Sunday, May 18, 2008
china
I'm leaving today for China for 14 days. I have many mixed emotions going through me right now - disbelief that it's already time to leave, anxiety about the weight of my bag and the many experiences we're about to have, excitement about seeing a new place, etc. I think the biggest thing for me is that I have no idea what to expect. We only know of a few things we will be seeing while we're there, we won't be able to communicate with most of the people, I have no idea how the currency works, and we're traveling with 2 other groups of students that we have yet to meet. I'm sure everything will work out, and I'll have a great time, but it's hard to relax when there are so many "what if"s. Please be praying for our group and our safety while we're gone. See you all when I return!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
these are a few of my favorite things
One of my favorite musicals always has been Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music because of the fun and familiar music. Among the many great songs, My Favorite Things is one that everyone knows and loves. As I was listening to this song recently, I decided to make a list of my favorite things (which do not include “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…”):
1. Ice skating – Since the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, I have been in love with the sport. As I watched Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding represent the United States with their beautiful programs, I began “skating” (spinning in circles) around the living room. My parents decided to enroll me in learn-to-skate classes, and I’m still enjoying the sport today.
2. Apple products – My MacBook is one of my favorite gadgets at the moment. As a college student, staying connected is a big part of my social and academic life. With this computer, I have the ability to organize my schoolwork, photos, and music, as well as keep in touch with family and friends here at school and back home. My iPod is another favorite possession, allowing me to listen to my favorite tunes while I work out or on long road trips. Soon, I hope to own an iPhone, which I’m sure will also rank among my favorite toys.
3. Photography – Whether it be for the purpose of decorating a room, or capturing events, times, places, or people to document the past, photography is my favorite medium of art. Finding a beautiful location, unusual still life, or even creating a photo op with friends can create a perfect picture, and is a source of hours of entertainment and years of memories.
4. Lazy weekends – During a busy and hectic semester, a lazy weekend spent in my sweats, taking long naps and watching TV seems like a weekend in heaven! These weekends come few and far between, so when the rare occasion occurs, I take full advantage of it.
5. Organizers – Some might call me OCD… and they would be right. Post-It Notes and planners are a daily necessity in order for me to keep from stressing out…too much anyway. I write everything in my planner, from friends’ birthdays to deadlines, to weekend activities, and I use multiple post-it notes to remind me of my daily tasks.
6. My baby blankets – At 20 years old, my dad thinks it is completely ridiculous that I still sleep with my baby blankets. I, however, see them as a comfort, especially when I’m away from home. The older and more raggedy they get, the better.
7. Music – and everything about it. Music is such a powerful force, able to create a mood or simply provide entertainment. I frequently find myself searching for a new artist or album to listen to, oftentimes with the guidance of friends with eclectic musical tastes.
8. Books – A good romance novel is a favorite pastime of mine in the summer. During the school year, so much time is taken up by the reading of textbooks that I rarely find time to escape into a fictional world where life ends happily ever after. If the book has the ability to make me laugh out loud or cry real tears, it’s definitely a must-have and quickly makes my list of favorites.
9. Tube socks – Yes, I realize this sounds weird, but it makes sense. I love the fact that tube socks, as opposed to regular, ankle socks, do not fall down or get bunched up in my winter boots. That’s really all there is to this simple pleasure.
10. Getting my hair and nails done – After getting my hair or nails done, I feel more put together and more presentable, especially just before some big event in which I feel the need to look more clean-cut, and less like a college student lounging around in my sweats.
11. Household items – Yet, another unusual pleasure I enjoy. New, soft bath towels and sheets, as well as a new bottle of shampoo or a new decoration for my room gets me just as excited as going shopping for a new pair of shoes.
12. New shoes – A pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. Along with a new pair of shoes comes the ability to create a whole new look to an outfit that’s been sitting in the closet for years. At the beginning of a new season it is exciting to pull out a pair of shoes that haven’t been seen in months due to the fact that wearing them during the wrong season would be a major fashion faux pas.
13. Bubble baths – A warm, relaxing bubble bath is just what I need to help me relax after a long day at work or a tough practice at the rink.
14. Snow cones – Growing up, the opening of snow cone stands was a sure sign of spring, and the promise of a coming summer. A popular after-school destination, my friends and I would gather on the lawn in front of a snow cone stand and spend hours laying in the sun and eating our sugary treat. Now, every time I eat a small, flat-topped Tigers Blood, I become nostalgic of the warm summer nights spent with these old friends.
15. Flowers – Another reminder of spring, flowers always seem to lighten up the room and add a decorative touch to our plain and cold dorm rooms.
16. Board games – Cheap entertainment for poor college students. It is not uncommon to walk into the lobby of Dearborn Commons to see a table full of students gathering a group to play a game of some sort. Many times I find myself putting off my homework, just to take part in some of the action, despite losing most of the games I participate in.
17. Road trips – Having hours to listen to my favorite music, creating photo ops and spending time creating memories and inside jokes with friends are all part of what make a road trip enjoyable. The escape of everyday life and the enjoyment of a destination of my choosing, seeing the sights and enjoying the culture of the city, add some excitement to the mundane routine I often find myself a part of.
18. Sleepovers – Staying up late, watching movies, talking about boys, and discussing our futures are some of the enjoyments of this long-standing tradition among many teenage girls.
19. Musicals – While many people find musicals to be annoying and boring, I have yet to find a musical I dislike. Whether on stage or on the big screen, the combination of singing and dancing always can make a movie or play 10 times better. Among the many musicals I have seen, my current favorites are Wicked, Hairspray, Rent and of course The Sound of Music.
20. Coffee cups – Despite the very few cups of coffee I actually drink, I love buying cute new coffee cups and mugs. They come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors, and when I see a cute and inexpensive mug, I can’t help myself.
21. Unexpected phone calls and notes – It’s always exciting to open my mailbox, or see a missed call from someone who I haven’t spoken with in months, just checking up to see how things are going. It lets me know someone is thinking about me and that I am important to someone.
While I’m sure I could think of many other things that make me happy, these are just a few of “my favorite things”.
1. Ice skating – Since the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, I have been in love with the sport. As I watched Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding represent the United States with their beautiful programs, I began “skating” (spinning in circles) around the living room. My parents decided to enroll me in learn-to-skate classes, and I’m still enjoying the sport today.
2. Apple products – My MacBook is one of my favorite gadgets at the moment. As a college student, staying connected is a big part of my social and academic life. With this computer, I have the ability to organize my schoolwork, photos, and music, as well as keep in touch with family and friends here at school and back home. My iPod is another favorite possession, allowing me to listen to my favorite tunes while I work out or on long road trips. Soon, I hope to own an iPhone, which I’m sure will also rank among my favorite toys.
3. Photography – Whether it be for the purpose of decorating a room, or capturing events, times, places, or people to document the past, photography is my favorite medium of art. Finding a beautiful location, unusual still life, or even creating a photo op with friends can create a perfect picture, and is a source of hours of entertainment and years of memories.
4. Lazy weekends – During a busy and hectic semester, a lazy weekend spent in my sweats, taking long naps and watching TV seems like a weekend in heaven! These weekends come few and far between, so when the rare occasion occurs, I take full advantage of it.
5. Organizers – Some might call me OCD… and they would be right. Post-It Notes and planners are a daily necessity in order for me to keep from stressing out…too much anyway. I write everything in my planner, from friends’ birthdays to deadlines, to weekend activities, and I use multiple post-it notes to remind me of my daily tasks.
6. My baby blankets – At 20 years old, my dad thinks it is completely ridiculous that I still sleep with my baby blankets. I, however, see them as a comfort, especially when I’m away from home. The older and more raggedy they get, the better.
7. Music – and everything about it. Music is such a powerful force, able to create a mood or simply provide entertainment. I frequently find myself searching for a new artist or album to listen to, oftentimes with the guidance of friends with eclectic musical tastes.
8. Books – A good romance novel is a favorite pastime of mine in the summer. During the school year, so much time is taken up by the reading of textbooks that I rarely find time to escape into a fictional world where life ends happily ever after. If the book has the ability to make me laugh out loud or cry real tears, it’s definitely a must-have and quickly makes my list of favorites.
9. Tube socks – Yes, I realize this sounds weird, but it makes sense. I love the fact that tube socks, as opposed to regular, ankle socks, do not fall down or get bunched up in my winter boots. That’s really all there is to this simple pleasure.
10. Getting my hair and nails done – After getting my hair or nails done, I feel more put together and more presentable, especially just before some big event in which I feel the need to look more clean-cut, and less like a college student lounging around in my sweats.
11. Household items – Yet, another unusual pleasure I enjoy. New, soft bath towels and sheets, as well as a new bottle of shampoo or a new decoration for my room gets me just as excited as going shopping for a new pair of shoes.
12. New shoes – A pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. Along with a new pair of shoes comes the ability to create a whole new look to an outfit that’s been sitting in the closet for years. At the beginning of a new season it is exciting to pull out a pair of shoes that haven’t been seen in months due to the fact that wearing them during the wrong season would be a major fashion faux pas.
13. Bubble baths – A warm, relaxing bubble bath is just what I need to help me relax after a long day at work or a tough practice at the rink.
14. Snow cones – Growing up, the opening of snow cone stands was a sure sign of spring, and the promise of a coming summer. A popular after-school destination, my friends and I would gather on the lawn in front of a snow cone stand and spend hours laying in the sun and eating our sugary treat. Now, every time I eat a small, flat-topped Tigers Blood, I become nostalgic of the warm summer nights spent with these old friends.
15. Flowers – Another reminder of spring, flowers always seem to lighten up the room and add a decorative touch to our plain and cold dorm rooms.
16. Board games – Cheap entertainment for poor college students. It is not uncommon to walk into the lobby of Dearborn Commons to see a table full of students gathering a group to play a game of some sort. Many times I find myself putting off my homework, just to take part in some of the action, despite losing most of the games I participate in.
17. Road trips – Having hours to listen to my favorite music, creating photo ops and spending time creating memories and inside jokes with friends are all part of what make a road trip enjoyable. The escape of everyday life and the enjoyment of a destination of my choosing, seeing the sights and enjoying the culture of the city, add some excitement to the mundane routine I often find myself a part of.
18. Sleepovers – Staying up late, watching movies, talking about boys, and discussing our futures are some of the enjoyments of this long-standing tradition among many teenage girls.
19. Musicals – While many people find musicals to be annoying and boring, I have yet to find a musical I dislike. Whether on stage or on the big screen, the combination of singing and dancing always can make a movie or play 10 times better. Among the many musicals I have seen, my current favorites are Wicked, Hairspray, Rent and of course The Sound of Music.
20. Coffee cups – Despite the very few cups of coffee I actually drink, I love buying cute new coffee cups and mugs. They come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors, and when I see a cute and inexpensive mug, I can’t help myself.
21. Unexpected phone calls and notes – It’s always exciting to open my mailbox, or see a missed call from someone who I haven’t spoken with in months, just checking up to see how things are going. It lets me know someone is thinking about me and that I am important to someone.
While I’m sure I could think of many other things that make me happy, these are just a few of “my favorite things”.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
figure skating IS a sport
Recently, Dr. Stogner stood up in assembly and gave, what I assume to be, an insightful lecture. I, however, was too distracted by his opening statements to pay close attention to the words of wisdom coming from this man who is, on most occasions, interesting and entertaining to listen to.
He began his lecture by sarcastically stating that a major argument that causes problems the relationship he and his wife is over figure skating and whether or not it should be considered a sport.
Many people who know me know how much I love skating, and what a big part of my life was devoted to the sport. (Yes, I said sport, because that is what it is!) For ten years I spent countless hours on the ice, traveling to competitions, preparing for shows, and effortlessly spending my parents money on dresses, coaches, travel and ice time. I was the epitome of the phrase “rink rat.”
Needless to say, it is frustrating, and almost offensive to me when people try to tell me that the one sport I was at least somewhat decent at is not, in fact, a sport.
Dictionary.com defines “figure skating” as “a competitive SPORT in which the skater is required to execute school figures and to perform one or more original programs of difficult jumps, spins, etc., to a musical setting” – keyword: sport.
Not enough evidence for you? Wikipedia.com, ESPN.com and the official site of the Winter Olympic Games (vancouver2010.com), all include and define figure skating as a sport.
These sources, however, are not enough for some of my friends, so I will continue. Hundreds of definitions are given for the word “sport.” These include, but are not limited to:
1.) diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.
2.) physical activity engaged in for pleasure.
3.) an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc. (As a side note, if hunting and fishing are considered a sport, then you better believe figure skating is a sport!)
Need I break these up for you and explain? Let’s start with a “diversion.” The time commitment required to excel in figure skating is much like any other sport. After all, “practice makes perfect.” Growing up, many birthday parties and school dances were passed up for a chance to compete in an out-of-state competition, or to participate in ice shows at our local arena. Often times, practices lasted hours at a time, beginning before the sun was up, or lasting well into the evening. Unbeknownst to my parents, homework was not always a priority, and was pushed off until walking into class the day it was due. However, skating remained my “pleasant pastime” and a “physical activity [I] engaged in for pleasure.”
As previously stated, much time and money was spent on competing in various figure skating competitions in and out of state. The “competitive nature” of the sport was the major motivation for continuing with the sport for so many years. While weeks at a time were spent preparing a program that was over in a matter of two to four minutes, the mix of nervous butterflies and adrenaline rush were enough to keep me excited for the next competition that I had to prepare for.
One friend of mine continues to explain to me that figure skating is not a sport due to the fact that records are not kept. However, this is an untrue statement – records are just kept differently. Unlike football in which you can confidently state wins versus loses, figure skating keeps records of placement in four major competitions: the Grand Prix, Nationals, Worlds and, of course, the Olympics. Each placement determines the skater’s overall rank among other skaters who skate at the same level.
Finally, figure skating is “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess.” In figure skating, the skater learns to balance on two thin blades, each measuring only 4mm wide. However, the blade is “hollow ground”, meaning there is a groove on the bottom of the blade, creating two distinct edges, and the majority of the sport is spent on one edge of one blade. Anyone who has seen The Cutting Edge knows the toe pick is another factor in determining whether the skater will keep his or her feet on the ice, or if the majority of time will be spent sprawled out in cold and unappealing positions – the result of a face plant.
While balancing on this tiny edge and avoiding the negative use of a toe pick, the skater must perform jumps, spins and footwork, and at the same time stay on beat with and act out the emotions in the music, all the while keeping a cheesy grin plastered on his or her face anywhere up to four minutes.
While these are already quite difficult tasks to juggle, add in anywhere from one to 19 other skaters on the ice at the same time (for pairs skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating), and now you’ve got the whole circus act. Now, not only must the skater do jumps, spins and footwork balanced on a miniscule edge while avoiding a disastrous fall from a trip on the toe pick to the beat of the music while keeping a smile on his or her sweaty, nervous and exhausted face, but he or she must also stay perfectly aligned with and at the same speed as one or more other skaters, each trying to accomplish these daunting tasks simultaneously, often times while being lifted in the air, obviously requiring great power and strength.
And thus, my point is made. While I anticipate the rebuttal of many who have already attempted to sway my opinion in the opposite direction, I will stand firm in my beliefs – figure skating is a sport.
He began his lecture by sarcastically stating that a major argument that causes problems the relationship he and his wife is over figure skating and whether or not it should be considered a sport.
Many people who know me know how much I love skating, and what a big part of my life was devoted to the sport. (Yes, I said sport, because that is what it is!) For ten years I spent countless hours on the ice, traveling to competitions, preparing for shows, and effortlessly spending my parents money on dresses, coaches, travel and ice time. I was the epitome of the phrase “rink rat.”
Needless to say, it is frustrating, and almost offensive to me when people try to tell me that the one sport I was at least somewhat decent at is not, in fact, a sport.
Dictionary.com defines “figure skating” as “a competitive SPORT in which the skater is required to execute school figures and to perform one or more original programs of difficult jumps, spins, etc., to a musical setting” – keyword: sport.
Not enough evidence for you? Wikipedia.com, ESPN.com and the official site of the Winter Olympic Games (vancouver2010.com), all include and define figure skating as a sport.
These sources, however, are not enough for some of my friends, so I will continue. Hundreds of definitions are given for the word “sport.” These include, but are not limited to:
1.) diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.
2.) physical activity engaged in for pleasure.
3.) an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc. (As a side note, if hunting and fishing are considered a sport, then you better believe figure skating is a sport!)
Need I break these up for you and explain? Let’s start with a “diversion.” The time commitment required to excel in figure skating is much like any other sport. After all, “practice makes perfect.” Growing up, many birthday parties and school dances were passed up for a chance to compete in an out-of-state competition, or to participate in ice shows at our local arena. Often times, practices lasted hours at a time, beginning before the sun was up, or lasting well into the evening. Unbeknownst to my parents, homework was not always a priority, and was pushed off until walking into class the day it was due. However, skating remained my “pleasant pastime” and a “physical activity [I] engaged in for pleasure.”
As previously stated, much time and money was spent on competing in various figure skating competitions in and out of state. The “competitive nature” of the sport was the major motivation for continuing with the sport for so many years. While weeks at a time were spent preparing a program that was over in a matter of two to four minutes, the mix of nervous butterflies and adrenaline rush were enough to keep me excited for the next competition that I had to prepare for.
One friend of mine continues to explain to me that figure skating is not a sport due to the fact that records are not kept. However, this is an untrue statement – records are just kept differently. Unlike football in which you can confidently state wins versus loses, figure skating keeps records of placement in four major competitions: the Grand Prix, Nationals, Worlds and, of course, the Olympics. Each placement determines the skater’s overall rank among other skaters who skate at the same level.
Finally, figure skating is “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess.” In figure skating, the skater learns to balance on two thin blades, each measuring only 4mm wide. However, the blade is “hollow ground”, meaning there is a groove on the bottom of the blade, creating two distinct edges, and the majority of the sport is spent on one edge of one blade. Anyone who has seen The Cutting Edge knows the toe pick is another factor in determining whether the skater will keep his or her feet on the ice, or if the majority of time will be spent sprawled out in cold and unappealing positions – the result of a face plant.
While balancing on this tiny edge and avoiding the negative use of a toe pick, the skater must perform jumps, spins and footwork, and at the same time stay on beat with and act out the emotions in the music, all the while keeping a cheesy grin plastered on his or her face anywhere up to four minutes.
While these are already quite difficult tasks to juggle, add in anywhere from one to 19 other skaters on the ice at the same time (for pairs skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating), and now you’ve got the whole circus act. Now, not only must the skater do jumps, spins and footwork balanced on a miniscule edge while avoiding a disastrous fall from a trip on the toe pick to the beat of the music while keeping a smile on his or her sweaty, nervous and exhausted face, but he or she must also stay perfectly aligned with and at the same speed as one or more other skaters, each trying to accomplish these daunting tasks simultaneously, often times while being lifted in the air, obviously requiring great power and strength.
And thus, my point is made. While I anticipate the rebuttal of many who have already attempted to sway my opinion in the opposite direction, I will stand firm in my beliefs – figure skating is a sport.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
home
Despite the fact that I have many friends, live in the dorms surrounded by lots of other people, share my room with 3 (sometimes 4, if you count Jen) other girls and am involved in various groups on campus, sometimes I feel so alone. I really have no reason to feel this way, but this feeling creeps up on me every now and then when I least expect it. Michael Buble's song "Home" is a good example of how I am feeling right now:
May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
I can't wait to go home...
May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
I can't wait to go home...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
my mind is racing
Last night I had a difficult time falling asleep. I keep finding myself worrying about... well, everything. For the summer, I have to decide which jobs I want to accept, where I want to live, what I want to accomplish, and how much money I have to make. Then I start worrying about next semester - what classes I should take, what offices I should fill, where I should do my internship, where I can come up with the money for skating. That doesn't even include the projects I have to finish, the newspaper deadline I'm trying to meet, etc, etc. These thoughts have consumed my thoughts enough that it is hard to concentrate on much else.
So today I took out my bible, and read something that I hope will soothe my worries, and calm my fears:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
In the midst of this crazy life of mine, I often forget to rely on God to provide my needs and take care of my concerns. I realize that I spend too little time asking Him for guidance and I try to solve everything on my own.
It is my hope that I can learn to rely on God "present [my] requests to God."
So today I took out my bible, and read something that I hope will soothe my worries, and calm my fears:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
In the midst of this crazy life of mine, I often forget to rely on God to provide my needs and take care of my concerns. I realize that I spend too little time asking Him for guidance and I try to solve everything on my own.
It is my hope that I can learn to rely on God "present [my] requests to God."
Friday, February 22, 2008
take two
My second attempt at keeping a blog. I have attempted many times to put my thoughts down in writing, but to no avail. My mom has mentioned multiple times how she wishes that she would have written things down when she was my age because it would be interesting to look back and see what her thoughts and feelings were when going through some of the daily struggles that a typical college student goes through, and therefore encourages me to write as often and about as much as possible. And so, alas, I am going to give it another shot. We'll see what happens.
I have made a recent discovery that I am afraid will soon empty out my wallet. I am really into books - romance, art, the classics. I've gone to Borders a couple of times recently, and have found that, with no clock to keep me accountable, I can spend hours at a time, scanning the numerous titles, often times feeling overwhelmed at the many choices I have to make. In the end, I leave the store with too many books, knowing it will be months before I will have time to read them, and often feeling guilty about the amount of money that was spent. I am, however, quite proud of some of the selections I have made recently, and cannot wait to be able to sit down give them each the time they deserve.
So... if anyone has read a good book that you can recommend for my growing library, let me know!
I have made a recent discovery that I am afraid will soon empty out my wallet. I am really into books - romance, art, the classics. I've gone to Borders a couple of times recently, and have found that, with no clock to keep me accountable, I can spend hours at a time, scanning the numerous titles, often times feeling overwhelmed at the many choices I have to make. In the end, I leave the store with too many books, knowing it will be months before I will have time to read them, and often feeling guilty about the amount of money that was spent. I am, however, quite proud of some of the selections I have made recently, and cannot wait to be able to sit down give them each the time they deserve.
So... if anyone has read a good book that you can recommend for my growing library, let me know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
