Addendum

I will read the rest of the Twilight books! Just let me read them on my own time and don't nag me about them!! Please!! Also understand that just because I read them doesn't mean that I have to like them or even be obsessed about them!! Also please don't assume I'll love them. I've already stated in my previous entry how I feel. Let me say this. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the books. I'm trying to forget all the hype and everything and just read the books as though they were just another regular book that I'd pick up at the library. However, the fact that people keep on me about them is making me like the books less and less. I am trying not to let that get to me but it is. Also, the books just haven't grabbed me like they have others. Really they haven't. They're interesting, yes and I do want to read the rest. However, it's not like with a lot of other people. I've heard many people claim that they couldn't put the books down when they were reading them. Me, on the other hand, haven't had that problem. I've put the books down and haven't touched them for a long time. Just something about the books doesn't seem to interest me nearly as much as it does other people. Then again, vampires were never really my thing.

Also,does the fact that I'm not into the whole Twilight fandom, make me a bad librarian? I know not all librarians like every single book they read or purchase or suggest. But I'm sure a lot of them still like a lot of them get into the book trends. I know many librarians love Harry Potter and a lot like Twilight. Does not getting into the madness make me a bad future librarian? It kinda makes me think I am.I feel a bit guilty that I'm not into Twilight that much. If I don't like something, how can I encourage my students to like it? If you like something, you are more excited and eager to share it with others. Since I'm not such a huge fan about Twilight, how will I possibly deal with it in my future library. Especially when I get the crazed fans coming to me and wanting to talk about the book? I'd have no problems discussing Harry Potter with them! Twilight is a different story though.

Please stop nagging me about Twilight and let me read it on my own terms. If I happen to get more obsessed with it so be it. But please just let me find out on my own. Thanks!

Chapter 29: Harry Potter vs. Twilight

Blog fail yet again. This semester has been so extremely hectic and stressful that I barely have time for anything besides schoolwork or so it seems. But now that things are finally winding down, I have time to blog more and I probably will. Especially since I need something to help keep me calmed down when things start to get too crazy. I'll have to explain some more on the stressed thing later. Right now, I've got more important things to discuss.

As practically the whole world knows or at least those here in the United States, the movie New Moon came out in theaters today. I thought this would be a good time to discuss the Harry Potter vs. Twilight debate and my thoughts on both.

First off, I'm not a Twihard fan nor do I clam to be. However, my feelings are torn on the whole Twilight thing. I have read the books (Not all but at least the first two) and I have also seen the first movie and want to see the second. Now before you start getting all crazy and asking me all these questions about Twilight and assuming I'm just as obsessed about it as you, and asking me if I'm Team Edward or Team Jacob, let me explain. The only reason I got into Twilight (if you can even call it that), is because I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. A lot of my classmates where raving about how much they liked the series and I was curious. So I read the first book and then the second. I have yet to read Eclipse and Breaking Dawn but I'm not exactly anxious about it. I thought the books were ok so far. Not horrible but yet not exactly great. I was really annoyed by Bella and also by Edward. However, I did like Alice. I also thought the movie was ok.

I guess the reason I've done those things is because I'm curious and perhaps a bit fascinated by the obsession about it. I would even go to a Twilight party of which there was one back in my hometown at the public library. Mainly I would have gone because I think it would have been fun and maybe to amuse myself with the craziness of everyone else.

I guess the whole problem is that I just don't get it. What is so fascinating about Edward and just Twilight in general? I really just don't get it! It doesn't help that I keep hearing about it and putting myself in the position to be considered an "fan". It feels a bit weird when practically all your classmates in your degree program keep raving about the series and everything and are obsessed about it so much, and your one of the few people who aren't. To be an outcast in this case isn't exactly fun. Especially when I'm already separated by the simple fact I'm not going to be a teacher but instead a school librarian.

My obsession is Harry Potter. I'll admit it. Twilight has not changed my obsession about it and I refuse to let it. I think Harry Potter is a much better series. In my opinion J.K. Rowling is a much better writer than Stephanie Mayer. Being somewhat of a writer myself, I know that it takes a lot more to create your own world than to simply just use the real world and incorporate fantasy elements into it. Not only has J.K. Rowling created her own world,she even made her own currency for this world! To mean, this makes her a much better writer than Stephanie Mayer.

I'm not disagreeing that both series got more students to read but I feel that Harry Potter did a much better job of this than Twilight. Of course, Harry Potter was first but even so look at how much it's still prevalent today. Harry Potter has a much bigger fan base than Twilight and a much wider range. Twilight's fan base consists of mainly teenage girls while Harry Potter is for everyone. People of all ages can enjoy Harry Potter and do enjoy it. Twilight on the other hand is more for teenage girls and college girls. I honestly don't know of very many guys that are reading Twilight and are obsessed with it. Not that there aren't any. I'm sure there are some, but I don't know of any personally.

As for this whole Team Edward or Team Jacob thing? Why does it matter so much? Really? Why is this such an important question in the Twihard world? Can I just like something or even just read something out of curiosity without having to chose sides? Why does it matter? Just because I read the Twilight books doesn't mean that I am obsessed about it and know it by heart like many people assume. I don't know it by heart. I haven't even read the whole series yet! So stop asking me. Even when I have taken the book to public places to read, people ask me about it! Just stop!! Let me enjoy my book in peace! :)

My response to those who keep asking me the ultimate Twilight question: Team Harry Potter!!
(and I mean Harry Potter in general. I know that there are subteams of Harry Potter such as Team Weasley or Team Lupin.)

I'm sure I'll get some people who disagree with me and that's fine. You have your opinion and I have mine. This is why we live in the United States. We have the right to disagree.

Chapter 28-Don't give up

I said that I was planning to blog more/write more because of BEDA. However, so far it hasn't been that way. It's really not that I'm not trying but more that I haven't really been able to. With school ending in May and then me being busy this Summer working and also not having a laptop, it's been a bit difficult. Now I'm not going to go into the details of my Summer yet and what I've been doing; that will come in a later blog. Right now, I just have something on my mind that I need to talk about.

Around the beginning of my summer, things happened that while although they didn't affect me directly still make things a bit difficult for me in returning to college. When I go back in a little over a week, I will be on my own more than I have been. My cousin will be moving away and I will no longer have my friends from NM. This is really difficult for me. My cousin was the one who encouraged me to attend the college in the first place. Now he has already said something about this and I know how he feels about it. I don't blame him. It's not his fault. So he will no longer be in the town. This means that I no longer have a place to go to on the weekends. I have to now get me a mailbox and find a laundry mat. Two things that having my cousin living nearby I didn't have to worry about in the first place. Not really a big deal, but still. It's more the fact that I had family nearby and now I won't bothers me. Also, I lived with my cousin during my first semester at the college before I found my own place. That was nice and it's been nice having a family connection.

Another thing that makes it difficult is that while I do have some friends back at college, I won't have my friends from NM. Last Fall, in 2008, I met two girls from NM through my cousin. They're twins and are from a nearby city from where I lived in NM. The fact that they were from NM and were going to be attending the same college made me want to meet them. I met them and we became good friends. Now because of what happened, they are not going back and instead are transferring back here to NM. I found this out today. When I first heard about what happened, I was fairly certain that they wouldn't be going back. I was right, but I think part of me was still hoping that I was wrong and they would go back.

This is what has made it extremely difficult for me to go back even though I know I must. I'm so close to finishing what I started. I only have one more year for my undergrad! I'm so close that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can't quit now! I know this, but still going back now, isn't exactly thrilling me at the moment. When I go back, I'm going back to an empty apartment. I'm going back to a place where for the first time since I tranferred over there, I'll be completely on my own. Having my cousin there, while I rarely saw him, helped. So did having friends from around the same place I grew up helped too. The loneliness I had, wasn't so bad because I had something to ease the pain. Now, I won't have either and I'm really afraid that my loneliness will be nearly unbearable now. What keeps me going is the thought that I'm almost finished and how much I've accomplished.

Now some people might be thinking, get over it. Find some new friends or something. Move on with your life. Sure, that might be easy for you. Not for me.

I have a hard time making friends. I always have, even growing up. It's never been easy for me to make friends. It's not like I don't try either. I'm the sort of person that while I don't necessarily like being on my own, I'd much rather be on my own. I never wanted to be in a dorm and have a roommate. It's just not me. That's part of the problem I guess. I never have had a roommate or have had to have one. I went to a community college for a couple of years and just lived at home. When I transferred to my new college back in Spring 2008, I wasn't a freshmen and wasn't required to live in the dorms so I didn't. Perhaps if I had started as a freshmen and had to live in the dorms, I might not be in this situation right now. I know that if I just joined some clubs or something then I would have a better chance of making friends and perhaps be more eager to go back. I have tried to join clubs but have not been very successful. I joined some clubs around the end of my first semester and tried to get involved. However, then I started working and was unable to attend the meetings. Of course, then working and classes starting getting too much for me to handle and so I quit working. However, I still didn't have much time to attend meetings because I was kept busy with my classes and schoolwork. To me, school comes first then fun. Now a new semester is starting up and I'm hoping I'll be able to get involved with some clubs again. However,with the way my schedule looks, it's not exactly promising.

I feel a bit pathetic about how much this upsets me. I'm going to be leaving and I'm not really ready to yet. People keep asking me if I'm ready to go back and I don't really have an answer. I'm not exactly anxious to go back. I'm sure once I'm actually back, I'll feel differently. Right now though, I'm not ready. I've enjoyed my summer a lot, being home and getting a chance to relax. I think part of the reason I'm not ready to go back is because of this. I'm not ready to go back and be alone. Once I get back and get involved with my classes, I'm sure I won't think much about it. I'll survive but I know it's not going to be easy for me.

BEDA Day 28: Chapter 27- BEDA pwned!

Wow! So today is the last official day of BEDA!! I can't believe I've made it!! I honestly thought when I started this, that I wouldn't make it the full month even though I commited myself to it. Yet, however here it's the last day and I've made it!! Yay!
I have to say that this was a good challenge for me and it got me writing more. In fact, it got me writing when I should have been working on homework. Hooray for another way to procrastinate!! :D Of course, this hasn't been easy for me. I've run into writer's block and couldn't think of things to blog about. Even the things, I ended up blogging about, when I look back at them, I wonder if they are even all that interesting. So what has this whole experience taught me? That I need to not stop staying up until 3:30AM working on homework. That Maureen Johnson still owns me one half-ninja, half-pirate monkey named Jack and that she needs to give us the status on her and Trapeze School. That Nerdfighters pwn everything else and that I'm really addicted to things. I could go on with the things this experience has taught me.

Overall, I realized that I can accomplish something like this. That I'm truly commited. I may have gotten a late start to the whole BEDA thing but I still managed to make it through the whole month and have enough entries to prove it. The thing is that I didn't give up! No matter how hard I found it to blog some days. No matter if I just mostly rambled on and on (like I seem to be now). I still survived! I'm sure that some people gave up after a few days of starting BEDA, but I'm not one of them!

BEDA made me realize that blogging is fun but it's not always easy. Even at the end of BEDA, I'm still not confident in my postings. I'm still not sure that I'm very exciting or interesting. However, I do plan to continue blogging now that I've gotten a start. I'm not quitting now that it's over! Stay tuned for future updates because there will be updates! I know that I'm going to need something else to spend my time on (especially during the summer). Why not do something useful like blogging?

I'd like to congratulate everyone else who made it to the end! Congrats! You deserve a big round of applause and a pat on the back! You should be proud! We did it!!


In other brief news: Today was also the last official day of classes for me! Yay! So happy! Next week is Finals and then I'll be heading home! 1 more week! By this time next Thursday, I'll be celebrating! PARTAY!

BEDA Day 27: Chapter 26-Summer Job Hunted

I mentioned earlier how I will possibly going home for the summer but that it all depended on if I could get a job or not. Well, I'm definitely going home for the summer. The question still remains though on whether or not I'll have a job when I get home.

I've applied for at least 4 job positions back home and still haven't heard anything back from any of them. 3 of the positions I applied for are with the City and are at the Recreation City and the 4th position is a Teacher's Aide for Shuttle Camp at the NMMSH (New Mexico Museum of Space History).

If I was to get a job with the Recreation Center, I would have the possibility to work with the Summer Camp there and be able to be around my nephew. My nephew will be spending the month of June with us and will be going to the Summer Camp. I wouldn't be in the same group as my nephew of course and probably not even the same age group. However, it would be easier because I'd just take him to work with me and bring him back since we'd both be at the camp together. I'm not sure which job position being one of the Camp Group leaders would be though. The 3 positions I applied for are Recreation Aide, Recreation Clerk, and Recreation Assistant. I don't know much information about any of the positions. In fact the only things I really know are that they are all at the Recreation Center and they are all seasonal. So basically when I was applying for them, I was doing it blindly. The plus side is that if I was to work at the Recreation Center and got the position as one of the Camp Leaders, I'd hopefully be able to go on field trips with the kids. Although, I might not actually be able to actually participate in some of the activities (for instance if they go to Wet 'N Wild, I'd probably have to stay dry and not play), I think it would still be fun.

The 4th position I applied for is a Teacher's Aide for Shuttle Camp. Now I already have some idea of this job position. Because I attended Shuttle Camp myself I know kinda what goes on and have some sort of an idea of what a Teacher's Aide does. Ever since I've been in college, I've been wondering what I needed to do to become one of these Teacher's Aides. Now that I've found out, I'm hoping I can become one. I think being a Teacher's Aide would be tons of fun! I loved Shuttle Camp when I was in it and would love to be part of it again. It would be combining some things I love: Space and Science and of course children.

One positive thing about both jobs is the fact that they both would be beneficial for me. Since I'm working on a degree in Elementary Education, they would both be good experiences for me. Especially since I'm required in most cases to work with children it would provide excellent experience for me to put on my resume. I'm hoping that the fact that I'm an Elementary Education student will help me to stand out and be a possible candidate for the jobs. That way they know I'm planning to work with children as a career (which in my case of course wouldn't be a teacher but a school librarian) and that I'm learning to work with them right now. It would make a lot of sense for them to consider me for employment because of this. What better way for me to get more experience than by working with lots of children?

If I had to chose which of the job positions I really want and think I'd really enjoy the most, I'd probably pick the Teacher's Aide at Shuttle Camp. First of all, I really like Science and Space and would love to use my knowledge to teach students. Also, the number of children in the camp is generally smaller sized. Plus I'd get to participate in many of the activities as well. For instance, I'd be able to make my own rocket. Also, I'd get to see a lot more kids throughout the summer. Since each session lasts a week, I'd see different students each week. Which could be a good thing or not. It wouldn't be like working at the Recreation Center where I'd see most of the same kids every day throughout the summer and probably get to know them more but it still would be nice I think. Overall, I just think I'd like it a bit more at Shuttle Camp then I would the Recreation Center.

Of course though, unless I get phone calls for these positions, than I might have to work somewhere else. Somewhere where I wouldn't be working with children. I really really think it would be better if I did get to work with children in some way. My parents have been still looking at other positions for me as well. Most of the other postions would be clerical or office type jobs. Jobs where I'd just be typing or filing. I can already tell you that while it wouldn't be over strenous of a job, I'd sure tire of it quickly. My parents have also talked to other places where I'd be working with children such as a daycare or another summer camp program. The daycare would be one that is run by a lady who used to take care of me when I was in daycare. The other summer camp program would be with the Boys & Girls Club.

Now nothing against either possible position but, I really hope I don't have to resort to these positions. First off, I really don't like the Boys & Girls Club in my hometown. I don't know if the fact that my older brother worked there and hated it has anything to do with it. I'm sure it has some effect on my thoughts about that place. However, I've seen some of the types of kids who go to the Boys & Girls Club and I'm sorry but they aren't kids I'd really like to have to deal with. Also, I remember going to the Boys&Girls club once when I was younger and I didn't like it.

There really isn't anything wrong with working for the daycare. However, I think it would be a little strange for me. Having my boss be the same lady who took care of me when I was younger just would feel strange. Plus because she took care of me, she knows me! I don't think I'd be able to get used to working with her. Not because she's mean either. She's really nice and I loved her when I was younger, but just the whole she knows me and is my boss thing bothers me. Also, while I love little kids, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle them that much. I mean after having to work with 1st grade and then kindergarten last semester, I definately know I don't really want to work with the youngest kids. I didn't even really want to in the first place! So I'm hoping this job doesn't end up being an option too.

Now I know I shouldn't be picky or complain. I mean a job is a job and I do need one this summer to help pay for my expenses in the fall (namely textbooks). But still. I'd rather spend my summer working in a job that I'd enjoy more than having to resort to a job where I wouldn't be happy or would get bored of it easily.

I'm wondering if the reason that I haven't heard anything is because I'm far away. It's not like they can just call me and I can drive over for an interview or anything. However, I would think that they would do a phone interview if that was the problem. Perhaps they're also just waiting for me to finish my classes or for me to arrive back home before they conduct interviews for me. I'm still trying to stay postive though as it gets closer time for me to go home, I'm starting to get worried. I'm more concerned about the positions at the Recreation Center than the one with Shuttle Camp. I applied for the Recreation Center ones back at the beginning of this month. I'm sure it wouldn't take that long for them to decide. Of course it might since they're seasonal positions and technically the season hasn't begun (I would guess) but still I'm thinking not. I know that they will start conducting interviews for the Shuttle Camp positions next week so I'm not sure about that yet. I still have 2 days this week for them to call me (tomorrow and Friday) about being a Teacher's Aide. Hopefully they will. Or maybe they'll call next week and interview me over the phone.

But right now, I need to try and focus on finishing the semester, I have one more day of classes this week and then technically I'm done for the semester. Next week is Finals and then I'll be going home for the Summer. The countdown is on! Hopefully I'll have a job to go home to as well! *crosses fingers!* Wish me luck!

BEDA Day 26: Chapter 25- I'm not a Tree Killer!

Now as I've already discussed previously, I'm a bit of an environmentalist or as I put it an ecogeek. Now for the past couple of weeks (actually more of the past couple of days) my values have been tested. Unfortunately this semester a couple of my classes require us to put together notebook binders. These notebook binders are filled with papers. Now I'm not exactly thrilled about this. I understand that my professors want us to have hard copies of papers in binders for later reference. For instance, if I wanted to look at a Literacy Strategy, I could just take out my binder and locate it. However, I myself am starting to see more of the advantages of having digital copies of things. Unfortunately, this isn't an option that is avaliable to me. Now it really hasn't been that bad for one of my classes as far as paper goes. Yes, my tutoring portfolio for my literacy class has used a bunch of papers, it hasn't been all at once. Plus, if I took all the printed papers from both my Strategy notebook AND my tutoring portfolio, it still wouldn't nearly add up to the amount of papers I had to print for my Primary Math notebook. For my Primary Math class, we have to have a resource notebook of all the articles and activities we've done throughout the semester. I spent a long time yesterday printing out all the articles and activities from online. Talk about killing trees. I don't know how many sheets of paper I ended up using just to print everything. Just to put in a binder that I possibly may never use since I'm not planning to teach math or even teach!! I honestly can't even look at my binder without feeling guilty. All that paper!! There really isn't a good thing about it. However, it is good that I at least have an unlimited paper supply. Since I'm a College of Education Student, if I use the printers in the building, I don't have a limit or have to pay. It's nice to be able to save some of my printer ink and paper and use the school's. Especially when you have classes like this that want you to print off tons of stuff. Now I'll admit, I tend to have a bunch of papers in my apartment. That's because I'm a bit of a pack rat and don't like to throw stuff away. However, I don't print off things unless I absolutely need to and I need to go through all the papers here in my apartment and get rid of some of it when I get the chance.

I honestly want to know if my professors even care about the environment. I'm sure they do. But things like having us print all these things for a binder tends to make me question them. Personally if they would just have us save everything to a disc instead of printing them out, I think I would like it better.

It's strange how now that technology has advanced so much that we can now have digital copies of things and limit how much paper we use. I think it's just nicer to not have to deal with stacks of papers.

I'm not a tree killer and I don't want to be. Thanks to my professor for my Primary Math class however, I'm starting to feel like one. Go green! Save paper! Don't print things unless you absolutely need to!

Thanks for reading!

BEDA Day 25: Chapter 24-Kid at heart

Wow. I can't believe I've almost made it through a whole month of blogging! The good thing is that this project has done what I wanted it to do: it got me to start writing more. Even though I'm not sure how much of what I write is actually that interesting.

So tonight I met with one of many groups this semester to work on a project that's due tomorrow. Yes, we did wait until the night before to finish it. That was the only time we could get together and work on it with our schedules being the way they are.

Anyway, our project is for Geometric Structures class and we had to research a topic from a given list. Our topic was pi (3.14159....). We were looking for interesting facts when one of my group members mentioned how the square root of pi was mentioned in the movie Twilight. We found the video clip of the restaurant scene on YouTube and are planning to use that in our presentation.

This led to a very interesting discussion with the rest of my group members about Twilight the movie.Specifically we discussed the actor, Robert Pattison. In the process of discussing him we also mentioned Harry Potter and which of his characters we preferred. Personally I like him better as Cedric Diggory. After discussing this, it led to a discussion of some of the Disney Channel Stars such as Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu. One of my group members mentioned that she likes Zac Efron more than Robert Pattison while another member and I liked Corbin Bleu. Like I said, it was an interesting discussion! :)

This made me think about how many of us college students are more like kids than we are adults. Well, at least us Elementary Education and Early Childhood Majors. I find it very interesting how even though all of us are legally adults, we still tend to act a little like kids. I don't know how many of us in my classes are obsessed with Twilight and Harry Potter. A lot of us like Hannah Montana (yes! I'm serious!) and High School Musical. I mean I'll admit, I like all these things. I'm obsessive about Harry Potter in particular but I do like Hannah Montana and High School Musical and yes, Twilight too (though I'm not obsessed with it as others are). But the thought that others my age like this stuff too? It makes me happy and also makes me wonder. Now I'm not sure if it's because we are going to be working with younger children that this is one reasoning why we like this stuff. I know I prefer children and young adult literature over adult literature. I would much rather be around children and I enjoy being around them; especially my nephew.
Is it not as weird as I think for college students to like things that are meant for younger ages. I mean when I think about it, all the things I listed above are geared toward teens. So I guess it's not that strange that as college students that we like them too.Most of us are barely out of our teens anyway, 20 and 21. Is it because we have a childlike quality that we are in the major that we are? Possibly. I know that I'm becoming a Children's/Elementary School Librarian for that reason. I love kids and sharing my love of reading with them. I want to be able to read kids books and young adult books and not have a reason for reading them!! I've been told be a couple of people that now that I'm an adult, I should be reading more adult-type books. Why? What's wrong with reading something I enjoy even it's meant for younger ages?

I guess it just all comes down to the fact that I'm just a kid at heart. I'm like Peter Pan in a way: I don't ever want to grow up and I don't ever fully plan to. :)

BEDA Day 24: Chapter 23- And so it begins...

It's hard to believe that tomorrow begins Dead Week; the last week before Finals. It's really about time too. With the way this semester has been, I'm glad to be almost finished. I need a well deserved break before hitting it again in the Fall. It's going to be worse then and I need all the relaxing and recovering I can get prior to that. This week is still going to be busy for me. I still have a bunch of things to turn it. Most of them are notebook binders I have to finish putting together and turn it this week. One of those notebooks is my Tutoring Portfolio for my Literacy Class. I need to have most of it done for Tuesday for peer review and then I have to turn it in on Thursday. The other notebook is one for my Primary Math class. I haven't even started getting that one together. My teacher wasn't very clear what we need to have for this notebook. All I know is that we need to have all these articles and activities printed that have been posted on our class site. Oh yes, talk about saving the environment. Think of how much paper I'm going to be using just to put it together. Also I have a group project presentation for my Geometric Structures that we haven't even started on. We are supposed to get together tomorrow evening and finish everything for it then. Hopefully we can. I also need to finish 2 more journal reflections for my classes. One of those will need to be added to my tutoring portfolio and the other one is for my Middle Level class. Also, I need to figure out which young adult book to read for my Middle Level final. Our final is to read a YA book and then talk about it. I'm debating between Paper Towns and 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Both of which I'm reading now. So that's a run-down of my projects for the week. As you can see, I'm still a ways from slowing down.
The good thing is that none of this is really all that bad. When I compare everything I need to complete this week with the rest of the semester, this is actually relatively tame. I feel as though I can actually complete everything and get a decent amount of sleep. Of course, that being said, I was up late last night, until 4:30AM, working on my Tutoring Portfolio. But at least now it's mostly finished!! Yay! Still have a few things to add but not too much thankfully.

I'll be happy to survive the next two weeks! The countdown has begun!

BEDA Day 23: Chapter 22-Lazy Day Saturday

So today I spent most of my day at my apartment being lazy. Technically I should have probably done more but I didn't. Considering the fact that I only have 2 weeks left of classes, you think I'd be putting all my stuff together and everything. However, instead I chose to take it easy. Or somewhat easy. Generally since I don't get much sleep during the week, I like to sleep in on the weekends. So of course I woke up a bit late. Then I ate breakfast and read for a while before I took a shower and got dressed. I then did some cleaning. I've been needing to do some cleaning for a little while now and I finally got around to do it. The only time I left my apartment today was to go get some lunch.
I've been wanting to try this one restaurant so I finally did. It's called House of Greek and yes, it sells Greek food. Now at the very beginning of this month I was fortunate enough to go to a Cultural Dinner on campus. They usually have them once a month and I've been going to them since Fall semester. Now at these Cultural Dinners they focus on a foods from different cultures. During these two semesters, there has been South African, German, Brazilian, and Lebanese. There was also a Mardi Gras one but I wasn't able to attend that one due to work. This month was Greek. So I had already tried some Greek food prior to today. While in Las Vegas, we had come across a restaurant selling Gyros. I've never tried them before and I didn't even know what they were until my sister-in-law explained. They sounded interesting and since I'm usually up for trying new foods I wanted to try one. I got a Gyro Basket which came with fries and a drink and I brought them back to my apartment. Not bad! I really liked it!! I may have to go back again fairly soon and get another one!! :)

So after I had finished lunch, I relaxed and read a book and took a little nap. Oh and also to let you know: I finally finished Twilight!! Now I need to find/buy and read the next one: New Moon. After I woke up, I did some vacuuming and finished cleaning. Then I made some Shrimp Spaghetti for dinner and watched Chamber of Secrets on ABC. I have the movie and could watch it without all the commercial interruptions if I really wanted to but I didn't. Besides it gave me something to watch. Now that the movie is over with I've just been messing around online and attempted to work on my Tutoring Portfolio for my Literacy Class but epically failing. I keep getting distracted by other things.

Basically that's my Saturday. Not very exciting or anything. It was nice to have a day to relax a bit and enjoy everything before things get crazy. Hope you had a nice Saturday and thanks for reading.

BEDA Day 22: Chapter 21-Here Comes the Sun...

Toward the beginning of the month I was complaining about how it was too cold still. Now I'm afraid I'm complaining a little about the opposite; being too hot. Although today wasn't really too bad unlike the past two days. The past two days were really really hot and therefore were miserable. I did want it to warm up but I didn't want it to be this warm. I was hoping there would be a happy medium; not too hot and not too cold. The sun seems to drain me whenever it gets too hot. Since I walk to class, walking in the hot sun isn't fun. By the time I reach my destination, I feel exhausted as though the sun just drained all my energy. Also, the fact that I have dark hair doesn't help matters much either. My hair is just like a heat magnet. Since it's so dark, it absorbs the heat and results in my hair getting warm. Of course, it's only been like this for a couple of days and so I haven't had time to get my hat. As I said though, today wasn't as bad. Today was really nice. The temperature only got in the 80's and it was also windy. But it was nice. I had to meet with one of my groups to film a video project for our EdTech class and got to be outside for a little while and enjoy the nice weather.

Now, there are some good points as well regarding the warm weather. First off, the fact that it's getting warmer seems to increase my cravings for cool treats; ice cream, Popsicles, Slurpees, etc. So today when I went to Walmart, I bought some popsicles!! Yum!! I've already had popsicles since I like them so much. One sure sign that the weather is finally warming up!! Although you would probably associate popsciles more with summer. For me that'll be happening soon. I only have 2 more weeks of classes before I begin my Summer break! Yay! :D

Another thing I really enjoy when the weather gets really warm, is Lemonade! Lemonade is really good practically anytime and is one of my favorite drinks in the first place. However, there is something to be said about it being a nice refreshing drink on a really hot day. In fact, I overheard a parent talking to their child the other day when it was really hot. She was telling her kids that they could make some nice cool lemonade when they got home.

Lemonade and Popsicles. Two sure signs that Summer is on it's way. I'm definately ready for Summer. I'm ready for a break from classes. Right now, I'm still not sure what I'm going to be doing for Summer. I'm hoping to go home and spend my Summer there. It just depends on if I can get a job (more on that later). I hope I can go home and spend time with my parents and my nephew (he'll be visting for a month). I can't wait!! Summer here I come (in 2 weeks!)!

BEDA Day 21: Chapter 20-The Power of Awesome

So I was going to talk about something else until just shortly a little while ago that I can't remember now. But it doesn't matter now. I know this post time says 11:24 since I had begun to blog before this all took place. But now it's after midnight and I simply must talk about what just happened. So I had literally just finished ordering my paperback copy of Suite Scarlett from Amazon when I noticed the Book Sales Rank. Maureen Johnson had challenged us via Twitter that if we could get her book to break the top 1000 today, she would go to Trapeze School. Of course, Maureen didn't think we could do it and was overly confident about it. She even told us that she would give the West Coasters more time to see if they could do it but she didn't think that they could. Well, she was wrong and we did break the top 1000. Currently her book ranks #673 on Amazon sales. Just one hour ago it was at #1471. Now Maureen has to go to trapeze school.

Which brings me to this: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF NERDFIGHTERS!!
We Nerdfighters seem to be able to do just about anything.
We helped pwn Google AND Oprah, helped get Aston Kutcher to follow John Green on Twitter, got over 3000 people to follow Maureen Johnson on twitter, found one of John's old camp friends, helped John Green become a New York Times Bestselling Author, and now we got Maureen Johnson to go to Trapeze School. NERDFIGHTERS have done all this and more! People should know by now that if you set us with a challege, we will do practically anything to accomplish it. We are truly awesome.

It never ceases to amaze me just how much Nerdfighteria can do. We can make dreams come true! Maureen promised us all monkeys if we got over 3000 people to follow her via twitter and we did that! By now Hank and John have realized just what we nerdfighters can do. Hopefully now, Maureen is learning the same. This is why they have to come up with more challenging tasks. Tasks that if we accomplish them will show just how strong we really are.

Nerds really are powerful. To think that people still tend to mess with us? Who are they kidding? Can you not see what we can do? It's hard to believe that there is still that line when we are clearly more powerful than they think we are.

NERDFIGHTERS FTW!!

BEDA Day 20: Chapter 19- Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!
Today I'm going to become a bit of an EcoGeek myself and tell you some of the things I'm doing to Save Earth as well as what I did today.

First off, today is nice because for once it's really warm outside and Sunny!! That makes me so happy! It's finally Spring. Actually, it's in fact almost Summer because it's almost too hot outside. In fact, today it warmed up to be about 95 degrees! I wanted it to warm up but not this much! It's so hot outside that now it's miserable and literally drains me. I wanted to find a happy medium: be warm but not too warm. It seems to go from one extreme to the other! You think I'd be used to it by now but I'm not.

So anyway, today was still a nice day for Earth Day. I did not realize that there were events taking place on campus until I had gone to my Primary Math class. One of the girls in my class was carrying a kite she had made at one of the booths. She mentioned some other booths as well. After class ended, I decided to go see what was going on for myself. There was a quite a few booths on Library Lawn. Some of the booths talked about animals, some about ecology, and some were selling earth friendly merchandise. Just a wide variety of things to celebrate and bring awareness about Earth and things you could do to make a difference. Of course, there was also the kite making booth. It was fun making a kite! The kites were shield kites and seemed to be made from plastic trash bags. All we had to do to make one was pick a pattern to trace onto our kite with markers and then the people would help us put together the rest. It was a lot of fun! I had chosen a pattern with a fancy star that ended up looking more like a flower after I had finished. We also got to add tails to our kite. I added bright pink and lime green tails to my kite to make it even more colorful. I thought about flying my kite after I had finished but didn't. After I had finished my kite and looking at all other booths, I came back to my apartment. I didn't really do much else for Earth Day other than that but still it was something.

Lately, I've become more interested in doing my part to help our planet. I don't consider myself to be a big environmental person like some other people. Yet, I'm still probably more environmentally conscious than normal. For instance, I took part in Earth Hour 2009 this year. For one hour, I turned off all lights and electronics to show how even one hour can make a difference. It was an interesting experience for me especially trying to read and eat dinner just by an LED flashlight. I've also been using cleaning products that are more earth friendly. I use a lot of the Green Works products. Yes, they are a little more costly than the regular ones but they are more earth friendly. I've also been using reusable shopping bags to carry my groceries whenever I go to Walmart.

When I get to thinking about doing my part to help our planet, I realize I already am without much extra effort. For example, all the lights in my apartment use energy efficient lightbulbs and most of my electronics are already energy efficient because they were just designed that way. I also turn off all lights and electronics when I'm not using them. Now that it's getting warmer, I keep my windows open and use my fans to keep my apartment cooler and to keep the air flowing. I try not to use my air conditioner too much because it uses a lot of electricity which in turn costs me a lot of money. I also save money by not driving my car as much. Since I live so close to campus, I have no need to drive and either walk or ride my bike. This saves my from having to buy gas for my car since I rarely drive it during the week. I can usually go more than 2 weeks before I need to refill since my car has good gas mileage. Another thing I've been doing to help the environment is eating more vegeterian foods and less meat. I've never been much of a big meat eater to begin with so this really isn't that big of a difference for me. I've just been eating a little more vegetarian options over regular options. Plus there's the added bonus that the vegeterian options are more healthy. I also try to recycle as much as I possibly can and use more recycled products. In fact my printer paper my printer paper was made from recycled paper!

Now you know what I'm doing to help the environment. It's not really that much of a difference and it hasn't been much extra effort. Not only by doing things to save energy help save the planet, it also helps to save money. Me being a college student with not much money, anything I can do to save money is good. Really all it boils down to, is putting a little more thought into what you are doing or what you could be doing instead. Just little things such as turning off lights when you aren't in the room. I love Earth and want to help do my part and I encourage you to do the same. Celebrate Earth!

BEDA Day 19: Chapter 18-My Daily Schedule

I've been thinking today about how routine my daily schedule is and I find it very interesting to see how I do at lot of things everyday at the same time. Of course, it's not all that exciting that my schedule is routine. Most schedules are. That's just how it is. But since I don't really have anything else to blog about, I'm going to talk about my schedule.

9 AM (M), 6 AM (T/Th), 5 AM (W) - Alarm goes off. I turn on the radio and then get out of bed, take a shower and get dressed. I then usually get back in bed and try to get a little more sleep before I finally get up. Then I have breakfast and work on some last minute homework before heading off to class.

12:30-2:20 (M), 9:00-3:15 (T/Th), 7:30-2:20 (W)- Classes. Wednesdays I have about a 2 hour break from 10-12 between my 7:30 class and my 12:30 class.

Around 2:30 (M/W), 3:30 (T/Th)- I walk back to my apartment and have lunch. Except on Thursdays. On Thursdays, I've had to rush back after my last class ends at 3:15 and pick up my stuff for my Tutoring and then be at the RMC (Reading Math Center) by 4:15. On Thursdays I usually pick up something at the Student Union to have for lunch after my Literacy class.

Around 4:00PM- Naptime. I've been taking a nap nearly everyday now. I know it's partly due to the lack of sleep I get at night. Plus it seems to help somewhat with me staying up late.

6:30-7:00- I generally wake up around this time and get up and prepare dinner.

7:30- 8:00- Dinner

Around 9:00- I finally begin to work on most of my homework.

Around 11:00- Realize I still need to post a BEDA blog and work on that instead of homework.

1:30-2 AM- Bedtime. If I'm lucky. Lately it's been more like 2:30 almost 3.

Then it starts all over. Fridays and the weekend are days I generally do chores and try to catch up on sleep and homework too.

Before I quit working my schedule was pretty much the same but instead of getting some rest I'd be working between 4 and 9:15 and then eating dinner and then homework.

So there's my schedule. I know it doesn't really seem like it, but trust me it's crazy! I can't wait to finally have a break in 2 more weeks!! (yay!) I'm ready for Summer already!

BEDA Day 18: Chapter 17- Book Club 1

So today I'm going to talk about a couple of books that I'm currently reading.

First, I'm still reading Twilight. Now I'm mostly reading it because I was curious to know what the fuss and hype was all about; why people were so obsessed with it. I actually started reading the book last June when I was home for Summer Break. I had checked the book out from my Hometown Public Library and planned to read as much as I could during the drive back and also before my parents and nephew headed back. I didn't get very far in the book though. My mom didn't have a book of hers to read on the way back and so she decided to read the one I had. She finished it and told me that I should try getting the book and reading it. I went to Hastings and bought the book and started reading the book again. For awhile I was making progress with it. I can't say if I was truly involved with the book or not. I was enjoying it but that was about it. Then of course July 21 came along. All you Harry Potter fans already know the significance of this date. This day of course is the anniversary of Deathly Hallows and more specifically it was the 1st anniversary. I chose to mark the occasion like others did by rereading the 7th book again. I think it was my 3rd time reading it. So I read the 7th book again and Twilight got pushed aside. After I had finished Book 7, I still didn't pick up Twilight again. I read other books and then Let It Snow and then Paper Towns came out and read those. I did take Twilight home with me over my Christmas Break thinking that I'd finish Let It Snow and have time to read Twilight. However, that didn't happen. Even after I came back after the holidays, I still didn't pick Twilight up. Then the movie came out. I decided to make another attempt at reading it. I saw the movie and began from the beginning of the book. I've made it a lot farther now but have run into the probably again of reading other books instead of finishing Twilight. I'm not sure what it is. I've heard a lot of people claim that they can't put the book down, yet I don't seem to really be having that problem. I've been putting the book down and walking away and not reading it for long amounts of time. I'm really not sure why that is though. However, I will make sincere effort to try and finish it. I am now getting to the really good parts and I am more eager to keep reading and find out what happens next. Yet that still hasn't stopped me from reading other books too.

Such as the 2nd book I'm reading now: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Can you believe that I've never read this book? I know many people have and they love it. They read it when they were younger too. I've never read this book until now. I know. It's shocking but true. I just started reading it today and in fact this afternoon after I got back from class. I've been wanting to read this book for a long while now and I've had it on one of my bookshelves for who knows how long. I think the fact that it keeps coming up in our textbook for my Literacy Class is why I finally broke down and had to read it. So far, I'm really enjoying the book. Since it's not a very long book, it's not going to take me a long time to finish, even reading Twilight at the same time. In fact, I can almost be certain that I'll finish Number the Stars before I finish Twilight.

I've also kinda begun a 3rd book a while back ago, 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, that I haven't read a lot of either. That'll be the next book I read, most likely either after the Twilight Series or along with. Plus I have a lot of other books that I've been wanting to read for a while now. I can guarentee that I'll try to read a lot during this summer since I'll have the time.

So now you know what I'm reading but now I want to know: What are you reading? and Do you have any Book Suggestions for me? (I can add them to my neverending books-to-read list)

BEDA Day 17: Chapter 16- The Weekender

The weekends seem to go by quickly. It's like I wait for Friday so I can get a chance to relax but then before I know it,it's Sunday and the weekend is over. Don't get me wrong. Depending on the day, usually my weekdays aren't that bad. However, I still really enjoy the weekends because I finally get a chance to relax. Although lately that hasn't been the case so much. Take Friday for instance, I spent most of my Friday working on homework; my Interview 5 summary and my WebQuest. I was up until almost 4 in the morning working on my WebQuest trying to get it finished. I ended up finishing it Saturday morning. I attempted to work on some more assignments Saturday evening but didn't . Somehow I think it was because I got involved with something else online but also because I think that after spending so much time on Friday, I just didn't want to do any more. I just wanted to relax. Of course, there's other reasons that could also be a factor, namely the weather and tiredness, but regardless, I didn't get much else done.

The good news is that I have managed to get some work done. At least I'm not overwhelmed having to finish so much within the next few days. The bad news is that I still have quite a bit to do overall before the semester ends. I am very much ready for it to be over. It's just been one of those semester's. I can't wait for a much deserved break. Right now, it looks as though I might possibly be going home for the summer. Now whether or not I'll be working is still uncertain. I applied for some positions at the Recreation Center in my hometown but haven't heard anything yet. It would really be nice to have a job and earn some money for the fall semester. Especially, since I most likely won't be able to work. If I don't get a job, I don't know what I'll do. The only thing I can think of doing is volunteering somewhere. Most likely I'd volunteer to help out with the Summer Reading Program. But of course, it's voluntary and you don't get paid.
Yes, I should enjoy my time off and just relax and not do anything. However, I know I'll get bored quickly not doing anything. I'd have to do something.

So back to my weekend. Other than doing homework, I really didn't do anything exciting. I did my usual weekend activities of grocery shopping and doing laundry. The only thing I didn't do was cleaning and I'll do that before I head to class tomorrow (it's my late day tomorrow (meaning I don't have a class until 12:30) . If I can manage it, I'm also going to try and get some more homework done before class too. I have a meeting with one of my partners tomorrow evening around 7 and then of course TINT will hopefully be updating and there pretty much goes my evening (see my earlier blog for more info about this). So I need to try and get as much done as a possible can before the evening.

Well, that's really all I have to say tonight. Hope everyone had a nice weekend and is ready to begin the new week.

BEDA Day 16: Chapter 15-Thunderstorms

Today I actually have something to talk about!! So it is no longer doing anything outside but earlier tonight it was. Tonight there was a Thunderstorm. A Thunderstorm with rain, lightning, and some thunder. *shudders*

Now I hate thunderstorms. I really do. I don't know why either but I do. I feel like such a little kid being frightened of thunderstorms. Even though me being the science person I am and knowing what causes lightning and thunder, I'm still scared of them. I really don't like lightning or thunder. It's not so bad when it's during the day. But when the thunderstorm is at night, it's a lot worse. I think it's because the night itself is a little creepy already being that it's quiet and then there's the lighting flashes briefly lighting up the sky then it's dark again. It just makes it seem spooky.

I also hate the fact that Thunderstorms are even more scary now that I'm living in Oklahoma. Severe Thunderstorms here can lead to Tornado Watches or sometimes even Tornado Warnings. Being from a basin town completely surrounded by mountains in New Mexico, I didn't have this problem. Now, I do and it terrifies me even more. Again, even knowing the science behind Tornadoes doesn't make it any less frightening.

Maybe it's the fact that Severe Storms can cause Tornadoes that I don't like them. Maybe it's also because sometimes the thunder sound is really loud and shakes the walls. I don't know.

I know that I'm not the only one who is frightened by storms yet even though I'm not, I still tend to feel silly. Whenever there is a storm, I get so worried and worked up. If I'm awake at night when the storm begins, then I can't seem to fall asleep until I know it's over or it calms down. If it's during the day, I tend to just stay inside, nervous and feeling shakey. Then when it's over, I feel exhausted because I worked myself up. It's crazy I know.

Some people like thunderstorms and I'm not sure I understand why. I sometimes think those people are crazy but then I'm sure they can say the same thing about me.

I generally tend to not be as nervous when I'm around family or other people. I guess it's just because I feel safer with others. That's another problem now that I'm here at college. I live by myself in an apartment. Yes, I have neighbors but I don't really talk to them. It's not because I don't want to either. We're just all so busy that I don't really see them. But anyway, I don't like being alone during storms.

I also generally don't like to read mystery stories during thunderstorms. Although, sometimes I do for some odd reason. I guess the Thunderstorm just adds to the whole feeling of the mystery. It's the same with movies. Something about watching certain movies during thunderstorms can also make me more scared of them.

I also think the clouds look very scary during thunderstorms. They are just thick and gray and just overall look scary and menacing. Plus it usually gets darker and grayer when it's stormy out.

Another thing I really hate about Thunderstorms is that sometimes they can cause power outages. Another thing I really don't like is sudden darkness. One minute there is light and then poof it's gone. That tends to make me nervous too. Once I was at work at the public library, when the power went out. It freaked me out!! I was in the children's section putting away books when suddenly it went out! It got really dark in the library and the alarms started going out. Being that a library is generally quiet, this didn't help much. Once we found flashlights and our emergency lights had come on, I started feeling a little better. Now that I think about it, I guess you could also say that I'm a bit afraid of the dark too. Perhaps I watch too many shows like CSI. Ha!

I've had people tell me that I shouldn't be frightened of storms but I still can't help it. Is it weird to be this frightened of Thunderstorms? You know how tragic things that happened to you as a child could become fears for you later on or something like that (trust me I have some fears like that too)? Well, that doesn't seem the cause for me being scared of thunderstorms. I talked to my mom and she said that I've always been frightened of thunderstorms. Both me and my brother she said were frightened of storms when we were little (and actually I think we both still are to some extent).

I'm sure there could be analysis and evaluation done that would pinpoint the cause of my fear. Maybe since my older brother was frightened of storms I became frightened of them too? I guarentee some psychologist could have fun analyzing me and my fears. I'm sure I'd be an interesting case for them.

BEDA Day 15: Chapter 14- Welcome BEDA Buddies!

Yet again, I cannot think of something to blog about tonight. Of course that could also be because I'm tired, have a bit of a headache, and have been working on homework practically all day. Because I've been busy with homework (and still am), I haven't really had time to find a topic.
Since I'm still really busy and don't have really anything interesting to say, I'm going to make this short.

I just mainly want to say Welcome to my new BEDA Buddies!! So Welcome!! I hope you enjoy your stay here! I don't know how interesting you'll find me but I hope you will support me anyway. I'm really glad to have BEDA buddies. I'm sure we are going to have a lot of fun! I can't wait to get to know everyone through this project! I hope we can become friends even beyond BEDA. I'm also hoping that maybe you could give me some ideas for things to blog about. If there's anything you'd like to know about me, feel free to ask! I write about a lot of random stuff and sometimes I can't think of what to write. Hopefully I won't bore you too much.

Now I really need to return to my homework even though it is a Friday night (almost Saturday now) and the beginning of the weekend. Thanks for reading! See ya!

BEDA Day 14: Chapter 13- Remember Me

I've noticed something interesting ever since I moved away from home to attend college. I've only been attending college here for a year and a half now. Yet, I'd say about half of my past professors still tend to remember me. It's not just my face they recognize but they also remember my name as well. Now you would think that being in a college class with many other students, a professor wouldn't necessarily remember someone. Unless of course the student frequently came by their office and talked with them. Yet this doesn't seem the case with me. I haven't gone by many of my professors' offices on a regular basis to discuss class assignments and such and yet they still tend to remember who I am!! Why is this? Am I just the type of person that is just someone to remember? I don't try to stand out or anything and make myself be remembered. In fact, I'm somewhat of a shy and quiet person. I do in fact sometimes make myself memorable by wearing fun hats or fun socks or by dressing crazy (Pirate Day is one). But generally, I don't like making myself stand out. I just try to be a normal student. Somehow, something about me makes my professors remember who I am.

Is it because I am different from the rest of those in my major? As I frequently mention to my professors. and to my classmates, I'm not planning to be a Teacher. I plan to be a School Librarian. A lot of people find this information fascinating when I tell them. Perhaps the fact that I'm really the only Librarian in the group, this is what makes me memorable. One of my past professors, remembers this bit of information and everytime I see him, he mentions it.

Is it because I'm one of those students who always seems to have a smile on my face? I'm just generally a cheerful person. I figure that you don't need a reason to be happy. Even though I may not be in the best mood, I sometimes still manage to have a smile on my face.

Is it because the class size for my section is so small and that makes it easier for the professors to remember me? It's true that most of my classes now are smaller now that I'm no longer taking General Education classes. Since I'm a Junior, I'm taking more of the required classes that are part of my major and are seeing many of the same people in my classes. Because, my classes are required major classes, they are a lot smaller sized. However, there are still a couple of classes where there are more students and yet my professors still tend to remember me. For instance, last semester There were 3 Lab sections of my Art in the Curriculum class being taught at the same time for Lecture. There were a lot of people combined in our lecture class. Despite that, I'm one of the ones my professor remembers. Whenever she sees me, she says hello and asks how I'm doing. Of course, since I really enjoyed this class and was just really into the projects and being creative, that could be another reason. Also, since I was in Art Lab on September 19th (International Talk Like a Pirate Day), I dressed up like a pirate. That could also be a reason.

Whatever the reason is, I guess I'm just someone people tend to remember. Even some of my old school teachers remember me and still ask about me to this day. Being away from my hometown hasn't stopped them! Of course, my hometown isn't that big to begin with and also because my dad and uncle are both pretty well know anyway which makes me pretty well known by being related.

In a sense I can understand now what Harry Potter was feeling when he went off to Hogwarts for the first time. People expect great things from me. They want me to succeed and they believe in me. It's hard though because you don't want to disappoint anyone. Yes, it's more important that I do my best and as long I'm proud of what I've done, then everyone else will be to. However, still a part of me wants to make others proud too.

At least I'm remembered for something good as opposed to being remembered for something bad. It's better to be remembered for something good. Which I guess mean's that I'm destined for greatness.

BEDA Day 13: Chapter 12 -Busy Bee

Technically I don't have time tonight to Blog but since I am committed to BEDA, I figured I would still blog anyway even if that means my post is a short one.

So I've been really busy throughout this whole semester and it's only going to get worse next semester I'm told. This is a bit of a problem for me because I tend to procrastinate. However, more recently I have gotten better at it. Now that I'm no longer working, I have more time to finish assignments and such. I have been trying to take advantage of this and getting as much as I can done before it's actually due. This means that if something is not due until Tuesday, I try to have most of it finished by Monday. For the past couple of weeks, I've been coming back from my tutoring sessions on Thursday and relaxing for a while before eating dinner. Once I've finished eating, I try to force myself to get started on my homework. I write my journal reflections for both my Middle Level class and for my tutoring session since neither of them take that long to write. The only thing I don't type in my tutoring reflection is some of the data because I need to discuss it with my partner to make sure it's the same. However, once I get the data, I just fill it in and I'm finished. I usually just do the reflections on Thursday and call it a night and leave whatever else I have to finish until Friday or the weekend. Usually this is my Geometric Structures homework and I still usually wait until the Tuesday before class to work on it. So although I still tend to procrastinate, I am starting to make an effort to stay on top of things. It's good too because then I'm not stressed out the night before trying to finish everything that is due the next day.

This week and for the next 3 weeks (actually about 2 because the last week is Finals) things are just going to be even more hectic and busy. For instance, just tonight I have to type up a rough draft of a Post Assessment Report for my Literacy class for our tutoring portfolio AND I have to finish putting together a Webquest for my Educational Technology class. Both are due tomorrow and both are taking quite a bit of time to finish. Especially the WebQuest. I also have some Geometric Structures homework I need to do but I can work on the tomorrow before class, so I'm not too worried about that. I was going to try and finish typing up my Interview 5 for my Primary Math class tonight too. However, since I found out that we have until Saturday to have it done, I'm going to wait until either tomorrow night or Friday to work on it. That helps to reduce some of the stress. I need make a list of everything I have to get done this weekend and put together some plan of attack so I can make sure I get everything finished in time.

It's just crazy!! My professor's are just piling on the work we need to get done and it's starting to overwhelm me a bit. The only way I can manage to survive is just by trying to take things one at a time. All this work is doing to me (besides driving me crazy) is making me appreciate that it's almost over more and more each day. I'm so ready for Summer break. Then I'll get a chance to relax and breathe before having to tear my hair out for Fall semester. I'll also be able to get a decent amount of sleep which I don't get to do and haven't really been able to much of this semester. Take tonight for example, I won't get to go to bed until at least 2AM if I'm lucky. But hey, that's the life of a college student. That also explains why after I get back from classes each day, I take a nap. That's really the only time I can catch up on some sleep.

Now I really need to stop procrastinating and return to my homework.

BEDA Day 12:Chapter 11- Beauty is Skin Deep

The title of this blog might lead you to think that I'm going to talk about how Beauty isn't all about what it looks like on the outside and it's not. However, that's not exactly what I'm going to talk about. However, I can't think of a better title at the moment so I'm just going to go with what I have now. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any.

Today after I had finished with my Geometric Structures class, I was walking to my next and last class for the day behind some other girls from my classes and I got to thinking about something. I've noticed how much older some of the other girls in my classes look even when they aren't dressed up or anything. Even when they are dressed casually, they still seem and look put together.

On the other hand, I look at myself and I feel the opposite in a way. I mean I don't feel as though I'm "put together". I do feel comfortable with what I'm wearing but I don't really know. Whenever I look at the other girls and see what they are wearing, I think that I even if I tried wearing what they do, I wouldn't look the same way. I don't think I would look much older.

Now before you think that I shouldn't care about what others look like and that I should be happy with just who I am or have low self-esteem and such, I AM happy with who I am. I like how I look too. But sometimes I just can't help wondering "what if?"

Now granted another reason, they probably seem and look put together is that most of the others wear make-up on a daily basis which I certainly don't. I've just never been one to wear make-up on a regular basis. That's just who I am and kinda how I grew up. My mom wasn't exactly strict or anything, don't get the wrong idea, but she just told me that I didn't need to wear it and I didn't. This of course was back in Junior High and High School. I've never really minded this because I would rather show the "real me"; my real beauty and everything. I don't need to wear make-up to be beautiful in other words. I do wear make-up though on special occasions such as interviews or when I need to look more professional but otherwise I don't.

Compared to a majority of the other girls in my classes, I feel underdressed sometimes. I feel almost the same way I did back in High School and even Junior High. I start feeling like the nerdy and not very pretty girl that got made fun of. I don't wear very fancy clothes or anything. I mostly wear capris and jeans and a t-shirt or sweater with my tennies shoes. I don't even really do anything fancy to my hair. I just simply put it in a ponytail and occasionally a braid. Every once in a while, I'll straighten my hair or leave it down. That's just my style. I like being comfortable.

I also have the issue that I just simply look young. I don't look my age at all! I barely look like I'm in High School, much less College! I've even had some people think I was in Junior High! This is because of genetics mainly from my mom's side of the family. I'm not complaining though. It's nice. Although it does pose a little bit of a problem especially now that I'm 21. I know that I'm going to be carded a lot because I don't look 21 at all. I even was hoping to get carded when my family and I celebrated in Las Vegas just so I could prove I was 21. However, I didn't get carded which I was a little disappointed about. Although, I know in other places, I will get carded for a long time.

So you have a 21 year old who wears simple clothes and doesn't wear make-up on a daily basis and who doesn't really do anything fancy with her hair or anything. Also, I have to admit that I have some skin issues for which nothing seems to work on. Taking all that into consideration, I'm sure you can imagine why sometimes I feel the way I do; like a bit of an Ugly Duckling.

In about a year, most if not all of us will be graduating (May 2010) and most of us will be begin teaching that fall (not me since I'm going to Grad School and getting my certification as a School Library Media Specialist). The thing that gets me is that already I can imagine most of the others as teachers; dressed up and looking like teachers. Even though I'm not actually going
to be a teacher, but a School Librarian, I cannot picture myself dressed up and looking professional like that. Even when I do dress up, I still cannot picture myself wearing that stuff on a daily basis. In fact, I usually can't wait to change back into normal clothes and wash off all the make-up I put on. I can't imagine how I'm going to do that on a daily basis. I know I'll eventually get used to it but it will take me a long time to get used to it.

Even after all this, I'm still happy with who I am and how I look. My true beauty is what really matters to me.

BEDA Day 11: Chapter 10- TINT addiction

So it's Monday and every Monday evening since I've gotten involved with this, I've been spending waiting for the next video to be posted on YouTube. I'm talking of course about thisisnotom.com. Thisisnottom.com is a type of riddle website for those who don't know. You are given clues that you must solve to move on. Some of the clues are simple and some are more challenging. You can spend hours on a clue and beating your brains out before you realize how simple it really is. It is so much fun however and I have been enjoying it. So much in fact, that I have become addicted to this site.The most interesting part of the whole TINT thing is the story chapters that we are presented each week at the end of the riddles. Each week, we are given a new video clue on YouTube and then we have solve the video clue which leads us to another clue through the thisisnottom website and so on. The number of riddles are short; usually only 2 in addition to the YouTube clue. At the end of the riddles, we are presented with a chapter that is part of a story. Until recently, we did not know who was writing this story but have now learned that John Green is writing the chapters based on emails sent from a girl known only to us as YFN (Your Friend Narrator). Even John Green doesn't know who this girl is. Nor do any of us know if this story is real or fiction. Regardless, each week we are presented with more of the story which is just amazing. By now we TINTer's have learned that once we've reached the Chapter for the week, we are done until next week.

The riddles are challenging and many people have already tried and given up just with the first riddle. However, thanks to some nerdfighters on the ning (and now on the thisisnotforums forum) we meet every Monday night on Alan's blogTV and chat and go through the clues together. Sometimes Alex, the site's creator in also in the chat and occasionally gives hints. It really helps to collaborate on the clues instead of doing them all by yourself. I know that if it wasn't for the help of others, I would never have made it this far on my own. Of course, if you really want to, you can use the spoilers on the forums. But I personally think it's more fun solving them. Sure, it makes my brain hurt sometimes when I can't figure it out but I think that's also part of the fun.

Like most things, I got started with TINT from someone else. Namely Hank Green. In one of his videos he mentioned that he had gotten involved with the site and for a while I wasn't going to get involved thinking I didn't have the time. But I did anyway. The same way I got involved with twitter, dailybooth, and BEDA. Other people were doing it so I did too. (Look at me! I'm a sheep! BAA!) Now, I'm addicted and there's no going back. Sometimes I even have TINT withdrawels. It's fun and can drive me crazy sometimes but still I do it anyways. I subject myself to the torture of the riddles each week.

It's become such an addiction that I've started trying to finish as much homework as possible by Monday evening so that I don't have to worry about it and can dedicate my time to TINT. However, that has not been very successful and I end up procrastinating sometimes because of it. I suggest that you try and get involved because it really is a lot of fun. If you need help, there are lots of nerdfighters more than willing to walk you through.

"My name is Ronda. and I'm a TINT addict"

BEDA Day 10: Chapter 9- Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!!

So I hope everyone had a nice Easter. I kinda did and kinda didn't at the same time. 2 reasons why I didn't really enjoy today as much. First of all, it was rainy today; a rainy Easter is not really fun. Although, admittedly better than it being snowy for Easter (which happened one year back home a long while ago when I was little). But still rain and Easter, just don't mix well I don't think. The second reason I didn't enjoy today as much was because I had (and still have) quite a bit of homework to finish. Although, I have gotten quite a bit done already and I'm happy about that especially since most of it isn't due until Tuesday. At least I'm getting it done early though!

So anyway, other than doing homework I haven't done a whole lot today. My mom called me this morning to wish my a Happy Easter which was nice. I had already dug into my Easter goodies and ate some more today. I had a pack of Peeps after lunch (it was a set of 5 Peeps). Then I worked on some homework until I left for my cousin's. We had a Super Salad with grilled chicken as our Easter dinner which I enjoyed. My cousin had one of his friends visiting so it wasn't just the two of us. While we ate dinner, we watched the Tudors (awesome show!!). Then I had to finish some things for a presentation in my Middle Level class on Wednesday (my group is meeting to practice tomorrow evening). While I was working, my cousin and his friend made a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie for dessert. After that had finished baking (which didn't take long at all) we enjoyed some with some vanilla frozen yogurt and watched a movie. The movie was Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia and I thought it was a good movie. Then after the movie, I came back. So while I didn't do a whole lot on this Easter Sunday. I've still had lots of fun. It was also nice because I got to spend some time with family. It would've been nice to spend it with my parents and all my other family but unfortunately it was not possible. Like always, I get a chance to talk to them quite often and today was no exception.

I hope everyone else had a nice Easter and took time to remember the real reason we celebrate.

As promised, here are some pictures of my Easter Eggs and my Easter goodies:

All the goodies in this picture were sent to me by my mom and dad. Except for the eggs, Cadbury eggs, and the bunny. The purple bunny I recieved last Easter from my parents. The Cadbury eggs I bought myself because I wanted some and I had botten some more Peeps but I've already eaten them all.



The lime green egg in my picture actually has DFTBA and Nerdfighters written on it but unfortunately didn't turn out that well. Oh well! It still counts for me!

BEDA Day 9: Chapter 8-A day in my life

So I actually had something to blog about earlier today but now I cannot for the life of me remember what it was I was going to blog about. As a result, I don't really even know what to talk about. Well this is great. Again with the writer's block. Well, ok not really. I mean I do have stuff I could talk about but the question is do I really want to??

So I guess for once I'll talk about what I did today since I've been busy practically since I got up this morning and haven't really slowed down since. So after I got up this morning and ate breakfast and took a shower and everything, I colored some Easter eggs (I'll post pictures tomorrow). It was fun and brought back memories of being back home. Plus I just wanted to color Easter eggs. So I have some colored eggs now. It would be fun if someone would hide them and I'd have to find them but there's really nobody around who would and plus I don't know where they'd hide them here around my apartment. There's not much here!! My mom was also coloring some eggs while I was (she and I were on the phone together) and it was nice. It made me feel as though I was almost home again. So afterwards, I went to McDonald's for lunch. I was going to try the new Angus Burger but unfortunately they didn't offer that at the McDonald's I went to so I just got a Quarter Pounder meal instead.

After lunch, I drove out to my cousin's house where I met one of my cousin's friends. His friend was visiting and we talked for a while. While I was also at my cousin's I picked up a package from my parents. The box was filled with Easter goodies and a card. It was really nice. Then after awhile, I left and headed out to Walmart to get some groceries for the week. While at Walmart, I ran into one of my professors; my professor for Middle Level Experience. She recognized me and said hello to me. Oh yeah!! That's what I was going to talk about!! Oh well, I'll just have to talk about it in another blog later. So anyway, I finished getting groceries and came back to my apartment. I put all the groceries away, put away my now dry colored eggs, cleaned up the table, and then I decided to lay down for a little while. When I woke up, I got on my computer for a little bit while I warmed up a frozen meal of Cheese Ravioli. After I ate, I got dressed for Easter Vigil service. Now, I'm back from that and am finally relaxing!!

Whew! It really has been a busy day!! I was going to try and do some homework today but I haven't really had the time and again lack a bit of motivation to actually do it. Oh well. Since I'm not doing anything tomorrow, I guess I'm just going to have to do homework. Yes, on Easter Sunday. It's the way it has to be. Besides, most of this homework isn't actually due until like Tuesday but I'm trying to stay on top of it so I don't get too far behind and also so I don't get too stressed trying to finish it the night before. The good thing is that my cousin met up with me tonight at church and invited me over tomorrow night for dinner. So that's nice. I hadn't really planned much for dinner although I did pick up some things for myself and now I don't have to worry about it. The best part is that, at least now I'll get to spend Easter with some family.

Thanks for reading!

BEDA Day 8: Chapter 7- Spring Fever

As I've stated in a previous blog, I've seemed to have developed a case of Spring Fever for which I really can't be blamed. If the weather in your town/state has been anything like like here, then you already know what I'm talking about. I'm so sick of it being cold!! Where is Spring?! It's so weird. We'll have one or two really nice days where the temperature is in the 70's or even the low 80's. But then like the next day, it drops back down to like the 40's or 50's or it's snowing!! Seriously! It snowed last month. It was snowing in MARCH!! Now, it's April and it's still been cold!! Sure it hasn't been nearly as cold (yet I should emphasize!) but still. It's mainly been in the 50's and low 60's. It was cold before I left for Spring Break last month. I loved being in Las Vegas and back home, where it was a whole lot warmer! I come back and it's still cold! I seem to have left the warm weather back in New Mexico or something (although, they haven't had much warmer either). I understand that weather is unpredictable and everything but seriously can't it just warm up already?! Not too warm. Just enough to where I can feel comfortable and happy. I don't want it to warm up to like the 90's and then I'm miserable because it's too hot and humid. All this cold weather does is make me more tired and not want to do anything. This whole six more weeks of winter things is a joke! Stupid groundhog!! To me it seems as though it's six more weeks of winter minimum or something like that. All I know is that I'm ready for it to be warm. I don't remember the weather being this crazy last March or April. It was bad in like January and beginning of February last year with it's snow and ice. But last year by this time, it was already nice and sunny and warm. Not the case this year!
Even this weekend isn't going to be very warm. We're supposed to get rain starting tomorrow evening and all day on Sunday (rainy Easter ftl.) and it's only going to be about 57 degrees on Sunday. Not too cold and I don't mind the rain so much but still. Oh and I just checked the Weather Channel and apparently we are under a Frost advisory until 5AM tomorrow! WHAT?!!
Are you kidding me!? No more cold stuff!! Please!! I'm begging you!

At this rate, I'll get out for summer and it'll still be cold!! (Only about 3 weeks left!!) Although, there is some light at the end of this dark wintery tunnel, according to the Weather Channel it will be warming up again on Tuesday and will stay in the high 60's and low 70's for the rest of the week. Although the downside is that nearly all of those days have chances of rain. Oh well. As long as it's still warm, I'll be fine. *sings* Here comes the sun... (I hope!)

BEDA Day 7:Chapter 6- Writer's Block

So I hope that my blogs are interesting to those who read them. I certainly don't feel like a very exciting person or a very interesting one for that matter. So it's really been only 7 actual days that I've been part of BEDA and I've already seemed to hit a bit of writer's block today. I really didn't know what to blog about. The only thing I could think of was to blog about today's classes but since I've already done that this week I didn't want to do a repeat this early.

So what do I talk about? Well I guess I could just talk about my plans for tomorrow . So I'm debating if I want to get up really early and head to campus for an Easter Egg hunt. The hunt begins at 7AM. At that time, 3 video clues will be uploaded to YouTube and the hunt is on!! Now I'm not sure if there's going to be a bunch of eggs or whatever but I'm suspecting not. I'm thinking there's only going to be 3 (which makes sense with the 3 video clues; 1 per each). There are really only 3 prizes to go for: 1st is a Nintendo Wii, 2nd is a 4GB ipod shuffle, and 3rd prize is an assortment of candy. I wouldn't mind a Wii. My brother has one and I like playing it. However, I'm certain that I won't find the correct egg before someone else does. Even if I am on campus at like 6:30AM with my laptop waiting for the clues to be uploaded. Plus do I really want to fight everyone? Not really. I think I would much rather catch up on some sleep and then work on some schoolwork before I have to go meet up with another partner for Primary Math. We have to finish our final interview thing; Interview #5 and since she doesn't live in town, I have to drive about an hour to meet her. Once that's over with, I plan to stop by Wal-mart once I get back in town and pick up a dozen eggs. I bought some egg dye and am actually going to color some eggs this year! Even though it'll just be me, myself, and I. It's just something that I've always done at home and I feel that just because I'm no longer home doesn't mean I can't still have fun dying eggs. So I'm going to boil the eggs tomorrow evening and then color them on Saturday. So excited!!

So I guess that's it for tonight. I really didn't know what to blog about today. Hopefully tomorrow will be more eventful.

BEDA Day 6: Chapter 5-Homework Stinks! Part 1

"Homework! Oh Homework!
I hate you! You stink!
I wish I could wash you,
away in the sink.
If only a bomb would explode you to bits.
Homework! Oh Homework!
You're giving me fits. " excerpt from New Kids on the Block by Jack Prelutsky.

So that pretty much sums up my mood right now. I've been working pretty much all evening on homework and I'm still not finished. I still have to work on this thing called a WebQuest which I just know is going to take me a long time. I'm supposed to have a working rough draft of my WebQuest for my Educational Technology for class which is tomorrow afternoon. Right now, I've been working on finishing some things in my Self-Paced Phonics Textbook for my Literacy class. I was actually supposed to finish it last Thursday and I did finish quite a bit of it already. However, I still had some things that I couldn't get completed in time. So my professor, told me to finish the rest and turn it in on Tuesday. However, I still didn't manage to complete everything and just pretended that I had mistakenly left my book at my apartment (which I didn't actually). So now I'm trying to finish everything now and I'm nearly finished. I would still be working on it but I realized it was getting close to midnight and I still hadn't posted my blog for today so I decided to take a break and do this before I continued. I also still have my homework for Geometric Structures to finish, but I'm going to work on that before class tomorrow. I don't have enough time to do everything tonight. It's been like this pretty much the whole semester. I just seem to constantly have a lot to get done. Most of it isn't really hard work either. It's more of busy work and my professors just keep piling it on. Again, it's a good thing I'm no longer working part-time. At least I have more time to get things done.

In other news, I had to do a Geometry teaching lesson in my Primary Math class today. It actually went pretty well despite the fact that I had been very nervous before we began. I'm just really glad to be done with it though. I'm just really getting tired of the things we have to do for that class.


So that's all I have for today. I shall now dive back into the pile of homework that is waiting for me.

News Flash!!!

Let it be know that on this day, I was Hankroll'd not once but twice by both Maureen Johnson and John Green. It's on!! This means war!! :D

BEDA Day 5: Chapter 4- It's a small world for Nerdfighteria

You know the phrase "It's a small world?" Well, Nerdfighteria has just gotton a bit smaller in a sense for me. I'm still reeling from the awesomeness that happened today and it made me realize just how big nerdfighting is becoming. (I'm sure I'm just driving you all crazy stalling like this! *evil laugh*) . After this happened, I just knew I had to blog about it!

So here's the story: I was in my 9AM literacy class which is a long class. It lasts until 11:20 (urgh) but occasionally we get out early. Anyway,my professor just finished lecturing about something (don't ask me what it was because I don't remember) and had dismissed us for our 5 minute break. As soon as she had dismissed us, one of the girls who sits nearby asked me if I was familiar with the term "NERDFIGHTER". As soon I heard this, I started to get really excited! I told her that I was very familiar with the term and asked her how she know about it. She told me that she had just seen the Tetris video and thought she recognized me in the video. I told her that I had in fact been in that video. She told she had thought so and that she had seen my name listed in the sidebar. Of course after hearing about all this I had to know more. She told me that she had just started getting involved with the vlogbrothers this past summer and that a friend of hers sent her a video link. She hasn't officially termed herself a "nerdfighter" just yet because she hasn't finished with all the videos yet but I'm sure she will once she's all caught up.

I proceeded to tell her that I had also been in two other videos: SPWNING Halloween and Happy (Belated) Birthday Hank!. She said she hadn't gotten to those videos yet. I was still so excited about the whole thing. Finding out that I'm no longer the only nerdfighter in this town is just epic! I mentioned about the Tour de Nerdfighting event that had taken place in Oklahoma City and how I had gone to the event and had gotton books signed.We also talked about John Green and his books and which were our favorites (I like Paper Towns and the collab Let It Snow!). The other girl also mentioned that she's also a fan of the fiveawesomegirls, fiveawesomeguys, and JohnnyDurham19 (<3 =) ), etc. and I told her I was as well. Of course what makes this whole thing even more interesting is that other people nearby heard us and asked us about it! I curious if they'll get involved somehow too! I hope so! *fingers crossed*

I was literally just so excited and happy after this all took place. I was really in just awe. To think how the nerdfighter community is spreading is just beyond awesome. I never did ask the other girl if she knows about DFTBA! I should have!! This is a new beginning for me and the rest of nerdfighteria! Best wishes!!

BEDA Day 4: Chapter 3- Classes Part 1

Finally blogging about my classes. Well it makes sense since it's the beginning of a new week and I actually have classes to talk about today (I don't have any classes on Fridays).

So my classes this semester have been crazy and I've been so busy. So busy in fact, that I had to end up resigning from my part-time job at our Public Library. It just got to be too much for me to handle. Tuesdays were the worst days. I'd go to classes from 9AM until 3:15PM and then I'd come back to my apartment, drop off my stuff and go in to work at 4PM. I'd work 5 hours from 4 until 9:15PM, come back and eat dinner. Then I would work on homework until 1:30 sometimes 2 AM and I had to get up at 5 because I have a 7:30 class on Wednesday. Not fun at all. So now I am no longer working which is good because I don't feel nearly as stressed as I did. However, it's also bad because I don't have the extra funds to do fun stuff. All my funds are going to paying bills and such.

What's bad about this whole thing is that next semester is even worse they say. In fact they highly recommend that you don't work at all. The coursework is just that intense next semester. I kinda need to work but already my schedule doesn't look promising at all. I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to work at all. But also I struggle to stay organized and you need to be organized next semester. If I can survive next semester it will be a miracle.
Most of my classes this semester involve groups and partners for projects. Which is good in a sense but also not so good. I don't really like working with partners for the main reason is that I feel that I work better by myself. However, that's not an option this semester and for the most part I get along well with the people in my groups and with my partners. The one exception is with my tutoring for Literacy class. We tutor a student in reading every week. Because they didn't have enough students for each of us, they had to double some of us up. So some students have 2 tutors. My partner is ok. But I just feel that my partner's and my personalities don't mesh well. I really don't feel comfortable being with her and it's hard because every week we have to work together. The good thing is that we only have 4 more sessions before we are done with our tutoring project and then I don't have worry about her anymore.

I've hit a bit of a slump with my classes. Ever since I came back from Spring Break, I've been so unmotivated. I just don't want to be in class anymore or do anything. I'm sick of doing everything and would honestly much rather just do nothing (though I know that wouldn't last long because I'd get bored). It makes it hard because I still have so much that I have to do within the next 4 weeks. Whenever I think about how much I still have to do, it drives me crazy. It doesn't seem as though I'll manage to get everything done in time even if I do have more time now that I'm not working. Some of the stuff that we will be turning in at the end of the semester, I haven't even started on (mainly they're just notebooks with papers that we need to put together). I'm wondering if Spring Fever also has something to do with my lack of motivation (more on that in a later blog). All I know is that I'm counting down the weeks until everything is over.

BEDA Day 3: Chapter 2-18 things to do survey

So I should probably explain how my blog will work. Basically, it's a story of my life every day and each day is it's own chapter. Make sense? It does to me.


Ok so other BEDA participants have filled out this list and now I'm going to do the same even though I'm well over 18 years of age (I'm 21). So here we go:

"18 Things to do Before Turning 18" survey, by Reese's Puffs Cereal:

1. Ride the world's biggest roller coaster

FAIL. In fact, I just rode my very first rollercoaster when I went to Vegas in celebration of my 21st birthday. The Canyon Blaster at the Circus Circus Adventuredome. Yes, I'm sure there are some people reading this who are shocked that I've never been on a rollercoaster prior turning 21. You aren't the only ones. My older brother was also surprised to learn this. However, now I have been on my first rollercoaster and am no longer a "Rollercoaster Virgin". But no I haven't been on the world's biggest roller coaster and I doubt I ever will.

2. Bungee jump!
FAIL. Not something I was planning to do EVER. Next question.



3. Score the winning goal/basket

UNKNOWN. I'm not much of a sports person. I don't really like them and I've never played on any organized team. The only sports I ever did were Gymnastics back in 2nd grade and Swimming lessons during the Summer. I don't even really know if I've ever scored a winning goal/basket. It's possible if you count P.E. classes but even then I can't be certain if I actually ever did. So this one is uncertain unless you count Wii sports, because I certainly have accomplished this on there.

4. Win an award, trophy, or prize.

CHECK! Done and done! In fact I've accomplished this one many times. Most of them just further establish my Nerdfighter status such as my 2nd place medal for Science Crime Busters in 8th grade and a 4th place medal in 10th grade for Fossils at State Science Olympiad.

5. Learn an instrument.
CHECK CHECK!! Checked twice. Once for piano which I've been playing since 3rd grade and again for clarinet in 6th grade Band.

6. Go back stage at a gig.
FAIL. Don't I wish I could have done this. Not really possible either. Next question.

7. Meet your idol.
I would say Check but since I wasn't 18 (I was 20), it probably doesn't count. I've met 2 of my idols. November 2, 2008 in Oklahoma City: Hank and John Green during the Tour de Nerdfighting. I have other idols that I haven't met though.

8. Play a part in your favorite TV show.
FAIL. Again, don't I wish and also now that I think about it, how is this even possible to do before turning 18 anyways? I'm quite positive that most under 18-year-olds will never accomplish this feat even after they turn 18. It's just not reasonably possible. Next question.

9. Meet someone with your own name.
CHECK. I've met a couple people who had the same first name as I did. Spelled the same way as my name too. It is however, still a rare occurance. Not many people have my name, and those that do have the common spelling which is the spelling with the "h" in it.

10. Make a discovery.
FAIL. I'm not that talented enough or even have enough money needed to make a groundbreaking discovery or anything like that. Next question.

11. Get away with the perfect practical joke.
I'm not really much of a practical joker. In fact I don't really like practical jokes all that much. I've had some pretty mean practical jokes played on me by friends and hated them. I've played a few practical jokes on people and gotton away with them but they weren't really what I'd call perfect and really were just simple. So I can't really check this one off the list.

12. Own a pointless collection.
CHECK. I actually have a couple pointless collections: unsharpened pencils with fun designs on them and bouncy balls.


13. Invent a word that makes it into the dictionary
FAIL. I've invented a couple of words but nothing that has made it into a dictionary or even been close to making it into a dictionary be it an actual dictionary or online.

14. Conquer your biggest fear.
FAIL. I do have fears but I'm not really sure what my biggest fear is. Even if I did know, I probably wouldn't have conquered it yet. Moving on.

15. Raise money for charity.
CHECK. I don't remember what charity it was for though but I just know I did.

16. Pass your driving test the first time
CHECK! No real big problems there. I'm actually a really good driver too.

17. Complete a road trip coast to coast.
FAIL. The furthest I've gone on the west coast was to California but I was 19 and I've been all the way to Florida but that was in a plane. So no I haven't completed a "road trip coast to coast".

18. Reach 18 years of age.
CHECK! On March 8, 2006.

So only about 7 for me. Not even half. This list really doesn't make sense to begin with. But then again what else can you expect from a cereal box?