Sunday, December 30, 2007

Balance

Balance. It's something I have a difficult time comprehending. Once I decided to do something, I bust it out, push as hard as I can, focus completely on it, and can't focus on anything else. It is absolutely all or absolutely nothing for me. Sometimes this is a good trait, but sometimes it isn't.

Last semester, I was really focusing on school. That was a good thing, but I got to the end of my semester, realizing I basically had no friends. I was so busy with homework, classes, projects, research, volunteering at the veterinary clinic, and being involved in several school clubs that I didn't have time to do anything for sixteen weeks. As I got closer and closer to my 4 week break, I was really looking forward to hanging out with my friends. The break was finally here, and I realized my friends had basically moved on. Granted, it wasn't just my life that changed, but theirs too. In any case, I am wanting to make an attempt to be more balanced next semester. Yes, school, homework, my club commitments, and work at the veterinary clinic are my priorities, but I made a conscious effort to make more time for some fun.

My plan involves the following: I will be taking 13 academic credits-mammology (an easy class), organic II (supposedly easier than I), genetics (A retake because I got a B. I blame it on pathetic group work.), molecular biology and genetics (only 2 credits), and senior seminar (one credit of independent research and end of the semester presentation). Since I need 15 credits to retain my scholarship, I am going to take the rest of my credits as field experience. I'll get credit for working at the vet clinic. I'll have one day with only one class-a whole day to study. I'll work Satruday at the vet clinic (a day to not think about school). The rest of my days have fewer classes than I had this semester. I will have more study time, and it looks as if I will have time to commit to going to a bible study on campus. Woo hoo!

That is, in summary, my current plan for balance. :)

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Sunday, December 23, 2007

Disappointing Book Ending

"So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky".

Yes, the "Golden Compass" is a fantastic book, my favorite character being Iorek Byrnison. However, it had the most disappointing ending of all time. The ending should not only make me want to read the second book, it should give me a sort of satisfied feeling inside. The man and woman that were throughout the book fighting, suddenly kissing was not a good ending. The guy pleading with her to go with him to another world when he should be tragically killing her or something along those lines was ridiculous. So, maybe I don't have good reasons for the ending bugging me, but somehow it did.

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Yup, twinkies really are gross.

Proof!!!!

Studying the twinkies

In an effort to clarify questions about the purported durability and unusual physical characteristics of Twinkies, we subjected the Hostess snack logs to the following experiments:

Exposure

A Twinkie was left on a window ledge for 4 days, during which time an inch and a half of rain fell. Many flies were observed crawling across the Twinkie's surface, but contrary to hypothesis, birds, even pigeons, avoided this potential source of substance. Despite the rain and prolonged exposure to the sun, the Twinkie retained its original color and form. When removed, the Twinkie was found to be substantially dehydrated. Cracked open, it was observed to have taken on the consistency of industrial foam insulation; the filling however, retained its advertised "creaminess"

Radiation

A Twinkie was placed in a conventional microwave oven, which was set for precisely 4 minutes - the approximate cooking time of bacon. After 20 seconds, the oven began to emit the Twinkie's rich, characteristic aroma of artificial butter. After one minute, this aroma began to resemble the acrid smell of burning rubber. The experiment was aborted after 2 minutes 10 seconds when thick, foul smoke began billowing from the top of the oven. A second Twinkie was subjected to the same experiment; this Twinkie leaked molten white filling. When cooled, this now epoxylike filling bonded the Twinkie to its plate, defying gravity: it was removed only upon application of a butter knife. Extreme Force

A Twinkie was dropped from a ninth-floor window, a fall of approximately 120 feet. It landed right side up, then bounced onto its back. The expected "splatter" effect was not observed. Indeed, the only discernible damage to the Twinkie was a narrow fissure on its underside; otherwise, the Twinkie remained structurally intact.

Extreme Cold

A Twinkie was placed in a conventional freezer for 24 hours. Upon removal, the Twinkie was not found to be frozen solid, but its physical properties had noticeably "slowed". The filling was found to be the approximate consistency of acrylic paint, while exhibiting the mercurylike property of not adhering to practically any surface. It was noticed the Twinkie had generously absorbed the freezer odors.

Extreme Heat

A Twinkie was exposed to a gas flame for 2 minutes. While the Twinkie smoked and blackened and the filling in one of its "cream holes" boiled, the Twinkie did not catch fire. It did, however produce the same "burning rubber" aroma noticed in the irradiation experiment.

Immersion

A Twinkie was dropped into a large bucket filled with water, the Twinkie floated momentarily, then began to list and sink. Viscous yellow tendrils ran off its lower half, possibly consisting of a water-soluble artificial coloring. After 2 hours, the Twinkie bloated substantially. Its coloring was now a very pale tan - in contrast to the yellow, urine-like water that surrounded it. The Twinkie bobbed when touched, and had a gelatinous texture. After 72 hours, the Twinkie had increased roughly 200 percent of its original size. The water had turned opaque, and a small, fan-shaped spray of filling had leaked from one of the "cream holes". Unfortunately, efforts to remove the Twinkie for further analysis were abandoned when, under light pressure the Twinkie disintegrated into an amorphous cloud of debris. A distinctly sour odor was noted.

Summary of Results

The Twinkie's survival of a 120-foot drop, along with some of the unusual phenomena associated with the "creamy filling" and artificial coloring, should give pause to those observers who would unequivocally categorize the Twinkie as "food". Further clinical inquiry is required before any definite conclusions can be drawn.

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Friday, December 14, 2007

WAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful!!! I am done with the semester. Freedom from homework and classes for a whole month. This day also signifies that I am now officially a senior. Crazy...
The organic final wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, so that was a relief. I also found out I am safe in cell bio. I got the A I wasn't sure that I would get or not. Phew...
Well, I am off to see if I can have a weekend like a normal individual. :)

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Needed a study break. So, thought I would blog. Funny story that happened last week.

So, I am laying on my bed-you'll never guess-studying. Anyway, I am facing the window, reading through my notes. All of a sudden I feel as if eyes are burning holes in my back. Now this is odd as I live with one lady who was in the living room watching TV. My door wasn't even open, so I was at a loss. After mulling this over in my mind, I decided to turn around. I look at my desk, and my frog is in his cage, propped up on his water bowl, completely staring at me. I swear he was looking right at me. He wasn't blinking-frogs can't :)-and there were no signs of moving except for his throat. Needless to say I was a little disconcerted. How creepy was that? Well, I sort of forgot about it until the next day I felt the same feeling, looked over, and realized he was doing it AGAIN. My Dad came up with the following conclusions: this frog is actually a prince merely waiting to be kissed, thus the infatuation with me. My conclusion: he is really bored and needs a froggy companion. I am leaning towards the latter for the sake of my lips. :)

Also:

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Tuesday, December 04, 2007

I dunno...

Well, I lost all the comments I have ever had on my blog. I am hoping this is a temporary situation...

Just had my first two finals today. Cell biology lab which I have to have done well on. An A was obtained by losing 5 points on the 50 point test. Praying for that A. Then an ichthyology final. It went well. Especially since it wasn't cumulative. :) One of the question I think I missed was about a dun. Which is actually a part of the life stage of a bug. So, since I am in fish class, I think I have an excuse. Or not...

One organic chemistry test tommorrow-not a final-and a take home test from Organic lab that is due. For a minute it crossed my mind: "Now I can breathe". But then I remember the four other tests for next week that I need to start studying for. He he... Talk about running with endurance.

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Sunday, December 02, 2007

Commitment Phobia

On a more serious note...

If there is one thing I have learned as I have reached an age in which I am classified as a "single adult", it is how ridiculous the whole "single adult" scene is. And I'm not just talking about the secular scene. Christian and secular alike are hugely lacking. The absence of God in the area of relationships is strikingly obvious, and I am determined to not be a part of it as much as possible.

I have realized several things that it was only possible to realize through experience. Now I have a better understanding and wish to steer through this point of life with God driving in an attempt to avoid twenty-seven car pileups. :)

First, I have learned that obedience is key. That will solve all of my problems. A simple disobedience will absolutely make for tons of trouble it is impossible to even imagine at the beginning of a situation. Second, even if single people are Christians, it doesn't mean they automatically deserve to be considered as part of a potential relationship. Third, and most important, God has it all in His hands. It is very hard to trust, especially the older I get, but I wouldn't have it any other way really. Too much trouble otherwise.

Some observations on this generation:

"At first he is all hearts and flowers, candy, cards, presents, dinner and dancing, until she starts to like it and believes he really cares for her--and he does. But can he commit to just one? To her alone? Or is he always scanning the horizon for something (as opposed to someone) "better". -John Mallon on the increasing epidemic of unintentional men

"To commit oneself to marriage is to give oneself in trust, to put one’s life at the disposal of the other. It is, in fact, actually to forfeit and to consign oneself to the charge of another person. One who commits his way to the Lord also does just this. No one will do that who does not trust Him. Whom do we trust? On whose integrity, veracity, justice, or even faithful friendship can we rely? Am I worthy of another’s trust? Am I a person in whom confidence can be reposed?

"Commitment entails the acceptance of responsibility. It imposes a task and a trust. It is a promise to do something, a pledge to pursue a certain course. To love is to make a commitment. Merely to make love while refusing commitment is a purely selfish act, irresponsible, and finally destructive."

-Elisabeth Elliot what a big commitment marriage really is. No wonder people are afraid. However, if you are not ready for it, don't even say to a girl that you are interested.

It isn't all the fault of guy's though. As girls, we have to demand that men be intentional with us. I believe we are supposed to leave it up to them to initiate and be sure that they are serious before getting into any sort of relationship.

So, that is the rant for today. I am sure there will be more to come on the subject however since I am reading a book on this topic.

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Saturday, December 01, 2007

Too Old for This

This so should not be happening. This happens to the abnormally short middle schoolers who still have their voice cracking. Nothing against middle schoolers, but I celebrate life once I was out of that crazy stage.
Last night I realized I lost my retainers. Yes, I wear my retainers. I had too many hours of dentistry and too much metal and plastic in my mouth in those awkward years to just let it all revert to the way it was.
I come back home each weekend from Pueblo. Apparently, I lost them somewhere between my place in Pueblo and my parent's house. Hmm.....Odd. I search everywhere at my parent's place and they were nowhere. So, I was off to Pueblo. Again. On a Friday night. How pathetic is that? Very. Depressing too. Well, I got all the way there and did not find them.
I figured I would have to try and get to a dentist today and get some emergency retainers. Ridiculous as it may be, I was very worried.
Well, the story has a good ending. He he.... My renter called last night and saw them in the trashcan in my room. Guess they fell off my desk yesterday morning when I rushed out of the house. Who knows.
So there is my exciting Friday night story. Yeah, the rumors of the exciting college weekends are not true. At least not in my case. I usually end up studying. Or driving to Pueblo to look for my retainers. Life is amusing...

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