Just Relax

Wow, and I thought high school went by fast. I can’t believe freshman year of college is basically over. I should’ve listened when people told me that April goes by as quickly as a blink of the eye.

This year was full of SO many new experiences and lessons. Your first year of college teaches you so many things about yourself. If I had to pick the most important lessen to me it would simply be to take some time and enjoy life and relax. As simple as it may seem, it’s definitely needed. From the homework, exams, weekly blogging, jobs, etc., before you know it, you will find yourself under a lot of pressure. That’s why it’s important to remember that sometimes you have to take some time off or a break to maintain your sanity. Though Penn State does a great with providing ways of “keeping your sanity”, I haven’t exactly taken advantage them this school year, unfortunately. But luckily this week I got to try something new.

I was sitting through another boring math lecture when my friend Sarah looks at me and whispers “OMG, there are animals at the creamery lawn!” I love animals and maybe I’d be a vet if there wasn’t so much math and science involved (which I’m so bad at). So, immediately I wanted to go but I still had another class left. I quickly debated skipping it but Sarah decided that we should both go to our next classes then meet up after. That’s exactly what we did.

The creamery had horses, pigs, chicken trivia, honey bees, a calf, free ice cream, and so much more! It was a quick and easy way just to have fun and admire the animals.

Earlier we had also notices that something was going on at Old Main lawn, so soon after we headed over there.

“Saved by the Bell Tower” was fun. From touring bell tower, riding the mechanic bull, playing with puppies (everyone’s favorite activity here), taking plenty of pictures, and eating free food it was a wonderful and stress-free afternoon. It was my first time going up in the bell tower. To finally see the view that everyone has been talking about was amazing. Looking out at the campus on a day that was finally warm made me appreciate Penn State even more. Overlooking the campus and its’ surroundings remind me of how grateful I am to have the opportunity to be here and learn.

Therefore, with this being my first time going to a mini Penn State carnival, I realized that it is important to always take time out of your day just to relax. Fortunately, for us Penn Stater’s this campus offers many opportunities to do so. From mini carnivals to movies to free performances, there’s always something to do to take your mind off the pressure for a few hours. Whether it’s just reading a book or walking through the Palmer Museum of Art, everyone should always take a few minutes for themselves before we all lose our minds.

Thanks for reading. J

Veggies are Friends and Food

Every day you wake up, you get ready, and then you’re on your way. If you’re anything like me, every day has to have its own schedule. On Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s, I get up and come to English to start my days. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, I get up and start my days with work. As much as I need to keep myself on a schedule to be somewhat productive, distractions always seem to find me. Most times, the distractions do their jobs and get me right off track, but I decided this week would be different. Well, I know I can’t plan to keep distractions away. There’s nothing I can find to force me to pay attention. So, obviously I need to work on my self-discipline, but how do I do that? I figured that I’d start doing something that was manageable.

I’m not an athletic/gym person, so I wasn’t too excited to make a gym schedule. So, I kept thinking and an idea popped into my head. I’ve always wanted to try this but I never got around to it, probably because Chick-fil-a used to be one of my favorite places to eat, a number 3 with a sweet tea and honey roasted BBQ sauce, to be exact. But being at Penn State, I rarely have Chick-Fil-A, so that became nothing to miss. Therefore, I decided that now would be a perfect time to try being a vegetarian.

It’s only day 6 but I think it’s going well. I’ve never really been a fan of things such as ribs and steak but I never really noticed how much I ate chicken. I don’t miss it, at least not yet. I’m really enjoying finding new things to eat and different recipes. I’ve come across a lot of ideas that I want to try but living in a dorm and not really having my own kitchen makes it a struggle.

This week has been full of salads, fruit, and a few grilled cheeses. I’ve had a veggie club from McAllister’s and was really surprised as to how good it was. I’m thinking of trying tofu soon but I always hear bad things about it, lol. Other recipes that caught my eye would be:

Kale, White Bean, and Potato Stew

Zucchini Linguine with Fava Bean Pesto and Grilled Shrimp

Three Cheese Caprese Calzone (because I really love cheese)

I wonder how long this will last. I'm looking forward to summer and all the new recipes to make and try but I realize summer will also have tons of temptations. From family dinners to cookouts to vacations, I'm sure there will be common food such as hot dogs and hamburgers that will kill me to over look but I have to practice self-discipline. After all, it is a fun and creative way to do something different while practicing self-discipline. 

Through this lesson, I am learning that it's still fun to try new things. Creating a lifestyle change is difficult but rewarding. I'm excited to see how long this will last. 

Thanks for reading. :) 

Pride Week

Every spring semester, a week is set aside to celebrate the LGBTQA community here at Penn State. This week March 21^st through March 25^th is Penn State’s annual Pride Week for 2016.

I saw flyers in the HUB that promoted pride week and all its events but I didn’t pay it much mind.

On Wednesday, I got out of math and didn’t have much to do. There was a group of people outside of Old Main. They caught my attention and I walked over.

Eric giving his speech.

I quickly noticed the pride flag and I began to listen to a speech. It was a young man giving a speech, his name was Eric and he was from Nebraska. He explained how being from such a remote place it was hard for him to identify as his true self because it was practically unheard of. At the age of 17, he mustered up the confidence to tell his family, including his a dad, a raging homophobic. From the abuse he received at home from physical to emotional, he soon learned that sports would become his outlet. Since there are no major football teams in Nebraska, playing for their big team, the Huskies, makes you a local celebrity. Because people respected his talents, they became more open to him and the LGBTQA community. When Eric was done his speech he left us with some words of wisdom: “There’s only one you, take pride in that. Celebrate yourself.”

From this experience, I’ve learned that although laws are being passed such as the legalization of gay marriage, the community still does not get the respect they deserve. People are still very closed minded and concerned about the wrong things. I can never understand why people are so concerned about other people’s lives in a negative aspect and why they would want to lessen someone happiness. But in the words of Eric, “never stop being being yourself.” Being loving and accepting to everyone you meet. 

New Dog!

In beginning of fall semester my mom asked, “Well, what do you want to do for spring break? You should start planning now if you want to go somewhere.”  So, I gave it some thought and came up with nothing. I probably came up with nothing because I’m so decisive or maybe because I didn’t know who I’d go with, especially since I didn’t know many people here yet. Plus, my friends at other schools having different weeks for spring break didn’t help much either. Well, spring break came and I was just happy to have a break although the breaks never seem long enough. And what better way than to have a great break than to get a dog!

Winston!!

Winston, my other dog Emmitt, and me :) 

 My spring break was filled with a lot of little things like having my first cheese steak and visiting friends. But one of my favorite things that I did over break was getting a new dog! Growing up I remember always watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show(s). Every time dog shows would come on, I’d watch them with my mom. I’d wake up at 5 in the morning on random Saturdays just to keep her company at dog shows. My mom always expressed how one day she wanted to show dogs but I didn’t actually think it would happen. After years of experience with dogs and lots of research under of belts, we drove to New Jersey to pick up or new dog “Winston”.

Winston is a Shih Tzu and too cute. Just like any other puppy, he’s so curious and full of energy. His dad has just one a championship and Winston is starting training soon.

This is my first time going through the research of a show dog, getting the dog, and preparing him for dog shows. Although, the process is just beginning I’ve learned a lot so far. From understanding that I can’t exactly teach the dog the command “sit” and that he drinks from a water bottle that looks like it’s for a giant hamster, I’m realizing that raising a family dog and a show dog is a lot different. But the most important lesson that I’ve learned from this ongoing experience is from my mom. And that lesson is to never stop following your dreams because one day they will come true.

Thanks for reading, J

maraTHON

“Sometimes you have to go through things and not around them…”

In the beginning of the fall semester, I went to lunch and the involvement fair with Sarah. She already had it in her mind that she wanted to join Ohana, so she kept an eye out for it. Ohana is one of the top three Special Interest Organizations for the Penn State IFC Panhellenic Dance Marathon. When we approached the table, I didn’t know much about them or even THON, but they were so welcoming. They spoke to us for a minute and I joined and got involved.

Fast forward a semester and some change.

It’s finally February 19, the day many Penn State students look forward to. It was finally THON.

When I woke up, I just wanted the day to fast forward until 6pm. But, it didn’t. It went very slowly. I went to my classes, got my outfit out, waited, and waited some more. It was finally 5 and I went to dinner with my friend, Brandon. After dinner we joined the line to enter the BJC. To our surprise the line moved pretty fast and we were in before we knew it.

So, when Brandon and I got to THON we found Ohana in the stands and enjoyed everyone’s company while we danced in our bright orange. This being my first THON, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I knew there would be lots of colors, people, and excitement but my assumptions and expectations were surpassed. Getting to actually see all the families that Ohana contributed to was amazing. But to see all the families that Penn State helped as a whole was beautiful and breathtaking.

I didn’t stay at THON the whole time, maybe a good 12 hours. S/O to everyone that stayed longer to me, which is a lot of people, lol. Next year, I hope to join a committee or something similar because the more involved I am, the more I want to stay.

Being involved in THON has opened my eyes in many different ways. The most important lesson that I learned would be to always find happiness. The kids and their families go through so much but you’ll always find them with a smile. It proves that even when life gets tough you have to keep your head high and think positive. Ohana is FTG, FTW, & FTD. For the Goods, for the Wilsons, and for the Dawsons. To have the opportunity to hear their stories was also eye opening. So many more things go on than what we imagine.

From the overall experience of THON from bonding as an organization to learning about the families to actually standing, there was so much to gather.

Sadly, cancer is still a thing and even though millions of dollars’ are raised, many people are still left heartbroken and devastated. But as long as I am a student here, I will be involved in Penn State’s THON and keep dancing until there is a cure. 

Thanks for reading. :) 

No Social Media

I love social media. I’m always on Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, etc. For those of you who don’t know what those are:

Twitter

Snapchat

Instagram

Facebook

Sometimes I never post anything, I just scroll and see what other people have to share. Yes, social media is an amazing way to communicate, share ideas, and exchange information whether it being in words, pictures, graphs, etc. but these purposes often slip my mind. I’ve become so accustomed to having social media that I have to take a step back and appreciate it from time to time. So, for this past week and in honor of exams, I decided to stay off of social media.

First and foremost, I did go most of the week without social media but I didn’t quiet succeed. I stayed off of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram but I gave in on snapchat. Posting on snapchat is so simple and quick that I didn’t notice when I was actually doing it.

If I had to pick, I think Snapchat would be my favorite form of social media. I have snapchat streaks, when you and a friend have snapped each other consistently for a number of days every day, with nine people. My highest is 262 days with my neighbor from home. I also love the snapchat filters and how they incorporate emoji’s into the app to indicate things such as streaks and best friends. Many people say they love Snapchat because it gives them a thrill as the pictures vanish. Because the pictures go away, they feel they have to stop what they are doing and give snapchat their full attention because if they don’t look right now they “will never see it”. In my opinion that sounds like an extreme reason. I don’t open snapchats unless I have time to do so. I wouldn’t stop everything I’m doing to see my friends make a funny face or a smart comment. My second form of social media would definitely be Twitter. It’s also simple and quick. Unlike Snapchat, it’s easier to stalk people because it doesn’t show who views your posts (lol).

I learned that even if I don’t get on social media, I easily find other things to distract myself with. I have no idea as to why I procrastinate so much. Whether it be because of movies, naps, listening to music, drawing pictures, I’m just always doing everything EXCEPT what I’m supposed to be doing. Maybe that’s why I’m typing this post at 2:30 in the morning.

Feel free to follow me:

Twitter and IG: ryannlynn_
Snapchat: rlynn

Thanks for reading. J

How Long Does It Take to Get From State College, PA to Downtown Baltimore, MD?

When I rolled over and it was 7:35a.m., I knew it was going to be a pretty interesting day. I rushed to get ready and walked down the stairs. Once I was outside of my hall I realized I left my bus ticket inside. So, I ran back up all the steps, grabbed my ticket, and still managed to make it to 071 Willard on time.

Things were starting to look better until I went to put my earrings in because I didn’t have time to put them in earlier. I dropped one and boom, it was gone. Every time I lose an earring, it’s just never a good day. Anyway, class finished and I looked for my earring one more time. Sadly, I had no more success than the first time. Quickly, I walked over to the bus stop to wait for the bus. It felt like 10 degrees outside and the bus was 30 minutes late. To pass the time, I met three new people and we were all going to DC or Baltimore which meant we had to transfer buses in Harrisburg. Quickly, we were filled with anxiety. Our bus to Harrisburg was already a good forty minutes late, would our bus from Harrisburg to Baltimore/DC leave us?

Its 10:45: the bus is finally here and the bus driver tells us “I promise you the bus won’t leave you guys. It’s restricted.” Well, he lied. When we got to Harrisburg, it was noon and there was no other bus to take us the rest of our trip. The lady behind the desks tells us that our bus left 10 minutes before and now we have to wait for the 4:15 bus. Man, oh man. What are we supposed to for four 

hours, we can’t just sit in the train station.

The doors were so short, lol. 

So, my 3 friends and I went to grab lunch. Afterwards, we were just walking around and taking pictures of the capitol building. Before I knew it we were inside of the building, walking around freely. I never knew these buildings were open to the public, it never crossed my mind.

The building was so beautiful. It seemed as if every room we went into, they got better. The amount of detail in everything was so astonishing and admirable. Before we realized it, it was time to go back to the train station. We got on the bus and we were on our way.  

It was 6:30p.m., and I finally made it to Baltimore from State College.

So, this is my new adventure this time. It was an experience to get stranded in a city that I’ve never been to before. It was my first time touring a state Capitol building. Now, I hope to be able to visit each and every state Capitol building. Although it was not planned, it came with a very important message, “It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.” –Epctetus. 

Also, always listen to your mom when she tells you that you should always wear a coat because you never know what’s going to happen.

Thanks for reading. :)