Well folks, one more semester down. I can't believe it. After one more semester I'm halfway done with my bachelor's degree and maybe my college experience. Hopefully not though, I'm still planning on graduate school. Anyway... I was crunching some numbers today.
Total money spent on tuition thus far: $4,420
Total money spent on books thus far: $828.21
Total money spend on housing this semester: $1,118
Total money spent on laundry thus far: $3.25
(Ops. I don't do my laundry even close to often enough.)
Total credit hours now earned: 82.50
Total hours spent in the library this past semester: 200+ hours
(That adds up to 9.2 days for those of you who wanted to know. Sick, right?)
These are gross numbers. All around. But...
Lessons learned: priceless and numberless.
I know that sounds cheesy, but really. What is this time in my life really for? I find myself asking this question frequently when I become frustrated with school and boys and friends and work and everything. It's for learning, about myself, about the world around me, about my purpose here on earth, and more importantly about my Savior and Heavenly Father and what I need to do to be able to prove my worthiness to them and make it back to live when them someday.
Sometimes when I look at those numbers and compare them with my gpa I think, "Gee. What a waste of my time and money. What I am doing with my life?" Then sometimes I look at those numbers and compare them with old journal entries and think, "Wow, I sure have grown up a lot and learned a lot of valuable lessons that have made and continue to make me a better person."
Basically what I'm trying to get at here is remember the bigger picture. This life is a test; are you doing all that you can to prepare for it? Procrastination is not going to work - I've learned that the hard way. So as Elder Winkel would say, keep the faith! And as Elder Hansen would say, find joy in the journey! Keep going, you can do it. And when you look back, it'll all be worth it.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
It's a love story, baby just say yes.
One day I'll find the right one... for now, I'll just have to keep looking.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Book 15.
The Book of Mormon, various authors.
Okay, okay. We all know this book is way out of the league. It would be terrible if I didn't say it was my favorite book that I've read this summer... right? Right. But guess what? I'm not just saying it's my favorite book because I'm afraid I'll get struck by lightning if I don't. It really is my favorite book! Why?
1. I always feel happy and good inside when I read this book!
2. There are so many great stories and role models found in this book!
3. As Joseph Smith said... "... the Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Sounds great, doesn't it?
4. Most quotable book ever? I think so.
5. I can learn all about where I came from, what I'm doing here, where I'm going after this life, and everything inbetween.
6. I feel so much peace when I read this book.
7. I know the Book of Mormon is true!
I'm really glad that I was able to read the Book of Mormon this summer. I challenge all of you to read it and take Moroni's advice and ask God with real intent, a sincere heart, and having faith in Jesus Christ, and like Moroni, I promise He'll confirm to you that it is true! I've done it, I know it works.
Okay, okay. We all know this book is way out of the league. It would be terrible if I didn't say it was my favorite book that I've read this summer... right? Right. But guess what? I'm not just saying it's my favorite book because I'm afraid I'll get struck by lightning if I don't. It really is my favorite book! Why?
1. I always feel happy and good inside when I read this book!
2. There are so many great stories and role models found in this book!
3. As Joseph Smith said... "... the Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Sounds great, doesn't it?
4. Most quotable book ever? I think so.
5. I can learn all about where I came from, what I'm doing here, where I'm going after this life, and everything inbetween.
6. I feel so much peace when I read this book.
7. I know the Book of Mormon is true!
I'm really glad that I was able to read the Book of Mormon this summer. I challenge all of you to read it and take Moroni's advice and ask God with real intent, a sincere heart, and having faith in Jesus Christ, and like Moroni, I promise He'll confirm to you that it is true! I've done it, I know it works.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Book 14.
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak.
This book was soooooo good! And so unexpected too. Therefore... You should read it! I loved it. I am sad it is over. Thanks for recommending it to me Sarah!
This book was soooooo good! And so unexpected too. Therefore... You should read it! I loved it. I am sad it is over. Thanks for recommending it to me Sarah!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Book 13.
The Rainbow, by D. H. Lawrence.
I didn't really like this book all that much. And it was super long. But once I got into it... I guess I just had to finish it? Why must I be a finisher... grr. Goodbye many wasted hours on 467 long boring pages.
I didn't really like this book all that much. And it was super long. But once I got into it... I guess I just had to finish it? Why must I be a finisher... grr. Goodbye many wasted hours on 467 long boring pages.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Book 12.
The Language of God, by Francis S. Collins.
Ehem. I LOVED this book. Here are a bunch of quotes that I really liked.
"When I was... fourteen, my eyes were opened to the wonderfully exciting and powerful methods of science. Inspired by a charismatic chemistry teacher... I discovered for the first time the intense satisfaction fo the ordered nature of the universe. The fact that all matter was constructed of atoms and molecules that followed mathematical principles was an unexpected revelation, and the ability to use the tools of science to discover new things about nature struck me at once as something of which I wanted to be a part. With the enthusiasm of a new convert, I decided my goal in life would be to become a chemist." Oh yeah, that pretty much happened to me too :)
"Doubt is an unavoidable part of belief. In the words of Paul Tillich, 'doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.'"
"More recently, for a scientist who occasionally is given the remarkable privilege of discovering something not previously known by man, there is a special kind of joy associated with such flashes of insight. Having percieved a glimmer of scientific truth, I find at once both a sense of satisfaction and a longing to understand some even greater Truth. In such moments science become more than a process of discovery. It transports the scientist into an experience that defies a comletely naturalistic explanation."
"Consider this: if the most important decision we are to make on this earh is a decision about belief, and if the most important relationship we are to develop on this earth is a relationship with God, and if our existence as spiritual creatures is not limited to what we can know and ovserve during our earthly lifetime, then human suffereings take on a wholly new context. We may never fully understand the reasons for these painful experiences, but we can begin to accept the idea that there may be such reasons."
"One of the most cherished hopes of a scientist is to make an observation that shakes up a field of research. Scientists have a streak of closeted anarchism, hoping that someday they will turn up some unexpected fact that will force a disruption of the framework of the day." Yes, sometimes I daydream about doing this as well haha.
Psalm 8: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?
Galileo said, "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
"Prayer is not, as some seem to suggest, an opportunity to manipulate God into doing what you want Him to. Prayer is instead our way of seeking felloship with God, learning about Him, and attempting to perceive His perspective on the many issues around us that cause us puzzlement, wonder, or distress."
"Christians all too often come across as arrogant, judgmental, and self-righteous, but Christ never did."
"Will we turn our backs on science because it is perceived as a treat to God, abandoning all of the promise of advancing our understanding of nature and applying that to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of humankind? Alternatively, will we turn our backs on faith, concluding that science has rendered the spritual life no longer necessary, and that traditional religious symbols can now be replaced by engravings of the double helix on our altars?
Both of these choices are profoundly dangerous. Both deny truth. Both will diminish the nobility of humankind. Both will be devastating to our future. And both are unneccessary. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. H can be worshiped in the cathedral or in the laboratory. His creation is majestic, awesome, intricate, and beautiful - and it cannot be at war with itself. Only we imperfect humans can start such battles. And only we can end them."
Basically, this book was the sweetest. Francis S. Collins was the leader of the Human Genome Project. In this book he speaks of his journey to believing in God, from being an atheist at first, then an agnostic, then to believing in a God who cares individually for each of his children. He presented some very interesting and cool viewpoints. I think it was neat to hear someone who knows soooo much about science talk about how God's hand is in it all. He was able to help one see how the Big Bang and God coexist, how evolution is probably part of God's plan. It was suuuuuuper neat. I would most definitely suggest this book!
Ehem. I LOVED this book. Here are a bunch of quotes that I really liked.
"When I was... fourteen, my eyes were opened to the wonderfully exciting and powerful methods of science. Inspired by a charismatic chemistry teacher... I discovered for the first time the intense satisfaction fo the ordered nature of the universe. The fact that all matter was constructed of atoms and molecules that followed mathematical principles was an unexpected revelation, and the ability to use the tools of science to discover new things about nature struck me at once as something of which I wanted to be a part. With the enthusiasm of a new convert, I decided my goal in life would be to become a chemist." Oh yeah, that pretty much happened to me too :)
"Doubt is an unavoidable part of belief. In the words of Paul Tillich, 'doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.'"
"More recently, for a scientist who occasionally is given the remarkable privilege of discovering something not previously known by man, there is a special kind of joy associated with such flashes of insight. Having percieved a glimmer of scientific truth, I find at once both a sense of satisfaction and a longing to understand some even greater Truth. In such moments science become more than a process of discovery. It transports the scientist into an experience that defies a comletely naturalistic explanation."
"Consider this: if the most important decision we are to make on this earh is a decision about belief, and if the most important relationship we are to develop on this earth is a relationship with God, and if our existence as spiritual creatures is not limited to what we can know and ovserve during our earthly lifetime, then human suffereings take on a wholly new context. We may never fully understand the reasons for these painful experiences, but we can begin to accept the idea that there may be such reasons."
"One of the most cherished hopes of a scientist is to make an observation that shakes up a field of research. Scientists have a streak of closeted anarchism, hoping that someday they will turn up some unexpected fact that will force a disruption of the framework of the day." Yes, sometimes I daydream about doing this as well haha.
Psalm 8: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?
Galileo said, "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
"Prayer is not, as some seem to suggest, an opportunity to manipulate God into doing what you want Him to. Prayer is instead our way of seeking felloship with God, learning about Him, and attempting to perceive His perspective on the many issues around us that cause us puzzlement, wonder, or distress."
"Christians all too often come across as arrogant, judgmental, and self-righteous, but Christ never did."
"Will we turn our backs on science because it is perceived as a treat to God, abandoning all of the promise of advancing our understanding of nature and applying that to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of humankind? Alternatively, will we turn our backs on faith, concluding that science has rendered the spritual life no longer necessary, and that traditional religious symbols can now be replaced by engravings of the double helix on our altars?
Both of these choices are profoundly dangerous. Both deny truth. Both will diminish the nobility of humankind. Both will be devastating to our future. And both are unneccessary. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. H can be worshiped in the cathedral or in the laboratory. His creation is majestic, awesome, intricate, and beautiful - and it cannot be at war with itself. Only we imperfect humans can start such battles. And only we can end them."
Basically, this book was the sweetest. Francis S. Collins was the leader of the Human Genome Project. In this book he speaks of his journey to believing in God, from being an atheist at first, then an agnostic, then to believing in a God who cares individually for each of his children. He presented some very interesting and cool viewpoints. I think it was neat to hear someone who knows soooo much about science talk about how God's hand is in it all. He was able to help one see how the Big Bang and God coexist, how evolution is probably part of God's plan. It was suuuuuuper neat. I would most definitely suggest this book!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Well it would've been, could've been, worse than you would ever know.
On approximately tuesday, 2 days ago, I got my wisdom teeth out. Luckily, I was asleep for the whole ordeal. And you know what? After sooooo many horror stories about people getting their wisdom teeth out and such, I was shaking in my boots when I walked into that room. I was trying really hard not to cry, and I didn't! Go me. The IV going in just felt like a little pinch, and after "How's your summer going?" "Oh you know, boring, all I do is work..." I was gone. Next thing I knew, I was in a different room, and it was complete! Upon waking up from anesthesia, this was my conversation.
"What time is it mom?"
"12:10, Kaitlin."
"Are they done?"
"Yes, dear!"
"All of them are gone?"
"Mmhmm."
"All four?"
"You bet!"
"Mom, what time is it?"
"12:11, Kaitlin."
"Maybe we should send the teeth to Kyle."
What posessed me to think that would be a good idea? I don't know. I'll have to tell him i said that, and I wonder if he'll think I'm mentally unstable. Probably. Oh well. I also kept asking to take home the blanket that was on top of me. I remember it being way nice and fuzzy... Too bad they wouldn't let me take it home.
But that night, two of my friends were over and we were playing games. I have felt no pain, and have had almost no swelling, even though I've only iced once... haha. I'm so glad that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! Because, quick fact about me, I have zero, zip, zilch pain tolerance. So I was quite afraid. Prayers are answered, my friends.
"What time is it mom?"
"12:10, Kaitlin."
"Are they done?"
"Yes, dear!"
"All of them are gone?"
"Mmhmm."
"All four?"
"You bet!"
"Mom, what time is it?"
"12:11, Kaitlin."
"Maybe we should send the teeth to Kyle."
What posessed me to think that would be a good idea? I don't know. I'll have to tell him i said that, and I wonder if he'll think I'm mentally unstable. Probably. Oh well. I also kept asking to take home the blanket that was on top of me. I remember it being way nice and fuzzy... Too bad they wouldn't let me take it home.
But that night, two of my friends were over and we were playing games. I have felt no pain, and have had almost no swelling, even though I've only iced once... haha. I'm so glad that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! Because, quick fact about me, I have zero, zip, zilch pain tolerance. So I was quite afraid. Prayers are answered, my friends.
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