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!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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!)
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!)
Monday, January 17, 2011
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.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
One Year!
So, big news: I have officially had this blog for a whole year! I went back and read through the blogs and have realized that I have changed a lot and have become a much more confident individual.
I have found my Mr. Bingley, experienced countless days of beautiful snow, and have knit and baked either far too much or not enough. I have written 54 posts (55 including this one) and that was without posting for weeks on end in some cases. As a new year's resolution, I will try to post at least once a week in order to keep the blog updated, interesting, and free of "catch up" posts.
In other news, Christmas was wonderful. It felt very close-knit and peaceful. And, to top it off (quite literally) it was a white Christmas and a very white Boxing Day. With 14.5 inches of snow (which was enough to snap tree branches, tree trunks, and metal umbrella poles), let's say that we won't be leaving the house for a while.
Also, upon cleaning and reorganizing my bookshelf, I came across 12 books that I haven't read! They should keep me busy until the snow melts.
It has been a great year posting and sharing with everyone. I hope you continue to read as much as I continue to write and I thank everyone who has been here since December 28, 2009.
Until next time!
I have found my Mr. Bingley, experienced countless days of beautiful snow, and have knit and baked either far too much or not enough. I have written 54 posts (55 including this one) and that was without posting for weeks on end in some cases. As a new year's resolution, I will try to post at least once a week in order to keep the blog updated, interesting, and free of "catch up" posts.
In other news, Christmas was wonderful. It felt very close-knit and peaceful. And, to top it off (quite literally) it was a white Christmas and a very white Boxing Day. With 14.5 inches of snow (which was enough to snap tree branches, tree trunks, and metal umbrella poles), let's say that we won't be leaving the house for a while.
Also, upon cleaning and reorganizing my bookshelf, I came across 12 books that I haven't read! They should keep me busy until the snow melts.
It has been a great year posting and sharing with everyone. I hope you continue to read as much as I continue to write and I thank everyone who has been here since December 28, 2009.
Until next time!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bread and Bracelets
With Christmas just days away, I am surprised by how little I've baked! To remedy that, I decided to bake not one, but three loaves of Italian herb bread. I must say it is the most delicious batch of bread I have ever made!
In more exciting new, I officially opened up an online shop! For now I am selling a few necklaces and bracelets I have made, but I plan to add scarves and other original crafts. It's called "Market Turtle" (for no real reason except that I thought it sounded good). You can find my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Xethtine
My vacation from school has thus-far been a fair mix of work and relaxation. It's nice working in the store this time of year and seeing all of the presents and cookies being sent all over the country and a few going overseas. Its such a wonderful time of year with so many wonderful people and so many wonderful feelings. I cannot wait for Christmas morning ^_^
Anywhos, time to get back to baking!
Until next time! Happy Holidays! :)
In more exciting new, I officially opened up an online shop! For now I am selling a few necklaces and bracelets I have made, but I plan to add scarves and other original crafts. It's called "Market Turtle" (for no real reason except that I thought it sounded good). You can find my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Xethtine
My vacation from school has thus-far been a fair mix of work and relaxation. It's nice working in the store this time of year and seeing all of the presents and cookies being sent all over the country and a few going overseas. Its such a wonderful time of year with so many wonderful people and so many wonderful feelings. I cannot wait for Christmas morning ^_^
Anywhos, time to get back to baking!
Until next time! Happy Holidays! :)
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