Settling in, Stressing out

A new school year means that a new routine must be created, a schedule set, and logistics worked out. I’m not sure how everyone else feels, but it has become a bit overwhelming to me in the last day or so.

It seems like everything I am involved in is having meetings, and nothing can be skipped. However, I can’t seem to feel comfortable because I am constantly running around, and I have no real schedule because the meetings are being announced on extremely short notice. This is really stressing me out.

I can’t wait to get back into a routine where I am able to get everything done and have time to work out and play golf too. I need my athletic stress relief, or I don’t feel like the day was complete!

Welcoming home a soldier

Last night (well, extremely early this morning actually) I went to the airport with some of my family to welcome home my cousin who has been at Army basic training for the last 4 months. We were there waiting with posters and t-shirts for when he got off the plane. It was such a great experience, seeing him completely changed into a soldier was incredible. He has made so many great changes in his life because of the Army, and I’m so proud of him for it.

He is home for 15 days now before he goes overseas for a year, so we are going to try to do lots of family things before he goes.

One of the most incredible things last night was the number of complete strangers who came up to us to thank my cousin for his service. It was the middle of the night, and they still went out of their way to come over, shake his hand, and say something nice to him. It really was so nice.

Falling into a Rut

Lately I have felt like I have fallen into a rut. I haven’t been working as hard as I should be on my golf game or my research. I feel like I just don’t have any drive to do it, which is very unlike me. I’m usually so driven that I drive everyone around me insane!

Have you ever had this happen to you? How did you get out of your rut?

Finding that next good book

Have you ever found yourself searching for that next good book after finishing the last one you had read? That's where I am finding myself right now, and I must say, it is quite frustrating. I don't really want to read a non fiction book, nor a trashy beach novel. However, that's all I can seem to find these days.

I have finished the Hunger Games series, read Harry Potter multiple times over, and most of the classics too.

Now, I really want to read a good book, but I just can't find one that I like.

Any suggestions?

Summer Research: The Best Summer Job Around

This summer I am working as a student researcher for one of my professors. This is the second summer in a row that I am doing this as a summer job. Because of the project that I am working on, I only have to go meet with my professor once a week, and the rest I can do from home on my own schedule.

I love working as a researcher because it gives me real world experience as well as the freedom to make my own schedule. I get to do actual research while being an undergrad, and this has allowed me to realize what I want to do with my life after graduation.

Relay for Life

This past weekend was Relay for Life in my town. My family participated as a team, and walked in honor of my Aunt who passed away last fall after battling lung cancer.

Technology Addict

Confession: I am addicted to technology. I love anything made by apple. I was an early adopter of the iPod, when my mom and dad bought me one of the first ones that came out way back in middle school. I also had the original iPhone, and iPad. I update my technology every few years in intervals. I try to get every other version of each Apple product, selling off the old model to help finance the new purchase. One time, I actually sold my old iPhone for $10 more than the new model cost me.

This is what my first iPod looked like:

As my life has gotten more hectic, I rely more and more on my technology to keep me going and organized. Each of my devices is synced with one another, so I can get everything done really efficiently.

I have become very dependent on my iPad during school, it is how I do all of my readings for class, and I even take notes on it in some classes too.

It is somewhat sad though, my iPhone is the first thing I touch when I wake up, and usually the last thing I use before I fall asleep. How did I survive before I got my first iPhone in high school?