As part of an assignment for my History class, I attended an event with the speaker Andrew Young. Andrew Young was a key player in the Civil Rights Movement who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Mayor of Atlanta, and former Ambassador with the United Nations. The speech was amazing. He went through the "ABCs" for today's generation, and he also slipped in jokes here and there. It was amazing to meet such an accomplished man who had ideas for imporvement of many things. His best advice I got out of the speech was along the lines of, "Everything was put on this Earth to serve a purpose. I shouldn't worry about what I am going to do because I am meant to do something." This calms my fears, partly, about what I am going to do with my life. I get at points sometimes where I start freaking out that I only have 2 more years of college left and I have to know what job I am going to do. Something will work out- I know it will.

-What an amazing man!

Posted by Colleen Shanahan at 2:47 PM | Permalink

This semester is a week away from being over- well, until finals. I have finished my two big papers of the year, and I am enjoying the somewhat chill classes. I have been having a great time in my photography class. We had an art show for the whole campus last Thursday, and I entered two photographs. When I went to the reception, after the judging, I was so overwhelmed when I saw one of my photographs had won Best of Show!!! I couldn't believe it! I mean, I liked my photo and all, but I would have never guessed it was the best :) After I left, I came home and spilled my win to my parents. They were so excited and proud. I have always loved photography, but this makes me want to pursue it even more.

Here I am by my winning picture:

While I had a great time doing that, I had a few rough days before that. I have been battling with my computer for the whole semester. Finally, I decided to take it in and diagnose the problem. After I backed up everything, the workers at OIT swapped my computer, and I was on my merry way. Well, that night, I just about went mental. The new computer I had just gotten WOULD NOT TURN ON. It figures that would happen right? So, after getting nothing accomplished, I had to wait until the next day to get another hard drive. I have a feeling the people over there are sick of seeing my face there! Today, my computer problems only got worse because my charger broke. The problem with this is that chargers and batteries are not covered by warranty here! I don't understand why everything else is covered but batteries and chargers. Everywhere I turn, someone else wants money from me- don't they understand I AM A POOR COLLEGE STUDENT who is saving for the future? Oh well. I am breathing right?

Posted by Colleen Shanahan at 1:17 PM | Permalink

So, my last weekend was interesting to say the least. I signed up to go to the leadership conference through Tri Sigma with the school. I was really excited because it was going to be held at Wet 'n Wild. Little did I know it would turn out to be Wet, Cold, and miserable.

www.stoporlando.com

On the trip out to Orlando, we watched August Rush, which was the highlight of the trip for me because it was a great movie. We arrived at Wet 'n Wild at about 11:00 and got all set up for the speaker on the waterfront. The speaker was good, she had some interesting things to say as well as perform. Between sessions, we ate lunch and goofed around. After the last session, we all excitedly entered the park for great fun. The downsides were: 1) it was already 3:00 2) lockers had to be purchased and 3) the line was long at the lockers and they were expensive (way to cheat others out of money- FOR SHAME).

I really wanted to ride this:
stoporlando.com

By 3:30, I had changed into my suit, bought a locker, suntanned up, and had made it into the wave pool. I was excited because a tube floated my way, so I claimed it for my own. I made it down the the end of the pool and relaxed in the waves... well for about five minutes. We were told to exit the pool because of lightning in the area. NO!!!!!

The rest of the day consisted of waiting out the cold rain and lightning under buildings FREEZING. The school ended up wanting to leave early- so my day was shot.

As I looked back at the park when we pulled out of the parking lot... I gazed upon the reopening of rides and others enjoying them. I was overcome with sadness.

Oh well. I got out of the house right?

Posted by Colleen Shanahan at 3:24 PM | Permalink