Happy Homecoming AND Halloween!

2 for 1 weekend! Friday was walk out day and so we didn't have classes! Natalie and I cleaned the whole house in the morning and then that afternoon I judged high school speech competition. Yes, you just read that. I am OLD enough to judge high school speech. Missouri speech is different than Iowa, but same concept. Brought back old memories...

Saturday morning was the parade! Here my friends and I are sitting waiting for it to begin. Surprisingly, it wasn't too cold. After the parade, we came home and Natalie and I started cooking! We had a Halloween dinner party last night and had lots to do. An hour later I had to go walk around the tailgate area at the football game and ask people for donations for Alternative Spring Break. So...two other girls and myself walked around explaining to people that in March we are going to go help clean up the Gulf Coast and that we were passing the hat around for any change. I did ALL of the talking. They would not open their mouths. It was actually rather annoying. I pry raked in $200. Stage freight?

Came back and kept cooking with Natalie. We cooked alllll dayyy longg. It was so much fun! We were laughing so hard we were almost crying. We were talking in different accents and food was all over us. I didn't actually end up going to the football game. I just get bored watching sports.

Our guests came over at about 7 and and we ate around 7:30. It was a costume party, of course! I was a sailor girl.

Hope you have a great Halloween! Happy Birthday to my godmother, Cindy!

i miss you daddy!

I miss him.

Here is my dad with his first baby calf. Livestock is this man's hobby. He is a jack of all trades and can always cheer me up.

Yesterday, when I was having a bad day, I called him and he told me...

"Go buy some Juicy Fruit gum, that will make you
feel better."

I love you and your sense of humor dad.

stressss

I hate stress. It does nothing good for the body, mind, and soul. However, stress is consuming my life and I have little to no patience. I am overwhelmed with everything in my life. Life is not falling apart, life is just coming together...I guess.




This beautiful sunset took place last Saturday night. I kind of wish it was out tonight...


"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
- Roald Dahl

I keep repeating this prayer in my head...

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

the weekend makes me happy!

Natalie's Dance Company show was on Friday night and so I went with my friends Ashley and Melanie. Here we are before the show started.

Natalie's parents (the people who own the house I live in) have been here this weekend doing some odd end jobs around the house. Viola (Nat's mom) made us pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cornbread, and soup. I am full!!! I love having them here. They are fill in parents for the weekend.

On Saturday night I took my Japanese conversation partners out for Mexican food. It was their first time trying Mexican and I hope they enjoyed it. The only troubling part was when our food came out. I didn't remember what each person ordered. The waiter was speaking Spanish. They were thinking Japanese and I was thinking English. Everything worked out though, and they are such kind people. They made sure to let everyone try a bite of what they ordered. These two girls are actually my new conversation partners, Ami and Misato.

After midterms we switch partners. Following dinner we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream! Here we are with our mini blizzards. I of course got the pumpkin pie blizzard. Yum!

Ready to tackle another week. I have a big one ahead of me.

College Student...

I am officially acting like a college student. I just got back from the bar (on a Thursday night!) My friend Rob asked me today if I wanted to go grab a drink with him. My immediate reaction was no, but then I thought "Hey! I'm 21! I can go get a drink at the bar"

Exciting, right?

We are both PR majors and advertising minors. We sat and talked about life and where our lives were headed. Rob actually had an amazing internship during the spring semester at Bunim Murray in LA. He got to help with casting of the Real World and Keeping up With the Kardashians. We always joke around and say that I will work for Make-A-Wish and call him up when I have a wish child that wants to meet a celebrity. Who knows what the future holds...

Good night...it is WAY past my bedtime :)

The Trouble With Boys

I just got back from a distinguished lecture on campus. The author of “The Trouble With Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School and What Parents & Educators Must Do,” came and spoke about why boys seem to be struggling in the classroom.

One point she touched on was that children NEED to have recess. Little kids do not have long attention spans and we need to keep them active. It was a very interesting lecture that really made me think.

Mom, I think you should really look into this book. All of you AEA folk would love it.

Thank you Northwest for bringing in yet another amazing speaker to campus!

with purple polka dots...

Painted pumpkins this weekend when my sisters and Maddie were here.

So... I have come to the realization there are many names people call me...

1. Angela (obviously)

2. Ang

3. Angie (I like to be called Angie, but you have to have know me for at least a year...)

4. Ange

5. Ann (Teresa is the only one that calls me this)

6. AW (I have a professor who calls me this and others. Usually guys.)

7. Angelina

8. Angie Pangie

9. Wasko (some people love my last name)

I don't really care what you call me, as long as it is nice :)

21st Birthday

Here are some photos from my 21st Birthday Celebration! My sisters and Maddie drove down all the way from Iowa City on Friday. We went to the Ying Yang Twins and Sean Kingston concert on Friday night and then to the bar on Saturday night! It was so much fun! I loved having them here! Thanks for coming Jessica, Maddie, and Teresa!

Have a great Monday! :)

4 stitches later...

On Tuesday, I was cutting up chicken for stir-fry. However, I accidentally cut my finger.

Bad.

I quickly wrapped a towel around it. The blood kept oozing out and wouldn't stop. So, I put it above my head for a half an hour and it was still gushing. Called my mom who said to go get it looked at.

The doctor took a look at it and said "Oh that's deep, it won't stop bleeding" I asked him if I could have the superglue stitches and he shook his head...

Next thing I knew I was laying down and they were numbing my finger. Ouch. He put 4 stitches in. I didn't cry or pass out! I am so proud of myself!

On a happier note. I had the BEST birthday ever. Throughout the whole day I had many surprises, including a box of Georgetown Cupcakes from DC. I had so many heartwarming moments yesterday that nearly brought me to tears. Thank you for all the cards, balloons, e-mails, phone calls, cupcakes, cakes, Facebook messages, gifts, flowers, hugs, texts, etc..

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends in my life. I am nearly in tears as I write this because I am still overwhelmed from everything yesterday. God has put some exceptionally thoughtful people in my life. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me this upcoming year.

21 Things You (Maybe) Didn’t Know About Me

1. I want to go skydiving.
2. My biggest pet peeve is when people complain that they don’t have any money to go out to eat or to the movies, but will spend ridiculous amounts of money on alcohol.
3. I am certified Class B Washington DC tour guide.
4. I was in a sorority for three days at college, but soon realized it wasn’t for me.
5. For the first time in my life (since August), I read the Bible every day.
6. I was an All-State Speech storyteller my senior year of HS.
7. I used to make my sisters practice walking around the house to Canon in D (in prep for my big wedding I always wanted) Now, I would prefer a small wedding. The only thing I want on my wedding day is an amazing guy.
8. Speeding tickets = Zero
9. I want to live in a third world country and truly give of myself to others.
10. I wish more than anything that I could play the piano, especially Bella’s Lullaby from Twilight.
11. I want to have five kids. In this order – Boy, Twin Boy and Girl, Girl, Girl….haha you are pry all thinking yeah right.
12. Just got my first tattoo! It is a flower on my left ankle, it is pink and purple. I love it!
JUST KIDDING! I would NEVER get a tattoo! Settle down, mom!
13. I am selfish about my time and short tempered.
14. USA Today in the morning makes me complete.
15. Never, I repeat NEVER touch me where they draw blood from your arm.
16. I have a new love for cheddar rice cakes. Yum.
17. Men in business suit = Love.
18. Watching scary movies is pointless to me, so I will not watch them. I am scared way too easily.
19. I need at least an hour of ‘me’ time a day. Some people think it is selfish, I think it is necessary to be sane.
20. I got stitches for the first time TODAY! Yup. 4 of them. I cut my finger bad when I was cutting chicken for lunch. I didn’t cry or even pass out.
21. I have had 20 incredible years of life and can’t wait to tackle my 21st!

Happy Birthday tomorrow to my cousins Emily and Elliott, my friends Michelle and Casie, Molly, my boss from my internship with CWF, the girl in my interpersonal communications class…and to me!

Weekend at Home...

There was no way that I could post all of my pictures from my weekend, so I thought I would do a photobucket slideshow. Hope you like it :)

Friends Throughout the Years

Well look at these two. This is my mom on her wedding day with her good friend, Diane Smith. They have remained friends throughout the years. I have many fond childhood memories of playing over at the Smith's house . We would play dress-up in the basement, have tea parties with our American Girl Dolls, and of course play outside making pies out of mulberries. If it is one thing I will always remember Diane Smith for, it is her AMAZING carmel bars and fudge. She is an excellent baker.



This second picture was taken on Saturday, when Diane, my mom, Teresa, and I went out for Chinese food in Emmetsburg.


Thank you Diane for all the times you let us Wasko girls come over to play, the many meals you have made us (and pans of carmel bars), and for continuing to be a family friend. I am so glad you and my mom have remained friends throughout the years.

Fall LOVE

I arrived home safely right around dinner time. After dinner my mom, Teresa and I went for a walk down the gravel road. As we were heading back the sun was setting - it was gorgeous! As soon as we got back to the house I ran inside to grab my camera. I missed the sunset, but the lighting was still neat. Ohhh how I LOVE the colors of fall!

I now have all three of my lectures booked for the school year. YAY! Today, we finalized the contract for Andrew Jenks to come in February - what a relief. He is a documentary film maker for MTV.

Enjoy your weekend!

She got a job!

CONGRATULATIONS to my big sister, Teresa Lynn Wasko on your new job! I am so excited for you and wish you the best of luck. Love you.

I am heading home tomorrow - I am thrilled!

I feel that this whole upcoming week will be a week of celebrating my birthday. I am going home this weekend to celebrate with my parents, my actual birthday is on Wednesday and I am having people over for 'Desserts & Drinks', and then on Friday my sisters and Maddie are coming and staying the weekend with me!

Life can't get much better! I got a 103% on my presentation today, got 2 positive evaluations from tours that I gave to prospective students, and I am going out to see a movie with some of my friends at 10:00 PM!

Life is beautiful. Fall is beautiful.

We Shot the Moon

I love We Shot the Moon!

They are a band that we (Student Activities Council) heard play at NACA. We were impressed and decided to bring them to NW.
Last night was the St. Jude's Up Til Dawn Big Event, where students send out a mass amount of donation letters. SAC & St. Jude's partnered up for the night. People were writing away while they played.

Did you know it takes $1.6 million dollars a DAY to run St. Jude's...consider donating.

This is Jonathon Jones, the lead singer of WSTM, Abby, and myself. He is sooo cute! Abby and I were in charge of hospitality for the band.

I am going home this Friday and can barely wait! Time to get out of Maryville for a bit...

My Curtains and 5 Pts.

Here are my curtains for my room. I took a piece of string, old hankies, and small clothes pins to hold it all together. I like it because it is different than 'traditional' curtains and it brings a lot of color into my room. I still don't know if I am crazy about the solid yellow color, I am looking for a replacement.

I attended a career pathing session on campus today, which is a way for you to improve your work skills and to eventually receive a pay increase. The lady gave a talk about putting your whole self into life and leadership.

She made 5 good points that I would like to share with you.

#1 Give ALL
#2 See beyond the actions and behaviors of everyday life
#3 Notice Others
#4 Move forward - movement creates momentum
#5 Appreciate NOW

I love going to leadership sessions/conferences where you feel as if your battery has been recharged. It puts my focus back into perception.

If it is one of these 5 points that I need to focus on, it is moving forward. I can get stuck in a rut with an idea that I have in my head and over analyze it until I am sick. It is time to move forward with my life, and appreciate the present.

So..I am thinking about chopping my hair off...Any thoughts? Suggestions? Yes? No?

family weekend

Have you ever been hypnotized?

Have you ever watched people being hypnotized?

If you said no to both of these questions then you need to make plans ASAP to do so. On Friday night SAC brought in a hypnotist for family weekend. I had never been before, but it was AMAZING and HILARIOUS! I was in the audience laughing so hard I was almost in tears.

In this picture he had them all convinced that they were at a horse race and their shoes were binoculars.

On Saturday morning my parents came down to visit me (thank you M&D) They arrived a little after eleven and we got to spend the day together! We went to the football game in the afternoon, which my dad enjoyed. Mom and I left after halftime.

Later that evening we went to mass together and then out to eat at A&G with my friends Carolyn, Abby, and Natalie. Their parents weren't able to
come for family weekend so we 'adopted' them for the evening.

After dinner we went over to the boys house and had dessert. It was so fun to be surrounded by family and friends. It felt like Christmas...especially since it was cold!

Happy Sunday!