The Final Fear

     Well it's finally in front of my face and approaching fast. I now know why they call it "he**" week. I have a ton on my plate and don't quite know where to start. I have tests in Biology and Chemistry, a Biology lab presentation and final, a presentation and paper in IS, and a final paper in English with the option to revise previous ones. It is definitely something new I am experiencing, and I have already been stressing out about these last two weeks before they even got here. It is going to be tough and it's suppose to be, and I do realize that and need to be thankful for how easy the end of the semester will be, though I don't feel the easiness right now. As I further on in my education the final's weeks are going to get larger and more intense, so I have set up goals for this semester to get study habits down that will benefit me the best in these crunch time situations because I will need them for the future. Well, back to the big plate. Wish me luck!

Andromeda Strain

First off I want to say thank you very much for the pizza it was very good! The movie days came at perfect timing for me. I needed a little break in between my classes. The Adromeda Strain was a very interesting movie overall. I was extremely interested in the science behind the discovery of the disease. It had all the parts of science that I enjoy and the methods they used during their experiments were even more appealing because I could relate with some of the tests being done, and the terms from what we've gone over in lecture. However, some of the scenes and events were a bit extreme for the situations. Such as the security lasers and the creepy music in the background when they would discover the disease. These events made the movie more hilarious than suspensful in those scenes. Nevertheless, I felt it was a great overall film for the seventies. In my opinion, I feel the book would be more appealing and intense than the movie because you could view the characters and the events in your own perspective which could possibly be more modern day.

Next

Michael Crichton is hands down my favorite author up to this point. I absolutely loved his book, Next. The science and suspense of the novel and how he takes all the different individuals lives and molds them together at the end of the book is absolutely entertaining. The genetic engineering aspect of this novel makes me want to pursue that field even more because there is so much out there that has yet to be discovered. It was an absolute thriller that I recommend to anyone who is in the Biology field. The way he writes his books is so interesting too because it forces you to stay intrigued throughout the whole story. He skips around from chapter to chapter talking about all these different characters and how their lives are being affected by genetics, and then all of a sudden at the end they all some how inter-twine and connect. I personally love his style because it's almost as a mystery and I always am trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together before the book is finished. He has definitely strengthened my interest in science, and I will continue to read his books in the future!

Thanksgiving Break

This year's Thanksgiving break is probably going to one I cherish greatly. I never thought it would be this hard to come back to school but it is. I was so glad to go back to see all my family and friends again and all that has changed. It was a pretty crazy break too. I went from one day having Thanksgiving and outraging Christmas shopping to a day filled with the pain of getting shots and my teeth worked on at my appointments. I also attended a couple basketball practices where I got to see my old teammates and coaches and was able to scrimmage with them.  Later in the week, the whole family went over to my granparents house and helped move furniture around because my Grandma decided to get new carpet in the upstairs rooms. It was very nice and everything, but wasn't exactly my idea of spending my break. It was alright though because I still got the whole deay with my family and was able to get a good meal then as well. I really do miss the break now. I knew it was going to go fast but never thought it'd go as fast as it did. Now I'm sitting here writing this blog in my dorm room and trying to plan out how I'm going to endure the next few weeks until Christmas break. It will definitely be a new and interesting experience that's for sure.

Thanksgiving

I'm so excited to go home this upcoming week for Thanksgiving break. It's so odd how you can go from living with your parents and siblings and wanting them out of your hair; to the complete opposite and can't wait to have them back and seeing all of them again. I haven't been able to see my family in such a long time and I never thought that I would ever experience home sickness. It's not horrible but I definitely want to be back. However, this year's Thanksgiving is a little different than what is has been in previous years. By little different I mean a lot different. We aren't even really having one! I couldn't believe it when my mom told me. She said we have to help move furniture at my grandma's house because she's getting new carpet. Now I'm completely fine with that and I want to see my grandparents, but I don't see how that would completely halt the whole holiday.  I really hope we can get something figured out because Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. The food is absolutely delicious, and then the rest of the day you just get to relax and watch the football game with everyone. No matter what I seriously can't wait to be back but I really hope we can work something out.

Nationals!

This weekend our girls cross country team made history once again in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the 2011 Division III Cross Country Championships. Despite the conditions they ran incredibly well. The team overall got sixth in the nation, with freshman Alana Enasbit and and senior Emily Eimers receiving all american honors. They ran throough so much adversity this season, with injuries and other mishaps, that it was just releaving to see them become so successful at the end. I'm am so extremely proud of them and it definitely pumps me up for next season. I'm definitely ready to be on board and do my part so that maybe I will be the one running out at the national meet next year. It's a pretty big goal, but I always felt if you want something bad enough you'll go get it. That is exactly my focus for next year and even this upcoming track season. Everything I do this spring is going to be a step forward to getting me to where I want to be next season. I can't wait to get started and begin another amazing season with the whole cross country family!

Cross Country Regionals

     Cross Country Regionals was held at the Max Cross Country Course at Wartburg this year. Throughout my whole experience during my first season I'd have to say it was one of my top five favorite experiences by far. I wasn't able to be on the course running, though I will be next year, but instead I was with my other teammates who participated in an all out cheering section. We painted our bodies in orange and black with various letters and words written on our bodies. I even had a knight costume that I wore while we ran around the course screaming for both the men.s and woman's teams.
     It was a blast to see so many people come together to support the runners; it really showed what a true family we were. However, one of my most memorable moments was when I looked over to the Luther group and saw a guy in a norse outfit staring me down. I didn't really know why he was doing it, but then one of my teammates told me to go out into the middle and challenge him. So of course I did and it felt like one of the most epic battle scenes was about to occur. But instead when I raised my sword our whole team went charging wildly and circled around them chanting we are Wartburg. It was one of the greatest moments ever by far. Hopefully next year though I will retire the knight suit and instead be on the line waiting for that gun to go off.