My spring break was much different than the stereotypical spring break activities. It was probably alot more tame than the normal college student's break but no less enjoyable (at least to me). Vita was able to visit my family, and we had a party spending time with her before she leaves us to return to Ukraine. In that aspect it was bitter-sweet because this was just the beginnings of the lasts we will have with her. She was my first friend here at GBS and next year she'll be gone. That pretty much stinks! I hope some day I can go visit her and her soon-to-be husband Steven in Ukraine:)
We put her through pretty much a continual whirl of activity that usually accompanies a trip home. She was able to experience a family get-get-together complete with pumpkin pie and lots of other good food. She met my very cute nephews Camron and Jacob, and they both promptly fell in love with her. We went out for desserts at Damon's with a bunch of my friends to celebrate some birthdays and did some shopping as well.
I think one of the most memorable moments was our unofficial whipped cream battle. I was kindly trying to help her top off her meal with a little dessert by squirting whipped cream straight into her mouth. Apparently, it comes out alot faster than you think and Vita was drowning in whipped cream. She then decided it was my turn and I got whipped cream not only in my mouth but on my shirt, hands, and glasses. I tried to return the goodness to her by flinging it back at her. Don't worry-things fortunately did not get out of control as these things often do. We ended the fight amiably enough and helped each other clean stray cream patches off the walls and floor and me. What fun!
My friends are so awesome. I really treasure the chance to catch up on their lives when I'm back home. My friend Genet had her monumental 21st birthday and my friend Jan turned 22 so of course, celebrations were in order. We planned to go to Coldstone at the mall which was closed for some reason so we decided on Damon's instead. With 9 crazy girls all trying to talk at once, we made quite a commotion. The giant chocolate chip cookie sundae was phenomenal!
Well, anyway enough said for now. I'm hoping I can get enough momentum now to finish out the year.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Something Positive
Somewhere on my to do list is the reminder to look on the sunny side of life more often. In contrast to my last blog, I want to uplift spirirts and renew hearts with my council. The other week when we had a chapel about the importance of time, I was really convicted about this concept. As much as it may seem like I have a long life ahead of me and plenty of time to get serious about being used of God to help others there is no time like the present to start practicing His love.
I think I often fail to realize how every day is a gift from God to serve Him by serving others. I allow the responsibilities I have to weigh me down and get me grouchy at my to-do-list. Not to be morbid but I could die tomorrow in a tragic car accident. I want my last thoughts on earth to be joyful because I'm going to see my Savior, not remorseful because of all things I failed to do for Him.
The beautiful thing about it is that each day is exciting and rewarding in its own way. If I strive to follow God's will to the best of my ability, my life will be so fulfilling. I am very thankful for that!
I think I often fail to realize how every day is a gift from God to serve Him by serving others. I allow the responsibilities I have to weigh me down and get me grouchy at my to-do-list. Not to be morbid but I could die tomorrow in a tragic car accident. I want my last thoughts on earth to be joyful because I'm going to see my Savior, not remorseful because of all things I failed to do for Him.
The beautiful thing about it is that each day is exciting and rewarding in its own way. If I strive to follow God's will to the best of my ability, my life will be so fulfilling. I am very thankful for that!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Reasons Why I'm Ready for Summer
1. Alright.... enough with the snow already!
2. I miss flip-flops (in the sense that they can be worn for occasions other than just showers).
3. I think I need to get a tan. I'm starting to look sickly.
4. Homework is no longer fun (not like it was ever really actually fun but I am horrified at the excuses I have lowered myself to to get out of doing it).
5. It would be fun to watch a good movie.
6. The cash supply is perpetually running low while in school.
7. I miss my cat.
8. Totally kidding about the cat.
9. I want to be able to want to eat ice cream to cool down (not just because there are no other desserts available).
10. I love driving with the windows down, the sunroof open, and the tunes cranked. O yeah!
2. I miss flip-flops (in the sense that they can be worn for occasions other than just showers).
3. I think I need to get a tan. I'm starting to look sickly.
4. Homework is no longer fun (not like it was ever really actually fun but I am horrified at the excuses I have lowered myself to to get out of doing it).
5. It would be fun to watch a good movie.
6. The cash supply is perpetually running low while in school.
7. I miss my cat.
8. Totally kidding about the cat.
9. I want to be able to want to eat ice cream to cool down (not just because there are no other desserts available).
10. I love driving with the windows down, the sunroof open, and the tunes cranked. O yeah!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Here Are the Promised Profound Thoughts
I was babysitting the other day, and I was reminded of the delightful nature of children. But just when you think they couldn't be any cuter- they wind up and kick you in the shins. I love observing their little carnal natures mixed with true sweetness that an adult can never hope to imitate.
I've also been observing lately that some parents, grandparents, or other close relatives seem to think the way to keep a child happy is to shower them with all sorts of expensive gifts. Though this does serve that purpose for at least 5 minutes or so, many of these kids just become more and more demanding. "I'm booorrreeedd!!!" -is a common quote heard from these children. I feel bad for these kids because they learn to depend on things to entertain themselves instead of using their imaginations to have some truly exciting adventures. This is the reason why kids should not be given everything they want.
I have also observed that when kids are always denied what they want it can be just as detrimental. These are often extreme cases where kids are denied even basic needs like love and food because their parents don't care about them. This has far reaching affects on the emotional and mental health of that kid. It breaks my heart to see situations like that. I also think the second part of this quote can be applied to parents who strictly control all the activities of their children. Although this is not nearly as harsh as ignoring them all the time, I think it still is detrimental to a child's development. For one thing some of my fondest memories as a little kid were when my sisters and I were out roaming the neighberhood with our friends and having all sorts of clubs and adventures and bike races. And for another thing how are kids supposed to be able to think for themselves if they are never allowed to? No matter how much parents want to shelter their children from pain, the best way for most people to learn is through experience.
Anyway, just some random thoughts. And I totally can't wait to see my nephews in 3 days!
I've also been observing lately that some parents, grandparents, or other close relatives seem to think the way to keep a child happy is to shower them with all sorts of expensive gifts. Though this does serve that purpose for at least 5 minutes or so, many of these kids just become more and more demanding. "I'm booorrreeedd!!!" -is a common quote heard from these children. I feel bad for these kids because they learn to depend on things to entertain themselves instead of using their imaginations to have some truly exciting adventures. This is the reason why kids should not be given everything they want.
I have also observed that when kids are always denied what they want it can be just as detrimental. These are often extreme cases where kids are denied even basic needs like love and food because their parents don't care about them. This has far reaching affects on the emotional and mental health of that kid. It breaks my heart to see situations like that. I also think the second part of this quote can be applied to parents who strictly control all the activities of their children. Although this is not nearly as harsh as ignoring them all the time, I think it still is detrimental to a child's development. For one thing some of my fondest memories as a little kid were when my sisters and I were out roaming the neighberhood with our friends and having all sorts of clubs and adventures and bike races. And for another thing how are kids supposed to be able to think for themselves if they are never allowed to? No matter how much parents want to shelter their children from pain, the best way for most people to learn is through experience.
Anyway, just some random thoughts. And I totally can't wait to see my nephews in 3 days!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Interesting Quote
"Two worse things for a child: 'Always to have their own way or never to have it.'" from The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Bernette
Great thoughts on this quote will follow later.
Great thoughts on this quote will follow later.
Monday, February 11, 2008
My Reactions to the Frigidness
When I was at Starbuck's tonight, I began to think of what I could blog about. My mind began to wander and in its ramblings it struck upon the memory of talking about visiting the Carribean.
Before my trip to Starbucks, I was participating in my normal Monday evening activity which is physical science lab (the equivalent of beating my head against a brick wall). Tonight was not as bad as some nights as far as the lab work was concerned, but the temperature of the room was frigid. This was due to the fact that a window was open and could not be closed because it was jammed, frozen, broken... Who knows? (According to Maslow's hierachy of needs, we should not have had lab because it was so cold some of us undoubtedly were unable to learn.) My friend and lab partner Alvin made some comment about his home in Grenada and the fact that I have been there and then....
I am floating on the crystal blue waves of the Carribean Ocean. With my goggles and snorkel in place, I look like the typical tourist, but I don't care because this is totally awesome. I'm pretty sure they could come up with some sort of therapy that consists of just allowing your body to bob up and down in the waves of clear, warm salt water. I am not a person who generally forms very distinct memories of events in my life, but I will never forget that sensation of being cradled by the waves. Wow!! The sand on the beach was white (or at least it looked really white compared to the beaches on the east coast), and my friends and I had this expanse of beach completely to ourselves. We exposed our very pale selves to the genial sun hoping for that perfect tan in only a weeks time. When that got boring, we began doing beach Olympics which included the long jump, cartwheels, and various other activities.
Why am I rambling about this cherished memory? It is my rebellion against this fearsome weather which we are currently experiencing. Even if it feels like 10 below in Cincinnati at least I have a happy place to go in my mind:)
Before my trip to Starbucks, I was participating in my normal Monday evening activity which is physical science lab (the equivalent of beating my head against a brick wall). Tonight was not as bad as some nights as far as the lab work was concerned, but the temperature of the room was frigid. This was due to the fact that a window was open and could not be closed because it was jammed, frozen, broken... Who knows? (According to Maslow's hierachy of needs, we should not have had lab because it was so cold some of us undoubtedly were unable to learn.) My friend and lab partner Alvin made some comment about his home in Grenada and the fact that I have been there and then....
I am floating on the crystal blue waves of the Carribean Ocean. With my goggles and snorkel in place, I look like the typical tourist, but I don't care because this is totally awesome. I'm pretty sure they could come up with some sort of therapy that consists of just allowing your body to bob up and down in the waves of clear, warm salt water. I am not a person who generally forms very distinct memories of events in my life, but I will never forget that sensation of being cradled by the waves. Wow!! The sand on the beach was white (or at least it looked really white compared to the beaches on the east coast), and my friends and I had this expanse of beach completely to ourselves. We exposed our very pale selves to the genial sun hoping for that perfect tan in only a weeks time. When that got boring, we began doing beach Olympics which included the long jump, cartwheels, and various other activities.
Why am I rambling about this cherished memory? It is my rebellion against this fearsome weather which we are currently experiencing. Even if it feels like 10 below in Cincinnati at least I have a happy place to go in my mind:)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Andvanced Comp
So I'm in a class this semester called Advanced Composition. Sound ominous? So far it hasn't proven to be too horrible. We are reading various essays which is fine with me since I love reading. What's really nice is the brevity and sometimes levity (tacky, i know:) of the essays amid all the long and boring chapters I have to read for other classes. The only catch is that by the end of this semester, I'm going to have to be able to write a 10 page essay. Ahhhhh! Can you believe it?! We barely even have to write 10 page research papers around here and I'm gonna try and come up with 10 pages of material completely unique with me. Needless to say, I'm a little worried about it.
Mr. Profitt tells us that even though essays appear to be random thoughts just strung together at the author's whim, they are, indeed, carefully crafted to appear this way. Bummer! I was thinking I could do this cool stream of consiciousness thing where I write whatever pops into my head for 10 pages. Apparently there actually has to be a rhyme and reason to my madness. So I'm hoping blogging will help me in this dilemma by helping me to learn to write more casually. What I really need help with though is subject matter. So if anybody has any ideas about what I could try my hand at rambling about- please, please give me ideas. I would forever be greatful and I will give you very generous recognition.
Thanks,
Leanna
Mr. Profitt tells us that even though essays appear to be random thoughts just strung together at the author's whim, they are, indeed, carefully crafted to appear this way. Bummer! I was thinking I could do this cool stream of consiciousness thing where I write whatever pops into my head for 10 pages. Apparently there actually has to be a rhyme and reason to my madness. So I'm hoping blogging will help me in this dilemma by helping me to learn to write more casually. What I really need help with though is subject matter. So if anybody has any ideas about what I could try my hand at rambling about- please, please give me ideas. I would forever be greatful and I will give you very generous recognition.
Thanks,
Leanna
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