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jen_marks
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Name: Jennifer
Birthday: 5/20/1987
Gender: Female
Interests: God, Bible Quizzing, Missions-anytime I can work for God, computers, small projects, bible quizzing monopoly, football, youth
Expertise: well I try to be good in Bible quizzing... no matter if it is quizzing, coaching, officating or whatever.... I also try in the computer field as well
Occupation: Computer Programming
Industry: comp sci tutor and teacher's a
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  bballjamm42
MSN: jen_marks@hotmail.com
Member Since:
5/16/2005
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| Once again it has been a very long time since I updated anything.
January: Classes started off well. It doesn't seem like this was a whole two months ago! I am taking Macroeconomics, Managerial Accounting, Spanish 101, Environmental Science, Modern Business Programming, and Bowling. Of which my favorite was bowling.(But now that is over since it was only a half semester class). In January I was accepted for an internship this summer at Principal Financial in Des Moines. I will be working in the Health IT department as a Java Programmer, which I am really excited about. I'll be living with my brother and his family- including Carter!! :) So that adds more excitement for me. Also in January I welcomed Clyde into my family. I have a fish now. He likes to swim up and down in his little cylinder, and he likes to eat a lot. However I've put him on a low-fat diet the last two days as he was getting a bit too big....
February: This month included a lot of planning. My friends and I were looking into spring break plans and living quarters plans for next year too. We were thinking of getting a house, but have just decided that would not be feasible, so will just get an apartment instead. Feb 10-11 I also went with the youth group I work with on a retreat. It was very good for everyone. I love retreats. They are a lot of fun, plus they really do challenge you. I love the kids I work with too. I really enjoyed going bowling twice a week during February also, oh and the All-Hall Fern bowling night too. That was exciting driving through the big snow storm.
March: SPRING BREAK..... however delayed by like 20 inches of snow! Classes were canceled that Friday, but no one could leave until Saturday anyway since most interstates were closed. It stunk quite a bit as that meant we couldn't go to California. But anyway it was a blast, we pretty much had an adventure everyday anyway.
Sat: Rachael, Monica, Megan, Katie, and I started out Saturday at 3:45pm   to get to my sister's in Omaha for the evening.
Sun: Drove Omaha to Denver to Monica's uncle's. He served us a great supper and we went to an Assemblies Church, which was really good.
Mon: great breakfast by Monica's uncle before we started to drive from Denver to Safford, AZ. This drive is supposed to be about 13 hours, but we made it into 17. We finally got there by midnight after an adventure we will never forget. About sunset we were driving when we realized our road wasn't on the map, and we were driving through the mountains. It was only supposed to be another couple hours until we got there, but these roads made us stay below 30mph as they were so twisty and they didn't have guardrails. I was asked to get in the front seat. I was pretty freaked out, but said OK. But after driving 35 miles into the mountains, we found a map off of a newspaper that Katie randomly picked up at the last gas station(that we didn't get gas at since it was too expensive-so we though) but I finally saw it and realized we need to go back through those 35 miles again or take 50 miles another way that has many unknowns..... so we had to humble ourselves to say we were wrong lets now turn around. Boy! This was really hard cause after the first 10 miles the first time I was starting a count down of how many miles there would be left. Warning: when they say falling rocks, they mean falling rocks- you need to get out of your car and move them sometimes! Yea, it was bad, but that wasn't the worst part either, we were running on E. Going through mountains w/o gas is bad. So when we got out of that Gila National Forest we stopped at a random house and I got out, went to their front door, and asked kindly "Where is the nearest gas station." She answered me saying that they might be closing in a couple minutes as it was 8:55. We then ran to the van to speed to this gas station a mile down the road just to see they were closed already at 8:00 due to redoing their floors. Oh but Megan and I knocked on the door and begged, "Can we please get gas we really really need it?" That lady was so kind she just said, "Yea, I'll take care of you ladies." We were so grateful. But that wasn't the end of the night. We still had 2-3 hours of driving yet and everyone was tired, feeling sick from the mountains or still on edge about what happened. But Meg drove through it all. I did see a big buck and two other smaller animals. I'm pretty sure at least one was a fox, and the other was weird too. But yea, we finally got to Safford after going through many more mountains on that road.
Mon: We slept in as we all needed it, but then went to the Chiricahua mountains. We took a bit of a hike there and it was beautiful. After that Monica's grandparents took us out for supper at a nice Mexican place.
Tues: Horseback riding!! That was a fun fun day. Our leader/guide person, Bucky, was a lot of fun. Our 4-hour ride ended up being about 6 hours cause he just liked to talk so much. He taught us a lot too. He let us gallop and do whatever we wanted, but he was a safe guy too. My horse wasn't very good sometimes, Clementine did what he wanted sometimes, not what I wanted.....But we stopped halfway through and he let us climb on all the rocks we wanted, it was great. That day we all got pretty sore though and really sunburned. But it was a whole lot of fun, plus he gave us tips for going into Mexico.
Wed: We drove to Nogales, Arizona, then crossed into Nogales, Mexico. At first we entered in a shady area, but soon we were led by a Mexican to the restaurant we were looking for: La roca. This is an old Mexican jail where they put Geronimo. It was a great place, kinda fancy, but it was fun. Then we went a couple blocks over to the touristy part, and things weren't shady anymore. We were asked for free boyfriends or free drinks though. But I enjoyed haggling. I talked one guy down from $20 to $3 for some keys. But, we only spent a few hours in Mexico. That was enough for us. But I really enjoyed being there and speaking some Spanish--- now that I know some in 101.  When we got back to Monica's grandparent's place we got nice tacos- which is one of my favorite meals.
Thurs: We leaved Safford to go to Tucson then Williams where we stayed in a hotel. In Tucson we went to St. Xavier Mission which is known to be "The Sistine
Chapel of the New World" http://www.sanxaviermission.org/ And we also went to a vegetarian restaurant. That was quite interesting. And finally to appease others we went to the mall for 45 minutes. I did some other things while people shopped, but I enjoyed my time too. And finally we got on our way to Williams which is an hour from the Grand Canyon.
Fri: Filled with the Grand Canyon. It was beautiful. We took a steep 3-mile hike, which was hard and good. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I also enjoyed going to the different points or lookouts and seeing where I can climb out on rocks. This seemed to be the bulk of my enjoyment- trying to be adventurous. I got to share a nice rotisserie chicken with Megan for lunch. That was fun. But the most beautiful view was sunset from the desert view watchtower. We weren't in the watchtower, but just by it, but it was still beautiful as you can see so far. It was great. No pictures can describe its beauty. But we had a hotel right outside the park, so it was nice we didn't have to drive anywhere. haha, once again we found a fancy country restaurant to eat at, but I was so tired it didn't really matter that we were at a nice place. But our hotel was really nice too.
Sat: Travel to Grand Junction.. too bad we couldn't have seen the beauty there, but our trip through Utah and the rest of Arizona was also very beautiful. All the rocks and rock sand and weird formations were wonderful. We also got to stop at the dinosaur tracks, where my doubts of the existence of dinosaurs were smashed. I believe they existed now. It was pretty crazy though. We made a couple other stops to see the scenery too- it was so pretty.
Sun: Big day of travel from Grand Junction, CO to Omaha. It didn't really seem like that much though as we started very early in the morning. Megan drove until like 2 or 3, then I drove until 9. We didn't stop hardly at all too, so we made pretty good timing. haha, once again we just got groceries at Hy-Vee, so Meg and I shared another chicken 
Mon: Last day... kinda sad that our adventure was about over, but we took as long as we could at my sister's to enjoy the whole day. We made ourselves eggs and French toast. But about noon we headed back home to NWC. And finally about 2:30 our adventure was over, but we were happy to bring the warm back with us as it was about 60 degrees here too. It did get up to 90 in Tucson though.
It was a great trip that I'll never forget.
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| OK, so I know I haven't commented in a really long time, so I suppose I will.
Lets go back to the last time I've updated...
August: The trip to the boundary waters with the freshmen went really well. I enjoyed that time a lot getting to know them and practicing some of my leadership skills I learned through Romania. I also was a part of the SMILE move-in team. I feel like I was made to do that :) I really loved seeing my friends again though. And camping that first weekend with them, although I couldn't sleep at all that night, I guess I made up for it the next day by sleeping for a long time :P
September: Classes went well after I dropped Spanish class, but I'll be picking it back up in a week I became an aunt for the first time! Sept 29th Carter Lee was born and after 8 days of complications got to go home :)
October: I thouroughly enjoyed fall break of which Megan, Rach and I went to my home, the football game, my grandpa's place-climbing grain bins and a silo, then Rach's home, biked a 26-mile route, went bowling, saw my nephew, and road tripped back home via a scenic view including a detour run through a corn field.
November: My website project for my junior high Dover youth began. I had a great Thanksgiving break at home, including a successful morning of shopping on black friday. Once again I got to see my little Carter :)
December: I finished that website after days after days of work, finals weren't too hard but I tried my hardest. I totally enjoyed my free time after finals before going to New Orleans-including but not limited to being pulled around town like kip in Naplean Dynamite and eating Easy Mac and pinapple before "Elf" in my dorm room.
I also had a really good trip to New Orleans again. The group I was with got through 4 homes in 3 days. We pretty much took out ceilings and wiped down studs for mold, insects, and fungus. This trip made me think once again about helping the poor and needy. So much damage occured from Katrina that this country either doesn't know or doesn't accept as there is so much work to be done still. Thousands lost everything. I can't imagine losing everything. Sure a fire can destroy your house, but you still know where your family is located or neighbors or friends. You hopefully still have health, and insurance can help you get through this fire. There is poverty in our own country, and somehow I would like to help make things better. Someday I will figure out how, but for now I'll just keep serving whenever possible.
Well I was in NO Dec 17-22, getting home on the 23rd. Just in time for all the Christmas activities. I've really enjoyed my time at home, a lot more than other breaks. I got a lot done the first week during Christmas activities, including a trip to Omaha with my sister. But this week I've been trying to relax more and I'm actually reading a book, and this relaxing is really working. I've only got a few more days of it before I go back, but maybe, just maybe I'll be ready.
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| Wow, time flies. Detassling is over, as of like a week ago. I survived. I didn't like it, but oh well. I got through it, and now I'm back to my other job. Last week of work here at the conference center kept me very busy. I put in quite a few hours, and worked really hard so that i could go to adventureland on Saturday to meet up with a college buddy, Rachael, and have a great day of fun. That definitely happened. I had a really great time. I got to see her camp, go to adventureland, play guitars, haha Wal-mart run for lunch, and more :).
this week started the cedar falls bible conference. so far it has been going pretty well in my opinion. i just have to clean and re-clean a lot. it is pretty much really enjoyable because i live here on the grounds so i dont' have to travel a half hour to work every morning, actually this morning i woke up 5 minutes before i had to start working. it was so sweet. but in the morning we get paid to sit in one of the sessions to learn and in the evenings i can go to sessions too, so i've been able to enjoy some of the great speakers of these days this week. actually there was a guy i heard today twice from ireland. he was really good. i enjoyed them quite a bit. aww, and afterward i was able to sit with a couple friends and play guitars and sing worship songs. yay.
well, a week from today i go back to school. i'm pretty excited, but i must say there are quite a few things i want to get done here yet too. so many things, so little time, it seems like this is the case everywhere i go. we'll see what i all get done this next week.
but for present news: i just got a dozen orange roses from my parents. I love them quite a bit.
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| Well, i have officially started detassling. It didn't seem too hard today. It was about 90 degrees in the sun until 4:00.....after starting the day bright and early at 5:00.... It didn't seem as hard as everyone made it out to be.... at the time, but now that i have had time to think through it, it sucks. i am pretty much by myself all day long, trying not to get cut by the corn, while getting corn rash. Tomorrow i think i am going to bring my MP3 player and see if that helps. Plus, I'm going to take breaks.... I didn't take any breaks today other than one for lunch, so that could add to it all..... but I feel like I am surrounded by little immature high schoolers.... ah to think i was there just one year ago.... and to see myself having to put up with their immaturity now again.... I think that could be one of the hardest things.... i am just so old compared to all the other kids. ok ok enough of this, i think you get the drift.
These last few weeks have been pretty good. I've been working a lot at hte conference center. I think i almost got 40 hours in 4 days this week. But I do like the work. This week was really good cause 1) I got to work with others 2) the boss was in a great mood- that is always good 3) I got a lot of hours, some of which w/ my mommy :)
The walk for life went really well last friday. I think i might have walked a mile, but then i ran a lap, and started to run w/ my cousin :) that was fun. I kinda made it into a race, when i left her cause she was goign really slow... the race was that i had to lap her :) and it worked. I ran 3 laps in the time it took her to run 2. but i enjoyed that night really.
That whole weekend was great. The whole family was home so i got to enjoy everyone at home. And sunday we had a surprise baby shower for julie that went very well. Very well. It was fun to see each of us work like clockwork trying to get the house ready in 5 minutes after our "stall" trick lasted too long at the pizza ranch :) But it was a blast.
uh, it makes me sad that i've got to get to bed soon. If anyone has ever detassled or has any encouraging words, or has any idea how to make this detassling better, let me know, give me a post, send me an email, whatever, it would be appreciated.
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| I suppose its time for an update. These last couple weeks have been pretty good. I've gotten oh about 60 hours of work in, maybe a couple more, but nothing too exciting. I've got two favorite jobs at work: office work- when I set up something on the computers for the office ladies since I am the official computer tech :), and also doing demolition. We are tearing down a cabin, so I get to help a lot with that. Oh I love it so much! I think I'm doing my two favorite jobs all in one at this place called Riverview Conference Center.
I finished my paper for the boundary waters trip this week. It was really good to reflect on what I learned through that expedition. I have also gone running a couple times this week. I enjoyed that quite a bit. I also got to climb a tree :) :) :) That was really good. I have finally found a tree that is good enough to climb. That is one thing I've been missing from college: trees. But, I think i'm becoming better tree climber, so hopefully I can try different trees when i get back this fall :) Yesterday I went to my cousin's wedding reception. It was good to hang out with family and see everyone again. I think I'll see them all again this next weekend too for a cancer walk that I have been signed up for I guess. I did it last year and walked 12 miles in 12 hours, 6pm to 6am, but I don't want to walk that much this year! Yikes, it's not fun pulling an all nighter like that! But it will be really good to see my immediate family again :)
I've been enjoying time at night to just sit on my porch and stare at the stars and the wonderful creation of God! It is so beautiful, I love it. His hand is amazing. He is so cool, it's like a broken record, you have faith and he is faithful. Every time. yea, so that's an update of me and my life. and now off for a nap.
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