While I have found that Oklahoma is where my heart truly lies I see that there are many places in this country that can hold their own as well. Listed from top likabilty to lowest is as follows:
TAMPA FLORIDA - With one of my very close friends being from Tampa I find that it could be a very likable place. Even though I give the complaint of it being a tourist or retirement spot only I hear of the side the locals know. Michael tells me of warm weather and the ability to walk wherever i need to go. There's pretty sands and wonderful skyline pictures. The attractions good only enhance any life that someone wishes to live there. I feel that Tampa might represent the true human nature of social interaction. I have only heard good things from michael and I believe that I could fit in. USF sounds like an amazing small school. and the alcohol policy makes it even better
Franklin WI- while I am violently opposed to cold weather I believe Franklin could be enjoyable. It seems to be mirrored subarb of Norman Oklahoma without the outstanding college. All the tourist activities and day trip destinations seem enjoyable.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Your Mission
I am at my best when I feel that I am influencing others.
I will try to prevent times when I am not busy.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can be a leader and have others look up to me.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through be a leader and keep busy with 'feel-good' work.
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as charisma, reading, planning.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will fulfill my bucket list .
My life's journey is an encouraging story. It's filled with despair but with a underlying feeling of accomplishment. Everything that is done is to accomplish my goals but in the process it makes others happy as well.
I will be a person who I want my best friends and business acquaintances to be there. I want my friends to say that I play hard and that I care for others. I want them to say that my personality is an inescapable tsunami. I want my business acquaintances to realize and vocalize that I am hard to say no to and even harder to ignore. .
My most important future contribution to others will be I want to be able to help them realize that the goals and dreams in their lives can be accomplished.
I will stop procrastinating and start working on:
I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:
I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:
I will try to prevent times when I am not busy.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can be a leader and have others look up to me.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through be a leader and keep busy with 'feel-good' work.
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as charisma, reading, planning.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will fulfill my bucket list .
My life's journey is an encouraging story. It's filled with despair but with a underlying feeling of accomplishment. Everything that is done is to accomplish my goals but in the process it makes others happy as well.
I will be a person who I want my best friends and business acquaintances to be there. I want my friends to say that I play hard and that I care for others. I want them to say that my personality is an inescapable tsunami. I want my business acquaintances to realize and vocalize that I am hard to say no to and even harder to ignore. .
My most important future contribution to others will be I want to be able to help them realize that the goals and dreams in their lives can be accomplished.
I will stop procrastinating and start working on:
I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:
- Charisma
- Caring
- Influencal
I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:
- exercise every other day and eat healthy
- pray daily
- take 10-15 minutes a day to think about me and who i want to be
- be outgoing. meet others and allow them to influence me.
Staff/Team Development
Picture this - A Softball Team with 2 coaches and 17 players...
This team made it to the state tournament...
This team was good enough to make it cause they were diverse. When one person was good at something then one of the other girls was best at what the first girl was not. These players balance each other out with their strengths and weaknesses.
This team made it to the state tournament...
This team was good enough to make it cause they were diverse. When one person was good at something then one of the other girls was best at what the first girl was not. These players balance each other out with their strengths and weaknesses.
Leadership is....
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” Jim Rohn
In a more simple version of what Jim Rohn says is that there is a very thin line of the acceptable characteristics of leaders. You have to be everything that will motivate others. This motivation is called influence over others. therefore, Leadership is Influence!!!!!!!
It's a simple matter of making yourself so inviting and your ideas, dreams, and goals so enticing that everyone around you wants to share them with you. The way you go about doing this is unique to every person. Different leaders have different styles, just as every snowflake has a different design, or every cheetah has a different pattern. The way you choose to motivate those around you is dependent on your attitude. If you a more introverted person and aren't so much of a public image kind of person you might choose to motivate other people by example. If they see you working so hard on a committee project then they might think "if she can do it then I can too." If you more extroverted, like me, you may choose a different path. What I have found that works well is to gain influence by showing that you can plan and organize and do the dirty jobs when need be, but also that your personality is versatile. You can be fun and carefree but then go to serious person as soon as you need to. No matter what path you take you still need to show that you are human; that you have feelings and struggle with the same things others do. If you are too far removed from those that you are influencing then there's no point in using the energy.
In a more simple version of what Jim Rohn says is that there is a very thin line of the acceptable characteristics of leaders. You have to be everything that will motivate others. This motivation is called influence over others. therefore, Leadership is Influence!!!!!!!
It's a simple matter of making yourself so inviting and your ideas, dreams, and goals so enticing that everyone around you wants to share them with you. The way you go about doing this is unique to every person. Different leaders have different styles, just as every snowflake has a different design, or every cheetah has a different pattern. The way you choose to motivate those around you is dependent on your attitude. If you a more introverted person and aren't so much of a public image kind of person you might choose to motivate other people by example. If they see you working so hard on a committee project then they might think "if she can do it then I can too." If you more extroverted, like me, you may choose a different path. What I have found that works well is to gain influence by showing that you can plan and organize and do the dirty jobs when need be, but also that your personality is versatile. You can be fun and carefree but then go to serious person as soon as you need to. No matter what path you take you still need to show that you are human; that you have feelings and struggle with the same things others do. If you are too far removed from those that you are influencing then there's no point in using the energy.
Monday, November 30, 2009
My Discipline
Self-Discipline -discipline and training of oneself, usually for improvement
the 5 top areas lacking self-discipline in a college students life, you ask?
1-Studying
2-money matters
3-balancing social and class
4- sleep habits
5- Moral issues
STUDYING
Not many people know how to develop study skills going into college but then again going in to college most people don't know what to really expect. Adjustment periods are expected but there's a time where it goes from being an adjustment period to a problem. the eassy solution? develop study habits! People have different ways that they can and can not study. Some study better at night and some study in the afternoon. Some need complete silence and some do better with hustle and bustle around them. You have to find whats best for you and that takes time to figure out but when you do it greatly improves your grades and it helps boost your self confidence!
MONEY MATTERS
money is a college students worst nightmare or greatest dream depending. There are those kids that come to OU on mommy and daddy's pocketbooks. These kids never knew the true meaning of working for a dollar and probably never know real manual labor. I'm not saying that all rich kids are like this, but the kids that are don't know how difficult it is working 20 hours a week, having a 15 hour class load, staying active in 3 organizations, maintaining a social life, and keeping in toouch with your family.
BALANCING SOCIAL AND CLASS
this is so simple...if you have homework do it before you go hang out. Or the other thing I've found that works is that have one of your friends be your confidont. Have them keep you on track. Find a friend that is on top of their studies and have them make sure you study when they do. It works, trust me!
SLEEP HABITS
The one thing that no matter how hard you try you won't get of is sleep. Period. End of story!
MORAL ISSUES
Moral issues are not necessarily the fact of ignoring your morals but learning to accept others' as well. When drinking is against all you've learned growing up then you come here and see it, hear of it, and smell it everywhere you learn to become more tolerate of it. Some even go so far as to adopt new morals. They learn that what they believe is right and wrong my not be what their parents did.
the 5 top areas lacking self-discipline in a college students life, you ask?
1-Studying
2-money matters
3-balancing social and class
4- sleep habits
5- Moral issues
STUDYING
Not many people know how to develop study skills going into college but then again going in to college most people don't know what to really expect. Adjustment periods are expected but there's a time where it goes from being an adjustment period to a problem. the eassy solution? develop study habits! People have different ways that they can and can not study. Some study better at night and some study in the afternoon. Some need complete silence and some do better with hustle and bustle around them. You have to find whats best for you and that takes time to figure out but when you do it greatly improves your grades and it helps boost your self confidence!
MONEY MATTERS
money is a college students worst nightmare or greatest dream depending. There are those kids that come to OU on mommy and daddy's pocketbooks. These kids never knew the true meaning of working for a dollar and probably never know real manual labor. I'm not saying that all rich kids are like this, but the kids that are don't know how difficult it is working 20 hours a week, having a 15 hour class load, staying active in 3 organizations, maintaining a social life, and keeping in toouch with your family.
BALANCING SOCIAL AND CLASS
this is so simple...if you have homework do it before you go hang out. Or the other thing I've found that works is that have one of your friends be your confidont. Have them keep you on track. Find a friend that is on top of their studies and have them make sure you study when they do. It works, trust me!
SLEEP HABITS
The one thing that no matter how hard you try you won't get of is sleep. Period. End of story!
MORAL ISSUES
Moral issues are not necessarily the fact of ignoring your morals but learning to accept others' as well. When drinking is against all you've learned growing up then you come here and see it, hear of it, and smell it everywhere you learn to become more tolerate of it. Some even go so far as to adopt new morals. They learn that what they believe is right and wrong my not be what their parents did.
The OU Mission
"The mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society."
I believe that OU is fully living their mission statement. They are empowering the students whether it be through activities, academics, or the many social options.
I believe that OU is fully living their mission statement. They are empowering the students whether it be through activities, academics, or the many social options.
Who's Who
Today in class I met a women named Susan Sasso. She was one of the most wonderful women that I have met here on Campus and the advice she gave me I will never forget.
With all of these faculty Leaders in class with us today I realized that this is something that I would love to do. I wanna come to class like this hopefully in 10 or twenty years and say that I remember doing the exact thing and not to worry that they will succeed. With all the one-liner advice that we were given today it was overwhelming but one reoccurring theme in all the advice was to make and imprint on this campus. make an impression and be remembered through one activity or another. "find your niche, along with yourself"
There are many pieces of advice that'd I'd give to other freshmen but I believe that there is one thing that must always be said...If you are going through tough times, whether it be social, personal, or academic, there is always someone there for you. And that it will pass......
With all of these faculty Leaders in class with us today I realized that this is something that I would love to do. I wanna come to class like this hopefully in 10 or twenty years and say that I remember doing the exact thing and not to worry that they will succeed. With all the one-liner advice that we were given today it was overwhelming but one reoccurring theme in all the advice was to make and imprint on this campus. make an impression and be remembered through one activity or another. "find your niche, along with yourself"
There are many pieces of advice that'd I'd give to other freshmen but I believe that there is one thing that must always be said...If you are going through tough times, whether it be social, personal, or academic, there is always someone there for you. And that it will pass......
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The indictive future
Well you see they call it a future cause its an unknown......I might strive to be something but I'll never know if i can accomplish it...
I wanna try to remain as involved in HCSA as I am. Housing communitties need to be represented and I'm in love with doing it. I wish to remain involved with my RSA and next semester I know i will be. The plan is to take the RA class and apply for a RA position and even run for a RSA president position. Hopefully so I won't have to pay room and board for my sophomore year. and many more after that all I want to do is stay at school and make the best impression possible
I wanna try to remain as involved in HCSA as I am. Housing communitties need to be represented and I'm in love with doing it. I wish to remain involved with my RSA and next semester I know i will be. The plan is to take the RA class and apply for a RA position and even run for a RSA president position. Hopefully so I won't have to pay room and board for my sophomore year. and many more after that all I want to do is stay at school and make the best impression possible
p V. c
1 word-----------------------------------------MIDTERMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Easy solution you say.....not so much....
just because college students have the option to study beforehand does not mean they all do. All nighters are common this week.
What if you had 3 Midterms, 2 papers due, 5 blogs to catch up on, 4 meetings, and an RA class app due...all in these 5 days? Sounds like a problem to the typical college student...but with a plan and some motivation (led by good friends) this is just a challenge.
All that's needed is a planned out schedule, some snacks, and a good deal of Garth Brooks...
Break it all down and it seems easier....list out what comes first and second and third, etc. Then after everything on the list list what needs to be done for each:
Monday
7-12 Work
1230-120 Class
130-320 study in Union (Intro to Elem functions)
-Go over review and lessons in book
- Check last review in My Math Lab
330-445 Class
500-630 Study in RSA office (Intro To Elem Functions)
- last check on concepts
Fill out first half of RA app
630-715 Dinner
730-830 (?) Intro to Elem Functions Exam
830-1000 Finish RA class App
1000-1130 Proof Expo English Paper
-Print
-Turn into mailbox by 9am tomorrow (Bizzell, bottom floor, expo office)
Just list out days like this and your problem turns into just a manageable challenge.......
As long as you have Garth Brooks and some great friends, anything can be just a challenge.....
Easy solution you say.....not so much....
just because college students have the option to study beforehand does not mean they all do. All nighters are common this week.
What if you had 3 Midterms, 2 papers due, 5 blogs to catch up on, 4 meetings, and an RA class app due...all in these 5 days? Sounds like a problem to the typical college student...but with a plan and some motivation (led by good friends) this is just a challenge.
All that's needed is a planned out schedule, some snacks, and a good deal of Garth Brooks...
Break it all down and it seems easier....list out what comes first and second and third, etc. Then after everything on the list list what needs to be done for each:
Monday
7-12 Work
1230-120 Class
130-320 study in Union (Intro to Elem functions)
-Go over review and lessons in book
- Check last review in My Math Lab
330-445 Class
500-630 Study in RSA office (Intro To Elem Functions)
- last check on concepts
Fill out first half of RA app
630-715 Dinner
730-830 (?) Intro to Elem Functions Exam
830-1000 Finish RA class App
1000-1130 Proof Expo English Paper
-Turn into mailbox by 9am tomorrow (Bizzell, bottom floor, expo office)
Just list out days like this and your problem turns into just a manageable challenge.......
As long as you have Garth Brooks and some great friends, anything can be just a challenge.....
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
My Optimism VS. Allie's Crabbiness
"I just don't feel like dealing with your crap today" That's what she said to me as I said hello and the South Oval. Little did she know that would have to deal.
Her attitude was pessamistic and mine was optimistic. And I was determined by 5p.m. today hers will have done a 360.
She lists the reasons for the crabbiness "all-nighter, bad roommate, Arabic exam, no boy to love on her, lack of breakfast, dirty laundry, behind in three classes, sore throat, and even a broke phone" As she explains all I think is wow! I was there last week.
I know that sympathy will get me nowhere today so I change my tactic.
"Lunch?" I ask
"sure, if I have to" came the reply.
And as I went my way and she went her way, my mind started working...Allie + bad mood = not good. So it was my personal goal to get her better. I text her saying 'yes, I will be your lunch date...wear something sexy...we'll make the lunch lady in the caf jealous' as my class starts another text 'my professor says that I'm in a chipper mood, and he wants me to say thank you for putting me in it' and yet another 'could this class be any more unnecessary? I was told that elephants live in Africa!' and again 'wanna be my date to the musical this weekend? we can make snide comments from the back row and get ugly looks from the people who wanna be there ;P'
And as I walk into the Caf, I see her there smiling and laughing at me for almost tripping (not on purpose this time). "thank you" she says "My day got pergressively better, with your randomness in it"
As was my goal, I rubbed my good attitude off on her. And as I realized that my goal worked on her, I realized that it could work on most everyone. When I saw her this morning I could've adopted her pessimism and been the gray cloud on campus all day but then I thought that my attitude could effect those around me. I thought back to the classes I am this semester and which ones that I truly enjoy and why...the realization hit me "favorite class = Lead" why? cause of the attitude of Clarke and Kate. They are always in a good mood, even when everyone else is not. It is the one class that I truly look forward to.
Attitudes effect not just how your day goes but the way all those around you too....just ask my friend Allie....
Her attitude was pessamistic and mine was optimistic. And I was determined by 5p.m. today hers will have done a 360.
She lists the reasons for the crabbiness "all-nighter, bad roommate, Arabic exam, no boy to love on her, lack of breakfast, dirty laundry, behind in three classes, sore throat, and even a broke phone" As she explains all I think is wow! I was there last week.
I know that sympathy will get me nowhere today so I change my tactic.
"Lunch?" I ask
"sure, if I have to" came the reply.
And as I went my way and she went her way, my mind started working...Allie + bad mood = not good. So it was my personal goal to get her better. I text her saying 'yes, I will be your lunch date...wear something sexy...we'll make the lunch lady in the caf jealous' as my class starts another text 'my professor says that I'm in a chipper mood, and he wants me to say thank you for putting me in it' and yet another 'could this class be any more unnecessary? I was told that elephants live in Africa!' and again 'wanna be my date to the musical this weekend? we can make snide comments from the back row and get ugly looks from the people who wanna be there ;P'
And as I walk into the Caf, I see her there smiling and laughing at me for almost tripping (not on purpose this time). "thank you" she says "My day got pergressively better, with your randomness in it"
As was my goal, I rubbed my good attitude off on her. And as I realized that my goal worked on her, I realized that it could work on most everyone. When I saw her this morning I could've adopted her pessimism and been the gray cloud on campus all day but then I thought that my attitude could effect those around me. I thought back to the classes I am this semester and which ones that I truly enjoy and why...the realization hit me "favorite class = Lead" why? cause of the attitude of Clarke and Kate. They are always in a good mood, even when everyone else is not. It is the one class that I truly look forward to.
Attitudes effect not just how your day goes but the way all those around you too....just ask my friend Allie....
Monday, October 12, 2009
letter to the Creekers!!!!
Class of '10...CONGRATS!!!!!!
Graduation is gonna seem like one of the biggest achievements of your life and it will be the turning point of everything. You will cry, you will be sad, you will wish to go back.
At this point in your life you will wish school was out. You'll wish you are as far from Bridge Creek as possible and that all Bridge Creek is will disappear. You'll want the assumptions and cliques to go away. You'll be scared but more excited of your future. You will want to be grown up.
This is my warning to you......do not wish it so...
College life is not all its cracked up to be. You may think you are the smart one or the one that can balance everything or the popular one or the focused one but there is a gigantic news flash coming. There is always someone smarter, someone that can balance responsibilities better, someone more popular and liked, someone more focused. No matter what you believe your talents are there will always be someone ahead of you. And you believe in not being a geek? well change!!!!!! geekiness is encouraged at college. And those people are loved.
Take these truths as things to be considered:
1. Geekiness is not a disease; its a quality to be desired
2. Time Management = NECESSARY!!!!
3. You must suspend your social life on a daily basis
4. Bikes are cool again, and scooters can be too
5. Sleep is a luxury that most don't have
6. If you work more then 15 hours a week AND go to school AND have a social life you are very talented
7. Chemistry, Calculus, English Composition and Physics do not belong in the same semester
8. Reccomendation - Enroll each semester with 15 or more hours so that if need be you can drop at least one class without falling below full-time status
9. Find at least 1 place that you can study without distractions; it is entirely helpful if it's without friends
10. Determine if you are a day studier or a night studier. Enroll in class around that (i.e. if you are a day studier then morning classes would be best, if a night studier afternoon classes are helpful)
11. Take advantage of upperclassmen friends, they know what professors are horrible
12. If your roommate and you do not get along, CHANGE ROOMS!!!! Roommate drama can cause academic drama easily
13. Too many resposibilities = nervous breakdown
14. The college may be large, but everyone knows everyone (it's helpful to create a good image in and out of class)
15. 1 a.m. walmart runs interfer with writing papers
16. You will always be broke...PERIOD!!!!
These are basic rules. Everyone creates their own list of rules. There are universal rules that apply to almost every student though.
Don't assume anything about college.......nothing is never what you believe it to be...
Enjoy your last year seniors...It's gonna be the last free one....
Graduation is gonna seem like one of the biggest achievements of your life and it will be the turning point of everything. You will cry, you will be sad, you will wish to go back.
At this point in your life you will wish school was out. You'll wish you are as far from Bridge Creek as possible and that all Bridge Creek is will disappear. You'll want the assumptions and cliques to go away. You'll be scared but more excited of your future. You will want to be grown up.
This is my warning to you......do not wish it so...
College life is not all its cracked up to be. You may think you are the smart one or the one that can balance everything or the popular one or the focused one but there is a gigantic news flash coming. There is always someone smarter, someone that can balance responsibilities better, someone more popular and liked, someone more focused. No matter what you believe your talents are there will always be someone ahead of you. And you believe in not being a geek? well change!!!!!! geekiness is encouraged at college. And those people are loved.
Take these truths as things to be considered:
1. Geekiness is not a disease; its a quality to be desired
2. Time Management = NECESSARY!!!!
3. You must suspend your social life on a daily basis
4. Bikes are cool again, and scooters can be too
5. Sleep is a luxury that most don't have
6. If you work more then 15 hours a week AND go to school AND have a social life you are very talented
7. Chemistry, Calculus, English Composition and Physics do not belong in the same semester
8. Reccomendation - Enroll each semester with 15 or more hours so that if need be you can drop at least one class without falling below full-time status
9. Find at least 1 place that you can study without distractions; it is entirely helpful if it's without friends
10. Determine if you are a day studier or a night studier. Enroll in class around that (i.e. if you are a day studier then morning classes would be best, if a night studier afternoon classes are helpful)
11. Take advantage of upperclassmen friends, they know what professors are horrible
12. If your roommate and you do not get along, CHANGE ROOMS!!!! Roommate drama can cause academic drama easily
13. Too many resposibilities = nervous breakdown
14. The college may be large, but everyone knows everyone (it's helpful to create a good image in and out of class)
15. 1 a.m. walmart runs interfer with writing papers
16. You will always be broke...PERIOD!!!!
These are basic rules. Everyone creates their own list of rules. There are universal rules that apply to almost every student though.
Don't assume anything about college.......nothing is never what you believe it to be...
Enjoy your last year seniors...It's gonna be the last free one....
Too busy for concern...
There's this store of a college sophomore...she was completely immersed in her sorority duties, President of her Pre-Law student association, and involved in the women's volleyball team. She was one of those girls that when she was not in class, she was studying, when she wasn't studying, she was volunteering, when she wasn't volunteering she was at volleyball practice, when she wasn't at practice she was at meetings, when she wasn't at meetings she was planning events, and the list continued on and on. She was never "jus' chillin", she always had something to do. Her friends and family wished to see her more and more but she always made excuses. She always had something else to accomplish before the next morning. Her time with her family was always limited, and there was too many times to count that her parents remembered that she had to leave them during dinner or family celebrations cause she was the go-to girl. Her friends were always cut short on her time and missed her when she was not there. The inside jokes never included her, and she had no reclamation of 1'o'clock walmart runs or all nighters spent unproductively switching music on computers and eating grilled cheese. She would never admit it to anyone but herself but she was lonely. She appeared not to be, but on the inside she felt stretched and sad. She felt as no one really cared about her actions or life.
One day this girl was walking on her campus to her one class that she believed defined her. She changed her major because of this one class, because of this one class she changed her future. This class, politics, law, and civil responsibilities, was the most awe inspiring class she had taken and it was providing her with lessons she could get no where else. This day she was more then excited to go to class, she was ecstatic. They were having a guest speaker that she in part helped to invite and arrive there. This guest speaker was a woman who she herself knew from her childhood. The speaker was a political advocate that her father had befriended when his daughter was but a small girl. This woman was speaking on the importance of advocating for others when you know they can not; on being the voice of reason when no one else the courage to speak up or to participate. She thought she was that girl. She believed it so much she ignored all the obvious signs that morning. She was oblivious to all the world that morning.
She missed the boy trying to get down the stairs on his crutches, because the elevator was broke, again. She missed the hungover half-grown Frat boy sneaking away from the dorms. She missed the kid falling off his bike into the bushes cause some butt would not move over on the sidewalk, and the 8 year old girl walking across campus by herself at 7:30 am, and the man that was slowly following her. She completely sidestepped the arguing couple. And went right past the man and girl as she went in her building for class, and completely ignored the crying girl in the next stall over.
And so her class began...and continued...and ended.
That night as she was studying alone in her room she began looking over her notes from class that day. She bagan thinking of everything her morning had consisted of. She remembered all that she had winessed and realized all she could have prevented. Then and there she made a pact to herself that she would pay attention, that she would step in if need be, that'd she be the one to speak up. From that moment she was a new person
This same renewed young woman, 12 years later, was walking the same campus at the same time to the same class, but not as the same student. This time she was a guest speaker, speaking on the importance of societal interaction. In that front row there was a college sophomore very similar to the girl she was at the same time of life.
There was one underlying difference between the two though. One difference you had to dig to learn. This girl was abducted and kidnapped for a year of her life, 12 years earlier riding her bike through the same campus. Little did she know that it could have been prevented by the woman in front of her...
One day this girl was walking on her campus to her one class that she believed defined her. She changed her major because of this one class, because of this one class she changed her future. This class, politics, law, and civil responsibilities, was the most awe inspiring class she had taken and it was providing her with lessons she could get no where else. This day she was more then excited to go to class, she was ecstatic. They were having a guest speaker that she in part helped to invite and arrive there. This guest speaker was a woman who she herself knew from her childhood. The speaker was a political advocate that her father had befriended when his daughter was but a small girl. This woman was speaking on the importance of advocating for others when you know they can not; on being the voice of reason when no one else the courage to speak up or to participate. She thought she was that girl. She believed it so much she ignored all the obvious signs that morning. She was oblivious to all the world that morning.
She missed the boy trying to get down the stairs on his crutches, because the elevator was broke, again. She missed the hungover half-grown Frat boy sneaking away from the dorms. She missed the kid falling off his bike into the bushes cause some butt would not move over on the sidewalk, and the 8 year old girl walking across campus by herself at 7:30 am, and the man that was slowly following her. She completely sidestepped the arguing couple. And went right past the man and girl as she went in her building for class, and completely ignored the crying girl in the next stall over.
And so her class began...and continued...and ended.
That night as she was studying alone in her room she began looking over her notes from class that day. She bagan thinking of everything her morning had consisted of. She remembered all that she had winessed and realized all she could have prevented. Then and there she made a pact to herself that she would pay attention, that she would step in if need be, that'd she be the one to speak up. From that moment she was a new person
This same renewed young woman, 12 years later, was walking the same campus at the same time to the same class, but not as the same student. This time she was a guest speaker, speaking on the importance of societal interaction. In that front row there was a college sophomore very similar to the girl she was at the same time of life.
There was one underlying difference between the two though. One difference you had to dig to learn. This girl was abducted and kidnapped for a year of her life, 12 years earlier riding her bike through the same campus. Little did she know that it could have been prevented by the woman in front of her...
Monday, September 21, 2009
PRIORITIES
Sleep...The final frontier...desired by all college students...and envied by those who don't have it.
The main priority for college students (as defined by their parents) is academics
The main priority for college students (as defined by themselves) is sleep while still having a social life
However, most college students fail to achieve this goal. The dire temptations of Halo,However, deny most college students this goal. The dire temptations of Halo, Rock Band, Beer Pong and the occasional date night with the local Greek system seem to easily distract the average college student from their goals. Everything can be a distraction.
One of the best ways the keep your priorities at the top of your list is to have a partner to keep you on track. Find someone that you see on a daily basis and ask them to be your accountability partner. You keep them on track and they keep you. You can go as far as to be aggravating about it but it is necessary for your success as a college student.
The main priority for college students (as defined by their parents) is academics
The main priority for college students (as defined by themselves) is sleep while still having a social life
However, most college students fail to achieve this goal. The dire temptations of Halo,
One of the best ways the keep your priorities at the top of your list is to have a partner to keep you on track. Find someone that you see on a daily basis and ask them to be your accountability partner. You keep them on track and they keep you. You can go as far as to be aggravating about it but it is necessary for your success as a college student.
Monday, September 14, 2009
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE 60s
Webster's defines influence as the 'power or capacity of
causing an effect in indirect
or intangible ways'
In our terms it is an authority over people and their ideas, whether voluntary or involuntary
Influence isn't something you are born into, though if you are born into money it might help. Influence is mainly gained throughout your life and experiences. Think back to the most influential men and women of modern society... Rosa Parks was not born ready to defend her seat, she inherited a strong will and determination but developed her strengths. Through tension and strife, she learned the value of determination. And I believe that at the time she had no intention of influencing an entire generation to change a outdated way of life. It's those people such as Ms. Parks that have the greatest influence on our society. It is those people who have no idea that others are watching them for inspiration; it's those people who do what is right and just without a alternative cause, it is those that make the greatest impression in this world. They inspire the world just by being who they are and for standing in what they believe. It is they that change the course of all mankind by one action.
You must not forget those who use their influential and persuasiveness to accomplish their own needs. I will not say to accomplish 'evil' or 'bad' deeds because in their eyes it was not evil, it was justified. Adolf Hitler may have been murdering and slaughtering in the thousands to us, but in his own minds-eye it had reason behind it. I am not saying I support Hitler's position at all, I just wish everyone could see that just because someone believes in something different it does not mean its wrong. Another example is Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., who are two men with the same goal, who used very different influential effects to serve their own agendas. Martin Luther King Jr. used the more mundane, more peaceful, more 'hippie' way of influencing others to follow him on his journey for equality. He believed that all disagreements could be solved w
ith peaceful protests (i.e. marches, sit-ins, etc...). Malcolm X, on the other hand believed that a more extreme method was needed to lasso the attention of the population. Malcolm X, real name Malcolm Little, preached on the sanctity of Black Supremacy, he encouraged more forceful protests in response to the mounting racial tension. While both men fought for the same goal their styles varied differentially and influenced many different kinds of people, white and women included. They both opened the doors to a more equal footing.
Then will always have those leaders whose influence is a bit inspiring and scandalous at the same time. I can give you an example of seven men...It was called the Chicago Conspiracy Trial. These men only wanted to express their freedom of speech and assembly. They paid dearly for their extreme ways of getting those freedoms. Their antics are as entertaining and awe inspiring as they are jaw dropping. This consisted of seven men, all well educated who fought for their rights. Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner were all seven tried. Though these men sacrificed for their rights that influenced others to act in accordance with their goals. While the Chicago 7 was occurring in Chicago, many young Americans were copying them in diverse places of this country.
Though there is many types and abilities involved in influencing others, one thing remains the same:
IT HOLDS RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
All About Kira!!!!!!!!!!
Hi from the wonderful world of college!!!!!! My name is Kira Renee Aidan Kendrick and I am a Freshman at the University of Oklahoma. With President /Senator/Ambassador/Govenor Boren as chief educator there's no surprise that I'm a Political Science major. I knew I was coming to OU since the minute I was born. The OU chant says "Sooner Born, Sooner Bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner Dead" well that's me down to every dotted i. Even my family lives by that standard (All but my traitor OSU brother). All three of my brothers and parents were Sooner fans at one point and most of them remain so. With my hometown being Bridge Creek, just west of here in Norman, it's no surprise the closeness I feel with this town and more importantly with this University. My love of this school and this 'Boomer-Sooner' way of life inspires me everyday to play a part in this school that will hopefully live as a legacy to other students. Participation in The Adams Resident Student Association (RSA) as an executive, General Council for the housing communities, Student Congress, and even my involvement as Floor President for Johnson 7 give me a outlet for all the stress courtesly given to me by my classes. My classes might give me stress, but in retrospect that are pretty amazing. My Freshmen Seminar is wonderful. It will give me not only volunteer time and bragging rights that I have cooler professors, but I know it will give me valuable leadership skills that I'll be able to use after school and hopefully for the remainder of my life. My American Federal Government is one of those big lecture classes that you hear horror stories about, but in a class that size you get so many different veiwpoints. It's as enlightening as it is frustrating. Understanding Theatre is another lecture class, but this one hardly feels big. My Professor was and still is an actress. She makes every class feel as if we are in the actual theatre with her. Intro to Elementry Funtions is one of the easiest classes I could've gotten. I know most everything that we are covering. The TA that runs the class is one of those awkward math geniuses. He has a lacking of social graces but once you get him engrossed into a mathmatics problem he becomes a totally new person, someone who is completely confident in himself. Lastly, I have my Expo English course which is undoubtedly my most boring and most invigorating class. Our topic is exclusively supposed to focus around the Southern Region of the United States and the mindset associated with it, but you also have to understand that many of the issues associated with the southern states focuses on Feminist, Racial, and Economic tensions, and because of this our class covers so much more then just the Southern thought process.
And of course we have the much lighter aspect of college...friends!!!!!!!!!! I was one of only two students to come to OU from my Hometown, so in that aspect I'm friendless. The other person that came was a guy by the name of Jacob. We graduated together, grew up together, and even received the same senior favorite award (most opinionated). The main problem is that we both may have opinions but they are conflicting. Whereas I'm a Democrat, he is a Republican. Whereas I'm more liberal, he is more conservative. Whereas I advocate for womens rights in society, he believes that women should be baby/home makers. Though I brought no previous friendships with me, that doesn't mean I am lonely. I have already made friends that I know I can count on. The girls on my floor are quickly becoming my adopted family, and my acquaintences from my student organizations are so friendly and amazing. But above all that there are two people who keep me rooted and focused. I do everything i do as well as i can cause of them. They're my parents...sometimes i get aggravated, sometimes they get aggravated, but in the end I know that no matter what I decide to do about anything they will be supportive. They are my backbone for being here.
What's the best part of going to school at OU, you ask? Well, that ones easy...THE CAMPUS!!!!!! I visited many different schools in my senior year of High School and OU was by far the best atmosphere. There's a sense of community, a sense of family, a sense of belonging that all students share. If it's a smile on the South Lawn or a conversation with a new aquaintence at the Union, you always feel connected to everyone else. The stray cats adopted by the residence halls are friendly and the Squirrels are even friendlier. The class gifts around campus are not only unique but monuments and memory posts for students. Every Freshmen ends up with a picture in front of the round circular statue and the spoonholder holds suspicions and hopes for every student. Campus life and all that goes with it defines students' lifes, and in that OU is a pioneer and beloved home.
And of course we have the much lighter aspect of college...friends!!!!!!!!!! I was one of only two students to come to OU from my Hometown, so in that aspect I'm friendless. The other person that came was a guy by the name of Jacob. We graduated together, grew up together, and even received the same senior favorite award (most opinionated). The main problem is that we both may have opinions but they are conflicting. Whereas I'm a Democrat, he is a Republican. Whereas I'm more liberal, he is more conservative. Whereas I advocate for womens rights in society, he believes that women should be baby/home makers. Though I brought no previous friendships with me, that doesn't mean I am lonely. I have already made friends that I know I can count on. The girls on my floor are quickly becoming my adopted family, and my acquaintences from my student organizations are so friendly and amazing. But above all that there are two people who keep me rooted and focused. I do everything i do as well as i can cause of them. They're my parents...sometimes i get aggravated, sometimes they get aggravated, but in the end I know that no matter what I decide to do about anything they will be supportive. They are my backbone for being here.
What's the best part of going to school at OU, you ask? Well, that ones easy...THE CAMPUS!!!!!! I visited many different schools in my senior year of High School and OU was by far the best atmosphere. There's a sense of community, a sense of family, a sense of belonging that all students share. If it's a smile on the South Lawn or a conversation with a new aquaintence at the Union, you always feel connected to everyone else. The stray cats adopted by the residence halls are friendly and the Squirrels are even friendlier. The class gifts around campus are not only unique but monuments and memory posts for students. Every Freshmen ends up with a picture in front of the round circular statue and the spoonholder holds suspicions and hopes for every student. Campus life and all that goes with it defines students' lifes, and in that OU is a pioneer and beloved home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
