Clean Slate

My friend Jessica and I are doing a weight loss plan together. Nothing different than I've done in the past, but she's doing it with me. I'm really excited to have a partner again. We worked out this morning and we're writing down everything we eat for each other. Really holding each other accountable. We're "weighing-in" every Friday. Jess is hilarious and I love hearing her stories. It'll be a good time.

Weird crap...

For whatever reason I think these things are interesting. My grandpa forwarded me an email and these were the ones that caught my attention!

1. Money isn't made out of paper, it's made out of cotton.
2. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
3. The dot over the letter I is called a "tittle".
4. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
5. On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents, daily.
6. Orcas (killer whales) kill sharks by torpedoing up into the shark's stomach from underneath, causing the shark to explode.
7. Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.
8. Upper and lower case letters are named 'upper' and 'lower' because in the time when all original print had to be set in individual letters, the upper case' letters were stored in the case on top of the case that stored the smaller, 'lower case' letters.
9. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
10. The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law, which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
11. Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with. It's the same with apples!
12. The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.
13. Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because passing wind in a space suit damages it.

I'm in astronomy...and my professor is talking about Mercury and how there are huge craters everywhere!! Then he goes, it was like when I was a teenager and I had cronic acne! It was tramatic. We looked similar, except Mercury is beautiful!

Wow...that's intense.

Sociology Discussion

I'm taking Sociology of Family this summer. We have lots of journals to read and then we discuss them in class. We recently have talked about gender roles in a relationship. Men are what they call instrumental leaders and they communicate and show love through actions. For example, they'll mow the lawn, fix the car, etc. Where women are usually expressive leaders and communicators and show love through words and discussion. For the most part, I believe this is true. The behavior is usually learned but some may actually be biological. Men want to fix the situation and women just want to talk about it.

We also watched a movie about Gottman, a sociologist who interviews newlywed couples and can predict if they'll stay together or get divorced. He's 90% correct in his predictions. There are positive and negative conflict resolution styles. There are 4 negative styles that he looks for in their communication, if they demonstrate these traits, he predicts that they will get a divorce. Women bring up 80% of all discussions and 96% of arguments are decided in the first 3 minutes depending on the tone the conversation was started.

The 4 types are:
1. Criticism - this tends to be more of a female style. They blame their spouse and tell them how they're wrong and attack their personality instead of the real issue.
2. Defensiveness - both genders use this technique equally. They don't accept responsibility nor validate the accusation. The complaint is answered with a complaint of the other person or complete denial.
3. Contempt/sarcasm - this is the most detrimental type. This tears down the other person in a extremely disrespectful way.
4. Withdraw - 85% of this type is men. The listener isn't there mentally or physically. The heart rate even remains low during the argument. This is seem as disrespectful to the initiator.

My parents do all of these things. Sometimes I'm surprised they're still married. But whatever works for them. I think they are flipped gender styles though. My mom does not like to talk and my dad nags. Either way, communication could be much better!

Chinese buffet and Jamee's handy work!

Dr. Chang and Grace took Sara, Ross, and I to the Chinese buffet for my birthday! We had a blast! They got my little hankerchiefs for a gift!! They're hand painted!

Then we hung out at the desk forever!! Jamee made/helped me make a cover for my laptop, hence the picture!! It turned out amazingly!! I can't believe the great friends I have here and how well we mesh together!! Even when we joke and tease, NO one gets offended, it's like we've been friends for years!!

Thanks for a great night guys!!

President's Picnic

Dr. Chang, Grace, Ross, Sara, and I at the President's Picnic. It was for faculty and their families so Dr. Chang invited me and Sara to represent his family since they couldn't go!! It was so cute and I think it meant a lot to him that Sara and I went. We really love him.

And boy did that little man eat. I think he had three hot dogs and a two or three hamburgers. Geez oh petes, he was like a bottomless pit!! He's so little too!! It's amazing!!

Tomorrow we're going to the Chinese buffet for my birthday and Sara and Ross are coming too!! It's going to be fun. I know we are really making a difference in their lives by helping out and being a part of their family.

21

Whitney is the token bitch...and we all love her for it!!
















Classy...I know... this was before there was whip cream everywhere!














Kevin cracks me up!!! (at the CA/RA indoor cookout!)
















Heidi and Kevin are adorable!!

Still my birthday for 30 more minutes!

Just some highlights from the day!!


Jaret and Kevin "working" the desk!!



Jamee, me, Whitney, and Ryann at Incredible Yogurt!! I got to spin the wheel because it was my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got a free waffle cone! YUM!



And I got a beautiful new license! Always a joy!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, cards, signs, and phone calls!!! They're truly appreciated.

Birthday!!

It's my birthday!!

Chick flicks!

"His penis is so beautiful I just want to knit it a hat."


This quote from Prime cracked me up!! But the movie in general was just okay. But it was prevalent if you're Jewish and want to marry someone not Jewish, but my family is obviously more open than what the movie portrayed.

I watched Casanova, which was adorable with a great feminist heroine. Always a good thing if you ask me, especially when they're faced with a guy that just wants to get in their pants...hmm...sounds familiar as of late.

I also watched Something New. Simon Baker is so beautiful! He really made the movie! Jamee and I were laughing so hard. Mm...I love that girl!

GOLF

Golfing yesterday was much better based on score. But it was still so much fun today. I loved that my dad came to visit me. We really had a blast. Then we went to Puerto's and to McKenzie's to get the mattress and box spring and took them to where I'm living in the fall.

Now I have to shower, I'm sweaty and sunny crusty. Like after you've been in the sun or just outside for the day and there is a layer on your skin of who knows what. Whatever, I'm dirty.

Super day!!

I got my computer!!!!!!!!!!! It's ADORABLE!!!

My dad came and we went golfing and then to New York House, and he loved it!! Then we went to see Dr. Chang and Grace. He liked them too, of course.

We're going to Walmart in a little while for groceries and then to Baskin Robbins because I got a free scoop for my birthday!! Woo hoo!!

Umm...I'm not so sure...

Ok, I took this quiz twice and scores the same both times!! I'm not so sure if I agree though. You should take it and let me know if your result was "correct"...

You scored as Satanism.

Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Satanism! Before you scream, do a bit of research on it. To be a Satanist, you don't actually have to believe in Satan. Satanism generally focuses upon the spiritual advancement of the self, rather than upon submission to a deity or a set of moral codes. Do some research if you immediately think of the satanic cult stereotype. Your beliefs may also resemble those of earth-based religions such as paganism.

Satanism
83%
Islam
71%
agnosticism
71%
Buddhism
67%
Paganism
67%
atheism
67%
Judaism
54%
Hinduism
46%
Christianity
33%

http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=10907

It's clear I'm not a Christian...

If you're just bored, I'm sure this could entertain you for a while!! http://quizfarm.com/quizlist.php?search=new

Dang tea!

So today, when my iron was finally high enough to give blood (this is my third day of my finger being pricked!!) I was told that if you drink tea and/or what before, it dilutes your iron. Well, hello!! I drink tea in the morning and drink what when I work out!! No wonder my iron wasn't high enough at 9am in the morning!! Geez oh petes, they really should tell you these things! Good thing I was so determined!! So today I saved three lives, and that's great! I learned a lot too, blood can only be saved for 43 days, but once it's in the hospital it usually only lasts 10-15 before someone needs it. If you take aspirin, they will take your blood, but they don't use the platelets. ABneg - (my blood type) is pretty rare, most negative blood is rare actually. If you're negative, your second child is at greater risk of dying if they are also negative because your body doesn't build immunities like it does for the first child.

Then I got a shirt and animal crackers!! Yum!!

I didn't die.

I didn't die, but my computer did!! I know, very sad. But I new one is on the way, a Dell Inspiron 710M. I bought it on eBay!! (Not so my style, but I think it was a good decision!!) So my dad is bringing it to me next Saturday when he comes to golf with me for Father's Day and my birthday!! I can't wait to see him, we'll have a fabulous time!! Plus, it'll be between summer sessions and very stress free!!!

I tried to give blood the past two mornings, unsuccessfully! But I think when I get more sleep tonight, I'll be successful tomorrow!! I've been doing a lot of homework and a lot of mitzvahs! I helped with golf bags yesterday morning at the Rotary/Muncie Mission golf outing! Tried to give blood, and went to my professor's home and cut his bushes. On Saturday I'm going to plant some tomato plants and some flowers in his garden!! He's an awesome man!! He's over 80 years old and escaped communist China by going to Taiwan and then made it to the US. His father wasn't as lucky and died in a communist prison since he would not support the cause. But after trimming his immensely overgrown shrubbery, my shoulders are quite sour, but it's a good feeling!

I am well on my way on my 10 page paper for my Civil War history class. Captain Francis Adams Donaldson and I have become quite involved indeed!! My article reviews for Public Policy about the new immigration reforms are going well too! So everything should be nicely finish up next week when classes come to an abrupt end!

Conferences are finally moving in on Saturday! So Stu-west won't be quite so empty! I'm looking forward to it, but I'll have to stop walking around in just my underwear now :-( I'd most likely frighten the campers!!

Mackenzie is delightful

Mackenzie said it best today, we don't hang out a lot, but when we do it's fun and never awkward. Mackenzie was 100% Katie's friend first, but I'm very happy to say that Mackenzie and I are great friends as well. She would not be the first person I would run and tell something to, but when we do talk, we go way more indept on a topic than I would with other people.

We got fitted today for the bridemaid's dresses in Pendleton, talk about depressing, to have someone measure your ass!! Just shoot me!! Then we went to this little deli and the owners were hilarious. She's going to Florida to be a 6th grade teacher and start a "real" life. It's an awesome thing to hear about. Working for something for over 4 years and seeing it materialize; I have a lot of respect for that.

We went and saw The Break Up, I think we were both a little disappointed with the ending, but it really was funny. Then to help our dress sizes, we went to Incredible Yogart!! YUM!

It was a great day with a great friend. =)

New York House!

Why didn't I take my camera?!? I take it everywhere!! Well, Mackenzie, Kendra, Whitney, Tyler, Heidi, Kevin, and myself all went to New York House on Main and High Street, in Muncie! It was fabulous of course!! We got little laterns, candy, raman noodles, braclets, earrings, bananas, green tea...and Heidi got PANTYHOSE!! How awkward!! But that's NY House for ya!! He brought out these HUGE ribs and a massive plate of pork!! The five of them ate it all!! He made me a giagantic plate of stir fry vegtables. It was wonderful as always. Everyone paid $6 and the drinks were endless. This place is an experience. If you ever want to go, tell me, and I'll take you! Because I love it and we'll have a great time!!

The first time I went was with Jacob, Mike, Matt, Kristen, and Rachel (who was lucky enough to be visiting me!!) There is nothing like going for the first time, but everytime it gets better and more priceless!!

The almond cookies are always great too!! Good times, good times!

Goin' back!

Indianapolis to Baltimore
7/21/06
6:30 pm - 9:44 pm
US AirwaysUS Airways

Baltimore to Indianapolis
7/26/06
3:13 pm - 6:18 pm
US AirwaysUS Airways

It's official!! I'm going back to see everyone in July when my classes are over!!! I can't wait!!

Beautiful summer, poopy daddy.

I love the summer, I can't express it! The warmth, the sun, the light, the long days, the flowers, the green, the bike rides, the runs, the fresh fruit and vegetables, mmm...I can't get enough!

I read outside today for a long time, I think I maybe a tad burned, but not too much. I did a lot of laundry and got my groceries for the week. I bought corn too, I hope it's delicious!!

My dad hasn't congratulated me or anything and it really hurts my feelings. I know he doesn't want me to go, but it's not really about him, because I'm going to Israel. He's not paying for it, nor am I actually, but I worked really hard and whether he likes that I'm Jewish or not, I'm still his daughter and he shouldn't take a decision he made 25 years out on me.

Ahh, whatever.

ISRAEL!!! For real!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am officially a Rotary Ambassador and I get to go to Israel for a whole year to get my Masters in Middle East studies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://hsf.bgu.ac.il/mapmes/index.aspx?pgid=pg_127851745868672048

Thank you note!

Rick sent me a thank you note today. It was the first mail I've gotten in Whitcraft Hall! It definitely made my day! (the sun and 75 degrees may have helped though.) It's weird being in Muncie without Katie or Rick. I've never been here without Katie and I've been here for two years with Rick. Obviously, I'm managing and thanks to Katie and my mom, I have a wonderful working cell phone. We probably talk more now than when Katie is at BSU because she's extremely bored.

When I was little, I always thought that when Katie got married, I would "lose" her. Really, I still thought this until I met Rick. I really wanted Katie to marry Rick. Then I was torn, because in my previous state of mind, that would mean she wouldn't be mine anymore, she would be Rick's. I realized I wasn't losing anything, Katie will always be my sister, and then she'll also be Rick's wife, which is wonderful, because then I get the greatest brother-in-law too.

I easily put Rick into my "inner circle" of people who I truly care about, and I truly care about what they think of me. Really, the only other people there are Katie and my parents. They have the ability to make me cry, but also, and most of the time, make me extremely proud and happy. Rick makes Katie a better person too, which is probably the best part.

P.S. He's also the funniest person in the world!! (of course)