Last Blog

This week is looking more positive already. Got my two papers done and will perform my skit for my dumb health careers class tonight. I'm hoping to take my math test later this week. Things are turning out better than I expected. And it's almost Friday! Hooray!!! Sorry for the negative post yesterday. Was in a bit of a funk and stressed out about classes and finals and whatnot and so forth. But today is a better day.
It's weird to think this will be my last blog. Can't believe the semester is almost over. Hoping that they go well-kinda nervous about that aspect. Anyways, since it is my last blog I figured it would be suiting to include a few extra quotes.
Quotes of the Day:
“Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."-H.P. Lovecraft
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” -Marie Curie
“If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were." -Khalil Gibran
“But if everything was always smooth and perfect, you'd get too used to that, you know? You have to have a little bit of disorganization now and then. Otherwise, you'll never really enjoy it when things go right.” -Sarah Dessen

I am very frustrated with my health science teacher. I would not recommend this class to anyone. The teachers are not organized, not very approachable and not even that knowledgeable about the subjects at hand. For our current project he has not even decided how it will be graded. It is due on Wednesday and he doesn't have all the details worked out yet. Also, I had questions in regards to our most recent paper. It took two emails and a week later for him to reply back to me. He replies back two days before the paper is due. It is really frustrating. On top of it the final is on Monday and it would be safe to say that majority of the class doesn't even know what it is over. I am one of those people. I know the basics but not the details. Don't get me wrong, I am a good student and I work hard for my studies but it is hard to study for something when you don't even know what you are to be studying for. Cannot wait for this class to be over!
Since its been a while, couple quotes today...

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”-Laura Ingalls Wilder

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” -Stephanie Perkins

thinking ahead

Is it weird and slightly wrong to be thinking about christmas ideas? I know we haven't approached thanksgiving yet so that is why I feel that it isn't right. Yet on the other hand, it is better to get a jump start so I won't have to do last minute gifts. I think I am gonna do homemade gifts this year. I try to do a couple every year but I am going to try and do majority, if not all my gifts myself. So far, it is not much of a challenge. I have a general idea of what I am gonna do for most people on my list. Making the gifts will prove to be the challenging part.

Quote of the day: “It hurts to let go. Sometimes it seems the harder you try to hold on to something or someone the more it wants to get away. You feel like some kind of criminal for having felt, for having wanted. For having wanted to be wanted. It confuses you, because you think that your feelings were wrong and it makes you feel so small because it's so hard to keep it inside when you let it out and it doesn't coma back. You're left so alone that you can't explain. Damn, there's nothing like that, is there? I've been there and you have too. You're nodding your head.” -Henry Rollins, The Portable Henry Rollins

officially winter

Well it is officially winter. I'm ok with snow. I don't mind it. Ice is another story. I HATE ice. I am so afraid of wiping out. Pathetic I know but I can't help it. I do not like lack of control when it comes to my feet. Staying here for the weekend. I feel like I have gotten nothing accomplished. I don't have much homework so that's a good thing but maybe it would be better if I did. I might actually feel productive. Maybe tomorrow will be better. A couple quotes today for fun...

Quotes of the Day: “Once you had put the pieces back together, even though you may look intact, you were never quite the same as you'd been before the fall.”-Jodi Picoult

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."-E.E. Cummings

great weekend

Decided to go home for the weekend. I am glad I did. I got to spend time with my Godchild and my other cousins. Also, had a "date" with my dad. He took me out for breakfast and I had Pumpkin pancakes-amazing! I actually did homework this weekend so I was happy about that. Not that I normally don't, but usually I find it hard to concentrate and find desire to do my homework when I am home visiting my family. I got my scheduled figured out for next spring so I am super excited about that. Not to mention relieved.
Went to the library for five hours yesterday and spent about four hours on homework today. I'm glad I did-I got so much done! I feel like a weight is lifted. I'm excited about reading the last story-I think it will be interesting.

Quote of the Day:“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”-John Lennon

Randomness....

To go home this weekend or not to go home? That is currently the question of the moment....along with what am I gonna do for classes next spring on top of potentially changing my major. Any one know if you can take Comp. II and Literature at the same time? Or is that not advised? Or creative writing instead of comp?
I'm enjoying the current unit so far in class. I enjoy stories and breaking them down to discover the meanings within. I'm not sure how much I will care for it when it comes time to write my literary analysis. But there's not much I can do about it I suppose....

Quote of the Day: “People aren't either wicked or noble. They're like chef's salads, with good things and bad things chopped and mixed together in a vinaigrette of confusion and conflict.”-Lemony Snicket

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget."-Arundhati Roy

what to do with my life

I'm glad the RBAA draft is done! Feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I was worried how it would turn out and if I would meet the word count. I actually went over the 1800 word count so I was relieved about that. Now to working on my schedule for next semester. I'm planning on changing my major so it will be less than exciting. Trouble is what exactly I'm changing to. I'm currently a nursing major but I am having major second thoughts about it. I want to work with children in some way but I don't think that teaching is right for me. I feel like I just turned to nursing because I didn't know what else to chose. Now, I am researching different careers involving children and the ones I am looking at require a Master's degree. It is frustrating and confusing to say the least.
Quote of the Day: “Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swaps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it's yours.”-Ayn Rand

celebration of life

So my grandfather turns 80 today. We had an open house party for him yesterday in which family and friends were invited .We had a great turnout and he seemed to enjoy himself. He is unlike an 80 year old I know. He still gets up and cleans his gutters, mows the lawn, goes hunting, fishing,camping, etc. He acts like he is mid-60s. He is a wonderful person so it was great to see all those people who know him come and pay tribute to him. He even got a little teary eyed. It was really touching. Now I'm off to put the finishing touches to my RBAA-wish me luck!

Quote of the Day:“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”-George Bernard Shaw
“But better to be hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.” - Khaled Hosseini

I volunteer at the USD daycare every Thursday for an hour. Today we were watching The Jungle Book after lunch and the little girl sitting on my lap turned to me and told me I was not a a nice person. It makes me wonder how she came to that conclusion after two encounters. It makes me curious how a child's thought process works or what thoughts go through their mind on a regular basis. I'm not offended by it-she's three. I just found it interesting.
It is absolutely beautiful out! The things I love about fall are wearing cute sweaters, apple cider, and warm crisp weather. It's a wonderful combination.
Quote of the Day: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”-Mae West

“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”-Gilda Radner

Happy first of November

Finally got caught up on everything. Not that I was seriously behind or anything but it just felt like I had so much to do. I sat down and am up to par on my homework and reading. Feels so good! I'm glad I made the time and effort to do it. This week feels like it is dragging by slowly. I feel like the massive load of homework is awaiting me towards the end of the week. I don't like the feeling nor the thought. Happy first of November and All Saints Day by the way.

Quote of the day: “Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality”-Ralph Marston

Halloween

I can't believe it's Halloween. Where did the time go? It seems like not that long ago we were moving in and starting the semester. Now, we are over half way through it and registering for spring courses. It's crazy how fast time goes. Its kinda saddening when you think about it. Pretty soon Thanksgiving will be here, then my birthday, then finals and Christmas.
The positive side of Halloween is all the cute kids in their costumes. They always look adorable. Except when they are in high school. Freshman year should be the cut off for trick or treating. They should let the little kids have the candy. :)
Quote of the Day: "True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about but few have seen."-Unknown

"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are."-Markus Zusak

sigh of relief

Never thought I would say this but I'm glad the weekend is over. My weekend was less than pleasant. Hope everyone else had a better one. On the bright side it is nicer out than it was last week. The sun is shining and that always helps to make the day better. Two Quotes today since its been a while...
Quotes of the day:

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde

"If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it. "-Erma Bombeck

frazzled...

Slightly stressed out because of Midterms. I don't even have that many tests but I feel as though the homework is getting piled on. Add to that everyday stresses and random things that come up along the way. It makes for a busy and stressful week. Short post today-sorry, got a lot to do.

Quote of the Day: “Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can. And just when you think it can't get any better, it can.” -Nicholas Sparks

overcoming of writer's block

So last night I forced myself to sit down and revise my essay. I cut a lot of it out and rewrote majority of it. I think it turned out well. Now I'm worried about my reflective essay. I forgot that I had to expand it to 900 words. Plus I am going to rewrite my reflective intro. Doesn't sound like much but I still feel slightly overwhelmed. I want to my portfolio to turn out well so I'm kinda OCD over the whole thing...On the bright side, it is almost the weekend and I will feel much better when it is over.

Quote of the Day:“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”-Marilyn Monroe

Chicken noodle soup, TLC, and writer's block

So Plan Pumpkin Patch was a not a success. My boyfriend got sick with the flu so instead of hayrides and caramel apples it was making homemade chicken noodle soup and providing TLC. I'm not complaining, just a little bummed. We had been planning it since September. But I bought him a little pumpkin and a caramel apple at the store to bring the pumpkin patch to him. Cheesy, I know, but he enjoyed it. I'm a little worried about my portfolio because I need to revise my Review essay and am having a case of writer's block and lack of motivation. A horrible combination as you can imagine. Hopefully by the end of the evening it will pass and I will have an "Aha" moment and a writing spurt.
I thought I will include a couple quotes today. The Quotes of the Day are:

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” -Robert Frost

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you Ms. Beck! I appreciate the help. I think I did it right...hope so anyways. We will find out tomorrow. :) Another beautiful day! It's awesome that you can wear shorts in October. Oh and planning on finally going to the pumpkin patch on Monday! Sounds childish but it is what my family has done on and off since I was a child. Hopefully the nice weather will last that long...maybe stop at the apple orchard while we are at it. Maybe make apple pie or something else that is delicious. I miss baking. That's one of the downsides of college. Lack of kitchen supplies and extra money to do so. Now, I have something to look forward to.
Quote of the Day: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”--Mark Twain

slightly confused...

So I am reading pg. 85 in the PC Guide and it lists questions that are to be addressed in the introduction of the reflection piece. The first question is "Why did you choose these particular pieces for your portfolio?" Considering we were told what to write and have written a limited number of pieces I find this question to be rather odd. I don't know how I should elaborate on the question when answering it in my piece. I don't want to be boring and lack positivity and say "I had no choice in the matter" or lie and say "I put them in there because they were the best pieces I have ever done". As you can see I am in a bit of a pickle....I guess I will have to ponder it a while.
Here is the Quote of the Day:
" I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble." --Rudyard Kipling

hooray for fall!

I found the music exercise to be interesting on Friday. I usually listen to classical or instrumental music when I write papers or do other homework. I find it inspiring and it helps me to focus more on the task at hand. Anyways, gorgeous weather this weekend! Perfect pumpkin patch or apple orchard weekend. And the leaves are turning colors! I love this part of fall. It is absolutely beautiful outside. Too bad all my friends went home this weekend so no one to join my excitement. Oh well. Today's Quote of the Day is by T.S. Eliot.

"It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who has never experienced it than we can explain light to the blind."--T.S. Eliot

I feel silly writing about my day or what is currently taking place in my life. I'm sure that is what you all want to read about...I thought to make things interesting I would add something of educational value.The Quote of the Day is by Erma Bombeck and is my favorite quote.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything You gave me.'"

so...

So.. I suppose it would be polite to introduce myself. I'm Jackie and I am from Sioux Falls. My major is Nursing/Undecided. Random things: I like the Food Network channel, the shows The Office and Bones, and comedies and older Disney movies are my favorite. I enjoy reading mysteries, romances, and nonfiction. I like poetry but don't write it often. I don't know what else to say..I don't want to seem as though I am writing a Biography so I will end it here.
Have a great weekend!