Our life without...

As I sit here trying to figure out what to write about, I keep changing Internet windows. Blog post, Facebook, e-mail. Blog post, Facebook, e-mail. However it seems that for each minute I spend on my blog posts, there are ten minutes that I spend on Facebook or e-mail. I know that I should just be focusing on this site, but am finding it hard to. So then I thought, what would our lives be without this social networking? What if you did not have a Myspace or Facebook? What if e-mail was not possible and the only way to talk with someone was a letter or phone? What if there was no instant messanger? All of these questions that I thought about really shocked me. I thnk that we have not only become too consumed by this social networking, but it is also a main point in the problem that our professors call procrastination. I have gotten better at not surfing the web when I am supposed to be working on homework, but these questions can not leave my mind. I really think that our society would be completely different and I know that it would be a lot easier for me to post my blogs and complete essays without feeling the urge to check my e-mail every five minutes.

Homecoming

In high school homecoming week was a week that consisted of Spirit Days, a Friday night football game, and a Saturday night dance with your friends. Homecoming week here is a lot differant in many differant ways. I really like how there is a wide variety of events that one can participate in. From a dance contest to a bonfire, there is something that suits everyones interests. Of course, to round it off the football game is on Friday which everyone enjoys. I am personally very excited for the Air Jam on Thursday and we also have a "Think Pink" home field hockey game on Friday to promote breast cancer awareness. Overall, this week has been great so far and I know that it will end with a bang. It will be my first college homecoming and something that I will never forget. I can see this really being the "Best Week Ever".

Weather Changes

When I came to Ball State for orientation, I arrived to sunny skys. About one hour later, it was a downpour outside. This continued to happen each and every time that I came to Muncie, the weather was too inconsistant. It didn't bother me, but it was quite confusing. Then as I expressed my confusion to a girl in my group she said, "If you don't like the weather in Indiana wait five minutes." I will always remember this quote.

This week would be a great example. At practice on Monday it was steaming in the late morning. As we arrived to the field, a large cloud was moving overhead. Sure enough, about twenty minutes into practice it was as if a small hurricane hit our field. Then, thirty minutes after the rain the sun was right back out, with the humidity high again.

On Tuesday night I had an appointment in North Quad. Upon arrival, it was nice outside and just a little chilly. As I was walking back, no more than five minutes after I started to go back a turrential downpour started. As soon as I got back to my dorm, the rain was gone.

Even though I've only been here for about a month, I am now more prepared for the inconsistent weather here in Muncie.

I now know to always have my sunglasses and umbrella ready at the same time.

Realizing I need them.

Due to NCAA regulations, it is mandatory that all Division 1 athletes attend a life skills class. Here it is on Wednesday nights and I actually like attending it. Last week, my two other team mates and missed class due to competition so we had to go early last night. While there, the teacher was explaining how to deal with stress, and how we all deal differently. Through this hour discussion before class, she made the three of us realize that we have differant aspects about ourselves that balance the other out. I get very angry when I'm stressed, my other team mate Marisa MUST be on time, and Devon is always happy. I need Marisa to keep me on track, and I need Devon to take my anger out on because in the end she evens it out. I'm glad that I realized this last night, to take me into the rest of the season. I now know why I really need all of my team mates, since we all need people to go to since we are so far away from home.

Ishmael Beah

Last night Ball State University welcomed a very gifted and talented writer to campus to speak about his book that was assigned for the freshman to read. Before even walking into the auditorium I was extremely excited. I read his book over the summer and it seemed to be one of those things that I could just not put down. There was a new turn or some kind of drama with the flip of every page. I had edtremely high expectations going into his speech. When he stepped on stage, first of all, he looked nothing like I imagined. He was dressed very nicely and looked a lot younger than anticipated. Throughout his whole speech he amazed me with every word he spoke. He was so uplifting and how he looked at life, regardless of what he went through was incredible. How and why he wrote the book was something that I found very interesting. The fact that he wrote it with no intention of it being published and just for himself was not what I expected. How he wrote the book to give other people a "voice" was very deep. In the end when he responded to the questions he was great and very down to earth with it all, even when asked to rap. I really felt like you could connect with him and he was not another celebrity author. All in all I really enjoyed what he had to say and learned a lot. It was my first time hearing an author speak, and I really hope it's not my last.

Kanye's Outburst

By now everyone has seen or atleast heard about rappers Kenye West's outburst at the MTV video music awards a few nights ago. His actions have been labeled as "rude" and "not needed". His actions of taking the microphone from Taylor Swift, the winner for best female music video, just so he could voice his own opinion about who "should" have won was completely unexpected. Last night he was featured on Jay Leno and now many writers are woundering if it is due to his emotional buildup, mainly on his mothers death. Why did Kanye do this? Was he really disspoointed by the winner or was it just his emotions speaking? Regardless, we do now know that he is indeed sorry for his actions. After all how can you have an awards show without some exciting drama to make the next days news headlines?

Freedom

Now that we are in college a lot of things are differant than high school. One of the biggest changes that I have noticed and embraced is our umlimited freedom. Getting to class late here is no big deal but in high school, that was a detention. Do your laundry when ever you want. Eat what you please. Do what you want. It is all hitting me as a shockwave, but it is fun. Are you embracing the newfound freedom or taking advantage of it?

Stress in College

College is a time that everything is new. There are new classes, new people, and new experiences every day. Along with this there is also a new feeling of stress. For me, I am trying to deal with it day to day. Between practices and classes and study tables, it all seems too much. Everyone says that I will eventually get in the swing of things, which I can sense happening slowly but surely. I know that if I keep working hard at my time management and everything else that college has to offer I will soon be enjoying myself and not be so worried about it all. But isn't a little but of stress good?

Season in full swing

With field hockey season now in full swing, we have started our game schedule. We just arrived from this past weekend from Connecticut, a nice 32 hour drive on a bus with my team. Our first weekend we played in North Carolina and arrived back with two wins. This past weekend, we came back with two losses. Regardless our coaches and upperclassmen have expressed how much potential our team has this year, and our prescense on the field is known. We are working together great and loving every day so I am extremely excited about what this season will bring.

Reflection start...

Being an only child was something that I loved for six years of my life. All of the things that people would buy for me and neverending attention was great. My friends would have brothers or sisters that would prevent them from coming over to my house, but not me. I was a lone soldiar, living the life of luxury and independence. But, that was only for six years. February 28, 1996: the day that I was no longer the sole “Hammer child”. I was no longer alone and I was forced to welcome Thomas Hammer to the room next to mine. Getting a sibling was something that I was excited for....