Wednesday, October 18, 2006

likes and dislikes

Alright, sorry for all the new posts, but I just love writing! YIPPEE! So many of you know my strange passion for making lists. Well, I have done it again. I have made a brief(albiet long) compilation of my likes and dislikes. Why you may ask? I don't know, I felt like it and it is fun. Also, just a reminder that this does not constitute as whining because it is list format and being written. Yeah. Ok. Without further ado...

Likes: Writing, reading, music, watching movies, skinny ties, my dog Bella, my family, reading and studying the Bible, laughing, peanut butter, sleeping late, people who stand up for what they believe in, cheesy jokes, strawberry ice cream, Earl Grey tea, optimism, faith, GOD, bubble baths, jig-saw puzzles, Dr. Pepper, sharing, cereal, sweet popcorn, hot tubs, being lame, apple pie, potato salad, my Chuck Taylor high-top converse shoes, salt water taffy, classic literature, good intelligent conversations, Transformers, Grey's Anatomy, strawberries, home made food, the history of foreign countries, finding old books, singing in the shower, hoodies, comfortable clothes, Scrubs, penguins, post-modernism, a beautiful sunset or sunrise, semicolons, looking into the night sky and staring at the stars, gerunds, The Astros, JAPAN, Capri Sun, Johnny Cash music, typewriters, walking around in my barefeet, the Invisible Children campaign, drinking water, apples, stuffed teddy bears, college, human equality, hanging out with friends, Calvin and Hobbes comic books, children, the universe in general, the ever-changing West Texas weather, and lots of other random stuff. Pretty much, I am a geek and proud of it.

Some of my dislikes: onions, beer, alcohol in general, negativity, money to be used for evil, rascism, second-hand smoke, arrogance, self-centeredness, loud heavy screaming music, smells that are bad, the image that the media put into peoples minds on how they are meant to look like, whining, most reality shows, discrimination, politics, corporate jargon, bad news headlines, pessimism, hate, people who are fake, beets, subdural hematomas, complaining, arguing, drugs, Paris Hilton, grammatical mistakes in ads, cheesy movies, spiders, Jessica Simpson, Brittany Spears, the word "can't", cancer, cats, rap music, dark chocolate, white chocolate, know-it-alls, and also liars. Yeah, that's about it.
OK, so there could be more, but I'm done for now...

you know what this means...

Alright, so I have found some true facts. When I get bored, I surf the net. You can find some pretty interesting stuff. The list is full all facts that most of us probably do not know. Enjoy!!

In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
- Spades - King David- Hearts - Charlemagne- Clubs -Alexander the Great- Diamonds - Julius Caesar
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace.
Obsession is the most common name for a boat.
Bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all haveone thing in common, and that is they were all invented by women.
Honey is the only food that doesn't spoil
During Father's day there more collect calls than any other day of the year
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase........."goodnight, sleep tight."
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month .Which we know today as the honeymoon.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow
HEE!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

more, More, MORE!

So, it has been 9 days since my last post. No death threats, so that is good. Hee. Well, the past nine days have gone real well (well, I really only remember the past two, but they were great!). School is awesome, and Fall Break is Thursday and Friday, plus the weekend. Very, very nice. I could definately use a break. Anyways, I'm rambling. Sorry, I tend to do that quite often. So, the reason I do not put pics on here is really a combination of things: I have no camera, I do not have enough time, and my computer hates me. Seriously, I think it's out to get me. OK, maybe not.
So the paper that I write for, yeah I decided to stick with it. The main incentive being that I get a $200 scholarship if I am on it for more than two semesters. SWEET!! So it is pretty cool. In September I got to go to a concert, paid for by the Duster. Well, it just so happened to be one of the best Christian bands around: SONICFLOOd!! Yes, you read it right. I got to meet them (twice!) and hang out with them after the show. Needless to say, it was awesome. That was the best concert I have ever been to, and I have been to MANY.
Also, my favorite articles to write are opinions and entertainment reviews. Yes, that is because I am nerd. Anyways, the paper is more like a PR piece for the school, so not many opinions there. Anyways, I got the chance to do a movie review. SWEET! Free movie! So I chose the new Robin Williams flick Man of the Year. I wrote the review and eh, it was ok. The movie and the review. Don't waste time seeing it. Just one person's opinion mind you.
Anyways, if anyone is interested, here are some links to a few of my articles. Enjoy!
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1432
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1357
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1114
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1342
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1202
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/Duster/story.htm?ID=1106
OK, so those are just a few. I write a story every week. I only added the entertainment/opinions because that is what I like to write. I usually have to do something about LCU, an athlete, etc so I thought that these would be better. I wrote for another paper as well, and in there are some of my best work. I'll get the links later.
So living on campus has its perks, but the one thing that I hate is not being able to see my family everyday. It is sad. Really. Well, I was at my box on campus (it is more like a teeny tiny locker with a combination lock) and viola, I had something in there. Something other than a bill! I had a letter from my cousin! Ha! Then, an even bigger surprise; I had a package waiting for me. With sheer anticipation, I got it and it was from my grandmother. YAY!! Inside was pens, stamps, cards with the letter "J" on them (you know, for Jordan) and a bookmark. It really made my day. Aw, somebody loves me! It was cool. I said that to say this, I love mail. Especially the kind that does not require money and is usually hand written. It makes me smile (so does many MANY other things, but go with it). If any one of you would like to send me a little letter or anything, feel free. Let me know and I will give you my address.
In closing, I wish that the weather here would make up its mind. Last Sunday was like 90 degrees and then the next day it never got above 40. It was like that all week. Then, it decides to rain (which we get like 10" a year) so now it is muddy. The red west Texas dirt is not meant to be mud. It is very thick and many cars get stuck in it. Believe me on that, personal experience. Anyways, I want the weather to be a constant. I like winter. I do not like having to wear a jacket one day and then shorts the next. It is not good for my asthma folks! That's all I'm saying is all....
Well, gotta go. Catch ya later, and until we meet again....(I think that will now be my signature sign off).

Sunday, October 08, 2006

yeah, so uh, i dunno....

So this blog is just going to be the usual; you know me writing and nobody reading it (OK, like three people who are totally awesome!)
The three readers know that I had my mid-terms this week, and they all went surprisingly well. I have this one class World Civilizations and Geography and it is not too bad. Anyways, the professor who teaches the class I also have for another class, Ancient History. He tells me that I was "awesome" during class on Friday (right before the Ancient History test!) and says that in the WCandG class I made over a 100 on the test!! WHO-HOO!! I studied like crazy! I guess it paid off. I have not heard anything else from my others though, but I actually feel pretty confident.
Here is my class schedule, just in case some were wondering: First Aid&CPR, Religion, Life, and the Bible, Advanced Grammar, Ancient History, Technical Writing, and World Civilizations and Geography. That brings me to a grand total of 17 hours! I have taken 19 once and I do NOT recommend it.
So I really thought that this semester was going to be tough, and while it is, it is nothing that I cannot handle. After Jacob passed away, it was really really tough on me. I think this is the first semester that I am finally getting back into the groove. I am actually studying and trying to do great. The semester before Jacob passed away I made the Deans List. I would like to do it again. I just didn't have my heart and mind in school. I was sleeping like 3 hours a night ,and sometimes none at all. Now, though, I sill am not getting much sleep but I am determined to get past my brothers death and focus on school. It has been over a year. I guess that was the way I grieved. My mom and sister cried. Dad cried. Jordan did poorly in school (yeah GPA less than 3.0...terrible). I have been thinking a lot about this and I know that I can do it. YEAH!!
So, the new news is that I received an LST scholarship! YIPPEE!! That is so cool. Takes a load off of my back financially. Spending six weeks in Japan really REALLY put me behind, but I am just now catching up. About time huh?
During my daily Bible reading I re-came (?) upon a scripture that I loved. Lamentation 3:25-26. It is awesome. It is really how I am feeling right now. I am at such a great place in my life, and it is all because of God and His amazing love for me. In this day and age, being a Christian is not easy, and is no longer "cool." Well, I hate to break it to ya folks, but I have never been one of the cool kids, so why start now? Hee. It breaks my heart to see my generation. We are a bunch of hypocrites who have to start a change. I mean, don't get me wrong, change is good, but I am ashamed of my generation. I am so thankful to be going to a Christian university. If you look at the media today, you are pretty much shunned for being a Christian.
I was in the book store the other day (ok, every day) and I came across the "new arrivals" section. The title of this one book The Unusual Suspects caught my attention. No, not because of the movie similar to the same name, but the guy on the cover. The obscure actor Steven Baldwin was on it. Though not a huge fan, I do admire the guy. I now admire him even more. His new autobiography. It is all about him becoming a believer and following Christ. I went even further. I got online and checked out the reviews and yup, all (for the most part) bad. The critism came from his "beliefs". I WAS DUMBFOUNDED! Mr. Baldwin, I know that you will not read this, but thank you for standing up for what you beleive in. In this world of "scientologists", "Buddhists", and even agnostics, I commend you for your strength to become one of the precious few who is not afraid to share the your love for Christ. Bless you.
To expand on this subject, I was watching Grey's Anatomy Thursday night (surprise surprise). Seriously, great show. Well what shocked me was the writing. Grey's Anatomy has mentioned Heaven, God, religion, and never "dissed" it. Thank you for that, by the way. Well, the episode the other night was different...a GOOD different. One of the main doctors had to tell a man that his wife died from a complication from surgery. The man (who was quarantined in a room by himself because he was thought to have the plague) began going hysterical (as it should be). Anyways, the doctor (on the other side of the door) got him to calm down and regain his breathing. The guy fell to the floor and continued weeping. He asked the doctor if she believed in Heaven. If she believed in God. Without missing a beat she answered plainly "yes". As in she truly did and not being ashamed of it. WOW. She then went on to elaborate that she has to, with what she does in her job. She has to believe that there is a better place. "A place full of joy and peace. Full of happiness." "So yes, I believe in GOD and I believe in Heaven." "I believe, (says characters name) that your wife is there now telling you not to worry. I believe she is in a much better place." WOW again. The guy behind the door sort of stopped crying and sort of smiled, like he knew what she meant. It was such a rare moment in tv, and I even watched the episode again and focused on that scene. There was nothing anti-semetic with it. Nothing derogatory or inflammatory about it. No being made fun of for what she said. There was absolute truth being told, and it shone in the wonderful actress' face. It was beautiful. I know that the actress playing the doctor is a Christian and I am glad that she is one on the show as well. WOW again. IT WAS AWESOME to watch that scene. It could have been better, but I guess network standards don't really let you put too much "religion" in one program. Still, props to the writer of that episode.
Well, that was my little rant. Yeah, I know but it is 2:50 in the morning and I have to be at work in 8 hours. FUN FUN.
I realize that I talk to much, and therefore affects my writing. I write to much. I write and write. It's fun though. So, until we meet again......

Monday, October 02, 2006

mid-terms and twirp week

Can you believe that it is already midterms?? AHHHHH!!!! Crazy huh? So I have like a lot of tests this week and they are hard. Two on Thursday folks! Pray for me. So, this week at school is TWIRP week. TWIRP stands for The Woman Is Required to Pay. This week does nothing for me. Basically the girls ask out the guys but the catch is that there is no money involved. Nifty huh? Student senate pays for everything. I mean, that is pretty cool. Tonight, Monday, was the corn maze. Yes, that's right we live in the country. There is a huge corn field right outside of Lubbock and every year inside of the field is a super awesome huge maze. I mean it seriously takes like 2 hours to go through. OK, so that is fun and all, but LCU is around 2,000 students. If half of those people go, that is 1,000 people. 100 acres in a tight fitting maze with that many people, well, I am just not interested. Tuesday night is Cosmic Bowling. Again, same problem. Bowling alleys are only so big and 1,000 people crammed in 20 lanes in frustrating. I went last semester and stayed for like 3 hours and bowled half a game. Really not worth it. Then, Wednesday night is devo and coffee at the Koffee Kup. This is bad because I work every Wednesday. This is one that really interests me. Thursday night is coke and nacho night in the SUB. Basically it is like a huge get-together. There are bands playing (not at the same time) and everybody is enjoying greasy nachos and warm cokes. Um, yum! Friday night is actually cool it is to see the play Guys and Dolls in the auditorium (now known as the McDoody, hehe). The problem with that is that I work Friday nights as well!! AHH!!! Oh well, TWIRP week is overrated, and was also voted number 16 in Sports Illustrated as the things you have to do while in college. Boo-ya! Sure it is kinda cool for girls to step up and ask the guys, but I could never do it. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer the guy to ask me. I actually got asked (yes by a guy, I too thought it was wierd for a guy asking a girl to TWIRP week but whatever, but I had to say no, Wed. night folks). Oh well, he and I are just friends anyway. TWIRP week, a tradition at LCU that I just am not interested in.
So, I went to the mall today, just to window shop because I have absolutely no money. Well, I went by the store NewYork&Co. and who did I see in the window display? None other than 10 whole feet of my favorite tv doctors!! It was awesome! Dr. McDreamy and Dr. Grey adorning the walls and windows. It was cool. Yeah, I am like totally addicted to that show. Seriously! So Patrick Dempsey plays Dr. "McDreamy" (you know, he is the guy that Reese Witherspoon does NOT pick in Sweet Home Alabama), and he is awesome. Little crush going on. Johnny Depp and Patrick Dempsey. Hey, it could be worse. Again, Grey's Anatomy is awesome.
I find myself sitting outside on the swings on campus a lot lately. LCU's campus is beautiful (they have done some great landscaping remodeling). There are swings outside and I love one in particular. It squeaks. It is great. Covered by the shade. Also, I like the mall area at night. LCU is like one long sidewalk known as the "mall." There are these beautiful old-dtyle lamps lining the sidewalks that give off a faint yellowish glow. Again, beautiful!
The air is turning cooler....then hotter....then cooler. I personally am ready for it to get cold. And stay cold! I am ready for the snow. I am also ready for Thanksgiving. One full week off of school, granted, that means I will have to double up for work and work the Friday after Thanksgiving. That day, "Black Friday", is the worst shopping day of the year. Hopefully people will not want to look at puppies, but look at the sales going on elsewhere in the mall. Not looking forward to that. Well, that is about it. Oh yeah, I saw School for Scoundrels and The Guardian this week, and eh...you can miss them. Neither not that great. Ashton Kutcher actually did a good job in The Guardian and I love me some Kevin Costner. Well, that is about it. Maybe my loyal fanbase will return (I think that it was once at 4 readers!). Take care and please pray for me as I do these tests. Gotta love college. I mean where else can you dress like a slob, mooch off of anyone, be late, and it actually be expected of you? COLLEGE that's where. Take care and until we meet again....