A Wonderful Surprise from One of my Best Friends!!

I found out that one of my best friends Tyler is going to come back to Ocean Springs on New Years Eve and stay for a week. Tyler and I have been great friends since the first day of my junior year of high school when he randomly came up to me acting like his crazy outgoing self. lol. We had a whole big group of people that we used to hang out with regularly. This past summer he moved to California because his dad got transferred there. He was originally from California, so he decided to go with his dad. I remember the last time I really hung out with him on my eighteenth birthday... He brought me to my surprise birthday dinner. All of my friends were at the restaurant ready to surprise me... I remember that night I thought it was going to be the last time I would see him before he moved. I was very devastated... The next day he surprises me by coming by my house before he left. Now I finally get to see him again on New Years Eve... I'm so excited!!! :) I have missed him so much and I have so many wonderful memories with him, so hopefully we can add onto those memories. It will be like old times again because everybody will be there during Christmas break except for my friend Lauren that goes to school up here. Unfortunately she has to work pretty much all of the break, but maybe she will get some time off to come back to the coast some. Anyway the whole point of this blog is to say that I am obviously very excited about the break especially now that Tyler is visiting!!! :) Also, this is my final blog that I am going to post on here... Thank you so much for being a wonderful teacher!! I really enjoyed your class and hopefully I will have you for English 203 next year!! I hope everyone has a happy and safe Christmas and New Years!!! Maybe I will see some of you guys in my future classes.

A New View...

The end of my first semester of college is almost here. When I first arrived at college I never thought I would have been through the things I have been through this semester. I joined a sorority, experienced college life, made everlasting memories with people that I could not possibly forget, and experienced the hassle and stress of midterms and the week of final exams. lol. Sure all people have their ups and downs. I definitely know this... but recently I really have learned that a person can learn from their mistakes or the mistakes from another person. I also learned that everything does happen for a reason. It seems at the time you have no idea why this thing is happening, but after a while even if it takes several months to realize there was a reason. It's so weird and funny how things can work out without you doing anything at all. This semester at college has taught me a lot of things... but I feel I have become stronger and I realize a lot more since I have been up here. It seems that I will just have to continue living and experiencing the college life and see what it has for me... It's somewhat exciting but nervewracking at times to know of the uncertain. Oh well... Anyway the point of this blog was to make it clear that I have a new view of thinking about things that happen... Hopefully I will remember this view. I think that it might give me hope to get through the rough times.

Weekly Duties!!

The last couple of weeks before we get out for Christmas holidays is extremely hectic and stressful. It seems that there is last minute papers and work to finish and after classes end we have the stress of finals. All there is to say is that I am definitely ready for the month long Christmas break... In fact I think every college student is. The fact that we can go home, relax and not worry about homework or other things to do, and just hang out with our friends and family is a very comforting thought right now. Of course I will miss some things here in Hattiesburg too, but a little change is always good!! Hopefully by the time it is time to go back to school I will be refreshed and ready to come back to work and hopefully do well in next semesters classes.

Thanksgiving Break!!

Soo my Thanksgiving break was amazing!!! I was extremely excited and ready for the break!! I love USM but I definitely needed a break even if it was for a few days. Anyway I went to Panama City Beach, Florida to see the rest of my family that I have not seen since my high school graduation. It was great just relaxing, eating, and spending time with the family. It was especially amazing to see my older sister and brother-in-law... I can't believe I haven't seen them since graduation. Anyway I came back to school on Sunday... That was probably the worst day ever. The fact that I almost got in a car accident coming to school and barely being able to see the road because it was pouring down rain was not fun!!! :( Then I was rushed to get ready for my sorority meeting that night... and then that night I had to walk back to my dorm in a skirt and heels in the pouring rain. I was not very happy at all!!! I also discovered that when college students come back from Thanksgiving break that means that they better get ready to work their butts off with all the work we have to do. It seems that everything is due really soon... I have so many papers to write and then I have to worry about finals. haha. I guess you could say that I am definitely ready for Christmas break!! I'm so excited for it!!! Now I have to go finish a paper that is due tomorrow... so I will see you guys later.

Rough draft for final essay

Kayla Crowson
November 21, 2007
Instructor: Ryan Davidson

Parking On Campus is a Necessity
There are many uncertainties that college freshman face when first arriving to college. Freshman have to adjust, experience, and learn how to do things, such as finding their classes or learning to balance their time and priorities. These are the important things that most college students face and worry about. One thing that college students should not have to worry about is not being able to find parking spots on campus. Personally, I think that if enough people sit down and try to come up with ways to help the parking situation it could do a great deal of good for everyone.
One lack of parking situation is the fact that some people have to park far away from their dormitory, which can be a great hassle for that person especially if he or she is running late. Depending on where he or she is parked, he or she has to make sure they set enough time to walk to his or her car and make it to the place on time. For example, sometimes when I drive to the sorority house which can be several nights of the week, I have to make sure I leave my dorm twenty-five minutes early even though it only takes fifteen minutes to get to the sorority house driving from my dorm.
Another negative thing about the lack of parking on the Southern Miss campus is the fact when a person has to park far away from his or her dorm at night and are by themselves it creates an unsafe situation. For example, most of the time during the week when I drive, I have to park across Fourth Street, which is a ten minute walk to my dorm. When it is night and I am alone it can be intimidating and terrifying to walk back. The sad thing is that this situation cannot be helped. Therefore, the need of more available parking on campus is needed greatly, whether it is to make it somewhere on time or for the safety of a person.
Sadly, there is not even enough parking for a person to park for class. I know several people that have to arrive early to receive decent parking spots. If they do not arrive extremely early, they have to park far way from their class, which makes a person late and miss some of the class. All of this hassle due to the poor parking at Southern Miss, which can be avoided if people sit down and try to find a solution for the problem. Personally, I feel that everyone on campus knows of the situation and complains about it but does nothing to solve it. Therefore, the question is why not come up with a solution? All people tend to do is complain, but no one ever tries to take action to change theproblem of the lack of parking.
There can be several solutions for the lack of parking on campus. I think some factors that can help is that the faculty/staff parking can be shared with some of the students. Of course it is essential for faculty to have designated parking, but it seems that some of their parking spots can be used for students as well. Another thing that could help people to earn the privilege of reserved parking are the people who have the highest GPA’s, have an important office in a club or other student organization, or the students who go to class and only miss with excused absences. These factors can help motivate students to go to class, get involved on campus, and raise their grades. Another solution that could help the future Southern Miss parking is to build a parking garage or several parking garages. This helps make sure that every person is guaranteed a parking spot, which could release the stress, worry, or hassle for a person. Ideas and brainstorming such as these could be effective solutions for The University of Southern Mississippi parking.
The University of Southern Mississippi has an excellent academic, arts, and athletic program; Greek Life association; and many clubs and organizations, but the thing that I feel needs the most improvement is parking. The fact that this problem can be solved easily with just a little planning, time, and hard work ethic should help a person to realize the importance of taking action of this problem. Southern Miss is an excellent school and has excellent programs, but the fact that people cannot find parking to attend and participate fully in these programs is sad. Therefore, the parking problem needs to be solved soon, so that the teachers and students on campus are benefited greatly.

Two Questions:
1) What can I do to improve this essay?
2) Do I have enough examples and details to help prove my thesis?

This Weekend!!

The end of last week and the beginning of this weekend was not too good for me because I was really sick!! On Thursday I could barely get out of bed... Friday I had to go to class because I had a quiz that I couldn't really study for because I was so sick. At least I got my paper back and I got a B on it... I thought I did much worse than that!! Well, Saturday I stayed in and cleaned because one of my best friends from Ocean Springs came and went with me to my sorority date party on Saturday night. Luckily, I was feeling somewhat better at the party!! I had a lot of fun and I think he did too so it was a good night!! Today, I'm trying to work on two papers and trying to catch up on the study time I lost when I was sick... If I could just focus... which isn't working too well... haha. All I have to say is that I am ready for this Thanksgiving break thats for sure!! Even though I do have to write the majority of my ten page Psychology paper... Anyway I think a break will do me good now!! Hopefully, after I return I can focus more and do well on my finals. Well, I'm going to go now so everyone have a good day.

This week!!

This week has been very hectic and busy for me!! I have had papers due and tons of sorority events to go to. It seems like everything happens at one time and some people can just not understand that a person is not perfect and does not have time for everything. Anyway, last night I barely got any sleep due to a history paper that I procrastinated on... I know I should not have and I regretted it majorly, but I did. At least I finished it... Hopefully I did well on it considering it is an extremely important grade for the class. All I have to say is that I can't wait to get some sleep tonight!!! :) Unfortunately, the night is still not over for me, because I have bowling intramurals... I wish it could be on another night with me well rested and not as stressed but oh well... Well, I better go get ready to leave. I will see everyone tomorrow in class.

Fall break...

I am happy to say that Fall Break was very relaxing and fun for me!! I enjoyed going home and not worrying about midterms anymore. I also enjoyed spending time with my family and some old friends that I have not seen in a while... And still had time to hang out with people from Southern that live on the coast as well. I did a lot of shopping with my mom which is always nice, because I have not been shopping in such a long time. I also went out to eat a lot with friends but still ate my mom's home cooked meals which were wonderful!! :) I actually went and saw a movie too with some friends... I can't believe I have not seen a movie in a movie theatre in months... I've just been so busy here at school. Well, that is how my fall break was... Nothing too exciting but at the same time I had a lot of fun with the people that I care about and miss the most!! Well, I have to go do some homework so I hope all of you guys have a great night!! :)

Homecoming and fall break!!! :)

Soo I'm finally getting excited about this weekend!!! I'm still going to be very busy but I think that I will have a lot of fun doing everything and hopefully take my mind off my three tests next week for a little while. That's the not so much fun part about this weekend... Studying for those three tests... I especially need to study for my History test. I figured that I would wait for Fall
Break to get in depth with my history paper, because honestly I just don't have time to do that yet. Anyway, other than school and homecoming everything else seems to be going the same. I'm just so excited about fall break and going home!!! :) Well, I need to go read some for my Psychology class... See you guys later!!

This week!!

This week I'm sad to say is going to be extremely stressful for me!! I have so much going on right now it is unbelievable. Well I have sorority things to do every day this week since it is homecoming. I have tons of homework to complete... Midterms are coming up and papers are going to be due soon. :( My history class especially has been getting on my nerves lately!! Well, I know I have a lot of things to do this week but hopefully I'll find time to have fun too. I'm sure I will have fun at the game... Even though I do have to dress up. Haha. Oh well. Oh and I have a fraternity date party thing to go to Friday night... Yeah I'm sure I will find some fun during this week... but unfortunately I think the stress is going to overpower the fun. Oh well.... I'm sure I'll make it. haha. Well I hope everyone else has a great week and has a good homecoming!!! :)

This week...

This week has been interesting. Well to begin with I finally went home last weekend which was cool... Surprisingly it was good to go back home. So far this week I have had so many tests and things due it is crazy. Everything seems to be going on at the same time. I have so many worries about finding time to study, how well I do on my tests, trying to do things with the sorority, trying to maintain relationships that I have, and just trying not to get too stressed out. I do have a lot of stress in my life, but I also have some good things at times. I have awesome friends that are here for me which has helped me... I just need to learn how to balance everything and to get my priorities straight. That is my huge goal for this week... We'll see if that happens.
Sooo Friday is the AD Pi toga party which I am kind of looking forward to. We'll see if no drama interferes that might be the night that I need. Well I better go do more homework... Well try to concentrate on doing it that is. See you guys later.

Last weekend...

Last weekend I planned on going home and I was all packed and ready to go, but my friends talked me out of it so I changed my mind at the last minute. I thought I would have a relaxing weekend, but once again I was wrong. This weekend started out great and ended not so good. I have a lot of things going on right now with school, pressure from people, and now I had problems with someone else. Now not so much... I accept the things that the friend told me and I understand. Needless to say it was still a very confusing and hurtful weekend. I don't really want to go into detail right now, but hopefully everything will work out for the best. Today has been another not so good day. I woke up extremely late and was late for my first 8:00 class this morning, I had a test today that I do not know how I did on, and I still have a lot more to do tonight. I just want to crawl into my bed right now and go to sleep, but I can't. I have to go study for my Psychology test now before I go to my BSU meeting... Maybe find time to do some laundry tonight... Ugh I have so much going on. Oh well. I just think about the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It says "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could." This quote has helped me recently by reminding me no matter how many mistakes a person has made it is in the past. Move on and try to learn from them, but definitely do not dwell on them. Even though sometimes that maybe hard, especially for me. Anyway I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the day!!!

Happiness!!! :)

So this past week has been wonderful but tiring at the same time... and it has everything to do with a certain boy that I have recently met. He is amazing!!! He makes me laugh A LOT, he's cool and fun to be around with, good listener, I feel comfortable with him, and there are a lot of other things that are so great!! He makes me happy. Well we are just friends as of now, but we are getting to know each other and maybe... Well other than boys school is going good I guess. I've noticed that there is a lot more studying required... I have two tests next week and i'm currently working on two papers right now. It's okay though... I'll live. Hopefully. Well I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!!! :)

College life is Overwhelming!!

In this past week I have experienced that college life is getting more and more overwhelming. I'm trying to balance going to class, studying, hanging out with friends, joining a sorority, and trying to find a job... so it's getting a little bit hectic. It's okay though. At least I have things to fill my time up ,and I mean all of my time. I barely even have time to sleep sometimes and I have a feeling its going to get worse. Oh well. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it will get better over time. Hopefully... haha. On a brighter note, I do have a lot of responsibilities here but I also have a lot of fun!!! I have met many good friends, which is awesome and is worth all the hard work that I do... I just need to find a way to balance it all out. After a long day though, I know that I can go to my friends and they will be here for me and I am very thankful for that!!! :)

New Friends!!

Since I have been attending The University of Southern Mississippi, I have met many new people and friends. I have met people that I have met in my classes, people in band, or people in sororities. It does not matter. I have met a variety of new people that are fun to be around and interesting to talk to. It is amazing how many people are so friendly on this campus. A person can just walk past and have never seen someone before, but still smile and hold the door open. Little things like that I feel have made a huge difference with me feeling comfortable on this campus. Of course it helps that I came up here with my best friends and friends that I already knew. I am not the person to go up to anyone and automatically become friends with someone. It takes me a while to warm up to a person, but people at Southern Miss have the tendency to make me feel more comfortable with myself and helps me to feel that I belong. This is a great help and comfort as I try to pursue receiving an education at this university.