Month: January 2016

DO NOT FEED YOUR DOGS BENEFUL

Posted on by sennajandy

Greetings, squadlings. Here comes another post about dogs.

Last year, my then-three-year-old dog was having strange episodes of shaking and losing control of his back legs. We were confused, and his vet didn’t know what the problem was.

Eventually, we found out there was a lawsuit about the dog food Beneful, which was causing normally healthy dogs to have seizures. Yes, dogs have died from this. You can read about the lawsuit here.purina-beneful

Well, squadlings, turns out my dog was eating Beneful. He was having seizures.

However, my other dog, who lives with my mom, was eating Fromm’s brand food. Haven’t heard of it? That’s because it’s not sold at Target.

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From this, we’ve come to conclude that any brand of dog/cat food that can be purchased at your average grocery store is GARBAGE. My dog has been off Beneful since news of the lawsuit broke, and he hasn’t had a seizure since. 

Yes, yes, I know, better brands of dog food that are sold specifically at pet stores are a bit more expensive, but guess what? Crappy dog food can and will harm your dog.

DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG BENEFUL. DO NOT DO IT. DAMMIT, DON’T DO IT.

This has been a PSA, squadlings.

 

HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIIIIIDE

Posted on by sennajandy

Greetings. Hello from the second semester of my freshman year of college.

YEEHAW.

My classes are fine, I can tell they’re not going to be too interesting. As a freshman, I should have expected that, I guess.

I’m only in school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is probably going to come back to bite me, but hey, live and learn. I also have a job now, meaning I will be a slightly-less-broke college freshman. Huzzah.

Nothing interesting is going on, hence the lack of things to write about.

Sorry for the crappy post, squadlings. I’ll try to find things to update you on.

And Second Semester Starts…NOW.

Posted on by sennajandy

My second semester of college starts tomorrow. hillary-duff

I must admit, a month and a half long break can get pretty boring after a while. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends again, not so much looking forward to homework and an online math class. Speaking of, my teacher is supposed to email me login information for our online class, and hasn’t done it yet. *screams*

Wish me luck, squadlings!

STOP SALTING YOUR SIDEWALKS

Posted on by sennajandy

Greetings, squadlings.

Yesterday, I took my dog for a walk. I made it about three blocks with him, a dog who usually absolutely loves walks, before I realized he was walking with his front paw up. A few seconds later, his back leg went up, too, though he kept limping along. For a moment, I was confused. It was then that I noticed the sidewalk had salt on it. I had to carry my dog for three blocks to get him home.

Living here in Wisconsin, it doesn’t surprise me that people put salt on their sidewalks to melt the ice. For us humans, yeah, sure, you may be doing us a favor. But for dogs, you’re hurting them.

According to an article from AccuWeather, which you can read here, the main ingredients in ice-melting salt are either sodium chloride or calcium chloride, both of which are harmful to pets and could kill them if ingested.

SO WHY ARE YOU PUTTING THIS CRAP ON YOUR SIDEWALKS?

Tonight, while walking my dog again with my mom, was a hassle. My dog again began limping because of the chemical burns on his paws because of salt on the sidewalks.

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THIS IS JUST FREAKING UNNECESSARY

After attempting multiple times to put my dog on the snow, we realized we had no options left but to carry him. We had to carry my 30-pound dog for four blocks because of the salt on the sidewalks. 

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While we stopped to have some freakin’ mercy and let my dog sit on a bus stop bench, I noticed the sidewalk around us looked like THIS:

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REALLY, PEOPLE? IS THAT NECESSARY?

Bottom line, I don’t give a rat’s behind if you don’t want ice in your front yard. That’s fine, good for you. HOW ABOUT YOU BUY SOME PET-FRIENDLY ICE MELTERS?  Yes, I included a list. You’re freakin’ welcome.

I have to get up early for work tomorrow. Consider my words. Goodnight, squadlings.

 

Huzzah For Employment and College!

Posted on by sennajandy

Guess who got a job.

Iz me.

Yes, yes, it’s true. Your favorite average blogger now has a job. I have orientation on Friday, and after that, I’m officially a hostess at a restaurant. HUZZAH!

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I also go back to school next week to start my second semester of college. Getting up early again is not going to be fun, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

I’m not too worried about going back to school. College is fine, and it’s fun. The homework load can be a bit much, but overall, college is better than high school. A lot better. 

So yes, the blog posts are most likely going to be limited for a bit while I’ll adjust to employment and second semester.

Wish me luck, squadlings. giphy

Which Brings Us Back to Study Abroad…

Posted on by sennajandy

Well, here we are again. Another post about the possibility of studying abroad.

My best friend from college, Era, and I are both very interested in studying abroad. We even found a decently-priced program outside of our college that could take us where we want to go.

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But, of course, Era and I are different people. Meaning, we want to go to different places. 

Era wants to study in Germany, I want to study in London. Which brings me back to this post. I want to study abroad. I don’t know if I could study abroad alone. 

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The program we looked at will take students abroad for six weeks for a pretty decent price. When you think about it, six weeks isn’t long at all. But, then again, when you think about it with an anxiety-ridden mind, six weeks is a long time. 

Most people I’ve talked to have said studying abroad was the best decision they’ve ever made. I want to be able to experience that. However, there’s a part of me that thinks I might lose my shit once I get overseas.

So, naturally, I’m going to sit here and slam my head against a wall until I figure out what to do.

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Wish me luck, squadlings!

 

 

Letters to My Friends

Posted on by sennajandy

College has taught me a lot about who my friends are. Once you graduate high school, you lose contact with…well, everyone who decided you weren’t worth talking to anymore. I admit, I did it too. So, this post is directed towards the people who I still talk to. NO, I DID NOT GO TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH ALL OF THEM.

KATIE: Katie, Katie, Katie. We’ve been friends since sixth grade. You’re one of the only people I can go to with anything. You know me better than anyone else. Whenever something happens, my first thought is “oh, I have to tell Katie!” Thank you for sitting on the phone with me for five hours at a time, listening to me rant about life. Even if you couldn’t care less about what I’m talking about, you’ll always listen. I’m so glad we’re friends. Without you, I’d probably be in jail. You’re one of the few people I talk to every day.  Never change. You’re smart, funny, beautiful, insane, kind, and overall a wonderful human being. YOU MAH NUMERO UNO, KERTER.

Jenna and Katie

I believe this was when we were making pancakes. Ya never know with me and Katie.

SARA: Sara. My wife. I couldn’t deny this if I tried: our relationship took a hit in college. You moved two hours away, I stayed home. We’re both so busy, sometimes it’s hard to just send a text and check in. We both have our own lives now, we’re not spending every single day together anymore. That being said, you’re still high on my list. You’re the only person who understands my obsessions, even if you don’t like them yourself, you get it. I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss you. You’re “#1”, don’t forget that, Turk.

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Sara, me, and Isaac after my and Sara’s graduation. Yes, Isaac brought pizza.

ALYSSA: SENSEI! College is rough. I was so used to spending every lunch period with you, sitting at the exact same table every single day from sixth to twelfth grade. Then, BOOM. We graduated, and even though we go to the same college, we don’t spend every single day together anymore. You’re at a different campus; I’m lucky if I see you once a month nowadays. I know we don’t talk much anymore, but you’re still on the list of my best friends. Just know this: You got me through middle and high school. I truly would not have made it through without you. Thank you. 

Jenna and Alyssa

Well…This was 2012. Nuf said.

 

ERA: Oh, Era. You wonderful little thing, you. I know we met three weeks before graduating high school, and never really spoke after that, but guess what? You’re the reason why I got through my first semester of college. I’m so glad I met you. You’re one of my best friends now. Thank you for putting up with my insanity daily. Thank you for following me to my mom’s office and overall being weird with me. I know you stress about school a lot, but guess what? You’re doing a great job, and I promise you, you will be a great doctor. Med school is going to be rough, but I promise you, I’ll be there cheering you on through the entire thing. Thank you for encouraging me to do what I love, even if I don’t think I’m good enough for it. I probably would have dropped out of college had you not been by my side this semester, running around the Children’s Museum with me.

Jenna and Era

Don’t hate me, Era. This was the only picture of us I have.

ARI: MOM! I friggin’ love you, Mom. I’m so glad we got to know each other, even if I met you through Twitter. You’re an absolutely incredible human. I worship you. You’re a phenomenal friend. You make me laugh so hard every single day. I’m so beyond lucky to have you in my life. NEVER CHANGE. I know your letter is short, but I don’t want to drag on forever about how incredible you are. You know you’re incredible, you don’t need me to tell you.

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5 Seconds of Summer concert! FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Erin, Brynn, me, Celeste, Ari

BRYNN: BRYNN! There’s so much I could say about you. You’re so much more than my cousin. You’re the group chat Mom, you’re a phenomenal singer, you’re an incredible person, and you’re someone I look up to. I’m so lucky to have you to tell me when I’m being stupid. Thank you for showing me the ropes and teaching me what it means to be a good person. I know you’re living overseas now –cue obnoxious sobbing– but I know it’s going to be an absolutely incredible experience for you. I’m so proud of you. I promise I’ll message you soon. Godspeed, my friend.

Jenna and Brynn

I guess Brynn and I went on a slide with Uncle Neal as infants. Go figure.

And, of course…

ERIN: WHAT UP, BEEF WELLINGTON? Erin, you are such a wonderful person and cousin, never forget that. I’m so lucky that I’ve been able to grow up with you and watch you become the incredible young woman you are. You’re my best friend, my therapist, my partner in crime, and so much more. I know you’re worried about going to college next year, but I PROMISE YOU, you will be just fine. You know if you ever need me, I don’t care if it’s three in the morning, I will be there for you 150%. Never forget that.

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Erin got cast in her first play last year, so naturally I went.

I figured if I write to EVERYONE, this post would be 10,000 words, so welcome to the Honorable Mentions category, who I didn’t have time to write letters for.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

  • RYLEE
  • JENNIE
  • OLIVIA
  • CRYSTAL
  • AMANDA
  • ALLI
  • ISAAC
  • BELA
  • TATIANA
  • KATE
  • ANGIE

Always remember, squadlings. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

That was a joke.

Far Away Family

Posted on by sennajandy

(Apologies for how crappy this post may be, I dislocated my thumb and can only type so well with this brace on my hand)

I don’t exactly know how my family spread across the world, but it worked out that way, didn’t it?

Most of my family is smashed into Wisconsin and Minnesota. The people living in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, I don’t see very often. My dad’s family used to do an annual family camping trip, but once the older grandkids started heading to college, that died down. Now, really the only time I see my up-north family is Christmas.

My mom’s family are mostly spread around Wisconsin. Appleton, Sturgeon Bay, Madison…However, there are some exceptions. I have a cousin who lives in California, and another who lives in Germany. Germany. Those cousins have started their own lives now, my cousin who lives in Germany has a fiancé and a baby.

My other cousins are…well, everywhere. Most of those who have finished college ended up back in Wisconsin, with the exception of California and Germany, of course. My cousins who are still in college are all over. One is in Texas, one is in Michigan, one is in Ohio, and the next in line just got accepted to a college in Colorado. One of my cousins, the one who goes to college in Ohio, is currently studying in London for a semester. You can read about her here. 

I’ve never really thought about how spread out my family is until my cousin left for London earlier this week. I don’t talk to my cousins who live overseas very much. The time differences are hard to get used to; when I’m making breakfast, my cousin is probably talking to her roommates about what to get for dinner.

 

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Yes, I just did that.

I don’t blame my cousins for living their own lives. I’m happy for them! My cousin who lives in Germany has a son, and he’s adorable. My cousin who lives in London is going to have the time of her life. All my cousins in college are doing just fine.

All I know about having family live so far away is that, once we all get together again, it’s like they never left.

Told you this post wouldn’t be that good. Apologies, squadlings. Hopefully the brace will come off soon. Until we meet again.

 

What to do When Your Best Friend Moves Across the World: Cry A Lot

Posted on by sennajandy

Happy New Year, squadlings!

Of course, the New Year isn’t so happy for ME right about now. It’s January 1st, meaning today is the day when my 19-year-old cousin, who is also one of my best friends, moves to London for six months with a study abroad program from her school. Cue hardcore sobs right…NOW.

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Today marks the beginning of six months without my best friend. I don’t know how I’m going to take that.

My cousin, let’s call her Beth, goes to college in a different state with an hour time difference. That’s fine, that’s not much of a gap. But London, compared to good ol’ Wisconsin, is a six hour time gap. hillary-duff

It’s also in a different COUNTRY, meaning I had to download an app just so I can text her. Our group text message with her, our friend Ari, and Beth’s sister is going to have to go on hold for a while, as Beth can’t send us messages from that number anymore.

So, what do you do when your best friend moves across the world for school? Well, you can lay in bed and listen to sad songs and cry all day, which is exactly what I plan to do. tumblr_lr1bscvwfo1qf924co2_250

Don’t get me wrong: I’m so excited for Beth to be going to London like this. And hey, if I go to London this summer, maybe she can tell me all the cool places she went. My point is, I’ve never had my best friend leave the country for six months. It’s going to be hard to adjust to, but eventually, once we get the hang of it, I think it will be so cool to learn about all the cool stuff Beth is doing overseas!

 

Until we meet again, squadlings.

Hello, my name is Jenna, and I’m obsessed with Star Wars. *The Force Awakens SPOILERS*

Posted on by sennajandy

Apologies for the lack of posts, friends. Divorced parents means four Christmases.

I admit it: I’m an eighteen year old girl, and I’m unhealthily obsessed with Star Wars.

It all started when my brother was nine years old and discovered Star Wars. Our parents had never been into it, but somehow, my older brother discovered it. Naturally, wanting to be cool like my big brother, I started to follow along. Then it all went downhill.

If you venture into my attic, you’ll find buckets upon buckets of Star Wars toys: action figures, Legos, ships, a full-blown model of Mustafar (the coolest thing ever, by the way)…41z27qryv2l-_sx300_

Bottom line, we were obsessed. As we got older, our obsession died down, but our love for the series remained strong. Of course, seeing as my brother and I are only 20 and 18 years old, we grew up on Revenge of the Sith being the only movie we actually remember the release of. Which was fine, because that movie was BANGIN’.

Now, with the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, my obsession has been reborn. I forced my stepdad to go to Target one night and buy all six Star Wars movies on Blu-Ray so my mother and I could re-watch the entire series again before seeing The Force Awakens. So, that’s what we did.

We watched in chronological order (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) instead of release order (4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3). It took us about two weeks (I’m on winter break from college, but my mom still has to work), but we finally finished the series last night after purchasing tickets ahead of time for The Force Awakens.

 

THE FORCE AWAKENS SPOILERS AHEAD!

The movie was out of this world (pun very much intended). The lead character, Rey, played by newcomer Daisy Ridley, is such a badass. If I was that little eight-year-old girl watching this film back in 2005, I’d want to be Rey. Hell, I’m eighteen in 2015, and I want to be Rey. She’s determined, smart, and all-together one of the most kick-ass lead roles of our time. Forever crying because I’ll never be as cool as Rey. 

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Early in the film, our beloved Wookie, Chewbacca, was shot in the arm. I’ve never had to force myself to hold back a scream so hard before. Chewbacca, as my brother describes him, “is like a dog.” You can’t help but love him. Luckily, Chewbacca was alright and makes it through the rest of the film. THANK GOD. 

If you kept reading and haven’t seen the film, I suggest you stop reading now, because here comes a MAJOR spoiler.

Han Solo and Leia Organa’s son, Ben, is the main villain of the film, known as Kylo-Ren. He’s a jerk. I’m not going to get too far into detail on him, because I’m assuming those who are reading to this point have seen the film, but bottom line, HE FRIGGIN’ KILLS HAN SOLO.

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Kylo-Ren

A part of me died when Han died. After the movie was done, I sat in my seat and bawled. I physically laid down on the sidewalk outside the theater, curled into a ball, and sobbed. HAN FREAKIN’ SOLO, GONE.

I don’t even know why I cried. Han isn’t, nor was he ever my favorite character. (For those wondering, my favorite character is R2D2. Yes, I’m serious.) Han wasn’t a major character for me. I SOBBED when he died. My mom judged me so hard.

Part of my childhood died when Han Solo died. Leia’s reaction when Han died ripped my heart out of my chest, blended it into a smoothie, and fed it to my loved ones.

THIS MOVIE RIPPED ME LIMB FROM LIMB. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

If you haven’t seen it and are a Star Wars fan: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!

If you haven’t seen it and are NOT a Star Wars fan: WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?