Pondering Paradoxes

So I'm in this Honors Colloquim that is all about Paradoxes. Most of the time I don't listen mainly because it causes my head to hurt and because I keep thinking about all the other things I could be doing with my time, but I actually listened to some of the subjects brought up. I thought I would share one of the items we talked about last night:

If time travel was possible, then you could go back to the time - say 1925 - when your maternal grandfather was an infant and kill him. Now if Grandpa died in 1925, your mother would never have been born, and consequently you would not exist. But then, who killed Grandpa?

(It has that whole Back to the Future theme going on!)

What a "Drag"

This past Saturday I was all alone at the Relm (the roommates were both out of town). I did quite a bit of homework so as a reward I rented a movie. There was a specific movie I had been wanting to see for quite some time--only because I knew David Duchovny was in it (*soft growl in the back of throat*). The movie is called Connie and Carla (it also has the lady from My Big Fat Greek Wedding). The story line is that these two women witness a murder and in order for them to hide they pretend to be men dressed as women. That's right--this movie is all about drag queens! It is quite an entertaining movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie has singing, dancing, special appearance by Debbie Reynolds, and men who look better in a dress than I do.

P.S. In the outtakes David Duchovny takes off his pants. (purr...I mean, no that's wrong)

A Sight to Behold...or Maybe Not

Last night as Robin and I drove to Bean Sprout night we witnessed an amazing sight that made us laugh and at the same time gasp in dismay. As we passed by the United shopping center we saw a lady leaning against her car. Standing in front of her, near the curb and facing the cars that drove past was a young girl, probably about 8 years old. We assumed it was the woman's daughter. This girl was wearing a tight "clubesque" shirt, short skirt, and knee high black boots. She was dancing rather provacatively in the grassy knoll as cars zoomed pass on the busy street. In the words of Robin it looked like she was a prostitute and her mother was her pimp. I was just amazed at the spectical and the way the mother was reacting. I hate to think of the path of low self-esteem and belief solely in physical appearance that this young girl will probably follow.

Modesty...always the best policy (especially for 8 year olds...well, actually for all girls)

And the winner is...

So I'm sitting in my office reading my book while my boss, Jana, is reading the Optimist (which I already read). All of a sudden Jana says, "You won tickets to the drive-in?" I had no idea what she was talking about. I didn't win tickets...I never win any kind of contest. And besides that I didn't enter any contest. So I got up to see what she was talking about. There in the optimist, a huge ad in the middle of the page (how in the heck did I not see that) was a list of names, and *bada-bing-bada-boom* there was my name smack dab in the middle of them. Apparently I won the tickets for filling out the online survey about the best stuff in Abilene. I had no idea there was a prize involved. I was just incredibly bored at work so I figured filling that out would pass a few minutes. And to think I would have gone the entire day not knowing about this wonderful surprise.

Now the big question is who do I take with me? Who is worthy enough to accompany me to the drive-in? Maybe I should hold interviews or at least milk some well-deserved grovelling from others for a few days.

If interested in above mentioned ticket or know someone who is please post a comment to this blog with the following:

*Resume
*8x10 glossy photo
*3 letters from references
*your best grovelling offer

(congrats to Phyllis--another winner of said tickets!)

Yee-Haw!

This past Friday I attended my first rodeo. That's right I've lived in Texas all my life and never been to the rodeo. It was fun but I'd have to say I haven't been missing out on too much. I went with Brooke, Ross and Lauren. Brooke's cousin was competing in the barrell racing--she ended up getting second place. The bare back riding and bull riding looked so incredibly painful. I kept thinking about how much money chiropractors make off of these people.

After the rodeo we found out that Brooke's cousin is dating George Strait's son--whoa!!! So as we took Ross over to the guy's house for He-man night Brooke got to tell the guys, mainly Phil. Apparently he was speechless.

Man of my Dreams

After a head-spliting night class (it's all about Paradoxes and stuff I have no business learning) and an invigorating game of ultimate, I came home to find a handsome, suave man waiting for me in my living room...

Ok so he was on the television screen but still he was there the moment I opened the door. Robin was on the couch watching the all-time greatest show ever: X-Files. As soon as I walked in the door David Duchovny flashed on the screen. I simply stopped in my tracks. Robin either asked me a question or said something to me but I heard nothing. My eyes were fixed on the prize. I haven't seen him in weeks. Our ususal evening dates, which began during the summer, have been called off on account of school work. Last night gave us some time to rekindle the magic we had. (I hope the girls that read my blog enjoy this--you know you do the same thing with other celebs!)

I have to point out that David Duchovny is the king of rolled up sleeves. I would bet that in almost every episode of X-Files, at some point, he has his sleeves rolled up. And it is one of the sexiest things ever! There's just something about those forearms that really turn girls on...well, at least me. Guys need to learn and utilize this technique--I promise the girls will come running. All it takes is a couple of rolls!

David Duchovney why won't you love me?

"In the Still of the Night"

Last night the coolest thing happenend in the Relm's front yard. Brooke's 20th birthday was yesterday (yea!). After church Robin and I returned home where Brooke was waiting for Ross to come over so they could watch a movie or something (she wasn't sure what they were planning to do). Robin and I began doing homework in our respective rooms. At about 9:30ish I heard a knock on the door and thought it was Ross. A few seconds later Robin rushed in my room telling me I had to come see what was happening. I go to the front door and a group of the guys (Marcus, Billy, Daniel, Phil, Bret, Zach, Stephen, and Ross) were standing outside dressed up in suits and ties! Ross was singing "In the Still of the Night" while the rest of the guys were singing the backup. It was so incredibly awesome!!! They sounded incredibly great. Robin got pics with her digital camera, and from her body language and the smile on her face we could tell Brooke was in heaven. After they finished the song Ross came in and I went back to my room to study. Robin said the guys wanted to talk to us. We then realized that they were "kidnapping" us so that Brooke and Ross could have some time alone. So they took us to Whataburger...where else? So here were the guys looking amazingly GQ in their suits and Robin and I were in our pajamas--Robin without any shoes (Stephen took his socks off so she had something to wear) and me in my blue, fuzzy slippers. It was such a fun night. Kudos to Ross for such a great birthday present!

Middle School Mania

Yesterday my education block class had an orientation at Mann Middle School. Being from Abilene and going through the education system here, I know all about the titles placed on the schools. For example Lincoln, where I went, was know as the prep school, Franklin was the somewhat ghetto school, but Mann was known as the worst middle school in town. In eight grade I went to Mann on Fridays for ALPS, a special challenging program. Everytime we went we were all incredibly scared of the students there. Truthfully it was never that bad of a school. The rumors and middle school perceptions made it worse than it was.

After taking a tour of the school, I made my way towards the faculty bathroom in the faculty lounge (yes I actually got to go in the faculty lounge--I've always wanted to see one...what a sad life). On my way into the building I had an encounter with a middle school student. He was an office worker and as he came out of the building he asked if I was the Choir teacher. I told him I wasn't and then he noticed my ACU nametag. He said, "Oh, you're one of those student teacher people". I told him I was more of an observer but would be student teaching soon. He then asked what a student teacher is. I explained that we are learning how to become real teachers. He then welcomed me to the school and shook my hand. He was such a funny kid.

This Thursday I start my first observation at Abilene High!

The Great Ice Cream Caper!

Last night after 9:00 I was planning to go to the library to find a book that I need to read for a class. Brooke and Ross said they were going to Dairy Queen for blizzards and were inviting others to join. I decided I could take 30 minutes for a Brownie Batter Blizzard (yum!). I called Robin to invite her to tag along too. I reached the DQ on ambler first and was disappointed to see it was closed. I stopped in the parking lot to call Brooke and while I stopped I noticed the greasy haired, muscle-shirt wearing, tattoo gorging man lighting his cigarette. I quickly vacated the premises.

I called Brooke and Ross and Robin to tell them it was closed. So we decided to try the one on Mockingbird. While driving down Ambler I saw Ross's truck ahead so I sped up to catch them. Well, let's just say they almost witnessed my death as I didn't notice the person in front of me breaking for the red light. Luckily I caught it in time to prevent any car damage. Robin then called me to say that she was at the Mockingbird DQ and it was closed.

So Brooke and I decide we would go to Shake's. The last time I went there it was open until 11:00. But alas the lights were turned of and the building was a deserted of desserts. So Ross, Brooke and I waited for Robin, Katie, and Billy to show up to figure out what to do. We thought we would go to Super W and just buy pints of ice cream. Robin needed to get stuff and Walmart so she said she would meet us there. But when Billy and Katie showed up we decided to go to Sonic down the road. So I had to inform Robin and she said she would meet us there.

Katie was the first to order her Sonic treat--a reeses peanut butter cup blast. Brooke started to order her oreo blast when the sonic worker informed us that after Katie's order they ran out of ice cream! Who runs out of ice cream?!?!? And of all nights for that to happen...We were all so distraught. We finally decided to get frosty's at Wendy's. Unfortunatly Robin was already on her way to Sonic when I called her to tell her to turn back around and head to Wendy's.

At 11:15 we finally sat down to our well-deserved ice cream. (Needless to say I did not make it to the library that night).

A Cry for the Oldies

Yesterday and today I've had a major inkling to watch some old movies. One that I haven't watched in a long time and is an all time favorite for me is Singing in the Rain. Gene Kelly...what more could a girl ask for? He sings, he dances, he sweeps me off my feet. (sigh) I also could go for some Doris Day romantic comedy: Pillow Talk, Glass-Bottom Boat, The Thrill of it all. And then there are the comic-westerns: The Second Time Around with Debbie Reynolds (also in Singing in the Rain) and Andy Griffith (familiar theme song starts whistling). Another good funny western movie is Cat Ballou with Jane Fonda. And I'm always up for a good Audrey Hepburn movie--any day any time. My favorite Audrey movie (and possibly my favorite old movie) is without a doubt Roman Holiday. Another fine looking gentelman is present in this flick: Gregory Peck...mmmm...my heart warms at the sound of his name. Two of my other favorite Audrey movies are not as well known: Wait Until Dark and How to Steal a Million. Audrey plays a blind woman in the first movie--it's quite a thriller! I really wish I owned all of these movies so I could plop on the couch and watch them over and over again. But alas they are not in my possession, though I do own a few oldies movies, none of which are on this list but are still good. I really think we need to have an old movie night and watch non-stop movies from the 50's and 60's! It has to happen. If you share in my love of the old films, let me hear a whoop whoop!

Open Door...Enter Real World

Today my Education Block class had an orientation at Abilene High. It was so weird for me since I attended and graduated from there. But it was also a lot of fun to be back. I don't know how other people's high school years were, but my time in high school was filled with lots of fun and many, many memories. While I was walking down the halls, floods of memories came rushing on me. It was great. As we were leaving I came down the stairs and saw Mr. Moore, my favorite teacher of all time, come out of the office. He is one of the AP Geography teachers, and I accredit him as being the one who got me started into wanting to be a history teacher. His teaching style is fun, energetic, and inspiring. I was so glad that I got to see him! Next Tuesday we go to Mann Middle School for another orientation and then next Thursday I begin my first session of observation with Mrs. Hamity(?) at Abilene High. This whole experience is so exciting and I can't wait to see what happens during the course of the semester.

It Pays to go to Department Chapel

I always dread (as most people do) going to departmental chapel. The history crew isn't always the most enthralling gang at ACU. But today there was a special treat awaiting us. As I came in I noticed a few special guests sitting in the back. I wasn't sure who they were or why they would waste their time at history chapel. Then there was buzz about a special guest speaker. Who should it but RM!!!! That's right that studmuffin Royce Money. (Julie and Phyllis I'm sure you are envying me right now). Apparently RM received his doctorate in church history. So Dr. Hoover asked him to speak to us about how history affects his job as the president of a university. This probably was and will be the only good history chapel.

One week down...14 more to go! This week has gone fairly well. This semester is going to be challenging but I think it will be fun and rewarding as well. It's kind of weird to think that this is my last semester of real classes. Next semester I will enter the world of Student Teaching...dum, dum, dum!

Tomorrow, Saturday, I have to be in Chamber 107 at 9:00 in the morning to take a test. One week down and already I'm taking a test. Actually it is a practice test for teacher certification. In order to receive my teacher certification I have to take two tests: one in pedagogy which is mainly all-round knowledge about teaching and then a content test which, for me, will be in history. During the semester we will have labs in which we practice taking both of these tests. Once we make 75% or above we can receive our barcodes to register for the actual test held in October and December. At the testing site we will be fingerprinted and have a criminal background done--they take this thing seriously.

I took part of a content test in my History for Teachers class on Wednesday and it was a bit on the difficult side. So I hope I do fairly well tomorrow so I don't have to take it again til the real thing.

Well, school has started off with a bang. I love the start of school--mainly because it is so dull here in the summer. The campus is rejuvinated by the thousands of students who return. I guess I sort of thought this year would be like my senior year of high school--a few challenging classes but mostly some time to rest and relax. That thought soon died as I came to the revelance of the end of my college career. The first day of school was good. I had two classes that were pretty normal: American West and History for Teachers (a class where pretty much all we do is take practice tests to get us ready for the content exit test for certification). One thing that was kind of a big load was the fact that in the History for Teachers class we have to read four history high school textbooks during the semester (whoa!). The next day was very overwhelming with lots of information. I had my education block class which is on Tues./Thurs. from 12-3. I thought on the first day we would get out early so I decided not to eat lunch before hand and wait till class got out. Well, I didn't get to eat til 3:30 in my office and it was a lovely bag of Cheetos. I found out I have to do 45 hours of observation at AHS, develop a unit with 5 lesson plans, actually teach in the class I am observing, and many other things. It's really scary--I'm actually beginning my teaching career. I think this sememster is going to be harder and more time consuming than any other I've had so far. Eh, that's life. There may be many nights this sememster that I rely on my friends Hershey and Godiva to get my through ;)

In the Darkness

For quite some time now I have been walking down a lighted path toward the future. I had everything planned out: apply to graduate schools (mainly UT), finish senior year, graduate, then start my life as a grad student. I was so proud of myself for knowing what I was going to do months before graduation came. But yesterday crushed my aspirations, leaving me confused and bewildered in the darkness.

On Wednesday I made my way to the grand city of Austin. I was so excited--it was my first trip all by myself. I made tons of maps so I wouldn't get lost. I even had hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn. My reason for this trip was to talk to the history graduate school at UT. I spent Wednesday night finding my hotel, finding the building at UT I was suppose to go to tomorrow, and just touring downtown Austin. I went down 6th street and saw the capitol (so cool!).

My meeting was at 2:00 that afternoon. I made sure I looked casually formal, classy but not overdone. The meeting was very interesting and I gained a lot of information, some I didn't want to hear. The subject I wanted to do my masters in, Modern Europe, requires language experience in either German or French. The problem with that is I took Spanish back in high school. Shot number 1. Then I told her about my degree and how I was following a teaching plan. She said based on that degree it would be more beneficial to take a year or two off from school and enter the teaching field to get a taste of the work force. Shot number 2.

I was so confused and let down. I was basing everything on going to grad school before teaching. I walked around the campus for a little bit on my way to my car. I then started the drive back to Abilene. I'm very thankful that I was on the right highway because for the first 30 minutes I zoned out, deeply thinking about what my future plans would be. As of now I think I will enter the teaching field after graduation. But even that holds many uncertainties. What if I don't pass the certification test? What if no one hires me? Where will I be teaching? My world has been thrown for a loop and it's hard for me to accept it. I'm a person who enjoys plans and structure--at least with this sort of thing.

Well, I have a year to get use to this new plan so I will try to put all this behind me and live up my senior year as best as possible!

Faith is the Victory

This Sunday at church the communion was led by Jeff Childers. He directed the comments toward the children of the church but indirectly it was also pointed at the adults. He asked the kids to ask their parents or adults around them what the bread and wine meant to them. I found this question to be very intriguing. Yet when the plate was passed to me and I was asked "what does this meant to you?" I stated that truthfully I didn't know. At first I thought that I had copped out of the question, diverging a situation that caused me to open up and share feelings and beliefs. But as I thought about it I realized my statement was the truth.

In my heart I know that the communion is a symbol of our Savior's great love, devotion and sacrifice. That's what we have been told by preachers and through the Bible. But the problem I realized on Sunday was that I don't know what it means to me on a personal level. How do I view Jesus? Do I accept and respect the gift he gave me with the amount of reverence that I should? This realization really shook me up the rest of the service. And the feelings continued in the middle school class as we talked about sitting and listening to God speak to us...an activity I truthfully never exercise.

I realized that my spiritual life has been on a roller coaster. Not the kind that goes up high peaks and down valleys, symbolizing struggles and times of joy, but rather like a roller coaster that spins and loops in every direction causing confusion and disorientation. I don't know where I am with my spiritual life. I don't spend time with God as I should and it bothers me immensly. To those of you reading this blog, whether you know me or not, I would ask that you pray for me and my relationship with God. Thank you.

Quote to Ponder

"Vanity working on a weak mind produces every kind of mischief. "

(A quote from one of the best movies: Emma)

Small Vacation

This weekend I was able to take my small vacation of the summer. It was going to be a family vacation but my dad was unable to get away from work (this is his busiest time of the year). So on Friday my sisters and I drove to my grandmother's house in Dallas. My mom joined us later that night. The main thing we were looking forward to was Six Flags on Saturday. I haven't been in at least 4 years and this time it was just going to be us kids--no parents to hold us back!

We got to the park pretty much at the time it opened and we stayed til it closed. We didn't take time for sitting breaks or restroom breaks--we were on a mission. We did stop for lunch just to regain our strenght for those long lines. We even decided to forego supper so we could ride more rides! We rode practically all of the large roller coasters. I was amazed at how much my sisters have grown up. I remember the times at Six Flags when you couldn't pay them to get on a roller coaster. This time they went on everything--even the Titan (which is one amazing rush!) The only problem we had was on that parachute ride--the one that isn't fast at all, it just goes up then down very slowly. I hate that ride with an unmarketable passion. But I thought maybe this time was different. I sat in the middle of my sisters and the whole time I was screaming in a raspy voice "I hate this ride! I hate this ride! Get me on the ground!" I can take everything else but not those parachutes.

It was such a wonderful day mainly because I got to spend it all with my sisters--I don't get to do that often. They are the best and I could never ask for better sisters!

2 more weeks

2 more weeks...of course this refers to the wonderful union of Curtis and Lauren but it also will means something else. In two weeks Jenny and her fiance Kyle move out of our house!!! We thought this summer when we took in Jenny we were getting one person to help pay rent--little did we know that she and Kyle would pretty much take over the entire house.

I hope those of you reading this don't think me rude in saying this, but I really need a place to vent my frustrations. Kyle is always at our house I wake up at 7:00 in the morning--he is there. I come home for lunch--he is there. I come home at night after work--he is there. And when he and Jenny are at the house they aren't as considerate as Lauren and Curtis who usually hang out in their room. Kyle and Jenny spread out in the living room talking or doing Jenny's homework. It's a little annoying for Robin and I when we want to relax from our long work days in front of the tv.

Another problem is the kitchen. 3/4 of the refrigerator has been taken over by Jenny's food. It's really annoying, especially when I have a craving for some watermelon kiwi kool-aid but realize I can't make any because there isn't any room among Jenny's stuff.  What's odd is that Jenny and Kyle have their own house that they could hang out at, like Curtis and Lauren do. But instead they decide to take over our house and they don't seem bothered by it at all.

I do enjoy Jenny. She is very sweet and fun. I think it's more about when Kyle comes over. Maybe it's that man-hater side of me ;)

Again I apologize for my jerky complaints but I can't keep some of this bottled up anymore. 2 more weeks...

 

Epedimic in ACU AD Building

Today I had the most fun I've ever had working at the Provost office. First of all, a prelude to today, everyone has gone nuts in the AD building. For some odd reason everyone and their dog has decided to paint their offices--noone has been spared--yes, even the Provost office has caught the disease.

This past week we have been painting. I've only been there in the mornings from 8-10 since I have class and my other job. So I haven't done too much. But today I stayed practically all day. What's even greater is that Dr. VanRheenen and Dr. Winter are both out of the office until August so it's just us girls. Today was spent prepping the large office area so we could paint on Friday. We had fun taping the walls, using the dolly to move file cabinets, and finding all kinds of stuff that fell between the cracks of furniture. Stephen Lamb, who works in the registrar's office, and my boss's husband came to help us move the desks (although I think we could have managed without them).

At around 4:00 we realized we needed more blue tape and another gallon of paint. Jana was going to go by herself but Julie made a reference to snow cones. So I went along with Jana so I could use my special benefits to get us free snow cones at New Wave.

We got a lot of work done today but it felt more like playing than working--I wish everyday could be like that in the office.