Ben, ‘11

The End of Summer

August 18, 2008

Summer is finally over for me. It was all too short and I don’t know where most of the time went, but I must finally come to terms with the fact that I must leave Wisconsin and return to the University of Richmond. It’s not that school is bad, it’s just that I could still really use just a bit more time to recover and see familiar faces and old friends. A full calendar of meetings, training sessions, classes, organizational events and meetings awaits me. I have some issues of apprehension regarding a few situations, but I’m hoping they’re unfounded. I’ll soon find out.

However, that’s the future for me and a bit unknown. What I do know is what I have been doing this past week and how I ended my summer. I spent a lot of time helping my little sister with a 4-H project for the county fair. I was always very active in 4-H as a kid and the county fair was always one of the highlights of the year. I used my past sewing abilities (yes it is a bit strange, I know) to help her sew four placemats, one representing each season of the year. I would say that, in all, I spent 30 hours working with her on three separate projects. Even though it took a lot of time and work, it was nice to return home just in time to participate in the county fair again.

My little sister working on a 4-H project

The placemats that I helped my sister sew this summer

Of course, I actually attended the fair as well. Walking around and viewing the exhibits is always fun because it is amazing what some young adults are capable of creating. I also walked the midway, listened to live bands, watched a hypnotists, strolled the animal barns, and did everything else that the county fair has to offer. I brought my friend, Kristin, along as well and we attended the Demolition Derby on Saturday night. We also had tons of good fair food. We had a full bag of cheese curds, funnel cake, deep-fried Oreos, kettle corn, an apple bratwurst, ice cream cones, and maybe one or two things more.

My younger brother and sister won the contest for
largest flower and largest pumpkin.

Checking out the farm equipment

Yep, the cheese curds are back in my life!!!

One of the pigs in the animal barns

A chainsaw artist carving a Native American chief

Kettle Corn!!!

The Demolition Derby (originally called the Wreck ‘Em Rodeo)

Someone got knocked out of the derby

Other than the county fair, I just did some hanging out with friends, watching movies, and trying to relax. Highlights included:

Swing Dancing Night at The Wabasha Caves (a club that is built into a cliff)

Attending the North Hudson Pepper Fest parade…

which included a fair share of farm equipment

Pepper Fest also has a royalty spaghetti-eating contest that was fun to watch

Now, I’m back to Virginia. Who know how my sophomore year will go. I’m probably a bit overinvolved and overstressed, but maybe everything will be less time-consuming than I anticipate. That’d be a nice surprise. I’ll let you know everything that is on my horizon in my next post. Enjoy your end of summer. It’ll be here before you know it… if it’s not already.

Quote of the Week: By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” -Confucius
Thought to Ponder: Why do they call it a 10 gallon hat when it can only hold about 3/4 gallon?
Shout Outs: Anyone in 4-H
YouTube Video of the Week:

Something to make you feel a little bit better about your own abilities

Published on August 18, 2008 in Miscellaneous. 0 Comments

Words of Wisdom

August 15, 2008

While traveling home a few weeks ago, I had a three hour layover in Cincinatti, so I decided to use the extra time to read my local newspaper’s edition in which they printed brief biographies of the four hundred seniors of this year’s graduating class from my local high school. It showed what activities they did in high school, what their plans were for the future, memorable events from high school, and words of advice to underclassmen. I remember my advice from a year ago was, “Do today what others won’t so you can do tomorrow what others can’t.”

As I read through this year’s advice, I found some of them very well-put. Some people think that the younger generation doesn’t know much and can be ignorant, but I think that some of these go to show that we’re not as out of touch as some people make us out to be. Not only do these words of wisdom apply to underclassmen in high school, but I would find (after only one year in college) that these would be good advice to all those who will be entering college in the fall. I suppose, though that they also work for most teenagers and college students as well as some adults. So, since I had three hours to spare, I typed up the ones that I liked the best and decided to have this blog be words of advice to any prospective student that is in high school or entering college. I know that some are cliche, but I think my life might have been easier if I had listened to some of these. So, here are some of the best words of advice that I found (and yes, I know some of them seem to be repeats)…

“Keep your options open. There is such a variety of interesting classes here. Take them all!” –Jenna Anderson

“Be yourself and don’t compromise your beliefs and don’t let the so-called “cool” people dictate your decisions” –Keegan Beaumaster

“What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?”- Laura Beemer

“Find your real friends and stay true to them. Never lose sight of your faith or yourself, and life in the moment because it goes fast.” –Amanda Benjamin

“Hard work can never be underestimated” –Andrew Berglund

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good” by Dr. Seuss- Sarah Branson

“Work hard but don’t let homework get in the way of what really matters to you.” –Elizabeth Burns

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything!” Phillipians 4:6 – Christine Claflin

“Don’t try too hard to fit in. Just be yourself. That way you are most likely to make only true, lasting friendships.”- James Cleveland

“Don’t be afraid of what people think of you. Just be yourself!”- Brittany Constant

“Extra effort is the key to success”- Catherine Cumming

“If you want to be successful, always believe in yourself. Always study hard to reach your goals” –Colter Denison

“Pay attention to your grades but don’t let class control your life. Take time for yourself and your friends” –Dan Dodge

“The only two things in life you can control is your attitude and your effort” –Amy Frye

“Prioritize-you can’t do everything so find what’s important to you and do it well. It’s not what you do. It’s who you are!”-Lindsay Ganong

“Do it right the first time”- Callie Gilbert

“Everyone will like you as long as you’re nice and you listen to what other people have to say.”-Charlie Hammond

“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true”-Kelsey Hansen

“Don’t be shy or scared of anything. Most memories are made when you are being yourself and outgoing”-Sarah Hanson

“Separate your work and play”-Jennifer Heffron

“Life is like a roller coaster. You’ll have your ups and owns but you’ll never regret the ride”-Meagan Hennekens

“Don’t start drama if you don’t want to deal with it” -Dana Hernandez

“Be yourself, be respectful, don’t be afraid to do something nice for someone else.” –Julie Juchno

“Focus on the good, not the bad, and believe in yourself”- Jayme Kennebeck

“Laugh often and smile a lot. It goes by fast!”- Abigail Klatt

“Try a little bit of everything- you never know what you’ll learn, who you’ll meet or how much fun you’ll have. – Becky Kriger

“Always stand up for what you believe in, no matter who you have to overcome.” –Courtney Larson

“Though you’ve got time, always plan ahead” –Kuamojua Lee

“Studying and getting good grades are important but don’t forget to have a life and some fun with your friends.” –Andrew Linderman

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something”- Zach Line

“Don’t worry about what you have no control over.” –Andrew Maher

“Focus on the good each day” –Melissa Mayr

“Find something you enjoy and get involved.” –Ian McGinnis

“Don’t let little issues anger you and be nice to everyone you encounter, otherwise you will regret it”- James Meincke

“Remember that education is a privilege. Don’t take it for granted and study hard.” –Brock Peterson

“Have confidence in everything you do.” –Jacob Proue

“Challenge yourself but know your limitations so that you can still learn what you love.” –Michelle Ruppert

“Do what you really love to do and get really good at it and always keep your head high.”- Joshua Schroetter

“Honestly, stop complaining and just do your work, and no you don’t know it all.”-Anna Shaver

“Don’t take things too seriously, enjoy the time you have with the people around you.”-Anna Shoemaker

“Get to know people besides your best friends—you’ll never regret it.”-Kinsey Shurden

“Have fun with no regrets.”-Kristine Stensgaard

“Education is a gift that will open doors to the future. Accept it and use this gift wisely.” –Emily Stone

“Respect your elders and respect yourself most of all!”-Ashley Sukowatey

“The harder you work now, the easier things are later.”-Mike Tennant

“Life isn’t measured by the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.”-Jeryn Waldera

“Don’t be afraid to take on a challenge. The rewards will be greater than you’ll ever know.”-Kyra Wangert

“Prioritize. Don’t spread yourself too thin.”-Gillian Yoerg

“Take the time to find what really makes you happy and do it! Don’t take life so seriously.”-Ella Zak

Quote of the Week: “I long for the day when chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.” - Anonymous
Thought to Ponder: Why is a group of geese on the ground called a gaggle, but a group of geese in the air called a skein?
YouTube Video of the Week:

A man tries out his roller suit in the Swiss Alps

Published on August 15, 2008 in Miscellaneous. 0 Comments

Sweet Home Wisconsin

August 8, 2008

So, it’s now been a little over a week since I’ve been home and I’ve been pretty busy catching up with family and friends that I haven’t seen for seven months. Needless to say, I’ve had a nice welcome home, especially from the family dog who loves to see me, even though I stole back my bed from her.

Misty eagerly welcoming me back

Part of me just doesn’t want to do anything and relax, while the other half just wants to go out and do as much as I possibly can for the three weeks I’m home. I’ve managed to a bit of both, depending on the day. So, here’s what I’ve been up to. With my friends, I have…

gone to the local drive-in with my friends for “Dark Knight”,
“Hancock”, and “Get Smart”…

attended the 2nd Annual A.P. Physics Party
(which really isn’t as nerdy as it seems)….

where the eight of us in the class spent a day tubing…

cruising the river…

and having a barbecue into the late night.

I also went disc golfing with friends…

and to the area amusement park to ride roller coasters and
thrill rides with family and friends…

including Power Tower and it’s 27 story drop

Of course, I have also spent a considerable amount of time with my family. With them, I have…

helped my sister for twelve hours with quilting four placements for the county
fair since I actually have some decent skills with sewing…
as well as going for a Night Out with my younger brother and sister
in which we went bowling and visited a candy and fudge shop…
as well as got ice cream and walked along the riverfront in Stillwater, MN

So, it’s been nice to relax. However, I’ve still been busy organizing InterVarsity events, scheduling my return trip to Richmond and the ensuing Leadership Training for both Senate and InterVarsity, deciding if I want to accept a job offer from a Math professor to be a homework grader for two of his classes, trying to figure out my options for Study Abroad, buying my textbooks for the fall, as well as plenty of other business items. So, it hasn’t all been fun and games with bonfires and disc golfing and watching movies.

Finally, I get to mention the trouble that I’ve been getting into. Normally, I am very healthy and avoid injuries. I mean, I’ve never had a broken bone, sprain, or even stitches. However, I somehow came into contact with a virus and got several warts, so I had to go to the doctor to have those frozen off. That was the day after I got back. Then, I was playing beach volleyball with friends and had a bit of miscommunication that resulted in my head colliding with my friend’s head and maybe having a very mild concussion. He was alright, but I also received a minor laceration on the inside of my ear. Also, while tubing at the AP Physics Party, I jumped from one tube to the other. However, I didn’t land on the tube and my arm got caught between the canvas covering and the actual tube. So, I was dragged for a short while and got a rather large canvas burn right on my inner elbow. It’s only been a week that I’ve been back and I’ve already had continued pain to my feet, elbow, and ear. Needless to say, I think I’ll be happy to arrive back on-campus in one piece.

This was my tubing injury after a full week of already healing. You can
see the entire mark of where it was at first

Quotes of the Week (Computer Theme):
“There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don’t”
“Microsoft: You’ve got questions. We’ve got dancing paperclips.”
“If at first you don’t succeed; call it Version 1.0″
“Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.”
Thought to Ponder: Are eyebrows considered facial hair?
Shout Outs: Anyone I’ve hung out with back here in Wisconsin
YouTube Video of the Week: