Random Act of Kindness

When was the last time you did something nice for someone just because? Sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to be the best versions of ourselves. A few Christmas breaks ago, I was in the drive thru at Starbucks. Grande ice chai  with skim milk and light on the  ice, mmmhhmm yum. I sat and stared at the nice Mercedes in front of me while I patiently waited for my coffee. When I got the window I tried to pay but the woman told me the car in front of me took care of it. I was so shocked I forgot to pay for the car behind me. With my luck I probably ruined some chain that had been occurring all day.  Anyways, it was a random act of kindness that I will never forget. I try to pay it forward as much as I can but I could put it into better practice. Something so insignificant can mean something so much more to someone else. What a better example of this then Dave Matthews Band’s Everyday music video? Enjoy and don’t forget to pay it forward :)

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?

If I didn't know that I was 22, I would think I was 30. I am not comfortable being 22. It is an uncomfortable transitional age from college student to a real adult. I am about to have real responsibilities.I've hit the last exciting landmark at 21 and now all I have to look forward to is cheaper insurance rates. I should be worried about parties, tests, and my sorority functions. Although, I do enjoy these things I enjoy thinking about are my future family and career even more. I spend a lot my time on wedding blogs and marthastewart.com... and I don't even have a significant other. When I am not day dreaming about my future wedding I think about my future family. I can't wait to have little Bama babies running around. I dream of being the PTA soccer mom as well as the career woman. I am the responsible friend that my friends call "mom". I am the one who plans all of our trips, makes sure everyone has a safe ride, and gets home safely.  Somtimes I wish I wasn't as responsible and could just relax and enjoy myself. I have found myself doing things my parents do and it scares me. I read before I go to bed, watch Law and Order, and even read the newspaper. Although I may feel 30, I am going to try to enjoy my youth and not wish my life away!

You Have a Choice

Sexuality and sexual desire is a choice. Humans have the knowledge and responsibility to control urges and impulses. The Bible condemns homosexuality and is considered a sin. In Leviticus 20:30  is a passage that shows God’s condemnation of homosexuality, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”

Events in one’s life like, a dad who was not in the picture, may cause a young boy to fill the void in other ways. That boy might need attention from father figures with other women like moms and girl friends and start taking on their traits because that is what they know. It is not biological but a turn of events (like a missing father or rape by someone of the same sex) makes the child gravitate toward feminine traits, then society pins them as gay so they  choose to live that way. It may be difficult but it is possible to overcome.

What My Dream Taught Me

Have you ever had a nightmare that you can’t wake up from? Well, I had one last night. I should preface this dream and explain my unhealthy obsession with babies. I can’t wait to have my own kids and dress them up in Alabama cheerleading and football outfits. I didn’t come to college to find my MRS degree, but I do want to be able to work and balance a family. Well last night I had a nightmare that I was pregnant with my second child. I was so distraught that I was missing the football game, no one would want to date me, and that people thought I was too young to have a child ( especially my second). In my dream I considered giving my baby up for adoption because I was not ready to have kids. I woke up and a light bulb went off in my head; I don’t need to rush to have a family. Although  I am excited to have a family of my own there are so many things that I want to do before I settle down. I want to have a successful career and a life of my own before I sacrifice my entire life. Lesson learned… Don’t watch Teen Mom before going to sleep.

This movie trailer explains my fears and realizations.



Monolith vs. Innovator

There are many important players in the sport and entertainment industry. As a student of the industry I hope to work at one of these companies in the near future. A monolith of the sport and entertainment industry is the International Marketing Group (IMG). “ IMG has been connecting brands and audiences through sponsorships, licensing, media, consulting, venues, training, talent management, and unparalleled client service.” (http://www.imgworld.com/about-us.aspx) .  IMG has been around for 50 years and is now located in 30 countries around the world. IMG was the first agency dedicated to representing professional athletes and now represents over 1,000 professional athletes, coaches, and industry executives.

ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) could be classified as a monolith in the sport industry, but I think it is better recognized as an innovator in the industry. ESPN was the first network dedicated 24/7 sports programming. From a humble beginning they have expanded into multiple networks such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com, Deportes, and more. They also appeal to the entertainment aspect of the sports industry through their ESPY Award Show. ESPN is more than just a linear network; you can now watch ESPN on your iPhone or iPad using the WatchESPN app. As a former ESPN intern, I was able to see firsthand the effort that goes into the innovating technology. They are dedicated to being ahead of their competitors by creating new technologies and new experiences for their fans and audiences.  

Multiple Intelligences & Me

After studying about Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence, our class took a test to find out what our multiple intelligences were. It was no surprise that logical-mathematical and musical would be the lowest on my list. I have had a math tutor since I was in the 4^th grade and my dad ended my musical career by singing “Smelly Cat” from the show Friends the occasional times I would practice playing my guitar. He actually offered me money to stop playing and taking lessons. I scored the highest in interpersonal intelligence, which has to do with the interaction of others. I completely agree with this statement because I prefer to work on group projects and I learn best by working with others and in discussions. As a New College student I take seminar courses which are discussion based classes. My interpersonal intelligence probably explains why I enjoy and excel in my seminar classes. My most memorable classes have been the classes where we sit in a semicircle or on the quad and discuss readings and personal experiences. Jobs that are recommended for people with interpersonal intelligences are psychologists, counselors, and salesmen. Although I agree with the characteristics of an interpersonal intelligence, these aren’t careers that I would pursue. My goal is to be an event planner in the sports industry. Even though these are completely different careers they posses some of the same essential qualities like having good organizational skills, effective communication skills, and to be able to resolve conflicts.  Being aware of my natural talents will help become a better student and future employee by changing the way I look at the world around me.  

#Alittlethingthatdrivesmecrazy

#Alittlethingthatdrivesmecrazy is people who excessively hashtag and hashtag things that are long drawn out sentences . The definition of hashtag is "a tag embedded in a message posted on the Twitter microblogging service, consisting of a word within the message prefixed with a hash sign." When you hashtag something ( ex. #hate) and click on it, a list will appear will all the possible information given on that word. I should not have to decipher what your tweet is supposed to say for example, " #mymomcalledtodayandsheisannoying". It is also really annoying when people over hashtag, " Going to class #tired #ihatemyteacher #long #getmeoutofhere." We get the idea without all of the excessive hashtags. So tweeters, please respect the twitter world and stop with the annoying hashtags.

10 Years Later

Like many other Americans , I cant believe it has already been 10 years since September 11, 2001 happened. I was sitting in Mr. Schwalbach’s sixth grade math class in Orlando, FL when the planes hit the two towers. The school’s approach to 9/11 was to let our parents tell us. I remember how jealous I was at P.E. because all of my friend’s parents were picking them up early and I didn’t know why.  Later in the day my dad picked me up from school. I hopped in the car and began to explain my frustration of all of my friends leaving school early. That is when he told me that two planes hit the World Trade Center. My first question was,” What is that?” and then, “Who would do that? And why?” When I got home I was stuck to the television watching for hours.

Until this summer I understood 9/11 as a tragic attack on our country and the reason for the war in the Middle East and longer check-ins at the airport. While I was interning in Connecticut this summer I would occasionally exchange stories of where we were when 9/11 happened. I couldn’t believe everyone from the northeast knew someone affected by the attacks or lost someone they knew. I was always so distanced from the emotions of this tragedy.

10 years later, I no longer see 9/11 as a 12 year old. Before I would just see the towers collapsing but now, I realize that there were people in there. On lookers had to watch that footage of their loved ones die over and over again. People my age, just out of college and at their first jobs were in killed. It sounds like such a stupid realization but after visiting New York this summer and talking with others about their experiences I now understand the magnitude of this tragedy a little better. I will “Never Forget.”

The Best Advice I Ever Got...

My dad has provided me many pieces of excellent advice growing up. But the best advice he has ever given me was to “act young and think old.” Personally, this means to enjoy your youth. Professionally, it means not to forget about your goals and where you want to be in the future. To implement this I have created a balance of work and play. I create good habits of studying, school, work, and internships to get me to the next step in my career but I also make time to go out with my friends and do things that make me happy.

" Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

Jimmy Valvano is another person I respect and admire. His acceptance speech from the 1993 ESPY Awards is full of advice and motivation that I truely take into consideration everyday. 

I knew I was wrong when...

I tend to speak before I think. This summer I interned at ESPN in Bristol, CT. I was selected to work the Southeastern Conference and PAC 12 media days. My job was to escort the coaches and their entourage from show to show. The day would begin with all of the coaches arriving and checking in the building 4 lobby. We would hand out name tags and introduce ourselves to the coaches and usually make some small talk before the day started. It was the day I had been waiting for all week. Nick Saban, the head coach of Alabama was finally coming! I was so excited when he arrived I couldn't wait to talk to him. While I waited my turn I decided to strike up conversation with the man standing next to me. He was wearing a crimson tie and had on a huge diamond championship ring. I made the mistake of assuming he was with Coach Saban and his entourage and I turned to him and asked him, " Did you come with Alabama?" He gave me this disgusted look and responded, " No, I am Coach Petrino... The head coach of Arkansas." I could have died right then. The minute the words left his lips I knew I was wrong.  There was no escaping the situation so I had to hide my embarrassment, smile, and apologize. This situation will never leave my memory. I learned to think before I speak and be more observant of my surroundings.