Goals for 2017

I am not one that is big on New Years Resolutions, but I do have some goals for this coming year:

1. Graduate!!!! I am blessed beyond belief to have had the opportunity to go to college, given the predicament I was in 4/5 years ago. I had so many great people and opportunities while at college that have made the experience wonderful.

2. Health: continue to focus on eating healthy, as well as indulging occasionally (in moderation of course, so I won't feel deprived). This can be super challenging as a college student, picky eater, and as someone with stomach issues, but it is worth it to feel good!  I also want to take these new habits into my post-graduate life.  Along with eating better - staying as active as I can - whether it is working out in a gym, learning a work-out routine in the home, yoga, going to a class, etc.  And something I started becoming interested in after taking Behavior Modification: mindfulness... I want to keep working on being mindful, especially with what I eat, how I feel, and is right for my body.

3. Keep learning... I will be out of school in May until I decide what I am planning on/going for Graduate School, so why not keep learning about different things.  I will try and definitely keep up to date with Science and NPR!

4. READ more... I have heard this many times, especially recently by C.S, but I need to engage in books more often. I used to read a lot as a child/teenager... but after being in college, I have been lucky to complete a whole book a year.  From what I have heard from others, it is difficult to fit reading in to college when there is so much in terms of assignments, required readings, and papers but it is important to learning.  I did manage to almost complete December during my time in the airport and on the plane today :)

5. Be creative... I have always been creative, although I hardly see myself as that.  I have dabbled in music (singing, playing around on piano, guitar), writing (poetry, blogging, science), and even drawing since I can remember.  Like reading, I was maybe only drawing once or twice a year, aside from making Christmas cards.  But after taking Drawing, I realize it may be time to start doing it more (although I prefer out of class drawing).

Hello 2017 - short blog

So, just got back a while ago from visiting my parents in Connecticut.  While I was there, I decided to make the move up there after I graduate this coming May.  This move will be great to allow for me to be with my parents more, will help me get out of my comfort zone, and new opportunities, both career and academic wise.

In the meantime, I go back Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) to campus.  I am hoping to start this semester off without a major roller coaster of chaos.  I am taking a variety of major and general education courses again, including: Biochemistry (I had to have one more class with Dr. H and of course, good ole Dr. Madman - my crazy organic chem professor), Evolution, Far Eastern Religion, Prescriptive Fitness (1 sh), and Painting.  Additionally, I have gotten the SI position for Elementary Spanish 2, PR workstudy, and the internship with pollution detectives! Super excited to see what this semester brings.  

Reflection on 2016

So as much as this year has had its ups and downs (as many of us experience); here are some great things that happened this year

1.  I was published in the Salisbury Post through my work study - I love that I have gotten the opportunity to write and be published - which was something I always wanted to do since I was a little girl

2.  I got an internship at Cabarrus Health Alliance - doing vector control work - seems small but I got a good reminder where my true interests lie: environmental health (which would have explained my interest in vector-borne diseases) and field work 

3. I got the opportunity to be Supplemental Instructor for Spanish - which reiterated my interest in teaching and psychology of learning 

4. I have gotten to do some many different things with friends: winter formal (although I will only stick to that once), beach trip (what a learning curb), doing things as an organized club on campus (helping with concession stands, bonfire, an event through the science department), and so on

5. Took the most challenging course in my college career and made a B in it (Neuroscience)

6. Got an internship with pollutiondetectives.org writing and revising this coming semester! 

7. Met some amazing people!

Fall 16' Reflection

It is hard to believe I just wrapped up my fourth year here, although I still have a semester left.  These past four years have definitely shaped me as a person and taught me that I can do more than I thought possible. This semester has had its ups and downs like I never experienced before.  Part of it was taking on more than I can handle in the beginning and some of it was the typical senioritis.

First, this semester all my classes managed to be connected to other classes and life. For example, in my drawing class, I created a diorama/piece with brains - which was an amazing feat since it is the hardest thing to understand. I also created a piece with an fMRI machine and spiders - combining my interest in insects and psychology - of course.  Oddly, Hebrew Bible helped me to reflect on things that really mattered, such as morality, in the face of the craziness of last month's election.  And the topics from my neuroscience class came up often in conversations - to the point where my friends and I sat at dinner one discussing things from my assigned article reading, which included a piece about is reality real (that article was crazy).  Then there was my capstone class, where I was able to study more about the topic from my internship, mosquito biodiversity and abundance and disease ecology.  (I was even asked if I was presenting at the state conference for research by the professor - which didn't happen since I am waiting on information/data from Cabarrus County). And being in Spanish again lead to do my research paper/lab report term paper on Bilingualism.

Also, this semester I was inducted to Psi Chi (psychology honors society), got to hear Erin Brochivich (which was amazing!!!!!!), heard a talk from artist, Dianna Cohen (who is an artist who works with plastic bags and is also an environment advocate), was an officer in a club for the first time, helped out a science demo event, got to be an Supplemental Instructor, and found a new trail to explore.  I also learned a few things including: you can't help everyone (although one can wish- thanks Dr. A. H. for the reminder), don't take on more than you can handle, debit cards will not work if the machine is broken and that I should carry cash on me, and I am a person who does not explain herself thoroughly at times (ironically with the fact that I blog and write).

Now onto winter break and next semester.

November Update...

Hard to believe we are in the final weeks of the semester.  It has been a busy semester for sure, even after having to drop a class last month.

For my capstone class, we were required to go to the Students of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) - which is a statewide symposium compared to our research and creativity symposium we have every year in April.  It was in Durham and held at North Carolina Central University, which is a gorgeous campus!  And the campus was big compared to what me (and many of my peers) are used to.  The food was pretty good there that day, although it would be because of having visitors on campus.  There were so many topics though presented, from psychology, neuroscience, biology, environmental science, and chemistry, among so many other subjects.

On November 7, I got the opportunity to hear Erin Brochovich speak at Catawba.  It was through our Center for Environment, which has hosted quite a few special speakers this semester to celebrate the anniversary of the CENV.  The movie, Erin Brochovich, (the movie is based on her life) was what really sparked my interest in the different issues that are in our environment (chemicals in water, food, etc).  In her talk, I was surprised to learn that she had dyslexia growing up and was even seen as an underachiever. But despite that, she did a retrospective investigation on individuals that were directly affected by the hexavalent chromium 6 (as a secretary at a law firm in Hinkley California) with health issues, including many types of cancers.  With her work in Hinkley, she went on to continue advocating for environmental health issues (and still is) and encouraging others to do the same.  She has also created a website with a map that shows us what environmental issues are going on around the world... http://www.communityhealthbook.com/.  Also one of her quotes that stand out to me from her talk is "what is your legacy" - Erin Brochovich.  Definitely, a good quote to motivate someone toward the end of the semester.

Also, on November 10th I was inducted into Psi Chi (the honors society for psychology).  It was definitely a different experience from when I was inducted into Tri-Beta. It was pretty low-key. We went to DJ's (maybe 12-15 of us) and we all had the chance to get to know each other better and ate dinner.

These coming weeks should be slowing down...  I have my final capstone presentation this coming Tuesday, and my internship boss from the summer (CS) is hopefully coming.  And with this project for capstone I have a good foundation for my independent research for next semester. And after I only have one exam, a drawing project/oral presentation and my final oral presentation for neuroscience (and the 12-20 page paper)

Thoughts on the Possibility of Becoming an Educator (Or Teacher or Professor)

So, for most of my teenage and early adulthood, I have been complimented by many people on how much kids love me and are drawn to me.  And in recent months have rekindled my aspirations to teach, especially with the post-graduation plans creeping closer and closer.

I have worked with a variety of ages within my church, including my time substituting in the kindergarten Sunday School class (in high school), working with the pre-k (4 year-old) Sunday School class since I have been in college and through the bus ministry at my church. I have watched many of them grow up and some are looking at colleges and in high school.  

Earlier this week, my mentor, Dr. H mentioned to me that she was bringing her daughters on campus for an event.  At first, I didn't know if I would possibly swing by and see her kiddos, but I did end up going.  And when I did, I was greeted by not only her oldest daughter, but by one of the other professor's daughter, who running behind me and tackling me (which I am not a stranger to since I work with children).  I also saw Dr. Ws little one and talked to him until he went on to play with the other three kids.  (And yes --- at one point, I had all 4 of them, including Dr. H's 2 year old, all hanging on me trying to tackle me (playing soccer/basketball) and almost lost my pants!).  

And today -- I helped with an event, "Mysteries in Science," (to celebrate Natl' Chemistry Week). I didn't know what to expect, especially since this was the first time we had a STEM event, with many children of varying ages.  I helped my organic chemistry professor with an acid-base experiment using Alka-Seltzer and water in vials to create mini-explosions.  It was fun to watch their excitement the tops of the vials exploding.  I also loved watching them answer and ask questions.  

Also, I have been thinking of teaching (even if I am working as a tutor in addition to my job) after helping tutor in Spanish and leading SI sessions.  Many people struggle with Spanish for various reasons and it feels great when you can reach a person who may understand it if you present it in a way that engages their learning style.  

Also, another reason I would like to teach is to reach out to those who may not learn or have difficulty with school because of learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD.  After being in neuroscience, along with other psychology courses I have taken since I was a senior in high school, I have had a keen interest in learning styles, these disorders, and even how the brain works with processing information in everyone.  

Just some thoughts!

October Updates

Hard to believe it is halfway through the semester!  This semester has been a rollercoaster but everything is leveling out.  I have learned nothing goes as expected.  This semester by far has been the busiest; I had 16 credit hours, in addition to going to the Spanish class I lead supplemental instruction for, the SI position, and my work-study position - and the other things I am involved in (clubs, church, etc).  In addition to this, my neuroscience class has been the heaviest in terms of assignments.

I had my whole year planned out in order to graduate, that was until I bombed a couple of tests in physics.  It is funny to think how I made it through the chemistry courses, but I get to this class and things did not work out and I had to drop it.  What happened had nothing to do with lack of trying and not understanding the material but rather testing anxiety, which is never a good thing when the class is comprised of 80% tests.  However, I am thankful that my professor for the course was wanting to help me however he could and was honest with me, as well as other students.

My other courses have been okay.  Neuroscience, aside from the work we do, has been the most interesting and has helped me to prepare for going into the workforce and down the road, graduate school.   Drawing has also been my favorite class.  We have had 3 major assignments so far; leaves, tools, and now a diorama and drawing paired together.  I am doing my diorama/drawing assignment on brains, which will be different from what many other people are doing theirs on.  Hebrew Bible has been interesting, although I would prefer this particular type of class later in the day.  I have a better understanding of the Old Testament and who some of the people are that were prominent in the OT (patriarch, prophets, kings) and how the OT varies from my understanding of the New Testament. Capstone for Biology, which has some similar components to Neuroscience (paper, presentations - oral), has been okay.  I am excited that I get to my thesis paper (once I decide on what I want my thesis to be on) on mosquito habitats from what I learned in my internship from during the summer.

SI has been an interesting.  There has not been many people coming (although I am not sure why) but the ones who have come I have been able to help.  I loved helping one of the dudes, W.S., connect the grammar (tenses) to what he knows about writing (a common interest we both share) since he is a communication major.  I have been able to help a couple of other people as well.  I am hoping to tutor Spanish now that I have one less class.

I am looking forward to the rest of the semester!  I am excited for Erin Brochivich, who is coming to speak at our schools, Center for the Environment's, events.  I loved the movie which is based on her life.  She started working for a lawyer and ended up working on an environmental issue that affected many people that lived in the area close to where she lives.  She did all of this despite being a single mother, very little education, and being doubted.  I also have my induction ceremony for Psi Chi (psychology honors society) coming up, some exciting PR assignments, including learning more about FYS courses offered this year, and of course, Christmas!