WHEREAS I have played various iterations of Tetris in jamming my stuff into bags and bags into the back of cars,
WHEREAS said stuff has moved from a pile on the floor of my room to piles in my closet and on my desk,
WHEREAS I have been to the library and finished a book,
WHEREAS I have been to the beach, walked Main Street, stuck my feet in the water, run on the shore, and dunked,
WHEREAS jackets are no longer needed in 70 degree weather,
I officially declare myself returned and reacclimatized to my hometown.
Obligatory reflection on freshman year now commences:
I just finished my freshman year of school. It's been a ton of fun so far. I've met crazy people, done insane things, explored new horizons, and, of course, learned a lot. I know I have changed over the course of the year, and, though I can't say if I've been changed for the better, I have been changed... for good.
So, shout outs to (roughly in order of appearance) the random people I met at orientation, the HI Teamers, my roommates (and almost roommates), the Awesome Group, the Gilans, my English class, my Chem lab group, the Newmanites, the SWEsters, the Gila Monsters (VB and soccer teams), the Rube Goldberg club, both my Campus Renew groups, my Dungeons and Dragons group, and the random people I met in strange places who have become good friends (and anyone else I forgot). College has been a lot less scary because of the people I met.
On the other hand, there's something triumphant about coming home. As soon as I crossed the Colorado River, I saw green - not brownish green, not dusty green, not this-really-is-a-plant-believe-me green, but grass green of things that grow. Color is something about California that I have definitely missed.
And of course, it's awesome to see my family again. Weekly phone calls don't do justice to how much I've missed them. My brother is now taller than I am, my sister is doing all these cool things, and I've really missed my parents. Seeing how everyone has changed is a little weird, though.
In short, freshman year was an experience, it's weird that I'm a quarter of the way through college, and coming home is fantastic.
And as to the fate of this blog over the summer - I'm still going to post, maybe not as regularly, maybe more, but there will be new stuff up every once in a while. If I ever finish a story, it will get posted. If something absolutely amazing happens, it will get posted. If I get bored one day, something will be posted.
So thank you all for your love and support. I had no idea that this blog had the reach that it has.
Freshman year is over.
And so it goes.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Happy Mother's Day
To all the mothers in my life: I know you all read this, so...
I wouldn't be where I am today without my mom. I don't mean just literally (but yes, she did drive me to the good old U of A) but in every other way too. My mother was one of the people who instilled in me a love of books and stories. I remember she used to read to me every night and would explain unfamiliar words and concepts and make the stories come to life (at least until I got impatient and wanted to finish the books faster). She showed me how to be curious and trying new things, whether Irish Dance or some funky new recipe. Although she claims sometimes she's not the crafty one, she has shown me how to be creative. She's most known for her kick-ass gingerbread houses, but there is so much more to her. I have my mom to thank for letting me dabble in duct tape, play with fuzzy posters, and learn (a little) about how to cook.
The most important thing I've learned from my mom is how to be strong. There is, of course, the physically strong - she encouraged me to play sports and take up running, which I have never regretted. More importantly, though, she taught me to be mentally strong, to stick up for myself and others when I needed to, to be proactive in order to get where I wanted to go. I was never the most popular kid in school, and she was there for me when I needed someone to help me be strong.
And, I know you probably won't admit it, but you were (and still are) this mom:
Also, to Grandma - you've taught me that everything can be fun and colorful, and that the materials at hand can be used to make amazing things. You've also shown me how to be cheerful through the hardest situations. Your food is always amazingly good, and you were the first person to tell me that sometimes it was okay to have pie for breakfast. You helped me learn how to be respectful, but also how to have fun. Thank you, Grandma, for everything.
To Mum - you've always supported the artistic endeavors of all your grandkids and have been there to support us in so many ways. I see myself repeating you sometimes - although I don't necessarily read the Wall Street Journal, I am always on the lookout for interesting articles and new discoveries. I always enjoyed those birthday shopping trips, although I would go home exhausted afterwards. You've shown me that growing up doesn't necessarily mean getting older. You've been the one to hold the family together. So thank you, Mum.
To all other mother figures in my life (including but not limited to: teachers, coaches, neighbors, friends, etc.)- thanks for being there for me when I needed it and for teaching me so much.
And for all mother everywhere:
Happy Mother's Day. I hope I can be forgiven for forgetting to send cards.
I wouldn't be where I am today without my mom. I don't mean just literally (but yes, she did drive me to the good old U of A) but in every other way too. My mother was one of the people who instilled in me a love of books and stories. I remember she used to read to me every night and would explain unfamiliar words and concepts and make the stories come to life (at least until I got impatient and wanted to finish the books faster). She showed me how to be curious and trying new things, whether Irish Dance or some funky new recipe. Although she claims sometimes she's not the crafty one, she has shown me how to be creative. She's most known for her kick-ass gingerbread houses, but there is so much more to her. I have my mom to thank for letting me dabble in duct tape, play with fuzzy posters, and learn (a little) about how to cook.
The most important thing I've learned from my mom is how to be strong. There is, of course, the physically strong - she encouraged me to play sports and take up running, which I have never regretted. More importantly, though, she taught me to be mentally strong, to stick up for myself and others when I needed to, to be proactive in order to get where I wanted to go. I was never the most popular kid in school, and she was there for me when I needed someone to help me be strong.
And, I know you probably won't admit it, but you were (and still are) this mom:
You introduced me to Hermione Granger, Bilbo Baggins, and Han Solo and Princess Leia, along with Spock, Laura Ingalls, and Anne who became some of my best friends and role models growing up. You undeniably helped turn me into the nerd I am today. So, for all that, thank you, Mom.
Also, to Grandma - you've taught me that everything can be fun and colorful, and that the materials at hand can be used to make amazing things. You've also shown me how to be cheerful through the hardest situations. Your food is always amazingly good, and you were the first person to tell me that sometimes it was okay to have pie for breakfast. You helped me learn how to be respectful, but also how to have fun. Thank you, Grandma, for everything.
To Mum - you've always supported the artistic endeavors of all your grandkids and have been there to support us in so many ways. I see myself repeating you sometimes - although I don't necessarily read the Wall Street Journal, I am always on the lookout for interesting articles and new discoveries. I always enjoyed those birthday shopping trips, although I would go home exhausted afterwards. You've shown me that growing up doesn't necessarily mean getting older. You've been the one to hold the family together. So thank you, Mum.
To all the aunts, x cousins y-times removed, and other various family members - you have all shown me how to be my best, to do what I love, to stick up for myself, that it's okay to be silly and sassy, and that I do not have to be a carbon copy of my mom (no matter how many times I've been told I look like her) (no offense meant, Mom). You've been inspiration and counsel to me when I needed it, even if I didn't always ask.
To all other mother figures in my life (including but not limited to: teachers, coaches, neighbors, friends, etc.)- thanks for being there for me when I needed it and for teaching me so much.
And for all mother everywhere:
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Interlude
Hey, all. So, as of 10:30 this morning, I just finished taking four tests in eighteen hours, so my brain is pretty fried. Life right now is mostly class and studying, so I'm gonna talk about something else.
since I've started going to school, I've realized that there are a ton of things that can be used for more than you might think. For example- I've taken to making and wearing funky rubber band bracelets. Those are great for holding an ID when I go run. A pair of jeans ripped in the wrong place, and so now they stop my dorm room door from banging into the closet door. Hair ties hold together and organize flash cards (they don't rip them like rubber bands). Dryer sheets become air fresheners. And, of course, duct tape is used for just about everything, from actually fixing stuff to making the stuff we need.
The cool thing is that, even though I live with mostly engineers, a lot of these ideas are not unique to them. Everyone is trying to save money or gas and uses things in a creative way in order to improve the quality of life. People tend to be more creative than they realize, even the ones who insist they aren't. It's amazing how people tend to make things work out a little easier for themselves and those coming afterward. Even better is that people help each other.
Yes, I am stressed about upcoming finals, but I am confident that everything will work out. I have a good support network and I know my stuff.
(Also, for a final project, I'm designing a bike - and it's actually working!)
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