J'aime à apprendre

Dave Rhea came and spoke to my blogging class yesterday. Mr. Rhea works for The Journal Record as the social media blogger. I love The Journal Record Blog Hub because you can read various Oklahoma professionals blog about their opinions (this provides excellent reading for a hopeful business professional like me).

He said to be a good blogger you must:

• Love to learn- The passion to learn must be evident and expressed in a clear manner on your blog and in life.
• Wear many hats- The ability to do multiple things well is a trait needed in today's social media jobs.
• Be yourself- Express your thoughts and opinions on your blog but keep in mind the job you want. For example, it would not be a good idea to be vocal on your political or religious views if you hope to go into a corporate job but it would be acceptable if you were going into an artistic field. 

Learn it. Love it.

UCO's "An Hour for an Hour"

Did you know that UCO held its College of Liberal Arts scholarship luncheon, An Hour for an Hour, on Feb. 23, 2012? It's true, and I was able to participate in raising over $18,000 in scholarships for UCO students.

This scholarship luncheon had alumni, faculty and friends to Central for a one-hour event to raise funds for Liberal Arts student scholarships. Guests were asked to underwrite a credit hour of undergraduate tuition which is currently $139.20 to create scholarships for the fall 2012.

 "This event allows Liberal Arts students to share their stories of the impact scholarship have made in their lives," said Pamela Washington, Ph.D. dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Three students were chosen to give their story to over 185 guests and in addition one student was placed at each of the 21 tables... I was a student chosen to sit at a table with 6 guests. I gave my short story, or as I like to call it, my "elevator speech." If you have not  practiced your short, "all about me", pitch, I suggest you do!

Networking... raising scholarship funds... free lunch... "An Hour for an Hour" was an awesome experience and I hope to be able to donate once I'm an alumni.

"What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?" --Winston Churchill.

Magnet fun

In the Art Plaza district of OKC I came across a cute store that has a lot of fun items that are created locally. I even bought something. A Star Wars magnet! Judge if you wish, but my refrigerator will look great and perhaps even have the force... of awesomeness.

A statement of LOVE

I first liked you when I was in High School, you're always there to lift me up, you make me more aware of life, and I'm sorry I tried to break it off a few times... ♥Coffee♥ aka love of my life.

 Here's to my second big cup today!

National Katerina Day!

Today is my little sister, Katerina's, birthday! She is 19-years-old and I am so proud of her. Not to mention how much I miss her.

To have a best friend who is also your sister, does it get any better?

Blogging connects people

My sister took a picture of our Mommy reading my blog all the way in Houston! :) The internet and phones keep people connected, as do blogs.

T.V. taught me there'd be days like this...

People often say Friday the 13th was unlucky... I say Monday the 13th was my personal worst.

Yesterday I did my internship at the capital, completed my story, and I got into my car at 5 p.m. to discover some car problems. I am a stubborn woman, so I tried to make it work. After an hour of sitting in my car in the freezing cold, I cried and called my Stepmom. She called a mechanic and at one point had both him and me on the phone... with both of us talking to her at once. It's funnier the more I think about it.

After we discovered it could just be the battery we also discovered that neither of us knew how to jump a car and everyone I knew that could help was at school or work. After being in my car, in the snowy/ice surroundings for an hour and 45 minutes, she picked me up with my poor 7-year-old brother with bronchitis in the back seat. I warmed up and we ate some prime fast food.

After Harry, my biological father, got off work, he met us at the fast food joint. I joined him and before we could jump my car he needed to go back to work because he forgot his murse (man + purse = murse). So we had to go to Moore to get the keys and the security code to his work. Ah, but someone should of told Harry to press "End" after the code, so the alarms went off with only the two of us there after hours. At this point all I could do is laugh.

After 15 minutes and surprisingly no police, we took off for Harry to grab a burger. I saw a trash can on my side of the road so I asked Harry to slow down and I rolled down my window. I threw my cup, it spun, I hit it again and... I missed. So I littered on  top of everything else that had happened *sigh*.

"Yes, I have jumper cables in my trunk!", I repeatedly told Harry. Once we reached my car at the capital we discovered that I ...uh... did not have them after all. SO, off to the Wal-Mart by Penn Square Mall.

With fresh new jumper cables in hand, we finally jumped my car; except that it still wouldn't work! So we just needed to remove the battery and have it tested tomorrow... oh, but we didn't have tools.

Luckily by 11 p.m. my best friend, Elaine, was free and was able to drive to us with tools. So by midnight, I was finally done for the day.

Today, the day of love... my car works! Long story short, a new battery equals my car works again!

Best Valentine's Day gift, ol' Pearl works now!

Grandpa is 84 years young today!

Today is my Grandpa's birthday. Yesterday he received his first birthday card... and so my story begins.

Grandpa skimmed his card and said, "...it won't open!" I advised him to actually read the front cover, then to read the back of the card. He decided for the benefit of us both to read the beginning of the card aloud, "This birthday card can only be opened by the perfect brother..." and flipped the card over to read "You mean you actually tried to open it?"

Without missing a beat, he retried to open the card. He surprised me as he grunted, "Don't tell me I can't open a card!" and ripped the glued card open!

He put the card on the table with the envelope on top and turned to me and said, "See? That's how I always do it. Stand the card up for everyone to see!" and walked away, leaving me speechless.

May I be as feisty when I turn 84, happy birthday Grandpa! 

Super Bowl 2012, who will you cheer for?

At first glance one may think I'm a huge sports fan (insert sarcasm), however, even I get excited over the Super Bowl! My reasons for excitement are more for the food, commercials and company but "to each their own."

So... if you aren't a major sports person, but you are going to a Super Bowl party, what team do you decide on? My reasons for my choice may surprise you.

Giants vs. Patriots. You can google stats or ask your nearest sports fan on their opinion but I like to make my own decisions based on fun reasons. I chose the Giants and the reasons why are simple.

What I have heard on NPR is that the Giants are the underdog. I love the classic underdog! I consider it the classic American dream, so I am all about it.

The Giants are from New York. I know I have never been to New York but one of my best friends lives in NYC and I will be visiting her in May. While the New England Patriots are from... New England?! 

My main reason, to be perfectly honest, is my fondness of the childhood film, Little Giants. Yes, it is as simple as that. I have no connection to the Patriots besides being patriotic.

Go Giants!