Oh the Joys of Summer--Ice Cream, Cleaning, Exercising, & More!

1. July is National Ice Cream month...your favorite flavor? Soft served, hand dipped, or frozen yogurt...which do you prefer? And technically yogurt is not ice cream but its hot outside so I'll let that slide for today.

There's nothing better than eating ice cream on a sweltering day.  Sometimes, after my boyfriend & I finish walking the Creeper Trail, we will stop by Dairy Queen.  We each get an ice cream cone, & usually, mine is chocolate dipped. Choosing which ice cream is my favorite is difficult to choose.  I don't just have one favorite flavor, I actually have two: chocolate chip cookie dough & cookies & cream.  Just recently, Chilhowie has an ice cream shop, & I haven't visited it yet!! I'm ashamed of myself!!  Since ice cream is one of my favorite foods, I am not big on frozen yogurt.  If you're going to eat ice cream, you've got to have it hand dipped.  That's THE only way to eat it!! Of course, Dairy Queen gives hand dipped a run for its money. 

2. When you travel do you tend to pack too much or too little?

I pack way too much--everything BUT the kitchen sink.  I look at it like this: I'd much rather pack too much than too little.  You never know when you're going to need something.  Of course, the day I don't pack something, I need it!! Don't you hate that?  Since I am going to be a pharmacist, I tend to pack every medication I can think of--tums, tylenol/ibuprofen, Children's tylenol (for my nephew, Nate), Neosporin, peroxide, & of course my handy first aid kit.  No one ever needs any of the medicines I pack, but as soon as I don't pack them, someone will need it.  I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

3. What's your favorite cleaning product?

I can say I am somewhat OCD about how clean my apartment is; but, I am not as bad as my mother!! I'm sure this question of hers will be full!!  My favorite cleaning product is definitely Scrubbing Bubbles.  Its not too strong of a smell, but it gets the job done.  I love cleaning with this product because I can see the shine once I'm finished.  It gives my apartment a nice & clean feel to it. 

4. Which is the greater tragedy-an innocent person imprisoned or a guilty person set free? Explain.

I think the greater tragedy between the two is the guilty person set free.  This is so because the victim never gets justice.  We'll never really know if Casey Anthony murdered her child, but in my opinion, she did.  Her daughter will never be served justice for what her own mother did to her.  When the guilty is set free, that doesn't mean that person will not harm others again.  However, we must forgive the guilty of their crime, as hard as it may be.  

5. What's the longest trip you've taken by car?

Well, my dad is scared to death to fly.  I'll never forget when we were going on vacation to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  From Chilhowie to Orlando is about a 12-13 hour drive & about 1-3 hour flight (if that long).  Of course, dad didn't want to fly, so we drove--the whole 13 hour drive!! Needless to say, that was our last time going to Disney World.  

6. tennis-golf-canoeing-biking...pick one.

My favorite of these is biking.  Before I went to pharmacy school, I used to bike 2-3 miles a day.  It was so relaxing!  I can remember how nice it felt to have the breeze blowing through my hair as I biked.  To me, it's one of the "perfect" exercises because you're sitting down, you've got the wind blowing through your hair as you peddle so you don't get all sweaty, & it's a great cardio builder!! On the other hand, one of the worst things I've encountered is dogs (sorry dog lovers).  They chased me constantly when I rode my bike!! It was fine though because I was able to peddle faster & work harder. 

7. What sound drives you crazy?
The most annoying sound to me is someone smacking their mouth when they're chewing gum.  Also, I don't like it when we're in church & people start to pop their bubbles.  That's so rude.  I can go on & on forever about this subject, so I'm just going to stop here.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This past weekend I worked RAM (Remote Area Medical) which brings free healthcare to poor populations (Wise, Grundy, & one is coming to Bristol).  I saw at least 1000 people; and I worked the dental area.  I'm not going into detail on that part, but if you really want to know, just ask me.  I realized how lucky I am, & working RAM made me very thankful for what I have.  Once I finished my shift at RAM, I became sick (I hope I didn't catch anything from RAM). Nothing is worse than being sick when you're in school & when you're mom is out of town on a retreat.  Plus, it's very hot outside,which makes it worse.  I can't breathe & I've developed a cough, not to mention my voice is gone (my boyfriend likes that part, I'm sure).  I hope I get to feeling better by the end of the week so I can enjoy my weekend!!  

From Space to Randomness

1. July 20th marks the anniversary of the first time man stood on the moon. Flash forward 42 years to July 8, 2011 which marked the start of the final Space Shuttle mission. Should we continue to explore space? Should nations devote more or fewer of their resources to exploring space? Would you want to go into space if the opportunity arose?
I do not think we need to continue to explore space. I think that now, we as a nation need to devote our time & effort to more important things, such as finding a cure for cancer or AIDS. I think we as a nation would not benefit as much anymore if we continued to go to space. This is so because we keep experiencing the same thing every time we go into space. In my opinion, I think that we're not really "helping" anyone by going into space. Therefore, we need to shift our focus elsewhere to better improve our nation. If I were asked to go into space, I would not go, not that I don't think it's interesting, but I'm just scared *lol*.

2. What are three things in your freezer?
Honey BBQ chicken wings, Chicken, & Ice.

3. If you could see any band/artist perform live tonite who would it be? It has to be someone living...no Beatles, Elvis, etc.
I haven't been to very many concerts, but my favorite concert was Casting Crown's. They're a Contemporary group. At their concert, I just feel free to worship God by raising my hands & singing right along with them. I think why I enjoyed their concert so much was because it was more of a worship service than a concert. It's amazing when you are surrounded by folks you've never met, but yet worship the same God that you do! Everyone there is so positive as well! It's such a great atmosphere. My boyfriend & I have discussed going to one soon, but we can't find a concert close :(. Hopefully, the band will be close to home soon!! 

4. Ice-cubed or crushed? Or are you one of those people who don't like ice?
Cubed!!!

5. The owner of a small restaurant outside of Pittsburgh recently announced he was banning children under six, saying they regularly disrupted other customer's meals. You can read the story in more detailhere but isn't this a perfect topic to discuss in our Wednesday Hodgepodge? Have at it friends...what are your thoughts?
I love children, & yes, I know that they can be loud in restaurants. However, kids are so innocent & precious. They're human beings as well, they're not dogs. Dogs are what you ban from businesses, not children. Even though they're children, they need to be respected just like adults do. Just because of this owner's actions, I'm sure he's not going to get too much business anymore. 

6. What was your first car? How did it come to be yours?
A Nissan Frontier. I saw it when my dad was driving my sister & me to school. His cousin, Ricky, was a used car salesman & he had it parked at Dad's office. I told Dad to stop & look at it. The next thing I knew, Dad had told me that Ricky sold the Frontier. I was absolutely devastated! I cried for several days. When Christmas rolled along, I noticed that I had more presents than anyone underneath the tree. However, as I began opening them, the so-called "presents" were nothing but empty boxes with questions for me to answer. This is how sad it was: my sister offered me her presents because she felt sorry for me! She's never known to share, especially with me of all people! Well, come to find out, my parents yelled at me to get downstairs to the garage. It was time to clean out the litter box. Well, below & behold, there was my truck!!! I cried because I was so happy! I literally got in the truck & just sat there for an hour, just running my hands along the steering wheel, the cloth seat, the mirrors. I'll never forget that day!

7. If I had a nickle for every time I _________________ I'd be rich.
Heard my mom say "shew"

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Mom is going to be gone this weekend on her sorority trip to Asheville, NC. It's just going to be Dad & me...oh boy. What fun will we get into???? 

Hodgepodge: 7/13/11

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?

My hometown (Chilhowie, Va) hasn't really changed since I was a kid. The only thing that's really changed, if you can call it a change, is that we got a one way street. How many towns that have 2,000 people really need a one way street? Apparently, my town! We still even have only one red light, which in my opinion, we need another one! My first "real time away from home" was when I went to school at King College. I didn't come home very often, but I'll always remember the very first time I came home from college. I began driving through town just enjoying it when all of a sudden, I realized that I was driving the wrong way. I began looking around, & then I realized the street I was on was now a one way street. Of course, I called my parents & told them what I had just discovered. They just laughed at me. Needless to say, I don't drive down that street anymore. Currently, I am attending pharmacy school, & I rarely get to come home. Just this weekend I came home for my dad's birthday. And yet, it's the same ole town I grew up in. Nothing has changed, & that's the reason why I like my hometown so much. It stays the same. I've moved a total of 4 times in my life. The longest I've lived in one house is 12 years, but I can honestly say that where I'm living now has been my favorite. My first house was a beautiful two-story home that my uncle & papaw built. The house was in an area I like to call "the country"--for those of you who don't understand what that means, I didn't live in town, like I do now. I was on the outskirts of town. My second home was a beautiful one story house out on the west end of town. I lived right beside of one of my best friends. Needless to say, we moved 6 months later to a two-story brick home in a subdivision. We lived there for several years. I loved that house. We had such great neighbors--everyone was so friendly, & my favorite neighbor is now my boss. The home I am currently at is right in the middle of town. My neighbors are my godparents. As you can see, my neighborhood has changed because I have moved several times. 

2. What song makes you laugh?
"Entrance of the Gladiator"--the circus theme. It's hilarious! Every time I listen to this song, all I picture are clowns riding around on their little bikes or unicycles, & yes, for some reason, I picture The Three Stooges doing something ridiculous. That makes the song funnier! Enjoy--it's a funny song & I hope it brings you laughter like it does me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0


3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?
I am a huge, & I mean HUGE Harry Potter fan!! I have all the books, & I've watched all the movies as well, but I only own movies 1-3. In order to make up for it, I do have the Harry Potter play station games, which I haven't finished playing all of them yet. However, I'm not crazy enough to stand in line for a movie ticket. No way Jose! That's not going to happen with this gal. However, my boyfriend & I plan to see the movie in theaters sometime next week once most of the crowd has died down. He's also a Harry Potter fan. This past weekend, Harry Potter has been playing on ABC family, & yes, I watched the movies all over again. No matter how many times I watch the movies, I never get bored of seeing them. I can literally watch them over & over again! My favorite Harry Potter movie is the first one: Harry Potter & the Sorcer's Stone. What's yours? I like this one so much because it followed right along with the book, & didn't leave out much detail. I like movies that follow straight from the book & are in good detail. If you haven't read the books, I encourage you to do so! They're a terrific read for all ages!! 

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?
Unfortunately, I hate to say this about myself, but yes, I will tell a little white lie just to keep from hurting someone's feelings. If that person has tried really hard to look his/her best for something & yet, they don't match or something is a little off, I tell that person that he/she looks fine! I do so because I know they've tried hard to make an impression on someone, & I don't want to burst their bubble! I am just kind-hearted; I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. In order to keep me from telling lies, I try to get out of the situation if I can. I don't necessarily call a "white lie" such as the one above "deception". To me, deception is knowingly doing something that you probably shouldn't in order to gain something. Telling a "white lie" is really not deceiving--you're trying to prevent from hurting someone else's feelings. Deceiving is similar to "tricking" or "cheating" in order to make yourself look better. I disagree with deceiving others. I think it's completely wrong in every way. The Bible even mentions how the serpent "deceived" Eve to eat the apple from the tree. The serpent did this in order to get back at God for kicking him out of Heaven. Therefore, what the serpent did was wrong, which was deceiving. In the context that deception is similar to tricking, I think we are better off as a society without deception. Haven't you noticed that most arguments today start because someone cheated someone else out of something? If deception would not exist, half of the arguments would cease to exist. As a society, I think the American people would be happier & more satisfied with themselves if deception ceased to exist. 

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.
Honey, this is the south--there are no foods that are cooked in garlic & olive oil! It's all cooked in butter & sauteed garlic!! One of my favorite foods sauteed in garlic & butter would be shrimp. My dad usually fixes shrimp out on the grill, in which he coats them in garlic & butter. However, I'm not a huge "shrimp on the grill" type of person. I like my shrimp cooked with pots & pans. Nothing brings out the shrimp flavor than garlic & butter. 

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?

I plan to be attending my family reunion (the Clapp renunion). Unlike other people who dread going to their family reunions, I thoroughly enjoy going to mine, & I look forward to coming every year. I get to visit with my cousins, & of course, my cousins can cook!! The food is amazing. Good food, friends, laughter, family, enjoyment--what else can you ask for at a family reunion? Our family reunion is held at the Old Quarry United Methodist Church in Saltville, Va. It happens once a year--either the last Saturday & Sunday in July or the first Saturday & Sunday in August. The festivities usually begin Saturday morning at around 11:00 a.m. where everyone signs in under the family tree. Many picture albums are available for us to look at once we're waiting on everyone to arrive. I'm in several of them (about being drum major, being accepted into King College, & being accepted into the Appalachian College of Pharmacy). Some of the pictures date back many years, while others are current & are of newspaper clippings of all of the kids' achievements in life. Then, it's eatin' time! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, breads, pasta salads, baked beans, desserts (all of which are homemande) are completely eaten up & all gone by 1:00 p.m. Usually by 2:00 or 3:00, mostly everyone is heading back home with empty crockpots. On Sunday morning, everyone meets back at the church for service. My sister usually sings at the reunion that morning as well. Then, right after the service, everyone departs to go home until next year.

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.
Lilac--they're beautiful & they smell wonderful! I have a Lilac bush outside my apartment, & I can smell it when I come home from school! It brightens up my whole day! Not to mention, lilac is one of my favorite colors as well.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm so ready to be out of school & a pharmacist already! I don't like going to school in the summertime, but I know it'll be worth it once I'm finished! I've got less than 1 year now until I begin my full 5 eight week rotations! Let the countdown begin!