Kelly: Again, this blog post is sparked by another interesting conversation that we had at the dinner table tonight. Holly will explain more about her part, but I will disclose my portion of this blog. The conversation started about professors...ironically. I will start by saying this: I am not a straight A student. I try to be, but I am a firm believer in doing the best I can without going insane in the process. However, this is true: I will not half-ass ANYTHING. I give 110% in everything that I do; the grades sometimes do not reflect that (very average grades, but it's still my best). Hey, it's how I was raised!
But this is the conclusion that I have come to; I may not make the best grades. This much is true though; though I have never been told directly, I know that I have impacted some of my professors. And I didn't have to know the answer to every question that was asked or ace every test...simple. BE YOURSELF. I've been myself and nothing more. And trust me, people WILL notice. I am living proof!
Holly: That's one of the main things that really ticks me off about graduate/professional schools and the like: there is so much stigma on GPA and grades, when, in all honesty, grades do not really tell you a cotton-pickin' thing about a person's character. And a person's character stands out so much more than a bunch of letters and numbers on a piece of paper. That's just my opinion, anyway.
I'll make a set of issues very, very short and just say that I work for an incredible person who is going through a lot of junk right now. But despite all the junk, today I heard him tell the other student I work with and myself that we make him feel better. We, just two students who were hired to work for him and his class just because we had the time free in our schedules this semester, make him feel better! I don't really know how to describe the feeling you get when you see that you do make a difference, but it's indescribably one of the most fulfilling experiences of my college career. And all I do is show up once a week and help out with the lab. That's it.
I, as well as Kelly, have been told by numerous people on campus that we will be greatly missed after our time at Berea ends. Like Kelly, I don't make straight A's. Most of the time I don't even make A's and B's. I don't know all the answers to all the test questions, nor do I claim to. But you know what? I show up. I try hard, And I have a VERY caring heart for people, and when I see someone going through a rough time I go out of my way to be available and try to help in any way possible. I think, in this day and age, that's really the very least that we can do for the people in our lives who do so much.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Like a Boss
Holly: Now, this post is nothing monumentally spectacular or anything going on in our lives, and it does seem kind of vain, posting about something as mundane as this, but hey, we like it, and maybe you all will to.
Yes, despite the never-ending busyness that seems to daily engulf Kelly and I, we have begun watching a new TV series (our favorite one ended back in May of 2011 and since then we've just lived on reruns of Whose Line is it Anyway and, even more recently, Frasier). ANYWAY...
This show is simply called "Boss" and, although I'm not sure of the weekday it airs, it's on Starz at 10pm and it stars Kelsey Grammer (personal aside: I've always admired him as an actor, even if he does not have the best track record). The show circulates around the professional and personal life of fictitious Chicago mayor Tom Kane, who's just been diagnosed with DLB (Dementia with Lewy Bodies). Battling this new and degenerative disorder, he does his best to keep this from his assistants and his wife, with whom he has an unsettling relationship. He also gets back in touch with his estranged daughter Emma, who is, to no surprise, reluctant to rekindle their relationship. In addition to all of this, he's also brought in the former Treasurer of the state to run for governor against his former ally.
I'm two episodes in; there's 8 in the first season, and I'm hooked! Although there's a decent amount of language, the storylines are powerful, intense, and the array of emotions is absolutely captivating! So if you ever find yourself needing a good show, this is it.
Kelly: Holly was telling me that you learn something about Emma in the second episode and I'm like DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING!!! She's one episode ahead of me; currently loading the second one as I type. I hope this time this will hold on for a little longer; we've had a pretty nasty track record of enjoying shows that only last for a short while (Improvaganza, Flash Forward, just to name a few...). But yeah, I am hooked as well! Ok, that's all in the world of us today. And as always, more madness will be sure to come later!
Yes, despite the never-ending busyness that seems to daily engulf Kelly and I, we have begun watching a new TV series (our favorite one ended back in May of 2011 and since then we've just lived on reruns of Whose Line is it Anyway and, even more recently, Frasier). ANYWAY...
This show is simply called "Boss" and, although I'm not sure of the weekday it airs, it's on Starz at 10pm and it stars Kelsey Grammer (personal aside: I've always admired him as an actor, even if he does not have the best track record). The show circulates around the professional and personal life of fictitious Chicago mayor Tom Kane, who's just been diagnosed with DLB (Dementia with Lewy Bodies). Battling this new and degenerative disorder, he does his best to keep this from his assistants and his wife, with whom he has an unsettling relationship. He also gets back in touch with his estranged daughter Emma, who is, to no surprise, reluctant to rekindle their relationship. In addition to all of this, he's also brought in the former Treasurer of the state to run for governor against his former ally.
I'm two episodes in; there's 8 in the first season, and I'm hooked! Although there's a decent amount of language, the storylines are powerful, intense, and the array of emotions is absolutely captivating! So if you ever find yourself needing a good show, this is it.
Kelly: Holly was telling me that you learn something about Emma in the second episode and I'm like DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING!!! She's one episode ahead of me; currently loading the second one as I type. I hope this time this will hold on for a little longer; we've had a pretty nasty track record of enjoying shows that only last for a short while (Improvaganza, Flash Forward, just to name a few...). But yeah, I am hooked as well! Ok, that's all in the world of us today. And as always, more madness will be sure to come later!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
You be the judge
Kelly: Normally we don't blog nearly this much, but Holly and I had an interesting conversation during dinner that we feel could be a challenge for us and to those who read this blog. Earlier today, I made a comment about someone that was...very very false. I realized the fault of my words and felt bad about what I said, so I mentioned this to Holly. We continued talking and decided; saying false things or gossiping about one another is just not nice. It's quite hateful. It's also not Christ-like, something I am striving to be more like every day. Also, as a creation of God I am in no position to judge others; I am not above God nor do I ever claim to be.
It is so easy to say something or think something about someone without even realizing the fault; I say or think things about people a LOT that I end up regretting later. It's a horrible and viscous cycle that I as a person and a Christian am trying to break. I know some of you are thinking "why are you writing this? We know. I'm not perfect either." As a Christian it is also very humbling for me to admit my faults, again, something else I am trying to work on. Then, another thought; it's for me sometimes hard to keep my opinions to myself, but what about thoughts? Saying something about someone that's not true and realizing it is one thing, but what about thinking it and not saying anything? One might ask is that just as bad? My answer is yes. So as part of a personal challenge, Holly and I are not only going to try and keep our negative words about people quiet, but also our negative thoughts. The challenge we have proposed is not easy, but I think with prayer, grace and mind control we can do it!
Holly: Sometimes I just flat-out forget that every living thing, person, creature, was created in the image of God. How's that for mind control? Literal verbal and mental mind control. I need to remember God's word and His truth and shape myself around that so I can behave better. It's not Christ-like at all to demean people because Jesus never did that. He hung out with prostitutes and sinners and tax collectors and never said a negative word against them!
BE better, not just get better.
We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5 (NCV)
It is so easy to say something or think something about someone without even realizing the fault; I say or think things about people a LOT that I end up regretting later. It's a horrible and viscous cycle that I as a person and a Christian am trying to break. I know some of you are thinking "why are you writing this? We know. I'm not perfect either." As a Christian it is also very humbling for me to admit my faults, again, something else I am trying to work on. Then, another thought; it's for me sometimes hard to keep my opinions to myself, but what about thoughts? Saying something about someone that's not true and realizing it is one thing, but what about thinking it and not saying anything? One might ask is that just as bad? My answer is yes. So as part of a personal challenge, Holly and I are not only going to try and keep our negative words about people quiet, but also our negative thoughts. The challenge we have proposed is not easy, but I think with prayer, grace and mind control we can do it!
Holly: Sometimes I just flat-out forget that every living thing, person, creature, was created in the image of God. How's that for mind control? Literal verbal and mental mind control. I need to remember God's word and His truth and shape myself around that so I can behave better. It's not Christ-like at all to demean people because Jesus never did that. He hung out with prostitutes and sinners and tax collectors and never said a negative word against them!
BE better, not just get better.
We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5 (NCV)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Potpurri post #1
Holly: Usually Kelly and I have a specific topic that one of us starts and the other replies to. But today, we don't have anything specific to talk about, so...
Kelly and I's very absolute best Berea friend just became employed as of today!!!!!! She will be teaching English to little kids in South Korea and we are ecstatic for her! <3 My boss and I share a mutual LOATHING for the snow/cold/winter in general. I absolutely adore my boss this semester so this will not be the first mention of him. This is the first semester (I am not making this up) that I actually 100% without a doubt thoroughly enjoy and look forward to all my classes! Yes. ALL of them. I also happen to be graduating upon this realization. Kind of sad. Anyway...
I need a haircut. Kelly does too. Today in my Herpetology (Reptiles) course I learned about a teeny tiny toad that, when approached by a predator, tenses up, puts itself in a little ball, and tumbles down a cliff. I am not making this up. It's called a Pebble Toad. Look it up if you don't believe me.
And lastly, but most certainly not least: I received an email over Christmas break from TPTB saying that I am officially on the list of candidates for graduating in the spring! YAHOO!!!!! Four long hellacious years are almost over! :)
Kelly: For this post, I will start with a follow up of Monday's post. Early Tuesday morning I ended up sick (as in the nasty sick) from my pain medications. After this nasty sick went on for the majority of the early morning, I ended up in the ER for about 2 hours because I could not keep anything down. Yeah. Awful.
I don't want to talk about it anymore.
I am on the mend now and feeling great! Each day my mouth feels a little better, so we're making slow progress here. Enough about that; have an appointment in two weeks for follow-up and then we're sealing the deal...or just re-sealing the back of my tooth. On another note, I start clinicals this upcoming week. I will be spending the first part of the semester on Tuesdays at Shriner's Hospital for Children. If you are not familiar with any Shriner's Hospital, GET familiar. It is a fantastic service that these hospitals over the country provide. During the latter half, I will have my first evening set of clinicals at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital. w00t. And of course on Thursdays I will be at a larger hospital taking care of sick adults on an acute care setting (we call it Medical/Surgical or Med/Surg I will often refer to it as). I write a separate nursing blog, so read all about that starting next week!! Upon doing research at work, I found out that I have Spheksophobia, or a fear of wasps.
Last tidbit to share; a friend of mine is on the news!!!!!!! I don't know exactly what he does, but I saw his debut on Youtube this morning, so I am going to share the link. He has some very interesting viewpoints...if I understood what they meant. lol. Cheers and hope everyone has a good long weekend :]
Ahmad Shuja: click here to watch it!!
Kelly and I's very absolute best Berea friend just became employed as of today!!!!!! She will be teaching English to little kids in South Korea and we are ecstatic for her! <3 My boss and I share a mutual LOATHING for the snow/cold/winter in general. I absolutely adore my boss this semester so this will not be the first mention of him. This is the first semester (I am not making this up) that I actually 100% without a doubt thoroughly enjoy and look forward to all my classes! Yes. ALL of them. I also happen to be graduating upon this realization. Kind of sad. Anyway...
I need a haircut. Kelly does too. Today in my Herpetology (Reptiles) course I learned about a teeny tiny toad that, when approached by a predator, tenses up, puts itself in a little ball, and tumbles down a cliff. I am not making this up. It's called a Pebble Toad. Look it up if you don't believe me.
And lastly, but most certainly not least: I received an email over Christmas break from TPTB saying that I am officially on the list of candidates for graduating in the spring! YAHOO!!!!! Four long hellacious years are almost over! :)
Kelly: For this post, I will start with a follow up of Monday's post. Early Tuesday morning I ended up sick (as in the nasty sick) from my pain medications. After this nasty sick went on for the majority of the early morning, I ended up in the ER for about 2 hours because I could not keep anything down. Yeah. Awful.
I don't want to talk about it anymore.
I am on the mend now and feeling great! Each day my mouth feels a little better, so we're making slow progress here. Enough about that; have an appointment in two weeks for follow-up and then we're sealing the deal...or just re-sealing the back of my tooth. On another note, I start clinicals this upcoming week. I will be spending the first part of the semester on Tuesdays at Shriner's Hospital for Children. If you are not familiar with any Shriner's Hospital, GET familiar. It is a fantastic service that these hospitals over the country provide. During the latter half, I will have my first evening set of clinicals at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital. w00t. And of course on Thursdays I will be at a larger hospital taking care of sick adults on an acute care setting (we call it Medical/Surgical or Med/Surg I will often refer to it as). I write a separate nursing blog, so read all about that starting next week!! Upon doing research at work, I found out that I have Spheksophobia, or a fear of wasps.
Last tidbit to share; a friend of mine is on the news!!!!!!! I don't know exactly what he does, but I saw his debut on Youtube this morning, so I am going to share the link. He has some very interesting viewpoints...if I understood what they meant. lol. Cheers and hope everyone has a good long weekend :]
Ahmad Shuja: click here to watch it!!
 |
| An up-to-date picture of yours truly. Holly: left. Kelly: right. Holly just got new specs! |
Monday, January 9, 2012
It all started on Friday...
Kelly: As most of you know, I got a crown for my old ugly gray tooth last Tuesday. Yay! It's all nice and purtyful, made of shimmery white porcelain. The process leading up to this was not easy; the tooth had been the way it was since I was in 6th grade. And now...boom. New shiny tooth.
Well, everything was hunky dory until early Friday morning. I woke up to the sound of my dog whining at the bottom of our stairs, desperately needing to go outside. After I took her out, I laid back down and felt a strange throbbing where my crown was. Figuring I just slept on it weird, I went back to sleep. Woke up about an hour later and it was throbbing worse. So I called my dentist because I figured this was not normal and they told me to come in right away.
The dentist I saw was not my regular one, but he took an x-ray and discovered the problem; the root where my crown is was all yucky....infected. I was told I would have to have it redone eventually (had a previous root canal there when I was really young). Eventually was code for ASAP. The dentist made a few calls and found an endodontist in Lexington who could do the retreat. This was done today. Walked in at 4, had a few fits about insurance, got the retreat and left; took about an hour to do. My top gums were numb...took 5 shots of novacaine to numb the area around my very VERY painful tooth before I couldn't feel anything. In addition, I had two shots in my upper gum, two in the back behind my tooth and one near the roof of my mouth.
Went to Wal-mart to get my prescriptions filled: hello Lortab, prescription-strength ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Already have taken a Lortab and an ibuprofen....and it's finally starting to kick in after about half an hour. In about another hour I'll probably be passed out on the floor; already starting to feel a bit sleepy. I'll keep everyone informed about how I'm feeling, but in the meantime...LET'S GET BETTER!
Holly: I hate seeing my sister in pain. Enough said. Yes, LET'S GET BETTER! <3
 |
| Before tooth shot (this pic was taken in July on the day I got my new glasses)... |
 |
| After (taken just a few days ago) |
The dentist I saw was not my regular one, but he took an x-ray and discovered the problem; the root where my crown is was all yucky....infected. I was told I would have to have it redone eventually (had a previous root canal there when I was really young). Eventually was code for ASAP. The dentist made a few calls and found an endodontist in Lexington who could do the retreat. This was done today. Walked in at 4, had a few fits about insurance, got the retreat and left; took about an hour to do. My top gums were numb...took 5 shots of novacaine to numb the area around my very VERY painful tooth before I couldn't feel anything. In addition, I had two shots in my upper gum, two in the back behind my tooth and one near the roof of my mouth.
Went to Wal-mart to get my prescriptions filled: hello Lortab, prescription-strength ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Already have taken a Lortab and an ibuprofen....and it's finally starting to kick in after about half an hour. In about another hour I'll probably be passed out on the floor; already starting to feel a bit sleepy. I'll keep everyone informed about how I'm feeling, but in the meantime...LET'S GET BETTER!
Holly: I hate seeing my sister in pain. Enough said. Yes, LET'S GET BETTER! <3
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Our bucket lists
Kelly: I am a woman of my word. I mentioned in yesterday's post that I would have our bucket lists on display for all to see. If you don't know what a bucket list is...watch the movie. It will change your life. I will start with mine. (listed in no particular order of completion)
*Visit a monastery
*Go back to Scotland
*Learn to drive a standard transmission car
*Complete a "Photo a day for one year" album on Facebook
*Keep in touch regularly with at least three college friends after I graduate
*Visit the west coast of the US
*Visit Toronto (saw Niagra Falls. Want to see more of the country)
*Go on stage for a Whose Live or other improv comedy show
*Write and successfully send a fan letter to....I don't know yet
*Attend a "Price is Right" taping
Nothing much. Achievable? Possibly. I have this list saved on my computer and when/if I complete an item I will cross it off along with the date(s) in which it was completed.
Holly: Some of my items are the same as Kelly's. Or similar. But I managed to jot down a few unique goals of my own.
1. Finish/make a t-shirt quilt (I already have shirts picked out)
2. Meet Ryan. Or someone else from Whose Line. But mostly Ryan. (Already met 2 so I'm on a roll :D )
3. Pull a practical joke on someone, preferably someone at Berea.
4. Go back to England.
5. Go back to Nicaragua.
6. Visit New Zealand, Finland, and Toronto at some point.
7. Go to the west coast of the U.S.
8. Take a road trip.
9. Go to NYC on New Year's Eve to watch the ball drop.
10. Adopt a kitty from a shelter.
11. Watch all the Harry Potter movies in one sitting.
12. Visit the Hollywood square with all the celebrity stars on it (I can't remember the name of it)
13. Attend a Price is Right taping with Kelly. Possibly accomplish #12 during that time.
14. Donate to Berea.
15. Learn to play guitar.
16. Knit a bunch of baby blankets and donate them to a hospital.
17. See our nation's capital (I've seen two capitals in two different countries but not even my own!)
18. Keep our blog going for as long as possible.
19. Meet Jeremy Camp.
20. Try everything on Berea Coffee and Tea's menu at least once.
*Visit a monastery
*Go back to Scotland
*Learn to drive a standard transmission car
*Complete a "Photo a day for one year" album on Facebook
*Keep in touch regularly with at least three college friends after I graduate
*Visit the west coast of the US
*Visit Toronto (saw Niagra Falls. Want to see more of the country)
*Go on stage for a Whose Live or other improv comedy show
*Write and successfully send a fan letter to....I don't know yet
*Attend a "Price is Right" taping
Nothing much. Achievable? Possibly. I have this list saved on my computer and when/if I complete an item I will cross it off along with the date(s) in which it was completed.
Holly: Some of my items are the same as Kelly's. Or similar. But I managed to jot down a few unique goals of my own.
1. Finish/make a t-shirt quilt (I already have shirts picked out)
2. Meet Ryan. Or someone else from Whose Line. But mostly Ryan. (Already met 2 so I'm on a roll :D )
3. Pull a practical joke on someone, preferably someone at Berea.
4. Go back to England.
5. Go back to Nicaragua.
6. Visit New Zealand, Finland, and Toronto at some point.
7. Go to the west coast of the U.S.
8. Take a road trip.
9. Go to NYC on New Year's Eve to watch the ball drop.
10. Adopt a kitty from a shelter.
11. Watch all the Harry Potter movies in one sitting.
12. Visit the Hollywood square with all the celebrity stars on it (I can't remember the name of it)
13. Attend a Price is Right taping with Kelly. Possibly accomplish #12 during that time.
14. Donate to Berea.
15. Learn to play guitar.
16. Knit a bunch of baby blankets and donate them to a hospital.
17. See our nation's capital (I've seen two capitals in two different countries but not even my own!)
18. Keep our blog going for as long as possible.
19. Meet Jeremy Camp.
20. Try everything on Berea Coffee and Tea's menu at least once.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
From the New Year...and the new internet!
Holly: This new fantastic post is brought to you by NEW WIRELESS INTERNET at our charming Ohio home!!! Yippee! :D I hope that, so far, everyone is enjoying 2012...it has been mighty busy here for all of us. The parentals have started back up at their teaching posts, I am seeing the world through a new pair of eyes (new glasses!), and there are two birthdays this week: Nala (the dog) tomorrow is turning 4 and our dad's birthday the day after...we won't disclose his age, but let's just say he doesn't look it, at all!
This year is promising to bring some exciting changes for many that I know. For me, at least, this is my graduation year! I am so excited!!!! I can't wait to be finished with school and be on my own living with my sister while she finishes school! I keep having happy dreams about this glorious May day and, although I ended last semester on sort of a bad note grades wise, I am confident to kick my final fall semester in the !@#$%^&*. :]
How did you all ring in 2012? We'd love to hear!
For us, we spent the night/new year with our dear best friend (we've been friends for ages), drinking sparkling grape juice and ruining her house with homemade paper confetti. We then dug up an old marching band DVD and laughed until it hurt, reminiscing and marveling at our 15-year-old selves all decked out in our less-than-attractive band garb! Now, for resolutions, I normally don't make them, but this year, since it is my graduation year, I decided to. I have two...just two:
1. No C's on my transcript for my last semester at Berea!
2. When life gets stressful, break out into ridiculously bad dancing. Obnoxious pop music optional.
Kelly: First off, I feel like it's Christmas all over again. I can now do homework at home when I am actually here, watch TV and movies and keep in touch with our family here when we are away! Brilliant, huh? Ah, the beauty of technology. I am going to keep my part very brief so I can enjoy this new internet and await the arrival of the parents from getting home. I also have two resolutions.
1. Not let myself get so overwhelmed. Last semester was INSANE, and this semester isn't looking any easier. But I overcame, so this time around I am just going to take things one at a time. That's all you can do sometimes.
2. Simple: be more aware of the choices I make. This includes what I eat, how I use my free time, how I use my internet free time, etc. Seems simple, but you would not believe how easy I just let time waste by just sitting and staring at my vacant computer screen. We'll see how this goes!!!!
Yay for the first 2012 post. Tomorrow we will post our bucket lists that we wrote before 2011 ended.
This year is promising to bring some exciting changes for many that I know. For me, at least, this is my graduation year! I am so excited!!!! I can't wait to be finished with school and be on my own living with my sister while she finishes school! I keep having happy dreams about this glorious May day and, although I ended last semester on sort of a bad note grades wise, I am confident to kick my final fall semester in the !@#$%^&*. :]
How did you all ring in 2012? We'd love to hear!
For us, we spent the night/new year with our dear best friend (we've been friends for ages), drinking sparkling grape juice and ruining her house with homemade paper confetti. We then dug up an old marching band DVD and laughed until it hurt, reminiscing and marveling at our 15-year-old selves all decked out in our less-than-attractive band garb! Now, for resolutions, I normally don't make them, but this year, since it is my graduation year, I decided to. I have two...just two:
1. No C's on my transcript for my last semester at Berea!
2. When life gets stressful, break out into ridiculously bad dancing. Obnoxious pop music optional.
Kelly: First off, I feel like it's Christmas all over again. I can now do homework at home when I am actually here, watch TV and movies and keep in touch with our family here when we are away! Brilliant, huh? Ah, the beauty of technology. I am going to keep my part very brief so I can enjoy this new internet and await the arrival of the parents from getting home. I also have two resolutions.
1. Not let myself get so overwhelmed. Last semester was INSANE, and this semester isn't looking any easier. But I overcame, so this time around I am just going to take things one at a time. That's all you can do sometimes.
2. Simple: be more aware of the choices I make. This includes what I eat, how I use my free time, how I use my internet free time, etc. Seems simple, but you would not believe how easy I just let time waste by just sitting and staring at my vacant computer screen. We'll see how this goes!!!!
Yay for the first 2012 post. Tomorrow we will post our bucket lists that we wrote before 2011 ended.
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