Summer is Here!

Hello friends. I apologize for the wait in between updates...I've been feeling a bit lazy as of late. A lot of people have been asking me what my summer plans are, so I figured I would just go ahead and tell everybody all at once.

1) I am going to be in Lancaster County almost the entire summer, except for some brief trips here and there.

2) No, I do not have a job set up for the entire summer yet, and yes, I am looking. I do have a few babysitting jobs set up, as well as a volunteering gig that will (hopefully) be a long-term thing for me...more about that next week, when I know for sure. I will also be doing a lot of housework and yardwork, apparently.

3) This Wednesday my father, sister and I will be going to the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team game vs. Brazil. Hopefully it doesn't rain and it's not too muggy!

4) The Miller side of my extended family is having a family reunion later this summer.

That's about it, I'm afraid. Should be pretty laid back...no big adventures like the one Laura and I took last summer, but not every vacation can be filled with fun traveling! I hope to write more this summer, and am looking into getting a personal trainer.

I'll try to update more regularly from now on; I hope all of you enjoy your summers as much as I will (hopefully) be enjoying mine!

Alma

To My Dear Friend, Naomi

Naomi

You inspired me

When I was a just a little girl

and wanted someone to talk with

and play with

you were there

With your big smile

and many stories

you were like a grandmother

for whom I greatly cared

Naomi

You inspire me

now that I am older

I can see what you accomplished

in your life

and be amazed

Your grace, resilience,

and beauty

continue to

encourage me in incalculable

ways

Naomi

You will forever inspire me

for all of the people you have helped

for all of the sacrifices you have made

for all of the songs you have sung

for all of the lives you have changed

Thank you for being the wonderful

person that you are,

and

I love you.

A Poem for Laura

I wrote this is less than ten minutes. Hope you like it, Laura! hehe

There once was a girl named Laura

whose hair shone like a flame

whose intellect and dancing skills

put other girls to shame

Her smiley smile and laughy laugh

her witty sense of humor

of hair gel she will always be

the number one consumer

Her feet across the field show

her prowess and her passion

for kicking balls and diving falls

in an athletic fashion

Three cheers for her, because she rocks

my little red-haired sister

and now that I'm in college, I find

I really seem to miss her!

Made By Design

So, this week I was really in the mood to do some creative writing. I wrote the first chapter to a story I might continue if I keep feeling inspired by it. A brief description:


Riley Alden becomes famous for all of the wrong reasons when her father announces to the world that practically her whole life has been a science experiment. Dennis Alden's goal? To test the medical possibilities connected to mutated genes and genetic experimentation, and to explore the possibility (and in Riley's case, reality) of these mutations affecting first generation test subjects, rather than their offspring. Unfortunately for both Riley and her father, his discovery has some unexpected consequences, including the public outcry at what the press are calling "the most horrendous display of child abuse in recent history."As a result, Riley and her father are thrown into court and Riley is forced to start a new life with an aunt she's never even met. 



Yup. What can I say...I'm a fan of sci-fi. I did absolutely no research when it came to this (mostly because I'm just writing it for fun), so if there are any glaringly obvious mistakes when it comes to the legal system or medical/scientific terms, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading, and please don't copy without my permission! :)

The first chapter can be found to the right of this article, under the 'Pages' section.
Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you think it's worth continuing.

Alma

The Hunger Games

So, it's been a while. I've been on a crazy roller coaster lately that involves getting sick, doing homework, and trying to lose all the weight I gained over spring break. But I figure I can't put it off any longer...so a new blog entry you shall have! And, of course, it'll be about The Hunger Games.

Obviously, I went to see the movie at midnight. A few other friends and I drove down to a theater in Elkhart at around 10:30, and had fun doing homework and studying for the test two of us had the next morning while we waited for the movie to start. Hahaha, I just had to put that picture up. Sorry, Liz and Kate.

I was at the edge of my seat the entire movie. It was intense from the first scene to the last, and I was SO happy that is was everything the amazing trailers had promised it would be. The star of the show was Jennifer Lawrence, who did such a good job of portraying Katniss that she could have carried the entire movie, if she'd needed to. Luckily, I thought that all of the actors did a great job, and that the script was brilliant (probably because Suzanne Collins had such a big hand in writing it). And don't even get me started on the costumes and make-up.

I love movies that make me feel something, and this movie definitely did. I cringed a lot, sure, but unlike the Twilight movies, it wasn't because of the awful plot or lackluster characters...it was because of the sheer power portrayed in all of the violent arena scenes. It was even scary, at some points, and definitely not for the faint of heart. I also got teary-eyed a number of times, which means they did well on the many sad scenes in the movie.

Over all, I was extremely pleased with the movie. I would definitely go to see it again, if I had any money ($12 movie tickets? REALLY???). That being said, I think that reading the books gave the movie that extra wow-factor, and would highly recommend the trilogy to anyone and everyone. It's good to have something to obsess about, now that Harry Potter is over...

In other news that is also related to hunger, I have now lost 27 pounds! I hope to lose the last three by the end of the month. That's my goal, anyway. I'll let you know how that goes.

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Alma

Spring Break!

Well, I had wanted to update while I was in Pennsylvania this past week, but apparently I blog the best whilst putting off schoolwork.

It was great to see everyone! The train rides to and from West Virginia went about as well as I thought they would; I'm shocked that I'm even capable of functioning today, to be honest. I'm the kind of person who likes sleeping. A lot.

It was nice spending time with my family this week; I even got to go to work with my mom on Friday and help out with her Spanish lessons. The kids were adorable (for the most part). I also got to read two books, watch my favorite tv shows on an actual tv, help out with my church's PYGfest, and visit downtown Lancaster with Deb. Over all, a relaxing week! Thank you for everyone who took the time to say hi to me while I was home, especially Aunt Cindy who drove all the way to Akron to come to the PYGfest and say hello. Love you!

In other news, one of the books I read over break was The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and I am hoping that I can post a review of it in a couple of days. So...look for that!

Alma

The Party Scene

According to the Century Council, 69% of college students reported drinking in the past month. Of these, 42% admitted to getting drunk, and 40% admitted to binge drinking.*

These are crazy numbers. While it doesn't seem like the percentages at Goshen College can possibly be that high, I know that a lot of parties do go on here, on and off of campus.

I also know that to many people, I probably come across as a goody-two-shoes.

I've been told on numerous occasions that I'm missing out on the “college experience.”

Still, I'm happy with my decision to not drink and party during college, and here's why:

1. I have better things to do than party until 5 am. Like sleeping, for instance. I'm happy to say that seven hours of sleep and I are still going strong, even halfway through my second semester of college.
2. I'm only 19. Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal in the U.S; also, I could get into big trouble with Goshen College if I was ever caught drinking underage. I'd rather not risk it, personally.
3. I just don't find big parties to be that much fun. They're loud, lewd, and you're never quite sure if that sticky stuff you just stepped in on the floor is spilled beer or vomit. Sure, you can act more carefree and really “let loose,” but the next day you'll be rocking a terrible headache and that nagging question of “What did I do last night?” will undoubtably hold a special place in your heart.
4. There are about a billion more creative things to be doing than getting drunk on the weekend. Yes, even in Goshen.
5. I don't much care for alcohol, to be honest.
6. I never partied in high school; why should I start now?

Those are just some of the reasons. I feel like I should add that I really don't have a problem with other people partying; it's their choice.

Okay. That's not quite true. After looking at statistics that say that approximately 1,400 college students are killed due to alcohol-related injuries every year, that 70,000 college student are victims or alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape per year, and that 100,000 college students per year report being too intoxicated to remember if they consented to sexual intercourse, I can't help but shake my head at people who say that getting drunk at parties is harmless.

Even worse are the people who know these statistics, and still go to parties and get drunk every weekend, even driving back to campus while intoxicated.

I think that if people are honest and put together a list of the positive and negative consequences of getting drunk underage, the negatives will far outweigh the positives.

Peace and Love,

Alma

*Statistics from 2008.