Can't stop thinking.

As I stay busy with school and all the practicum/professional development hours that are required, I can't stop thinking. I can't stop thinking, even when I'm trying to stop thinking (like when I want to go to sleep). I just started my professional development and practicum hours. They are for two different classes. I never thought they would have such an impact on me or my life. Last week, a small group of students from my "Family Involvement and Empowerment" class went to Potluck in the Park. This is where you bring food and eat with the homeless. I will honestly say when we pulled up to the park, I was wanting to leave and we hadn't even gotten out of the car! If I were alone, I would've probably left before ever meeting the people because I was way out of my comfort zone. Instead, we got out, gathered our food, and walked nervously to the group of people. Let me tell you, these people came up, introduced themselves, thanked us, and wanted to know our story. It opened my eyes more than I imagined and I honestly haven't stopped thinking about them. What if we wouldn't have came? They would've had only potatoes to eat. They wouldn't have leftovers to take with them. I wouldn't have changed my outlook. I enjoyed speaking with them so much that my group felt uncomfortable asking them to sign our logs. We didn't want them to feel like we were just coming for our hours because I truly believe this is something I want to keep doing. I want more people to be involved. I want the community to know about this event. I want the people to know and feel that they are cared about. I don't want to be done when my hours are completed. 

Yesterday, I completed the on-campus "QPR Suicide Prevention" training for some of my professional development hours and again.......I was out of my comfort zone. Suicide is not something I like to talk about, but it is something everyone needs to know about. After this training course, I know the statistics. I know the importance of communicating with others, even people you don't know. I understand that our campus police are specially trained to help those who are on the edge of ending their life, but I also know that police aren't always around. I urge every student that reads this to go through the training (if you go to Texas A&M) or learn about suicide and your part in stopping it. Know what you need to ask and say if there is someone who is considering taking their life. With a campus of over 56,000 students, there are definitely students who feel hopeless. Reach out to people. Talk with them. Smile as you walk by. Kindness can go a long way. If you know someone who is struggling, urge them to get counseling. There is counseling on-campus that can help. We need to get out of our comfort zone and talk to people. Let others know you care by just being kind.

One last thing I cannot stop thinking about....Tomorrow, I leave for Camp LIFE. I am so excited/anxious/excited/nervous/excited/worried about this weekend. Camp LIFE is a camp specially designed for students with disabilities. I know that once I get there, I will be fine. I understand that it's okay to be nervous and worried because I am again, out of my comfort zone. My hope is that all the children who go to this camp know how much the counselors care about them and how much they are loved by others. I am so excited about what is to come and I have realized that stepping out of my comfort zone is a good thing.

I made this canvas a few days before the semester began. I hadn't crafted in forever and I just needed to. I had no idea when I started, what would be the end result but now it has so much meaning to me. As I wake up each day, I need to love. I want others to know I care about them. This also means that making mistakes is okay. (If you haven't noticed the mistake, I spelled "Corinthians" wrong....) I plan to fix that mistake sometime soon. Making mistakes in life is okay. Not wanting to step out of your comfort zone is okay. However, fixing the mistakes in your life and stepping out of your comfort zone helps you learn. Learn from your mistakes and learn from your experiences.

Off to do some more thinking,
xoxo
Jade

Krusteaz Gluten Free Fudge Brownies Review

Last week, I was shopping at Sam's Club and a box of brownies caught my attention with the huge "Gluten Free" lettering that was on it. I had to buy them. There are three brownie mixes in the box and I paid $6.48. It was a pretty good deal. Over the weekend, instead of studying, I felt like cooking, but there wasn't anything I could make. I decided to bake some brownies to get my mind off of studying and school stress and I am so glad I did! These brownies were so delicious!! :) I mixed in a 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and 1/4 cup of shredded coconut. It is a great, fast dessert for busy nights. I have a feeling it will be gone really fast. My brothers have already eaten a good portion of it.

(I just looked at all the assignments that I needed to be

working on while I sat and enjoyed my brownie and ice cream.)

I have been packing a healthy lunch the past couple weeks, so I will gather up some ideas and do a lunch post for college students sometime soon. :) Until then, make some brownies and get rid of all the college stress that's starting to build up!

xoxo

Jade 

Quick Review: WOW Baking Products

As my mom was walking the aisles of our local Target's new grocery section, she spotted some gluten free bagged cookies. The next time we went to the store, I picked up the WOW Baking Chocolate Chip cookies. I may have opened the bag while still shopping, just to try them. Oh my gosh, they were so good! Super moist, not too crumbly, good texture.... I was hooked. I must admit that I had to limit myself to two of the cookies each day. They are quite small (maybe an inch and a half diameter?). The bag lasted me a while, probably a month or so. Throughout the month, the cookies never went stale and I kept them in my pantry. Once I ran out, I came across a bag of the Peanut Butter cookies at my local Ross for around $4.00 so I thought I'd try them as well. They tasted great, but were pretty crumbly. I'd like to think that it could be from being dropped or something. There were still a good amount of full cookies in the bag, but many were broken in pieces.

 (Images from WOW Baking site)

(I forgot to take pictures of my bags!)

Either way, it is great for traveling or when you need a quick treat. I think that this would be a great product for children to have in their backpacks on days when there is a school party or event. They don't have to be left out and they will still have a great dessert. I have packed a bag in my purse for social events at school so that it wouldn't be obvious that there was NOTHING for me to eat. :) 

Check out your local grocery stores and Target to buy this great product!

xoxo
Jade

First Week Completed!

So last Monday, while most people were enjoying the day off for Labor Day, I was starting my first day at Texas A&M University! This past week has been amazing! I absolutely love everything about my new school. The campus is extremely huge, but I have enjoyed biking to my classes, taking the bus, and even walking across campus. I spend most of my free time in Evan's Library. It is my favorite place to relax and study.

I'm taking 15 hours this semester and all my my classes relate to children and special education. For the first time in a very long time, my classes interest me. I enjoy all that I'm learning. It is a great feeling knowing that you are on the right track and doing the right thing when all you've done is question yourself before. I know this is my thing and I am so excited for all that is to come. My Monday and Wednesday courses are about Understanding the Special Population and Educational Psychology! Tuesdays and Thursdays I have Family Involvement & Empowerment and Child Development. Fridays, I have a lab for my Understanding Special Populations course and then I have Teaching with Technology.

I haven't had time to explore all the gluten free options on campus, but that will be my next adventure. For now, I am working on getting used to campus and all my courses, while also finding which organizations I want to join. I'm obviously going to join the Gluten Free Aggies club so I can meet other students and also get details on some gluten free options on campus. I have been mostly eating at home (if possible) or packing a lunch and throwing it in my backpack. I have a busy week of meetings, classes, assignments, and a few informationals, so I will definitely be packing a lunch most of this week.

Just wanted to catch up, I hope to post again soon about what's happening & maybe some product reviews/recipes.

xoxo
Jade