Wow...

I must have been really bored last night. You'd think I'd have been told to write that. There's something wrong with me... like serious nerdness. That's my Saturday night activity.

Anyway, Campus Crawl was tonight. It was alright, though I'm very upset that I didn't get a t-shirt. That's why I went. I already knew where my classes are. Oh well, I'm gettin' one if they really do order them.

Aside from that, and everything else: I've decided that it's incredibly frustrating to be an undecided major. Everybody's all ready to talk to all of these smart people who already know all about what they want to do with their lives... I'm not one of those people. I have no idea what I want to do. I keep thinking I do, only to find the idea of doing it for the next 50 years incredibly depressing. How on earth am I supposed to figure this out?

Now, for the main purpose of this post. I really need to get out of my house, I think. I can't afford it though. If anybody out there has any ideas as to grants and/or scholarships I could try for that would pay for residence, please let me know.

I think I'm done now. No lengthy, unintelligent that sound intelligent posts tonight, thank goodness. Good luck to everyone tomorrow, and for the semester to come. :)

Thinking...

I must begin by saying I found the simulation yesterday more interesting and thought-provoking than I had anticipated. As a television correspondent, I had the unique opportunity to view both sides of the issue, as well as decide for myself which cause was more justified.

My train of thought just derailed.

Oh yes, I found myself, and I think most everyone else did also, taking the side of the terrorists. That wasn't what I was thinking about to begin with though.

After I got home last night, I was thinking about the media's role in the crisis and what could have been done to improve communications between both sides. I don't remember all of what I thought, as I was really tired, but I do remember critiqing my role and finding ways I could have accomplished more if I'd thought a little faster on my feet. (As everyone is sure to find out eventually, I am an avid perfectionist. I've been staring at the word "opportunity" at the top of the page, because the more I see it, the more the spelling looks wrong, but I've convinced myself it's not, because I just don't spell words like that wrong.) Anyway, I decided that a televised press conference with the President, in which he also gave his speech, might have been a little more effective in communicating with the public, as more information could have been given than in a formal interview like we conducted. I also realized that we never received any kind of reassurance that the hostages were all still alive and well, as I didn't even inquire about it in my on-the-spot hostage interview. Silly me.

Oh, I just remembered what else it was I was thinking about. The objectiveness of the press... In the past four years, I have had limited, but I think thorough, experience with journalism, expressly newspaper. I did learn yesterday that it is much easier to retain objectivity on paper than when communicating with speech and body language. In a way this turns me away from other kinds of journalism, but it also presents a challenge... we'll have to wait and see if I do anything with it.

Anyway, I was thinking about the roles of the press in society, and came to a better understanding of why television press so easily loses objectivity. From what I've seen and understood, tv news has become nothing more than a business in the eyes of those in charge of it. While it's main goals are to inform the public of current events, it has become a source of entertainment, and therefore, a race for ratings.

As we talked about yesterday, the news is greatly sensationalized for this reason. I have to go to bat for all of the "good" journalists out there though, who are simply trying to provide the public with the knowledge they deserve. Because of time limitations and the apparent need of good ratings, much of every story is left out. I mentioned the idea that the media actually makes our worldview smaller, and still support that. I do think however, that much of the fault lies within we who are too lazy or apathetic to find out for ourselves what else is happening in our world. While I think the media should put before us a more real and human side of news, I realize that if they did we could be watching news 24/7.

Through all of this, I have realized that when we remain small and uneducated, we play into the media game of supplying them with ratings based on the entertainment factor of news. While we may not be able to change the system, we can step outside the box ourselves and allow our own views to be expanded. Those of you who have done your international studies have probably already realized all of this, but for me it was a concept I hadn't bothered to think much about before. It all reminds me of my trip to Europe this summer. I saw much of the city and country, but all the time I was curious as to how the real people lived there. I got to see the tourist parts, but I still want to know what life there is really like as opposed to ours. In the same way, we see the sensational and brutal parts of current events, but we are kept from viewing the normal and human side of the world outside our own experiences.

It's been awhile...

Well, it's been a while since I posted on here, or anywhere for that matter. I'm getting bored with my other blog because no one reads them anymore. I guess my hope is that somebody reads this one once in a while after school starts.

Anyway, I'm very excited for school to start. It's gonna give me something to do finally. I've been home for 3 days and I'm bored already. That's sad.

I think I'm excited cuz I'm writing this on my new notebook, and I have a new backpack(haha). Seriously though, I should never be this excited about school. There's something wrong with me. :)

Well, I guess I should say that Europe was a lot of fun, but kinda weird at the same time. It was a really good learning experience though. There are pics on my other blog. I took a ton.

Well, I think I'm about to get all this out of my system, maybe. Either way, I'm getting sleepy.

Away again...

Well, I'm leaving again. I'll spend the next four days cooking and leading worship at kid's church camp, and then I'm off to Europe.

I think I'm excited about this, but I'm still working on it. I'm mostly not excited about the 14-hour plane ride. Surely it won't be that bad... :)

Well, I'll have to give you all updates on Austria and Germany when I return, but bye for now, and have a good 2 or 3 weeks. :)

Some things don't need any words... 

Aren't the clouds awesome? It was a little stormy that day. 

Sea World, Orlando, Journey to Atlantis. Yes, I have to admit to knowing all of them. 

Back...

Well, I survived the trip. I'm sure you're all glad to know that... :) We got in last night a little before midnight.

Thanks for the prompt Dr. Kluthe. :) Let's see...

As for the most impressive, I think I would have to say it was the ocean, once again. I've seen it several times before, but every time I'm overwhelmed by it's size and power. As you stand on the beach and stare out at it, it's endless, and the waves come in with amazing strength, though it seems there's nothing to make them.

There were so many memorable moments on this trip. I don't think I can pick just one. The theme parks we visited were great, as well as the beach. I think maybe the best part was just the time I got to spend with my closest friends.

One of the most interesting experiences was living with10 other people plus the baby in the home of people I'd never met. It wasn't the best or worst part, but probably the most interesting. I feel I'm a little more cultured just for surviving it and maintaining a fairly postive attitude, at least it was positive for me. If I can share one bathroom with 8 other people for 10 days, I can do anything. :)

The worst part... I'm not really sure there was a worst part. Most of it ranged somewhere between awesome and mediocre. Maybe the worst was sitting in a barely-ventilated, claustrophobia-causing airplane on the runway for over an hour yesterday. It wasn't near as bad as I make it sound. I was in and out of consciousness for the duration of the wait, as I slept all of four and a half hours the night before.

I must say that if I ever travel with friends again, or anyone for that matter, an 8 day trip would be my idea of perfection. Though I love my friends dearly, by the end of the eighth day, I was beginning to get a little frustrated. I've decided that I can survive and maintain the good attitude for about 8 days, but after that I need some alone time, which none of us got any of on this trip.

Overall, I can't really say I have anything to complain about. It was a great trip, aside from it's many bugs. I've learned by now to expect those on any trip, especially with the people I went with. I think we're becoming known for our gliches and bugs, but hey, they only make it more fun, right?

Well, I gotta go change loads of laundry. Fun stuff. :) I guess that's what I get for leaving. There's always work to be done when I come back. :) Bye to all, and thanks for reading. :)

Away...

Yep, I'm going away. I'm off to Florida for the next 10 days or so, so I'll be sure to fill you all in on the details when I get home. It's gonna be a great trip I think, so I'll have lots to tell.

Bye to all, and I'll see you when I get back. :)

In the Beginning...

Hmmm, this is a first for me. Blogging is great, but this one might actually have to have some substance. That could be hard.

My other blog is rather interesting I will dare to say. It can be found at www.donttalklisten.blogspot.com. I would suggest it, along with many others.

Well, here is the beginning of the new "Academic Blog." It's gonna be great!!! (said with a very excited girly voice...) :) Bye.