READY!

Today is my last day of work for two weeks. I'm ready for a break but I'm sure I'll be bored by next week. I also found out a couple of days ago that I got an internship at the Wichita Magazine so I'm really excited about that. This upcoming semester, I have at least 3 trips that I will be going on. It might be more but I know it will be at least 3. The first one I am going on is to College Station, TX for a leadership conference. This one is the first week that school starts so I will miss my classes on that Thursday but I don't have any classes on Friday so it worked out for that. The second will be the week after. I'm going to Louisiana because my great-grandmother is turning 90! I'm really excited! And the third will be the last week in February. I'm going to the Big 12 conference in Lawrence. I hope I have the money to attend all of these because I know that it will be a lot of fun!

Have a great break everyone! :-)

Last Night

Last night we had a Christmas party for AASA. It was a blast!!! We had food (mostly sweets) and sparkling grape punch. I brought some games but we had more fun just hanging out and talking. Once the guys left, the girls got together and played truth or dare. That was a lot of fun. It was almost as if we were back in high school and having a slumber party! I haven't had that much fun in a long time. And the best part about it is that it was free! And I got to hang out with my friends and just relax and have a good time. We've made a pact to do things like this more often, even if it's not around the holiday.

I Can Almost Breathe

Well, the semester is just about over for me. I took my Spanish final on Saturday (which almost killed me) and I turned in my Editing for Print final project today. I didn't do much in terms of homework this weekend, or I could have been finished today! I just needed a bit of a break this weekend. I was worn out! Tomorrow, I am going to turn in my three final stories for Beat Reporting and my final pictures for Photojournalism. Then I'm turning in my books and saying hello to a much needed break!

Oh, and on the try-outs for the Wichita Wild, I didn't make it but the coach said they are having another try-out in the middle of January and she would like to have me try-out again. She gave me a few things to work on so I can improve my technique.
Other than that, my weekend was really relaxing. I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet but I'm hoping to start sometime this week. I can't spend too much because I'm saving for upcoming trips.

It's 8 degrees outside so bundle up! :)

One More Day!

Tomorrow morning I have my Spanish final...at 8 a.m.!!! Why are they so cruel? (ha) But I'll be glad to get it over with. I turn in my final law paper today by 4 p.m. then I have a Photojournalism and Editing for Print project due on Monday, which will be a piece of cake, then I'm done with classes for the semester!! My Editing for Print project is already done but I want to take it to Kinko's and get it printed on their computer. My photojournalism project won't be difficult at all. It's just a matter of taking three good pictures and writing a one-sentence description for them. YES! I'm so glad to be almost done!

Also tomorrow, I have the final auditions for the Wichita Wild Dance Team. It's going to be at Towne West mall. I'm nervous but excited at the same time. On Monday, I have an interview at the Wichita Magazine to be an intern. I'm really excited about that one because that is where I could possibly work after I graduate. I will write and let you know how everything goes.

Running the Last Mile

It's so close to the end of the semester, I can see the finish line! I can not wait for this semester to be over. These last few weeks have had me on the verge of tears but I'm making it through. I hope this week won't be as bad. I have a few projects and test left but my main one is on Saturday morning at 8 a.m.! To that, I only have one question: who is the cruel person who scheduled a Spanish final on a Saturday morning?!? I've been trying really hard to get the hang of all the Spanish concepts I need but I'm still having a lot of trouble. Hopefully I can get it together, at least a little bit more, before Saturday. Other than that, Beat Reporting was officially over for me today when I turned in my final project, which was a story over Miss Kansas (and if you don't know anything about her, look her up. She's a very unique person).

This weekend, I tried out for the Wichita Wild dance team. It really wasn't what I expected but I made the first round. Final auditions are this Saturday at Towne West Mall. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. I'm not comfortable doing an audition in front of a crowd, especially at the mall during Christmas time. That's really intimidating. We have practice on Wednesday and Thursday night but they are still looking for more girls to participate. I hope I make it. I haven't danced in a while and I'm excited to start up again.

Failed Workout

I have a tendency to start something with great ambition and, in the midst of it, fall short due to laziness. This is no different with my new workout plan. I started out so well, exercising at least 4 times a week. This week, so far, I have not worked out at all. As a matter of fact, I haven't worked out since last Tuesday. I've been really busy and not feeling my best. This is a bad time to get sick because finals are rapidly approaching. I plan on taking my Little to the Heskett Center to work out with me tonight. I don't plan on staying very long now because I have 3 papers to finish before tomorrow. One of them being a 10-page paper.

This week has been extremely busy. I've made out a "to do" list for myself and crossed out six things but it still doesn't seem to be getting smaller. Although I have a lot of studying to do this weekend, I'm hoping to be able to take a small break!

Another Recap

I had a good Thanksgiving break. I didn't eat too much and I had a lot of fun with my family and friends. The best part about the break was spending time with my nephew. He's three and hilarious to be around! I studied and did some homework, not too much though. I was sad when I seen the clock roll to midnight and realize I had to get up for classes this morning. It's refreshing to know that I only have about two weeks left until the semester is officially over!

Also over break, I went on a few dates with a guy that I have been talking to. It was a lot of fun. We went to the movies, out to eat, to get ice cream, bowling, and to the mall. It was great! I also met his little brother who's 8. We watched Spongebob and had a good time.

Today, I ran into another problem with student housing, but what made it worse was that now it was also a problem with financial aid. I've been extremely frustrated but hopefully it's taken care of now. I just hope I don't run into this problem again next semester.

Tonight I will be spending a majority of my time writing papers after my meeting. Then it's off to bed so I can get up early and work out.

:)

And the Pain Begins

I don't know if I stated this before, but I used to dance. I did jazz, tap and ballet for a total of 16 years. I ripped ligaments in my left knee twice, once in high school and once when I danced at KU. I haven't danced or really even worked out for over a year. I've gained quite a lot and have lost a lot of flexibility. I recently got an invitation to tryout for the Wichita Wild Dance Team. I've thought about it a lot and I really miss dancing so I think I'm going to tryout.

Getting back in shape is not fun, whatsoever! My entire body aches! I just started working out again last week and just started abs and stretches yesterday. When I woke up, this morning, my body did not want to move (ha)! I'm hoping some of the soreness will be gone by Saturday so I can start practicing old dances. The first part of the tryout is on Dec. 6th. I'm nervous because I'm not exactly sure what they are looking for. I'll keep you posted on my progress as I get ready for the tryout next weekend.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ending on a Good Note...

Well, the semester is winding down and I feel more stressed than ever! I have a bunch of assignments and projects due and papers seem to be coming out of my ears! And to add even more stress on myself, I'm taking the GRE this Saturday. There goes my relaxing Thanksgiving break.

On a good note, I'm actually starting to understand Spanish more. I've been studying more and a classmate gave me about 50 pages of helpful language tips. I really hope to do better in all my classes but especially this one. Who knows, I might even go to Mexico or Spain one of these years and use my skills!

Dancing is Fun

Last night, I took my Little to my mom's house and we had a dance competition. It was a blast! She loved it! She taught me a few dances and told me that dancing always made her happy when she's in a bad mood. I'm glad I was matched with someone who has similar interest to mine. We have a lot in common and had a good time yesterday. We also ate pizza and took pictures! She wants to do it again soon so hopefully we can!

I'm Having Withdrawals

I started going to the gym on Wednesday. I really hadn't worked out in about a year or so and realized that I needed to exercise. All I was eating was fast food and pizza, which isn't healthy at all! I haven't had any fast food since Monday and I'm already having withdrawals. I wish I could just go to Burger King and get a cheeseburger but I'm trying to fight the urge!

Since April, I've gained about 24 pounds. I don't think I'm fat but I'm just not happy with how much I gained in a short time span. All I can say is that my legs are killing me! I've been doing ab workouts as well but I don't think I'm doing something right because they don't really burn or hurt. I'm not concerned about the overall number of my weight, I'm just not happy that I'm not "fit" anymore. Hopefully I can get back into shape soon!

Tonight, I'm picking up my Little and we're going to my mom's house. She had fun the last time we were over there and wants to go back. My sister taught her a dance and she loved it! My mom said that she would order pizza but I think I'm just going to take a salad or something. I don't want to deviate away from my workout goal right now. Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend!

Spring Enrollment

After this semester, I have one semester left until I graduate. There are only 4 classes that I need to take and only 1 class of each offered Spring semester. On Monday, Spring enrollment started with seniors. I thought I could enroll without any trouble. WRONG! It seems that our wonderful computer technology at campus housing conveniently forgot to charge me for fall semester in August when the rest of my charges were put on so they charged me at the end of October...OVER $2,000!!! This put a hold on my account, which basically meant I could not enroll until it was paid off.

Naturally, you can understand my frustration. These classes will fill up quickly because there is only one of each offered next semester and if you don't meet the requirements, you can't graduate. I went to housing, along with my mother, and we tried to get it figured out. It appears that the computer put it on my bill in August but forgot to take it out of my financial aid, scholarships and loans. So I thought it had been paid for but it was a computer error. I didn't have a reason to look at my account through WSU and I never received a notice telling me I had a hold so I had no idea I couldn't enroll.

In the end, because it was their mistake, housing took the hold off so I could enroll. I now have all the classes I need to graduate in May but still a bit aggravated that it happened in the first place. I have to come up with an extra $2,000 before next semester or the hold will be put back on there.

Oh, and my Spanish test was not great but it wasn't horrible either. I did better on this one then I did on the last two. Only one test left...the final! I can't wait!

What Spanish Test?!?

I have another Spanish test today, I'm not looking forward to it. I was trying to think of ways to postpone the test such as saying "what test?" or "I thought it was next Friday!" but I figured none of those would work. All I can do is my best but I'm afraid that today I might not do my best. I'm on the border line between two grades and I don't want the lower one. I've studied but that never seems to be enough for this class. Well, I guess I'll have to let you know what happens on Monday.

This weekend will hopefully be relaxing. I'm hanging out with a new friend tonight and going to a comedy show. It should be really good. I'll be doing homework but it shouldn't take up the entire weekend. I'm also going to my first Shocker basketball game on Sunday! I'm excited!!

Have a good one!

Who took my focus?!

This is not the time for me to lose focus or to start slacking, but that is exactly what I have been doing this week. I'm worn out! School is taking a toll on me and I just want to sleep but I know I need to focus right now. I have a Spanish test on Friday and it's the last one before the final. I am going to try my hardest to get a better grade on this one. I have a presentation to give in my speech class tomorrow and procrastination has taken over! I haven't done anything to start the speech. I also have a few papers due that are not done yet. I'm really slacking and this is not the time to be. I'll get it together though. I just wish I had more time to do everything. I need 30 hours in a day instead of 24.

Today, I'm going to pick up my Little after work. We're going to my mom's house to eat dinner. It should be fun because my mom has a couple dogs and she loves animals. As soon as I take her home, I am going to get right into my homework! I really need to get everything done!

My 3 Favorite F's

Today it felt like winter is nearing. I can't wait! Winter is my favorite season. Holidays are right around the corner. I can't wait! This time of year carries my three favorite F's...Family, friends and food!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I should have known this week was going to be a busy week because last week was not bad at all. I have so much to do and so little time. The Spanish test on Friday is going to be extremely difficult and I will have papers coming out of my ears! I'm also preparing for the GRE that I will take in two weeks and five days! This is all very nerve-racking! If my score isn't high enough I won't be able to get into grad school. I'm actually not even sure I want to go to grad school anymore. I think I just want to find a job and work for a while and then think about going.

This weekend, my brother came to visit. On Friday night, a bunch of us went to the Kappa party, which was his main reason for coming. On Saturday, we went out to eat then watched movies and goofed around for a while. He left early Sunday morning so we didn't do anything that day. I also went to my aunt's wedding this Saturday. It was nice. She looked beautiful and the musicians were really good. The reception was nice and it was fun to see the little kids dancing. Overall, it was a good weekend. I enjoyed the wedding, party and seeing my brother! He's one of my best friends!

Where's My Money???

So...I didn't take any pictures of the black and white party last night. It was extremely dark in there and the pictures would not have turned out right.

On Wednesday, I took my Little to the mall with me to help me pick out a black and white dress or outfit to wear to the party. I ended up not buying anything and I'm so thankful I made that choice! Someone stole my debit card number and bought $217.28 worth of stuff from a Google Web site. I was going to buy a shirt online yesterday but decided to check my bank account and seen the charges on there. I didn't know what to do! That had never happened to me before. I called my bank and they took the charges off and canceled my card. I bank at a credit union in Hutchinson so I have to wait until tomorrow to get my card. I can't buy anything because I only have a few dollars in cash. Thankfully it got taken care of and I have my money back. I'm not sure how they got my number but I'm going to be a lot more conscientious about what Web sites I buy from!

Tonight, my best friend and I are going to a party hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. This week hasn't been as stressful as others but it would still be good to get out. It should be fun. Other than that, I'm not doing much this weekend besides homework and trying to think of an excuse to get out of going to a wedding (if you have any suggestions, let me know)! Anyway, have a great weekend!!!

President Elect

And the 44th President of the United States of American will be.... Senator Barack Obama!

Election Day 2008 will go down in history. Well, to be honest, the entire election process was historical. This is the first time that an African-American will be president. I am excited that most Americans are finally starting to judge based on character and not skin color. We are progressing and this is very exciting!

On Election Day, I went to a few parties, one being the Donald Betts watch party. These were very fun and it was good to see all ages excited for the election results. I think the President Elect gave an excellent acceptance speech. It will be a long and tough road for him because he has many things to prove to the nation but I think he can handle it.

On Wednesday, all 3 of my classes were canceled! I was happy because I still had a few things to cover for the election so it gave me more time to get those done. I had some extra time yesterday to go over Spanish homework and finally understand one thing that I did not get before. Hopefully I will have more time to study today and maybe I can do better on my test next week. I also went to pick up my Little Sister yesterday. We went to the mall and she helped me pick out a dress for my black and white party tonight. I bought her a few bracelets. She's starting to open up a little bit more and we had fun!

Tonight, I'm going to a black and white party for my friend's birthday. It should be really fun. I will upload a few pictures tomorrow.

Not Much to Do!

Finally! I have a week where I don't have a lot to do. I have minimal assignments due this week and a few classes are being canceled! This is going to be a much needed break. Well, it won't really be a "break" but I will have more time to rest, study and just relax.

Last Wednesday, I meet with my Little for the first time. I took her to Applebee's. We had a good time and she told me about the types of things she likes to do and a bit about her family life. She seems like a good kid. I'm ready for more visits!

This weekend was really relaxing. I got a lot of sleep and some important homework done. Friday afternoon I voted for the first time! It was exciting! I thought I would have to wait in extremely long lines but I only waited a few minutes. I'm proud of my "I voted" sticker (ha)! I didn't do anything major for Halloween, which is unusual for me, but I enjoyed my relaxation time. I went shopping with my family and got a few new clothing items and a new winter coat! This rest was much needed! I haven't had a lot of time for myself recently so it was good to just lay down and watch a movie.

I got my Spanish test results back. I did better on the last test than I did with this one. I'm still maintaining a C in this class but it's really frustrating. It's one of those situations where you try so hard and still seem like a failure! I was really discouraged for the rest of class today after I looked at my test grade. I thought "what's the point of even showing up when I'm still not passing test." It's also bad when I'm paying for a tutor who doesn't help me either. It's almost as if I'm paying to fail. I can't wait for this class to be over!!

Tonight, we're having an Obama party on campus. I'm excited!! It saddens me to hear of the loss of Obama's grandmother but I'm excited for the election tomorrow. This is such a big event, bigger than previous elections!

Tomorrow night, we're having a watch party on campus until about 8:30. It should be fun. I'll take some pictures and let you know how it goes!

It's Friday!!!

Happy Halloween!!! Today is Friday and Halloween! Could you ask for a better combination?! I'm excited for this weekend's events! When I get off work today, I am going to go vote! This will be my first time voting so I'm really excited! I heard the lines were really long and some people have waited as long as two hours in line already! I figured Tuesday would be worse so I am going today.

Tonight, there are a few Halloween parties that I am going to. I'm not sure what my costume will be but I will think of something! I have a nurse costume but I don't really like the way it fits on me so I will probably just wear a leotard and tights and go as a ballerina.

I had a writing conference this morning with my Beat Reporting professor. It went well. We discussed my past articles and assignments and he gave me pointers on what I could improve on. Headlines and knowing where to put commas were my main struggles. I had a Spanish test today. I don't even want to talk about how that went! I forgot all of the vocabulary from the chapter so that made the rest of the test extremely difficult. I have a few photographs to catch up on over the weekend but other than that I don't have much to do. I will probably start studying for the GRE test. I take that the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Hopefully it will go well!

Update

Today seems to be going by extremely slow! It's a good day though. All of my homework was finished and turned in and I get to pick up my Little at 6 for dinner. I'm excited. This is our first official outing. It should be a lot of fun! I'll get a chance to talk to her more and figure out what she likes to do so I can get some ideas for future outings.

On Monday, we had the Songfest. AASA took 1st place in the co-ed division! I had a blast!!! Even intermission was fun. A lot of organizations were dancing in the aisle. I will try to upload pictures but some are a bit dark.

Friday is Halloween and I'm still debating on a costume. I have a nurses outfit but I'm not sure if I want to wear it or not. I might go as something else.

Classes are going well. I raised my Spanish grade one percent so I'm happy about that. I'm behind by a few stories in Beat Reporting but I should be caught up soon. My speaking class is going well and so is Editing for Print, Photojournalism and Law & Responsibility. We'll see in a few weeks how I'm doing as I get ready to take my GRE exam and finals!!

It Was Fun!!!

I had a very good weekend! On Friday night, I went to a new friend's house to watch a movie. Afterward, we talked and laughed a lot.

Saturday, I went to the Tri Delt house to do a story for the newspaper on a fundraiser they were doing. Then, my best friend and I went to a rugby game. It was so exciting! I never knew that game was so brutal. It was KU vs. WSU. Since my best friend and I both transferred from KU and had friends on their rugby team, we wanted to go to the game. It was a girl's game and there were a lot more injuries than at a football game. I know I shouldn't get excited about people getting injured but when I was told one girl was playing with a broken rib and may have a broken wrist, that made me want to watch more!
Later that night, I went to my first Shocker game! It was a volleyball game. I didn't realize there was a basketball scrimmage after the volleyball game or I would have made plans to stay. I had to be home early so I could write my story for the newspaper and turn it in my 10:00 a.m. the next morning. Stories are normally due my 1:00 p.m. on Sunday but I was leaving for Lawrence for the baby shower and didn't want to procrastinate until the morning.

Sunday, I picked up my little sister, my best friend, and the cake from Wal Mart and we hit the highway to Lawrence! We had a blast at the baby shower! We seen all of our old friends and relatives that we had not seen in almost a year. I think I did a good job hosting the baby shower, considering I had never been to one before! Brooke was really excited to see everyone and received a lot of gifts. I bet we took over 150 pictures this weekend. Oh, and my brother showed up at the end of the shower. I was so excited. He's one of my best friends! I won't bombard you with pictures but I will upload a few from this weekend.

Tonight is Songfest! I'm excited but nervous, partly because I still don't know what I'm wearing yet! Any readers who want to come should! It starts at 7 at the CAC Theatre. Be there or be square!!!!!!

Are You Serious?!?

Everyone has a word or phrase that they use regularly. Mine is "are you serious?" I used to think that I used this word too much, but today I noticed how much that phrase is needed.

My Spanish professor canceled class on Monday because her son was sick. That's fine, it happens, and it gives us a chance to breathe a little. She sent the class an e-mail saying that we could not afford to miss classes and gave us a list of homework assignments to turn in and a list of activities to do that would help us on the quiz today (Wednesday). Once again, that's fine. It took be nearly two hours to complete the homework assignment, and guess what, WE DIDN'T TURN IT IN! We didn't even take the quiz! Some people in the class stated that they didn't know we had to do it, they thought it was just for extra practice. Others claimed that they never received an e-mail. Once again, those answers are fine, but what about those who actually spent the time doing the extra assignments? There was no reward for us. No extra credit, no pat on the back, nothing. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I just spent time doing pointless assignments when I could have been focusing on my stories for Beat Reporting. If this were to happen on a different week, I probably would not have been too upset about it but I have a lot to get done this week and those assignments were not originally on my schedule. I put other assignments off to focus on that and it was pointless. Who knows, maybe I'll benefit from it in the end...I hope!

Anyway, I get to meet my "little" from Big Brothers Big Sisters today. I'm excited! I won't get to spend too much time with her today because we have a dress rehearsal for Songfest tonight. Songfest is Monday night at 7:00 in the CAC Theater for all of you who want to see it!

What's Next on the List?

This semester seems to be going fast but slow at the same time. The days seem to go by fast but the semester itself is going incredibly slow! I'm ready for a long break. I've started making preparations for when I graduate. I can see the finish line, I just can't touch it yet. I feel like I'm running a slow, but good, race. Classes are going...okay. Spanish is still rough but I'm making it. Beat Reporting is getting really rough. I think it's because I've had so much going on that I've neglecting my stories a bit. It's stressful right now but I will get back on the right track.

On another note, I'm excited for Songfest. Our practices are fun and I love the singing and dancing. I'm ready for next Monday! I can't wait to see what the other groups have come up with. We haven't figured out what we're wearing yet but I'm sure our performance will over-shine our outfits (at least I hope so anyway). If you readers aren't doing anything next Monday night around 7:00, come to the CAC Theater and watch the Songfest. It'll be fun!!

This past weekend I started focusing more on my friend's baby shower. It's going to be on Sunday. I've ordered the cake and got a few decorations. There's still more to be done but I'm excited for it. I will get to see a lot of my friends that I have not seen in months or maybe even a year! It will be relaxing to get away for a while and a good chance to spend some time with my 17-year-old sister, who is also coming with me. Two of my best friends are also riding with me. I can't wait! I'll be sure to upload pictures of the event!

A New Adventure

Although I'm not a fan of scary things (movies, haunted houses, etc.) I think I am going to go to a haunted house for the first time. I might go tonight or tomorrow but either way, I will let you know how it went. My younger sister, who is 17, went last weekend and loved it. She likes horror films but said the haunted house was a different story. She was really frightened when she came home. I think I need a bit of excitement this weekend. After all, it's Fall Break!

I also want to go to the movies this weekend. I really want to see The Secret Life of the Bee. The preview looked really good. I'm not sure what other movies came out today but I might just make this a relaxing Friday and Saturday and finish studying on Sunday.

This weekend might not be too exciting but it will be better than the previous ones, where I did nothing but study!

I'm Back!!!!

Sorry it took me so long to write another blog. I've been extremely busy this week! We had Communication Week so there were many speakers and events I had to attend. Monday, I had a Spanish test so I could only go to the afternoon events but I went to the networking round-table discussion and met a lot of successful people. It was good to hear what they had to say about the workload for journalists and other related fields.

Tuesday, I met Bryan Monroe. He is the vice-president for Ebony and Jet Magazines. He had two sessions on Tuesday and I went to both of them. I learned a lot about the magazine business and journalism in general. I want to be a writer for a magazine so it was very beneficial to hear him speak. I also liked that he had pictures to back up his stories. I'm more of a visual and hands-on learner so it helped me out to see exactly what he was talking about. Also on Tuesday, I went to a session called "The Write Stuff". This session gave tips of how to be a better writer. I took a lot of notes that I will hopefully be able to utilize in the future. Then there was a pizza party and later I was awarded a scholarship!!! I was very grateful for that!

Wednesday, I was at PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America). Although I'm not an Integrated Marketing major, I wanted to get involved with an organization that was related to my field but not exactly the same. Here, I had a good time networking with professionals and listening to presentations that dealt with what is going on in the world of communication.

Overall, it was a good week. Well, a good three days (ha). I'm looking forward to a much needed fall break, although I won't be doing anything except studying and resting.

Some Advice

Yesterday started out as a fairly normal day, with the small exception of a little stomach pain. I made a doctor's appointment a few days ago and was supposed to meet yesterday at 3:30. That did not happen. In the middle of my first class, around 12:50, the pain started getting worse. I felt like crying. It was awful. I still had two classes left for the day but could not make it. I had a law class after the one I was currently in and it was very important not to miss yesterday out of all days. I was receiving assignments and instructions for a take-home test. I also had to give a presentation on a case study. Not to mention, all of our communications classes are canceled next week so I would not be able to ask questions during that time. But I just couldn't make it. Before rushing to the campus clinic, I went to see the professor for my law class. She understood and gave me my assignments.

When I went to the doctor, I was in so much pain that they got me in two hours before my scheduled appointment. It turns out that I have a severe infection in my stomach which is caused by not drinking enough fluids and can lead to dehydration. I did not get much sleep last night. I'm on a pain killer and antibiotic, which, not to mention, I'm allergic to so I have to go get a different kind of medicine. I'm still in some pain but I feel a lot better! My advice to you.... DRINK AS WATER AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE!

I've Been Wondering...

There are a number of things that I have wondered but never really had an answer for. I am going to post 10 questions that a few friends and I came up with. If you have an answer, please let me know.
1.) If sleeping beauty wakes up, is she still called "sleeping beauty"?
2.) Why does the Easter bunny carry eggs when bunnies don't lay eggs?
3.) If Pluto had earthquakes would they be called "plutoquakes"?
4.) Why is Charlie short for Charles when they have the same amount of letters?
5.) Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
6.) Why do we say "heads up" when we actually mean "duck"?
7.) Why is it called a TV set when there's only one?
8.) Why did the chicken REALLY cross the road?
9.) Why does your nose run but your feet sweat?
and finally...
10.) What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

What Day Is It?

Have you ever had one of those days where there is just so much going on that you forget what day it is? That's how today is going for me. I need for there to be 30 hours in the day instead of 24. Maybe I'll have a little more time to get my tasks done, or even better, get some sleep! My day will not be over until about 10:30 p.m., and that's just the time that I can actually go back to my room. Then I'll have to do homework.
Today has been a good day, though. It was very productive. I turned in a scholarship application, registered for COMM Week events and paid my dues for PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America). Although I'm a Print major, one of my professors thought it would be beneficial to join this organization, so I did. I have even started on my final project for my Law and Theory class and I will also have my first meeting with my tutor tonight at 6 p.m. Next week will be busy but fun (I hope). I will be attending sessions for COMM Week. All of the communication classes are canceled due to the events so we are required to go and report on them. I hope it's fun!

On the Right Track

As the school week comes to an end, I notice that I am beginning to achieve one of my main goals I set for this year, becoming more involved. I just signed up for Big Brothers Big Sisters and have already had one meeting. I go to another one on Tuesday. This is really exciting for me. I like helping others, especially children; it makes me happy to see others happy. I can't wait to be done with the paperwork and screening process so I can finally meet my "little".

As far as school goes, everything is right on track. I've filled out my senior forms and have talked with an adviser about Spring semester classes. This is a really exciting and frightening time. I'm ready to graduate but still uncertain about what I'm doing after graduation. Hopefully I will figure it out soon, or maybe over Christmas break.

This weekend should be productive. I've made a schedule out for myself and hope to stick with it. I have many things due next week but I'm glad I'm starting on them now. Also, I've found a Spanish tutor!! We have our first meeting on Wednesday. I really hope he helps. We have a Spanish test every other week so we'll be starting just in time.

A Bit of This, A Bit of That

First, I'm a bit disappointed in myself today. I couldn't figure out what to do for a photo assignment so I put it off until the last minute and didn't get it done. It was due today. Last night I decided that I would get up early this morning to do it but I actually overslept and didn't even make it to class at 8. Then, I remembered that I forgot to turn in my take-home test and 2 assignments in my Beat Reporting class on Monday. Silly me! I mean, they're done, I was in a rush to get to Spanish for my test and I forgot! On top of everything else, I got my Spanish test results back today and my grade was worse than my last one. I have to study a lot harder for the next one.

On a positive note, I have a home-visit with Big Brothers Big Sisters today so I can start volunteering. I'm excited! I love kids and want to be more involved in the community. I'll let you know how it goes.

Last night, after class, I went to my friend's house. It was his son's third birthday and he had a little party for him. I never knew shopping for boys would be so hard. I finally got him a bunch of little cars and he loved them! One of the bigger cars made noise so he was excited about that. It was a fun night being around all of them and listening to the funny things kids say.

My Day

My Spanish test, as expected, was very difficult. I hoping for at least a B but we'll find out on Wednesday. All of my other classes are going well. I didn't realize the grading scale for Beat Reporting was higher than it is in all my other classes so I don't have the grade I want in there but I'll work on it.

I bought a fish yesterday. It's a Betta. I haven't figured out what I'm going to name him so if you have suggestions let me know. I'm about to go to a meeting then workout, something I haven't done in a very long time. I have some homework to finish after that then I'll probably get some ice cream! I know, it almost defeats the purpose of working out! Anyway, I will let you know how my test went on Wednesday!
ADIOS!

Events!

On Friday I went to an event for the the newspaper called Final Fridays. I had never been before but it was actually really nice. It's an art showing event hosted by SAC that occurs the last Friday of every month. Many of the artist had unique drawings, paintings and sculptures. Art really isn't my "thing" (probably b/c I can't draw) but the artist were very talented.

Saturday morning, I participated in the Walk for the Cure. This was my first year participating and it felt so good that I was helping with such a great cause. From what I heard, this year had more participants than previous years. There were over 7,500 walkers and runners. At the end, the survivors took a group picture and letting go of their balloons while a performer sang "I Will Survive". It was a good event. After that, I went to Petco and bought a fish. I felt like I needed something else in my room. Next, I went for a walk with my best friend then to Applebee's. We had lunch with another friend who works there while he was on his break. It was a relaxing day!

Today, I finished my story for the Sunflower and now I'm getting ready to finish studying for my Spanish test and do other homework that is due tomorrow. Like I said before, I hope this test goes better than the last one. I'll let you know how it went tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Not Quite William Hung

I think we all have something that we would like to do or that we're fascinated with but we're just not good at. For me, it's singing. I listen to songs on the radio or some of my family members or friends and they can all sing really well. I guess that gene missed me because I'm nowhere near American Idol talent. The good news is, I'm not quite William Hung either. I'm just floating around somewhere in the middle. Maybe it's because I try to sound blend my voice or sound like artist on the radio. Or maybe that's a good thing. Eh, who knows. If I get some free time, one of these years, it would be fun to take a few voice lessons. So while I won't be singing "She bangs" on American Idol anytime soon, I'm still giving a "one-man" show in my car!

Recap

Last weekend I went to Topeka, KCK (Kansas City, KS), Missouri, back to KCK then to Lawrence and finally back to Wichita. I didn't get to stay in Topeka very long but I was glad I got to see Marcus before he leaves. My next stop was to KCK to get into my family's car to go to Harrisonville, MO for my brother's game. It was an exciting game. They played the St. Louis Bulldogs and won. The team he plays for, NAFL (North American Football League), will be going to Atlanta next weekend for the championship game. They've only lost one game this season. I had a good time! The next stop was back to KC to get my car. I stayed at the house for about 30 minutes then left for Lawrence. I didn't get there until 12:30 a.m. I went to visit my friend Brooke as soon as I got there and we discussed her baby shower, which I am hosting next month. I left around 4 a.m. but couldn't drive very fast because of the fog. I went about 55 or 60 for almost an hour of the way home.


When I got back to Wichita, around 7:30, I slept for about 2 and a half hours then had to get up, finish my story for the newspaper and submit it before I left for lunch with my family. We went to Texas Steakhouse for lunch. It was my cousin's birthday so he chose the restaurant. I had never been there before and was a little amazed that there were peanut shells covering the floor. The food was good, though, and so were the waiters and waitresses who danced. After that, I went with my family to the park. I took a few photos for my photojournalism class. Then we went downtown to the Indian Center and took photos there. I had never been there before and I think I got a few really good shots (I will upload them soon). By the time we were done with everything, it was about 8 p.m. I went back to my room, checked my e-mail, attempted to start homework but fell asleep with my book on my lap. I woke up around 6 this morning and finished my homework. After my meeting tonight, I am going to do my homework and CRASH!

Overall, I had a good weekend. My trip was fun, I got to take pictures, which is my favorite thing to do, and the Dallas Cowboys won!! The only way that game would have been better is if I were there to watch it in person. Man, I love the Cowboys!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!

It's Friday!!! And I couldn't be happier. It's been such a busy week with homework, test, work, studying, meetings, events... everything was due at once! I guess that's just giving me a taste of what the "real world" is like. Last night, I went to the Rock for the Children benefit concert. It went really well. The two bands that performed, In House and Magma Bear, were really good. I haven't been to a lot of concerts where there was a live band instead of just performers (singers, rappers, etc). I actually enjoyed it. They were very talented. I also bought a T-shirt to support the Thanda Project. I read a letter that a child in the program wrote about his life and his family situation and it broke my heart. I'm glad that I went and showed support, even if my initial reason was for an assignment. Around $1400 was raised in support of this program. It turned out to be really nice!

I'm ready for the weekend. I'm going out of town tomorrow and won't be back until late tomorrow night or early Sunday morning (depending on how tired I am after the game). I'm going to see my friend, Marcus, in Topeka for a few hours. He is leaving for Iraq soon and I want to say good-bye. Then I am going to stop in Lawrence and see a few more friends then head to Kansas City so I can see my brother's football game. He plays on a minor league football team. I'm excited because I haven't seen most of my friends in Lawrence since April or May. And I haven't seen Marcus for over a year and a half.

Sunday I plan on doing homework and studying so it won't be too exciting but hopefully it will be productive. I'm sure you can already guess what I'll be spending a majority of my time studying. That's right, Spanish. I think it would be a really "pretty" language if I could just get the hang of it. I hear others speaking Spanish, and speaking it well, and I wish I could do it (and actually speak it correctly) but maybe that will come to me later in life. My advice to anyone reading this is to start practicing now!

The Results Are In!

I finally know how I did on my Spanish test I took on Monday. I didn't do as well as I hoped to but it wasn't terrible either. Now that I have a better understanding of how the test format will be, I think (and hope) that I do better on the next one. My other classes are still good, just keeping me extremely busy! I still need to sit down and organize everything; make out a schedule and stick to it.
For my Beat Reporting class, I'm going to the Rock for the Children event tomorrow evening so I can do a story on it. This event is a concert to raise money for children who are in an after school program in Thanda, South Africa. The program will be shut down if enough money is not raised. I don't know a lot about the program but it seems like it has helped many children so I hope they raise enough money to keep it open.
This week has been busy but I think I like it better when it's busy. I tend to focus more if I have more things to do. Next week won't be as bad so I'm hoping to catch up on a little bit of sleep then.

No Breaks

I had my first two major test today, and I'm preparing for one tomorrow. Today, I had a Spanish test and a beat reporting test. I'm not too worried about beat reporting but Spanish, on the other hand, is a completely different story! I'm not sure if I had all the verbs correct and the listening portion was a bit tough as well. I hope I did better than I think I did, but I'll have to wait until Wednesday to find out. This week is going to be extremely busy. I have another test tomorrow, two stories to turn in for beat reporting, one for the newspaper, my final project topic is due tomorrow, a photography assignment due on Wednesday and on top of all that, I'm in desperate need of a Spanish tutor! I think I underestimated taking 21 credit hours this semester.

This past weekend was my indication for how my week was going to play out. It was extremely busy and stressful. My aunt died this weekend and although I am sad, I know that it was her time to go. She had been living with cancer for a while and was very tired. I tried to keep myself busy so I wouldn't get too sad and with all of my homework, it wasn't hard to accomplish that task. On Friday, I went out to eat with my best friend. I hadn't seen her in a while so we caught up and laughed about the silly things we used to do. I studied the remainder of the weekend. Overall, it was a fair weekend but I hope the next one is much better!

MORE POINTS!!!

My classes are going well. I corrected my Spanish composition and received a couple more points. I wasn't going to do it at first because I thought "well, two more points isn't going to help my grade." WRONG! When I got my paper back and calculated my grade I now have a B instead of a C! I'm really excited! We have our first exam on Monday. I'm nervous but I think if I at least knew what the format was going to be, I wouldn't be as nervous about it. I've been making flash cards and doing extra Quia exercises to refresh my memory on concepts from the past so I can do well on this test.
In my Communication Law and Theory class, we have to turn in our final project topics today. I'm doing mine on a First Amendment law that made parents sign permission slips stating that their child/children could check out Harry Potter books from the school library. I really liked this case and I'm a Harry Potter fan so I thought that was a great match. My other classes consist of writing, writing, taking photographs, writing and more writing. And I love it! I went to the state fair yesterday to do my story for Beat Reporting. I think I have some good options to choose from. I'm done with speeches for a while in my Speaking for Business class. I like to get mine out of the way first that way I can spend more time on other classes! My first photojournalism assignment is due next Wednesday and I'm excited to get feedback on my pictures. My Editing for Print class is a bit harder than I expected but I'm learning a lot and I know these concepts will be useful to me in the future so I'm not complaining.

GRRR

So...it's 4:59 a.m. and I'm still awake. I don't know what's wrong but this is really frustrating. The fourth night in a row that I haven't been to sleep. I normally have trouble sleeping but that's usually just once or twice a week. This has been going on ALL WEEK! I'm very frustrated! I've tried everything, listening to classical and soothing music, watching a boring movie, turning off all the lights, reading, medicine and anything else you could probably think of. Nothing works! It doesn't help that I have to be up in about an hour and a half so attempting to sleep now would only result in higher frustration or actually getting to sleep then oversleeping. Gee, this is great. I'm so thrilled to have this problem. Oh, and on top of everything else, my asthma is bothering me tonight (thanks to the Kansas State Fair)! Anyway, I'm hoping that it will get better soon!

So in closing, I would like to express how I'm feeling tonight, or this morning rather....GRRRRR!!!

Still Tired...

I know I have a lot of homework this weekend but I figured I would still be getting some rest. WRONG! I woke up early this morning, around 4:30, due to my cell phone. When someone sends me a text message or I have a missed call, my phone beeps about every two minutes until I check it. I tried to ignore it for as long as I could but it only worked for a while. I recently got a new phone and have yet to figure out how it all works. Once I figure it out, though, I will definitely change that setting. I use my phone as an alarm so I can't put it on vibrate or turn it off at night. It gets extremely frustrating when people text me around 3 a.m. asking if I'm awake. True, I'm known for having trouble sleeping and I'm usually the friend people call when they need someone to talk to late at night but that's why it's so frustrating when I finally get to sleep. I'll figure out my phone situation soon and as for the late night callers, well, hopefully turning off my phone notifications will help!

It's Here!

It's here!! Well, almost. Although we had Monday off, this week seemed to be moving slowly. I'm ready for a little break, at least one day. It seems as though I have homework from here to New York that's due next week. I've made a schedule for myself and I should have it done by Sunday evening if everything goes the way I plan. Tonight, I am going to my first event that I will have to write on for my class and for The Sunflower. I'm excited but also nervous. I want my story to turn out well. I think once I get the hang of it everything will be fine.
My Spanish professor handed back the Spanish compositions today. I did better than I thought I would so that gives me hope that I can do even better in the future. This is a five-credit hour course so I'm hoping for an A but I wouldn't be disappointed with a B. I'm still looking for a Spanish tutor so if you're reading this and can think of anyone, please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an e-mail. I'll put my e-mail address at the bottom of this blog.
Katie
kxcrow@wichita.edu

CLASSES!!!

So I turned in my first Spanish composition today. I'm a little nervous about the potential grade I'm going to get. I do feel that I'm starting to understand it better. My instructor handed back our participation sheets today. She made comments that I needed to be more outspoken and volunteer more in class. I get really nervous when I have to answer questions or speak in front of the class, especially in a language that I don't know very well. It's intimidating.

In Photojournalism today, we received our first assignment and we also went outside to take pictures and practice using the camera. I was excited...until I got outside and remembered how "smart" I was for not bringing a jacket! I was embarrassed when I asked the instructor if my shots were dark because it was cloudy outside and he told me to take off the lens cap. Yeah, I know, "duh" right? It was at 8 o'clock in the morning so I should be excused for that mistake (this time anyway).

I also had a few papers due yesterday. I'm curious to see what I'll get on my classmate sketch for my Beat Reporting class. I'm determined to make this one of my best semesters yet! It's starting off good so far. I do my first beat on Greek Life for the Sunflower and Beat Reporting on Friday. I'm excited! I'll let you know how it goes!
Hasta luego!

WHEW!

I am done with classes for the week! This classes went well for the most part. A majority are going at a fast pace but I seem to be hanging on, for right now at least. I haven't had a lot of homework, just a lot of reading so far. Classes also seem to go by faster than how I remember them before. Maybe because I'm so busy that it doesn't seem like a long time or either I actually enjoy them so I don't mind spending an hour in each class. This is the first full week of classes so I'm sure it'll pick up soon but I like the way things are going.

Last night, there was a party at the RSC from 8-12. I went after I finished my homework and had a lot of fun. There was an artist there who did facial sketches and she was really good! They gave away a lot of prizes, including a flat-screen TV and a laptop. The DJ made it a lot of fun too. He was very involved with the crowd and played music that everyone could enjoy. I didn't get to participate in these activities in previous years because I was at a different school but I am having a great time!

Another Bowling Adventure

In light of another recent bowling night, I came to the conclusion that I should never try-out for any bowling team. That's right, I went back to the Alley on Monday night. I had a great time. My score was somewhat better than it was a few days ago but not by much. I did a lot better at the beginning than I did at the end. A majority of my balls went into the gutter. This was only after they continued to get stuck on my thumb. We played about nine straight games. I don't remember bowling being this hard when I was younger. Maybe it was because I was allowed to use the bumpers so my balls wouldn't go into the gutter. We also rode the go-carts. Those were fun except my cart kept shaking and the wheel was hard to turn so I almost ran into the side every time. I bet the workers were thinking that I should not have a driver's license of any kind if I drive cars like I drove the go-cart.
Overall, I had a good time. My body is still aching from all the fun we had at the Alley(maybe that's a sign that I need to hit the gym). Needless to say, I now have a greater appreciation for bowlers, and go-cart drivers, everywhere!

On a school note, things are going well, just busy! Spanish is still my main concern and I think Photojournalism will be my favorite class. I can't tell just how hard Spanish is going to be yet because we are still in our week of review classes. I might have to drop it and take it next semester in order to receive an acceptable grade but I'll keep you posted!
Until next time,
~Katie~

Relaxation

This past weekend was very relaxing. On Friday I went bowling at the Alley. This was the first time I went inside and, I must say, it is very nice! St. Mark United Methodist Church rented The Alley for a "Family Fun Night". At one point in time, while bowling, the ball got stuck on my thumb when I tried to roll it down the lane. It was painful but also very funny. I also had fun watching my younger sister run into the sides while driving the go-carts. That made me laugh a lot. I will definitely go again in the near future. Who knows, I maybe go tonight after the AASA meeting (and homework, of course). I don't have a lot of homework tonight so this might be a good time to go.

Also this past weekend, we had a surprise party for my mom and younger sister. My mom turned, well, I won't reveal that, and my sister will be 17 this upcoming Saturday. We had dinner, cake and ice cream. It was really good! They both had candles on their cakes and, as a joke, someone made the fire alarm go off so my mom would think it was the number of candles on her cake. It was really funny! I hope I have a lot more weekends like the one that just passed. Maybe it will make the semester go by easier and quicker!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

The school year has finally started. As weird as it might sound, I was actually excited to start classes. I'll be even more excited when they're over! I can already tell it's going to be a rocky semester and a lot of work but I like my classes, for the most part, so I think that will help me out a lot.

Last night I went to the Beach Party that was held on campus. Since this is my first fall semester I wasn't sure what to expect but I had a good time! The band that was here, Anthem, did a really good job and the snow cones were great too! The photographer for the band let me use his new Digital SLR Camera to take a few pictures of the crowd and the band. Being the camera lover that I am, you can bet I was smiling ear to ear! It was great to see friends I hadn't seen in a while and have some more fun before we get into the full swing of the semester.

Starting Off Right

The weekend went by so fast! Although I spent most of it rearranging my room and meeting my new suite-mates, I managed to open my Spanish book in hopes of getting a head start on classes. I plan on getting my other books today and hopefully finishing my room. It almost seems weird that classes are already starting! The summer went by extremely fast.

Unlike other semesters, I feel really good about this one. I'm taking 21 credit hours but I'm trying to stay as positive and organized as possible in order to do the best I can do. I think I'm ready for the challenge and ready to get started. It almost feels as though I'm in elementary school again getting ready for my first day of junior high. Only this time I'm not nervous about who will be in my class or if I'll see my best friend anytime during the day. Instead it's the amount of homework that I'll have to do. I think it will all work out and definitely be a learning experience!

It's going to be a good semester...I can just tell!

A Few Days Remaining!

This week is just about over which means only a few more days until the new semester starts. I haven't figured out yet whether I'm excited to start class or just excited to get them over with as soon as possible. I'm taking a heavy load this semester but I figured it was the best semester for me to take 20 credit hours. I know, yikes! I try to think about the end result, that being graduation, but I'm also thinking about the amount of pressure and stress that will be placed to maintain an acceptable GPA. I'm sure it will be fine as long as I stay focused and prioritize my time but for the time being, it's a bit scary. I guess I'll just have to wait until I get my course syllabus to see how this will play out.

Time Flies

Oh how time flies! It seems like this summer went by incredibly fast. Classes start next week and I'm actually excited to get the show on the road. I have one year left and it feels great to be so near to the finish line. This past weekend we celebrated my aunt's birthday. We had pizza, cake and ice cream. Then we all played card games. It was a nice and relaxing weekend. It usually takes quite a bit of motivation for me to get ready for classes again but I am so ready! I think I already have "Senioritis"! I'm ready to become more involved and prepare for the "out-of-college" workforce but a bit worried that I may not be prepared enough. This year will definitely be a learning experience for me. I am so excited to get the year started and over with as soon as possible!

A long, but fun, weekend!

This past weekend was the annual Emancipation Celebration in Hutchinson, KS. I missed the events on Friday night but Saturday morning I went to the parade then the park for the picnic and other activities. This past week was also my grandfather's 70TH birthday so my family decided to give him a surprise party Saturday night because his siblings would be in town for Emancipation weekend. After the picnic, it was so hard finding things to keep him occupied while the rest of my family prepared food and decorations for his party. It was over 100 degrees outside so we didn't want to keep him out too long. It finally all came together and around 7:30 my mom went to the house to pick him and and when he arrived, he was so surprised! The look on his face was priceless! We all had such a good time and he was so happy to see all of his family, friends and church members. It was hard to get it put together because we were running out of things for him to do but it made me smile to see how happy he was.

Sunday was the Gospel Fest and Ice Cream Social. The singing was great and so was the ice cream. This ended the Emancipation Celebration and a long, but fun, weekend!

Reunited!

One of my best friends lives a few hours away. I hadn't seen her since May but she came to Wichita on Saturday and will be visiting for a while! I am so excited. We have always have a good time. Yesterday, we went to visit some of my family members in Hutchinson and spent a majority of our time doing two of our favorite things...eating and taking random pictures! It was a blast! We're planning on going swimming, out to eat, shopping and anything else we can figure out to do while she's here. She will be here for two weeks and I will miss her when she leaves but I'm having a good time while she's in town!

Family Reunion '08

Our family has a family reunion every year. It's usually in a different state every year but for the past four or five years, we've had them in Shreveport, LA because my great-grandmother cannot travel. I recently came back and I had a lot of fun! I was a bit tired when at first because I finished my summer classes the same day I left so I really didn't have a chance to rest but it was a good trip. We had a "meet and greet" the first day we arrived and the second day was fourth of July and a freed day so a majority of our family went to a place called the Boardwalk. It's an area with restaurants, shopping and retail stores, games, an alligator farm and an amazing view of the water and boats! I think I ate a bit too much on the Boardwalk but the food was very good! The next day we had a picnic and played volleyball, horseshoes, dominoes and different card games. The final day we were there, we went to church then to a restaurant and enjoyed some "Soul Food". The ride back was long, about ten hours, but I had a good time!

About Me

Hello! I'm Katie, a senior majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Print Journalism. I recently transferred from the University of Kansas. I'm originally from Hutchinson, KS. I graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2005 and Hutchinson Community College in 2006. Although I'm new to the Shocker life, I feel I've grown and learned so much in the time that I've been at WSU. I was nervous about transferring schools for the second time but I'm so happy that I did! I'm a member of the African-American Student Association (AASA) and I love it! I plan to become more involved on campus in the upcoming year. I hope you enjoy reading my blogs as I journey through my final year!