Sunday, March 26, 2017

My Trip to Park City

   There are only five weeks left of the semester and so much to do.  I am working on multiple projects but what's knew.  I am just at that point where I'm ready for summer. 
   I went to Utah to visit family over my spring break.  I had the best time.  It was warm and sunny and I got to spend every second with Granny Polly.  I also got to see Natalie, Ritchie, and David while I was there.  It was so nice getting to catch up.  I got to see where granny's senior center is.  Honestly, that was pretty cool.  She talks so much about it and it's nice to be able to visualize where she spends her time.  I got to see Natalie's new house.  It's a cute, little yellow house.  Granny and I also walked on Main Street one day.  We went to Java Cow and got coffee ice cream!  I highly recommend if you are ever in Park City to hit up Java Cow.  It is such a fun place.  Natalie introduced us to some family friends and we went to their son's hockey game.  I had never been to one before and really enjoyed it.  The game is so aggressive and moves quickly.  Granny was very concerned that the players were going to get hurt (hahaha).  One thing granny and I did was watch "Victoria" on PBS.  It is wonderful! It is a series that follows Queen Victoria's reign.  It was pretty accurate, too.  It is very well done and it pulls you into her story and what she went through being the youngest women to ever take over the crown.  Many people doubted her but she fought back because she was the queen.  Granny also introduced me to "The Crown" on Netflix.  This follows Queen Elizabeth II and her reign.  She and granny were both born in 1928 and granny gets a kick out of that.  Queen Elizabeth is the longest reigning queen (or king) in England.  Her back story is very interesting to say the least.  Highly recommended as well.

   That is all I have for this week. Until next time...
-PK 
      

Friday, March 10, 2017

Upcoming Adventures

Can you believe that I am half way through my second semester of junior year? Ya, me either...
   Tomorrow afternoon I am finally flying out to Utah! I am so excited to see my family, especially Granny Polly.  I am nervous to fly alone but God is good.  Spring Break begins today so I will be spending the entire week out there.  It hopefully won't be too cold.  I have been checking the weather and it will at least be sunny while I'm there.  I am pretty sure I will have some down time so I will be working on a paper that I have due later in the semester.  I am writing an essay for my History 300 class.  It is on Dr. G. V. Black.  He is from Jacksonville, IL and is known as the "Father of Modern Dentistry."  How cool is that?!  This town is actually pretty cool after you do a little digging.  His son, Carl, actually helped with IC's medical school after it first opened in Beecher Hall (here on campus).  It was the first medical in the entire state of Illinois.  I am kind of nerding out about this essay.  It is so interesting to me and easy to research since I am so interested in it.
   I also have some very exciting news to share.  Myself and three of my friends will be living in a house next year! I have signed my first lease and we will be renting for the first time.  It is exiting to learn about this system and actually be able to experience this with great people.  I will have my own room and it is a nice size house for college students.  I think I am just super excited for the experience.  I am lucky that my parents have been so cool and supportive with it all.  The girls and I have already started a list of things we have to bring.  It is going to be one cute house!
   The book I am reading right now isn't all that fun but I am enjoying it.  It is a biography about Dr. Black written by his son.  I find it very interesting.  I have been reading a lot for school this semester and haven't really gotten to choose what books I read. 
   Ian and I will have been dating an entire year on March 18th.  I honestly can't believe that.  Looking back, it has been a wonderful year with him.  We have learned so much about one another, met and spent time with each other's family, have not had any arguments, and have fallen in love.  I knew freshman year that one day he was going to be mine.  We will be heading down to St. Louis, MO on the 18th for the day.  We want to go to the art museum and find a good sushi place.  He will also be heading out to North Carolina with me this summer. I think this is a big step for us and I am excited to see what comes from it.  He is such an outdoors person and easy to get along with.  I know he will have a great time.    
   I think that is all I have for now.  Hopefully I will be able to post at least once while I am in Utah.  Thanks for reading!
-PK
 

Friday, January 20, 2017

Exciting Times

   I've officially finished my first week of second semester for my junior year.  It's crazy to think that this time next year I will be starting my final semester here at IC.  Classes are going well.  I think I will enjoy them.  Homework consist mostly of reading.  Nothing to bad.  I will, however, have to write a large paper for my history class, but I am excited to write it (as nerdy as that sounds).  I get to choose my topic and research it and write on it.  I guess that's why I'm a history major.  I love it all.
   Speaking of history... it's hard to believe that we are now on President number forty-five.  I'll be honest and say I did not vote for Trump.  This election was a big deal for me.  It was the first time I was able to vote in a presidential race.  I wanted to be able to understand what the candidates were offering/promising.  I wanted to be able to understand politics a little better and sound (somewhat) educated if asked about the race.  With help from friends, I feel like I understood enough to cast my vote.  This election will go down in history for many reasons though.  The man who won has no political experience, we had a women run and win the popular vote when a little over 100 years ago women couldn't even vote, there are thousands of people protesting our new President, and we said good bye to our first black President and his family.  And I got to witness it first hand! One day, kids could be reading about this in their history classes and I can say that I was there! I voted and I had an opinion.  I watched it live on YouTube (because of work).  Regardless of everything, Americans will make these next four years great.  No matter where you stand, America as been through worse.  For example, we are not on the verge of Civil War.  We as Americans can get through anything the world throws at us and we have proved this time and time again.  I am praying that President Trump proves me wrong in the end.  Honestly, I am.  I hope that he does well in office.    
   Anyway,  on to a more fun subject.  I applied to work at Blue Ridge again this summer.  I had multiple phones calls with the staff there now, and I am excited to announce I have accepted a job in their Outdoors Programs! I am so excited to be spending another summer in the mountains.  I knew I needed to go back about a couple months ago.  My time is not up at Blue Ridge.  I miss the people and the experiences I was given.  If you or someone you know is interested, PLEASE contact me.  I would love to help introduce Blue Ridge to you! It has done great things for me.

   That's all I have for now.  Thank you for reading (:
-PK