FINALS WEEK STATISTICS
Total Number of Exams taken: 4
x
Average hours spent directly studying for an exam: 5
/
Average number of guesses per exam: 17
x
Average hours of sleep per night: 8.5
/
Average number of hours between exams: 30.8 hours
-
Least people to see my face in a day: 1
+
Tootsie Rolls consumed: 226 (ok, so it took three weeks to make that dent)
/
Record time without losing concentration: 46 minutes
/
Quickest exam: 1.25 hours
/
Longest exam: 2.00 hours
/
Most excuses to quit studying used within an hour: 16 (Tuesday, 11:17am-12:16pm)
x
Record time without fresh air: 40 hours (Monday, 4:00pm to Wednesday, 12:00pm)
-
Failed meals served: 1
/
Meals eaten: 13 (excluding Tootsie Rolls)
-
Number of Blog posts: 0
+
Number of Blog drafts created: 1
/
Number of E-mails sent: 24
x
Pictures taken of to-do lists: 3
x
Texts sent: 30
x
Significant texts received: 28
/
Quality bonding time spent with a calculator: 16 hours
x
Phone calls made: 2
-
Purchases made: 1
-
Number of times "Open Up Your Heart (and let the sunshine in)" was sang while looking out the window: 9
/
Time spent commuting: 3.4 hours
/
Number of household chores completed: 2/day (=dishes+made bed)
x
Pieces of gum consumed: 18
/
Time spent creating 7ft Tootsie Roll wrapper chain: 1.9926 hours
(I learned from stats class to be aware of lurking variables and unnecessary data, so there should be none in this example.)
____________________________
= Forecast Semester GPA if everything important really mattered ;)
I hope to post again in the morning/afternoon but I've been thinking too hard this week to say anything else right now. :) Happy weekend!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
'Tis the season...
Well, it is the season where things begin to go out of control and people run out of time for a little R & R! My dearest daughter is getting rather edgy and uncomfortable with the fact that there has been no post for several days. Since she is diligently studying for her exams, she has little time to post any updates so I have been enlisted to do the job.
Last Thursday and Friday, Chuck and I went with Justin and his Mock Trial team to Des Moines for the state competition. It is always a bit intimidating to be in a convention center with about 300 miniature lawyers walking around wearing suits and carrying briefcases! But it was an enjoyable couple days. Chuck and I came home immediately after the final round so that we could attend our Ambulance Christmas Party. As usual there was plenty of food and some disorganized activities which kept us all laughing most of the evening.
Saturday evening was our All Church Caroling. I have learned that in order for us to be on time, it is best if we really do not know what time we are to be there. For some reason, I was thinking we needed to be at the fellowship center by 4:15pm - so we finally left the house here at 4:13 for the 10-15 minute drive. As we pulled into the parking lot at 4:27pm (late as usual) it was evident that we were either early or had just missed them. Fortunately for us, we were actually there ON TIME!! So we spent the next 90 minutes caroling for people in Mediapolis and then went back to the FC for chili. Caroling is always a reminder to slow down and take time for others as we are supposed to do at this time of year. So I think I can say we all received a blessing from the evening.
Sunday morning (early) at 2:00am I heard a voice saying "mom, I just threw up...do you have anything for my stomach - it hurts..." Those are words that make most mothers cringe at that time of night. I opened my eyes and saw Stephanie standing in the doorway with a bucket in hand (something positive) and her hand on her stomach. After seeing it was her, I inwardly sighed a breath of relief, knowing that she more than likely made it to the bathroom on time and could take care of herself. She ended up staying home from church on Sunday but was feeling well enough to attend the Sunday School Christmas program that evening. The boys were all in the program and all did well - they really enjoy the treats they receive afterwards from their teachers: CANDY!
Monday, I woke up with my stomach churning a bit but managed to get through the day. This morning I was feeling much better so I managed to get some things done around here and do a little Christmas shopping. I am hoping to make one more trip to Iowa City on Thursday to finish my shopping and meet Stephanie for a few minutes. It will be nice to have her back home again for a month!! I love this time of year as it seems to bring families together and many memories are made during this season.
Last Thursday and Friday, Chuck and I went with Justin and his Mock Trial team to Des Moines for the state competition. It is always a bit intimidating to be in a convention center with about 300 miniature lawyers walking around wearing suits and carrying briefcases! But it was an enjoyable couple days. Chuck and I came home immediately after the final round so that we could attend our Ambulance Christmas Party. As usual there was plenty of food and some disorganized activities which kept us all laughing most of the evening.
Saturday evening was our All Church Caroling. I have learned that in order for us to be on time, it is best if we really do not know what time we are to be there. For some reason, I was thinking we needed to be at the fellowship center by 4:15pm - so we finally left the house here at 4:13 for the 10-15 minute drive. As we pulled into the parking lot at 4:27pm (late as usual) it was evident that we were either early or had just missed them. Fortunately for us, we were actually there ON TIME!! So we spent the next 90 minutes caroling for people in Mediapolis and then went back to the FC for chili. Caroling is always a reminder to slow down and take time for others as we are supposed to do at this time of year. So I think I can say we all received a blessing from the evening.
Sunday morning (early) at 2:00am I heard a voice saying "mom, I just threw up...do you have anything for my stomach - it hurts..." Those are words that make most mothers cringe at that time of night. I opened my eyes and saw Stephanie standing in the doorway with a bucket in hand (something positive) and her hand on her stomach. After seeing it was her, I inwardly sighed a breath of relief, knowing that she more than likely made it to the bathroom on time and could take care of herself. She ended up staying home from church on Sunday but was feeling well enough to attend the Sunday School Christmas program that evening. The boys were all in the program and all did well - they really enjoy the treats they receive afterwards from their teachers: CANDY!
Monday, I woke up with my stomach churning a bit but managed to get through the day. This morning I was feeling much better so I managed to get some things done around here and do a little Christmas shopping. I am hoping to make one more trip to Iowa City on Thursday to finish my shopping and meet Stephanie for a few minutes. It will be nice to have her back home again for a month!! I love this time of year as it seems to bring families together and many memories are made during this season.
A Day of Memories...
Sunday was a day of remembering for me and my family. It was on Sunday December 9, 2007 when my sister, Mary, passed away from a hard battle with cancer. I was not by her bed when she took her last breath but was only one room away from her. I remember making the call to Chuck at church to tell him the news. There are so many times that I think of her and what she would do in certain situations. She was always a positive person and loved her family and her God. On Sunday morning, I was 'greeted' by the buzz of my phone with an email. It was from my sister, remembering Mary on this 5 year anniversary. She asked us to share our memories, if we wanted to and live each day like Mary would have lived. It was moving and emotional to read through everyone's memories of her and how much she influenced their lives in a positive way. Almost every one said they remember how she loved to sing, play the piano and glorify God with her music. She is still missed by all that knew her and I am thankful for the precious moments that I was able to spend with her.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I Can Hear the Bells
Yes, I hear the faint Christmas bells sounding in the distance. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is hardly believable that I am almost finished with my first semester of college. I'm not saying the tunnel was necessarily dark, but it's just a feeling a person gets as they approach the final two days of classes in gleeful anticipation of finals week. Er, gleeful anticipation of the end of finals week, that is.
As I sat in the Howe Galleria of Pappajohn today eating my lunch, I had to look around and think back to those first days of school up here at Iowa. They seem like so long ago, but at the same time it does not seem that the semester should be coming to a close yet.
The first days at On Iowa, I was completely intimidated by the giant campus and the unfamiliar faces. The first bus ride, the first lecture, the first foreign TA. I learned that nobody would pay attention if I could just pretend to know what I was doing.
That week of classes, I wondered whether I'd ever make it to the weekend. I didn't know a single person. The classes, professors, and atmosphere were all rather overwhelming. Yes, the first week away from home was most certainly difficult.
Each week became easier than the previous. I was catching on in my classes, I found my shelter at Pappajohn, and I started to learn the ropes of grocery shopping and cooking, for the sake of my poor roommate.
Everything was falling into place, but I still felt like I knew nobody. If it wouldn't have been for my faithful roommate, I don't know if I would have maintained a decent level of sanity.
Recently, even these issues have become smaller as I've begun to meet other people. As minor as it may seem, it means a lot to be able to smile and say hello to a friend in the hallway. Or to even be able to call them a friend.
In a nutshell, I've found a place to call home number two. I love the school here, I love the city here, and I love the church here. For the sake of preservation, I still call Mediapolis my home. But on Sundays, I am not just "going back to school." I spend more than two thirds of my time here. I'm going home. To my second home.
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil. 4:11) Do you know how the Apostle Paul learned to be content? I think he may have realized that as long as God was with him, he should be content. Before leaving home, I felt content with where I was, but was concerned about how things would go at college. When I got to college, I realized that I had forgotten that God would be with me at the University of Iowa just as He was with me in Mediapolis. And as long as the Lord is by my side, I can find contentment, in whatsoever state I am.
I see this post is getting very lengthy, so I will give some time to catch up. I hope you are all having a good week, and that you, too, are able to hear the faint chimes of Christmas bells coming from around the corner! :)
As I sat in the Howe Galleria of Pappajohn today eating my lunch, I had to look around and think back to those first days of school up here at Iowa. They seem like so long ago, but at the same time it does not seem that the semester should be coming to a close yet.
The first days at On Iowa, I was completely intimidated by the giant campus and the unfamiliar faces. The first bus ride, the first lecture, the first foreign TA. I learned that nobody would pay attention if I could just pretend to know what I was doing.
That week of classes, I wondered whether I'd ever make it to the weekend. I didn't know a single person. The classes, professors, and atmosphere were all rather overwhelming. Yes, the first week away from home was most certainly difficult.
Each week became easier than the previous. I was catching on in my classes, I found my shelter at Pappajohn, and I started to learn the ropes of grocery shopping and cooking, for the sake of my poor roommate.
Everything was falling into place, but I still felt like I knew nobody. If it wouldn't have been for my faithful roommate, I don't know if I would have maintained a decent level of sanity.
Recently, even these issues have become smaller as I've begun to meet other people. As minor as it may seem, it means a lot to be able to smile and say hello to a friend in the hallway. Or to even be able to call them a friend.
In a nutshell, I've found a place to call home number two. I love the school here, I love the city here, and I love the church here. For the sake of preservation, I still call Mediapolis my home. But on Sundays, I am not just "going back to school." I spend more than two thirds of my time here. I'm going home. To my second home.
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil. 4:11) Do you know how the Apostle Paul learned to be content? I think he may have realized that as long as God was with him, he should be content. Before leaving home, I felt content with where I was, but was concerned about how things would go at college. When I got to college, I realized that I had forgotten that God would be with me at the University of Iowa just as He was with me in Mediapolis. And as long as the Lord is by my side, I can find contentment, in whatsoever state I am.
I see this post is getting very lengthy, so I will give some time to catch up. I hope you are all having a good week, and that you, too, are able to hear the faint chimes of Christmas bells coming from around the corner! :)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
In the Spirit of Christmas
Welcome to December! It is hard to believe we are down to the final month of 2012! To reflect our anticipation of Christmas, it may be evident that I have updated the blog scheme. Here at home, the tree has been decorated and lighted, the Christmas cards are ready to be mailed, the December calendar is almost full, and, of course, Christmas music fills the chilly air. There's no snow yet, but that's perfectly all right. I think we are officially ready for this holiday.
 |
| Jesse helped me decorate the Christmas tree last Friday! |
Not a whole lot really seems to have changed around here in Mediapolis since I left last Sunday. Mom went up to Coralville on Thursday to do some shopping and has been trying to prepare for Christmas. The basketball season has begun for Jonathan and Travis, and that's been keeping them occupied. Billy's senior pictures came in this week, so it was exciting to see those. Justin just got home from a LEGO League tournament, and Jonathan is working on a project at a friend's house.
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| Billy works on homework while Mom does some Christmas research. |
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| He wanted me to show everybody a picture of his calculus homework... |
Jesse discovered last night that we have a lot of art supplies at our house, and has been working on new creations ever since. After his water paint job, I could have mistaken the kitchen table as an astounding abstract mural, but he is most certainly becoming quite the artist! He even helped me decorate the Christmas tree last Friday.
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| This is one of his pictures...our house. The left is the floor layout and the right is the front of the house. |
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| Travis displays the stars by Jonathan (far right), Justin, and himself. |
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| Statue of Liberty replica |
Back to the spirit of Christmas, I hope we can spend this entire month celebrating the real spirit of Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ the King who came to be our Savior! Have a great week!
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