Wonderfully Busy Life and All that it Entails

So, I haven't written in a long time. Life is so busy! Gah, it's ridiculous! But I don't want to talk about my busy life... I want to explain it in detail, but I won't put anyone through that type of torture, so here's the shortened version instead. Enjoy!

I don't know what's been going on with my mind, but I feel so much calmer and more at peace in my life than I've felt in a long time. Honestly, I don't know what to attribute these feelings to. I thought it might be church, but I don't think it is. Maybe it's because I'm back on a schedule; I know what is expected of me and how I can accomplish it. Or, it could be this new yoga class I am taking.

My yoga class is pretty awesome - it's called Kundalini Yoga. Last week, we did meditation, a few basic exercises, and learned about the first chakkra. It's not like normal yoga; I would actually term it a self-compassion, -knowledge, -understanding type class since the whole goal is to align and come to peace with our emotions, minds, and bodies. I am fascinated with it and absolutely love the class. I thnk I talk about it as much as I do psychology, lol, which is quite something.

So I've been practicing the techniques and different "poses" at home, and I think it's really starting to change my understanding of myself. It's wonderfully crazy! I just want to share my excitement and joy with everyone I meet; they should all learn how to totally and completely relax without any thought.

I am also taking a beginning guitar class this semester. I don't know why I waited so long to take fun classes... they are the best! Anyhow, my guitar teacher is pretty awesome and I'm trying to learn the different notes and chords right now. You know how they say learning a new language helps you with your first language? Well, I'm hoping that the same principle applies to instruments. I've hit a road block in my music. So, I went out and bought some new piano books (one is the Keith Urban Defying Gravity CD for piano!) and am hoping those will help along with learning the guitar.

In other news, I was called to be class rep for my institute class, which I am still nervous/excited about. I get terrified in front of people and I forget what I want to say, so hopefully, I will be able to get over that sooner or later. Preferrably sooner rather than later... I already have enough anxiety and don't need any more to add to the stack. But I also hope that I'll be able to be a good class rep; I want to get to know everyone, which is a huge struggle for me, and I want to really grow and learn from this experience to help me become a better me. (cheesy, I know, but it's true).

Last thing I really want to address is my research project idea. I am fascinated in self-compassion. I want to know what it is, how it affects people, and how it relates to other areas of life. So, my research project is either going to be one of two things: first, it might be how self-compassion affects aggression levels (which would be a way fun study, and later could be used practically). Second, it might be how self-compassion affects self-control/self-regulation (this one could be a bit more practical later down the road, if my prediction is supported by the data). I'm really excited for this project, though I'm not sure if I will enjoy reading as many articles as I've already gathered, lol. It will definitely be a lot of work. But, if I carry it out over the summer or next fall, it will be awesome!

Oh, I actually lied. That wasn't the last thing I wanted to address. I have one more, and that is my possible summer internship. I finally got my personal statement written and submitted. Now, all I need is my college transcript and 2 teacher recommendations. I'm sad though, because I want my neuroscience professor to do one of the recommendations, and my cognitive psych teacher to do the other one, but they're married! So, I think maybe I'll get my social psych teacher to write one instead. Hopefully, I will be posting that I get the internship soon.... unless I don't, which I guess would be okay 'cause then I could do my research project over the summer instead. But I'm hoping everything works out!

Now, that really was the last topic. I shall be drifting off to sleep soon, so... until next time.

Rambling and Whatnot

My fall break schedule: write a 3-5 page paper, start researching for my 10 page paper, read a little bit, catch up on sleep, relax, download music. In that order. Exciting, no?

So, I took two tests today. I studied for one for hours upon hours. The other, I didn't really work hard to study for it, and it definitely showed in my grade. Thank goodness one test score drops. My behavioral neuroscience class is not nearly as difficult as I had presumably thought it would. In fact, I aced my test for that class today. It was too easy...

Anyone want to write a paper for me? I really do not want to write this weekend. Not a research paper at least.

Today was good though. My class had an intense discussion in institute at 9 this morning, but I only remember a little bit about it. We were in Moses 7 in the Pearl of Great Price, and we got on the topic of faith - what it is, and the power that it has, all that jazz... Blew my mind. I wish I could record these discussions and come back to listen to them later when I'm actually awake and thinking correctly.

This guy in my class and I usually discuss these topics as we leave the building. He always has interesting insights and questions in class. I'm fascinated by the things that people wonder, and once the question is said, I start wondering the same thing. Coincidence? No... This is another thing I've learned in institute: there are not coincidences, only miracles God doesn't get credit for. I love that quote now!

I probably shouldn't write here as often and instead write more for class and whatnot. Yes, I believe I have rambled enough for one night.

Two posts in a row... that's pretty incredible for me. But, I need to talk, well, figuratively. Moreso, I just need to put thoughts down.

So, here's my dilemma. I love psychology, but I'm seriously thinking about changing my major to english. I have no idea why I'm thinking this, but I am. Maybe my mind thinks there are more jobs for english majors than for psychology majors (which is probably likely). But, I'm not going to make a decision just yet. I have all the prerequisites to switch majors, but I'm not sure if that's what I really want.

More problems. I've been car shopping recently, and I found a car that I really like. It's a gold saturn, 2 door... I don't really know the rest of the details, but I like how it drives, and my brother says it's in good condition, so I'll take his word for it. Here's where my problem comes in. Another person also wants the car and went in before I did to the dealership. I'm really hoping their financing doesn't come through. That's terrible to say, but I've been looking for weeks, and I actually, really like this car and really want it. Not to mention it looks great. It's sporty-ish looking and matches me quite well.

School. Let's see... I don't think I will ever be able to post without somehow including school. But, let's post on a positive note! School's very interesting (good interesting). I've already learned a ton, and we're barely starting the second week! Today in my behavioral neuroscience class we looked at a real human brain! It was exciting. It's amazing what our brains do...

Institute is amazing. I absolutely love it. I have it first class on mondays and wednesdays. Hopefully having it at the first of the week will get me off to the right start every week. I can't wait to start hearing about doctrinal insights, stories, and truly trying to improve myself through learning.

So, I think I'm starting to go back to myself again, which is good. I greatly dislike being a pain to deal with, so that me is (hopefully) gone for the time being. For now at least, I'll keep things light and happy on here.