Christmas Blogging

Another Christmas is over. It was a normal Christmas for my family, filled with everything that entails. I got home from school about a week ago. One of my friends and I drove up together. It was my first long drive without my family, but I had a wonderful time with one of my best friends. I think we actually managed to talk for the entire seventeen hour trip. It was so nice to finally catch up with her about our lives at college, especially since we hadn't seen each other for almost four months.

My semester ended well. It was crazy busy, but very fun. As always, it seems like life is complicated, but I suppose there is no real way around that. It was a relief to finish up a couple of my classes. My physical chemistry class is the hardest class in my major and it was so satisfying to finally finish it. I was also very excited to finish my third semester of calculus. It is the last real math class I have to take, and even though I like math, I am done with it!

This semester I have been enjoying getting to know people at school better. Due to circumstances beyond my control last year, I didn't get a chance to make that many friends, and so it has been wonderful this year to finally have some really close friends at school. I've had the opportunity to get out of my shell a little more at school and get to know people on a deeper level.

This last week that I have been home has been really great. I have already gotten to spend some time with friends and also relax and sleep a little. I'm looking forward to getting some more rest before I head back to school for another long semester. Even on break life has a way of being busy. I need to start working on my personal statement for med. school applications, and spend some quality talking time with a couple of friends. The next time I will be back in Oregon will be in May so I'm trying to make sure I see everyone at least for a little while.

Blessings and Merry Christmas to you all!

Laura

For Friends

[Random update paragraph] School is going great. I only have one week left of the semester, a few days of exams, and then I'm home for Christmas. It really is crazy how fast this year is flying by. I have tons of things to be doing this week, but that's ok. I was telling my roommate this afternoon that I'm a mid-semester stresser. I tend to get all freaked out about half way through the semester about all the things I have to do, but then after that minor break down, I'm good and get on with the rest of my work, much less stressed, but still getting everything done.

[So these are some thoughts that came out of a conversation I had last night with some friends]

1) I would not consider myself a people person. I'm too introverted and reserved, plus at times I feel like I dislike more people than I actually like. That said, I'm realizing that though the list of people I don't like is large, I do love my friends and family. I love them to the point that I will do anything for them. Maybe that's why I don't make friends very easily, because I don't take friendships lightly. Once I have decided to be friends with someone, in my mind, there is no turning back. Its like some reversed and warped imprinting (like baby birds do). If I imprint on someone they can't really get out of it, they are just stuck with me. In other words, if I call someone a friend I mean it, and they need to realize the extent of my commitment to that friendship.

2) Caring to much is a huge blessing, but its also incredibly painful. This partially comes back to how I view friendships, but I have a tendency to try and take the burdens of those I care about on myself. In many circumstances I don't care if I get hurt, but if someone wants to see me truly mad* try and pull something on one of my friends. I'm not sure if this is caring to much, but it is how God created me. Sure, I get myself into the middle of things a lot. I can't say 'no' when someone I care about asks me for help. And when one of my friends is hurting, regardless if I had anything to do with it, I feel like my heart has been ripped apart. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm learning how much of who I am is rapped into caring so deeply: my desire to go into medicine, my stubbornness, and my heart for mission work (I'm still figuring out where God will lead me on this front). As an interesting side note: apparently people like this tend to be friends with others that are similar.

Cheers!

Laura

*For some reason people at school joke around that they don't want to get me mad. I'm not sure how this started, but I think its funny because I don't really get mad, unless its about a friend/family member, and then you REALLY don't want to get me mad.

Home Again

I have been home in Oregon for the last few days for Thanksgiving break. It has been really nice to be back. I have missed my family a lot, and it has also been nice to see some good friends as well. I have been gone for over three months now, but that is hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday I was starting my new classes, and moving in a with a new (and wonderful) roommate. But now the semester is nearly over, and I am back in Oregon for a few days.

This has led me to the question of when did the definition of 'home' become so difficult to nail down? Oregon is home. It is where my family lives. But school is also home. I have wonderful and amazing friends at school, and I am truly happy there. So how did two completely different places 900 miles apart become equally home-like to me? I certainly have no idea; it just happened.

Other than some random thoughts about what home means, life is good. I'm having a wonderful time at school getting to know some people better. School is going great. I'm really liking my classes. I just registered for next semester's classes. I'm taking one chemistry class, a bio class, two G.E.s, research, and fencing. I'm looking forward to learning how to use a sword. That should be fun, and one more thing to terrify my sister with when I'm home.


Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: We decorated the house for Christmas today. I'm glad I got to be around to help.

Amendment 2: I will be glad to be back at school. There are only three weeks in the semester left and then Christmas break.

It can't be November Already

This past week was certainly a crazy one. Three projects and two exams, is not a good way to get sleep. But the week is over, and this next one is looking much calmer. I just have to write a paper and study for one exam. I can't believe I will be home for thanksgiving in about two weeks. The last two and half months have flown by! I've been gone from Oregon for about three months now, and and at school for almost as long. I really wish I could hit the 'pause' button sometimes. Junior year is going to quickly.

I had my first official English Country Dance Club event this last week. It went very well. There were about 25 people there, which turned out to be a very good number. We even managed to talk a few boys that were playing Foosball in the lounge to dance with us. They are now members of the FB group :) At this rate I will convert the entire school to ECD before I graduate ;)

It has been a little strange being more involved on campus this year. Between pre-health club and ECD I have met a lot of students that I really wouldn't have had much contact with other wise. I'm still getting used to walking around campus and have people address me by name that I really don't know, only to realize afterward that I had probably emailed them about a pre-health event or introduced myself at the club fair in October. I suppose this is a good thing, since I'm tossing around the idea of running for a student government position next year. But still for someone that values privacy it can be a little disconcerting at times, not to mention the fact that I can never seem to remember these people's names.

It is finally starting to get a little colder here. I miss Oregon weather. Its nice to have a chill in the air at night, but there is something so comforting about dark clouds and rainy days. Finally, I can wear sweatshirts to class; I just wish I was wearing a rain jacket as well. There are perks to living in Southern California though. Its November and I can still read outside in a hammock on the weekends.

I am still attending the same church here and I'm starting to feel more at home there. If I can't be at my real home church then there is really no place I would rather be than the Naz. church here. My pastor has been going through the book of Ecclesiastes this fall. I think I had read the book before, but it has been quite a learning curve. I think it is amazing how God lines up what you are going through in life with what you are hearing in church. He has been teaching me a thing or two about balancing my hopes for the future with my life right now.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: I learned how to salsa dance on Saturday night. That was very fun, and I finally got to practice my swing dancing.

Amendment 2: Research is going well. I haven't had anymore issues with nearly blowing expensive equipment up.

Amendment 3: I don't remember if I put this on a previous blog, but here's a riddle. If you are told to choose one of three doors. One of which has a prize behind it and the other two don't have anything. You choose door number three. Then someone opens door number one and its empty. You are given the option to change your answer. Do you change it? If so why?

Random People

Ever had one of those days when you are missing someone and you just want to be with them? Well, I'm having one today, so I thought I would write a blog about some of those people that I really miss a lot. This is just a random selection of the people back home. It isn't really even based off of who I'm closest to, just who comes to mind right now for some wacky reasons.

My sister. So this should be obvious. My sister is like my other half. The half I fight with, hug, and get mad at for no reason. She is also the one that comes into my room late at night to talk and doesn't leave until early in the morning. She is also the main reason I have friends at college, since I would never have been anything close to social if she didn't make me. Thanks Sis! I would not be where I am today without you.

Becca and Rachel. Yes, I'm going to combine them, just because I almost always hang out with both at the same time. Becca is so funny. I love how quirky she is. Your mad drawing skills amaze me. Rachel is also funny, and I love how she teases her sisters without them even noticing.

My Dad. I miss just sitting in the living room with him not talking, just sitting. Maybe we will talk about important stuff, but just hanging out with one of heroes is a blast. I love being able to ask my dad any question about politics or history and him having an opinion whether he knows about the subject or not! Your lectures are famous dad! Maddy and I have learned never to get you started after 11pm because we would never get to bed.

Dewey (my pastor). Dewey is probably the funniest pastor I have ever met. His sermons are without a doubt the best ever. I have never met someone that can speak for three weeks on one word! Germaphobe though he is, I never get tired of his high-fives.

Mariah. I miss just sitting on the couch and laughing with her. Yes, she can be inflammatory at times, but someone that speaks her mind isn't that easy to come by, so I guess I'll keep her around.

So that is random smattering of people that I'm missing. There are lots more. People like mom, Christie, Nana, my dog, Britt, Katie, Charlie. But this will have to do for now.


Cheers!

Laura

Hit the Ground and Run

This semester really is flying by. I am now half way done, which means I'm a quarter of the way done with the year. I still miss being home a lot, but school really is home now. It is still strange to be happy in a place that is 900 miles from my family, but I suppose that is life. A series of adjustments.

Classes are going well. I'm still very busy with everything. Finally this week I finished a project I had been working on for the pre-health club, which I am an officer in. We went to a conference a few weeks back, and as the treasurer I had some bookkeeping things to do afterward. But I'm finally done with that minor headache.

It seems like I have been learning a lot lately about being a good leader. This summer with co-leading youth group, and now with the pre-health club and my ECD club. I can see that my leadership skills need some honing and practice. Being in charge is tough, and sometimes down right painful. I do enjoy it though. Having the ability to actually change a situation you don't like or agree with is a very satisfying position to be in. I'm learning to balance my show of confidence, (something important for a leader, and easy for me) with knowing when to ask for help and advice isn't always easy, but I think I'm getting better at it.

I have the first ECD club meeting on November 3rd. I'm very excited and a little nervous. I have no idea how many people will show up. We might have 20 people who have never danced before show up. That is a scary thought, trying to teach 20 new people how to dance at once. I will need to put some planning into the first event, and some thought into what dances I want to teach. I know I will do Marie's Wedding because I already have a request for it, and it is really simple, but oh so fun.

Next week a very exciting event is happening on my campus. Humans vs. Zombies. Its a game that involves an original zombie turning the other players (humans) into zombies and then they can turn others into zombies. I think something like 80 people are playing. I am not one of them, however most of friends are and I am planning being on hand with a camera for all the events. As is I don't have enough blackmail pictures on them already. Did I mention that I got a new camera for my birthday? Well I did. I should take a picture of it with my old camera and post it on FB it is really very cute and little with a measly 10 mega pixels.


Cheers!

Laura


Amendment 1: Fugacity is my word of the week. It is similar to pressure but is used for a real gas. It is defined as the limit as P goes to 0 then f equals P.

Amendment 2: I will be home in about four weeks. I can't wait to see you all!

Amendment 3: For my PE class this week I had to write down all the things I was doing this semester and then come up with a plan so I wouldn't get to stressed about it. I wasn't all that stressed until I wrote down exactly what I am doing this semester. Now that I KNOW I don't have time for everything, it suddenly seems so much worse than when I was just doing it.

How do I take my foot off the accelerator?

I just finished week seven of my first semester of junior year! I'm almost half way through the semester, and all I want right now is for things to slow down. I spend about 30 hours in class a week, and then another forty-fifty hours on homework a week. Somewhere I have to fit in sleep and meals, plus social time. Sometimes it seems that my life is one giant blur; one day fades into the next. All I want to do is yell "Stop". I love my life right now. I have wonderful friends. College is a wonderful place to be. I'm surrounded by the greatest profs. in the world. I would love to be able to take ever single class offered here. Well, maybe not all, but most. But life is flying by me.

I know its not going to get any better. Life only becomes more complicated and busy the older you become. This summer I take the MCAT and apply to medical schools. Hopefully, in less than two years I will be a medical student somewhere. Life goes on. I love the quote from the Lord of the Rings. "If you step onto the road, if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." Isn't life amazing? God has blessed me with so much, and I wish I had to enjoy every minute, but I guess I will just have to find my minutes between my classes, between study times, maybe on occasion over a meal (when I have time to eat :P), and in chapel.


Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: The sign on Sarah and I's door reads "Welcome to dragon country; mind the balrogs"

Amendment 2: Starting to get ready for the first official ECD club meeting a two weeks!

Amendment 3: For someone that doesn't know a thing about cars I really do like car analogies. My current favorite: if life is a highway it is sometimes necessary to pull over and check the map.

Six Weeks of Craziness

Six weeks of school! Six weeks! I can't believe it has already been six weeks! Ok, now I have that out of my system how about a nice long update.

School has been going well. I'm so busy that I'm starting to feel like I have no life but other than that I'm loving it. My classes are hard, especially p-chem, but very interesting. I had three exams this week and that was a little intense, but I survived (just barely) and now I have a four day weekend.

These last six weeks have been the most exhausting of my life. I feel like I have been going non-stop ever since arriving at school. I'm taking five classes, plus research, and running one club and helping run another. I'm also on the worship team at my church once a month. Life is crazy, but I love it.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go up to UC Davis for a pre-medical conference. Though the weekend was very tiring, I had a wonderful time. The other officers and I put a lot of work into all the details and I was so glad that things went off mostly without any problems. I learned so much about the medical school admission process and I feel much more confident about applying this spring. I also feel encouraged that I can and will get into medical school. It is a competitive world, but I know I can do it. It was great to hear that grades and test scores aren't everything, and that I am doing a lot of things that will help me get in.

Even all the work was fun (at times). I'm the treasurer of the club, and I enjoy all of the money stuff. Wow, I can't believe I wrote that! I sound like an accountant. Most of the details worked out fine in the end. There were a few minor heart attack moments in the week leading up to the trip, and a few on the trip as well. But other than getting no sleep and being sick (not a good combination) it was a wonderful time.

This weekend I don't have much planned. Getting some sleep, a lot of sleep. Doing some homework, and going on a day hike on Monday. Monday also happens to be my birthday. I think my mom is sadder that I won't be home than I am. Twenty just doesn't feel like a big deal. I'm excited to go hiking and spend the day with my best Westmont friends.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: No, I am still not dating/courting anyone. So you can stop wondering.

Amendment 2: My favorite quote from my p-chem textbook. "Because researchers do not have access to an infinitely large water bath... " It sounds like they just ran out of funds to buy one.

Amendment 3: My second favorite quote from my p-chem book. "any well-behaved function can be expressed in analytical form" What is a well-behaved function? Or a better question how does a function misbehave?

Amendment 4: I feel like this entry was all over the place. But I'm so tired I don't even care.

Amendment 5: Maybe when I'm less tired tomorrow or Sunday I will write some more details.

One Month In

I just finished my fourth week of school. It is strange to think that I've been gone from home for nearly six weeks now. Everything has gone so fast. There are only about fourteen weeks in the semester so being four weeks in, is really the middle of the semester.

I'm starting to have my first round of midterms. I had one this week, I'll have one next week, and two the week after. I think one of things academically I'm getting better at is exams. Being homeschooled for so long you don't really know how to take tests well. Thankfully, I feel like I am now a good test taker, especially in my science classes. While practice doesn't always make perfect is certainly helps, and I've been having a lot of practice with science exams.

It is hard for me to believe that I'm in my junior year now. In less then two years I will be, Lord willing, entering medical school. I have had a number of people over the years tell me I will be a good doctor, a doctor they would go to. I hope so... Being a doctor is a huge responsibility, and I think it would be fool-hardy for me to say that I am ready for that kind of responsibility. And the thought that I might some day, either by accident, mistake, or by just missing something, kill someone is terrifying. But I suppose being scared is probably a good thing in this case.

Since I only have three semesters left after this one, I have been planning very carefully what I need to do to graduate. I love my school, but we do have so many GE requirements. I have already fulfilled over a third of them and I still have 8 classes left to take! I have this horrible suspicion that my final semester will be me and a bunch of freshman some basic classes. At least I will have plenty of time for research :) The funny thing about my school is that the science departments are so small a lot of classes are only offered one semester either fall or spring. So next semester I will only have one science class with a lab, but next fall I will have three. While that sounds like fun to me, my friends are calling it suicide. But I guess that's what I get for hanging out with a bunch of English majors.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: Interesting Fact: I now know how to mathematically prove that you should slow down before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

Amendment 2: Things I hate about FaceBook 1: People who put "In a relationship with Jesus" as their relationship status. That means any guy/girl that wants to date them must get that person to break up with God. Like that's going to be easy :P

Amendment 3: Time is precious here at school, so if my proof reading time goes down, please forgive me.

Why Do I Even Bother?

I have a cold, I am under a huge amount of stress from various different activities, and I still have hours of homework ahead of my today. It is at these sorts of times that I become introspective and slightly outwardly emotional. So you have been forewarned.

I was chatting with a friend this last week and he made a comment that really made me think about my life planning skills. He said something to the meaning "In two years if you get accepted to OHSU then you will be home". This is what I have been planning for the last year or so. Not just because of the cost of medical school, but also because I want to be home. All this made me look back at my track record for predicting my future, especially in geography.

Four Years Ago: I was planning on studying biology at a local christian liberal arts school. I was going to go to medical school. I wasn't going to live at home, but 30 minutes from home wasn't all that bad.

Three Years Ago: I had a change of heart. I decided I wanted to go to a more conservative school. So my original choice of the school close to home was out. You should have seen the look on my mom's face! I once again started looking at a school in Michigan that I had always liked. It started to look more like a possibility.

Two Years Ago: I graduated from High school early, and decide to take classes at a different liberal arts college in my home town. I wasn't ready to leave yet, but I wanted to make the most of this year. I was looking at colleges in earnest. But mostly the one Michigan. I went and visited it, and loved it. I knew then that's where I wanted to be, and I thought I knew where God wanted me.

Year and Nine Months Ago: My mom dragged me to CA to look at one more school. I knew I was not going to like it. I had my school all picked out, I was just there to go to Disneyland, and prove to mom and dad once for all, I knew what I wanted. Oops! I didn't just like the school, I loved it. It was very different from the one in Michigan, but I loved it just the same. It felt right.

Year and Half Ago: I had to send in my check that night. Both schools needed a deposit by May 1st. It was the night of April 30th. I had to make a decision. So I did. I chose to come to Southern California, a place I really hate to a school I didn't even want to go and look at much less attend. Yeah, this was an "Ok God, I hope you know what you are doing" moment.

So all this to say "Why do I even bother making plans?" Obviously I have to do some sort of long term planning. But it comes down to this. I'm just crummy at it. I'm not good at seeing the forest through the trees. And I certainly can't predict where I'm going to be next year (well hopefully still here, but not spiritually) much less in two or three years.

Cheers!

Amendment 1: Perhaps I can blame my parents. They always say that the only subject they failed at teaching me was geography.

Amendment 2: Or I suppose I could just sum it up to "Welcome to the world of not being God".

Amendment 3: There are a few things in life that I'm still reasonably sure about. One is going to medical school. Another is God is God and I'm not. The third is I have the best group of people around me that I could ever ask for.

Week Three Update

Well the semester is in full swing now. I am now ridiculously busy. I'm spending 20 hours in class a week, 8 hours in labs, and 4 hours in the research lab. Add in 4-5 hours of homework every night, 2 hours worship team practices every Wednesday night, all the time I spend on my two clubs I'm involved in, and that's like what a 60-something hour week. Life is crazy right now!!!

Even though things are really hectic, I'm still enjoying school a lot. My classes are really interesting, and I'm having fun with my upper level chemistry stuff. Research is at times a little overwhelming because of the complicated computer work that is required. I'm sure once I get used to running the optics program, the temperature program, the camera, and the other program I can't remember, all at the same time I will be fine. Physical chemistry is a really hard class. I needed one of the other students to explain partial derivatives to me yesterday, since I don't really know what they are, and everyone else has taken multivariable calc. already.

I still miss everyone in Oregon like crazy, but I'm less homesick now. Maybe just because I'm so tired and have so much to do, that I barely have time to think, much less miss people. I'm already looking forward to fall break in three weeks so I can take a little breather before heading into the second third of the semester. My birthday is also over fall break so, I'm going to drag Sarah and Faith on a really good hike that weekend, something long :)

Cheers!

Laura

Never Forget

Singing LitGirl's praises

I have a number of wonderful friends. People that I know my life would be sadly boring, and uninteresting if I didn't know them . I hope you all know who you are. (here's a hint, I really only tease people that I consider good friends, people I'm willing to put time and energy into, so if I tease you chances are you make the list). One of good friends is Mariah C. (LitGirl on blogger). We have known each other for a long time, and even though she is strange some times, I still love her. She is now an art major in college, but I still think she is an amazing writing, and very funny. This a copy and paste from her blog. http://thoughtsofuniverse.blogspot.com/ I hope you all like it.

"So tonight my brother made his girlfriend upset. This happens from time to time. It's never really his fault. He never means to say something stupid. He just suffers from male emotional illiteracy. My father assures him it is a common malady. My mother and I try to coach him on to better things. He's getting better. I think he is far more advanced in this area than most guys I know. However, for the good of interpersonal communications the world over, I am making a list of general rules for men dealing with women. These have been arrived at through years of observation and study :)
1. Women are not cars. DO NOT try to fix them. Self help books do not make good gifts.
2. When you ask a woman what's wrong, and she says nothing, she is LYING.
3. Just put anniversaries, birthdays, etc. on the calendar. Forgetting them is normal and forgivable, but it just makes you look dumb.
4. Think before you speak. If it would sound dumb on a video of your life, it should probably not be spoken.
5. Do irrational, unreasonable things for her. This doesn't actually make sense, but a lot of girls expect it, or at least secretly hope for it. It will just make your life easier.
6. Do not insult her pet hobbies, interests, whatever. Just don't. She will take it personally. If she likes cats, do not pretend you are going to throw one out a window.
7. Tell her what you're feeling. Yeah, you'll feel stupid, but she'll like it.
8. Be mushy. Just close your eyes and do it. You'll feel like a fool. You probably are. Just do it anyway.
9. Don't make a comment about her appearance that isn't positive. This is not a fair rule, because a girl will feel that it's her right to tell you when you look silly or ugly. But you just shouldn't go there.
10. Try to accept that most girls have a lot of emotions going at all times, and thus will often seem very complex. Try to watch for the signs. Pay attention. Girls are not crock pots. You can not just leave them unwatched for a while.

And remember, these are general observations. They aren't fair. They aren't always true. But they may be helpful for navigating the waters of the female psyche. Good luck. I'm going to go comfort my adorable, clumsy brother now. "

Cheers!

Laura

Just For Fun

Classes

Here is a run down of what I'm taking this fall.

Physical Chemistry/Thermodynamics. Because my school is so small the p-chem and thermo. classes are combined since the material first semester is exactly the same. This class is already shaping up to be like my 0-chem class from last year. Tons of homework, and lots of hard material. I feel a little out of place in this class. It is small, only seven people. I'm one of two girls and all the boys are senior physics majors except for one. I'm a young junior (supposed to be a sophomore), and I'm the person that has the least amount of math. I'm only just now in multivariable calculus.

Life and Literature of the New Testament. This is a GE at my school so it is a big class. So far it hasn't been particularly interesting, but I'm hoping it well get better soon. It is also a strange class since there are a ton of freshmen in there with me. I got asked on friday, why as a junior I had waited to so long to take this class. Apparently, this freshman didn't understand the concept of a second year junior who is also a science major and pre-med. I'm luck to be in a GE class before my senior year!

Biology. This semester of Bio is my last pre-med class I have to take to go to med. school. So far it isn't very exciting, and I don't think it is going to get much better. I'm not a huge fan of animals. I don't not like them, and I certainly love my pets, but learning about every phylum known to man is just not my cup of tea.

Multivariable calculus. At the moment this class is so boring. We are talking about vectors which after a full year of college calculus and a year of university physics, I can do in my sleep. But I really like my professor. Math profs. are so funny. I think it takes a special person to get a Ph.d in math. I think this will be a fun class.

I also have a P.E. class, not very interesting. I just have to sit in class for 50 minutes a week, and then run around four times a week on my own. Not a big deal.

I also have research (four hours/week). And I am an officer in two clubs. AMSA, a pre-med club, I'm the treasurer. And my ECD club. Which I am running, and the president. That just sounds cool. I am the president of English Country Dance club :D

Cheers!

Laura

Road Maps

In chapel today the speaker (one of the music professors) gave a very good analogy. It reminded me of a few of you GPS crazy people. It went like this. When you get into a car for the first time with a GPS you assume it will get you to the right place. Sometimes the unit doesn't tell you early enough about a turn or something so you miss it. The GPS doesn't freak out and tell you to pull over and consult a map. It just recalculates your route. It may take you a little longer, but you will get there, you just have to follow the directions.

Here's the application. If we put that much faith in a little piece of technology, then why are we constantly questioning God about where He sends us? Do we actually have more faith in GPS units than the God of the universe? Sometimes when God is giving us directions we get messed up; we miss a turn or don't pay attention to the directions. But God doesn't freak out. He gives us an alternate route to get where we need to be. There maybe be consequences for getting off track, but God always gets us there.

I had to drive by myself this weekend in CA for the first time. It was a little scary. When you get on the freeway, and the speed limit is 65 in the construction zone, and people are flying by you at 75+ things get interesting. The other weird thing about Southern California is how bad the roads are. Maybe because we get so much rain, but in Oregon the roads are never this bad!

Cheers!

Amendment 1: I think this analogy is right up there with the "God is packing my parachute" one.

Amendment 2: Week one is done. On to week two!

Amendment 3: It is mostly decided. I will be staying to do research this summer. This of course, means that any and all are welcome to visit me. I'll be living in an apartment so I'll even have room for visitors! And I will still get a five week summer, so I'll get to see you all for a little while.

Amendment 4: Once again my school's area is back on "High fire danger". Dear God, please not again!

School, Home, and Research

Right now I'm almost finished with my first week of classes. I'm still having a hard time believing that I'm really starting my junior year of college. It has gone so fast! I haven't been back even a week, and already some exciting things have happened. The main one being joining a research team in the chemistry department. I won't repeat myself, because I wrote a Facebook note about. But I'll just say that I have been given an amazing opportunity for this year, and most of next summer, that will end me being able to co-author a paper for publication!

So far I'm loving living with my new roommate. We were best friends last year, and we seem to have made a good decision about roommates. We have yet to have any disagreements, and have similar schedules and bedtimes. And the only thing that can beat staying up late with your roommate/best friend as school talking about politics and theology is sister time.

One thing I was not expecting when I got back to school was homesickness. Last year I missed my family very badly, and was very lonely at times, but I was never what I would call homesick. But this year is different. I'm not sure why. It seems strange to me that I would do ok for one year and then come back and not be ok. But right now I don't even want to think about the next three months away from home, or the months of may, june, and part of july. I suppose this independence is all part of growing up, but some times I just have to keep repeating to myself "God is here with me, God is here with me".

I miss you all, and can't wait to see you all at thanksgiving.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: I was thrilled today to learn that because the way my class schedule worked out I will be home for a week at thanksgiving, instead of just a few days.

Amendment 2: If anyone is interested, the research I will be doing involves studying the way different molecules transfer energy between themselves. It, apparently, has an application in LED lights. (If anyone cares enough about this stuff, I can give you more details, but I won't bore the rest of you).

Junior Year Here I Come

Well I'm back at school. I moved in yesterday and right now most of my stuff is all put away and organized. I'm living in a different dorm, with a different roommate, and on a different end of campus. I'm very excited for this year to start.

I dropped my family off the airport last evening (I get to keep the car!!). It was harder than I imagined to leave them. I suppose because it will be three months before I see them again, and because I missed them so much last year. I know once I start classes again I will be too busy to think much about being homesick but...

A few days after I left Oregon I got a really exciting email from one of my professors. Apparently, my organic chemistry professor recommended me to a different chemistry professor as a research assistant. So on top of all my classes I will also be doing research this year. The professor is a physical chemist, and I will be using the mass. spec. a lot. Good thing I learned how to use it last year so well!!!

Before I got back to school we spent five days at Disneyland. That is a really long time. It worked out well though, because we had to take it really slow for Maddy. She just doesn't have much stamina. It was really nice to get to spend so much time with my family (except Dad) right before I had to leave them. Even though I was getting nasty looks and getting yelled at (by Maddy) for refusing to say "Disneyland is the happiest place on earth". :D

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: It was almost as hard to leave my friends as my family. I will miss you all so much.

Amendment 2: See you all at thanksgiving or Christmas, but hopefully both!!

Welcome to L.A.

I finally made it down to California a few days ago. We have been staying in LA for Maddy's doctors appointment, and tomorrow we are going to Disneyland for a few days. Then after that I go to school for the next three months.

Other than quick trips through LAX I haven't been to LA before and it has been a bit of a culture shock. I expected the smog, and noise, and rude people. But the advertising, that I didn't expect (though perhaps I should have).

I have only spent time in three major cities, Portland, Seattle, and Chicago. In all three there are billboards everywhere, advertising movies, shows, products. But here in LA, specifically Hollywood everything is advertising. The other cities pale in comparison. It also seems that from one billboard to the next they are just trying to out do each other. By this I mean they need more beautiful people, a better catch phrase, and more sex appeal. And when they can't do anything more than that they become just plain offensive. To the point that it makes me embarrassed just to see them.

I suppose if you lived here you would just ignore the billboards. You would become immune to them, and they wouldn't bother you. But it makes me wonder: why as a culture are we taking our cues from the people that come up with these offensive billboards? Do we really have to become desensitized to things like that? I certainly hope not. But that brings up another question: is it really our choice to become desensitized to these things? Sure, we can stick our heads in the sand and just ignore everything that is going on around us, but as Christians can we Biblically do that? I don't believe so. But how can we live in this world and be a Christian of conscience? I suppose this all comes back to being in the world but not of it. It just seems so much harder in Southern California than in Oregon.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: Does anyone besides me wish at times you could just be a small child again, and not have to worry about all these complicated matters?

Amendment 2: Maddy's doctors appointment went really well, finally finally we got some good news. We really needed that.

Amendment 3: Disneyland tomorrow!!!

Off on a Great Adventure

Summer has officially ended for me. I leave tomorrow to go back to school (eventually). After today I will have said goodbye to everyone but my family and best friend. Times like these I tend to struggle with just trusting God. I am one of those people that plans everything in advance; once I make up my mind about something or someone there is no going back for me. I don't like not knowing what is going to happen. But I'm 19, single, and in college. It seems like my life is filled with unknowns and possibilities. Scary but exciting at the same time.

I will be back home in three months. Over the past year I have learned that three months can be a long time, time enough to change a person. I left last August and came home in November a very different person. But isn't that one of the best parts about life, you are always changing and growing. My goal everyday is to look at life like a great adventure. To see obstacles as chances to grow, and not a road blocks, and to see clear stretches as gifts from God to be cherished.

Not that I always succeed, leaving home and everyone you know is really hard to do. After being away for a year, I honestly don't think I could permanently move away from everyone I love. I have realized that next to my relationship with Christ, family and friends are my top priority. They even trump school (shocking coming from me, I know). Through all these unknowns and scary stuff, I am so glad that while I'm the one living my life, I'm not the one that's in charge. Knowing that that the Heavenly Father has my back is the most amazing experience in the world. My adopted grandmother always says "Our God is not walking the halls of Heaven saying 'What do I do now'." You cannot surprise God, He can only surprise you.

Cheers!

Laura

The song that has been running through my head for the past few days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrrjbTc0urk&feature=fvw

Chemistry and Packing

This past week I helped at a kids' chemistry camp. It was overall very fun. Though, I have never been asked so many times in all seriousness "Am I going to die because I got x,y,or z on my hands". Doing stuff like this reminds me of why I am interested in doing pediatrics as a profession. Doing stuff like this also reminds me how much people that don't fully understand science annoy me.

I leave next wednesday to go back to school. It really seems like the summer has flown by so quickly. I have been so busy, (or have I?) and have had tons of fun. I really love studying and school, but breaks are nice too. I'm looking forward to all my classes this fall, and I'm super excited to live with my new roommate. It will be hard to leave Oregon, it always is. But it will be very nice to be back in the routine of school life.

Before I go back to school my mom, sister, Brittany, and I are making a quick stop in LA and then going to DisneyLand. It should be very enjoyable. There really is nothing like running around like a six year old trying to find Mickey Mouse :P It will be really nice to get to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole world, before I don't see them for three months.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: Unthinkable may have been a bit strong a word in my last blog post. I believe unlikely might have been a better choice.

Amendment 2: World Series actually diverges.

Updates

I can't believe I leave in less than two weeks! It seems like this summer has gone so fast. I'm really looking forward to being back, but the transitions between home and school are the hardest. I'm not a real fan of change, and just having to pack everything up is a stressful event for me. But I am looking forward to being back and settled in.

It is hard to believe I am starting my junior year of college. It seems like graduation was not that long ago (either one or two years depending on what graduating means to you :P ) I know I still have six years of school left, Lord willing, but it is so nice to know that in two years I will be finished with my bachelors' degree. I could go out and get a job in a chemistry lab, or do a one year program to become a medical technician. Not that I'm planning on either of these things, I still believe God is leading me in the direction of being a doctor. But it is nice to know that I have options, in case the unthinkable happens and I get married or they stop accepting medical students (one never knows with our crazy Congress and Executive branch) or some other unknown variable happens.

Cheers!

Laura

Amendment 1: I got some of my textbooks in the mail this week. With the exception of a very strange multivariable calculus text that begins on the page 656 and chapter 11, everything looks really good, and I'm looking forward to all my classes.

Amendment 2: No, I am not dating or courting anyone. Right now I'm just trying to concentrate on being friends with both guys and girls and thinking about what qualities I would like in a future spouse. So in other words: stop asking me about this subject! I have no doubt God will eventually bring the right guy into my life, but until then...

Amendment 3: I believe in the heat death of the Universe.
I'm a Kelvinist.

Amendment 4: Old chemists never die they just reach equilibrium

I "Heart" Oregon

In less than three weeks I leave to go back to California for the school year. Though I'm very excited to be back at school, I am starting to become sad about leaving. Even with email, chat, facebook, and phone calls, I miss my family and friends so much during the year. The other thing I miss when I'm at school, something I didn't even anticipate missing when I left last fall, is Oregon. And here are the reasons why.

1) The Oregon Coast. They don't make coasts like these in California. I want to be able to wear a sweat shirt to the beach, and to always be prepared for a sudden rain storm, even in summer. I don't get the CA beaches, people just go to get tan and wear inappropriate clothing. And seriously what is up with beach volleyball, when did that become an Olympic sport?

2) The Green-ness of Oregon. You don't even think about how green things are until you leave. The trees may be green in some parts of CA, but it isn't the same color. In CA it is a sickly pea green color, not the deep forest green of the Willamette Valley. When I came back to Oregon after being gone for three months, I was socked by just how green everything really was here, and how much I had missed it.

3) Outdoors-yness of Oregon. How many people do you know that haven't been hiking at least once, that don't know where to go to find a good spot without any people, or don't know what REI is? If the answer is few to none, then you live in the pacific northwest. The main activity in CA is going to the mall or to the beach to "lay out". God gave us nature for a reason and we are supposed to enjoy it. Now, how to talk my CA friends into that.

These are just a few of the reasons I will be sad to leave Oregon for California in a few weeks.

Cheers!

Laura

No News is still no news

Three weeks and two days! That's when I leave to go back to school. It is hard to believe the summer has gone so fast. Not that I should really be surprised since I have actually been busy this summer. It has been so wonderful to spend so much time with my family and friends. I don't even realize how much I miss everyone when I'm at school until I'm home and able to do things with everyone.

Last week my mom and I went up to my grandfather's house. It was a typical trip up there, full of new and "exciting" family adventures. Trips like these make me come home reciting in my head "I am structurally sound, I am structurally sound". They also make me extremely grateful to all the people in my life who treat me like family even though we aren't related by blood.

On Saturday, three friends and I went hiking. It was a really fun trip. The four of us used to spend a lot of time together in Bible quizzing and it was nice to be all together again. The hike itself was beautiful, with a huge payoff in the end in the form of a suspension bridge.

Though I know I will miss everyone in Oregon, I'm really excited to go back to school. My classes are going to be really fun this year, and I'm looking forward to living in a new dorm with a roommate that is one of my best friends at school. How could I not be thrilled to go back when I get to take physical chemistry, multi-variable calculus, and astrophysics. Plus a couple of other random classes.

I have spent the last few weeks slowly going through a list of all the medical schools in the country to look for ones I might apply to. It feels a bit like college searching all over again, except this time there are fewer choices and my main goal is just to get accepted somewhere. All this has been a little stress inducing. I don't want to spend four years in Milwaukee, or Detroit, or New Orleans, or South Carolina. Yet, if I get into medical school in only one place and it is a place I don't want to be then I guess I will bite the bullet and do it. I know God has everything under His control but it is still scary knowing that I could end up so far away from everyone I have ever known for four years of my life.

My dream is still to go to OHSU, but I will just have to wait to find out if I get accepted or not. Applications are due for the entering class of 2011 June 1st 2010 so I'm trying to make some decisions now before I'm extremely busy with school.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile. (Laura)

Amendment 1: The Laws of Thermodynamics Paraphrased
1. You can't win, you can only break even.
2. You can only break even at absolute zero.
3. You can never reach absolute zero.

Amendment 2: Q: if both a bear in Yosemite and one in Alaska fall into the water
which one dissolves faster?
A: The one in Alaska because it is Polar.

Amendment 3: Q: What do chemists use to make guacomole?
A:Avogadros.

Chemical Fun

Two years ago, for Christmas, my parents gave this wonderful book called "Chemically Speaking". Take one guess what it is about. Here are some of my favorite quotes.

The Rules of the Lab
1. When you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly.
2. Experiments must be reproducible. They should fail the same way eath time.
3. First draw your curves, the plot your data.
4. Experience is directly proportional to equipment ruined.
5. A record of data is essential. It shows you were working.
6. TO study a subject best, understand it thoroughly before you start.
7. If you can't get the answer in the usual manner, start at the answer and derive the question.
8. If that doesn't work, start at both ends and try to find a common middle.
9. To do a lab really well, have your report done well in advance.
10. In case of doubt, make is sound convincing.
11. Do not believe in miracles- rely on them.
12. Team work is essential. It allow you to blame someone else.
13. All unmarked beakers contain fast acting, extremely toxic poisons.
14. Any delicate and expensive piece of glassware will break before any use can be made of it.
15. The probability of an event occurring is inversely proportional to its desirability.

"Organic chemistry just now is enough to drive one mad. It gives one the impression of a primeval, tropical forest full of the most remarkable things, a monstrous and boundless thicket, with no way of escape, into which one may well dread to enter." ~Wohler.

"Lord, I fall upon my knees
and I pray that all my syntheses
may no longer be inferior,
to those conducted by bacteria." ~Unknown

"A chemist, a physicist, and a geologist were walking along a beach when the physicist suddenly said that he wanted to measure the depth of the sea, and then he jumped into the sea. The geologist said that he wanted to see the seabed and he followed suit. The chemist waited for a while for the to reappear and then concluded 'Physicists and geologists are soluble in sea water'." ~unknown

"Physical Chemistry- The pitiful attempt to apply y=mx+b to everything in the universe.
Organic Chemistry- The practice of transmuting vile substances into publications.
Inorganic Chemistry- That which is left over after the organic, analytical, and physical chemists get through picking over the periodic table.
Chemical Engineering- The practice of doing for a profit what an organic chemist only does for fun." ~unknown

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Of Sailboats, Summer, and Sunshine.

The last week or so has been really busy (for summer that is). One of my friends remarked last week at dance class that business in the summer tends to come in spurts; either you are bored out of your mind or you are running around like a maniac. (sorry, Emily S. I'm paraphrasing).

Saturday (the 4th of July) was extremely busy. My dad and I got up early (early for summer at any rate) to go to the reenactment. It was fun to see friends there and to watch the battle. After the battle we went back to town so I could go to the TEA Party (Taxed Enough Already). I told my mom that morning that I was going to go to the TEA party, and she was a little surprised to see me standing on the sidewalk, holding a sign, down town a few hours later. Apparently, she envisioned me drinking tea with a few friends all dressed up. I suppose I should have specified what exactly I meant by "TEA Party".

That evening we went to see our town's fireworks, and then followed that up with a show of our own, complete with patriotic music provided by my wonderful little sis. I'm not sure the neighbors appreciated the rousing piccolo playing at midnight, but the 4th of July is only once a year after all.

Sunday brought more fun with a church picnic, and a softball game. Though confidant that we would end our loosing streak, we lost again. However, no one has as much fun loosing as New Hope. And being warned off by the umpire that I better stop acting like a fast pitch player and hit any ball I could about made up for the loss.

On Monday I went to one of my good friend's 21st B-day party. It was so nice to see her. We both go to college, so our visits are few and far between now. After the party I had youth group. Ever week it seems to be going better. My guitar playing is getting better, and I'm more used to the kids.

I just got back from a walk around the neighborhood. Someone that lives in the neighborhood just bought a brand new, absolutely beautiful boat. (The only thing that could make it better is if it was a sailboat). We were walking around it looking at when the owners came out and offered to show us the inside! It was wonderful. And it only has 3 1/2 foot draw! I'm slightly green with envy right now. At some point in my life I will own a boat, but a sail boat (well with a outboard, because getting into a harbor is just too hard without one). Things like this make me wish that my grandfather was still alive. Not just because he built sailboats, but because I wish I could share it with him.

Thankfully, this week the weather has cooled down a little. Last week was much too hot, it was like California all over again. If I wanted it to be 90 degrees I would go to school in CA. Oh, wait...

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: Boats are one of the main reasons I want to someday live near the coast.

Amendment 2: A northwest coast, not california.

Amendment 3: About six more weeks before I head back to school.

Silly Laura

Well I messed up. I went back and watched my videos that I posted on my blog (three post back, the one with the funny videos, go back and watch them if you haven't already) When I got to the last one I realized something. It was too long. The clip I was actually looking for stops after Mark Lowry says he went around and closed all the windows. I didn't mean to get the rest of it in there. And so now you are going to get a lecture.

In the clip Mark Lowry goes on to give the "watch example". You know the one. It shows up in every single christian textbook when they try to disprove evolution. It goes like this. If I smash my watch up, and put it in a plastic bag, and then shake it up for 6 million years, I will NOT get a watch back. They say that this disproves evolution.

It is based on the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics which states that the over all entropy in the universe is increasing or things go from order to disorder. BUT, But , But. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is only statistically true. Let me say that again. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is only statistically true. This means, for the entire universe things are going from order to disorder, but it does not mean that small examples of disorder to order will not happen. And when you look at the universe Earth really is just a small part. So the point is the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics does NOT disprove evolution.

Now before some good creationist comes and kills me, I do NOT believe in evolution. But I will not sit by and let people give all Christians a bad name, because a few of them don't understand their science.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I told you, you were going to get a lecture.

Amendment 2: I know I come off strong, but science is a huge part of who I am, and and I hate it when people try to say that I am a hypocrite for believe both in God and science. There is no true conflict.

She Stands

Dear God,

Thank you for allowing me to live in this country. I know it isn't perfect, but thank you for the freedom that you have given us here, in the USA. Help me to appreciate this freedom daily. Do not let me take it for granted. Thank you for giving me a country I can be proud of, a country where I can worship you in safety and openness.

Help me to remember that my freedom is not free. It came at a terrible cost. A cost of many lives. Men and women, that gave their lives for mine. Don't let me forget their sacrifice. Help me to honor them by respecting and remembering what they died for. God thank you, for blessing the U.S.A.

Amen!

Much Too Hot for anything but blogging

Well I was bored today. It was to hot to be outside, and you can only play ping pong for so long. So I decided to write a very self centered blog post. 20 Things You May Not Know about Me. Sounds like some kind of movie title.

1) I have a small scar on my hand that I don't know where it came from.

2)I learned to read lips at a very young age for a very good reason.

3) I can't whistle.

4) Now that I have been to Europe, I want to go to Israel.

5) I refuse to eat tomatoes.

6) But I like ketchup.

7) I have a trig function on my bookshelf that when graphed, looks like a butterfly.

8) I wish people would make sense.

9)My personal opinion is that baseball is an analogy a life.

10) My favorite toys growing up were legos. I built a very nice hospital once, complete with ER, outpatient clinic, lab, MRI, x-ray, and CAT scan.

11) If I can avoid talking on the phone I do.

12) Punctuality is a trait I admire in people, so much that I have a hard time dealing nicely with people when they are late.

13) I do not beleive in lucky or unlucky numbers, but my favorite number is 16.

14) My best friend is my sister.

15) If I call you my friend it should mean a lot to you.

16) I have been in love with math since I was about 7 years old.

17) I don't have my ears pierced.

18) I prefer not to be in charge but I will if I have to be.

19) I'm an INTJ

20) My room has a nautical theme, complete with instruments from my grandfather's boat.


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I heard a really fun thing said today. "I was dealing with my own problems for a while. Like the leggings fiasco."

Amendment 2: Take a guess who said the previous quote, and it wasn't me.

Funny Videos

Here are some of my favorite youtube videos. Enjoy!












Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Medical Humor

One of the best parts of summer break is being able to read non-school books. Don't get me wrong I love school, but at times I enjoy a break from textbooks for some lighter reading. Today I finished a book called "Invisible Enemies" by Jeanette Farrell. It is the story of the seven most influential infectious diseases in history, smallpox, leprosy, plague, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, and AIDS. At the end of the book the author gives some recommendations for further reading. She is nice enough to include a short blurb about the books she recommends. I hope you will find them as amusing as I do.

The Plague: "The story of Dr. Rieux, who one day discovers a dead rat in his apartment building and within a week finds himself in the middle of a plague."


Microbe Hunters: "you will not find a more exciting account than this book. It is a classic." (Moby Dick, Dante's Inferno, and Microbe Hunters all classics)


Princes and Peasants: "The history of smallpox is thorough and entertaining." (we all know death is very entertaining)

Alone No Longer: "This autobiography reads like a novel." (did I mention this is a book about a man with leprosy?)

Mosquitoes, Malaria, and Man: "Harrison presents the fight against malaria as the exciting story that it is, complete with photographs of the main characters." (would those main characters be the mosquitoes, the malaria bug, or the men?)


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I'm not poking fun at the author, my blurb about her book would read something like this: the story of the seven infectious diseases that changed our culture.

Amendment 2: Johnny, feeling like a bore, drank some H2SO4
So his father, an MD, gave him CaCO3
Johnny's neutralized, it's true but he's full of CO2

Of Procrastination and Youth Group

The last few days, while not eventful were fun filled. I am enjoying being home with my family. But I am realizing that I'm not very good at getting things done in summer. These past few days I have had only a few things to do, and what have I done? Only the ones that I absolutely had to do! Perhaps this is a consequence of having a never ending series of deadlines at school.

On Monday I had youth group for the first time. (by "having youth group" I mean I was 50% in charge of 16 middle school and high school students for 2 hours!) I had a blast doing it. Things were a little rough, but I'm sure once the other leader and I get to know the kids, and each other better things will go much more smoothly. But some of the boys can and will be a handful for the rest of the summer.

As a youth leader I am in charge of game time (which means I have to come up with games that get out energy, but at the same time limit the possibilities of someone getting themselves or others injured or killed, ideas anyone?), and worship time (I have much more practice with this).

The hard part of leading worship is I'm not doing it on the piano; I'm playing the guitar. I'm not a horrible guitar player, but I'm not great either. But it is very hard to get a piano to the park. I spent a lot of time practicing for Monday, and now I have to turn around and start again for next week. I have a feeling my guitar skills are going to get much better this summer.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile

Amendment 1: Ok, so maybe this week wasn't as uneventful as I thought

Amendment 2: Tomorrow: dance class, Friday: a friend sleeps over, and Saturday: hiking with friends. Busy rest of the week. I love summer holiday!

Updates

Ok, so before I say anything else. I know that I haven't posted in, like, forever, but I have been a little busy. I was in Europe for over two weeks. (check out my pictures on facebook). But I will post another time about that trip.

Since I have been home, I watched two of my very best friends graduate as well as a handful of people that have meant the world to me in the my 19 years. Becca, Rachel, Kirsten, Joshua, Enoch, Holly, Brianna, Kevin, Ashley and others, you all rock, I'm so excited for you, and so proud that you all made it this far (I know it was in question for a few of you, j/k). Graduation also brought up the horrible thought that next year it will be Indie (my sister). It seems like just yesterday I was graduating and next year it will be her turn.

I have also had lots of time to hang out with friends, though I have been abandoned by a few of them this summer (Christie and Mariah, I love you guys, but...) It has been really fun to spend time with Charlyn, and other people that I haven't seen in so long. I'm still missing everyone at school, but there is nothing in the world like being home.

So far my plans for summer are house sitting for a friend at church, volunteering at the Gilbert House, being 50% in charge of my church's youth group so our wonderful youth pastor (that is a tent maker) can have time off, and spending lots of time with my family and friends.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: Never ask for tap water at a restaurant in Belgium, they consider it to be VERY rude.

Amendment 2: I would be remiss if I didn't mention to all of you how much I appreciated all the phone calls, letters, and chats that you all made time for during this past school year (especially at the beginning of the year). They made the 900 miles seem like just a few, and cheered me up more times than I can say. Thanks everyone!

Amendment 3: A cool video of a popular song.

Home for the Summer

I'm home for the summer. Though I know that I will miss my school family, it is so so nice to be back with my real family, and the friends that I have known for so long. I didn't even realize how much I was missing my sister until I got home, and remembered just how close we are. Phones, email, and chat are truly wonderful things, and have made the last eight months seem a little shorter, and 900 miles seem like only a few, but there is no substitute for a big hug and a good face to face talk.

I have been done with school for only a little over a week and already I have been so busy. My mom picked me up in California last thursday (about 12 hours before my campus was evacuated by a fire again, don't worry, everything turned out alright for us). We then drove all night to Idaho to see a friend that I have known for years get married. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, and the bride was, well, I'm biased, but Anna looked so perfect, despite being sick.

On Sunday night I was finally back home. The last week has been great. The weekend was filled with HSA events as four people from two different states were visiting. It was fun to meet new friends and at the same time see people that I hadn't seen since Christmas.

There was one sad goodbye this past week. My close friend Mariah has left for California for the summer, and will not becoming back until after I leave for school. It is a very sad that thought that I won't see one of my best friends until Christmas.

At the moment my family it trying to get ready for our vacation. This involves me unpacking, repacking, and cleaning all at the same time. My bedroom is finally starting to come out of the disaster zone that it was last week, but I can see that the next two days will contain more housework than fun.

I can't even describe how nice it is to be back in Oregon. Just sitting in my room, or taking a walk has been wonderful. I had forgotten how green it is here. In California where I live it isn't really brown and dry, but there is a deep green color of plants that can only be had with the inches upon inches of "Oregon Sunshine".

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: Wood smoke is so much nicer than "my campus is burning down" smoke.

Amendment 2: Yes, I will take lots of pictures and post them on facebook when I get back.

Amendment 3: I apologize for the numerous typos I most likely made, I wrote this a bit too fast, without the proper amount of time for proof reading.

To be a Science Student

As a chemistry major (and possibly a double major with a physics as well), I sometimes feel that I walk a fine line because I am also a Christian. But I was listening to Pandora Radio today, and I heard this song. The verse sums up for me what it means to be a science major and a Christian.

"A thousand sparking stars upon a midnight summer sky
the majesty and wonder of the ocean's wondrous tide
and the more I see the more I can't explain
how the one who set the world in place
could even know my name, I'm amazed, I'm so amazed."

Science is for me a way to understand God better. He created the entire universe as a testament of his love for us. To not study science for me would be to receive a present from a close friend and not open it; just to sit and look at the box. There are very few things in my life that I am as sure about as my decision to study science.

Here is the whole song if you want to hear it



Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Walking a Dangerous Road

Two blog posts in two days. That is a record for this school year. I had my last day of classes today. There are classes tomorrow but I just have labs so today was the last day for me. It was a bitter sweet day. In two of my classes my professor passes along some thoughts about college and life in general, and that was really nice. I love the fact that my professor are Christians. They really care not just about how we do in the class but also how we mature as Christians.

It was especially sad about my o-chem professor all he teaches is organic chemistry and knowing that we wouldn't be having him as a professor ever again was sad. When asked if we were one of his memorable classes he said "yes, very memorable, and very unique" We all choose to take that as a compliment, though I'm not sure it really was.

This year has been so eventful. It was the first time I left my family and home. And then there was the fire. In some ways the campus is still healing from that event. I know I for one won't be so calm when I hear a smoke alarm for a long time. But God has been SO faithful. He has healed wounds that I thought would have taken years to heal. He let so many things go well in a horrible situation, and He blessed us a hundred times for what we lost. Yes, the fire was a horrible event, but I wouldn't change what happened if I could.

I'm sitting in my dorm room. In exactly one week I will be sitting here for the last time. It is hard to imagine someone else living here next year. But change is a part of life, as hard as it is to accept.

Some times I wonder what things would have been like if I had chosen differently about college. It would have been so easy for me to end up in Michigan, but I didn't. I ended up here. I have already seen God work in so many different ways that I don't regret my decision in the slightest, but I also know that I will never stop wondering what I would be like right now if I had made a different choice last May. I'm not the same person that left Oregon eight months ago.

My parents put this quote on my cake for my going away party last August, its meaning has continued to become clearer to me this year. "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to."


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I may have figured out a way to double major in physics and chemistry.

Amendment 2: Realizing that things are going to change just makes you appreciate the moments you have left more.

The Last Days of the Semester

Well, I am in the middle of my last week of classes for my first year away from home. I can't beleive how fast it has gone. It really seems like just yesterday I was leaving for college, and now the year is done. I'm really excited to be home for a while. I have missed being at home with my family, going to my church, hanging out with friends, ECD class, and just being in Oregon.

These past few weeks have been really busy. My o-chem synthesis is finally done, and yes it failed. For some reason that is unknown even to my professor it didn't work, but I'm just happy to be done with it. Though I really do like o-chem I'm starting to be ready for a break.

Bio is still boring; we are know talking about plants. Old Testament is a little more interesting, but I'm starting to disagree with the professor on a few things like when the book of Daniel was written. Physics is really the only class I'm sad to be done with. I really love my professor, and just the class material in general is fascinating.

Other than school there is very little to report, I get up go to class, do homework and go to bed. (Rinse and repeat).

Cheers!

Your Very Boring and Tired Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I have hit the point in the semester where all I am doing is listening to Disney songs and doing homework. In other words, Beware of Laura.

Amendment 2: Having a hard time coming up with something to say here, but if you have a 1 you have to have a 2.

If you have to be late just don't tell them...

I found this on CNN this morning. I thought it was really funny and really good advice for anyone that has a job.

"If you've decided honesty is not the best policy for you (when you are late for work), don't try using any of the following excuses as the reason why you're late -- they've been heard before.

Here are 12 of the most outrageous excuses employees have heard for being late to work:

1. My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.

2. My husband thinks it's funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.

3. I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn't find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.

4. I got locked in my trunk by my son.

5. My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.

6. A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.

7. I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn't rabid.

8. I feel like I'm in everyone's way if I show up on time.

9. My father didn't wake me up.

10. A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.

11. My driveway washed away in the rain last night.

12. I had to go to bingo."


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: Don't be late (or if you are don't give one of those excuses)

Amendment 2: The Quotes from this article are the property of CNN.com

Amendment 3: Yesterday, in physics class my professor told us a really funny story. We have an observatory on campus. When my professor was setting up his office in the observatory he wanted to have a very accurate clock, (something about keeping track of astronomical phenomenon). So he bought an atomic clock. However, this does present a slight problem. In an observatory there is a large metal dome, that happens to be very good at blocking the radio signals the atomic clock is supposed to receive to keep it on time. The obvious answer to this problem: walking the clock. One of the duties of the students that work for the physics department is to take the clock for a walk around campus about once a week, to make sure it can get a good signal.

La, La, La, La, La

This weekend my life is basically singing. We have been practicing for Spring Sing (its tonight) nearly non-stop. The songs basically require belting out lyrics at the top of my voice in one song, and then a high soprano echo in the very next song. In other words I go from singing as loud as I can in the middle of my range to some really high notes in a matter of minutes.

I am also singing a duet at church tomorrow. The song (Hosanna by Hillsong United) can get very high in places, and then, on the part where I am singing harmony, very low. This morning I had practice for church service and we had to sing it so many times (don't ask why) that I'm hoarse. We practiced for two and half hours! I have to sing again tonight for spring sing and tomorrow in church. I think by the end of this weekend I will be all sung out for a while. On the upside, I will find out tomorrow if I got into College Choir. I'm hopeful, but overly so that I will get in.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I think I need to not talk for the rest of the day, because my voice hurts right now.

Amendment 2: I also think I need to take a nap because I haven't been getting enough sleep because of Spring Sing practice, and I have to get up tomorrow morning at 6:00am.

Amendment 3: I only have four more weeks of classes, and one week of exams left, and then I will be home for the summer!!!!!!

Updates?

Ok, I realize an update here is long overdue, for someone that claims to be an avid blogger. Right now my life is very busy. My school's oldest tradition is in full swing: Spring Sing (a musical skit competition between the houses). I'm not actually dancing in it but I am singing side mic. which means I will actually be heard by the audience Razz Then add in my normal crazy workload of classes and homework and you get a very hectic life schedule.

The other thing that is going on in my life is a flair up of arthritis again. I have psoritic arthritis for those of you that don't know. It is really similar to rheumatoid arthritis. This time it has come back in my hip, so I am once again on crutches. Unfortunately, this means that I will need to be treated with a different medication. The options aren't that good; all three types of medications carry some risk (mostly because they lower your immune response to work) and some possible risky side effects. I would really appreciate some prayer for wisdom for my doctor.

The really funny part about this whole arthritis thing is that many people on campus are under the impression that I am very accident prone. Last semester I was on crutches, earlier this semester I was wearing a sling (when my shoulder flared up) and now I'm on crutches again.

Its spring here in so I have been enjoying the sunny 75 degree weather. A far cry from the horrible weather some of you had hiking last weekend. I have already broken out my shorts and flip-flops. The advantages of going to school in southern CA.

Register for classes next fall is right around the corning. I'm hoping to be taking: thermodynamics, analytical chemistry, general biology II, Life and Literature of the New Testament, astrophysics, and ballroom dancing. It should be a busy and fun fall.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: Do you know that the Doppler Effect is why the sound of an ambulance coming toward you is different than one traveling away from you?

Amendment 2: My roommate laughed at me today for saying that the class I have added into my schedule next semester, purely for fun, is astrophysics. I don't think that was very nice of her.

Amendment 3: Am I crazy to major in Chemistry and minor in biology and physics?

Amendment 4: Why do we say "update" when we aren't talking about a direction or a meeting of two people (possibly for romantic reasons)?

How to know if you are spending too much time on Organic Chemistry

O-chem has ceased to be an activity and has become a verb. “Sorry, I don’t have time today; I’m o-chem-ing tonight.”

You can do reactions in your sleep.

Instead of just reading the label on food products you have an overwhelming desire to actually draw all of the chemicals listed.

You dream about your organic chemistry professor.

You find yourself talking about o-chem with people that aren’t even in chemistry classes.

You read your textbook more than your Bible.

Your reaction flashcards go everywhere with you; you are even considering making flashcards that are waterproof for the shower.

You start sentences about other classes with “unlike my o-chem. class…”

You try to relate everything in your other classes to organic chemistry.

You own a nerdy O-chem shirt.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Spring Break and back to school

Well, I'm back at school after a wonderfully delightful week at home. It wasn't an exactly relaxing break, but I had a really great time. I got to see all of my friends in someway, even if just at the ball. I was able to see Maddy's concert, and spend lots of time with my favorite little sis.

Even though my parents were working a lot of the time, thanks to tax season, I did get to spend some time with them.

Seeing Wicked was one of the highlights of the week. I have been listening to the music for over a year now, and to finally see the play was wonderful. I still have the music stuck in my head.

I was able to go to dance class on thursday night. It was so much fun to be back and to see Charlyn again. I had a great time learning some more dances, and paying particular attention to the callers, as that will be me, officially, next year, when I start my ECD club on campus. Right now I'm looking for people to the officers with me next year. And I will need lots of advice on picking more dance, music because right now I only own one ECD CD.

Going to the ball on saturday was the icing on the cake of spring break. It was nice to see everyone again, and even though I don't enjoy the process of getting dressed up, it feels wonderful to be dancing in costume. As usual the ball went late, and by the end I was standing on only one foot, because my silly psoriatic arthritis was acting up again. But it was still a great evening.

Now that I'm back at school, I have only 6 weeks left in the semester things are really picking up. I have lots of projects coming due, plus the normal homework, and studying. I think by the time the year is over I will be really ready for summer holiday, and to be with my family.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Amendment 1: I really should think about a name change for this blog, as it has now become just a general update on things in my life.

Amendment 2: I'll see you all in about two months!!!!!!!!11

Some Math Fun!

Ok, imagine you have won a spot on a game show. You are presented with 3 doors. Behind one there is a new car, but behind the other two are a goat. You pick, knowing you have a 33.33% chance on any door, door 1. Then the game show host shows you what is behind door number 3, a goat, and offers you a choice. You can pick again. Door 1 or 2. Do you stay with your original choice or do you change you answer and why? Yes, there is a mathematical reason.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

"Seriously, Who are we waiting for?"

Some times you just have to wonder, what were they thinking?

The Iowa House has approved a bill changing the name of the Department of Elder Affairs. If the legislation is signed by Gov. Chet Culver, the agency will be known as the Department of Aging -- or DOA.
~From the New York Times.

A couple drove 170 kilometres (100 miles) from South Africa's famous Kruger National Park with a highly venomous spitting cobra in their car, the Beeld newspaper reported on Wednesday.
~From Breitbart.com

MEDFORD, Ore. — An arsonist is on the prowl in Medford for green Ford Escorts from the 1990s.
~From Fox News

TOKYO — Japan now has so many people over 100 that it is cutting costs by reducing the size of silver cups it presents to those who reach that age.
~From Fox News

Say please' at U. S. border nets pepper spray. Canadian traveler says demand for politeness met with use of force
~From National Post


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Safe in His hands...

I was reading the news this afternoon (Fox and Drudge Report are my first stops), as I normally do, when it stuck me just how scary our world is. How much fear, hate, sadness, violence and uncertainty we all have to live with. Here are the headlines that made me think of that:

Pilot Had Chance to Land Before Crashing F-18 Into California Neighborhood
Jurors in Vegas Toddler Sex Case Begin Deliberating
Body Found of Girl, 5, Trapped Inside Car That Sank in Frigid Colorado River
Gunmen Ambush Cricket Team in Pakistan, 7 Killed
U.S. Says Threat of Mexican Drug Cartels Approaching 'Crisis Proportions'
Social Workers Failed to Warn Foster Parents About Teen Who Abused Their Kids
Bali Kicks Off Yoga Festival Despite Muslim Fatwa
White House Knocks Jim Cramer For Calling Obama Budget "Greatest Wealth Destruction By a President"

We need to face the fact we live in a scary and sin filled world. A chapel speaker recently referred to the Original Sin as making us all "morally insane". It doesn't take a theologian to realize he is right, just a look at the news headlines. The world is morally insane. So the question comes up: What is a Christian to do? I can't personally stop the drug cartels in Mexico, make different religions get along with each other, solve the world hunger problem, or solve our economic problems. So what is a Christian to do? Do I have to accept my own inadequacy to solve the world's problems, do I have to learn to live with the sadness of knowing there are children perhaps in my home town that are being abused and forgotten? What is a Christian to do in a world that is filled with sadness and pain?

First, I would say that we need to remember that what we are going through is not new. Just a glance through the Old and New Testaments will find people that are filled with hurt and pain, some to the point of suicide. Yes, our world is a scary place, but it has been that way since the Original Sin. We many face different trials, but there have always been trials.

Second, as hard as it maybe at times we have to praise God. Read through any of the Psalms of David. David was a man that was deeply hurt, but through all of his suffering he always praised God, and thanked Him for what he did have.

Third,it may seem at times that God has abandoned His world. That He has thrown up His hands and given us and the world over to Satan. But if He really had done that then there would truly be nothing good left in the world. All beauty and goodness come from God, so if you can find even one small thing that is good in this world then God has not abandoned us.

Fourth, ask God to make His pain your pain. I truly believe that God is heart broken by the horrible things that go on in the world. He has promised to love us, and when someone you love is hurt it can be more painful than if you yourself were hurt. In a world of so much hurt, it can be easy to turn your back on that pain, and ignore it, but if God doesn't stop feeling the pain why should His followers?

Fifth, understand that God fills us to be emptied again. I don't mean that God will ever take His love away from us. But that Christians are not an exception to the pain of the world. Just like everyone else in the world we get sick, we feel immense pain, and we die. Whatever happiness you feel right now will sooner or later be changed to grief and heartbreak.

Finally, know that life here is temporary. Heaven is promised to be a place without pain and sickness, but instead eternity with God. Whatever your life on earth has brought you heaven will be so much better. Life without pain and suffering, as God intended life to be. Clearly, Christians are not helpless, there is much work to be done, and an eternal life to look forward to.

Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

This has become one of my favorite songs and applies nicely to this blog post.

Thoughts about Marriage

Ok, I know this is a strange subject for a 19 year old, unmarried, not even in a relationship, college student, but my chapel speaker talked about it today, and it was really good, so here are my thoughts on marriage.

First off, let me make it clear, that I am not ready to get married nor do I anticipate being ready in the next two years. I enjoy being single, and being accountable only to myself, my parents, and God.

The chapel speaker had three main points:

Use wisdom when choosing a partner. Don't be looking for your "destiny."

Emotions are fleeting, so if that is what a relationship is based on you will be sadly disappointed in marriage.

Above all, look for a godly individual, that has a lot of humility.


I hadn't really considered his first point of not looking for "destiny." He was talking about how we somehow have this idea that there is one "right person, your soul mate" and without that person you can't be truly happy. The speaker was saying that it isn't a matter of one right choice, but between many right and wrong choices. He also said that he thinks this is why some main people get divorced these days. The get married, and then when things don't work out perfectly, they think they must have married the wrong person so they get out the relationship without really working at it. I guess I must have fallen for the idea that there is one prince charming for me out there, because when the chapel speaker said that it made me really think.

The speaker's second point about emotions being a bad guide to marriage I had heard before and heartily agree with. This is one of the reasons I really want to be friends with my future spouse before getting involved romantically. I want to know that there is something beyond infatuation to keep the marriage going when we don't feel "in love" anymore.

I of course knew that I was looking for a godly man, but I hadn't really thought about the humility part before. The speaker's point was that all people are fallen and will make mistakes, and will need to be forgiven many many times through out a marriage. To make a good marriage work you need to be able to say you are sorry, and that you were wrong. That can all be summed up to humility.

By the way, the chapel speaker was Gary Thomas. I didn't know who he was, but I guess he has written a lot of books about marriage.


Cheers!

Your Literary Junkophile.

Here is my favorite marriage seen from a movie. Just for kicks.