Where I've Been:
My hometown is Woodsboro, MD. I talk a little bit about it in my Favorite Place post. I graduated from Walkersville High School in 2017 with a class of 260, so the massive amount of people at OU is still a bit crazy for me. I played soccer all the way through my sophomore year of high school and have been in the orchestra since I was 9 years old. I play the Violin and Viola, as well as a little bit of self taught guitar. l was a member of the stage crew for my middle and high school productions for 6 years and even did Mock Trial in 9th grade. This summer I went camping with three of my best friends from high school (without adult supervision- no one died) and then went straight into working 40+ hours a week as a lifeguard. I also did a lot of pet sitting this summer, which was super fun!
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| Day One of our crazy camping trip. We were all still so optimistic. |
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| Marley, a dog at watched this summer. |
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| Yogi, Marley's brother. |
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| Remmy, another dog I watched, snoozing on my lap with his sister Pheobe in the background. |
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| More Pet Sitting Left to Right- Zoe Nagel (human), Grendle (dog), Ioana Draghici (human), and Theodin (dog) |
Where I Am:
This year I will be taking Italian 3, Physics 2 for Life Science Majors, Experiencing Music, Organic Chemistry 1: Biological Emphasis, and this class! I am a member of Alpha Sigma
Kappa, a social sorority for STEM majors. I love procrastinating with YouTube and Netflix and have already spent WAY too much money on iced mochas at The Bookmark. I recently went on a 2am Walmart run with my roommate (I managed to successfully drive her car since she was too tired- it's a manual transmission) and am now the proud owner of an Eeyore onesie. It even has a tail. I'm actually super excited about this class and exploring the world of blogging!
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| Shameless Plug for my Sorority. Come check us out! |
Where I'm Going (Hopefully):
My dream at this point is to become a Forensic Toxicologist and probably work for the FBI. Although, if I've learned anything over the almost 20 years I've been on this planet, life hardly ever goes as planned. Sometimes though, the ride is much more exciting than the actual destination.
Hi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteAgain just hearing the major biochemistry brings back stressful memories of the organic chemistry classes that I tried and failed both. Wish you all the luck in you organic chemistry class this semester. Congrats on camping without (more-adultier) adult supervision and no one died. I would personally consider your high school a large school, I graduated with roughly 100 people in my class. And yes, life does not go according to plan (it doesn't help if you are a tad indecive as I am), I have changed my major a good handful of times and still in school. Stick with your major, and your future job sounds super interesting!
Hey Jessica! Thank you for including pictures of dogs because I absolutely love them. I didn't petsit this summer, but I babysat for families with dogs and also dog walked a lot this summer and it's a pretty sweet gig. Also I am proud of you for surviving camping like a real adult. I have never been camping before and it definitely terrifies me a little!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteI am not one for camping but I hope your camping trip was a blast! I am not sure I could ever be left alone in the woods and survive so congrats on that!
I love dogs so thank you for all the dog pictures! I adopted a dog 2 years ago from a shelter here in Norman and she is the best thing ever!
I think that would be so cool to work for the FBI as a Forensic Toxicologist! I used to want to do something similar (thanks to my obsession with CSI) but then realized science is not for me!
I hope you have a great semester and everything works out for you!
Hello Jessica!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all those cute pictures of the dogs you watched this summer! I love a cute dog picture! I think it is so cool that someday you want to work for the FBI. This is something I have some interest in as well. My dad always used to joke about me working for the FBI as I was growing up and still does to this day. While that is not something I am actively pursuing right now I think it sounds awesome so I hope that is what you end up doing!
I also love camping and all things outdoor so it was cool to get to see your nice camp setup! Even if the tent was a little too big for the space. Can't wait to see what else you post about this semester!
Hi Jessica! Glad no one died on your camping trip haha! I love being outdoors, especially in the forest. Procrastinating is also a habit of mine, although I prefer candy crush or Snapchat. It would be so interesting to work for the FBI! Where did you work as a lifeguard at? If I was a better swimmer I would love to do that as a summer job!
ReplyDeleteHello other Jessica! I did go home for the summer, so I was lifeguarding at a small community pool in Mount Airy, MD. It was the same one I was scheduled at last summer and I already knew most of the patrons by name, which made it really fun to catch up with everyone!
DeleteOh, what cute pictures of all those dogs, Jessica! And I totally understand not sharing a picture of you in an Eeyore onesie... but it sounds very cute. Maybe you will be inspired to do a Winnie-the-Pooh style project, where there could be fairy tale adventures or mythological visitors to the Hundred Acre Wood! Or forensic toxicology: there is so much poison in the world of folklore and mythology. Here's a search of the Freebookapalooza for books that have stories with the word "poison" in the title: Freebookapalooza: poison ... that's a lot of poison!
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica, I am not a biochemistry major but I often feel like I have taken enough biology and chemistry classes to be one. What you want to do career wise with a biochemical training is really interesting. I can only imagine the type of work an FBI Forensic Toxicologist would do. I am also working on teaching myself guitar. If you have any tips that have helped you, I’d love to hear them!
ReplyDeleteHi Drew! I used an app called "Ultimate Guitar: Chords and Tabs" to help me learn. You can pick songs you know to practice with (this is helpful because then you know what it's SUPPOSED to sound like) and all of the chord names are links to a popup diagram of how to play said chord!
DeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteYou have come a long way from Maryland to Oklahoma. I was in orchestra, too. I used to play violin like you do. But wow, I think being able to play three instruments of violin, viola, and guitar is absolutely amazing!! You have learned so many things and participated in many activities in high school. I love your dogs. They are so cute, lovely, and adorable! You are taking several classes this year, and they all sound difficult to me. That sounds cool to have an Eeyore onesie. Thank you for a great post!
Hey there Jessica!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your blog theme is adorable. After reading your introduction, I can see that it fits your personality. I also used to play the viola when I was younger, though I never became skilled with it. I respect that you not only continued in it, but also had the time to pick up other instruments as well. How often to you play now then? Having a biochemitry major is no joke, I’m sure you’re constantly busy trying to keep up with all your courses. I hope that this class is a way to break up those difficult classes and give you a break into a fun atmosphere! Good luck this semester and I can’t wait to read from you.
Hi Jasmine! Unfortunately I fly between Maryland and Oklahoma and have been unable to bring my babies with me to OU. I do miss them very much and make sure to pull them out when I'm home for breaks though!
DeleteHi Jessica! My name is Makenzi and I am a senior PR major. I came from a very very small high school (graduated with 54), so I definitely understand how different OU can feel. Luckily, I love it so much! The transition was so odd because at my high school, everyone knew everyone and everything about everyone. At college, no one knew me (except a few friends) and it was fun to create new relationships. I grew up camping with my family and I actually really enjoy it! There is just something about fresh air and the camping atmosphere. My favorite thing about it was and still is staying up late talking by the fire or going hiking.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great rest of the semester!
Hello Jessica, My name is Devin and I’m a Senior Chemical Engineer her at The University of Oklahoma. I see that you’re a Biochemistry major which is pretty impressive! I have to take Biochemistry next semester and from what I heard, it’s not an easy class. Also I love procrastinating with YouTube and Netflix too! I swear I’ll get on to watch one video then the next thing I know the entire day is gone.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jessica! I have to start this comment off by saying that I LOVE your dogs! They are so cute and I want to pet them all! I am a huge animal person so anytime I see one I get very excited and just want to love them. I am a senior here at OU and I am majoring in Human Relations with a minor in Psychology. I am very impressed that you decided to major in biochemistry, as I have never been good at anything science related. I spend most of my time procrastinating on Youtube when I'm not at work, so I get you there! I hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteWow your high school experience sounds really similar to mine. I had about 300 in my graduating class, but around 1100 in the whole school. I was a little overwhelmed by all the people on campus, but I've really gotten used to it. I played the cello--it was part of the Young Strings program with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Do you still play? I don't, the DSO took the cello back when I quit the program. I also did Lincoln-Douglass debate, which is not the same as Mock-Trial, but if we're being honest, both clubs are made up of the same kind of kids haha. Anyway, you seem really cool and you have a solid Bookmark order. Best of luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Alona! I do own all of my instruments (they're a *little* less expensive than a cello) so I still mess around a bit for fun when I'm home. Unfortunately I don't have a vehicle and flying instruments back and forth from the east coast isn't really doable, so I haven't been in any ensembles or performance groups since high school.
DeleteHi Jessica! It’s cool that you play both the Violin and Viola. Music is always enjoyable to play. Which instrument was your favorite? All the pictures of the dogs are so cute! I also really like their names. Youtube and Netflix are really easy culprits for procrastinating. I am guilty of it as well! Is there a favorite show you watch? Thank you for sharing all of this! I hope that you are able to work for the FBI one day. It seems super cool!
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah! I started on the Violin in elementary school and switched to the Viola in 7th grade. I mainly changed in an attempt to get a friend of mine to rejoin the orchestra, but I found that I enjoyed the lower tone of the Viola and decided to stick with it! On Netflix my most recent binge has been Law and Order: SVU, but I've also started re-watching Doctor Who on Amazon Prime.
DeleteHi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteBeing a Chemical Bioscience major and coming from a very small town I can relate to this introduction so much! I also chose to take Italian as my foreign language and I love it! However, I cannot play an instrument but I do love the sound of violins. I listen to Lindsey Stirling all the time when I’m studying. Which, as you know from taking Italian and Organic chemistry, I have to study a lot.
Your dogs are really cute! My family has 5 lol. Anyways, sounds like you're going to have quite a busy semester so... good luck with that haha. I definitely understand where your coming from with your choice of free time. I love watching youtube in my free time as well. It gets somewhat addicting lol. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard, Organic Chemistry is tough, so I hope everything is going well so far with that class. I honestly had to Google what a forensic toxicologist is, and it seems like a pretty interesting job. Regardless of whether that's what you end up doing or not, I hope that you enjoy whatever career you end up having!
Hello Jessica,
ReplyDeleteYour camping trip this summer looks like so much fun. The last time I went camping was a couple of years ago and it started raining cats and dogs in the middle of our hike. It was interesting to be in a tent all night in a the cold rain, laying on sticks and rocks, hoping that you and your tent do not fly away or get any water in it. Luckily, me and my friends survived the night and it was one of the funnest trips I have been on. I appreciate you sharing all the pictures of your furbabies! My boyfriend and I have three cats, Todd, Tater-Tot, and Poe. They are my fluffer cats that love to snuggle, most of the time. I hope your semester goes well for you!
~Madi Reynolds
Hey Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIt is so cool that you got to go on such an awesome camping trip with your high school friends. Also, I loved your walmart onesie story. As a proud owner of far too many things bought at walmart at 2am, I understand. My junior year, my roommate and I would get bored and spend hours walking around walmart in the middle of the night. I am now convinced it is the best time to shop because no one will ever talk to you or get in your way.
Hey Jessica! I love getting to see pictures of pups, so reading this was fun for me. I also love camping but miss where I used to camp growing up. Have you camped at all since living in Oklahoma? I'm always looking for a new spot. It was fun to read about your experience in the world of productions. That's definitely another thing that I miss about home. It seems that you have a wide variety of interests, and I enjoyed getting to meet you! Best of luck with the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica! Wow, what an interesting major and career choice you have! I would love to work at the FBI, but in IT. That won't be happening at this stage in my life, but a woman can dream of what might have been. Wow, how did you find your way all the way from Maryland to Oklahoma? That's quite a difference. I'm sure it's a culture and climate shock for you as well. My daughter is a junior on campus at OU and her graduating class in high school was about 90 I think, so she knows exactly what you mean about coming from a small school to somewhere as massive as OU. I have to do my courses online since we live so far away, but I wanted an OU degree so this is how it happens. You have a lot of great interests and I love all the photos you included. My family used to camp a lot and I loved it. My husband thinks camping is a horrible thing though, so I haven't been in almost 30 years I think. I miss it! Good luck with the rest of the semester and on your career path!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, it is nice to “meet” you! Dog sitting has to be one of the most fun and relaxing jobs you can have! The pictures are great! Being a forensic toxicologist would be super interesting! A class that you may find really interesting is Pathogenic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. It is one of my favorite classes I’ve taken while at OU.
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I think camping is the best use of someone's free vacation time because we are all so depend on screens, it sometimes takes a few hours in the woods to make us realize what is really important in life. I hope that I get to go camping more often this semester. ALSO IT IS SO COOL THAT YOU CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT. I cannot and I have no talent to be able to do so either. I guess some of us just aren't born with it, hahaha. Anyway, I hope your semester isn't too hard even though your major sounds tough. I look forward to reading more of your stories!!
Hey Jessica!
ReplyDeleteYOUR DOG IS SO CUTEEEEEE. I miss my dogs so much so anytime I get to see pictures of other peoples dogs I get really happy. i think your ability to play an instrument is awesome. I played piano for a little bit and now I am really upset with myself that I did not keep up with it. Your major sounds so interesting - but also way too hard for me. I hope you enjoy it +! School doesn't last forever!
Hey Jessica! Your dogs are soooo cute. I have one dog at home with my parents but I really want to get one of my own soon. I am wanting either a golden retriever or lab. I think it is cool that you have been in the orchestra for so long. I have always wanted to play an instrument but have never had the talent or time to learn. Good luck with the semester.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica! I am SO thankful you included pictures of your cute dogs because my biggest pet peeve on these introductions is when people write about how great their pets are and don’t include pics! My high school was really big with 800 people in my graduating class, so I think it’s cool that you have a smaller class but were able to do a lot of different hobbies! I could only do theatre in my school, and I am so thankful for the production crew, I know that takes work!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIt is cool to know you graduated from a school with 260 but i graduated with only 60, So OU was overwhelming for me also. I hope you have luck in the future with your plan to be a forensic toxicologist. I hope you the best of luck in your time at OU and good luck on everything you set out to do.
Hi Jessica! First of all, I love the lay out of your blog. It looks so easy to navigate! I adore that you went camping with your friends, I did that my sophomore year at OU in Turner Falls, I highly recommend it! Also, so fun that you were a lifeguard this summer, I did lifeguarding at a summer camp after my freshman year and was so thankful that I did. Your pups are beyond cute too! Working for the FBI would be seriously cool, I hope it all works out!
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica! I can't believe that I have never seen your blog up here before. I just read your last story about the vampire mom and it was great! ASK seems like a really cool organization and I wish I had known about it when I was earlier on in school. I only have a year left of my masters classes so it is a little late for me. I hope you enjoyed this semester and have a great winter break!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I think that you are such an interesting person!! I am such an animal lover, so my heart literally melts looking at all of these CUTE pictures of dogs! I love that you have a heart for nature and for animals as well. I truly think that dogs (and most animals in general) have the best judgement of people's characters. It is very evident that yours is one that is admired!