BOOM.

And finally,

No, wait, not finished.



Dr. Barry Morris spoke on the 26th. He was apparently a very good speaker. A former economics professor, this was mostly what his talk was about. WOOOO NUMBERS AND GRAPHS. High school econ did NOT help me understand more about money, and hopefully I don't have to take it again because I will suck at it just as much as before... if not more... I'm sure in the future I should learn more about this mysterious advanced MATH but for now, NAAAAHHH.

But seriously, the more we as a community know, the better our lives will be. That's why knowing economics   is a good area about which I should get informed. I mean, everyone in America depends on money. (Just go with me here.) The better we all know how to manage it, the lesser debt we will but ourselves in, thereby not endangering businesses and keeping the economy running.

NOW:

11/19

Dr. Osborn, Professor Emeritus (that means in good standing) and deacon for the Episcopal church talked to the class on the 19th of November. Most of that time was spent discussing a thing called Kairos. (GREEKNESS. I love Greek stuff. Like mythology.)


Soooo, Kairos is an event that takes place in a jail. Basically, ministers from many different religions come together for a weekend to visit inmates. Kairos means time, but it is a SPECIAL kind of time (for instance, a wedding), as opposed to kronos, which is just, like, "it is school-time".

  (HAHA jk.)


A lot of us have an innate opposition to volunteering, especially to the extreme Dr. Osborn does. Mostly, our attitudes are like:



But hey, someone's got to do it. We as a society cannot function well if no one does anything.

SO, Dr. O also helps at the Help Place. It's also inter-denominational. Basically, the Help Place gives food, clothing, and a little something to pay the bills. Many times, those who need assistance from the Help Place are not doing well because of drugs, whether they are involved directly or indirectly. Kind of sad how something that does more harm than good can ruin even the lives of those who don't deal...

I remember our speaker asking us what joy meant to us. Well... that's a tough one. What IS joy, anyway?

Well, it can't be donuts all the time.




As I seem to have lost my notes on this speaker, that is all.

"Things work out, you don't know how, but they do."

EVERYTHING IS JUST UGH.

Forever ago, Leah's dad, John Rusevlyan, spoke at Forum. He's the immediate past president of the Rotary Club here in Florence. He also works at Whikert Realtors. He told us a little about his life in Arlington, then about how he just got up and left for Colorado out of the blue with no job. Next, he said that after Leah was born, they finally ended up here in Florence.

So, as we all know, the realtor business isn't what it was before. Due to the "recession" it has gotten pretty tough to be in that field. I can only imagine starting any type of business during tough economic times is hard; therefore, it is necessary that we know where we are going, making no waste of our resources. Then came the inevitable call to get involved.

So Rotary started a looooong time ago, 1905 to be exact, by Paul Harris in Chicago. It's actually the first service club in the world. It serves primarily as a fellowship/ networking opportunity. There are responsibilities that come with a membership of Rotary, such as:

• Keeping and promoting membership
• Service projects
• Developing leadership
• Supporting the foundation
• and the biggie: PARTICIPATION.

Members of Rotary come from all kinds of backgrounds. It is a diverse group, therefore it is strong. (This can likewise be applied to other groups, for all have unique experiences to bring to the table.)

The object of rotary is to set high standards, to apply service experiences to real life, to advance international understanding (hence the diversity statement above), and to further goodwill and peace. This club is internationally connected so as to alleviate poverty, improve health and help good education flourish. Speaking about health, did you know that Rotary was one of the principal backers of the eradication of polio? Cool, huh?

So about applying what members of Rotary learn to real life; they should ask themselves:

• Is it the Truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Does it build good will and friendship? 
• Is it beneficial to all concerned?

Ask yourself this. If the answer is yes, then you're  on the right path.

Mr. Rusevlyan left us with this: Don't wait for an opportunity, get involved! (Yep. That's what all this volunteering was for.)

This one's for you, Elyse.

=] I love Tumblr.

WHAT.

So, our speaker for the 5th of November, Elizabeth Moore, did not show up, but it was for a good reason. She's the CEO of the Red Cross here in North Alabama and of course, they were lending a hand to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Just like Big Bird.

Even though we didn't have a speaker, Vince told us about the Red Cross. That is, he told us after a little rant. (Justified, no doubt.)

So, non-profit organizations involve a lot of flat-out quitting. Why? Maybe for the fact that there is no income really coming in for those that work these kinds of jobs. It's hard work to do, and with no pay... well, some people just don't see that it's worth it. If, however, no one helps these organizations, they will die out. And that's bad. Because they help so many people.

And as we should all know by now, it cannot be all about ME. People need that support from non-profits in many situations, places, and times. For them to just stop existing is quite a scary thing indeed. What if one day, a young child has no way to learn how to read and has no access to books save what would have come from a non-profit organization? (Sadly enough, HAPPENS.)



SO ANYWAY. The Red Cross used to want little to do with volunteers. Then, they realized that we kinda rock, so they wanted some of their own. (Just kidding, it was more out of necessity that because we rock.) They do a lot for people, Red Cross. They of course are well-known for their taking up blood donations. That's not all, though; if there's a family member serving in the Armed Forces, the Red Cross can hook the families up so that they can talk to their loved ones in another country about something important happening back home. Which I think is pretty neat.

So, to end, I shall do my rendition of Vince's... renditions (since I cannot think of another word right now) of the Red Cross symbols:




Hahaha, ok, so this belongs to the Internet, and I didn't draw it, in case you couldn't tell.

  

Boring title for awesome presentation goes here.

Bradley Dean, Creative Director and various other positions-holder at Billy Reid, spoke to us on the 29th of October. He was pretty hip, and for such a young guy, he did quite well presenting us with why we should get involved in our community.

He started by telling us that he was a UNA graduate himself, but compared to the experience he had at school, the "real world" was where he got valuable skills.
Then, He told us a little about what Billy Reid's company was and what they were doing, such as growing their own cotton, whereby creating jobs for locals. Bradley told us that Billy had won many awards not typical for someone from little ole Florence to have gotten; then again, aren't there Billy Reid stores in, like, New York?

So, what really got my attention was when he started talking about buying his house in Historic Downtown Flo-town, only to absolutely destroy it.

 Boom goes the dynamite! JK.


How come no one had said anything?, he thought. From then on, he got involved with the community. He started to go to meetings and stuff to see how everything worked. He eventually got on the Historic Preservation Inc. (or something like that). This way, many opportunities opened up for him. Now, there is a more watchful eye on preserving Downtown Florence thanks to concerned people like Bradley taking an initiative, like this guy:

Baila!

When Mámi puts on her musica, I can't help but dance!

Das Junior League.

I miss taking Deutsch.

Anyway, on the 22nd of October (YAY, I'M SO BEHIND!), Leslie Tomlinson from Junior League of the Shoals spoke at Forum. She started by telling us about how she was going to set the world on fire when she was younger:
 (Credit: http://cinemagr.am/show/39383263)

But of course, with age comes wisdom, and she realized that it wasn't going to be so easy. She began volunteering and found a way she could actually do her part through Junior League of the Shoals.

Mrs. Tomlinson then kind of gave us a history of Junior League. So, it was started in 1901 by a sorority girl named Mary Harriman who was 19. NINE-FREAKING-TEEN. My age. WOW. So, Mary started this movement to help immigrants, and it grew to help others in her community. Mostly, her small group worked well, BUT there were certain qualities needed to join this group, such as being of a certain race or economic background. What would become Junior League remained a very closed group for a while, even into Mrs. Tomlinson's service days. However, as she stated, the Junior League grew to be more accepting of other women (sorry, no men allowed, though). Now, all a volunteer needs to do is be willing to volunteer! Oh, yeah, and meet the age requirement...

Now, the purpose of JL is to provide support, guidance, and leadership development. JL has spread to countries like Canada and Mexico. These organizations promote volunteerism, of which they need abundant amounts, to develop the potential of women and improve the community while serving as a social/networking opportunity.  

THIS DOG WON'T SIT DOWN.

But she insists on sitting in my lap and sniffing around on my laptop... and it doesn't help that she keeps trying to "help" me type... Then she looks at me like this:


What can I say, I fall for it. =3 She's too cute!

Anyway, Mr. Jackie Hendrix, owner of Party Pros and president of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce talked to us on the 15th. He started out by giving us a booklet and stating rather proudly that all of the people featured in it were volunteers. Mr. Hendrix told us that he has been volunteering since he was 19 or 20 years old (whoa, I'm that age right now...), and that he learned to network through his volunteering, which has helped him greatly throughout his life. In fact, his networking is what has brought him all of these positions  and jobs that he has held. All of his volunteering really looked well on his resumé, too.

Mr. Hendrix really encouraged us to give some of our time to volunteer, though it is tough. He explained about the 80-20 Rule, in which 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Sucks, if you ask me. If this world were perfect, 100% of us would do 100% of the work... right? (I am NOT a math person, but that seems right... and fair, too.) So other than to help out the 20%, we should get ourselves involved because:

• We have a social responsibility.
• It will advance our career, what with networking and all.

What was cool about this speaker was that he taught us how to make connections with people. He asked some of us where we were volunteering, and for pretty much everyone he asked, he knew someone in their organization. Example: when he asked me where I was volunteering, I answered with St. Vincent du Paul Thrift Store, to which he commented that his wife frequently donated items there. THEN... Vince said I'm Hugo's daughter.

BOY, did that start Mr. Hendrix up. He talked about how Dad is one of his great friends (something which a lot of people tend to say), an how he had been very supportive of the alcohol-for-sale-on-Sundays thing that passed several years ago... I remembered that time from Dad's point of view and just nodded along as Mr. Hendrix told his tale. 

 Many times, I tell people I'm my father's daughter and BOOM, celebrity-status-feeling to the MAX. Everyone knows my dad, it seems like. Honestly, I'm jealous that Dad's such a "celebrity." But when Mr. H talked about networking, I began to realize that instead of being jealous, I should be very grateful! I can definitely use my dad's connections to my advantage!!! 

"What do you want to be when you grow up?," asks Dr. John Lane.

Soon's 'at 'appens, I'll tell ya. I'm still such a kid. An almost-20-year-old kid...  

As for the question of why I'm in college...


Just kidding. It's because my parents said I had to go. Where else am I supposed to go? It's because I want a career. Yeah... Ok, so that gif is pretty accurate. I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, now or in the future.

So, Dr. Lane talked to us on the 8th about how we need to find a job that will work for us. But most of the time, he talked about our civic responsibility. This concept dates back to the ancient Romans. The citizens of the empire were to contribute to society by participating in it. Even today, this is what we should be doing: participating in society, especially by voting, volunteering, and giving.

Dr. Lane gave us some statistics to think about in regards to voting. He said that in the 1960's, about 63% of the population voted in the elections. Then, in the 1996 election, only 49% of Americans voted, meaning that about half the country was apathetic about their government. Nowadays, I don't even know how much of the American population does not care about the government, but I suspect that apathy among us as got way up. Our speaker told us that if we plan to make a change, we should start by voting, definitely in the national elections if not for the district and state ones.

The next subject was volunteering. As those of us who have already volunteered can say, it is a very rewarding thing to do. It feels great to know that you gave a little bit of your time to help others in need. Only about 20% of our population knows this feeling, however. Most of the people who volunteer are college grads in the age range of 35-54. I don't know what direction Dr. Lane was going in, but when he asked us why we thought these kinds of people were more likely to volunteer, one of my classmates answered that it was because they understand the importance of volunteering.

Dr. Lane talked then about some organizations that we could volunteer for, such as United Cerebral Palsy of Camp McDowell. He also gave as an example Billy Reid, famous designer and coincidentally Dr. Lane's brother-in-law.

The speaker said that giving didn't just have to consist of giving money, though "giving is more than money, but never less than money." Time and talent are abundant for us, and maybe one day, if we chose something we're good at, money will be a resource we can share as well.  

Dogsncatsndogsncats

This is pretty cool.

So I missed forum... for a really dumb reason...



And, yeah.


A Big Brothers Big Sisters spokesperson went to talk about the organization. Volunteers, among other things, get to hang out with kids who need someone to be a good example for them. Sounds like being an older sibling in real life. Which I am, to three sisters.


Oh, and a Chihuahua, I guess.

It's pretty amazing what kind of an influence we older kids can make on younger ones. I remember Valeria (the one sticking out her tongue) would always want everything "como Pao," or like Paola, the weirdo in the background (I say that as lovingly as possibly!). And Paola would copy Melissa and me ALL DAY. It was annoying when I was younger, but looking back, it was because the little sisters (as Melissa and I call them) looked up to us because we were their big sisters. Now these "little" sisters are ten and fourteen. Not only almost my height, but they are waaayy more grown up and less annoying, too. Ok, maybe not the last part. But still, they are still in need for role models, as are any kids their age. I figure if I've been a decent one to my own sisters, could I not be one for other kids?


All that said, I'm going to contact BB/BS and ask what kind of help they need. 

Success by 6

I wholeheartedly agree that a good education starting early in life makes all the difference. It is true what Mrs. Emily Baker said on Monday night, a child's education and well-being affects us all. They are the future generation. They are the ones who will be taking care of us. Doesn't it make sense that we should first take care of them, you know, while we still can? 

That is where organizations like United Way and Success By 6 come in. Their goal is to advance the common good, specifically  focusing on income, education and health. Success By 6 is a program that is specifically geared toward giving children a good, quality education from an early age. Seeing as the first five years of our lives are potentially the most important learning-wise, SB6 is definitely a noteworthy program, especially since each division is uniquely tailored to the community's needs. Kids who are educated from an early age are less likely to fall behind as opposed to kids who sit idle from ages 0-5. The aforementioned are more likely to graduate and get jobs.   

As for volunteer opportunities for SB6, there is a program called Better Beginnings. We would be interacting with the children, all the while encouraging child development through reading and games. We would serve as models to the kids. And let me just say that being a positive influence on a little boy or girl is one amazing thing. This is why I am considering volunteering here; there's also the fact that they don't really have volunteers yet... Oh, and the Girlfriend Gala sounded interesting! Too bad I can't go. 

Get ya head in the game.

MUST. DO. ALL. THE. HOMEWORK. AND CHORES. AND... basically:



It is September. Already bogged down, Marcela? TOUGH LUCK.

A Place to Heal.

The Healing Place. What a great idea to have come up with! I mean, everyone goes through some bad things in their lives, but not all have someone to get them through it all. That's what I liked to learn about the Healing Place: they are there for everyone in tough times.

Kay Parker spoke to us about the Healing Place, and she really made me want to volunteer, especially when she said all we would be involved in would be helping out with the kids. For a while I thought that I would have to listen to their problems and help them get over them, but in all honesty... I am a HUGE crybaby. I've been like that since I was little. SORRY I'M A SENTIMENTAL PERSON.



Good thing she gave us some tips on dealing with grief:

1.) Be honest. Especially with yourself. If you are sad, TELL YOURSELF YOU ARE. Don't shrug it off.
2.) Be expressive. Go ahead, cry your hear out, laugh your head off. It'll make you feel way better.
3.) Be physical. (Yeah, at first I though, WHOA.) But releasing energy in some way will get your mind off your grief. Just make sure you don't hurt yourself or another person/ living thing...
4.) Be aware of what you are thinking. This one kind of goes with #1 in that you can't tell yourself not to think about being sad, or else it will make you even more sad. Denying that you are thinking a certain way is in no way honest.




Anyhow, I was really glad when she confirmed that we would merely get to hang out with the kids and do something like this:



OR




Or, you know... swing or something. Anyway, Mrs. Parker asked if we were to take a job in which we didn't get paid, what would it be? I could definitely be a video game tester for no pay. Just kidding. I would say that working for a non-profit would probably be the way to go. Though, I have no clue what I would do. Or where I would live. 0.o But hey, I'll know when I can fill in the blank on: "I was born to _____."

 It's gonna take me a while...

YES.

I'm Baaaacckkk.

HELLO NEW YORK! I mean... UNA!


My Internet has been acting up for a while now... 
so I'M SORRY THIS IS LATE.

Anyhow, this year we get to start thinking about volunteering. Which is great, because I need to feel accomplished in some way other than academically. I feel like I have all the school stuff down but... that's just school. I definitely need to have a life outside of my classrooms at UNA. (A social one would be nice, too, but you know what they say: Sleep, Study, Party... Choose Two.)

I was thinking, for my volunteer stuff, that I could go to the Florence Animal Shelter and do some hours there because OMG DOGS. PAWS would be a good one, too.



Cats are nice, too, I guess...



MOVING ON, THOUGH. I also thought about going to the Hispanic Clinic, because... you know... I speak Spanish. So many people have told me to help out there, but I have no idea why I haven't. That will definitely be taken into consideration this time around. *Jots down on arm.*

Maybe with the speakers we'll have, I'll have more ideas, but other than those, I got nothin'.