The truth is out there...

alright...alright...I've gotta come clean with my new obsession...X-Files!! Now, I know what you're probably thinking, "uh..you're like fifteen years behind the times, sweetie"..however, I was much too young to get into the show when it first started. So now you're probably wondering how this whole thing started...

...well, typical me, I've gotta blame someone else cuz it surely is not my fault! I was at my grandparents and the TV Guide caught my eye...David Duchovny (he's so hot!) and Gillian (she's gorgeous) were on the cover..so I read the article...my mother used to be obsessed with the show so I asked her if she would like to go see the movie...and well, the rest is history!

We've begun to buy all the seasons on dvd...I've watched the first movie like...oh five or six times haha! It is a little out of control..but I just can't help it...its such a smart show..plus, HELLO, Gillian and I have the same color hair which pretty much makes us best friends haha!

Although I'm a little afraid of how watching the show is going to affect my career goals..I'm pretty sure "alien impregnation" will not be an acceptable answer on my MCAT!

Meet me in the sunshine, do ya wanna come out and play

My OH my things have been busy in my neck of the woods!

Over fourth of July weekend, my grandma fell and broke her hip. Which resulted in a trip to Duluth for surgery at 10pm and uncomfortable night sleeping in the waiting room (although all involved made it as fun as it possibly good be)..yeah definitely don't recommend sleeping in a waiting room...avoid it at all costs! She stayed in the hospital in Duluth for a few days, but is now recovering at home. So I've been spending a lot of time helping out there...

....and I've also started babysitting for a new family (in addition to the family I already spend the majority of my time with haha) Nette and Dean...I've known Nette since I was like 10...she is my hair stylist. ANYWAY, her and her husband have two kids..Nicholas, who is 7 (and let me just say right now that I am NOT used to babysitting little boys..its sometimes a struggle) and little miss Livia who is 2 (she is so DARLING!)..plus they have three dogs and Nick has two guinea pigs...never a dull moment in that house, I'll tell ya! This past weekend I babysat for both familes at the same time...Nat and Claire were great, they helped me out with Nick and Liv...it wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be, but it was still exhausting!

Today I just had my regular two though...and it was an absolutely GORGEOUS day, so we headed out to the beach...I love days like this :)

The birds and the bees...and the bugs??

As I've mentioned before, during the summer, I work as a nanny for a family in my hometown. I've been with this family for over five years now, so really, their house is like my second home. ANYWAY, they have two girls...Natalie is 10 and Claire is 6...and gosh do they make me laugh...

Claire's latest thing is bugs...last week we were driving home from tee ball and out of the blue she goes, "ya know who I feel bad for?? BUGS...because everyone just kills them.." so since then she has been all about bugs. Well yesterday, Natalie and I were cleaning up the kitchen from lunch and Claire came into the house and said, "look I found a momma and a baby bug" and I look and see one bug on top of the other..now of course, being the biology major that I am, I know very well that it is definitely not a mom and baby bug..but I wasn't going to say anything to the precious child. Natalie, however, had no problem saying something. She took one look at the bugs in her sister's hand and said "CLAIRE!! THEY'RE MATING!!"...to which Claire quickly dumped the bugs onto the kitchen floor, looks at me with a panicked look on her face, and says,"What does that mean!?" and before I could answer, Natalie proudly declares, "ya know, they were doing IT"

...oooh kids say/do the darndest things....

But I always know who I'm with, I'm with the band...

I'm just gonna come right out and say...I absolutely LOVE Little Big Town. So much so that I'm contemplating dropping out of college and becoming a groupie! Or maybe I can work for them...I mean what are the qualifications for being the person that hands them their instruments? Maybe they'd let me play the tambourine??

I got to see Little Big Town in concert for the second time and it was AMAZING. We had third row seats (hence the semi-decent picture). They played for about an hour and a half...and I loved every minute of it! I really like seeing my favorite artists in concert because you get to see how passionate they are about the music they sing/create...lots of people could go into a recording studio and make a great CD..but you can tell who are true artists by how they perform on stage. Little Big Town has been around for awhile, although they are just starting to reach the popularity level they deserve. Every member of the group is extremely talented, and I love how they all take turns singing lead vocals. SO, if you haven't listened to/heard of Little Big Town yet, give them a listen...it'll be worth it!

I know for sure that I'll be going to their next concert..wherever in Minnesota it may be...

...oh, and this time...I'm getting front row seats!

Darling I want you to see, there's permanent changes awakened in me...

Alright...I'm gonna talk about it...the big D..no I dont mean Dallas, divorce, diets, or death...I'm talking about diabetes.

Now of course there are days when I'm angry about having it..when I'm sick of having to eat certain foods or sick of having to poke myself...sick of people asking me how I'm feeling. And I'm not going to lie, every now and again there comes a day when I do eat something I shouldn't...or a day when I don't exercise as much as I should. But even on those down days, I must admit that being diagnosed with diabetes has had some positive affects on me.

For one, I am thankful that it was diabetes and not something worse. At least what I have is manageable and liveable...yeah it's annoying some days but I really shouldn't complain because the diagnosis could have easily been something way worse.

Also, those few days I spent in the hospital served as some great thinking time. It was really a wake-up call. (I know, really cliche..everyone who goes through something traumatic says that, but its true!) I realized that lately I've been taking a way too passive role in my life. To be honest, high school was a breeze for me..academically I was on top...science was my strong suit and opportunities were just given to me because I excelled. But then I went to college and was knocked on my butt so fast. Suddenly, I wasn't a star anymore...everything seemed more difficult and I had to work hard at everything, including science. It was quite an ego blow. In addition, I learned that just being smart wasn't enough...all of us there were smart and opportunities were no longer just given to you because of that fact..if you want something, you have to make it known and you have to fight for it. While I was in the hospital, I realized that now was the time to make these things happen..I had to step out of my comfort zone and go after what I wanted. Things are no longer gonna be handed to me..if I want them, it is up to me to go out and get them.

I tried really hard to keep this mentality going when I actually got back to school, and I must say, I had the best semester of college thus far. I worked really hard, and I feel like I finally belong there...I've earned my spot. I've gained some of my academic confidence back and I've formed great bonds with some of my professors.

So I guess, in a weird and slightly warped way, being diagnosed with diabetes changed my life for the better..don't get me wrong, I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone ever...but I guess this was just my attempt to find something positive amongst the negative!

Alright..I'm off to go eat a cake....

...just kidding!

Why do we have to read, can't we just party on?!

Alright...I've survived the chaos that is finals, and have moved back home for the summer (unpacking took FOREVER!...why do I require so many accessories!?) And while its really great to be home, I do miss everyone back out in Moorhead!

One thing I REALLY miss about Moorhead is my kindergarteners at Dilworth. So many people are surprised when I tell them I work at an elementary school..usually I get the, "but you're premed, why are working at a school..you don't wanna be a teacher"..yes, that is correct I am premed, and yes also correct that I don't want to be a teacher...I work at a school because it works well with my schedule, working with kids is fun, and I just want to, OK?! And to be honest, spending some afternoons with kindergarteners is a welcome study break. I spend so much time focusing on the big picture...the goal is med school..GO! Almost everything I do revolves around advancing and getting to that final step of med school...so much so that sometimes I forget about the little victories along the way. Working with kindergarteners reminds me to recognize and celebrate those little victories...to them, everyday is a new adventure and something like learning how to write a new letter is the great accomplishment of the day. I think we could all learn a lot if we hung out with kindergarteners more...

And also, Maranda, their teacher. She is absolutely wonderful! She has a great sense of humor and most importantly, she just let the kindergarteners be kids...even if that meant being loud or messy! I also consider her my friend, she always asked what was going on in my life, how my classes were going, etc...and she was definitely there for me (like when I locked my keys in my car bwhaha), she was the first one in Moorhead I told about my diabetes because I felt comfortable talking to her about it. I really hope my schedule allows me to work in her classroom next year...

My last day at Dilworth was definitely bittersweet...the kids made me a book, each one of them drew me a picture and wrote a little bit..it was really cute! And then Maranda gave me a really nice card! I know that the likelihood of my working with Maranda next year is pretty great, and the odds of me working with the kids as first graders is also pretty high..but its still a little sad because I know things will be different...I'm sure the kids I knew as kindergarteners are going to be WAY different as first graders...and while it is fun seeing them grow and change, I'm definitely going to miss the moments we shared this past year!






Aren't we a lovely bunch? haha! you would not believe how difficult it was just to get us all assembled, let alone take a decent picture...there were at least 10 attempts..but its ok, I wouldn't want them all to be sitting perfectly still and smiling..because, well, that would just be a lie! So here's to you my dear kindergarteners...you always brightened up my day!!

Ok, lets practice..you stand over there, I'll throw something at you, and you try to block it

Sooooo I know I've been MIA for a couple days..sorry! I had a HUGE biology test on Tuesday so I was studying my butt off for that! Hopefully my hard work will pay off! I hate this time of year..its like professors try to cram as many papers, projects, and tests into this last month as they can..I don't like it, nope, not one bit!

I made my triumphant return to chemistry lab today...still a little defeated from last week, but determined nonetheless. Down but not quite out haha! I'm pleased to report that my group and I finally got some results we can use! Thank goodness!

Too too funny...today was the chemistry club's annual 'pie your prof' fundraiser. Basically, you pay to buy pies that you get to throw at your biology/chemistry professors. So me and my lab partner Rachel are waiting out in the hall during chemistry to use the spectrometer when dear Dr. Bath comes walking down the hall. Dr. Bath is without a doubt my favorite biology professor, love her to pieces I do...anyway, she was all in panic about the pie thing...she didn't know if she was allowed to block the pies, or if she would even be able to block them, or if she had to stand with her hands behind her back...she was about two seconds away from a full blown panic attack haha! So I handed her my nifty chemistry goggles and told her we could practice...I'd throw something at her and she should try to block it..needless to say, she was not impressed haha!

As soon as chemistry lab was over, Rachel and I sprinted over to the fundraiser..and purchased our pies..Dr. Bath tried to hide from us, but it was useless...she knew what she was in for! She tried to pull the sad face + "I thought you loved me"which, I'll admit, got me for a second (the woman has an effective sad face..but I came to my senses and said, "why yes, I do" and then proceeded to chuck my pie at her..

She's such a good sport! Some biology/chemistry profs were too afraid to show. Also, don't feel too bad for her... 2.5 seconds after this picture was taken, Dr Bath grabbed my face with her whipped-cream covered hands and proceeded to drag me down into the mess...completely covered in whipped cream I was...good times, good times..haha!

Science is interesting...umm NO..lets try frustrating..

So I try really hard not to complain about this...considering its the path I chose for myself and I knew what I was getting into...but every now and again I can't help myself...

Yup..you know what I'm talkin' bout...the bane of my existence...aka chemistry lab.

I don't hate chemistry, I truly don't..and I understand its necessary for me to take and all that jazz..but really REALLY is lab necessary?! I don't mind chemistry lecture at all..in fact, I'd go to double the lectures if it meant I didn't have to go to lab.

For the last whole month of school, each table is supposed to develop and carry out their own projects relating to the degradation of sulfa-drugs in water. I'll save you the lengthy explanation of what sulfa drugs are and what the project we developed entails..just know, sulfa drugs+ water=bad and that *theoretically* our project was supposed to work...

...imagine my group's utter devastation when, after working on said project for three hours, we found out that it had not worked the way we wanted it to..and actually, it didn't work at all...

My chemistry lab professor just looked at us and said, "see! this is the great thing about science! its challenging and interesting!" I can't even begin to imagine what the look on my face was at that time, but I imagine it wasn't good...

Leaving lab in utter defeat, goggle lines permanently imprinted on my face, I went to seek the comfort of my favorite biology professor. After relaying the whole painful story, she grabs my arm and simply says, "well honey, this is the reason why you are a biology major...people like you and I just aren't meant to do chemistry" Not quite the pep talk I was hoping for, but at the moment it worked haha!

soooo its back to the drawing board for me and my fearless lab group...yippy skippy I love chemistry lab projects like a fat kid loves cake

So at age 20 I still can't make a paper airplane...no big deal, right?

Back to school...back to school! So of course, I have early class the day classes resume after Easter break. It was rough getting up at 6:30 let me tell you! But I was happy that I got up and dragged myself to class because we got our tests back today. And I got a 95!! Whoop dee DOO! Thats the best I've done on all biology test like all year! I was very pleased! And now I'm determined to do the same or better next time around!

I didn't have my biology lab this afternoon which made me very happy..so, I decided to go into work. Now, for some of you, that may sound crazy..voluntarily going into work..but I need to admit that I absolutely LOVE my job. I work for a program on campus called America Reads and we go to different elementary schools in the area and help kids learn to read. Currently, I'm working with kindergarteners and first graders--so much fun! The kindergarteners I work with make my day! Every day for them is a new adventure, and I love witnessing their little triumphs..its serves as a good reminder for me to always appreciate even the little things I accomplish. And the teacher is just so wonderful..I love hanging out with her! Today, they learned how to make paper airplanes. A skill, I'm embarrassed to say, I lack. Yes, I'm 20 years old and am still unlittle unsure how to construct an efficient airplane. So here's the conversation that occurred today:

Kindergartener: Can you help me make a paper airplane?
Me: Uhmm..no, actually I don't know how to make one either...
Kindergartener: But you're an adult!
Me: Yeah, I know...go ask him (points to a kindergarten airplane maker prodigy)

Life lesson the kindergartener can take from this? Adults don't know everything!

Other than that..just a normal day in my world! I'm NOT looking forward to tomorrow...I greatly dislike Wednesdays...boooo!

I know...I know..I've been a bad blogger..

I, Amber Ferris, solemnly swear that from this point forward, I'll be a good blog updater!

EEEEkkkk! I know, I haven't updated in forever! Much apologies! Things have just been crazy lately! But that is *not* a good excuse...

...so I'm going to try REALLY really REALLY hard to start updating this on a daily basis. If I don't..feel free to nag me to get my rear in gear!!

Can you hold on a second, I'm on my hamburger phone...

This weekend, I went with a group of friends to see the movie Juno. I absolutely loved it! The character of Juno was defintely unusual and quirky...but in a way that made you want to be exactly like her. She was effortlessly cool and her dry sense of humor had me continuously laughing out loud. Also, I loved Allison Janney as Juno's dog-obsessed stepmom...which is unusual because I'm usually not a fan of hers. When I got back from the movie, I bought the soundtrack for it because I really liked the music featured in it. And I cannot wait until this movie comes out on dvd..I actually would not mind going to the theater and seeing it again!

I also went out to lunch with my friend Courtney. We hadn't really had a chance to hang out since we got back from break so we figured we'd go to Olive Garden and catch up. It was a really nice afternoon. We exchanged Christmas gifts..and along with my gift, she wrote a letter...it was some of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me. I'm so thankful to have Courtney as a friend because she is one of those genuine people...she's always been there for me, no matter what. And I know that even after we graduate from college and go our separate ways, I can always count on her if I need help.

Other than that, nothing too exciting going on. Just did the usual Sunday things...grocery shopping and such. And now I'm off to read for a little bit!

Tales from the Bed: A Memoir

So I finished my second book of the year. "Tales from the Bed" by Jenifer Estess. I really loved this book, and found myself thinking about it long after I had finished reading it. I wrote a review of the book for goodreads.com, so I figured I'd just crosspost it over here!

What a wonderful and amazing, yet incredibly sad and tragic book. Before even reading it, I knew how the end would go...anyone who knows about ALS knows what the end result is..yet as I kept reading I would think "No, there has GOT to be way she gets out of the this." I also found myself almost not wanting to get to the end of the book because I knew that then the story would be over. I wanted it to keep going.

The courage Jenifer Estess exhibited throughout the course of the book was amazing. I wish I could say I would have the same courage if I was faced with the same situation...in fact,I wish I could have just half the courage she showed. She also had a killer sense of humor that made me laugh out loud many times. While Jenifer was definitely the main focus of the book, several other supporting people played an important role. Her sisters were always there for her, and the bond they had was unbreakable. I find their continued work with Project ALS to be incredibly inspiring.

I'd like to close with a quote from Ben Stiller that describes the book better than I ever could: "Jenifer Estess writes with such humor and honesty that you feel as if you know her. Her story is one that we all look at and think, What would I do in her situation? To read this story is not only to be inspired, it literally makes you see the world around you differently." I really really really recommend this book to anyone. While it is sad (its the first book that made me cry in a long time), it is also very inspiring and beautiful

So what are you waiting for?? READ this book!

Back to school...back to school...

So its day two of second semester and the homework is already piling up. Oh well, such is the life of a college student I suppose. My first impression of my classes? They're all going to be a lot of work, however, I don't think I'm really going to mind doing all the work because the classes all seem very interesting. I'm finally starting to get into topics that are of interest to me...finally I'm done with plant biology and ecology and I'm moving on to things like genetics and physiology (no offense to anyone who loves ecology--its just not my thing!)The only thing I'm really dreading is chemistry lab. Although that is something I dread every year so it really isn't anything new!

Everything with the diabetes has been going well. I had to call Jana, one of the nurses at the diabetes education center in my hometown, yesterday because in the mornings I've been having really low readings. So she adjusted one of my insulin doses and everything has been great since. I really really like Jana and I trust her completely in overseeing my care...and really, trust is one of the most important things in matters concerning a person's health. Plus, it was really nice to talk to her because she is incredibly funny.

Also, I've managed to finish my first book of the new year. I finished No Lifeguard on Duty by Janice Dickinson. Now I know there are a lot of Janice haters out there...but I find her completely fascinating. And considering what she went through growing up, I think she turned out pretty well. Yes, she's crude...blunt...and curses like a sailor...but she is also hilarious. And I found her life story to be incredibly interesting. I really want to read her other book now!

Ahhh...so many books, so little time!

The obligatory introduction post

So I should start out by saying that this is not my first attempt at blogging. I've had a blog before but for one reason or another (well actually for a multitude of reasons..), it has been inactive for quite some time and I feel as though I need a fresh start at a new place, so here I am!

Currently, I'm a sophomore in college...I'm a biology major (chemistry and psychology minor)..and yup, you guessed it, I'm premed. So, the majority of my postings will probably have something to do with my life as a student. Also, over this past Christmas break, I was diagnosed with type I diabetes, which was quite a lifestyle change. But I've been trying to keep a positive attitude about it, and this blog will be helpful in venting my frustrations and challenges.

Other than that, I'm your normal twenty year-old girl...I watch too much TV (ER, Grey's Anatomy, Gilmore girls, Third Watch, and NewsRadio are among my favorites), stay up too late, and I love being with my family and friends. I read as much as possible, so a lot of my postings will probably be about the books I'm reading. And, when I'm not at school, I work as a nanny for a lovely family...they have two little girls, ages 6 and 10...and I cherish every moment I get to spend with them.

Alright...I've babbled on enough for now! More personal details will no doubt be revealed as I continue posting here!