's only day 3 and I'm ready for graduation...which is in April! My classes are really hard this semester and all of them are my major classes. Last night was my first night of homework and I couldn't even do that. It kind of feels like I didn't have a summer and I never actually left school. I have absolutely no motivation to do anything. It could be that I was extremely busy last week helping my cousin with her wedding and then coming back and having one day to recover before jumping back into the books.

On a better note, I had a GREAT birthday, even though it was on the first day of school! My roommates and about a dozen of my friends threw me a surprise party after I got out of class on Monday. We had a really fun time just talking, laughing and eating! The celebration will continue when I go shopping this weekend with my birthday money and then we are all going to Flatire for dinner on Saturday and maybe go see a movie. All in all, it has been a fun and exhausting couple of weeks, so hopefully this weekend I can also catch up on some much needed sleep!!!

Gettin Ready!!!

Well, I finally moved into my on-campus apartment yesterday and I love it! I just like being on campus in general...it feels more like home to me. We have a pretty good size apartment, which is really nice, but the bedrooms are a bit small. Since I am done with work, I will spent the next few days just relaxing, hanging out with friends and getting organized for school. Wednesday night my grandparents will be in town and Thursday morning we will head to Texas for my cousin's wedding and then come back Sunday evening. I'm pretty excited for school to get started and to get back to a normal routine (for me, anyway)! During summer, I usually don't know exactly what to do because I don't have a day-by-day schedule that I follow. Do you enjoy back-to-school time or do you dread it???

Decisions, Decisions...

My birthday is coming up in 2 weeks, which is also the first day of school (lucky me, huh?!). My friends have informed that we must do something to celebrate, whether it is the first day of school or not. I absolutely hate making these kinds of decisions! I never know what I want to do or get for my birthday. I'm pretty sure I want to get my tattoo, but I'm still a little scared! I think my friend, Stephanie, and I will go to lunch somewhere on my actual birthday and some of us will to Flatire Burgers that weekend or the Cheesecake Factory (mmmm!) Other than that, I have no other ideas. Anybody have good birthday celebrating ideas for me???

Fearful Weekend

This Friday begins Oklahoma's "tax-free" weekend for back-to-school shoppers. Most people would be very excited about this, but guess what? People who work in retail ARE NOT!!!

Friday and Saturday I work 8 hour shifts, which I am not used to since I only work part time. I have never heard of tax free anything until about a month ago. It's a very nice idea, but since I work in retail, I am not looking forward to it. In fact, I am terrified. It would be easy if everything in the store was tax-free, but no. We will have lists at each of the registers of items that are and are not taxed. I'm so afraid that I am going to tax an item that shouldn't be taxed (which probably means ringing up the order all over again) or vice versa. Luckily, all of our managers will be on staff this weekend, so there will be plenty of help, but still...I just want to "accidently" sleep through the entire weekend and go back to work Monday when the madness is over! If you are planning on shopping this weekend, here are some tips to make the associate's job a lot easier since it is a hectic weekend as it is:

1. If you are buying A TON of clothes, please be considerate and take the hangers off so that I can ring the items up faster. Do not just stare at me as I waste 10 minutes taking the hangers off the clothes.
2. If you pay with a debit or credit card, it makes my life SO much easier, but please have it handy when it is time to pay (I have seen some really scary looking purses and wallets)!
3. Do not hand me a $100 bill if your total is less than $40...it just gets on my nerves.
4. Do not ask me to put your daughter's and son's clothes in separate bags (yes, this actually happened just recently)
5. Do not re-fold your clothes after I ring it up just because you like it folded a certain way. (I'm OCD and I understand, but at least wait until you get into your car)
6. Do not ask me to put a comforter in a huge bag when there is a perfectly good handle on the package itself.
7. Do not stand there debating whether or not you want to buy something when you know there is a mile long line behind you.
8. Do not get mad at me when I tell you I cannot do returns at my station (I don't make the rules).
9. Do not argue with me when I tell you an item is not tax-free...again, not my rules.
10. When returning something, please, please, keep the tags on it and keep the receipt.

These rules do not apply to just this weekend, but everyday! I can tell you some very interesting stories, but that would take too long. All in all, I am praying that this weekend goes smoother than I anticipate. If you could say a prayer for me this weekend, I would really appreciate it!!!

Reality Show Fan

Another confession: I am a reality show junky (and proud of it)! The more dramatic, the better! I actually enjoy watching drama that is not going on in my own life. It helps me escape for a couple hours a week. Right now, the popular show is "The Bachelorette". I have been keeping up with it every week the past few seasons of "Bachelor/Bachelorette" and I love it! Tonight is the season finale, but I'm so bummed because I have to work until it is over...not okay! I may come back after work and just fast forward until the very end so that it won't be spoiled before I can see it myself. This season, the final 2 contestants are Chris from Boston and Roberto from Tampa. I like both guys, so I think I will be happy with whoever Ali picks. I have been hearing some rumors like she doesn't pick either one of them or he dumps her soon after they get engaged. I guess we'll have to find out for ourselves! So, if you are a "Bachelorette" fan, who do you think she'll pick tonight? Chris? Roberto? Neither?

The Nerd Inside Me

I have 2 words for yall: SHARK WEEK!!!!

Confession: I am a nerd. I seriously look forward to this week every year! I've watched so many of these shows that I can see a shark and probably tell you what kind it is (sad, I know!) Luckily, I'm staying at my friend's apartment is week and they have a DVR, so I can record all the shark week shows I want to! In fact, its only day 1 and I already have 3 shows set to record for tomorrow. Just ask my parents, every summer the television usually didn't change channels during this week!

When I first came to OC, my major was actually Biology Education because I love learning about science, especially ocean life. I have always wanted to go scuba diving, and still hope to do that someday. I also wouldn't mind getting into one of those shark cages (with an expert, of course) but I'm afraid I would freak and make the sharks mad! Do you enjoy Shark Week or any other certain documentaries???

Summer Reading

I absolutely LOVE to read!!! But I'm actually pretty disappointed in myself this summer because it is almost August and I am only on my second (and probably last) book of the summer. I've been watching a lot of TV before I go to bed every night when I usually spend it reading. Most summers I can read up to 7 or 8 books. I've read almost all of Nicholas Sparks' books over the last couple of years. He is definitely my favorite author. As you may know, most of his books have been made into movies (i.e., The Notebook & A Walk to Remember). This book, The Last Song, is the latest one to become a movie, so I need to read the book before I watch it! One of my hobbies is reading books and then watching the movie and comparing them. In most cases, the book is way better except of The Notebook. I guess my hobby started in grade school when it was our assignment to read a book as a class and then we watched the movie. The one that I remember the most is reading "Where the Red Fern Grows". It was so good! But I am excited to start another book before it is time to hit the textbooks (not that I thoroughly read them). Since I'm almost done with Nicholas Sparks, do you have any suggestions for good authors or books? I would love to know!!!

Changing Lives One Pair at a Time

I just applied to be a campus rep at OC this coming semester with TOMS Shoes. If you don't know who they are, you're really missing out. It was founded by a guy named Blake Mycoskie a few years ago after he went on a trip to Argentina and noticed that a lot of children were not wearing any shoes. When he got back to the United States, he started designing these shoes. Now, every time someone buys a pair of TOMS Shoes, another pair is given to a child in need. So, even though they may be a bit more expensive than a regular pair of shoes would cost you, think about the fact you are actually buying 2 pairs of shoes! I really cool thing I like about this company is they don't just send the shoes to where they need to go. They actually get a team together and go to different countries and put the shoes on the child's feet. How rewarding would that be?!

Ever since I went to Honduras back in 2005, I have been praying for another opportunity for me to do more mission work in other parts of the world. This could very well be the answer to those prayers (I hope)! This internship includes getting your school involved with TOMS. I would be planning parties, fundraisers, and events and selling shoes (of course!) to help promote and raise money for the organization. I have a few ideas already, which I'm pretty excited about! I've realized that I really do want to go into non-profit work after graduation, so this could really help me get my foot in the door. I do not when I find out if I got the internship, so if you could say a prayer for me I would really appreciate it!

Silence is NOT Golden

My mom and great Aunt Sue came down from Michigan to spend the week with me. We went to Arkansas for a family reunion and to introduce my mom to family she had never met. When we got back to Oklahoma, we did a lot of shopping and eating (I'm not complaining)! But they left this morning to head back home. First of all, I hate goodbyes with a passion. I have never been good at them (then again, I don't know many people who are). I usually do not look the person I am saying goodbye to in the eye, give them a quick hug and an "I love you" and then leave the scene as quickly as possible. In my family, crying is a chain reaction. Once one person starts, that's the end of it!

Another thing I do not like is silence. I understand we need it every once in a while, but when you're around people 24/7 for 5 days, the quietness after they leave can be sad and sometimes even creepy. So, here I am once again, in a quiet house by myself trying to think of things to do. Now I know I could never live by myself after I graduate. Just having no one to talk to would drive me crazy! Do you like being in a house full of noise or do you enjoy the silence of an empty room? Do you think silence is golden? I definitely don't!

Tattoo Debate

I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for a few months now. I used to be totally against them, but now I think they're pretty cool. One of my tweets says "Back to thinking about getting a tattoo..." The people that have had a most questions and comments about it is my family and, don't get me wrong, I do respect their opinions.

The tattoo I want would look similar to this picture and be in the same place, but it would say, "Blessed Be Your Name". It is the title of one of my favorite songs that we sing a lot in church. Its reminds me that even when things are going to horribly wrong, we need to continue to praise God. So it would be a visible, constant reminder to me to praise Him at all times, no matter what is going on in life.

Here are my pros and cons to getting a tattoo:

Cons:

• It will hurt like crazy
• What if it looks like one big black blog when I'm older?
• It costs quite a bit of money

Pros:

• I like the way it looks
• I'm still young, so why not live it up?
• It's a phrase I need to be reminded of everyday
• I'll have a story to tell my grandchildren!

Car Troubles

I have a love/hate relationship with cars. One of my hobbies is driving and when I don't drive for a certain amount of time, I actually go through withdrawals. But I tend to have the worst luck with cars and I know nothing about them or how to fix them. My 1994 Chevy Corsica broke down on me in the middle of I-44 on my way from Oklahoma to Michigan. In a matter of about 30 minutes, I no longer had a car. My next (and current) car is my great grandma's 1997 Saturn, which I love, but it's had some problems too. I actually just got it out of the shop today after my parents spent a lot of money to have it fixed. Part of my felt like it was time to say goodbye to Flora (yes, I named my car after my great grandma), but we decided to try to get one more year out of her. I've only driven a couple of times today, but Flora is now feeling much better. Do you have any good car stories ending in buying a new car or having a lot of work done to it???

Cooking

I enjoy cooking, but I don't always have the time or money to spend on cooking. Lately, I've been trying to collect different recipes from friends and friends' blogs (Katy King) and I've gotten a few good ones. I made chicken salad for lunch today and it will be waiting for me to eat it again when I get home from work tonight. It wasn't bad, if I do say so myself! It is kind of difficult cooking for only one and not always knowing how much time I will have before or after work to cook something up. Do you have any good, easy, quick, and cheap recipes that can be made for one person and that is also good left over??? Let me know!

Living in a Sauna

I live in a sauna. I like to call it Oklahoma. Ever since I got here a month ago, it has not been below 80 degrees. Even when we had floods about a week ago, it was still in the 90's. Almost everyday, when I leave the house, the sun blazes down through my windshield and burns the steering wheel. I absolutely love going to the pool in the evenings because it is my time to relax and cool off! I think my arms are permanently tan for the summer (which I am not complaining about), but my legs are still as white as can be (maybe I should work on that)! What is your favorite thing to do when it is so hot outside? Swim? Go to the mall? Eat ice cream and snow cones?

Favorite Songs

These are 2 of my favorite songs. The first one is "You're My Little Girl" by Go Fish and it just lets me know that God is on my side when things are not going the way I want them to. The second one is "Mighty to Save" by The ZOE Group. My friend, Zachary, taught it to us in Chapel last semester and I instantly fell in love with it and then the Worship Minister at church taught it to us in our "Wonder of Worship" class last. It's just a very powerful song and it reminds that God is in control of everything!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpY6L0G3JdE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRe4AdmHoeE

A Member of the Huxtable Family

If you know me, then you know that one of my all-time favorite shows growing up was the Cosby Show. It has been one of my favorites probably since I was in middle school. Since I moved back to Edmond a couple weeks ago, I've been watching the Cosby Show every night before I go to sleep. It is just one of those shows where you forget about all of your problems while watching it. No matter how many times I've seen an episode, I end up laughing out loud to myself. Bill Cosby makes so many jokes and has so many different facial expressions, I can't help but be in a better mood when I go to bed. If you ever watch the show, there are messages behind his jokes and, sometimes, even good advice.

I had the opportunity to see Bill Cosby live about 6 years ago at the Detroit Opera House. It was a Christmas gift from my parents. I do not remember a lot of it, but I do remember him wearing a college sweatshirt from some university in Michigan and he did a lot of jokes that I had already seen on his show or in his stand up comedy. I really enjoyed seeing him in person and lately I have felt like a member of the Huxtable family!

The Man at Church

There is a blind man that attends the church that I go to in Edmond. He catches my eye every week. Every Sunday night he holds onto his wife's shoulder as she guides him into the auditorium and leads him into the same pew. I notice him because, no matter what we're singing, he has a huge smile on his face. Sometimes I wish I were like him, I could only hear what goes on in the world and do not have to see all of the bad. I think God made us hoping we would see the good in most people and help those who we see the bad in. This man helps me every week just seeing his facial expression. I wonder if it would change if he all of a sudden received his sight. Would you be thankful if you lost one of your senses or do you feel like you couldn't live without any of them?

Grocery Shopping

Food costs money. A lot of money when you add it all up. I don't like it. I don't mind grocery shopping at all because it gets me out of the house and it actually clears my head a little bit. But once I get into the check out line and start to kind of add the food up in my head, I start to panic and I begin to think if there is anything that I can put back that I don't absolutely need. Bad news is, I usually need it all! While I am looking at everything I am about to buy, I think, "this stuff is going to last me a long time!" Wrong again. A week later I find myself back at Wal-Mart buying some of the same stuff and I wonder how one person can go through so much in a week. I also find myself making another list once I get home of things I've forgotten on this trip...frustrating! Does anyone have ideas as to how to not spend so much money every week and still have enough food to last more than a week???

Memorial Day

In the past, Memorial Day has not meant that much to me even though we are currently in a war. My friend, Jonathan, is in the National Guard and he is one of my best guy friends at school. Wee love to just sit down for a while and talk about school, family and friends. We met in our really boring Literature class about a year a half ago and have been friends ever since. He hasn't told me much about his experience in Iraq or what he did over there, but in my mind, he is a hero along with all of the other soldiers fighting for our country. He is the only soldier I know personally, but he makes me thankful for what others do to keep us safe. So, Jonathan, thank you for all that you do and for being a great friend! And best wishes on your upcoming wedding! See you in August!!!

Work

Yesterday I began my first full-time job as an innkeeper at a Bed & Breakfast in Edmond. I love what I am doing, but I have to tell you, it is already getting to me physically and emotionally (and I am only on day 2). I did not realize that I would be working 9 hours a day and would be on my feet (while wearing dress shoes) for almost half the day. I have never worked a 40-hour a week job, so this is a first for me. I love the fact that it is a family run business, so you get to know everybody pretty quick and they are all very nice. It's just that one of my biggest fears is failure, to myself and to others. I am afraid that once my training is done and I am left to do the work by myself, something will not get done that needs to get done before I go home, I'll book guests in the wrong room, I won't fold the laundry just right, etc. I must say this is the first job I have been absolutely terrified of. I know I need to get over these fears and just do my best. My parents have always told that your best is all you can do. I've been praying that God will just get me through the day, which I know He will. If anybody is reading this, could you say a little prayer for me? I would really appreciate it!!!

Sick

This is how I've been feeling the last couple days. And, of course, I would get a sinus infection the last weekend before I go back to Oklahoma. It has also been raining off and on for like the last week, which has not been helping either except for watching marathons of Grey's Anatomy. Basically the last 2 days I have been sitting or lying on the couch watching boring daytime television, constantly blowing my nose, drinking iced tea and eating soup. Why is it that whenever we get sick, even with just a cold, we almost forget how feels to be healthy, even though we've only been sick for like a day? It drives me crazy! I just hate the fact that this always happens when I am visiting my family. I went to the doctor this morning and got put on antibiotics, so hopefully I will be feeling a lot better by Sunday when I fly back to St. Louis and then drive to Edmond from there on Monday. I need to be well enough to move the rest of my stuff (which is a lot) into my room and to set up an interview for a prospective job. I am also hoping the weather will be nice for driving on Monday, you may know that it is tornado season in Oklahoma right now and I have already heard of friends taking cover about a week ago. So, please pray that I get better soon and that I have a safe flight and drive back!

Road Trippin'

This school year I have traveled more than I ever have before. Last weekend I went to Arkansas to go to my Granny's funeral and then Monday I left Oklahoma to visit my family in Michigan. This time I did things a little different. Instead of driving all the way to Michigan or flying all the way, I drove to St. Louis, Missouri and got on a plane to Michigan. This was a very difficult and tiring trip just from getting about 4-5 hours of sleep every night during the past week, driving 5 hours to Rolla, Missouri and staying the night in a hotel by myself (kinda creepy), driving another 2 hours to St. Louis to catch my flight to Detroit. Needless to say, I am still pretty exhausted.

One thing I love about road trips is the scenery. I love to look at all of God's creation. Sometimes I think about what the world would look like if there were no roads, cars, or buildings. I think it would be beautiful! The Lord never ceases to amaze me no matter how much I am on the road or in the air and I don't think I will ever get tired of it!!!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow afternoon I will be a senior in college...this is crazy! I know it sounds cliche, but it honestly feels like yesterday that I moved to Oklahoma and began my first year at OC. Coming here for school has definitely been one of the best decisions of my life. I couldn't be happier here! I have made a ton of friends and will make more next year. There have been ups and downs but mostly ups! 

Thinking about starting my senior year next fall really actually scares me. I think it is because I know how fast it will go by and that after next spring I will be all done with school. I do not think I will know what to do with myself. I don't know what it is like to work 40 hours a week and not go to school. I don't know if I want to know what that is like. A lot of questions run through my mind when I think about graduating in a year. Will I find a job in the field that I studied? What company will I work for? Will I stay with the same company until I retire? Will I stay in Oklahoma or move somewhere else? But then I always have to think about Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So for now, I am taking comfort in knowing that I still have one year of school left and I will make the most of it! Senior year...here I come!!! :)

In Loving Memory

This weekend I lost a good friend of mine. As you may know, I am very close to all of my family and consider all of them my friends as well. My Granny was 88 years old when she passed away on April 17, 2010. In my 21 years, I have gotten to know my Granny as a kind, loving, and Godly woman. She was never afraid to speak her mind to her children, husband, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren - believe me, I know! She was stubborn, feisty, and a fighter and she fought until the very end. More importantly, she was and still is a woman of God. I have only met a few others that love the Lord as much as she does and I strive to be like her in my spiritual walk. 

Upon finding out about Granny's passing, I was angry, confused, and sad. In my mind, she was supposed to wait a couple of weeks for me to get back to Michigan to say my goodbyes personally. Why are we, as human beings, selfish like that? God gave us our families. Why do we not want to share them with Him and let them go when it is time? God put us on this earth to one day come back to Him. April 17 was Granny's day and I know for a fact she couldn't be happier! She has missed my Papa everyday for the last 11 years and I know that they are finally together again. Granny always mentioned one thing that she wanted. She wanted everyone she knew to get right with God and stay on the right path so that we could all be together again someday in Heaven!

Granny, I love you very much. I will continue to try my hardest to make you and Papa proud. I cannot wait to see you again someday! Please wait for me at the Pearly Gates!

Wants vs Needs

Lately, I have had a really long "want" list. I think everyday for the last month or so, I think of another thing I want. I'll just a few things: start tanning, a tattoo, a pair of TOMS shoes, acrylic nails, leggings, a new shortsuit I saw at Target, a new car (eventually), and the list goes on. The reason why I haven't gotten any of these things yet is because I know what I need that is more important. Groceries (food is good), gas in my car (I need to drive places), a summer job, a place to live for the summer and sign up for summer classes. All of these things cost money. I've always been pretty tight when it comes to money and I try to spend it wisely, but ever since I got to college that has changed. I've bought and done things that cost way more than they are worth and sometimes wish I could take them back. I've been doing everything I can to convince myself that I do not need some of the stuff that I want right now, but that is becoming more and more difficult everyday.

My question is, why do our wants sometimes overpower our needs? Don't our minds understand that we only need what we really need and that we should be thankful for the things we already have that we didn't need in the first place? I definitely don't have an answer, but my "want" list keeps getting longer and I'm just hoping and praying I can put off getting some of the things until I have what I need first.

Some days you just need a friend

For some reason, after beginning this blog, I feel like everything I write about is negative. Not being able to find an apartment or a job, procrastination, and today has just been one of those days where you feel like you could lay in bed all day. Don't worry, I am not usually like this. It is days like today when the one I miss the most is my dog, Mocha. She is the one friend I have that doesn't judge me when I do something wrong, doesn't tell secrets I don't want to be told, doesn't laugh at me when I do something embarrassing, and is always there when I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on. She was by my side when I was recovering from surgery for 3 1/2 months and even when I was recovering from having my wisdom teeth out for 3 days. She is very calm (unless you ask her if she's hungry), doesn't bark, and loves everyone she comes to contact with. It is days like today when lunch dates fall through, the printer doesn't work for your project, and you've been told that your great-grandmother may have less than 6 months to live, that I need Mocha. So, Mom, if you could ship her down here to be with me until the stress of school is over I would really appreciate it! Thanks :)

Procrastination 1, Jennifer 0

This is the enemy of all enemies. I am probably the worst procrastinator you will ever meet. I will use last night and today as an example of my procrastination. Last night at work I did my PR Case Studies homework without a problem and turned it in. I knew I had a project for my PR Methods class due directly after my Case Studies class. After work, I gave myself one hour to eat a sandwich and watch TV and relax. Well...one hour turned into two hours. I began my project at 11pm and had to do curfew check at midnight. I was able to get a couple of things done before curfew and the rest of the list of things to do for the project didn't look too long...at the time. Since I was tired, I decided to go ahead and go to bed and I set my alarm for half an hour before I usually setting for, thinking I would somehow get up earlier. Yeah...didn't happen. I decided not to panic and finish the project between 12:30 and 2:30. Yeah, that didn't happen either. After chapel, getting my things around, and lunch, I finally ended up at the library at 1pm. Mind you, my Case Studies class is at 2:30...no problem! After working on about five different assignments for this project, I looked at the time and it was already 2pm. I also had to make a CD-ROM with all of my files on it, which I had absolutely no idea how to do. Luckily I was able to teach myself, but by the time I was done, it was 2:32...oops! I then realized I had forgotten the folder the project is supposed to go in, scissors and glue all in my room, which is half way across campus in the opposite direction of my class. Obviously, I knew I wouldn't be making it to my Case Studies class and just went back to my room and finished the rest of my project and turned it in ON TIME!!! (Yes, I am that girl that will use her last skip of a particular class to work on a project for another class.)

My question is, why do we procrastinate? I think everyone I know procrastinates in one way or another. I've been doing it my whole life, but somehow everything seems to get done, but not without a bit of stress and a few panic attacks. I think every semester my goal is to stop procrastinating. Well, this is my 6th semester in college and it has yet to happen. Does anyone ever learn their lesson? What would happen if we actually got things done early? For me, I don't think I would know what to do with my life. For all you non-procrastinators out there (if any), what's your secret? I would definitely like to know!

Apartment Hunting + Job Hunting = NO FUN!!!

So, I have about 3 weeks to find an internship/job and a place to live for the summer. This has been a very frustrating and time-consuming process. I could go back to Michigan for the summer, but I'm almost 22 years old and, even though I love my family and love spending time with them, I really think it is time for me to grow up and find my own place. Part of me would like to stay on campus so that I don't have to move far, but it is a little more pricey. Another part of me would like to just rent a room from someone, but I really don't want to live with someone or a family I don't know and I also like to have my own space. Another thing is finding a roommate if I decide to get an apartment. Are they committed to staying the entire summer? I do not want to be left all of a sudden with rent to pay by myself. Will I be able to find a good enough paying job to pay the rent each month for an apartment or room? I would love to work for a nonprofit organization, but they do not pay any interns which means I would have to get a 2nd job and somehow have time  to do summer school as well. My resume is out to several places, but only one has called and it has been very difficult setting up an interview time with conflicting schedules. Can I find a place where I do not have to sign a lease so that I can move back on campus in August? UGH!!! So many questions and absolutely no answers! So, for anybody reading this, please pray that God will give me an answer soon!!!

Something New

Hey guys!

My name is Jennifer and I am a junior at Oklahoma Christian University majoring in Public Relations and Advertising. I've written a couple of blogs before, but haven't stuck with it, so here we go again! I'm pretty excited :)

Most of the blogs will just be what's going in my life and school and random questions that pop into my head. I hope you all enjoy it!!!

~Jennifer