Unplugged

Kelly: A few nights ago, Holly and I were once again talking about the fact that technology seems to be taking over the world. The view were tackling with this post is technology and face-time with friends. I'll share a story. Over Christmas break, a friend of ours invited us to have lunch. We shared some brief conversations and catch-ups since it had been about 7 months since we had last seen each other. After about 10 minutes of conversing, she got her phone out as she had received a text from someone. Meanwhile, mine and Holly's phones were on silent and in our purses. This texting conversation with...whoever (she didn't tell us who it was) continued for the majority of the meal. Now let's bring this back; how would you feel? The impression I was getting from her was that she didn't want to be there, and I really didn't want to be there. It just felt awkward. I remembered the times we would just laugh and be stupid and stay up till 1 in the morning talking about stupid stuff without cell phones getting in the way.

Now please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT against cell phones! I sometimes feel very out of place when I don't have mine, especially when I make my 40 minute commute to work. Yet sometimes I feel really happy and relieved when I forget to leave mine off for most of the day. I think they're great; they're the only way I can get in touch with my parents back in Ohio. It's just a major pet peeve of mine that some people I know seems they can't even function if they're phone isn't right there. It's another pet peeve of mine when I'm with a group of friends and everyone but me is on their phone talking/texting researching God knows what or God knows who. What ever happened to unattached and unchained actual face to face time with people? Seems like it's a lost art these days.

Holly: It really baffles me just how wrapped up our society has become on viewing the world through a small screen.  Earlier in the week I was grumbling about how I had to charge my cell phone again (I turn mine off at night), and I mentioned to a co-worker that I usually have to charge my phone 1-2 times a week.  He was shocked; he said "That's not a lot."  No, it's not.  With the exception of texts to Kelly, random texts here and there and random phone calls to home, my cell phone does not get much use.  It drove me crazy in college when my friends would moan and groan about how little sleep they got because people were texting them all night.  Um...how about you turn your phone off?  "Oh gosh no, I could never do that!" was usually the reply.  Well then....kwitchawhining.  I know it's blunt and I know it's rude, but you CAN turn your phone off every now and then.

Something else that baffles me is Face Time.  Ok, really? You are not having a conversation with someone's face...you are having a conversation with someone's face ON A SMALL SCREEN.  Face time, to me, is actually sitting across the way at someone's FACE.  I'm all about keeping in touch...but really?  I ride a shuttle from UK stadium to campus, and every morning and afternoon, about 90% of the passengers are just attached and totally absorbed in their phones.  Most days I crave face-to-face conversation. although, sadly, I now prefer to text rather than call (I'm working on that...).  Seriously, though.  Put the phone down, look out the window, put some music on, or God forbid actually have a conversation with the person sitting next to you (This has happened to me on numerous occasions and it always brings a smile to my face).

In about a week or so Kelly and I are going to be getting smartphones.  I really hope we don't become one of "those" people.  But here's my guarantee: whenever I meet with you, for whatever reason, my phone will be away and on silent, unless it's an emergency.  I believe one of the most important things we can give someone is our time; let's shoot for 100%.  We owe it to those we care about.

Let's try to unplug ourselves a little more each day...

30 Days of Writing: Five items you lust after

Kelly: I'm not going to "lust" after anything, because it's not a good thing to do. However, there are things that do catch my eye and tickle my fancy/things that I do want in the near future, so let's go with that!

1. Map of Middle Earth. They ARE at Walmart, but they were out when I was last there.

2. Dogs. Sis and I want one, but with the two cats and an apartment it makes it a bit difficult. Maybe someday soon.

3. Samsung Galaxy. New phone. Don't get me wrong; there's absolutely nothing wrong with my phone, but me thinks I'm ready for a more grown-up phone. I've asked around and this make seems to be good. Plus I've been using Samsung phones for years now and have loved every single one!

4. A new pair of comfy working shoes, which leads into...

5. A job. Please? But good things come to those who wait.

Holly: I don't like to fuss over material things.  But I do have some things in my future big-girl list.

1. A KitchenAid stand mixer.  OHMIGAWB.

2. A Mazda 3.  Have wanted one since high school.  They're so cute, and not terribly shabby on gas mileage either.

3. I don't really lust after this, but eventually I would like a tattoo of "Even darkness must pass" on my shoulder.  It's become sort of my daily phrase and it holds a great deal of personal significance to me.

4.  A new pair of Teva flip flops.  They're not expensive, and SO comfortable.  Just waiting for the right time, I suppose.

5. A smartphone.  Any one, really...at this point, since I'm out and about so much, it would just be nice to have.  For the time being, my dumb phone does the trick just fine.  :)

Jobs and the First week as SENIORS!

Kelly: Bottom line, I love my job. Really. It is the best job that I have as a college student. The job? I work at the Learning Center, possibly changing to the Center for Transformative Learning. It's corny, I know, but I don't make the rules...I just follow them. Anyway, all I do is make coffee, schedule consultations for our student consultants (they help with a LOT of things, mostly papers), I help the newbies, load/unload the touchy dishwasher, and of course sit in to the occasional staff meeting. But today, I sang the "Mysterious Ticking Noise" song from PPP and glued candy wrappers to strips of paper! All the while laughing and having a fun time. Seriously, I LOVE my job, if I haven't said that enough already. I started last semester, so I had to today participate in this scavenger hunt for the new people. It was an hour of my life that I am never going to get back, but I had so much fun nonetheless.

This brings me to the second part of this blog. One official week of classes has occurred,  and I must say it has been quite a mighty stressful week thus far. Ok, so it's not really stress, just a lot of pressure on me. Basically, in order to further complete my nursing education, I have to pass a math competency test. In order to meet competency, a 23/25 on the test must be achieved in order to pass and be happy. First time I took the test on Monday, 19/25. Second time I took the test today, 21/25. The third and final time I am permitted to take this test will occur on Friday. So yes, it's on. If I pass this test, than yay me and I can get on with my life and repress and forget any memories of the horrific test. However, there is that slim possibility that I will NOT pass this test. This is putting me on edge a little bit...I really don't have a backup plan. In fact, I DON'T have a backup plan. Friends, readers and faithful followers, I've never really been in a situation like this before. If you pray, great. Please do. If not, send good vibes, bribe my professors, do voodoo, whatever you please (I am JOKING about the bribing!), but please think of me. I really hate being selfish, but I myself have been praying fervently and basically saying "God, if you're calling me in a different direction, show me a sign." I don't know if this is the sign or just the fact that He has something bigger and better for me come after Friday.

I will close with this, I am going to think positive. I am going to study for the 2 days that I have left before test #3 occurs. I am going to pray hard and thank God for getting me this far. I might cry, possibly, but we'll see about that. Thank you for reading this and thinking about us twins. Makes us happy that we have faithful followers (and they keep coming!!!!!!). Cheers!

Holly:  Yes, please pray/send happy vibes/perform ritualistic actions on behalf of...Kelly!  Seriously.  Do it.

Like my sis, I too love my job.  I started...about a week ago!  lol.  Haha...no, but really, what I am is a teaching assistant for my department (biology).  It is honestly the best job I have had in a long time.  And that ain't sayin' much, considering my first job EVER was my first job at Berea! (If you really want to know that particular post, feel free to ask me; I have plenty of stories). 

I could not have asked for better people to work with.  My fellow TAs are great and I absolutely ADORE the professors in my department! I use the term ADORE with all seriousness; my supervisor happens to be my academic adviser and he is just a wonderful person! And then some! Plus, I get the opportunity to meet a large portion of the freshman class, and (this is just based off of one lab section...part 2 is coming tomorrow morning, so stay tuned), but they are a great group of students: so eager, and they ask awesome questions! Which definitely makes my job a lot less stressful.  The opportunity to meet new students and further get to know professors/make THEIR lives less stressful is just awesome! I'm glad that I picked my final year of college to undertake this job! :)

Ok, now that I've gushed you all to boredom/oblivion about my job, I...really don't know what else to say.  Except biochemistry is HAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDD!!!!!

I just have to keep focusing on the "big one" ahead, which is walking across that stage in May!

Oh, and little random sidenote tangent thingamajig, but...Kelly and I have entered the ranks of independent cellular phone service/new cellular phones.  So far all is well.

blessings! :)