Love the Holidays

I have run into a problem with studying astronomy.  I cant pick one thing to focus on.  I need to join a research group, because its required to graduate, and the sooner I pick one the better but I can decide which one I want to join.  They all look like so much fun!

I am a giant nerd...

Also, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Sorry its a day late.

So...Stars?

Nicole Hopper is my name
and Terra is my nation.
Deep space is my dwelling place
The Stars my Destination

that was a little poem in a sci-fi book I read recently called "The Stars My Destination."  The original name is Gully Foyle though but I changed the name because I can.  ha!!!

Does anybody actually read this?

Blue Sky's Mean Clear Nights

School is wonderful.  Sometimes I forget that little fact, but it really is amazing.  I get to spend all day every day learning new things.  How many people in the world have that opportunity?  Sure tests are stressful and homework is annoying but they are minor grievances that I shouldn't complain about.  I am blessed to be here at college expanding my knowledge and my views of the world.  Who knows, maybe I can use all this knowledge to teach others.  That would be pretty awesome.

Break Me Off a Piece of that Kit-Kat Bar

I need to update more often.  I just got back from picking up my key for my new living quarters.  The power isn't turned on...heh that was supposed to have been taken care of three days ago.  Whoops.  I guess I need to start being an adult and stuff.  However, the place is clean and nice.  Plenty of storage space and I'm hoping my roommate will sacrifice having a big room for not having bunk-beds.  I love it.  Hopefully I can move in tonight or tomorrow, depending on when we can get the utilities turned on.

Now that I think about it, I have packed up and moved three times in the space of 3 months.  Whats funny is that this is what I was trying to avoid when I signed a year long contract to begin with.

OK, back to packing.

Such a Short Summer

Alright, most of you probably know this but, hey this is what a blog is for right?  So, yeah, I have a boyfriend.  His name is Travis.  He's cute. 

Anyway, on to stuff.  The semester is almost over, just two more class days and then finals.  It seemed to have flown by.  After finals, my parents will be here for a few days so that will be fun.  I can't wait to hang out with mommy and daddy. 

Then, I have a three week break before fall semester starts and in that time I will be moving again to my new apartment.  I am really excited about that though so no worries.  I probably wont be coming home though during that time.  Sorry guys. 

At the end of August, Travis will be back. Hate to be mushy, but I am really looking forward to that.

Bi-Polar Weather

Hello world, it's been a while!

I've been super busy with my two classes.  I'm up at 6 in the morning and I'm in bed at midnight and all in between I am studying my little tail off.  Except not really.  I probably get up around 9, study for a bit, get ready for the day, go to class, study for a few hours before my last class then go home.  I must say, I really like how laid back summer term is.  I feel like I have time to study and breath.  Still, some things kind of fall to the wayside and one of them happened to be this blog for a short time.  Sorry about that.

I said goodbye to Hunk of Math tonight.  I'm going to really miss him.  I'm super proud of him and all my missionary friends, but its still bittersweet.  He's going to have a blast though.  I just know it.

Oh, I sold my contract.  Thank you Lord! I am not a huge fan of living here.  Its loud, a lot of the people are obnoxious and the apartment itself kind of sucks.  I don't know, it might just be me but I don't like it.  But hey, I'm moving out in August so I really shouldn't complain.

OK, bed time.  Night everybody.

New Place

It is official.  I will be in Salt Lake on my birthday.  Why?  Because...THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS ARE PLAYING A SHOW THERE THAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  its like they're playing just for me :P

Alright, I moved in to my apartment yesterday.  Still have some boxes to unpack and things but that shouldn't be to bad.  My roommates seem nice, though I haven't really talked to them much.  I'm still going to try and sell my contract though.

That TV is going to bother me.

Exit Wound in a Foreign Nation

Its been a bit, hasn't it?  Such is life. 

I'm heading back to Utah next wednesday to start up summer term.  I am very ready to jump back into my studies and learn some awesome stuff.  I've had a pretty good break though.  It's been good being at home with my family again and everything.  I had a great job and I gained some good experience with it.  Life is very good.

I didn't get to live in the new house though but thats alright.  I understand, some things just didn't go quite right.  Things will work out though.  Mom and Dad should be moving in sometime soon after I leave which is great for them!  I know they will enjoy their new home.

I said my last goodbye to Jordan today.  I'm gonna miss you Duck Boy.  Write me tons and tons please.

So now I'm just packing up everything I own so it can all be moved into the new house after I leave.  I feel bad that I can't help with the move but it can't be helped.  My room seems so empty right now though.  9 years of stuff and pictures and memories all going into a box.  I feel like I'm packing away my rooms soul, that "lived in" feeling you get when you walk into someones room.  The sense you get that one specific person lived through all sorts of things in this room.  Now its all going into a box for the next person to fill with memories and life.  I'm in a reminiscing mood right now, case you can't tell.  I found old journals and pictures and toys shoved in the back of my closet with several years of dust layered on top.  What a great trip I'm on.

Whats New With You?

Augh, I wish I had stuff to say but I don't.  I'm just chillin at home.  Don't get me wrong, home is great!  but, I'm not really doing anything interesting.  I work 4 days a week for 8 hours a day and then I play games or watch movies or read books or talk to friends on skype or something random like that. 

At work on Thursday though, some of the girls let me ramble about space and stars and stuff like that for a bit while we were waiting for the next patient.  That was pretty darn nice of them.

Kristen, if you're reading this, I am super excited for you and Cory to come out here in a week!!!  

They Might be my Favorite Band

My weekend trip was pretty good.  A few weird things happened but nothing major at least and I made it home alive so its all good!

But!  I found the best thing at a music shop in Portland.  I found "Then: The Earlier Years, a CD set of They Might be Giants earlier music.  it was 14 dollars for 71 tracks!! Holy cow what a stinkin deal!!

So yeah, I was extremely happy.  I freaking love this band and finding their stuff anywhere is amazing in itself, but a deal like that!  What great shop, seriously.

Seeing all my friends was way awesome though.  Katie is the best ever and I love her a ton. Just thought you all should know that.

Woot, Weekend

What a week its been.  Works been going pretty good but boy am I a tired girl.  Its not like its particularly physically hard, its just being on your feet all day hard.

I saw a little girl today with long blond hair wearing all purple.  I couldn't help but wonder if she was being purple girl today.

Going up to Eugene and Portland this weekend!

Be Nice to Me, Curve!

Well, I got home last night. My first year of college was awesome even though my grades weren't stellar.  the next six weeks are going to be long and short, busy and lazy, happy and sad, exciting and boring.  all sorts of crazy emotions and junk like that. 

so! my summer, er...spring plans are as follows
        1.  Work for the father
        2.  Take up running >.<
        3.  Do some pre-semester studying
        4.  Become smokin' hot
Not that formidable of a list ya? I can definitely do all that.  Just a matter of actually doing it...anyway, I'll be home for 6 weeks and then I'm back off to Provo for summer term.  

Time to Try Defying Gravity

I have been addicted to the Wicked music these last few days (thank you Hunk of Math), and its all I have been listening to. I basically have "Defying Gravity" memorized.  Its pretty wonderful actually. 

AARRGGHH PHYSICS!!!!!!

Place Your Bets

Well...I have ten days to get everything done. Ten long, stressful, busy days.

Oh boy.

Maybe i should get to work?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!

...

OK fine, I'm going...

Smile's Upon Smiles!

Oh I have just been so happy lately!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, its been a bit hectic.  Hunk of Math and I have been working on a lot of physics together which is good because I need all the help I can get.  Plus, I have all my other homework and tests to study for.  I've just been super busy lately but its all good.  I'm still extremely happy ^_^

Tomorrow there is a star party!!!! I freakin love bein an Astronomer in Training!!

The Boys

There is "Duck Boy", "Manners Man", "Coded Kid" and "Hunk of Math"

and none of them know each other.

Its weird though, I've always been able to make friends with boys easier than I have with girls.  Since all but "Coded Kid" are pre-missionary I'm going to be losing them for two years which doesn't seem fair to me since I've only had five months at max with them.  Heh, but I'm pretty proud of them.  I would be more sad if they didn't go.  Besides two years isn't that long.

*disclaimer:  I am in no way proclaiming my love for any of these boys.  Goodness, I am 19 and 3 of these boys are going on missions. calm your face.  Also, I have other friends and a few of them are boys.  These guys are the ones I hang out with on a fairly regular basis.*

Mr. Blue, You Did it Right

Oh its been a lovely day today!  the sun was shining, the birds were singing, I went and played with my flag, everyone was outside enjoying the sunshine and warmth!  Sundays are the best ever.  I love them, no matter what the weather is like.  But since it was so warm and clear today I might head out to a dark street tonight and look at the wonders of the night sky.  See some constellations, maybe a planet and the moon of course.  If I can convince someone to go with me that would be even better but you know...most people wouldn't find that very fun.
Oh wells.
I am super excited for when school gets out though because my parents are moving to a house in the country and it will be nice and dark in the evenings and it wont be dangerous to be out stargazing.  Maybe I can find a cheap telescope to and I can have my own little star parties!  That just fills me with all sorts of excitement, its making me want to squeal like a little girl.  *squeeeeee!*

You're Such a Nerd!

Tonight I am going to count stars!!!! Anyone else excited?  no?  alright then....
But yeah for my observing project I'm going to look at the sky through a tube and count how many stars I see and then do a little magical math.  I am super excited.  I love the stars and space so much.  There's just something about it that makes me so happy every time I'm around something to do with astronomy.  Last friday when we went up to the 4th floor of the ESC (Eyring Science Center) for the star party I was so happy just being near the planetarium and observatory and all the other astronomy classrooms with their posters of the moon and star maps.  I want to be in that world, with people who share my love for all this.  I wish I was further along in the program, then I could live and work around this stuff all the time.  Guess I gotta be patient.

Hey I haven't really talked much about physics lately.  Totally rocked my homework last night!  We just finished the wave unit and now we're talking about light and optics which is basically waves revisited right now.  Later on it won't be, but I'm reveling in the fairly easy work we're doing.  The test for last unit is going on right now and I am studying my little tushy off for it.  I need a much better score on this than my last test.  suffice it to say that I did not pass.  But! I am going to give myself plenty of time, bring snacks, pace myself and double/triple check all my work as well as make sure I actually have everything I need on my note card unlike last time.  I WILL get a good score on this test.  Just watch me.

When Will the Clouds Go Away?

Happy Birthday to my favorite sister ever (yesterday)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so Friday turned out to be a really good day.  There was supposed to be a star party that night but it got canceled because it was too hazy to really see anything but then like half an hour later it was clear and I was super mad!  Anyway so me and my roommate just ended up walking around giving out the cookies we made for the party and then ended up at a friends house and played Settlers of Zarahemla.  It was really fun.

Yesterday being my sisters birthday we went up to Salt Lake and played around at the mall and went to the Clark Planetarium and then went to dinner.  Again super fun and my sis had a great birthday (hopefully).

that was my weekend.  woo.

Maybe a Full Moon?

Wow, feeling really bummed out. Oi, what is wrong with me? It was a beautiful day, my classes were awesome and I watched "The IT Crowd" which is super funny. In short, I had an awesome day but for some reason I am just super sad. I even skipped out on the big RS activity planned for today that I was really looking forward too. Hopefully I get happy by Saturday for my beautiful sisters birthday.

its not a full moon, btw, its new,

Go Find a Cave Then...

I hate hate hate FHE lately.  Not that I dislike the people or what we're doing, I just cant stand standing there for 3 hours not participating whatsoever in the activity/conversation and before you start berating me, yes I have tried to insert a story or help with activities.  The conversation is never really about something that I care or have anything interesting to say about. Earlier they were talking about some Disney movie and how the boys are such slobs.  I don't like Disney movies, so I don't have all of them memorized, and I don't think its particularly interesting to hear about how there's garbage all over the boy's apartment.

Maybe my hermit-itis has been acting up lately but FHE, a fun time to hang out with people and have fun activities, is turning into a giant chore.

Would it be Awkward if I Said You Were Attractive?

Spent five hours yesterday hanging out with a friend of mine.  I didn't expect him to stay that long but I'm not complaining.  He's a nice guy and its been a while since I've seen him.  We went to the planetarium show, got ice cream and then just hung out and talked back at my apartment.  NO, IT WASN'T A DATE.

I also bought something completely frivolous for 25 dollars.  Shh...don't tell my parents ;)
I need a job...

Mini Cute Things

this pictures pretty much made my day yesterday.  I totally would have bought them too, but they were 10 bucks and I didn't feel like spending that much money on something completely frivolous.  Still, mini bottles of sparkling cider are pretty awesome.  Well, mini anything is pretty awesome.  I have some mini spoons but they're always the first spoons to be used because everyone thinks they're fun.  I also collect mini dishes, or at least I used too.  I have all sorts of little pots and pans and glasses and plates and things back home.  That's what I would get when me and Mom would go garage sale hunting so I have lots of little things. 

Couldn't think of a good physics title, sorry.

This Much Awesome should be Against the Laws of Physics

I'm on a roll.

Made delicious popovers.

Studied for my test.

Played my clarinet.

Feeling accomplished.

Who Says Physics Nerds Don't Make Great Dates?

I had such a great day yesterday.  I pretty much felt awesome all day, even though I was running on six hours of sleep, and I had an awesome date with that guy I met in physics.  I just have so much going for me right now and I feel like everything is clicking.  Look out world, I'm about to set you on fire with my awesomeness! 

Its amazing what a new friend and a date will do for my self esteem.

In other news, there's this guy in my math class that was complaining because 13 people in our class got a higher score than his 94 on our recent test.  This made me resolve to beat him on the next test.

This is Why Physics is Awesome

Guess what our professor gave us today! Slinkys!! Yup, we need slinkys for our homework on Friday.  This is so awesome, words can't describe it.  This is why I love my major, that and I get to stare at stars for hours.  How great is that?  This is a quality slinky though!  not like those cheap plastic things you get at the dollar store.  I'm gonna have ta find me one o' them nice toy springs with them weak spring constants and what not. 

I also met a guy in class finally.  I've been in that class for a month and I haven't been able to get up the courage to actually talk to someone but today I did thanks to an awesome pep talk from my amazing sister.  Even though it wasn't actually directed toward my physics class, she was actually trying to help me talk to this other person in another one of my classes that I just can't seem to form complete coherent sentences around but I really want to be their friend.  maybe that will go well for me?  we'll see.  All I know is that I have a slinky and someone to study with for the test.

Musical Physics and the Books of the Stars

My life recently has been mostly made up of

Physics
Music
Stars
Books

and my brain has to switch between the different mindsets several times throughout the day which often causes headaches.  Or I'm dehydrated, either way it gets uncomfortable.  But, whose complaining? Certainly not me, I love this stuff.  If I could be a professional clarinet player on the moon while teaching people about the stars in a library I would totally do it.  I have to pick one thing though, so I'm cheating and picking two, the stars and physics.  That doesn't mean I can't take a break and play the instrument I love or read my favorite book though. 

From A Future Astrophysicist

A month has gone by in my second semester at college and I decided I don't call my family enough.  So, how do I solve this problem?  By creating a blog for them to read!! Yeah I'm such a good daughter.  I love my family though and I miss them terribly.  My roommate leaves frequently to go visit hers and I sometimes feel a pang of jealousy because she can just grab a ride and go visit them but I cant.  Things will get easier as time goes on I suppose, but I am really looking forward to seeing them in April.  I really shouldn't complain though since my older sister is up here with me and that's more than some people have.  She's been great, we used to fight a lot when we were younger and we still have the occasional tiff but I love her dearly and she has been a wonderful older sister throughout my life. 

So, to family and friends and others who may stumble upon this little thing I got going here, enjoy the writings of a college girls life, dreams, and other such nonsense.