Blog Numero Uno.

Hi! I’m Jenna. I spent my whole life growing up in Pleasant Plains, IL. No, it is not near Chicago, but outside of Springfield (you know, the state capitol?) and surrounded by miles upon miles of corn and soybeans. My family did not live on a farm, but I spent many summers working for corn seed companies and taking care of my neighbor’s cows, goats, pigs, etc. My family did raise rabbits though! My house was 15 miles West from town and 15 miles East of my school. I live with my parents, sister Laura, who is a Junior at Illinois College (about 45 minutes from my parents), and brother Luke, who is a big bad senior in high school. Yes, I am the middle, picked on, rebellious, more fun, and creative sister my siblings wish they never had. I'm a country girl. Why in the world then, am I in Mobile, AL?

My Siblings and I in the mud pit we dug behind my house! Oh yeah, the tall clean boy is Simon, a foreign exchange student my family hosted last school year (of course, as soon as I leave home).

More than anything, I wanted someplace new, a challenge, for college. A chance to get away and experience life while I had the chance. Last year, I attended UAB pursuing a degree in Special Education, was involved in their Global and Community Leadership Honors Program, and worked at the Ronald McDonald House. I greatly enjoyed the city, but in the middle of May (awful planning), the Education department informed me that there would no longer be a undergraduate Special Education program. Wow. After spending my summer working endlessly to figure out what I was supposed to do, I’m now at USA!

I love watching people, helping people, talking to people, being around people- people in general, I guess. More than that, though, I am passionate about people with disabilities, especially kids. Through many camps and school, I have formed many relationships with beautiful people. I guess that’s the main reason I want to be a teacher. Also, I want kids who the world constantly belittles to know they’re wanted and can do anything they think they can.
I also love running, a lot.
Not as much as God.
Nature. Poetry.
Baking cookies.
Eating cookies.
My hammock.
Music is beautiful.
Folk and oldies are my favorite.
Reading anything I can get my hands on. Gardening.
Looking at the stars.
Getting sweaty and dirty. (I’m talking about mud.)
Being awkward.
Thinking and dreaming (I seem to be pretty good at those, maybe too good at times).
I have a great dislike for the indoors.
I can’t sit still. Oh yeah, I don’t wear shoes.
Too many people in this world don’t have shoes to forget about them in our material world. Feet are beautiful, and I’m so very thankful to have them. Besides, jumping in puddles is much more enjoyable when you don’t have to worry walking around in wet shoes the rest of the day.


Randy Pausch on Time Management
The only “real problems” we have are stress and procrastination. Excuse me? A man fighting for his country in the military, a homeless woman trying to take care of children, the president of the United States, or any common man might beg to differ, greatly. From the beginning, I was not engaged in the lecture, simply because of Pausch’s over-generalization of Americans and the difference of handling money and time. Personally, I am not an American focused on who earns how much money or worried about my status as seen by society because of money. In addition, I disagree with Pausch on his comment that Americans do not equate time and money. I am almost positive that is a working person’s focus: the amount of hours he/she works determines the amount of money he/she makes. Simple.

However, criticism will not change Randy Pausch or the millions of people enamored by his “Last Lecture.” (Personally, I think Morrie from Tuesdays with Morrie would be more fascinating any day.) There were a few points in the short duration of the video I think I can use in my daily life. Keeping in mind the difference of doing things right and doing the right things makes what I do more effective in actually making a difference in the lives of people affected by my decisions. Also, I agree with his idea to always do the worst items on a to-do list first. It makes both the easier tasks much more rewarding because the ugly items are no longer looming overhead. Overall, I thought the video was a good reminder to not waste time doing work, but spend enjoying life.

I hope you’re enjoying your day as much as I am=)