Day 57 - JoJo Durst

Have you ever needed help on an assignment last minute so you find a volunteer in Italy? Probably not, but I can now cross that off my list.

I Facebook messaged several people begging them to video themselves answering two questions. This was for my media ethics course and I was unaware of this assignment, my bad. Luckily I recruited my cousin's friend, who is now studying in Italy. She also convinced her Italian friend to do the same. Around midnight their time, after finishing their homework, they recorded and sent me the videos. PERFECT! I now had the two videos required for my assignment.

So never let things, especially distance, get in your way. Share your story, ask for help and give thanks and appreciation along the way.

THANK YOU JOJO DURST AND YOUR FRIEND!!!

Day 56 - TORUS

Aha! I’m caught up now. Today I attended Texas Oklahoma Research Undergraduate Symposium, TORUS. Although math is not my thing, whatsoever in any fashion, I will always support my fiancé who happens to major in math. I politely worked on homework as I waited for Casey to present his research but throughout the day, I noticed something. The people in attendance, students and professors alike, were really appreciative and congratulatory to each other. Edification was EVERYWHERE. I felt really proud to be a student at UCO during this awesome event.

Day 55 - Air Comfort Solutions tech

Have you ever had a day so awful that you saw no bright spot? Well, this was one of those days that tested me to search for the good in the day. I woke up late, went to school in Thursday’s clothes, did my hair at a stoplight, lost my credit card, hit my head on the car and found out I had to replace my air conditioning unit. So, the silver lining? The air conditioning guy was a down-to-earth guy who gave me the facts straight and let me decide for myself what to do. I found out later that he gave me retail value for the system without even mentioning it to me. He didn’t take credit for it, but gave it to me nonetheless. Although I’m still curled in a ball over the price I have to cough up, it’s nice to know I got a good deal.

Besides a deal, he gave me wonderful conversation (minus all the actual things he was there for.) It turns out he had been to Costa Rica as well! I wish we had figured this out sooner because I wanted to just chat with him for an hour or two about it and compare more stories. I finally met someone who had seen the same places I had and he had to leave. Ah well, it was amazing.

Day 54 - Robert's Dad

Thank you to Robert’s dad for buying Girl Scout cookies from me and supporting my nieces in the process. Also, thank you for buying an even amount so my nieces can split the sell from the cookies.

Day 53- Melissa Hayt

Last night I received an email saying I was nominated by Melissa Hayt for a UCO award. This made my day not because I might get an award but because I was nominated. Someone thought I was awesome, which is always a positive feeling.

Melissa is probably, no certainly, one of the most hardworking people I know. Every time I think I have her roles memorized, she picks up another. She is the advisor to the Transfer Leadership Council, is a full-time employee in Leadership Central at UCO and she is a graduate student. Melissa previously earned both her bachelors and masters degrees. Now she is working on her doctorate. When I think I'm too busy, lack time or need more energy, I think of her.

She has homework, home life, work and leadership obligations. She is a wonderful person whom we should all aim to gain h attributes of dedication, hard work and a willingness to help others no matte what is on her plate.

Day 52 - AmeriCorps speakers

Today is hard to write about. I met so many wonderful people with inspiring stories that it's difficult to pin-point one awesome moment.

(A few minutes later)

Speakers, I love speakers. At my AmeriCorps training, a few members prepared a powerpoint and speech for us. Some of them volunteered but I'm pretty sure most of them were "voluntold."

Do you remember giving a speech in front of a room full of people? If not, can you imagine it? It's nerve wracking even to prepared speakers. So to each person who took the time to share their story in front of all of us, thanks. I appreciate your wealth of knowledge.

Day 51 - Positive encouragement

Monday, oh dear Monday. Monday was not my day. It all started with getting cereal in my eyes, yes, in my eyes - don't judge. It then went okay until I had pointed out to me a paper I completely forgot about. No it wasn't due yet, but it was due soon. So I wondered, how many other big projects are coming. up. So as my professor was lecturing I began searching and writing down all my major projects. As I did this, my hands became sweaty, my heart rate picked up and my forehead drew many wrinkles. I was officially entering the land of "Holy crap, I don't know if I can make it through this final semester. Why did I do this to myself? I'm such an idiot for attempting this. Geezes this sucks beyond all belief. Why did I pick up that second job? What am I doing to do?"

So after class, I did what most students needing to vent do, I posted on Facebook.

"Just realized I'm doomed. 20 credits, 40+pages of research, 30+ different sources, five cover-to-cover books and that's not including all the work and effort for the 100+ page PR campaign proposal. 75 days till graduation, 67 days till the final paper is due. I dislike my final semester with a passion...btw, I started my second job today."

Quickly there after, I had my first comment. Then another person posted, and another and then I had seven different people offering me words of encouragement.

• 

  Brooke Landes Hang in there!!

  Yesterday at 12:49pm ·
• 

  Michelle Elizabeth Schreck If anyone could do it, I know you can. (:

  Yesterday at 12:54pm ·
• 

  Jamie LaVarnway If college were easy, everybody would graduate. :/ One day at a time and I'll treat you in May! ;)

  Yesterday at 12:55pm ·
• 

  Lindsey Webster It'll be all worth it once you're done! Keep counting down the days and it'll be over with before ya know it :)

  Yesterday at 1:21pm ·
• 

  Taylor Elwell YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

  Yesterday at 3:08pm ·
• 

  Brandon Jefferson you arent one to back down from a challenge

  Yesterday at 4:44pm ·
• 

  Casey Thomas Pierson Destroy it!

I love my friends and future fiance. It's positive encouragement like this that helps to make a cloudy day seem beautiful.

Day 50 - The happy kid at IHOP

I know I continue to preach how much the little things mean to me, but it's TRUE. The smallest things mean the world to me. Today Casey and I went to IHOP to work on, you guessed it, homework. After a most interesting and slightly conversation with some workers there we were seated. On the way to our seat for the next several hours, we passed by a group of people that spanned three of four tables. I walked past this kid, maybe five years old, at the end. He looked straight up at me, smiled, gave me a huge wave and said in a loud but not yelling voice, "hello."

What CUTIE! Yep, made my day. His family laughed a bit and I promptly replied back, "why hello to you too!"

I think I might have made his day as well for his smile grew just a little bit more than his already happy face.

Day 49 - Habitat for Humanity

Okay, so I decided to be less stressed about posting these "on time." Instead, I will focus more on remembering a specific moment or person from each day and continue to post about a different one each day, just my posting day might be different than my actual day it occurred.

Yesterday I volunteered with my parents and the UCO Habitat for Humanity group. It was pretty cool, literally it was like 30 degrees. There were several people there and it was definitely an experience I think everyone should try at least once. We painted but I hope to volunteer on a day when they build things. I would love to learn a new skill, for free.

At least one of the people there was working on their 300 volunteer hours required for their Habitat for Humanity house to be built; a different one than the one we were working on.

Did you know?

• HfH homes are interest-free..
• HfH applicants must meet minimum earning requirements and be able to prove two years of consistent work history.
• HfH applicants must also volunteer 3oo hours for their house to be built.
• You should volunteer?

So my six minutes are well about over but I thought I would share this. Next month I plan to volunteer again with my family but this time at the Food Bank of Oklahoma. Want to join us?

Day 48 - The Wellness Center attendant

Doing the same job day after day is what many might call boring. I have witnessed wonderful guest service people turn into monsters over time because of the same things day after day. They are desensitized.

So to you, UCO Wellness Center attendant, thanks for having a positive and upbeat attitude.

Day 47 - Robert from Karate

I am a glowing mother today. No, I didn't have a kid instead I have dozens. My karate kid Robert made me a proud mama tonight. I have pushed this kid and probably have been one of the biggest "he is not ready yet" people in the dojo. Saying that, he exceeded my expectations.

Robert tested a few hours ago for his brown belt (two away from black.) He was pushed both physically and mentally and through it all, he persevered. Robert, my friends, is less than 11 years old. In fact, I believe he is eight. I have been pushing at him correcting issue after issue, nagging on him, being skeptical of his abilities and tonight he proved me wrong. He proved that even little kids can have what it takes to survive.

So to you Robert, congrats. I hope you celebrated with all your family and friends that were there to support you and I hope you remember this moment when it comes time for the next student to test for their brown belt.

Sincerely,

Sensei Jennifer

Day 46 - The students promoting awareness

I really must admit. I need to begin these sooner in the day. At point in the of day, I never do justice.

Today's blog is about the students who try to promote awareness at UCO. I'm not even suggesting any specific one but I have been there and it sucks. You stand outside passing out flyers, talking to random people and shouting intriguing messages. However, person after person passes you by. So to the students who have so much passion and continually put themselves out there, I applaud you.

Day 45 - My future mom in-law

As I'm driving home after hosting a valentines party at the after-school program, I get a call from Casey. His mom got us each a valentine. How cool is that?I'm not just an afterthought, I'm actually becoming a second-nature thought. L

ike if Casey gets a valentine, now I do too! This is just the neatest thing since the creation of pb&j sandwiches, my favorite kind.

Well enough about me and how inclusions in silly things like this is awesome, let me tell you

about Cheryl Pierson. First and foremost, she is Casey's mom. She is a writer and not just one that lives in a cardboard box. She is published and from what I can tell on Amazon reviews, a pretty dang good one.

Although any and all parents can be a pain. She is a cool future one to have.

Pics will come later.

And here is the pic....

Day 44 - Mary Kate Tener

Today's brag goes to Miss Mary Kate Tener.

Have you ever tried to make an organization with hardly any direction and your organization picked out for you? No, probably not. Even so, you might imagine how difficult this might be. Well Mary Kate and her team of people have done an EXTRAORDINARY job starting up the UCO Habitat for Humanity organization.

Starting off with just a few people, the group has recruited others, held meetings and even led their first build all within the same semester. Now as the second semester is on its' way, Mary Kate and her group have organized another two builds.

Mary Kate does all of this while maintaining her education, work and social life. She is positive force in this world and I'm glad to know that there is a person like this out there.

So congrats again to this hard working, dedicated, always positive person, Mary Kate Tener

Day 43 - Weatherman

Thank you for making weather interesting. I mean, Oklahoma weather is already ridiculous and always entertaining but you guys make it well, fun. The journalist side of me hates it, but today I write as a viewer and I find the coverage fascinating.

I'll continue my support as long as there is no more 24hr coverage of yes, it is still snowing outside.

Day 42 - Gordon from IHOP

To all IHOP employees, I'm well aware of your less-than-stellar managers. They are not leaders they are micromanagers, at least the ones in Oklahoma.

To Gordon who switched to the day shift at the Edmond location, WHY?!? First off, you rock! You know IHOP and all its quirks inside and out. I'm sorry you left us night owls and that we switched to a different location. It was nice seeing you again, even though you weren't technically our server.

Thanks for checking on us, for knowing to reboot the wifi without us even saying a word, refilling our drinks and for just being an overall nice guy even when it's midst a rush.

Thanks a million!

Day 41 - The guy who picked up a soda

Today was the viewer of a simple but very helpful act of kindness. The vending machine restocked was wheeling his items in when the top part toppled over and there went several soda bottles. Now I feel bad because I witnessed and did not help. However, there was a young man who was leaving the area and stopped at the door to pick up said fallen items. It was just the type of act that makes me smile. How many times do we see someone with their hands full and we pass on by or a person trying to open the door while they are on crutches? It's time we start helping. It's time we stop thinking someone else will do it and start thinking, "what can I do to help?"

Day 40 - Lady who might believe in me

The magnitude of importance believing in others has is unimaginable. I might have suggested an idea to create a volunteer center in my hometown and I was messages today by the person in charge asking me to meet with her.

I'm really excited and I hope I can share this passion with her as well!

Day 39 - Everyone

I suck and completely forgot to do this blog. So to everyone, you ALL rock! You make me smile when you post something ridiculous on Facebook or text me at the best times with the most random message. Thanks for being a positive influence on my life!

Yes, I know this is generic, but I've been sick lately and I really didn't think leaving and contaminating more people would be a positive thing.


So...how can you brighten someones day today?

Day 38 - The girl with the blonde hair

Let's just say today was filled with a few clouds. I went to help with the after-school program and this little girl I just met made my day. She saw one of my usual girls give me a hug and she ran up and gave me a giant hug. At that moment two or three more girls ran to give me a hug and practically tackled me. When this happened I guess I might have jabbed my finger into the girl with the blonde hair's eye. I felt bad, but the girl was really awesome. I asked if she could breathe and she thought I was the oddest duck. To her defense, I am.

Well this girl helped everyone else color/draw the things they couldn't for our letters to the troops. She was definitely a positive force within the class and it was awesome to see her patience and calm demeanor when dealing with grabby demanding fellow students.

Way to go girl with blonde hair!

Day 37 – Brandt Smith from the UCO VSLC

I love going into office with a purpose and being
comfortable enough to talk about important topics with a person I don’t know. I
went into UCO’s Volunteer and Service Learning Center to speak with Brandt
Smith about several questions regarding tracking volunteer hours.
We talked about his finger he accidentally sawed part of
off, AmeriCorps, future careers at UCO, my long-term career goals and different
fun topics overall. It was very enjoyable to just sit down with someone who has
just enough passion, hardworking attitude and head going a million different
directions as I do, probably more. I told him I love talking with people who
have the job I want. We talked for over an hour during the final hour of
business! I mean really? Who sits down with a student to chat about something
for 45 minutes longer than needed at the end of the day? Someone who is
awesome, that’s who!

So thank you Brandt Smith for taking more than the time to
share with me answers, ideas and possibly a future job once my first term of
AmeriCorps is over.


Who can you take extra time for?

Day 36 - Leadership Capstone students

Sometimes it’s nice to know you inspire people, even if it’s
just that they are glad you went first. I made my very first “glog” for my
leadership capstone course and well, I had no idea what to do. I still don’t
know if I did it write and I feel it’s inadequate compared to what other people
wrote. Granted, I took forever to make mine because I’m not the free flowing
creative type but I’m trying to work on it through projects like this.
Anyways, I went for it and I made one. It may not be the
right format but I’ll find out once it’s graded. The worst that’s going to
happen is that I bomb it but luckily there is one more.
I posted the link on webct and I had a few comments just
saying they are glad I went first and some said they really liked the look of
it. Maybe they had nothing else to say, I don’t know, but it made me happy that
I made something creative and other people didn’t think it looked awful. J

I challenge each of you to go say something positive to
someone else. Compliment someone, give someone props, high five the person
walking your way. Just do something, ANYTHING, to make a positive impression on
somebody’s day. You never know just how much it might mean.

Day 35 - Applebee's Host

People who ask you a question and actually listen to your response are wonderful. Thank you for finding the one spot without televisions in sight.

Also, every Friday and Saturday Applebee's has half-price apetizers.

Day 34 - My doctor

Thank you for taking my word on needing a pink eye prescription without me having to drive over there and visit you. You are a saint!

Day 33 - Professor Moinette

Let me first start by saying I hate the way Spanish is taught at UCO, at least for two of my courses. I felt belittled, stupid and like I should just give up. Saying that, I think the professors who taught those two courses are great people who it would be fun to grab a drink with.

Now, to the one Spanish teacher at UCO who made me want to try again. Thank you professor Moinette for believing in me, pushing me to practice more and not making me feel like a child cornered in a room.

Today, before regaining my 102 temperature, I was at UCO and leaving a meeting. I saw this wonderful professor and as she was walking up the stairs she said "hola." With a big grin I replied and she then asked "como estas." I told her, in Spanish of course, that I was doing well, very well. It turns out she was doing well too.

To tell you the truth, I was sick, tired of my cough feeling contradictions between a leadership opportunity and a giving back scholarship opportunity, but she made my day all around.

I wish I could say more but let me end with this thought. I don't think teachers realize their full power of inspiring people or rather their influence in making a student change their major, give up on something they loved or some other similar experience. They have the potential to change a students life for the better and also to change it for the worse.

This photo was courtesy of google.

Day 32 - The employers at the UCO Career & Internship fair

I have been to well, many of these types of fairs not just at UCO but also at my former college, Oklahoma City Community College. Well today's was different and by far the best experience I've had.
Now maybe this had something to do with graduation coming up or knowing my AmeriCorps term ends in August, but I just liked this one and all the people.
The employers were outgoing and approached the students without hesitation. Usually it resembles a middle school dance where the employers are a bunch of girls talking with each other and the student as the one boy trying to be brave enough to ask one of 'the pack' for a dance.

Personally, I found a couple future opportunities but nothing immediate. I just wish the Marine recruiters were not present. I swear the military recruiters all know my weak spot, the military. Specifically the longing to be a part of something larger that is structured and goal-oriented.