Salutations and Hellos

Break, hair and technology

2010-03-09T22:18:00.000-08:00

You're probably wondering why or how I'm typing a blog post when supposedly we don't have internet at my house.

Well, now we do.

Hughes Net has saved my parents from truly being out of the loop. It's a breath of techy air and I'm loving it. Sure, it's such a baby step compared to the fast-paced outside world, but considering we're out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a highway and massive fields everywhere, this is huge. The boys were having a field day with the internet, looking at youtube and what-not. I'm just so glad we have wireless. I can now do what I wanted to do for a very long time: sit on the couch with a blanket, Smokey near, surfing the web at my leisure. Fabulous.

I got my hair cut! Ever since I originally cut my hair short, I can't seem to let my hair get really long anymore. It's kind of ridiculous haha. I would take a picture of me with my hair but I look so tired. So, you'll just have to wait til tomorrow. Oh, you can wait!

So far spring break has been really good. I've spent some time with family and my weekend is going to be spent with friends. Lunch with Michelle on Friday and La Piazza with Jill on Saturday. There's really cute waiters at La Piazza. Sort of like an Allentown, NJ Olive Garden.

Ciao, bellas!

One day away

2010-03-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Yikes-a-million! The days seem to fly by so quickly. I hardly know what day it is anymore. Thank God I always have my cellphone with me to check. Ha!

Ash and I just went to Sonic for the billionth time this week. Don't judge. We've had a really hard week this week. Sonic was our savior. God bless M&M blasts...

I finished packing about a few minutes ago. There wasn't much to pack. I'm going home for a week so I didn't want to go overboard. Plus, I'm bringing back my Carlos Santana's to show the girls and to show off with some outfits. I'm thinking of wearing them for one of my speeches. Who knows...

Break is going to be spent getting my hair cut, eyebrows waxed, lunch with Michelle, dinner with Jill, and getting money in order for Ireland.

Oh, did I say Ireland? Yes. I said Ireland which means I'm GOING TO IRELAND THIS SUMMER!!!!!

Let me give you the low down.

Remember the post where I said I wasn't going because the money was so tight? Get this.

I was in the art building with Ash as she was working in the photo lab and I was just chilling, texting Michelle about stuff. My mom called me with a very special surprise.

"Your grandparents are willing to give you $3000 for your Ireland trip. If you still want to go, you may want to call them and tell them."

I couldn't believe it! It took all my strength not to just collapse on the floor with gratitude.

"I told them how you saved up half but wouldn't be able to go this summer because it was more expensive than you anticipated," my mom said. "They asked if it would help your career and I told them it would tremendously. That's when they offered to give you $3000 for the trip."

I got off the phone with my mom and quickly called my grandmom and poppop. My grandmom said she was happy to do it and would help me whenever I needed it (within reason haha). My poppop said "The world is hard enough out there. You need all the help you can get." That is completely and utterly true.

So, $3000 is mine and now my summer is going to be more exciting than I planned. Isn't God something? You think you have everything situated out; you've made peace that maybe going somewhere wasn't in God's will and then He goes "That's really sweet you trust Me to give you a great life. But, here's you're desire of your heart, daughter."

It's so stinkin' awesome! He always manages to surprise me when I least expect it.

This summer it's the moorlands, Dublin and Galway for this lass.

Tomorrow though is New Jersey.

Ciao!

From Anywhere to Here...

2010-02-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

Homecoming was the big week-long event here at Belmont. Yesterday was the pep-rally. Being in SGA, I had to help with handing out shirts to the masses. YIKES! When you say "free t-shirts" people bombard you.

Today was the homecoming game against Kennesaw State. Needless to say we won. Beat the Owls by 30 or so points. It was pretty sweet.

Ash and I painted faces while Martha and Kimi handed out free, leftover homecoming t-shirts. *Cue bombardment*.

Here are a few pictures from tonight:

Girls first

Kennesaw eventually won by 1 point

Ash, Martha, meKimi!

me, Martha, and her boyfriend, Stephen

Dragging my feet

2010-02-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and girls!

I just got out of class. Every time I come out of Business of News, I feel like I've sat there for the entire day! Maybe because we get so much done. Our presentation was today. It was based on the piracy model since we read

It was actually a really great book and has some key points journalists can use. Shoot, the news industry in general needs to use some of these tactics.

After this class, I don't know how in the world I'm going to be able to do a 9-5 EVER! I think I'm gonna have to be my own business. The thought of working for someone else is just so unappealing now that I've been exposed to this information. I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!

The next book on our list is "What Would Google Do?" by Jeff Jarvis. I've already started reading and I'm about 20 pages in. Yea, it's that good. I'm compiling a small list of books to read after this semester, maybe during the summer. I'll be working but also will stay educated and informed.

I think I get my AVP test back. Yea...not so excited. More than likely got a D on that sucker. It's so annoying, really it is. My problem is, I can work with the technology and produce a great video, but ask me what an XLR cable is and I look at you like you're speaking rubbish. Now, if I saw the cable maybe I could tell you but even that's a stretch. Allow me to work with the technology and I'm fine. Test me on it and you think I'm not learning anything. I promise I am! It's just better to work with it than see the term on a piece of paper. Hopefully he understands that.

Tomorrow's Friday which means I only have a week left until spring break. Could I be any happier? Nah. Don't think so.

Well...maybe if Jesus came back today...yea, that'd do it.

Tuesday, Tuesday

2010-02-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

We had glorious 60 degree weather on Saturday and now...

Winter has returned to bite us all again. Dang. I had to exchange my short-lived dress wearing back to my winter coat and jeans. Spring will come. I'm sure of it!

[stomach growl]

Uh oh.

Better get something to eat before I head out for the day.

Catch ya'll later.

***I know this post is random. I do that sometimes...***

Saturday!

2010-02-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a good day. I finally finished my book for Business of News. Now I just have to come up with a business model and present it on Tuesday.

No big.

Actually, my group is meeting tonight to work on the project so cross your fingers.

Ash and I went to Target after she got off her 6 hour shift. I bought this little number:

She bought a dress too, I think. We also bought magazines and Starbucks and pretty much just bummed around the store for two hours. After we got back, I set up a new website (http://www.amandastrav.wordpress.com/) and she watched the Olympics. How cute is Apollo? He's just so laid back. It's very attractive.

I've been in a frenzy all morning. From running back and forth to the laundry room to trying to type up the Homecoming 2010 candidates' accomplishments for the Vision, Ash described me in one word: stressed.

I wasn't stressed...just annoyed that it's a week (no more like three days) before Homecoming and I just got the green light to send something off to the Vision. Bad management.

Maybe Elle will calm my nerves. I'm wearing my dress today because it's gonna be like 65 degrees today!! I'm so happy. Spring is finally going to be upon us. Flurries shmurries. It's all about the SUN!

Enjoy your Sundays!

The Milky Way

2010-02-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

You know the Lincoln MKZ commercial? Well I had been looking for the song forever and a day. Needless to say, tonight I have found it. It was "Under the Milky Way Tonight" by The Church originally, but Sia (yea, first time I'm hearing about her, too) did a great great cover. I love it.

Just a little update

2010-02-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

I haven't written much just because these last two weeks have been crazy busy. Homecoming is next week so SGA is trying to get everything set up for that. I'm in charge of getting pictures and bios of the homecoming nominees together. Supposedly, I'm working with the Vision but they haven't gotten back with me with any ideas so I don't know what's going on with that. I may need to make a visit...dun dun dun!

After homecoming, I make my informative speech on World Vision. Spring break starts Friday and I have a lot to do (including packing) to do before I can fly out. I have papers, reading (lots and lots), my speech, and another case study and test before then.

If I don't write for a while, don't unRSS me. haha I swear it's just college and hopefully at the end of break, I'll be able to exhale.

I was going to do a post about Lent and what it means to me but I'll save that for next year. I decided to give up Facebook for Lent. I'm on my third day and I don't have any use for it. I thought it was going to be extremely hard and there are some times when my fingers want to type in the all-too-familiar URL but I always remind myself that I would just be wasting time. It's been on my heart anyway to give up the procrastination tool and what better time to give it up then Lent?

Another thing I'm doing, which is pretty cool (practically everyone on Belmont's campus is doing this), is 40 days of water. Bloodwater: Mission is an organization that helps build wells in Africa for safe drinking water. What Belmont students are doing is drinking only water and then what we would spend on other drinks like coffee or soda, we donate the money to Bloodwater. It's been a little difficult and I have to remind myself that I can't have green tea with my salad, but it's a good thing. The "water challenge" coincides with Lent so I'm killing two birds with one stone.

I think that's it. Other than school, everything's fine. I'm reviewing All My Sons in the Troutt tonight at 8pm so go to my Web site to read the review tonight or tomorrow. It can be your weekend read =)

Oh! My younger brother, Austin, is on his way to Venezuela for his mission trip. Pray for safety for him and the group and guidance for him. He has a few future questions that need to be answered and I believe through prayer, God will show him his path.

I'm on my way out the door for meetings and class so have a great weekend!

Be mine

2010-02-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

You may be rolling your eyes at the title. "Oh gosh" you may think, "not another I-loathe-valentine's-day-because-i'm-single, angst-for-someone post."

Nay, friends. Actually, I've learned to appreciate the day for what it is. The actual holiday may be all commercial, but the concept is beautiful. It's a day dedicated to show the ones you love how much you truly love them! It's not just for lovers (though commercialism may tell you otherwise). It's for parents, brothers, sisters, friends, aunts, uncles. Heck, even the postman. It's a day where everyone should be happy and filled with love and appreciation for the blessings they have in their lives.

It's like Thanksgiving only instead of turkey, you get candy!

Who's my valentine this year? Well, for 19 years running (this being the 20th) it's Jesus. Hey, at least His love is constant. He doesn't need to show His love with flowers that will wilt, balloons that will deflate, or chocolates that will melt. He showed the ultimate love by dying on the cross and giving me LIFE!

Who's valentine has done that?

Jesus will still be my ultimate valentine when God gives me that someone He's been saving. Jesus won't hurt me, will never disappoint. He's my Rock, my Salvation. He's who my heart beats for.

Jesus is my ultimate valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't know

2010-02-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

For the first time in a long time, I sit to blog because I have a hunger to blog and I come up empty.

There is nothing. Same old.

I hate those two words 'same' and 'old'. They're even worse when put together. Together they represent a monotony, something I try to run from. I don't like to get comfortable. I like adventure and while I take comfort in the goings on of life, I don't like to stay in one place for long.

Ironically, this adventurer has two words to describe what's going on.

Same old.

Who dem Saints?

2010-02-08T07:15:00.000-08:00

Excuse the ridiculous grammar. It was painful to type.

BUT, I suppose in the end I picked the right team to root for, huh? Saints won. hahaha

And it was their first ever superbowl victory in the history of their team so they were very much the underdog. That's why I love the superbowl, especially when there's a team who has never won. They play with so much heart and passion. It's just inspiring and teaches everyone if you set your mind to something and put your passion behind your work, you will succeed.

Not saying the Colts didn't play with passion but I do believe they've won the superbowl before. If anything, I believe it would've been a gloating thing for them. A bunch of dudes body slamming each other "Yea, man. Told you. We're number one. We're the best!"

With the Saints, it was a lesson learned. If they apply themselves, they can go far.

<<----------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>

That's my after-thoughts on the Superbowl. The commercials weren't that great except for the Doritos commercials. They're always fun.

Speeches were today. Yea, that's all I'm gonna say about that hahahahaha

The next speech is an informative powerpoint. I'm thinking of talking about World Vision, what the organization is, how they help, and what they've done recently. If I could work for any organization, I think I'd work with them.

All my other classes are doing great. Syb won't be in Tuesday and Thursday. Instead of cancelling class, she wants us to talk about Pirate's Dilemma and perhaps skype her? Sometimes I curse technology.

That's about it. I'm thinking of lying down for a bit. I'm so tired.

Oh, here's a tip: If you want your Mondays to go well, start your day by dressing yourself to the nines. I'm wearing heels, skinny jeans, a white button-down cuffed with a blazer. A long necklace and diamond earrings complete the look. I'm feeling good about myself and giving Monday a second chance to be great.

Happy Monday!

Superbowl Sunday

2010-02-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

Who are you rooting for?

I honestly don't know who I want to win! Never has this happened before. I'm leaning towards the Colts but everyone is rooting for them. The Saints come from New Orleans and it'd be really cool for them to win, what with Katrina happening and people still devestated by it. I think it'd be a great moral boost if the team won...it's like the phoenix coming from the ashes. Oooh, I like that.

I always root for the underdog. Does it sound like I'm leaning toward the Saints? Hahaha. The Colts, though, have really pretty uniforms. Like that blue is just gorgeous and they'd look really good with the trophy. Manning is cute, too. Especially in uniform! Mmmhmm

I suppose after everything, I'm going to root for the Saints. Not that I'm basing it solely off of Katrina, I just think they're the underdogs in this and I love when an underdog team dominates =) It's fuel to my inspirational fire.

GO SAINTS!

Where you headed?

2010-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

The first session of Synodia was last night. The series is called "The Gospel According to [Saint] Bongo". Everyone was scratching their heads because what in the world does Jesus have to do with Belmont kids' Mecca for caffeine Bongo Java?

As Guy spoke, it was clear.

He shared John 10:7-15 where Jesus says He's the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and the sheep know Him. Jesus also talks about two other people: the thief and the hired hand. The thief obviously represents the bad stuff, the stuff we know is wrong and we can easily keep ourselves away. It's very black and white. The hired hand is where it gets gray. He can come in the form of a Starbucks (or St. Arbucks to Guy...har har har) or materials like the new techy thing or new clothes. He could even come in the form of a relationship or the idea of a relationship. These things, while enjoyed in moderation (Lord knows He allowed us to have Starbucks for a reason. Can I get an Amen??) aren't going to be around when life (the wolf in the passage's case) bares its teeth and rears its head. Those things are frivolous in those storms and turmoil. If that's all we hold onto and those things wash away, what do we have left? We're left groping for something that wasn't truly there in the first place. We come to realize it was all a facade.

Guy encouraged and challenged us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ. He's the only One who's going to get us through the tough times. He's the one who is always there no matter what. What does David say? If I go to the heights of heaven, God is there. If I go to the lowest point, God is there. How comforting that is! We don't need to fear anything life throws at us. We can be confident in the fact God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I hope that encourages some of you today.

This next bit is w-e-i-r-d WEIRD!

Like I said earlier, I had my speech yesterday. I had written 2 Timothy 1:7 on my notecard in order to look at it and know that God didn't give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Well, wouldn't you know I was reminded of that verse ALL DAY yesterday! The verse is written above my bed, first of all, so I'm constantly reminded of that. But it was brought up in conversation somewhere and my devotion had it as well. My devotion really struck me with something. My devotional was the one AO gave me and the other missionaries when we left. It's Henry T and Richard Blackaby's "Experiencing God Day by Day". The title for last night's reading was "Power, Not Fear".

As I began to read, I noticed it was speaking directly to me. Rather, God was speaking right to me through those words.

Ever since God revealed that tidbit of information while I was praying that one night, I've been scared. Scared I won't be good enough, that I'm not truly ready, that it's just one-sided and the man doesn't really like me. God put a stop to that right away last night!

"Fear causes us to stop and question what God has clearly told us to do."

Hey, that's me! I questioned God because this is totally new to me. I prayed long ago, about four years ago...I was pretty hurt from a situation with a guy when I was a sophomore in high school. He was the first guy I ever cried over. I haven't cried over anyone else like I had with him. It was there that I was broken. And it was there that I asked God for the simplest thing: to keep me away from relationships, meaningless relationships, and save me and my heart for that ONE guy who will end up being my husband. Sure through the four years, I've tried to like guys but God held me to it and didn't allow me to get into a relationship. He's given me the deepest desire of my heart, stay single until God's time came to give me the one who would challenge, compliment and, most importantly, love me and would never leave my side. Well, with this insight into my future, I was hesitant and fearful. I had the same feelings I had when God said I would be a journalist. All these questions would pop up into my head because I was scared of the uncertain. Instead of putting my big girl britches on and saying, "Alright Lord, lead the way." I was the one who shifted from foot to foot, wringing her hands. "Oh goodness, Lord, really? Now? Uhh...I don't know..." And God's lifting His hands saying "What are you talking about?! This is what you wanted! It's time. Get out there and do what I'm telling you to do!"

"Fear is no excuse to disobey God. Ask God to free you from any fear you are experiencing and to open your eyes. As He reveals the reality of your situation, He will enable you to continue in obedience."

That's my prayer. That God will open my eyes to the things unseen. That He'll keep me grounded in Him, not worrying about the future but embracing the present.

There's my shpeal. Take it for what it's worth.

Those rats with fluffy tails

2010-02-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

I feel bad for the Belmont squirrels.

Before you laugh at me, let me explain. It's winter and cold. Instead of the squirrels disappearing for the winter, they're out hopping around. Shouldn't they be sleeping or at least lethargic? I think they should be chilling out in their trees, eating acorns and just taking it easy for these months.

BUT they're out and about! When it snowed this past weekend, the squirrels were out in the snow! Look!:

That shouldn't be! And they're fat, aren't they? Look at that guy. His belly is hanging down to the snow. Yea, Belmont squirrels eat VERY well here. I know God takes care of them (they're hefty and probably happy in their heftiness) but it just seems odd to me how they aren't chilling out. Maybe they're a special kind of squirrel. Like....hyperactive and don't know the concept of winter sleep or something relative to that nature.

It was just a concern for me that Ash brought up a few minutes ago.

Yes, I'm concerned for the squirrels.

If you have any wisdom on this, please feel free to comment!

Love me that's all I ask of you

2010-02-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm listening to Phantom of the Opera and studying for my Comm Law test that is this afternoon. The test will be easy compared to this morning.

My speech was today.

Yea, EE GAD!

I didn't feel that bad giving it. I talked about the first time I fell off a horse. But...I felt like I was speaking too fast. Like a horse coming out of the gate! Ah well. I think I'll get like an A maybe an A-. Truthfully, without being boastful, I was one of the better ones this morning. Off the top of my head, there were about three, maybe four of us who did well. So about half since there were eight of us. I was the second to last to go and I wanted to be the first. Get it done and over with, ya know? Set the bar high? I love doing that!!

In speech class, our instructor told us to reward ourselves with something after we give the speech. I know what you may be thinking what you would reward yourself with. Oo, maybe a cookie or a really great movie or pizza or something that just tastes really good. While these are very good ideas (and are making me hungry!) my reward to myself was that I would come back to the room and fold laundry.

I know. Pathetic.

But it had to get done! It was crowding my wardrobe and was just a pain. Now the clothes are happily folded and put away. Ah, cleanliness. Well...the room isn't really clean. I still need to vacuum and clean the bathroom and...ya know what, I'll stop there.

Have a great hump day everyone!

Snow day!

2010-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Today was obviously spent doing snow-like things: sledding, snowball fights, and eating snow. But remember "Don't eat snow where the huskeys go!"

Martha and Anna

Stephen and Martha--the epitome of their relationship

SNOW!

2010-01-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

It snowed! Nashville actually got snow. No, I am not kidding. There's about two inches on the ground! People were going nuts and Belmont immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Some classes were cancelled and the only important thing was to live like a kid. Sure we're supposed to be adults but Joker had it right when he asked "Why so serious?" We shouldn't be so serious all the time. Let loose, live life, be happy!

However, while Nashville hasn't gotten snow like this since the dinosaurs roamed the earth it seems, there were about 130 accidents in Nashville alone. I75 there were about 19 accidents, maybe even more. Pray for those people. Lots of cars, lots of people.

My friends and I are going to play in the snow after lunch. Expect pictures, people!

Articles

2010-01-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, the art of penning one's thoughts on a blank page. It's fulfilling and gratifying when you see your name in print ;)

Take a gander at my articles as of late.

An article about chapel at Belmont:

http://belmontvision.com/2010/01/27/optional-chapel-fridays-at-10/

An article about Belmont vegetarians:

http://belmontvision.com/2010/01/27/veggie-options/ (Maybe it's just my computer, but some of the beginning is missing. It should read like this: "Approximately 0.5 percent of Americans classified themselves as vegans in 2008...")

My review of 'The Tempest':

http://belmontvision.com/2010/01/21/the-tempest-impresses-in-troutt-theater/

As far as reviews go, if you want ALL of the reviews around Belmont, then visit my other blog: http://www.amandastrav180.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your weekend and if you're in the Nashville area, enjoy the snow!

The fire

2010-01-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

There's been a week-long convocation event called Sex & the Soul. It's basically a week where we explore sexuality and spirituality. The speakers are awesome and the worship afterwards...

All last semester I felt--empty. Truly empty and dry and just struggling with my relationship with the Lord. I got pounded hard and was bombarded with so much stuff. I was getting out of line, falling back into old habits that I despised, ones I didn't want to revisit. While I was struggling, not once did the Lord leave my side. He instilled in me the motivation to pick up my Bible and read His word, even when I just wanted to crawl into bed and forget about all the stuff that I did that day, the Holy Spirit worked in my heart and would not let me sleep unless I opened the Word and got fed.

I've been in valleys before, dry spells, and it's just really difficult. You begin to question things you know are solid and are backed up with the Word. I began to wonder if I really was a Christian. Was it all a facade? Was it all just a game? Something that gets us through day after day? Maybe if we had a hope, it would make days seem "easier"? I didn't have questions about whether Jesus was real. I knew He was real. But the whole Christian walk was difficult for me to walk those few months. I wanted to give up. I wanted to cash my coins in. I thought I was defeated.

Jesus thought otherwise. And I give Him all the praise for answering those questions and putting peace in my heart. I was running and got winded; I got a spiritual cramp. A cramp so bad I was on my knees and trying to throw in the towel. But the Lord in all His goodness, was on the sidelines, cheering me on. He was begging for me to get up and shake the cramp out. He encouraged me and told me better things were in store if I would only GET UP.

This week has been the stretch for my cramp. I've lifted my arms and stretched my hands to Him. He lifted me up and struck the match again. The fire is burning bright again! I feel rejuvinated and revived! I feel like myself again, praise the LORD!!!!

Now onto my next two topics: just a little update...

Ireland. I am not going. Scholarships are minimum and without them, I couldn't go. Even with the scholarships, I would be $759 short and that doesn't factor in the "personal expenses" of $600 they claim I need for two weeks (say what?!.) Yea I know. Talked to my mom about it and she said it was a very mature decision for me to make. I said I would save my money and every paycheck I got from here on out, a little would be put aside for Europe in general. She made me feel better (like always) because it was looming over my head and it was just one of those decisions I had to share with her. Even when I was praying for the trip, that God would provide, there was something telling me I wasn't going. In my stubbornness I didn't possibly think God could say no to such a great opportunity. His thoughts and ways are higher, yes? Yes. I could pray all I want but deep down I knew He didn't want me to go. Well, not that He didn't want me to go but that it wasn't His time for me to enjoy the beauty that is Ireland. And let's face it, I don't want to go if He's not there. He's everywhere, I know. But, it's different when it's His ultimate will. I know what that feels like, to be in the center of His will because I was in it over the summer. Was it easy? Heck no. But it was what He wanted me to do and that's what ultimately kept me going. It was because He knew the lives He would be able to touch through me and it worked out!

Now though, is not the time for me to go. There's something grand planned for summer '10 I know. Whenever He says no to what we want, He was bigger things in store. Amen? Amen.

Onto this...husband business. You know how I was really hesitant about this whole thing? Check out two posts from this one. You'll see what I'm sayin'. Well, I talked to Jesus last night and while I was praying, the guy's face kept getting stronger and stronger and I stopped praying. I said, "Lord, You can't be doing this to me. I just got done liking this other guy. I don't want to like this guy so quickly! You have to stop this." I was pleading and then something told me I was getting out of control. I offered up my hands, took all the thoughts of the guy out of my head and gave him back to God. He's not mine yet and before he's mine, he's firstly and foremost God's. He belongs to God and he's just a gift to me. I needed to realize that last night. Over-thinking took over my head yesterday and that wasn't healthy and I knew it. Therefore, I gave him and the idea of him back to God. The Lord has everything covered. Whatever He deems necessary will happen. His will be done.

Well, I think that's it. A semi-long post but so many wonderful things are happening and I want to keep y'all updated as much as possible. Thanks so much for tapping into my life and reading my daily ramblings and sometimes unorganized and helter-skelter thoughts. It can't be easy, I know.

I love you, readers. Each and every God-given one of ya's.

Education IS innovation!!

2010-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

I always feel like I have been completely and utterly submersed in new ideas when I walk out of my Business of News class. Dr. Syb is totally out of the norm. She's quirky and never stays on the same idea for more than 30 seconds. The class is totally based on discussion and what the students care about. She doesn't teach out of a textbook. Instead, she gets outside materials and has us read and discuss, opening our eyes through discussion, videos, audio tracks, websites, news sites. She writes our epiphanies on the board and having us delve in that idea deeper and deeper until we leave appreciating being taught how to be mavericks in a society that is wanting and pleading for more and an industry that is stuck in their geezer ways, dumb and stubborn as mules.

We talked about how our industry has become lazy. We listened to some audio of Michael Moore's take on why the newspapers are dying out like the dinosaurs. He compared US papers with those of Europe and Asia. See, Europe and Asia rely on circulation rather than advertisment. In other words, they rely on the readership. You know, the people who actually read the newspaper? Not just the ones who really don't care what's in the pages but just that their name is printed inside those pages? The US is the exact OPPOSITE. We have become lazy and narrow-minded. Our thoughts are "Well, if you can't make money don't do it." That thought is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. My parents say that and it's so sad because it's like, if I'm in an industry that was once considered a public good, what GOOD is it doing if my newspaper isn't being read, isn't being consumed by the public?

It's a public humiliation!

Moore then went political and talked about education, how the majority of Americans read at a 4-5th grade level, comprehension is just as bad. The newspapers endorsed the Republican party who, Moore claims, tries to destroy education. First of all, the newspapers shouldn't be endorsing anyone. Objectivity, anyone? Anyone? So that's their first "uh-duh moment". Second, if newspapers are supposed to be educating, why dumb down the news? Why give just a certain take on the issue? No wonder no one's reading! Also, journalists are being laid off. Therefore, the different beats aren't getting reported. The things the community deems necessary and important aren't being reported. A bunch of monkeys in the works, I swear. So the newspaper stats are as follows:

1) No one is being educated.

2) No one is being catered to.

3) There's no objectivity.

Three strikes and you're OUT, newspapers.

1) Education

I had an idea in class. Instead of dumbing the news down, how about using educated language and in a sidebar, including words people may not know the meanings of and put the meanings. Sort of like a sidebar dictionary for every article. Yea, it may take longer, but then people know how to use the words and they're learning something. They're able to retain the information better because it's right there. A girl in my class said "Or just spell out dictionary" In other words, she said you should tell them to look it up in the dictionary. But see, that's lazy for us as journalists. If we want people to read, we need to give them what they need not just say, "Here, we wrote it. It's your responsibility to look up the words." Give it to them! You're giving them NEWS why not give them EDUCATION? Everyone knows no one sits with a dictionary next to them while reading. It takes too long to look up the word. If the meanings were on the side of the article, they could stop where they were reading, and look to the side for the meaning. It would be right there, accessible. It's not laziness. We would be educating them and they would feel better about themselves because they're educated. They can use the words in their everyday vocabulary and feel a sense of worth and purpose.

2) Catering

What up with the big wigs taking away our jobs? I suppose y'all are planning on going and doing some reporting for yourselves for once to make up for the lost jobs? Hello, we're journalists. It's our JOB to go out into the community and report on what is going on. People want that. They want to read things that are relevant to their daily lives. You get rid of those things, you get rid of readership. You get rid of high circulation, you get rid of the newspaper. It's a vicious cycle, one the newspaper industry has willingly thrown itself in. Get your fat rear ends up, give journalists their jobs back, and stop thinking about your pockets and start thinking about the people. If you change your mindset and focus on people, your pockets won't be empty. DUH!

3) Objectivity

This makes me want to scream. There's that mindset of if you watch CNN you're liberal. If you watch Fox News, you're a conservative republican. CNN vs. Fox. Red vs. Blue. What happened to the idea of working together to find common ground and the real truth to the stories? Instead of working against each other, work WITH each other. You'd get way more accomplished and get more viewers because you would be reporting from an unbiased, objective manner. That's how the industry is supposed to be. The opinions are for the people to make not you making the opinions for them.

This class has opened my eyes to some awesome stuff. I could probably write until my fingers fell off. Alas, I have to finish up and start reading for my other classes.

Unsettling...?

2010-01-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

Back in August and again in November I think (?) I wrote about my "woman's intuition". It seems as though it's not panning out the way I predicted it to. It's not truly my intuition but it's my heart...either my heart or my head. A few more days and prayers will have to determine where this stuff is coming from.
I say 'stuff' because I really don't know if I should be calling these things feelings or thoughts since I don't know where they're coming from.
Let me explain...

A few nights ago I was praying after my devotions. I always pray before I go to bed. If I don't, I can't sleep until God and I have our conversation. It's just a certain routine we have going on; it works. ANYWAY, the Lord laid it on my heart to begin praying for my future husband. As I was praying for my family, He gave me the thought of praying for him. Hey, why not? In a few years, he WILL be my family, right? So I prayed for him: that God would encourage and strengthen him, that he would be the best Christian man he could be. I also prayed that God would let him know I'm thinking about and praying for him. That I love him.

As I was praying though, someone's face popped into my head and it wasn't the face I was expecting. It was a face from left field! I shrugged the face out of my head. Last night, I prayed a similar prayer for my future hub and the same face came into my mind! I finished my prayer and I was like "Goodness. Where'd he come from?!" It's just completely random. It's a face I know but the personality behind the face is foreign to me. I haven't gotten a chance to know him.

Oh my gosh! And then during the faith and development convo tonight, I was spacing out a bit. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my chin on my hand. Next thing I know, I can't hear the speaker and his face came into my mind and...get this. We were dating! Er...we were at least "together". Though I'm thinking we were dating. That just seems to fit.

But when I think about it, I just don't see us fitting. If there is an...us. I mean, I think he's cute but I would think it's completely and utterly random if we ever got together. It would definitely have to be a God thing. If God is trying to tell me something, I'm sure I'm ready. He wouldn't give me more than I could handle so I'm thinking maybe He knows I'm ready for something like this.

But it's just so RANDOM!

Ooh I caps locked and bold-faced it. SA-NAP!

I believe I'm freaking out. Yea, just a tad. My whole control thing is shattering. I thought the one guy was the one for me. Now this one comes out of nowhere.

Is that how it happens? Love?

If so, this is gonna be a bumpy ride, folks.

Hold on to your hats and I'll hold on to my heart.

Cloudy Sunday

2010-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

God blessed us with a cool rock show last night. Lightning and thunder rumbled in the night. I was waiting for one of those big ol' cracks of thunder that seem to rumble your insides. I suppose God didn't want to startle us too much ;) I had just finished my prayer and turned my head to the wall to sleep and then a flash of lightning lit my wall. I turned my head to look out the window. I felt so at peace, watching the fog roll in at 2am and little flashes of light. Rain was gently falling and trees were dancing in the wild wind. Sometimes you just have to stop thinking and realize your life is so minute compared to God's magnificence and His amazing plans for our lives.

Worries and the stupid things of life just melted from my mind. As my eyes became heavy, my last sight was the sky, orange from the city lights and the black of the trees. You know how God doesn't speak in the bursts of sounds but the quiet voice? He spoke to me in those moments and said everything was gonna be alright.

Ash and I make our return to the photolab for her shift. We stay there from 5pm-11:30pm. Last week was fun because no one was in there so we could goof and carry on. This week though I'm thinking more students are going to use the lab since the semester is in full swing. Ah well. It was fun while it lasted.

I have some philosophy to read and my business of news stuff obviously. I'm probably going to start looking for AVP sound effects and such for my audio project. I pray everything goes smoothly. Recording voices won't be too difficult. It's trying to find what I want and need to make it perfect.

Oh! I'm working the desk for United For Change. We're setting up a donations station for Haiti. If you're in Massey for any of your classes, come on over between 1-3pm. Stop by, say hey ;), and DONATE! Together we can mak a difference. Amen? Amen.

Sadly, though, the Haitian gov't decided to stop the search and rescue. I don't understand why they stopped. Just yesterday search and rescue teams dragged a dude out from a toppled store. He survived by crawling under a desk, eating cookies and drinking cola. There are people still out there! I don't understand how they can just give up. It's just heartbreaking. The camps can still use the money. Food, water and medical supplies are in desperate supply. Doctors fear disease will soon consume the camps because there are so many stranded. People have the option of going to more rural areas where there's already extreme poverty. It's very bleak right now for the people. God has everything under control so He will provide. Matthew 6, right?

Continue to pray for Haiti, y'all!

Enjoy your Sunday and the last week of January! (Gee whiz! Where'd the month go?!)

It'll all turn out

2010-01-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

Hope for Haiti is on tonight on ABC. Tune in if you have a chance and give whatever you can. It's a great way to help those in need. If we are all united to one cause, just think how many we can save who need desperate medical treatments, food and water supplies. Just because we aren't physically over in Haiti, doesn't mean we can turn a deaf ear to the heart wrenching stories and the destruction that has taken over this country. Let's think if we were in that situation. Would we want the world to aid us? The answer, quite simply, is yes. And it's a yes for me, personally, to help, whether it's through prayer or donations. Donate whatever you can. There's lots of organizations to donate to:

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

American Red Cross

UNICEF

Hope for Haiti Now

Operation USA

Doctors without borders

Oxfam International

This week was a good one over all. Monday was MLK day so obviously we had off, which we were all happy about. I love that extra day after we get back from Christmas break. It's like a little pillow before the big blows come as we trek through this semester.

Classes are going well. I have my first speech for communications Feb 1st so pray for me! I did theater when I was in high school so I shouldn't be too bad. The only problem I have with public speaking is that it's all about me. I can't hide behind a character I'm trying to portray. Speaking is you in the naked form (not literally, of course haha!). Don't worry. The tactics I learned in theater will definitely be helpful: posture, projection, breathing, articulation. It's just the sweaty palms and the somewhat adrenaline rush I get that I cannot stand. The Lord will sustain me. Doesn't He always?

Philosophy is going great! I thought it was going to be so badly boring. But, it's actually a great class. We have in-depth conversations. Sure we ask questions to the point where we come full-circle from where we started, but it's fun! I think I stumped my professor with one of my questions. He contorted his face in such a way to where I thought, "Well, gee winnickers. I stumped my prof! That's awesome!" I love it. The fun thing about philosophy, at least with my prof, is that he doesn't act as if he knows the answers to the questions we ask or that are in our reading material. Instead, he's humble and travels the road of finding out the answers with us. In that way, we all grow. It's like he's on the same level as us. He just has a big ol' degree in the matter.

Now onto the class that's worrying me a bit just because of the slew of information that tags along with it. Intro to AVP. We have our first project due in a few weeks. Am I nervous? Slightly. Just because while there isn't that much that goes into it, I want to prove that I can be good with technology. I don't necessarily want to go into broadcasting, but I still want to prove I can do the work and I have what it takes to do any branch of journalism. Our first project is just an audio track promo for Belmont. Since homecoming is a few weeks away, I decided to do my project on that. I think it'll turn out swell. I'll stay positive at least.

Ireland. That great land mass of beautiful landscapes and the peak. Ah, the peak. I want to go. I desire to go. Money is a very very very very very tight. An extremely rich husband would work well right about now. I've saved practically everything. Now I have to rely on scholarships. God is going to have to come through for me if it's truly in His will for me to go. I just don't think I'd be this hung up on going if there wasn't something in me that said it was His will for me to go. Every time I think I won't be able to go, there's that little voice saying "Stay strong. Have faith. You're going." Reliance on God is a must and, honestly, I wouldn't be able to do anything without Him. My prayer is that He got me this far. He's opened so many doors for me. If this is one of them, I continually pray He will be with me and provide for me to go. Please keep this in your prayers. I have to have all the money in by mid-April, including financial aid I believe or maybe not. Then they said I need aobut $600 for personal needs. I don't know what that means but we'll see. I'm searching online for scholarships so we'll see where that gets me. The departing date is July 27th.

Well, I think I updated you guys of all the 'stuff' in my life. Ash and I went to Starbucks tonight for a weekly coffee run. The caffeine hasn't kicked in and I don't think it will. Maybe it's because I didn't sleep at all last night! Yes, that could be it.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Thanks for reading all my Jersey, college-kid banter ;)

Have I told you how much I love y'all? A whole heck of a lot!

The future of my future

2010-01-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

Remember when I told y'all I was in a class called "Business of News"?

We talked about something that really struck me. Allow me to enlighten you.

Our whole discussion this semester is going to be about the media. When I talk about the "media", I'm talking about broadcasting and news specifically. As we've studied so far, we've noticed that the media is supposed to be a common good. It was designed specifically to keep the government in check and to alert the public when there was some fishy business going on. Today it seems as though the media works for the government. Sensationalism with a dash of biased opinions makes the recipe for media disaster. However, are the newspaper and broadcast execs doing anything about it? No.

Instead of reducing sensationalism and going back to the roots: you know, unbiased journalism, people would actually read and watch! When we have Fox & Friends and ABC's Today show, we journalists are entertainers, subject to the celebrity status instead of being what we are: truth-driven, objective REPORTERS. I'm sorry but when I signed up for this, I didn't read in the SPJC that we have to be entertainers as well as reporters.

The dollar has been the industry's Moses for quite some time. Because the views have switched from ture reporting to how can we make a quick buck, the quality of work has suffered.

Now, I'm not speaking for all journalists when I talk like this. There are great writers and reporters out there who care about the story and not whether this is going to be their big break in a form of a check. Many green journalists don't have the Benjamins on their minds when they first start out. They want the stories. They want to make contacts and meet people and report the stories some may overlook.

Unfortunately, the former is what stands out and what makes the rest of us suffer. There's a video I'm going to post here that we saw this morning. It's about Edward R. Murrow. He was a breakthrough journalist who flourished in radio and broadcasting. He made a speech in 1958 that struck the hammer right on the head. He made a little prophesy in 1958 that, sadly, has come true.

Take a listen.

Goodnight and Good luck

Well, I think that speaks for all of us.

The different hats I wear

2010-01-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody!

I know I haven't updated this bad boy for a few days or so because classes have started so I'm still trying to get into my routine.

MWF:

I have to wake up when the sun is just yawning itself. Speech is the morning class and thank God the teacher is interesting and fun because if she was monotone, God help me. I would not survive. After speech, I get a little break and then at 11am I turn into a political analyst in US & World Affairs. It's a decent class and we'll be exploring the status of the US among the other countries and how we can improve our image. After that class, I hustle over to my 12pm class. My power suit is mentally thrown on as I replace the politic strategist brain with a lawyer's in my communication law class. Stomach rumbling, I then go to the caf and grab food-on-the-go and return to my room, exhausted, famished, but happy I'm done classes at 1pm.

Tues & Thurs:

I don't have to wake up quite as early as I do the other three days of the week. For this, I thank God! Ash has 8am's across the board and if it wasn't for our weekly Starbucks run, I can't figure how she would survive. Business and News is my 9:30am class. I'll be posting about that class on another post. It's so interesting! The books we're reading are amazing and have opened my eyes to the mechanics of my future profession. It's scary but exciting. I have a little break for lunch and then at 2pm, I have to be a geek and go to my AVP class. Technology and I aren't the best of friends. I'm going into print and online freelance once I'm out of college. Taking video and such is not for me. The stuff I'm reading isn't helping. I'm more of a hands-on learner so hopefully there's a lot of that in the class. It's the only way I'll survive =)

After I geek-a-fye myself, it's off to Fidelity for my 3:30pm class. I replace my video camera with a toga, sit and ponder life. What is virtue? What is wisdom? The questions lead to more questions and no sooner do we think we have an answer to one, that another question about the answer pops up. The class will be challenging. The books are okay. I think it'll be frustrating sometimes because I want an answer and there are some questions that have no answer. I go back to my room at 4:15pm and flop.

It's hilarious the many "hats" I have to wear for different classes. Every teacher expects something different and it's the college student's job to please them.

With the tummy tumbling, I think it's high time for lunch. Yes? Yes!