tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60019929530436219582024-03-05T15:10:42.090-08:00The 1406 Chronicles"The question is not what you look at, but what you see." ~Henry David ThoreauJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-75192211757444979082011-05-08T08:22:00.000-07:002011-05-08T09:01:32.204-07:00Two YearsAs I was procrastinating studying for finals this morning, I decided to revisit this blog. I can't believe it has been two years since I last posted. As I read through the blog posts, I couldn't help but think how different I am now and how much has changed over the course of the past two years. In two short years I have experienced love, hate, fake cancer, betrayal to the extreme, wrestling old demons, a change of schools, being accepted into the accelerated master's program, visiting Australia, getting an eyebrow piercing, getting two more tattoos, my 21st birthday....the list continues on.<br /><br />So where am I two years later?<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puggy</span> is still my little girl, although she is a lot bigger now. I am still obsessive about my grades. I know a little French. :) I am following my passion (without regard to the economy). I am more assertive. I don't let people walk all over me. I still wrestle with God everyday. I have lost religion, but I am finding faith. I still don't know what I want to do as a career, but I am okay with that. I have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Jedi</span> council who gets me through all major life decisions. I have a best friend who refuses to leave or give up on me no matter how bad it gets. I still throw the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasional</span> pity party, but overall, I am happy.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-43888595924189551742009-03-14T10:47:00.000-07:002009-03-14T11:14:17.778-07:00Wow...I can't believe it has been almost a month since I have last written on my blog. Time flys when you are busy with school, friends, and various other obligations that come up. Unfortunately though, I know this is still no excuse not to blog. Whenever I don't write, I feel as if a part of me is missing. Writing is such a part of who I am. Whether or not I am good at it is still up for debate, and honestly I really don't care. Writing is a way for me to express the many emotions and thoughts I keep locked inside of me. Sometimes I just write about happy experiences that make me laugh. Other times I take a more serious route. Either way, writing is like air for me and without air, we die.<br /><br />So here I am once again writing. I am not sure what to write about though. I feel like so much has changed, yet so much has remained the same all at the same time. I guess I could start with a brief update of my life.<br /><br />What am I going to do with my life? Obviously, this is the biggest thing that is always on my mind. Well, I have finally come to the conclusion that I will make the decision when I have to. For now I will just sit back and try to enjoy the ride. I am not saying I don't still struggle with that constant voice in my mind telling me that I have to know what to do, but I am slowly learning to tune it out. I will do whatever interests me, and if it turns out to be wrong for me, so be it. I will do something else. No big deal. Maybe I will be a professional student? Who knows? Is it a sense of apathy I am developing? Yes, kind of...but not really. It is true that I don't care as much as I used to, but I do still care. I am just not going to let the fear of making the wrong decision control my life anymore. I will figure it all out in time.<br /><br />How is college going? Well, actually it isn't that bad. For a long time I beat myself about going to OTC and not going to Missouri State or another equivalent university, but now I realize that everything true does happen for a reason. I have met a couple friends who I know I will be friends with for a very long time. My classes this semester aren't that bad. Sure, most of them aren't fun, but they aren't hard so I'm not complaining. Plus, I have finally come to realize that I actually like going to a school that is easy for me. Having the honor's class this semester has provided me with the intellectual growth and challenge I wanted, but overall my classes are really easy for me and I make excellent grades. I am not going to complain about a 4.0 GPA. So really, OTC isn't that bad at all. It has turned out to be a good thing for me. I am glad I didn't abandon it after one semester like I had originally wanted.<br /><br />What about the <em>other</em> friends I had up here? I let them go, and it has been one of the best things I could have done for myself. Sure I feel bad about just ditching them, but it had to be done. I am much happier now. I dreaded hanging out with them everytime they called. Now I have friends I am happy with and they are a much better influence on me. As for Rachel, we are still friends. She is getting married so she has been busy with wedding plans and work so we don't get to hang out a lot anymore. But I am still good friends with her, and I hope once the wedding is over we will have a chance to hang out more often.<br /><br />Do I still think I am going crazy? Most of the time, but it's okay. Crazy people are more fun to be around, right?<br /><br />Do I still want to leave? Occassionally...but I am learning to be content with where I am in life right now. Running away will not fix anything.<br /><br />How's Puggy? She's good....she is sitting on my shoulder right now looking out the window at people walking by. She is officially one year old now. My little girl is growing up so fast!<br /><br />Latest projects? Well, I did recently make a flame thrower. (I will have to blog about this sometime) I am also working on another secret project. I might make a potato gun today....who knows? :D<br /><br />Well, I think that is the update for my life at this moment. I am going to try to blog more often. I enjoy it so much.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-3698210115487506512009-02-17T13:22:00.000-08:002009-02-17T13:25:14.505-08:00UpdateI know it has been awhile since I last blogged, so here is an update:<br /><br />I am still in college.<br /><br />I still don't know what to do with my life.<br /><br />I think I am going insane....literally, and it is starting to scare me.<br /><br />That's all I got for now. Hopefully sometime in the near future I will post a decent blog post, but for now, this is it.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-69625879105644654512009-01-23T19:07:00.000-08:002009-01-23T19:28:20.653-08:00The Airwalk AngelLast week my friend Rachel and I decided to go to the casino just outside of Joplin for a little gambling fun. Little did we know how much "fun" we would have. Anyway, after about getting into one car accident, we were on the interstate headed towards our destination. We were riding in Rachel's car and cruising along smoothly when all of a sudden, we hear a thud, thud, thud sound. I asked Rachel if she thought we had a flat tire, and she said that the rim was bent on the back tire of the driver's side, and it caused the tire to deflate a little. She said that we we stop at the next gas station along the way and air it up again.<br /><br />Well, the next gas station was in the middle of nowhere. It was a small Sinclair station about twenty miles away from Joplin. When we pulled up there was no obvious air pump, but Rachel made me get out in the literally two degree weather and ask the cashier if they had air. He told me that they did, and he handed me the hose to hook up outside.<br /><br />I went back out and Rachel got out of the car to try and air up the tire. I hooked up the hose, and Rachel commenced airing the tire up. All was going great except for one thing, the tire was not airing up. Rachel said she didn't know if she was doing it right since the hose was different than most we had seen before. Then an old man got out of his truck and walked over, asking if we needed help. He took over the hose and tried to air up the tire. He even tried using Rachel's can of Fix-A-Flat, but nothing was working. Well, then he felt around the tire and said that there was a huge gash in the back of the tire and asked if we had a spare. Thankfully, Rachel did have a spare. The old man then proceeded to change the tire for us in the extreme cold. By this time I could no longer feel my face.<br /><br />Once he was done, he told us that the spare should be fine to get us by until we got the car to a garage the next day. We thanked him over and over, because if he hadn't changed the tire for us we would have had to call another friend back in Springfield which was almost an hour away.<br /><br />When we got in the car and were once again on our way again, Rachel asked if I had noticed the man's shoes. I said that I didn't, and she told me that they were Airwalks, which are a brand of skate shoes Rachel likes. We both found it extremely weird that he was wearing skate shoes. So from that point on, the old man was our Airwalk angel. He helped us in a time of need, and truly proved that people can be good and act selflessly.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-37893530368693268002009-01-20T11:58:00.000-08:002009-01-20T12:12:54.868-08:00History in the MakingWhen I woke up this morning, I turned on the news to watch the beginning of the inauguration ceremonies before class. Not much was happening. Commentators talked as the camera focused on the Blair house waiting for the Obamas to make their way to the car to attend the prayer service. Turning off the television, I headed off to class.<br /><br />After going through my first two classes, I was making my way to my philosophy class when I happened to pass a television that was located in one of the hallways. More than twenty students stood, watching intently as President Obama made his address to the nation. I turned and watched for a couple minutes before I had to head to class. What I found more interesting, though, than the actual inauguration festivities was the people watching the television. Some looked happy, some fearful, others hopeful, and still some just stood in awe.<br /><br />Whether or not you supported Obama in his campaign for the presidency, he is now our president, and we must support him as the leader of our nation. The U.S. is in a downward spiral. If we are to get out of it, we must abandon our party ties and work together as one. Today is a day that will go down in history. Our future is uncertain, but a new era has definitely come. Whether it will be for better or for worse, only time will tell. For now, I will pray for my nation and its leaders. It is days like today that I am truly proud to be an American.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-88284586081981873262009-01-13T17:03:00.000-08:002009-01-13T17:36:39.540-08:00College: Semester Two, Day TwoToday was an enjoyable day of college...well, as enjoyable as waking up early and spending hours going over syllabus after syllabus can be. Anyway, today I had three new classes in addition to those I had yesterday. Today I had the pleasure of taking Computers, Abnormal Psychology, and Intro to Philosophy.<br /><br /><br /><br />Let's start with computers.<br /><br /><br /><br />Computers actually wasn't that bad, just boring. I do like my instructor though so that's a plus. We spent the entire hour and fifteen minutes going over the syllabus. But before we could begin to go over it, in the true nature of a computer class, we had to log in and retrieve our syllabus from the OTC blackboard site. Simple enough. But in case you haven't been awake for the past ten years, my instructor was gracious enough to explain just how we get there and what everything is along the way. For example: who knew the screen that pops up when your computer turns on with all the icons is called a desktop? Thankfully, I did already know this, and I have Mr. Leon Blagg to thank for it. Oh Mr. Blagg, how I miss you and "aa space aa space aa space" Those hours we spent together truly blessed my soul. That's enough reminiscing. Back to my college computer class. After explaining what the desktop was, he went on to explain the start button. Woohoo! Then after that discussion he showed us that the shortcut icon with the picture of the blue "e" with Internet Explorer written beside was indeed the path to the internet. Thank God it worked when I clicked on it...I was worried it would bring up power point or solitaire. After we finally reached the syllabus (I will spare you everything between the internet shortcut icon and the actual syllabus), we went over it word for word...all ten pages of it. Joy. Fortunately after we were done with that and a ten minute lecture on how he can see if we are on Facebook (It will definitely be hard for me to avoid logging on Facebook since I know I will have withdrawls), we were dismissed until the next time we met on Thursday.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now on to Abnormal Psychology.<br /><br /><br /><br />I had a fifteen minute wait between computers and abnormal psychology. My psych class was right across the hall from the computer lab, so it took virtually two seconds to get there. Waiting in the hall, I checked my text messages and reviewed my schedule to see where my philosophy class was. Then I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting. And then it was five minutes until class began and the door was still locked and the lights were off. Was I in the right place? Was this some sort of psychological trick to make me worry and show signs of anxiety? Well, after taking one more look at my schedule, I was indeed in the correct place if my schedule was correct. But after two more minutes of waiting, I finally asked the people who were sitting by me in the hall if they were waiting for abnormal psych too. They said yes, and I was instantly relieved. At least I wasn't the only one who was lost. Finally the instructor came, and we entered the class. We spent the class going over the syllabus and starting on the first chapter. My instructor is an older man who explained that he was in the original full time faculty at OTC when it started. He also told us a short bio of himself and his experience in the psychology field. He was a licensed therapist in Kansas for twenty years and then started teaching. I am sure we will hear some fascinating stories as the semester goes on. I am truly excited for this class. Not only will I be able to diagnose some psychological conditions and learn about the crazy people, I will be able to get an idea if I truly want to go into the field of psychology for a living. Hopefully the answer is yes, because I am tired of not knowing what I want to do with my life!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, let's move to Intro to Philosophy.<br /><br /><br /><br />When I got to philosophy, I had trouble finding a seat. It was a full class. When class began, there weren't any empty seats. As we were sitting there waiting for the instuctor to come in, all of a sudden in a flash, an obviously pregnant women runs in throws her stuff down and runs back out. Finally, she came back and took her place at the front of the room to teach the class. All I can say about philosophy is that I think I am going to love it and the instructor (I have Caron to thank for that one). Unfortunately, she will be leaving around spring break to have her baby. Who knows what the next professor will be like? Knowing my luck, it will be hell on earth. But for now, I will enjoy the random, crazy, funny Debbie Thompson. She cracked me up as she told how pregnant women lose 6% of their brain for gestational purposes and she said she was close to losing probably 9 or 10%. I loved how passionate and random she was as she furiously scribbled notes on the board, telling the story of how Socrates pissed off the Athenian government. I can already tell that she has a personality very similar to mine so we should get along great. Philosophy should be fun for me, because, after all, I am constantly questioning myself. It should be a good semester.<br /><br /><br /><br />So that was day 2 in a nutshell. Today made me feel a little better about college in general. So I hope this semester will bring about a drive to be in school that I haven't experienced yet. We will just have to wait and see.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-90548623246909334012009-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:002009-01-12T16:03:29.323-08:00Wandering Eyes Are the Devil's Eyes: College Round Two"Don't make me get buck in here. Shorty drop it to the ground like she ain't manners. Too much booty for one man to handle. When all I need is a one night scandal."<br /><br />This tune which is just part of the fabulously dirty song Get Buck in Here by DJ Felli Fel was what brought me out of my sound slumber at five fifteen this morning. As I opened my eyes, I searched for my phone and quickly turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Unfortunately, my sleep was soon to be disrupted again as the alarm went off once more fifteen minutes later. Turning off the alarm yet again, I shut my eyes, but fifteen minutes later, the alarm went off for a third time which was my cue to actually get up.<br /><br />Why was I up at that ungodly hour? Because I am stupid....and I had class at seven...that's right, seven in the morning. Like I said before in a previou blog post, I must have been high when I scheduled my classes. But anyway, I dragged myself out of bed and jumped into the shower. After getting ready and having a delicious breakfast of chocolate milk and an English muffin, I was off to class.<br /><br />Going outside to my car (well, it's not my car...it's my mom's, but that's a post for another day), I realized that it wasn't even daylight yet. Ugh. I should have definitely still been sleeping. But I checked my schedule, and sure enough it said 7:00am Lifetime Wellness. Joy.<br /><br />When I arrived at the college, I was able to get a front row parking spot, because not everyone is as stupid as me to schedule a 7am class. I gathered my stuff and went inside to try to find the classroom. Thankfully it was not hard to find, because I was still half asleep. When I went into class, I noticed that my instructor was an older black man. All of my peers looked just as delighted to be there as I was. Once class began, the instructor went over the syllabus and what was expected of us in the coming semester. I don't remember much, because my brain wasn't really functioning at the time. Here are the few things I do remember:<br /><br />You can ace every exam but still fail the class. Homework is worth more than the tests.<br /><br />Wandering eyes are the devil's eyes<br /><br />If you miss more than three or four days a semester, there's some bullshitting going on.<br /><br />And that was the class.<br /><br />Next class: Chemistry<br /><br />Unfortunately, I had an hour break between Lifetime Wellness and Chemistry. An hour is not enough time to go home, but plenty of time to become bored. In that hour, I found my chemistry class and sat at a table outside the door where I started talking to some chick that was sitting there also. She seemed really nice as we talked about what classes we were taking, what professors, how many credit hours, what are majors were, etc....She seemed really smart, but I guess you have to be when you are a science major. Gag. Everything was going fine as we were talking, but something didn't seem quite right. Finally, I figured it out when she made the comment that someone looked disorganized. She was a perfectionist control freak. I mean she was nice, but she went on to say that she preferred an extremely structured environment to one of randomness and just going with the flow. Basically she was the opposite of me. I thrive on randomness, she despises it. She loves organization (I might take the time to point out that she had already printed off all of the syllabi for her classes and was reading them as we talked). I attempt to be organized, but it just doesn't work.<br /><br />Anyway, after awhile it was time for my chemistry class. I said bye to the chick and went in. Chemistry should be a fun class...well, as fun as math and science can be. I like my instructor. She seems really nice, although she does have an accent which makes it a little difficult to understand her. We started going over the chapter during the class, and we even have a quiz next time. Luckily, it will be simple. I think I can handle introductory chemistry.<br /><br />Finally, it was time for my last class of the day: Honors Seminar. When I made it up to the room, it was locked so I joined the group that was sitting in the hallway. We talked for awhile until Caron came to open the door. There were only seven of us, and as I looked at the group in detail, I could tell we were a very diverse group. We sat down, and Caron started talking to us. About six minutes after class officially began, one last student came in saying that she couldn't find a place to park and that she needed to quit smoking. Caron had been talking about us helping each other and she commented that we could help Jordana quit smoking. How much better can you get? An honor's class AND an addiction group therapy. Awesome!<br /><br />Anyway, Caron had us introduce ourselves and tell our majors or what we were interested in. Everyone had such high goals. Pre law, engineering, physical therapy, foreign relations....then there was me. As we went around the room, it was finally my turn. I mentioned that I had recently decided that culinary arts was not for me, and I am now going to be a psychology major at MSU. Caron asked about the writing I wanted to do, and I said that I just want to do it on the side. The truth: I want nothing more than to write books about subjects I choose and travel the world doing that, but how do you tell a room full of super smart people with such high goals that right now all I want to do is take a couple of writing classes, leave college, and write. Sure psychology interests me and I could see myself being a counselor maybe ten or fifteen years down the road, but now all I want to do is leave. I want to travel and write. I don't want to be in college. I want to write books about the people I see, the places I go, the world from my perspective. But from my experience, when I tell the honest truth about what I want to do, all some people hear is undeducated bum. For awhile now, I have been very adamant about the psychology major. It sounds good and like something I should do, but when I really get thinking about it, I just want to write for now. Maybe someday I can be a counselor, but right now I don't feel like I am anywhere close to being emotionally stable enough to help someone. How do you help someone get over something you aren't over? Does that make you a hypocrite? Yes.<br /><br />Maybe I am just your typical college student who feels lost, and I guarantee you 99% of the people I would tell how I feel would tell me to hang in there, that college sucks for everyone and you have to go through it to do what you really want to do. So spare me that lecture...it's been covered thoroughly. I heard it at least three separate times over Christmas break alone. What I have written is how I feel...like it or not. For now, I will continue to hang in there. I will do the work. I will do what is expected of me, and hopefully I will grow to be more okay with what I am doing. But for now, I will just simply hang in there.<br /><br />Overall, it was an excellent first day of .second semester. This semester will be more work, but it should be better than my last semester. Tomorrow I have three more new classes. I am sure I will write about them as well. For now, I say goodbye, because I have to go clean. Blah.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-7518428878535785572009-01-09T22:12:00.000-08:002009-01-09T22:25:24.871-08:00Back to OrdinaryWell, Christmas break has come and went. It went by too fast if you ask me. But anyway, I am once again ready to have class on Monday morning. The only difference is that this semester I will be dragging my butt out of bed at a much earlier hour. I have to be at class at 7 o'clock....every day. Ugh. Why did I bring this torture on myself? Was I high when I made my schedule? I mean, seriously, who schedules a 7 o'clock class every freaking morning?! Apparently, I do. Blah. Anyway, despite being upset by having to get up at such an ungodly hour, I am excited about the coming semester. I will be taking 18 credit hours. My classes include: Computers (blah), Lifetime Wellness (I feel the need to mention that the book for this class was specially made for OTC, so the class should be a joyous event), Abnormal Psychology (I am actually stoked about this class), Intro to Philosophy (I am excited about this one as well), Intro to Chemistry (I have to do math which will suck), and Honors (hopefully, I live up to what is expected of me). I hope this semester is more enjoyable than my last.<br /><br />Tomorrow I will be traveling back to good ol' Springfield. I am ready to be back to being on my own. Being home for so long is wearing me thin. I love my family, but being here so long has served as a reminder of why I wanted to be on my own in the first place.....for the freedom. I am ready to once again have the freedom to go and come as I please, the freedom to do what I want, when I want, the freedom to not wear pants in the house (just kidding on that one).<br /><br />So am I ready to go back to school? Yes. Am I ready to leave Pomona? Yes. Will I miss my family? Yes. Do I still want to drop out of school and leave the country? Yes. (I don't think that one will ever change.)Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-3239083829523651062009-01-01T00:10:00.000-08:002008-12-31T22:10:13.490-08:00Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009Well, another year has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2008. Now here we are once again wondering what the coming year will bring. Will it bring joy or sadness? Peace or war? Love? Loss? No one knows. Only time will tell.<br /><br />As I lay here typing this, I am very thankful for this time of tranquil reflection. I was supposed to hang out with one of my close friends tonight, but instead I ended up staying home to celebrate the new year with my family. It has turned out to be an okay evening.<br /><br />Escaping from the living room full of crys of joy and defeat as my brother plays the wii, I lay here in the quiet environment of my room. The only sounds present are the buzzing of my overhead fan and the soft snoring of my pug. It is here that I can reflect on 2008 and all of the events that occurred.<br /><br />In 2008, I got my tattoo, turned eighteen, graduated from high school, moved to Springfield, got a pug, got my second tattoo, wrote part of a book, started college, and even changed my major. 2008 was a tough year. It was a year of triumph and defeat for me. It was a year of growth and a year of change. In 2008 I saw myself at my lowest point and watched as I rose from the depths of a seemingly bottomless pit. I learned to forgive in 2008.<br /><br />I was encouraged by a now former teacher and friend in January of 2008 to make a wish list of what I wanted in the coming year. Not resolutions, just wishes. I never did that for 2008 for many reasons, but now as 2009 approaches, I want to make a list, something to keep me going.<br /><br />My wish list for 2009:<br />-Travel somewhere, anywhere<br />-Learn to let go<br />-Finish my book<br />-Do something that makes me happy<br />-Accept the fact that I cannot achieve perfection<br />-Stop procrastinating<br />-Blog more often<br />-Don't doubt God or myself<br />-Be a better daughter, student, and friend<br /><br />If there is one thing I have learned in 2008, it's that everything can change in an instant. Nothing is certain or guaranteed. So for 2009, whatever it may bring, I want to live in the moment and never let an opportunity pass me by for I never know what the future will hold. So as I wave goodbye to 2008, I will try to put the past behind me and focus on a brighter future.<br /><br />Happy New Year to all of my readers.....Dallas and Casey. :DJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-64043111086986088932008-12-22T20:30:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:35:31.241-08:00Yes, I know I need to blogI am well aware of the fact that I have not blogged for a very long time. It seems like I just can't find the time to sit down and write these days. By the time I go to my room (I say room because I am at home in Pomona) I am exhausted and ready to fall asleep. I just need to set a time and actually write. My whole life goes into chaos when I don't write, and that is what I am experiencing now. I have experienced a whole range of emotions since I have been home, and I need to get them down on paper (or type them on the computer). But anyway, sometime soon I will blog again, hopefully!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-52138387654989365912008-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:002008-11-28T21:31:59.356-08:00The Thrill of the HuntWell, it's that time of year again. The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. Yesterday millions of Americans, myself included, feasted upon turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, etc....(the list could go on forever!) But today is different. Oh yes, on Thanksgiving everyone counts their blessings and is at peace with the world. They are thankful to be alive and be in each other's company. But on the Friday after Thanksgiving, it is a completely different story.<br /><br />They call it "Black Friday." A very appropriate name if I do say so myself. Yes, I know it is named "Black Friday" because it is the day that stores supposedly get out of the red and into the black on their profits. But the term "Black Friday" is appropriate for another reason as well. You see, on Black Friday all hell breaks loose. The dark side of people takes over. Once stores open, people forget their manners and all that is decent about them. Their animalistic side springs forth. They are rude, pushy, and if they get the chance, theives. Not everyone is like this, but this definitely describes the vast majority of Black Friday shoppers.<br /><br />Am I like that? Do I run, push, and shove my way through? The answer: only when necessary...such as when you have waited eleven hours to get a laptop. But on a Black Friday like today when I really didn't need anything that big, I am calm and content. Actually, I love Black Friday. Some people cringe at the very idea of large crowds ravenging stores. As for myself though, I love it. I feed off that chaotic energy that radiates from the whole event. I love meeting new people, if only for a second. I love watching how crazy people get, and then how civilized they become once the sales are over and they have their treasured item. I also love the thrill of the hunt. Sure it is disappointing if you don't succeed, but at least you tried. And if you don't happen to get that one special item, life goes on and you go to the next store. The reason I don't just shop online is because of the thrill I get, the adrenaline rush of a good sale.<br /><br />Five minutes before the store opens, it is almost as if a cloud of adrenaline has settled upon the crowd. Drowsiness fades as the pulse of energy throughout the crowd grows larger. People can no longer contain themselves as they wait for that holy hour of shopping to approach. They fidget, moving around more and more. They talk faster and faster with more energy and enthusiasm. Then it comes. A quick glance at a cell phone or watch tells that it is time, and before long you are able to take one step forward, then another, and another until finally you reach the pearly gates of heaven, well, grey automatic doors of retail. You step through the door, and you are greeted by a friendly employee or perhaps the disgruntled employee who is still pissed they had to get up at 3am. But it doesn't matter either way, for you have your eyes on the prize. You race down the aisles, you heart beating faster with every step. Will you make it before they are out?<br /><br />Then when you finally spot that item, a ray of light from heaven above illuminates it...or maybe it is just a faulty lightbulb flickering on it...but either way, there it is. The item is right before you, but it seems so far. You see that there is only one left. You stop and look to your left, then your right. Most likely you will make eye contact with someone else, and they look at you with a look that says, "Bring it on." Immediately you turn your head toward the prize and start to walk briskly towards it. Then the other person starts to move faster and faster. You quicken your pace to keep up. Then it is as if everything goes into slow motion. You see everything, hear every sound around you, yet you are focused on that one single item. Finally, you are just a mere two feet from it. You look at the other person going for it again, and they give you a stare that says, "Back off bitch, that GPS is mine." You thrust out your arm and leap towards the item, but so do they. In just a second or two, the outcome of your whole adventure is decided. Success or failure? Do you dare look down and see if you have won? Did you make it first? As you gather the courage to finally look at the item you see that it is indeed in your hands and your hands alone. The other shopper has admitted defeat and left you to enjoy the spoils of your win. A smile creeps across your face as you pull the item toward you and finally into your cart. Victory is yours, and it tastes so sweet.<br /><br /><br />Now all you have to do is wait in line for two hours, fight horrible traffic, and try to set up the GPS using a complicated instruction manual. ; )Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-60954037007376670232008-11-11T20:25:00.000-08:002008-11-11T20:52:39.568-08:00Oh Yes, I Do Whatever the Fortune Cookie Tells Me To DoIf you know me, you know that I have really been struggling with what I want to do with my life. For a long time, I had my mind dead set on culinary arts. I was going to be a chef. Then over the summer I started to question whether that was really the career for me. I didn't pay my doubts much thought though because I hadn't even taken any culinary classes yet. "Give it a semester." That's all I heard from everyone I talked to. Well, now the semester is almost up, and I am fairly certain that I don't want to be a chef anymore.<br /><br />But if not a chef, then what? This question has been haunting me for weeks. I cannot deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what to do with my life. I was really torn. On one hand, I really didn't want to be a chef anymore. On the other, after this semester, I will already be half way there towards my A.A.S. degree in culinary arts. Plus, I know I can probably get a fairly good paying job right out of college, and it could always be my back up. Despite all of these positives, the plain and simple fact is that I am not happy in the culinary arts program. Sure I love to cook, but each day I am in class it only reminds me of the fact that I don't want to cook for a living.<br /><br />After days of being torn on the subject, I had a plan. I was going to get the culinary degree as a back up and then get the A.A. transfer degree at the same time so I could have all my general eds out of the way for my bachelor's no matter what I decided on. Perfect plan, right? Wrong. You see, I looked up the A.A. program and it was going to be an additional 30 credit hours besides all of the hours for my A.A.S. degree. In other words, it was an extra year at OTC. Ugh. I knew I couldn't do that.<br /><br />So what do I do? I started looking at other possible careers and the one career that stuck with me was psychology. I just felt like I was being pushed in that direction. I prayed about it every night, asking God to provide me some direction. I thought about becoming a Christian counselor for teens. I still couldn't decide on anything yet though. Part of me couldn't just leave all of the culinary classes I have taken in the dust. Plus, could I really be guaranteed a job in the psychology field right after college? This question scared me too.<br /><br />With all of that weighing heavily on my shoulders, I went home one weekend and ate Chinese food with my best friend. Once the meal was done, I cracked open my fortune cookie and it read, "Do not play for safety. It's the most dangerous thing in the world." I gasped as I read it. It fit me perfectly. I was viewing the culinary career as a back up, a safety net, so to speak. But the thing was, it was not making me happy. I have to do what makes me happy even if that means taking a risk.<br /><br />So with the wise words of my fortune cookie still close at heart, I researched into the psychology program at Missouri State. Looking at all of the classes, it is very exciting. Plus, for the degree I would have to have a minor. I can minor in religious studies, which fits what I want to do perfectly.<br /><br />I was very excited about all of my findings and revelations, but I still wasn't sure. I continued to pray every night about it. Then I realized one day that everytime I thought about the psychology path, I had a sense of peace about it that I never experienced with the culinary arts career. I am content with it.<br /><br />So what is the plan now? The plan is to trust God. I am a horrible life planner. I never get it right. For now I am planning to get my A.A. transfer degree at OTC and then go on to get my bachelor's in psychology with a minor in religious studies at Missouri State. If there is one thing I have learned though, it is to not let your plans be concrete because it is almost certain that they will change. For now I will trust God to guide me and of course, continue to do whatever fortune cookies tell me to do. :DJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-18327158061655255162008-11-04T01:21:00.000-08:002008-11-03T23:21:30.732-08:00One in the Morning FunSo tonight I hung out with a couple of my friends, and we watched The Exorsist. Don't ask me how they got me to watch it. I HATE scary movies. I can literally count the number of scary movies I have seen in my lifetime on one hand. But anyway, after being freaked out, scared, and spending most of the movie hiding my face behind a pillow, I was ready to go home. My friend Katie had brought me to Daymon's house so I had to rely on her for a ride home. Well, she basically passed out and fell asleep. Thankfully, Daymon offered to take me home.<br /><br />After telling Daymon bye, I went inside my house and was greeted by my psycho puppy. Not long after sitting my stuff down, I decided that I needed a drink (not alcoholic). So I jumped in my car and drove to the Kum and Go just down the street even though it was one in the morning. I went inside and paid for my Dr. Pepper.<br /><br />When I left the store, I saw a guy probably around thirty to thirty five years old scratching lottery tickets against the propane tank cage. He was kind of creepy. I had to walk past him to get to my car so I just walked off of the sidewalk and went directly towards my car. Well as I passed him, he asked how I was. I told him I was fine and asked if he was having a good night. He said that it was going okay and I made the comment that it would probably be a lot better if he won. He chuckled at my statement as I started to get in my car.<br /><br />Then he surprised me. He asked if I was single. I panicked, but within a second came to my senses and said that I wasn't single at the moment. He looked disappointed as I got into my car and told him to have a good night. After that fun conversation, I went home and drank my soda happily.<br /><br />One in the morning is definitely an interesting time in Springfield. Surely God will forgive me for that lie. Being asked out by a creepy man who was probably twice my age at one in the morning outside of a gas station is not my idea of romance!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-59354600423933323102008-11-01T20:12:00.001-07:002008-11-01T20:24:34.412-07:00A McCain Campaign, Hotdog, and a Pot HeadThis year for Halloween I went home to Willow Springs to take Puggy trick or treating. I know I am in college, but I just can't pass up the opportunity to dress up in a costume! It is so much fun! I decided that for Halloween I was going to be a pot head. Okay, so I wasn't the type of pot head that comes to mind. I wasn't the pot head who was high off marijuana. Instead, I was a different type of pot head. I was Johnny Appleseed.<br /><br />To pull off this fabulous costume, I went to Munch in Willow to find the perfect attire. I decided to get a plaid shirt and suspenders. When I got to my house, I cut up a pair of my jeans and the shirt I had bought at Munch. When I put on the pants and shirt along with the suspenders and some boots, I looked pretty good, but not complete. What completed the look was the kitchen pot I wore on my head. To finish off the outfit, I made a bag of "seeds" and tied it to my waist. I was fit to go.<br /><br />When I got to Willow Springs, I stopped by my grandma's house to eat supper. While there, I got Puggy ready to go trick or treating by putting on her adorable hotdog costume. After leaving my grandma's, I went to get Amber. I was kind of disappointed she didn't wear a costume, but she did get decked out in her McCain and Palin stuff so it was okay. She had also made flyers in support of McCain to hand out along the way. She was on a mission to get the whole town to vote for John McCain. I was on a mission to get candy.<br /><br />We spent the rest of the night traveling from house to house handing out flyers. I only ended up with like five pieces of candy. Apparently people are reluctant to give college age kids any candy. : ( Everyone did comment on how cute Puggy was though, and we did get the word out about McCain, so it was all worth it in the end. Overall, it was a good Halloween, and I am glad I got to spend it back home with the people I love! : )Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-56072438002015051582008-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:002008-10-19T21:06:33.868-07:00A Fun Homework AssignmentFor a homework assignment in my food prep class, we are required to go to an outside event and write a report on our experience. A couple of my classmates and I decided to meet up and go to the Springfield Grocer's food show today at 11am. I didn't really know what to expect.<br /><br />About half an hour before the show, I threw on my chef's jacket and headed to the show. When I got there, I saw the other two people who I was meeting and we went inside. We went to the registration booth and signed in. We got a big bag and a packet of coupons and brochures for different booths.<br /><br />We entered the food show and our nostrils were overwhelmed with all of the different scents. It smelled absolutely amazing. We started in one corner and worked our way through the rows trying all of the various samples and grabbing all of the prepackage food we could to take home. Then someone came up and said that they had met Christina from Hell's Kitchen and had her sign their shirt. I immediately forgot all of the yummy treats and made it my personal mission to find Christina. I went to the booth where I could get a free shirt, grabbed the shirt, and nearly sprinted to Christina. If you know me, you know that Hell's Kitchen is my favorite show ever. I watched every single episode last season and Christina was definitely my favorite!<br /><br />I got in line to meet her, and I mentioned to another person standing in line that I was probably going to be one of those psycho obsessed fans who security has to pull off of the celebrity. Apparently Christina heard me, because she said that I worried her. When I got up to her I said that knowing my luck her sharpie would run out of ink and she smiled and said that she had more. She asked where I was going to school and what year I was in. I told her that I was going to OTC, and I was just in my first semester. She said that she remembered her first days of cooking and told me to stick with it. I thanked her and walked away, totally stunned that I had just met the person I had watched on tv every Tuesday night in the spring!<br /><br />As the for the rest of the food show, well, nothing could compare to meeting Christina. But I did eat my way through the show, and left with a bag that weighed nearly thirty pounds. Overall, it was a good day, and I know I have plenty of writing material for my report! : DJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-24587295483372801322008-10-18T21:07:00.001-07:002008-10-18T21:11:05.176-07:00Oh how I love Pumpkin PieThis weekend I traveled home to Pomona. (I am sure I will be blogging about this in more detail later, but for now I am tired) Anyway, today my mom made the dessert I have wanted for the last two weeks. PUMPKIN PIE! A lot of times I am not very happy with things in my life, but today I found true happiness in my slice of pie which was warm out of the oven with whipped cream on top. Yum! A perfect pie for a perfect fall day!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-52053718455391100262008-10-14T19:35:00.001-07:002008-10-14T19:44:53.823-07:00If College Isn't Going to Teach Me Anything, Then I'm Going to Teach MyselfIf you know me or have read any of my previous posts about college, you know that it hasn't been the most challenging thing ever. While my culinary classes and nutrition class are very informative, my other two classes are proving to be a complete waste of time. I have tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and just roll with the punches but they are seriously sucking out my soul each day I am there. I am not learning anything new or of value. Anyway, yesterday I was sitting in the library center and I was working on nutrition crap, when an idea hit me. Why not teach myself? I don't know what I want to do with my life yet besides write, and believe me that isn't coming along great so I think it is time I explore other options. I have decided that I am going to read nonfiction books on a variety of subjects to gain knowledge about everything. For example, say I was reading a book on psychology. Well, after I finish that book, I might choose a book on how to knit. I want to learn as much as I can. I am the kind of person who gets bored very easily and has to move on to new subjects so this knowledge enhancing plan is perfect for me! I may not be an expert on any one subject, but rather I will probably end up being the weird person who is filled with useless knowledge. That's okay with me though! I will keep you, my faithful blog readers updated on my various undertakings and the many books I plan to read!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-65823240141742628182008-10-13T16:43:00.000-07:002008-10-13T16:58:00.910-07:00It has been WAY too long since I have bloggedI have been meaning to blog for days, but I just haven't had the time. It seems like everytime I think I will have a moment to blog, something comes up that I have to do. But today I decided that no matter what, I was going to sit down and write. Writing is so theraputic for me. I have literally been going crazy these past few days without writing. But anyway....now for an update on my life since it has been so long since I last wrote. ; )<br /><br />Well, for starters I have a lot of homework to do with midterms being this week. I have a test I need to study for, two online quizzes to take, and I need to clean my apartment. I haven't got any new tattoos in the last few days although I have considered it. I have $13.00 left in my checking account and I am praying my bright flight money will arrive soon. I still have no clue what to do with my life. I am absolutely thrilled that gas is now. $2.46 a gallon. I have been on a banana kick lately and have eaten several a day. I have also been on a Funyun kick, but I do not eat the bananas and Funyuns together...ewww. My academic future plans are being reduced to a pile of rubble before my eyes (I will probably end up expanding on this in another post). Puggy has destroyed one pair of my flip flops. I got a sweet Darth Vader mask while yard saling on Saturday. I also bought the Oregon Trail game. I beat the Yoshi's Island game on my Super Nintendo on Sunday, and I made it to level four on the Lion King. I need to do dishes. I need a vacation. My cold is getting better. I am stoked to be going to Willow this weekend. I love the fall weather. I can't wait for it to get even colder...like upper 50's for a high. Finally, I am thinking about getting up from the recliner I got for free to get some Dr. Pepper out of the fridge.<br /><br />And that, is the update of my life. :DJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-43038208333214096332008-10-09T18:24:00.000-07:002008-10-09T18:29:39.991-07:00I have a coldYou have to love it....waking up to a sore throat, runny nose, and feeling like your head is the size of a small planet. Oh the joys of having a cold. I am hoping to get over my cold soon, as fun as it is to sound extremely weird when I talk. I have been on a steady routine of taking Dayquil, which unfortunately makes me very loopy. It seems to be helping though. I am hoping everything I made today in baking class tastes good because I can't really taste anything! They say a cold lasts about one to two weeks....well, I am counting down the days until my immune system fights off this foreign invader!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-25016291531656608872008-10-07T19:39:00.000-07:002008-10-07T19:54:22.045-07:00I Need A Vacation....If you know me, you are probably asking, "why would you need a vacation?" I will admit it; my school work is not particularly hard. I don't have a job either. Lately I have just been feeling so trapped in my own life. I know it sounds crazy but it's true. I need to get away and breathe. I don't care where I go. I just need to leave.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-3314211181126339522008-10-04T19:07:00.000-07:002008-10-04T19:20:26.778-07:00I Love Yard Sales!This morning I was awakened to the sound of my phone vibrating to signal that I had a new text message. I looked and saw that it was from Rachel. She told me that she was yard saling with her sister and wanted me to come. I was pumped! I love yard sales. You never know what you will find.<br /><br />After taking a quick shower and throwing on some clothes, I went outside to wait for them to pick me up. We went to yard sale after yard sale, following all of the neon colored signs that guided the way. We dealt with nice people who were just looking to get rid of stuff and the mean ladies who were in it to make a profit. After 4 hours of going to countless yard sales, I came home with the following:<br /><br />-A wine cooler (not the drink, the actual refrigerator)...it was free<br />-A 1970s model lazy boy recliner (somehow I managed to fit it in my car)...it was also free<br />-A Gigapet<br />-Pocohantus VHS tape<br />-The Sixth Sense VHS tape<br />-A Beautiful Mind VHS tape<br />-Meet the Fockers DVD<br />-DC Talk CD<br />-The Mummy Returns VHS<br />-2 Christmas music cassettes<br />-5 packs of glow in the dark stars<br />-4 giant candy canes with complimentary spool of ribbon<br />-A light up sign that says "Bar Open"<br />-A gold medal that reads "I said my 50 states and capitals 2002"<br />-A book...not quite sure of the title<br />-A magic set<br />-Monopoly game<br />-Cabbage Patch Kids game<br />-Dracula puzzle<br />-A set of 4 cups<br /><br />All of this was under fifteen dollars total....Overall, not a bad day of yard saling! : )Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-85114138079410628372008-10-04T19:03:00.000-07:002008-10-04T19:07:43.226-07:00My Phone is HauntedYes, in the true spirit of this ghoulish Halloween month, my phone is haunted. Okay, maybe it isn't haunted, but it is a piece of crap. My phone likes randomly turn itself on and off. It won't charge on a wall charger, only in my car. I have to send texts to receive texts. I am constantly texting myself, because it is the only way to get any texts sent to me to register in my phone! My phone also likes to die half way through the day, even when it was fully charged in the morning. Oh and finally, my phone doesn't ring! That's right...if you call me, 9 times out of 10 I won't answer because my phone didn't ring! Thankfully all of my friends and family who call me know to leave a voicemail so I know they called. My phone is on the verge of dying completely. Luckily, I get a new phone the next time I go home to Willow! Maybe my next phone won't go completely insane like this one!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-30532009259943284672008-09-30T01:10:00.000-07:002008-09-29T23:11:05.698-07:00I Have Officially Doubled the Amount of People I Hang Out with in SpringfieldIt is true....I have officially doubled the amount of people I hang out with in Springfield. You may be asking "Did you go to a rad party?" but no, this is not the case. You see, it is easy to double the amount of people you hang out with when the original number is 1. lol<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago I was talking to my friend Melanie on Facebook, and I was telling her how I didn't have but like one friend in Springfield. She told me she knew a guy up here and would have him add me on Facebook as a friend. Sure enough, within the next 24 hours I had a request from this guy to be my friend. I added him and we started talking through the messaging on Facebook.<br /><br />Finally after a week of talking online, we exchanged phone numbers and have been texting back and forth a lot. After about a week of just texting, we agreed to meet up on Monday (tonight). Well, I got home early in the afternoon yesterday and he texted me. I told him I was back and he asked if I wanted to do something that day. I agreed and got ready to go.<br /><br />We met up in a parking lot, and we decided to go check out a corn maze. We had a hard time finding it, but eventually we made it. When we got there, we entered the corn maze thinking it would be easy, but it turned out to be pretty difficult seeing as we passed the same piece of corn four times. It was fun just talking and hanging out while trying to find our way out of the maze.<br /><br />Once we had made it out of the maze about an hour later, we went to Arby's for supper. It was delicious after all that walking! Then we went to his apartment and just sat and talked. Eventually, his friend came over and we all decided to head to his friend's apartment to watch a movie.<br /><br />When we got to the friend's apartment, we went inside and quickly decided that we wanted a Fruitista from Taco Bell. We walked across the street and got our tastey treats before finally settling in and watching The Love Guru.<br /><br />After the movie was over, my new friend took me back to my car. It was definitely a fun night, and I didn't get home until two thirty in the morning.<br /><br />Today I got a text from my friend asking if I wanted to hang out again tonight. I agreed and he said he would be over after his class got over at seven. We hung out at my apartment for awhile. He loved Puggy, and believe me, she loved him. He played fetch with her for like a hour.<br /><br />We decided to watch a movie, and he asked if I had ever seen Star Wars. I said that I had not, and he was appalled. He said that we had to go rent it. He didn't see how I could have made it this far in my life without watching Star Wars. So we got in the car and went and got the movie.<br /><br />Once we were back at my apartment, we watched Star Wars and played with Puggy some more. I tried not to fall asleep, because I was still tired from the previous night. I am officially no longer a Star Wars virgin.<br /><br />After the movie was over we said good night, but we have plans to hang out again tomorrow night. I am definitely excited. I am glad I have another friend here in Springfield to hang out with instead of sitting at home bored every night!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-38232976528947021552008-09-27T20:05:00.000-07:002008-09-27T20:26:41.750-07:00Going Home...This weekend I took a much needed break from the every day routine of life in Springfield and headed back home to good ol' Willow Springs. I was very excited to come home and see my family and friends. When Puggy and I arrived at my house, no one was home. Mom called and said she was on her way home from work. I had to go though to meet Amber for lunch, so I left Puggy for mom to puppy sit and left.<br /><br />When I got to Willow, I had to stop at my former place of employment, Town and Country, to get batteries. When I went in, all of the workers were excited to see me, even my former boss who asked me if I was ready to come back and work for him again. I just laughed.<br /><br />After leaving Town and Country, I went to Pizza Americana to meet Amber for lunch. When we walked in, we were greeted by three of our former classmates. We went over to their table and said hi and exchanged hugs. After eating with our friends, we all went outside to watch the homecoming parade. It was a blast yelling and cheering for every float. We may have looked like idiots, but at least we got candy!<br /><br />After the parade, I went back home and saw my family, minus my brother who was getting ready for the football game. Once it was 6o'clock, I headed back to Willow where I dropped Puggy off at my grandma's and picked up Amber for the game. I had fun at the game getting to watch my brother play, even though we lost. I also liked catching up with some of my friends.<br /><br />That night after the game, Amber and I went to McDonalds and ate chicken nuggets. I was highly disappointed when I was told that the chicken nuggets I had thought my whole life had looked like little Missouris, actually looked more like the United States. It was devastating.<br /><br />Anyway, after McDonalds, Amber and I went to Carl's house and hung out. All I can say is that it was one of the most hilarious nights of my entire life. God bless my best friend. Unfortunately, around 11:30 I had to leave, because I had to pick up my brother from the homecoming dance. After getting Joseph, I was exhausted and fell right asleep when I got home.<br /><br />This morning I woke up to the smell of biscuits and gravy. Oh how I miss this. Mom made a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and homemade blueberry muffins. No matter how many cooking classes I take, I will always like my mom's cooking best!<br /><br />After eating breakfast and getting dressed, I headed to Willow to hang out with Amber. The day was filled with many activities. We cleaned her car (she sprayed me with the water gun thingy at the the car wash on accident). We rode the four wheeler in circles in her yard. We cruised town...she drove while I sat in the passenger seat wearing a four wheeler helmet. We had a scrumptious picnic lunch in the park. We roamed Alco...I bought fake tattoo sleeves which I wore for the rest of the day. We finger painted. We cruised again...this time I drove. Overall, it was a very exciting day.<br /><br />Once I had said goodbye to Amber, I drove back to Pomona and hung out with my family for the rest of the evening. We had a campfire and roasted hotdogs. We watched a movie and just enjoyed each other's company. It was a great time.<br /><br />Sadly, tomorrow I will be heading back to my Springfield apartment. I love Springfield, but everytime I come home it is always hard to leave. I love my family and friends, and I definitely do miss them. I am very thankful I got the chance to come down and see them again. I look forward to the next time I can come home and sit around a campfire or finger paint with my best friend. : )Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001992953043621958.post-57206561742600393512008-09-25T20:35:00.000-07:002008-09-25T20:47:59.396-07:00A Not So Peaceful Shower...This morning I literally dragged myself out of bed so I could get ready for my baking class. Once I had hit the snooze button at least four times, I decided it was time for me to get up. After pulling back the covers and getting a sleepy look from Puggy, I went to take a shower. I hopped in and tried to hurry seeing as I was already late from hitting the snooze button so many times.<br /><br />I was enjoying my shower, and I was very thankful that it was waking me up. I was just rinsing the shampoo out of my hair when all of a sudden I hear a loud siren like noise. Within seconds, I realized it was the smoke alarm! I sprinted out of the shower with Puggy chasing my heels.<br /><br />Once I had made it into the bedroom, I looked around and saw that there was clearly no fire. I knew I had to get the smoke alarm to turn off. I knew it had to be waking up all of my neighbors at 7am, because no one in their right mind would be up at that God awful hour.<br /><br />I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a chair from the kitchen table which was quite humorous. The reason it was humorous: I had had no time to put on any clothes in my mad rush to save Puggy and I. Luckily, all of my blinds were shut. Anyway, I grabbed the chair and quickly stood on it fanning at the smoke alarm. I figured if I could clear the invisible smoke, then it would shut off. Bad idea. Apparently, invisible smoke doesn't go away.<br /><br />After the first failed attempt to get it to shut off, I decided to yank out the batteries. I unscrewed the alarm from the ceiling and just my luck, it was wired in. Immediately I went to the breaker box and searched for something that would turn it off. Thankfully, they had actually labeled it. I flipped the switch and things returned to normal....well, after Puggy stopped barking and I put clothes on.<br /><br />So now if there is a fire in my apartment, I can only pray that my dog is a fire fighting dog, and she will wake me up in case of an emergency. But as I watch her shred a paper towel, I am reconsidering and think maybe it would be best to just tell the apartment people and have them fix it. : )Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15569442752775267352noreply@blogger.com0