Finals is by far the busiest period of my life.  There’s so much studying to do, review groups to go to, notes to read, it’s just madness.

So what have I been doing besides not updating this?  Like I mentioned, I did just move.  It’s taking a long time to get settled though because of finals and going home for Mother’s Day.

As for finals, I just finished  : )  My first one was calculus and I pulled a 91 on that.   I was so relieved!!  And Then I had a take home Geochem final due last Friday, and it was so good that it was take home because it seriously took me at least 10 hours to do.  But it was really fun because our entire class just went to the Geology department and took over a classroom with our studying.   For two nights in a row we stayed until 8, but my professor said mine was just wonderful.  This is the same professor that has the polar bear feet in his freezer.  I was very happy.

And then last night I took a chemistry final which I didn’t have one bit of hesitation on and just now I took Paleontology.  That one was quite the final.  And that’s about all I have to say about that!!

Like I said, I went home Friday for Mother’s Day.  This time when I looked up directions mapquest took me a new way up 476 and then across through small towns.  It was really cute!  My favorite part was at the end what the direction was to go west and the only option was north or south.  But luckily, I recognized where I was and got home just fine!!

So then on Saturday I took my mom out to Knoebels for lunch at the Alamo!!  It was so good!  And we did a little meandering around.  We didn’t ride anything because it was drizzling and cold.  Go figure when we got back home it was beautiful.  And then I basically just hung around with my family the rest of the weekend so it was very nice.

Then on the way back to Philly Morris and I stopped at his house so we could drop off some stuff for his mom for Mother’s Day too.  I don’t ever realize how much I miss being around parents until I actually am around them…I don’t know if that makes sense or how to elaborate, so I’ll just leave it at that.

So that’s about that.  This weekend Kim and I are going to the zoo!!  I’m really excited to use my membership card.  I’m upgrading it so we can ride the zoo balloon free!!  Take care everyone!

First I want to mention I’m not proof reading this.  Sorry  : }

So I’m sure you’re wondering where I’ve been.  No posts for so long? I know, I’m absolutely awful, which the exact opposite of my new house!!!

So this year I decided to move out of the Temple area.  There’s nothing wrong with it.  Just my friends and I wanted a new scene.  And I did come to Temple to experience city living so I figured it’s a pretty good idea  : )

So I moved to Kensington/Fishtown area Friday and I love it!! My neighbor is so cute! Her name’s Dot and she was just so cute.  And today I took some time to walk the dogs in the area and it’s just so different.  There are little stores everywhere!!  And there are some many different types of people there too.  I really like the different cultures.  Like I think I may be Irish (green eyes & hair has reddish tints?) and definitely Polish (-skie last name)  and as I was walking I see tons of Irish flags and shamrocks on buildings.  It’s awesome!!!

I’m really excited, but a little exhausted to write about it.  I have pictures, but I left my camera at the other house.  Sorry!!!  I’ll write and post pictures later.  And it may be much later because it’s finals week coming up and I have lots to study and I’m going home next weekend for Mother’s Day…oh boy there’s so much happening!!!

I have some pretty exciting stuff happening in my life right now!!  First, I’m moving on Friday!!!  I’m so excited!  I’m moving to the Kensington/Fishtown area.  It’s projected to be the next “it” area in Philadelphia.  And I’ll be there!!

Next, classes end next Monday which I could not be more excited about.  Then I have some finals and a few days of hardcore shopping with Kim.

And I think just metioning us is reason enough to post this picture.  Here we area at Fairmount Park:

So if Kim gets her work done, I am going to melt my credit card from swiping it so much!  And it’s my reward for having a good-ish semester.  I just came from being a social work major, it’s my first as a real science major, and I’ve been away from the sciences for about 3 years.  I think considering my circumstances, I did well. 

And then finals start!!!  Luckily for me, my Geochem is take home and then I only have 3 to take.  And they’re nicely spaced so there are no two a days.  : )

And after that I’m going home for Mother’s day!!  I’m taking my mom to Knoebels and we are going to have a splendid time!! Unless it rains  : (  More on that later. 

After that summer classes start.  I decided to take some because this semester was just madness balancing 4 upper-level science courses.  I couldn’t really focus on them all as much as I wanted to.  I’m taking calculus and maybe Physics this summer.  We’ll see.  Then I’m taking the rest of the summer off because I really haven’t had a summer off since I was 15.  I’m going to have my nephew and niece down for a week and take them to the beach, the museums, love park, all over!!  I’m really excited.  Last time they came I took them to see the Rocky statue and my nephew saw some rocks, and not knowing who Rocky is, asked me if the rocks were Rocky.  So cute. 

That’s all for now!  Take care!

So normally I don’t like to post about boring things, but I went grocery shopping the other day.  Enthralling, right?  Well, I was crossing the pedestrain zone to the store and this giant SUV pulls up and stops right in front of me.  So I thought a few things to the driver of the vehicle and walk around it.  Then this lady jumps out in a suit and dark sunglasses (it was 9 p.m.) and lands practically on top of me.  By now I’m a little more than annoyed.

Then that wonderful boyfriend of mine enlightens me about the situation:  Michael Nutter, mayor of Philly, is going grocery shopping.  That’s right, at the same place I do!!

I’m not a very good paparazzi.  Here’s my best shot:

It’s an action shot.  If you’re gonna use this make sure you credit me…. hahah jk.  I was just making fun of how bad it is. 

On Thursday I went to Memorable Moments.  It’s basically Temple takes you to a restaurant and you get to eat for free.  We went to Shouk Lounge right off of South Street.   Kim and her friend Megan were supposed to come with us but they had tickets to a concert so they went there instead.  But once Morris and I got there we found that two of our friends were there too!!

So it was really nice.  The food was great, the atmosphere was very relaxed, they kept playing Panic at the Disco (yeah, they got rid of the “!” at the end of Panic, madness, I know).   And it was free. 

Here’s Morris and I on our way there:

And then here’s Morris, Sean, and I later that night:

So this weekend was another bogged down by tests.  Friday I had a calculus one and Monday I had a chemistry.

So calc went surprisingly well.  I went to the review session (as always) and my one friend Loretta was there!  Now I know, it’s like this girl is taking a class with probably more that one person, why is she excited about one person?  I have a hard time making friends….hahah uh no.  Not a Temple at least. There’s too many people.
Anyway, Loretta was in my Chemistry class last semester and midway through she had to leave to go to Lithuania (family health issues) she didn’t get to tell anyone she was leaving because we only had class once a week.  So anyway, I go to my review session and there she was!!  I was like, “get out!!” and she was like, “do you still have the labs from last year?”  It was very funny.

And I don’t quite know how chemistry went yet.  It was a tricky one though!!

And on a completely different subject: the Catskill trip!!

So as I said last post, my class trip was to the Catskills in New York.  At one point we made a fire and hung out by the river.  Well, one grad student was telling me that my one professor had polar bear feet in his freezer.  I didn’t believe him at first.  Then I started to think about it, and I did start to believe it.  So then when we got back my friends and I were sitting around the department and who walks by but G (the professor) and I was like, “G, what’s this I hear that you have polar bear feet in your office?”  and you know what he says?  “What about it?”  I was flabbergasted!!!  Like who has polar bear feet in their office!!! And then he goes on to tell me he doesn’t only have polar bear feet but elephant feet too!!

So now you want to know how they got their right??  G’s wife, Barbara, who used to work for Temple (they shared an office, how cute!!!) studies large animals and how they move.  So when the polar bear at the Philly Zoo passed, they called her and asked if she wanted the feet.    Crazy, right?!?!

And that’s why you should take Geology 50 as your science course, all you non-science majors!!  Geology professors have the best stories to tell (that’s 100% unbiased too!!)

Well, I just wrote a long post and accidentally deleted it.  My bad.  So really quick, just pictures.

Catskills class trip to New York:

Spring Fling!! (thanks for letting me have the day off Adrianne!!)
Kind of strange, this is set up write on our founders body.  Halo anyone???

And Morris and I went to a baseball game for our anniversary on Wednesday!!!  $5 tickets, thanks Temple 

& the front of the park.

Then end.  Enjoy the weather!

So I had a veryyyy busy weekend! Well, at least Saturday!!

So it started with walking the dogs in Fairmount Park and I just love it there! There is always so much going on and especially with the weather getting nicer, there’s more dogs out to play with!! Last week Leonidas was Mr. Popular and Xerces apparently thinks he’s a big dog because he was playing with the boxers, pitbulls, etc. I had a series of mini heart attacks during that.

So anyway, it started by walking the dogs around campus, going to check out a house in south Philly, walking the dogs in Fairmount, going to bike church again (this time I was getting Morris a bike (for our anniversary on the 16th), and then going to the Asian Student Association Culture show at the Underground on campus.
There was a lion dance where the lions started to eat lettuce. Now me, being the strangest vegan, doesn’t really like lettuce, and the lions spit it on the crowd. And then they came through the audience I was on the inside of the row and I could feel it’s head right next to me and I didn’t want to turn and look because that would be awkward, you know, staring a lion in the face. So I can tell it’s not moving and finally I look at it and it opens it’s mouth at me and scares me sooooo bad!!! I know, cloth lions, terrifying.

Here they are. And you can see the lettuce on the floor.

And then there was a fan dance….

And Morris’s fraternity had a really cool step!!

And remember, have your pets spayed or neutered! (Did I mention I went to the Price is Right last year for spring break??)

So last night I went to bike church to finish my bike, and honestly, I had a great time!  Now at the beginning it was a little awkward because first, I didn’t know what to expect, and second, the guy that was helping me was a little intense.  Luckily, I didn’t have much to do on it so it was semi quick. 

So first, what is bike church?  It’s a program on UPenn’s campus that has sells old bikes, has parts for you to fix them, has people to teach you how to fix them, and donates all money to a childrens program.  And they help the environment by recycling bikes!!! 

So imagine me, in a basement, in my skinny jeans and leopard print shoes working on my bike.  It was a  scene!  Luckily it didn’t need much but I got to do some stuff!  I had to put on a back brake cable, fix a whole in the tube of my tire, put on my pedals and oil the chain.  Not much right?  But they tell you what to do & then you figure it out from there.  It’s actually really cool.  And they have everything you need.  Next time I go back I’m getting a basket!!! 

 And it was only $42, much cheaper than other places, and I feel good about recylcing, donating to children, etc.  There were two guys helping me and the one told me to go get a helmet.  Now here comes the PSA!!!
When I was little I bought this book called Mick Harte was Here.  It’s about this boy that doesn’t wear his helmet and gets in an accident and dies.  Now as a kid, that was devastating to me.  Even now whenever I go home I read it and cry.  I’m a little emo  : )

So wear your helmets everyone!

Here’s the one wall that was inside the work area:

Here’s Morris and I before we went.   I know I kind of neglected to mention, but he helped me a lot!!  I’d probably still be there if it wasn’t for him!

 And finally, me and my little gem  : )

She’s rough looking now but once I giver her a paint job and bath, things will be lovely.  It’s great to have a bike in the city.  I highly recommend it  : )

I gave my bike 3 names.  I know, as if one’s not enough!!  They are: Sunshine Kimberly, Kimberly Sunshine, and S.S. Kimberly (S.S. is short for sunshine…get it? hahah).  So anyway, Kimberly is a friend from home that was in a very serious car accident a little bit ago and just passed yesterday. 

And for PSA number two:

Always wear your seatbelt and don’t do other stuff while driving.  Nobody knows what exactly Kim was doing when she got into the accident but it’s suggested that she had her seatbelt off and was reaching for something on the passanger seat.  And I’ve drove with her before, she’s even more into seatbelts than myself.  So stay focused, pull over if you need to do something, wear your seatbelt, and always have a designated driver if you are taking part in activities that will affect your driving.  Especially with prom season right here, graduation parties, all of that, be careful.  And don’t forget your camera!!  You wanna have some pictures of those times!

Take care everyone!

So yesterday I took some well needed me time after work.  I went to the gym (I know, shocking) and did some running and played raquetteball with my bff Tomi K.  I hit him 3 times with the ball.  In my defense, he walked into the third one.

I’m getting ready for my Catskills trip for paleo class.  My class and another geology class are making a journey up to look at rocks for the weekend.  I just got all of my shampoo and stuff like that.  It reminds me of going to 5th grade camp, like you get all the travel sized things to take with you and then you run out mid week.  It should be a good time.  You’ll def. see more about that in the next two weeks!

As for right now, I think I’m going to go home this weekend.  If not, I’m going to the zoo and riding the balloon.  Now big deal right?  Not for me.  I’m TERRIFIED of hot air balloons.  Nothing like being suspended in a wicker basket with a flame at the top of your head!  And I’m just afraid of big balloons in general.  And the zoo did just unveil their new balloon.  I’ll probably get on it and get sick, and then just lay on the grass and eat rock candy (I loved it before I was geology major!!!)

Here’s a link to the balloon and a really funny story!

http://www2.philadelphiazoo.org/zoo/Rides-and-more/Channel-6-Zooballoon.htm

So like I said, I was off to bike church yesterday and it wasn’t quite what I expected. So first, what is bike church you ask? It’s a place on uPenn’s campus that sells and fixes used bikes. So I go there, and I walk alllll around the church, and I can’t find an open entrance. So I call and I’m like, “Hey, I’m right outside and I can’t figure out how to get in…,” and the guy laughs at me and says, “Facing the church, you’re going to walk around the left, you’ll pass a playground, there will be a set of elevated stairs up to a glass door. Before you walk up the stairs, walk around the right of the stairs and there there is a bike handle. Pull the brake cable and someone will come get you.” Are you serious? This sounds like I’m on Legends of the Hidden Temple instead of getting a bike!! So I was waiting a while because they were full and then when it was finally my turn to get a bike, I couldn’t really find one my size because I’m so short! There was this really sweet Robin Hood one but it needed fixed and was also about the same as a new bike so I think I’m going to just buy a new bike. However, if anyone is interested in such a thing, look it up. The people were really nice and for someone above 5 feet tall, I’m sure it would have worked out lovely.

And for the fun part!! My class schedule for next semester!!

Your current roster is listed below.
CRN Campus Hours Core Level GO Instructor
015387 Main 4.0 U TORAN, LAURA
GEOLOGY: 3021 (0210) -INTRO TO HYDROLOGY Section: 041 Registered
M W F 12:40P 01:30 BEURY HALL 00305
W 01:40P 04:30 BEURY HALL 00304

015393 Main 4.0 U TERRY, DENNIS O
GEOLOGY: 2021 (0211) -FACIES MODELS Section: 041 Registered
T R 10:10A 11:30 BEURY HALL 00306
R 01:10P 04:00 BEURY HALL 00306

036947 Main 4.0 U MYER, GEORGE H.
GEOLOGY: 2011 (0201) -MINERALOGY I Section: 042 Registered
M W F 10:40A 11:30 BEURY HALL 00305
T 01:10P 04:30 BEURY HALL 00305

045731 Main 2.0 U CARACCIOLO, DANA
KINESIO: 1003 (0066) -ADVENTURE CLIMBING I Section: 015 Registered
T R 11:40A 01:00 PEARSON HALL 00144

079171 Main 2.0 U
KINESIO: 1012 (0031) -BADMINTON I Section: 002 Registered
M W F 08:40A 09:30 MCGONIGLE HALL 00000

There it is!! This semester I’m taking two upper level geology classes, Chem II with lab, and Calculus. It’s nothing short of insane. This summer I’m taking Calc II and Physics I in the first summer session and then Physics II in the second. I’m not sure if I’m helping myself or not (financially that is, you don’t get any aid for the summer) but just to not have another semester like this one, it’s well worth it!