I gave love a second chance.

For those of you who might actually read this, probably know that I am dating somebody new. (Well, 'new' is quite relative, I've been dating him for 5 months) But yes, the rumors are true. I, Annie Nelson, have open my heart to a man named Andrew Mikolajczak (horrible last name, it took a while to learn how to spell it). While, I was quite weary of all men after my last experience, I am very very happy with Andrew. He is (literally) the most kind and gentle man I know. He is so very patient with me, which is important for me to have in a man, because I make a lot of mistakes.

For example: This weekend I made four quite big mistakes. #1) I made Andrew dinner, and didn't let the bread for the bread stick rise = gross gross tasting bread sticks. #2) We ordered Chinese food, and upon pick up (after a 10 minute walk and waiting in line for 15 minutes), we realized that I had called the wrong location. #3) While playing Settler's of Catan, I started crying because I was loosing so badly (I know, I'm a baby). #4) I spilt a whole glass of water over the whole Setter's game board, and ruined most of the pieces of the $42 set.

And after all this! He hugs me and tells me "It's okay babe" And that is what I love about him. He is sweet and loving and kind and all around wonderful. Also, a great cook.

Here is some basic info for those who don't know Andrew. He currently goes to U of M. His two majors are Physics and Math. He is also in the Education program and is graduating at the end of this school year (Which is crazy to ponder, because! if we are still dating in a year, I'll be dating a high school teacher, so weird). He grew up about 3 miles away from me, yet we didn't meet until May 2009 at a mutual friend's party. He is mostly Polish, and partly Italian, but he looks very Italian (!).

He is a big part of my life. And I love him dearly.

Okay, I will stop with the mushy mushy words, and post some mushy mushy pictures of us:

awwhww!

I finally did it!

I deactivated my facebook.

My next step? Twitter.

Why did I deactivate?

I want more time to focus on my blog. The times I wrote the most was when my facebook was deactivated. I can tell and show people who am through my blog, not a through a series of almost meaningless wall posts and pictures. I really do like facebook for pictures, but I can get over that. I have my own little Canon Powershot now. Also, studies show that students who don't have a facebook do better in college than students who do. And I can believe that. When I am suppose to be studying, I always seem to end up on facebook for hours looking at a friend from high school's pictures of his or her trip to Europe. Which then just invokes feelings of jealousy, envy and loneliness. Also, I am pre-student teaching, and I don't want little high school stalkers. or principal stalkers looking for a picture of me holding a beer just to create some baby mama drama.

So. Here I am. Doing the blog thing.

Yep. . .

Why I am not okay with Obama. . .

Here is a very interesting article claiming that Obama wants to cancel summer vacation and increase time students spend in school.

Here's the link: More School: Obama would curtail summer vacation

This makes me furious. I can see a little bit how it would make sense. But when applied the cost of it. . . There are so many other things the money can go to. I.E. Smaller classes. I can't believe that his reasoning for wanting more school time is because it's putting them at a disadvantage with other kids around the globe. Since when are we worried about our disadvantage compared to other countries (what happen to NCLB?)? I can understand a little bit because of the Cold War, and the race to space, but I thought that we were over that.

But the cost!? Does Obama not realize the number one way to improve schools is smaller class sizes? Teachers have been demanding this over and over. Like a broken record. It proven that smaller classes produce more learning. But class sizes have been stretched and stretched. One of my classmates is pre-student teaching in a class of 45! What good is extending students time in school if they are still not getting the help and attention they need?

Now the reason we do have our summers off is because of agricultural reasons. And that doesn't really make sense. But there are such bigger issues than extending classroom time that I think Obama needs to be focusing on. Fixing No Child Left Behind should be one of them. Also, a pay increase that he promised teachers during his campaign.

But the most important issue to remind Obama is: Education is a STATE issue, not a national issue. Obama, sorry, but you don't have any power to change the state guidelines for number of hours a student is to spend in a classroom.

Obama is too full of hope. Sure, it would be nice to have some extra time just thrown into schools, but it's just so completely impractical. I feel like Obama saw that other countries education systems are better than ours, so what is the number one difference? --> no summers! So obviously we must rid our system of summer break. Pardon me while I go gag in the corner.

Long story short, it's an okay idea. . . Until you think of the costs. If the money is going to go to the schools than it should someplace else.

Also, I wrote this 20 minutes before class because I was too furious to study for my quiz, so I apologize for missed words and misspellings.

God is not a man.

My Personality

Want to know everything about me? Read this.

As an ESFP, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is internal, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.

ESFPs live in the world of people possibilities. They love people and new experiences. They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the center of attention. They live in the here-and-now, and relish excitement and drama in their lives.

ESFPs have very strong inter-personal skills, and may find themselves in the role of the peacemaker frequently. Since they make decisions by using their personal values, they are usually very sympathetic and concerned for other people's well-being. They're usually quite generous and warm. They are very observant about other people, and seem to sense what is wrong with someone before others might, responding warmly with a solution to a practical need. They might not be the best advice-givers in the world, because they dislike theory and future-planning, but they are great for giving practical care. So True!

ESFP is definitely a spontaneous, optimistic individual. They love to have fun. If the ESFP has not developed their Thinking side by giving consideration to rational thought processing, they tend to become over-indulgent, and place more importance on immediate sensation and gratification than on their duties and obligations. They may also avoid looking at long-term consequences of their actions. I procrastinate all the time.

For the ESFP, the entire world is a stage. They love to be the center of attention and perform for people. They're constantly putting on a show for others to entertain them and make them happy. They enjoy stimulating other people's senses, and are extremely good at it. They would love nothing more than for life to be a continual party, in which they play the role of the fun-loving host.

ESFPs love people, and everybody loves an ESFP. One of their greatest gifts is their general acceptance of everyone. I do accept everybody! They are upbeat and enthusiastic, and genuinely like almost everybody. An ESFP is unfailingly warm and generous with their friends, and they generally treat everyone as a friend. However, once crossed, an ESFP is likely to make a very strong and stubborn judgment against the person who crossed them. They are capable of deep dislike in such a situation. I don't know how true this is. . .

The ESFP under a great deal of stress gets overwhelmed with negatives thoughts and possibilities. As an optimistic individual who lives in the world of possibilities, negative possibilities do not sit well with them. In an effort to combat these thoughts, they're likely to come up with simple, global statements to explain away the problem. These simplistic explanations may or may not truly get to the nature of the issue, but they serve the ESFP well by allowing them to get over it. I hate it when people are negative, and I do make global statements a lot. I.E. 'everything is going to be okay' because everything really is going to be okay. That's the way I see it.

ESFPs are likely to be very practical, although they hate structure and routine. They like to "go with the flow", trusting in their ability to improvise in any situation presented to them. They learn best with "hands-on" experience, rather than by studying a book. They're uncomfortable with theory. If an ESFP hasn't developed their intuitive side, they may tend to avoid situations which involve a lot of theoretical thinking, or which are complex and ambiguous. For this reason, an ESFP may have difficulty in school. On the other hand, the ESFP does extremely well in situations where they're allowed to learn by interacting with others, or in which they "learn by doing".

ESFPs have a very well-developed appreciation for aesthetic beauty!!!, and an excellent sense of space and function. If they have the means, they're likely to have to have many beautiful possessions, and an artfully furnished home. In general, they take great pleasure in objects of aesthetic beauty. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the finer things in life, such as good food and good wine.

The ESFP is a great team player. He or she is not likely to create any problems or fuss, and is likely to create the most fun environment possible for getting the task done. ESFPs will do best in careers in which they are able to use their excellent people skills, along with their abilities to meld ideas into structured formats. Since they are fast-paced individuals who like new experiences, they should choose careers which offer or require a lot of diversity, as well as people skills. Becoming a teacher = every single day will be different. Yay.

ESFPs usually like to feel strongly bonded with other people, and have a connection with animals and small children that is not found in most other types. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the beauties of nature as well.

The ESFP has a tremendous love for life!!!, and knows how to have fun. They like to bring others along on their fun-rides, and are typically a lot of fun to be with. They're flexible, adaptable, genuinely interested in people, and usually kind-hearted. They have a special ability to get a lot of fun out of life, but they need to watch out for the pitfalls associated with living entirely in the moment.

I think you should take the quiz too! MyType (you need a facebook)

Photos that capture the essence of this girl named "Annie."

This photo inspired me to do this creative little blog post. This is my new 'thing': to wear my hiking boots with skirts. It's one of those things that I love so much, I honestly don't care what the world thinks of it. It is something that is just so me. 

This is the photograph that started it all. I took this photo with my SRL film camera in the passenger seat mirror of a friends car. I wish I could have found it in color, but those sun glasses at ruby red and my finger nails are hot pink. The peace sign fits nicely, as it would in many pictures to come. 

I love how big my smile is this picture. I was truly so happy. (By the way, this was taken at a Harry Potter midnight showing)

My dad got me that blue polka dot ring. I will never forget it. Once again, notice the finger nails. Also the "how to be a hippie handbook." I still don't know if I'm a hippie.

I love to dance. This photo shows that. I will dance and sing pretty much anywhere I feel comfortable. 

This was taken on the most important day of my life; my baptism. I love God, and though it might be impossible, I feel like this photo shows that. My humble bowing before God as I was about to show the world that I am firm believer in Jesus. 

So many details that I love in this photo: white sunglasses, Chipotle, Izze (the orange drink), my purse I got in Seattle, purple Iowa shirt, brown vest, and a smile. 

Friends are very important to me. This is me and friend Samantha. We were bored, so we took pictures of ourselves. I had my camera set on a tripod and we ran and laid down in my school's fancy crosswalk. It was a really good time. 

I like simple things in life. This lunch was wonderful. Plus, seriously who takes photos of themselves and their boring lunch? Annie Nelson does. 

Hands are the thing I'm most attracted to. My hand in this picture looks awesome. And this is just a really good candid(ish) shot. 

I want to hike and conquer bigger mountains. I feel powerful in this photo, and accomplished.

 

There is so much joy in this picture. I love silliness. This photo is a reminder to never stop being silly because it can bring so much joy. 

Many people have told me that I have really 'blossomed' since this summer. And I couldn't agree more. I am confident and happy. So much has changed this past year, and it all has been for the better. I can look back on this year and see how much I've grown through my terrible pain. It's such a good realization to know that everything really does work out for the good. 

Even though it's hard to see at times, everything truly will be okay. 

This world is going to end in one big swoosh of technology overload. 

    I've been thinking a lot recently about how fast technology is moving and how we have never seen anything like it. There are some major advantages to technology but some major disadvantages that everybody seems to overlook. 

    Humans have been around for a long time (5,000 - 1,000,000 years), and only in past 100 years have we had cars, tractors, recordable music, grocery stores, etc. And only in past 10 years things like cell-phones, lap-tops, i-pods, internet, and credit cards have gotten really popular. It's just blowing my mind. 200 years ago if you wanted to contact somebody in another country it would take months, perhaps years. Now, we can just hop onto skype and have free face to face conversation. Less then 5 years ago, most things were done through postal mail, now almost everything is done through e-mail. It's just boggles my mind how fast everything is today. If my computer freezes for a second, I get frustrated. For a second peoples! 

     One of the main advantages of technology is all the information at our fingertips. Literally, with the click of a button I can know anything that I want. I just have to google it. Do you realize how crazy and wild this is!!? If I was a college student 10 years ago, I would have to go to the library, and open books to find information. But now, within seconds, literally seconds, I can research anything. 

    I don't know man. This is just something I've had on my mind recently. It's bugging me too. I think technology is a great great luxury, but this is getting out of hand. I think we (america) needs to get back to the basics, and things that are really important and really needed. Like . . . agriculture! I have no idea how to farm or make food. This scares me. Most of my friends don't know either. I could look it up on the internet, but what's the point when I can just go to the grocery store. I don't know, I guess what I'm trying to say is; we (all people) use to have to work for food, like literally work in the fields or manage fields for food. Now, we still work for food, but we just work technology jobs. Is this okay? I don' t know. Technology just seems so unneeded to me. 

    I realized I said a lot of generalized statements. I guess my point is this; I'm just freaking out how fast our technology is moving and how much time we spend on it when we could be doing other things that absolutely needed.

 

ahhh!

My friends are better than yours.

48 hours #2

In 48 hours I will be in . . .

with

and

(girls just want to have fun)

Soul Pancake

www.soulpancake.com

I'm really excited to see what comes out of this.

 soulpancake. 

This is a video Rainn Wilson (AKA Dwight from da office) made to promote his new web-site, soul pancake. It's sounds like it's a place where anybody can go and put there ideas to answer some of "life's big questions". I visited the site, and sure enough there is plenty of responses to these questions. I think if this thing really gets up and running it'll be great. It'll forcing people to think about things they ignore. C.S. Lewis talks about how people will do anything to avoid these kind of questions. We all have a longing inside of us. And many of us don't know what to do about. And I think this website will (fashionably) answer some people's longing. 

Also, I think there is a big warning with this also. I always get a little bit scared when God starts to become "cool." There is a huge danger in people being fake and doing it just because their friends are. I grew up in a church where this was very evident. Most of my friends from youth group are completely different people now than they were then. Why? because it wasn't real. Maybe it was for some people. But for me, it wasn't. But yeah back to the point; I'l be curious to see what happens. 

There is a video of Rainn talking about this web-site to Oprah. And Rainn really seems to be against organized religion. We all know that most people today don't like organized religion but he seems to believe that there is truth to all religions. Which I find very interesting, because they seem contradict each other. . .  But I don't know much about other religions. . . So I won't say much. I just hope this doesn't mean more hate towards christians for being small minded. (well, what do I expect? Jesus did promise we would be hated) And lastly I will say this: I am very excited to see this play out, people thinking about God is great. If we all started loving God on a daily basis, oh! how the world would change. . . 

My Best Friends

 

 

I seriously love these people. 

Becoming a teacher. . .

This semester I am taking Education 202. As a requirement for this class I have to spend some time in an actual classroom and 'observe'. So once a week I go to East Kentwood Freshman Campus and 'observe'. Although, I don't really observe. I help out this cool kid named EJ. 

Peoples, I cannot even tell you how excited I am to teach.

 Today I had to wake up at 6:30 am (I went to bed at 2am) to go to my school and I was so excited to do it. Afterwords I am so energized. I know I'm not really making a difference, but seeing EJ learn and really understand Algebra; it's the greatest feeling. I love it. Every time after I  leave the school I get a little emotional because it's like "wow, this is what I really want to do, and I'm doing it!" I'm accomplishing my dreams. It's kind of scary, but wow! I cannot not wait for each day to begin. I have found my purpose in life. It's so strange this feeling that I get after I am done helping EJ, it's like I am suddenly so motivated to do everything. I'm on the right track and I love it. I absolutely love it. 

(future teacher)

This semester is my semester to try new things. and grow.  

I miss. . .

+ Eric Stewart picking me up in 1987 Chevy Impala and sitting three people in the front of his car even though the back seat was empty. 

+ Yellowstone National Park: Understatement of the year. 

+ Sliding in the snow in parking lot of Laurel with Danny. 

+ Joy and AJ blasting "strong enough" when I was crying. 

+ Samantha Lee Warner coming over to my apartment and sitting on my couch, while I sit in the big chair and talk talk talking. (Maybe in her car too)

+ My full sized bed with the down comforter. 

+ Talking with Mat Burton in his car outside of Kensington and being scared cause I would imagine a scarecrow walking out of the bush. 

+ Going to small group. 

+ Jessica Meyer and I's 16 mile hike (in one day).

+ Tom Elmore encouraging me in everything that I did. 

+ Running away to church after school. 

+ Working at Dairy Queen with all the crazy Calendeans. 

+ Playing disc golf with Mat and Alexa. 

+ Eating Little Ceaser's pizza in the Radio Room and JC park. 

+ My snake named Enrique.

+ Courtney Devine teaching me what a true friend is. 

+ Firefighters Park. 

+ Chelsea and I's "road trips" to East Lansing. 

+ Watching Old Faithful go off in the full moon. 

+ Dance Parties. 

+ Being the lead in every school play at WCA.

+ Sleepovers with Ashley. 

+ Driving around with my car windows down, dancing and singing to my Kohl's Summer Hits CD. 

+ Riding the CATA bus. (I can't believe I actually miss this)

+ Sharing secrets with Danielle. 

+ My little crushes on all the older men in high school. (Ryan Clifford, Brian Pecoraro, Aaron Steppe, Mr. Keoleian)

+ Anthony James Murdoch hugging me when I found out Travis broke up with me for another woman.

+ Being new to Epic.

+ Being the girl with Dreadlocks. 

+ My photography class at community college. 

+ After New Community hang out. 

+ Summertime. 

+ Taina. Taina. Taina. 

+ And Alvin, Kyla, Evelyn, Pedro, and all the russians!

+ Breaking into Kensington at night and running around (and eating all the granola bars). 

+ My messy room. (it's strange missing this, but I do)

+ Counting points and going to those crazy fun meetings with Ally Johnson. 

+ Christina and Deanna's crazy boy stories. I miss this a lot. 

+ Watching Gilmore Girl's all day with Amanda in Lake Orion. 

+ Going home for the weekend. 

+ Matt telling me everything will be okay.

+ Laura Lego giving me advice, and really praying for me to be a christian again. 

+ Fern Cascades, where I found God hiding in the white ripples of the water.  

I like this guy a lot.

My Life. . .

Here is an update on the biggest things in my life recently. 

Friends

So being new to Calvin College this year was a little hard at first. I honestly thought I would be really popular right away, and when I wasn't I was a little sad.  Needless to say, now that time has passed on I am popular now. (Just Kidding). I have made some good friends, and heck a lot of acquaintances. I have primarily 3 people that I will call on my weekends/ when I'm bored:

1) Bob Beigun: Bob and I have developed a wonderful friendship recently. It started out with . . . I don't even know. But now every week our ritual is as follows: Eat something together (we take turns on who cooks), watch a TV series (we just finished Firefly), go to the super market buy some ice cream (yes, every week) and then watch some more TV series. It's a great ritual and easily one of my favorite times of the week. 

2) Charlotte Sandy: I met Charlotte in my orientation group (cute, I know) and we've been friends ever sense. She's more a random friend. She's kinda my go to person. If I need something I can count on Charlotte and vice versa. We hang out randomly, and sometimes study together. I like her a lot. 

3) Anna from New York: We are in the process of developing life long friendshipness. She recently moved in to my apartment complex, so we are practically neighbors. We don't do much we hang out but at the end of the day I always smile and think about what we talked about. 

Work

I work at Commons Dining Hall on campus. I use to hate it, but now I love it. Like LOVE it. The people that I work with are great. We all eat dinner together before we work, and it's usually a blast. All the boys make fun of me for various things (going to Avondale High School or that I have red hair, or that 'I am a spy') but I kinda like it. This semester I signed up as a "stocker" for friday morning breakfast. The first day was so hard, and I really considered giving the shift to somebody else. I have to carry really heavy things (primarly milk - 50 pounds per milk crate) from downstairs to upstairs. It is really hard. But I want muscle, so I went in the next week and it was so much easier! I am proud of myself for doing something I honestly thought I might not be able to do. 

Summer Plans

My future roommate's (Danielle) parents bought a house as an investment, and we get to live in it. I'm going to pay rent, but it's going to be a lot cheaper than it would be to live on campus again. But the house is HUGE. and it's just Danielle and I living in it next year. It's 4 bedrooms (almost 5, there making the attic into a bedroom), 2.5 baths, and a finished basement. There's even a breakfast nook. 

But yeah, I plan on living there. And then (hopefully) keep my job at Commons and work 30 - 40 hours a week and take classes at Grand Rapids Community College (Spanish, Math and Biology) at night. I want to travel and camp a lot. O yeah, best part of summer: my parents are thinking about letting me have their car (just for the summer). And then with money from working so much I would buy a car. But even if they don't let me have the car then I plan on taking a loan out and buying one. Cause the house Danielle and I are living in is like a 10 minute drive from Campus. 

Living Situation

I still live in on-campus apartments, but instead of having 3 other roommates I now only have 1 other roommate. Her name is Rita, and I absolutely love her! We get along really well. I love our apartment too. It's artistic and really good for having people over. Also, I have 2 beds in my room (there not stacked).  One is for napping while the other one is for sleeping in. It's great. This also means if you ladies ever want to spend the night I have a bed for you. :) and if 2 ladies want to come I have a mattress under my bed. Yes, I have a lot of places for people to sleep. I really like my living situation. 

And to end this very long blog post I will leave you with one picture from Las Vegas: 

Death Valley Video!!!!

It's totally worth watching. 

twice. 

Death Valley

i had SUCH a good time. 

more?

February Homework Schedule

(click to see it bigger)

*This is mostly for me, so i have access to it when I am not on my computer*

But seriously, I am going to busybusybusy.

Death Valley

More to come. . . 

(oh, be excited)

awesome toilets at airport