The Two-Tone Ottoman, Dreams of Philosophy and a Bucket of Cookie Dough

It is bright and early (thank you, daylight savings time) on Thursday morning and I was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate until I spilled it all over my light brown ottoman. Perhaps, if I spill it again, I can manage to stain it evenly.

Let’s see – this past week was filled with class, work, doctor’s visits (too many!) and Honors Research. It is time for yet another Honors Paper, which, strangely enough, is my favorite part of college. After 3 months of research, I have at last completed my outline (which is a third of the required length of the paper. Hmm …) and am spending most of my time stringing it together into complete and legible sentences. Perhaps, one day (after the paper is due), I shall dream of something other than the nature of man and political theorists …

It has now come to my attention that 3 clocks within my dorm room each claim a different time. That is unacceptable.

In further news, I found a bucket of cookie dough in my fridge last week. I don’t think the cookie dough gods exist, but if they did, they must have been smiling upon me. Said bucket is now nearly empty. Do the cookie dough gods give free refills?

Anyway, my allotted blogging minutes are now running into overtime (yes, I live on a minute-by-minute basis. It ensures that I obtain 7-8 hours of sleep each night).

Until next time … I love college.

The Bouncy Committee, Inflation Rates and The Ghost of Halloweens Past

This particular early morning escapade has primarily included inflation rate calculations for the Economics exam in which I shall partake in less than an hour. What a great dose of happiness to start this day.

Speaking of doses of happiness, I was privileged enough to be drafted into the Bouncy Ball Committee of my workplace, at which I gleefully obtained 4 colorful bouncy balls of a whopping 60mm in diameter. I am now drafting other unsuspecting coworkers into the Committee in an effort to spread the bouncy happiness a little further.

Let’s see – registration occurred this week. I plan to continue my athletic – er- amusement next semester in Weight Training. If I don’t get anything out of all these HPE requirements, at least I’ll get some great stories to tell my grandchildren someday.

It has now come to my attention that Monster’s Ball occurs this weekend. To be quite honest, this fact has yet to cross my mind before this moment. I’ve had some intriguing costumes over the years. I have been an indian, a cow, a Disney princess (I don’t remember which one), and a Biblical Archaeologist. Most recently, I was a non-conformist, which required watching House with a few other non-conformists instead of attending Monster’s Ball like all of the … conformists. Hmm – perhaps this year, I shall be a college student and spend my evening on my Honors research … yes, that sounds like a grand idea.

Well, there you have it. Thanks for sticking with me while I decided what to do about Monster’s Ball. ‘Tis yet another reason why …

I love college.

Stompin’ Grounds, Cultural Aversions and An Epic Return

Fret not Ramland, I have returned to the blogging realm. Though my early morning escapades have recently consisted of midterms and my little corporate America office cube over Fall break, I am back to the regular college routine. There is also a slight winter chill in the air (at last!) and thus, my beloved leather jacket has returned to my daily attire. Epic, indeed.

Midterms passed without consequence. The most difficult by far was the dreaded Honors midterm (the term ‘dreaded’ is measured by the quantity of facebook statuses reflecting lost sleep and much difficulty), but said midterm was also conquered well (insert sigh of relief here). If only I can overcome the research paper …

As for Fall Break, it was likely the most productive week of recent memory. Besides ample time spent in my little corporate America office cube, I also wrote two papers, read 3 books and cleaned 4 trash bags of unnecessary junk out of my parents’ abode.

I also spent the weekend in the “ol’ stompin’ grounds” of the maternal unit, where I ate much cake and even attended a football game. (However, my aversion to football was not overcome, but rather encouraged. After half of the first quarter, I contented myself with reading Crime and Punishment on Cleo, my iPhone, in an attempt to ignore the excessive noise. I mean, really, people – is yelling ‘GO FOR IT, BILLY!’ every time said player moves really going to help anyone?)

Anyway, thus concludes my rants for the morning. Onward to … class!

I love college.

A Search for Excitement, Tribes, and Laundry with a Mind of Its Own

It didn’t rain yesterday for the first time in recent memory. My rain boots are bored.

But I’m not, because college won’t let me. I overcame the week of excessive exams relatively painlessly and I even obtained eight and a half hours of sleep last night. Thank you, I shall take a bow.

On this particular morning, I am blogging solely because I am waiting on My UM to wake up so I can submit my homework. I know, My UM, sometimes I’m lazy in the mornings  too, but today you are without excuse. Perhaps it’s going on strike . . . I hope not, because my homework is due.

Anyway, I know that there is nothing particularly riveting about my academic affairs, so allow me to ponder the existence of excitement in my life. On Saturday, I woke up (thankfully) and proceeded to read Tribes by Seth Godin for the majority of the day. Nothing like a good dose of business leadership to make your Saturday an exciting one. And, I did laundry, and the dryer texted me when my clothes were dry. That’s exciting, right? The new David Crowder album released on Tuesday, for which I woke up excessively early so I could download and listen to it before class began. 48 hours later, I have listened to said album 7 and a half times and it has yet to grow dull.

Hey look, my UM woke up. I think that wins the excitement award for the morning.

Anyway, thanks for reading – when I find some excitement, I’ll let you know. Until then,

I love college.

Bipolar Atmospheric Tendencies, Chainsaw Training and a Clifford Band-Aid

Yesterday, the sun came out and remained in our presence for more than 2.5 hours. I am shocked and slightly perturbed. These bipolar atmospheric tendencies are really not helping anyone (except for my polka-dot rain boots).

So, funny story. I’m in a Golf class this semester. (I shall pause for comedic effect … okay, stop laughing at me). Due to my lifelong aversion to athletic activity, I accidentally ended up in this class due to a last minute-need for more hours (long story). But anyway, I hit the ball last week, which I consider a significant accomplishment. In addition to hitting the ball, I managed to hit the best shot of my life as soon as the instructor turned to look. Unfortunately, I was unable to repeat the phenomenon and missed the next 12 swings and obtained a large blister on my right pointer finger. (But now, I have a Clifford band-aid upon the aforementioned blister, so therefore, all is well). Yes folks, this athletic disability of mine is why I am attending this institution on an academic scholarship. (You may now resume your laughter, I shall not be offended).

In addition to the other frivolities, I have also been trained in Disaster Relief this semester. Though I was more than a tad disappointed that I didn’t get to use a chainsaw, I earned a retinal-damage-inducing yellow hat which I shall don proudly the next time a crisis rolls around. Fret not, though I am unlicensed to wield a chainsaw, I am trained, ready and willing to do the paperwork the next time a hurricane blows through.

Oh, and I used Germ-X 13 times last Friday. I think I have a problem.

I suppose this completes the summation of recent developments.

I love college.

The Early Bird, Excessive Excessiveness and the Germ-X on the Table

Hey look, the sun decided to come up today. Apparently college is turning me into an early bird … I have yet to decide whether this is a blessing or a curse.

But I did not neglect the pastime of excessive sleep throughout Labor Day weekend. Neither did I neglect the pastime of excessive homework, nor excessive consumption of the ice cream in the freezer. Thanks, Mom. (And thanks Dad for not consuming said ice cream before I did. Thanks also for not getting offended when I mention Mom in the blog without mentioning you. You’re a real trooper ).

Speaking of excessiveness, I have used more Germ-X in the past month of my life than in the previous 18 years of my life combined. It’s everywhere, and I just can’t pass it up. Though student speculation is that excessive Germ-X use produces mutant germs, this is a risk I am willing to take. Can’t catch me, swine flu.

Yet another aspect of excessiveness in my life is the four exams I shall partake in throughout the next week. I know, all this splendidness is just a little too good to be true, but I suppose that’s why I love college.

Heretics, A Cup of Earl Grey and A People-Watcher’s Paradise

Shh … Ramland is sleeping.
The sun is rising and I am enjoying a cup of Earl Grey in my pajamas. All is well.

So, what is there to say – college goes on. Last weekend, a few of the fellow Honors students spent the day in the library finding books which could be labeled ‘heresy.’ We hid behind a stack of books for several hours, reading things like, “Jesus didn’t really exist” or “Why the Bible can’t be trusted.” We spent the next couple of hours thinking, praying, reading, discussing these things until we all came to the same conclusion: You just can’t argue with the truth. I suppose the point of a Christian education is not to become one-sided and naive, but to know what you believe and why you believe it.
And even among – and indirectly because of – all the heresy, I’m convinced that Jesus is Lord. And in the face of any argument, you are welcome to ask me why.
(Oh, and fret not – we’re going to have an orthodoxy day in the library here shortly, just to be well-rounded. )

Anyway, in addition to all the scholarly goodness (aw, sad, my tea is gone), I have been jumping into the SGA realm this week. I’ve also rediscovered my fascination with people-watching. With all of the incoming freshmen, I don’t know nearly as many people on campus as I did last year (which I am quickly attempting to remedy). This place is a myriad of interesting experiences, ideas, personalities, and … potential. What a boiling pot this is of incredibly talented and passionate people who will individually change the Kingdom of God.

Consequentially, I think our class reunions will be really interesting …

So, as cliche as it may be – “Changing Lives to Change the World” is pointedly accurate.

And that’s yet another reason why I love college.

Kindergarten, College and Their Shocking Similarities

-In kindergarten, disobeying the rules means you have to sit in time-out.
-In college, disobeying the rules means you lose your scholarship.
Both consequences are equally grave.

-In kindergarten, you decide on the first day of school whom your friends will be.
-In college, you decide during RamRush.
But all friendships are established with the simple phrase, “We’re going to be friends, okay?” (Believe me, it’s happened on more than one occasion here in Ramland).

-In kindergarten, you trade your yellow crayon for their purple one.
-In college, you trade your biological culture for their biological culture.

- In kindergarten, you cry when Mom leaves you.
-In college, Mom cries when she leaves you.

-In kindergarten, you panic and cry during the fire alarm.
-In college, you don’t even get out of bed.

-In kindergarten, you get a nap after lunch.
-In college, you still get a nap after lunch.

-In kindergarten, the biggest health risk is putting your mouth on the water fountain.
-In college, the biggest health risk is swine flu.
-(But everything can be remedied with the Germ-X on the table).

-In kindergarten, you get to have story time with the teacher every Tuesday.
-In college, you get to have story time with Neal every Tuesday during True Spin.

More to come … though kindergarten shall be greatly missed, I love college.

Lazy Saturdays, Easy Mac and a Very Epic Morning

So I am highly amused by the “Homeschool Graduate” indication in my new blog heading.
Yes, I am proud to have been a homeschooler and loved every moment of it – (and before you ask, yes, I was more than prepared for college and I had plenty of friends in high school – but thanks for asking ). Anyway, though my blog heading may indicate a difference between me and other students, I promise I’m not really that special …

Anyway, it is Saturday morning and I am really, really glad I don’t have class or work today. College can quickly increase the value of weekends. After five 18-hour school and work days, how I treasure a lazy Saturday. However, the lunchtime caf hours are not conducive to a lazy Saturday – it usually closes before I wake up. I guess it’s an Easy Mac day!

So anyway, the past week has been back and forth from the classroom to the office to the homework cave with a few visits to the Financial Aid office in between (it’s pretty much a party up in there). Speaking of which, I had a very epic morning this week which I’m sure shall amuse you:

Get out of class.

Get soaked between Garner and Weaver, all the way regretting that the rain boots of splendor were still in the closet. (Hey, it was sunny when I left the dorm).

Spend hour in Financial Aid recovering long lost $$.

Walk back to Faulkner. (Scotty, can you beam up my rain boots? These flip flops aren’t cutting it …)

Realize upon arrival that accounting book was left in Financial Aid.

Run out the door and leave keys behind.

Spend 20 minutes masterminding the break-in back to the dorm.

Recover lost accounting book.

Make it to work on time … success.

So anyway, all of that being said – I love college.

A Winning Combo, Fire Alarm Sensitivity and a New Frontier

I write tonight from Faulkner lobby, clad in pajamas and actively squeezing the last bit of coherent thought from my overused brain (I think it wants its vacation back). The first week of college is coming to a close and I am already becoming nicely re-acquainted with the homework cave, but I have still managed to engage in much frivolity over the past week. Call me a rebel, but instead of the Goodwill Gala, I diverted my attention to a gathering of non-conformists which included the Dew Drop Inn, Old Dutch Ice Cream and bluegrass music. What a winning combo.

Anyway, I’m actually rather excited about the semester’s upcoming academic pursuits. Sophomore-ness is a wonderful thing considering that most of my “only because I have to be” classes were completed last year and I am now jumping into my major. I’m also excited about exploring the new opportunities and venues in which to spend my free time this year (free time … heh, heh). It’s a whole new frontier out there – but I always have loved a little adventure.

In further developments, the angry tree that sent its largest branch hurling into my beloved Sally the Sequel last spring has been avenged at last and reduced into a stump by campus maintenance. Fret not, Sally the Sequel still has the dent to remember it by. Also, due to overuse I have become desensitized to the Faulkner fire alarm, which is why I consequentially stayed in bed upon its 7:30 a.m. employment today. I know that’s not the fire procedure they taught me in kindergarten, but now I am afraid my doubt has overcome my caution. Don’t try this at home, kids.

That’s all for now, folks. I love college.