Upholding the Southern Image
Southerners value the image they portray to others and the light in which others perceive them. They uphold many of their traditions for the sake of an ideal image even when it is not in their best interest. For instance, by being in the Bible belt, Southerners look down upon divorce since it is not supported in the Bible. Yet, it is common for a couple to stay married even when both partners are unhappy. By giving off the air of being together, they hurt themselves but uphold their image. Southerners are willing to stand up for beliefs and traditions they do not agree with or even believe in just for the sake upholding the southern image. Upholding images that one doesn’t agree with or only valuing a tradition because everyone else does, is dangerous to meddle in.
Such claims can be found in Mason’s Drawing Names where Iris made it seem like she and her husband, Ray, were still together. Iris begged her husband to go to her family’s Christmas dinner so her parents would not question their marriage status. The setting being located in the South in Kentucky, her parents believed in the traditional values of the South and looked down upon divorce. Iris knew her parents would be disappointed in her and the marriage and could not stand to face them; therefore, she falsely led them to believe her marriage was still a happy one. It is interesting how people influence others so much that they make another change their behavior. I would have to agree that this is an accurate picture of the South since the region does have its preconceptions on how things should be. Yet the same is for any other region. In this idea alone, the South is not different than any other region in having preconceptions.
Also in Dying for Dixie Michael Westerman displayed a confederate flag from a pole in his truck bed without knowing the price he would pay. When passing through the town of Guthrie, four black teenagers saw the flag from the truck and struck out. They ended up chasing after Michael and shooting him out of the rage they felt about the confederate flag. They were angered that after all the years since the Civil War Southerners still clung to the rebel flag that fought for slavery. Yet, when asked why Michael displayed the flag his widow responded, “It matched his truck and made it look sharp.” This just goes to show that people will uphold the images and traditions of the South without even knowing or caring about what they represent. This creates generalizations about what the traditions stand for and can create misunderstandings or preconceptions about the one upholding them.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Autobiographical: Me and the South
On the surface, the South seems pretty normal to me; yet it was when our English class started studying and discussing the South further, that I finally realized how loaded my previous thoughts were. The only reason it seems normal to me is becuase this is where I grew up and lived my entire life. This is my home. I'm ignorant and know nothing else.
I take it for granted that my mother prepares food from scratch and that I've never had to eat from a box until college. It was actually last night when I was talking with some friends that I realized this was not the norm. The norm of the country or just the norm of my selected friends at the table, or maybe both, I don't know. But in either case I realized it was not the norm. I also take for granted my sense of family and how much they mean to me. In the South family's tend to stick together. Either in the sense of living near each other to be able to make frequent visits or simply spending holidays together. It would be so odd to me to only be spending holidays with my immediate family: my mother, father, and sister. It would be so small. Thus, family holidays or family get togethers are large , many family membered events that I greatly enjoy. By seeing each other and making the effort to meet together frequently, deeper relationships can be formed. This is why so many Southern families are tight knit families who look out for one another.
I take it for granted that my mother prepares food from scratch and that I've never had to eat from a box until college. It was actually last night when I was talking with some friends that I realized this was not the norm. The norm of the country or just the norm of my selected friends at the table, or maybe both, I don't know. But in either case I realized it was not the norm. I also take for granted my sense of family and how much they mean to me. In the South family's tend to stick together. Either in the sense of living near each other to be able to make frequent visits or simply spending holidays together. It would be so odd to me to only be spending holidays with my immediate family: my mother, father, and sister. It would be so small. Thus, family holidays or family get togethers are large , many family membered events that I greatly enjoy. By seeing each other and making the effort to meet together frequently, deeper relationships can be formed. This is why so many Southern families are tight knit families who look out for one another.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Event # 2: Student Organization
Every Thursday night at UNC, the campus ministry organization, Cornerstone, meets for Christian fellowship and worship. The Cornerstone Director's name is Miles. He is the one who discusses the the Bible in very real terms that are easier for today's generation to understand. A lot of times, when people read the Bible, they have a hard time on how it applies to real life. Cornerstone provides more insight and has resources to help with this problem.
Even though Cornerstone is a Christian organization, it is not only preached to those who believe in the religion. Even those who are not Believers are more than welcome to attend and to learn more about Christianity. However, most of those who attend are Christian because they are still learning about the faith as well.
Cornerstone could be considered a microculture because most of those who attend do share a common belief: Christianity. Therefore for most, their lief styles and behaviors would be different than others.
This has really added to my experience as a college student. I have grown in my faith and have found fellowship and worship on UNC's campus.
Even though Cornerstone is a Christian organization, it is not only preached to those who believe in the religion. Even those who are not Believers are more than welcome to attend and to learn more about Christianity. However, most of those who attend are Christian because they are still learning about the faith as well.
Cornerstone could be considered a microculture because most of those who attend do share a common belief: Christianity. Therefore for most, their lief styles and behaviors would be different than others.
This has really added to my experience as a college student. I have grown in my faith and have found fellowship and worship on UNC's campus.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Response to Confederates in Attic Chapter
As I was reading the chapter from Confederates in the attic, I couldn't help but think of how far away from the truth it seemed to me. Yes I know I could be wrong about it, but after 18 years of living in the South, I have yet to meet anyone so obsessed with the "War Between the States." It's not like evereyont who live int the South is like that, which is what I felt the author misrepresented. I'm not saying that the author is telling lies. I'm sure there are people like that in the South. What I'm saying is that I hope in the chapters to come the author did a better job of representing the South. Because everyone who lives in the South is not like that.
As I kept reading further and further into the chapter, I honestly did begin to feel offended. And I could only think, no wonder UNC was sued. Especially if they said the book was a good representation of the South. Otherwise without that preconception, I don't mind reading the book because it is a new view point from some Southerners that I never knew about. I never knew people were still so obsessed with the Civil War. Yet to me it seems like they're doing themselves a misjustice by focusing that much of their lives on the Civil War. Yeah , I know the world is not prefect, but there are things in the present that can be nice and can allow one to bear the "horrible" present, as a character in the chapter stated.
As I kept reading further and further into the chapter, I honestly did begin to feel offended. And I could only think, no wonder UNC was sued. Especially if they said the book was a good representation of the South. Otherwise without that preconception, I don't mind reading the book because it is a new view point from some Southerners that I never knew about. I never knew people were still so obsessed with the Civil War. Yet to me it seems like they're doing themselves a misjustice by focusing that much of their lives on the Civil War. Yeah , I know the world is not prefect, but there are things in the present that can be nice and can allow one to bear the "horrible" present, as a character in the chapter stated.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Observation # 3
For my third and final observation of bus riders using UNC-Chapel Hill's campus buses, I decided to get the whole experience by riding the P2P around 10:45pm. Before I could even enter the bus, I had to wait outside the bus to let some of the current bus riders off because there was only one door unlike the two doors that other campus buses have. As I was standing there, I heard a girl on the bus yelling to some of her friends who were leaving, "See ya bitches!!". Already there was a different atmosphere compared with that of previously observed campus buses. Even though there were not that many people on the bus at the time, soon many more would follow. Yet being so, I made my way to the back of the bus. Honestly, I was afraid of someone noticing me writing and doing homework at the hour when many others were probably on their way to Franklin to party. So I was afraid of being made fun of and wanted to be out of the way so not as many would see me. But it also allowed for me to observe the majority of the bus without people noticing too.
The first thing I notice once I sat down and could being my observing was that there was music being played in the bus. Music that was probably from the radio. This was more than likely what allowed for people to talk so freely. Yet a group of 4 girls were being uncontrobably loud and obnoxious. My conclusion was that the music made no difference to welcome them to talk; the alcohol they drank earlier did. With this being said, the bus was obviously more laid back and chill than the buses that ran on campus during the day. Yet also like the other campus buses, the people who did not choose to talk, fell silent, texted on their phones, stared out into space, or just did whatever they could do to not make eye contact. Another commonality was that everyone, the silent, and potentially drunk, thanked the driver sa they left the bus.
As the P2P was making it's rounds, it seemed to me to be driving too fast and being reckless for a bus. I know it made me motion sick and possibly a boy infront of me who had his eyes closed for a period of time. It could have either been from being tired, or being motion sick as the bus whizzed around corners. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the later.
The first thing I notice once I sat down and could being my observing was that there was music being played in the bus. Music that was probably from the radio. This was more than likely what allowed for people to talk so freely. Yet a group of 4 girls were being uncontrobably loud and obnoxious. My conclusion was that the music made no difference to welcome them to talk; the alcohol they drank earlier did. With this being said, the bus was obviously more laid back and chill than the buses that ran on campus during the day. Yet also like the other campus buses, the people who did not choose to talk, fell silent, texted on their phones, stared out into space, or just did whatever they could do to not make eye contact. Another commonality was that everyone, the silent, and potentially drunk, thanked the driver sa they left the bus.
As the P2P was making it's rounds, it seemed to me to be driving too fast and being reckless for a bus. I know it made me motion sick and possibly a boy infront of me who had his eyes closed for a period of time. It could have either been from being tired, or being motion sick as the bus whizzed around corners. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the later.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Observation # 2 Bus Ride
Today I decided to ride the U, one of UNC campus's buses. I got on at Franklin Street with a few other riders. I was the first one on and I was seated in about the middle of the bus. So I was able to see eveyone who got on the bus behind me. The bus was loaded in silence with eye contact being made only for the purpose of looking for avaliable seats. The new comers looked to see where empty seats could be found away from the riders already boarded so that everyone was evenly spread out. Once everyone is seated they space out, look out the window, text, or just do their own thing, not paying anyone any attention. It's actually an awkward silence if one is not used to it, or doesn't realize it's the norm. When someone uses a cell phone, the people on the bus and especially those around them consider it annoying. Therefore, a person talks on his or her cell phone with courtsey and in a lower vioce tone.
Small talk could be heard in teh back of the bus but it didnt' last for long. People leave from the front of the bus sometimes to say thank you to the bus driver or because it's the closest exit from their seat; otherwise riders usually exit at the back door. The majority of people got on the bus at the student union and off the bus in front of hinton james. Yet everyone remains quiet when exiting the bus.
Small talk could be heard in teh back of the bus but it didnt' last for long. People leave from the front of the bus sometimes to say thank you to the bus driver or because it's the closest exit from their seat; otherwise riders usually exit at the back door. The majority of people got on the bus at the student union and off the bus in front of hinton james. Yet everyone remains quiet when exiting the bus.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hypothesis Update
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large campus that can require a great deal of traveling to get to classes. The campus is spread out over North, South, and Middle campuses with approximately a mile’s walk between North and South campus. Many of the students, especially freshman, are housed on South campus and have to travel up the “hill” everyday. To help this problem, the university has the option of the Chapel Hill Transit bus system that runs from roughly 7am to 8 pm. This system, involving many different routes, helps the students to travel across campus.
After riding the bus and observing the students who chose to take it, I made some observations. For instance, when the bus is on North campus, the bus is rarely full; but when the bus begins to head towards South campus, the bus becomes full to its capacity. Therefore, I conclude that the students housed on South campus choose to ride the bus more often than students housed on North or even Middle campus. Also, I observed that the bus rides are extremely quite; no one talks to each other. Being a freshman student who frequently rides the bus, I constantly come into contact with this problem and at times those behaviors seem snobbish. However, this quietness is probably because the students ride the bus without their friends; and since they are by themselves, they would rather sit quietly than to talk to a stranger. Since most of the bus riders are reluctant to talk to strangers, they avert eyes their eyes to avoid making any contact.
An experiment addressing the norms and behaviors of bus riders would be beneficial to the UNC campus as a whole because it would allow for more insight into the university’s students. After further exploration, one might be able to understand why the students act the way they do and find that the reason has nothing to do with snobbish behavior. In conclusion, I propose that the majority of students who ride the bus are housed on south campus and probably freshman. These students ride the bus by themselves, which accounts for the bus rides being so quite.
After riding the bus and observing the students who chose to take it, I made some observations. For instance, when the bus is on North campus, the bus is rarely full; but when the bus begins to head towards South campus, the bus becomes full to its capacity. Therefore, I conclude that the students housed on South campus choose to ride the bus more often than students housed on North or even Middle campus. Also, I observed that the bus rides are extremely quite; no one talks to each other. Being a freshman student who frequently rides the bus, I constantly come into contact with this problem and at times those behaviors seem snobbish. However, this quietness is probably because the students ride the bus without their friends; and since they are by themselves, they would rather sit quietly than to talk to a stranger. Since most of the bus riders are reluctant to talk to strangers, they avert eyes their eyes to avoid making any contact.
An experiment addressing the norms and behaviors of bus riders would be beneficial to the UNC campus as a whole because it would allow for more insight into the university’s students. After further exploration, one might be able to understand why the students act the way they do and find that the reason has nothing to do with snobbish behavior. In conclusion, I propose that the majority of students who ride the bus are housed on south campus and probably freshman. These students ride the bus by themselves, which accounts for the bus rides being so quite.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hypothesizing Microcultures: Riding on the Bus
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large campus that can require a great deal of traveling to get to classes. The campus is spread out over North, South, and Middle campuses with approximately a mile’s walk between North and South campus. Many of the unfortunate freshman are housed on South campus and have to travel up the “hill” everyday. To help this problem, the university has the option of the bus system. This system, involving many different routes, will help students travel across campus. After riding the bus and observing the students who chose to take it, I made some observations. For instance, when the bus is on North campus, the bus is rarely full; but when the bus begins to head towards South campus, the bus becomes full to its capacity. Therefore, I conclude that the students housed on South campus choose to ride the bus more often than students housed on North or even Middle campus. Also, I observed that the bus rides are extremely quite; no one talks to each other. However, I have decided that this quietness is probably because the students ride the bus without their friends; and since they are by themselves, they would rather not talk to anyone than talk to a stranger. I have also noticed that since most of the bus riders are reluctant to talk to strangers, they avert eyes their eyes to avoid making any contact. Based on how much trouble students go through to avoid people, it would seem that they are shy. However, this is based upon a poor assumption.
In conclusion, I propose that the majority of students who ride the bus are housed on south campus. Those students ride the bus by themselves, which accounts for the bus rides being so quite.
In conclusion, I propose that the majority of students who ride the bus are housed on south campus. Those students ride the bus by themselves, which accounts for the bus rides being so quite.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Distruption in the Union
The following day after I had made my observatoins in the Union, I returned to disrupt its norms. I sat down in one of the comfy chairs and pulled out my books, just like those around me had. They were studying books or on their laptop and not talking to anyone. So I decided to strike up a conversation with the girl sitting next to me. Judging by the looks of her, she looked like one of the more studious students. She wore glasses had a lot of books and papers around her. To begin the conversation, I said something about hating all of the work that
I had ahead of me. I continued the conversation and asked her questions that she only returned with short, one answer replies. She would acknowledge my presense, but wouldn't take her eyes off her work, as if she were trying to silently tell me to be quiet. She never said anything mean to me, but I could tell she would rather me not talk to her since she was trying to study. After I had obviously disrupted her and her studying, I decided upon my next victim. I spotted another girl sitting in a chair around a table. There were four other seats avaliable, and she was only using one. So I walked up and asked her, if she was using one of the chairs and she answered 'no'. Usually, the norm is for people to just take the chair away from the table and use it somewhere else, but I didn't. I just sat down at the table with her and started pulling out my books. Before I had time to even begin a conversation with her, I saw that she was already packing up her books and getting ready to leave. I have never felt so awkward in my entire life. Just like the last girl, she didn't say anything mean to me, to make me feel awkward, but then again, she didn't have to.
I had ahead of me. I continued the conversation and asked her questions that she only returned with short, one answer replies. She would acknowledge my presense, but wouldn't take her eyes off her work, as if she were trying to silently tell me to be quiet. She never said anything mean to me, but I could tell she would rather me not talk to her since she was trying to study. After I had obviously disrupted her and her studying, I decided upon my next victim. I spotted another girl sitting in a chair around a table. There were four other seats avaliable, and she was only using one. So I walked up and asked her, if she was using one of the chairs and she answered 'no'. Usually, the norm is for people to just take the chair away from the table and use it somewhere else, but I didn't. I just sat down at the table with her and started pulling out my books. Before I had time to even begin a conversation with her, I saw that she was already packing up her books and getting ready to leave. I have never felt so awkward in my entire life. Just like the last girl, she didn't say anything mean to me, to make me feel awkward, but then again, she didn't have to.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Student Union - 2:20pm
After my classes on Thursday I had some awkward time availiable, so I decided to chill in the Union. I knew I could use that time to observe people and the norm behavior in the Union. Not wanting that to be obvious, so I got some Chick-fil-a and started writing notes so it would look like I definitely had something to do. What's really cool about the Union, is that it's like a hang out place to use for whatever you want it to be. There are constant conversations going on, people studying, watching the TV in the corner, and stuents eating food like Alpine.
(Note: there are two types of chairs: the comfy charis, gathered around a sort of coffee table, and normal table and chairs. I will refer to the former as comfy chairs and the later as the normal table and chairs.)
I noticed that like in the cafeteria, people will not share a table and chairs together if they are complete strangers; however, in the Union, a new situation arises: the comfy chairs. In the Union it is completely normal to gather around a common coffee table and sit in comfy chairs with a stranger sitting next to you. I found this interesting. The comfy chairs allowed to to sit beside strangers and the normal table and chairs didn't.
Another thing i noticed, is that the stranges sharing comfy chairs didn't talk to each other. I even tried making contact, when sitting in a comfy chair and no one would look at me. IF I did happen to catch someone's eye, they would pretend that they were looking at something behind me, or quickly glance away. Yet, when gathered around the common coffee table and sitting in comfy chairs, I noticed people spacing out and sometimes ease dropping on others who were close by.
After observing students in the Union, I realized that they had interesting behaviors.
(Note: there are two types of chairs: the comfy charis, gathered around a sort of coffee table, and normal table and chairs. I will refer to the former as comfy chairs and the later as the normal table and chairs.)
I noticed that like in the cafeteria, people will not share a table and chairs together if they are complete strangers; however, in the Union, a new situation arises: the comfy chairs. In the Union it is completely normal to gather around a common coffee table and sit in comfy chairs with a stranger sitting next to you. I found this interesting. The comfy chairs allowed to to sit beside strangers and the normal table and chairs didn't.
Another thing i noticed, is that the stranges sharing comfy chairs didn't talk to each other. I even tried making contact, when sitting in a comfy chair and no one would look at me. IF I did happen to catch someone's eye, they would pretend that they were looking at something behind me, or quickly glance away. Yet, when gathered around the common coffee table and sitting in comfy chairs, I noticed people spacing out and sometimes ease dropping on others who were close by.
After observing students in the Union, I realized that they had interesting behaviors.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Rushing Franklin Street
On the Wednesday that UNC won against Duke, chaos broke out on campus. It was insane! Me and my roommate were watching the game and as soon as the end of the second quarter was over, this crazy roar rose up out of our dorm. We live in one of the larger dorms so maybe that was the reason for how loud it we got, but it was unbelievable. As soon as the game was over and we heard the roars, we took off. Our destination was Franklin Street.
We started running as soon as we cleared our suit door, and continued onto the stairs. We ran for a while but couldn't make it all the way to Franklin. Screams and shouts of joy were rising up everywhere. If an outsider were to come on campus and see all of the sutdents running in one direction and hear our yells, they would have thought that someone had pulled out a gun on campus or something of the like. It really was scary running with all of those people and hearing students scream all around you. But knowing that we had won against Duke, made it heaven!
Once up on Franklin, it was even more crowded than on Halloween night. When we win against Duke, our tradition is to jump over fires on the street. So there were these people in the middle of Franklin street, making fires and jumping over them. You would have thought eveyone was on drugs! lol I'm so glad I went, because it will be the experience of a life time!
We started running as soon as we cleared our suit door, and continued onto the stairs. We ran for a while but couldn't make it all the way to Franklin. Screams and shouts of joy were rising up everywhere. If an outsider were to come on campus and see all of the sutdents running in one direction and hear our yells, they would have thought that someone had pulled out a gun on campus or something of the like. It really was scary running with all of those people and hearing students scream all around you. But knowing that we had won against Duke, made it heaven!
Once up on Franklin, it was even more crowded than on Halloween night. When we win against Duke, our tradition is to jump over fires on the street. So there were these people in the middle of Franklin street, making fires and jumping over them. You would have thought eveyone was on drugs! lol I'm so glad I went, because it will be the experience of a life time!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Valentine's Day
I've really been wanting to blog about Valentine's Day or singles awareness day. In the past I have never had the chance to participate in Valentine's Day (I never had a boyfriend during Valentine's...they're too hard to keep, ya know...;) But this year, I was able to keep my boyfriend and participate! I never really thought about it until now, but Valentine's Day is really hard. Especially on the guys. It's actually kinda awkward....unless you talk about it and let each other know what you're expectations are...which is what we did! lol But seriously, a couple weeks ago I was thinking about Valentine's Day and what I'd get my boyfriend....and.....I drew a blank. I mean, what are girl's supposed to get guys on Valentine's day(for my sake, now referred to as V day)? Now some girls, I'm sure, don't get their bf anything. And that's fine, but I'm not that kinda of girl. My rule is, whatever he is expected to do, I'm expected to do too. That way it's even. But anywas, I was starting to stress out about what to get him. Then I relaized I could ask what he expected and then everything would be okay. So I did, and the question was answered. But what about those who don't ask. Or it's weird for them to ask because of their situation...do you know what I mean? Like they're "just friends" (WHATEVER!!). But that can make things hard.
If you think about it there are a lot of expectations for guy's on V day. They're supposed to take the girl out on a nice date/dinner and pay for it, and be gentleman enough to drive! They're supposed to give her flowers and candy and if you're lucky a present....That is a lot of expectations if you ask me. Therefore, since my boyfriend wasn't expecting it from me, I didn't expect it from him. So we had a nice, affordably priced Valentine's day together, with no worries or stress about expectations. That way, we weren't disappointed. That doesn't mean to say that if you talk about you're expectations beforehand that you can't be surprised! I still expect for the guy to surprise me! haha
If you think about it there are a lot of expectations for guy's on V day. They're supposed to take the girl out on a nice date/dinner and pay for it, and be gentleman enough to drive! They're supposed to give her flowers and candy and if you're lucky a present....That is a lot of expectations if you ask me. Therefore, since my boyfriend wasn't expecting it from me, I didn't expect it from him. So we had a nice, affordably priced Valentine's day together, with no worries or stress about expectations. That way, we weren't disappointed. That doesn't mean to say that if you talk about you're expectations beforehand that you can't be surprised! I still expect for the guy to surprise me! haha
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Performance at Memorial Hall
It was a Wednesday night a couple weeks ago when I went to the Mumbai Benefit Concert. It was to raise money for help to the victims of the terrrorists attacks that had been going on in India. It only cost $3 yet was the best concert I ever went to. There was no program, so initially I had no idea who was going to sing or perform. There eneded up being various UNC a cappella groups including: The Lorilies, Alliance, and the Walk On's. Then after some singing a traditional Indian dance group from UNC performed. I had never seen anything like it! It was amazing. It was neat to see that even though we came from a different culture, we could still enjoying something similar: dancing. The joy on their faces was true joy and it overflowed into the crowd. I also thought it was touching to see that the people in the audience were from different cultures, but that we could all gather to support a cause in a time of need. Any chance you get to go to a benefit concert go, because you will experience more than just the performance!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Parents Visit To College
This crazy busy week is coming to a close and many people are making weekend plans. This weekend my parents are coming to visit. I am happy to say that I love my parents and I miss them from time to time while I'm at college. They have not been to visit me and my older sister since...well last September for my sister's 20th birthday. They live fairly close, roughly a 3 hour drive, and my sister and I see them and visit home occasionally.
This weekend there is no occasion. No birthday. No baskeyball game. No concert that we're going to. My parents are simply visiting to see how we're fairing in our college lives. However, every time they visit, we do the same thing. We get groceries...They pay! I'm not complaining! I'm about out of everything as it is since I don't have a meal plan. And then we go to the mall and shop/look around. I enjoy our repeated weekends but my sister is under the impression that we should do something different this time. When I asked her what we could do as a family, she couldn't say.
So I'm asking you. What are some cool, family fun ideas to do with my parents this weekend?
This weekend there is no occasion. No birthday. No baskeyball game. No concert that we're going to. My parents are simply visiting to see how we're fairing in our college lives. However, every time they visit, we do the same thing. We get groceries...They pay! I'm not complaining! I'm about out of everything as it is since I don't have a meal plan. And then we go to the mall and shop/look around. I enjoy our repeated weekends but my sister is under the impression that we should do something different this time. When I asked her what we could do as a family, she couldn't say.
So I'm asking you. What are some cool, family fun ideas to do with my parents this weekend?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
IDK
So I don't know what to write about. I saw that on some other people's posts they were talking about it being hard to keep up with their blogs. I don't necessarly have a problem with keeping up with it, I just have a problem in what to say...
I could tell you about my weekend helping out at 180 at my church back home, but I'm not really feeling it today. Maybe some other time.
I could tell you how tired and busy I am, but I've kinda already touched on that topic. No one wants to read about that again. It's not even interesting. I wrote it more for myself to have pity on myself! lol jk
Let's see what else is there?...My parents are coming to visit me this weekend. I'm going to two plays/concerts within 3 days so that's pretty cool. One at Playmaker's and one at Memorial.
Otherwise I don't have much to say...
I could tell you about my weekend helping out at 180 at my church back home, but I'm not really feeling it today. Maybe some other time.
I could tell you how tired and busy I am, but I've kinda already touched on that topic. No one wants to read about that again. It's not even interesting. I wrote it more for myself to have pity on myself! lol jk
Let's see what else is there?...My parents are coming to visit me this weekend. I'm going to two plays/concerts within 3 days so that's pretty cool. One at Playmaker's and one at Memorial.
Otherwise I don't have much to say...
Friday, January 30, 2009
Realization!!! =0
I've come to realize that I'm a fairly busy person. I mean i guess I "knew" it before, but just took it for granted that everyone had as much stuff to do as I do. One of my friends asked me at lunch the other day, "Do you every just chill?!" I was like, "Chill? Yeah of course! I love to chill! I always try to sit down and not do anything but I can never accomplish it!"
To explain, practically every weekend until after Spring Break is planned for me. I have places to go, people to see! lol jk! SO amazingly this weekend I'm going to be gone as well. I'm helping out at my home church with 180 weekend and being a leader. 180 weekend, for those of you who don't know, is pretty much like a Christian conference weekend, but way cooler. You stay with a group in someone else's house for the weekend, but meet for only the conference during the weekend. It's pretty cool! And I'm excited to be a part of it! So anyways for the record, it's very normal for me to be gone practically every weekend. Do I go home? No! not unless it's a break/ holiday from school. Don't ask, I can always find some excuse to leave for the weekend!
To explain, practically every weekend until after Spring Break is planned for me. I have places to go, people to see! lol jk! SO amazingly this weekend I'm going to be gone as well. I'm helping out at my home church with 180 weekend and being a leader. 180 weekend, for those of you who don't know, is pretty much like a Christian conference weekend, but way cooler. You stay with a group in someone else's house for the weekend, but meet for only the conference during the weekend. It's pretty cool! And I'm excited to be a part of it! So anyways for the record, it's very normal for me to be gone practically every weekend. Do I go home? No! not unless it's a break/ holiday from school. Don't ask, I can always find some excuse to leave for the weekend!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday Rant
So even though it's Tuesday I'm going to rant about my Monday's.
Every Monday I start class at 9am. I'm in class until 2:50 but have an hour break for lunch from 1 to 2pm. Anyways this past Monday I ate with one of my friends up in her dorm on Raleigh. There's no way I'm going to walk all the way back down to South campus to my dorm if I only have an hour break. So anyways afterwards I have Racquet Sports and then I'm done for the day at 2:50pm right?! nope...then I studied for roughly 2 hours in the UL. I was doing a moldule for my LFIT class thinking it wouldn't take too long...but no! It took me that entire two hours to finish it. You see, I HAVE to take notes, or else I don't remember anything. One of my downfalls. The first time I did my module I didn't take notes and I made a 60, so I learned my lesson. Then I went to chrous at 5:15pm. I have to take an ensemble since I'm a "music major" and apparentlly that's the only ensemble they could put a pianist, such as myself, in. Whatever! After chorus was over by 6:45, I met up with some friends up on Franklin. By the time I got back to my south campus dorm it was 8:45ish. I had been "out" all day and still had some homework to do. I was exhausted yet I couldn't sit down, kick off the shoes and relax!
I just hate that I know every Monday will be like that! :( It's too much in one day for me!
Every Monday I start class at 9am. I'm in class until 2:50 but have an hour break for lunch from 1 to 2pm. Anyways this past Monday I ate with one of my friends up in her dorm on Raleigh. There's no way I'm going to walk all the way back down to South campus to my dorm if I only have an hour break. So anyways afterwards I have Racquet Sports and then I'm done for the day at 2:50pm right?! nope...then I studied for roughly 2 hours in the UL. I was doing a moldule for my LFIT class thinking it wouldn't take too long...but no! It took me that entire two hours to finish it. You see, I HAVE to take notes, or else I don't remember anything. One of my downfalls. The first time I did my module I didn't take notes and I made a 60, so I learned my lesson. Then I went to chrous at 5:15pm. I have to take an ensemble since I'm a "music major" and apparentlly that's the only ensemble they could put a pianist, such as myself, in. Whatever! After chorus was over by 6:45, I met up with some friends up on Franklin. By the time I got back to my south campus dorm it was 8:45ish. I had been "out" all day and still had some homework to do. I was exhausted yet I couldn't sit down, kick off the shoes and relax!
I just hate that I know every Monday will be like that! :( It's too much in one day for me!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
100 times does it!
I am going to use the the folk belief that if you cross your eyes 100 times, they will stay that way. When my sister and I were little we liked to cross out eyes and look at our parents, just to get on their nerves like kids like to do. Then one day we did it around my grandmother and she told us, "Girls, you don't want to do that! Don't you know that after you cross your eyes 100 times they're stuck that way for life!" We didn't do it so often after that!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A New Semester
UNC students have now been back at school for a week and a half and to me, it feels like much longer. As you know my last semester was challenging, not necessarily becuase of my course load, since I only had 13 hours, but becuase I had such a hard time adjusting to college life. However, this semester is so much better. I have more hours, 17.5 (I'll explain the 0.5 later) but I know how to handle it now. I know that, esp. for history classes, the teachers give you way more reading than is humanly possible to accomlish and to be able to have a life at te same time. I learned that the hard way. I learned that you have to do what you can to get by and sometimes that means not doing all of the reading, but definitely doing all of the assignments. Mabye it's becuase this semester has barely started, but I'm actually enjoying myself here!
Of course the first week of classes you barely have any homework and this time I took advantage of it my going to the gym to work out. I went with one of my friends who is sort of like a personal trainer on the side. So she told me what exercises to do. I eneded up only working out for 45 minutes with her becuase I became so exhausted. I was sore by the time we were done stretching! Yeah! Seriously! So anyways a couple days later, once I wasn't as sore, I decided to go back. I walked up the stairs of the Ram's gym and saw a sign which read something like this: "Make sure you clean all equipment before and after use, due to an outbreak of the flu virus! You don't want to miss any of your exams!" After reading it I remembered back in December when it seemed like everyone was getting the flu and I was proud of myself for not contracting the illness. So I went on my way to work out...this time without my beastly friend!
A couple days later I was walking down to my dorm with my roommate after having spent the day trying to "study" in my sister's dorm--we ended up talking for 3 hours instead. I sat down at my desk and began to pull out all of my books to actually get some work done. The longer I sat the more hot I began to feel and the more achy my body became. Soon enough I asked my roommate to check my head to see if it felt warm. I was pretty sure I was coming down with something like a fever. Sure enough I was warm, but I became hotter and hotter. My eyeballs even ached. As it turns out, I ended up being sick. Wheather it was actually the flu or not, I will never know because I didn't have a thermometer. But it was awfully hot in that room for the next few days and I had the most horrible time trying to sleep.
The moral of this story: If you read a sign that gives you advise on how to not get an illness, pay attention to it! Especially when it's in a germy gym.
Of course the first week of classes you barely have any homework and this time I took advantage of it my going to the gym to work out. I went with one of my friends who is sort of like a personal trainer on the side. So she told me what exercises to do. I eneded up only working out for 45 minutes with her becuase I became so exhausted. I was sore by the time we were done stretching! Yeah! Seriously! So anyways a couple days later, once I wasn't as sore, I decided to go back. I walked up the stairs of the Ram's gym and saw a sign which read something like this: "Make sure you clean all equipment before and after use, due to an outbreak of the flu virus! You don't want to miss any of your exams!" After reading it I remembered back in December when it seemed like everyone was getting the flu and I was proud of myself for not contracting the illness. So I went on my way to work out...this time without my beastly friend!
A couple days later I was walking down to my dorm with my roommate after having spent the day trying to "study" in my sister's dorm--we ended up talking for 3 hours instead. I sat down at my desk and began to pull out all of my books to actually get some work done. The longer I sat the more hot I began to feel and the more achy my body became. Soon enough I asked my roommate to check my head to see if it felt warm. I was pretty sure I was coming down with something like a fever. Sure enough I was warm, but I became hotter and hotter. My eyeballs even ached. As it turns out, I ended up being sick. Wheather it was actually the flu or not, I will never know because I didn't have a thermometer. But it was awfully hot in that room for the next few days and I had the most horrible time trying to sleep.
The moral of this story: If you read a sign that gives you advise on how to not get an illness, pay attention to it! Especially when it's in a germy gym.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration of President Obama: 1/20
I watched the 44th President of the United States be sworn in today: President Barack Obama. The first African Amercian president in US history. It was exciting to be able to participate and observe a huge part of history be made. However, I have been skeptical. Today for the presidential inauguration it was the largest turn out of people for the event. There was this huge crowd of people and every once in a while the crowds would start chaning "Obama! Obama!" but pronounced "o-ba-ma". It kinda worried me sometimes. I mean I'm really glad that the US has its first African American president, but the way our citizens chant his name, and "worship" him in a sense...well, I just hope it doesn't go to his head. So in that way, this type of recation of the people reminds me of what has been seen in the past: a dictatorship. I mean, don't get me wrong...I'm happy that the US and been able to rise above its past. It just concerns me that the people chant his name, have all of this paraphernalia...it's like "worshiping" him like a rock star. I hope that my hunches are wrong. In either case, I know that history is being made before our eyes!
Monday, January 19, 2009
about me!
I just want to tell you a little about myslef so that you'll have a little bit of background information when reading my blogs. My name is Jessica Baber and I am a freshman at UNC Chapel Hill. It's my second semester and it's 10 million times better than my first semester...I'll go into more deatil later, but as for now...In highschool, I'd say I did a lot of things: I loved to read and journal, I was on the school tennis team, very involved in private piano lessons, jazz band, had a job for a semester, did track, and all of those forgotten clubs I signed up for but never really did anything for. You know what I'm talking about. Like the Beta Club--does that club ever do anything?! Oh and Key Club...let's just say that our school didn't get very involved in clubs. Our school just considered them something to put on your college application...I'm assuming our school wasn't the only one, right??
So anyways, that was highschool...now it's college...so my interests/hobbies should be about the same, right? I mean it's only been like...what?...5 months or so. But sadly, no, my interests have changed. My first semester here was a hard one, and I could have sworn that I was all alone and no one else knew what I was going through. I studied all the time, b/c hey! who wants to flunk out of college their first semester? Especially when their older sister went to the same college, and of course you had to do everything your older sister did...I mean, right??
So I decided to go to UNC because it was a "good" school and jeeze, what else could you ask for?! You got in! Therefore, you go to the hardest college you got into...!!! Or at least that's what I did...that was my logic...On August 17, 2008 I woke up pumped to go to college. CTOPS was amazingly awesome, what could go wrong? It took a while but I soon learned that sometimes things don't turn out the way you want them to.
Soo...back to where I was...I studied all the time fearing that I'd flunk out...or at least that's what I say. (It was actually just fear of failure from my own expectations...but don't tell anyone! lol ;) I had a hard time socializing. I'd get oh so lonely in my dark cell of a dorm room. And what made it even worse, me and my roommate hardly talked at all! I'd try my very best to hold a conversation with her, but it was always...yeah, no, I guess, or I don't know. I know for a fact that I had some insane moments! I honestly hated college and didn't know if I was cut out for it. My friends from home were worried about me...they were having the time of their lives at their colleges, but me....that was a diferent story.
But then something clicked during the last month and a half of school before winter break. My music theory class--which i constantly had homwwork in began to let up--and I was somehow able to manage my time. I learned time management! yay! I began hanging out with two of my friends from highschool and invited my roommate along. (We both tend to be quiet people...esp. right in the beginning.) And it was fun again! You know, like the day before classes began in August fun! lol jk. Being a Christian, I know God was providing for me. I know He put me through those hard times for a reason: to help mature me, to make me think about what I was doing in my life, to make me realize what really matters in life doesn't come from anything on earth, but only from something not of this world: Christ!
So yeah last semester was hard...but at the same time I'd go through it all again because of the way it matured me, and is still continuing to mature me...
So anyways, that was highschool...now it's college...so my interests/hobbies should be about the same, right? I mean it's only been like...what?...5 months or so. But sadly, no, my interests have changed. My first semester here was a hard one, and I could have sworn that I was all alone and no one else knew what I was going through. I studied all the time, b/c hey! who wants to flunk out of college their first semester? Especially when their older sister went to the same college, and of course you had to do everything your older sister did...I mean, right??
So I decided to go to UNC because it was a "good" school and jeeze, what else could you ask for?! You got in! Therefore, you go to the hardest college you got into...!!! Or at least that's what I did...that was my logic...On August 17, 2008 I woke up pumped to go to college. CTOPS was amazingly awesome, what could go wrong? It took a while but I soon learned that sometimes things don't turn out the way you want them to.
Soo...back to where I was...I studied all the time fearing that I'd flunk out...or at least that's what I say. (It was actually just fear of failure from my own expectations...but don't tell anyone! lol ;) I had a hard time socializing. I'd get oh so lonely in my dark cell of a dorm room. And what made it even worse, me and my roommate hardly talked at all! I'd try my very best to hold a conversation with her, but it was always...yeah, no, I guess, or I don't know. I know for a fact that I had some insane moments! I honestly hated college and didn't know if I was cut out for it. My friends from home were worried about me...they were having the time of their lives at their colleges, but me....that was a diferent story.
But then something clicked during the last month and a half of school before winter break. My music theory class--which i constantly had homwwork in began to let up--and I was somehow able to manage my time. I learned time management! yay! I began hanging out with two of my friends from highschool and invited my roommate along. (We both tend to be quiet people...esp. right in the beginning.) And it was fun again! You know, like the day before classes began in August fun! lol jk. Being a Christian, I know God was providing for me. I know He put me through those hard times for a reason: to help mature me, to make me think about what I was doing in my life, to make me realize what really matters in life doesn't come from anything on earth, but only from something not of this world: Christ!
So yeah last semester was hard...but at the same time I'd go through it all again because of the way it matured me, and is still continuing to mature me...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)