Thursday, August 11, 2011

Gone For a Month...And An Award?

I am a bit ashamed. And embarrassed. I slink back to my blog with low aspirations of reception because I have neglected it for a month. And yet, in my absence, it seems I have received a blogger award?! From Kate Coursey, which is an honor is itself, as she is a kick-butt author and teen with multiple books finished, one undergoing editing by Scholastic Press, and another being represented by Edward Necarsulmer IV at McIntosh and Otis. Her accomplishments are enough to encourage any teen author, so check her out!

Part of the requirements of receiving this award is to spout seven random facts about myself.

1. I can fit my fist into my mouth.
2. Clouds distract me.
3. I consistently wear two rings - a purity ring from Christmas of 8th grade and a ring my grandparents bought for me for graduating high school.
4. I don't like diamonds, so both rings have colored jewels in them. White is boring. Colors are awesome! (Aquamarine and alexandrite are the gems.)
5. Both of my middle toes are shorter than all the other toes (including the pinky toes).
6. I can play the didgeridoo.
7. I hated shopping until about junior year of high school.

I'd like to pass this award onto Anna W. Waggener because before I decided to blog, her blog was one that really inspired me. She has a lot of experience in areas like internships and teaching that I would love to have. I'd give the same advice as I did for Kate, go check Anna out!


Awards are all very exciting, I know, but I have yet more to write about! Maybe, say, the last month plus of absence? Well, here's some quick and dirty information:

1. I survived my summer classes in the Black Hills, SD
2. I made a week roadtrip to Minneapolis and Chicago to visit friends
3. I am sick
4. College starts the 24th!

Unfortunately, no exciting writing news, but I did meet some two girls at the Black Hills who also write novels! We're looking into starting a writer's club at our college, so I'll be updating you all on that.

Lastly, here are some pictures from my time away. I'm limiting myself to two pictures per week I was there, so that's sixteen pictures total. Can you handle that?

Week 1 - 
Black Hills is all about nature. There are lots of deer. And mountain lions. Here are three girls from my class kindly showcasing both 
A very large nose of a Native American, also known as Crazy Horse. We took a 3 mile walk up to visit the nose and walk on the arm. It makes me kinda sad that this thing may never be finished.



 Week 2 -
One of the best parts of taking science classes out in the wilderness is the fieldtrips! Here are the frozen, sleeping bodies of the geology classes in Wyoming where we visited Devil's Tower.
In our fieldtrips, we also take stops at some interesting and quirky places which tend to abound in wilderness areas like the Black Hills. Here you can see a ceiling full of hats. This is the ceiling to a restaurant. Fine dinin', folks.



 Week 3 - 
This is on class time, actually. More proof why science classes near the science is better. 
The rock that Nicholas Cage put his hand in. I feel so special! (Note: this area is  not behind Mt. Rushmore. There is no lake behind Mt. Rushmore. This rock is also not behind Mt. Rushmore.)




 Week 4 -
The last week of my geology class. We went to the Badlands and found fossils. This here is a turtle fossil and they litter the Badlands. It's crazy. And cool.
Gettin' edumacated in Hill City. We are mimicking the statue which is aptly named "Bad Day on the Prairie". Hah.





 Week 5 -
Wherein our new Environmental Chemistry professor asks us to enter cold, dark, abandoned mines. But Diana's not afraid!
 For the weekend before the 4th of July, we went to a rodeo. I bet the horse felt that in the morning.
 Week 6 -
Mixing chemicals in the lab. I am torn between maniacal laughter and calming stating how pretty the colors are.
 My friend Joy and I carving some alabaster we picked up in our geology classes.
 Week 7 - 
A photoshoot I had with the kitchen staff. They are the best :) 
 The last (not regretfully) laundry run!
 Week 8 -
The burros inside of Custer State Park are very friendly. Teehee.
While in meteorology class, we visited a fire that the state firefighters were currently battling. This is only the western corner of all the burning that had already taken place. The mountain range was completely black.




Being that I was in such a beautiful place for so long, I also had the chance to take some amazing photography that I want to share outside of any comments. Just flowers and tree and sunlight.



























2 comments:

  1. Congrats on your award! *throws confetti*

    Also, I’m a new follower— wonderful blog! Stop by my blog and follow me too? :) http://rachelbrookswrites.blogspot.com/

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  2. Looks like I fell along your blog while you're on break! I do hope you're back soon for I'd love to get to know you better! Best of luck with college, and life! Maybe I'll see you around!

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