Winter Break January 3-11

My mom and I were back in Kansas City after a week of being in Colorado. The day after we got back, we took my phone to Verizon Wireless, where we were able to get me into a new phone using my UCM e-mail account. However, I was not able to figure out the e-mail address and password to get into my old account.

                The next day I went to Starbuck’s again, and later I went to the hardware store and got some more hot glue. After that I got back and made my cross of reclaimed wood. I then finished my bottle cap snake that I had started on some time ago. Then I finished another coaster made from receipts. The next day I went to my appointment with Dr. Mays before getting my flu shot. Later I deposited my tuition check and got my prescription from Dr. Mays in the mail.

                After that I called work and found out I’m off all this week. Then I made fourteen more bracelets from old glow bracelets and strips of snack wrappers. After that I went down to Better Cheddar where I got a new bottle cap from my drink. I also went to Starbuck’s where I got the idea to make an autistic mandala. Then I made my mandala. I also had a dinner of cheese, crackers, garlic cloves, spicy hummus, moose spread, and spicy hummus with my mom. I also talked to my dad, and he liked the mandala that I showed him in a picture. After that I called Jack. I also worked on another snake made from bottle caps.

                I worked on my snake. I also did some laundry and had a peppered chicken sandwich on a sandwich roll with some spicy hummus. Then I went to Bruce Smith and got the Goosebumps book Welcome to Dead House. After that I went down to Starbuck’s where I got the idea to make Buddhist monk sculptures from pinecones and learned about a new Lord of the Rings fan film called The Two Hunters, though lotr.wikia.com said it might not ever be completed. I decided to order some on-line. I also worked on some more receipt coaster and bottle cap snake. I also talked to Tyler.

                The next day I went to Starbuck’s again. I also went to eat with Dad at Minsky’s, where he brought up the subject of what I would do with my career after UCM.

              “Well,” I said, “I would like to do things for the autistic community.”

                “Well, have you thought of getting a degree in Social Work? They do have a program at Columbia and UMKC.”

                “Well, I’d really like to go into Disability Studies.”

                “Oh, I don’t know anything about that.”

                I got back and talked to my Granddad, telling him about the conversation with my dad. 
                “I mean,” I said, “I think I can find a way to get into Disability Studies.”

                “Uh-hu,” he said in a non-committal tone.

                “What?!”

                “I mean maybe you should talk to someone about this. I don’t know anything about this.”

                “Well, what, do you think I can’t do anything for the autistic community with my career without a social work degree.”

                “No, I just said maybe you should talk to someone who knows more about it than I do.”

                “Of course.”

                The next day picked up Tyler and ate lunch in Lawrence. Then we went to visit the Topeka Capitol Building. We got back and had dinner. Then we spent a lot of time watching Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. During that time, Jack called and said he would be able to get together the next day.

                I took some time to saw the edges of the boards I brought back from Colorado for my bottle cap signs. Afterwards I went back to Verizon and got my mom and I new chargers. I got back and started getting all my stuff to go to UCM together. After that I went down to Starbuck’s.

                I got back and talked to my granddad, saying to him what I had wanted to say for two days, “Look, I’ve started two groups, two blogs, spoke at a camp and a school for autistic children, and went on Chris Hernandez’s show about autistic adults. I think I can do something even without a social work degree to really help the autistic community with my career!”

                “Well, I do, too,” he said.

                “Really?”

                “Yes. I think you’re going to do wonderful things.”

                “Well thank you. I’m sorry. I was wrong to get so short with you.”

                “Oh, it’s no problem. You were just stressed out.”

                 I drove over to Jack’s place, and he was happy to let me take pictures of his art to share with Artists and Autism. Then we went down to Salsa Grill where I told him about The Friend of Autism Pledge and what it was for, and he agreed to have a look at it when we got back. Once we did, he read over it, thought it was a great idea, and that he would be happy for me to add his name to the list. After that we watched The Sandlot, which I actually enjoyed pretty well. 

                When I got back, I reposted The Friend of Autism Pledge on Facebook. I got back and paid my student tuition. Then I filled out my voting ballet. After that I washed my coat and other laundry. Then my dad got here and delivered my textbooks, a head massager, and several bottle caps, from which I got two new ones from my collection. After that I packed up my stuff for UCM. I went down to Minsky’s and treated myself to some buffalo wings. Then I went to Hen House and had some donuts. My mom paid me for the dinner I got myself, and then I shared one of Jack’s paintings on Artists and Autism. 

                The next day I cuddled with Peter some more while learning about the different species of mammals in Africa. Then I packed up my stuff all the way and loaded it into my mom’s car. I drove down to UCM, feeling perfectly relaxed about driving on the highway. I got to UCM and unpacked. I also learned that I have a new roommate named Jeremy. I met Jeremy, his parents, and his girlfriend, Lisa, who I learned was a child development major and a song leader. 

“What is that?” I asked.

“I lead songs for my sorority.”

“Oh, what sorority is that?”

“AO Pi.”

             “Oh”,

             “We’re cool," she said.

Soon after that I restored my CD mandala some more. Then I went to Crazy Dog’s where I got a new bottle cap for my collection from my drink and enjoyed The Simpsons, albeit only with subtitles. I got back and ran on the treadmill for about an hour, though having forgotten my headphones, and learned more about mammals in South Africa. Then I got back and got to know Jeremy, including that he is a junior pre-med transfer student from a community college in St. Charles and goes home once a month to work with the Marines, which he is in. After that I talked to Erin, who reminded me that it is up to me whether I continue with my schooling after college.

Rainbow color interior often used to represent autism along with the rainbow infinity symbol for autism, the golden hat for the Golden Hat Foundation for autism, gold-light up during April for Autism Acceptance Month, dragonfly of the Autism Women's Network, glowing head of ThAutCast, waving hands of Autism Positivity Flash Blog, the rainbow septagram of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the flames of the Autism Network International, and red-also light up during April for Autism Acceptance.

Back to School Mule-Style

I scooped Peter’s litter box, read my Lonely Planet Turkey and Central Asia books, and cuddled Peter before my dad picked me up and took me to Warrensburg. He gave me his presents, a Native American flute and a build-your-own ocarina kit, and I opened Mom’s, a Leadville, Colorado shirt, and Uncle Todd’s, Aunt Laura’s, Abby’s, and Eric’s, a book on paper art and an ecofriendly sketchbook. Then Dad and I ate at Crazy Dog’s before he took me to UCM, and we got all unpacked. After that, I got my room all organized. Then I made another bracelet from leather, as I had promised to make every day before the silent auction for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Kansas City. I also did some more of my word search from Colorado. I went to the mandatory floor meeting where we introduced ourselves, and told everyone our major, hometown, and hoe old we were. When it was my turn I said, “My name is Ben Edwards, I’m from Mission Hills, my major is Cultural Studies, and I’m twenty-five years old, which I just turned today.”

             Right away, everyone started clapping and singing, “Happy birthday to you.”

Mardy and I filled out our roommate agreement form. Then we went to the Mule Kick-off where I saw my friend from middle school and friend on the autism spectrum Ian Sneid, I talked to him and during that time I learned he was living in South Yeater hall, and I told him about the group.

             “Anyway, if you want to come, you’re welcome to,” I told him.

             “I’ll think about it,” he said.

I also met Paige there, a new THRIVE student with Down syndrome. Mardy and I then went to the THRIVE hall and met Blair, another new THRIVE student with Down syndrome, and hung out with her, Mary, her roommate, and Jade. Afterwards we went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty on the lawn of the Central Baptist Student Union.

The next day I had breakfast with a new student in Ellis who is getting to know new people here.  Then I read over some more of my Lonely Planet Turkey book. Afterwards I had lunch with some people from my hall. I also went to the library where I saw several birthday wishes for me on my Facebook page. To show my autistic pride, I changed my Facebook name from ‘Ben Edwards’ to ‘Ben Edwards Au’ in reference to the chemical symbol for gold, which are the first two letters in ‘autistic,’ prompting members of the autistic community to launch “Light it Up Gold,” as opposed to Autism Speaks’ medical autism model based Light it Up Blue, and for many autistics on Facebook, including several of my autistic Facebook friends to add Au to the ends of their names to.  It would take sixty days for the change to take effect. Then I ate dinner with the people on my hall including Drake, a tall dark young man with a crew cut; Alex, a tall black man; Josiah with dark spikey hair; Cameron, a short dark-haired girl; and Sara with bright shoulder-length blond hair. I got back and talked to Granddad, who liked my idea for the Facebook name, thinking it was a good idea just like my porcupine picture. Then I went to the hypnotist with people from my hall where I go to know several of them.  After I got back, I went down to Break Time and got some beers.

The next day began both my Anthropology of Food class and my American Renaissance class. Before my Creative Problem-Solving class, which started fifteen minutes after the latter of the two other classes finished, Hillary texted me saying she needed help finding her two o’clock class, which took place right across the hall from my American Renaissance class, so I waited for her near the Rec Center and took her back up to that hall to help her find her class with five minutes left until my next class started, making it there just in time. After I got out of class I got out of class and bought a new poster of Albert Einstein and a print of Andy Warhol, two individuals reputed to be autistic. I got back and spent some time with Hillary and Mardy before running on the treadmill for half an hour, trying not to start at my usual time of about an hour after three whole months without running. I got back and got a birthday card and check from my grandmother. Then I hung out with Hillary and Mardy.  Hillary left temporarily to take care of some business, during which time I made another bracelet. Hillary got back and she, Mardy, and I hung out, sharing a beer with them and going down to Break Time to get some ice cream with them, during which time we agreed to walk together for a bit of time every day, and I got some more Altoids.

The next day I went down to the Ward Edwards building and got my laptop registered with the UCM wi-fi. Then I deleted several of my old e-mails and sorted them a little bit.  Afterwards I went to help Hillary get her printer set up. Later I got two new prints, a print of Andy Warhol’s depiction of Marilyn Monroe and a print of Johnny Deep from one of his films, both of these individuals having been believed to be autistic. Then I got back and turned two of the now empty printer cartridges from Hillary’s printer into paper weights one with a Jesus drawing and the other of Muhammad Ali and started on one of Mother Teresa. After that I went to dinner with my hall where I almost think I spotted Jess checking me out. I got back and finished my paper weight depicting Mother Teresa, and then did another one depicting Gandhi. After that I ran on the treadmill for forty minutes. I got back and talked to Dad. Then I got a call from Mom saying my tuition had been paid. Afterwards I went to the library and checked out Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Nature for my America Renaissance class, and some Lonely Planet books on Kenya and Tanzania.

The next day I read a lot of Nature after my Anthropology of Food class while drinking some coffee. After my last class I went to the Union computer lab where I happened to run into Maria, who said she saw my blogs and Facebook page during the summer and thought they were very interesting. I also learned she was living in East Ellis and was no longer working as a CA. I sat next to her in the lab while I took the syllabus quiz for my Creative Problem-Solving class and e-mailed a list of textbooks I need to my dad. I got back to Ellis where I had dinner with people from my hall. After dinner I made another bracelet. Then I worked more on making Facebook pages for my blogs.  After that I ran on the treadmill for about an hour while I read more of Buddhist Boot Camp, which taught me about how power self-talk is, like when I think I cannot change the world for autistics with Autism Speaks in the way. I got back and started teaching myself Arabic from the Rumi book I got. Then I went to Break Time where I got some more beers and Doritos.

The next morning, I ate breakfast with Shay, Alex, and Anna, during which Anna asked me about the group and said she was the new THRIVE student organization president and the organization would call me about speaking to them about my group. I went to an appointment with Barbara Mayfield, the Autism Spectrum Support Group advisor from the Office of Accessibility Services. During the meeting, we thought we would ask Tom, an Autism Spectrum Support Group member and THRIVE student who was the only one to come to most of our meeting last year, to be our vice president, especially as it may attract some THRIVE students. I of course also made another bracelet. The next day I had breakfast with Anna and dinner with my hall. I also finished reading Buddhist Boot Camp.  After that I went down to Hasting’s for the first time in a while and got the current issue of Sufi magazine, Nobel: A Century of Prize Winners, a new translation of The Art of War, and Tai Chi Classics. Then I went to Walgreen’s and got some shampoo and a notebook for my Creative Problem-Solving class. After that I went to Crazy Dog’s and got a new bottle cap for my collection from my drink. 

The next morning, I had breakfast with Jess and several other people from my hall and in Ellis. After that I went down to the sheltered workshop, where I saw some hay barrels that I had never noticed before on my way, picking up several recyclables and repurposables along the way and recycling all the recyclables I brought and found two new bottle caps for my collection, and on my way back I picked up and recycled more recyclables and found more repurposables. Then I made another bracelet. I also had dinner with people from my hall. After that I went to Crazy Dog’s where I got two new bottle caps for my collection and realized twelve reasons why people at UCM might not be coming to the Autism Spectrum Support Group meetings:

1.       They aren’t willing to admit they are autistic.

2.       They’re worried how other people will react or view them if they find out they’re at an autism group.

3.       They don’t want others to know they’re autistic.

4.       They don’t like the idea of being in a group that is autism-based.

5.       They’re used to social rejection.

6.       They’re used to social isolation.

7.       They have some lack of social skills

8.       They don’t know anyone at the group.

9.       They don’t know anyone at school.

10.   They don’t have their parents for backup in this social situation.

11.   Unlike in community colleges, the people who might shun them for being in an autism group are always living near them.

12.   They’re worried about how this group may portray autistics, having seen material from various professionals and groups like Autism Speaks portraying autism as a weakness.

13.   They are so embroiled in their special interests, and don’t want to leave them behind.

After thinking of this, I realized the solution may be to pair people up in twos several times instead of one as we had done earlier at UCM, each time with different people, though I then remembered doing it with several people at JCCC. That way they could get to know people there and make friends more easily and have another reason to come to the group and meet people who share their interests. Later I got a call from Hillary asking me for some help with her Composition I homework, and she came up here and I helped her write the paper.

On Monday morning I read several more pages of The Art of War. After that I went to the bank and got some quarters. Then I found out where my Cinematography class is. After that I e-mailed my dad the name of the textbook I would need for my Cinematography class. I also went down to the Union bookstore and found out they were out of Selected Works that I needed for my American Renaissance class. I got back to the dorm and went to the front desk to get some envelopes and stamps, where I saw Anna and Brittany, but found out they didn’t have envelopes, so I went down to the packing store to get a stamp and an envelope. I got back and worked on drawing the front of a Thank You note for my grandmother for her birthday check, since I didn’t have an actual card to send. Then I drank some coffee while I read a lot of the reading for my American Renaissance class, which gave me an appreciation for nature writing myself. 

Later I went to my Cinematography class, where I learned about how in classic Cinematography, shadows will be cast in darker scenes, and powerful people might be in the center of the frame, while less powerful people might be to the left, and I thought this class could really reawaken my appreciation for film. Our first assignment was to take two photographs of an object, one from a normal angle, and one from a more unusual angle, to show how angles influenced the mood of the picture. After I got back and ate dinner, I tried frantically to get onto the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network-KC’s Google Hangout for the meeting, but after trying for over half an hour to get on, Hillary got Josh and he tried to help me get on for almost twenty minutes until we found out I hadn’t gotten the invitation to the meeting by mistake. After that I ran on the treadmill to try and relax, while reading more of The Art of War. I got back and talked to Tyler after he called until I insisted that I was exhausted and stressed, and I needed to go. I got back and helped Hillary with her Composition I homework. After that I made another bracelet. Then I got several of my textbooks in the mail, along with a birthday card from my Uncle John, Aunt Nini, and cousins Scott and Tim.

                The next day I ran into my old friend Antwon from last year as I was heading to class, and we caught up a bit and I got his number and planned to text him mine and see him later. I read more of my Creative Problem-Solving book and realized a lot of the strategies for businesses it mentioned paralleled The Art of War’s philosophy. After my last class I got back and finished my thank you note for my grandmother. Then I went to dinner with my hall and Chic Filet, where Josh assured me the difficulties I was experiencing over the conference would be resolved. After that I got some more beers (or rather hard cider) at one of the gas stations. I got back and heard back from Teigan and we got it so I was able to help out at the JCCC Autism Across the Life Span Conference. I also made another bracelet.  As I was walking to the Rec Center I ran into Sara holding a dog on a leash standing next to a short stocky man in a bright red shirt. She smiled and said, “Hey, Ben. How are you?”

                “Good, how are you?”

                “Good, just walking my dog,” she said breathing heavily.

                “That’s good,” I said. “Well, I’ll see you around.”

                “Bye,” she said smiling.

                I saw her again as I was going down the stairwell to Late Night, she was walking up. I said hello and she said, “Hey, Ben. What are you doing?”

                “Just going down to Late Night.”

                “That’s cool. Just relaxing?”

                “Yeah.”

                “That’s good. Well, have a good night.”

                The next day I met with Barbara Mayfield, the Autism Spectrum Support Group advisor from UCM’s Office of Accessibility Services about the group. I told her my theories on why people weren’t showing up to the group, and she agreed I could be right about them. During that time, we came up with the idea to plan activities for after our pair-up sessions, get together THRIVE students for activities to help get them into the group, and to meet with the THRIVE staff to help that happen and to get THRIVE students involved. I said sure, and he told me they would probably get together to practice sometime soon. I went to the Lovinger computer lab and worked on putting a presentation together for Disability Awareness Week, when I got a call from the bookstore saying they had the textbook I needed, and I could come down and get it. I went down there and got it and a fine-tipped sharpie and my arabesque origami box. Then I went down to the packing store, where I ended up getting eight new stamps for my collection along with two envelopes. As I left the Union, I ended up going back to walk with Hillary and Mardy to the bank. I got back and mailed my letter to my grandmother. Then I finished my arabesque box. After that I went to dinner with my hall, sitting next to Jess there, and got the idea to make another bottle cap sign that says “Wake up,” and to carve some of my wooden blocks into a box (for myself). I then made another bracelet for the Silent Auction. After that I talked to my granddad.

                After my first class the next day I went to the library and checked out an edition of Walden. I got to the cafeteria and read a lot of it. Later Mardy and I agreed to ride home the next day together for Labor Day weekend. I went down to Late Night again that night trying to relax and ran into Sara and her friend Cameron.

                “Hey, Ben, how are you doing?” Sara asked me.

                “I’m good, and you?”

                “Oh, I’m doing pretty good,” she said sighing and nodding her head.

                “That’s good, and how are you?” I said to Cameron.

                “I’m good,” she said.

                “Well, I’ll see you later, Ben,” said Sara.

                The next day Mardy and I drove home together. I got home and turned several straws into beads. Then I decided to turn all my straws from now on into lampshades and started doing it. Afterwards I read a little bit of my Lonely Planet Germany book while I petted Peter. Then my mom, Dave, and I went to Elsa’s and celebrated my birthday where I told them about school and looking for the right girl, and she said if I keep my mind open to all possibilities, something will happen. When we got back, I made another bracelet while waiting for everyone to be ready to celebrate my birthday dinner. We celebrated it with triple layered chocolate caramel cake with vanilla and caramel cone ice cream while I got four new shirts, including a Mount Washington shirt and a salmon Winnipesauke shirt, as well as a book called The Uprooted: The Epic Stories of Great Migrations that Made the American People.

Preparing for More Finals

On the first day after the rush of Autism Acceptance Month, I spent a lot of time tweaking my research paper and managed to get it to at least two full pages. After my Early American Literature class and my World Archaeology class, I finished my Film Appreciation paper at least six hours before it was due at midnight, so I could go to the Fun Before Finals Night, which Hillary, Philip, and Mardy had invited me to. I went there where we met Ryan and I agreed to come visit him the next day for the last day of his internship at the Salvation Army in Warrensburg. After that Hillary, Mardy, Ryan, and I went to the Oxygen Bar, and I got a t-shirt. I got back to Ellis and went to Late Night with Mardy, who told me, “I didn’t know you were coming back this year. If I did, I would have asked you to be my roommate for this year.”

              The next day I went down the Salvation Army in Pine Street, finding a new bottle cap for my collection on the street along the way, where I did indeed see Ryan and I brought along several shirts, which I had found in trash cans in the laundry room and gave them to the Salvation Army, which Ryan really appreciated. He also invited me to see a movie out on the lawn of the Quad called Monuments Men, and I agreed to go. I also bought a Geography textbook called Regions Near and Far, which had some good sheet music and only cost me fifty cents. Then I went down to Those Were the Days and bought some vintage postcards, which I would frame a bunch of together to make wall art. I got eight new postcards, four of them of rock formations to frame together, two of waterfalls to frame with similar postcards, and one of a site in India and one of the Jefferson Memorial to frame with two other postcards. On my way back I also picked up some trash.

                When I got back, I worked on another coaster made from Styrofoam. Later I went to Chic Filet with Mardy, David, and Alex before we went to see The Lego Movie. While we waited for the movie to start, the three of them were all really impressed by the wallet I showed them that I made from Kool Aid packs. After enjoying the movie, I went back to my dorm, got a blanket, and went out to the lawn of the Quad, where I saw Monuments Men, and was joined up by Ryan, Mardy, David, and Alex. It was really peaceful and I forgotten the vigil that had taken place here only two months earlier. 

                 The next morning, I tried to study but felt too tired to do so, though I still understood the material better. Later I worked on a coaster made from the receipts from Sinho’s Spring Break vacation. Then I worked on a poem for theonering.net. After that I made some more heart-shaped pins from straws. I took a walk around campus later and got some pictures of the scenery. Later I went down to Break Time, and got a Snapple drink along with a new cap. Then I made some more heart-shaped pins and flowers from straws and turned some more plastic bags into yarn. While I watched TV in the Ellis TV Lounge, I saw Maria walk by and come in. 

                “What are you doing here?” she asked, not unkindly.

                “Just relaxing.”

                “Are you bored?”

                “No.”

                “Ok, well just coming to say hi.”

                The next morning as I took a shower, I forgot about any problems I was having as I looked forward to going to New Hampshire and seeing my family there this summer. Later I studied for my World Archaeology exam for two fifty minute study breaks with a ten minute break in between to use the bathroom and get a drink. I ate dinner with Alex, David, Oscar, Ryan, and Mardy afterwards while I made twenty more heart-shaped pins from straws. I then went down to Walgreen’s and bought some glue, a National Geographic issue, and some Altoids. On my way back I picked up several recyclables. After running I made several more flowers and pins from straws. Then I did some laundry before working on some toilet paper roll wall art in the Ellis TV Lounge. 

                The next day I scheduled my tests in the Testing Center and while I had my letters sent out to all my instructors next year. I went to Those Were the Days and bought nine new post cards to turn into wall art. I got back and I took my Modern Sub-Saharan Africa test and submitted it before 3:00 when it was due. After that I studied for my World Archaeology final and realized that I can use this time to see how well I’m learning the material. I also realized whatever happens in my love life will mean more to me if I keep my mind open. After that I finished another piece of wall art made from toilet paper rolls. Afterwards I went on Facebook to my high school’s Facebook page and gave them a good review with five out of five stars. I got back and made some more flowers and heart-shaped pins from straws and talked to Dad, who agreed about keeping my mind open. I went to Late Night where I made some more plarn. After that I made another heart-shaped pin from a straw. I worked on another toilet paper roll wall piece after that. I also wrote in my meditation journal for the last time I would do it in for at least a while.

                The next day I looked on Horizon’s Facebook page and saw they wrote back saying, “Thank you so much for sharing this with us Ben! The things you have learned over the years are inspirational and these are some wonderful words of wisdom to share with others as well. We are so proud of you!” While at the library to study when I got the urge for a snack, so I went to the vending machine to get one and while I did, I found a penny on the ground, which I put in my shoe. Then a voice inside my head said, “Go to the OAS Office and see if your World Archaeology test is in fact scheduled for Thursday at 2 like you asked it to be.” I rushed down, but when I got there I saw an unfamiliar face at the desk, though she told me my test wasn’t yet scheduled for Thursday at 2 because I needed to fill out a form and deliver it to me instructor. I did that, but then came back to the Union, got a coffee drink, and sat down feeling a little disappointed. I remembered how my granddad said true love comes when you least expect it. Well, I least expected it now.

                I tried studying for my test, feeling very distracted, and quizzing myself here and there on the information in my textbook. Then I saw Maria walk by.

                “Hi,” she said.

                “Hi,”

                She turned to exit the Union, then stopped and walked back to me.

                “Ben, I’ve heard some people complain that you neighbors have been making noise," she said. "Have you heard any of that?”

                “No, not that I remember.”

                “Ok, because they’re not supposed to be making noise right now.”

                Afterwards I signed the check-out sheet for 5:50 on Thursday. Then I finished two more toilet paper roll wall art pieces, and gave one to Sinho, Jay, and Kim Ryan as goodbye presents, and Sinho agreed to send my his address via e-mail, so I could send three others to his house, which he could send Kim, Jacob, and Wonyang. Later when I went down to Late Night with bags to make into plarn, in the line to get a hot dog, I saw Maria again, and sat down with her and a friend of hers. Maria asked me about what I was doing with my plastic bags and I told her about how I was making yarn from them, and she sounded rather impressed by it. Later she got up to leave.

                “Bye,” she said to her friend, then wave at me.

                “Chow,” she said.

                The next day, I went on Blackboard and found out I got a 90% on my Modern Sub-Saharan Africa test. I also saw Horizon had written on their Facebook page asking if I could write about my experience at the school and how I’ve done since then for their Alumni Spotlight of their monthly newsletter, and I said I would love to. Then I studied for my World Archaeology class for two fifty-minute study blocks with a ten-minute break in between to use the bathroom and get a drink. I did also decide to go to Crazy Dog’s before I left and did get a new bottle cap with my drink and bought another drink that had a new one for later. Then at seven I worked on the final project for my Early American Literature class-taking two of our weekly writings and expanding them to at least two pages, which, if everyone made them well-written and the required length, got an A+. After that I did a lot of tweaking on my research paper.

                The next day after a coffee from Einstein’s, I went down to the Testing Center, where I saw Dr. Yelton had put my book report with my test, and it got forty-seven points out of fifty. Then I took my test, answering every question to the best of my knowledge and going over and taking care of things I had missed, and then turned it in. I ate at Crazy Dog’s while I waited for my mom and indeed got a new bottle cap from my drink. I got back to my dorm and Maria was there and told me she wouldn’t be able to check me out at 5:50, so I asked if she could do that at 5:30. She said yes, her round face lighting up with delight. Unfortunately, my mom had not gotten there yet so she could not check me out then as I had not emptied the room of all my stuff, but she agreed to do it at 7. My mom got here, and with the help of Sinho, Kim, and Kim Ryan, I got all my stuff loaded into the car. Maria wasn’t there by 7, so I went down to ask for her at the front desk. The girl there looked at the list of CAs to find Maria’s number, and while she did, I was able to get her last name. Maria got to my room and checked me out, before I rode home with my mom. 

                After unpacking, went upstairs and found The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey flute solo book had come, and Mom had a new bottle cap for me from hers and Dave’s recent trip to Italy. Afterwards I talked to my dad, granddad, and Erin, and then I practiced one of the solos from my book for half an hour and improved my flute-playing dramatically. Then I went down to the new Starbuck’s in Prairie Village, and while I was there, I found Maria on Facebook on my phone and sent her a friend request. 

*Stay tuned for later I shall provide a link to my review of Horizon Academy on my other blog autistdharma.blogspot.com on this post.

Third and Fourth Week of the Autism Group

         

On the first day of the month, I took my exam for my North American Indian class, and I thought I did pretty well on it. After that I went to the UCM Autism Spectrum Support Group Game Night, where I saw Tom and met a new person named Matt. After introductions we paired up into groups of two, Matt and I, and Tom and Barbara. I learned that Matt was from England and had an interest in Japanese culture and anime. After we shared what we learned with the group, we all played a game that Matt had brought, a Japanese anime card game which was rather complex but fun all the same.

When I got back to Ellis, I found my mom had sent me a cutter and some toilet paper rolls from home to make some decorated cable holders for the group. I made two more of them then talked to Tyler a bit. I also started cutting out pieces of snack wrappers to make collages. Later I went to a mandatory alcohol program in the Union which was basically a violence and substance abuse trivia night. On my way I realized I am probably running the only autism group in all of Warrensburg. Then later back in Ellis, I sat at Late Night with several people from my hall including John and Kyley, while I worked on my handbag made from snack wrappers, which I thought I’d give to my mom for her birthday sometime and make another one for the next girl I date. That night I also found my phone charger wasn’t working while my phone was out of batteries, and I gave up trying to charge it after much frustration.

Thankfully I woke up in time to meditate, shower, and eat breakfast before my Drawing I class even though I didn’t have my alarm. After my Drawing I class the next day, I read a lot of the reading for my World Masterpieces class. After that class I found a new non-crown bottle cap for my collection while sorting some recycling. Then I finished my Algebra practice quiz for about an hour and a half before I passed with one hundred percent necessary to move on, then a review. After that I worked on some planning drawings for my snack wrapper collages, to be of history’s great people on the spectrum.

I then got a haircut at ProCuts, and then went to the Verizon store to get my phone and charger figured out. While a woman at the counter looked at it, I saw Tom and Jerry playing on the TV, thinking about how Monica loved to watch that show. Finally, after the woman came to the conclusion my charger wasn’t working, I got a new one for $34. When I got back to my dorm, I talked to Tyler some more and I heard him say he knew Monica, from a dance troop, which did make sense as I remembered her saying she was in a dance troupe in high school. I also recharged my phone with my new charger, and it worked.

Before my Algebra class the next day, I read some of the reading for my North American Indian class. Then during my Algebra class, I passed the test with 100%. I later finished reading the reading for my North American Indian class. I also realized how for girls with autism, coming to a group like the one at UCM may be harder for them as they may not know how to assert their own boundaries and are in groups surrounded by males as females often get the diagnosis very late in their lives if at all, not because of a lack of females on the spectrum, but of them often being able to blend in with their non-autistic peers. I started writing a letter to Sharon daVanport of the Autism Women’s Network, asking questions about how groups like mine could make a more comfortable environment for females and what kind of unique struggles they experienced.

I talked to my granddad who thought it was a good idea to write that letter seeing what I could learn. I also ate dinner with Levi and Mary while I worked on my scrap pieces from snack wrappers and Levi thought my letter was good idea and was also doubted there were necessarily less girls on the spectrum. Later I worked on some flowers made from straws and my new wall art piece made from toilet paper rolls. I also talked to my mom and dad who liked my letter idea, and my dad said one of the biggest questions people in his field of psychology are faced with is how to get females on the spectrum to be comfortable getting support.

The next day I started on some beads made from cigarette boxes after my Drawing I class. I also read the reading for my World Masterpieces class. I sent out e-mails to the group members about the bowling night the next week and then I worked on my poster board for Disability Awareness Week, but I found out none of the printers on campus would print color which I needed for several things on the board. Then I went to the Grinstead Building for the next Print Club meeting but got there and learned that I missed it, and it was an hour earlier. However, one of the members, Stacy, stayed behind for a few minutes and told me and wrote down what they discussed. I learned we were making designs for cards for the next meeting and would all try and go to a junk antique store in Warrensburg called Those Were the Days, buy something there and make something from it. After I thanked Stacy for going over all this with me, I went to Crazy Dog’s and got myself some ice cream as a reward for one of my days of studying. I later worked on my wall art made from toilet paper rolls.

The next morning, I ate breakfast with Chris and John then Oscar and Mary after they left. After that I worked on two pairs of Oriental stress balls. Later I found out I could not print using the cords I had to my computer and printer, but I texted Hillary asking her if I could use her printer for to print these off and she said I could when she got back from Lee Summit that night. I worked on some flowers then talked to Tyler, who still seemed to pine over Mary and after talking to him for about an hour, I felt fairly stressed with my schoolwork and finishing the poster board for Disability Awareness Week, doing my laundry, reading my World Masterpieces reading, and finishing my card for the Print Club before the weekend ended. I talked to my mom, which felt like it didn’t do too much good-she told me I need to take breaks sometimes with being a regular student-and I soon felt ready to explode, but I felt better after running on the treadmill. After that I got some flaming hot Cheetos, Hershey’s, pepperoni, Altoids, shampoo, and soap. I got back and talked to Tyler and told him I loved talking to him but couldn’t hear him talk about Mary all the time because I have a lot of work with the group and my schoolwork. After words I took a short nap to recover my strength and then I got a text from Hillary saying she had gotten back, and I went and printed some stuff off. Early the next day I finished my poster board, then did some laundry. Later I read more of the reading for my North American Indian class and during my exercise I read a lot of the reading for my World Masterpieces class.

I woke up at 6:30 on Monday so I could do my meditation, take a shower, and eat breakfast before going to the Union to set up the poster board at 8. I learned later that it was Cam’s birthday on Facebook and posted a happy birthday message. Later as I was cleaning up my student e-mail account, I found an e-mail from last year from a student named Caleb who said he was on the autism spectrum and saw the group flyers and wanted to know about the group. I responded apologizing for not noticing his e-mail until now and telling him about the Bowling Night. Then I worked on my drawing for a card for the Print Club. During my Drawing I class I worked on the midterm assignment-letters made from anything we could find that spelled a word from mythology. Mine said “Xeinos,” a Greek term I learned during my World Masterpieces class discussion of The Odyssey, which meant reciprocity, cut out from the paper package my mom sent those cardboard tubes in, which I twisted to make look 3-dimensional.

I got back and worked on some Oriental stress balls made from straw wrappers. Then I read a lot of the reading for my North American Indian class. I also texted Cam to wish him a happy birthday. Then read the reading for my World Masterpieces class. After that I finished my Algebra assignment. I ate lunch with Connor, Richard, Ro, and Mckenzie. Then I went down to the Union and got myself a strawberry smoothie as a reward for finishing the poster board and drink it while I made another coaster from receipts. I got back and talked to Tyler while I worked on my lampshade made from straws.

          

The next day I got one hundred percent on my Algebra practice quiz, and then I got one hundred percent on the quiz. I also realized more of how I’d make my lampshade made from straws. When I got back, I finished my card for the Print Club then worked on my lampshade. I also got a text from Mom saying my friend Erin’s grandmother had died. Then I read the rest of the reading for my North American Indian class. After that I worked on my snack wrapper collages a little bit. During my North American Indian class, I found out I got an 89% on the exam.

After class I went to the bowling alley. Tom was there and soon Matt arrived. Then James got to the alley and said Monica might be coming. After waiting a few minutes, we got shoes and set up the game. After that Monica got there and we added her name. After I bowled well on my turn I told Monica, “It’s a lot like fighting a dementor. You got to think of something happy.”

She laughed and said, “I love Harry Potter. I once watched all the movies in a row.” By the end of the game, Monica had the highest score. Afterwards she asked when the next meeting was, and I said I’d send everyone an e-mail about it.

I got back and worked on my sign for my Drawing I class. Then I saw Connor, Thad, and Mckenzie all walking to dinner, and they asked me to join them, and I said I would. I saw Alex, Oscar, and several other THRIVE students sitting at a table, and they invited me, though I explained I was already eating with some other people and would catch them next time. After dinner I made some more flowers from straws. I talked to Tyler after I ran on the treadmill, and I got my medication.

The next day in my Drawing I class I learned to draw by moving my elbow rather than my wrist. After class I remembered something my former THRIVE counselor asked me to do: take a risk loving someone who will love me the way I deserve to be loved. Then I called Erin and wished her my condolences. I also got myself a mango smoothie at the coffee shop as a reward for being willing to take a risk in love. When I got back my mom called and asked if I wanted to come home this weekend and I thought that would be nice and said I would. I talked to Tyler that night and we agreed for me, him, and Jack if he was able to, to get together this weekend.

          

The next morning in my Algebra class I got all the homework for that class done. After class I read the reading for my North American Indian class. Then I realized more of how I’d make some beads made from cigarette boxes and worked on the when I got back. After dinner I talked to my Granddad and found out he was taking me home the next day. Later I made forty more flowers from straws and worked on my snack wrappers collages.

I went to the Print Club later and met several people there and while we went to another room to work on computer editing the cards Stacy saw me haul a bunch of paper from a trash can into a recycling bin and said she respected me respected my recycling, having seen me put a bottle from the trash into the recycling bin last time she saw me and I told her and a few others about my environmental crafts which they thought sounded great. Then I finished computer editing the card and got my design on some wax paper so it could be used to make prints. Afterwards I got back and talked to Tyler some more. Then I read some more of Sahara, took a nap, and worked on my wall art made from toilet paper rolls.