Week #51: CERTIFIED LEADER (04.14.14 - 04.18.14)

I had a bit of a late start on Monday, I thought I would have a head start in the morning because I woke up half an hour earlier to finish my economics homework, but halfway to the dining hall I realized I forgot my keys so I had to go back... So I really had a 'butt start' if you can call that something. I didn't finish the economics homework but I did copied for Victoria the one nobody got. I got my Forever 21 package and also the three pairs of running socks I ordered. The socks feel fine, I'll be testing them tomorrow though. At 5:15 pm I headed to the MSC because it was the "Celebration of Leadership" i.e. my Certified Leadership ceremony, sadly I had to leave early because I had class at 7 pm and I feel so bad! At least I understood what we were doing in calculus II. I had Pollo Tropical for dinner, and I feel so bad eating outside food. I wanted to go to the grocery store today but had no time at all, I just want to eat my fruit now (and I feel great just wanting to eat fruit). I also got a letter from Alex! I swear to you that just before picking up the letter I was thinking on writing to her wishing her luck in her finals, I haven't told her I received the letter, I'm gonna send her a response through mail. She basically wrote to me that she supported me in every decision I made and not to stress and she absolutely calmed me down. Although that was a week ago, that letter made me feel so much better. I'm so lucky to have a friend like her.

I had my last physics lab class on Tuesday, and it was our physics lab final. I think I did good, the bonus question was really hard but everything else felt easy. Since I got out early I went to the STEM lab to get some help in my calculus II project, and there were no tutors when I got there; but this nice guy helped me out. He looked like a junior or a senior and helped me a lot, and he was nice too :) I had to stop by the computer store to buy another charger for my laptop because I forgot mine in Panama -.-' It cost $80! I'm so sad :( I got a package from Amazon with my LifeProof case, the LifeProof armband, the GoPro Hero 3+ Silver and two mounts. I got a lot of stuff, lol. Plus I got some of it at discount because of my free six months of Amazon Prime. I went for a run with all my new gadgets. The LifeProof case is amazing compared to the one I had for the 4S, it's so light and not bulky at all. I carried the GoPro in my hand, I uploaded a video here. I ran 8 km! 

On Wednesday I was attended by the rudest cashier ever at Subway... She left the cash register with me standing in front of her, a co worker had to call her back telling her she had costumers; she came mad and did what she was supposed to do. I asked for a plastic bag to put my food in and she literally threw everything in it... I just hate the attitude some people radiate, you don't have to let everybody know how mad you are, specially at work. I did half the physics homework with Courtney since it's due next week and we haven't seen the other half of the material. Then I went to my calculus class and it wasn't boring at all, I understood most of it and I actually feel prepared for the test; but of course I need to study and kill myself practicing this weekend.

On Thursday, Kaitlyn woke me up... at around 9 am -.-' I went to the International Services today to get my visa signed in because it's that time of the year, although I'm not sure if I was supposed to get it signed because I'm still not sure if I'm staying over the summer. Then I went to Dr. Campbell (advisor who assigned my calculus II project) to show him my work to see if I was on the right path, and he helped a lot. Apparently I was not on the right path, but the questions he asked me I was able to answer. So when I got back I did this insane table on Excel and I think I found the answer. I went for a run, and felt super tired, also the impact of my feet was too harsh' that's a sign I need new running shoes. I ran 8.06 km though, and then I went to Starbucks to buy myself a reward. I ordered a Shaken Passion Iced Tea Lemonade blended, and it was AMAZE-BALLS! The cashier asked me three times if I was sure I wanted it blended haha. 

On Friday I went to an orientation for my study abroad program in Florence, I didn't learn anything out of the ordinary but it wasn't that boring because Jim is so funny. I was stuck in there for three hours! There was even a Tornado Warning while in there, but by the time we got out it was all clear. I went to the library then to study calculus with Courtney, we were supposed to go see Captain America today after studying but Courtney said she wouldn't be able to because she had to wake up early for work the next day. It was a really uneventful day, but I'm so excited because tomorrow is my first 5k! And I'm also done with this shit (freshman year) in a week! 

Week #48: University Meltdown (03.24.14 - 03.28.14)

This whole weekend I've been excited to finally put my hands on my new iPad Mini, the moment I saw that the package was finally delivered on Monday morning I went nuts. What bothers me is that the Mailing Office has not sent me an email telling me to pick it up so my patience is running low. Also last night was a tough night, I had to literally count sheep to fall asleep (I counted over 200). I finally got my iPad, a 128 GB iPad Mini and uploaded my stuff that only left 31 GB left from the 128 GB! The rest of the day was A REALLY CRAPPY DAY! I went to the office hours of my calculus II professor, to get extra points on my second test and I wasn't really ready and he got really mad and started to frustrate with me. In one of the questions he asked what method to use for a certain integral but I didn't know what he meant with method, and he screamed at me writing the word method in capital letters while yelling it slowly... If I had to award the worst professor in the history of universities I would grant him the honor... I left his office crying and got a call from my mom, I finally told her that I couldn't keep up with engineering any more and I was streaming water currents down my cheeks. I don't see why my mom makes me get an engineering degree if I don't like the career itself and the subjects to make it. I tried looking up for other majors in USF (Architecture and Graphic Design), but it was useless. Architecture was only a master's program, and for graphic design I need to apply with a portfolio. I tried to focus in the library after my meltdown but I couldn't... I texted Jose David later for support and he is such a great friend, I love him with all my heart. I offered to help me with calc and was so sweet about it! He might be one of the best, if not, friend I've ever had. So selfless and loving he is. I wanted to Skype with Rod... I told him I needed him, but he told me no because he had to go to sleep... That really hurt my feelings. 

It's Tuesday and I still feel crappy from what happen Monday, maybe things will get better. It's not the end of the world right? If I fail I can take the class again over the summer... I just feel stupid, that's all. Every minute I'm alone, watching Netflix or doing nothing I feel guilty because that might be the reason of my failures, but I try to remind myself that this me-time is extremely important. However, doesn't matter how many times I tell myself... I keep beating myself up and my eyes keep watering. This is definitely the worst week of this whole term... I feel so stupid, useless, and good for nothing. Everyone around me is getting good grades, and is easy for them to focus; they want to be engineers in the future because that's what they love. When I grow up, I'll let my children decide to study whatever they want; because this right here is not worth it. My mom after offering yesterday to fly over here because of my sadness, gave me the chance to change majors, but from the list of majors in USF I couldn't find a single thing I'd like. If I wanted to really pursue my dreams I would have to change schools, and that would be a shame because of the great pricing due to my scholarship here. This topic just keeps going on and on in my head, beating the guilt out of me. I wish I hadn't rejected the offer my mom made to come visit me. I rejected it because in a couple of week I'll be in Panama for Patty's 15th birthday party and my dad would kill my mom if she just came to visit because I was sad. I had never cried like that in front of my mom, I must have triggered her motherly instinct. My eyes are watering right now just thinking about all of this, I really want my mommy here. 


On Wednesday I had a quiz on economics, and the professor never told us like he usually does. I did well, but I missed one question because I skipped it unintentionally! I have everything else right and that infuriates me! I could've gotten a 100 on that week. I just feel that it seems as if I can't catch a break this week. I just want really to take the next semester off and just relax you know... So now I'm intrigued in the whole computer engineer thingy, it got me thinking and I research a little bit about it and I really liked it. I remember in high school programming HTML and it was really fun, I even like it more than industrial engineering because this means that I could work for big companies like Apple or Google or even create apps! So after more than a week and a half without doing laundry I finally succumbed. The load was huge and well... you know: the struggle. 

On Thursday I had planned a calculus date with Courtney to learn everything we haven't but at last minute she had to go pick up her brother... So I took in the extra hours of sleep and relaxed a little. Then I went for a run and ran over 6 km! :3 That really brightens my day. Then I showered and headed out to the library to work on math. I got some Pollo Tropical for dinner and then returned to the library. I feel quite proud of myself for practicing so much and having long term focus sessions. I'm also loving my iPad mini :D I've been playing Hay Day and watching my YouTube videos here while studying. 

On Friday I woke up at 8:30 am to meet up with Ricardo to help him with economics, we met in a room at the MSC. It's the first time I've ever been in one of those rooms. I explained as much as I could because he only had until 10:50, I really hope he does well on the midterm on Monday. I also biked to Target to buy an iPad cover, a stylus and since I was there I bought makeup for Patty's birthday and for some YouTube videos I'm planning to do when I get back :3 What also surprised me about the makeup I bought was that the Elf brand, everthying was under $3! And I got a pretty cool lip color which is the red in the picture below. I also forgot to go out on a run! :'( I really wanted to... The rest of the day I finished Pokemon on Netflix and skyped with Rod :)

Week #42: VALENTINE'S WITHOUT ROD :( (02.10.14 - 02.14.14)

On Monday I got my calculus II test back, and I did better than expected. I got a 72.5 :) I went to the library after class and tried to read through my economics material since I have a test on Wednesday and I did the best I could. I bought a hot chocolate at Starbucks to drink while studying but it was so nasty, it lacked sugar or something like that. I feel like a real blogger now, my Starbucks to the left, a TMNT sweatshirt on and my legs crossed; the only thing missing is for me to be sitting in Starbucks instead of the library. 

On Tuesday I had my physics lab, and it was a good lab :) I also had my leadership class, this one was a little bit more tedious but I still like it. I have that economics test on Wednesday and my plan is to study Wednesday morning, lol. Also, Tio Ricky arrived to Orlando, and that means: Disney World next week!I also had Panda Express for dinner, and that made me feel back so from now on I'm gonna be healthier! I also ran in the trail today, following the "from couch to 5k" workout. 

This was my view when running, pretty isn't it?

On Wednesday I woke up super early, 7:30 am, because I wanted to study before the test; besides, I asked Ricardo if he wanted to study together and he said Wednesday morning. Breakfast was not that good... The place smelled horrible and it seemed like nobody noticed, plus there weren't any biscuits! I came to the coffee shop at the bookstore to study while drinking my hot chocolate. I got to read a whole chapter, and when it was 9:15, Ricardo bailed on me. 

On Thursday I biked all the way to 7-Eleven at Fletcher to pay my Grehound ticket since the website was not accepting my credit card, it was chilly outside, and afterwards I went to Publix to do some grocery shopping since I had none left. It's so weird how I know all the streets and routes I have to take, I finally feel kind of at home; but without the family and friends part *sigh. When I got back I just chilled and did nothing for a while, I worked out a little in my room and watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince before going to bed. I was suppose to go on a run but it was so chilly I changed my mind. 

Happy Valentine's Day! This is my 4th year with Rod as my valentine! <3 and he got me a cookie, lol, even though we are 1345 miles away! (Yes, I googled that). Either way.. He ate the cooke hahaha. I also went for a run this morning and ran 4.20 km, I obviously didn't run the whole time but I'm def getting better. I met up with Courtney to do some physics homework and I gave her a Hershey's bar and a Resse's Pieces. She let me have two of her Resse's Pieces and now I like that chocolate :) I ordered pizza for dinner to celebrate valentine's day by myself, lol; jk, I guess I'll Skype with Rod tonight :) I also discovered why I didn't got accepted into PSU! I got a letter saying that they didn't accept transfer students for mechanical engineering, lol, they should have told me that when I applied don't you think? I also did laundry since I'm wearing my last pair of clean undies, hehe. 

Week #27: Happy Halloween! (10/28/2013 - 11/03/2013)

On Monday I had my first job interview ever, in the Office of Housing of USF. I was interviewed at 2 while they were also looking at my portfolio and they asked me some common questions, how did I get into photography? Did I had any experience? Was I comfortable talking to other people? I think I did really well but I'm not that positive because I'm certain there are a lot of more talented people than I am on campus. I wore my new blue dress from Forever 21 and a long sleeve USF sweater along with beige flats. I hate flats! My feet are so weird, no shoe fits well. Well, they fit but I get blisters and stuff. After calculus I bought me some Pollo Tropical, I love their pork Tropichop and went back to my dorm and watched KUWTK. I seriously need to stop buying Whoppers, whenever I have them I can't stop eating them and whenever I don't have some I can't stop craving them!

While I was studying on Tuesday for calculus I had the
best frapuccino I've had from Starbucks:
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frap :)

On Tuesday I kind of skyped with Alex, my connection was super low so we had to postponed our convo for another day, I missed foundation of engineering because I am allowed to miss one and this one was the last before Mechanical so this was my last chance and what a coincidence that it's the day before me calculus test. I've been in the library since 4 pm and it's now 9 pm, I'm having a light headache and I can't really keep going. I feel like I'm going to fail so bad :( I still don't understand some basic stuff which is really bad and I don't have the will power nor the energy to keep going. I want to make my mom proud and this isn't helping :(

On Wednesday I woke up stressed about the calculus test, and I still am. It's 12:30 and the test is at 4, so it's a long way to go. Also Alex texted me about something I wrote weeks ago about her relationship, her ex-other half wanted me to take out what I wrote, but this blog is my safe haven and I write what I feel like writing. I have learned throughout the years that you shouldn't be what others want you to or expect you to be, however I will stop writing about her life, one because it's not mine although she is part of mine, and two because well.. I don't want to upset her or anything. Before my calculus test I met up with Victoria and Ricardo to discuss what we were going to do for tomorrow's lab and we finished early so Victoria and I went to Mr. Fleeman's office hours to review before the test. At first the test felt kind of easy but has I turned the pages it turned harder and harder. I hope I didn't messed up but I have a very bad feeling about this test.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Although I didn't dress up, collected candy or go to any parties, I just don't believe in Halloween.
Thursday I had chemistry lab and we did fine once we figured out exactly what to do, apparently David hasn't dropped the class according to Justin, but he did tell us he had drop it, so what it's going on? Anyway, after lab I had some Panda Express for lunch and then went to Metropolitan Ministries to do some volunteering work. Sara gave me a ride along with a friend of hers and Sara and I worked at Outreach Outfitters and Outreach Market, I really prefer Outreach Market so next time I'm gonna try getting that place. So I have a hold for an advisor appointment that I did went to, and the hold states the contrary so I have emailed and called my advisor and NOTHING! I just emailed the Dean of Undergraduates because my registration date is this Monday and I need that hold taken! I'm stressing so much over that! The Croc's package also came in today, another package to store until mom comes, I also got the Disney tickets in the mail! I'm so excited! I haven't gone to Disney in ages.

On Friday I had a pretty normal day, I got two 3s on my past week's weekly assignment for AMS, a B on the draft and well... This day was simply plain. I feel fatter :( Maybe it was yesterday's Panda Express, I feel so bad I'll have a cleansing weekend :) Kaitlyn went back home for the weekend which is nice to have some days the room to yourself. I spent the rest of my day watching Grey's Anatomy and trying to do my math homework but it's simply very hard! I'm kind of waiting for that beast mode moment to hit me and sincerely I'm getting worried it's too late. Oh my mom also told me that there's going to be a Forever 21 in Panama and it's opening this November 9th! It's kind of exciting because I could have pretty clothes whenever I wanted but it takes the magic out of shopping in the US.

My First Bike Adventure

On Saturday morning I decided to bike out of campus to a place called "Pro-Copy" because that was the only place that sold the manual for my Chemistry Lab class. I google mapped my route and went. It wasn't so hard finding the place. I just drove through Holly St. and made a right turn, then a left turn and the place was on the right side. I chained my bike to the handicap sign, hope that's legal, and went in a bought my stuff. Then, since Subway was just next to Pro-Copy I decided to stop for lunch. I had a turkey breast sandwich and an orange soda. My bike was making weird noises the whole time, not a *clack* like before but a continuous rusty sound. So I decided to stop by Target and buy a new bike - yeah I know, drastic decision-. Also I had to make it before 4 PM because of the game. I stopped by a Starbucks so I had a safe place to google map. I typed "Target" and did not find the one I always go to. I remembered there was a Walgreens in front of the Target so I typed Walgreens. And before I remembered that there were several Walgreen's in the area I went for it. Before halfway the route I took to go to the Walgreen's I realized that I was getting farther rather than closer so in the middle of the sidewalk I decided to google map it again. And I found the one, it is located in "University Plaza" in Bruce B. Downs St., which does sounded familiar so I changed my route. After about 15 more minutes I reached Target! I rode about over half an hour through the outskirts of campus, INSANE! And this was my first bike adventure. 

YouTube Daily Shoutout #10

Again with my guilty pleasure: The Ellen Show. I didn't know she did this in her show, there's a couple of these in YouTube. Here Ellen shows embarrassing pictures she found in Facebook from here audience.

I think Starbucks is totally overrated, but I do like their brand. I mean, the coffee is overrated but I love to buy their souvenirs haha. Here are 7 things you didn't know about Starbucks :)

I love Anthony and Kalel together, and here's a collaboration they made with Joey Graceffa. This video is a Pokemon Challenge. If it were me I would have lost after Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasour and Charmander. Btw. Kalel and Anthony have a new Vlog called "Watch us live and stuff", it just opened like 6 days ago. 

Week #5 - The Adventure Begins in Seattle (05/20/2013 - 05/26/2013)

Monday started with me doing nothing for a while, then making up my mind in finishing my math homework and finished, left with nothing else to do. I can't wait til Friday to be on a plane heading to Seattle. Whenever I have nothing to do I watch videos on YouTube, here you can see that day's shout outs: YouTube Daily Shoutout #4 and if you like those here are more: more, other more, more more. And after a long day of nothing to do I went to MMA, the biggest productive thing I've could have done.

Tuesday was an OK day, I woke up early feeling like shit because I'm still not used to waking up so early. very very VERY frustrating day because everything that enter through one ear stepped out of my head through the other one. I hate when you ask something to a teacher and they vaguely answer you and because of shyness you say "ohhh, okay I got it", but even the teacher knows that's not true; however, he pretends it was true. Today I ate alone :( it's not such an easy thing for me to make new friends; however, today I made a new one :) When I came back home I started on my trig homework, then pre calculus and finished with English. For English I had to write a one page essay about being in another person's shoes. I wrote about my best friend and I titled the essay "She is Size Seven". Pretty clever title, huh? Ha ha. I'm also halfway my reading for the week: "Twisted" by K. A. Robinson, which is the sequel to "Torn". So far is good, a lot of awesome shit has happened in the first half, so I wondered what shittier thing can happen now.
And I should get used to it because I'll have to wake up early in the Alaska Cruise for the land stops. Today was a

On Wednesday I finished "Twisted" by K. A. Robinson. And I give it 5 stars. This series is very alike to "Avoiding Commitment" by K. A. Linde and "I'll Wait For You" by J. Lynn. My scale between these three books looks like this: Avoiding Commitment > Torn > I'll Wait For You. One perk I'm really grateful from "Torn" is that although there will be another sequel, the second book didn't end in an open thought. I've got tons of books to read that the sequel's not out yet, and I'm dying a little everyday waiting for those books. A couple come out on August and the rest in October and November. At night I went to a Cirque Du Soleil presentation: Dralion. I have seen La Nouba in Florida and now Dralion here in Panama. For me Dralion was funnier than La Nouba; however, I liked La Nouba more.

Thursday was a night with the guys (guys because there were only two more girls with me), my friends and I decided to hang out at my boyfriend's place. It was so fun. One last time before my trip to Alaska. I am so excited! Bags are packed, devices charged, what about me? I'm a wreck! My issue with travel has always being the trouble I have to get through to finally fall asleep the night before, because I'm so full of excitement.

Friday! It finally came, but is wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. The second flight lasted 6 hours and I had a headache and in the thrid flight my allergies flicked on. We were very tired an couldn't sleep well because there were kids on board singing and crying all the way. Finally we made it to the hotel at 4 AM (Panama time) or 2 AM (Seattle time). 

On Saturday I woke up at 6 AM because I couldn't stay asleep with this allergies. I went down to the lobby's convinience store and bought some medication and a chapstick. Omg my allergies are KILLING ME! Although I was dying this was the funnest day I've ever had with my family! Everyone was at first stressed out (everyone: grown ups) because my cousin wanted to go to church and the rest of us preffered the mall, so there was a big misunderstanding.. And well.. That's how the day began. When the rest of us got to the mall me and my parents went shopping (actually just me and mom, dad just bought a pair of jeans). After shopping about 4 hours we went to the Public Market in Pike Street. 

This is were the fun started. After dinning at a famous cheese restaurant, we all went walking around and laughed all the way there telling jokes and having fun. We were ALL having fun and that's why I love family trips: everyone is happy. We also got to go to the very first Starbuck in the whole world! Tomorrow is off to the cruise so I'll be writing about that next week!