What's My Niche?

Final blog entry as this semester wraps up. What is my niche? What am I good at? Well, automatically I assumed writing. However, writing is a tad difficult. I wondered and I wondered, what is it that I should niche on haha. I've finally come to the conclusion that it will be cooking. But not just any type of cooking. I will be cooking or baking something once a week. I assume that this will take place on Saturday nights, however, I am sure there will be quite the exceptions.

So I did a bit of research, and found a few blogs that I found interesting.

http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/

I think what drew me in most about this blog, would have to be the name. It cracked me up. Closet Cooking? But the blog had quite the number of different recipes with interesting twists.

http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/

What I liked about this blog was the variety of recipes. There were so many different recipes, and it was very organized making it easy to find recipes.

http://cooking-from-scratch.blogspot.com/

cooking from scratch is an ancient art that many people have abandoned due to the upbeat lifestyle of our modern world. I give major props to this blogger because I feel very accomplished and proud of myself when I cook/ bake something from scratch.

http://tasteofhomecooking.blogspot.com/

I'm quite sure everyone can relate to this blogger. There really is nothing better than home cooking. Especially since I know some of my fellow college students eat at the caf daily. I'm sure they all enjoy the home cooking when they have the ability to visit home.

So this is a delayed blog since what I threw together happened Friday, and Saturday. Friday night I attempted at making Green Rice Krispie Treats. I have never made these in my life and let me tell you it was a sticky, mess by the end. I also did not get to really enjoy any because by the next morning my brother had eaten them all. Darn those little brothers, but by the second try I mastered it. So here's the recipe for all you who dare to try.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter, or margarine.

4 cups Miniature Marshmallows.

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal.

Green Food Coloring.

Step 1. In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows & 4 drops of food coloring, stir until completely melted & all marshmallows are green. Remove from heat.

Step 2. Add Rice Krispies Cereal. Stir until well coated. (I recommend adding a little at a time and stirring that until its coated. Do this until all cereal is covered).

Step 3. Using a buttered spatula (really get the butter on the spatula, it works best if spatula is covered in butter because then your concoction does not stick to the spatula) evenly press into 13 x 9 x 2- inch pan coated with cooking spray. Let cool. Cut into 2 inch squares. Best if served same day.

Hope you guys enjoy this recipe!! :)

Blog Post for JRN215

To-Do List

I do not think it is so much that I do not like going to school. It is more a long the lines that I am tired of having to get up really early for my Tuesday and Thursday classes. Luckily we only have like two more weeks of this semester. I really want to start next semester's schedule. HOWEVER, not until AFTER my Christmas Break! :D

We are really winding down here. I have so much to do. So many projects to finish so that I might finish my first semester as a college student with flying colors. That is what I really wish to obtain, but for some reason laziness is showing it's ugly face. Why must I be cursed with the gift of procrastination?

I need to realize that my priority is school and that school comes before play. I need to write a research paper, prepare a speech, finish math homework, and study, study, study for all my classes. Today is officially December and I really want to rejoice for the birth of my Savior. However, I feel my procrastination is keeping me from doing so. I definitely need to make up a to do list for each day. I think that is probably a good idea, however, today is not the day to start because there is no room to do homework today unfortunately.

As of right now:

To-do list.

math class 11am-12:20pm.

tutoring for math. 12:25pm to ???

lunch. ?:??

choir. 2-4:30pm

drive home. 4:40 to 5pm. (most likely, unless bad traffic).

change/ do homework/ take a nap/ eat dinner?? time i get home to 5:55pm.

drive to Katie's. 5:55 to 6:15pm.

depart Katie's for movies. 6:15pm.

hang with Katie and movies. 6:15 - ??

sleep. when i get home. >.<

gosh jam packed day. i need discipline. Lord help me get through the next few weeks.

That's all folks. we'll see how the next few days go.

To-Do List....Make a To-Do List..

Procrastinators UNITE! ....Tomorrow.

Turkey Week

I know it's been quite awhile since I last posted, I apologize. I am so relieved that today is Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Today I only had one class. My least favorite class, but only one class nonetheless. I am so glad for this break. It means I am only a few days closer till the end of this semester, it also means that I survived. haha. Sounds like a bad thing. But it's really a good thing.

So enough about school. It's Turkey Week and Thursday is Thanksgiving. So what am I thankful for.

I'm thankful for a God who is patient and kind, that loves me even though I am a sinner.

I'm thankful for a great family. A father who works hard to keep a roof over my head, a mother that comes into my room every so often to see what I'm up to, for a little brother that even though I occasionally fight with he's still there seeking my attention.

I'm thankful for great friends who support, encourage, and love me for who I am.

I'm thankful for being able to attend an amazing university with amazing people who I'm sure have not yet finished making impacts on my life.

I'm thankful for many things.

What I realize though is not everybody really feel like they are blessed. So I encourage you, yes you reading this blog. Think about what God has blessed you with. You may think something or someone is a blessing, but it/ they really is/are.

until next time

happy thanksgiving. :)

Lesson of the Week

Yes, I learned a VERY valuable lesson this week. It's very crucial that in this blog you learn this lesson. If you do not learn this lesson, do not blame me. I have suffered, and it is not fun at all.

Are you ready for the lesson? Do you dare continue reading to find out?


Lap Tops, electronics, etc. + Back Pack + WATER BOTTLE = DISASTER! i.e. the do NOT mix!

Friday morning being in a rush to get the hold off my account so I could register for spring semester I stupidly even after questioning myself about possible spillage, put my water bottle (might i add that has a flimsy lid) into my back pack, assuming it to NOT open and RUIN said lap top.

I was proved WRONG. DEAD wrong.

I did not realize that it had opened until I felt the water on my jeans from my back pack.
WAY TO GO SHARAYAH.

So take my advice. Don't even think about it. automatic no-no.

So what have we learned? Water and Electronics do NOT mix!

Where is Journalism Going?

A report done recently by Columbia University shows the path where Journalism is headed. Personally when I think of news I can automatically smell a newspaper. I know you probably think I'm weird now, but oh well. When you have a fresh, new bundle of newspapers they smell kind of funny. I do not know exactly how to put it.

The report was very informative about the evolvement of journalism and very detailed about where they plan on taking it. I’m kind of on the fence about it though. I’m not exactly sure which way to take it. I feel there seem to be more cons than pros in my opinion. But I am just one person.

It seems as though Journalism is headed into a different direction. That of web browsing, easy accessible, now, and FREE news. That's what everyone wants right? Free things. I learned differently in Economics. TINSTAAFL; There is no such thing as a free lunch. That's completely true. However, people can get anything on the Internet now a days, what not the news too?

According to the report the government would be helping bail out the newspapers. There have already been numerous bailout plans that have been put into effect that I do not necessarily agree with. Giving money to people who know exactly how they got there and know how to return is not what I would call a smart idea. Yes, I care strongly about the news and the media, but I feel that if the government does bail out the newspapers they will most definitely have control over stories being printed.

I do not know about you, but that definitely violates my freedom of speech, and my freedom of speech is something I value. Also, who is the government to say who deserve money and who does not? Is not the point of Journalism to deliver the news of what is going on to the public? As long as this is being provided are the newspapers and web sites all in it together for the greater good, or at least we would hope.

I do not complain about the news being online, and I agree that it is way easier to get a hold of than driving to the store, and picking up the paper for what a nickel? Okay.. maybe not a nickel, but the Internet makes it seem a lot more convenient, for the more modernization of what our nation has become.

Yes, I realize that times are changing and sooner or later there will no longer be printed news. But I believe that we should enjoy every little printed story while it lasts. I hope that it will last quite a long time. There are people out there who slave away, working to find that next huge story. People do not realize how much reporters are really putting into the stories that are printed in the newspaper. Everyone has to have the newest toy out there and they need to have it NOW! I feel that people take for granted what they are given.

However, this whole modernization business is not really a great positive. Test scores are going down and this generation is not as literate as the generations before it. Text messaging and other forms of communications that dumb down the level of literacy, and it’s no wonder that everyone wants things to be done for them. Open up an Internet browser and you can find anything you could possibly dream about within a matter of minutes, if not seconds.

Do me a favor, go pick up a newspaper and read. :)

http://www.minnpost.com/insideminnpost/2009/10/19/12627/a_modest_proposal_for_federal_funding_of_journalism#

http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1212611716674/page/1212611716651/JRNSimplePage2.htm

Post for: JRN 215

Time Change

I've realized that even though the time changed I still hate monday mornings.

I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the fact that I am so busy during the weekend that I barely sleep. Since I barely sleep during the weekend I think it flows over to the week..

Maybe I should stop staying up late during the weekend and I will be able to sleep during the week.

Anyways.. today is Monday, November 2nd, 2009.

That means there are only twenty-five days left until Christmas music is played on KOST.

I love Christmas music. I play it all day, every day, until it stops playing on KOST.

I know I'm jumping forward to the Christmas season and totally bypassing Thanksgiving, but I really like the Christmas season...maybe I should save this for another blog and focus on Thanksgiving.

Stuffing is my favorite especially when there is gravy. However, I hate cranberry sauce and yams. I don't like the taste of cranberry sauce. I do not know why, but I do. Same with Yams. When I eat yams, I eat the stuff on top. You know like marshmallows. haha. I can't stand what's underneath those white, sticky, fluff balls.

haha. I've gone quite the journey on this post.. I think it's time to end it.

new one coming soon though. ;)

Baking

I wanted to write this blog Tuesday, but I got super busy.

Anyways, I've been having a rough time the last few weeks dealing with some issues and trying to get over them. Please keep me in prayer about it is all I ask.

But in these hard times I've realized something that gets my mind off of it, is baking. The last few weeks when ever the feelings come to me and reveal their ugly faces I head to the internet and find recipes. Preparing what ever my little heart desires.

I've made snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, and a pumpkin cheesecake so far. Let me tell you that Pumpkin Cheesecake was made Monday night, ready Tuesday evening and Oh My Goodness it was delicious!

I've been having a lot of fun with this new found hobby and I'm so glad for it. The smiles I see when my family first sink their teeth into that first bite makes me smile. I love the feeling and it shows me that even though I may not be going through the best times right now, if I keep positive and do things for others,that smile on their face is just enough to keep me going. :)