Books with Feeling

As most everyone who has met me knows, I love my books. My family just helped me move and of the trailer load, 5 boxes were dedicated just to my books. These were not little boxes mind you. Having said that, I am always on the look out for more books. I don't really have a preference other than it needs to be fiction or really REALLY interesting nonfiction. My cousin, who was in 8th grade at the time, told me about a trilogy that she read in school. She couldn't stop gushing about how good it was so like any self-respecting bibliophile I picked up the first book.

The first book is called 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins.
Have you read a book and immediately wanted to read it again for the first time? Or have you ever finished a book and wanted to make all your friends read it so you could discuss it with them? This book was both of those.

It took me a while to actually find time to read a book, let alone this book, but I managed to set aside some time during my lunch break Tuesday. I started reading. Next thing I know, my lunch is cold and my calendar is chiming that I have to prepare for lab. I was stunned. It was riveting. You immediately get sucked into Katniss's life. Needless to say it was a LONG three hours in lab. I was mad at myself for starting it at lunch time. Should have known not to start a book with a set time limit, silly me. Well, as soon as I walked in the door that evening, I picked up the book and finished it. This book was awesome. The emotion Suzanne Collins evokes is amazing. I'm almost positive my heart rate sped up when they were in the arena and I cried at other parts. Its probably one of the best books I have read in a while. I have made myself not buy the other two books. Work must come first. However, the weekend approaches and I have time to kill.

I just hope they do the book justice in the movie.

What books have touched you lately?

Oh...

And since I have a job with a computer again, I will try to post more often. I am trying to journal with daily readings...but I hate to write. We'll see how this goes...

Church choice #1

Sunday Morning

8:30 – Ok what do I wear? I don’t know if this church is more traditional (aka a dress) or contemporary (jeans). Better go with a skirt. It’s a nice in between compromise

9:30 – Church service starts at 10:45. I have time, what’s on TV?

9:31 – I hate politics

9:35 – Wow PBS is showing an episode of Signing Time, must text Jess

10:35 – Probably should leave and make sure I’m there on time.

10:41 – There are a lot of old people here…I mean elderly people

10:45 – I love singing. Yeah it’s a praise song! Hmm, why aren’t those people standing?? O_O Its an orchestra…in a church…wow!

10:50ish (hey I not checking my clock…I’m in church) – I know this song too!!

10:51ish – O_o This is the slow version of this song

10:55ish – Fellowship…there are a lot of elderly people here.

11:00ish – That man reading the scripture passage looks familiar…note to self ask parents if Don Baker is someone we know

11:12ish – WOW, the choir special was amazing. So far so good.

11:50ish – Ok, a message was presented…I don’t know what to think about that…

11:55 (alright I finally looked at my clock) – A man comes up to me and gives me a really nice compliment about my singing.

12:00 – Back to my place.

I don’t know. I went to a church and worshiped but I felt disconnected. I know it takes time to become a part of any given church family, but I just hope God points me in the right place. I did find out I went to the “old people” service. How was I to know? All they have posted on the website and sign outside is times not the places for each service. I’m going to try another church this Sunday so I will try to post my comments here about that one as well. And don’t get me wrong, I liked this service. I just don’t know, something wasn’t fitting together. More prayer and time will tell me where I need to be. I just hope I have my listening ears on when He does reveal the answer.

addiction

According to the merriam-webster dictionary the definition of addiction is the following: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal ; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

With that being said, I think I am on my way to having an addiction. I definitely have a compulsive need for it. The fact that it is habit-forming is a fact, but I (as of today) haven't found any symptoms upon withdrawal. That might be because I don't think I have ever went through withdrawal but that is besides the point. But, probably the main reason I don't think I have an addiction is, well, because my 'addiction' isn't harmful. Well at least not yet.

I bet you all are wondering what my 'addiction' is, hmm? Well its books.

Now most of you are probably thinking that's not an addiction that's a hobby. Well when does a hobby become an addiction, and why am I not classifying it as an obsession? Well simply put an obsession is compelling motivation or persistent disturbing preoccupation with someone or thing. Books are not disturbing, at least they aren't to the majority of people.

I guess the real reason why I am calling it an addiction is because someone recently has called me a drug dealer or more aptly put a drug pusher and drugs usually are something you are addicted to. Now please wait to hear the explanation before jumping to conclusions.

I have in my possession a lot of books. I have to plastic containers full of them and then multiple dresser drawers and three shelves on a bookcase worth of books. (and this is just the ones in the house) A friend who we will call C, was talking to me one day about how she needed to get some new books because she just kept on rereading the ones she had. (The series she kept rereading was the twilight books and the host) I being the person that I am, came in the next day with a bag full of books. This was a few months ago. She has since started 5 or 6 more series. I have demands for 2 more series she wants to read and a couple 'singles' that I am gonna give to see if she likes the author. The is not the first time I have gotten someone hooked on a particular series or author. A fellow group member got addicted to Janet Evanovich when I made her read the first Stephanie Plum book. I have friends and siblings that are nothing but enablers that I exchange books or authors with. I got my aunt addicted to some different authors, who then has pushed some of the better books on to my uncle. I have even corrupted my own mother and am trying to get her to read some of the newer books. So all of this and probably some that I just can't think of at this moment has me lovingly called a drug dealer. T, another member of my group just laughs and shakes her head whenever C comes in and demands her next fix. Heck, C called me the other day and asked if I could bring the next set of four books in the Charlaine Harris series because she had just finished the fourth and needed to know what happens next.

So maybe you can call books a drug and myself a drug pusher...I just noticed that if you tweak the wording of the above paragraph, it does sound bad. However, I wouldn't say I am at a harmful stage yet. I do budget books in to my finances. Every paycheck I have a certain amount that I set aside for books. This amount changes depending on how many books are being released in that month that I want. And yes, I have a list that tells me when the books I want are going to be released. For you information June is a huge month with 2-3 books being released every week that I want. I might have to give up July's budgeted money to June. Who knows? The main point is, I have this under control. I haven't started giving up food for books. (well I have spent the whole day in bed reading before...on a couple of occasions, but that is beside the point) Its not to the harmful stage yet, which is why I am not qualifying it as an addiction yet.

But com'on, really, its not a bad addiction to have.
I don't know about you but I like my addiction.
I mean if you could be addicted to anything in the world what would it be?
And I would like to know, do you think I have addiction or just a healthy habit?

stumble upon

I just discovered the most marvelous thing.  Its called stumble upon.  If you don't know what I am talking about, google the term, click on a page of interest and then use the little task bar that appears on the top of your page.  I have spent more time than I should using this little thing.  Its great!!  I just had to share one website.  (*just for anyones information, I don't condone this, but think it is pretty art)

Another funny

Okie, I found another one, that I just had to share.

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.

6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.

11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM IS.

A funny to get you through the day

I realized that I needed a pick-me-up and thought I would share what I found. These are cute sayings that I just had to laugh at. Some are soooo true!


1 . My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he
was God and I didn't.

2. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.

3. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
(agree)

4. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke. (I never had a handle
on life...)

5. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.

6. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.(They are called undergrads...and don't be jealous)

7. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

8. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.

9. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.

10. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

11. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck- is-the-room- spinning
medicine.

12. God must love stupid people; He made so many.

13. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

14. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps. (Amen, preach on!!)

15. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again? (Frequently)

16. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!

17. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.

18. Procrastinate Now!

19. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That? (A friend gave me this one)

20. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

21. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

22. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!

23. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

24 . He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD. (Sad but true kiddies)

25. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand
times the memory.

26 . Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment
for a pig. (I seem to recall a vball quote about this one, but I could be wrong)

27. The trouble with life is there's no background music. (I just hum my own)

28. The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.

29. I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.

That was a good one to end on right? Just fake it, but remember to smile!

Time

I just realized that I live in a bubble.

No, really, I do.

I know jokes are made about grad students living at school and grad students having no concept of time but they are only funny because they are true. Since I have come to grad school, I have no sense of time. I have pulled more "all-nighters" then when I was in undergrad. And the crazy thing is I don't really call them "all-nighters". They are just work. (I hope you can follow me here) I remember the strain or the stress that these things would pose. I mean staying up ALL night...come on...and studying during that time? Crazy?! But now, that is in the past. Staying up all night to run an experiment because that is the only time available to use said instrument is not stressful but just pitiful. Or having to stay late (I am calling 3-4 am late) due to the fact that the instrument was throwing a hissy fit and wouldn't work during the day like any normal human being would. Also, this weekend business, what is that. I come in to work once or twice a weekend probably two of the four weekends in a given month. And these are not just rush in and change something on the stir plate visits (or at least the majority aren't), these are make up samples or run samples visits. I treat up-interrupted weekends as holidays. Oh and forget scheduled holidays. Which brings me to the fact that I just realized the Monday was a federal holiday and MU didn't have class. I bring this up because I was here and it was just another work day for me. Most of you are probably thinking well, duh, I had to work too. That isn't the point. I didn't even realize that I could've had the day off. I actually had to look at a calendar today to figure out what day it was and what date it was. Like I said time has no meaning to me. I just am.

I wonder what the 'real' world will be like?

I wonder if I will miss my bubble?

They say ignorance is bliss, hmm, well I guess one day I will find out.

I found the cutest little email forward, but instead of forwarding it around to everyone, I thought I would just post it here. Enjoy!

HOW
DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

-You
got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she
should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip
coming.

-- Alan, age
10

-No person
really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it
all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck
with.

--
Kristen, age 10

WHAT
IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three
is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by
then.
--
Camille, age 10

HOW
CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to
guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same
kids.
--
Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR
MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any
more kids.
--
Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO
ON A DATE?

-Dates
are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even
boys have something to say if you listen long enough..
--
Lynnette, age 8
(isn't
she a treasure)

-On
the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them
interested enough to go for a second date.
--
Martin, age 10

WHEN
IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

-When
they're rich.
--
Pam, age 7

-The
law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with
that.
- -
Curt, age 7

-The rule
goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids
with them. It's the right thing to do.
-
- Howard, age 8

IS
IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's
better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up
after them.
--
Anita, age 9
(bless you child )

HOW
WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET
MARRIED?

There
sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't
there?
--
Kelvin, age 8

And my personal favorite...

HOW
WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell
your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump
truck.
--
Ricky, age 10

Hope I gave a chuckle or two.

New Camera!

So Santa got me a ditigal camera for christmas! I have wanted one for a while but always convinced myself that I really didn't NEED one right now. I had other things I needed more and it was a toy. Well santa said that since I was a good girl this year, I could have a camera. Sorry to say the family paid the price. I went a little camera happy on christmas day. Here are a few of my favorites. And yes, I realize that they are of dogs. But Dice and Bailey are just sooo cute!

This is them passed out in the middle of the floor of the living room. They were crazy the first day, goin non stop and then...boom...they were down for the count.

This is pretty much the picture the whole time. Bailey has a little bit more energy than Dice. Okay that is a minor exagaration. She has a LOT of more energy. But anywho, aren't they cute.

411

So, I haven't written on this for a while. Sorry, I have been trying to write up a thesis. Do you know how hard it is to write and sum up four and half years of your life. Not only do you have to sum it up, you have to sum it up intelligently. It Sucks! I am. firstly, not a good writer. I am a great orator. (I speak good talk) Give me a subject and I can bore you talking about it, however, that does not transfer to writing. I can't seem to get anything down that I really want to say. Also, I can't get across what I want to say. It is soooo frustrating. Right now I am working on half of my thesis. Since my thesis will consist of two completely different topics, I essentially have two theses with some sort of connecting chapter (heaven help me with that) to wrap it all together. So anywho, enough ranting...

I am getting ready to go home. I have a dentist appt. tomorrow and then Mom and I are going to get our nails done and just enjoy the day together and I wont have to think about flourescence until I get back!! Yeah!!

wish us luck...

fun acapella

So I was sent a few links to some really good acapella groups. I thought I would share the few I liked. The first is an awesome blast to the past.



This one also gives 'props' the past and a really excellent movie!



And the last has to do with the Christmas season. Its a tie between the first and this one for the best! I hope you all enjoy!

procrastination 2

Your result for The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test...

Modern, Cool Nerd

52 % Nerd, 70% Geek, 17% Dork

For The Record:



A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.

A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.



You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the title of: Modern, Cool Nerd.



Nerds didn't use to be cool, but in the 90's that all changed. It used to be that, if you were a computer expert, you had to wear plaid or a pocket protector or suspenders or something that announced to the world that you couldn't quite fit in. Not anymore. Now, the intelligent and geeky have eked out for themselves a modicum of respect at the very least, and "geek is chic." The Modern, Cool Nerd is intelligent, knowledgable and always the person to call in a crisis (needing computer advice/an arcane bit of trivia knowledge). They are the one you want as your lifeline in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (or the one up there, winning the million bucks)!



Congratulations!




Also, you might want to check out some of my other tests if you're interested in any of the following:



Buffy the Vampire Slayer




Professional Wrestling






Love & Sexuality




America/Politics




Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

Take The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test at HelloQuizzy

procrastination

Your result for The A-Muse-ing Test...

Your muse is Thalia!

30% Thalia, 10% Urania, 10% Clio, 0% Erato, 20% Euterpe, 20% Melpomene, 0% Polyhymnia, 0% Terpsichore, and 10% Calliope!

Thalia is the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. She is known as "The Blossoming One." Thalia inspires comedy and happy endings. She may be seen with a shepherd's hook, a comic mask, or a wreath of ivy.

Call on Thalia when you need a smile or a laugh.

Just close your eyes and let your imagination take you away. Think about a beautiful woman coming toward you and you notice something funny about her. Perhaps she's wearing a clown nose or greets you in a mask with a fake smile. Whatever the case she can help you in your comedic endeavors. She will be the one that sits in the audience as you entertain and laughs the hardest at your jokes and routine. With Thalia you will never lack for something to smile about.

Take The A-Muse-ing Test at HelloQuizzy

seven degrees

Okie, so I know someone on national T.V. Look at the above picture. The guy on the far left should be familiar if you have seen any of the recent eHarmony commercials. He used to go to school with me. weird huh?

Also I can seven degrees myself to Kevin Bacon:
1. Me
2. Lisa (labmate and research group member)
3. Tad Hilgenbrink (went to high school with Lisa also starred in American Pie:Band Camp with...)
4. Eugene Levy (who starred in Bringin down the House with...)
5. Queen Latifah (who starred in Beauty Shop with...)
6. Kevin Bacon!
In fact, you all now can seven degrees yourself to Kevin Bacon. hehehe

deer-1 bro-0

me: see anything?
bro: a 4 point
me: did you take a shot?
bro: no he was right underneath my stand, point blank *pause* I could have pulled a Rambo on it but I didn't shot it
me: Rambo huh?
bro: yeah knife in the teeth, slit the throat
me:...okie

kitty power!

So I just saw the weirdest thing, a small cat (I hesitate to call it a kitten but not a regular size cat) take on a turkey vulture and win. I was driving and there was some road kill on the roadside. The vulture of course was doing what it does best and pecking at its remains, when all of a sudden this kitty jumped from the bushes and ambushed the vulture. It was amazing. It was like watching one of those discovery channel thingys about wild cats. The bird was frightened but got away when as my car approached the cat ran off. I am kinda sorry I continued driving, that would have been one heck of a match to watch.

First Post...

I don't know if this will work...me just rambling on whenever I think about it...but i am going to try. In fact this has been on my mind for a while. Again, we will see if this works.

As for today, it is jacob's birthday. He is 22. I don't know how come he keeps getting so old when i still remain 21. (or at least that is what it feels like) Today I also found out that a someone dear to me is no longer on this earth. He is someone that deserves to be remembered, so i thought i would share a memory with you.

Emery Hale was my bus driver. Yes, i know what you are thinking. My bus driver i had from the time i started to ride the bus to the moment Jess started driving. He was the best bus driver ever! We had a hour long drive on the return trip from school. We, my sibs and I, were the second to last stop. Man, that was the best time. Everyone else had already gotten off the bus and it was just us. In the fall, right after school started, when we would get on the dirt road, there would be a house or two on the way that had apple trees. Everyday, we would stop and Emery would go pick some apples and we would have a snack. Usually we would eat this snack while sitting on top of the seats of the school bus. This was a big no-no but he would just smile and say to us "no one is looking, i guess you can do it this once." That once turned out to be a few times. He was the most amazing man. Not just for these memories but for many others and for a few that can not be explained. Emery, i know wherever you are, I miss you and love you!