LindenwoodJen's Blog

I just wrote a blog about how I am sick.  Then I got to thinking about all of the remedies people have come up with to cure a cold and other ailments. 

Is there anything you have heard of or tried before to start feeling better faster?  Any crazy ideas? 

I started feeling kind of yucky last night but didn't really think anything of it.  I figured I was just tired so I went to bed at around 9:30.  I woke up at five this morning feeling like my head was going to explode.  I have a nasty cough, my chest hurts when I breathe and my head won't stop pounding. 

I got up and took some cough suppressant, etc. and didn't wake up until one this afternoon.  I know I'm really sick when I don't wake up until the afternoon hours.  I am definately an early bird who sleeps only until about 7:45 even on the weekeds. 

I was upset that I wasn't able to go into the station today especially since tomorrow is our last day there.  Hopefully this won't last too long and I can go see all of my Fox 2 friends tomorrow.  My mom said she's going to make me some of her homemade chicken noodle soup so I'm sure that will cure me.

I’m as sick of hearing about Tom Cruise and his wacky antics as much as the next guy.  I am definitely not going to read that new “Unauthorized Biography” by Andrew Morton.  The book has been getting a lot of buzz but not necessarily all positive.  The book cannot even be sold in the United Kingdom due to libel laws. 

While I am personally not much of a Tom Cruise fan outside of the Mission Impossible series, part of me feels that Morton may have gone too far.  Apparently he has made false comments about Cruise’s sexuality and mocked his involvement in Scientology.

Do you think this book should have even been published? 

Is it an unethical intrusion into a man’s life, even if he is a celebrity?   

My ’95 Nissan Altima has gotten me from point A to point B with relatively few problems over than last three years. But as the months go by one thing after another seems to break, rattle or make a loud, disconcerting noise. In preparations of that bittersweet day (that will probably be more sweet than bitter) when my Altima drives it’s final mile I have been searching for a new car.

At the moment it is more of a dream than a reality but hopefully within the next year I will be cruising down the highway in a brand new car.

I’m pretty big on trying to be as eco-friendly as I can and I think I am really leaning towards a hybrid. They are a little more costly than the regular vehicle but I’ve heard that it evens out in the gas you save. And then there is the plus that I am doing something better for the environment.

Any hybrid owners out there?

Does anyone have any thoughts about a hybrid verses a regular car?

I would definately consider myself a foodie.  I love trying new restaurants, cooking up new recipes, watching the FOOD Network - anything that deals with food.  My real passion is baking.  I'm always in the kitchen baking up a storm.  And by the time I am done it really does look like a tornado blew through our kitchen with flour and measuring tools everywhere.  My family complains that I'm going to make them gain weight because of all of the goodies sitting around.  I think they should consider themselves lucky, and satisfied.  I hope to somehow involve food and cooking into my future career. 

Have you ever had any major mishaps or successes in the kitchen?

Last night I went snowboarding at Hidden Valley all decked out in my gear I got for Christmas.  I have done some snowboarding before but that was about three years ago, so even if I looked like a fool falling all over the place, at least I would be stylin’ while I did it. 

Much to my surprise I hit the slopes like a pro.  I think I’m a natural…not to say I never fell.  I woke up this morning with an army of bruises invading my knees.  It was a blast – I could do it every day.  I could do without the aftermath of aches and pains that encompass the entire body.

There were a couple of events that made the night kind of interesting.  After me and my posse conquered the bunny slopes we decided to tackle the biggest, baddest, steepest (scariest) mother of all mountains.  As we rode the ski lift we laughed at the people tumbling down the hill, not knowing that that would be us in only a matter of minutes. 

Our demise began as we attempted to get off of the lift.  We strategically positioned ourselves to glide off the lift but instead of masterfully boarding down the little hill we just fell.  On top of each other.  Really hard.  But we didn’t feel as bad after we saw the people on the chair after us do the exact same thing.

So there we were standing on top of the mountain planning our route.  Then we took the plunge.  Down the mountain we went.  Scooting down on our behinds, inch by inch.  Just so we could get the feel, you know, become one with the mountain.  Once we worked up the courage we finally stood up and began boarding down the mountain, quite successfully I might add.

Then out of nowhere I’m blindsided by a kid who hits me from behind.  All I can say is oww.  Miraculously, neither of us had serious injuries and continued our journey down.  I made sure I stayed safely behind the tyke.  I eventually made it the bottom throwing some little tricks in here and there.  (To the pros my “tricks” probably look like child’s play.)

We were so stoked about our run we decided to do it again.  And again.  And again.  The final time we went up, the lift stopped and all of the lights in the park went out.  Of course we had to be at the point farthest above the ground.  Not being too fond of heights, I was not particularly excited about this.  We sat there for 5-10 minutes which felt more like five hours, but the lift finally started moving again.  The lights still weren’t on so we had to sit at the top of the mountain for a while. 

Once we got the go ahead from ski patrol we maneuvered ourselves down the dark mountain and made it down alive.  We then decided to call it a day and go in for some hot cocoa to warm our frozen extremities. 

It was so much fun despite any mishaps, and I can’t wait to do it all again next weekend!    

I’m approaching the age where my friends and I are searching for "real jobs.”  It’s a major shift in my life and really quite weird to tell you the truth. 

 I think back to the days when my mom was my age and many kids got married fresh out of high school.  A lot of the women skipped college or dropped out early to have the babies and stay at home to be “domestic.”  These days, the vast majority of women are acquiring higher educations, and taking over what used to be considered men’s positions in the business world. 

 I recently found out some interesting info…many of my girl friends don’t even have a strong desire for marriage anymore, at least not any time soon.  They spend so much time and money on their education that they want to have a career and make it on their own without having to depend on a man.

I don’t know if it’s something in the water, but lately I have been having some pretty bizarre dreams.  The next morning I list all of the details I can remember in a “dream diary.”  In attempts of becoming the next Freud, I always try to analyze my dreams or ask friends how they would interpret them because you should always get a second opinion, right?  I have even gone as far as searching the Web for possible meanings of teeth falling out, riding on flying carpets, or sitting in the middle of the cafeteria devoid of clothing. 

Whether or not they are your unconscious trying to surface something in some way, I have always thought dreaming an amusing and intriguing topic.

What are the strangest dreams you’ve had?

Have you ever tried to interpret them?

I’m nothing close to Bill Murray’s OCD, germophobic character in “What About Bob,” but I will admit I’m not a huge fan of germs.  In fact, they kind of make me squirm.  A lot.

I went to the gym today to work on my fitness.  I was on an elliptical machine and an older man was on the machine directly to my right.  Situated between my fellow ellipticor and I was a spray bottle full of sanitizer juice with a little blue towel dangling over it. 

Throughout his 30-minute cardio this man would wipe his brow (amongst other things) with a little yellow towel that he brought from home.  This gentleman finished his workout huffing and puffing and dripping with sweat, and then proceeded to wipe down his machine.  Did he use the conveniently provided sanitizer?  Nope.  He used his sweat-laden yellow towel scrubbing every crevice of the elliptical like he was shining shoes or waxing a brand new car. 

I was listening to the national news this morning and my interest was peaked when I heard reporters tease a story that took place in my university’s hometown of St. Charles.  A couple of minutes later I learned that this particular story dealt with Main Street, which is where many of my friends spend their evenings (or very early mornings depending on who we’re talking about) and it’s only about a mile away from campus. 

It seems that a councilman is attempting to ban all cussing, drinking games, table dancing – anything remotely obscene – even songs and literature.  Supposedly Main Street is becoming out of control and this will help prevent rowdiness and underage drinking.

Is this yet another case that will play the “violation of rights” card.  Owners feel they should have a say in what goes on in their bar.  Also, guidelines will be tough to set.  Who’s to judge what song, etc. is appropriate or not.  Which words are profane?  Amendments to the bill will be discussed at a meeting to be held January 14 at St. Charles City Hall. 

Are these restrictions necessary or are they taking this too far?     

I wouldn’t call myself an addict but rather an enthusiastic devotee when it comes to a certain few shows on TV. 

It’s fun to be distracted from reality by twisted plots and crazy characters.  I’m beginning to feel a little deprived of that prerogative. 

All I want to do is watch the dysfunctional staff at Seattle Grace operate (and wonder how McDreamy gets every last perfectly shampooed hair to lay just right on his head or gaze into McSteamy’s eyes).  I want to hear the dirt about the neighbors down the street on Wisteria Lane.  I want to witness Michael’s crazy antics at work in The Office, and see Jim and Pam together once again messing with Dwight’s head.  

Many shows only had about half of this season’s episodes completed before the writer’s strike fell upon us.  Letterman, Leno, Stewart, and Colbert have returned to late night TV, but this week shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, 30 Rock and Gossip Girl are all airing their final episodes written pre-strike.  Also, the Golden Globes are a no go.  A news conference announcing the winners will be aired instead.

Has the writer’s strike left you pining for your favorite shows or do you have other things to worry about?

As of the first of the year Illinois became a smoke-free state.

What are your thoughts and feelings on the subject? 

Do you think Missouri should follow in Illionois' footsteps? 

Are you more likely to travel to Illinois to eat at restaurants to avoid all of the smoke?

How do you think it will effect business?

Here is a behind the scenes sneak-peek of us preparing to go out and interview the public on Friday about the highway shutdown.  As you will probably be able to tell (especially with Danno’s fine camera skills) that we do not fool around.  Just kidding - we know how to have fun on the job!  Here is what Chelsea and I were thinking.  Lights, camera, action...

Whether you want to hear about it or not you’re going to.  There is no escape.  And I think you all know what I’m talking about…Highway 40 shutting down! 

The Lindenwood bloggers went out on the town this morning to see what locals had to say about this little ole topic.  Surprisingly we got very different viewpoints…

Kristen, the first young lady we spoke with, lives in West County.  She thought all of the news coverage was a good thing because she likes to know what’s going on.  The construction has added 15-20 minutes to her commute but she plans out her day to avoid the headache, I mean traffic.

Another woman we talked to thinks the news is being excessive and over the top which has made everyone panic to the point you’d think Armageddon was amongst us.  Even though it does affect her, she said the construction does need to be done.  Things haven’t been too scary yet…Monday will be the true sign. 

Businesses such as Williams Community Pharmacy in Ladue are expecting to reap the benefits of the Highway 40 shutdown.  Owner Rick Williams is hoping it will bring in more people who are bypassing the highway.  He told us the store’s hours will be expanding, and employees will go from working five days to four.  They are also going to be doubling deliveries to maintain high levels of service.  Williams Community Pharmacy, we salute you!

How about you:
How much coverage is too much?
What have you done to prepare for all of this madness?
Will it determine where you go out to eat, shop, etc.?           
What else would you like the media to provide?    

Now I must go practice hand yoga which Sensei Jill just taught us to prevent blogging induced carpal tunnel.