New Chapter, New Challenges

So many changes in the past few weeks--new job, new apartment, new town--AHH!  New! NEW! NeW!

I love working with my residents!  It's a brand new adventure everyday and each day definitely has its challenges.  A big thing so far has been the lack of internet which is both a good and bad thing. On the down side, students tend to be pretty addicted to internet and have been more than a little miffed at the lack of reliable internet, not to mention it makes it a little tough to complete online homework.  However, on a good note, the wonky internet has forced students out of their rooms into the hallways and common rooms and they are interacting with each other and making friends faster.

I'm praying for balance as the year gets underway, it's been a big adjustment to get used to working out of an office instead of my apartment.  Plus, the lack of internet aside from my work computer makes it hard to do any of my personal life internet (banking, email, bills, etc.) without having people in my office or knocking on my door.  Without balance my introvert self with be fried in short order (no pun intended :) ).

Sleep is a big deal, I feel like I spend all my non office time sleeping.....I guess that would also be a balance thing.  I still am not unpacked :(  Dreamland is calling!

The Best Parts of Being an Adult (to be added to!)

• Eating ice cream sundaes for supper or cookies for breakfast
• Driving
• Taking really long showers without someone yelling, "You're using too much hot water!"
• Popcorn is allowed to be a major food group
• Bedtime can be whenever you want (as long as you remember to set your alarm :) )
• You only have to clean up your own messes (well, as long as you're single and aren't obsessed with cleaning up everyone's messes for them!)
• You can eat junk cereal two days in a row without getting into trouble
• If you forget to clean your room before you go "play" you aren't grounded
• You don't HAVE to brush your teeth before you go to bed......but it's still a good idea
• If you feel like wearing plaid with those polka dots, YOU CAN! (but you might end up on the next episode of What Not To Wear)
• You can be friends with whomever you choose and how you choose is up to you
• You (hopefully) realize that you're an integral piece of a great puzzle and everything you do has repercussions and meaning. Life has a purpose and you're important!

Sweet Show!

Thunder and lightning go together like peanut butter and jelly or milk and cookies right?  Apparently not always so!  Up until last night, I have NEVER in my life seen so much lightning without even a low rumble of thunder.  It was extremely eerie watching lightning that close with so many rapid fire flashes but all the time being completely and utterly silent.

Apparently, (according to my aunt (a science teacher) and a little bit of internet research) this phenomenon is called cloud lightning or cloud to cloud lightning.  It is caused when a charge builds up on only one side of the cloud and the lightning stays within the cloud and doesn't strike the ground.  Generally, the cloud lights up and flickers (which is what we observed) and the lightning occurs at very rapid intervals.

Who knew!?

(This isn't my pic, just one of Intra Cloud Cloud to Cloud lightning)

A Little 90's Flashback

Audio Adrenaline has always been a favorite band of mine, pretty much since I was old enough to pick out my own music :)  They're right up there with Jennifer Knapp for being the music carrying me through the rough spots in life.  

This is "Underdog" one of my favorite songs and a fantastic mood booster......and this vid is ADORABLE......the little underdog is running around with a jock strap on his head LOL  :)  Enjoy!  Lyrics below

I am so weak and I'm so tired

It's hard for me to

Find enough strength to feed the fires

That fuel my ego

And consequently all my pride has all but died

Which leaves me

Down on my knees

Back to the place I

Should have started from

Been beat up

Been broken down

Nowhere but up

When you're facedown

On the ground

I'm in last place

If I place at all

But there's hope for this underdog!

That's the way, uh-huh, we like it!

That's the way, uh-huh, we like it!

You can call me the underdog

I'm in this race to win a prize

The odds against me

The world has plans for my demise

What they don't see

Is that a winner is not judged by his small size

But by the substitute he picks to run the race

And mine's already won