USU BLANDING

Count Yourself Counted

2010-03-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

When you fill out your 2010 Census form, you help determine how more than $400 billion a year is distributed in communities like yours. In 2000, San Juan County only had a 59% participation rate. This means that money went to somewhere else because we didn't fully report our population.
For this reason, Utah State is really working to get the word out. We don't want our community to be left out again! So far this year, only 33% have mailed their forms back. As soon as you get home, find your census survey, fill it out and send it in. Don't delay because you know what happens to papers that lie around for too long: they quickly attract more papers, multiplying their numbers and clutteriness until finally, in a mad-flylady-fling you will end up tossing it out along with all the Ken Garff fliers and TaxCut ads.
Speaking of TaxCut...I highly recommend hiring a CPA for your taxes. Our CPA doesn't charge us until she's finished and even lets us wait for the refund before her bill arrives. For ten years we did our own taxes, but one year we acquiesced to my cousin's request and let her file our return. Doubled our refund. SOOOO worth it. We've gone to her ever since.

Mars and Saturn

2010-03-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight when you look up at the starry sky, you might ask yourself, 'what is that bright star next to the moon?' The answer to your question will be different tonight than any other night for the next two years. Tonight the answer is Mars. By Monday night, the answer will be Saturn. Tonight is your last chance to get a good look at Mars until 2012.

Here is a great little video you might enjoy about space:
http://www.space.com/common/media/show/player.php?mode=partnerView&show_id=32

Thanks To Those Who Donated

2010-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

A special thank-you to the bood donors in yesterday's drive. Our combined efforts with CEU-SJC netted 29 fabulous donors, and every little bit counts.

Wear Black and Gold Along With Your Blue!

2010-02-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of an email I received this morning - it's being forwarded all over the place today :)

*****************
Dear Colleagues:

I want to share with you the E-mail below from a former Wichita State football player – discussing a ceremony that will occur this Saturday at our men’s basketball game against the Shockers. Some of you may know that this academic year was the 40th anniversary of one of the most horrendous college sports tragedies in history – and an event in to which Utah State was associated. That Fall, the Wichita State football team was flying to Logan (in two planes) to play our Aggies. The two planes stopped in Denver to refuel. After they took off from Denver headed to Logan, one of the planes crashed and three-quarters of the players on board were killed. An awful tragedy.

This Saturday night, when the Shockers meet the Aggies in the Spectrum, is their first return as a team to Logan since that terrible autumn day. At the game, we will honor the memories of the lost opponents. The President of Wichita State is flying in for the ceremony. Below is an E-mail from one of the members of that team that survived (he was in the second plane). Reading his E-mail brought a tear to my eye.

How lucky are we to work at an institution like Utah State! This is a “first class” place and I, for one, am proud to be associated with this great university.

Ray
****************

Email Subject: URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! URGENT!

To the AD, the PIO, and anyone else who can read or hear this!

This is a statement instead of a question, but it needs saying. I just learned of your University's plans to honor the WSU '70 Football Team during this Saturday's game with the WSU Men's Basketball Team.

As you have noted, this is the 40th Anniversary of that tragic event where the WSU Football team crashed in route to Logan for a game. As a member of that team (who was on the other plane), I have heard many stories, memories, and even this year's documentary on the crash by a local Wichita Television station (KTPS), but there is one story I haven't seen mentioned, and it focuses on the Aggie Football Team.

Most people around at that time and who followed those tragic events have heard about the Aggies' salute that following Saturday to the fallen Shockers who were supposed to be taking the field at that time for their football game. The Aggies were on the field, but not in crazed excitement waiting for the kickoff. They were there in silent reverence to those who lost their lives, and they placed a Black and Gold (WSU's colors) wreath at the 50 Yard Line. While most have heard that story, what they may not have heard, at least nationally, is what the players, their wives, girlfriends, and other supporters did for us early that next morning after the crash.

To get us back home to our University and our families, officials had gotten us on a regularly scheduled flight back to Wichita, flying out of Salt Lake. To get there early enough, we had to be up at 3:00 A.M. to board the buses that would take us to catch the flight.

Just before we had planned to waken for the trip (though most of us couldn't sleep that night, sleeping aids or not.), we were awakened by gentle knocking on our motel room doors. Upon opening the doors, we were greeted by players, cheerleaders, staff, family and friends of Utah State. They were there to wish us a safe trip and to present us with sack lunches they had been up all night preparing so that we might have something to eat on our long ride to Salt Lake.

Catching us off guard at first, we quickly understood what they had done, and so there we were, two groups standing face to face; two groups who later that day were to have been going at each other, face to face, in a highly physical and combative sport where our only goal was to win.

Now, all that had changed, and none of us understood why. Now, these once â€œplanned combatants" were looking at each other not knowing what to say. Soon, though, the unity and fellowship of college sports and human behavior took over, and we all began to offer and receive condolences, best wishes for the upcoming trip, and most of all, big burly young men who were supposed to be pounding on each other within hours, were now crying and hugging each other, recognizing all that both teams had endured that day in Logan Utah.

Upon the announcement locally on WSU's Sports Web Page, that during this Saturday's game with the Shockers, Utah State would acknowledge that this year is the 40th Anniversary of this tragedy (and also the fist time WSU has been back to Logan Utah since the crash!), many of the Shocker Family have sent in emails talking about how "Classy" this is on behalf of your University, and how USU has just managed to acquire a huge number of new and loyal supporters of your Programs.

To this day, when I think back to all the trying and emotional aspects of that trip both as a team member who lost teammates, as well as an individual who lost a close friend who I'd had since Junior High, the actions of the Utah State Football Team, the Cheerleaders, and the other supporters and staff... at 3 in the morning...

Now, to me, THAT was a "Class Act" that I for one will never forget! Thank you again for your plans for Saturday's game, and even though I will forever be a Shocker fan and will be routing for them in the game, I just want to add that if we have to lose... I'll be glad it was to you guys, a "Really Classy Bunch!"

Rusty Featherstone

The Jig Is Up

2010-02-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Chase isn't falling for it. He says his classes are getting too hard. He's not 100% sure that he can beat me.

Last semester one of my biggest motivations, other than really wanting to get into a competitive program, was the thought that my 8th grade boy might beat me and boast that he got better grades than his mom. Couldn't have that. So, I gloated a bit when I got a straight 4.0 from my 18 credits. hee hee hee.

Then I watched as my diligent son, who used to check his grades online every week, became a fanatic, checking daily - even sometimes twice in the same night - to make sure that his grades were toeing the line. Most of the time, his grades' toes had no need to worry; his percentages were over 100% a lot of times because of extra credit.

In the end, his 4.0 was a perfect match for mine. So maybe, for a minute, this might give him the impression that I do know something. ha.

Aid That Really Gets There

2010-02-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! This morning I was checking my facebook real quick and I see that one of my dear friends is back to doing good in our world. Barton Brooks is a Utah native who has used his resources to help people all over the world. I've pasted a few paragraphs here from him:
************************************************************

I'm sure many of you have been inundated with requests for Haiti, such as "text now to donate" etc., but the need is too great to not ask you once more.

There are hundreds of aid organizations and millions of dollars pouring into Port Au Prince - and I'll never complain as they're faced with feeding millions of people - but many in the Jacmel region are facing the same difficulties with two of the basics: water and shelter.

I arrived here to find a broken town, and destroyed houses (needs that will need to be met in the near future), but when speaking with the refugees the greatest need is clean water. Dysentery is rampant in the camps, children are dehydrated, and many people nearby are getting their water from a filthy river - but we found an amazing solution.

An non-profit organization out of the U.S. with a facility in the Dominican Republic makes a filtration system with a specially baked ceramic pot, that when water seeps through, it comes out 99.99% pure - and can provide an entire family with clean water for five years. Simple, portable, and effective. We've taken them out and tested them, the locals who can afford them are already using them, and they can address the greatest health concern.

Here is my small request - will you contribute for a water purification system that will provide clean water for an entire family for five years? They are $35 - and that includes the cost to ship them to me and then distribute them here. A donation for these filters puts a filter in the hands of those in greatest need within days - please help.

To DONATE - and a few updates, and to see a video of how the filter works: www.guerrillaaid.com

Sincerely,

Barton
*******************************************************
Bart is able to do so much for people because he is right there, analyzing the need and getting it filled. It's what he spends his life doing. Here's a link to oprah.com:
http://www.oprah.com/world/Barton-Brooks-Global-Colors-Mission-Giving-Back_1

Donate if you can. Something so small can do so much.

Atmospheric Deviation Makes Me Smile

2010-02-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

This morning was SOOOO foggy! I thought for sure we'd be getting snow today. I sat, eating breakfast, fascinated by the fog outside my window. It was bright. Bright fog. Is that an oxymoron? The silhouetted tree trunks in my neighbors yard led to branches that faded into bright, white halos. Very cool.

Snow thoughts

2010-01-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

Today I got stuck in the snow!
Most of the snow from our last storms had melted from our roads and driveways, but last night it snowed another fresh, wet 6-8 inches! Alt & the boys cleared paths out to and around the vehicles, and earlier, when I took Alt to work I got the car out just fine. But, after I got back home (knowing I should probably park down at the gallery) I drove back up to my regular parking spot. ~tsk~tsk~tsk.
Thank goodness I had some extra time this morning, because I ate it all up trying to get my car back out to the road. :p Also, thank goodness for tractors! An old dinosaur, just purchased by my FIL, came to my rescue (after I walked up to his pasture, got in his line of sight and flagged him down). *It's the tractor that's the dinosaur, not my FIL*
Parking here at the college this morning is just about as tricky as my driveway. Only some parking spots are cleared, as of 20 minutes ago, and many of those have cars at odd angles - suggesting that if I parked next to it, the first thing that car would do is slide right into me. So, I parked down a-ways next to two big ol' trucks. Funny how winter weather can sure bring out the trucks and SUVs. I wonder how those little smart cars do in the snow. 'Course, I guess they're light enough that if they get stuck, you could just pick it up and carry it out. :)

Oh, one quick serendipitous observation:
While I was watching the tractor clear my driveway this morning, I noted how dirty the big pile of snow was getting because he was scraping dirt and rocks and whatnot along with the snow. But, as I watched the snow right up close to the blade, there was a pure, iridescent blue glow as the snow tumbled together. It brought a zen smile to my face. Serendipity.

$ Sense for Taxes - Tax Credit for Students

2010-01-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

Students...

If you make less than $80K a year ($160K filing jointly) you may be eligible for the AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.

This tax credit reimburses 100 percent of the first $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 for a total of $2,500. It looks like the benefits are good through the 2010-2011 school year.

You may want to speak with your accountant, financial aid college representative, or person who helps you with taxes to see if you qualify. Below is a link to the IRS website speaking about the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=211309,00.html

It sounds like it is worth looking into for this tax credit.

Textbooks for CHEAP!

2009-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

Last night, fellow Aggie, Kelli Christensen, told me about a website that lets students RENT textbooks for low prices. I checked it out today and found that I can buy my textbook on Amazon for only nine more dollars. Out of respect for my dead checkbook, I'm posting all the great sites, I currently know of, that sell cheap textbooks:

www.amazon.com
www.abebooks.com
www.cheaptextbooks.com
http://usedmarketplace.borders.com
www.cheapesttextbooks.com **this offers a comparison chart from different sellers

and to rent:
www.chegg.com

many publishers also offer an online version of their books for a small fee.
*if you are in a math class...I strongly recommend you don't even buy a book. Just use the mymathlab that your instructor uses - it has a multimedia textbook included.

Good luck and be thrifty!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Well, fellow Aggies, it's time to admit that Christmas is barely a week away, now. I'm still in the midst of a pile of unaddressed Christmas cards...you? It's sad because, somehow, in the chaos of our last move I've misplaced my address book. No problem, I thought, I must have it all on my outlook. Nope, sorry! those are just old business contacts. Well, surely, I thought, it all must be on the old palm desktop from my ancient palm zire. Nope, sorry! those are just doctors and dentists and contacts from Nevada and New York. OOOOOKAAAAAAYYYYYYY. So, I spent the last two days, in between band concerts and choir concerts, searching through several boxes labeled "office" in our storage unit. Nope, sorry! I did come across several favorite things that required lots of reminiscence and lolly-gagging. So, as a last resort, I'm googling everyone I can remember and hoping their addresses are public knowledge...(not sure I can completely trust that, though, it still shows me living at my old house). Oh, well, Merry Christmas!

What are YOU gonna do with all this snow???

2009-12-11T09:39:00.001-08:00

Bachelors in Social Work

2009-12-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that the open house promoting the new bachelors degree is today!
Lunch is provided ;)
Come learn about this degree and enjoy a free lunch.
To see career opportunities in the field of social work, click this link:
http://socialwork.usu.edu/BSWCareOpp.aspx

Celebrity Anatomy

2009-11-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Something crazy I learned today:
Some celebrity women pay big money to have their last two pairs of ribs (their floating ribs) removed so that they can enjoy a real "hourglass" figure.
Sick and wrong.

Book of the Week

2009-11-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

FREAKONOMICS. A ROGUE ECONOMIST EXPLORES THE HIDDEN SIDE OF EVERYTHING.
By Steve Levitt & Stephen Dubner

I must tell you, this is one of the most intriguing books I've ever read. I've had it checked out from the college library for about 2 months now, not because I keep reading it, but because every time I see its cover it gets me thinking again. It's difficult to explain, exactly. I read it through - there were a few bumpy spots that I just zoned out because they were, uh, boring, but, then I just didn't want to give it back! You'll just have to check it out, and see for yourself what kinds of thoughts it inspires.

USU Peeps are Amazing!

2009-11-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

Those of you who attended the noon forum on Wednesday already know this; for those of you who couldn't make it, I'm just tellin' ya, our people are the greatest.
Mark Bradford and Alton Chamberlain, my hunnybunny, worked together to make a ginormous dutch oven lunch. Then Alton, best hunnybunny in the world, got in front of the crowd and talked up USU's four-year programs. He did a great job and had a lot of participation. Most of the crowd were first-generation college students, and he did a really good job of making his presentation easy to understand.
While I'm singing praises, I'd better make sure to mention Laurie. Laurie Francis, my personal education mentor, is absolutely terrific and very helpful in steering students to the classes and programs that best fit each individual.
Funny, because last year I was with Alton when he went around town interviewing USU-Blanding alumni. There were several who didn't have very many good things to say about it. They had a lot of difficulty in the transition from CEU to USU. Well, can I just say: times have changed! I had absolutely NO difficulties in figuring out my plan; thanks to Alton and Laurie. I'm so glad they're here!

2009-11-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

I've been studying this morning for my Anatomy test. I prefer the little video links that Dr. Endres gives to us, but I think I've listened to this particular part of the video about ten times so far:

"The depolarization of the T-tubule membrane causes nearby voltage-gated calcium ion channels on the sarcoplasmic reticulum to open, resulting in an increase in the permeability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to calcium ions. Calcium ions then diffuse from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm. Long filamentous tropomyosin proteins lie on two sides of the Actin myofilament, covering up the sites where myosin can bind to the Actin myofilament. Globular troponin proteins are attached to the tropomyosin. When calcium ions bind to troponin, this causes troponin to change confirmation and move the tropomyosin. When the tropomyosin moves, this uncovers the myosin binding sites on the Actin, allowing myosin heads to bind and form cross-bridges."

*Well, typing it actually helped*

R.L. Stine hates math

2009-10-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

My 7th-grade son had to do a book report on a mystery this week. He chose a book by R.L. Stine. I don't know what YOU think of Stine, but I'd rather my son read Paulson or Dahl. It doesn't matter what I think, though, because what do I know? I'm just Mom.
So, I was assisting him in finding facts about R.L., who goes by Bob, and we found that he hated gym class and he is terrible at math. But, he is a very successful writer.
It made me think of a nice guy I know who is currently struggling with college-level classes. If he gets his degree, he'll be the first one in his family, male or female, to do so. I'm so proud of him. Every time I pass him in the computer lab or on the sidewalk, he smiles and tells me things are OK. I hope he passes with flying colors.
And then, someday, when he's a very successful graphic designer, he'll have some other 7th-grade boy reading his biography, hoping he can be just like him.

2009-10-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Tuacahn Anyone?

2009-10-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Only three more days til Thriller!
I'm not sure it'll be "fun, family entertainment..." but it's supposed to be spectacular.
I'm taking the whole fam, so if the little skiddles like it, well, then the seven-hour trip will definitely be worth it. If not, they'll be sleeping in my bed til Thanksgiving.
Here's the link: http://www.odysseydance.com/

Noon Forum

2009-10-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Noon Forum time again! (YAY! *free food*)
Come over to the A&E Center at noon. Sign in and enjoy learning from the speaker while you eat :)
I'll see you there, Aggies!

Storms...

2009-10-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, an electrical storm spiked through Blanding and knocked out our Internet receiver. Just like * that * we were cut off from the world and from all my resources. While we waited for the local techie to come out and fix things back up, I spent many midnights down at Alton's office, using his computer for my assignments and quizzes. Finally, we figured out how to use my smartphone to hook up to the Internet. Ahhhhhh. Back to normal operating hours.

The reluctant company has only just sent a replacement receiver, so it will still be several days before the techie makes it out to our little ridge to fix our desktop. In the middle of all this disruption, a mental storm spiked through my future plans. I was upstate, visiting my sister and her new baby boy (Seth Roskelly Brown). She happens to be an RN, working on higher things. My dad also came up to visit. He's an MD. We talked a great deal about the merits of nursing. And the merits of doctoring. And the merits of PA'ing. Not so much on any merits of physical therapy-ing. In fact, based on their interpretations of my expectations, they discourage PT, and want me to explore a couple of other different fields.

So, I came back from my wonderful trip feeling a little lost in the whole 'well-laid future plans' department. I still need to keep a competitive GPA, but now...what to do with it???

Calendar &#%@!

2009-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

D'you know what I wish we had? A system that would comprehensively know what I've got to do this week. First, I log in to my CEU blackboard and check my Anatomy schedule. Next, I log in to coursecompass to check the two different calendars for my two different math classes. Then, I log in to USU's blackboard to check my Business English calendar, and lastly, I log in to my Psych class's website to check that calendar.
Drives me nuts. You would think, with all the technology available, that I could get ONE calendar, at least one per institution, that would be available to me on my blackboard and that would update itself automatically whenever the profs add something.
Suppose each class had some little macro attached to it. As soon as I register for that class, its specific macro gets attached to my blackboard. The prof updates his/her master calendar - it automatically goes out to all the little macros out there. Voila. My life just got easier.
It's possible!!! Some brainiac just needs to create it.

How Many More Tests??!

2009-09-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished my psych quiz, after much studying, and got 100%. YAY! Yesterday was also a day for a psych quiz, as well as a Statistics test on chapter 4. So glad to have those done. 100% on both, btw. But, come tomorrow, I may not be so smug. There is a comprehensive psych quiz, which shouldn't be too bad...and.... a lab practical exam in Anatomy (shriek!). I have SOOOO much studying to do tonight.
Remember that son of mine? The one I'm having the GPA contest with? Well, this morning he made me log on to the SIS system that the middle school has for all the students to check their grades...he's getting, what?, let's see: 110%, 107%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 98.9%, and for his lowest score? 97.7%. I'd say my competition is a little stiff.
So, while there are some fun videos I'd love to show you - namely the "Cat-Faced Spider Scare," that happened to my kids over the weekend - I must make good use of my time today.

Good luck with all your tests, Aggies!

Fantasy Football Files

2009-09-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

In honor of USU's homecoming game today, here is a fun little video for you to enjoy:

Don't Give Up!

2009-09-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I know it's Thursday and you probably have as many quizzes and tests today and tomorrow as a dormroom has dustballs, and I know that you wish it was already Friday, and I know that you're probably wondering why you're taking as many credits as you are...but hang in there. I posted this picture from the USU main website because it reminds me what I'm ultimately working toward. Personally, I want to become a DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy. So, when I struggle with the 'egg' problem in stats class half-a-dozen times, I just remember why I'm doing all this craziness, and put these frustrations in their proper perspective. If you could be ANYONE, WHO would you BE?

My email address:

2009-09-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

OK, so I was a little behind the times and only just got my aggiemail account. You can reach me at:
usublandingrep.c@aggiemail.usu.edu
I'd love to hear from everyone :) Tell me what you're finding the most challenging, your major, what you wish you could change, etc.

*WOW* Wasn't yesterday's storm amazing?!! I love a good thunderstorm. Thankfully, we didn't have any power outages to go along with all the ground-shaking thunder, the lightning, the hail... so we were able to sit on our front porch and enjoy the show. I've found that the more I'm able to watch storms with my kids, (and ooo and ahhh), the more they are able to appreciate instead of fear the tremendous energy in the sky.

Just a friendly Friday Reminder:

2009-09-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

check your course calendars for weekend projects/homework
make sure your tuition/fees are all paid
spend today like a regular study day - the weekend starts at 5!

My Friday calss was cancelled today, so I'm here in the library working on stats and psychology. The weather is gorgeous today - and Fall is the perfect time to get out and go hiking! Everyone have a great weekend!

2009-09-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

LEXOPHILIA IS THE LOVE OF WORDS:

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
Police were called to a day care where a 3-yr-old was resisting a rest.
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take de-bate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months.
A thief fell & broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
A will is a dead giveaway.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
A backward poet writes inverse.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France , resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.
You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
A calendar's days are numbered.
A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
Acupuncture: a jab well done.
Would a bank robber who's camping be criminal in tent?

Welcome Aggies!

2009-09-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Good Morning USU Blanding! Yá'át'ééh Shik'is.
School's been going for a couple of weeks now and I've only been at this job for a couple of days, so give me just a second while I catch up. I'm the new student rep for USU Blanding. You can find me over at the anatomy lab, in statistics, college algebra, at the CALL center or in Laurie's office. Now and then you might catch me trying to rush over to Subway for a quick turkey/provolone between classes.
Last week I visited some of you out at our distance sites of Monument Valley or Montezuma Creek. You guys are doing great - I love seeing technology work to our advantage!
This is just a quick 'hi' to make sure you know where I am, and to tell you that we're going to have a great year!