"Cream of the Crop" REALLY?!

So, you might be wondering why my title is what it is...

When I was a junior, I was chosen to attend Alabama Girls State. Absolutely every speaker we had used the term "cream of the crop" to describe us "fine young women." It became a joke among-st the attendees, and we began to laugh every time someone referred to us. They picked up on our laughter, and asked us, "So you've been called this before?" Yep.

Anyways, this week Mr. Steve Pierce came and spoke to us. His first words had something to do with us honors students being the cream of the crop. It took everything in me not to laugh and go post that on my "Alabama Girls State 2011" Facebook page right there in class. Mr. Pierce talked to us about being assertive employees. He told us to "have the fortitude to ask for what you want." He said, "The answer is always no, unless you ask." He told us some of the characteristics employers look for in potential new employees are respect, involvement in the company, and clean social media sites.

I'm going to talk about clean social media sites now...

Personally, I have a Facebook and Twitter site. I do not have an Instagram, because I do not have an iphone. There is no way I would post bad things on my Facebook page. I don't drink or "party", so I don't have to worry about scandalous pictures of me being posted. I also don't use profanity. Oh, and I try not to be negative unless it is about something I need prayer for. Otherwise, I mostly praise that which is good and connect with my friends... what social media is MADE FOR. Too bad there isn't such thing as a "social media trial period" for new Twitter-ers and Facebook-its. Think about it- people could be tested to see if they are worthy of having such sites. The requirements should be as follows: correct grammar, limited pictures of your children or pets, misuse of symbols, pessimists, no pictures of your vehicles unless you drive a lambo, no number games, "tbhs" "lms" or fake relationship statuses, limited "selfies" and mirror pics etc. The list goes on and on, seriously. Mostly, I am being pretentious and sarcastic at this point, but let's be honest- who could disagree with those standards? Probably most businesses would have this blog published in US Weekly.

Have respect, be involved, and people PLEASE have clean social media sites.

Happy

Audwin Pierre McGee spoke to us this week in forum. I must say, it was rather amazing. He is by far my favorite speaker we have had so far. He talked about remembering our childhood dreams and trying to find a career suitable for us based on those passions. When I was a child, I remember wanting to be a singer (but my voice was pathetic at the time) or a marine biologist (but I am incapable of doing science). Now, I have a better-developed voice, and sing for fun, though not many people know it. I also SCUBA dive, and adore it. I figure if I combine my passions with determination and curiosity, I can at least enjoy these activities without making them my career choice. 

Some of my greatest passions are as follows:

Twirling & Dance

Reading & Writing 

Singing

Public Speaking!!!

Learning & Working Hard

WINNING 

Chasing Perfection

I incorporate these into activities by being a majorette and dancer, being a published author, joining many many many plays and theater productions, by becoming president/manager/leader of the different groups I identity with, and seeking improvement opportunities in everything I do. This is why I finally chose the field of marketing... AND the field of management. Yes, I do plan on becoming a double major. BOOM. 

If I have ever seen somebody chase their dreams and become a happy successful person because of it, it's Audwin McGee. He was a really inspiring guy, and I hope that I can find exactly what it is I need to do with my life, like he did. And be happy with it. 

Now I'm going to be a cheeseball and post and amazing song by Leona Lewis. You're welcome.

Happy -Leona Lewis

Study Abroad: Quite the Proposal

This week was one of my favorite weeks -if not my favorite- in honors forum. We had a few people speak to us about the possibility of studying abroad, and gave us their testimonies of their experiences in other countries.

Personally, I have always wanted to study abroad in Mexico. I lived in Celaya in Guanajuato, Mexico for a year (when I was four until I was five). This time period was really where my memory began, and since then, I have always wanted to go back for another year. Granted, I went for a couple of weeks when I was 8 years old, and saw how drastically the place I used to call home had changed. I would really like to go back and see how it has changed again, but after hearing what the speakers had to say, I might have changed my mind.

We heard from a girl about Costa Rica. Her schedule consisted of classes from 1pm-5pm, and the rest of the time was mostly "play time." She got to see the World Cup (which I would love), Americanized malls, and La Fortuna. She also discovered the coffee there is amazing... As much of a coffee drinker as I am, I know I would love that aspect of the trip. Another great thing about Costa Rica for me is the language barrier. I already know Spanish, so that would not be much of a struggle for me.



Secondly, Lauren Daley told us about her trip to Spain. This, however, was a personally organized trip she went on. Lauren learned how to navigate and speak the language by herself. Of course, I find that highly impressive. I can only imagine everything she got to see and experience as a single traveler. She did tell us of her adventures at the Don Quijote palace and her account of a flamenco/ballet she saw while she was there. One weekend, she even went to the beach with her friends to Nerja Beach. She had class from 9am-1pm, and the rest of the time was hers to use in exploration and learning hands-on. Being an independent student in Spain, Lauren must have gotten a greater taste of the culture than most group students do. Hats off to Lauren, for that! Again with this, the language barrier would not be too bad. In Spain, they speak a different form of Spanish, but the words are still similar.



Lastly, everyone's favorite Corrine Beckinger gave us her spiel on her travels to China. This was my favorite part of the meeting, because well, she just had the best story, in my opinion.  Corrine went to China paying only 800 dollars, when the trip would normally cost 3,400 dollars without financial aid. Fortunately, the University gives scholarships of 800 dollars to the first hundred students who apply to study abroad, and 500 dollars to honors students. Corrine went to China as a geography field study. Anyone who knows anything about "field study" knows that it is mostly play, since work becomes fun. The most amazing part about Corrine's trip was that one day, when she and her boyfriend decided to climb the Great Wall, once they got to the top, he proposed to her....Then, he decided to finish out the year in China. Go figure. Either way, I think that sounds amazing, hence the title for my blog this week. Of everything Corrine told us about her trip, I think it sounded like the trip I would enjoy the most. The only problem for me would be that I do not speak a word of Chinese. No, wait! I can count to three! Ichi, ni, san. No, wait.... that's Japanese. Yep, the language barrier would definitely be a problem.



After this forum meeting, I know that I am highly interested in studying abroad. I hope that I can find a way and a place, somehow... Until then, I will keep studying about it and appreciate the beautiful campus I already learn at every day. Roar, lions!

Legalities and Technicalities

Ms. Libby Jordan spoke to the Honors Forum on the twenty-third of October about honesty in the business world, and honesty in values.

We made a chart comparing values which are legal vs. illegal crossed with ethical vs. unethical. The examples included murder; Hard Times magazine, which features people who have attended juvenile detention and prison for various reasons; rights and privileges.

I figured, why not make my own table based on my values for this week?

               Legal                                         Illegal                              

*volunteerism *voting *earning a job	*high school students praying before a football game *saying the pledge of allegiance in schools
*drunkenness, even if the person is over 21. *political lies	* murder *illegal drugs/substances *theft

    

 Ethical

Unethical

There are many more values I could consider when adding to the list, but the truth is, I do not often consider my values in terms of say, illegal but ethical values. I was raised to follow the law set forth by the American government, and live by the values set in the Bible, because I am a Christian and follow God's word as best I can. 

This makes me wonder how criminals would place their values in this chart. Of course, some have no respect for the law to begin with, but other have a different state of mind that me, a different values system altogether.  I can't help but wonder, if criminals placed in prison could place all of their crimes in this chart, based on their belief about these crimes and their reason for committing the crimes, where would things such as robbery, adultery, and murder place? 

I suppose our values systems are based on legalities and technicalities, the lines in between, and the choices we make.