Farewell Post

Participating in NSE and being able to study in California has taught me so much about myself. It has been an experience I will remember forever.

Kansas has always been my home. Spending this school year in the Bay Area has taught me that I can live anywhere I want to - the possibilities are endless. It's difficult moving away for the first time. I experienced several of the normal struggles anyone goes through when they relocate. But, I enjoyed those struggles and they have made me a stronger and better person. I know that I am capable of picking up my life and moving somewhere else - knowing this is liberating.

I diligently worked on my grades this year. I was in a new department, with new instructors, and adjusted to a new time system (the quarter system). I have learned that I can excel in academics at another university. This has boosted my confidence and helped me realize that I love school and want to continue on and pursue a Masters degree. I have set higher academic goals for myself and will be applying for acceptance into some of the top grad programs this upcoming year.

I have learned so much - more than I can write in this blog post. Sitting here and analyzing my California experience is difficult... it's still unfolding. I don't think I will fully realize what I learned from spending a year away until I return to Wichita.

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I will be returning to Wichita the first week in July. I have already started packing a few things and making living arrangements for when I return. Daxton (my best friend) and I are getting an apartment together! I couldn't be happier about that... no more roommate drama.

My responsibilities with SAC are starting to increase already. I am working on a Web 2.0 makeover (new marketing strategy) for them and developing recruitment plans. I am ready to return to campus and return to the organization that I love so much.

My mom, dad, and brother Andrew are coming to visit in 3 weeks! We have a great deal of fun planned for their vacation. We are going to Alcatraz, walking the Golden Gate, visiting Santa Cruz and Monterrey, and hiking through Muir Woods to see the redwoods. I miss my family - I am happy they decided to come for a visit. I am anxious to show them EVERYTHING!

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This is my final post.

I have enjoyed sharing my experiences and thoughts with you, as I hope you have enjoyed reading them.

This blog will remain online through the summer. If you have any questions about getting involved at WSU or studying abroad, please don't hesitate to contact me.

The office of Admissions can also help you with any questions you have. Call them at (316) 978-3085.

Catch Up

This past month has been a crazy one. I have struggled with several issues, mainly revolving around one person who has caused many problems and made my life quite difficult. Now, as my life is returning to normalcy, I have time to reflect on what happened and figure out what I can learn from the situation.

Lets start from the beginning:

A text from Jolana informed me that our electricity had been shut off and we owed PG&E over $500 dollars. Our other roommate, who had told us the bills were being paid, had neglected to pay the electricity bill for over six months.

The roommate skipped town, leaving us with no explanation and with no way of getting the power turned back on as she had all of the copies of the bills and they were all in her name.

After many attempts to contact her, we finally got a story. She promised that the bill was taken care of and that the power would be turned back on soon. I requested proof, but as she was out of town, I would have to wait for the receipt of payment.

The next week arrived - still no power. The roommate was ignoring my constant calls and texts. I began to realize that she probably wasn't working very hard to get the electricity turned on.

I contact the housing department of the university, but somehow I slip through the cracks. My calls aren't returned and in-person messages never make it to the correct recipient.

I call PG&E hoping they can help me in some way even though my name isn't on the account. I explain the situation. They can't do much. The customer service rep is able to tell me that there is no scheduled turn on day - my roommate's story was fiction, she lied about correcting her error by paying the bill.

I still can't pay the bill though, because I am not on the account. I am livid. I can't live without electricity any longer. The roommate still ignores my texts.

The next day I finally get in contact with someone in housing. They listen to my story and are shocked by the actions of my roommate. They tell me they are going to contact the roommate and get this all straightened out.

Guess what. She doesn't respond to them either! They have to call her parents and ask them to contact her. She doesn't even answer their calls!

A few more days go by. The university put us up in another apartment for a night, but we still have no power.

We are all so mad at this roommate that we don't know what's going to happen when we see her next.

The housing office finally gets in contact with someone who knows what they are doing. The bill is somehow taken care of, and our power is scheduled to be turned back on.

Because of this breech of contract and the numerous lies and stories the roommate told, housing removes her from our apartment.

The only time I saw her during the whole ordeal was during her two-hour supervised move out, after the electricity was restored.

She didn't even say sorry. She didn't clean out her rotting food that was in the fridge. She was laughing with her friends who were helping her carry boxes out of the apartment.

I was so angry. I'm not an angry person, but I am still mad about this. I don't understand how a person can be so irresponsible and so dishonest. Her actions had a dramatic effect on the life I was living - and she didn't even acknowledge it.

From this whole experience I have learned that I'm too trusting a person. Some people just lie, even when there is no benefit for them.

I've learned that some situations are out of my control and I have to be more willing to request help sooner from people who are able to resolve problems at hand.

I've learned that it is difficult to go to school, work, and keep a daily routine when you are living in an apartment without electricity.

I've learned that refrigerators are dangerous, when nonoperational with food still inside.

I have learned that my health is strongly connected to my surroundings and my mind. Constant worry, stress, and anger can make me physically ill.

I am looking forward now though, ready to move on. The conditions in my apartment are much better now. The ex-roommate is out of my life. I am feeling good again.

In a few years this story will change tone. When told in the future it will be a comical recount about a bad roommate and a period spent living without the conveniences of electricity.

I guess everyone has horror stories about roommates past, now I do too.

Mendocino Pictures

Shan and I had a wonderful time in Mendocino. We were outdoors constantly. On Saturday we went on a day-long canoe trip on the Big River. On Sunday we went to a light house on Point Cabrillo and went hiking in Russian Gulch State Park.










*I can't get these pics to post quite right. Sorry for the sloppy layout.

Long Weekend Vacation

I'm leaving right now for Mendocino, California.

Shan is finished working night shift so we are celebrating with a mini-vacation.

We are going to go on a kayaking day trip, hike in the forest, and visit the beach. I'm ready to get away, and enjoy a weekend in nature.

I'll post an update about the trip later, along with pictures.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you!! <3

New Job

I got a new job this week!

Starting in a week, I will be making money, once again. My savings need some replenishing, so the timing is perfect.

The position is a grounds keeper here at CSU East Bay with facilities management. The job is on campus, which is very convenient. The hours are flexible and I get to work outdoors. I will be doing landscaping work here at the university and helping maintain the property.

I am excited I found something to do that I will enjoy!

California Academy of Science

The newly renovated California Academy of Science is delightful!

Immediately, when entering the academy, we went to get tickets for the planetarium show. They are free and run out quickly, we were lucky enough to get seats. Since the show didn't start for a few hours we went to the aquarium section to check out some underwater marvels.

The aquarium at the academy is quite impressive. Not as diverse as Monterrey Bay Aquarium, or the Seattle Aquarium I recently visited, but it was still enjoyable. I love aquariums and could stare at fish all day long - even fish tanks at doctors offices mesmerize me. One of my favorite tanks at the aquarium was a dark tank, one with glow-in-the-dark fishes in it. Way cool!

Next stop was the African section of the academy. There was a penguin exhibit in there. I stood for quite a while watching the birds play a game of underwater tag, diving to chase after each other. Also in the African section were re-created scenes of the African plains. I got a picture with a stuffed zebra, maybe I will post it later.

After the African exhibit it was time for the show in the planetarium. What a show that was! The last time I saw a show in a dome theatre was probably during my fourth grade field trip to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS. I was impressed by the show which focused mainly on the possibility of finding another planet with habitable conditions. Advances in technology have allowed scientists to see further and further into space, they have discovered planets orbiting around far away stars in other galaxies.

Next stop was the roof. That's right, the roof of the academy. On top of the building many native California plant species are growing. The grass and plant covered roof is a sight to see, but unfortunately no one is allowed to play in the vegetation on the roof, guests are confined to a cement slab surrounded by railings.

Last stop at the academy was the rain forest. In the rain forest dome guests can see fish, butterflies, birds, bats, frogs, ants, and vegetation seen in the rain forest. The birds were beautiful and I also enjoyed watching the leaf-cutter ants busy at work.

I learned a lot while also having a great deal of fun, spending Saturday at the Academy of Science in San Francisco.

A day on the phone

I was on the phone today from 1pm to 6:30pm!

The reason I was on the phone is because today interviews for next year's chairs of SAC were held. People were interviewed to lead the committees of SAC. The committees for next year are Daytime Distractions, Family, Art, Shocker Night Life, Gaming, Campus Traditions, and Welcomefest.

Most of the positions were filled and I am excited about the people chosen to make up next year's executive board. Many of them I didn't know, so I am excited to meet everyone and be part of a strong team.

I am looking forward to returning to Wichita State and delving into work with SAC.

Tomorrow Shan, Sudha, Andrew, Oksana and I are going to the California Academy of Science in San Francisco. I post another update then! :)