Numbers are constant.. Until they're not

‎"During cataclysmic global events, our collective consciousness synchronizes. So do the numeric sequences created by random number generators. Science can't explain the phenomenon, but religion does. It’s called prayer. A collective request, sent up in unison. A shared hope, fear relieved, a life spared. Numbers are constant … until they’re not. In times of tragedy … times of collective joy, in these brief moments, it is only this shared emotional experience that makes the world seem less random.

Maybe it’s coincidence. And maybe it’s the answer to our prayers."

~Jake Bohm from Touch

I don't know why but this quote is just perfect.

It's Crunch Time

"We have to do the best we can. This is our sacred human responsibility." - Albert Einstein

I saw this sheet of paper on a door the other day. I just wanted to tear it all off. I really had a rough start at the beginning of the semester. The person right now writing this if completely different from the person who moved into Chapel Hill at the beginning of the year. Right now, I feel more confident and my grades are improving which is GREAT. I was so worried whether I could settle into this little college town because outside of this place is a whole different story. I have to be careful though because sometimes my old self will come back. The old me where I felt like I was a turtle hiding in a shell but I have to remind myself that hiding in a shell won't lead me anywhere.

My English class is okay, despite the fact I have a very chill but tough grading professor. Hist 51 is very interesting. It's about Latin American Rebellions and Revolutions. It's shown me a new perspective in a part of the world that I didn't even know about and made me reconsider the political decisions of the United States. It's a discussion based class with 3 midterm papers. So sometimes the discussion part is tough for me. It takes me a while to analyze plus I'm not planning to become a history major in any sort of fashion. I'm trying to speak up more though. My Chemistry class has been a roller coaster. I basically bombed the first midterm, so I changed everything I was doing. I dropped my music theory class because I felt so uncomfortable in the class to the point where the people in the class annoyed me so much that I just threw my hands (mentally) in the air saying it wasn't for me. I was doing fine in the class but I had this gut instinct that it just wasn't for me. I was kind of depressed though dropping it because I had this plan to major in music and apply to medical school but it just wasn't meant to be. I knew I had taken the right path when I actually didn't fail my Chem midterm test and was higher than the class average. It's interesting how excited I am when I realize that I scored above class average.  I've also been taking an exercise class Ultimate Frisbee which has been fun but I'm about over it now and Symphonic Band which has been great but I don't think I'll take it again next semester. A one credit class that takes up 2 hours of my day seems to be too much.

I have one more midterm before Thanksgiving and I can't wait for that! (Even though I'll just be doing more work.) Despite my struggles I can definitely say I'm proud to be a Tarheel Born, Tarheel Bred. Oh and GO TO HELL DUKE!

Study Songs

I know it’s hard to remember the people we used to be.

I’ve had to learn what I’ve got, what I’m not and who I am.

See, I’m a new soul, I came to this strange world.

Yeah I’m living that Hill life, living without any strife.

And it feels so amazing, can’t see it coming and we’ll never grow old again.

And this old world is a new world for me. 

I loved how the songs I listen to while I do my homework basically describe my experience so far at UNC. So, these are my top study songs in the order of the medley I created.

1) Payphone by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa

A perfect song when I'm working on a tough chemistry problem and it feels like "all of my bridges burned down."

2) I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

A mediating song that is wonderful to listen to while reading about the Mexican revolutions of the early 1900's.

3) New Soul by Yael Naim

A lovely song with a piano accompaniment that is nice to listen to when I'm researching articles about music hallucinations (which are quite fascinating!)

4) Carolina State of Mind by The Tarpeggios

This song sung by a talented a capella group at UNC really puts you in that TarHeel Spirit when your listening to it outside especially while studying in the middle of the quad.

5) Chasing the Sun by The Wanted

It can be quite a repetitive song but its catchy beat helps you focus when your writing a paper for an English class.

6) Feeling Good by Nina Simone

This is an authentic bluesy tune perfect for working on a lab report. When you finish that report you are surely feeling good.

So, any other songs I should listen to while studying?

Final Note: I have been so blessed to be working with Five Star® over the last few months. It's been an amazing experience. If you're reading this please take the time and check out the program at www.tinyurl.com/FSTeam. The other people on the Ambassador program I've worked with are truly amazing people and I am SO glad they have been in my life. Even though we may be across the country, we all share this special bond for sharing our love of Five Star® products. Although, it may be the end I think this quote from Dr. Seuss sums it up “Don’t cry because it’s over, SMILE because it happened.”

Messy Desks, Creativity, and Intellect

I'm a Five Star® Ambassador. See me at www.tinyurl.com/FSTeam

“If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then is an empty desk a sign?”  

~Albert Einstein

The fact that I’m typing this right now either means one of two things. I’m procrastinating for writing a paper that is due in a week or I’ve actually found some free time to not think about chemistry, musical dictation, Latin American independence, or AMA citations.

I’ve been in college for about 4 weeks now. As seen from my last post, it’s obvious that my college studies have taken over my life. Seriously, the only reason I’m able to type this now is because I had a chemistry test on Friday. Therefore, the professor did not assign Mastering Chemistry for the weekend (which has consumed at least 3-4 hours of my day each weekend).

College classes can be tough. It really can be. I do remind myself though that everyday that this is what I was looking for when I applied for all those colleges. I was looking for a challenge. I was looking for a campus driven with passion. I was looking for a student body where everyone was not seeking to be the most popular but instead have a great intellectual factor that would inspire me to ask questions and require me to step out of my comfort zone. Thankfully, so far, Carolina has lived up to my expectations.

So, as my desk clutters up with historical documents, dimensional analysis problems, and music bar line paper, I always continue to appreciate the fact that I was accepted to this amazing place where there are so many other students with messy desks, creativity, and intellect.

How to Feel Less Overwhelmed on the First Week of Classes

“I’m a Tarheel born, I’m a Tarheel Bred. And when I die I’m a Tarheel Dead”

 ~UNC Alma Mater

 I recently experienced UNC's FDOC. The First Day of Classes! I moved in on Friday and settled into my dorm and now I’m here! I’ve been busy readjusting to a new schedule, trying not to fall of my lofted bed, and walking everywhere (at least my dorm is in a good location). Along with classes starting this week, the college has an event called Week of Welcome (WOW) where first years can learn everything about UNC from myriads of organizations, tours of different buildings, and more. Basically, it means I get a lot of free stuff.

So, I was hooked to attend all these events hosted by UNC until I realized I had to find a way to keep track of everything I was doing, prepare for an ensemble audition, start assignments, and find a way to find time to eat! So, I took out my Five Star® 2012-2013 planner, which basically decreased the overwhelming feelings inside. I was able to plan the rest of my days for the week. There I was able to write all my assignments, club meetings, and important events. Therefore, I could see right away what I could or could not do. It even has a perforated corner tab that you can tear out so you can easily turn to the page of the week unlike other planners that have that bookmark that always seems to either damage or never fit in the spiral binding.

UNC has been so exciting! I have lots of reading and papers all ready to do. Also, There has been plenty of practicing with my saxophone. I’m still working as a Five Star Ambassador at www.tinyurl.com/FSTeam which has been really fun as well. For all your organized needs, Five Star® is the way to go!