Lame Pick-Up Lines
Posted by: crtnyhks on: December 12, 2009
- In: Thoughts
- 2 Comments
A few years ago, I was looking for some Valentine door decoration ideas for my residents. Below is a collection of charming pick-up lines. Use one on someone. See how far it takes you (probably not very).
Aries I’m on fire. Can I run through your sprinkler?
Taurus I just had to come talk with you. Sweetness is my weakness.
Gemini Do you have any overdue library books? ‘Cause you’ve got the word “fine” written all over.
Cancer Can I borrow a quarter? I want to call my mom and tell her I just met the person I’m going to marry.
Leo Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
Virgo Baby, you must be a broom, ’cause you just swept me off my feet.
Libra If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be walking through my garden forever.
Scorpio Your place or mine?
Sagittarius Hi, I’m writing a term paper on the finer things in life. Can I interview you?
Capricorn Have you always been this cute, or did you have to work at it?
Aquarius You’re hot. You must be the reason for global warming.
Pisces Are you as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside?
Monday Monday
Posted by: crtnyhks on: November 3, 2009
Today was beautiful. The sun was glowing among the autumn leaves, the sky was a cool cloudless blue, a light breeze stirred the tumbling leaves, and students were luxuriating in the beauty of the day. Really, it just didn’t live up to the suspect dreadfulness of Mondays. It was more like a Tuesday or a Thursday – further into the week, but not yet finished.
Possible “Outstanding Day” Factors:
- Nighttime Yoga
- Waking up with the sunshine
- Morning Yoga
- Breakfast with John
- Peppermint mocha coffee
- Smooth stuff with the SLVC
- Multiple self-talks in the past few days
Why the barrage of happiness?
I’ve become cynical this semester, perhaps not outwardly (except to my roommates), but certainly inwardly. For various reasons and excuses, I’ve let myself step back from life, so to speak, which is fine, if done wisely and briefly. Unfortunately, I haven’t done either. My heart hasn’t been at rest, and I’ve mentally accused others of being at fault for that.
Digging into the Word of my Friend (aka Jesus/God/Holy Spirit) was the driving force behind my determination to commit to what I stated in my previous post. Be where I am. Make a determined effort not to feel exhausted all the time. Be more focused and driven. Re-center myself when nothing seems to stick.
Perhaps you’re having that problem, too, or are letting yourself relax too easily into frustration, busyness, loneliness, etc. What will YOU do about it?
*By the way, this is one kickin’ song. I’d be disoriented on Monday if I had to wear those psychedelic clothes.*
Be Where You are
Posted by: crtnyhks on: October 10, 2009
Be where you are.
That sounds rather, silly, doesn’t it? Of course, you must be wherever you are. You can’t avoid that, right? That’s true, but there’s more to it than that.
Sometimes we find ourselves coasting through life in anticipation of much better days ahead. We don’t like our current job, family situation, overall health, spiritual status, emotional state, and so forth. We find ourselves thinking that something is missing from our lives that undoubtedly will reveal itself in the future, just not now. While we’re waiting for a revelation or a major event to happen, days continue to pass. Fortunately (and unfortunately) our lives keep going, even while our hearts are on pause, just waiting.
Lately I’ve been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In the book, the demon Screwtape offers guidance to his nephew, Wormwood, who is trying to (quite literally) steal the soul of a human who has recently converted to Christianity.
In one of Screwtape’s letters, he guides Wormwood through an analysis of how to prevent humans from living as God intends them to. Quite simply, he instructs Wormwood to get his human to focus on either the past or the future, never on living in the present. Screwtape says that the Enemy (God) intends for humans to focus most on eternity and the present.
As he writes, “For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analagous to the experience which our Enemy has of reality as a whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them.”
By getting humans to focus on the periods of time over which they have no control, the demons could manipulate and control humans, thus pulling them away from God.
Screwtape eloquently describes the demons’ mission as “We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap the altar of the future every real gift which is offered them in the present.”
Wow.
I was taken aback when I realized that I was guilty of thinking just like Screwtape wanted me to, however unintentionally. Sometimes I get so busy thinking of the future (immediate or distant) that I forget that my life is now. The frustrations and joys I may have are a direct result of actually “being there” when they occur.
If I’m too busy thinking of what’s ahead, I may miss out on realizing the source of a problem or really enjoying moments of laughter.
So, I’m learning to “be where I am” – let myself live in the present and enjoy doing it.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has done this. How about you?
Welcome to Grad School
Posted by: crtnyhks on: October 8, 2009
Really – grad school just started? Mmm… no.
This semester has been full of activities, textbooks, volunteerism and people. We’re already halfway through the semester, so an updated post seemed necessary to reflect on my change of status from undergraduate to graduate student.
I didn’t realize how much of your life may change in that simple change of educational direction.
Basic Differences:
- 20+ hours with assistantship vs. 15+ internship
- 9 hours classes (at least 27+ hours needed to study) vs. 15 hours undergrad (20 hours to study)
- Heading up SLVC Ambassadors vs. Being a JB Ambassador
- Getting to work on time vs. Getting to class on time (much harder!)
- Waking up thinking about class discussions and my to-dos for the day vs.Waking up thinking about to-dos for the day
- Juggling personal deadlines as well as departmental deadlines vs. Juggling mostly personal deadlines
Really, looking at the list above, grad school looks dreadfully overwhelming. Which is true, at least in the overwhelming part. Sometimes I wonder if I really have “what it takes” to earn a Master’s, and even if I’m going in the right direction.
Then I get the chance to help a student learn how to navigate campus, understand the volunteering process, or just listen to what’s going on in their lives. Suddenly I know that I’m where I ought to be and that this is right, even when I’d rather hibernate on a secluded mountain.
Any thoughts from current grad students about how you juggle your time between work, studies, activities, family, friends, church, etc.? It’s a continual unsolved question for everyone – how to manage your time effectively. Geez… Now that I found some sites for time management help, I need to make the time to learn about it!
Suggested Articles and Sites for “Keeping it together”
Grow Me
Posted by: crtnyhks on: June 25, 2009
As usual, since it’s summertime, I’ve been reflecting on past memories, thoughts, and dreams. It’s humbling (and embarrassing) to remember my perspective while in junior high and high school. True, it was normal and basically reasonable for a teenage girl, but, as usual, my view was warped through my own crooked lenses.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who
- Was certain at times that my parents didn’t understand me, didn’t want to, and were doing their best to shove their dreams on me instead.
- Decided I must be un-dateable, considering no legal and appealing guy would even consider asking me out.
- Sometimes wondered if I had an internal “awkward” switch that I automatically clicked on whenever the I needed the exactly the opposite.
- Considered some of my teachers to be a few of my most important friends, and secretly wondered if that meant something was wrong with me.
- Thought I was much more mature than others were at my age.
The list continues, but the funny thing is that even then, I knew that this was only the beginning, part one of the book of my life. All these worries and quandries would pale in comparison to what I’d encounter later down the path.
That acceptance was both liberating and daunting, especially since I had no idea what those future struggles would be. At the same time, it was exciting to know that what I’d currently spilled tears over would prepare me for much greater things in the years to come. If I could handle that, then I’d be one step closer to better realizing who I could be.
At times growing up is painful. You just want to get it over with and get to where you should be. It’d be much easier if you could eliminate the bullies, friend issues, heartaches and tears, but (as sappy as it may be) that makes you who YOU are. Your choices in handling these struggles determine who you’ll be once you’re “where you should be.” You can’t possibly make it there without those parts of growing up.
Unfortunately (and fortunately), I know I’m not done growing up and will continue until I die. Though a little frustrating, I’m thrilled to know that I’m not going to be stunted at my current self. There’s so much to learn, understand, and do. It’d be dreadful for me, others and God if I stopped stretching for a greater personhood.
On a final note, I’m thankful to have realized that many of my thoughts in junior high and high school were proven false. I still flip on the awkward switch much more often than I want to, but… otherwise, life is good. My eyes are opening to see others’ perspectives and to see the things that matter most.
Summer Countdowns
Posted by: crtnyhks on: June 6, 2009
Some good stuff is coming up this summer and I just had to share some of it! Of course, the anticipation makes everything so much more fun.
8-11 hours until hanging out with Lindsey for snowcones and summer catching-up.
3 days until Jenn is back in town & we get to celebrate our roommate status.
3 days until the UC summer Lifegroup (Bible study) kicks off.
4 days until watching Bobbikay get recognized for her status as AWC’s outstanding advisor of the year.
6 days until kicking back with and getting reintroduced at our family reunion.
11 days until hanging out with the kids at Vacation Bible School.
25 days until beginning my graduate assistantship with the Service Learning Volunteer Center.
25 days until leaving for Texas to see Zoe and Kyle say their “I do’s” and get to hang out with old friends.
Grow Yourself Through Volunteering
Posted by: crtnyhks on: April 24, 2009
Originally I was determined to dig up a huge catalog of PR-development online resources for all PR-lovers. Then I re-discovered that this had already been covered by my professor, Bill Handy. To save all of us from needless rambling, read what Bill has to say about various free resources that each of us should check out and utilize.
Instead of online resources, we’ll discuss free PR-development opportunities, specifically volunteering. Be prepared to be blasted with the importance of volunteering to your professional and personal development.
Volunteering with an organization, specifically for PR or not, helps you develop your professional skills, teamwork abilities and overall well-being. How so?
Understand Your Audiences
While you may love your current position, working in the field or being a student, volunteering gives you a better perspective of the members of your audience. Sometimes as practioners we forget that our audience members are more complex than simply people who fit our target profile.
Each of us has our struggles and triumphs that we don’t always share with others. Volunteering typically puts you in an environment to learn more about others through conversation; starting opportunities. The more you understand others, the better you can learn to communicate with them.
A personal example of pro bono PR work success can be found here.
Network in the Community
Not only does volunteering for a community organization or club help you better understand your audiences, you also network with these individuals.
For instance, in my internship with the local YMCA, two other staff members and I started a Biggest Loser-style program for members and non-members. Throughout the program, I contacted several business leaders, reporters and participants.
The experience gave me an opportunity to network with others in the community for a purpose. It was refreshing to make meaningful contacts while helping the community. Those who helped the program had integrated goals and we had a reciprocal relationship. These contacts have been helpful as I’ve planned our second Biggest Loser and other non-YMCA related events.
Gain New Experiences
Sometimes as students and professionals, we don’t always get the opportunity to try new activities that interest us. Volunteering offers an avenue to try the stuff you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. A list of suggested ideas can be found here.
Get Happy
Helping others helps you feel better. Science proves it. Benefits of volunteering include an increased sense of well-being, decrease in insomnia and an improved immune system. More information about health benefits can be found here.
Plus, you feel like you’re doing something that’s improving your nook of the world, and the feeling is incredible. Why not volunteer?
What are your thoughts on pro bono PR? Any suggestions for volunteering resources and opportunities?
Shack’s Success
Posted by: crtnyhks on: April 5, 2009
Well, we survived the night. In fact, I waited so long to update because I’ve been “busy” recovering from a week of shortened sleep, racing thoughts and freezing weather. That sounds horrible – I’m sorry for that. It seems everyone has been worn down lately from too much to do, little sleep from trying to do it and still more to go. Such is college after spring break. More about that later.
Back to the shack. The University Center Luv Shack won the “People’s Choice” and “Most Cans Collected” Awards. I’m so proud of my team – they built a charming shack, stuck it out during the freezing night, and helped two other teams tear down and haul off their shacks. It was an incredible display of teamwork and compassion.
However, I am glad it’s over. At least 12+ hours with each other in a shack in freezing weather can get a little rough, no matter how nice you may be.
Timeline of events
Wednesday evening – Met after praise service to decide how we were going to build the shack. Teammate Curtis designed a pulley system for 8×8 shack for a garage door. Team thought it was great, but could we build that in time? Decided to meet at the UC at 7 a.m. Thursday to collect junk and begin building shack at 8 a.m. on library lawn.
Thursday morning – Slept through both alarms. Stephanie called me at 7:20, arrived at UC by 7:30. Eight or so team members meet at UC, collect junk, and finally arrives on campus and begin building at 9 a.m. Collecting materials and unloading them took more time than expected! Garage door idea nixed. Guys begin building frame of shack. Girls stand around trying to figure out what to do, since guys took the tools.
Thursday afternoon – Return from a morning full of classes and finally see completed shack. Cheers! It looks amazing! Pizza boxes, paint, bicycle wheels, wire and other junk decorate shack. It even has a loft! Hang out with team members Kylor and Matt to patch interior holes. It’s a bit too breezy for the forecasted rain and freezing temperatures.
Thursday evening – Come back to the shack for keeps. Church members drop by to view shack and offer hot chocolate and cookies. Delicious! Team members hang out, later joined by fellow UC members for some singing. Later cram 15+ people into shack for ghost absurd stories (Pigs, transvestite wolves and tanning?…). Eight members stay the night and attempts to sleep around 1 a.m. Still awake at 3:30 – sit and freeze for 4 more hours or go home and do something? Choose latter
Friday morning – Join group for donut breakfast and wait for judging of shacks. Everyone is exhausted, cold and ready to go home. Judging finally begins and group is free to tear down shack. Guys destroy shack with pleasure. Awards distributed – go team! 4 truck loads later (guys helped with 2 other shacks) – we’re free. UC students help throughout the destruction. Time to recuperate!
Shackin’ It Tonight
Posted by: crtnyhks on: April 3, 2009
The University Center is participating in Shack-A-Thon 2009. Groups make shacks in 4 hours and spend all day in and around them to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness around the world. We collect money donations and used alluminum cans.
Here’s a picture of our shack. More info coming soon!
- UC Luv Shack 2009
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