New Year's Eve 2011

Another year has passed and with it, both happy and sad memories and experiences. I've lost both my grandfather and my aunt, but I have gained countless friends. I have traveled, I have tried many new things, I have gained many new skills, and I have learned much. This year has been amazing and I cannot wait for another year to begin.

With the ringing in of 2012 comes my last year of college. I have less than a year at Virginia Tech, which has been my home for nearly three years. While this makes me sad, it also makes me realize how far I have come and what I have to look forward to when I graduate. I am excited for what I still have to learn and what I will have to do to prepare myself for "the real world". I feel very fortunate to begin my GIS job at Virginia Tech, which will be a nice sort of training ground for what a GIS job will really be like.

I also feel that while I am away from both my immediate and extended family for the majority of the time, this year has brought us closer together. I'm not sure if we all just had the urge to keep better contact or if social networking has made it easier, but just the love that I have felt from my family this year has been amazing and has provided tremendous support for what has been a very challenging school year.

Well, as I have found it tradition to do, I have made my annual list of New Year's Resolutions. I know that I am not the best at keeping them (then again, who really is?), but I know that I need to make some changes, both in a gradual and immediate sense. So, here it goes:

1) Better monitor what I eat (lay off the sweets!)

2) Exercise at least twice a week

3) Get my Driver's License (for goodness sake!)

4) Stay organized; don't let messes build up

5) Speak up more often

6) Ask; the worst they can say is "no"

I know, pretty general goals, but I really need to improve on these things. I realize that not have my license can be a hassle for others as well as myself. Having a job during the summer will be great, but only if I can get to it and I can't always rely on the bus.

I also gained a bit of weight this year and it is in part because I do not eat very well when I am at school and I do not exercise nearly enough. I am going to try to prepare more home-made meals instead of eating out so much and I am going to try to cook more often with meats, as horrifying as that thought is to me.

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? Did you accomplish any from last year?

I hope that everyone has a Happy New Year, ringing it in with a new hope and an optimistic outlook for 2012.

It's Meteoancienthistoryremoteseningaladocious!

Finals are here and with that comes the lovely realization that some of them are really, awfully, terribly squished together into a very short time. Today marks the beginning of a 24 hour period in which I will take not one, not two, but three exams. I opted for this option because I honestly work better under pressure, but I think that the title of the this blog accurately depicts how I'm feeling just about now.

The first exam will be today at 1:05 and will be meteorology. Altogether not a difficult subject, but I have found that the professor isn't exactly fair with what is put on the tests, with the graduate students scratching their heads wondering if they could have passed them. I will have ample time to study for this one, but I honestly wonder if it will do me any good.

The next exam will be at 7:45 tomorrow (that is in the a.m.) and it will be Ancient History. This one I am not too worried about, as I love this topic and have had it several times before in other classes. I am simply not thrilled that it is that early in the morning.

The last exam of this round will be at 10:05, directly after Ancient History, and it is Remote Sensing. This subject I have a pretty firm handle on, but it does require a good bit of studying.

These are just the middle three finals. I have already completed French and will still have to do GIS. This is the most finals I have ever had to take for one semester, but I think I can handle it :)

Strength in Numbers

Today I experienced something that has left me both shaken and with a sense of pride in my school. Today, Virginia Tech, my home for the past three years, had a shooting. While the April 16th shooting was shocking and still moves me to this day, I was actually on campus today when the sirens started and the phone calls came in. The initial reports stated that shots had been fired on the other side of campus from where I was working on a project. Then the suspect was reported much farther away. And then he was reported just a few buildings away from me, where they had started to evacuate students into a safer area. Even though I was a in a very secure room in a very secure building, I was scared. My group and I continued to work on our project but the room was filled with the buzz of incoming news, concerned chatter, and students receiving worried phone calls from relatives, of which I received quite a few and am glad to have such a loving family.

There were two deaths today: the initial death of the officer and another victim. While tragedies like this are terrible and full of sorrow, they do prove the strength and unity of our community. The ability for thousands of different people to come together and support each other under such trying circumstances is incredible and I am so proud to be a part of such an extraordinary group of people.

We are all safe after being under lock down for several hours. I am home and happy for it. My biggest worry now is studying for finals.

I would ask that you continue to pray for the Hokie community, as I am sure that this will continue to affect us.

A World Away

Yesterday I was able to experience something that was nothing short of miraculous, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring. Through the power of technology and social media, Virginia Tech was able to have a Skype conversation with democratic activist, Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the Burmese democratic revolution who has spent a lifetime fighting for freedom in Burma. Living in the midst of a dictatorship, she has been under house arrest for years, only having recently been released. She is an inspiration to all and we are some of the lucky few in America who have had the opportunity and honor to speak with her.

This whole thing started with a simple YouTube video of Virginia Tech's World Regions course pleading for this opportunity. Just a few weeks later, it spread like wildfire and our request was answered. If the chance arose, she would speak with us. And she did.

Here are just a few of the clips I was able to capture of our (Virginia Tech's) conversation with her:













And, just as proof that Matt and I were there, let's play a quick game of spot the boyfriend:



Did you find him? I'm sure you did.

This was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience that I will not soon forget. It was made possible by technology that has been only developed in my lifetime and will continue to bring people closer and allow for such amazing interactions as this. We were able to talk with someone who is literally on the other side of the planet, someone who otherwise we would have never been able to talk with.

Aung San Suu Kyi is an amazing woman who has achieved so much for her people and she will continue to promote democracy until her goal of freedom has been achieved.

Surrounded by Geography

After a day of running around, completely projects, doing volunteer work with my favorite club, and representing my other favorite club at a leadership council, I figured that I could come home and relax a bit. Sinking into the couch, I suddenly came upon the realization that tomorrow is, in fact, Wednesday which means I have quite a bit to do.

Tomorrow is going to be particularly busy and fraught with geography related goings-on. The first endeavor of the day will be my first real interview...ever...in my life. I am very excited as it would allow me to work during both during the school year and during the summer while undergoing undergraduate research. I really do hope that I get this position as it would give me a lot of hands-on, real world experience.

The second item on the agenda is a remote sensing presentation. It only has to be a few minutes long, but, while I am prepared, I do not like to be in front of a lot of people. At least I will already be dressed up from the interview!

The final undertaking of the day will be my GIS lab practical. I will have 50 minutes to complete a mapping assignment. I am confident in my ability to complete this test, but I am apprehensive in not knowing what I will need to do.

I am a little nervous about tomorrow. I feel that I am going to be constantly put on the spot throughout the day, which makes me a little uncomfortable, but they are all very important for my personal progress and growth in geography.

I am heading to be now to get a good night's rest. Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Until next time!

Time Travel

Just to start things off, I am going to quit apologizing for months of missed blogs. The blogger website was incompatible with my computer for most of this year, but I am very happy to be back!

It is already the end of the fall semester. It has been a long, hard, time-consuming 15 credits, but this has been the most important semester for really getting hands-on experience with what I will be doing in the real world. Also, during this semester, I have been invited to several honors societies and have gladly joined them. I hope to make great friends in these new circles as well as expand my horizons.

As per standard Jessie behavior, I am crafting in my spare time. Knitting has proven to be the dominant choice and I am learning how to knit outside of basic squares and rectangles. I have actually created something extremely adorable, but I cannot reveal it yet as it is a Christmas present for one of you!

Jewelery making has been an enjoyable side-hobby as well and may turn out to be a profitable one! My good friend, Hunter, has commissioned me to create several Christmas presents for his family and I could not be more excited!

I will continue to post about my adventures, travels, and just about anything else I may do as well as adventures I have already had in the past few months, as I am sure none of you want to miss out on those! I really do enjoy blogging, especially knowing that I have my family and friends as my readers. I hope to be able to do it more frequently, now that I can use the site once more.

Until next time!

Ash Wednesday

I know I have promised D.C. blogs (and they are coming), but today is Ash Wednesday and I figured that that should hold priority.

I have thought about and revised my Ash Wednesday “resolutions” over the past few weeks and have come to the conclusion that I will give up:

1)Ice Cream (I really don’t need it)

2)Any baked good that I don’t make myself (forcing me to practice and perfect my baking skills)

3) Complaining

I did give up complaining last year and it worked so well that I thought I would try it again and really focus on what I say and think. I really don’t have much (or anything) to complain about and so I am going to try not to complain for the forty days of Lent and longer. There are better ways that I can express that I don’t like something or that I am not comfortable and so I will work on that.

Last year I also gave up all baking and baked goods. While that worked really well, I really do want to improve my baking skills. Also, just because I bake something doesn’t mean that I have to eat it. I WILL HAPPILY GIVE AWAY ANYTHING I BAKE! I want to get people’s opinions of my food. If you have ideas, requests, or simply want to be a guinea pig, please let me know!

I am also giving up ice cream because it is something I eat far too often that really doesn’t need to be in my diet. I am going to try to find healthier alternatives and try to cut back or cut out the night time snacking.

In addition to all of this, I am going to try to add something to my routine. I have not been exercising enough lately and so I am going to try to fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise twice per week. There is a gym only a few minutes’ walk away from my first class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and there is no reason why I can’t get to campus a little bit earlier to squeeze in some exercise.

Throughout the forty days, I am going to try to be conscious of why I am giving things up. I am going to be spiritually aware and really focus on the why and the who. I am not only doing this to better myself, but to also better my spiritual connection and relationship with God. I have been a very dormant Christian in the past few months and I really need to focus on what should be a huge aspect of my life. While I am certain it’s not all going to come at once, I can make the effort to take small steps towards strengthening my faith.

The D.C. blogs should be coming up in the next few days. There will be at least six, so be prepared to read quite a bit!

Until Next Time!

Busy Bee

Once again, I have fallen behind on blogging. For those still reading, I am very extremely tremendously awfully sorry for the one month lack of blogging. 18 credits is proving to be more time-consuming than I anticipated!
This is the first blog since starting this semester. So far, it has been great! My classes are fun and challenging and I feel that I am really diving in to the heart of my field(s).

I switched around a few classes. Here is my updated list:

-Geomorphology: a bit dry (pun intended), but very useful for base knowledge.

-French: As always, fun :)

-Classical Humanities (Greek Studies): A lot of information I’ve already seen, but very enjoyable.

-CIA: Yes, an actual course studying the CIA. I really enjoy this class.

-Maps and Mapping: Confusing at times, but this is my most “hands on” class.

-Calc./Trig.: Proving to be more manageable than anticipated. I should have it finished by April!

Incorporated in the month lapse were my birthday, Valentine’s Day, and my one year of dating with Matt. 1) I can’t believe I’m 20! I feel so old! 2) I can’t believe it’s been a year!

My birthday was fantastic. While my actual birthday was on a school day (with two exams nonetheless), Saturday was spent with my family as was most of Sunday. I received several wonderful gifts including a gorgeous amethyst and diamond accented necklace from Matt and an iPod Touch from my parents. I guess turning 20 is a pretty big deal!

As for dating for a whole year, it feels like it’s been both longer and shorter. We’ve done so many things together and created so many very special memories. I can’t wait to create more :)
Today is Tuesday and therefore an off day (no school!). I am going to be studious anyway and go study my math and French.
Until next time! (Hopefully soon!)

T'was The Day Before Classes...

T'was the day before classes
And a student was blogging
"Doesn't this sound familiar?"
She thought while logging

"I did this last year!"
She exclaimed in her head
"This is sure to get boring
for people who've read

All of my other posts
from last year and on"
But with no more ideas
Originality was gone

So she sat and she thought
and decided at last
That her readers would forgive
and let this one go past


It's that time of year again. There's snow on the ground, excitement in the air, and the hustle and bustle of crowded stores. Yes... it is the beginning of a new semester.

With just one day left before classes, I'm organizing, reorganizing, and preparing myself for what is sure to be an insanely busy semester. I am taking 6 courses, as follows:

-Intermediate French
-Classical Humanities
-Trig/Calc
-Geomorphology
-Maps and Mapping
-Geography of Wine

It is quite a full schedule and is not made better by the fact that four of those courses are on the same day. Hopefully this Spring semester won't be curses by a dropped math course like last Spring. I am also going to try to juggle in extra-curriculars, which will be an enjoyable challenge in its own right. Although it is very busy, I am certain that it will be a very enjoyable semester. I am finally on the proper course of action to graduate when I want to and to study subjects that I love. I feel that this will be a semester that will really shape who I am and who I want to be.

Wish me luck!

Until next time.

New Year, New Experience

So, I have already missed my resolution of posting once per week. Last week was rather hectic and emotional and, due to lack of time and internet, I was unable to post.

Last week was so busy because my grandfather died and we all wanted to be up there with him. We received a call on Sunday night that he had had a stroke and was in a coma. My dad and brother drove up that night and my mom and I flew up Tuesday to be with my dad and his family. We packed out whole family into a tiny hospital room where Grandpa was lying and stayed with him as we talked about all of the memories we had. We were told that he could hear us, and so we kept conversation going constantly in hopes that it comforted him.

At one point, the nurses had to check on him and we had to leave the room. We weren't gone for more than a minute and he passed. It was almost as if once he couldn't hear us talking anymore, he decided that that was his time and he left the room with us. He passed peacefully and without suffering, and that is all we could have hoped for.

The week then proceeded with arrangements for the wake, funeral, and burial. My one job during this time was to make the centerpiece candles for the meal following the funeral. I felt that this would be my contribution and gift to him.

I have never seen a dead person or someone die, nor have I ever been to a wake or a funeral. The whole week was a new and overwhelming experience, but there was also so much beauty in certain aspects of it. The peacefulness of my grandpa, the eulogy given by my father and my uncle, the flowers we each placed on his coffin. Each of these were so beautiful and symbolic and made me remember the good times and memories with my grandpa.

While he will be dearly missed by everyone he has touched in his life, he will surely find peace and happiness in his eternal life.