Ali at Montana Tech

Krikey!!!! (is that how you spell it?)

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:28:00 +0000

Lo siento for the blogging delay. It turns out that slugging through 26 credits makes me forget about important things - like what I ate for breakfast or what homework assignment was due today or even what day is today... hmmm, I guess it's blogging day! My A&P lab is still awesome! Every layer we peel and slice off the cadaver just unveils something more intricate and interesting. I'm stoked to be in this class! (in case you can't tell already) Besides class and coaching highschool volleyball, I am busy preparing and scheming for my life out in the real world. I can't believe that I am graduating this semester... yes, I said it again. It just hasn't sunk in yet; maybe by December I'll be ready. The next big plan is to travel and work. I see Ireland, New Zealand, possibly Peru in my near future. Even though Tech doesn't have a study abroad program, there are a ton of opportunities to travel and study/work at the same time. One really good website to let your mind wander is http://www.goabroad.com/. If you've had an itch to see different cultures and explore the world, but thought you couldn't because of whatever reason, stop the excuses and check this website out. College is the time to be spontaneous and live life without regrets. Pura Vida! (A saying we heard a lot while down in Costa Rica that literally translates to "pure life" - those locals have the right attitude towards living each day with enthusiasm!)

Back in Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:54:00 +0000

So, here's the deal - I could say a whole lot of obvious things in this blog, such as: "What's up with this snow in August?!" and "Wow, this semester is going to be another busy one!" but I won't. I will spare you the mundane rhetoric of a blogger experiencing an absence of titillating thoughts. My mind hasn't returned from summer vacation yet and it's affecting my writing/social skills (or lack there of). I'm anxiously awaiting the moment when I'm finally able to finish complete sentences again without inserting the annoying, "Ummm...." (then pausing and staring into space for 30 seconds or so). Hopefully the brain fart will cease soon. I did have an exciting Advanced Anatomy & Physiology Lab! Four of us students began our dissection on a brand new cadaver (recently deceased donated human body). I was a little nervous for the first unveiling, but once we got into science mode and began cutting into the skin it was so cool! This is such a great opportunity and MOST undergrads don't get the chance to learn in this kind of a setting. Thank you Tech for your great student to professor ratio. I never thought when I graduated high school that four years later I would be dissecting the body of a person who had passed only a few short months before... It's intense and takes a lot of concentration, but it's probably going to be my favorite class this semester! Judge me if you must, but just remember I'm going to be a doctor and should enjoy weird stuff like this.

Runnin Down A Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:13:00 +0000

One last semester and I will be a college graduate. It is pretty hard to believe that my time here is almost over already. It seems like just last spring I was in the dorms sharing my bathroom with an entire floor and eating 3 fried meals a day at the SUB cafeteria... hmmm, things have definitely changed. I now live in a beautiful house with some lovely people having the luxury of cable and internet in my room and two bathrooms shared between only 4 people. This is a LARGE step up from living in my last apartment surrounded by hillbilly neighbors that were loud, dirty, and often had the cops checking in on them. Change is good.

I can't forget to mention one itty bitty little piece of news - I went to the Tom Petty concert before I left Phoenix and had a freaking awesome time!!! In case anyone is confused about how epic this opportunity is, let me just inform you that Tom Petty is THE man: brilliant, charismatic, great performer, does what he wants when he wants, sells out stadiums after forty years on the road, a complete peace-lovin, flower-throwin free spirited BADA**. End of story. If you are not familiar with his legendary music, please Youtube him so you can relate to your parents better and so you won't be embarrassed at parties. It was absolutely the best concert I've ever been to! If you ever get the chance to go to one - GO.

CAUTION: THIS BLOG CONTAINS MANY WORDS

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:08:00 +0000

I have finally concluded my rigorous MCAT studying. I took the test on Friday and I won't know the results of my performance for one month... very suspenseful, isn't it? The good news is that now I have triumphantly kicked any thoughts of the test out to the curb and I am enthusiastically enjoying the one week of summer I have left! Woo hoo! I went camping this weekend in the Mogollon Rim, which is north of Phoenix. First of all, being inexperienced with the area, I was expecting cactus, sand, and above 100 degree temps the entire time - I was mistaken. The Blue Ridge Reservoir was our camping destination: a picturesque fishing spot of locals that holds the reputation of being no less majestic than heaven. A great escape from the city. It was supposed to be about a 2hr drive, but not surprisingly, my boyfriend and I ended up taking "a road less traveled" (we'll call it dirt-road #141) that kept us driving for about 5hrs. Our optimistic spirits kept us happy most of the time though, just content to be in 85 degree weather and ponderosa pine country. This good cheer lasted until about 4:30 in the afternoon when the thunderheads started rolling in and we had failed to see another car or campsite for at least 20 min. That's when we also noticed that the car was making an unsettling squealing noise to accompany the usual rattles and illuminated check-engine light. Needless to say, we were eager to find the lake at this point. After traveling for about an hour on a few "high-ways" not present on any of our maps we decided to ask for directions from some jolly, inebriated hippie hanging out along-side the road with his kid. He helped us out and afterward told us how he was moving to MT himself because, "Arizona had lost it's freedom." ....uh ya, we were thinking the same thing. But he was nice, so we told him good luck, Montana is beautiful, yada yada yada, later old hippie dude! We were rushing to set up camp before the monsoon hit. We end up seeing a sign that said Potato Lake 1 mi. and thought, might as well, it's a lake and its only a mile down the road. Keep in mind, the countryside is GORGEOUS: lush, green, heavily forested, and empty of development (good for bears). We set up our tent at the end of the road where a firepit was already constructed and decided to check out the lake.
It was more of a potato pond, but it was cool. Definitely not for swimming, though. As the daylight slowly crept over the horizon to make way for the ominous storm clouds, we decided to hike back over to our tent just in time to beat the torrential down-pour. All night there was lightning, thunder, and pounding rain. A very eerie camping experience with the full moon overhead. I would also like to point out that the area is known for its Mogollon Monster (some version of sasquatch) sightings... now I am not trying to justify these "sightings," but both my boyfriend and I heard what sounded like a woman's scream around 11:30pm, and we were NO WHERE near any other campers... that is legitimately creepy by my standards. Add a lot of lightning, rain, and animals hanging around our tent all night, and it makes for the ultimate "heebie-jeebies." Especially when one had to leave the tent to water the foliage... the stillness of the forest and the full moon lighting up every shrub and rock... I still get freaked out just thinking about it! We survived though and lived to see another beautiful day - waking up with elk a few hundred feet away as our wilderness alarm clock. Continuing our adventure, we drove around some more and eventually found the elusive Blue Ridge Reservoir (of course, it was only about a half-mile past where we initially turned), and it was beautiful. We even ended up saving a man and his little girl whose truck was hanging of the road about ready to fall into a ditch. Building up the karma! All-in-all, I've had enough excitement this weekend to make up for my boring study days. Sorry this blog was long, but for the first time in awhile, I had a lot to say. Can't wait to see everybody back at school! Later!

So you're sayin' I got a chance!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:28:00 +0000

Getting into med-school vs. winning the Lottery... At this point, I'd take either, but I'm counting on my intellect and determination to carry me through towards an acceptance letter into the wonderful world of medicine. I took a break this weekend and actually enjoyed a little bit of what's left of my summer (guilt-free)! We went floating on the Salt River and it was definitely nice to be out of the library for a day! This week I count down the days until my foreboding MCAT, however, and then after Friday, life will resume as normal and this hectic summer will have been worth all the blood, sweat, and tears (at least, that is what I'm hoping for). Sorry this blog is short, but it's quality, not quantity right? Hasta luego!

******I've posted this ad from back in the day to show just how much times have changed*******

Everyting' gonna be alright! (according to Mr. Marley)

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:06:00 +0000

It seems like this summer has flown by. Soon, the athletes will be returning to Tech for grueling preseason training, the new freshies will be moving into their first "home away from home"- the dorms, and I will be making the 22 hour drive from Phoenix back to Butte. Oh lordy, that will be a lot of time for my little brain to wander. On my drive, however, I plan on making a few stops... maybe Vegas, Salt Lake, the Tetons... who knows where my journey will take me! Until then, my days are still spent at the Library preparing for Judgement Day. I can't wait to get back to classes, homework, labs, and tests so I can finally relax! Ha ha ha, my daily dose of sarcasm for you all... Hope the day is merry for everyone! I have included a pic of West Glacier to let all of you salivate over (hard to believe it's only a 4 hr drive from Butte!).

Still Fightin the Good Fight!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:29:00 +0000

Another day in paradise with the only frustration being my test date looming ahead of me. In this time of focus and dedication, I have become the ultimate nerd. Last Friday night was spent studying until 2am... I know what you're thinking, what a party animal. Yes, the academic craziness that is my life will only continue for three more weeks until this test is over. Yay!!!! Then I will have many fun and exciting things to blog. Until then, the thoughts consuming every waking moment of mine will consist of only studying, studying, and more studying. Such is the existence of a pre-med undergrad. I apologize to you all, but keep your faith in me. I soon will have interesting and entertaining things to write about.

... on a t-shirt I found online ...

Back on the farm!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:22:00 +0000

This weekend I made the 8 hr drive over to Santa Barbara, CA to visit my

sister, bro-in-law, nephews, and niece (America's next top hillbilly pictured to the right). It was a great time and the ocean was gorgeous as usual... It's nice to take a little break and visit some loved ones when stresses get high. I ended up getting an early start back on Sunday morning and made it to Phoenix just in time to go eat some sushi and watch "The Dark Knight." I liked the movie - even worth the half hour wait in line. A LOT of people went to see this flick! I have never had to wait in a line wrapped all the way into an alley outside just to get a seat in a theater (we already had our tickets)! It ended up being a good movie, though, and Heath Ledger played a creepy murdering freak excellently. Unfortunately another manic Monday has arrived, however, so my weekend escape is but a memory. Back to the grind...

Me?...Run a marathon?!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:32:00 +0000

I am not a graceful runner. You know those skinny, yet muscular people you see gliding effortlessly down the sidewalk in their short-shorts? They look sweaty, but somehow upbeat because they've been nearly sprinting the last three miles - just for fun... you've seen 'em. I am NOT one of those. I don't think that running is fun. I don't put on my Clima-Cools and just hop off the couch after an exhausting day because I know that an exhilarating 6 mile run will make me feel all that much better. I am more of the "tired = sleep = happy" kind of creature. Us mellow fellows prefer to enjoy our laid-back nature by just relaxing when our body screams, "Uncle!" We must then force ourselves to go for a run at these inopportune moments, because we know that it'll "do us good." That is why I decided to choose the sport of volleyball. Volleyball girls run, mind you (despite what the basketball players say), just in short, intense bursts. Long distance endurance runs aren't my thing. Therefore, when my legs and my lungs begin to burn from exertion (which would be at about the 1 mile mark these days...hardly a LONG distance), I take on a less than elegant form. I wheeze, I stomp, my long arms turn into little chicken wings - flailing helplessly back and forth attempting to magically decrease the air resistance keeping me from moving forward. I honestly have to concentrate on how I move my limbs to save myself from a whack to the eye or a dangerous face-plant and, of course, utter embarrassment in the cardio room. Why such the enlightenment on my lack of running mojo you ask? Well, I have begun to mull over the idea of running a marathon to raise money for cancer research... Yes, I do think it will be a lot of work and no, I'm not on hallucinogens. This marathon event gives back in many ways, not just for the cancer victims. I encourage you all to look up an event in your area at "teamintraining.org." Just check it out.

Happy Independence Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:20:00 +0000

Fire up the grill and break out the slip'n'slide - it's time to party hardy! Happy Fourth of July!!! This extended weekend has come at a great time when stresses are high and everyone could use a holiday to relax and unwind. Down here in the desert we have planned a weekend centered around water. Must.... Have.... Water.... At 115 degrees, any normally fun activity not involving water gets transformed into torture. Therefore, we are probably going to stay in town, float the Salt River all day, tonight watch the Tempe Town Lake fireworks extravaganza and then head out of town for a little camping and fishing on Saturday. I promise to post some pictures eventually, since I know that reading with pictures is a lot more entertaining than reading without. Have a happy holiday!

I'm officially old now!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:55:00 +0000

Yesterday was my birthday!!! Happy birthday to me! I now have 22 years of life under my belt and I'm still feelin frisky! Birthdays are so wonderful because they remind you that you are loved. It is a day specifically designed to celebrate the greatness of YOU being born... what a world, what a world! To all the excellent people who called me or sent me gifts or cards I would like to give back a gigantic THANK YOU!!! It really is the thought that counts - as cliche as that seems, it's true. To celebrate this day of my birth, my generous, handsome, intelligent, caring (did I already mention good-looking?) boyfriend took me to a fancy dinner at a very nice restaurant where the best desert in the entire world is served: "the immaculate bread-pudding." Ladies and sweets-loving men can appreciate this. It was unbelievable. I had to stop at least three times just to catch my breath because it was SOOOO good! Anywho, I realize this blog was probably less than exciting for most of you, but I just wanted to give credit where credit was due to all of my family and friends who have made my birthday something extra special! Hope everyone can experience the same love on their birthdays!

Thank you AC inventor-man!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:29:00 +0000

It's slightly disheartening to wake up every morning and hear that the "extreme HEAT warning" continues to be extended by few days. For example, this morning the "extreme heat" (above 110 degrees) was only supposed to last until Saturday... no way, Jose. Now the devil's fire is going to permeate all the way through Sunday night. I dare quote Seinfeld, "Serenity now!!!!!" Let me illustrate better for you the effect of this heat by telling a tale of what one feels when walking out into this extreme environment from one's cozy air-conditioned cave...

Ehem, the first step outside initiates eye squinting, immediate heavy breathing, and some sort of comment regarding the weather that usually includes profanities and if being written down would have three or four exclammation points behind it. Now you the reader, sitting comfortably inside in front of your computer, imagine walking across the Sahara desert, formerly referred to in cooler months as a "parking lot", to unlock and enter your pre-heated oven of an automobile. Everything is not just hot, but scalding to the touch and whilst broiling on HIGH, you fumble with your keys in a desperate attempt to fit just one into the ignition and turn the car on. This fumbling reaches a near panic after about 15 seconds, until finally... success! This moment of victory is only slightly deterred by the blow-dryer like heat now blasting from your vents - which are open full throttle from when you last left your vehicle. If you can manage to get the windows down without burning your fingerprints off, you'll survive to soon experience a world of beauty. A world where you will truly appreciate how technology has developed. This world will appear to you when the first waves of cool air dissipate the beads of sweat running down your face. This fruitfull bounty is all dropped from the magical loins of an invention called, wait for it.... AIR CONDITIONING... and it is in this moment of awakening that you should pause whatever you're doing to thank Mr. Air Conditioning Inventor Man for his brilliance... I know I will... ahh.
Below is a picture of the man, the myth, the legend himself - Mr. Michael Faraday. Dashing isn't he?

Uh...yeah, I like chips and salsa!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:06:00 +0000

The Salty Senorita beckons me in all her seductive and... salty ways? I have recently applied for a waitressing job at a fun looking Mexican restaurant called, you guessed it, the Salty Senorita! I drove by, saw the sign, and knew it was my kinda' place. Now as most of you have probably already experienced the joys (note the screaming sarcasm) of being a server in the restaurant industry, you would recognize the typical application for employment including the "what's your name, DOB, are you an illegal immigrant, do you commit horrendous crimes to Uncle Sam on a regular basis?" sort of inquiries. However, this extended 3 pg. version of a job app wanted to know everything from explaining, in detail, my most rewarding customer service experience (ugh...) to defining what a chupacabra is (had to Google that one) to naming 5 chili peppers in order from hottest to mildest. Keep in mind I'm applying for a position as an employee, not looking for long walks on the beach with my future life partner! I mean, really? Taking into account that this one of the most popular restaurants close to campus, I will acknowledge that they get a lot of applications and want to weed out the people who are lazy and unmotivated... but holy canoli!!! I will also mention that this is my THIRD interview (guess I'm a finalist) today with the head honcho so hopefully it goes well and I can take on the responsibility of becoming a salty senorita myself. Looking forward to it! Also, since I probably won't write another blog before Sunday, I'd like to wish two very important people in my life - they're the very reason for my existence - both happy happy days! Sunday is my beautiful Mother's birthday and she'll be turning... just joking, Mom :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Sunday is also a grand day for fathers everywhere, so I'd like to wish my Dad, in his infinite wisdom, a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!! You both can expect sentimental cards in the mail.

I was expecting the Rocky Mtns to be a little more... rocky.

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:06:00 +0000

So, I don't know what I was expecting out of this class... maybe a few practice problems, some reviewing, and mostly notes, but I now know what I'm in for - a bleepin' truckload of work!!! What, they don't want just anybody to get into med school? I'm up to my eyeballs in homework, 6hr practice tests, and of course quizzes. I'm ironically glad that I had the "good" fortune of not being able to find a job here, because I don't know how I could do both this summer. Unfortunately, (this is a good equation for all you future Tech students to learn) no job = no cash. No moolah means my summer extravaganzas have to be cut down ALOT. Everything happens for a reason though, and I am currently still frothing with good cheer! After I take the MCAT this summer, my final semester at college will be a breeze. Yay for being optimistic! And yay for being a dork like me! ... ha ha, yep... I need some new material.

Here is a random picture, for your viewing pleasure, of another sunny day enjoyed to the fullest many moons ago. This was a trip of a lifetime with a couple friends to Death Valley last year... that pretty much sums up the mood we had the entire week.

Motorboatin' and River Floatin'!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:21:00 +0000

What a day, what a day, what a day.... ahhh. I'm livin the life down here and have been enjoying every second of my free time outside in the glorious sunshine. River floating is my new hobby of choice, and although I may be riddled with skin cancer by the time I'm 40, my mediterranean skin is getting pretty damn tan! I'm lovin' it. Today is the day, however, that my wistful dreams of being irresponsible and permanently on vacation are going to be squashed. This is DAY NUMERO UNO of summer school... DUN DUN DUN! Once again, I am an ambitious college student furthering my education towards achieving my goals of attending medical school. Scary! Everyday I keep getting older, keep getting more responsibilities thrown my way, keep having to make more and more difficult decisions that I wish my parents could just decide for me still. Life is like a roaring river itself - you can't slow it down, all you can do is hang on and enjoy the ride...

Happy Days!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:37:00 +0000

According to "weather.com" the current temperature in Butte is 49 degrees and cloudy... depressing, although not surprising. I'm not just happy to report, I'm ecstatic to report that the current temperature in Tempe, AZ (my place of residence for the next 3 months) is 79 degrees and sunny. I even have proof of the gorgeous conditions in the picture I've posted. These two good lookin' fellas are Montana Tech alumni living down here and taking advantage of a well-deserved holiday. From what I learn from them, the real world is bitter-sweet: awesome to not have class, labs, tests, and homework, and also a plus to receive substantial check weekly; however, the amount of free time to spend all that hard-earned cash is significantly depleted. Seems like life out of college is mostly work with a little play squeezed in here or there. I plan to squeeze as much play into this summer as humanly possible. With that said, the aroma of grilling steaks wafting through the window is going to cause this blog to be a little short. This beautiful day cannot be wasted indoors. I have meat to eat and horseshoes to throw. Hallelujah for fun in the summer sun! Sorry to all you Butants stuck in the cold and dreary. No worries though - I'll keep you updated on what's happening down here in paradise.

Hi Dad!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Arizona is lovely and I've enjoyed just being a bum for the last week. Arriving in 110 degrees and then waking up to 50 degrees this morning was a bit of a change. These Arizonians are obviously not used to the chilly weather. I however have acclimated to the Montana cold and am enjoying the drop in temperature, dressed only in flip flops and tank tops. On a much more depressing note, the MCAT prep course I'm enrolled in starts June 2nd and I'm not really excited to turn my brain on again. Oh well, best not to think about these things until absolutely necessary. Such is my motto in life: procrastination. Happy Summer Days everybody!!!!

Cheerio!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:34:00 +0000

I've decided to name this blog the same as the last one - I enjoy the title and it fits within the word limit. Furthermore, I will continue repeated blog naming until I see that "Cheerio!" has appeared on the Tech webpage... I am anxiously waiting and they're a little behind on the updates. On a more titilating topic, summer has arrived with the sound of music!!! (imagine me singing and spinning on the hilltops) I love the sunshine! Reno is hot hot hot and oh so wonderful. This weekend I am planning to head up to the lake and do a little beach bumming. The temperature is supposed to get up to 95! For all you Canadians and weird American metric users, that's about 30 C???? Am I close? My brain has shut off, therefore no (and that's a firm hell no) calculations may be made in my head for the next week or so - until I start my MCAT prep summer class. Ugh, can't think about that just yet. I'm on vacation! Viva el verano!

Cheerio!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:18:00 +0000

Father, it's been awhile since my last confession...

I apologize to all four of my faithful blog readers who have anxiuosly been awaiting my next post. This last week has been insane! Between studying and taking finals and trying to simultaneously move out of my apartment by Friday, I have definitely been slacking on my blogging. I also just arrived into Reno last night (drove straight through all by me onesy), and I am so glad to be here. It is official... in those 12 hours of driving, one will pass through the UGLIEST landscapes of Montana, Idaho, and Nevada. I mean, painfully boring endless sagebrush and rolling farmlands. Much thanks to the brilliance of caffeine - without it, I wouldn't have made it past Pocatello. On a much lighter note, school's out! The countdown has ended, the parking tickets holding your transcript have been paid, you've sold back the 1 out of your 8 brand new textbooks you bought this semester that was able to be sold back to the bookstore (don't spend that $23 all in one place), and the graduates are now proudly marching on to their new beginnings. Congratulations on another year completed at Tech! A few friends and myself celebrated the end of our exasperating school year by a farewell breakfast at the M&M. Nothing says "Thank God for summer!" like a heaping garbage omlette and gravy fries. Good luck to those of you who have been booted into the real world! Better you than me! jk, but seriously...

Hooked on a feeling!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:58:00 +0000

The feeling I have right now is close to that feeling you get when your favorite song comes on the radio, you just found $20 dollars in an old coat you decided to wear for the first time in 2 years, and you just got to pet the cutest puppy you've ever seen... pretty much rainbows and butterflies. I am lovin my life right now. It's funny how moods can change within days, hours, minutes, even seconds. All it takes for me to go from crabby-pants to happy-camper is to finally be done with my tests (I've had one every day this week), feel like a million bucks compared to yesterday's symptoms (I couldn't leave the house without two tissues stuck up my nose), and have a sunshiny Friday! Woo hoo! This whole semester's toil and trouble has already been forgotten in my mind and I am ready to celebrate summer. So summer needs to get here STAT so I can start the fiesta! Good luck to all of you seniors presenting your thesis and design projects! Only one week of finals left and we are free... free to be you and me (the song? no?)... bad joke.

PS- I'm going to be girly and post this picture of the most B-E-A-Utiful flowers my boyfriend sent me for our 3 yr anniversary! What a guy, what a guy :)

Almost Rockin in the Free World

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:47:00 +0000

Countdown: 7 days, 2 hours, and 4 minutes...

Today I feel like crap (just thought I'd throw that out there because I know I'm not the only one). Usually this period right before finals, when stresses are high and sleep is but a distant cousin, is the perfect time for bacteria to throw a shindig in a student's respiratory tract and completely wipe out all academic progress for at least a day. Too bad no one has time to just "lay low" and get better. Oh well, tonight is dedicated to the important tasks of finishing up my lab notebooks, preparing for lengthy quizzes, and studying for upcoming tests. Summer will soon be here and the punishment of homework, labs, and exams will be a fleeting memory. Like a marathon, these last few steps to the finish-line will be the most painful, but also the quickest. Good luck to everybody and see you in the library!

I love sleep...

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:30:00 +0000

What to do on a Sunday when it has snowed six inches overnight in the end of April... Hmmm, how about watch a couple movies, bake cookies, and completely waste every hour I'm awake... yep, that was the plan, and I stuck to it today. There is something about crappy weather that manages to rip through that last clinging thread of motivation holding together the holy jeans of one's life, and accomplishes the daunting feat of shoving one into an entirely new level of lethargy. Monday morning will be here soon enough and the onslaught of assignments and tests will hit without fail. Every weary student knows these next couple of weeks will be packed to cram in the last bit before finals arrive. So to all of you nursing your tired minds and bodies, get a good night's rest. The countdown: 13 days 2 hours and 14 minutes until the first day of finals... The end is near.

Just a word of advice...

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:18:00 +0000

Make sure you are on track with the classes you are taking! Due to switching my major, I've recently found out that I'm one semester from graduating and I have missed about 9 credits in elective classes, a few seminars, and some general requirements just to get a degree from Tech... This could (and does) happen to a lot of students on the cusp of their ceremonial semester; so be proactive ladies and gents and check it out before it's too late. Now onto the pressing matters of our lovely institution: school is almost out!!! Three weeks and we are free to run our lives as we see fit; whether you choose to be working in an internship as a preview to your future career, or you are going to be a river-rafting guide in your home town, or you are venturing forth to an unknown city (maybe minus a job) in search of an adventure! The world is your oyster! Yes, I realize that this saying is not used often, but it pertains to this very moment, and for those of you who don't have the slightest idea what the bleep I'm trying to say - look it up. Keep in mind also that there is a reason everyone tells you to live it up in college. These years won't last forever, and all the people here - from your friends, your advisors, your coaches, your professors, your personal coffee baristas, and even your crazy neighbors that live in the apartment next to you - teach you more about life and yourself than any combination of classes offered here at Tech could do on their own... so don't take a moment of it for granted.

Tom Petty says it better than anyone: "You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..."

...the fun don't stop... mmm, Pringles

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:56:00 +0000

Wow and wow. Feels like I'm caught in a tornado of deadlines. Allow me to use this blog to paint a picture in your mind of a conversation between professor and overwhelmed student at this point in time in the semester....
Teacher: "Don't forget the homework's due tomorrow, and a quiz, so make sure to study, oh and the lab report needs to be turned in tomorrow as well, and a test on Monday over the last six chapters of your text, and a report due Friday, and oh yes don't forget the project due next Wednesday that you should have been working on all semester..."
Student: (temporary panic attack) ...
When will the madness end you ask? Barely four weeks from now - May 9th. That's the finish-line for all of you excellent students out there who haven't had the time to check a calendar. I myself have made plenty of time to check the calendar every morning with high hopes that I might have magically dropped into a coma overnight and the date is now May 10th. No such luck as of yet. I did get to experience one of the coolest things a college kid could do (something that your parents would be proud of). I got the opportunity to see Obama and Hillary Clinton speak right here in Butte! Obama even went to the MandM! He's a stud. This is one of the most controversial, if not THE most controversial, presidential election of our time and Butte got in on it! This was very exciting and I hope many of you had the chance to see the speeches in person, or at the very least, online or on TV. It was worth every minute of the four hours I volunteered to spend outside holding up signs for the senators in the freezing cold and wind... wouldn't have been too broken-hearted if I missed out on that part of the experience however. I've just realized I'm waaayyy past my word-limit and half of you have probably decided to take a little impromptu nappers due to sleep deprivation from school overload - now snoring in the computer lab, ever-so-sweetly drooling on your keyboard; the other half of you skimmers stopped reading a long time ago. I realize this and that's ok that your system has shut down temporarily. Save the brain power for something more important, like the Wii you'll be playing later... and on that note, stay classy Butte, MT.

Tuesday night's the new "drive an hour and a half out of town for a concert" night! Yay college!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Well, yesterday was April fools day, and I completely forgot about it until today. Hope everybody made it through without too much trauma from all those witty April fool's pranks. I celebrated the mysterious holiday by driving to Missoula for the Slightly Stoopid concert - that's the band's name, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about. It was an awesome show! A good way to have some fun after a week of stress. I have a lab report due tomorrow, a Genetics quiz and an Anatomy and Physiology quiz Friday so I now have to refocus and start studying... since it's almost 10:30pm. Four years of college and I still procrastinate. Luckily, I'm not alone. Procrastination plagues our campus in these last few weeks of class. Oh well, we make it through some how. Good luck to everyone reading this and procrastinating to do something important at this very moment. After all, why stress about getting something done now that can be done later? Hasta!