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.