tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11054605240327636422024-02-19T06:46:31.038-08:00About BEBlakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-35064671238223615232011-06-26T20:05:00.000-07:002011-06-26T20:37:27.040-07:00New York State of Mind<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>When I think of New York - one of my favorite cities - I think of bustle, activity, importance, business, excitement, urban sprawl, and general cosmopolitanism. Today, while taking a walk in Central Park, it dawned on me that something I never have fully appreciated about the city before is its beauty. I think that this realization has been creeping up on me for the past month that I've lived here, but today, walking around the Central Park reservoir, it really hit me.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4lVlRwbgCAOJaQZm7mbtTq9zSmfpsNul8c51Ypk_LAlMjD4jNqqM3TeGrRZiZb_rIt0cA6sCsvKLvZBH1aa0t53JIvo_Zuk0I6Vnwtd9hdatw5c75XwJYQOwyhuDcb2ewqtXmLDh5iVt/s320/Central+Park+Reservoir+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622737780123467378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMBlNC2d8ubcIXzRNc5SBFfjkuAzhyphenhyphen0uSYpWxsg6xho4FJZy9j1fMf_AycrCpkOr3kcFgTY3gMcMf7iuyFihJlY4MXzYPkbQBUttsGQ6j7_dtDHwcQNbFxm8xdDzs5lNqUfwYG_2BQVHk/s320/Central+Park+Field.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622737771939191410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I've really enjoyed living here. I'm learning a lot through my internship and gaining great experience - even though the company I'm working for is absolutely crazy. As I've already described, the city itself is fantastic. It's full of energy, opportunity, and diversity. My only regret about my time here is the little time I have to get to know the wonderful people I'm meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>I still have about three more weeks though and I'm determined to make the most of it. Besides, when I do say goodbye to the Big Apple, I have a feeling that it'll be more of a "see you soon" than a "farewell forever."</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rurl04NTnD-8g8ls6YBTyesPYqnIg9eSMfL-EttJbPdbnrAygIvj-1rxckXa4oOsTefPQlQB86QEzBmzqOEvUUrSa-lZqQjHf0R6xWEzMbgLFHhMiYDck1Nu7V2XQbYeNNUR7vQqGuhR/s320/Central+Park+Reservoir+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622737769686156498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-52182882041572636042011-06-19T16:21:00.000-07:002011-06-19T16:30:00.829-07:00Writing Seminar Blogs Part 5: April 18 to April 21<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">This is my final of the writing seminar blogs! It's a bit shorter than the rest (I guess I didn't evenly divide them) but nevertheless, it's here. I realize that it ends somewhat abruptly and doesn't have quite the nostalgic, reflective, and conclusive nature that one would expect from an end-of-school-year post. I'll write a proper conclusion in the near future now that I have over a month's perspective on the year. Indeed, though I have neglected (yes, I've used this word in many a blog post) my blog, there is much to be discussed! Right now, I'm living in New York City for an internship. There is definitely more on that to come - already I've had several very unique experiences to relate. Until then, feel free to read my anti-climactic end of the writing seminar blog series!</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; "><br /></span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 18 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 04/18/2011 5:16 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-3"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">Tonight, I'm going to the suburbs for a Passover dinner with one of my hallmates. I'm looking forward to getting a glimpse into Jewish culture, not to mention the homemade food and some time outside the city. Though I love Philadelphia, I do miss the relative silence and space of suburbia. As the end of the year approaches, I catch myself imagining my summer. I get intense pulses of excitement for the familiar warmth of Utah in the summer as well as the mystery of living in New York for severl weeks. It'll be a busy summer. Part of me wishes I was spending more time at home while another part of me wants to be away more. There are so many exciting things to do in this world - I'm worried I won't have the time to do them all!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 20 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 04/20/2011 5:31 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-1"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I'm blogging again today because I forgot to blog yesterday. My friends and I back home are planning an awesome roadtrip for this May. Right now, it's looking like we'll take a week in May and go down to Austin, Texas for a week. We're thinking about hanging out around the lakes and enjoying the wonders of the state of Texas. I'm not so sure that it's entirely feasible, but it's making me stoked for the summer!</p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><div class="contentItemBody"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 20 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 04/20/2011 3:49 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-2"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">Today has been a good and productive day thus far. I went for a run, met with Dr. Paletta, and met with my Math professor all before classes this afternoon. Hoepfully the productivity continues because I have a lot of work due within the next week and my mom is visiting this weekend. I'm looking forward to good food and spending time with my mom this weekend. It'll serve as a nice break before finals.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 21 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 04/21/2011 6:42 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-0"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I went on a really great run this afternoon. I ran down Walnut all the way to Independence Hall and then ran back to campus along Market. It was a good length for a run and definitely made me appreciate the great weather. In other news, my Mom is coming into town tonight. I'm not entirely sure that it's good timing, but it will be good to get some good food and whatnot. Have a great weekend everyone!</p></div></span>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-72363939128385899502011-05-25T14:28:00.000-07:002011-05-25T15:26:22.618-07:00Writing Seminar Blogs Part 4: March 28 to April 14<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; ">Summer is finally here. Thus far it's meant lots of nights with friends, football games, and great food. The flip side is the lack of time I've had. Luckily these writing seminar blogs are relatively time effective to post. Hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on March 28 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 03/28/2011 11:27 AM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-15"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">It seems only fitting that a week of fun and relatively no homework would end with a mountain of homework and a midterm to be conquered. Last week, I made an effort to have all of my homework done before my friend came to town. When he did get in, I did little to no homework and had a blast. Unfortunately, that makes this Monday even harder than usual. We have quite a bit of work to do this week! Good luck everyone!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p></div><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "></span></span></span></div>Post on March 29 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 03/29/2011 7:23 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-14"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">It's been one of those non-stop days where you go from meeting to meeting and class to class. I've barely had time to catch my breath! Anyways, my friend is having a birthday dinner downtown which should be fun. It'll be a nice break from studying for my math midterm. I've spent way too much time doing math today - I can't wait until I'm done with Calculus. </p></div><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on March 30 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 03/30/2011 11:15 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-13"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">After hours and hours of studying for my calculus midterm tomorrow, I feel that the only thing left for me to do is relax my brain a little and sleep. In that spirit, I'm going to watch some Law and Order: UK. I won't lie, UK Law and Order is way better than the American version. They have British accents, a different legal system, and wigs. Yeah, wigs. Britain knows how to do things right. We took a wrong, wrong turn in our legal history when some guy decided we wouldn't have wigs. </p><div><br /></div></div><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on March 31 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 03/31/2011 10:48 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-12"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I'm writing my peer review after a long day. I had a math midterm today that went less than well unfortunately. I'm glad to say that I <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: italic; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">think </em>I'm done for the most part until finals. I'll have work, sure, but no more midterms to study for. I'm looking forward to really enjoying my last few weeks here at Penn before the summer. </p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><div><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 4 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 04/04/2011 2:04 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-11"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">Hey, I participated in the interfaith weekend of service too! Some friends from church and I helped the Muslim Student Association set up a family fair on 40th and Locust on Saturday. It was a lot of fun - it makes me want to do more service! It is unfortunate that it's Monday again though. The weather partially makes up for it. I'm going on an amazing run after class and I'm stoked.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "></p><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 5 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 04/05/2011 12:40 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-10"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">After yesterday and looking at the forecast for today, I thought it would be only cloudy and mid-60s. In this spirit, I began the day with short sleeves which was fine at first, but has since turned into a bad decision. Grudgingly, I had to trek back to my dorm after lunch and grab a sweatshirt. Oh summer, why must you be so fickle?</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><div><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 6 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 04/06/2011 3:21 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-9"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I'm typing this furiously before heading off to class because I have a few mintues and nothing else to fill them with. Tonight, after class I'm going to head to the gym before dinner. I love going to the gym. The last couple of weeks, I hadn't had the chance but this week has been a really great reunion. Anyway, I had better head off to see you guys in 10 minutes!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "></p><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 7 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 04/07/2011 12:28 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-8"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">It is one of those days. I'm so tired. I had to get up early today to help register visitors for Penn Previews. It's interesting to see the new class of 2015 as they first see Penn. I remember being so excited during Penn Previews. It's a reminder of how lucky we are to be here!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "></p><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 11 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 04/11/2011 1:48 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-7"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">This last weekend was one of the best I've had in a long time. Some kids from a Georgetown chapter of a club I'm involved in came up to Philly. They were really cool people and we got along really well. I hope to be able to visit them down in DC sometime, though it'll be hard with the school year wrapping up and everything. The weather is absolutely phenomenal. I sincerely hope that Dr. Paletta lets us have class outside today. It would be wonderful. Right now, I'm just hanging out underneath a cherry blossom, enjoying the warmth and beauty. It's funny how much weather can affect mood! Everyone seems so happy - college green is more full than I've seen in a long time. Life is good.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "></p><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 12 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 04/12/2011 5:50 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-6"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">It's a super busy day. I have to finish the first draft of our final writing paper, my roommates and I are hosting a prospective student, and I have a mandatory meeting for the SFCU. I'm rushing from one thing to another. I'm looking forward to meeting and helping out the prospective student. One of my roommates was hosted by some guys last year and he loved it. Just today in fact, my roommate and I ate lunch with the guy that hosted him - they're good friends still. Anyway, I have to start working. Have a good night everyone!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "></p><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><p></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 13 2011</span> <br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 04/13/2011 1:50 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /></p><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-5"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I've wrapped up my paper as well as the rest of my homework due this week and it is most certainly a relief. The prospective students staying with my friends and I are really cool kids from all over. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them last night, but unfortuantely it meant that we stayed up faily late, so I'm running on a bit of a deficit of sleep. Tonight, we're going to take the kids into center city and show them Philly, which will be a lot of fun. I am so looking forward to relaxing after all the work we've had to do. For all intents and purposes, the weekend has begun!</p><div><br /></div></div><p></p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div></div></div><p></p></div></div></div><hr style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; ">Post on April 14 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 04/14/2011 8:49 AM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div class="contentItemBody" id="content-4"><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="margin-top: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0.5em !important; margin-left: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; ">I am absolutely exhausted. I've stayed up late the last couple of nights with our prospective students and it's starting to hit me. They're gone now, but it was a lot of fun having them. Both of them have decided to come to Penn and it was cool to be a little part of that decision. Still, I didn't get nearly enough sleep this week and there's stuff to be done. Who said Fling week was easy?</p></div><br /></span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-930992078368065572011-04-25T10:27:00.000-07:002011-04-25T15:54:42.653-07:00Writing Seminar Blogs Part 3: March 1 to March 24<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><div style="font-size: 1em; ">I know the formatting of this blog is a little off. I copy and paste it from the class blog and it doesn't always translate well. I'm sure you guys will forgive me.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1em; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1em; ">Post on March 1 2011</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Tuesday, 03/01/2011 12:27 AM by Blake Ellison</span> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-26" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; ">Today I took my OPIM midterm. I felt pretty good about it, but it's the type of class that even the easy questions can be tricky. I'm sure there's at least one question that I'm <em style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; ">sure</em> I got that will come back marked incorrect. Oh well, it's over now. Since, it's been a cram session of BPUB. Is anyone else completely terrified of this test? I sure hope so. The only thing we have going for us is the curve :(. Good luck everyone! I hope your last week before spring break started well!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1em; "><b style="font-size: 1em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">Post on March 2 2011</span><br /></b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Wednesday, 03/02/2011 12:37 PM by Blake Ellison</span> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-25" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">To everyone talking about Pandora, I couldn't agree more! I actually used all of my 40 free hours last month so I coudn't use it for a couple days. I listen to it all the time while I'm doing homework or even just hanging out around my dorm. My favorite station is a personal country station. It plays great song after great song. I love it. I love Pandora.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><div id="content-23" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><b></b></span></p><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 4 2011</span></span></b></span></span></b></div></div><div id="content-23" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; "></span></span></b></span></span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><b><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Friday, 03/04/2011 12:31 AM by Blake Elliso</span><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "> </span></span></b></span></span></div></b></span></div></div></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><div id="content-24" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">Right now I'm packing to go home tomorrow and watching the Jazz game on TV. Life is good after midterms. In the midst of the last two weeks of ridiculous amounts of work and studying, I forgot that it's actually awesome that we attend Penn and live in Philly. I love the campus here! It's beautiful, really. Still, I'm really looking forward to going home. I've missed my friends and feel as though I've earned a break.</p><div><br /></div></div></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 4 2011</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Friday, 03/04/2011 12:34 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-23" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I need to post again because I forgot to once this week. I think the reason I've reinvigorated my happiness to be here at Penn is because I'm training to be a Kite and Key tour guide. It's really fun to help high school kids in their college decision process. Especially because it hasn't been that long since I was going through it! Well, I'm off to finish my preparations to head out. Have a good break everyone!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 14 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); " >Created on Monday, 03/14/2011 11:13 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-22" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I know I'm sort of jumping on the bandwagon, but wasn't spring break amazing? It was a much-needed recess from the two weeks prior. I miss home already, especially in the face of piles of homework and other chores that need to be done. There are things to look forward to, however. Warm weather is definitely one of them. March Madness is another (you should all sign up for the bracket challenge!). It is unbelieveable that we onlly have two more months left in our freshman year here. It seems like it went by so quickly! Oh, summer is going to be wonderful. See you guys in a few hours!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 15 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Created on Tuesday, 03/15/2011 12:27 PM by Blake Ellis</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); " >on</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-21" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I know what you mean Gil, there's an atmosphere of stress around here that it hard to take some times. We've only been back a day, but we already have so much to do! For whatever reason, I'm extremely tired. I'm not sure how that's possible because I've gotten 18 hours of sleep over the past two nights! Still, I'm having a hard time focusing today. Yawn!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 18 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); " >Created on Friday, 03/18/2011 12:13 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-20" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I'm really tired. I forgot to blog. I am currently blogging. I love March Madness. I want sleep. It's been real. Have a good weekend everyone.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 21 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); "><span class="Apple-style-span">Created on Monday, 03/21/2011 1:02 PM by Blake Ellison</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-19" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I just submitted the Synthesis Paper and I feel like it was kind of a weird assignment. I'm not exactly sure why, but I had a harder time with it. Maybe I just didn't understand it or something. In other news, my bracket has been absolutely destroyed by the losses of Pitt and Texas, among others. Finally, my best friend is coming to visit for the week tomorrow. I'm really hoping we don't get much work for this class today. *cough cough hint hint Dr. Paletta!* See you guys soon!</p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div><p></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 22 2011</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Created on Tuesday, 03/22/2011 9:18 PM by Blake Ellison</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-18" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">My friend from back home arrived here in Philly today. It's really awesome that he's here and kind of crazy! There's a bit of a mixture of both spheres of my life. I hope you all have a good night!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 23 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); "><span class="Apple-style-span">Created on Wednesday, 03/23/2011 2:54 PM by Blake Ellison</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br /><br /><div id="content-17" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">The rain is getting be down a bit. After last Friday, I was looking forward to the following weeks to be full of sun, warmth, and shorts. Alas, instead we have raincoats, sweatshirts, and rushed walking from class to class. It's ok though. I'm more ahead on homework than I have been all semester! That means I get to relax a bit. See you guys in a half hour! </p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><b></b></span></p><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><div id="content-23" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></p><div id="content-18" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><br /></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; "></span><p></p></div><p></p></div></span></b></span></span></b></div><p></p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div></span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on March 24 2011</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 03/24/2011 12:58 PM by Blake Ellison</span> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-16" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">It's hard to believe that it's already Thursday! Doesn't it seem like the week is going by really quickly? My roommates and I are going to watch basketball at Chili's - I can't wait. Anyway, I hope you're all doing well. Have a good weekend!</p></div><br /></span>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-79043608887205760202011-04-17T16:39:00.000-07:002011-04-17T17:52:56.270-07:00Writing Seminar Blogs Part 2: February 7 to February 25<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><div><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; " >Post on February 7 2011</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Monday, 02/07/2011 10:38 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 1em; font-weight: normal; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-34" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Well, here's the beginning of a new week! It seems like the weeks are flying by. One moment I'm waking up on Monday and next moment I'm checking the clock every 5 minutes in BPUB recitation on Friday. Each day in between is so busy and packed that the time just flies out of the window! That's what makes weekends so enjoyable. The last couple of days were great. I hung out with friends, visited DC on Saturday, and had a great day at church on Sunday. I couldn't ask for more except that the next weekend come quickly. Please?</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 8 2011</span> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 02/08/2011 12:58 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div id="content-33" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">So yesterday, I made a vow to Kenny that I would rewrite a sentence from the plagiarism exercise several times to spite him. I don't want to spend too much time writing it, but here are a few:</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "> </p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">Original sentence: One thing that I was surprised to find out about plagiarism is that students are not the only guilty parties.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">- Surprisingly, students are not the only ones guilty of plagiarism.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">- I was shocked to discover that students are not the sole users of plagiarism.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">- Students, however, are not unique in their use of plagiarism.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">- Blame for plagiarism rests not only upon students, but others as well.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">- Those accountable for plagiarism include more than students alone.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 10 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 02/10/2011 12:23 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-32" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">Whoa, I almost forgot to blog for the day! Well, as we took notice of in class, today was my birthday! Thank you all for the comments on the blog (this counts as a response I think), the singing, and thank you Dr. Paletta for the cupcakes! Other than Writing Seminar, I enjoyed a good surprise party in my room by my friends. I was actually surprised! It was a lot of fun and the cake was good too! Well, unfortunately I have a lot of work so I'm off, but thanks again everyone!</p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 15 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Tuesday, 02/15/2011 10:50 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-30" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; ">I tried to blog but apparently Blackboard wasn't a fan. This last weekend, I was in Texas for a cousin's wedding. Honestly, Texas is one of my favorite places in the world. There's just no place like it. I love the atmosphere and the accents, not to mention the weather! I already miss the Lone Star State. </p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 15 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Tuesday, 02/15/2011 12:32 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-29" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">I wish I could go to Texas for spring break, Kristin. I'm going back home though, which will be good. Penn's spring break is really weirdly timed though. All of my friends are going to be in school over the week that I'm there so I'll awkwardly bother them at college, I guess. Some good news, my best friend is coming out for their Spring Break, the week after ours. I'm stoked to show him around Philly and Penn. </span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 16 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 02/16/2011 1:06 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-28" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I think I might be losing my mind. Between homework, extracurriculars, and the gym, I really don't have time to sit and think, or organize for that matter. I feel like I need a super organizing session to sort out when I'm working, when I need to shadow admissions tours, when I have class, etc. There's a lot to do and not enough time to do it. I think I might have mentioned this before. Sorry for being repetitive!</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><br /></p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 17 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 02/17/2011 1:06 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-27" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">Justin, I totally agree, days with no BPUB are pretty much the best thing ever. I have math in 20 minutes and then I'm done with my day! No follow-up whirlwind of microeconomic confusion today! I'll take that quality time to knock out some homework and, if all goes well, relax a little bit. I'm not setting my hopes that high though.</p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 21 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Monday, 02/21/2011 11:40 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-26" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; ">I nearly forgot to blog today! I'm really busy with homework tonight. I think I will be for the next week straight. Life is good though! I'm sitting in my room listening to some awesome country and doing work. That's Penn, right? Well, it's good to be here really. We're lucky! Obviously my thoughts aren't too coherent right now. BPUB has scrambled my brain. </p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 22 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Tuesday, 02/22/2011 11:12 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-25" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">So, a bit of a confession... For my birthday last week, one of my friends bought me a huge Taylor Swift poster. I have the hugest celebrity crush on her. I would do crazy things to go on a date with her. Seriously. Who doesn't love a talented, virtuous, and beautiful country singer? Now her poster is hanging by my desk along with pictures of friends and calendars. All is right in the world.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 23 2011</span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-weight: normal; ">Created on Wednesday, 02/23/2011 3:12 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-24" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Right now I have one of those awkward amounts of times between classes. My Spanish class let out early (at 3:00) and we have Writing at 3:30. It's not long enough to go to my dorm, get things done, or run errands. All I can do is sit in the study center, take a couple minutes to write this blog, and then waste precious time because there's not enough time to warrant actually getting work done. Oh well. See you guys in a few!</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 1em;"><br /></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "></span><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Post on February 25 2011</span></span></span></p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p></div><p style="font-size: 13px; "></p></div></span></span></span></div></span><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Friday, 02/25/2011 12:58 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-23" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">It's 1:00 in the morning, but since I haven't gotten to sleep it still counts as Thursday right? I get the idea Dr. Paletta isn't too much of a stickler about the timing. This time next week, I'll be packing to go home. I can't wait. College has definitely made me more appreciative of my home, family, and friends. It's kind of annoying how our break doesn't line up with any other school's though. I'll have to visit my friends at their universities!</p></div></span>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-29408028018099700432011-04-07T16:28:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:32:08.009-07:00Writing Seminar Blogs Part 1: January 18 to February 3I haven't managed to blog in... a really long time unfortunately. I've been occupied with school work and extracurriculars (and of course I've managed to have fun too). <div><br /></div><div>This semester I'm taking a (mandatory) writing seminar on "The Morality of Health Care." Each weekday, we're required to post on a "blog" with the purpose of developing our writing skills. We can write about any topic we choose, though our discussions often seem to revolve around weather and school work. Still, though I haven't had an opportunity to write a thoughtful post on my <i>actual</i> blog, I've had to maintain a steady stream of these short (3 or 4 sentences) blurbs for the last four months. I've decided to post them here in segments, to give you an idea of my thoughts throughout this semester. I hope you enjoy! </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 18 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 01/18/2011 4:53 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Hey everyone! My name is Blake Ellison. I'm a freshman in Wharton and I'm from Salt Lake City, Utah. My hobbies include traveling, playing tennis and other sports, and hanging out with friends. I'm a huge Utah sports fan. I love the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah college football, and Real Salt Lake (MLS). I'm looking forward to getting to know you all this semester!</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 19 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 01/19/2011 1:26 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-11" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">I think that the funny thing about coming to Penn is that we have all of these opportunities to do amazing things all around us, but we don't have time to do them. We all remember when we were first admitted and we were sent dozens of flyers and letters advertising that Penn had over 350 clubs in which we could become involved and that Philadelphia was a great city that we should explore. Unfortunately, between classes and homework, there's hardly enough time to breathe, much less fully take advantage of all of the opportunities outside of academia that Penn offers. Oh well. You might be wondering what spurred this. The short answer is big dreams of a relaxing night last night being ruined by too much homework and extracurricular applications. What else is new?</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 20 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 01/20/2011 12:34 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-10" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">The last few days have been somewhat of a FIFA marathon. Each day this week, my roommate and I have come directly back to our dorm after classes, knocked out all of our homework, and then played FIFA late into the night. Usually, it's pretty reasonable - we still get to bed at a decent hour - but last night, we stayed up way too late. The game is a bit of a time vortex, to be honest. You sit down to play and next thing you know, it's ten games and three hours later. Well, I'm going to log off and play some FIFA now. I have class in an hour, so here's hoping the vortex doesn't trap me for too long. </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 24 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 01/24/2011 7:34 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-9" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, my roommate and I found out that we were accepted into one of the Rodin residential programs. We got a four bedroom apartment with a kitchen and huge living room - I am so stoked. We checked the room out today and it'll be great. I can't wait to have a room to myself next year and it's really nice to be done with residential applications now. </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Alas, there are several months in between now and then. That's not to say that I'm not happy with my room now. I'm a a triple in the Quad and it's pretty nice. We have a double and a single attached by a big common room where we can work and hang out. It's great to have a place separate from where you sleep and work where you can relax. Well, I'm going to head out to the gym. I tried to go this morning, but could not motivate myself when I woke up an hour earlier than I needed to. Later!</span></p><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 25 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 01/25/2011 1:12 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-8" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Do you ever get the feeling that you have a lot of things and work to do, but you really don't? It's like your mind is in stress mode even though when you take a step back you're on top of things. I think that my mind remains perpetually in this stressed state here at Penn. Unfortunately, this week I really do have a lot of work and meetings to stay on top of. Good thing we have these blogs to write which makes us feel as though we're accomplishing something even though it only takes a few minutes!</span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 26 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 01/26/2011 7:29 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-7" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">I'll join in on the snow bandwagon and lend my own voice. It is snowing. A lot. I became intimately aware of this fact when I had to shovel the walks of my church for about an hour right after writing seminar this afternoon. I don't know that I've ever been so wet in my entire life. Where I'm from we get a lot of snow so I've never had a snow day, but that doesn't stop me from hoping we have one here. Unfortunately, not even my meetings have been cancelled, so although I'm cozy in my dorm now, I'll have to go out into the icy storm again. Until then, homework! </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 27 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 01/27/2011 12:42 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-6" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Coming back to my dorm from Commons today was like navigating through a minefield. A tumultuous river flows down the streets with few islands to hop across. Even when you think you've found a refuge, the island you're eying may just be a conglomeration of slush ready to explode all over you when you land on it. In this battle, my shoes and socks along with my warm feet were the casualties. None survived the flood of icy black water. </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on January 31 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Monday, 01/31/2011 5:28 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-5" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, I woke up early to do work.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, I was incredibly productive and managed to finish my work, go to the gym, and eat lunch all before class.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, my first class is at two in the afternoon, making my last statement a little less impressive.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, classes flew by, but there is still much to be done.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, I have several meetings in addition to homework due tomorrow.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, I need to continue to be productive.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today, I promised a Connecticuter and an Englishwoman I'd write my blog in this format the name of which I've already forgotten.</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p></div></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div><div><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 1 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Tuesday, 02/01/2011 12:41 PM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-4" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Today I forgot my laptop for OPIM so I had to take notes by hand. In some classes, I take notes by hand because it's easier due to graphs and whatnot (Math, BPUB), but I do prefer to take notes on a computer when possible. It's faster and easier to organize all of my notes in one spot. So now I have to transcribe my written, ugly notes onto my computer. As if we didn't have enough homework already eh?</span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "></span></p><div class="commentSection" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; clear: both; padding-top: 14px; font-size: 13px; "></div><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 13px; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 2 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Wednesday, 02/02/2011 10:49 AM by Blake Ellison</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /><br /><div id="content-3" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">This morning, I woke up intensely hungry. My stomach yearned for something to devour, but there was nothing to be found in all of our dorm room! I initially had plans to go to the gym this morning before lunch, but now I don't know that I could stomach it, forgive the pun. I'll go later tonight, I think, and instead use this morning to do productive things such as write this blog post.<br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "></span></span></p><hr style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="contentItemTitle" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; ">Post on February 3 2011</span> (<a href="https://courseweb.library.upenn.edu/webapps/lobj-journal-bb_bb60/blog/WRIT073-303-2011A/_1556276_1/20110203_8" title="a permanent link to this blog entry" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 51, 102); ">permalink</a>) -<span class="contentItemLinks" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; "><a href="https://courseweb.library.upenn.edu/webapps/lobj-journal-bb_bb60/blog/WRIT073-303-2011A/_1556276_1/20110203_8?cmd=Edit&course_id=_55305_1" title="edit this blog entry" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 51, 102); ">edit</a></span> <span class="contentItemLinks" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; "><a href="https://courseweb.library.upenn.edu/webapps/lobj-journal-bb_bb60/blog/WRIT073-303-2011A/_1556276_1/20110203_8?cmd=ViewHistory&subcmd=RevertPage&course_id=_55305_1" title="view the history of this blog entry" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 51, 102); ">history</a></span> <span class="contentItemLinks" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; "><a href="https://courseweb.library.upenn.edu/webapps/lobj-journal-bb_bb60/blog/WRIT073-303-2011A/_1556276_1/20110203_8?cmd=VerifyDelete&course_id=_55305_1" title="delete this blog entry" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 51, 102); ">delete</a></span><br /><span class="contentItemInfo" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); ">Created on Thursday, 02/03/2011 10:56 PM by Blake Ellison</span><br /><br /><div id="content-2" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; "><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-family: 'Lucida grande', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">So I just wrote a blog and clicked on a link to on accident. It's just a blog, but it frustrated me to no end. Though I wrote around five lines in response to Kenny's post, I'm going to cut it down because I don't want to write all of it again. Basically, I know what you mean. Thinking about all of the opportunities we have and what we have to do to get there, on top of what we already have, is very stressful. </p></div><p></p></div><p></p></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-12314646179971515652011-01-17T13:56:00.000-08:002011-01-17T22:15:54.202-08:00Yes, we can read. A few of us can even write.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzmHs_3scRmUpnsu8fi-CIjf1-51Ejk15sox7WpLLQ9qgByrzTbGzOUzktOOwPmOxt11loSjVcYkDYXyTy5ci3H_tCk6WM3KcsFrdq3iAtxqF3L4reFUV-lcVXOWwHpa9rGKegY1SxYY/s1600/MS+picture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzmHs_3scRmUpnsu8fi-CIjf1-51Ejk15sox7WpLLQ9qgByrzTbGzOUzktOOwPmOxt11loSjVcYkDYXyTy5ci3H_tCk6WM3KcsFrdq3iAtxqF3L4reFUV-lcVXOWwHpa9rGKegY1SxYY/s400/MS+picture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277593596415602" /></a>This last weekend, I was in Jackson, Mississippi for a relative's wedding. At a dinner the night of the wedding, my cousin was telling me about her Mississippi Studies class. One of the topics they were discussing was the stereotype that the rest of the country associates with Mississippi. <div><br /></div><div>Now, take a minute. What do you think when you think of Mississippi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of you are probably thinking of some backward society where people ride horses on unpaved roads and struggle to read. Ironically, this portrayal of Mississippian ignorance is, well, ignorant. </div><div><br /></div><div>The poster shown above is from a recently-implemented advertising campaign intended to address the backward stereotype that many Americans hold in regards to Mississippi. Reportedly, a 12 year old Connecticut boy was sitting next to a Mississippi businessman on an airplane when the boy began to ask the businessman about his home state. His questions ranged from, "Do you hate black people?" to "Do you still see the KKK on the streets everyday?" This experience led the businessman, the COO of a prominent communications firm, to push for a change and begin the campaign. (If any are interested, here is a link to the firm's website and advertisements: <a href="http://mississippibelieveit.com/ads/">http://mississippibelieveit.com/ads/</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div>After visiting, I quickly came to know that the general public's contrived image of Mississippi simply wasn't true. The people I met at the hotel, in restaurants, and during wedding events could not have been more congenial or polite. There's an atmosphere of Southern charm and simple living that isn't explicable or fully replicable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't imagine living in a state which was widely-regarded as illiterate, racist, or unsophisticated. Worse yet, knowing that everyone falsely believed that I was all of those things and not being able to do anything about it would be frustrating and insulting. Much like other stereotypes, visions of a backward Mississippi crumble rapidly when one actually encounters it. Yes, Mississippi is different than other states. It has a distinctive feel. But it hardly deserves the negativity it receives. The people are people, their problems are problems, and, like the rest of us, they're just trying to live life the best way they know how. </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-66151245422127537012010-11-25T21:33:00.000-08:002010-11-25T22:05:45.842-08:00Monk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbDnARkMPvKWoqqnIuRGj4xbErPs9qWpz1qSgFOzVuQ7vxxrB_K1gH5C4BFYSeEXYxrAnObHVMqi_Z_tPKrGCxFVYV8kt1iLr7uyB0jfAP5DgpPYiqHU1Wt_XHAkF40h-RraT28P8YGpd/s1600/monk+season+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbDnARkMPvKWoqqnIuRGj4xbErPs9qWpz1qSgFOzVuQ7vxxrB_K1gH5C4BFYSeEXYxrAnObHVMqi_Z_tPKrGCxFVYV8kt1iLr7uyB0jfAP5DgpPYiqHU1Wt_XHAkF40h-RraT28P8YGpd/s320/monk+season+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543733285792665266" /></a><br /><div>For the last seven years, my mom and I have been watching the TV show <i>Monk</i> together. At night, after we had completed our work for the day, we'd gather around the TV and follow San Francisco's Obsessive Compulsive Detective as he solved crimes and sanitized his hands. As time passed, we came to know and love the characters and their quirks. We watched their stories progress, especially that of Mr. Monk as he fought through a variety of struggles and put the pieces together to solve his wife's murder.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, on Thanksgiving, my mom and I watched the series finale. It's two-part story detailed a dramatic (and, as always, humorous) conclusion that saw Mr. Monk finally solve that one case that had eluded him. The episode was a culmination of years of stories and plots. When it ended, I couldn't help but feel a little sad and nostalgic. I couldn't help but reflect on the many nights over the last seven years that my mom and I had spent together watching this show, following these characters' "lives" develop as our own lives did the same. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we started, I was 11 years old, not even in middle school. Now, I'm three months into college visiting home for the first time since I left. For those incredibly formative years in my life, watching <i>Monk</i> was something special that my mom and I did together. It was one of <i>our things </i>and I'll miss it. The memories of my mom and I watching and enjoying <i>Monk</i> together, laughing and even sometimes crying, are something I am truly grateful for on this Thanksgiving. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a good run, Mr. Monk, mom and I will miss you. </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-86000853941963880462010-11-17T10:36:00.001-08:002010-11-17T18:30:14.333-08:00My Recent Blogging TrendI haven't posted a blog in a while, though I've written a lot of them. A solid stack of saved posts currently resides on the post menu, but I've written them more in an effort for personal reflection than to share on a blog. <div><br /></div><div>I get this idea and I think it's absolutely brilliant. I immediately begin typing furiously, splashing my thoughts crudely onto the computer screen. Several minutes later, paragraphs lie strewn together, tying together scattered thoughts and feelings. </div><div><br /></div><div>I read over my work. Initially, I'm happy. <i>That</i> is how I'm feeling. Sure, I'll need to tidy it up, but <i>that </i>is a good piece of reflective writing. Then the thought comes over me. Is that really something I want to share with everyone and anyone? I think about it and conclude that if I have to think about it, I should probably save the post and keep it for my eyes only.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is why there haven't been posts for the last two months or so. I feel as though I need to be inspired to write well and recently I'm inspired to write about personal topics and challenges that I'm not inclined to broadcast over the web.</div><div><br /></div><div>To phrase those thoughts generally, my life has altered drastically in the last three months. It's been a series of challenges, but I've enjoyed it immensely. I've been making new goals and forming new habits in an effort to take the opportunity that college offers me to improve myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this spirit, here's a new goal: to be better about my blog posting. </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-58197829541752768942010-09-21T10:16:00.000-07:002010-09-23T14:11:28.707-07:00Home Away From Home<div style="text-align: left;">For the last three weeks I've been living in West Philadelphia. It's been really great, but I haven't had much of a chance to update the blog to give a bit of context to my new life! Now, I'm going to give a bit of a virtual tour of my dorm, where I've been spending most of my time<span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R_J_IAuXzI9pMKlIk1aGXlrAMVsRO8xd4z87Sm0smWZ4cGOJM4dsgjfu4kHWT4rgU0ZP0-4q9JrjIWB8w9ha0-JcIatQmJDcWLhpBNatiY47NZSIxgI-iAlDftafDIisXB4pIAkB_QCo/s320/photo+2+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520215267659355218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJeK3vidJ4MuOSiozUjS4o6Bu9vMwgroxyaOcVDCxj9FtVXBJv7aqnAla0EQyPDaAd1u4ZtRjKwycmUT9J_b9sxTL7sQqtsq4Kbuh7FcNRqsNz19UUKAzCp1LJxgtzbQq4VfkI4vaUZYa/s1600/photo+(1).JPG"><br /></a></div>Here is the first glimpse at Franklin 114: our door. I am aptly represented by Big Bird while my roommates are characterized as Buzz Lightyear and Clifford. What a combination, eh?<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVL9S2B7ScXUucREdMlBw-UilX8gJjMvfSeOJcdM4aLlpAA8gFsiP_Mc_6GBzxvPnDJOTk5i0xUghuqS6rl4Ha4rQ3-7_Oc3e6lgKuVN4V6-2VD47Gi9_p_pXpVddsWXbEhRXzp_ho-pd/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519419869752186290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">After entering through the door's threshold, the best purchase I have ever made dominates our spacious common area. Yes, that futon has been tried and true. Indeed, just today I took an hour long nap on its plush cushion after Math!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIe29jGdMlRSd6TEuwrMQJo5laGBaFVg0yW9jq1Q725wzfLry5Fq053KPJOQhgR0_hSDgwCMD6OMVPPTNkfdssOoFGI8GjawSi5fFQDsv-XoZKIq8NUF6YJukawfvhhx_c0phesf5HbAx/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519421256905728146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span>This, specifically, is where I spend much of my time. Sadly this is not the futon. No, it is my desk and workspace. With all the work we get out here, our desk chairs become well-worn before too long. Luckily, I upgraded from the standard wooden chair to a comfortable office chair. I do what I can to make this space as personalized as possible. Directly above my desk and computer there are various paraphernalia from home. On the left is my cork board packed with photos of friends and memories - if you look carefully, you could see your own face smiling back at you! To the right of the cork board is my Utah sports shrine. Much to my roommates' chagrin, I zealously represent the beehive state above all others in its athletic endeavors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg6cpArhVmO9VXHWyUheL7G1ER6_GnQzJGLF0uzsWh9bU7sHhxexQ62UovEZfe49m86gs9WX5kAxsgJDRiq8nGePbRW72yAiEKa50DEsfuojrXxPwI40yqrwo7BFG0F3McPam2AZR9DFn/s320/photo+1+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520215496875634338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">After becoming fed up with homework, I will turn to the welcoming futon. This is my view from its comforting embrace. A refrigerator and shelves full of food are a must for college-aged men! Not to mention a TV, which is set on ESPN almost constantly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsMCK4CbnZ1WxBOL2_Zhx6p7oSpWpIPGhY8fb0H2nF3gH2CA_c3PMm3GnRzLnvE14JcvyfoQHR4qldh6n0W1fPaXxDten0sn_djwEe7R1_dfO7aMKLHjmA8okvQTKWyXA2RpfxYqRmCU3/s320/photo+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519424803568849042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>A glimpse behind the futon reveals a bit of a clearer picture of the rest of the room. I apologize for the poor lighting on the picture, but I think you can get the gist. My roommates' desks are lined up against the windows and to either side of this picture are the rooms we actually sleep in. I won't show pictures of those at the moment though - they're quite messy!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><br /><div>Well, there it is. A mini-tour of my Philadelphia residence. I hope to post pictures of campus before too long - it's truly an idyllic college campus. Hopefully I'll be able to better balance homework and blogging in the future. For now, that balance is pretty one-sided!</div><div><br /></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-32386955442243182702010-08-30T18:47:00.000-07:002010-09-03T17:47:53.050-07:00College and Its Many ChangesThe month of August has blown by me like a whirlwind, leaving my mind spinning and my blog in the dust. After two weeks of travelling and two weeks of goodbyes, I sit in my dorm room in West Philadelphia. All of the sudden, I'm a college student. Just like that. <div><br /></div><div>This experience has been half-liberating and half-intimidating. It's nice to be able to dictate your own schedule and do what you want at any given moment, but at the same time, it's hard to leave home and be thrust into a new place that is much different than the place you left behind with a new set of responsibilities placed on your shoulders. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've enjoyed my college experience thus far. There are really interesting people all around me - people who have completely different perspectives than I; and they're from every state in the country and every country in the world. Professors and deans wander the campus, occasionally stopping a wandering freshman to ask their name, where they're from, and what interests they have. Indeed, the professors themselves are fascinating. Already, I have had the opportunity to hear a lecture on "The Paradoxes of Interactive Media" which made me think more about the technological world around us and how it functions at a marketing level. Oh, and my dorm is pretty dang cool too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, college is different, but I think I like it here. </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-6409374082121539052010-08-04T16:16:00.000-07:002010-08-05T12:40:57.322-07:00Years of Spanish Classes Haven't Failed Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8EqgIwHK_PXSliCspKLblNc9aRjfMnBVA81nTtaxcvDmchZNDMAFwZSeOUqlEvuR9X-lL7ssPlQO73m0i0GT7gsJ-DLDohgLHpB2VzlR22P0Lo2Z7jcO3mwlU9mYi_zDAt2KCPc5PkI/s1600/3218813197_c6a0d3a26c.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502012635154580786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8EqgIwHK_PXSliCspKLblNc9aRjfMnBVA81nTtaxcvDmchZNDMAFwZSeOUqlEvuR9X-lL7ssPlQO73m0i0GT7gsJ-DLDohgLHpB2VzlR22P0Lo2Z7jcO3mwlU9mYi_zDAt2KCPc5PkI/s320/3218813197_c6a0d3a26c.jpg" /></a><br />For the last five days, I've been living in Oaxaco, Mexico where the official, preferred, and only language spoken is Spanish. Signs are in Spanish, taxi drivers only speak Spanish - even workers at the Dirección de Turismo (Office of Tourism) can't understand English! This immersion in Spanish has been such a wonderful opportunity for me to improve, practice, and utilize my Spanish in an environment that requires it. Not to mention the fact that it is simply awesome when you can have a legitimate exchange with someone (a conversation that involves something other than asking for their name or for the time) in your second language. I absolutely love it. Thank goodness for my six years of Spanish classes, especially the last three with Señor Olsen. Without them, I'd be un<span style="mso-ansi-language: ES-MX"> <span lang="ES-MX">americano estereotÃpico, perdido en un idioma extraño. </span></span>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-82222914647761707952010-07-27T17:02:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:10:29.242-07:00Lake Powell: Incredible, Beautiful, and Unforgettable<div><div><div><div style="text-align: left; ">Four days after embarking on a journey to Lake Powell with four great friends (and two very cool chaperons), I came home with facial scruff, a new hairstyle, several sunburns, and wonderful memories. My time there was unforgettable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had never been to Lake Powell before this last week. For those of you that are unfamiliar with it, Lake Powell is a huge reservoir that fills a series of canyons in southern Utah and northern Arizona. The sight of a canyon flooded with water is, without any exaggeration, majestic. Steep and smooth red rock canyon walls hundreds of feet tall fall perpendicularly and contrastingly into the lake's deep blue, shifting waters. Zooming on a speedboat over endless waves with the wind blowing through my hair as the spectacular scene completely encompassed me was breathtaking in the word's fullest meaning.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcVf5rgva1BZrXZLDcx73a7QOqzLB98Q0cOUubJ8IPoDY95RDsortrdpAUoq1X-hNlwm2kyVOsFMiK6J2ARXhKIuhgam7YzokzbgH8p2X1IQIQEUGF2gerOYpqpOvflH2EtjuMJQlQ0qL/s320/boat+Blake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498072514877064450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This vision of beauty was nearly constant. In the morning, we were greeted by the new day as the sun rose softly over the canyon and water, casting rays of pink and orange throughout the sky. During the daytime, the magnificent work of both man and nature was clear under the sun's bright gaze until it disappeared behind the red rock mountains at night, gracing us with colorful and vibrant sunsets. After the sun had departed, stars would poke themselves through the clouds while the moon shone as brilliantly as a lantern in the midst of nightfall.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-18CmL8U2ilrT6_Q5nptdXGOzc-2MHcXvnYKc-uEbBxOBBEzeLScV88egvr9JTTCLGcN8DEhQcQtCp8ezamm3idBZjFI3Qr-COTaOFAP2iBMUnKWumIMlK4ahyphenhyphenzcekvcLOnIVMSodYc4/s320/Powell+sunset.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498074730097407954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>As gorgeous as the canyon-enfolded lake was, the trip was made truly special by the people I experienced it with. Rarely have I felt so close to a group of people as I do to the four friends with whom I spent those four days. We water skied, skipped rocks, named ducks, swam and floated in the water, roasted marshmallows and Starbursts, explored Native American ruins, and belted out a Capella renditions of songs. We talked about everything from personal mannerisms and country music to our thoughts on life and the future. A dynamic of complete openness allowed for both the funniest and most thoughtful of moments. </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This trip was unbelievable, exemplifying a perfect blend of the beauties of nature and friendship. Even only three days removed, I can tell that I will always reflect on my time at the picturesque Lake Powell as an incredible time spent with great friends.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAdFvdT7yCyY_vlnvZfvytztP_DH1TXIEcexjY1nmFzdpm2rAETKl-nywEwAqEmy049yNj7KT4O_H3bfyNBLjSmlG2GcQ98z8xOZsd7tnjmYlWOK-beRQ6IdYeDZjRuSScqBwOP6Uc9Ef/s1600/Powell+Group.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAdFvdT7yCyY_vlnvZfvytztP_DH1TXIEcexjY1nmFzdpm2rAETKl-nywEwAqEmy049yNj7KT4O_H3bfyNBLjSmlG2GcQ98z8xOZsd7tnjmYlWOK-beRQ6IdYeDZjRuSScqBwOP6Uc9Ef/s320/Powell+Group.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498072523149257858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-9126140309934889112010-07-18T09:26:00.001-07:002010-07-18T09:53:52.604-07:00Waning Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96CKppYrOzS_oCMsIxF6Mxk3i20tsaQWXyt3lWdgjOslJyOpmPy9CSozZ_OxfIAj2oRqe59SoKawrYJeoWUnDM3AdrDwwHgOMy6i5KIfYSQqD7EmcJnPKANLa9zrSYja9HN__6COmc_qQ/s1600/slcSunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96CKppYrOzS_oCMsIxF6Mxk3i20tsaQWXyt3lWdgjOslJyOpmPy9CSozZ_OxfIAj2oRqe59SoKawrYJeoWUnDM3AdrDwwHgOMy6i5KIfYSQqD7EmcJnPKANLa9zrSYja9HN__6COmc_qQ/s320/slcSunset.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495290461487575730" /></a><br />The last summer before I begin college is passing very quickly. It could have been just last week that my friends and I stood in caps and gowns, culminating our high school experience. Since then, weeks have passed. I've been working and travelling around the country, having great times with friends in between. <div><br /></div><div>As I prepare to leave Nashville, Tennessee, the transience of time has become apparent. Now I am only about five weeks from moving away from my home, friends, and family to a completely new place. Although I am excited and anxious to experience this new part of my life, I confess myself to be somewhat nervous. I'll dearly miss the places and people that I've spent my whole life with. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I see mostly the positive in my future. This fall, I look forward to meeting new people, exploring new cultures, and taking the opportunity to define myself as I see fit. It'll be an adventure, to be sure, but before I embark, the second half of the summer remains to be enjoyed to the fullest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-71409807520044005782010-06-30T16:40:00.000-07:002010-06-30T16:48:04.058-07:00The Attack of... CATZILLA!!!<div>While attempting to write a thank you note, my cat, Boo, decided that she was, in fact, more important than whoever I was writing. As she often does, she jumped up onto my desk, laid across the letter, and nuzzled my writing hand, demanding attention.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><br /></span></b></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAIZN_bKGkdqz52uvBrEAixhzhu11k2lv5Rj524swXmErNkvlJpL2DQPwGqM-PsakMcEM434eKqFL0nL_RA_7jHfxBKMLD4pMCTE2hiMFoBr8MzT09xMx4iId_3K4YX_6KZ4iiHHtwiNE/s1600/boo4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAIZN_bKGkdqz52uvBrEAixhzhu11k2lv5Rj524swXmErNkvlJpL2DQPwGqM-PsakMcEM434eKqFL0nL_RA_7jHfxBKMLD4pMCTE2hiMFoBr8MzT09xMx4iId_3K4YX_6KZ4iiHHtwiNE/s320/boo4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488716303844060562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL6etTIjN7xnlXsGhs3LbXumpwsSi_PQ_mEcOA1c4SWT8Z3vCSPlthSnNvjF9u06T7GuvW284WYA9Qh3m_4gjzC2pWMHIhzq69PwbMMd88C0eO7Odu_4jSh_BkmcjjPa4VZEK12wOVSkm/s1600/boo3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL6etTIjN7xnlXsGhs3LbXumpwsSi_PQ_mEcOA1c4SWT8Z3vCSPlthSnNvjF9u06T7GuvW284WYA9Qh3m_4gjzC2pWMHIhzq69PwbMMd88C0eO7Odu_4jSh_BkmcjjPa4VZEK12wOVSkm/s320/boo3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488716296302456034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFsdKXLTmlGojfBY_CQgxHXJ7p_vvjweL4EDHc-brumMhnVXEppHoiKdCWr4qgfCM08MjKrzx_XQ21iJmo1vN_wVSOQDYzFdKsqFEuOiLfFMzV_NjBmXna0j2U2-7k0cbmfDWlKGLXvxQ/s1600/BOO1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFsdKXLTmlGojfBY_CQgxHXJ7p_vvjweL4EDHc-brumMhnVXEppHoiKdCWr4qgfCM08MjKrzx_XQ21iJmo1vN_wVSOQDYzFdKsqFEuOiLfFMzV_NjBmXna0j2U2-7k0cbmfDWlKGLXvxQ/s320/BOO1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488716290325580066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, she remained triumphant, eventually forcing me to give up on my letter. </div><div><br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-36676388219006368352010-06-27T18:12:00.001-07:002010-06-27T18:16:55.664-07:00Florida Sunset<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqTfGWtx6ybTXLvthJvbvJxp8Pu_077zfUN2EJPGfypBBBVKUOOyBRddxUH9COc9zAUPnlFALyo8YOvY84Dihkae57vN47RQ2P7oaNdFuraLZ0XXOej4pky6qwpmM8ZnYpD6CPofryBuY/s1600/sunset3.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqTfGWtx6ybTXLvthJvbvJxp8Pu_077zfUN2EJPGfypBBBVKUOOyBRddxUH9COc9zAUPnlFALyo8YOvY84Dihkae57vN47RQ2P7oaNdFuraLZ0XXOej4pky6qwpmM8ZnYpD6CPofryBuY/s400/sunset3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487627018786158194" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPJTcZ4PRBNTWuMIsWB8mq1TBF1L6vSGrhwQPg2DvctIapDp8uuDaHuJunwYRfLmCDLBHh1BXBesFLxkBlMXHc8yHNVncymg10qatupH50vrQQMgUaJRrhIJCA6L6f8qei92EnhYm2gzD/s400/sunset1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487627025075589026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJrslwW5QfxFd-O2laMdJQubA1UjBOhQUkSXQrrcs201HlL3EkZcnEA8Xu_EIB0FVNaPyk3j5LetEY9rx9P7xe_y4gD-Qela-5EjgWfwQ1daLFJMHRKu-ZywNuNSVt4Mt6YOJJUUksp_C/s400/sunset4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487627002393897410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxmrpxS4OK_STrTy-W6ex11Od_BdgkWRxzvt8VVfK8B_MuHim7wmLW0zQnVYfuYrRXzzLlwE7g931Q4Avx8Yv1GffWEUEsQ2BJZQj6K2inKzii08Eb23k_spA1k6H79woUHvaiLUeUMGd/s1600/sunset2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxmrpxS4OK_STrTy-W6ex11Od_BdgkWRxzvt8VVfK8B_MuHim7wmLW0zQnVYfuYrRXzzLlwE7g931Q4Avx8Yv1GffWEUEsQ2BJZQj6K2inKzii08Eb23k_spA1k6H79woUHvaiLUeUMGd/s400/sunset2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487627008863218818" /></a></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-68569867541609319942010-06-25T21:15:00.000-07:002010-06-25T22:30:14.597-07:00Love Is In The Air<div style="text-align: left;">Just a few hours ago, my cousin was married at a beautiful church just minutes from picturesque Florida beaches covered in white sand. A reception followed afterwards, held at a luxurious venue featuring a pool, hammocks, food, and other instruments of enjoyment and relaxation. Throughout the heartfelt wedding ceremony and the lovely gathering that followed, I think that everyone in attendance felt a spirit of love in the air. As the new husband and wife danced to a slow tune, onlookers cried softly and cheered loudly, experiencing the beauty of love before them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1mq894ZFXPxyQCLkpifnO-5F5sgPjE2eganyTJ913H5YpoHD0VquGqoxf-aqtOmvjwC4ac1R6lnp0ZD1YsdbAN_ocy9rvi2lTF_d_yJx7ldYn4JYC3fB0HkX26Jn2BLrYDEpA42F1lao/s320/wedding+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486944311086968962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>During this celebration of love, another romance came to my attention: that of my relative Carolyn's. Carolyn is my grandfather's niece, which makes her my second cousin once removed or something to that effect. Regardless of her exact relation, I absolutely love Carolyn. She is intelligent, funny, talented, easy to talk to, very caring, and overall, a really wonderful woman. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother. Carolyn is 76 years old - 76! And yes, I introduced her first by talking about a romance of hers! I can imagine some of you being confused at this point so let me explain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Carolyn was married happily to a man named Ruhl (not sure if I spelled it correctly) for dozens of years. Together they had three children who have grown up to be wonderful people. Unfortunately, somewhere between 12-15 years ago, Ruhl passed away. Thus, for the last several years, Carolyn has been living on her own as a widow, not even "noticing men," according to her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight at the wedding reception, however, Carolyn sounded as though she was a teenage schoolgirl again. Over the past couple of months, she has been spending time with Bill, a man from her church that has been her friend for 54 years. Both had been married to other people who had sadly passed away, but were now really enjoying each other's company. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the better part of an hour, Carolyn, the mother of three, grandmother of nine, regaled the family with the tale of this blossoming romance. The story of how he had called her to ask her to lunch and the drama of them agreeing to sit next to each other in church were of particular interest. She spoke of Bill's caring attitude as he raised his children and his admirable religious standards. My relative Glen, her son, joked that she talked more about Bill in 15 minutes than he had about any woman he'd ever dated! </div><div><br /></div><div>While listening Carolyn talk so excitedly about this man, I felt such happiness for her. At the same time that young love was being sealed in marriage, Carolyn's joy at the outset of a new relationship reminded me that love is a timeless force, capable of infecting young and old with the same giddiness, energy, and excitement. I concur wholeheartedly with my relative Steve's comment: "It just makes you happy to hear people talk excitedly about love!" </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-44824569166772599362010-06-24T21:46:00.000-07:002010-06-24T21:47:08.525-07:00Florida Abode<div>For the next few days, my mom and I, along with a couple relatives, are staying in a small beach house in Florida for my cousin's wedding. The quaint home is located just a few minutes' walk from the beach and will serve as a lovely home away from home for the remainder of our time here.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>I took a few pictures of the house this morning so I can take you on a bit of a virtual tour! I hope to catalog my adventures in Florida to the best of my ability here on my blog.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Drive down Seabreeze Boulevard and you will come across the driveway to the house which is hidden from view by a hodgepodge of shrubbery.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQpmIEyKAsMJcCCymQIebjO4fVZtVQwosW3yzvcTZ6jnWbnhESz4XYz0PJCAou_cpKOuRe1RorlSui6pBYxfNlrO12A5sb4tTH1MOMSrxfYm9Dg4HYElskOuOeVoFlVac-8lIzrfir6q0/s1600/photo.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQpmIEyKAsMJcCCymQIebjO4fVZtVQwosW3yzvcTZ6jnWbnhESz4XYz0PJCAou_cpKOuRe1RorlSui6pBYxfNlrO12A5sb4tTH1MOMSrxfYm9Dg4HYElskOuOeVoFlVac-8lIzrfir6q0/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398923407844498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; ">Follow the driveway in and take a right onto the front porch, which is isolated from the forces of nature (aka hoards of mosquitoes) by netting along the border.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVJ0Q829js-NRMspaVHKpSJ0D94k0HByExZjmiRfJh65fA142yaHjqwXmk1liNxg2-H-CJ2zvay03BToxEkF6CcMid8gaRX0Yb05OoS718GxaVcU23r4CkKJaJ4fX5D6mzSHGkmjj_qMC/s1600/photo+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVJ0Q829js-NRMspaVHKpSJ0D94k0HByExZjmiRfJh65fA142yaHjqwXmk1liNxg2-H-CJ2zvay03BToxEkF6CcMid8gaRX0Yb05OoS718GxaVcU23r4CkKJaJ4fX5D6mzSHGkmjj_qMC/s320/photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398574299245458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl7TDXvli0xDQNziQxs2P_0p008EVETU6HEXDephPCeQFbIkuRjCp6w0ivYch23N4257e8EP4190PxU3N1QQ4jZFMKbOXKdQ7W0Rzh2A1emwhOofzE8lyP98Ngv5NWt_mxtX5z3u5JlEc/s1600/photo+3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl7TDXvli0xDQNziQxs2P_0p008EVETU6HEXDephPCeQFbIkuRjCp6w0ivYch23N4257e8EP4190PxU3N1QQ4jZFMKbOXKdQ7W0Rzh2A1emwhOofzE8lyP98Ngv5NWt_mxtX5z3u5JlEc/s320/photo+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398550581874050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Open the front door from the porch and you are greeted by a cozy setting of couches centered around a table and TV, already the site of many great family conversations.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH17lI9gSVEsGPU0KTJ230XmPkEhR2IcU6TS7QldjUWLWpLuEAkACfHuc6DljlEWopnzX_uOx6XyRBgTQxgWM4QNXSMfWURAeOtx2edgZ_X1WNI3hu4GtBRkQYMGXd20GKua1Ogd13Tgj/s1600/photo+4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH17lI9gSVEsGPU0KTJ230XmPkEhR2IcU6TS7QldjUWLWpLuEAkACfHuc6DljlEWopnzX_uOx6XyRBgTQxgWM4QNXSMfWURAeOtx2edgZ_X1WNI3hu4GtBRkQYMGXd20GKua1Ogd13Tgj/s320/photo+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398537504159730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Take a look to your right and you can see a small kitchen and dining area, perfect for a small group on a beach vacation.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlayl2-FvWEUR9ASG55KaF2HB_00_dW2D49W4DioYu_i6vkzBiB_drHIFzPRoidsEjmUUDKqcugeQYF_th3GvLprnvWM6mCEzW13lzYdO1WCLII-pvHfOFasouJnsdALHdtzlPAEArk2PB/s1600/photo+5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlayl2-FvWEUR9ASG55KaF2HB_00_dW2D49W4DioYu_i6vkzBiB_drHIFzPRoidsEjmUUDKqcugeQYF_th3GvLprnvWM6mCEzW13lzYdO1WCLII-pvHfOFasouJnsdALHdtzlPAEArk2PB/s320/photo+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398528572223314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjqvZCTEIP92pvJlhj4lKJT_-JIyKsMs0geFlvgilwZAhgiOioMW-Xpti_GdmSwgjX5I7qst75o-q-iwfTsXR8Jpx7IcbvwIangEAztqcwt5e9A8wHLi4SZcc3eISAJHhvouxFhn9nnpW/s1600/flordia.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjqvZCTEIP92pvJlhj4lKJT_-JIyKsMs0geFlvgilwZAhgiOioMW-Xpti_GdmSwgjX5I7qst75o-q-iwfTsXR8Jpx7IcbvwIangEAztqcwt5e9A8wHLi4SZcc3eISAJHhvouxFhn9nnpW/s320/flordia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486398522234085250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; ">And there it is! Minus the bedrooms, but I'm sure you get the gist.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">As I said before, I'll try to post again! We'll be here until Monday, so I intend to blog about that which I feel blog-worthy. A few ideas are coming to mind already!</div></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-2262175027910498742010-06-11T20:51:00.000-07:002010-06-11T21:01:08.502-07:00DoorsThey say that when one door closes, another one opens. <div><br /></div><div>Lately, I've become even more aware of the power of these unseen opportunities brought about by seemingly closing doors. Something completely feared and horrible can take place, yet seven months later you realize that it truly was the best thing that could have happened. Sometimes, the thing that you most feared losing is actually strengthened by that which was threatening it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interesting how life's doors work.</div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-13754789963318465032010-06-04T11:02:00.001-07:002010-06-04T11:41:06.517-07:00Graduation Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some pictures from graduation! In the photo-taking frenzy that ensued shortly after our arrival, my mom and I fought to get pictures with everyone we could. Unfortunately, I didn't get one with everyone I'd have liked to, but here are some of the highlights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1ysjsmbLLCkOB9u83WOsr4gmU3snGW7sQPKp7bVYPBUWDpC2D4ZLGLE5M3m7Qrl-L9THl1p3NtM7_l7FQ27N2CLF75iXI76K3FVwDjztRCxHFjNQtKB2XNqvFxer0y1BJ1zsdm7E-BAi/s1600/DSC00053.JPG"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELwex2wo7W1L53VCUT0ZuESAbuB5U5oDXk9kkjsTcDXXWnIKFK7PVMrJo8EF-ulsv3mvn9c6jTydPqGkuSo_6OZAv1ueAiCtovbe_u6DeCD_e0clD-Ymit1OQu5AgdQIsmxK6GcKbPNPL/s1600/DSC00028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELwex2wo7W1L53VCUT0ZuESAbuB5U5oDXk9kkjsTcDXXWnIKFK7PVMrJo8EF-ulsv3mvn9c6jTydPqGkuSo_6OZAv1ueAiCtovbe_u6DeCD_e0clD-Ymit1OQu5AgdQIsmxK6GcKbPNPL/s320/DSC00028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478981700916582770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A good group right here!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU44QZKxGgKXfvrQL_g959_5GIRfQ3C_8rfkmeBwbDISzoBj_mIO-9t5tOAOrtou-rMnRvFrutzsE6KHo3lcZ6l-rWNXzHradydCCvsFh5Yc_Sw4vTY1aABEFPpIFPYxvYZSOZNzXGKQXm/s320/DSC00057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478983829446843186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh9IJhr6vgK5NPmTqgoQgke_3ZBHIX9v0NvqnX7RPbE_0EkLJ0mKcDCzVEnbV16uwEq7lgmqpDrBMoNdy7fVKENYLUEJZxdUocQwL0hSwD1oOroXfbLxG2qQavSttmZEFQCQR4J18S6iM/s1600/DSC00031.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Anish and I: Locker partners for life!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVQqzJbvjFLXHHm2aHv6oPPG0m6X1M2rIL2MHUYMK663zVxDZh9yeG8wPOkpT7US3Xz4fvi16DTk1tJ9cI9zwN8D_YG2xOkR6I70QNpg_OwJjkt4JEnUYA-1wkLQjCqCqrBIaea6PF7VH/s1600/DSC00035.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1ysjsmbLLCkOB9u83WOsr4gmU3snGW7sQPKp7bVYPBUWDpC2D4ZLGLE5M3m7Qrl-L9THl1p3NtM7_l7FQ27N2CLF75iXI76K3FVwDjztRCxHFjNQtKB2XNqvFxer0y1BJ1zsdm7E-BAi/s320/DSC00053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478983835616057202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel and I</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSG-U1JVXRedHW1yT_B-ID6Z9udLHJrFa6_VSJJ17l47P5F_mMKx3yt5PKCMqwgwf39Cm2eIsVM4yPjrHBx3mDsQrDho-vWBukFwH3Juhv3Xmo-0v1Xq1Abzsf5TtaTAwXTI3P1XcBA6m/s320/DSC00043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478983845376036866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tyler and I: Friends since preschool</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVQqzJbvjFLXHHm2aHv6oPPG0m6X1M2rIL2MHUYMK663zVxDZh9yeG8wPOkpT7US3Xz4fvi16DTk1tJ9cI9zwN8D_YG2xOkR6I70QNpg_OwJjkt4JEnUYA-1wkLQjCqCqrBIaea6PF7VH/s320/DSC00035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478981678716003970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matty D and I: LHC, Solidarity!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcN5_bnBl1sfPDNB-lmxQcSv6dH5_gc2PDfyVULq4jeKb7flJdr8yOXpg1GbzdkwHxna1hiirPPjNsLTyqHP50hBIhuPDAPdTEV-VCPO90Q0V2KvKCPPLGIfmFjs1_ugKcem9BBbe7oIP/s1600/DSC00024.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcN5_bnBl1sfPDNB-lmxQcSv6dH5_gc2PDfyVULq4jeKb7flJdr8yOXpg1GbzdkwHxna1hiirPPjNsLTyqHP50hBIhuPDAPdTEV-VCPO90Q0V2KvKCPPLGIfmFjs1_ugKcem9BBbe7oIP/s320/DSC00024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478981660105985698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Takami and I, squinting into the sun</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTj6IjirOxpmRxFil8NZMo7tHyeU-0QbFpfDwBmc-FmS0RlbDDrqzAUkii6bEPsprZoEGCinXZvSAgXYEdSyZin3LiTHZr4p8uXU-JaVk5T1Fwz67Ftrgzold9jXPNRy7NfSnCCaSHtAo/s320/DSC00026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478981668595492178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Brad and I: friends since elementary school, still living it up!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wKHy0ViEfZPNXYUHXXv0-pwA35-C64BxJlsjuZ_o3seZTdiEjt2tZWugLC69VmL2RIZ7ZTROn9OxFyojxlhgsflWisdQ7AqM9Qvc9c6n2VRKZTdVeP69DwAiacQAe0jl80SFJblY-ETz/s320/DSC00048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478983857254721538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The Guys </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I'll probably write another blog about graduation soon, but I had to put some of these pictures up. For now, let's just say that it was a spectacular culmination of what have been a great three years.</span></span></div></div></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-12709731106982627172010-05-29T16:22:00.001-07:002010-05-29T16:22:26.615-07:00The Final Stretch<div style="text-align: left; ">After a long week (that for some reason included homework,) yesterday seemed to be the beginning of the end as far as my high school career is concerned. The day began with graduation practice which, in spite of its excessive length, reminded me that I will be graduating from high school next Wednesday.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt5Ew2koCC927vp8pi89tLtmsPFfjhQRAKNdjC3cvkllfoy-e5t16JtBiBOwyBKaruzRNXqciDORJJgWXkI5prBO5aV7kfS0CuZNWoODXFzsYdk5zyHWMvthT4jULd0Q30bvtdniaqJeS/s320/hillcrest+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476835384523435458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>As silly as it may sound, I know that I'll be graduated by this time next week, but I don't <i>feel </i>as though I'll be graduated. It hasn't hit me. There has been no paradigm shift in which I realize that my life will soon move beyond high school. Still, this reality is quickly becoming more and more apparent as high school comes to a close.<div><br /></div><div>Tonight is Senior Dinner Dance, the last dance I'll have with the Hillcrest Class of 2010, an amazing group of people. It's going to be the first of many "last _____ I'll have with the Hillcrest Class of 2010." That is such a bizarre thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've spent so much time with my classmates over the years, some since preschool or elementary school. Soon and literally for the first time in my life, I won't be surrounded by these people at all. I'll be 2,000 miles away at college, reminiscing about the last eighteen years of my life and the strong friendships I've formed in that time. My life as I have known it will soon be over. I won't live at home, not even in my hometown, and will be thrust into a life which I'm sure will be very different than the one I'm living now.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This may come across negatively, and I don't mean it to. Yes, my life will be different, that much is sure, but it won't be bad. In many ways, I look forward to this chapter of my life. I know that I will make new friendships, learn a variety of lessons, and take this opportunity to reinvent myself to a degree, all good things, but I will certainly miss the people and the life that I leave behind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think all of the graduating seniors have similar emotions. Emotions that border on excitement and trepidation with a sense of surrealism attached. None of us can fully comprehend what being graduated will be like or feel like or what lies in store for us in our future life path.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, neither I, nor any of my classmates, have to worry about coping with such emotions directly until this Wednesday evening. Until then, I'm going to fully enjoy every end-of-high school activity on this final stretch, beginning with Senior Dinner Dance tonight.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhyphenhyphenlVeDVy5lrDS1FWcFcgd1rNijxQsWNgkw5o8tR2__8OTvjOudDJfK6sfK-P0E4Cg2p9-n9CtnIRztzY8vf8QW3SVkGxhBbNBOOuFhtlDaoHkVGqNblRfFpRenfX-XMpYYLTZcZKcb0r/s320/hillcrest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476835389911032546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-15557336366624961192010-05-24T21:02:00.000-07:002010-05-24T21:16:21.656-07:00Can You Say Double Post?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJ9ZdXI1ymOnafa2tm6oED3NmgEXkHSddNraEqPouahI_b9JN4kcLU_iqLigWGM9sY9UT4ezMtZztKf2e39S7xDzVxP-Mv3Ov2h_gFIi9xPGuZIqC0aWrdXCafkfA0gjC_s4f_QijYbP/s1600/Yellowcard.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJ9ZdXI1ymOnafa2tm6oED3NmgEXkHSddNraEqPouahI_b9JN4kcLU_iqLigWGM9sY9UT4ezMtZztKf2e39S7xDzVxP-Mv3Ov2h_gFIi9xPGuZIqC0aWrdXCafkfA0gjC_s4f_QijYbP/s320/Yellowcard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475056527071710434" /></a>Yes, I'm posting twice within an hour. I told you I was in the mood to blog!<div><br /></div><div>You may notice some differences in the musical selection gracing your presence on my blog today. I've made a playlist of one of my favorite songs from some of my favorite bands and artists. In no particular order, they are:</div><div><br /></div><div>Taylor Swift</div><div>Relient K</div><div>Juanes</div><div>Owl City</div><div>The All-American Rejects</div><div>Coldplay</div><div>Fall Out Boy</div><div>The Fray</div><div>Good Charlotte</div><div>Yellowcard</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoy this unique blend as you search my blog! </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-55144474861555212192010-05-24T20:21:00.000-07:002010-05-24T20:49:46.895-07:00I Just Wanna Blog!Sitting at my computer with a good friend, checking out my friends' wonderful blog, I was struck with the inspiration. You all know what I'm talking about- the inspiration to write, even if you don't know yet exactly what you'll write about. <div><br /></div><div>Well, that's me. Inspired with a desire to write, but lacking an inspired topic. In this spirit, I'll turn to the happenings of the week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow is the National Honor Society Officers' Luncheon. After school, the five outgoing NHS officers get to be treated to some wonderful cuisine provided by Chile's. I am so stoked! The officers this year are really great people, it's been such a pleasure getting to interact as a team. We have a fun, but focused dynamic- a truly enjoyable attitude. And really, where better is there to toast a great year in NHS than Chile's? </div><div><br /></div><div>One contender is Cafe Rio, which is catering the NHS end-of-year social on Wednesday! Yum :). That will be yet another great gathering! As I continue, I realize that much of my week will be characterized by the food I eat. On Thursday's menu:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Breakfast: Academic Letter Breakfast</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lunch: La Puente with 7th Period Spanish</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dinner: IB Senior Dinner and Awards Night</div><div><br /></div><div>YES!</div><div><br /></div><div>I really love food. Thursday will be an excellent day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, there's Saturday. Senior Dinner Dance. Probably the most important and most-anticipated meal of them all. Wow. That will be, along with next week, really... I don't even know the word to describe it. </div><div><br /></div><div>A blog regarding my up-and-coming graduation is sure to follow soon.</div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-49326560099040127852010-05-20T18:20:00.001-07:002010-05-20T18:39:57.892-07:00It's Been a Long Time...I have finally decided that, no, I will not study, I will update my blog because it has been, quite frankly, too long. I've started to feel progressively worse about the neglect I've demonstrated to the poor fellow and decided tonight that it was time.<div><br /></div><div>I am, along with my fellow classmates, finally on the outward end of what has been a long AP/IB testing season. At the beginning of the year, scheduling my senior year, I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that I would be regretting my jam-packed schedule eight months later. Well, maybe I don't <i>regret</i> it so much as recognize that it has definitely challenged me academically. The last three weeks have been, for lack of better word, insane. Test after test after test and on and on it goes. Funnily enough, I'm posting this blog as though all of this is in the past tense! Ha! I have Biology AP tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad that most of my fellow bloggers (also being my readers) can understand the stress of the past few weeks. Keeping this in mind, I'm sure that you can understand my absence from the blogging universe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, as you can see, testing has been a large portion of my life since... oh, April 1st, but certainly not all of it. As I will soon have much more spare time on my hands, I expect to be retroactively blogging rather frequently over the next few days, sometimes even more than once a day! Topics to look forward to: Work, Summer, 30 Days to a Better Man, Graduation, and Prom :). </div><div><br /></div><div>I've had some good ideas for blogs lately, so I hope you'll bear with me as I make up for lost time! </div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105460524032763642.post-51534295466596496402010-04-01T06:37:00.000-07:002010-04-01T06:47:33.743-07:00Spring Break 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwh80y2bnlgeWvTcZVtq338G6YKL-VEU3v9yJ41Svlvv6yqVQJddnYX7nChBK4fIPbmqMjfkquNd9TxTAHksO33jKBkmpnzn0Mx-Y6_2tvJtMKOny7GkKA9p8C2ADso8GsTKq_F7IAjlc/s1600/spring+break.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwh80y2bnlgeWvTcZVtq338G6YKL-VEU3v9yJ41Svlvv6yqVQJddnYX7nChBK4fIPbmqMjfkquNd9TxTAHksO33jKBkmpnzn0Mx-Y6_2tvJtMKOny7GkKA9p8C2ADso8GsTKq_F7IAjlc/s400/spring+break.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455164744988207570" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Home - 7:45 AM 4/1/2010</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8X8tJqw65mTUPyEvCyr6kR7QvcwK4VzJ7LQ3807AMbDSQrn73ke6h5_8ZhzXeaCGN4U0VhP6NFTTYK-ioeyhl960KK_W1Wm28-gI9dCmsQn6H__jeEktew4SpRrzRVhQHv3gQr2vppzLq/s1600/St.+Geworge.PNG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8X8tJqw65mTUPyEvCyr6kR7QvcwK4VzJ7LQ3807AMbDSQrn73ke6h5_8ZhzXeaCGN4U0VhP6NFTTYK-ioeyhl960KK_W1Wm28-gI9dCmsQn6H__jeEktew4SpRrzRVhQHv3gQr2vppzLq/s400/St.+Geworge.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455164615116586082" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">St. George, UT - Taken from Weather Webcam at 7:46 AM 4/1/2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div></span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877604420468760526noreply@blogger.com2