last class.

It hasn't sunk in yet that yesterday was my last undergraduate college class. And it really did end on a good note. I saw many things yesterday that I had never seen before -- what a great way to end my college career! The guerilla marketing had to be one of my favorites. For half of a second, I thought a real gorilla had walked in the room. I would have never had the guts to do that, and I applaud you, Evan, for thinking entirely outside the box.

I thought my typography presentation was fairly dull compared to others, but I personally learned something from my research which I guess was partially the goal. I have always been interested in typography but never really had the chance in New Media to explore it on a deep level. I learned a lot about how much of an impact it can have on a brand and how simple text can cause a lot of influence.

Graduating is a little bittersweet for me. It feels like I've been waiting for ever to finally be done with school, but now that it's here, I am having mixed emotions. I was disapointed to hear about some of the cool classes the New Media department may be offering in the future because I know I won't be able to take them -- at least not during this level of education. I think some exposure to the real world will be nice, as will getting married and all that other grown-up stuff. But who knows, I may be back here someday. I love learning and that is one thing I have surely accomplished as a new media student ... in more ways than I expected.

New Media Buzzzzzin'

Monday's class was by far my favorite all semester. Not only was it interesting to take our idea of promoting New Media on our bodies to the next level by presenting it to Dean Hook, but I really enjoyed the group discussion about the ideas that stemmed from our marketing proposal.

I think the idea of turning New Media promotion into a course is genius. First of all, our program doesn't currently offer any sort of advertising course. In the position I was offered after graduation, I will be using New Media to advertise (or promote) the brand I am representing. I think many of us will be using our degree to promote something, but at the very least, we definitely need to know how to advertise ourselves. Second, this class would be free advertisement for the program. If each semester, students were asked to come up with a new campaign for the New Media program, the school would have fresh ideas at least twice a year at no cost to them. The course would serve a double cause and really give students a chance to get their feet wet in a real campaign that could actually be used by the school. Since Seeing-Sideways has become an official elective, maybe the school has a N485 position to fill ... :-)

Bravery

I really took to heart what Beth said about bravery in class yesterday. If we have an idea or strong belief and do nothing with it, then it is wasted. We have to be willing to "change our status quo" for our convictions. I applied this to my faith and asked myself, "Are you really willing to alter your entire life for this?" Up until this point, I've given bits and pieces for what I believe but haven't really let if effect everything. This has really come into play with my job search. I have felt a strong calling for a long time to work in some sort of ministry. I want to give my 8-5 to something I believe in with my whole heart. I want to give my day to serving the Lord, loving others and sharing the truth with them. So why have I been actively pursuing careers in New Media? Why can't I use my *creative* gift in a ministry? And why have I even considered for settling for less than I am passionate about?

Pill Bottle Bomb

*This is not original - I did not make the bomb.

reflecting

It is hard to believe that the semester is finally winding down. The next few months will bring a lot of change to my life and the anticipation is a little scary at times. Full-time student to full-time employee. Single young woman to a wife. Financially depended to financially independent. Looking back, this semester of 24 credit hours and wedding planning wasn't quite as tough as I thought it would be. The Lord has given me a lot of peace these past few months, and I know that it was entirely Him empowering me to succeed.

I have taken a lot more from this Seeing-Sideways class than I expected, as well. I went into the class thinking that if I participated and came up with some *creative* projects, then I would get an A and be one step closer to graduation. In actuality, I haven't participated in the classroom setting nor been as *creative* (whatever that really means) as I had planned, but I have gotten to spend some time with myself that I might not have otherwise. With the fear of failure removed (hopefully), I have been able to get to know myself a little bit more. I have left class early on a few occasions to just be with me. And it's sad to say, that some weeks that was the only time I was ever really alone. And it felt so good. Everyone (my fiance, family, friends, co-workers) thought I was inaccessible due to being in class for 3 hours, so no one even thought to get in touch of me. I was able to convince myself not to do any other work since I normally wouldn't have that chunk of time anyway. It has been refreshing to say the least - and indescribable in so many ways.

no title

i'm so tired.

International Gallery

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a very unique gallery. College Park Church hosted an international missions festival and highlighted aspects from 9 different countries around the world. Nicaragua, Ukraine, Kenya, Spain, Cambodia, Liberia, Brazil, China, and the Caspian Region each had their own room to display different things unique to their culture, including artwork, food, textiles, photographs, and music. I volunteered in the Cambodian room and helped serve a traditional Cambodian meal -- curried chicken with fish sauce. Let's just say that my taste buds were "enlightened" to say the least. I had never experienced fish sauce before!

Each room also educated us on the severe need for support in each of these countries. I had no idea of the tragic killing fields that occurred in Cambodia in 1979 ... a third of their population was brutally murdered by their own natives. Our room gave a unique, interactive perspective on this to the people who walked through. Each person was asked to take either a black or white stone when they entered. A third of the stones were black and two thirds were white. Halfway through their walk through the Cambodian gallery, the lights were turned off to get their attention. The leader informed the crowd that if they were carrying a black stone, they had been killed. If they were carrying a white stone, someone they knew had been killed. There was no alternative.

I felt really fortunate to converse with our church's missionaries in each of these regions during the exhibition. These individuals are fearless for the Lord. They are dedicating their entire lives (giving up the things and people that are important to them here) to love on and teach others about God. They have a fire and passion for something they believe with every ounce of their beings. Inspirational.