My favorite dinosaur is the Velociraptor, Velociraptor means "swift seizer". They lived between 71-75 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous Period. Other dinosaurs which lived during this time period included Gallimimus, Oviraptor, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Albertosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus , and Triceratops to name a few.
The Late Cretaceous Period was the very last in which the dinosaurs were around. The era lasted from about 80-65 million years ago. At the end of this time period was the peak of dinosaurs, but nobody knows what happened to make them extinct; we can only guess.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Wartburg College Social Change Wheel
The Wartburg College Social Change Wheel explains many aspects of how to be a good person, and help others in your community. The Wartburg example in specific gives many examples which pertain to the campus and what students can do to be involved while at Wartburg. These can include such things as being intentionally involved in large projects, or doing simple things to make life on campus more enjoyable for everyone.
There are eight different branches -Direct Service, Community/ Economic Development, Voting/ Formal Political Activities, Direct Action Strategies, Grass-roots Political Activity/ Public Policy Work, Community Building, Advocacy through Community Education, and Socially Responsible Daily Behavior. These areas include such activities as Service Trips, or being a Resident Assistant. It also includes things which each of us can carry out in our day-to-day lives; helping keep the bathrooms and common areas clean, recycling, greeting everyone on campus (regardless of whether or not you know them), confronting inappropriate behavior, and many more.
There are eight different branches -Direct Service, Community/ Economic Development, Voting/ Formal Political Activities, Direct Action Strategies, Grass-roots Political Activity/ Public Policy Work, Community Building, Advocacy through Community Education, and Socially Responsible Daily Behavior. These areas include such activities as Service Trips, or being a Resident Assistant. It also includes things which each of us can carry out in our day-to-day lives; helping keep the bathrooms and common areas clean, recycling, greeting everyone on campus (regardless of whether or not you know them), confronting inappropriate behavior, and many more.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Piano
I have enjoyed the musical tone of a piano since I was a kid. Composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Mendelssohn. These composers have always inspired me to learn to play many instruments and appreciate music. I always wanted to learn how to play the piano.
I never actually motivated myself to begin playing until I arrived at Wartburg. I discovered that Wartburg has many accessible practice rooms which each contain a piano. I had learned how to read sheet music a long time ago, in 5th grade when I began to play trumpet for the school band. I have been playing for roughly 2 months, and the most current piece I have been working on is Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, by Claude Debussy. It is a difficult piece, but a beautiful song. Hopefully I can pull it off!
Knights
In medieval times, the knight was considered a brave man; a courageous, chivalrous man to be. Everyone wanted to be a knight. They were the loyally dutiful men who carried out a king's orders. Whatever the king wished, a knight must do. Occasionally the king's bidding would arrange a battle of which the knights would fight on the front lines.
Knights often wore shining, ironclad armor into battle and carried sturdy, iron longswords. They were experienced, well-trained warriors. They would ride horses into battle, for increased versatility and agility, to get the upper hand. Many times, the side with more knights would win, and the side with no knights would fall into a dark oblivion and off the face of the Earth.
Knights often wore shining, ironclad armor into battle and carried sturdy, iron longswords. They were experienced, well-trained warriors. They would ride horses into battle, for increased versatility and agility, to get the upper hand. Many times, the side with more knights would win, and the side with no knights would fall into a dark oblivion and off the face of the Earth.
Christmas
I am very excited for Christmas Break, and Christmas in particular! Every year, for Christmas, my family goes to my grandma and grandpa's house in West Union for a family gathering of my mom's side of my family. This includes my grandma and grandpa, as well as my two aunts, uncle, and my immediate family (parents and siblings). We usually open presents, eat a large dinner, and spend the day enjoying each other's company. We also go to my dad's parents' house and do roughly the same things.
On Christmas Day, we usually spend the whole day at our house. First, we wake up in the morning and open presents then we get ready to have a large family get-together. This consists of my grandparents on both sides, all my aunts and uncles, cousins, and my immediate family. We spend the day feasting on food, and then we hang out around my house, talking and playing games.
On Christmas Day, we usually spend the whole day at our house. First, we wake up in the morning and open presents then we get ready to have a large family get-together. This consists of my grandparents on both sides, all my aunts and uncles, cousins, and my immediate family. We spend the day feasting on food, and then we hang out around my house, talking and playing games.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study, research and development of manipulating matter on a molecular scale. Often it deals with designing and creating contraptions, materials, etc. with at least one aspect of the overall product containing a dimension under 100 nanometers. Recently, this has been done by using an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), which is an extremely high resolution microscope, to control these tiny devices.
One particular area of nanotechnology is nanorobotics. Nanobots are incredibly small robots, used for many different potential purposes. One purpose being researched is the potential medical benefits. Not necessarily meaning that these nanobots are nutritious to consume, but rather they are potentially used as a camera. This camera could move through the human body -particularly the bloodstream -taking pictures, or even stream live video in order to analyze what is happening, or to diagnose a condition.
One particular area of nanotechnology is nanorobotics. Nanobots are incredibly small robots, used for many different potential purposes. One purpose being researched is the potential medical benefits. Not necessarily meaning that these nanobots are nutritious to consume, but rather they are potentially used as a camera. This camera could move through the human body -particularly the bloodstream -taking pictures, or even stream live video in order to analyze what is happening, or to diagnose a condition.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Prey
Prey, by Michael Crichton is the book I chose to cover in my final project for IS class. The book begins with Jack Forman describing his life as a stay-at-home dad, and how he never anticipated his life to turn out that way. His wife, Julia, works as an executive in charge of many business commodities at Xymos. Xymos is also where Jack used to work as a software programmer. Jack was fired due to his discovery of an internal scandal, and the fact that he never notified the company of this incident.
Jack believes that Julia is having an affair due to her recently lax personality and new-found infatuation for frequent nighttime showers. Eventually, Jack is offered his job back at Xymos's fabrication plant in the middle of the Nevada desert. He arrives and instantly notices that everyone seems on-edge and uneasy. He soon finds out that this is due to the leakage of their new product PREDPREY, which is a swarm of nano-robots designed to work as an eye for medical research. PREDPREY was recently updated to function as a military weapon/ espionage device, and became self-sustaining, reproducing, and began to hunt small creatures (like the rabbit, and rattlesnake) and eventually, larger creatures like a coyote, and even the characters!
Jack believes that Julia is having an affair due to her recently lax personality and new-found infatuation for frequent nighttime showers. Eventually, Jack is offered his job back at Xymos's fabrication plant in the middle of the Nevada desert. He arrives and instantly notices that everyone seems on-edge and uneasy. He soon finds out that this is due to the leakage of their new product PREDPREY, which is a swarm of nano-robots designed to work as an eye for medical research. PREDPREY was recently updated to function as a military weapon/ espionage device, and became self-sustaining, reproducing, and began to hunt small creatures (like the rabbit, and rattlesnake) and eventually, larger creatures like a coyote, and even the characters!
The Telephone
The telephone is a communication contraption which transmits sound between any two telephones, often for the purpose of allowing people to talk back and forth between one another. Throughout its history, many improvements and updates have been bestowed upon the device. The telephone has become one of the most popular household devices in America, and throughout the entire world.
Alexander Graham Bell is accredited as the first inventor of the telephone, however this is a widely disputed debate. All telephones maintain a microphone and an earphone -which are usually constructed as a handheld device which is held up to the mouth and ear -as well as a ringer of some sort in order to hear when a call is incoming, and a keypad (or in older cases, a dial) to call other telephones.
The telephone was developed in the 1870's and since then has been rapidly evolving into the "smart"phones of today. Telephones started out as a land-line device, which needed an operator; to a slightly more developed version of land-line phones; eventually changing into cellular phones, which required no operator, or external wires, and allowed for heavily increased mobility. Cellular phones developed in a different fashion than land-lines, becoming smaller and smaller, and they can now be used almost all over the world!
Alexander Graham Bell is accredited as the first inventor of the telephone, however this is a widely disputed debate. All telephones maintain a microphone and an earphone -which are usually constructed as a handheld device which is held up to the mouth and ear -as well as a ringer of some sort in order to hear when a call is incoming, and a keypad (or in older cases, a dial) to call other telephones.
The telephone was developed in the 1870's and since then has been rapidly evolving into the "smart"phones of today. Telephones started out as a land-line device, which needed an operator; to a slightly more developed version of land-line phones; eventually changing into cellular phones, which required no operator, or external wires, and allowed for heavily increased mobility. Cellular phones developed in a different fashion than land-lines, becoming smaller and smaller, and they can now be used almost all over the world!
London, England
London, England is the largest and capital city of the entire United Kingdom -which is characteristic of two islands containing Ireland, Scotland, England (Great Britain), and Wales. This city is the largest urbanized city by most standards in all of Europe. London has a strong artistic environment, with other emphases including entertainment, fashion, healthcare, research, and education. London (as well as New York City) is the largest financial center, which means that it contains a high number of banks and/or stock exchanges. London has the largest Gross Domestic Product of any European city, ranking 5th in the world. Next year, in 2012, London will hold the title of being the first city to hold the modern Summer Olympic Games more than twice.
The most widely spoken language in all of the UK is English, however, there are over 300 languages widely spoken within the boundaries of London. Its population totals roughly 13 million people, between 1831 and 1925, London had the largest population of any city in the world. The governing of London consists of two tiers. The first is the GLA (or Greater London Authority), and the smaller tier is made up of 33 smaller authorities. In 2010, the total government expenditure totaled over 22 billion dollars. The London Fire Brigade (a fire & rescue service for all of Greater London and its people) is the third-largest fire department in the entire world.
The most widely spoken language in all of the UK is English, however, there are over 300 languages widely spoken within the boundaries of London. Its population totals roughly 13 million people, between 1831 and 1925, London had the largest population of any city in the world. The governing of London consists of two tiers. The first is the GLA (or Greater London Authority), and the smaller tier is made up of 33 smaller authorities. In 2010, the total government expenditure totaled over 22 billion dollars. The London Fire Brigade (a fire & rescue service for all of Greater London and its people) is the third-largest fire department in the entire world.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a brand new genre of music that originated in London, England. It is a type of electronic dance music which features copious amounts of low bass lines, persistent drum patterns, clipped samples, and infrequent vocals. This new-wave of music was introduced in 1998, and was more dark and experimental than today's tracks. The main instruments used are turntables, samplers, drum machines (actual drum sets are rarely used), synthesizers, keyboards, and often times a computer is used to create the same sound at a cheaper production standard.
This brand new art form, taking resemblance in musical tones, does not frequently follow the "four-on-the-floor" rhythmic pattern, systematic of other types of electronic dance music, and disco. "Four-on-the-floor" is a steady beat which the bass drum hits on every beat in a 4/4 time signature. This term arrived from the bass pedal being on the floor and when play with a drummer's foot, the pedal is brought to the floor (in this case, four times). This technique is also sometimes seen in some Reggae music and a different style is instigated in Jazz.
This brand new art form, taking resemblance in musical tones, does not frequently follow the "four-on-the-floor" rhythmic pattern, systematic of other types of electronic dance music, and disco. "Four-on-the-floor" is a steady beat which the bass drum hits on every beat in a 4/4 time signature. This term arrived from the bass pedal being on the floor and when play with a drummer's foot, the pedal is brought to the floor (in this case, four times). This technique is also sometimes seen in some Reggae music and a different style is instigated in Jazz.
Prehistoric Warfare
Prehistoric war is defined as all war which took place before writing and the institution of large "social entities" like countries, and states. Come of the differing types of warfare were tribal warfare, bronze age warfare, and iron age warfare. These all consisted of large groups of people united for a cause against another rivaling group. Sometimes, war was waged for land, other times for money, and in some cases for the sole purpose of defense.
Tribal warfare is described as smallish groups of people fighting one another with weapons like spears, throwing spears, axes, and clubs. These weapons were often created from stone and wood, with other materials, such as vines to bind them. Upon the discovery of the metal copper, these tribes began to grow in military might, and overall influential power. The discovery of copper brought forth the copper age, when metal daggers, axes, swords, and arrows (which were shot from longbows) became instigated. Copper weapons existed for many centuries before iron was discovered. This was an outstanding breakthrough because iron is stronger, more malleable and it is lighter. After this discovery, warfare was completely renovated and forever changed.
The Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire existed during the 13th and 14th centuries. It began under the rule of Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan extended the empires reach from the Caspian Sea to the Pacific Ocean. After his wife was kidnapped at a young age, he brought together the nomadic Mongol and Turkic tribes through military might and political manipulation. With the help of a few friends, he conquered the tribe which kidnapped his wife, and went on to defeat two other tribes. Genghis Khan forbade his men from raping and looting their enemies without his permission. He also divided the spoils of war amongst his warriors and their families instead of giving it solely to the rich and powerful.
After Genghis's death in 1227, rule was given to his third son Ogedei. At this point the Mongol Empire was large and consisted of Central Asia, parts of India and China the Korean peninsula and into Southeast Asia. This empire was twice the size of the Romans's at climax. While Ogedei ruled, the empire stretched each of its boundaries to further its reach into the Middle East, almost all of China, and edged toward present day Europe.
Nearly another century and a half passed before the Mongol Empire reached its peak in landmass. It consumed roughly 24 million kilometers which amounts to 16% of the entire world's landmass. It contained a population of about 100 million people and is still known as the largest contiguous empire ever conquered. This vast empire worked as a cleansing of the old world, bringing in a new wave of technology. This technology included improvements in agriculture, astronomy, cartography and even printing.
(This article includes information from websites such as wikipedia.org)
After Genghis's death in 1227, rule was given to his third son Ogedei. At this point the Mongol Empire was large and consisted of Central Asia, parts of India and China the Korean peninsula and into Southeast Asia. This empire was twice the size of the Romans's at climax. While Ogedei ruled, the empire stretched each of its boundaries to further its reach into the Middle East, almost all of China, and edged toward present day Europe.
Nearly another century and a half passed before the Mongol Empire reached its peak in landmass. It consumed roughly 24 million kilometers which amounts to 16% of the entire world's landmass. It contained a population of about 100 million people and is still known as the largest contiguous empire ever conquered. This vast empire worked as a cleansing of the old world, bringing in a new wave of technology. This technology included improvements in agriculture, astronomy, cartography and even printing.
(This article includes information from websites such as wikipedia.org)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Wartburg Art Gallery
Yesterday, the sculptor of the upcoming gallery exhibit in the Fine Arts Center came in to talk to my Design class. He explained what the exhibit will display; it will display a contemporary arrangement of items which relate to the Vietnam War. He told us that when we first walked into the gallery we would be incredibly confused. He said we should think about the space which contains the art, and give the art some time and thought.
His father is a Vietnam veteran, which inspired him to traverse this profession. He was a student of my current Design Professor, when she was teaching at UNI. The exhibit is opening soon, but currently the artist is setting up the sculpture inside the gallery due to its brobdingnagian size.
His father is a Vietnam veteran, which inspired him to traverse this profession. He was a student of my current Design Professor, when she was teaching at UNI. The exhibit is opening soon, but currently the artist is setting up the sculpture inside the gallery due to its brobdingnagian size.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Halloween
Yesterday was Halloween. I spent the night, and the night before, watching scary movies with my girlfriend. First, we watched The Blair Witch Project. At first the movie didn't seem very scary; it was shot entirely through the view of an everyday camera, like Cloverfield, & Paranormal Activity. Towards the end, it became more apparent what the characters were getting scared about. The viewer never actually gets to see what the characters feared night and day, but this mysterious aspect makes the movie more horrendous.
After that, we should have worked on homework, but instead we put in Scream. Scream was very presently scary almost instantly and soon, I was hooked. The movie starts out with a girl, alone in her own home. A mysterious caller keeps contacting her and eventually begins to harass her and soon she is dead. The movie then goes to the main part of the story, where a girl is at school and soon hears the news of a couple of deaths of classmates the night before. The movie goes on and more people die, then (near the end), the main character narrowly escapes murder several times before figuring out who the killer -or in this case, killers -really are. They are a boy who is the main character's boyfriend, and his friend. They both became psychopathic murderers with no motive to kill, which makes it much less expected that they were the killers.
Eventually, I got to doing homework and finished off my Halloween with some Accounting problems. All in all, Halloween was a fun night, but the real Halloween celebration is yet to come, as the band party is this weekend! I plan to attend with my girlfriend, dressed as a chicken, while she will be the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
After that, we should have worked on homework, but instead we put in Scream. Scream was very presently scary almost instantly and soon, I was hooked. The movie starts out with a girl, alone in her own home. A mysterious caller keeps contacting her and eventually begins to harass her and soon she is dead. The movie then goes to the main part of the story, where a girl is at school and soon hears the news of a couple of deaths of classmates the night before. The movie goes on and more people die, then (near the end), the main character narrowly escapes murder several times before figuring out who the killer -or in this case, killers -really are. They are a boy who is the main character's boyfriend, and his friend. They both became psychopathic murderers with no motive to kill, which makes it much less expected that they were the killers.
Eventually, I got to doing homework and finished off my Halloween with some Accounting problems. All in all, Halloween was a fun night, but the real Halloween celebration is yet to come, as the band party is this weekend! I plan to attend with my girlfriend, dressed as a chicken, while she will be the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Homecoming - Wartburg
In College, homecoming is much different than it was in high school. In high school we participated in an incredible amount of activities throughout the week. We had days where almost everyone dressed up in costumes and at the end of the week we had a pep rally, which you had to attend, and then a day full of games and activities. Throughout the week we worked on our class's parade float and painted windows on businesses in town. On the friday of homecoming week, we had scoring for each class and there was an overall winner. That night there was a football game which nearly everyone from the entire school attended including alums who recently graduated.
Wartburg's homecoming, on the other hand, was very different and seemingly less involved than in high school. There were no dress-up day. Participation in parade floats, the pep rally, and window painting was voluntary. Homecoming (at least this year) seemed to be aimed towards the return of Wartburg's alums, rather than the entertainment of the students. There were activities for the students to participate in which included the football game and Kastle Kapers, which I attended both. Perhaps homecoming will be different next year, when I am more involved in campus activities.
Wartburg's homecoming, on the other hand, was very different and seemingly less involved than in high school. There were no dress-up day. Participation in parade floats, the pep rally, and window painting was voluntary. Homecoming (at least this year) seemed to be aimed towards the return of Wartburg's alums, rather than the entertainment of the students. There were activities for the students to participate in which included the football game and Kastle Kapers, which I attended both. Perhaps homecoming will be different next year, when I am more involved in campus activities.
Homecoming - Center Point-Urbana
Friday, October 14th was homecoming at Center Point-Urbana. I went back home after classes with my girlfriend, who also currently attends Wartburg, and also attended CPU High School. We arrived at the high school just in time for the game. We saw the old marching band and many of our friends who are still in band. We then scavenged the area for more of our old friends. We met up with several of our old friends from high school and had pleasant conversations about our differing college experiences thus far.
At the end of the day, I realized that going back home would never be the same, but I am okay with that. Everything is changing rapidly, but everything is getting better than it used to be. I have many more friends than I used to, and I am learning more and more about myself and the world which we all inhabit. College is making the world seem like a better place to be than it was prior.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Outfly!
Last week I had hoped for outfly to be on Wednesday. Wednesday came and went without outfly having been announced. Then I though maybe it would be the next day. The next day came and went, and I had lost hope for outfly being on Friday. I then hoped, maybe outfly would be on Monday! These expectations became more and more ridiculous and the hype for outfly was lost somewhere within the past week and a half.
I have been looking forward to this year's outfly since I knew what outfly was, which was nearly 4 years ago. Since then I have made a deal with myself that I would get my ears pierced on whichever day my first outfly happened to be. I still intend on doing so, and still can not wait for outfly! It may not come around for awhile, but I am still as excited as I first was for the day to come around.
I have been looking forward to this year's outfly since I knew what outfly was, which was nearly 4 years ago. Since then I have made a deal with myself that I would get my ears pierced on whichever day my first outfly happened to be. I still intend on doing so, and still can not wait for outfly! It may not come around for awhile, but I am still as excited as I first was for the day to come around.
The Hill
Over the past weekend, I ventured with several friends to Cedar Falls. First, we had planned on going to the mall to shop before heading out to late night encounters. by the time we got to the mall, it was already closed. Instead we decided to go to Panera. We stayed at Panera for an hour or so. Then we decided it was late enough to go to Mojo's -a "party bar" near UNI.
We arrived at Mojo's relatively early, so very few people were there at the time. As the night progressed, the music became louder and the dance floor became more crowded. We danced for hours on end, only leaving to take a break for some fresh air when it was completely necessary. It was hard to take frequent breaks because the dance floor was so crowded and it was hard to find a spot where you could dance without bumping into random people.
It was the first time I had ever been to anything relatively similar to that, and I rather enjoyed it. Dancing was fun and I had some time to get closer to my friends and just have an over-all good time. This night was how I had expected weekends at college to be.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
New Roommate
My old roommate smelled. He had terrible hygiene, and he hadn't showered at least since we started school on September 1st of this year. I lived with him for a couple weeks while the smell built up and began to give me physical drawbacks in the form of migraines. I was literally nauseated upon entering the room.
This odor made it difficult to make new friends because nobody wanted to go into my room. Also, it was very hard to communicate with him because he didn't answer his cell phone and was completely unreliable in that area. His friends would even occasionally stop by the room looking for him and I was unable to say where because I didn't know.
One problem after another began to pile up until I realized it wasn't getting any better. I contacted my Resident Assistant, Ethan, who was very helpful through the process and even had needed to change roommates during his first year on campus.
Now, I am rooming with a guy named Rashaun. He is from Chicago and he is a very nice guy. He is pleasant to room with, and he even has good hygiene! This is a huge improvement on my prior living situation.
This odor made it difficult to make new friends because nobody wanted to go into my room. Also, it was very hard to communicate with him because he didn't answer his cell phone and was completely unreliable in that area. His friends would even occasionally stop by the room looking for him and I was unable to say where because I didn't know.
One problem after another began to pile up until I realized it wasn't getting any better. I contacted my Resident Assistant, Ethan, who was very helpful through the process and even had needed to change roommates during his first year on campus.
Now, I am rooming with a guy named Rashaun. He is from Chicago and he is a very nice guy. He is pleasant to room with, and he even has good hygiene! This is a huge improvement on my prior living situation.
Radio Show
Tonight I have my first radio show ever! I am excited, anxious, nervous, and a little bit scared. Even though I know very few people will be listening, it is still nerve-wracking.
I have the opportunity to DJ for an hour on Wartburg's very own radio station 89.9 KWAR. My hour begins at 9:00P.M. tonight. I have a basic rundown of a script containing bits of information about what I will be playing, but a fair amount will still be improvised.
The music which will be played will be some of my favorites including Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for my Valentine, Van Halen, Andrew W.K. and Sick Puppies. All of the aforementioned bands are rock, hard rock, or metal-core genre oriented bands. I will also be sharing pieces of personal knowledge about these bands and their backgrounds.
Hopefully you can tune in tonight at 9:00P.M. on your sound 89.9 KWAR!
I have the opportunity to DJ for an hour on Wartburg's very own radio station 89.9 KWAR. My hour begins at 9:00P.M. tonight. I have a basic rundown of a script containing bits of information about what I will be playing, but a fair amount will still be improvised.
The music which will be played will be some of my favorites including Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for my Valentine, Van Halen, Andrew W.K. and Sick Puppies. All of the aforementioned bands are rock, hard rock, or metal-core genre oriented bands. I will also be sharing pieces of personal knowledge about these bands and their backgrounds.
Hopefully you can tune in tonight at 9:00P.M. on your sound 89.9 KWAR!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Family Weekend
This weekend was family weekend. I saw my family on two separate occasions. Once at my old home, and once much closer to my new home.
I decided it was time to catch up with my family, not to mention, time to do some laundry as well. Immediately following my Accounting class which ended at 3:35 I rushed to my room, packed my clothes and began the long walk to D lot. Once to my car I drove home where I spent the whole night catching up with my younger sister and asking her about her educational endeavors. The next day, I went to Olive Garden to spend a relaxing, delicious evening chatting with my parents about my days at Wartburg. Soon after dinner I left home to return to my college home.
The next day, I got a text from my mother asking how everything was. I responded jubilantly, and she replied that they would be coming to Waverly later in the day. I was elated and couldn't wait to see them again, even though it was so soon. They arrived outside my dorm and drove me to my older sister's house, around a mile away. They made me some chicken noodle soup and I was happy to have a home cooked meal, while they were happy to see me once again. Everyone was a winner.
I decided it was time to catch up with my family, not to mention, time to do some laundry as well. Immediately following my Accounting class which ended at 3:35 I rushed to my room, packed my clothes and began the long walk to D lot. Once to my car I drove home where I spent the whole night catching up with my younger sister and asking her about her educational endeavors. The next day, I went to Olive Garden to spend a relaxing, delicious evening chatting with my parents about my days at Wartburg. Soon after dinner I left home to return to my college home.
The next day, I got a text from my mother asking how everything was. I responded jubilantly, and she replied that they would be coming to Waverly later in the day. I was elated and couldn't wait to see them again, even though it was so soon. They arrived outside my dorm and drove me to my older sister's house, around a mile away. They made me some chicken noodle soup and I was happy to have a home cooked meal, while they were happy to see me once again. Everyone was a winner.
The Lion King
Today was a long day. I spent the first part of the day studying, drumming, writing music, and watching television. Then went over to my sister's house to see my family and eat some chicken noodle soup. After 8:00PM the pace began to increase.
My girlfriend invited me to go to a movie with her and some of her friends. I gladly accepted; we were all excited. We drove to the College Square Theater in Cedar Falls where Lion King 3D was playing. We had already predetermined that we would see this movie, so the competition was out of the question.
When I was much younger, I remember watching the Lion King over and over again, mostly appreciating Timon and Pumba. However, this time I appreciated the movie as a whole because it brought to mind memories of past times, and how little stress those days consisted of. Today is much different, and while I am very happy with the life I am living now, I will never forget my childhood.
My girlfriend invited me to go to a movie with her and some of her friends. I gladly accepted; we were all excited. We drove to the College Square Theater in Cedar Falls where Lion King 3D was playing. We had already predetermined that we would see this movie, so the competition was out of the question.
When I was much younger, I remember watching the Lion King over and over again, mostly appreciating Timon and Pumba. However, this time I appreciated the movie as a whole because it brought to mind memories of past times, and how little stress those days consisted of. Today is much different, and while I am very happy with the life I am living now, I will never forget my childhood.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Surprise!
Today is my girlfriend's birthday. This whole week I have been planning something special for the occasion, so I decided to throw her a surprise birthday party, with the help of a few of her friends. Yesterday, I convinced her that we were going to go out to eat later that night. She got all fancy, and dressed up and put on some make-up, high heels, and a dress. I wore something fairly nice to go along with the illusion.
When I got down to her room, she was finishing getting ready for our "big night out", putting make-up on her face as delicately as an artist puts his brush on canvas. I said, with well-acted discontent "I forgot my keys up in my room. Mind if we go get them when you're all ready?" She replied with much anticipated approval.
When we got up to my room, our friends were waiting inside with silly string and balloons. I turned the key to my door slowly, and she saw- on the floor of my dark room- a few balloons lying out as she walked in the room, questioning out-loud, "What is going on?" Just then silly string shot from out of the darkness all over both of us and I flipped on the lights while everyone shouted "Surprise!"
We then played Apples to Apples, ordered Domino's Pizza, ate cake, and drank cherry Crush! After the normal party games and such were completed, we finished off the night with a round of Cosmic Bowling (I came in 2nd might I add). After a round of bowling everyone was tired, so we all headed our separate ways and off to bed.
When I got down to her room, she was finishing getting ready for our "big night out", putting make-up on her face as delicately as an artist puts his brush on canvas. I said, with well-acted discontent "I forgot my keys up in my room. Mind if we go get them when you're all ready?" She replied with much anticipated approval.
When we got up to my room, our friends were waiting inside with silly string and balloons. I turned the key to my door slowly, and she saw- on the floor of my dark room- a few balloons lying out as she walked in the room, questioning out-loud, "What is going on?" Just then silly string shot from out of the darkness all over both of us and I flipped on the lights while everyone shouted "Surprise!"
We then played Apples to Apples, ordered Domino's Pizza, ate cake, and drank cherry Crush! After the normal party games and such were completed, we finished off the night with a round of Cosmic Bowling (I came in 2nd might I add). After a round of bowling everyone was tired, so we all headed our separate ways and off to bed.
Jurassic Park
To me, Michael Crichton and Jurassic Park conjure up images completely separate from one another. When I think of Michael Crichton, I'm more likely to think towards things like a talking orangutan from Next, or an ER room (like in ER). Jurassic Park, on the other hand, brings back my childhood, and my favorite thing when I was a kid; dinosaurs.
Growing up, I wanted to bee a paleontologist. I wanted to spend my whole life digging up dinosaur bones and obsessing over facts about dinosaurs! Like Dr. Grant, my favorite dinosaur is and always has been the velociraptor. They were, like he mentions several times, incredibly intelligent. They never hunted alone, and never left an ambush without a meaty snack.
My favorite scenes from the movie are, when the Tyrannosaurus attacks everyone while they are in their safari jeeps, and when the velociraptors are in pursuit of the kids, while they are in the kitchen. These scenes bring up an awful lot of intensity and suspense to the movie. Nothing causes one's heart to race like standing face-to-face with a Tyrannosaurus while it breathes snot in your face, or being pursued by velociraptors with a lust for blood.
In the end, everyone (except the cowardly businessman, and the unloyal computer programmer) is safe, sound, and alive. Ian is injured greatly by the Tyrannosaurus's attack, but in towards the end, we realize that he is alright and only suffered a few injuries. They return to a helicopter, realizing that maybe an amusement park filled with living, breathing dinosaurs, and minimal security may not be a good idea... yet.
Growing up, I wanted to bee a paleontologist. I wanted to spend my whole life digging up dinosaur bones and obsessing over facts about dinosaurs! Like Dr. Grant, my favorite dinosaur is and always has been the velociraptor. They were, like he mentions several times, incredibly intelligent. They never hunted alone, and never left an ambush without a meaty snack.
My favorite scenes from the movie are, when the Tyrannosaurus attacks everyone while they are in their safari jeeps, and when the velociraptors are in pursuit of the kids, while they are in the kitchen. These scenes bring up an awful lot of intensity and suspense to the movie. Nothing causes one's heart to race like standing face-to-face with a Tyrannosaurus while it breathes snot in your face, or being pursued by velociraptors with a lust for blood.
In the end, everyone (except the cowardly businessman, and the unloyal computer programmer) is safe, sound, and alive. Ian is injured greatly by the Tyrannosaurus's attack, but in towards the end, we realize that he is alright and only suffered a few injuries. They return to a helicopter, realizing that maybe an amusement park filled with living, breathing dinosaurs, and minimal security may not be a good idea... yet.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
My First Week
Wartburg has been wonderful throughout my entire life. I have been coming to the college since I was just a baby. My parents both attended and met at Wartburg College, so homecoming is definitely a familiar sight. I have been to Wartburg at least once a year almost my whole life, spent the night in my brother's dorm several times more recently, visited the campus on a number of occasions, and even attended an accounting class during a college visit. Even with all these prior adjustments to the campus life, I had no idea what was to come once I moved in.
Moving in was tough, both physically and emotionally. It wasn't while I was hugging my parents and little sister goodbye that almost brought me to tears, but the unfamiliar roommate, the noises throughout the night, and the overall stress of being somewhere new and knowing I wasn't going back for awhile was a lot to handle. Even after a week and a half I'm still not fully adjusted! I'm starting to become more in tune with my surroundings and more able to cope, but the complete process could be in the not-so-near future.
All of my classes have been manageable, especially on the first days of each. One thing which helped make college a manageable beginning was the fact that most of my classes ended within forty-five minutes, and that I am watching Jurassic Park (my favorite movie) in my IS 101 class.
Overall, college- although stressful- has been fun and an incredible life-changing ezperience already. At times it will be stressful, at times it will be a blast! Whether I'm spending my days in class or my nights with friends, movies, and homework, I am extremely excited for the next three years of my life to unfold.
Moving in was tough, both physically and emotionally. It wasn't while I was hugging my parents and little sister goodbye that almost brought me to tears, but the unfamiliar roommate, the noises throughout the night, and the overall stress of being somewhere new and knowing I wasn't going back for awhile was a lot to handle. Even after a week and a half I'm still not fully adjusted! I'm starting to become more in tune with my surroundings and more able to cope, but the complete process could be in the not-so-near future.
All of my classes have been manageable, especially on the first days of each. One thing which helped make college a manageable beginning was the fact that most of my classes ended within forty-five minutes, and that I am watching Jurassic Park (my favorite movie) in my IS 101 class.
Overall, college- although stressful- has been fun and an incredible life-changing ezperience already. At times it will be stressful, at times it will be a blast! Whether I'm spending my days in class or my nights with friends, movies, and homework, I am extremely excited for the next three years of my life to unfold.
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