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NIT4Christ
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Interests: Music. Writing. Singing. Movies. My friends. Theology. History. Health Careers. My family. My faith.
Expertise: Making stupid mistakes. Writing. Singing.
Occupation: Certified Nursing Assistant an
Message: message me
Member Since:
9/20/2005
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| Well, technically it wasn't a late night; we went to bed midnight this morning. It was more like a nightless night, er day. Dratted technicalities. Well, today was Game Day. Today was time to test our incredible building skills. Err... Maybe more like amazingly fast, which is what happens when you have a robot to build last minute. Mayhaps I should start at the beginning?
I am, as many of you know, involved, in robotics. We are currently participating (or rather just finished) the BEST program, a small, regional robotics competition. The idea is they give you a kit, a bunch of rules, six weeks to build, and a challenge. This year you were supposed to retrieve boxes and bottles from a platform accessible by four ramps and dump them in your scoring bin. You have a driver and a spotter. Four teams are going at once, which makes life complicated! That's the game in a nutshell. There's also something called the BEST award, which is the most prestigious award they give. It consists of a Project Engineering Notebook (fondly--or perhaps not so fondly--dubbed PEN), an oral presentation, robot performance, and table displays. You can pester Rambler about it if you wish to know more, although I won't be responsible for any bodily harm inflicted upon you. 
The competition is held two hours away from home. We were supposed to be there at 8:30 AM this morning. Our travel plan was to leave at 6 AM. Yikes! That's from the F's home, which is across town from mine. So, the F's called me at 8 PM yesterday night to invite me to stay at their place for the night, an offer I gratefully accepted. My parents were at a work-related banquet and had the suburban, which happened to be one of the needed modes of transportation for the journey. We made a vehicle switch about 10 PM and I arrived at the F's fifteen minutes later. Mrs. F was retrieving the female half of the presentation team from the M's house. After they got home, a sleepy HLS stumbled off to bed, as did DJF. (REF had wisely retired even before my arrival.) Rambler and I however stayed up late, listening to her random music collection as we wrapped candy to give out at the competition. Several girls on the team, including Rambler, had used fun-edged scissors to cut up pieces of paper with our tram name or number. They had also punched holes in them. Using blue and silver bits of pipe cleaners, we attached these pieces of paper to Starbursts. The milky way candies were to be put on each team's table, and had good luck messages tied to them. We opted to go to bed rather than stay up and wait on the boys, and it's a good thing we did, because they did not get home until 2:30 this morning! They had been out at the M's (the shop!) building. Yes, our team thrives on this last minute stuff.  Ben B. and J.D. stayed out at the F's, too.
All too soon, the 5 O' Clock alarm was going off and five sleepy girls stumbled up. We cycled through the shower and dressed. We hurried out to the suburban and the F's little white car. The boys and Pastor all piled into the P's white van; the girls, Mr. F. and Mrs. F. Senior, climbed into the suburban; Mrs. F., CVF, COF, HLS, and REF all settled into the little white car. The boys left just after 6, but we left at 6:22. The first half of the drive was in the dark and most of us girls dozed. I listened to my MP3 player, and Rambler and LRN listened to their walkmans. As the sun rose, so did the hyperness and energy level. AFP and DJF started a rowdy story with gummy bears. We were followed--or so it seemed--for a long time by a police car.  Rambler, AFP, and I belted at "Popular" from the "Wicked" soundtrack. Good times, good times.
We arrived and scrambled around. Preliminary rounds did not actually start until 10:45 or so. Our drivers practiced, we picked our seats (even if we did move again!), got last minute instructions, fiddled with our robot, and finished tying up the candy. Our drivers were: J.D., Marc T,. Ben B., AFP, and LRN. We alternated our more experienced drivers and less experienced drivers. Marc apparently had never driven before, so we were most anxious that he get a lot of practice. He did quite well actually, although he was terribly jittery, and I was pleased to see that Ben B. was quite encouraging. ACP was a newer driver, too, and rather nervous. Her brother--J.D.--had been worried that she might get flustered and crack, however she did well, and only got agitated because the robot was malfunctioning. This brings me to SRP, who was our spotter. He was laughing and joking with her as they waited "on deck ," which I thought was a smart move, as it kept her calm and relaxed. LRN also testified that he was good at keeping her relaxed. He made light of the moment when our robot tumbled off the platform--no one's fault really; JD said the dying battery gave one last spurt of energy. In short, SRP kept our drivers calm and relaxed. They also all respected and trusted him.
After thirteen rounds, we trekked off for lunch. (The competition is held at a college, so we got to eat in their cafeteria.) They were out of trays when we got in line so Rambler and Mr. F. fetched us some from the back of the room. Several other people outside of our team clambered for trays and were given them. Mr. F teasingly requested a tip and was actually given a quarter by one of the kids there. We relaxed over lunch, joking and laughing. Some of us--who shall remain nameless--rewrote "The Village" to take place in a world where trick-or-treaters have gone rampant and the people wear vegetable-looking clothes to ward them off. Yeah, we're like that.
At the end of preliminary rounds, we were in semifinals, although just barely. We were the 7th place team and they allow only eight teams into the semis. We didn't make it into the finals.
We won the "Most Photogenic Robot" (thanks to J.D.'s painting our robot; it looks so cool!). We placed 4th in the Best Award, which was great, and really a surprise. Ben B. and I had just finished looking the feedback sheets over and I was very pessimistic about it. "We're not going to get it," I said, with a moan, and not ten seconds later the Emcee-person announced we were fourth. There was one really mean judge for the oral presentation, for instance, and some judges were picky about the fact that we didn't have cheerleaders, a mascot, or a band. Ben B. thought it was ridiculous and so did I. Hello, we are a small mostly home school team. Where are we coming up with those? Grrr... Oh, well.
I had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed the amazing fellowship our team has.
It is late and I have an extraordinarily busy week ahead, and it promises to be rather stressful, too, so
I shall close here.
I've been up for something like 19 hours!
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| Prompt: For this essay, you will describe an event or occurrence in your life that significantly changed your outlook on life on the world or your place in it. This event does not necessarily have to be dramatic or of earth-shattering importance--it could be as mundane as a conversation with a friend or a trip to the store. The key is that you be able to illustrate and explain how the event you have chosen helped you see your life or the world at large in a new light.
So said my English professor on the first day of class. He wishes us to have the rough draft of said essay this Wednesday and the final draft a week from tomorrow. Said assignment has a lot of potential. It could be a lot of fun. I know just the kind of essay I want to write. Something mundane that becomes beautiful, dramatic, and deeply profound. You know, the sort of thing you hear them reading on NPR. I love writing and think that essay would be a lot of fun. You know... "As I sat and drained the last of my coffee, to the beat of Guitar Boy's rhythm, and harmonizing with the singing waitress, I realized life has meaning, even if it's only that we live day-to-day, together." You get the idea...
The only problem? I have no such experiences. Bummer. I need to come up with a topic, stat. So, if you stumble across any life changing experiences just lurking around, let me know.
I got it!
One day, I was...BORN. This naturally, has changed my outlook on life. My place in the world also changed with my birth.
Hey, that's got potential! | | |
| What do y'all think of my new background? The beautiful picture is courtesy of Sister-Dear, who took it on the plane flight home from TFY. One of my other sisters helped me with the color scheme.
Well, that's all for now, folks! Don't expect frequent updates from here on out (not that they were ever frequent); tomorrow is my first day of classes. 
God bless!
~NIT4Christ~
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| Do you realize there are roughly three weeks left to the summer? (Well, for some of us!) My fall semester as a college freshmen begins on
This summer has been an amazingly crazy one for me. I have fallen off a horse, ridden my first rollercoaster (and coincidentally, been to my first amusement park), spent nearly a week in Orlando, Florida (for business!), gotten a horrible sunburn, gone to the beach (hence the sunburn!), passed my certification exam for HHA/LTCA (my certification as a certified nursing assistant; the letters stand for Home Health Aide and Long Term Care Assistant, respectively), gotten a job, taken a summer college class (a whole semester in four weeks--whee!), worked full time as a CNA in a assisted living facility, coordinated my church's two VBS (what is the plural of VBS, anyway? VBSs doesn't look right somehow.), taught/assistant-taught memory verse at the first VBS, and probably some other things I've forgotten.
So, this summer's been just a wee bit busy for me. Actually, although there have been many pleasurable experiences, it's been rather exhausting. Working full time (especially where I work!) and taking a four week summer class really wore me down. It also introduced me to the--um--pleasures of staying up to two in the morning doing homework. Fun!
I was blessed with the privelage (and great responsibility!) of coordinating my church's VBS. We have a VBS here and then one in E_____, where we are trying to daughter a church. This year's VBS was a very special time. Our theme was "Cowboy Progress," a Western-themed version of Pilgrim's Progress. Shadow was our talented script writer. Every day, for five days, we performed a bit of the story. The actors and actresses mimed, while Shadow (who also has an amazing talent for making different voices) read aloud. I played the old gatekeeper on the first day. I got to wear a fake beard and have a cane.  Every day we covered a different theme, with the Bible lesson drawing on the skit we'd done that day. We presented the Gospel--starting with sin (Pilgrim's burden) and going to Heaven (the "Great Western City"). We actually had several children who came who weren't from our church. Very exciting. REF and I led memory verse. It didn't go flawlessly, of course, but it went very well. REF is really good with children and did very well, considering it was her first time leading memory verse. JDP, SEN, PF, and DT were the fearless leaders--I mean commanders--of the boys' group. They had sound offs, dress offs, and had to stand at attention. DJF, VW, AFP, and HLS rotated leading the two girls' groups. ERN did crafts; M Wa did registration; Pastor and Shadow led Bible lessons, and Christi Wa was the recreation director. All in all, VBS went very well. God greatly blessed it. E________ VBS went well. (I was only able to attend the last day, or else I would tell you more.
As for work, it's been rather interesting. I work in the memory care unit at an assisted living facility. I work with residents who have Alzheimers and other dementias. It can get very interesting there. Last night, for instance, I was slapped by three different residents.  It's sad, what this disease(s) do to people. I find myself wishing I had known them before. What were they like? When they're mean or spiteful, I wonder: Were they like this before? Is this the disease or them talking? They don't always understand what is happening. They will holler for help as we try and change them. A resident once told me, "I don't have any money," as I tried to lead her to dinner. They try and stage jail breaks. Actually, they do try and get out sometimes. They will pull the fire alarm. They will pack to go home, which breaks my heart.  The list goes on and on. It's a very demanding job, draining me emotionally and physically. Of course, then I have to adjust to my co-workers and administration. My co-workers are over-all very sweet and helpful people, who really care for the residents. (The fact that they love the residents covers a multitude of sins for me.)
So... another summer, more new experiences.
Sadly, no church-related trips this summer. TFY reunions were, to my great disappoinment, impossible to attend. Neither Crooked Creek nor Covenant Heights were possible for me to attend, due to work and school. I wanted to go to Camp Curry, but was begged by friends to stay home, and then, on top of it, was scheduled to work that weekend. It's hit me hard since last summer, I was able to do so much--TFY, IYLTC, and Crooked Creek. I can hardly wait until the fall retreat. Lord-willing, I'll be attending it.
I had originally planned to go on a mission trip this summer, however God had different plans. I won't say I wasn't disappointed, but God has still shown me many things this summer. I am learning, and by His grace, growing. Yes, it is painful and disappointing, and at times, I ask God, "Why?" I don't think I know exactly what I've learned this summer. I mean, I think that the full extent of this summer will come home to me some day. I will realize that God was using this summer to prepare me for something. In a way, I've come to think of this summer as my own customized mission trip.
Confidential to the returning TFYers: Welcome back! I hope you had a truly blessed time, growing in the Lord and making new friends.
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| Two archeologists with funny hats are
on the verge of a major discovery. They have been chipping away at this
stone for months and now--finally--
they can see it. "NIT4Christ's Xanga..." Signs of an ancient
civilization, long deserted, left to crumble into dust and ashes. Once,
a great society, frequented by the elite, it was the pinnacle of the
classical world. Peoples from all ends of the earth came to lay their
tributes before...Notallwhowanderarelost. But,
this booming metropolis was laid to waste by some heinous disaster.
What caused it's downfall? Plague? War? Famine? No, there seem to be
signs of an even greater catastrophe...Busyness.
Alright, alright... I know it's been a while. Ok, so it's been months. 
So, let's see if I can fill you in on my busy life... I dearly love
participating in all my student activities, but they are getting very
inconvenient. Perfect example: The weekend of March 31 is not just
double-booked for me, it is triple-booked! And it isn't even as if I
could do one and then bop over and do the others. The activities take
place in three different states! Ridiculous, isn't it? Anyway, I've been doing nothing but complaining lately and I don't like it at all. So, let's see...
Robotics: (Activity number 1) We shipped our robot a few weeks ago (the
20th of February). It had to go on a diet the weekend before ship date,
so we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off with a
hour left to go 'till ship. I was just glad I was on the writing team!
I secreted myself in the workroom with the computer (and I'll admit
it--a few Cheez-its, brainfood for the writing team!) . Oh, and when I
say the robot had to go on a diet, I mean that we put everything on and
it exceeded the weight limit, which was something like 120 pounds. So,
now we are counting down to regionals (three weeks) and we're still
running around like chickens... well, you remember. On the agenda:
using our fix-it windows to make spare parts and upgrade parts, putting
together the scrapbook, getting together our Chairman's Award
presentation (this is the most prestigous award a team can win, aside
from winning the regional championship --gulp), making travel plans,
and designing our pit (our little area at competiiton). Well, the
longer I go on in this vein, the more confusing it gets. So...
CY Retreat: (Activity 2) I want to go. I really really want to go. I love CY retreats and I miss everyone so much. Plus, I was sick for the October retreat and then
the winter retreat was cancelled. BUT. My team needs me. So... if I
can, I'm afraid I'll be there and not in KS with y'all. I'll miss you!
HOSA (Activity 3... sort of.) Remember HOSA? My student activity at
Career-Tech? The one for health occupations students? Well. It has kept
me very busy this year. Our national service project this year is
Autism. Our state's Autism Walk (to raise money for autism) is that
weekend, as well. I have a feeling my state HOSA advisor would really
like me to walk there. Hopefully, she isn't as attached to the idea as
I think she is...
Anyhow...
Irish Dancing was today. Whew! Dancing for two hours really is a work out.
Your feet get quite sore from poundng into the hard floor. We were at a
different place today and danced in an old converted gym, with dusty
wood floors. In other words: SLIPPERY!!! We actually had two girls wipe
out as they were doing the two-handed reel. Never say that Irish
Dancing isn't hazard to your health.
And, yes, I love using smilies. They're just cool. And they're kind of
like cue cards, showing the reader how to respond. Also, they show what
my reaction is.
Having been bitten by Spring Fever and
Senioritis, I must ask: What are y'all's summer plans? I had planned on
going on a RP Mission trip. I really wanted to. But God has other plans
for me. Lord-willing, I'll be working as a Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA) this summer. Also, I'm planning on taking a few college
classes at my future college. Did I mention that, Lord-willing, I'll be
going to HOSA Nationals in Orlando, Florida?
Oh, by the way: In exactly one
month, it will be my eigtheenth birthday! Who-hoo! Scary... I'm not
ready to be an adult. And yet I am. One day, I can hardly wait, the
next day I wish I were in first grade again. Does/Has anyone else
feel/felt that way?
Thanks to Sister-Dear for her help with this post, especially that brilliant intro.
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