This was so incredible! One of my professors sent me to the Capitol to do a story on the Senate commendation of a boy who won the world championship in soap box derby racing. It was a feel-good, cute human interest story and seemed pretty interesting. My friend and classmate, Jacki Raithel, also came to take video.
When we got to the Capitol, we met up with Sen. Houck's (who did the commendation) aide. Then we found out that we were going to sit at the press table in the Senate chamber. It was so awesome! I felt very official and like a real journalist.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Books
Now that mid terms are over and I have a lazy Saturday with minimal homework, it's time to talk about books. I've been listening to several books on tape/CD and have enjoyed them. Now I just need to find some of my required books for school... Life would be so much easier.
I started with Jeff Shaara's books. I had read some before and enjoyed them so I found some cheap on Half.com (which I now love, by the way). One was from WWII, the next WWI and the last, the Revolutionary War (or apparently as my British friend informed me, the War of Independence.) All were good and I learned a lot about WWI, especially since I don't remember learning much about it. But my favorite was Rise to Rebellion, about the Revolutionary War. I also did not know/remember a lot of the details about how the war began, how politics and government worked then, or how the war was officially won. Benjamin Franklin was a hilarious character that I appreciate much more now.
I also listened to Bob Woodward's The War Within. It was an interesting look at another war I don't know much about and yet know at least three people who have or will be fighting in it. I appreciated Woodwards look into the White House and all of the details. He interviewed several people for the book and wrote it as a very long news article. Of course, his rather liberal slant was there but it was obvious and did not change some of the facts. It's good to know these things since I will be affected by them.
And then there was Twilight... I got the CDs from the kids I teach guitar too and decided I would give it a try. It was very entertaining, but more in a comical, this-is-outrageous-and-would-never-happen kind of way. It was not entertaining in the sense that it was good literature. No offense to Stephenie Meyer, even though she does spell her name funny. But the book kept me interested and awake while driving home at ridiculous hours, which is a very big reason why I listen to books in the car. So it accomplished its purpose. I also have the second and third books if I want to listen to them, which I am considering but haven't decided on yet. I will not, however, listen to the fourth and last book because apparently it is extremely violent and I am not OK with that being marketed to little girls.
Anyway, books are good times. Currently I am listening to Holes. It's nice and short and cute. I need some more audio books but have yet to find something I want to read... Any suggestions? All I require is that it be available somewhere in audio form.
I started with Jeff Shaara's books. I had read some before and enjoyed them so I found some cheap on Half.com (which I now love, by the way). One was from WWII, the next WWI and the last, the Revolutionary War (or apparently as my British friend informed me, the War of Independence.) All were good and I learned a lot about WWI, especially since I don't remember learning much about it. But my favorite was Rise to Rebellion, about the Revolutionary War. I also did not know/remember a lot of the details about how the war began, how politics and government worked then, or how the war was officially won. Benjamin Franklin was a hilarious character that I appreciate much more now.
I also listened to Bob Woodward's The War Within. It was an interesting look at another war I don't know much about and yet know at least three people who have or will be fighting in it. I appreciated Woodwards look into the White House and all of the details. He interviewed several people for the book and wrote it as a very long news article. Of course, his rather liberal slant was there but it was obvious and did not change some of the facts. It's good to know these things since I will be affected by them.
And then there was Twilight... I got the CDs from the kids I teach guitar too and decided I would give it a try. It was very entertaining, but more in a comical, this-is-outrageous-and-would-never-happen kind of way. It was not entertaining in the sense that it was good literature. No offense to Stephenie Meyer, even though she does spell her name funny. But the book kept me interested and awake while driving home at ridiculous hours, which is a very big reason why I listen to books in the car. So it accomplished its purpose. I also have the second and third books if I want to listen to them, which I am considering but haven't decided on yet. I will not, however, listen to the fourth and last book because apparently it is extremely violent and I am not OK with that being marketed to little girls.
Anyway, books are good times. Currently I am listening to Holes. It's nice and short and cute. I need some more audio books but have yet to find something I want to read... Any suggestions? All I require is that it be available somewhere in audio form.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hugh Jackman sings?...AND dances???
I loved the Oscars last night. First off, Hugh Jackman did an amazing musical number that was hilarious because it poked fun at Hollywood while revealing, to those of us who know Jackman as Wolverine, that he is a musical kind of guy.
I also loved the set up. Having past winners gush about how awesome and amazing and talented and everything else the nominees were, made it more entertaining and insightful instead of lame musical performances by people I would rather not listen to (*cough* The Grammys *cough*).
I regret to say that the only movies I have seen that were nominated were Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda (both were awesome) but when you're a starving college student spending every moment working, eating or sleeping, movies are not high on the list of priorities. So, I signed up for NetFlix. Now I can catch up at my own leisure while spending much less than I would renting them from a store or, shocker, seeing them in the theater. So far I've received, watched and sent back Nights in Rodanthe. The book it's based on by Nicholas Sparks is amazing and what started me on Sparks. The movie...maybe three stars. It was extremely predictable and did not follow the book at all. It was good in a Lifetime, make you cry, girl movie kind of way. Sorry Josh...
And I've been doing a whole lot of reading/listening that I will inform you about later. But don't hold your breath...
I also loved the set up. Having past winners gush about how awesome and amazing and talented and everything else the nominees were, made it more entertaining and insightful instead of lame musical performances by people I would rather not listen to (*cough* The Grammys *cough*).
I regret to say that the only movies I have seen that were nominated were Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda (both were awesome) but when you're a starving college student spending every moment working, eating or sleeping, movies are not high on the list of priorities. So, I signed up for NetFlix. Now I can catch up at my own leisure while spending much less than I would renting them from a store or, shocker, seeing them in the theater. So far I've received, watched and sent back Nights in Rodanthe. The book it's based on by Nicholas Sparks is amazing and what started me on Sparks. The movie...maybe three stars. It was extremely predictable and did not follow the book at all. It was good in a Lifetime, make you cry, girl movie kind of way. Sorry Josh...
And I've been doing a whole lot of reading/listening that I will inform you about later. But don't hold your breath...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Day
Yesterday I had an awesome Valentine's Day. One of the Christian groups on campus that Josh is in, Intervarsity, hosts a dinner for the girls that is run and staffed by the guys. Josh was the head chef so I obviously went. The food was great and then there was a lot of fun dancing. We listened to some classic 90s music that always brings back good memories of middle school...The only good memories of middle school.
After the IV dinner Josh gave me a dozen red roses and a box of hand-picked Godivas. As Grandmama told me this morning, I'm training him well.
Ashlee, Elizabeth and I
Elizabeth having a good time on the dance floor
Just an awesome picture I took of some girls dancing. I love my camera...I need to use it more often
Josh's I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-this-song face
It was a good night.
After the IV dinner Josh gave me a dozen red roses and a box of hand-picked Godivas. As Grandmama told me this morning, I'm training him well.
Ashlee, Elizabeth and I
Elizabeth having a good time on the dance floor
Just an awesome picture I took of some girls dancing. I love my camera...I need to use it more often
Josh's I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-this-song face
It was a good night.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Rince Dance 2009
The University of Richmond has an annual tradition of having a Ring Dance, or junior prom, where all of the junior girls wear white dresses, get walked down the big fancy stairs that inspired the staircase in Gone With the Wind while being escorted by their fathers or dates and are handed their class rings. It was a great time that involved Mommy, Daddy, Grandmama, Josh, Elizabeth and a whole lot of white dresses. And then, of course, a lot of alcohol and drunk dancers.
There was also an incident that involved a smashed glass on the dance floor and the back of my foot. There was blood but some alcohol wipes and band aides made it all better. We still left early, about 11:30 p.m., because the dance floors were packed with a lot of drunk people, who are difficult to dance with.
But anyway...Pictures!
Trying on my dress before it was hemmed (by Grandmama)
Elizabeth kissing her Daddy at the bottom of the stairs
Daddy and I getting my ring at the bottom of the stairs
Elizabeth and I waiting to make a giant "W" with the rest of the girls
My family!
Josh and I afterward
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302390073508085666" />
Elizabeth and I. See looked gorgeous!
We did have a great time and I am so glad I was able to experience it. Now I just have to find another excuse to wear that dress...
There was also an incident that involved a smashed glass on the dance floor and the back of my foot. There was blood but some alcohol wipes and band aides made it all better. We still left early, about 11:30 p.m., because the dance floors were packed with a lot of drunk people, who are difficult to dance with.
But anyway...Pictures!
Trying on my dress before it was hemmed (by Grandmama)
Elizabeth kissing her Daddy at the bottom of the stairs
Daddy and I getting my ring at the bottom of the stairs
Elizabeth and I waiting to make a giant "W" with the rest of the girls
My family!
Josh and I afterward
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302390073508085666" />Elizabeth and I. See looked gorgeous!
We did have a great time and I am so glad I was able to experience it. Now I just have to find another excuse to wear that dress...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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