things i've learned so far in my com class

The reason I started a blog in the first place was to meet a requirement in my speech class. I will be the first one to admit that I have dreaded taking this class since high school, and have put it off until one of my last semesters in college! I'm not sure why it has been such a horrifying thought, considering during high school I did quited of bit of public speaking, in front of much larger audiences. However, I have learned a lot from the class, mostly about myself, and a few other things along the way.

first, I'm not too terribly bad at public speaking. Granted, I did feel like a was shaking A LOT during my first speech, but friends in the class didn't seem to notice. I actually even enjoyed giving my second speech. I still kind of "blacked out" but I felt like I got everything said that I wanted to.

second, I like having a blog. I don't post very often, and am reluctant to tell anyone about it, especially since it is for a communication class and I should be writing more about that subject. After the class is over, I will continue my blog, and probably write about more random things... like the lovely Panda (my cat). I've always enjoyed writing just about what's going on, without the pressure of being graded on run-on sentences, which are one of my favorites. I just can't control it!

third, Reno, Nevada is further west than L.A., California!

I've learned a lot more, but these come immediately to mind.

summer in kc

I recently moved to Kansas City, and I'm so excited to be living in a bigger city for the summer! Although it is actually snowing as I type, I can't help but begin thinking about some of KC's warm weather offerings. As ambitious as I am feeling about the summer I know that a great deal of my summer will be laying by the beautiful pool at my apartment with Ryan (my significant other), and grilling (also poolside). Other than that, however, I've decided that I want to go see as many outdoor movies as possible, and Kansas City offers several drive-in and outdoor theaters, which I have never been to either.

I also want to visit as many of the art galleries and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which is celebrating it's 75th year this summer with a lot of very interesting exhibits. As my last post mentioned I will most definitely by catching a concert (JASON) or two at the Starlight Theater.

Not so much a plan, but a goal I have for myself this summer is to utilize the city market, which has fresh seafood, herbs, and spices, and also a farmers market every weekend. The produce is a lot less expensive than grocery stores, and in this economy I will feel good about helping out local farmers and families.

Last but certainly not least, the two most inexpensive plans of the summer.... fishing with Ryan as much as possible. Nothings better than relaxing by a lake or river, and just taking in all the sounds of nature. Let's hope this year I don't suffer any fishing related injuries. Last summer I managed to hook my finger with a barbed hook. Rather painful to remove!!

Finally I have vowed to turn off everything in my apartment on stormy nights and just watch storms come in from the large window seat in my living room. My apartment is on a bluff overlooking a valley facing the west, I'm hoping for some great live entertainment this storm season.

jason mraz and plain white t's

I am so excited! Two of my favorites are coming to KC this summer. Jason Mraz and Plain White T's. They are playing at the Starlight Theatre on May 6th. Can't wait.

Friends Sushi

Last weekend in Chicago, Meghan and I went downtown Sunday night and enjoyed some delicious sushi. It was a great place with a even better name... Friends Sushi! It was so yummy, we had warm sake, a rainbow roll, and a fujiyama roll. The decor made us feel like we were in a space ship, and yet it was still cozy. It was quite amuzing that we found it considering that we had been teased about our Missourian accents all weekend, and especially when we said, "friend."

"All By Myself"

Today I have a class at nine, and a class at one.  During my break, I am going to make an effort to not cover the seat across from mine with my stuff, or take up the entire table where I am sitting!  I don't want the first impression that my peers have of me to be unfriendly and cold.  I have been sitting here for an hour, and so far, no takers.  Maybe I stink.  Well I think there has been an open table within the vicinity the whole time, so I will blame it on that!

Angry Elf

This weekend I visited Chicago for the very first time, to visit my best friend, Meghan.  On the flight there, the woman sitting next to me on the plane was, what my best friend and I would call... "an angry elf."  Well, at least that was the impression she gave me from her very intentional non-verbal cues.  While in the gate area waiting to board, I first noticed that as soon as she sat down, she immediately covered both chairs beside her with coats and bags.  Then almost as immediately, she opened a new book, and began reading.  She was very careful to not make eye contact with anyone around her, and I remember thinking, "hope I don't have to set next her, she's an angry elf!"

After boarding the plane, and already annoying most of the people on the plane (side note: I had to unpack half of my carry-on in the middle of the aisle, because my bag was what the flight attendant called, "WAY too big!"  To say the least, it was embarrassing!)  I took my seat and realized that, you guessed it, the woman was sitting next to me.  I'm also pretty sure that she was one of the very many co-fliers trying to sit down as my bras, undies, boots, and other belongings exploded out my bag when I unzipped it.

To conclude, I attempted to make a joke about my bag incident, she didn't seem amused!  I went ahead and went with my initial impression of her, and decided to not attempt a conversation, or make any sudden moves.  This lady was either having a bad day, just didn't like to talk to strangers, or had zero tolerance for 23 year old college students that pack too much!

Here's a pic of Meg and I out on the town in Chicago, too bad I don't have a picture of my overly stuffed bag!