29 Day Gift Giving Challenge

Unfortunately, my first Ipod went to the place where all good Ipods go...the dump.  SO, after receiving my brand new replacement in the mail last week, I immediately checked out some books on Wilbor and downloaded them to my Ipod. One book made the list, 29 Gifts by Cami Walker.
The book is about a woman who struggles with her new diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and how she was prescribed a task of giving 29 Gifts in 29 days. The whole point of this challenge is to find something positive and meaningful to do for others EVERY day. It doesn't have to be money or extravagance but can be as easy as giving someone your time.

The point to the challenge is to give with an open heart and to give consciously. One isn't supposed to give gifts out of obligation but to do so to honestly give without hope of receipt. I think this is such a good idea and if everyone would practice something so potentially simple, then what great things could we accomplish?

I always love hearing stories of the underdog winning or someone showing such acts of generosity. SO, I hope with the following blogs to chronicle my 29 day challenge for you. Wish me luck!

Put that DOWN!

I know, odd title. I just felt like it! This semester of school has been the hardest time of education in my life. When one is used to excelling and having things come somewhat easily, getting kicked in the proverbial ass weekly is no fun time. Nevertheless, as in my true fashion, I have an exit strategy. I am hopping a flight at 6am to Cancun the day after my last final to join a gaggle of nutty women to celebrate the 30th birthday of my best friend, Jenny. I firmly believe in booze and the scalding equator sun as an effective coping skill. Stick to what you know.

Otherwise, life has chugged along. It seems like big plans are on hold as I don't see Luke much and I am living with my father. The latter has tested the limits of my patience, but I have persevered. I mean c'mon, I live with Luke Crow! Sometimes he makes Marilyn Manson look inviting. ;)

Baby fever is everywhere, which is terrifying. I keep hitting snooze on biological clock and keep getting poked in the ribs about when I am going to spawn the next generation of Crows. I keep asking everyone if I produce them; will they raise them?! So far no takers. It's hard being in school and having these things on hold. I am chomping at the bit to be done so I can get a job and get back into the swing of things. I think my hiatus from 'the real world' has been sufficient and I am ready to return....screw this book learnin' business.

Until next time:

Spring Break

Here's what I have to say about Spring Break:

1.  I have learned that the limit of days with family before homicide is 3.

2.  $6.50 later, it has become evident that the new Alice in Wonderland movie is not all it's cracked up to be.

3. In Iowa it is possible to have 60 degree weather and snow in the same week.

4.  I am not the only one trolling for hot men on St. Paddy's Day!

5.  It is possible to eat 5 meals in one day, but who's counting?!

6.  Even with the best of intentions, I am determined to forget all of my Physics education from the last 3 months.

7.  Taco Bell will outlast my marriage....maybe

8.  Chatroulette is a sad addiction but not because of all the penis.

9.  I can successfully sleep for 13 hours straight if I so choose.

10.  There are no limits to the amount of Scrabble games I can play with friends on Facebook.

11.  Lastly, it is ever so couth to drink merlot out of a Ninja Turtles mug.

Chatroulette

So, my brother has shared the wonders of Chatroulette with me this past week.  It is amazing the things people do on this site!  Basically, if you have a webcam and a mic you can pretty much talk to anyone in the world at random.  This would be wonderful if 95% of the people weren't pervs and playing with themselves in a voyeuristic fashion.  Nonetheless, I was showing this site to my sister this week and my brother got mad because he felt his sisters were viewing porn.  I couldn't disagree with him but I couldn't stop laughing either.

Until next time!

Update of my life

Well, just in case anyone reads this...

School has been very difficult this semester. I have never failed so many tests in my life!! I know I need to kick it in gear and start studying every night. My 'mos are moving to Denver next month as well as my friend, Jayci, who is moving to Algona....I wonder, why the mass exodus from DSM?!

I enjoyed clinic today and have vowed to get my hands on a transducer as much as possible from now on.

I have been enjoying my time with my dad. We have found a good sense of humor with each other and if feels good to be able to take care of him. He has to take sub-cu shots for his diabetes, and being the big baby he is, I have been having to give them to him. I am proud of him though, because of the threat of insulin, he has finally made a point to start exercising and cut down on the carbs! However, we have had several talks about nutrition. Just because sausage doesn't have carbs, doesn't make it good!

Until next time!

New Times

Time to update.

SO, I had wings and beer with the classmates. I LOVED hanging out with them! I am finding the information in this semester a lot easier to handle than the first, although I blew my first Physics exam. Here's the issue. Am I stupid or does it take awhile for the brain the prime? I like to believe in the latter.

I will keep you posted on the semester....although it will be painful!

Sad news....

This weekend I learned that our dog trainer, Skylar Rathbun, took his life. I was completely shocked...no other words....shocked. I was not personally close to Skylar but he was another person whom I have had the chance to get to know on a basic level who has taken their life. It's a scary statistic and grieves me deeply. I cannot stop thinking about this situation and wonder what it would take a person to take such a serious step. This man had a small son, two wonderful jobs and an excellent business. Yes, he had some issues that he had to deal with in his path, nothing to blink at, but it always upsets me when people feel that they have no other alternative. I have to say I have been their, especially in my teenage years when things always seem darker than they appear to an adolescent mind.

To put it bluntly, I am sad and keep checking Skylar and his mom's Facebooks for any updates...truly truly sad.

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