Friday, May 17, 2002
1:29 a.m.Round Three How is your vision? Do you wear contacts or glasses? Do you prefer one over the other for a particular reason?
Blind as a mole, baby! - wore contacts for a short time, then got too darn lazy to be bothered. That, and I poked myself in the eye one too many times. (^_~) So, glasses for me. I've worn glasses since second grade, so no biggie. And hey, they've been pretty handy in the lab in a pinch, too, when one has forgotten one's safety goggles - kidding, kidding! They're not that big. ::grins::
What is the scariest situation you've ever been in?
Hum, almost got hit by a train when I was fourteen. Yep, that was pretty scary. (:^P)
How do you feel about various methods of travel? Are you afraid of planes, boats, etc.? If so, what caused this fear?
I like public transportation, although I could do without planes. I mean, I'll fly, but planes absolutely kill my ears. And no, chewing gum doesn't work. After my eardrum burst in eighth grade, my ears have been highly sensitive to pressure changes. They hurt in the car, too, in hilly country.
Oh, and I dislike cars because I get really carsick, depending on who's driving. Microfiche makes me sick, too.
Damn, you can't take me anywhere. No wonder I'm no fun. (:^P)
How important is care of the environment to you?
Heh. ---> Bio major wishing she had the time/money to get an option in ecology. Oh! Oh! And my dad works for the NJDEP - Bureau of Groundwater Pollution Abatement. And I interned at the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water. 'Nuff said. (^__^)
How old are you and what's the hardest thing about being that age?
I'm 21, and I don't drink. Ta-da.
Should you self-censor what you write on your personal site? Do you already? If so, why?
I have in the past, but am leaning away from doing so simply because the whole writing thing is meant to be a catharsis, usually. If I offend people, I often apologize, but really, that's a chance everyone takes when journal-surfing. I don't expect a lot of people to actually read this stuff, anyway.
what is your ideal career path, if you've got one? is there anything you *never* want to do as a job?
Teaching high school kids. They're a great bunch of people. I promised myself when I was seven that I would never work in an office as my career. Interning at one wasn't too bad, but it was a government job, not a corporation. Different rules apply there.
Do you feel that society, the media, your friends or family, etc. have warped your thoughts or viewpoints at any point in your life? i.e. Do you think you are overweight because girls in magazines are stick-thin or expect men to make grand, thoughtful, romantic gestures because that's what you see in movies? How have you been affected? Do you recall any specific incidents?
I don't pay much attention to the media (I read National Geographic and Discover, what do you want?). Still, girls in magazines usually look unhealthy (you know, America is a great place where many of the poor can still eat - there's no excuse for looking emaciated when you're otherwise healthy and cared for). And yes, men should still make grand, romantic gestures because, hey, we're worth it. (^_~)
Ah - to bed! I've blabbed enough for one night. (^_^)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Friday, May 17, 2002
12:16 a.m.Round Two How do you feel about tanning?
Despise it. If you could just see what it can do to you on the DNA level, you would too. I'm talking about mutations here, kids. And don't think that one of the two kinds UV rays is okay for you - remember that too much of even a good thing is bad for you. Besides, it's one more thing which fuels the whole fashion/cosmetic industry. I'm sorry that people (not just girls) feel the need to change themselves in that way.
And I'm not bitter that I'm practically transluscent and have gotten sun poisoning before. It just boggles my mind that people still think that tanning is okay for their bodies. (^_~)
When was the last time you cried? Were they tears of joy or of sadness? What caused them?
This past semester and they were tears of angry disbelief at the utter cruelty and selfishness of someone whom I thought was a very good friend. It was the worst emotional break-up I've had the pleasure of experiencing thus far in my life.
Gee, aren't you glad you asked? (^_~)
Do you have emotional baggage?
The hell? Who doesn't? (:^P)
What does it consist of? How does it [affect] your life and your relationships with other people?
I guess it's affected the extent in which I allow myself to get close to people, which really isn't all that much. It takes a really long time for me to warm up to people enough to spill even the summarized version of my life story (although this journal-thing's been great - ah, anonymity ::grin::). Usually, if a person doesn't ask about it, they'll never know - probably a good thing because if you're not asking, you don't want to know anyway. Why waste your time pretending to listen? We've all got better things to do. (^_~)
do you have someone you'd consider your "best friend"? why or why not? if you do, tell why they are your best friend.
My Comrade is my best friend ::waves in the direction of CA:: We've known each other since sixth grade and share a lot of interests. We've been through a lot, too, but always manage to come out on top. Not only that, but she's a damned fine lady. I couldn't've done any better. ::hugs::
My mom and I are pretty inseparable, too. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be into biology (and she was an art history major to boot!). I've learned so much from her, and I'll always be grateful.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Friday, May 17, 2002
12:05 a.m.Topics Blog-ness because I don't want to go to sleep How much time do you spend sitting in front of the television on the average day? Are there specific programs you follow, or do you just watch TV to have something to do?
Hum, during school, the only show I usually watch is CSI, and sometimes I still catch an episode of X-Men: Evolution on Saturday mornings. I don't want to grow up; what can I say? (^_^) That equals about an hour and a half a week. When I come home, though, I also like to watch Enterprise. It's kind of a tradition to watch Star Trek shows together as a family. ::laughs:: Hey, that's pretty decent. I don't like to sit in front of the television; it makes me feel like I'm wasting my time. Instead, I'd rather sit in front of the computer. Funny how life is, huh? ^__^
Who is responsible for a child's education - teacher or parent? Why?
Ooo, that's a pertinent question. The thing is, they both are. While it really depends on the subject and situation, it's pretty much common sense. There are some things which only a teacher can effectively impart for a student while the same holds true for a parent. The sad thing is when the teacher has to do some of the parenting while in school - something which I'm sure will plague me throughout my career, no doubt about it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thursday, May 16, 2002
08:01 p.m.
You know what? My outlook on today was so much better than it was before. I think that writing what I did yesterday really helped. And I'm sorry if I've offended anyone - try to keep in mind that we're all entitled to our opinions, ideas, and beliefs here. I mean no disrespect towards those people who believe one way over another; just be sure to respect those of us who think differently than you do, okay?*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thursday, May 16, 2002
12:01 a.m.Long time not here - and the possibility of offending folks Eh, finals week is over, thank goodness. Man, but that was a rough one. S'funny how I can end up taking only two science courses and still have four final exams, a presentation, and two final portfolios due during that one, very lovely week. (^_~) The only course I'm worried about is geology - the lab final was decent, but the lecture one was iffy. Man, I wish that profs would get the grades out quick. I'd hate to have to retake that class.
All right, really long-winded rant ahead. I've got to warm up to it first. Oh, and if you feel you may be offended when I discuss religious beliefs and attitudes, then please don't read. The last thing I need is more narrow-mindedness affecting my mood, 'k? And there'll probably be some mild swearing. I tend to get a potty-brain when I'm angry. (^_^;;)
-------> Start rant ------------>
Last week I was so ready to come home. It wasn't so much due to school-stress as much as it was people-stress. See, I have the unfortunate situation where I can't afford to get an apartment because apartment also equals car which when multiplied together equals much more than I can afford (besides which, I have this need/hate relationship with cars - it's coming to the point where I'll need one despite absolutely despising them). Anyway, what it comes down to is that I still live in the dorms. Yep, I'm now a senior, and I'm still doing the communal living thing. Now, don't get me wrong, communal living can be fine. It's great, really - all of that 'more people for less space' deal. Hey, I may have only gotten a C+ in Urban Geography, but I still learned a lot.
But what it comes down to are the people you end up living with.
Most of those kids are freshmen/sophomores who are just warming up to life without their guardians. I understand that; I mean, I was there, too. So I can put up with the screaming in the halls at night (unless I have an eight o'clock class the next morning- then the real screaming begins (^_~)), the smoke bombs at two am, and even the microwave being thrown out of the window. After having lived in an apartment for five years when growing up, it's nothing I haven't seen before. I don't condone those actions, but I've put up with it. I've taken enough psych courses and reality doses to understand that these things happen.
What gets on my nerves are the people you end up having to share the room with.
All right, let's cut to the chase: my roommate is a good, nice kid. She doesn't go out and party. She does her homework and works in one of the department offices during the week. She spends large amounts of time with her boyfriend who's also a decent person. They're both good, decent people. And stubborn. And self-righteous. And highly opinionated.
It absolutely drives me up the wall.
It seems that I can't go a week and a half without a discussion regarding creationism or God. Not that they're trying to push religion on me or anything, but it's irritating all the same. You don't like evolution or, as it seems to be the case more and more, don't understand it? Fine. You don't have to believe in it. All I ask is that you respect that some of us do or at least consider it a valid theory. Think we're going to burn in hell for it? It doesn't seem as though you really care, but please, feel free to pray for our souls or whatever else makes you happy. But if I hear, "The Garden of Eden must've been like that," or something similar one more time, I'm walking away. I've never said a word about Australopithecus sp. or Lucy or even the damned pepper moth. Why can't there be some mutual respect?
Oh, and let's not get into the whole gay debate! Roommate quite innocently posed the question of whether or not I "believed" in gay adoption. In the most tactful way, I stated my thoughts on the issue. What did I get in return? Of course, it was the whole 'homosexuality is a sin' rant on top of how it would be so unhealthy and detrimental for a child to grow up in that sort of 'environment'. Excuse me? What about the thousands of children who are neglected or abused by their own, straight parents in this country? When the conversation naturally segued into the bare-bones is-homosexuality-right part of the topic and thinking, of course, that I finally had a way to maybe open up her mind a bit, I just had to ask, "What if God put gay people on Earth for a reason?" To which I got the reply: "But God would want the world to be perfect and in His image. God wouldn't want people to turn gay."
.
.
.
What the hell? Sweetie, when was the last time you talked with God? Let me know the next time that you do so that I can get a word in, too, okay? I want the big guy in the sky to hear all about the narrow-minded H. sapiens scampering around down here. Then maybe we can finally turn our attention to the issues which are more important and helpful for people and this world instead of being hurtful.
<------- End rant <------------
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Monday, April 29, 2002
04:17 p.m.Just to get this out of my system - courses for next semester include:
ANTH 324: Human Spatial Relationships
BIOL 365: Genetics
BIOL 463: Virology
BIOL 471: Forensic Biology
MATH 161: Calculus IThis is assuming that I survive CHEM 326: Biochemistry this summer. Help.
I owe folks email. Um, soon-ish? Back to writing papers...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Saturday, April 13, 2002
04:12 p.m.
The apathy of our student body never ceases to amaze me.On another note, I'm going into hiding for a while. I've got loads of work to do - probably more than I've ever had before. I'll still surf around my links list during those five or so free minutes I tend to squeeze into my day, no matter what.
::snorts:: I'm not sacrificing my sanity for any course. It's just not worth it.
Toodles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Saturday, April 6, 2002
05:48 p.m.
I really meant to get a lot of work done today. Instead, though, I've been recreational reading. I will get things done, though. It's just hard to do work nowadays when it's still light out. I like to read while being able to look outside the window. Our window is six feet tall, four feet wide, and faces directly west. I can watch the sunset while reading. When it warms up, I can do my reading outside on the lawn or at a picnic table. That will be lovely.Wow, that was completely random.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Monday, April 1, 2002
07:57 p.m.
I'm in the midst of playing with the colors, but I need to take a break. The screen is making me all googly. I'll fix it later.*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12/ 13
Name: Jess
dob: February 10th, 1981. That'd make me an Aquarian. ::This is the dawning of the age of:: -- erk.
Occupation: college student.
Institution: MU, PA, USA.
Educational goal: Get a BSE in biology.
Adores: After You, my wonderful fish!
Hobbies: reading, collecting art supplies I never seem to use anymore, maintaining this journal thing, participating in wild bug adventures with MU's entomology club, birdwatching, and spending time in the garden with my mother.
Contact?:
Email:
here
Guestbook: Read::Sign::Dreambook
AIM: story4247
reading for enjoyment:
The Hot Zone - Richard Preston
nose prints on glass:
Corvidary
deceptively packaged
epiphany
erinblog
LEGAL ALIEN
lime rain
Mission Statement
Mooncalf Noises
null&void
Petronia
Ramdomosities
Sainan no Kekka
seraphtrevs
Signifying Nothing
technomancy
environment/science pages:
Care2
Discover Magazine
EPA of New Jersey
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
The Hunger Site
MU Biology Department Home
MU Chemistry Department Home
MU Entomology Club Homepage
National Geographic Online
National Wildlife Federation
US EPA
give me a hit:
Dreamscape Studios
the flambeau factory
The Gossamer Project
Gundam Wing Addiction
Izumi 2001
MitsuGallery
Sainan no Kekka
shinigami & wing
Vanity Press
web comics:
Angel Moxie
Annie the Hardcore Gamer
Bite Me
Little Gamers
MegaTokyo
Return to Sender
Saturnalia
Small Stories
Strings of Fate
Winter
microcosms of interest:
The Bishounen Diaries
Früvous Dot Com
Google
Herzeleid.com
The Internet Movie Database
Japanese <--> English Dictionary Server
Kitty Arcade
LEO English/German Dictionary
Registered!
The Topics Blog
Yahoo! Groups
Thank you, Pitas!
