Now a Part of the Workforce

As of this weekend I officially joined the millions of Americans who are happily or unhappily a part of that which we call the workforce. I had lots of fears about having a job, no matter how much I wanted one or needed one.For instance, I was terrified that I couldn't do the job, that I wouldn't be capable because I would be too stupid or whatever (I know, stupid, but that's how it is). And then I was also worried that I would be focusing too much on work and that I wouldn't have time for school or my friends. That my grades would drop and I'd be stuck in some two-bit job for the rest of my life because I flunked out of college. Or that I would lose all my friends because I was working constantly and I would steadily become this unhappy person that all they had in their life was work and school. I didn't realize that my time management skills are much better than I thought. Even working 14 hours this weekend I managed to finish all the schoolwork I needed to complete, sleep enough and hang out with my friends. All of my friends. And next weekend I feel I wil do just as well. I've sort of made up a kind of life schedule for myself. Where I need to do at least one social thing a week, one school event a week and have one day a week where I sleep in. Then all the rest of the time I can focus on school and work and I will still have a life. I feel like I have finally started accomplishing something in my life. Now I have school and a job and all I need to do is start incorporating art into my life again and it will all go perfectly. And I have a feeling that I'll be able to figure out how to figure that in.Once I have, my life is on track and actually have a life.

One of Those Days

I'm just having one of those days that makes you feel all out of sorts. You know. When you sit back and realize that today is just not your day and just maybe you should not have stepped forth. It started last night when I couldn't find clothes for my new job at a price I could afford, continued when I realized I had left my lunch box behind in class. Then this morning I didn't sleep as late as I could have because even my body is rebelling against me. And when I went to make my lunch, I had to end up taking a ham and cheese sandwhich since I couldn't find a tupperware that fit inside my tiny Snoopy tine can lunch box. I got into several nasty little snippets with my grandmother which I'm sure I'll hear about later from my mother and then it started raining after my first class when I had to get stuff from my car parked all the way at the opposite end of the Univerity of course. And as I finally get to my car... It stops raining!!! After I've already gotten soaking wet THEN the skies open up to let the sun out! The injustice of it, I'm telling you. Now when I check my e-mail, of course my math proffessor sent me an e-mail long after I had already gone to sleep for the night so I don't have what I need printed out for class and then I'm behind on my6 schedule for reading for my geography class (which has been the only highlight of my day) and that time of the month is quickly approaching. I almost slipped and died right in front of Graham Center and I wasn't even running. I have a party to go to tonight that I'm seriously reconsidering since I just may get slipped something today since it seems to be my day for horribleness. Come on world! Let's see what else you can throw at me....

When You Learn Something New

I find it interesting how, when you learn or discover something new, that has always existed or has existed for is not a new concept, it seems to follow you around and make itself as obviously there as possible. For example, in my Geography class, I recently learned the term globalization and all the little nuances that fall under that term. Now, globalization has existed for longer than I can even trace my ancestors and I know that I participate in it every day, but I never realize how much a part of my daily life and the world it was a part of until I learned about it in class. Now, it's like every day I notice something, or several things, that have to do with globalization: Facebook, the kids at my school, eating at McDonalds, buying products at WalMart. Every time I look at the tags on my clothes and toys and pens and everything that has a "Made in China" or Made in Indonesia" or wherever it was made, I'm aware of how that is globalization and all the effects that it implies. It's almost the same, except on a less serious scale, as when I was in middle school and I discovered Converse sneakers for the very first time. I'm sure everyone wore them before I learned about them. Maybe even people that were close to me. I just never seemed to notice them until my sixth grade year and then I was like "woah!" She's wearing them and he's wearing them too! What a coincidence? Not really. They were a pretty common shoe, just not for me at the time. I don't know if it's like that for everyone, but I know that every time I learn something that seems to have an impact on me or that really sticks in my head all of a sudden I see it everywhere. I see globalization in the book I read for pleasure and in the newspaper and on Facebook. I see Converse on everyone I meet and in stores, in magazines, etc. I just find it kind of amazing that the things you learn can actually open your eyes to the world. I makes me feel like maybe I just did learn something new

Doing What You Love Matters Most

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/education/26HUMANITIES.html?_r=1&sq=The%20Humanities%20for%20Love,%20Not%20Money&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1282914130-FVvGqAPbzl7AgpPW9Y4pUg

I just finished reading an article from the New York Times ( I know I'm one of the few weirdo 18 year olds who actually read the newspaper) and fell in love with this it! It talks about how all the statistics point to the fact that interest in degrees in the humanities and arts are growing after the recession. I've always thought it was more important to do what you love rather than what was going to make you a millionaire. I figure that if you are doing what makes you happy, everything else will just fall into place, and honestly, I've heard being a millionaire isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway. I'm so glad to see the growing trend of lawyers, doctors, and business-people who continue their education and decide to look into a field in the arts or humanities. Few people realize how important they really are, but when you think about it, our society and cultures would not be the way they are without our basic knowledge of the arts and humanities and a desire to delve more deeply into that knowledge, regardless of the kind of pay you know you will be receiving, I respect that so much. So to all my family that put down my goals of getting an art degree with a minor in art history and business, here's to you: I'm going to do what I love, I'm going to love what I do and I'm going to be so much happier than the rest of America!

First Week of College is Almost Done and Man Did It Fly By

My first week of college is soon coming to a close and I have to say that it has been one of the best experiences I have had so far. Being in college is very different from high school. It kind of reminds of being at like a workshop where I have a bunch of options as to what sessions I can attend and I attend the one that most appeals to me and then I meet up with my friends for fun stuff in between. There is an entire life to be had on campus if you want there to be. For one thing you can live on campus which would actually make things so much easier, I'm considering doing it if I get enough financial aid and scholarships next fiscal year. For another thing, you can work on campus which puts you so much closer to the action. Then there are all the events that they have there. Charity events, concerts, pep rallies, sports games, parties, socials, club meetings, etc. It's totally huge. They have places to eat there and not just a dingy cafeteria although the food there is really great too, but actual places like Jamba Juice, Chick-fil-A, Chili's, etc. If you live on campus there's really never any reason to leave. I don’t live on campus (yet) but I do plan on getting involved and, even though I already have a secure job at the airport, I'm going to see about finding a job on campus because it will be more convenient for me considering traffic, parking, schoolwork, etc. I'm already looking into joining a sorority. I thought the dues would be way out of my price range, but I found out that some of them are actually really very doable. Like Alpha Zeta Delta has dues at $350/semester and then you buy your own shirts or none of them at all if you don’t want. Me and Meli went to the Greek Barbeque yesterday and really got to know some Phi Mus and are really considering them as a possible option. Both of us! It isn't necessary for us to be in the same sorority but it would be really nice. And we already said that if it turns out Greek life isn't going to be for us for some reason or another, we'll make our own group called the Friendship Squad and live all together in Jackie's grandma's house (which is another thing we are thinking about). Apparently Jackie's grandmother is getting too old to live by herself so she may go live in Jackie' house and we can live in the grandma's house all of us together: Meli, Jackie, Sammy, and Kevin. That definitely sounds ideal. Well, anyway, I love the learning style of college; I love the freedom; I love the social scene; I love the food; I love absolutely anything there is to love about it! I even love my classes!

First Couple of Days of College

So I have officially experienced my first days of school, except for one class which is a bullshit class anyway (Freshman Experience, I know, how retarded) and I have to say that I really am loving it. I guess since you are only in the class for so long and classes aren't all day long it's easier for you to focus in class and actually feel excited about it. The two classes I'm most excited about taking are Ecology of South Florida and World Regional Geography which I already have homework for and I can tell I'm going to learn a lot. I know a lot of people look for slack classes with slack professors, but I feel that if you are actually paying for your education, you should be getting something out of it. I haven't been late to any of my classes (thank God) and I've liked all my teachers for the most part. I'm still not sure about my English teacher, but we'll see. I have a feeling she's one of those that you like sometimes and other times not so much. I haven't just been going to class either. I've been socializing with my friends I brought with me from Ferguson and even chatting it up with some I haven't ever hung out with or haven't seen in forever. And today I attended the Greek Life Barbecue and learned about some of the sororities I will be rushing and all about Rush Week and Bid Day and stuff. I really think joining a sorority is the best way for me to get involved on campus and still keep my grades up. They do a lot of community service events as well as attending games and playing some sports games themselves (intramural sports), plus events, socials, formals, mixers, etc with all of your sisters. They are really big on keeping your academics up though so I will be sure to have a study support system and maybe even have a sister who can tutor me if I'm struggling. So far, I have my ideas of which sororities I'm interested in and I can't wait till Rush Week to see if my ideas are correct.

F-I-U!!!

Ole Ole Ole Ole
FIU... FIU...
Ole Ole Ole Ole
FIU... FIU...


Don't give me a word, a word
Don;t give me a phrase, a phrase
Just give me that beat
Oh, that Panther beat
Go Panthers!!


Hey Panthers!
Yeah?
Hey Panthers!
Yeah?
Are you readyy to jigalo?
Hell yeah! I've got my paws up high, my tail down low and that's the way I jigalo!
Jigalooo Jig Jig-a loooo.
Jig a loo. Jig Jig a loooo.

First Day of College Anxieties and Excitements

     Monday is my very first day of college at FIU and like all new roads that we take there are certain things that can seem exciting and make us stick our heads out the window so we can see what is out there, but at the same time we make sure that we drive with our hazard lights on just in case and keep our eyes peeled for deer crossing the road.
     I think that after going to Panther Camp I am definitely more excited about going to a new place and meeting new people and starting my life. There's all these cool things to do at FIU that  didn't know about and I'm excited about rushing sororities and movie nights and Homecoming and all that stuff. Getting my textbooks today just made the whole start of school seem so real though and even though I'm excited to be starting, I'm also super nervous that things aren't going to meet my expectations or that I am going to be miserable, friendless and fail out of college.
     I know some of these fears are unfounded. Even if, on the off chance, I manage to make no friends I will always have the friends I have now so me being friendless is total BS. I guess I'm just worried that everyone in my classes will be totally chummy and I'll be the loser loner chick sitting by herself never talking, which I know isn't true because it's me and I always have to be talking to someone. Also, after going to Panther Camp, I realized that I wasn't that much of a loser and I do have some social skills even if they are minimal, and besides that, I know a lot of people going to FIU! The chances of me never seeing someone I know are very low. I'm also scared about not doing well though.
     Another unfounded fear. I'm not cocky or anything but I know that I'm book smart (although possibly not in math). How many people buy their textbooks and actually skim the first chapter of the books to see what their classes are like and how the books are set up?! And I'm totally excited about some of my classes and ready to start learning new things and researching the things that interest me. I know, I'm a weirdo. I guess the point is, that the likelihood that I will fail out of college is very low so I really have no reason to fear.
     Starting new is so hard, but I have already done it three times in my lifetime and, besides elementary school, I have been able to make each and every one of those new starts exciting, memorable and actually pretty pleasant circumstances considering. College can't be all that different. In fact, the likelihood is that it will be better. So Monday I start brand new with a positive attitude and hope for betterment, excitement and new beginnings.

Catch-22: Ugh I Can't Stand This Book!

The last book that I wanted to read before the summer was over was Catch-22, which is supposed to be about this guy named Yossarian who is a bombardier in a war and i constantly trying to escape fighting in the war and feels that everyone is trying to kill him and that there is this ridiculous law called Catch-22 where if you are crazy you don't have to fly the planes but if you try to turn yourself in saying you are crazy so you don't have to fly you are obviously perfectly sane so you are forced to continue fighting. I know, it's complicated to understand even when I try to write it. Needless to say I had heard mixed feelings about this book. There were quite a few people who said that this was the funniest book they ever read, their most favorite book ever. And then there was the people telling me that they couldn't even get past the first 20 pages, they thought it was stupid, didn't understand it, etc.Needless to say (if you read the title of this entry) I have to concur with the latter. This book, although not stupid, was so very difficult to understand. The way Heller writes it it sounds like a crazy person speaking and it flashes into the past and future and present with no warning so you never have any clue where you are in the story. I couldn't even finish it, although I did manage to get more than halfway (probably only because I was forcing myself too). Nonetheless, I totally hated this book. Almost as much as I hates The Secret Garden when I was in elementary school. I couldn't stand it. Even if it is considered one of the best American fiction pieces to date. I really don't care and I don't recommend this book to anyone I didn't want to confuse and aggravate to pieces.

Shopping: Not Just for Girls!!!

We were making plans to go to an outlet mall today and were trying to decide whether or not to take my brother because he was being so negative. He said that he hated shopping and why should he go. But then my mom said that she wasn't going to buy anything for him unless he came because she wouldn't know what he liked and all of a sudden he found himself on a 45 minute drive to the outlet mall and it quickly became apparent that Adam did not mind shopping at all.... As long as it was for him, of course. While we were scouring the racks for great deals on hot clothes for him and helping him try on his finds he was in total heaven and totally OK with spending an hour or so in just one store, but as soon as we started looking for someone besides him, like myself or my mom, all of a sudden we were taking too long in the stores, he was hungry, he was tired, his back hurt, his feet were killing him. And I realized, it's not that he has a problem with shopping, it's that he has a problem if it isn't all about him! And I realized that most men are like this. Totally OK shopping for the stuff that they want or need (Home Depot and men's clothing, Best Buy, etc.) but as soon as it's the women's turn to think about someone other than them, shopping becomes a burden that they just can't handle...