Life changes quickly...

Each day goes by and it doesn't matter whether the individual day feels long or short, when I look back over the time that has passed, it seems that it has gone by so fast. This has been the case since the beginning of the year. Time has flown by. Some weeks feel long and some feel short - and when I am looking ahead, it seems that time will never pass. But then it does and I feel like maybe I have whiplash because it went so fast!

Things have been happening, on a small scale and on a larger scale as well.

Spring break has come and gone, and of course it didn't feel long enough. I've been keeping up well in my classes and not procrastinating (too much!), which is a bad habit of mine when it comes to school and homework. In fact, one of my classes finished before spring break started, and the other will stop meeting next week. Those are my journalism classes. I have three literature classes that will last until the end of the semester...

And then I graduate!

I got my cap and gown, even though I'm not walking, because I didn't have to pay extra for them. I also got my portrait taken, but I'm not buying the prints from this company because they are WAY to expensive.

The reason I'm not walking is that my family and our neighbors (who are like our adopted grandparents) are going to the Outer Banks and will get back on the day of the commencement ceremony. I'm really excited! We rented a beach house and everything. I've never been there, so it should be a lot of fun. It'll definitely be nice to get away for a while. My sisters and I and some friends are also planning a trip to Florida later in the summer, and I'm super excited about that, as well. I hope it works out!

Spring is here, and I'm definitely ready for it. We've had so major snowfalls since mid-December. I don't mind snow, but that's A LOT of it, and everything gets shut down and I can't get out to go anywhere (work or school) when there's that much snow.

I'm still working at Ukrop's, which has now changed hands and will eventually be called Martin's. Seems like Martin's will be a nice place to work, too. We'll see. I still only work there 1 day a week and work at New York Grill most of the rest of the time that I'm not in class. New managers came in to work in December and they are AWESOME.

On a bigger scale...things are changing very rapidly politically. The health care bill has been signed into law, BUT Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and some others are suing the federal government, essentially for breaking the law. Then there's all this hooplah with the militia group in Michigan which just happened to call itself "Christian," so of course the media is having a grand old time with that. All of it just makes me angry to think about.

Next week is Empty Holster Protest Week. I wish the VCU branch of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus was more active. April 12th is the 2nd Amendment March in Richmond and the 15th is the second annual Tea Party. I'm pretty excited about all these events and will probably write articles about them.

Speaking of my articles, check out my other blog, A Little Bit of Everything, to see what I've written. I've done quite a bit lately.

Writing this blog post is a better use of my time than this class. We're supposed to be talking about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight but...we spent 30 minutes talking about the possibility of football at VCU. My teacher for this class always rambles about totally unrelated stuff.

Movie class tonight! We're going to watch Romeo and Juliet, the old version. Hopefully it's interesting or I might just fall asleep!

Evolution

All my grammar teacher wanted to teach this morning, before reviewing for our exam, was evolution. So I decided to rant about it.

It always amazes me how hard people are willing to work, how much they are willing to twist their logic, and how far they are willing to stretch in order to shove God out of the picture. When they do, they end up with a confusing argument that makes no sense when you pick it apart logically.

I'm a lazy person. I don't want to have to do any more thinking than necessary. If I have to sit for hours and give myself a headache and throughly befuddle my brain to try to understand what you're saying - most likely I'm going to give up on it. That's how I feel about evolution. It just doesn't make sense to me. I'm not trying to be close-minded, that's just the way it is. Creation is SO much easier to believe - it all makes sense and fits together neatly with time lines, etc. Not to mention it's more interesting! Evolution is demeaning, weird, gross...whatever.

My teacher was trying to explain why all languages seem to have a common ancestor, and the fact that people all seem to be descended from one small group of humans. To me, that's easy! God created us and gave us the ability to speak - He's also the one Who gave the variety of languages at the Tower of Babel. Of course languages are all going to be similar. God created Adam and Eve, and everyone on earth is descended from those two people. It all falls into place, it's easy to believe, there are no holes, no stretching for excuses and trying to figure things out for hours until your brain is twisted in knots - it's all RIGHT THERE. When trying to explain it WITHOUT God, however, it's unbelievably confusing, there are holes, you have to work really hard to come up with excuses and then it just sounds...dumb?

If someone else wants to believe evolution, whatever. That's their prerogative. If they want to discuss it with me, that's fine. I'm willing to talk about it and discuss it. I'm willing to listen to their beliefs. I don't necessarily hold it against someone if they hold to evolution. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

BUT.

When you try to shove that belief down my throat, especially when you have no REAL evidence to support it, THEN I have a problem. I respect that you have a right to believe whatever you want. The LEAST you can do is respect that same right for me. If you want to discuss evolution with me, fine - be willing to accept that I'm going to disagree and want to discuss creation right back.

I believe in creation for the simple reason that God said that's what happened. And since God can't lie it's obviously true!

And, like I said, it's a LOT easier to believe for a simpleminded person like myself.

Boredom

Ever have a class when your teacher talks about stuff that's relevant to the class, but is obviously not going to be on the exam and isn't particularly interesting? That's what's happening to me right now.

I was having a hard time paying attention anyway, but now it's even worse. It doesn't help that I'm tired.

Sorry, I wasn't planning on whining and complaining when I started writing. That's just what's on my mind right now and I'm not sure what else to talk about at the moment.

I have to work later. I just want to go home and sleep. -.-

The Future

When trying to make decisions for my future, I generally look to my past experiences, when applicable. Even if it's not exactly the same kind of situation, there are things that I can learn from and principles I can apply.

As I prepare to graduate from college this spring, however, I feel as if I am starting completely from scratch. It's not that the slate has been wiped clean - more like I've been handed a completely new slate. This seems strange to me since the last few years of my life were to prepare me for the moment when I enter "the real world" (which is always pronounced with emphasis in a deep voice) and proceed to live my life. College is supposed to get you ready for your career and the rest of your life. I don't feel ready. Not in that sense anyway. Obviously the Lord is in control and I'm ready for anything in that way. But when I think past graduation I see nothing but a void. For so long (all my life really) things have been planned out. Even if the plans didn't always work exactly as I thought they would, there was still a structure and a plan. After graduation...what is there? A job? What job? What else is there?

It's times like these when I realize how amazingly thankful I am that the Lord is in control of my life and that He's given me incredible parents who will always be there for me, and my wonderful sisters and the rest of my family and friends. I know things will be okay and will work out. I may not know how, but I know that they will, and for now that's good enough.

23rd birthday and such

Sunday was my 23rd birthday! Some friends came over, along with my adopted grandparents, to celebrate with me.







Overall it was a quiet birthday, but very nice. My Grandma Sue in Florida sent me a little bean-filled Chucky doll as a gag gift. I HATE CHUCKY. At least she put some thought into it, though - she usually just goes to Dollar Tree. My parents got me a karaoke machine, Tonya and Naomi got me karaoke CDs, Kristin got me Speed Racer (the movie), Gramma got me a $25 Regal gift card (w00t w00t!), adopted grandparents got me a bracelet, and my friends that came gave me some money.

This is the second, and last, week of my intersession grammar class. I'm neither excited nor disappointed.

Lately I've found that I'm pretty much just taking things as they come, a day at a time. There are things I get excited about (like my birthday) but overall it's just whatever happens, happens. I don't feel apathetic about it, that's not it. I'm not sure what causes me to feel this way. Maybe because I know that the Lord's in control and this world will pass away. We've been studying eschatology (end times) lately and it's really making me think about things differently. But more on that later, maybe.

Tonya is getting her wisdom teeth out today. Poor thing. I feel bad for her.

2010

Happy new year, ladies and gentlemen.

I would love to have something inspirational and great to write, something that could be quoted throughout the year and even in years to come.

But I'm too tired.

So for now I'll just say that 2009 was a great year. It had it's down sides, but something good came out of them. I've grown a lot spiritually, and I realize more than ever before that I have a lot more growing left to do. I think the more I grow, the more I realize that. I was able to go to New Hampshire for the first time in years with my mom and sisters, and I went to the 9/12 March in DC in September. Both of those are events worth remembering, along with all the other smaller events I was involved with. I finished up the first half of my senior year at VCU, I got over my fear of driving a stick shift, and went camping in the snow. I lost a friend that I thought was one of my closest friends because of a difference of opinion; I was reminded how much that hurts, how difficult it can be to stand up for what I believe. I've had to reassess how important certain things are to me and what I'm willing to compromise on.

The list goes on and on and on. I guess the point is that each year (each day, each minute) is a gift from God and shouldn't be taken lightly. Even when something happens that seems to be bad, God is working it all for my good.

The future, as a rule, terrifies me. But that's when I look at it just through my own eyes and my own perception. When I rest in the Lord and remember that He is sovereign, suddenly it seems a whole lot brighter and I'm excited to see what He will do with my life. I'm not naive, I know it won't be easy. However, I will make it through because the Lord is on my side. If He is for me, who can be against me?

In conclusion, I'm eagerly awaiting whatever 2010 brings my way. Life's not always easy - usually it's not - but it's almost never boring. I have my family and my friends and, above all, my Heavenly Father.

2010 will be a good year.

New Blog?

I kind of want to make a new blog. In some ways I don't really want to because what would really be the point? Maybe if I just make this one look and function the way I want it to, then it would be more interesting for me to write and for others to read.

I guess I'm not really sure what I want.

Probably I'll end up trying to find a way to make this one look new, fail, and go back to complaining about it. ^_^

Most likely I will unlink this blog from my Facebook. Just FYI. Ye be warned.

I'll blog about more than just my blog soon.

"Unite or Die"

. . . I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery . . .

. . . If we wish to be free . . . we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

. . . They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? . . . Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.... Read More

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

. . . Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

-Patrick Henry

In addition...

I want to think of ways to make my blog nicer...any tips?

Wasting my time...

I've been at VCU for 2 years now. Hopefully I'll be graduating in the spring. Right now I feel like I'm wasting my time. My mass comm classes are so repetitive and BORING and they're not teaching me anything new! I enjoy my English classes, and I'm wishing I had been an English major.

I'm just really frustrated with school right now. My copyediting class is like a basic, 2nd grade grammar class. My specialized project reporting teacher doesn't know what the heck she's doing, which means we have no idea what's going on either. I've been doing okay in my reporting class so far, but I'm not sure how. I feel so lost.

On top of that, I need a new job. I think my boss at NY Grill is trying to get me to quit. She seems very uncomfortable around me ever since she fired my sister. She hardly talks to me, and when she does open her mouth I usually wind up irritated. And next week they cut my hours. If they do that again the week after, I'm going to ask them about it. I haven't done anything wrong and I'm tired of being treated like I have.

That's about all that's going on in my life...sorry to complain. I just have a lot of pent up frustration and I want to just GET AWAY FROM IT ALL.

I am still alive!

I know that I have sadly neglected my online presence over the summer, except for Facebook Mobile and Twitter, and for that I apologize most profusely! I haven't written in my journal for most of the summer, either, if that makes you feel better. ^_^

The summer was mostly uneventful anyway. I went to New Hampshire with my mom and sisters for a week, saw a bunch of family and even met some cousins I didn't know I had. That was pretty cool and I took TONS of photos. I worked at Kings Dominion again for a few weekends, but then I got a job as a waitress at a place called New York Grill, so I quit Kings Dominion. I couldn't have taken KD for another summer anyway. I'm still waitressing at NY Grill and I'm also still cashiering at Ukrop's in Mechanicsville.

I was planning to take a class over the summer, but it was cancelled. I'm so sick of VCU screwing up my schedule. >.<

Other than that I've just been working. I still can't believe that summer is over, it went by so fast. I know it would but I still can't get used to how fast time goes. I went to a few free movies at the theater with my sisters and friends - that was nice. ^_^

School started today. I've been to two classes so far, my mass comm classes, and neither of those seems like fun. Especially my special project reporting class. I think I will probably want to shoot myself before this semester is over. But last semester was the hardest yet and I made it through that one, so I'm sure I can make it through this one. I hope I can meet my goal of straight A's! I have my two English classes this evening. The first is a creative writing fiction class and the other is an 18th century British lit class. I'm looking forward to those more than the mass comm ones - I'm hoping they'll be fun. It's about time I had some fun classes!

Until those classes start, I'm hanging out online! In a few minutes I'm going to the office to try to get some answers about the internship deadlines - which reminds me I didn't tell you about my internship I'm doing at a radio station, WRVA, with Doc Thompson. I'm excited and nervous. I just hope I like it and they like me and it's not hard.

I'm hoping to keep up with online stuff much better during the semester since I have access to the internet AND it's hi-speed. ^_^

Tonya was going to have her birthday party today. Only one person who was invited and one person who wasn't showed (out of 5 invited). FAIL.

Another tea party video

For our final broadcast journalism project, my group covered the Richmond Tea Party! Here's our video that we did. Please comment, rate, let me know what you think.

Where are my readers?

I used to have so many people reading my blog and commenting, once upon a time. They have all disappeared now. I think it's because it was so long of a time period that I didn't blog, so they probably lost interest. That makes me sad. *sigh*

My blog is very boring, anyway. I just ramble about nothing important. I have all my important news stories and everything in another blog. I'm going to start another blog that's a little different, it'll be news related info, but more of a commentary than hard news stories. And so this one is for rambling.

And of course it imports automatically into Facebook for all my friends to read, there, but I think I'm going to stop that.

I'm so ready for this semester to be over now.

Bored...

In class.

BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED

Teacher rambling 45 minutes about convergence. We learned about this in like 3 other classes.

And I'm bored with my blog. Any suggestions for spicing it up?

Empty Holster Protest Week - got mine, you got yours?

Richmond Tea Party

This evening I will be attending the Richmond Tea Party. I'm both excited and nervous because I am the Citizen Journalist. I won this position by submitting my video "Why I Joined the Tea Party!" to the contest. Video is below and basically explains it all!

The Richmond Tax Day Tea Party is 6:00-7:30 downtown at Kanawha Plaza, near the Federal Reserve. Directions are parking info are on the Web site. Please come, and come say hi to me if you read my blog. ^_^

So now I can update my blog from my phone! But usually I won't. It's the same thing as Twitter, and I already have that widget up.

Want to go back to the weekend

I'm wearing my Snoopy "I should have stayed in bed T-shirt" and that pretty much describes how I feel.

This week is going to be very hectic. I start working at KD on Friday, but I'll still be working at Ukrop's, too. AND of course I have school. So I'm trying to juggle all that and not lose my sanity.

It can be difficult.

Mostly I'm doing okay though. I like my classes, for the most part, and I'm doing well keeping up with homework. I'm not procrastinating as much this semester, which is a REALLY good thing. At least I don't have that to stress me out, too, on top of everything else.

Trying to figure out what classes to take in the fall and spring and hopefully get everything DONE is also kind of a pain. I should (key word: should) be able to get all my required mass communications classes done with no problem, but I need some more upper-level classes that are NOT mass comm. So I have to figure out what to take.

*sigh*

Must go do homework now, so I can go eat lunch.

VCU students struggle for jobs, internships - News

This article was published in the Commonwealth Times: VCU students struggle for jobs, internships - News

I hate resumes

Just for the record, I hate resumes. Actually I just hate my resume. I hate doing stuff with it. I hate looking at it. I hate trying to make it look more interesting/creative/professional.

IT'S BORING.