trinkets

Because everyone can use a good quote...

2012-02-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

I am currently obsessed with goodreads.com and their quote section. When I am having a rough day, need something to relate to, or really don't want to study, I look to these. Here is just a sample of all the great ones!

1) “I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” - Marilyn Monroe

2) “If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”- Lewis Carroll

3) “We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” - May Sarton

4) “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde

5) “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” - Helen Keller

(Now, go be awesome!)

4-H Desensitizes Kids? Says who?

2012-01-03T22:48:00.000-08:00

Photo from Bing Images

Hunter* is a pretty average kid. He plays high-school football, he plays in a summer soccer league, has a part-time job on a farm across from his house, and enjoys working on his truck. He is extremely involved in the local 4-H club, even more specifically the swine project where he shows pigs every year at the county fair. Some might even say he is a killer.

The “some” being referred to would be the “haters” that commented on the Eatocracy blog by CNN. Eatocracy is set up by CNN to talk about food, drink and everything related. It usually talks about gift ideas, cool happenings in the food market and ways to buy and eat local, but one day last June it turned into a place of controversy and arguments.

The original blog post was supposed to be a 5@5 feature article with chef Kelly Liken on the topic of reasons to buy from your local 4-H. This simple feature turned into a hell-raising debate about whether 4-H is a good organization or not.

4-H, an acronym for head, hands, heart and health, is the nation’s largest youth development organization, according to their website. They have more than six million youth from urban and suburban neighborhoods and rural farming communities involved with the program. Their philosophy, “learn by doing” has proven rewarding for the organization. A study done by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, showed the youth in the 4-H organization were nearly two times more likely to get better grades and plan to go to college. The study also showed that 41% were less likely to engage in risky behavior, and 25% were more likely to contribute positively to the community and their families.

If this is all true, then why are people calling the organization a desensitizer to killing?

The way the 4-H program works is by having different areas to be involved in. These involved science, citizenship and healthy living. Members have the choice of being involved in different projects and getting help from volunteers along the way. One of the parts of the organization to get involved in is the showing and raising of animals, one option is the market animal project. These members have the chance to be a part of the birth of the animal all the way to the death, and the butchering of the animal. That is where the name-calling comes in.

After the blog post was released in an effort to spot-light the cool things involved with supporting this organization and buying your meat from these kids who have worked hard to raise it, and eating something raised locally, comments flared about the entire butchering process. Comments were posted saying things such as, “I don't and would never support the 4-H. This group helps desensitize youngsters into having no emotional attachment to animals raised for food,” and “you are teaching them that relationships are disposable, that animals are disposable. This is not a good lesson, and these poor animals raised as pets are off to the slaughterhouse where they will be tortured before they die.”

Photo from Bing Images

The controversy of the debate sparked thousands of hits. So who is right and who is wrong? The most this article can do is spotlight the debate and let you decide for yourself. Is a child who learns the ins and outs of caring for an animal all the way to slaughter considered to be immune to killing and the emotions dealing with it?

No research has proven true for either side of the case. Until that time you will have to make that decision for yourself. Good luck. I have been through the 4-H program and I still cry and get sad when people and animals die. So it didn't desensitize me...

*Name has been changed

10 Reasons Why I Love Being a UWGB Student

2011-10-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ten reasons why I love being a UWGB student!

10) The wildlife on our campus is just ridiculous. We have deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and woodchucks. Oh, and if you take a walk around you might see some cats too. I think this is cool - well I could go without the cats. I once was giving a tour of our campus and almost got hit by a deer that went darting out in front of us.

**Photo by Justin Grones (from the UWGB facebook page)

9) We have some really cool professors. I have had professors who have taught class outside because it was warm out. I have had professors cancel class for Green Bay Packers' activities, such as the Super Bowl Return Parade. I have heard of some professors having a battle in their class and trivia days. It is so cool that we have professors that engage us as students and take their job to the next level.

8) Our academic advising department recently did a zombie movie. Yes, a zombie movie. If that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is. Who does that? Apparently UWGB. It is great! And yes, Julia Wallace is our provost. Check it out below:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206197802785479#!/photo.php?v=657669824087

7) We live in the land of the Green Bay freaking Packers. How cool is that? It’s very cool. Game days are like one big party. People fill the streets and literally you can hear the whole city cheer when a touchdown is made.

6) Now as a UWGB student we don’t get game day tickets but sometimes we do get benefits. Things like tickets for the NFL kick-off concert held early this fall. We got tickets to the concert and were asked to be the live audience for Kid Rock’s spot-light song. It was a fantastic day to be a Packer fan and a UWGB student.

**Photo from Katie Phillips

5) One of the first concerts we had at UWGB this year was the band, Hot Chelle Rae. Their hit, Tonight, Tonight is a great song and we got to hear that live. It was a FREE concert and it was AWESOME. The lead singer walked through the crowd and many students got to have a meet and greet with the band.

**Photo by Amy Manske

4) Our school is hip. I mean that sincerely. We have a rocking Facebook. We have almost every department on twitter. You can tweet a question about almost anything and either get an answer or get directed somewhere that can help you. It is super cool. Our school stays connected and I respect that a lot.

3) I think our campus is one of the most beautiful campuses in the state. I have traveled to quite a few and honestly think ours is the best. The fall season is the best because we have so many trees. When the leaves change on them it creates so many colors. I just love it. Plain and simple.

**Photo by Katie Phillips/ via UWGB Facebook Page

2) The people on this campus are just phenomenal. Whether it is the professors, other students, or staff. Most of these people want to help you succeed and that is so cool. I get tons of emails telling me about jobs, internships and work study programs. I also name about 15 people in my head I can talk to if I ever have any problems with anything. A school does not have to do that. UWGB just reaches out.

1) Have you ever heard of our tunnels? Yes. We have tunnels. That means that when it is raining, snowing, or just crappy outside we as UWGB students get to walk inside. So when it is Feb 2, and it’s snowing think about how awesome it is to be a UWGB student and be walking in a tunnel.

Be jealous. Most days I wouldn't trade being a UWGB student!

Have you even seen a "socialnomic" video?

2011-10-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen one of these videos? It puts everything in perspective and shows us what reality is becoming. It is amazing to think that the world is changing daily even if we don't realize it. Watch this and be amazed.

What's a Fairest got to do with it?

2011-08-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

For the past year I have been the Waupaca County Fairest of the Fair. Most of you are probably thinking what is that? Here is my best description: the best job ever.

As a fairest of the fair you serve as an ambassador for your county fair. This year I attended numerous story hours at area libraries, rode in many parades, wrote and recorded public services announcements, and competed for the state title of Fairest of Fairs.

Have a mentioned yet that I get to dress up and wear a tiara? It makes the job even better.

I was a 4-H* member for about 12 years. I showed cows, pigs, and took many projects to the fair every year. Fair for me is close to Christmas on the excitement scale. I patiently waited every year for the competition, the food, and the friends. I was involved in many projects and areas. Some of my most treasured memories and lessons learned are from a fair season.

Some of the things I learned at county fairs over the years: 1) Hard work and dedication pay off. 2) Chocolate shakes are not a sustainable breakfast. 3) When walking a cow, don’t wear flip-flops. 4) Some people aren’t cultured enough to know what a cow is…let alone a goat. 5) Catching-a-pig contests are a blast and can be won by putting a pig on a barrel in 14 seconds with two teammates.

With that knowledge you can now understand why becoming the 2010 Waupaca County of the Fair was like landing my dream job. The fair is close to my heart so when telling people how fun it was and that they should come - it was easy because I meant it.

It is so bittersweet to think the year is coming to an end. As I reflect on how many people I met this year as Fairest of the Fair, I don’t even think I can count that high (bad humor).

My encounters:
I met a little girl at the June Dairy Breakfast who was fighting with her brother. She asked how she could be a “princess” like me. I replied, “You have to be nice to your brother.” She quickly gave her brother a hug and smiled at me.

I also met a woman at that same day who had MS. Her daughter was with her and was very surprised when I asked if I could sit by them. It was down pouring rain outside making it a gloomy day but this woman was so optimistic and kept telling me it was going to get sunny. Her daughter told her repeatedly it wasn’t going to stop raining, but low and behold it stopped raining before I left.

A girl at the New London St. Paddy’s Day Parade yelled to me, “Lady, you are pretty.”

A woman who works with the carnival company at the fair came up to my mom and told me I was so professional looking and appreciated that. She also said that she travels a lot of fairs and thought that just by watching me she could tell I liked what I do.

At the state competition I was asked by the judges how organized I was. I replied with, well I like to think I am pretty organized. I have a planner that keeps me on track, but if I would lose it it would be a very hairy situation. I had forgotten that a judge’s name was Harry. Feeling awkward I said, no pun intended Harry! Harry, a man who plays Santa during Christmas time, busted a gut and almost lots his milk and cookies.

Norman was a man I met while at the Scandinavia Corn Roast. He was working the Historical Society part. He sat outside and asked if we had any questions. We struck up a conversation, and soon we had chatted for about 20 minutes. He was the cutest old man and when I asked to take a picture with him and his wife, you should have seen the grin that spread across his face (it was bigger than the one he has on his face below).

Christine Lindner, the 63^rd Alice in Dairyland was one of my favorite people I met. At the state competition I was named first-runner-up. She came up to me and without saying a word she hugged me. I don’t remember what she specifically said but it was along the lines of no matter what you do you will be great at it. You have so much ahead in the future, go find it. After coming in second place those were perfect words to hear.
Even though my title will be passed on, my memories will stay with me. This year has meant the world to me. These people gave me a little taste of what it means to make a difference in someone’s life. They obviously have impacted mine, and I will take them with me as I attempt to make a difference in someone else’s.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

　*Don’t know what that is?
http://www.4-h.org/

Money, Money, Mo-ney...

2011-07-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

College students and working go together like peanut butter and jelly. I think that most college students this summer are spending it waiting tables, filing papers, and mowing lawns rather than going to the beach, getting a tan and partying.

A group of friends and I were discussing how sad it is that this is our last summer free from grown up jobs, as we like to call them. Most of us are obligated to at least one job, if not more. We decided as a group that this is an awful way to spend our last summer of freedom, but most of us have no choice - we need the money.

I am fortunate enough to have a great summer job. I work in an office at UWGB and I really like it. They are flexible with hours, unlike some jobs. It's hard to find a summer job that you like. I previously worked at a campground. I liked it but the pay wasn't very good and I worked most nights and weekends. I have heard horror stories from students who have worked at pet stores, in mills, or have been nannies. It seems all jobs come with some yucky parts to it.

You hear so many people say, life is short so live it to the fullest. I fully believe that statement but when the need to make money surpasses the need to have fun what happens? What do you sacrifice?

I think that it all comes down to balancing things. You must work to make money but you can't work 24-7. I know someone who works over 100 hours a week. That is too much. I also know someone who only works about 15 hours a week and struggles to find another job and to make money.

It's a struggle to find a job these days, so when one is found you shouldn't hesitate to jump at it. I think that caution should be taken though, so your life isn't wasted by working. Whether that be staying out a little bit later after work and being tired the next day, or taking a random trip on a day off. Life is here to be enjoyed, don't let yourself be on autopilot.

"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality." -- Benjamin Franklin

How much is the cat in the window?

2011-07-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Meet Chaz!

If you read my first post you know that Chaz is my roommate's cat.

I grew up on a dairy farm in a small town. I have had numerous pets big and small, but none just like Chaz. I have never lived with a pet in my house. Animals belonged outside - at least in our household.

I first met Chaz when I visited my roommate's brother. He inherited him from his grandma. When he moved Chaz was not allowed to come. So long story short. My roommate and I now have a cat.

Chaz is a free spirit. What I mean by that is solely he does whatever he feels like. Now, Chaz and I have a love-hate-relationship. He is cute, and cuddly, but also very hairy and needy, and his meow sounds like a dying pigeon.

I have been awoken many times by Chaz, who just wants to cuddle, at 3:00 a.m. He also feels the need to look out the window above my bed. In order to get there though, he has to use my face as a steeping stool. I really should start counting how many lint rollers I have used since he moved in. Sometimes I wake up to a ticklish feeling on my cheek from the amount of cat hair stuck to my pillow. Eww. I know.

With that in mind, on the evenings when my roommate is out of town, Chaz keeps me sane. He listens to me complain and we hide together from our crazy neighbor.

He has so far broke our screen door, chewed through a camera cord, and hid a tweezers from us. I think he knows what he does and is secretly plotting against us.

A bittersweet pet he is. Pets teach you about the simple things in life. Eating, sleeping and cuddling are what they are all about. If everyone lived like cats we would be much happier and simpler. Who doesn't like a cat nap?

Chaz is one and only and I am sure you will be hearing more about him. This four-legged feline is full of trouble and always has something up his collar. Meow.

That one time in Australia...

2011-06-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well. According to my last post I was going to Australia, and in the process of being in another country I was going to start a blog. It didn't really work out well for me. Between the jet lag and the long days, and the $1.25 for 15 minute internet use... it wasn't going to happen. My apologies!
So, to catch you up...
I was in Australia for about three weeks. In that time I learned that rubbish cans are smelly, koala's are not cuddly or even friendly, and 'daggy' means the crusty part on a sheep’s arse. (Thank you Steven for helping me define that word!)

We started off in Sydney. This city reminded me of the U.S.'s bigger cities. Lots of people who run you over if you slow your pace. My observation of this city was almost everyone dressed in dark clothes. Mind you it is winter there but still... who doesn't enjoy a nice red shirt in winter? I never got sick of having the Opera House or Sydney Harbour Bridge in my sights. I did the climbing tour of the Bridge. It was fantastic! An unforgettable sights, that's for sure.

Featherdale park was an interesting find. This was the place I went crazy on the kangas! We got to go to the petting zoo where we could touch, play with and talk to the kangaroos and wallabies. I was running around like the paparazzi at the Grammys. This is also where we were saddened to find out koalas are emotionless creatures. They really only care about you if you find them.
We stopped in the blue mountains; one of God's finest works. I rode the steepest train in the world. Advice for the owners - get seat belts?!
We traveled to Brisbane via shuttle bus, and flew out from Brisbane to Cairns. I did get to see the Hangover II while in Brisbane for the night. If you want to sit in a comfortable seat for a movie, go to Brisbane. They pretty much lazy boys with out reclining ability.

We drove to Port Douglas for a few days. Seeing a crocodile on the side of the road really put the "you are in Australia" in my head, along with the, "holy shit that is a crocodile!" We saw the great barrier reef, another fantastic sight! I am not a big fan of fish, but it was enjoyable to see everyone in snorkeling gear with messy hair, goofy looking equipment on their faces and wet suits.
While in Port Douglas we stayed at the Port O'Call owned by a man named Steve. (Not everyone there is named Steve, but almost!) He had a great insight on life. He shared he life perspective that as college students we really appreciated. Steve had wanted to be a dentist, but ended up working for a big company. In that time he knew it was a good job but really didn't like it. When he met his wife he knew that change was in order. He quit his job, and opened the hostel in the small town of Port Douglas. He is the owner, bus driver, the receptionist, bartender, and maintenance man, or in order words a 'Steve of all trades'. I never saw him without a smile on his face. My favorite quote from him was "If you are giving your life and soul to work. Do something you like."

The rest of the trip we spent in Cairns. I went whitewater rafting with a hefty man named Marty. He threw us out of the raft to 'test our swimming skills.' I also went skydiving. Yes. I paid money to be strapped to a stranger and jump out of a plane at 11,000 feet. Why? Because I could.
Traveling to Australia was a bucket list check-off. More than that it was a piece of my life that will never be forgotten. The night sitting on the Jetty looking at the stars and feeling the wind blow through my hair? Unforgettable. Playing a didgeridoo? Extremely difficult. Sitting on the wrong side of the fence on the tip of a mountain to get a picture of the edge? Stupid but worth it. Watching the sunrise twice on the way home? Mind-blowing.
Entire trip was worth every penny.

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."--James Allen

There's a small feline in my luggage!

2011-05-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

This is my first official blog post. Be proud!

I am traveling to Australia tomorrow. It's not just a trip to the mall, but rather an adventurous endeavor that is taking a very long time to prepare for. I am not a plan ahead kind of person, so all of this thinking for the future is killing me.

Right now I am mostly packed and making minor adjustments. How can one justify how many pairs of underwear is the right amount? And, I don't care what people say, I am bringing my travel-size Febreeze with me.

I am nervous and excited, and fed up with Chaz (my roommate's cat) because he keeps jumping in my suitcase. By this time tomorrow I will be starting my Australian adventure. It will be fun. It will be epic. Stay tuned for updates when I can post. I will do my best.

*trinkets*