7 Months later

Wow, so I read my last blog and realized first how long it'd been since I've written and with that, how much has changed....

Spring and summer have come and gone, we are now in fall. In the last 7 months not too much has changed, just riding the ride of life. This past summer I went to New Orleans all by myself on a missions trip, not with a church! It was one of the most adventurous things I've ever done, and don't regret it at all. The trip helped me grow as an individual, meet amazing people, and make new lifelong friend. Even though I didn't grow much in my relationship with Christ, I did have to put my trust in Him throughout the process of planning of the trip and while on the actual trip. After going on the trip, I am excited to go on more trips and adventures, either by myself or with a group. I used to always want to go on trips, but too scared and nervous to do it alone. I have now proven to myself I am fully capable of doing things solo.

Even though I didn't work at all this summer, I had a blast going through 13 states with my best friend and visiting her in GA. As I've said before, I love to travel, and the two trips to GA met my desire! I also went to Disneyland with one of my favorite families and my nephew. It gave me a new appreciation of parenting as we had 3 kids under five, even with 5 adults. :) But I had a blast! Disneyland is seriously the Happiest Place on Earth.

At the end of summer, after studying all summer long-including on my 3000 mile trip in a truck riding middle seat- across county, and studying old school- reading three textbooks front to back, I took my ACSM Personal Training exam. I was so nervous for it, but my hard work paid off once again, and I passed! It's one of the top certified organizations, so a great credential to have. My goal is to personal train while teaching, and maybe one day open my own gym.

This brings me to what I'm up to now.... I am now in my last year of college-surreal!!! I have decided to drop my Psych minor in order to get outta here in May, with the addition of 3 summer classes. I just am so ready to get out of college and start teaching. Even though I know I'll miss it once I'm gone, I miss the West Side of WA soooo much! And I'm also done with the whole college scene-the drinking, partying, immaturity, and drama. I know all of this will be an ongoing encounter throughout my life, but it's hard to avoid when it's all you're surrounded by in college.

I can't wait to get home and start student teaching! I hear from my friends I'll love it, at least they are. I know I'll love it as that's where my passion is. After student teaching, I plan to continue my education by taking evening classes-either to finish my psych minor, or work on some other endorsement. I also have another plan/adventure/goal, I want to accomplish the spring after student teaching, but I need to run it by the parents before posting it online! But I'll try to keep this updated more. :)

I ran across a quote lately, "Never get to a place in your walk where you're satisfied and don't make the effort to become stronger in it. There's always another level for you to reach to!" This quote is applicable to everyone, and for someone who is always driven and goal oriented, it is a great motto for me to live by! Another quote I have up in my apartment is, "chase your dreams", a simple saying, yet can mean so much. For me, it reminds me why I need to continue to work my butt off here at school, and why I work so hard. It is so that I can someday teach students how to stay healthy and active for life-emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.

My goal in life is to simply make a difference! Even though I know I want to teach, who knows if that's what I'll do for the 40 years of my professional life. I also want to own my own gym, work with youth in a church-which I want to do starting in fall when I go home!!!, and travel.

Well that's a lil update with me, just felt like writing. Hopefully I'll remember to log in soon.

Tunnel of Oppression

Every year the Residence Life Department puts on an exhibit/program about oppression. It is held in one of the residence halls. Throughout the building, in McCroskey it's in the basement, are rooms with displaying different types of oppression. Some rooms are like exhibits with information on the walls, silent videos playing to watch, just like a museum. Other rooms have skits that people are performing for you to watch. The types of oppression that were displayed this year were: Genocide, sweatshops & poverty, abuse, homosexuality, mental and physical disabilities, veterans, and body image.

I have gone to the Tunnel every year since I've been here at WSU and each time I come away with something new. This year, the mental and physical disabilities room and veterans room touched me the most. They both hit home. The mental and physical disabilities room had statistics about different disabilities and such. I think this room hit home for me more this year than previous years is because I'm in a Special Ed class in the educaiton program. I am learning all about disabilities, politics, and the students who have learning disabilities. One statistic that struck me was "70% of teachers who hear putdowns in their classroom do nothing about it!" It blew my mind, 70% is a huge amount, way too many teachers are turning their head when they hear things they don't want to hear. How are we suppose to teach kids how to be decent people when teachers can't step up and tell the kid the difference between right and wrong? Being a teacher is much more than giving tests, homework, and a grade for the report card. A teacher is another mentor for students. We need to teach kids life skills, how to grow up and be decent human beings in society. The fact that 70% of teachers are not manning up to telling students that what they said is wrong, is horrible. I do not want to be part of that statistic, as a teacher or as a human being. I want to be the person/teacher who is man enough to step up and put the kid in their place. To tell them that what they said is wrong, and not only that it is wrong, but WHY it is wrong. Many kids hate being told what to do and that they are wrong because they are not told a REASON on WHY they are wrong. Kids need/want an explanations. My goal is to set expectations in the beginning of the year with my students so that they know what is not acceptable in my classroom.

Another room that hit home for me as I said was the Veteran's room. A monologue was being read as we walked through the room reading facts and info about our Veterans. I am reading a book about Pat Tillman, the NFL FB player who went to Afghanistain and got killed, so veterans has been on my mind recently. I think as a society we take our Veterans for granted. Many of us do not realize that we have 20 year olds walking around who are already Veterans. There are some here at WSU going to school. Being a veteran doesn't mean you got wounded in battle, it means that you went and served our country, one of the highest honors a person can do, I believe. With this said, how many of us can say we have thanked our veterans? I am sorry to say that I don't think I have ever personally thanked one. That is sad considering I have 3 cousins who have served, one currently in Afghanistan, and 2 grandfather's who have served in the wars. Next time I see my grandpa and my counsins, I need to thank them. It might sound cheesy, but it is the least we can do for them. Yes, it might have been years ago that the veteran you know has served, but the two words of "thank you" will still hit home for them and I can guarantee they will take it to heart.

The Tunnel also gave me motivation and inspiration to try to do something about the oppressions that are prominent. I am only one person, but even saying thank you to a veteran or helping a disabled-physically or mentally- can help disolve the oppressions that are alive today. So please, as you go on your daily life, keep in mind that your life isn't that bad. Are you able to read the daily paper? Go for a run? Listen to your favorite song? See the sunset? Have no battle wounds-physically or emotionally? Go to your job where you get paid 5 digits? Think about it.... we don't have it so bad after all.

Election 2008

Last night, was one of the most historic nights in our Nation's history. It has taken us forty plus years, but we now have a colored leader of our country, Mr. Barack Obama. On the news this morning, they showed clips of a church down in GA, a black church specifically, and the reactions that they had gave me goosebumps. One mother stated something to the point of "my daughter will live knowing that it is possible to be black and become president!" What an amazing statement. While all elections are about the political side, I feel like this election is more than just pure politics. It is a move forward in our fight of segregation, that yes, still exists.

I have never been one to stay on top of politics and the news. But starting today, with a new presidential election just completed, my first to partake in, I am going to make a conscious effort to stay informed. It's hard to do with being so busy with school, work and life. But I know that with some effort, I can find 20 minutes in my day to read the paper. I hate not knowing what's going on in our world, and I can only blame myself for not staying on top of it. With all the media and technology there is no excuse to NOT know! So starting today, I will do my best to be an informed and active US citizen.

This Holiday Season

The holiday season upon us, as it is already November, and the holiday season makes me think about family. I know I have written how blessed I am to have a family. Having a family at all is a blessing. Having a family who loves me unconditionally and supports me in all I do, is more than I could ask for. I love my family unconditionally as well, no matter what they are going through. I know while I am at school I don't always realize just how much I miss them. That is until I talk to my lil Logan on the phone, or hear a song that reminds me of my dad. Or like today when I got a picture text from Kell of Logan. He is so grown up, I can't wait to see him! Lil Kylie Mae is also growing, now crawling. It makes me sad that I'm missing it, but realize that I have my own life now. I am not only a daughter, auntie, and sister, i'm also a college student. While I am not physically there to be a daughter, auntie or sister, I am always with them in thought and prayer. Technology also helps me stay "connected"!

This holiday season, my goal is to not necessarily "buy" my family the "Best gift", but to "give" them the best gift. I feel that gift is by giving and showing the love and appreciation I have for them. To show them how much they mean to me. I also want to spread this gift to my friends and to people in general. Today's society gets so caught up in the "buying of gifts" and not of the "giving". Giving love and appreciation can mean more than any monetary gift ever can. I plan to give this gift my doing small little deeds everyday, as well as actually telling the people I care about how I feel. Since my time at home is short, I also want to spend as much time with my family and friends as I can. This can be just playing with Logan for the day, but to me, and I know to him, it can mean the world! Nothin can replace quality time with family and friends, especially during the holiday season.

So with this new holiday season upon us, I challenge all of us to stay positive, be gracious, do not take advantage of what and who you have in your life. Appreciate everyone around you, tell them how you feel, and spend time with them! As I've said before, cause in the end, it's my family who will always be there for me. What better way to say thank you than spending time with them and appreciating all I have.

Growing up

Last Saturday night I went out and met up with my friend Jeff and his 2 buddies. I'd never met these guys before so were new friends! We were driving around trying to find something to do, somewhere to go. After not finding anything Joe and Miles, Jeff's friends, had the genius idea of going to Mike's bar. I asked them, "so how is this going to work?" and they reply "well you're going to take off your shirt!". I said "no way!" So we go in and know that Jeff isn't going ot get in, its only 930 and was empty. Joe, Miles and I go in and they order drinks, I don't, just chill. Jeff then gets a call from a friend who wants him to go pick her up and hang out. So I ask him if he'll be back and he said, "not immediately". I said that "I'll stay". I wasnt' about to go with him while he hangs out with some girl I don't know. So there I was with 2 guys I just met, with no one else I knew around. This is so unlike me, yet I was comfortale and having fun. Joe and Miles' friends met up with us there, it was her birthday and the guys had to buy her a round. I then met 3 more people, Katie, Houla(Katie's best friend from Seattle) and Freeman. The girls were great, so fun and again comfortable to be around!

It was so refreshing to hang out with a group who are a lil older and who are over the "whoo hoo" of being in college. We went downstairs and danced, even though I was sober the whole night, I actually danced, and I don't usually dance! There I was sober, only 2 beers in me, in the cage and dancin! It was so fun though. Katie and Houla got up in the cage and then Mile's was like "well we gotta get you up there too!" Me-"really?!" He was ready to give me a boost up, but I don't like help, and being my independent self, I grabbed the two poles, and hoisted myself up. Then Miles got up there and we were all dancin like crazy. Good time!

Saturday night I kept thinking "wow, I never do things like this". "This" being hanging out with people I don't know, with nobody else that I know, dancing, let alone dancing in the cage, and overall, being comfortable with it all and having a blast. I am glad I was able to experience all of it. I proved to myself that I can branch out, on my own, have fun, be myself and be comfortable even when I don't have anyone else I know, or a someone to turn to to rely on to talk to. All in all it was a good time! I'm looking forward to going out again, havin fun, and meeting new people.

College is like traveling

One of my friends and I, Jessica, were talking about how we both want a break from work, school work, office work, all work! We both love to travel and we were talking about how we want to go on a vacation. I started thinking about it, and I came up with an analogy for college. College is like traveling. By no means is it a vacation, well I guess it could be in a way. I'll start with traveling... to go on a trip, you need to plan where you're going, what you want to do while you're there, where you're going to stay, how you're going to pay for it, and how you are going to get there.

This preliminary work is the same process I needed to go through to get here in college. I had to plan what school I wanted to go to, try to have some idea of what to study (that has changed many times!), how to pay for it (thank goodness for the RA job), and how to transport myself to college, (thanks Mom and Dad for my car!!!).

While traveling, I also get stressed out (I am my father's daughter) because of all of the people, all the paperwork that needs to be done, is my ticket in my purse, lost luggage, and oh, do I have all my kids, family, and/or group? While I don't have kids of my own, I have traveled and flown with children in tow. Once with my sister, dad, niece and nephew. Logan was 4 and Kylie was still a babe. The other time was with Jessica and Robb when their girls were 2 and an infant. Even though none of these kids are my own, I feel like they are, and feel the need to always keep an eye on them. That's also the type of person I am, I always like to keep track of the group i'm with. I have also traveled with a big group, again with Jessica ;). Keeping track of 15 teenagers is almost impossible but can be done! But once I hit my destination, my stress, if not gone, is less. Even if I am still stressed about the people I'm with, at least the initial stress of traveling is gone.

Anyways.... so you have the stress of traveling. This stress can be related to college. Stress is always in my life, whether it's stressing about a test, or how I am going to get everything done in 24 hours, or oh crap, I still need to call my family and let them know I'm alive!! Stress never totally goes away as there is always something to worry about. However, I try to relieve that stress my either workingout (my favorite), journaling, reading a magazine, or praying. This helps me relieve the stress of daily life.

While on a trip, or traveling, I always meet new people, have new adventures and experiences, and see new places. Even if it is somewhere I've been before I am bound to see something new, experience something different or meet a new person during my trip. College is no different! I sometimes think, man Pullman, there's nothing here. But in reality, I just need to go outside, walk around campus, or go hang out with friends, and I will see new places, try new things, have new adventures. All of this will happen without being fully planned out. I have realized that what may seem as a fun night of hanging out wiht an old friend, can turn into a night full of new places, people, and adventures. I will elaborate more about this in my next blog.

So that is my analogy of traveling and college. College is like traveling, I pack to go to school or on vacation, transport myself to the location, stress out while getting there or while there, unpack at school or vacation location, experience new things, meet new people, and then pack back up for home-either at the end of the vacation or end of the school year.

Hmmm

Lately I have thought about getting a tattoo. I know it's not something people would imagine me having, but I've been contemplating the idea. Now, the action of me actually going through with this, I'm not sure yet. I first have to research the tattooing process, prices, and what I want. I am thinking of having the words strength, family, and love stacked on top of each other in Hebrew on the outer side of my upper thigh. Family is my core and they provide me both strength and love. I also think I want the words courage and faith in Hebrew on the inside of my wrists. They are two words that I try to live by and I believe they are why I am here today. I would want to get the tattoo on my thigh first because it shouldn't hurt as much and it can be hidden a lot easier. Both of these tattoos would mean something to me and be reminders of how I want to live my life. I want it in Hebrew because it's different than the popular Chinese tattoos and Hebrew is a more religious language, and Christ is my reason for living. I know tattoos are expensive, so I'd have to start saving now. I am also thinking that if I actually do it, I want to do it in San Diego when down there with Jessica and Robb.

In May, I hope to go meet Jessica and Robb down in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend. I've never been there and it'd be a vacation weekend for me. I'm staying in Pullman all summer for summer school. I'm going to get the equivalent of a semester done in a summer, 12 credits. I'll also be working at the REC and also plan to study for my personal training certification during the summer. So Memorial weekend would be a nice break, even if for only 2 days! I have to start saving for that now!! Man glad I have a job with money coming in.

I've done some more thinking about grad school and I have added UIdaho to my list. I love it out here and they offer the exercise program too. They also offer a minor in coaching, something that the other schools don't offer. I really want to get that minor because I want to get into coaching and having that background would be great to have. Especially if I really do the strength and conditioning coach career. But it'll come down to what school is more affordable in the end.

I just want to get submerged into the fitness arena and so I just finished a training to become a fitness instructor. I start shadowing/observing a step and cardio kickboxing class. I get to participate it in too. If I am able to get the class down well enough, then I can start teaching kickboxing as early as November. I guess the current teacher is only able to teach till Nov and so they'll need another teacher. Since I'm the one shadowing I get first chances at teaching it. It's going to be hard to learn though, takes a lot of work and practice I know. At the training all of us just did a 5 min thing of leading the groupe through a couple muscle conditioning exercises using the microphone. It's a lot harder than it looks. I need to explain what we're doing, how to do it, count the reps in my head and explain other variations of the exercise as well as keep them motivated. It's a lot to do all at once, oh and I have to be doing the exercises. But with practice I know I'll be able to do it. It'll also help my fitness level and controlling my breathing because along with breathing I need to be able to talk at the same time. Being a fitness instructor, I get paid more and it's what I really wanna do, more than just working at the front desk of the REC as I do now. Then as I mentioned earlier, I want to get my personal training cert hopefully this summer so I can start training in the fall. It's all a part of getting involved in the career field that I see myself in!

Yeah, I guess these are the most recent things I've been thinking about. Other than that I've been staying busy with school and RA, mainly school. Chem is annoying and time consuming, getting hard too. I am ready for the weekend. After tomorrow, I'll be better. Speaking of chem though, I better go and get back to it!

Education

My dad always told me that "school is your job". This is so true. While students don't get paid with money, they get paid with knowledge. Yea, this can sound cheesy but it's true. The knowledge and experiences that a student gains at school, helps mold them into the person who will become our presidents, CEO's, doctors, plumbers, engineers, teachers, lawyers, the list is never ending.

It has been said, and I'll say it again, education is a privilage. Ever think about those in a 3rd world country who have to work 16 hours a day their whole life never knowing what school really is? Shoot, think about those students who live here in the U.S. who need to work and go to school? How do they do it all? Then there are the "slacker" kids who are always complaining about this that and the other. They have nothing to complain about. They are in school to better themselves, and they don't even realize it. I realize that the education system is not perfect by any means. But it sure beats sitting on your ass all day doing nothing.

I don't understand those people who are able to sit and do nothing all day, day in and day out. God has given you this gift of life and so to not use it is in lack of better words dumb. Engaging yourself with other people, environments, and situations makes you grow into a more rounded person. When a student is at school, they encounter all of this and more. A student not only learns the textbook information, or as we're learning in class, the information that allows them to meet the ridiculous testing standards, they learn real life skills, probably without even knowing it.

I know this blog has gone a different direction, I don't really know my point, just random I guess. But to sum my thouhgts up in a general statement...

We only live once, so we need to make it worthwhile! We need to keep ourselves engaged-intellectually, emotionally, and physically, don't take this for granted, like education, help each other out, do our best, and never give up!

Family

I was on my Myspace checking out an old blog I wrote right after my Papaw passed away. While reading it I realized how much I miss him. It reminds me just how important family is to me. They are the ones who helped me shape me into the person who I am. My family is also what keeps me going when I'm unmotivated or going through a rough time. When I don't want to continue with my homework, like right now, I always think of Papaw, Memaw, my cousins-Bill, Mike and Rob, and of course my parents, and Logan, but especially Papaw and Memaw, and know that they're watching me. I don't want to disappoint them, so I know that I must keep truckin on. We, they're grandchildren, were their pride and joy and the last thing in the world I want to do is to disappoint my family.

At the end of the day, no matter how bad my day was, or who I'm unhappy with, I always know that I have my family there for me. Of course I have friends too, don't get me wrong. But it is my family who has been there from the start, and for me that start was rough. Three months in the hospital and a hard first few years couldn't have been possible without the support and love of my family, especially my parents. As I write this Mom and Dad are in London, as Dad had to go for work. Mom, obviously didn't have to go. But who wouldn't turn down a trip to London! They also deserve a trip across the world together. They never did go on vacations just the 2 of them when raising our family. And now that Kell and I are out of the house, it is definetly their time to enjoy life for all its worth! They deserve it, 24 years of raising a family is hard work, especially between Kell and I (for different reasons :)).

While my family is small, 5 cousins in all, no step-siblings, I wouldn't ask for it any other way. It is all I've known and it's great. I feel close to my parents, sister, nephew, niece, all my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I don't think everyone can say that about their family. Now after writing this, I realize that I fall short of keeping in touch with all of my family. So starting now, i am going to try to keep in touch better. Even if it's a short email or call, it's worth it. Because all in all, no one knows when it will be our last day!

Yea, that's all. I'm just thankful for a wonderful family who I know i can always call on! I love you!

George Carlin's Words of Wisdom

Today I had to present a Cultural piece in my T&L Cultural and Context class. This cultural piece had to be meaningful to me and somehow represents who I am. I chose to present an email forward I've received. It's George Carlin and what I think of his Words of Wisdom. I like this piece because it's not only a great message but it's a great reminder for all of us. It helps me keep things in perspective and reminds me of why we are all here. So often I find myself running around with my head chopped off, not realizing that it's not the business that matters, but it's the people who you have given time to and who you personally touch taht matters. I haven't watched George Carlin before, but I am not intrigued to go on the wonderful site of youtube and look him up. I've heard he's great! So here is his standup piece:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller bulidings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too litttle, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced out values. We talk to much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new nighbor. We conquered outerspace but not innerspace.
We've done larger thing, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one nightstands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose to either share this insight or ignore it.
Remember: Spend some time wtih your lobed ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to teh one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measure by the number of breath we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.