The Sound of Settling - Death Cab for Cutie

If you ever wondered where the X's on the under 21's at bars/clubs originated, I give you this from Wikipedia (under article "Straight Edge")

The letter X is the most known symbol of straight edge, and is sometimes worn as a marking on the back of both hands, though it can be displayed on other body parts as well. Some followers of straight edge have also incorporated the symbol into clothing and pins. According to a series of interviews by journalist Michael Azerrad, the straight edge X can be traced to the Teen Idles' brief U.S. West Coast tour in 1980.^[39] The Teen Idles were scheduled to play at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens, but when the band arrived, club management discovered that the entire band was under the legal drinking age and therefore would be denied entry to the club. As a compromise, management marked each of the Idles' hands with a large black X as a warning to the club's staff not to serve alcohol to the band. Upon returning to Washington, D.C., the band suggested this same system to local clubs as a means to allow teenagers in to see musical performances without being served alcohol.^[39] The Teen Idles released a record in 1980 called Minor Disturbance with the cover shot being two hands with black X's on the back.^[3][40] The mark soon became associated with the Straight Edge lifestyle.^[3]

Arms - Christina Perri

While studying w/ a friend....
"Are you sure you're studying? You're laughing a lot"
"Yeah, I am"
"Did you write something funny in your notes?"
"No, it's more like that feeling you get when you want to bang your head against the table repeatedly"

Well said, friend, well said. Exam #1 of cardio module coming up in about seven hours, not sure this one's going to be pretty. Here's to hoping for the best!

American Girl - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Food for thought: one argument many pro-lifers have is that ending a pregnancy might be a huge loss for society because one of these unborn babies could be the next Einstein/Mozart/Stephen Hawking/etc.
What if this baby already has been born? Would it really matter if they aren't given the tools to succeed? Which probably ties into the debate of nature vs nurture (whether nature or a person's environment ultimately shapes them). In general, I believe nurture strongly dictates choices & what kind of path some one takes in life. That being said, if the next genius is born in an oppressed area, would he necessarily be recognized or live as a contributing member of society if all he knows is being book smart isn't cool & could actually get him beat up while violence reins? Of course, there are many who rise above all adversity such as Cedric Jennings (biography titled A Hope in the Unseen), but as humans, we adapt to survive in our environment whatever that may be.

Basically, though I don't think a fetus/baby should be aborted because the mother simply sees it as an inconvenience even though she & possibly the father are able to provide and properly care for a baby, I think it's even more important to consider if the mother & father will be able to provide for the child and be able to raise them in such a fashion where he/she has the opportunity to excel to the best of his/her abilities. I've probably opened a can of worms & I'm not sure how this will go, but, it's time to end this post because there's already so much more content to this than I meant to have.

Family Affair - Mary J Blige

Must. Not. Fail. Cardio exam.

...Oh, it's so nice outside. Guess I'll play some ultimate instead!

Dancin' in the Moonlight - King Harvest

Well, firstly, it was really awesome to see so many people downtown last night- it actually felt like we lived in a city!
This weather is beautiful, however, I hope this doesn't mean we're going to have a hot summer. I went rollerblading earlier w/ a friend & I'm happy to say I'm improving! About 12 years after I first put on roller blades, I'm finally getting it. I think.

Lastly, this is one of the weirdest sandwich combinations but it strangely works really well: whole wheat bread, hummus, parmesan cheese, and a slice of turkey deli. Great snack. Nevertheless, I'm still hungry so I think it's time to scour the apartment for more quick edibles. And probably start studying for the first time this weekend really. Fail.


I noticed that my jaw hurts & was wondering what happened....until I just remembered that I got elbowed last nice haha. Classy.

Sweet Dreams - Pentatonix

The song of this post is a cover, but I like what they did w/ it. Anyways, it's finally spring! Highs in the 60s & 70s for the rest of the week w/ lows in the 40s. Love this weather. There's something about the warm & sunny outdoors that makes me want to eat healthier- I stop craving junk food/, sweets, or stuff from restaurants & start going to sandwiches, fruits, salads, & yogurt. More than likely it's some kind of natural human 'wiring' since before time we'd fatten up in the winter & whatnot.

Studying outside for the rest of today is going to be awesome. Until it gets dark. Woof. (<- for Jordan)

The Cave - Mumford & Sons

First day back! Though it's already quite a bit of material to process, I'm ready to be productive again. After a week of relaxing & doing nothing related to school, it feels good to have responsibilities albeit self imposed. Let's hope I can make it through the next three weeks relatively sane between classes, projects, meetings, assessments, assignments, shadowing, & community service. Oh, and studying. Can't forget that.

Vegas - Sara Bareilles

Well, I guess I should've stared informatics earlier...as not less than 12 hours before classes start again. Oops? No major regrets over it though, this was an amazing break, I was able to do so many things I've been wanting to do for a while. Hiking was obviously one of the big ones. Other than that, spending time w/ my friends that I don't have a chance to see that often because we go to different schools or they have jobs now. I worked to make some extra money, got in some ultimate, enjoyed the beautiful weather, got bubble tea, read, & went salsa dancing. Though I never quite got a full night of rest, I'm incredibly satisfied w/ this spring break. Unfrotunately, it's probably time to start doing this assignment. Or maybe finish my book. Hah. Priorities are in the wrong spot...until tomorrow at 1pm.

I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time - Bon Iver

^ Beautiful piano cover of Bonnie Raitt's song; I wish he lowered the key for his voice but nevertheless, pretty to listen to.

More importantly, I passed infectious diseases! Yay! I was preparing to sell my life for a month but I'm super relieved to find out that I have more options. Spring break has been good to me this year.


A word of advice, just in case you forgot or never knew, it's a terrible idea to dive on turf when there isn't a layer of clothing between you & fake grass. Day two of intense stinging & weeping wounds.

More Than Words - Extreme

Home sweet home. Just got back from Kentucky! As sad as I am that we left when the weather was warming up, I'm glad to be home. It was a great trip filled w/ "real" (AKA challenging) hikes as well as memories that will stay w/ me for a while. I'll throw some pictures up here later. For now, time to wash off the sweat from this morning's hike & bed. I just realized I didn't really go into what we did/where we went. If you really care to know, click here.

EDIT: Some of my favorite pictures from the trip. There's going to be a picture of a girl's head in a few of them- she's a good friend of ours who sadly couldn't make the trip w/ us

Mammoth Cave National Park- trails around the visitor's center

 

Mammoth Cave National Park- New Entrance Cave Tour

Mammoth Cave National Park- backpacking trails

hahaha, so random.

Cumberland Gap National Park- Chadwell Gap Trail

Cumberland Gap National Park- Hensley Settlement

Cumberland Gap National Park- Pinnacle Outlook

Cumberland Gap National Park- roadside trail

Cumberland Gap National Park- Saddle Gap

Cumberland Gap National Park- Tri State Peak view 

I'm Glad You Came - The Wanted

Yeahhhhh spring break! Hiking & caves galore (:
Though I've got to say, we were pretty fortunate where we stayed last night- a tornado touched down about 15 minutes away from our hotel.

Time to take a hint from my snoring best friend & go to sleep