Dad, The Good Driver

I'm surprised that Mom and Dad are almost here. I really didn't think they'd get here until after lunch- considering the fact that they could have gotten stuck in a bit of morning rush-hour traffic. Surprisingly, however, they're extremely close- just about 20 minutes away from Springfield. Maybe this means that I'll end up getting home today- and the visit to the Mary Bryant Home will end up being for another time. Hey, it could happen!

My Last Night At UIS

My last night at UIS was interesting,
I really enjoyed the outing.
Going out for pizza was a blast-
Boy, I wish that time would last!
Being with good friends was fun-
It's a sure sign that the school year
is all done.

You guys are the best-
You've passed the friend test,
I enjoyed getting to know you,
And I hope you liked it, too.
I can't think of better people to share my life with-
You've given me a great gift.

No Concert This Time

I hate it when I get invited to something that I'd really like to attend, but I can't. This is the case today. Jeff McIntosh(J-Mack), a really good friend of mine, who is in CSF and whose church I've been attending for several weeks now, has invited me to a Christian music concert this weekend in Indiana. Timing is perfect, as I don't have anywhere I really have to go; however, there's also a downside to this invitation. On Saturday, I have to stay home to look after my two dogs during the day while my parents are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pick E.J. up from Marquette University. The other downside is that I have no way of getting to and from the concert, as it isn't in Chicago- but in Indiana.

Happiness To Mask How Sad I Am

After taking that 12-question math final, I'm both thirsty and hungry- for a "beast" of a pizza and Mountain Dew. You wouldn't think that taking a test would actually make me hungry, but it does. Unfortunately, though, I'm not going out to dinner with my friends until sometime later this evening- which means that I'm going to have to wait as long as I can to get some food and something to drink. Though having to leave/say goodbye to my church family is making me sad, I'm trying to mask those true feelings by attempting to be excited about going out to dinner tonight. Let me tell you, it isn't the easiest thing to do, especially so close to my parents coming to pick me up in less than twenty-four hours. . . but, I'm doing the best I can to allow myself to have fun with my friends.

2 Good Grades=1 Happy Kid

I pretty much did good on my online math final. I scored a 2.55, which is the average online score- kind've weird, though. Once gradebook added this score into my other scores, the total came out to 295.05, which is just under a B- that being 300 points for this class. Knowing that I was in the average range for overal points on the online test makes me now realize that my math enemy is finally beginning to lose its tight grip.
I'm not really shocked at my math grade, though. I attended every class, was never absent, and I tried to participate as much as I possibly could. However, that was a challenge, considering the quick pace of the class. Somehow, I actually managed to do well enough to get such a good grade.
Seeing as I'm getting a B in English and just under that in Math really makes me very proud of myself. I'm so proud of myself for doing so awesome this year, all I really want to do at this point is celebrate with my friends. Fortunately, I will have the opportunity later to do just that.

My Online Final

It's a good thing I can take my math final online. I don't think I'd do well if I attempted to take it on paper. As much as my hand muscles are often affected by the cerebral palsy, trying to do all that writing would probably take longer than two hours, not to mention that my handwriting might not really be legible enough for the teacher to successfully be able to read the work I did for the problems, along with the answers. I know this from having the experience of teachers having difficulty reading my handwriting. I also know that, from taking the makeup 2nd midterm online, that I score better when it's on the computer- again, I think it's because of the challenges of living with cerebral palsy. Thankfully, my visual impairment isn't much of a major factor when I can take a test this way.

A Celebration After My One And Only Final

After taking the math final this afternoon, I will be pretty hungry. It's a good thing my friends from One West are going out to dinner tonight. What's really cool is that we're going out for pizza this time. Last time, which was also the first time, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings; however, I'm glad that we're going somewhere different this time. Regardless, I know I'm going to be quite hungry after doing my online math final- any activity really. . . makes me hungry, whether it is taking a test, going for a walk, cleaning, or even doing laundry.

One Final Before The End

I only have one final today, and it's an online math final. The odd thing is that the same final is simultaneously being given in the classroom. I guess the teacher is doing it this way, so that everyone can decide how they prefer taking the final. Personally, I've found that taking a test on the computer is a lot easier than taking it on paper. With the test being given in these two formats, the time limit is still the same- two hours. However, there are only 10 questions, and I honestly don't think that ten questions is really going to take me very long- not in doing the test on the computer, anyway.
A positive side to taking this final online is that I'll learn my final grade right away. After completing the test, I only have to hit the "submit" icon. That will then show me my score- putting it immediately into Blackboard Gradebook. Already knowing that I'm passing English with a B makes me wonder if the same result might occur after the math final.

One Day Later

Although my profile status says "Nico is super sad about leaving my church family, but hiding it well under excitement about going to dinner tonight. Still sad, though- I'm not going to lie to anyone!!", it's going to be awfuly tough to try to be happy about going to dinner tonight with my friends from One West. Many of them already know why I'm sad- as I've had the courage to share my feelings with them; however, not everyone knows- and they might not know.
I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to hide the pain from everyone- the fact that everyone knows me as a normally happy kid- not usually sad about anything. Knowing that it's practically summer vacation- that I will be far away from my church family for quite some time- is not a very pleasant feeling whatsoever. Saying good-bye is something that I really wish I hadn't done yesterday- it made me way too sad.

The Only Bright Spot to This Day

The only real bright spot of my day-
Unfortunately. . . it was this way-
Was that the Cubs,
Not Scrubs-
Beat the Washington Nationals
In Exciting fashion-
A game with "passion.

I missed part of the game,
But all the same-
I got to hear an exciting finish
and my hope didn't diminish.
The Cubs rallied from behind,
which I had no doubt in my mind-
In the 10th inning,
My head was spinning,
To have a final score-
Which has happened before-
Of 4-3-
And that made me "happy".

The Pain Of Leaving My Spiritual Family For The Summer

As my profile status states, "Nico Echols is still quite sad because I had to say goodbye to my church family today- for the summer. I'll be back, but it's going to feel like a year to me. What'll I do?", I honestly don't have the heart to laugh right now, simply because I've had to do the most difficult thing today- that I really wish I didn't need to do. Saying goodbye to my church family made me cry. . . and think that I'll never see the people who I've gotten to know quite well over the course of this semester. . . ever again. That's how having to say goodbye has made me feel today.
Of course, I know that I will see them again when I return after summer vacation; however, three months is going to feel like an eternity. Three months won't fly by quickly, unless I'm occupied with other activities I enjoy. One thing I don't want to do, though, is go back to "traditional", boring church services- where praise and worship is only a very short segment of a forty-five minute church service. It's not going to feel the same, especially after I've already gotten to really like the three-hour service, where there are a lot of chances for praise and worship.
My friends have told me that I shouldn't feel so sad, that I'd be able to return to Living Word Fellowship Church after I return from summer vacation. O.K., I guess they are right; however, I feel as if I'm the only one who realizes that going away for such an extended amount of time is making me sad. I'm not sad- just about missing all the friends I've made at Living Word Fellowship Church- I'm also sad about missing out on all the excitement that usually takes place during the survices. Will this sad feeling ever go away- will the hurt of leaving my friends and spiritual family ever stop?

To The People I Love

To my three favorite people from Living Word Fellowship Church- and campus ministry. . .Marquita, J-Mack, and LaTrice:

First, let me just say that I'd like to keep in touch with each of you this summer. LaTrice- you already have my address, but here it is for Marquita and J-Mack. . .
Nico Echols
4136 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60653
773-285-3114
No cell phone number at this time, as I hope to get a new cell phone some time during the summer. When I have the number, I'll give it to you. But, I can give you my e-mail address- which I will check as often as possible. I probably won't check my necho2@uis.edu account much, but I'll try to check cubsrule2@hotmail.com and echolsnico@yahoo.com as often as possible.
You've all been like sisters and a brother (yes, you, J-Mack. . . you haven't been forgotten) to me. I know we just really got to know each other over the course of this semester, but it feels like I've known each of you forever. I have really enjoyed getting to know you guys this semester, and I hate it that I won't get to see you during the summer. Wait, I might be back at UIS/in Springfield for a disability leadership conference sometime in July; however, I won't know for sure about that for a few weeks.
I'll return to LWFC upon the start of the new school year- at which time I know where I'll be living so I can give you the address/location of where to pick me up for church each week. Though we've only known each other for a few short months, I feel as if God has already created a very strong bond between us that can never be broken- hopefully, no matter where we are for the summer.

Your sister,
Nico

P.S. Please keep a place for me in the LWFC family, even while I'm gone. I'd like to stay in touch with everyone to find out what you are all up to.

A Sad Day

Today's going to be a very sad day for me, as I'm going to have to say goodbye to all my Living Word Fellowship Church family for the summer. Although I've only attended this church for a very short period of time, I strongly feel like I'm a major part of this family/community. Leaving them for the summer doesn't bring a smile to my face at all. I really wish I didn't have to return to Chicago until the new school year, that I could just stay in Springfield- and continue regularly attending Living Word Fellowship Church; however, that is unfortunately not going to be possible. Therefore, I don't think I'll ever find a church in Chicago that I like, and feel I belong, as much as I've already discovered while regularly attending Living Word Fellowship Church for the past several weeks.

Battle of the Bands

This last Saturday night at UIS is going to be noisy. Tonight, there is a concert/Battle of the Bands competition. The odd fact is that it's being held at our soccer stadium. Since it's been quite a while since I last went to the soccer stadium, I can't remember the seating capacity- so it's entirely possible that this event could end up being a standing-room-only crowd, causing spectators to have to stand up for the three-hour-long event tonight.
Knowing that it is quite possible that this particular event could be quite crowded, I'm heading over to the soccer stadium almost immediately after I eat dinner in the LRH cafe, this way I'd be sure to get a spot on the lower-level bleachers. By this being the last official weekend that anyone is going to be at school, this is a perfect time for a "concert competition

Sox and Cubs Win In The Same Say

I wonder if the White Sox can do the same thing as the Cubs just did earlier this afternoon. To listen to two ballgames on the last weekend at UIS- that actually result in victories- would be awesome. Like the Cubs did before, the White Sox lead early over the Los Angelos Angels of Anaheim by the score of 3-0. A score like that makes me believe that the game is going to completely belong to the White Sox this afternoon. However, that lead didn't last long, as the Angels came back in the 4th inning to score two runs- and break the shutout and no-hitter. Regardless of the current score now standing at 3=-2, this game is not at all over. It's entirely possible that the White Sox could, at some point during the course of this game, and that would surprise me- especially considering that both the Cubs and Sox are trying to climb back into first place in their central divisions.

Last Weekend At UIS Hears 2nd Cubs' Victory Over The Washington Nationals

It looks like my last weekend here at UIS is about to see it's second Cubs' victory over the Washington Nationals. This game started off with a bang because the Cubs got an early lead, and had a four-run lead in the 3rd inning. Some innings later, however, the Washington Nationals began their attempt to make a comeback- in order to try and stop the Cubs from taking the second game of this series away from them. As the end of the game is near, it really doesn't look like the Washington Nationals are going to come out victorious.
I believe that the Cubs are about to win their second game in a row. If that actually happens, it'll be a first in a while- but, it won't matter, a victory is a victory to me, regardless of how long it has actually been since the Cubs had a winning streak. The sound of the Wrigley crowd- coming through my radio, tells me that the Cubs are definitely about to win the second game of the weekend. Excitement of the fans getting louder by the second, I have a pretty good feeling that the Cubs have won this game. I was right- a 5-3 victory has just been won by the Cubs. What a way to say goodbye to a school year!

What A Game

ISo far, my last weekend at UIS has come with a come-from-behind victory for the Chicago Cubs. To start off, the Washington Nationals had a 4-0 lead in the early innings of this afternoon's ballgame. I seriously thought that this team was going to hang on to that lead, and we would end up losing the first game of this weekend series That wouldn't have made me a happy camper- certainly not during the last weekend at UIS. Luckily, the Cubs came from behind, winning the game by the score of 6-4.

Return To Chicago

I only have one more weekend of living on the UIS campus this school year. I'm so glad that I actually survived a whole year of living on campus- despite the hardships I faced throughout the school year. I discovered just how much living on a college campus would show me about dealing with various issues regarding to physical accessibility. Hey, I didn't have any ideas of there being any accessibility issues before ever coming to UIS this year; however, I am now aware of the issues, and I hope to be able to come back next year facing absolutely NO accessibility issues whatsoever.
I am glad this year is coming to an end. It has felt like an eternity being here- so far away from my "puppies, Mom, and Dad. It'll be fun being at home, though it's going to feel weird for a while at the same timeOne thing I'm going to have to get used to all over again is going downstairs to the basement to do laundry, instead of having the washer and dryer all on one level.

Packing To Go Home For The Summer

am actually proud of myself for having a good majority of my stuff packed up to take back to Chicago. I didn't really have that much stuff to begin with; however, I didn't exactly think that I'd have anyone to help me start packing it all today, either. I honestly thought that my mom was going to have to help me pack all my stuff when she comes down here in a few days, but I'm glad she doesn't have to.
Although I am packing my stuff early, it's going to be a challenge to move everything to the van. Since I'm going to have some things in a box, a rolling hamper, along with what can't fit in boxes, bags, or other containers- I'm not sure how my mom is actually going to be able to move all my belongings to the van in just one trip. I think she might need some help moving all my things, as it currently looks like I have a lot of stuff- even though I don't have a lot of stuff anymore- especially since my mom took a good chunk of it home when she dropped me off after spring break.

An End To Academic Defeat

I feel like this semester has been more successful than last semester. Last semester, I didn't have any opportunity to take quizzes or tests online. Trying to neatly write my answers in pen or pencil was challenging, and it made trying to be successful often frustrating at times. Last semester, I really felt like giving up and quitting school altogether. I didn't think I'd ever be academically successful- and reach the goals that I had imagined for myself for such a long time.
This semester, those goals of mine finally came true. Passing English isn't anything new. I'm naturally good at writing, so it isn't a big surprise that I'm doing so well in English. Of course, I faced a few challenges in my English class this semester, like working with a group and writing a research paper. I worked as hard as I possibly could to try to make these challenges less of an obstacle, and I think I really succeeded at this.
Math didn't come as an easy hurtle to overcome. One of the challenges I faced was trying to understand what the teacher was saying. Because our teacher had such a heavy accent, it was really difficult for anyone to successfully be able to understand what he had been trying to tell us. I also had the challenge of trying to get him to realize and understand that I can't see what he writes on the blackboard because I'm legally blind. Testing was also a challenge, as all the tests were on paper, so it made writing clearly tough- even when I didn't really think much about how much time I had.

Math Requirement Completed

I am officially done with school for the summer. My math final on Monday is the very last thing, and then freedom for the summer. I'm sooooooo glad that I actually had a successful semester. Sfter the difficulty I had trying to get through last semester, I don't think I really had a lot of difficulty getting through this semester at all. For one thing, I am sooooooo relieved that I got my math requirement out of the way as early into my time here at UIS- as I actually did. I hope that this really means that I have fulfilled my math requirement, and I don't have to take anymore math while I'm here at UIS.

Babysitting

I can't wait to go home in less than a week. Babysitting my two "puppies" is a lot of fun, especially when Red, my mix-breed, sits on my feet. She makes getting up off a couch very difficult because all of her 80 pounds is on my feet. I can get up, but I can't move when she plants herself on my feet. She always wants to be with me, and she tries to get me to stay with her- solely by sitting on my feet, and making my toes feel as if they are being squished!
My little Chihuahua, Pocket, likes it when I don't go anywhere. As long as she has a lap to sit on, she's quite happy and content. She'll probably try to jump on my lap the second I try to sit on the couch to take my shoes off. . . not even waiting until I have changed into my slippers to try and get me to pay attention to her- and only to her.

Post Rainy Day

It's raining,It's pouring!T
his rain delay is boring.
The Cubs game stopped,My radio sounds like it popped-And the game may not resume til morning.
Rain, rain!
Go away,
Come back some other day!I
want you gone-and the clouds to clear the way,So the Cubs can continue to play.

Boy, do I hope this rain delay ends soon. I'm getting bored with the rain delay programming on WGN radio.

That's what I was wishing yesterday, when the Cubs game got rained out. Today, fortunately is another story. The Cubs are playing a game and a half today- thankfully, it isn't raining at all. The Cubs actually managed to pull off a victory from the game that got rained out yesterday- and had to be finished late this morning.

Celebrating Academic Success

No more classes! YIPPPEEEEEEEEEE! Really, I only have to take an online quiz and final for my math class; however, that's pretty much all that I have left to do to close out the very few days that are left of my very first year here at UIS. The fact that I have survived my very first year at UIS is totally amazing, and it has been quite exciting and fun all at the very same time. Was I the least bit scared about surviving this first-ever experience? Maybe a little to begin with, but that fear gradually disappeared once I got involved in activities, which I have thoroughly enjoyed all year long.
I can now say that I HAVE SURVIVED MY "FIRST" YEAR OF COLLEGE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN AS A FRESHMAN. It has allowed me to grow academically in subject areas that have, in the past, always been quite troubling for me. Math is an area that I feel I've overcome this semester, and if I had to take math again. . . I'd definitely do whatever it took to be a good student.

Academic Success

Today is my last day of English. The only thing that will take place is writing a reflection about the last essay- and possibly about what we learned from taking the class. I don't think this is going to be a hard day at all; it'll actually be fun for a change. Last days of school are usually a lot of fun, anyway. . . so this shouldn't be any different from other academic years- during elementary school, high school, and my first year or so of college- at Roosevelt University, of course.
I think that this semester was awesome. I have finally "overcome" my academic struggles. At least, I certainly hope so. If I've successfully improved academically, I hope that I can do just as well next school year. I certainly won't give up trying to acheive the goals that I set for myself, and I won't let anyone else try to tell me that I won't be able to acheive academic victory- because of the challenges my disability has given me all my life.

Rain And Baseball

It's raining,
It's pouring!
Rhis rain delay is boring.
The Cubs game stopped,
My radio sounds like it popped-
And the game may not resume til morning.
Rain, rain!
Go away,
Come back some other day!
I want you gone-and the clouds to clear the way,
So the Cubs can continue to play.

Boy, do I hope this rain delay ends soon. I'm getting bored with the rain delay programming on WGN radio.

Wow

I think I worked extremely hard this semester to be doing as well academically as I currently am- this close to the end of the school year. I'm actually surprised that I'm passing both of the courses I'm in- done with, actually. It has been about 15 years- third grade- since I got either straight A's or B's in all my courses. After that year, I no longer got straight A's or B's in anything; my grades began to slip, even though I thought that I was seriously trying my absolute best to maintain good academic records.
If my final grades stay where they currently rest, I'm not even going to be surprised. However, this will definitely call for a celebration when I finally return to Chicago for summer vacation. However, E.J., my annoying younger brother, might actually think that I didn't get good grades at all- that it never happened this semester.
See, last semester- while I was struggling- my brother was getting all good grades. I felt a bit jealous of him; however, I understood that school is more of a challenge for me because of the challenges that being legally blind has presented me with for so many years. I guess this semester allowed me to overcome this challenge just enough to get decent grades in math and English.

A Successful Semester

I am sooooooo glad I made it through my first year at UIS. This semester, I've all but passed the two classes I took-English and math. Having good grades in English isn't surprising at all; however, having a B- in math is unusual. I mean, I understand that these aren't even the final grades, but they are to me. . . a sign that this semester was a very difficult semester, and I tried to work really hard to be successful.
Doing well in English wasn't all that hard. I kept up quite well with any reading assignments we had, and I never really missed a writing assignment. Since writing is one of my passions, this class was absolutely no problem to keep up with. Unlike other classes, the pace of this one was not the least bit difficult to keep up with. . . NOT AT ALL!
Math, on the other had was tough to keep up with, but that's because the teacher didn't really take the time to thoroughly explain the lessons and concepts in a way that was easy for everyone in the class to understand. Not only that, but trying to take the quizzes on paper was hard because of the time limit. Finally, the make-up midterm was given on-line, and the teacher then realized that taking a test on the computer is easier for some students than taking a quiz or test on paper.