Out of sight, out of mind?
Well hello world. I'm sittin in sunny Palm Desert, CA enjoying the sun and fresh air. My sources have been tellin me how brutally cold MN has been and I am so happy that I don't have to be there right now. I most definitely am not a winter person. Hope the first week of break is going well for all. I hope you were able to jump back in to the swing of things are aren't itching to go back to school just yet. I am, however, already sick of having to be a puppy dog to my parents, again. Granted we are on vacation and I have limited places to go and no means to get there, but it's frustrating to go from being your own ruler to having to live under someone else's rules again.
But something that I've been thinking about a lot in the past week is how much does the saying "out of sight, out of mind" really apply. When we came to school, we knew that the people we were leaving behind wouldn't forget us. We knew them forever and had a strong history with them. But what about these friends that we've made at school? With only knowing them for a little over 3 months... is that strong enough to keep a strong bong while hundreds of miles away? I've missed some people so much, especially having spent so much of my time at school with them, and yet now that I'm away from them and far away, not just across the street, I feel like I would inconvenience them if I were to call them. That's probably just me being over dramatic... but I still hold on to crushes that have formed and friendships that have been made. Oy- I'm done with that.
So- 1st semester of freshmen year of college is over. No way. Where did it go? I can't believe how fast this went. Yes, I am INCREDIBLY happy that I'm done with math and fake math (even though I will miss some of the people and being able to make fun of my teacher to his face)... but seriously... this is nuts!
Well, I'm off to check and make sure Jen got home alright and take a nap. I'll be home on Christmas- so to all that celebrate: Happy Birthday to Jesus! - I mean, Merry Christmas. And for all you Jews out there or for anyone who wants: I'm intending on Chinese-ing it up. Call if interested!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The College Student
I am a college student. I have a specific shower stall which I refer to as ”mine” and my feet will never touch the floor of it.
I am a college student. I try to rotate stalls in the bathroom so I can read all the material taped to the walls.
I am a MALE college student. I always have more than one condom on hand. Two in one night? Morning after? You never know.
I am a college student. I now fail to distinguish the difference in taste between water and beer.
I am a FEMALE college student. I own a sweater which resembles a bathrobe.
I am a college student. Drunken scrawlings on my message board or late night drunken IM's from friends across campus no longer perplex me.
I am a college student. Somebody keeps stealing my damn message board marker.
I am a college student. I pre-party in my room just so I will be drunk enough not to notice the sub-zero weather when I walk to the bar without a coat.
I am a college student. I pray for hotties in my classes so that I will have reason to go to that class. I will, however, never talk to any of these hotties.
I am a college student. I can no longer remember what was cooked in those dirty dishes.
I am a college student. I have seen more than one party turn into a strip show.
I am a college student. My telephone number only has 4 digits.
I am a college student. I have spent nights on the floor because I couldn't get up the ladder to my bed.
I am a college student. I see no problem fitting 2 people in one twin size bed.
I am a MALE college student. I know that a gentleman would let her sleep next to the wall. (It's a long way to the floor).
I am a college student. I will cross busy streets just to pick up what might be a quarter.
I am a college student. I want a girl/boyfriend that disappears from 9pm-2am every friday and saturday night, reappearing undressed in bed with me when I get home.
I am a college student. Answering machine messages are a thing to be celebrated.
I am a college student. When I see movie trailers on TV, I say “I can't wait to RENT that”
I am a college student. Going 'out to eat' no longer involves getting in a vehicle.
I am a college student. I don't know half of my professors' names.
I am a FEMALE college student. I use empty beer bottles for vases.
I am a college student. Christmas lights are a year-round decoration.
I am a FEMALE college student. I have worn my huge fuzzy slippers to the cafeteria.
50 Things Admissions Never Told You About College
1. Quarters are gold.
2. Two meals per day is the standard.
3. Road trip whenever possible.
4. Going to the mailbox was never an ego booster/breaker before.
5. You will begin to nap again.
6. Your bookstore bill will almost equal tuition.
7. Squirt guns = Stress relief.
8. Instant messenger becomes an addiction.
9. E-mail becomes your second language.
10. College students throw paper airplanes too.
11. You never realized that so many people were smarter than you.
12. College football is the coolest thing on the planet.
13. Western Europe could be wiped out by a horrible plague and you wouldn't know, but you can recite last week's re-run of The Simpsons verbatim.
14. Cartoons are for all ages, especially Scooby Doo.
15. Disney movies are more than just classics.
16. You will never rent more movies in your life.
17. No one is too old for video games.
18. Procrastination is an art form.
19. SNOOD is more addicting than pot.
20. Thanks to Aimster/Audiogalaxy/Morpheus, you will never listen to one of your CDs ever again.
21. It never sucked so much to get sick. (Thursday, Friday and Saturdays)
22. The health service nurses are there because they couldn't make it at a real hospital. Never, ever forget that.
23. Care packages are right up there with birthdays.
24. Campus is only clean for Family Weekend and Freshman Orientation.
25. Nothing you want to register for will be open.
26. Classes... the later the better.
27. You are no longer thankful that the fire alarms are here to protect you.
28. Jeans may be worn as many times as the wearer desires.
29. The only time to dress up is when your jeans are dirty.
30. Showers become less important; sleep becomes more important.
31. Asleep by 2:30 am is an early night.
32. Creativity in the dining halls is key...
33. The freshman 15 is NOT a myth!!
34. If it's snowing out, the only reason you will leave your room is for food or alcohol. 35. Dishes smell after days of piling up.
36. Cereal makes a meal any time of the day.
37. You will eat anywhere that is a buffet.
38. You will eat anything that is free.
39. New additions to food groups: beer, ramen, and pizza.
40. Stealing from the dining hall will become second nature.
41. ATM's are the devils advocate. ATM= Another Twenty Missing.
42. Keys have never been so important, yet you seem to lose them or lock yourself out of the room even more.
43. Duct tape heals all wounds.
44. If they say you can't have it in your dorm, they are just kidding.
45. You will come to hate hallways/elevators with a passion.
46. Those ugly cinder blocks are not sound proof.
47. Pictures, posters, emails or anything else to cover the ugly cell we live in will be transformed into wallpaper.
48. Everyone is only nice for the first week. After that, no matter how nice you are, some people just won't smile back. Get used to it.
49. You are never alone!
50. You realize college is the ideal lifestyle, except for those pesky classes.
I am a college student. I have a specific shower stall which I refer to as ”mine” and my feet will never touch the floor of it.
I am a college student. I try to rotate stalls in the bathroom so I can read all the material taped to the walls.
I am a MALE college student. I always have more than one condom on hand. Two in one night? Morning after? You never know.
I am a college student. I now fail to distinguish the difference in taste between water and beer.
I am a FEMALE college student. I own a sweater which resembles a bathrobe.
I am a college student. Drunken scrawlings on my message board or late night drunken IM's from friends across campus no longer perplex me.
I am a college student. Somebody keeps stealing my damn message board marker.
I am a college student. I pre-party in my room just so I will be drunk enough not to notice the sub-zero weather when I walk to the bar without a coat.
I am a college student. I pray for hotties in my classes so that I will have reason to go to that class. I will, however, never talk to any of these hotties.
I am a college student. I can no longer remember what was cooked in those dirty dishes.
I am a college student. I have seen more than one party turn into a strip show.
I am a college student. My telephone number only has 4 digits.
I am a college student. I have spent nights on the floor because I couldn't get up the ladder to my bed.
I am a college student. I see no problem fitting 2 people in one twin size bed.
I am a MALE college student. I know that a gentleman would let her sleep next to the wall. (It's a long way to the floor).
I am a college student. I will cross busy streets just to pick up what might be a quarter.
I am a college student. I want a girl/boyfriend that disappears from 9pm-2am every friday and saturday night, reappearing undressed in bed with me when I get home.
I am a college student. Answering machine messages are a thing to be celebrated.
I am a college student. When I see movie trailers on TV, I say “I can't wait to RENT that”
I am a college student. Going 'out to eat' no longer involves getting in a vehicle.
I am a college student. I don't know half of my professors' names.
I am a FEMALE college student. I use empty beer bottles for vases.
I am a college student. Christmas lights are a year-round decoration.
I am a FEMALE college student. I have worn my huge fuzzy slippers to the cafeteria.
50 Things Admissions Never Told You About College
1. Quarters are gold.
2. Two meals per day is the standard.
3. Road trip whenever possible.
4. Going to the mailbox was never an ego booster/breaker before.
5. You will begin to nap again.
6. Your bookstore bill will almost equal tuition.
7. Squirt guns = Stress relief.
8. Instant messenger becomes an addiction.
9. E-mail becomes your second language.
10. College students throw paper airplanes too.
11. You never realized that so many people were smarter than you.
12. College football is the coolest thing on the planet.
13. Western Europe could be wiped out by a horrible plague and you wouldn't know, but you can recite last week's re-run of The Simpsons verbatim.
14. Cartoons are for all ages, especially Scooby Doo.
15. Disney movies are more than just classics.
16. You will never rent more movies in your life.
17. No one is too old for video games.
18. Procrastination is an art form.
19. SNOOD is more addicting than pot.
20. Thanks to Aimster/Audiogalaxy/Morpheus, you will never listen to one of your CDs ever again.
21. It never sucked so much to get sick. (Thursday, Friday and Saturdays)
22. The health service nurses are there because they couldn't make it at a real hospital. Never, ever forget that.
23. Care packages are right up there with birthdays.
24. Campus is only clean for Family Weekend and Freshman Orientation.
25. Nothing you want to register for will be open.
26. Classes... the later the better.
27. You are no longer thankful that the fire alarms are here to protect you.
28. Jeans may be worn as many times as the wearer desires.
29. The only time to dress up is when your jeans are dirty.
30. Showers become less important; sleep becomes more important.
31. Asleep by 2:30 am is an early night.
32. Creativity in the dining halls is key...
33. The freshman 15 is NOT a myth!!
34. If it's snowing out, the only reason you will leave your room is for food or alcohol. 35. Dishes smell after days of piling up.
36. Cereal makes a meal any time of the day.
37. You will eat anywhere that is a buffet.
38. You will eat anything that is free.
39. New additions to food groups: beer, ramen, and pizza.
40. Stealing from the dining hall will become second nature.
41. ATM's are the devils advocate. ATM= Another Twenty Missing.
42. Keys have never been so important, yet you seem to lose them or lock yourself out of the room even more.
43. Duct tape heals all wounds.
44. If they say you can't have it in your dorm, they are just kidding.
45. You will come to hate hallways/elevators with a passion.
46. Those ugly cinder blocks are not sound proof.
47. Pictures, posters, emails or anything else to cover the ugly cell we live in will be transformed into wallpaper.
48. Everyone is only nice for the first week. After that, no matter how nice you are, some people just won't smile back. Get used to it.
49. You are never alone!
50. You realize college is the ideal lifestyle, except for those pesky classes.
"The Centers for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of sexually transmitted disease. This disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea lecthim (pronounced 'gonna re-elect him'). Many victims have contracted it after having been screwed for the past 4 years, and in spite of having taken measures to protect themselves from this especially virulent disease. Cognitive sequellae of individuals infected with Gonorrhea lecthim include, but are not limited to: Anti-social personality disorder traits; delusions of grandeur with a distinct messianic flavor; chronic mangling of the English language; extreme cognitive dissonance; inability to incorporate new information; pronounced xenophobia; inability to accept responsibility for actions; exceptional cowardice masked by acts of misplaced bravado; ignorance of geography and history; tendencies toward creating evangelical theocracies; and a strong propensity for categorical, all-or nothing behavior."
Monday, December 13, 2004
CNN.com - America improves health, but risks growing - Nov 8, 2004
America improves health, but risks growing
Improvement slowing, though, and could stall, survey says
By Michael Coren
CNN
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The average resident of Minnesota stands a better chance of avoiding smoking, car accidents and obesity than a friend living 900 miles to the south in Tennessee.
That is among the findings of a study released on Monday by the United Health Foundation, which has been tracking the nation's health for the past 15 years.
The nationwide study found plenty to cheer about -- Americans are getting healthier and smoking is on the decline -- but improvements are slowing and could stall completely if trends continue.
"There is an urgency in this year's report that we haven't had in recent years," said Dr. Reed Tuckson, a physician and vice-president of the non-profit United Health Foundation. "Each state has its own set of challenges to work through. ... There is much more room to go."
People in every state enjoy better health today on average than 15 years ago, but the improvements have not been distributed evenly.
Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont are considered the healthiest states in the country, followed by Hawaii (4), Utah (5) and Massachusetts (6).
Southern states, which have consistently ranked near the bottom of the rankings, accounted for the bottom 11 states in the 2004 survey including Tennessee (48), Mississippi (49) and Louisiana (50).
Tuckson said that while health levels are not expected to fall, he doesn't anticipate any significant gains in the near future.
The study found the nation enjoyed a 17.5 percent improvement in overall health since 1990. It credits three factors including better personal health choices, safer communities and public health efforts, including a number of risk factors that have plunged during the 15 years.
Motor vehicle deaths and infectious disease are down -- both by about 36 percent. A nationwide anti-tobacco campaign helped push down smoking rates by 25 percent.
But the study also found that health improvements during the past four years fell to an average of .2 percent. That is down from a peak of 1.5 percent per year in the 1990s. Rising poverty, obesity and the number of uninsured people are threatening the gains made since then. This year marked the fourth consecutive year in which national health improvements fell below 1 percent.
However, several health advances were apparent in 2004.
Struggling states, like Mississippi and Tennessee, made improvements in reducing infectious disease and smoking. Alaska, Arizona and Oklahoma showed the best performance over 2003 with average health increases of more than 5 percent, including better marks for public health spending, exercise and disease prevention.
However, even within states, discrepancies between racial groups were large with minorities suffering disproportionately. Blacks and American Indians reported the most health problems leading to what the study called "premature death." This was true even in the healthiest states.
"In Minnesota, many more white, non-Hispanic individuals enjoy a longer, productive life than their American Indian or black, non-Hispanic counterparts," the survey found.
The study considered a range of factors from personal behavior such as smoking and high school graduation rates to public health spending and crime and poverty rates to make its determinations.
Several trends were seen as straining American's health nationwide.
Infant mortality in the United States rose for the first time in 40 years, inching up 1.4 percent from 2003 levels with seven deaths per 1,000 births. The United States is now ranked 29th in the world in terms of infant mortality despite a 31 percent decrease since 1990. That rate is twice that of developed countries such as Japan and Sweden.
Obesity has also doubled during the past 15 years, to about 23 percent of the population. This puts more people are at risk for diabetes and heart disease as well as contributing to rising health costs and lost productivity.
Childhood poverty rose as well. It now includes 17.6 percent of American minors, up 8 percent from last year. This problem was found across the nation with Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Rhode Island all reporting increases of at least 5 percent. More people in 38 states became uninsured in 2004, limiting their access to quality health care, according to the study.
The United Health Foundation states that individuals, community leaders and policy makers should use the report to tackle problems highlighted in the study, said Dr. William McGuire, chairman of the United Health Foundation board. The study is overseen by a panel of public health specialists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Improvement slowing, though, and could stall, survey says
By Michael Coren
CNN
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The average resident of Minnesota stands a better chance of avoiding smoking, car accidents and obesity than a friend living 900 miles to the south in Tennessee.
That is among the findings of a study released on Monday by the United Health Foundation, which has been tracking the nation's health for the past 15 years.
The nationwide study found plenty to cheer about -- Americans are getting healthier and smoking is on the decline -- but improvements are slowing and could stall completely if trends continue.
"There is an urgency in this year's report that we haven't had in recent years," said Dr. Reed Tuckson, a physician and vice-president of the non-profit United Health Foundation. "Each state has its own set of challenges to work through. ... There is much more room to go."
People in every state enjoy better health today on average than 15 years ago, but the improvements have not been distributed evenly.
Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont are considered the healthiest states in the country, followed by Hawaii (4), Utah (5) and Massachusetts (6).
Southern states, which have consistently ranked near the bottom of the rankings, accounted for the bottom 11 states in the 2004 survey including Tennessee (48), Mississippi (49) and Louisiana (50).
Tuckson said that while health levels are not expected to fall, he doesn't anticipate any significant gains in the near future.
The study found the nation enjoyed a 17.5 percent improvement in overall health since 1990. It credits three factors including better personal health choices, safer communities and public health efforts, including a number of risk factors that have plunged during the 15 years.
Motor vehicle deaths and infectious disease are down -- both by about 36 percent. A nationwide anti-tobacco campaign helped push down smoking rates by 25 percent.
But the study also found that health improvements during the past four years fell to an average of .2 percent. That is down from a peak of 1.5 percent per year in the 1990s. Rising poverty, obesity and the number of uninsured people are threatening the gains made since then. This year marked the fourth consecutive year in which national health improvements fell below 1 percent.
However, several health advances were apparent in 2004.
Struggling states, like Mississippi and Tennessee, made improvements in reducing infectious disease and smoking. Alaska, Arizona and Oklahoma showed the best performance over 2003 with average health increases of more than 5 percent, including better marks for public health spending, exercise and disease prevention.
However, even within states, discrepancies between racial groups were large with minorities suffering disproportionately. Blacks and American Indians reported the most health problems leading to what the study called "premature death." This was true even in the healthiest states.
"In Minnesota, many more white, non-Hispanic individuals enjoy a longer, productive life than their American Indian or black, non-Hispanic counterparts," the survey found.
The study considered a range of factors from personal behavior such as smoking and high school graduation rates to public health spending and crime and poverty rates to make its determinations.
Several trends were seen as straining American's health nationwide.
Infant mortality in the United States rose for the first time in 40 years, inching up 1.4 percent from 2003 levels with seven deaths per 1,000 births. The United States is now ranked 29th in the world in terms of infant mortality despite a 31 percent decrease since 1990. That rate is twice that of developed countries such as Japan and Sweden.
Obesity has also doubled during the past 15 years, to about 23 percent of the population. This puts more people are at risk for diabetes and heart disease as well as contributing to rising health costs and lost productivity.
Childhood poverty rose as well. It now includes 17.6 percent of American minors, up 8 percent from last year. This problem was found across the nation with Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Rhode Island all reporting increases of at least 5 percent. More people in 38 states became uninsured in 2004, limiting their access to quality health care, according to the study.
The United Health Foundation states that individuals, community leaders and policy makers should use the report to tackle problems highlighted in the study, said Dr. William McGuire, chairman of the United Health Foundation board. The study is overseen by a panel of public health specialists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Today (because it is 5am) marks the end of Dead-week. Dead my ass... but nevertheless... I just finished my last assignment for psychology. I had to do a good job to make up for my shitty test grades (I'm not a complete idiot seeing as the test average for the class are all F's). Today was also the last day of fake math (don't have to see Jacob anymore!), and English- which included our final!(even though it was tight cuz my profs last name was Libby)
So, sleep tonight, more like a nap. OY!
Goodluck on finals to everyone!
My brain has shut off... so adieu.
So, sleep tonight, more like a nap. OY!
Goodluck on finals to everyone!
My brain has shut off... so adieu.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Today we salute you stressed out college student during exam week. As you sit in your lonely cubicle in the library, doped up on starbucks & aderol, you think to yourself, am I ever going to need to know this stuff in life? The distractions are tempting and you have suddenly diagnosed yourself with ADD along with advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage, I'm sure by now you know exactly what everyone is doing because you have checked your buddy list 800 times. Winter break is just days away, and your prozac prescription will be in tomorrow. So crack open an ice cold NATTY ICE after that last exam, because for most of us Winter Break will be spent in rehab.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Take the Journey
Penn State girls are pretty, U of I girls are smart, but it takes an IU girl to win a fellas heart. MSU girls can't dance, OSU girls can't flow, and when you want the best-looking girl, IU is where you go. Purdue girls are wild, Michigan girls are fun, but when it comes to partying IU girls are #1. Girls will be girls north, south, east & west... but an IU girl will always rate the best! So any guy who reads this truly has to know, if you have an IU girl, you should never let her go!
The Rose Lyrics - Bette Midler
The Rose Lyrics - Bette Midler
"Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
that leaves your soul to blead
Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dyingthat never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winterfar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose "
"Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
that leaves your soul to blead
Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dyingthat never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winterfar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose "
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Take the Journey
I hate blogger- I wrote a long blog and then poof- it decided not to publish.. grr
Well it's 3:20am and I'll be up for another good hr doing hw... i'll blog soon, i promise. not that anyone cares.
Well it's 3:20am and I'll be up for another good hr doing hw... i'll blog soon, i promise. not that anyone cares.
