Frugality as a College Student---Textbook Rentals

As a former college student at Olympic College and UW, I can testify of the appalling ridiculous prices of textbooks.   I was blessed with a family who helped me get through college, but I know money was tight and tough because on top of tuition--books, food, room and board.  The cost of college is pretty steep.  So I have a few great tips to help the student who does not want to pay steep prices for textbooks.
   
College Libraries.

So what I did was hit the library.  I was lucky enough to rent out a book that was either a later version of the "updated" and even struck gold a couple of times with the latest edition to rent out!  That was  how I was able to save money and not have to fork out $100 for a new/used book.  This option can be harder though, and I am sure that someone in my class hated me for renting out one of the precious few textbooks in the library.  

I have recommended this to my sister, but all in all her college library has one or two copies of the textbook that can only be borrowed for a mere couple of ours.  So not a very reliable method to save, but when you can, do!

Buying Used/Preowned Textbooks.

Friends are awesome.  I can say if you can find someone who is taking a class that you will take next quarter.  It does not hurt to buddy up to them and make a friendship relationship!  Or a mere acquaintance.  Offer them after some coffee and cookies to buy the book after they're done.  Swap emails, numbers, and a handshake.  College fellowship can be divine.

There are alot of students there who hate to return their books to the college bookstore...be on the look out for signs and fliers posted up on the various pin boards!  Again you have to be quick.  My experience with this method was a bit of a pain.  Meeting up with another college student--a stranger can be a little creepy.  I was a 16 year old girl who moved from a tiny island.  I was a bit wary but I did it once.  Meet in a very public place, and during the daytime when there's a lot of people.  I might sound too cautious, but hey, you never know! I have a little sister who now is in college, and I want her to be safe and have a good head on her shoulders. 

Campus Book Rentals.

My preferred method to all those currently heading or are in college.  Is through this website which offers Textbook Rentals. 

Why I am excited to share though is Textbook Rentals is the fact that it meshes the idea of buying used together with my method of borrowing or renting out books!   I did mention one way to borrow a book through the library, but it is sometimes hard and not always feasible or preferable. 

 Campus Book Rentals is a great way to not deal with the hassle of meeting up with someone in hopes that the textbook you want is still available.  You can easily search their site to find the textbook you want.  You can simply use your ISBN, Title, Author, Key Word to find your book in a matter of seconds. 

• Searching for your book is a breeze.
• Editions, ISBN, Author and Cover Picture are clearly seen in order to verify the RIGHT textbooks.
• Prices are very comparable if not lower than other online websites.
• Feel free to Write, Highlight, and Underline the book as if it was yours!
• Free Shipping--Receive and Return your books without having to pay shipping!
• Rentback your book for money.
• No Membership Fees
• They offer 30 day worry free guarantee. If you drop your class or change your mind for any reason, return your book within 30 days of your order date for a full refund.

What's not to love about Campus Book Rentals?

 All in all, I will be recommending CampusBookRentals.com  to my own sister who is family!  I recommend it highly to you.

Here's an example of a book I needed to use for my Microbiology 250 Class:

Amazon Site

Campus Book Rentals prices for the same book.

Disclosure: This is a paid post.

Worship

Beauty in the Growing Pains

Some days, I just want to wrap myself round about with the music of worship and the truth of God's word. Closing my eyes, just absorbing the sounds and opening my mouth to bring out praises to Him. Every part of my self just exuding "God you love me...Thank..you..so..much!" My eyes close to the world blocking them out. My mind just saying no to how weird a moment this may seem to others, but oh so lovely to me giving thanks to the King.

Other times it's just being awed by the mere reading of His Word and truth that I just can't contain it--kinda feeling? Have you ever felt that?? Just like you've read something that makes you feel so uncontrollably happy and joyous?? or so powerful that your fingers tremble. oryou are overwhelmed by emotions of awe because of God that sometimes you sob because of how tremendous He is to you...

Sometimes it might just be a quietness. so tender. the quiet peace and joy that He sees you and knows you. His thoughts for you are amazing, unnumber-able.

I get taken back at different days where when I delve into his word and meet with Him or see something that exhibits His Love and Hand on something--I just want to thank Him and live in this worship moment and not to forget that we can always live worship--not just in worship music, but continually?


I wrote this two years ago...some times I feel so different from who I was.  I feel more troubled within and more tainted by this world and my own sins and faults.  God, change me to be that person whom you love again!  Forgive me for my shortcomings, and my temper tantrums.  Forgive me for losing sight of simply being your child...a child of the King of Love.  Mold me again, God...Yahweh.

Be still and know that I am God...

Inspired: A Divine Calling Devotional

Seattle Art Museum Presents SAM Camp

Seattle Art Museum Presents SAM Camp

Three weeks of fun-filled imagination and creativity, designed for children in grades 1–5!  Each week is a different experience. Attend one week or all three.  Your kids will make art and new friends!

 

Week One: July 8–12

Globe Trotters: Art from Around the World
Are you ready to put your art on the map? Make collages, paintings, sculptures, passports, mixed media maps and more in response to art from around the globe. This week will also include fun music workshops.

Week Two: July 15–19

Time Machine: Art Past & Present
SAM Campers will go back in time exploring art from the Pacific Northwest and across many continents! Time capsules, comics and futuristic portraits are just part of the adventure.

Week Three: July 22–26

Planet Heroes: Art & the Environment

 
Be a hero for planet Earth! SAM Campers will create superhero costumes from recycled materials, create trash sculptures and other “green” art, and learn everyday acts to save our planet.

Seattle Art Museum is one museum in three locations. The camps take place at either the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, or at the Olympic Sculpture Park on the Seattle Waterfront. Each week of camp includes a trip to the galleries at SAM Downtown.

 

Click here for details and to register.

Ephesians Bible Study:A Discover Together Study

I love reading the book of Ephesians.  I think I have gone through this book a couple of times with a couple of group Bible Studies.  Though I liked doing a group Bible Study, I really appreciated Author Sue Edwards direction in her Ephesians Study.


When beginning the study of Ephesians, she offers a background that helps us visualize and understand why Paul is writing.  The context really helped me understand what was going on, and also helped me see how very relevant the book of Ephesians is to me in this day and age where godlessness abounds.

I absolutely loved the progression of the Lesson.  It starts us from who we are in Christ and our position in Jesus Christ.  We are seated in Christ Jesus at the right hand of God!  Praise God! And then it progresses to learning how to live in Him and to have a life of prayer.  From there it goes to work and what that looks like in a born again believer.  In Lesson 4 Paul addresses the importance of the unity of believers.  And how we are to be built together.  Then Lesson 6-8 it seems to address the action and life of a believer in terms of what we "do" and how we are "walking" in relation to relationships in and out of the home.  Finally in Lesson 9 it seems like if we know who we are and practice all that we learned we are called to stand!  Stand in Jesus Christ and in all that He has given us.

Lesson 1:  Learn to Sit
Lesson 2:  Sit and Pray
Lesson 3:  Sit Down to Work
Lesson 4:  Sit Down Together
Lesson 5:  Sit Down to Walk
Lesson 6:  Tripping Over Your Tongue? Talk Your Walk!
Lesson 7:  Walking "Under the Influence"
Lesson 8  Walk Worthy in Relationships
Lesson 9  Sit Down to Stand

Snippet of Lesson 2 of the Ephesians Bible  Study:  

In the next chapter we discover what the role of prayer is in our lives--and the importance of communing in fellowship with God throughout the whole day.  Prayer is so much more than just a "block of time".  It is not just asking, but so much more.  I especially appreciated reading and studying the great prayers throughout the Bible of godly men and women.  I am convicted at how my prayer life is not a portrayal of my life, but just a short blip of a conversation.  When in fact prayer is this as John White puts it:

Prayer is not you trying to move God. Prayer is among other things, being caught up into God's directions and activity.  He orders the affairs of the universe, and he invites you to participate by prayer.  Intercession is God and you in partnership, bringing his perfect plans into being.  (The Fight, 27)

The second chapter is by far my favorite because of how much I was convicted of my lack of a prayerful life!

My Thoughts:   I really enjoyed how clear and focused each chapter was.  Each page almost seems to have some little note that helped me understand deeper what I was studying, and also encouraged me as I went through the devotional.

With every chapter I studied, I am placed in a position to Read the Word and to answer questions based upon the portion of reading I did.  This method of question and answering reminded me of homework I do in a women's Bible Study Fellowship I am apart of.  The idea is that it is straight from the Word of God.  Provokes my thoughts, and allows me to retain what was read and studied.  I love this method of study because I feel like God is using this to get me to read a whole book little by little while slowly digesting it's hidden nuggets of truth.

This study is definitely something I enjoy, and Sue Edwards as an author who's such an encouragement in my walk.  Through author chats and her online Facebook Fan Page, I find that she is open and available for those who may have questions or just looking for some encouragement!  I highly recommend this book: 5 out of 5 stars.

Meet Sue: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women's ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women's Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the new Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.

• Find out more about Sue at http://www.discovertogetherseries.com.
• Read more reviews on this book: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sedwards
• Order a copy of the book: http://ow.ly/jJdA1 

Disclosure:  I was given a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are mine, and I was not required to write a positive review.  

{Potty Training}

What advice can I give to a new mom who is going to begin potty training?

• Check out fun children's books about Going to the Potty. 
• Everyone Poops
• Dinosaur vs the Potty
• Once Upon a Potty for her
• Potty
• Diapers are not Forever
• Check out adult books about Going to the Potty.
• Potty Training for Dummies
• On Becoming Pottywise for Toddlers
• Potty Training Girls/Boys the Easy Way
• Watch DVDs like "Once Upon a Potty for him/her"
• Demonstrate using the Potty
• Some kind of distraction as he or she is on the potty (like books) 
• Have the tools ready and handy for them:

• Step Stool for climbing onto the toilet
• A Potty Seat
• Some kind of Reward: Stickers/Candy/Chart
• Toilet Paper
• Develop a System/Schedule for them to constantly go to the potty.  Consistency helps!
• Trainers

My Experience:
It has been a month or so since we started Potty Training.  In all honesty, this is me being trained as to how to do the training!  Went to the library and borrowed about 20 books/dvds about the Potty!  A handful of parental books for me to thumb through and learn, and a bunch of children stories about the potty for her! 

By far the one lesson I have learned in all this is just not putting pressure on my little one.  She is two and half.  As a mom fears come up and thoughts tell me that she needs to accomplish this before she is three.  Or Else...I am not a good mom!  BLOW that thought life away.  It will make life stressful for both the child and you.  I was stressed and it does no good for a little one in learning.  I am making it a priority not to force her, but to keep it a positive moving forward experience.  It is Hard not to feel pressure as a mom...so...making it a positive experience is a good challenge for us right?


Watching and Reading Potty books  has greatly helped.  I feel like things are clicking here and there in her brain.  I am so excited and thrilled with her every time she tries to use the potty!  :)

Little by little we are getting there.  I am thrilled to be her Coach, Encourager, and Teacher in all of this.  I cannot believe she is growing up right before my eyes.  I am so proud of her.  In all of the potty training experience I love it when her face lights up when I praise her for using the potty.  She is all rapture when she sees that her little tinkle has gotten my approval.

Picture: So...this  picture was one I got when she was "potty" training Penguin and Bear!  She usually sits on the potty while I read her books to pass the time away.  I love being a mom when these moments happen.