How I’ve grown, what I’ve learned.

     I have grown in many ways throughout this semester at Iowa State. I have learned to become more independent, by registering for my own classes, learning new study habits, learning to teach myself, and learning the ins and outs of college. I register for my own classes, which is unlike high school, where they pretty much give you the classes you're going to take. I have to think of the future and what classes will be relevant to my major and what classes are required. I also have to be punctual by not missing my registration date. I have to learn new study habits such as studying more and learning to study with distractions. I have to teach myself some things because the professor will not cover everything, and I have to study more which is a huge change for high school. I also have learned to be; better prepared, more reliable, independent, and more well-rounded. What I want to learn is how to be better prepared for a career opportunity related to Agricultural Biochemisty.

The Hixson Scholarship

     The Hixson Scholarship means a lot to me for many reasons. What is the Hixson Scholarship? The Hixson Opportunity Award is a half-tuition grant (estimated value of more than $15,000 over eight semesters) to be used at Iowa State University. One hundred high school seniors from across Iowa will receive the award each year. Each recipients will represent each county in the state.
     The Hixson Scholarship means so much to me because it identifies me in a positive way. Most people around campus know what the Hixson program is, and it is the biggest in-state privately funded scholarship in Iowa. It also means a great deal to me because of how the hixsons are treated in the hixson building, and they are treated as respected individuals with mostly all the help they can get. I also like being a hixson because of the hixson classes which are great in informing students in the necessities of college and importance of leadership.
     Some important information about Christina Hixson. Christina Hixson never had the opportunity to go to college, but thanks to her, and the Lied Foundation Trust that she administers as its sole trustee, approximately 100 young Iowans every year since 1995 have had their opportunity. And 100 young Iowans each year from now on will have theirs as well.

Social Media Week-Linkedin

     This week was social media week which means I get to go to a social site such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Linkedin. Since I am pretty familiar with with all those except Linkedin I decided to give the Linkdin a try, which I had no idea what it was before I got there. Well what is Linkedin? LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 120 million members and growing rapidly, with users in some 200 countries since its launch in 2003. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. The firm operates an online professional network designed to help members find jobs, connect with other professoinals, and locate business opportunities.
     So what did I do with this Linkedin, well first I established my professional profile such as my contact information and previous jobs. Then I set up my resume and put it on the website, so people, companies, and business can see it (Which I have yet to do). I also connected with Debra, Silas, Allie of the Hixson Leaders, although as of now Silas has yet to accept me as a connection. I have also connected and followed many companies that are interesting to me and relate to my field of study. I have connected with some business leaders who post job opening in their companies, so its pretty interesting to see all these companies online and updating their job listings regularly. I will to continue to use this site to get many connections and to see the business world online.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

     My sister had a life threatening disease called cancer. What began as a suspected "pulled muscle" in her back, has become a diagnosis of cancer. After treatment by a chiropractor and for a couple months for the pulled muscle, Brenna begin to experience numbness radiating around her ribs to one side. We then went to the doctor. An MRI was performed and the tumor was found. It is on her 8th rib between her ribs and lung. She proceeded to have a CT Scan, a Chest X-Ray, an Ultrasound, and a Biopsy after the MRI showed the tumor. 
     Then began the "long" wait for the results of the biopsy. About 10 days later she was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma - Askin's Tumor. The doctor said it was very rare, only about 200 cases in the US a year. But also a very serious form of pediatric cancer. We were referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to begin treatment.

     After many treatments and surgery, and lots of chemo. Brenna is finally back to health.  She started school a normal sophomore this year, having caught up on all her schoolwork from last year.

     So how this all relates to Make-A-Wish Foundation is Brenna was selected to have her wish granted. By these steps that the Make-A-Wish Foundation follows:

 

Step 1: Referral

They rely on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.

Step 2: Medical eligibility

They determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.

Step 3: Finding the true wish

They send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.

Step 4: Creating joy

Their wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire community.

     My sister chose to go to Europe with her family. So we are going to Paris. My whole family is excited especially my sister who gets her wish granted.

Diversity Event

I went to the "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" lecture at the Memorial Union last Wednesday, September 21, 2011. It was a diversity event because it was about the Tibetan Monks, something which I had no idea about before I went. I found out from the speech that creating a Mandala is a religious practice for the monks, which is a form of relaxation and meditation. Also for the monks this form of art improves mental health and reduces stress and anxiety. One of the most interesting aspects of the mandala is that every piece symbolizes one of their beliefs. By going to this event I learned that the Tibet Monks create some amazing Mandalas and that the Mandalas have some deep religious and spiritual meanings. The only thing that could have been better was if they spoke better english.

My Bucket List

As of September 18, 2011 this is my bucket list.

1. Get a PhD Degree

2. Get Married

3. Have Children

4. Get a enjoyable job

5. Attend a major sporting event such as Super Bowl, World Series

6. Sit on a Jury

7. Live to be over a hundred

8. Have my portrait painted

9. Get in the Record Books

10. Become an expert at something

     This is my rough draft of what I want to do in a lifetime. Some of the things i want to do in the next 4 years at college are: ace an exam, win an intermural and get the t-shirt, make lots of friends, go on a blind date, find a enjoyable internship, make friends with a professor, play some weird intermurals, and pass every class with over a C.

     I want to do many things in my life, but this is all I can think of.

"Ping Pong Domination" by Drew Menning

      When I was at my best was when I dominated a Ping Pong tournament. Most of the time when I am at my best is during sports or video games, but mostly whenever the adrenaline kicks in. So I found the sport that is insanely addictive at least for me. So I practiced with my dad for this tournament. My dad was pro, he was pretty good since he grew up playing the game of ping pong with his brother. So I practiced and practiced till I started to get bored.
     Then the tournament arrived, and I was all pumped and psyched up. I arrived at the REC Center with 20 or so people all signed up and ready to play. I think to myself "This is going to be a blood bath". Then the chinese couple shows up, they walked in with their cocky stride both in unison ready to start the hurt.
     This male and female chinese couple were warming up and showing off their skills, so I just watched and watched waiting for a sign of weakness. But their own "Made in Chinese Paddles" were unbreakable. So with a ding the director started the tournament and the bracket was set and the first match was played. I of course with my amazing luck had a bye. So I could just relax and eye the competitors. Then I was up time to show my game. I was getting ready then the chinese lady gets up and  I get a little uneasy. We start the match and I am on fire I smack the ball and pinpoint the corners like no other. Yes I sent her to the grave. The next match was announced with me playing her husband. Yes that death sentence came back to haunt me.
     I was even more nervous playing this chinese dude because, well, he was Chinese! We started playing and I started losing. So I starting getting desperate as the last round was coming up. I was down in the ruts, but I found his weakness that only this guy could have because he was barely 5 foot something with small arms. So yes I'm sure you guessed it his weakness was backspin, if you accomplish this "backspin" he would be put off balance and be set up for a Killshot. So thats what I did I back spinned the hell out of him and then spiked the ball with my Killshot.
     After that game my ego was up and I was the best, with confidence of a champ. I then obliterated my next two "American" foes with unmistakeable power. After being crowned king of everyone and victor of all. I basked in the glory of my Ultimate Ping Pong skills. So while I was basking I watched everyone leave with their woeful eyes and painful sorrows. My day was accomplished and one hour of my life was done, but I was at my best and thats what mattered. So in the end I became the camp of 20 some old guys and 2 midget chinese people, my day was done.

Transition to College

So here is my real first post. Transitioning to College was easier than I thought it was going to be, because everything just seemed to flow. Some things were difficult though like: meeting all the new people, taking all the hard classes, learning the map and how to get to and fro where I wanted to. Each week it seems to get easier though with everyday becoming a routine. I am writing this after the 2nd and a half week of college, and I say that I am starting to get the hang of it. Today was Clubfest, that was interesting because they have so many clubs and I have so little time. I signed up for 2 clubs so far Ultimate Frisbee and Quidditch Club, I am also going to sign up for a Chemistry Club when I go back there later in the day. So now I am off to another hour long class, what fun...

Today

Today is my first blog. Since I know nothing about blogging, I googled it and all I found is that there are over 156 million public blogs in existence. So here is my attempt at 1 in 156 million. Done. Yep. Thats all I got.