How Did YOU Get Into College?

So this semester I am taking a class called The Nature of Mathematics. We "learn" things like logic and arguments. We will also learn alot of real life stuff like budgets, mortgages and stuff... I was told it was a really great class and since I didn't want to have to sit through a semester of Pre-Cal or Calculus, I decided to give it a try. Let's just say I have a major love-hate relationship with that class.

I guess I should point out that this class is for all of the people who, like me, didn't want to take a real math class. My professor is very smart and nice but teaches the class like we already know what he is talking about. This adds a layer of hilarity for sure. He is also the proud owner (very, very, proud) owner of UNCA's live mascot, Rocky the Bulldog. AND he brings Rocky to class at least once a week. To be honest Bulldogs have never been my favorite animals. I think it has to do with the fact that like blood hounds, basset hounds, and any animal of that nature, he constantly has slobber hanging from his mouth. I sit in the front row and have been snotted on several times. This is never a highlight to my day. Why don't I just move you might ask? Well, I have pay rent for a seat I sit in and of course the front seats are the cheapest. My professor treats class like real life. We get a salary each day we show up and sometimes disasters happen that cause us to lose our "money." Point being, I don't make enough money to avoid being snotted on. The best part of this class would have to be Snack Fridays which happens 2 times a month. Yes, my college money is being put to great use.

I guess the real reason for this post is to discuss the ever so smart people in my class. I cannot remember all of the highly intellegent comments made in this class but I can tell you every class I hang my head and shake it in amazement that some of these people actually made it to college. A few highlights: (WARNING!! one of these is kind of profane. do excuse me.)

Prof: "He's a nut bag" (referring to some politician)

girl: "is that nut bag the same thing as testicals?? (no, I am not kidding)

Prof: "When there is a sale and a sign says 30% off and then another sign says additional 20% off what is the total savings?"

girl: "50%!!!%" (i know this is kind of mean but really, we learned this in middle school i do believe)

Prof: "Today we are going to learn how count."

girl: "But I already know how to count." (probably one of those 'had to be there' moments but never the less, an example"

Anyways, you get the picture. There is also a guy who sits over my left shoulder who I want to tell to be quiet every class because he is constantly arguing with the Professor every day in a loud and obnoxious voice. He also has a guy that looks like he could be his little brother in the class. They always have on matching bandanas around their necks like they have just come from robbing a bank or something.

Something I enjoy about this class is that I can make as many wise cracks as I want and be as obnoxious as I want and I fit right in. I apparently always make good comments because one day I didn't say anything and a girl asked me if I was feeling okay. so maybe I should back off a bit huh?

This class meets 4 days a week so I have plenty of entertainment to go around. I probably pick on the class too much but seriously, it is unreal the crazy things that happen in that class which is again, another reason why i love it.

I feel like all of these people can be summed up by this wonderful Far Side comic by Gary Larson (a favorite for sure)

Enough said...

Climbing

Yesterday at church the sermon was on Jonah. It was about how Jonah physically tried to run away from God (with no such luck) and how a lot of times we run away from God in our hearts. We still go through the motions, sing the songs, and read the scripture but our hearts no longer feel free or passionate. But once we are Christ's, we are his forever. There is nowhere that we can go or anything that we can do that will keep us away from Christ indefinitely. How I so needed to hear that. His pursuit is relentless and He will always catch us.

These past few months have been interesting in relation to my faith. At times I have been so angry with God I didn't know what to do. But then there were times that he deliberately showed me His face through other people and I know that he was real and he and is here with me, holding me in his arms. I have tried desperately to grab a hold of him but my heart sometimes is not in it. I could feel my heart running. It was like I am two people. One side of me wants to stay and be held, the other part wants to run, to run far away. I know the truth, but am having a hard time letting down my walls of defense to let it truly sink in. There are days when I feel like I resurface from all of the pain and confusion but then something happens and I feel like I am right back where I started, confused, tired, lonely, and sad.

The journey is far from over. My heart is wounded in more ways than one. But He has not left me. He is patiently waiting for me. There is nowhere I can run that he will not go. And that is why I have to keep fighting.

No, Not a Blizzard From Dairy Queen

I know everyone and their mom is probably blogging about the weather but I just decided maybe I would add my 2 cents worth. And for those of who are reading this and have no idea what I'm talking about you are either not on Twitter or don't watch any sort of weather channel anything. And that is ok. You probably know more about the weather than the weathermen do anyway.

So basically we have had lots of snow and ice and cold and it is not even March yet. I haven't been here long, but I know enough to know that this winter here (and everywhere) is straight crazy. I think it has been deemed the 'Wacky Winter'. if not, that is at least what I am calling it. Unfortunately during the biggest snow yet I didn't remember to bring my camera to the Sloan's house so I have no evidence of it but trust me, it was very, very, real.

As of right now, we are under a blizzard warning. This warning has changed so much in the last 24 hours I have all but given up on the weathermen. Every 5 min they come up with some new prediction. Oh and in the time I have taken to write this post they are saying we are not actually going to get any snow, just a lot wind (40-50 mph gusts), and a few flakes. I honestly have no idea what to believe anymore.

So I think from now on I'm going to be making my own predictions and assumptions about the weather. And I will start by just waking up and looking out my window and maybe putting a shovel and an extra jacket in my car for safe keeping. I know everyone keeps telling me that I will be tired of the winters full of snow and ice and cold and maybe they are right but I happen to like the fact that here, winter is clearly defined. There is no walking outside wondering if it is fall or late summer because everything looks and feels the same (sorry Texas...).

So for now, I will probably complain about the weather and wish for warmer days, but secretly I like it (when I'm inside and I can feel my toes). Please don't take this as I would love for winter to stay around forever, cause I wouldn't, EVER. I just like having clearly defined seasons for a change.

Catching Up

So I thought it was probably about time that I posted a few pictures of my new apartment *cough* condo. That is right. I live in a Condo. I still call it an apartment because well, that's just easier and I don't really feel like it is a condo. I signed a lease at the beginning of the year with a girl, Katie, who is a cook in the kitchen at Windy Gap. It is kind of funny how that all happened. We met twice and then I was gone forever. So now we slowly get to know each other which has been a challenge in itself because I have been gone a whole lot. But she is great and I have no doubt that we will get along just fine.

Anyways, I'm super pumped about the place because it is literally a 6 minute drive from here to campus. And thank goodness I don't live on campus anymore. Sure I miss the meal plan and being able to walk to the library but you better believe I don't miss the widespread panic that occurs every time an sickness spreads like wildfire. It is nice to have a place that I know is clean (or not) where I can go and do whatever the crap I want, have my own space, and not go insane trying be extra quiet when I get up at 7 for a class. Oh and I can go longer than one day without having to change the toilet paper in the bathroom. For real, this happened to me.

The place is about 3 years old. Sorry I don't have any exterior pics. It has been a bit chilly here and I haven't been motivated to go outside and take pictures. I have met most of our neighbors. They are all very nice. The area were are in is extremely quite and very accessible to many places which include but are not limited to: school, wal-mart, weaverville waffle house, Roses, Ingles, and much much more.

So here are a few pictures of the new place that is still a work in progress. It has been a slow and gradual readjustment but one to which I am most certainly warming up to. As you can tell in the pictures, there are many odds and ends that still need to be accumulated but I have plenty of time for that....maybe.

my bedroom. standing in my walk in closet taking the picture.
Those pillows on my bed were sewn by my amazing sister Anne

living room. we are still looking for a
few things to put in here obviously. the door leads to a small deck of sorts. we are upstairs
Excited to use that when and if it ever gets warm again

dining room/kitchen.

I am so excited that I was finally able to post these. Yesterday we had canceled classes and it was so nice to just literally do nothing. I sat around all day with Slappy, Matt and Leslie Sloan's Wiener dog whom I'm watching this weekend, and did a little baking. It was the first time since being back in Asheville that I was able to legitimately relax. 3 day weekends are always welcome and appreciated.