If this isn't the best way to spend your free time in college, then I don't know what is. A University of Arkansas freshman just won $25,000 in an Internet video contest. You know his parents are proud! I think I just watched TV and hung out with friends when I wasn't working or going to class... very non-productive compared to this guy! The contest was featured on YouTube. To enter, participants had to make a video to the "New Numa" song, which is a Romanian pop song that became famous on YouTube when someone put a video of themselves on the website lip-syncing it. Well, Arkansas's own Keith Eddy and a friend from down the hall decided to enter the contest. The result... a really creative video and $25,000 in winnings... not too bad for a couple of freshmen! By the way, Keith still managed to make a 4.0 this year too, despite spending about month creating the video. Here's a link to the video if you want to check it out for yourself... just a warning though, it's about 10 minutes long, so sit back and relax. YouTube New Numa Video

Today, the Vatican issued a 10 Commandments for drivers. It seems odd for the Vatican to be issuing such a document, but at the same time, it really would be nice if we could all follow them. In the document, the Vatican warns about the effects of road rage, which can include cursing and blasphemy. We've had several recent cases of road rage in this area, one resulting in a death. Vatican officials say they hope there will be fewer deaths on the road due to people following the 10 Commandments for drivers.

Here's the list:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

My husband and I have a tradition to go floating on or around his birthday each year. For the past few years, we've been floating the Illinois River in Oklahoma. It's really beautiful and we always have an enjoyable time. We personally like to get a raft instead of a canoe because we have a history of tipping over every time we try to paddle around something -- which I'll happily admit is because of my inability to paddle in the right direction! ;) Plus, by taking a raft, you really can relax and enjoy the trip down the river. We'll just bounce off the rocks and other obstacles until we reach our ending point. Of course, there's the must stop lunch break and numerous swim breaks to keep cool. It is really a great time and this is a great time of year to go. Most of the rivers still have a good flow because of spring rains, but they're not too dangerous from too much rain. If you've never been floating, you really must go. When we lived in Missouri, we'd float the Elk River, just north of the Arkansas border... and in my many years in Arkansas, I've floated many of the beautiful rivers here. There are countless opportunities to have some summer fun! Here are some websites to help you pick a river for your next floating trip.
Arkansas Rivers
Oklahoma Rivers
Missouri Rivers

Remember the movie Space Camp? After it came out in 1986, I think it was every kids dream to a) either go to space camp or b) actually become an astronaut. Well, many of those dreams are about to come true... kind of. There's a new ride at the Kennedy Space Center's Visitors Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida that lets you feel like you are taking off in a shuttle headed to outer space. The first 'trip' was reserved for current and former astronauts and they all gave it a thumbs up. The launch simulator will vibrate, lean back and let you feel as if you are actually taking off from Earth. Sounds pretty fun and best of all... it's free with paid admission to the visitor's center. If you're interested in seeing a real shuttle launch.. shuttle Atlantis is set to blast off June 8th at 7:38 p.m. EDT.