Greatest hits.

Well then. This is the end.

It has been a long journey with you all.

I have made many friends. Rachel and Alli in particular, even though sometimes I want to kill Alli and Raych wants to kill me. It's all great fun, mind you.

This is my "Greatest Hits" blog post. Probably the last, maybe. Who  knows.

Until then let's sum up this Journey in a quick post.

Well maybe not so quick ;)

1.) "The week before I left my little hometown of Leeds, AL it really struck me that I was leaving. I mean I had known it for sometime but now it was so evident in the way people treated me that I couldn't get past it. People didn't treat me badly, but they were all acting so sad. "I'm gonna miss you!" and "Why do you have to leave?!"
I'm not dying ya'll. Chill out."

While this is the beginning of my first blog post the journey started off in Memphis really.

We went to the Brooks museum of art, ate some really mediocre BBQ and went to the zoo.

I made friends there, and memories, maybe not super long memories, but memories all the same. It was an experience to be sure. I won't soon forget it.

2.) "Creativity is what make us ourselves
Without creativity what are we really?"

This was the post about the values 'exercise' we did. everyone chose things like love, and success. But I chose creativity. I won't quote the entire blog post, but mostly I said that creativity makes 'me' and 'you' different from all of 'them'. I have thought about it more and realized, while I still agree with my choice, it is more like Individuality instead of creativity. Over the semester I have been able to explore my creative mojo and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is making me extra-ordinary compared to all the other people who just go with the flow of life.

3.) "Anyways, Mr. Calhoun said not to take our gifts for granted, and I think that is so true. So many people take the gifts they are given and just throw them away in lieu of drugs or greed. People like this don't really live."

This blog was titled 'Everybody dies but not everyone lives' and I still agree with that. People can go day to day in a thoroughly unimportant and irrelevant life if they let themselves. We all have gifts of some sort, but some people just don't embrace those gifts. This is their great downfall. Life is filled with so many great opportunities but many people let them slip from their fingers because they refuse to leave their bed in the morning and do something. I myself and guilty of that some days.

4.) "College is NOT a burden like so many students think it is. It is an opportunity to do something greater, to be someone greater. "

So many people go to college because "My mom made me!" and it is stupid. College is an opportunity to weed out all the people who want to do something more with their lives from the people who are contented with working at Wal-Mart till they die. Yes, we need people at every job level. No, I am not saying that if you don't go to college you are stupid. All I am saying is that college is not an opportunity to be wasted, as so many people want it make it become.

5.) "Don't sweat the small stuff. <---Love that.
Don't worry if it won't matter in 5 years."

I love this. Just absolutely. I find myself worrying about any and everything, I swear I am getting gray hairs. Well I wouldn't be able to tell now. I just dyed it super dark :)

I go off on a bunch of random tangents.

Anyways, Many of the things I worry over won't matter to me or anyone else in 5 years. That bad test grade? Won't matter. That forgotten e-mail? Won't matter. But yet I worry and worry and worry over it for days at a time. I lose sleep over so many trivial things! It is horrible!

6.) I really don't feel like summarizing this post because All I would do is restate the same thing, again. So Copy and paste :)

"I don't wanna live that way! Believing every word they say!I just wanna live my life the way I wanna live it. I want to make the decisions that will push my future in a successful and positive way. Life is about living life to the fullest. I need to plan where I want to go and what i want to do in order to succeed. If you don't think about where you want your future to go then someone else will make that decision for you. You don't get from point A to point B without a plan to go where you are going. You will deal with many issues between A and B that you must press through.

"If you can dream it, you can do it. -Walt Disney"

People will also help you get from point A to B if you help yourself. You have to be willing to do what you need to do in order to get where you want to go. As you make your journey through life you will carry your bad decisions along the ENTIRE time. You can't make a lot of bad decisions and get where you plan on going. And you can NEVER just get rid of your baggage. You know when you see someone sitting alone, shoulders hunched, sad expression, they have baggage. So much baggage that it physically weighs them down. Our bad decisions through life can, not only, affect us in a negative way but can also affect someone else in horrible ways. Maybe you make one bad decision and then the next day wake up with a blood stain on your car and a dead man on your conscience. Just because you are given a bottle doesn't mean you have to drink yourself dumb. Just because you are given into bad circumstances doesn't mean you have to follow them. 'Be the change you want to see in the world.-Gandhi'

On another, semi-relevant note. My rant of the day:

I have realized something and I don't know why it has taken me so damn long to realize it. I need to quit pleasing you and her and him and all of them and I need to start pleasing myself. I need to wear what I want to wear because I like it, not because you like it, or because it is the 'style'. I need to quit worrying about what all of them think. So what if I play Pokémon, read Harry Potter, run around barefoot, color in Disney Princess coloring books and like to lay in the grass and converse with the squirrels. this is my life to live, not yours, not hers, not his, and you all better damn well quit trying to run it.  I will do what I please, wear what I please and say what I please if only to please me. Why in the world has it taken me so long to realize that I am here for myself and myself alone. Maybe I want to wear a skirt with dirty and ripped converse. Who's to say I can't just because the colors don't match. So what if I want to roll out of bed and throw my hair up like it doesn't matter. Who do I need to impress. Sure I'll need to impress others later, but right now, in this moment I will do what I want with my life. I will pursue the dead-end major and maybe fall on my ass while doing so. I will do what I want in order to get the most please and joy out of my life. I won't go into some career that I hate simply because the money is good. Money is not what drives me. What drives me is smiling people and the warm feeling you get when you've done something right, just for you. "

So yea. That was my entire post, I know, it's like cheating or something. But oh freaking well. Do you just want me to say the same thing again, just in a new way?

7.) "Something that did strike me was something he said in the very beginning. Something along the line of prices of stuff are directly related to supply and demand. "

So this post I talked about my old boss. I don't really care to rewrite it. But I have realize that everything in life is so intertwined that one strand of history affects another strand by the most minute change.

8.) "But one thing that I did get out of it is that everyone needs a mentor. Someone they can look up too no matter what and someone they can talk to in every situation. And I agree. Everyone needs to always have someone that they can look up to, in every situation. Mentor's can always help, through tough times and through academic problems."

Again. It says everything for you. I haven't found a mentor, though there are people I look up to. A mentor is something so much deeper than that though.

9.) "Most people will do anything to save their own butt even if it is completely and utterly wrong. I do not agree with this standard of living. I believe that when someone is making a decision they need to think about the people they will be affecting by this decision and really REALLY think about what is ethical. Most people I see now-a-days do not have a good base of ethics and I blame that on their parents. I grew up being taught what was right and wrong and I still hold to that today."

This was a speaker who talked about standing up for what you believe in. My post was about a fictional girl in a fictional world, but this can be applied to everyday society as well. Many people just don't care about right and wrong anymore. And that thoroughly sucks. But I guess that is what life is now-a-days.

10.) "Costa Rica was the one that hit home most for me. I have heard whispers of people saying it was their least favorite but it was my most favorite. I intend to study abroad in Costa Rica one summer and Puerto Rico the next. I would love that. I think being immersed into the Spanish culture would be simply amazing."

These speakers, as well as many friends have made me decide to minor in Spanish. I love love love the culture and would like to know all their is to know about it. Plus the food would be pretty bomb ;)

11.) "I don't want to be the person who only does something because it will make me successful and rich. All of that does NOT matter to me. Maybe I am too free-spirited. Oh well. This post title is to remind me not to say my 'goodbyes' to my child hood. Many things in my childhood have made me who I am."

This was that "safari guy" better known as Mr. Audwin. I think his words spurred most of us on more than any of the others. He was the speaker that helped me the MOST with my decision to change majors, and it also helped me decide on at least one major I wish to pursue. Philosophy. The last sentence in the part that I pulled from the post can also be related to what I am writing today. While this is the end, it is not time to say goodbye yet.

12.) "I am proud to say that I had a hand in the election. I got to vote for the FIRST freaking time!! That was exciting. And I know many people had many VERY strong opinions on the election for both sides. I had to deal with it. Trust me. But all in all I have decided that even if you don't like the president, respect him. He did something right to get where he is. Even if you don't agree with what Obama stands for, you should respect him. Whichever candidate had won would have gotten my respect no matter what."

This post was more about the election. I voted in it. For the first time. It was great. I still have my sticker and everything! I never thought I would enjoy expressing my freedom to vote, but I did. And it wasn't about which candidate was right and which was wrong, because I believe both would have been able to succeed in office one way or the other. I believe this election was turned into something it should not have been. All in all, we need to respect our authority.

13.) Last but not least.

"This is what we must do. We must jump out of the boat and have the courage to do something greater than our employers thought we were capable of."

I only said employers because that was who we were talking about, but this should be applied to life as well. We should try our hardest to do things that we are proud of and that are maybe not in our comfort zone. If we constantly stay in our comfort zone we will never get anywhere in life. We will just stay in a little bubble with nothing but what we are used to.

Well, It has been fun. I have learned a lot about all my classmates and I regret that I did not get to know some of them better. I know I have kinda failed at being a part of the 'community' that Vince has talked about. I know I should try harder. And maybe I will soon. But for now.

Ta-Ta

Adios

Adieu

And may the odds be ever in your favor

Love

C

Always.

Peter walks on water

William Hargett.

This man was alright.
Many of the speakers are helping me to decide what I want to major in and do for the rest of my life and this one is no different.

Some of my notes include:
1. Show up
2. Be prepared.
3. Be professional
4. Do the right things, the right way, consistently.
5. Exceed expectations.
6. Capture opportunity.

I believe these are 'goals' that people should look to accomplish in their work ethic. Some other things he said were to communicate what you know, If you aren't there your company wont see that you are reliable, and comply at work because that is what you are paid to do. It is so easy to try to be a bad ass and say 'screw authority! I am my own person' but when you are paid to do something a certain way, you can't try to break the mold and be different, and if you do then do it in a good way. This reminds me of a sermon I heard once. I wish I had my notes from it but what the speaker pretty much said is that we need to jump of the pages of our book of life, in a good way. God has a book written for us and sometimes people can fall off it and do bad things and sometimes people can jump off the pages and go farther than God's expectations. He put this into context with the story of the Peter walking on water. Even though Peter was told "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." Peter decided to test his faith and say "If it is you then tell me to come out on the water." So Jesus did, and Peter stepped out of the boat. Into the middle of a river. Who would have the courage to believe a few words spoken in the dark of the night. Peter jumped off the pages of his book and did something no one else has ever done (besides Jesus.), he walked on water.

This is what we must do. We must jump out of the boat and have the courage to do something greater than our employers thought we were capable of.

I know the sacrifice.

Yet another businessman.
Steve Pierce.
Is that the right name.
I hope so.

this one did not strike me as interesting. I did learn some things like:
-know everything about the company you apply for beforehand
-"If you want to impress me, beat me to work"
-Censor your social media presence.
-Shake people's hands at career fairs and interviews.
-The answer is always no unless you ask,

Good information for interviewing and such. But other than that I got very few notes on this speaker.
So sue me. He was uninteresting.

I meant to write about this in the previous post but I forgot. Oh silly me.

The election was a few weeks ago. November 6th right?
I am proud to say that I had a hand in the election. I got to vote for the FIRST freaking time!! That was exciting. And I know many people had many VERY strong opinions on the election for both sides. I had to deal with it. Trust me. But all in all I have decided that even if you don't like the president, respect him. He did something right to get where he is. Even if you don't agree with what Obama stands for, you should respect him. Whichever candidate had won would have gotten my respect no matter what.

Don't say your goodbyes.

I feel these song lyrics follow my thought process during this speaker.
Mr. Audwin Pierre Mcgee.

I intended to title this one "Live in Your Childhood"
But the other one fit better in my opinion.

Anyways, here goes.

In my 'kid' years I dreamed of Harry Potter. I know I can't live in the wizarding world and go to Hogwarts. I waited on my letter...heck, who am I kidding, I am still waiting.
But, I am old enough and strong enough to know that my letter is not coming so I look deeper into my childhood and I can see a vague outline of what brings me joy. This speaker really helped me because I am struggling with deciding my major. I am switching from Journalism to....something. I don't even know yet. It is really difficult to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life in one singular decision. Yes, I know I am a freshman and my decision today will not completely change my future, I have time to change my mind again later. But what if this is my final decision. I want to change into something I will truly love so I don't change again and again and again. I don't want to be 'that person'. I have always been very flighty when it comes to my 'future'. What do i want to do? Who do I want to be? I simply DO NOT KNOW. Lots of things are helping my make my decision. From my boss to my best friend. But for now I will search my childhood memories and find what makes me happy. And I will do something with that. I don't want to be the person who only does something because it will make me successful and rich. All of that does NOT matter to me. Maybe I am too free-spirited. Oh well. This post title is to remind me not to say my 'goodbyes' to my child hood. Many things in my childhood have made me who I am.

Will you still hold me when you see what I have done?

Study Abroad!!!

I have been wanting to do this for a month or more now. These speakers only made me want to do it more.
While I am not a big fan of China, the China presentation was glorious. I would love to visit but not take classes while I was there.
I would love to visit Spain. It would be the most awesome dream come true. I would not have the guts to go by myself however. I could go with a UNA group. That would be fun!
Costa Rica was the one that hit home most for me. I have heard whispers of people saying it was their least favorite but it was my most favorite. I intend to study abroad in Costa Rica one summer and Puerto Rico the next. I would love that. I think being immersed into the Spanish culture would be simply amazing.

That's really all I have to say on that subject.

Look pretty pictures!!!!

This is what happens when I am bored. I draw a Pac-Man and Navi. 

BTW the words at the bottom are part of the legend of the Tri-Force.

I kinda feel like it don't make sense.

(Yes I know that my post title is not grammatically correct. It is from a song. Bear with me and move on.)

Ms. Libby Watts Jordan, UNA Board of Trustees & Director of Cultural Tourism, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau

Gosh, Isn't that a title.
And our only woman speaker!! Lord.

Well this was from about a month ago. I know, I completely suck at keeping this blog up-to-date. I just have to be in the mood to blog. And lately I haven't been. More on that late. For now let me tell you my thoughts about Ms. Jordan.

The jist of her presentation was that you should be true to yourself and do what you believe is right. There are gray areas in the ethical/unethical ad legal/illegal spectrum. Not so much bout the legal/illegal. But many legal decisions are unethical. I recently read a book (it wasn't that good so I wont tell you the title) and in this book a young girl made some bad decisions and they led to her wrecking a car which cause the death of her best friend. But the instances leading up to the wreck were wholly NOT her fault but she went to jail and atoned for the wrong doing anyways. In my opinion this is an example of when a legal decision was unethical. Many other thing could have been done in order for her to pay her due that she did not deserve.

That was a lengthy explanation and I am sorry. But what I loved about this book is that the young girl in the novel she stood up for what she believed in (that she single-handedly caused her friend's death) even if it meant spending years in a prison cell. Now I am NOT telling you to go do something stupid and just plead guilty to it. I am saying that even through all the counsel not to plead guilty she still did what she thought was right and I believe we do not see enough of that in day to day society. Most people will do anything to save their own butt even if it is completely and utterly wrong. I do not agree with this standard of living. I believe that when someone is making a decision they need to think about the people they will be affecting by this decision and really REALLY think about what is ethical. Most people I see now-a-days do not have a good base of ethics and I blame that on their parents. I grew up being taught what was right and wrong and I still hold to that today.

Enough of my rant.
I hate math. I just sat here for 2 1/2 hours trudging through a GIANT pile of math problems because I waited till the last minute. Don't procrastinate. Or one day you will sit in your bed for hours doing math and writing the 4 blogs you are behind on. I deserve to fail this class. Meh.

Bye lovely!
-C

Mr. Eko

Wesley Desselle, M.D., Helen Keller Hospital 

I don't want to go into medicine.
It is not for me.
But I really didn't mind this speaker. 
He was really passionate about what he was doing. 
Which I appreciated. 

But one thing that I did get out of it is that everyone needs a mentor. Someone they can look up too no matter what and someone they can talk to in every situation. And I agree. Everyone needs to always have someone that they can look up to, in every situation. Mentor's can always help, through tough times and through academic problems.

The next thing is that people need to keep going till they get it done and to never ever give up. Everything we do in life will come with it's ups and it's downs. There is no way that life will always be all good. You have to try to push through everything that stand in your way no matter what. If you believe in something then go for it. Stand tall through all the bad stuff and you will always, always, succeed. 

I have no more to say on this speaker. 
As I previously said, I don't want to be in medicine. I never will. It is not my forte.

Happy Pokemon time!!! I love Pokemon. This is my favorite basic and all it's evolutions.

From top to bottom:

Jolteon, Umbreon, Espeon,

Flareon, Vaporeon, Eevee,

Leafeon, Glaceon.

All my favorites. :)