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If you use Bloglovin you should follow me, I'm not really sure what all that intails but yeah... it could be a cool new adventure we go on, like we're at Animal Kingdom or something...
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Walking: The More You Know

As I walk across campus (which I assure you is a lot of walking), I have realized that in a town where most everyone drives everywhere they need to go, people are forgetting how to walk. That sounds weird, because I'm pretty sure everyone has the muscle memory down of using their legs to get them from place to place, it's the skill that has disappeared. I am trying to make this as far away from a rant as possible, but we'll see. I promise I'm speaking from witnessing, nothing horrible has happened to me, so all of this is a what if type scenario. 

If you know how to drive (successfully) then you should be able to interact with other walkers perfectly fine. If you walk fast, you can gauge how fast other people are walking and pass them with ease, the less awkward the better and lets admit, ghosting someone in front of you is awkward for everyone. 

Another example of driving-walking skills, you wouldn't change lanes or back up without looking in your mirrors or behind you first to make sure that you don't hit someone, right? Same goes for walking, just because the act of running into someone does not come with the same legal implications as rear ending someone or cutting them off, you can still check behind you before putting all of your momentum into travelling in a new and unexpected direction with the chance that the person behind you is close and will suffer from a new surrounding i.e. the ground. 

All of this can also be applied to biking, scooting, and skate/long boarding. I have actually witnessed a head on skate board collision, boards, and people went flying in the middle of a crowded intersection of walk ways, I was inches away from getting knocked over, but unlike driving, as a witness I could just continue on my way. 

Lets not forget that texting and driving, which is illegal here in AZ is another principle to be applied to walking. I'm sure everyone has see those videos of people texting and walking and falling in to things like fountains, but here' an example:

Yeah, not a good situation at all. So if you are going to text, or use your phone in any way that requires your eyes focus, maybe you should "pull over" and stand in the shade where reading is way easier anyway, and protect yourself and others from your distracted state.

Maybe this sounds really reasonable to you, good, you're already there and are a good example to others. If not, try it out, maybe nothing happens, maybe you save yourself from a tragic head on collision (and I mean head literally, in the act of texting). All I know is that "Safe Walking" can reduce walk way awkardness by 45%...  I made that up, but there needs to be some sort of statistic for impact. 

Walking, the more you know *cue chime sound from those commercials*

And to wrap all of this up, here is a picture of me on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (see what I did there? (Notice the the emptiness of the walk, no one to inconvenience)

Courtney's Declassified College Survival Guide

Did everyone watch this show? If not, look it up, it is so good and was on when I was actually in Middle School (Hillcrest Falcon holla!) so it was a Survival Guide for me. Well this show should have kept going because I never learned how to survive college other than the horror stories my teachers told me daily about how much harder it would be. Well seeing as I have now had five weeks of college experience, I'm practically an expert, right?
 Well here we go, here's Courtney's Declassified College Survival Guide

Tip #1:
Got a problem with an assignment? Talk to your professor! Seriously, they are not some crazy, heartless heathen's who will kick you out of their class forever because you don't understand or weren't able to finish. I had a misunderstanding about an assignment and the due date came and I wasn't prepared, I walked up to my professor (who I can only describe as Mr.Fletcher from this video...)

Anyways I told him that I didn't understand what I was supposed to do and he asked me to have it done by the next class... totally took away my fears of failing. This was a huge deal for me because I thought this was a sign that I was not cut out for college, and I was just going to flunk out... which leads me to 

Tip #2:
Take time to RELAX! I am in no way suggesting you procrastinate... ever, because that is seriously dangerous. If you had  stressful day, don't worry and find what helps you relax. For me YouTube is the best way to relax, I go to my favorites playlist and re-watch my favorite videos that make me laugh or finding new videos, I completely de-stress. Here are some of my very favorites

 

I also LOVE to read, everyday on my way to and from school and classes I listen to books, so far I've listened to the first three Harry Potter books, "Catching Fire", "Divergent" and I've read "Paper Towns". Books just take you to another place where there are no lectures and labs, just freedom to imagine a place different than the one you're currently in.

Tip #3: 
Try! If you feel really low, and don't know how to do something, do anything and everything you can, remember, this is ALL new. Even if it feels like everyone in your class is a freaking expert in it, you are there for the soul purpose of learning this for the first time. Along with this, ask people in your classes if you don't understand, I do this all the time, and the people around me probably get sick of it but if they can't help you, try for yourself. I had a crazy assignment in my programming class and I literally spent 2 hours in the institute building trying to do it, and guess what, I finally figured it out! Do not give up until you have no options left.

Tip #4: 
Do new things. I do this really simply, I walk a new way to class every week, I do not have a set way to get to every class because campus is HUGE I find new ways all of the time.

Well since I am still learning, I may come up with other tips later on, I hope whoever reads this (if anyone) learned something, maybe not but it felt good to say this :)

Wow... A Year Already...

So as was just brought to my attention by my new blogger app... Its been over a year since my last post... Let's see how I did not those goals...

[1] Read more books other than those required for school
* goal achieved... My best friend gave me tons ideas of books to read which took over my life...
Notably I read the Divergent series, Reached, Son of Neptune, and The Fault in Our Stars.

[2] Exercise in some way be it running around with my cousins or playing Just Dance
* check! I joined cross fit club this year in school and have begun my training for this years regional youth mini triathlon.

[3] Take more pictures of stuff going on in my life rather just on vacation
* well sorta... I have pictures of my friends from spirit days and fun activities so I'm going to say that's done.

[4] Work on my procrastination, I over estimate a lot on how long something will take
* this is a constant battle... I do think I'm getting better seeings a show a month after I made these goals I procrastinated a 7 page essay into one night... (No bueno) and this school year I haven't had such a problem.

[5] Complain less, have a better "Come what may and love it" attitude
*this has been definitely happening in my life, I've grown a lot and I fret less about the little stuff :)

[6] Put family first always
* was this ever a question? I am always committed to my family :)

[7] Get to know new people, not stay enclosed with just my best friends
*I have gotten to know some new people as well as reconnect with old friends this year since my best friend Hailey moved away so it has been fun learning about these people I call classmate's

[8] Work on my singing
* ehh... I just sing a lot now... I sing to the radio and whatever song comes only head, I've even sung at church with our young women's class and at my uncles baptism which were all great experiences... Still working though.

[9] Take better care of this blog
This doesn't even count as a star... I'm sorry but maybe this app will help me journal more often.

[10] Write letters to people
* done one of my good friends is on a missions and I  also write to my bestie up in WA.

[11] Become more outgoing
* I'm giving myself credit on this one I've gotten to know more people(see #7) and have become a lot more talkative... Including lots of sarcasm ;)

[12] Be less quick to judge
* true... I hope I haven't run into trouble with this but the can always get better at this.

[13] Let go of any grudges, and don't form new ones
* this goes along with #12 but this will constantly be a goal of mine to be easy to forgive. :)

[14] Spend more time with those who love me rather than on my computer
* sometimes the ones I love are on the computer... But since my laptop died earlier towards the end of last year... I've had less trouble with this.

[15] Work harder on my writing
* I think I have become better my teacher is an hard grader and I've been getting good s ores so far (fingers crossed)

[16] Take criticisms less harshly
* yikes this was rough but I'm still defensive about what I'm doing and I get frustrated with myself when its not right...

[17] Work on my drawing abilities
* funny this is on here seeings as how I was in a drawing class last year but I draw a lot, my favorite is when I can get it right and smile at it :) just today I drew a sketch of what I want my prom dress to look like and it really was a lot of fum :)

Okay, next post will be 18 goals... And their will be some fun ones :)
Also I will try and add pictures and other things going on in my life
Adios!

I'm Back!

It's been a long time so I will catch up on the most recent ideas through my head.

First: Just last week my family and I ventured to Disneyland! :) It was a Christmas present that allowed us to spend time in the park from 4pm - 1am which was a blast! The crowds were super small so the longest wait ever was 40 minutes :) Well most of you who read my blog, also read my sisters, and she just posted a combination of both of our so go check them out here!

Next: I wanted to talk about making goals, now I'm only a Junior so I have a lot yet to learn, but I do want to set a standard for me to keep to for this coming year (even though we're a month in) and because I'm 17, I'm going to make 17 goals or things to accomplish this year. (I stole this idea from the wonderful Lauren so go check her out!)

[1] Read more books other than those required for school
[2] Exercise in some way be it running around with my cousins or playing Just Dance
[3] Take more pictures of stuff going on in my life rather just on vacation
[4] Work on my procrastination, I over estimate a lot on how long something will take
[5] Complain less, have a better "Come what may and love it" attitude
[6] Put family first always
[7] Get to know new people, not stay enclosed with just my best friends
[8] Work on my singing
[9] Take better care of this blog
[10] Write letters to people
[11] Become more outgoing
[12] Be less quick to judge
[13] Let go of any grudges, and don't form new ones
[14] Spend more time with those who love me rather than on my computer
[15] Work harder on my writing
[16] Take criticisms less harshly
[17] Work on my drawing abilities

So that's a lot, but manageable, I mean I have a whole year! :) These are things that I do struggle with so writing them down may help :)

Lastly: I am obbsessed with "The Hunger Games" series and I am so excited for the movie so here is the newest trailer!

Love it :)
So that's all and  I will keep you updated on my progress with these goals :)

Disneyland!! (The Happiest Place on Earth)

I had a blast spending time with my family at the Happiest Place on Earth!! :) Enjoy just a few of my pictures I took :)

Short blurb of what happened yesterday...

So this is the excitement the comes from my life I wrote this on Facebook but it seemed like such a gem it's worth blogging... this is what happened...

"After school I somehow locked my keys, backback, wallet, and phone inside my car... then I had to walk home and wait for my mom to come home and take me down to Hackamore with a spare key to get my car..."

I wanted to remember this so I'm saving it here :)

Letters I wish I could send...

My blogging idol does a post every now and then to "unload" on those who just plain annoy you...

Dear kids at lunch,
When there are ropes to separate off where to stand in line from everywhere else in the cafeteria... that doesn't mean that you can disconnect said ropes and cut in line with your buddies... Seriously, wait in line like everyone else... actually like me because ALL OF YOU cut me in line... when the line becomes 8 people long. but 10 people thick that doesn't make it shorter... Also to those that cut in line with their friends, and just buy a cookie or a measly bag of chips, you're are a waste of my time... Just wait 'till all of us waiting for lunch, have it...
With sincerity,
Courtney

Dear "Naionka" and "Kelly Purple" from "Survivor",
Why did you quit? You really need to ajust your state of mind. Those poor people on the jury, they could of had the exteme privlage of sitting right where you were. I'm sorry you were suffering but that's the game.
With regret,
Courtney

Dear those who I sadly count as my "friends",
Sure you are nice (sometimes) and you talk to me (sometimes), but that doesn't mean that this couldn't be made better! If you listened to me at least once a day than maybe this could become a more fullfilling relationship. If you showed the littlest excitment when you see me than I would be more excited for you, not "meh". I really want us to be better friends but it can't be a onesided effort.
Wishingly,
Courtney

So this is about it. If you read this than I love you. Hopefully it doesn't make you sad, but reflective. From the first letter we can learn to not be rude and impolite. From the second, that quiting is never the answer (unless you are an adict or something) if you persue your goal you CAN make it, never give up. And from the last letter it is easy to see that friendships are not easy but with effort can be made better, it is also up to you to choose those friends who will push you up, not bring you down or hurt you.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

JOSHUA 1:9

I love all of you who put up with this! :)
~CourteyQ

Moving to yet again, a "briliant" idea!

I have decided to show my life in a different way, instead of telling some lame story that does't going to have posts of just pictures that I've taken that I think are pretty awesomeeven make sense I am :)

I will on occasion post other things also but pictures are kinda my thing now.

This is from the night we made our own "Navajo Tacos"
~CourteyQ