Kissimmee

Kissimmee, Florida is a totally different place than my home town or Tuscaloosa. The transition from home to Tuscaloosa wasn't too too different in the way that people go, especially being in the greek system. Most of the guys and girls at my high school just look like fratty guys and greek girls. But there are so many different things that go on down there. For one definitely there is a more variety not only from all of the tourists for Disney, Universal and Sea World, but also because there are so many different people that come from different places that actually live there. There are a lot of latin people. Almost everywhere we went someone was speaking Spanish. It was actually quite annoying.. not to be prejudice or anything.. its just so different to me and yeah I'm nosey and like to know what people are talking about sometimes. I do come from a small community and there aren't many minorities, so going to a place that was completely the opposite of what I grew up with was just a totally different experience for me. Even in Tuscaloosa I haven't seen as much diversity as I did there. I saw more people who talked different, looked different, acted different and dressed different in the same area than really I've ever really noticed. I've been to New York and Chicago and other Northern places that do have a lot of diversity, but there were just too many people there and so many more clearly tourists than the people that were in the malls and less touristy places in Kissimmee and Orlando. Their schools have a ton of gang problems and things like that, things that my school never really had. Their schools also had different sports. I went to my first water polo game while I was there and it was quite interesting. My roommate had told me about it and what not but I never really understood what it was like until I saw it. The houses are also very different. They have a lot more secluded neighborhoods than I've seen and all the houses are totally identical. Even in different areas they're all the same. To say the least this trip was definitely an adventure for me... and totally shows how small and alike my community really is.

troubles at the health center

First off as I'm sure everyone feels, being sick sucks. Its totally different being sick at college and being sick at home. Don't lie.. you all know you love having mommy around to make you feel better. Dealing with the student health center when you are sick, I imagine, is a really bad experience. I usually just end up going home if I don't feel good or what not... I will not go to the health center. But I did try to go when I had a rash and that failed miserably. I called ahead and asked if I could make an appointment and was denied. The receptionist just told me to come in and I'll be seen. That was a bad idea. I walked in the door and was amazed at how many sick people were actually there. I know, duh, its a doctors office but I still did not think there would be that many people there. Everyone around me was coughing and looking absolutely miserable. When i found out that it would be a 2 hour wait, I left. I was just really mad that they wouldn't let me get an appointment. I didn't understand why. I would think that the health center would try their best to not have so many patients so why would they not let someone who is not sick get an appointment. It also just really sucks for the people who really are sick and have to wait for hours in a lobby to be seen and have the possibility of getting medicine to feel better. But the other time I went to the health center it was so much better. I had cut my finger when my fishbowl broke in my hand and I called to make sure they would see me ASAP cause you know I was bleeding pretty badly but had wrapped my finger. They told me that they would and when I got there I walked into the back right after I signed in. I was impressed with the quickness for that situation, and yeah I was bleeding and what not but I still don't understand why I could be seen so quickly then and not even make an appointment before. In the end I just realized if I'm ever sick enough to need a doctor, I'm calling mommy to come get me.

English Adventures!!

Last semester I found out about the Natural History Museum and decided to go in with two of my friends. It amazed me then and amazed me when I went in a second time the things that Alabama has! Seeing a bear in your face when you walk in the front door is something very different! My favorite thing about the museum was the big turtle shell they have, and if i wasn't so bad at keeping up with blogs I probably could tell you exactly what it is... But anyways... The weirdest thing I saw in the museum was the meteor that hit that person! That is really one of the most unlikely things that could happen to someone. I was just really surprised at the artifacts they actually have here on campus.
I really liked the C.S.I. stuff they had shown upstairs too. One of my favorite shows is C.S.I. and even though thats not really how it works all the time and its everything is just made to look cool, but its fun to see some of the actual things that they do. My chemistry teacher used to be a forensic scientist and always tells us stories about the interesting cases hes worked on that are kind of tied to chemistry. Although I am going off on a tangent, everyone I talk to about my chemistry teacher I say the same thing... Im going to know how to make a meth lab by the end of the year. Clearly hes not going to tell us how to make a meth lab or encouraging it because he tells us all the bad things that happen like people blowing up, but a lot of the things we talk about somehow link to a chemical reaction or a metal or something that you need or happens when you make meth. I just think its really funny but he means well!!
BUT! Upstairs with the C.S.I. exhibit there was a shrunken head which actually creep me out... I knew that they were real heads but I never really knew how they did it, and again since I waited to do my blogs I forgot exactly how they did it but just remember that I really don't want it done to me.
The last thing that I think about when I think about the museum is the time line thats in front. I'm not positive that its part of the museum but I would assume that it has something to do with the museum. Its a time line of earth from beginning to end. It goes through millions of years and really gives you perspective of where humans lie in the order of things and how little we have actually been a part of the environment. As corny as that sounds its just weird to think about how short of a time we've been around. I got a kick out of really looking around the museum and knowing what was in it.

Bryant Museum

As everyone knows, being a student of the University of Alabama, you need to know about football. The fall is really not known as fall but as football season. Being on campus during a game lets you really see how dedicated Alabama's fans really are. I have been an Alabama fan for my entire life and have been coming to games for as long as I can remember, but until I went to the Bryant Museum I had only heard of but not really seen all the reasons Alabama football is as traditional as it is. A MAJOR part of Crimson Tide tradition is Paul "Bear" Bryant. you cannot be a student or even be near the University and not know who Bryant is. He is the epitome of southern football and the figure that keeps Alabama football through some of its worst times. One of the main things I noticed at the museum was the the change in style not only of the players and the pictures but also the feeling of the museum as you moved past Bear Bryant's era. The museum really does a lot to show all of the memorable and exciting moments in Bama football history. Although Robin thought it was the weirdest thing in the museum, I thought the glass sculpture of Bears hat was really cool. I also loved the red phone sitting on Bryant's desk; its very fitting. Football is one of the things that this University thrives on and something that can bond strangers instantaneously. Man, I can't wait until the fall!!!!