Stuck Indoors

Stuck inside? 

Desperately needing some entertainment before you power goes out? 

Here, enjoy these links!

• Funny Halloween costumes for kids--they have no idea what is going on
• This video makes me so happy!
• I'm on a Simon & Garfunkel kick and my friends went to the Philly zoo on Saturday. Watch this
• Maybe I'll start sending letters via this
• Apparently Mitt Romney agrees with everyone
• This is making me hungry

 

Are Animals Included in GDP?

Brief background to the highly fictional (wink wink nudge nudge (actually some of it is true but not really)) story I am about to tell you. Last year, for Honors, we all had to take philosophy, history, and English. We had the same classmates for all three classes and for both semesters. One girl (let's call her Socks) always asked animal questions in philosophy--ALWAYS. We didn't even discuss animals much in class (maybe once?). But she would ask, "Do animals have souls?" or "Do animals think/feel/read novels/differentiate equations/hate me?" Seriously, I am not much of an animal person but this was, in my opinion, very excessive. We did not learn about animals so please do not ask questions about animals in my precious class time. Our professor had ample office hours so use them, not our class time. This year, this is what happened:

Location: class
Prof: So class we are learning about GDP! Glad dopey pre-schoolers! JK, gross domestic product.
Class: LOL
Prof: But really, what is GDP?
Me: The market value of all final goods and services produced within a country (thank you flash cards).
Prof: Yes, anyone want to add?
Shoes: GDP is the value of all goods and services produced within a country.
Class: **cricket**
Prof: Umm, what is included in GDP?
Diego: Raindrops, roses, whiskers, kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens!!!
Me: OMG, totally not orignal, I love The Sound of Music!
Breakfast Sandwich: I have never seen it!
Prof: Is a reduction of the work week aka an increase in leisure time included?
Those who did the homework without putting too much thought into it: NO
Those who try to make unreasonable stretches of logic: YES
Socks: Well it depends. Are animals included in the GDP?
Me: Are you kidding me??!?! Not a repeat of last year!
Saffron: Deja vu all over again
Breakfast Sandwich: GDP is dumb.
Prof: Well, since we are clearly off track for the 3rd day in a row, I will let you all out early. Make sure to sell your soul to the career expo people today! Try to be as awkward as possible! And next class, DO NOT WEAR SWEATPANTS WITH THOSE BOOT THINGS. Bye now.

Cross Country

 stadiums are for spectators.   

we runners have nature and that is much better.
--juha vaatainen

beautiful belmont plateau

Spent my Saturday watching cross country races. Nothing says fall like a crisp day and cross country!

Volare

If this is the only Italian I know by January, I will be completely fine with that. Enjoy! (I really do like this song, by the way.)

Throwback Tuesday

Yeah, yeah I know it is usually "Throwback Thursday," but I really wanted to put some pictures up that I only had access to at home. Today is in honor of all those Tuesday Honors History classes I went to last year (never skipped a class--you're welcome Desnoyers). History can be boring unless you are me. I make history fun by drawing history!!!! This is truly groundbreaking. I draw what we are learning! Never before seen by human eyes, this is not for those who are afraid of great art/puns. Enjoy but please do not steal!!

schism and 100 years' lie war

plague--watch out!

french revolution

So these are some of my better ones. I left out some good ones for later. Look out for them!

Happy Birthday Cody!

Shout out to my loyal reader and best friend Cody!! Today is her birthday!! Do you ever try to remember when you became friends with someone? I do, but honestly I can never remember that exact moment in time. However, sometime last year Cody asked me to be her best friend! Like OMG! I know, right? She was very considerate in asking. You can't just assume someone is your best friend. Cody is crazy and fun and smart and only okay at Jeopardy! (I'm the champ..some days.) She is much better at Wheel of Fortune but we don't watch that anymore. She is awesome at picking the PA lottery numbers. But I can't really describe Cody in words--you really have to meet her. Which by the way, she makes friends easily and probably will become better friends with your friends than you are. So watch out. But so today is her birthday and I am sad I can't celebrate with her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!! You better like my present or else I will find another best friend. Cheerio Charlie Cody!! And congrats on turning 20!! Growing up before my eyes (but not any taller).

Please enjoy these pics, but not too much!!

cody likes to instagram

we saw fun. in concert. it was fun.

...ummm yeah

also...yeah...

Into the Wild

Home for fall break, so naturally I curl up with a book. I decided for Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Almost the whole entire boy's team is obsessed with the movie--they created their own "Into the Green." But, one girl said the book was much better. I had to read the book before seeing the movie and I thought fall break would be the perfect time. I have only started but later I will let you know what I think!

on a not serious note, i would definitely wear this hat if i went into the wild

Contemplate this quote from the book. It make me think:

"Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future."

Drum Roll

One note first--a reader (who will not be named, but you know who you are) complained that yesterday's post didn't make sense. I am sorry but I am not changing it! It probably doesn't make sense if I read it either. The game was kinda confusing in itself, but the main point is that I won and played some strategic moves. Okay?

Now, for the big news! Drum roll please! I handed in my application for study abroad today! So much stress has been lifted off my shoulders. Now I have to actually be accepted but I am thinking I will be! I can start planning all the exciting things now! Like classes learning Italian and other things that I can't think of now!

lonelyplanet.com

lonelyplanet.com

Gone Fishing

In my game theory class, we played a game that dealt with a hypothetical situation where each of us was a fishing company. We had to decide how many fish to catch to achieve a certain amount of profit. However, there was a limited number of fish and we had to keep the population above a certain amount. The first game was everyone on their own. One student figured out how to beat the professor so 16 out of 20 won.

The second game was way more exciting. We were split into pairs, with two students as panelists. Each group presented their proposition to split the fish to the panelists and the panelists had to pick their favorite. One of my classmates had a formula to win, so the first round, we all played that. The next round got interesting. We knew that everyone was just going to stick with the plan so we decided to play risky (when I say "we," I generally mean just me). Up at the board, I gave everyone 0 and the panel and us 10. It was picked! Heck yeah! Everyone was made because we didn't follow the plan but my professor seemed impressed that we had the guts to do that. The next round, more people tried copying our move. Very unoriginal. We ended up getting max points in 3 of the six rounds. Two rounds we got 19 points and once we got 0. (Ties between the panel end with a coin flip--we lost twice.) Twice, we were able to put other teams into the negatives.

I thought it was a fun game. The first set was definitely stressful, as some people did not stick fully to the plan. The second set I had nothing to lose. I played riskier than I would usually do and I promulgated a plan for my squad. I might not think the game was too fun if I had to do the write-up but I don't have to do it! So the game is fun!

this is the kind of fish we caught--just kidding (natgeo.com)

Home

"just know you're not alone,

cause i'm going to make this place your home"

-Home by Phillip Phillips

bird sanctuary near the cemetery

that's my bike

Next weekend is fall break. It will be so nice to be home, to all the familiar. I can't wait to ride my bike and go to the park and run trails and everything! And no homework (hopefully!). Oh man, so excited!! The bird sanctuary in these pictures is really small but it is always nice to run or walk through. I think I am a little weird because I love riding my bike through the cemetery. It is so peaceful, but I feel awkward when I see other people there. It is going to be so nice to be back home!!

Keep On Working

Things are looking bad for next weekend. I have to remember that my goal is not for next weekend but for October 27th. That is when it matters. 

I really like this pic

i said please don't slow me down 

if i'm going too fast

-"Reptilla" by The Strokes

Highs and Lows

So I am feeling down in the dumps. FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS. What the heck?!? Yes, so I am not really feeling up for much. However, on a more exciting note, I am 99.99% sure that I got the bonus question right on my economics test today: Name 12 countries in Europe and their capitals OR name 12 countries in Africa and their capitals. First off, I don't think I can even name 12 countries in Africa. But Europe, man, I can name sooo many!! Yay!! It is from all my "breaks" during studying where I end up on Sporcle. Yay for scheduled procrastination!!!

Try it for yourself here!!!