After a great weekend at the Kentucky Derby, I began driving back to Dallas. Little did I know that I was headed right into a very devastating disaster. While driving through Tennessee, I came to a complete standstill on the highway and was eventually forced to get off the road completely. Even though it was raining at the time, I was unaware of how serious this rainfall was.

The Cumberland River began to recede while flooding the Nashville community. Roads and houses were completely flooded. As a result, residents of Tennessee were forced to move to shelters nearby. Many people were rescued through boats and canoes. Not only were houses destroyed but also seventeen individuals lost their lives due to this disaster.

I am shocked that people lost their homes and lives because of this rainfall. I am in awe that such an event like this couldn’t have been prevented. Isn’t there anything we as humans can do, when we know a big storm is coming, to avoid something like this happening?

Summer Jobs

The end of second semester can only mean one thing: summer is about to start. Even though every student looks forward to this break from school, I feel that many also dread their summer job. Since most students are forced to get a job during this period of time, I feel it is crucial to find something you enjoy doing.

I feel this way because I am lucky enough to spend my summer doing something that I love. I have spent the past couple of summers as a Lifeguard and Synchronized Swim Coach. This job is ideal because I love water, being outdoors, and working with kids. Everyday I look forward to getting up and going to work because I truly enjoy it that much. I never fully understood the importance of finding work you are passionate about until now. I feel like many people struggle to find a job that pays the most even if that means they are miserable. I couldn’t imagine getting out of bed every morning during the summer for a job that I couldn’t stand just because it pays well. If you have to spend your summer working, have fun while doing it. There is no reason for anyone to dread his or her summer job!

MADD Walk

Waking up at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning to volunteer is something that the average college student would avoid doing. However, I am actually happy to say that this became reality for me this past weekend. I volunteered for the organization called MADD, which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The event consisted of a walk which raised awareness and funds for helping to eliminate and inform our society on drunk driving.

When I began volunteering, I was very tired and could not stop thinking about everything else I needed to get done for the rest of day. I was also not very enthused about my job, which consisted of registering walkers and handing out T-shirts. However, when I actually took time to learn about the organization and interact with the walkers, I began to appreciate the organization.

It started when I was registering an older man that it hit me. He came up to me and asked if he could give a donation before he began the walk. After I collected his generous donation, I asked if he needed anything else and he replied with “No that’s it, I’m going to go start walking for my son now”, and then held up a picture of him. While starring at a picture of his son that looked about the same age as I am now, I realized how much I could relate this organization to my own life. Even though I know drinking and driving is a major problem in our society, I never think it is going to affect someone in my own life. However, seeing a picture of this young boy made me realize that this could be anyone of my friends. Even if you do not personally drink and drive, you could be the victim in an alcohol related accident.

After this self-realization and I took the time to walk around and learn about the organization. I found that many of the statistics I learned, shocked me. For example, did you know that 41% of crashes of alcohol related? I think everyone today, especially young adults are not aware of the consequences of drinking and driving. Next time you volunteer for an organization you do not fully understand or think can relate to your life in anyway, take a second and learn about everything that is actually going on around you. I guarantee you will be very surprised!

Spring Break

For spring break this year, my friends and I traveled Cabo San Lucas. I felt comfortable going because I went with a big group and speak the language well. However, throughout the trip my friends and I felt like prime targets for getting taken advantage of. Even though we were paying the same amount as everyone else staying at our hotel, this did not reflect the way we were treated.

When we first arrived, our confirmed airport transportation was not there to pick us up. We also struggled to get waited on for every meal at the hotel. This poor service was because they were so concerned with helping adults that have more authority than us. Personally, I think if a hotel does feel that everyone deserves the same treatment then they should not make their check-in age eighteen. Since I am not the only college student that travels with his or her friends on vacation, has anyone else had this problem?

How soon is too soon to write about it?

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 will affect our country forever. I feel I can speak for everyone in the sense that they can vividly remember every single moment of that day and the powerful emotions around them. Even though it is said that time heals these painful experiences, I don’t think a time limit can be put on such a life changing day. This tragedy will be forever extremely sensitive.

So how come movie producers are using this disaster casually in the movie world? I saw a movie this month, that I will not name incase anyone plans on seeing it, that abruptly put in 9/11 for the last ten minutes as a twist. The movie added a subtitle that it was September 11, 2001 and showed the main character in the World Trade Center moments away from death. Leaving the theater almost everyone I saw had tears in their eyes and looked completely startled. Does anyone else feel that it is way to soon and uncomfortable to simply add this in for a shock at the end of a movie?

Fashion for Haiti

This month, I purchased a new and more meaning item of clothing. This item was a fashion for Haiti T-shirt. The shirt is sold for twenty-five dollars and fifteen of it goes to the Clinton/Bush Haiti Fund. This organization was created as a result of the devastating earthquake that took place in Haiti on January 12^th. This fund will immediately assist those who were affected by this disaster. This T-shirt has a black and lime green logo that reads “To Haiti with Love” and “Hope Help Heal Haiti, along with a map. It is available at stores such as Madewell, Ralph Lauren, and department stores like Nordstroms.

I think these T-shirts send an important message and are a great way to help the victims of Haiti. This organization reaches out to the younger generation that often feels helpless in situations like these. Personally, I know my heart is breaking for the victims of Haiti and I often feel small and powerless. Now we can give fashion a new meaning and help support Haiti. Go buy your “To Haiti with Love” T-shirt now!

Dallas Weather

On February 11^th and 12^th, something very unique happened here in Dallas. There was a snowfall. As a result, classes were cancelled. Being from Wisconsin, I was in awe almost the entire two days. I was extremely shocked by the excitement of the entire campus. It felt like everyone around me was seeing snow for the first time.

In high school, I had to wait until there was over a foot of snow for there to be a chance of a snow day. It amazes me how much attention there was for such a minimal amount. Everyone reacted by being too scared to drive or go anywhere at all. At home, my friends and I would drive in the middle of a snowstorm to the nearest mountain just to snowboard on the freshest snow. Anyone else used to snow and surprised by the reaction of everyone from here

However, although I can handle snow, I have been shocked in general by Dallas weather this year. The snow made me realize that I came to this University in hopes for warm weather and sunshine! This entire year has consisted of the most unpredictable and strange weather. Is anyone else disappointed by these unusual weather patterns?