Thought: Starving Student Lifestyle

Does anyone else find themselves wondering how people afford what they do? It seems that almost anyone I talk to has either recently bought themselves a new toy or gone on an extravagant vacation. Where does all that money come from? I'm sure some people really do have killer summer jobs, but not everyone, right? I can't complain, of course. I myself took a 2 month "study abroad" in Brazil. That wasn't exactly inexpensive. But that has been my one splurge. I use a car that I got for a great deal (thanks Julie!) and is practically worth about two iPods now. I have no cool phone, a practical laptop which probably isn't even worth as much as my car, and a few board games that cost me about $100 total. Those are my most valuable possessions. Granted, I could and probably should spend a little bit more once in a while, such as for my clothes that I frequently wear holes into, but I simply don't understand how other "poor starving students" have iPods, smart phones, macs or other expensive laptops, new cars, amazing cameras, attractive bikes and at least one gaming console. Are their parents paying for this all? If not, where does all the money come from? And I'm pretty sure lots of them are not on scholarship, so add in tuition to all of those expenses. Sometimes I just can't help but wonder.

Fun in the sun

Stadium of Fire

Last night I worked as security at the Stadium of Fire. I was on the job at 5 PM and started with a nice pork BBQ sandwich courtesy of the police department. From 6 until 8:20 or so I peeked in an innumerable number of purses. All of the ladies had to throw their candy away and dump their water out. Most people accepted it without complaining, but a few people weren't very happy, and I even got sworn at once.

I got to go in to watch the show soon after.



About 600 scouts, 500 dancers, Jenny Oaks Baker, the Five Browns, and some others took the stage. When they finished Carrie Underwood was on. I think she put on a great show. I'm just not a big fan.



Once Carrie was done, the real show began. The fireworks were some of the best I've seen. I tried to get a couple photos, although the pictures do not represent how great the show was. In addition to the big fireworks, they shot some straight into the middle of the stadium! That always got a gasp from the crowd.



There was a big USA chalked onto the field. The scouts lined it with glowsticks at the end and the dancers filled the map with sparkling lights.

Earlier in the day I wasn't looking forward to giving my whole evening to the event, but now I'm glad I did. The work was really sort of fun, and it was pretty much a free show. I would recommend it.

Lagoon

Tuesday I met up with my family and cousins at Lagoon. I invited a few friends to go along too. I didn't get any very exciting pictures, but at least you can see what my mom and dad do when they're at an amusement park! Wicked is their best coaster. You are shot straight up, crest a peak, then go straight down. It's a pretty nice ride. I also really like the Samurai. You get thrown around in every conceivable way. My favorite part of the park though is Lagoon a Beach. I really enjoyed cooling off for one, but the environment is just really relaxed and fun.