Weekend craft project: fabric yo-yo's. I made these mainly for headbands (which aren't compete yet, when they are, I will post). But I have had empty vases in my room since I moved in, so I made some flowers that won't die on me.

Here are my 13 "flowers", 5 of which will be on headbands.

Here are all my flowers on my desk shelve, accompanied by bird book-end, 6th grade cheer try-out ducky, friends, and model man.

Close up of my favorite patterns. Behind is the basket filled with cards and letters I get, so how about you help fill it?

This Tuesday I had an interview to work at a summer camp in Tyler called Pine Cove. I am really excited to hear back from them, and if I get the job, as to which camp I will be working at. I am hoping to work at Pine Cove Ranch, the camp for 6th and 7th graders. I love middle schoolers. They are so awkward. And I am so awkward. And we can just be goofily awkward together and be great!

But really, I think middle school age is the most impressionable time in a kids life (prior to college, etc). I want to be a positive mentor and role model for young girls, just like the role models I had in my middle school years. Instilling a strong faith in these lil' ladies (oh yes!) seems to be so important, because if you have a strong faith at that age, I personally believe it will be easier to keep up with and nurture your faith as you get older. Not to say you won't have ups and downs because I sure did, but just a strong foundation. My pastor from Trinity, youth pastors from Marvin, youth group from Marvin, and close friends all helped me to have a strong relationship with Christ during this time in my life, and I seriously was just the happiest, albeit rat-looking, middle school there was. If I can get the opportunity to be an influence on these girls, while being around some pretty awesome people, I will jump at it. And I am so excited. Early December is when I find out, so be looking for some good news then,

This weekend was pretty low-key. I was sneak attacked by Emily and Aaron on Friday night. They were in OK for a funeral and stopped by to see me for a few minutes. Some friends and I ate at a local restaurant called The Mont, and just hung around a talked. Yesterday was the game, which was great. It got a little chilly, seeing how it didn't start until 8:15pm, but what a good game! Earlier that day I made some fabric "yo-yo's" that are going to be made into a headband. I'll post pictures when I am done :)

This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow. I know I am filled to be emptied again, the seed I've received I will sow!

So I am making a big decision.

Thursday I have an appointment with my advisor, in which I am changing my career path from pre-med to pre-pharmacy. I have always (thought) I wanted to be some type of physician. But really, I have always known I want to work in a hospital. Growing up wandering around my mom's lab, as well as volunteering throughout the oncology and neurology units, I always felt at home. Cheesy, I know. But knowing you feel like you belong in a place like that is a big feeling.

But now, today. I am a planner. A big planner. I am not a fan of uncertainty (when it deals with my life). With my career path now, I will graduate in 4 years with a Bachelors in Microbiology. I will apply for medical school my senior year, and possibly get in. I have trouble with this. Say I do not get in. At that point I went through 4 years of school to end up with a degree that will practically help me in no way whatsoever, unless I am in medical school. SO. I am changing around my classes to get about 65 hours of pre-req coursework done by the end of sophomore year. By November of my sophomore year, I will have had to apply for Pharmacy school. If I get in, beginning my Junior year of undergrad, I would start four years of Pharmacy school. I would no longer be attending OU in Norman, but the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City (the medical/dentistry/nursing/pa school for OU). After four years of school, I will have obtained my Doctor of Pharmacy. So, my education would last 6 years total (unless I specialize) rather than at least 8 (plus many more). My mom told me that in her meetings with clinical pharmacists, they are quite the nerds, and a bit antisocial. I fit right in, don't I?

I feel like this is a good move to me. By my junior year I will know that I am starting my career, rather than waiting until senior year to find out I will or will not be in medical school the next fall. Clinical pharmacists are in high demand, often making a larger salary than a family practitioner. If I do not get into pharmacy school my sophomore year, I can continue my track or switch back to pre-med. So, in my opinion, it is kind of a win-win. AND I believe that if I stay pre-pharm and get into pharmacy school I won't need to be taking my ridiculous 5 hour French class. So TRIPLE win.

If you know me, this is a really big deal. I don't feel like I am giving up on my dreams, but rather, being more realistic with my future. I sometimes believe I wanted to become a doctor because I am somewhat an academic elitist (as sad as that is). I wanted to prove I could do it, that I could be the best, to have the power and the title. And maybe I could be. But until then, I am switching roads. Either way I will be Dr. Anderson. Just in two different senses.

Pray for me that this is what I am to be doing. That I am not making decisions to take the easy way out. But honestly, at this point, I feel like this is right.

I think I am going to start a little project. A photographical journal of what I am thankful for.
I will start the project probably this weekend, but for today, I am thankful for film scores.

My soundtrack of the week:

Heaven: Brett Dennen--- this is pre-paper pump up music!

The Pride and Prejudice Soundtrack: Darlo Marianelli
Forrest Gump Soundtrack: Alan Silvestri
The Piano Soundtrack: Michael Nyman- this soundtrack is one of my favorite to listen to. The piano is brilliant and really captures the intensity of the movie (if you've seen it).

I AM ON A PAPER-WRITING ROLL!

It's funny how when you set definite plans for yourself (like writing two and half pages of a paper before 7, eating, then finishing the last 3 pages at 8) can make you focus and stay on goal. I am a little behind in my time commitment to this terror of a paper, but it will definitely be finished by 11 at the latest. Which is great for me, since I usually wait until the VERY last minute to write papers. Normally, come 12:00 tomorrow afternoon, during my 3 hour break before my last class, I would write my paper. BUT NOT TONIGHT! I will be COMPLETE.

Part of this is because I am a stress sleeper. Last night I tossed and turned and dreamt about my paper all night. I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept a wink because my mind was racing in respect to my paper. I had bad dreams about the paper, where I realize 20 minutes before the class I still hadn't written a sentence. How dreadful.

I recently discovered the "Film Scores" genre of Pandora. I am really enjoying listening to soundtracks of Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, Alice and Wonderland, and Braveheart (to name a few) while writing papers. It is going to be a busy week for me, with four papers due at some point before Thursday, a French quiz, and another chemistry test. But I am trying to stay on top of things this week as to not completely overload myself in stress. But as always, procrastination will probably get the best of me.

While I was reading 'The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time' out in the union's courtyard yesterday I had the great pleasure of seeing a wedding being set up before my eyes. I am completely obsessed with weddings right now, so this kind of made my day. The ceremony was set back in a nook between two ivy-covered buildings in the Union courtyard. I love the idea of getting married on a college campus, especially outside. Getting married out there would make decorations at a minimal, because of the amazing architecture and vegetation naturally encompassing the area. Maggie and I may or may not have (ok... of course we did) watch the ceremony through a second story study room window.... and we loved it. The groom looked so happy seeing his bride walking down the aisle! Oh, love.

Sometime this week I am going to go out and take pictures of my favorite parts of campus. Trees are starting to change colors, flower beds are blooming oranges and yellows, and it's just beautiful. I want you to see why I think this campus is one of the most beautiful I have been to.

A sneak attack of the set-up of the wedding!

Via Hayden:

Apparently, an apple a day keeps the naps away!

Please watch this video. It is my favorite at the moment. Something about the tiny, squeaky voice just gets me. And if you have seen it, watch it again. You know you want to.

Presenting: MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON!!

In case you missed it, the Times Square attempted suicide-bomber has been in court for his attempted terrorist attack. In the trial the terrorist stated the above quote, a threat to the security of the United States.

Brace yourselves, because the war with Muslims has just begun," 31-year-old Faisal Shahzad told a federal judge. "Consider me the first droplet of the blood that will follow."

What makes me sad about what he says (apart from the idea that more attacks are bound to happen) is the terrorists use of the phrase "war with Muslims". It really hurts me to see a whole people characterized as murdering enemies. Yes, there are radical Muslims that do wish to inflict harm to our country, but stating that this religion, as a whole, is the enemy of the United States, does not sit well with me. Innocent, Muslim, AMERICAN citizens can be categorized into this war with America. I feel like the label of a "war with Muslims" will further fuel the discrimination in this country. If not before, now many ignorant Americans will believe that this is a war against Islam. The Muslim religion. Any Muslim believer. When in fact it is not. We are threatened by a group of radicals, not by a religion.

I don't know why this quote jumped out to me whilst eating my Reese's Puffs, watching CNN in the cafeteria today, but it really struck me. I hope that I am just cynical to our societies views and that no one in our country really believes this is a war against the collective Islam beliefs.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous-Matthew 5:44-45

There's no color lines or castes or classes, there is no fooling the masses.
Whatever faith you practice, whatever you believe.
Oh, Heaven. What the hell is Heaven?
Is there a home for the homeless? Is there hope for the hopeless?
Throw away your misconceptions. There's no walls around heaven.
There are no codes you gotta know to get in, no minutemen or border patrol.
You must lose all earthly possession, leave behind your weapons.
You cannot buy your salvation and there is no pot of gold.
Castles and cathedrals crumble. Pyramids and pipelines tumble.

The failure keeps you humble, and leads us closer to peace.

October is prepping to be one of the best months! Although I might be biased... it's always been my favorite.

For starters, I bought myself a camera this weekend. I bought a Canon Rebel with all my graduation money, and couldn't be more excited. I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to buy a camera, and this was it. I hope to further develop my photography skills, so for starts, I got a camera.

Hayden came to see me this weekend since everyone was gone for the OU/Texas game. (Can I get a BOOMER SOONER, by the way?) We went exploring at Turner Falls which was beautiful, played frisbee on the South Oval, played the airplane game, had a fun little fancy date night (which we never do), took TONS of pictures, and just got to enjoy each others presence.

MY BIRTHDAY is in two weeks! I am not going home then, but 3 maybe 4 of my best friends are coming to OU that weekend. It will be so fun!

The weekend of the 23rd I go home for Wes and Laura's wedding. I am so so so so so excited to see my mom, dad, sister, Henry, Millie, Gus, and Hayden that weekend! I need some family in my life :)

And to top it off, Fall is my favorite season. I can't wait to watch the trees change and to sip caramel apple spice and just see how the light during the day changes. It really is my favorite.

I leave you with pictures from the weekend.