Diversity seems to keep coming up in my life. Being an Orientation Leader, we are trained to deal with diversity. There is a session students are required to go to titled "Learning for Life". When you see this on the schedule most students think it's a session for tips on how to survive in college (at least that's what I think); until you sit in on that session. It is actually a session run by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. In this session, everyone is asked to participate and the leader asks random questions about where everyone is from, what college they are transferring from, how many students did they graduate from, etc. and in that room alone there are so many different types of people and there are only 50+ people. It's fascinating to see all the different responses.
Yesterday, I picked up my yearbook and turned through the first couple of pages. In the yearbook, is a letter from the university's president addressing the topic of diversity. Auburn is continuing to grow in diversity and is all the way to 17% which is not a lot compared to some universities but I consider it quite impressive. In his letter, he states that every student should have the opportunity to travel abroad and study because it will help us grow and learn about different cultures. Every college on Auburn's campus (100%) offers a study abroad program. My college has a university in Italy especially for Human Science studies. Very neat!
But why do we need to be more cultured? Why is diversity so important? When I was younger, this topic didn't seem to be at the top of the list of things you must know. Because the world is becoming so globalized, it is imperative students know how to communicate with different people. I currently work in a very diverse atmosphere. There are students I work with studying in the United States all the way from South Korea to learn and take back what they learned to their country. Even though this is the United States of America we must be more willing to accept diversity. Our country is not just Americans! An American could be almost anyone know a days.
People in the U.S. seem to shut people out if they aren't just like them. Be open to different people. I know this seems difficult but we do not live in the 1940's anymore. We are becoming one world with thousands of different people. Do not shut somebody out because they are greek and you are not, do not not listen to certain music because it is not your favorite kind of music, do not walk away from somebody because they are a different race. We are all different in someone's eyes. One person may seem normal to you while to somebody else they are looked at like a foreign object. Let's become diverse and accepting of all people. (I sound like a politician now: utilitarian. Ah!)
Learning to accept all people,
Kayla
Showing posts with label SOS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SOS. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Be There
Before I get to studying my life away, I just wanted to post some thoughts that have been rolling through my head all last week.
Two words: Be there.
In SOS, we have four "FISH" philosophy's we are suppose to implement in our orientation sessions. Well I must say, they need to be applied in our everyday lives as well. The four philosophy's are: Play, Make Their Day, Choose Your Attitude, and Be There. We have had exercises on all of them but last week we did activities related to Be There and they really stuck with me throughout the week.
Being there for someone is so much more than physically being there. We have to be there mentally as well. Someone mentioned in SOS "Being There" reminded them of the theme song of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. That show was my Mom's favorite and I grew up watching and listening to that song all the time and really had no idea what the words of the song were. As I've grown up and actually learned the words to the song it really is a fantastic theme song for that show and our lives. We cannot just be independent and hope to get through this world. It's brutal out there. Knowing that there is someone in your lives day to day that cares about you, supports you, wants to know all about your day, and will be there with you through the thick and thin is so comforting. Being there can mean sending them a note, calling them, asking how their day has been and really listening to what they have to say, giving a compliment, sharing something in common, or spending your precious time with someone who may need it more than you do.
This week was my second week of training. I hit some major goals and could not have done it with out the support of my friends, family, and all you guys who have read this blog, commented on my status', and texted/called me with encouraging words. I have never ran 7 miles together in my entire life. I couldn't believe I made it through with out stopping and only three blisters (haha). I also completed my miles in 10 minutes which has been my goal throughout training. I want to finish the half-marathon in 2.10.00. I know that's a high goal to shoot for so I'm thinking of raising it to 2.30.00. That way I won't be completed disappointed when I get no where close to 2.10.00. This coming week I am going to hit some more major milestones in my training. I hope to go home on Saturday and my run that day consists of 8 miles! Hopefully I can find some where in my 5-mile span of a town to run 8 (haha, joking about the 5-mile town).
In conclusion, I have realized this week that I give up on people when they don't give 100% or at least I don't think they do. I am hoping to turn this around. I can be there for someone when they need someone the most, even if they think they can go through the world with as little people as possible. I am still going to be there. This blog has taught me a lot. The people that have read my blogs have been so encouraging to me and I just hope that this cyberspace thing is as encouraging to them/y'all. Have a fantastic week and make sure you "Be There" for someone this week to help them with whatever may be going on in their lives even if you have no idea what that something may be.
Kayla
Two words: Be there.
In SOS, we have four "FISH" philosophy's we are suppose to implement in our orientation sessions. Well I must say, they need to be applied in our everyday lives as well. The four philosophy's are: Play, Make Their Day, Choose Your Attitude, and Be There. We have had exercises on all of them but last week we did activities related to Be There and they really stuck with me throughout the week.
Being there for someone is so much more than physically being there. We have to be there mentally as well. Someone mentioned in SOS "Being There" reminded them of the theme song of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. That show was my Mom's favorite and I grew up watching and listening to that song all the time and really had no idea what the words of the song were. As I've grown up and actually learned the words to the song it really is a fantastic theme song for that show and our lives. We cannot just be independent and hope to get through this world. It's brutal out there. Knowing that there is someone in your lives day to day that cares about you, supports you, wants to know all about your day, and will be there with you through the thick and thin is so comforting. Being there can mean sending them a note, calling them, asking how their day has been and really listening to what they have to say, giving a compliment, sharing something in common, or spending your precious time with someone who may need it more than you do.
This week was my second week of training. I hit some major goals and could not have done it with out the support of my friends, family, and all you guys who have read this blog, commented on my status', and texted/called me with encouraging words. I have never ran 7 miles together in my entire life. I couldn't believe I made it through with out stopping and only three blisters (haha). I also completed my miles in 10 minutes which has been my goal throughout training. I want to finish the half-marathon in 2.10.00. I know that's a high goal to shoot for so I'm thinking of raising it to 2.30.00. That way I won't be completed disappointed when I get no where close to 2.10.00. This coming week I am going to hit some more major milestones in my training. I hope to go home on Saturday and my run that day consists of 8 miles! Hopefully I can find some where in my 5-mile span of a town to run 8 (haha, joking about the 5-mile town).
In conclusion, I have realized this week that I give up on people when they don't give 100% or at least I don't think they do. I am hoping to turn this around. I can be there for someone when they need someone the most, even if they think they can go through the world with as little people as possible. I am still going to be there. This blog has taught me a lot. The people that have read my blogs have been so encouraging to me and I just hope that this cyberspace thing is as encouraging to them/y'all. Have a fantastic week and make sure you "Be There" for someone this week to help them with whatever may be going on in their lives even if you have no idea what that something may be.
Kayla
Thursday, February 17, 2011
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
How ironic that I would take an AU Knowledge test on all of Auburn's traditions the day before we found out about Harvey (Al) Updyke poisoning Toomer's Corner.
If some of you do not know already, Auburn is what I consider my home. I know it sadness my parents but they know how much this place means to me. It's not about the professors or classes (like it should be), it's not about the school/university (it's a close second), but it's about the people I have met here and what they/it (the town) has done for me. This place has given me so many opportunities that the small town I'm originally from, never could have given me. I grew up an Alabama fan because I was a Daddy's little girl. Until, I started applying to colleges. Everyone from my hometown was "going to the University of Alabama, no doubt". That was their school. Well, I had NO intentions of keeping in touch with ANYONE I went to high school with so I chose the polar opposite, Auburn University. I visited the campus one weekend that my mom had to come for continuing education. I took a tour by myself, walked around downtown, got some Toomer's Lemonade and realized what a spectacular place this town was and I didn't know a soul at this point. Anyways, three years later and if it wasn't for Auburn and the people in it I never would have gotten my life back and become myself again.
On my AU Knowledge test this week, we were asked to describe these six traditions: Tiger VI/Spirit, Aubie, "Hey" Day, Tiger Walk, Spirit Walk, and last but certainly not least Rolling Toomer's Corner. I thought it was kind of a joke to study those traditions because they are such a big deal of my life already I didn't need to know anything else about them. BUT when I got to "Hey" Day and the description beside it read:
"...this day is symbolic of the year-round friendly atmosphere in Auburn."
It made me think about how deep these traditions run in Auburn people. This is how Rolling Toomer's Corner read:
"After any Auburn athletic victory, fans march up to the intersection of Magnolia Ave. & College St. (known as Toomer's Corner) & roll the trees with toliet paper on the campus side of the corner. Tradition began when the cheerleaders would announce the score to the townspeople on the step of Langdon Hall after which the rolling started. Toomer's Corner was named after Sheldon Toomer, longtime operator of Toomer's Drug Store, which is known for it's lemonade. This is where campus ends and the town begins."
That last sentence means so much more than it really shows. Yes, Auburn is a university inside a small town, but where Toomer's meets is how this whole place is connected; around FAMILY! If you go to Toomer's by yourself, it won't matter because you will make friends there because we are all there to celebrate with family.
I love rivalries! I love sports! But this Old South rivalry is getting extremely out of hand. My PaPa has heard me say numerous of times, "I hate that town, I can't stand it, I will never have anything to do with it." I could never say I hate that place now because I would never want to ruin someone's tradition. I will just politely say, "I don't care for their football team." In an article on ncaafootball.fanhouse.com, Clay says we should take the year off. I am completely behind him. Maybe with the break the rivalry will settle back down. I don't understand why everyone is so hostile. Alabama won the National Championship in 2009 and Auburn won it in 2010. Can we just say, SEC domination??
My parents always taught me to respect people. I use to get in so much trouble if I didn't say "Yes ma'am, No ma'am, Yes sir, No sir." The south knows how to respect people and I just don't understand how you can KILL a tree. The latest I've heard is the injection is spreading, rapidly. It could easily kill other things on campus because of how big the dose was. BUT if it gets into our water system, Mr. Updyke could be faced with attempted mass murder. I really hope your disrespect was worth it to end up in prison for life. (Could thing Dad retires in a few short months :D).
I know everyone just thinks of Toomer's as a tree and it doesn't mean anything but Toomer's is to Auburn as Ugga is to UGA and National Championships are to Alabama. If you take these things away from these schools it's not a laughing matter. This tradition has been around for years and years and years. It's a place to take your kids too, your grandkids too, to get proposed to, and to take pictures at to remember the victory of a huge game. I know this stuff is getting repetitive within my blog and everyone else's comments on Toomer's. As Jay Gouge says,
"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism. However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed."
If some of you do not know already, Auburn is what I consider my home. I know it sadness my parents but they know how much this place means to me. It's not about the professors or classes (like it should be), it's not about the school/university (it's a close second), but it's about the people I have met here and what they/it (the town) has done for me. This place has given me so many opportunities that the small town I'm originally from, never could have given me. I grew up an Alabama fan because I was a Daddy's little girl. Until, I started applying to colleges. Everyone from my hometown was "going to the University of Alabama, no doubt". That was their school. Well, I had NO intentions of keeping in touch with ANYONE I went to high school with so I chose the polar opposite, Auburn University. I visited the campus one weekend that my mom had to come for continuing education. I took a tour by myself, walked around downtown, got some Toomer's Lemonade and realized what a spectacular place this town was and I didn't know a soul at this point. Anyways, three years later and if it wasn't for Auburn and the people in it I never would have gotten my life back and become myself again.
On my AU Knowledge test this week, we were asked to describe these six traditions: Tiger VI/Spirit, Aubie, "Hey" Day, Tiger Walk, Spirit Walk, and last but certainly not least Rolling Toomer's Corner. I thought it was kind of a joke to study those traditions because they are such a big deal of my life already I didn't need to know anything else about them. BUT when I got to "Hey" Day and the description beside it read:
"...this day is symbolic of the year-round friendly atmosphere in Auburn."
It made me think about how deep these traditions run in Auburn people. This is how Rolling Toomer's Corner read:
"After any Auburn athletic victory, fans march up to the intersection of Magnolia Ave. & College St. (known as Toomer's Corner) & roll the trees with toliet paper on the campus side of the corner. Tradition began when the cheerleaders would announce the score to the townspeople on the step of Langdon Hall after which the rolling started. Toomer's Corner was named after Sheldon Toomer, longtime operator of Toomer's Drug Store, which is known for it's lemonade. This is where campus ends and the town begins." That last sentence means so much more than it really shows. Yes, Auburn is a university inside a small town, but where Toomer's meets is how this whole place is connected; around FAMILY! If you go to Toomer's by yourself, it won't matter because you will make friends there because we are all there to celebrate with family.
I love rivalries! I love sports! But this Old South rivalry is getting extremely out of hand. My PaPa has heard me say numerous of times, "I hate that town, I can't stand it, I will never have anything to do with it." I could never say I hate that place now because I would never want to ruin someone's tradition. I will just politely say, "I don't care for their football team." In an article on ncaafootball.fanhouse.com, Clay says we should take the year off. I am completely behind him. Maybe with the break the rivalry will settle back down. I don't understand why everyone is so hostile. Alabama won the National Championship in 2009 and Auburn won it in 2010. Can we just say, SEC domination??
My parents always taught me to respect people. I use to get in so much trouble if I didn't say "Yes ma'am, No ma'am, Yes sir, No sir." The south knows how to respect people and I just don't understand how you can KILL a tree. The latest I've heard is the injection is spreading, rapidly. It could easily kill other things on campus because of how big the dose was. BUT if it gets into our water system, Mr. Updyke could be faced with attempted mass murder. I really hope your disrespect was worth it to end up in prison for life. (Could thing Dad retires in a few short months :D).
I know everyone just thinks of Toomer's as a tree and it doesn't mean anything but Toomer's is to Auburn as Ugga is to UGA and National Championships are to Alabama. If you take these things away from these schools it's not a laughing matter. This tradition has been around for years and years and years. It's a place to take your kids too, your grandkids too, to get proposed to, and to take pictures at to remember the victory of a huge game. I know this stuff is getting repetitive within my blog and everyone else's comments on Toomer's. As Jay Gouge says,
"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism. However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed."
AND BECAUSE AUBURN MEN AND WOMEN BELIEVE IN THESE THINGS
I BELIEVE IN AUBURN AND LOVE IT!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
We are the Champions!
We are the Champions, my friend *sing in Queen's voice*!!! :D I can't believe that we actually won the National Championship. It still hasn't set in. I guess that's why I've driven/walked by Toomer's a total of six times just to look at the toilet paper! I swear it's prettier than snow. Speaking of snow, the little "Snow Storm" the south had was non existent in Auburn, AL. While my mother and sister got a good four-five inches of snow only 100 or so miles above me, Auburn got windshields covered in 1/4th of an inch of ice. The state of Alabama doesn't see snow very often so when they do the whole state shuts down until there is nothing left on the ground. My sister has been out of school for three days and Auburn was closed for two because..... well we'll just say it was for the National Championship because there was no snow. :)
Today, I embarked on my first day of classes in my second semester of my junior year. I can't believe I am this old. College has flown by. I am taking some not so interesting classes this year but I'm also taking some classes that I'm so excited about I might just quit school now to start my career in these classes. The two I'm talking about are Catering & Event Management and Club Management. I know what you are thinking: "Is this girl serious? Is she actually going to school to take a class on that?" Why yes, yes I am. Call it what you want (MRS degree, joke classes, etc.) I LOVE my major!! While I still think it should be called Hospitality Management, I'm enjoying my professional electives already and I haven't even been to Club Management yet.
I had an interview today for an internship I've been wanting since before Thanksgiving. I hope everything turns out my way because I turned down the best opportunity any college kid could get. This past fall, I applied to the Disney College Internship Program, got a position, and turned it down. I know, I know. You are thinking again: "This girl is crazy! She takes joke classes in college and can work for Mickey Mouse for a semester paid and she turned it down?!" Well, after reviewing everything, I came to the conclusion that the position wasn't where I wanted to get my experience. This opportunity would have opened doors to anywhere I wanted a job because let's face it, nobody does hospitality like Disney! So here's to hoping I find an internship that will be spectacular, paid, and in a position that I can get the experience I want.
I'm going to go ahead and call myself superwoman this year. I know it's conceded but let me explain myself. I am taking 17 hours this semester, I have a job that I work crazy hours for but enjoy very much, I am planning a Gala for my Catering & Events class, I might be taking on a small second job, AND I am an SOS Orientation Leader. You probably understand where most of my superpowers will be going towards except you might not know what an SOS Orientation Leader is. Well, SOS is a sophomore/transfer/students who cannot attend Camp War Eagle, orientation program that the orientation leaders (that's me) run. We help get these students on the right track to have a successful career at Auburn University. If you don't know me then you might not know yet that I'm crazy obsessed about Auburn University. I love knowing facts about this place that nobody knows, I love the people/atmosphere, and most of all I love love love everything about this campus. Some of the tasks an orientation leader is in charge of is giving tours of the campus, leading a small group of students in discussions about the classes/Auburn/stuff you need to know to get you around this place. Tomorrow, I have my first knowledge test. The information for the first one is just the fight song and the alma mater. The second test, OMG! Please keep your fingers crossed for me and say a little prayer. It is a TON of information and one of the things is knowing the creed which will probably be the easiest thing on that test. :/ BUT I wanted to test my knowledge so I'm going to type it out for you and I promise I'm not looking.
Alma Mater: On the rolling plains of Dixie, Neath it's sun kissed sky, Proudly stands our Alma Mater, Banners high. To thy name we'll sing thy praise, From hearts that love so true, And pledge to they our loyalty, the ages through. We hail the Auburn and we vow, to work for thy just fame, And hold in memory as we do now, Thy cherished name.
Fight Song: War Eagle fly down the field, Ever to conquer, Never to yield, War Eagle fearless and true, Fight on you orange and blue, Go Go Go, on to vict'ry strike up the band, Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, stand up and yell, hey! War Eagle, win for Auburn power of Dixie Land!
Well I know the fight song but the Alma Mater might be a little messed up. Thanks for the practice. I hope everyone is having a blessed week and until next time....
WAR EAGLE!
Kayla :)
Today, I embarked on my first day of classes in my second semester of my junior year. I can't believe I am this old. College has flown by. I am taking some not so interesting classes this year but I'm also taking some classes that I'm so excited about I might just quit school now to start my career in these classes. The two I'm talking about are Catering & Event Management and Club Management. I know what you are thinking: "Is this girl serious? Is she actually going to school to take a class on that?" Why yes, yes I am. Call it what you want (MRS degree, joke classes, etc.) I LOVE my major!! While I still think it should be called Hospitality Management, I'm enjoying my professional electives already and I haven't even been to Club Management yet.
I had an interview today for an internship I've been wanting since before Thanksgiving. I hope everything turns out my way because I turned down the best opportunity any college kid could get. This past fall, I applied to the Disney College Internship Program, got a position, and turned it down. I know, I know. You are thinking again: "This girl is crazy! She takes joke classes in college and can work for Mickey Mouse for a semester paid and she turned it down?!" Well, after reviewing everything, I came to the conclusion that the position wasn't where I wanted to get my experience. This opportunity would have opened doors to anywhere I wanted a job because let's face it, nobody does hospitality like Disney! So here's to hoping I find an internship that will be spectacular, paid, and in a position that I can get the experience I want.
I'm going to go ahead and call myself superwoman this year. I know it's conceded but let me explain myself. I am taking 17 hours this semester, I have a job that I work crazy hours for but enjoy very much, I am planning a Gala for my Catering & Events class, I might be taking on a small second job, AND I am an SOS Orientation Leader. You probably understand where most of my superpowers will be going towards except you might not know what an SOS Orientation Leader is. Well, SOS is a sophomore/transfer/students who cannot attend Camp War Eagle, orientation program that the orientation leaders (that's me) run. We help get these students on the right track to have a successful career at Auburn University. If you don't know me then you might not know yet that I'm crazy obsessed about Auburn University. I love knowing facts about this place that nobody knows, I love the people/atmosphere, and most of all I love love love everything about this campus. Some of the tasks an orientation leader is in charge of is giving tours of the campus, leading a small group of students in discussions about the classes/Auburn/stuff you need to know to get you around this place. Tomorrow, I have my first knowledge test. The information for the first one is just the fight song and the alma mater. The second test, OMG! Please keep your fingers crossed for me and say a little prayer. It is a TON of information and one of the things is knowing the creed which will probably be the easiest thing on that test. :/ BUT I wanted to test my knowledge so I'm going to type it out for you and I promise I'm not looking.
Alma Mater: On the rolling plains of Dixie, Neath it's sun kissed sky, Proudly stands our Alma Mater, Banners high. To thy name we'll sing thy praise, From hearts that love so true, And pledge to they our loyalty, the ages through. We hail the Auburn and we vow, to work for thy just fame, And hold in memory as we do now, Thy cherished name.
Fight Song: War Eagle fly down the field, Ever to conquer, Never to yield, War Eagle fearless and true, Fight on you orange and blue, Go Go Go, on to vict'ry strike up the band, Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, stand up and yell, hey! War Eagle, win for Auburn power of Dixie Land!
Well I know the fight song but the Alma Mater might be a little messed up. Thanks for the practice. I hope everyone is having a blessed week and until next time....
WAR EAGLE!
Kayla :)
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