When will I use this, anyway?

I've been saying for weeks that I want to blog again, but I had nothing about which to write. Inspiration has a funny way of showing up, and here's how.

As I am studying for my Global Economics final, I realized that there was SO much about economic history that I was completely clueless about! This greatly saddened me for a few reasons: 1) I am a senior in college, with graduation in my not so distant future. I should be more educated than this; and 2) I am a History Education major! My life, my career, will revolve so much around economic policies of Pinochet, Allende, Reagan, and others, and I hadn't the foggiest as to what those policies where, at least not before this class (major props to you if you're still following me and know what/who I'm talking about).

I'm not writing this to say that I am a terrible college student and future educator. No, I am writing this because I know that writing things down is the most efficient way to remember them, and if you go public with your dreams, you will find that true friends, those that want to see you succeed, will help you along the way. I want to still be this inspired to further my learning after my final, after I am done learning about economics from a professor. I want to still be inspired to seek these things out on my own.

The economy is one if the most debated topics of our generation, and I do not think that is changing any time soon. If I cannot hold a conversation about what is going on economically with our country and others, then I am going to look like the biggest fool to so many of my peers. Also, if I can't effectively and confidently teach my students about the economic history of countries around the world and especially ours, I will have failed as an educator.

Looking back, my only regret thus far is that I did not come to this realization sooner. While I am looking at a solid 'B' in my Econ class for the semester, I could have done so much more and earned that A. I could have spent so much more time applying myself to this course, and I could confidently say that I understood and now know about global economics. Sadly, most class days were spent sitting in class playing Temple Run 2. And while I've gotten pretty good at it, what does that matter? I could have and should have been paying more attention to what was going on in the front of the classroom.

Looking forward, please do not become angry or frustrated with me if I stop you mid-conversation to ask you to explain what you meant, or to tell you that I don't understand. I'm trying to learn. To my future students, don't fret, I will be more prepared than this, as well as incredibly eager, to teach you, and I want to do all I can to help you understand the Four Pillars of Reaganomics, as well as the lasting effect Reagan had on our nation's economy.

And lastly, to you: no matter what season of life you find yourself in, you've got an opportunity to use it to better yourself. Take it, because it may not come around twice.

Best wishes,
Cameron

The Boy with No Tattoos

     If you know me to any extent or you've seen me tweet about them, you know that I want tattoos. Two of them. But because you know me, you also know that I'm not allowed to get them...yet. My dad, who has supported me through everything and in any way he can, including financially, and is supporting me through college via money when he can and letting me drive his car while I am away at school, believes that Christians should not get tattoos [Leviticus 19:28b - "...nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord."]. Because of this belief, I am not allowed to get one until I can fully support myself financially (including transportation). As his son, whether I agree or not, I have to respect that. And I do. To say that I've had the chance to get a tattoo would be an understatement. I've had MULTIPLE chances, including an offer to get one for free. As difficult as it is, I am respecting my dad's wishes (now, if he were to change his mind, that'd be great!). After all he has done for me and is continuing to do, I can abide by this one rule.

      But the purpose of me blogging tonight is not to tell you about my dad's beliefs and such. I wanted to write about my feelings about tattoos, which tattoos I want, and why I want them.

     I am a big fan of tattoos...to an extent. I believe that something permanent on your body should have significance. I know people get random tattoos all the time, but I say what's the point? I really don't mean to offend anyone who has done that, that's just how I feel about random tattoos. A tattoo should have significance to you, and it should be something that a person has thought about it for a long, long time.

     A friend who has a tattoo or two (I can't remember) told me her process for getting the ink. She designs what she wants on paper and puts it somewhere she'll see it everyday. After what I think is 6 months, if she looks at it everyday and STILL wants it, then she gets it. I think that's awesome. Something permanent on your body should be something you've thought about extensively.

     That being said, I have thought about what tattoos I want, and why I want them. So far, there are two tattoos that I know I am getting someday.

     The first is ἀγάπη. It is "agape" in the Classical Greek. The word 'agape' is one of the Greek words translated into English as love. It is the love that God has for us as humans, as well as the reciprocation of love by humankind to God. It is the strongest form of love. Of the 4 forms of love translated into English from Greek (agape, eros, philia, storge), I picked this one because it is the love that means the most to me. I am constantly in a state of being blown away at the unconditional love that the Father has for me. It's honestly one of the most amazing things about my faith. I love that, despite everything I have done, I am still loved by my Heavenly Father. I think Relient K said it best in their song "I Am Understood": "You're the only one who knows me yet still loves completely." I love this song, but specifically this part (I actually blogged about this song awhile back. You can read my interpretation here!).

     Also having to do with why I want it is WHERE I'm getting it, which is on my left wrist. [I know, I know, wrist tattoos should be a no-no for anyone who ever wants a "corporate" job, or, for me, a teaching job. I've heard the speech MANY times from MANY people, including family members who have tattoos. You'd be crazy to think I hadn't thought about that aspect as well. I have thought about it, and quite a bit at that. I know it means long-sleeves at work everyday or a big watch that will cover it up. I am ok with either of those options. I want the tattoo on my left wrist, and that's where I am getting it. End of story.] To Write Love on Her Arms is an organization that is near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons. This is their mission statement (obtained from their website): To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery." The things they they help treat (depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide) hit close to home, I love this organization and what they stand for. I want LOVE written permanently written on my arm to serve as a reminder to myself and to others about the unconditional love the Father has for each one of us, and that no one should ever have to struggle with those things.

     So that's the first tattoo I want, and all the factors going into my decision to get it. I hope that even if you're one of those naysayers regarding the location I want it, you can at least respect why I want it there.

     The second tattoo is the middle part of Philippians 1:21, which says, "To live is Christ." This is definitely one of those verses I would consider a "life verse." If you've spent any time in a church or just studying the New Testament, you are probably familiar with the entire verse, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." I myself have heard it many, many times, but the meaning did not really hit me until about two years ago. It was a Wednesday night, and I was at church. There was a guest speaker in youth that night, and he spoke on this verse in a way that I had never heard. He really focused in on the "to live is Christ" part, making me really think about the words. He said, "'To live is Christ.' That doesn't say to live includes Christ." That really stuck out to me. As Christians, we are called to live our lives as Christ followers, striving to be more like Him everyday. In life, we should not include Christ in the things we do. Christ should be the center and the focus of everything we do. I think that in this verse, Paul is talking about how Christ lives inside of him and guides his daily path and gives him the power to live the life he was called to live. This is the life that every Christian should strive to live, and I want to strive to live like this. This verse means a lot to me, and I want to represent that importance through tattoo. With that being said, I'm not going to tattoo every verse that means a lot to me, but this one I am. For this one, I haven't decided exactly where I want it, but I will probably get it on my chest, right above where a pocket would be on a shirt.

     While I know what I want and such, I don't have actual pictures of them anymore. They were both saved on my computer back home, but it crashed awhile ago and I lost them. As soon as I get them on paper again,  I will be sure to post them on my blog!

     If you've stuck with me until now, thank you. This is obviously something that means a lot to me, and I wanted to share it with you, so thank you for reading it. If you have any comments about this post or about tattoos in general, or if you have a tattoo and want to tell me about it, feel free to use the comment box at the bottom of this post! I would love to hear about your ink!



Thanks again,
Cameron

The Ramblings of a Man Who is Unable to Sleep

Like the title suggests, there really isn't a point to this post. It might just be ramblings about things you do not care about, but I do know that I am going to talk about Teen Wolf. We will just see where it goes from there!

I think I should start with the obvious: I SAW MYSELF ON TV TONIGHT! For most people, this is probably nothing, but I think that it is really cool, so it is kind of a big deal to me. The episode ended at 11pm, and here it is 4:30am and I am still riding the high. That's some kind of high right there if you ask me.

I knew this day would eventually get here ever since I was on set the day that episode was filmed, back in February. I have had 4 months to prepare for it. But I wasn't ready.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN YOURSELF ON TV?!

I mean, back in February, I was an extra. Talk about Cloud 9! I actually blogged about my first experience as an extra (You can read about that experience here! Extra! Extra! Read All About It!). The episode that aired tonight was filmed the week after that. I can't believe that I did not blog about this experience! It was SO MUCH BETTER! I was, as you can see from the picture below, SO CLOSE to the two main characters! I WISH I could have talked to them (I actually did say a few words to Crystal [Allison, the main girl] when she first came into the classroom and sat down)! I do have to say that I did get to talk to Mama Argent (Eaddy Mays), though. She's SO cool and down to Earth.

Yes, that's me!

In case you were wondering what I was writing/looking at, here is the notebook I was given to use as a prop for the scene. We were told to take notes. You probably can't read it, but it is what was written on the board. I just started copying it, and that's how far I got. Apparently, this scene was filmed on Wednesday.

I think that, if I was a professional TV actor, I would take some time to talk to those extras that knew and followed the show and actually wanted to talk to me. It might actually make their day as it would have mine as an extra if one of the main characters talked to me.

But anyway, back to the extra thing. As you can see, I was chosen to sit right behind Crystal Reed! So cool! Then Tyler Posey came into the room and sat really close to me. I could have talked to them if we had had like a 5 minute break to just sit there and chill haha, provided they actually wanted to talk to me. There are scenes that we filmed that either were not used for other reasons or that will be in future episodes, so that'd be really cool to see myself again :) But really, don't hold your breath. I had my time on screen, and that was totally awesome.

I think I put these actors and actresses on a pedestal. I know they are just normal people like me, but at the same time, they aren't. They are on TV every week like it's no big deal. We expect to see them there. They have tons of followers on Twitter, and people tweet them ALL the time. There's something different about them that makes them not "normal humans." So yea, I put them on a pedestal, and I am ok with that. I bet they'd all disagree, that they really are like normal people just like you and I are, but I think I would have to disagree. Normal people don't have upwards of 10,000 followers on Twitter. Normal people don't appear on a hit TV show every Monday for 12 (or 24) weeks. So while they are just like you and I, they are celebrities, so they aren't.

I think (I do a lot of that, especially late at night) that I have figured out the whole purpose behind that last paragraph. I put them on a pedestal because they have what I feel like a lot of people want, what I want. Honestly, I was eating up all the attention on Facebook and Twitter tonight. No lie. I loved it. This is going to sound really vain and shallow, but I liked the attention. Eyes were on me tonight, and I liked it. It was just a small, a very small, bit of what the actors/actresses go through a lot I bet. I want that. That'd be so cool. To have total strangers approach me and say, "Hey, aren't you the guy on [insert name of TV show here]?" I think that'd be so cool. I have had this itch, this dream, to go West, to LA, for awhile, before I have to come back to reality and settle down with a job and whatnot. How cool would it be to go to LA, somehow get an audition for something, and it lead to something else, something big? That would be amazing. I think I would put teaching on hold for a few years to do that. I think.

(I am desperately trying to not begin each paragraph with "I think," but that's really what this post is, just me thinking) I think that I want those things: the fame, the attention, etc., because I have a fear of living a useless life. (Not that NOT being "famous" would be a useless life, because that's not what I am saying at all, but that having the fame would be a surefire way to have a "useful" life.) To know that people, a lot of people, were affected by me being here on this Earth. I think that is one of the main reasons I want to be a teacher. I want to impact lives. I would hate to live my life knowing that I didn't impact anyone. That would totally suck. I know that teachers impact people, because I have been impacted by several teachers, but I am just scared that I won't find the same satisfaction in the impact teachers make that I think actors make.

Even if it's just one film, or one TV show that only gets a few episodes before getting cancelled due to unforeseen reasons, I still want it. I hear that people sometimes start out as extras, become stand-ins, get a line or two, and BAM! they are "discovered" and whisked off to some big TV/movie set where they have major screen time and tons of lines. That would be awesome.

If you have read all of this, thank you. I realize that I rambled, but I did give a fair warning. I went from being a superficial extra, to a real guy who actually had something deep to say in this post. I'll call this a successful post, but I might be just a little biased ;)

What do you think? The comment box is just below this, what else are you waiting for?



Cameron

Where did the time go??

The question came to me just a little while ago, right after I finished explaining to my aunt what was going on in my life as far as college is concerned. Two more years left. Four more semesters. 12 actual classes, TOSS, then Student Teaching. After that, graduation. Then the real world hits.

Where did the time go??

This past week, two of my really good friends got engaged (congrats, Ben and Lizzie!). I felt like I was not old enough to know people my age that were getting engaged, but then I realized that I am 20, going on 21, and that it is almost that time (it IS that time for people who have been dating for almost 4 years :]). Every time I talk with people about the future, when I see myself getting married and whatnot, I always say I want to be engaged/married by the time I am 24 or 25. That's not too far off for me. I will be 21 two months from Wednesday. I am too old to be 21 years old! My parents got married the year my mom turned 21 and right before my dad turned 23. I can't be that age already! I realize that times were different 27 years ago, and people are now getting married later in their 20s, but in a little over a year, I will be the age my dad was when he got engaged and married. So crazy!

Where did the time go??

I have a hard time realizing that I moved to Kennesaw for college 2 years ago. It seems like just yesterday that I walked into Columbus High school for the first time as a 14 year old freshman. But that was almost 7 years ago. I can still vividly remember my first days at Gorman Christian Academy in the 5th grade, attending the soccer team's practice (at the request of the coach) and making the team right after practice...on my birthday. But those days have been gone for almost 10 years.

Where did the time go??

Two years from now, I will be in the process of finding a teaching job or setting up my classroom. Two-three years from now, if things play out like I want them to (haha, right?), I will be planning a wedding/getting married. How crazy is that?! Just 2 years! High school is 4 years, and that seemed to FLY by. I have been in college for 2 years, and these years definitely flew by.

I am in NO rush to grow up, that is for sure (my cousin's 5 year old son told me today that I was a "grown up", and I told him I didn't want to be grown up! haha), but I think I am just finally realizing where I am in life, and all the things that I have to look forward to in the next five years.


But so much for future thinking. Currently, I have an online midterm due by noon and a midterm paper due by Tuesday night. Time to come back to 2012 and tackle these assignments.

Thanks for reading!

Cameron

On the Brink

     Recently I have been thinking about my life and how much it has changed. Not only since coming to college, but also just in the past few months. I am a junior in college now (that still sounds so weird/scary to me), and, while I am still an RA on campus, I have moved to a different community than the Suites, where I had lived for the past 2 years at Kennesaw State. I live in the University Village now, a mixed community with apartment style dorms. For the first time ever, I have a full-size kitchen, a living room, and laundry room, all in my apartment that I can call mine. It is not my parent's apartment, it is my apartment. While it is still on campus, I feel like I grew up a bit when this happened. I have the ability (and the talent, I might add) to cook an actual dinner on the stove/in the oven, and that has been awesome. I can do laundry whenever I feel like it, but I do not have to pay for it.

     Because of this change, this growing up that I have recently experienced, I believe I am on the brink of something completely new and different. I have come to the realization that I have a choice: I can rise to the occasion and be great, or I can fall back and merely coast through it.

     The first is my Christian walk. I will be completely honest in saying that I have been rocky. Reading my Bible and having that daily time with God has not been on my list of top priorities like I know it should be. Living out the Christian walk like I know I was raised to do has not been my lifestyle lately. Andy Stanley did a 4-part sermon series entitled, "The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating", that I watched on line some time ago, but recently has crept back up into my thoughts. (If you haven't watched the series, I strongly recommend it. Here's the link! The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating.) One thing he said in particular has stuck with me ever since the first time I watched it. He said, "Are you the type of person that the person you're looking for is looking for?" I had never thought about that before. I know what type of girl I am looking for to eventually marry, but have I been the type of guy she is looking for? The answer: probably not. I want to be the type of man that a good, Christian woman wants to marry. I want to enter into a marriage where not only is our love for each other evident, but also our love for God. That is why I recognized that I needed to make changes to the way I have been living. If I truly want what I say I want, then I have to do whatever it takes to get that. I am by no means saying that I want to be married in the next year, or even in the next 2 or 3 years. I am, however, saying that I need to lay the foundation for that now. I am only 20 years old, but in 2 short years I will be a 22 yr. old college graduate, and I (hopefully) foresee getting married following that not too far behind.

     The next area where I see a big "occasion" on the rise is in my studies. This sort of thinking came about because I am taking 3 classes this summer, and have already lost my motivation to actually do work for those classes. A good friend of mine, after telling her I had no motivation, told me that I just had to push through the classes and do well, or else I would look back and feel like I wasted the summer. I cannot stop time from continuing. I cannot stop the deadlines, tests, and papers from coming, so the thing I need to do now is just push through and do what I need to do. She was right, my friend. If I waste this summer, I am going to be so mad at myself. I will start the fall semester with the regret of having done poorly this summer, and I do not want that. So here's to finding the motivation to do what I need to do, when I need to do it.

     I am not writing this for the public eye, although it is public for anyone who wants to read. I am writing this because I have always felt that once something is in writing and out in public, it is more official, more permanent, more real. I am hoping that by this, I am solidifying my want to be great.

Go Mavericks!

As you may or may not know, I am a History Education major. As part of my requirements for graduation, I am required to take Education 2110. As part of that class, 15 hours of Field Experience in a school. During Field Experience, I was placed in a school to observe a teacher in his or her classroom, to get a feel for what being a teacher would be like.

Because of my Education 2110 professor, I decided to sign up for a middle school. My major is focused on high school teaching, but my professor encouraged me to do my FE in a middle school, just to see what it was like, as well as to see what the students were experiencing before they got to high school.

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant at first, having decided that I did not want to teach middle school at all. I remember what it was like to be in middle school, and I did not want to teach middle school students.

After doing some research, I signed up for McClure Middle School, home of the Mavericks. I was placed with Ms. Angie Fenton, the Advanced Content 7th Grade Social Studies teacher. I know that it was definitely because of God that I was placed where I was.

Going into the classroom that first day, I was nervous. I did not know if the students would like me, if I would mess anything up, if I would say/do something that was wrong, etc. I introduced myself to Ms. Fenton's classes, and I felt good. Each of the classes seemed very-well behaved, and I knew this was no typical middle school classroom.

Ms. Fenton wanted me to go into TOSS and Student Teaching with some experience in front of a classroom, so every so often, she allowed me to instruct the class on the activity for the day. It was really cool to get a feel for being a teacher. I am beyond grateful for being placed with such a great teacher.

I soon became accustomed to being a part of the class. I loved my Tuesdays and Thursdays when I would get to spend a few hours with the students. They liked me enough, and would applaud and cheer when I came into the room.

Having gone through 30 hours of Field Experience, I can say that the 7th Graders of Ms. Fenton's Advanced Content Social Studies class has opened my eyes and mind to the wonderful world of middle school. Having once been against middle school completely, I would gladly accept a teaching job at a middle school, and I have Ms. Fenton as well as her students to thank for that. All 4 of her classes that I observed were full of well-behaved, smart students who surprised me each time I visited.

This first look at being a teacher was so great, and I cannot wait to get back into a school to do more observations/teaching.

I was made for this.

A Letter to You

Hi there.

I thought of you today...or rather, the other day.

I was in an old antique shop in Marietta. I needed an afternoon to myself, so I drove down to The Square for some time to unwind and just be me. Who would've thought I would be greeted by the memory of an old friend.

I actually walked into the shop sort of by accident. I was just wandering aimlessly around The Square, trying to soak up every bit of sunshine that I could, no longer able to sit and read on a park bench. I crossed the street and just kept walking away from The Square. All of the sudden I noticed the most odd figurines I have ever seen and saw by the A-frame sign that the figurines were in the window of an old antique shop. I'll be honest. I was getting a bit chilly, having worn shorts and a t-shirt with my Toms, leaving my jacket in the car. A breeze had been blowing for some time, and wanting to get indoors, I entered the antique shop.

Walking around the shop was nice. Even though everything there was made and outdated by the time I was born, it was a nice perspective on life before my time that I couldn't get from any history book. You see, I discovered that while books can teach one so much and should be read often, getting out there and having hands-on experiences is the best way to learn. But I digress.

That's when I saw it. An old kitchen cupboard just like you use to have, dark wood like yours, complete with a desk space likes yours had, and cabinet space like yours had. All that was missing were the pictures and various knickknacks you kept on it. I was mesmerized by the memory of you and your house and all the time I spent there as a kid, that it took me a second to take in the smell. Once I did, I could have sworn I was back in your house with you and him and the rest of us, playing all sorts of card games, drinking Slim-Fast, eating Pringles, and watching the Braves. The smell was so precise, so on-point to how your house used to smell, that I had to pause for a minute to gather myself again and remember where I was.

I didn't stay long; just long enough to take a minute or two and think about you. I don't have to wonder what you're doing. You're with Jesus, so I know you're ok. You've been with Him for a few years now, and I know you have been loving every minute of it. We miss you, down here, but we know we'll see you again, and that's ok.

Love you always,
Your grandson Cameron


RIP Margaret Louise "Nanny" Sharp
July 2, 1928 -April 12, 2009

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Hello ladies and gents!

I haven't posted in awhile, so I knew it was time to do so. Only, until recently, I didn't have anything interesting to post about. That all changed on Tuesday.

It was just a routine Tuesday: 3 classes, then lunch at the commons with a few RAs. While at lunch, I received a mention on twitter from my twin/bff Tracey Cordle. She tweeted me something from a casting company, saying they needed "high school types" for an overnight shoot on the set of Teen Wolf (for anyone who knows how I watched that show so often last summer, you know this was such a big deal for me), and that I just needed to email them some info, and I could be an extra that night. I about fell out of my chair to be honest. I pulled out my laptop immediately and emailed the casting company right there at the Commons.

We all finished eating not long after that, so I rushed back to my room to check my email for a response from the casting company. When I did receive an email back, I was crushed. I never put two and two together to mean that an "overnight shoot" meant that I would have to miss staff meeting that night and be gone until possibly 7am Wednesday morning. I had missed staff meeting before, but it almost didn't happen, and I felt bad about asking again. But I also really wanted this. I went down to talk to my boss, Krystal, about it, and after that conversation and a mass text to my fourks (I love them so much), I was up in my room hastily writing a paper I had due the next morning that I hadn't started on, as well as packing a few different costume possibilities for my extra role :)

3:15 rolls around, and I am leaving my dorm, headed to the set. Of course I had to get gas first, and of course I tried to leave campus along with everyone else who had a 2:00 class, and of course there was traffic on the highway. With all of that, I still made it just in time.

I checked in at 4:25 (call time was 4:30) and filled out the paperwork. I knew literally no person in that room, so I just found a table marked, "students" and sat. Wrong table. The people at the table were just rude and mean. I tried to talk to them, but received nothing in return. If you think about the stuck-up crowd of people from any typical high school movie, that's who I sat with. The way they acted, the things they talked about, it all confirmed my dislike of them and my wishing I had sat at a different table where I would have actually talked to people and made friends.

I sat for about an hour, trying to text whomever I could to not look as bored as I felt, but trying to make my 1 bar of battery last as long as I could. One of the people in charge of the extras got our attention and asked if there was anyone there who wasn't there yesterday (they filmed the day before as well). I raised my hand, along with about 7 or 8 others, and we were whisked away down to the fields. Down to the set. Down to where the actors were.

Now, at this point, to say that my excitement level was through the roof might have been an understatement. I was beyond excited. If you don't understand how I felt, think about one of your favorite TV shows, then imagine getting to be an extra on that show. Know where I'm at? Ok, good.

Some guy who worked on the show needed 3 people to stand against a fence and look like we were watching the "game", so I, along with 2 other guys, volunteered to be those people. They were really cool. They both were very talkative and nice, and apparently had been doing this extra thing for quite some time now, and I'm pretty sure it was their source of income. I didn't know people did that, just that, for a living. It's cool and all, and the pay isn't bad, but it just never crossed my mind that people did that. I talked to the guys for the time we were standing on the fence, about an hour and a half or so, until we were told we could leave the fence. We walked over to the bleachers, 1 guy was taken to the other side, and the other guy and I were told to walk in front of the bleachers, then walk back. I thought that was pretty cool because it meant that if they use those shots, I'll be on TV, which IS cool. To me, anyway.

Of course, this whole time, I had seen a few of the main actors/actresses. And of course, I had one of those starstruck moments that I knew was inevitable. I had to play it cool the whole night, so I just had mini freak outs on the inside and, when I got my phone after our food break, the few people I was texting about it.

After walking, we were told to sit on the bleachers, in Group D, which was the furthest right section of bleachers if you were looking at the field from the rec center, or from the view point of the cast and crew. So I sat in Section D, along with about 12-15 other people. We cheered when we were told to, and just kinda hung out and talked the rest of the time. Oh, and we froze the WHOLE time. [Sidenote: In my excitement while I was packing and writing, I didn't think about packing gloves, extra layers, etc., to keep me warm while I was outside in Atlanta overnight in January/February. The days might be comfortable and nice, but the nights are brutally cold.]

At 11:00, we broke for "lunch" back in the rec center. Indoors. Warmth. The food was really good and I ate every bite. A few of the main characters joined us, but of course the cast and crew had a different line to walk through for food on the other side of the rec center, so there was no direct interaction. I did, however, have to walk RIGHT PASSED two of the main characters, and I made eye contact with one as he was talking to one of the crew members. Not going to lie, it was really cool.

After "lunch", there was more sitting, more cheering, both real and pantomimed. This went on from midnight until about 5:30 when we were told by the director to go home.

I got back to campus at 6:30am, which was just enough time to finish my paper, drink so much coffee that I'm pretty sure it replaced the blood in my system, shower, and go to class, exhausted, to turn in my paper and give a presentation. I'm sure I looked like a zombie walking around campus, having been awake for 25 hours straight (I ended up going 28 hours without sleep, and it took me until Friday afternoon to finally feel rested up again).

All in all, I had a blast. It may have been long hours, really cold temperatures, and not much to do, I loved it. It's kind of all I've talked about since Tuesday, so I'm sorry if you've had to hear about it repeatedly. I have to thank Tracey for tweeting me. She's the best. I also have to thank Krystal as well as my fourks for letting me go. Y'all are the best staff ever, and I owe you all.

I would say it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but since I'm going back on Wednesday, I guess it's not :)



Thanks for reading!
Cameron

I had a better post, but I deleted it

I just wrote a really good post about a topic that could cause a lot of controversy, but I decided not to post it. I decided it should remain one of those topics that I post if I ever feel the need to. So, instead of a really good, really thought-provoking, possibly debate-producing post, I'm going to post a cliche one about the first day of classes, and how much back-and-forth I do when it comes to deciding whether or not I am excited about it.

I like that classes are starting back. Classes = schedule, and having a routine schedule suites me well. I like knowing that my day is planned out for me based on obligations I have. I like that it will soon become familiar to me. Familiar is good.

I don't like that classes are starting back. With familiar routines comes the mundane, the "going through the motions" attitude. That is something I regrettably have gotten caught up in too many times in school, and something I am going to try to avoid this semester (Just being honest, I say that every semester.) How much weight does me saying that hold? Ask me in about 6 or 7 weeks, when I'm just about half-way through the semester, and I'm ready for Spring Break and the end of the semester.

I like that classes are starting back. I am taking 4 of my Major courses this semester, and 2 other very interesting classes. As far as content goes, I am so ready for it. I want to learn everything I can in these 6 classes so that I can be the best teacher for my students. These topics are interesting to me, so I want to go to class so I can learn. I'm one of those weird kids who actually likes learning.

I don't like that classes are starting back. This past semester, I had a teacher who I disliked a lot. She just about ruined American history for me (not completely, though). I just hate that when someone is so passionate, so interested in a subject, and they get a professor who clearly doesn't like teaching the material. It puts such a damper on the whole class. I have looked up most of my professors on ratemyprofessor.com, and it seems that I have good ones, but that's just a website, and it's just other people's opinions. I hope I have professors who challenge me to grow as a student and as a person, who push me to my fullest potential, and make me realize that this is all worth it.


See what I mean? I go back and forth on whether or not I want classes to start back. I hate having to get up early, but I kind of want to make myself more of a morning person (clearly, I'm currently a night owl). I'm left with the pros outweigh the cons, I think. No, I know. Welcome to just a piece of my mind.

I guess my cliche post turned into one not-so-cliche, just a few paragraphs where I ramble about what's going on in my brain right now.



If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!

Cameron

Taking a Look Back at the Past 5 Months

At the end of each semester, I like to take a look back to see just all that I experienced: the people, the places, the events, etc.

My life changed more in these past 5 months than it has in most of my life prior to this time. The main reason for this is because I'm an RA. It is definitely a different world from being a regular resident on a college campus. I met so many people that have changed my life for the better. One group of people are the RA's that I work with. Who know a group of people could have such an impact on a life? Each RA that I have had the chance to get to know has had some kind of positive effect on my life, even if they don't realize it. I couldn't imagine spending the majority of my waking hours (which were most of my hours) with any other group of people.

Another group of people that changed my life this semester are my fraternity brothers. This was my first full semester as a brother of Phi Sigma Pi. I learned so much about myself through experiences with them, and I am beyond thankful for the knowledge that has helped me realize what kind of person I've been and what kind of person I wanted to be.

I realized early into the semester that I really liked geography. I'm a very visual learner, so maps and such help me learn material so much better. I took a basic geography class this semester, and I loved it. I do owe a lot of this to my professor. He taught in a way that made me want to learn. I took the 4th test in the class (out of 4) when I didn't even have to (we took 4 tests, he dropped the lowest. I had an A after the first 3 tests) just to prove that I had learned the material. When I came to KSU, I wanted to be a French minor (I love the language and want to be fluent one day), but after a semester of a sub-par French class and an excellent geography class, I have decided to change my minor to Geography, and teach that alongside American History at some high school in Georgia (CHS, perhaps?).

This semester, every day and every event that happened taught me something. I had a wake-up call or two, of which I am so thankful for. People I've met and events I've experienced have taught me not to take things too seriously, the importance of being a good friend, to never give up, and many more important life lessons.

If I had the choice to go back a relive these past 5 months, there are parts I could live everyday for the rest of my life, and parts I'd rather not revisit. But through it all, I don't regret a thing, for everything I have been though has changed me and made me who I am now.

Pet Peeves, and What to Do About Them

Everyone has pet peeves. Those things that other people do that just annoy the heck out of you. What one person might not see as a big deal might be a huge deal to you, and vice versa. Don't you just hate how that works out? Your best friend might do the one thing that gets on your nerves most, and they don't see it as annoying/bad/whatever. Most people have a hard time understanding that we do things that annoy the heck out of other people. Why does it have to work like that? I just really wish that everyone's pet peeves were the same, so no one would annoy anyone else, but that's not how things work.

This blog idea was brought up because lately it seems like the world just wants to completely annoy me, and decide that the people around me are going to do all of the things that annoy me most in the world, and I don't like it (hence the reason they are pet peeves).

Because we all have pet peeves, I'm sure some of you could relate to mine. Then again, some of you could read my list (see below) and think "those are stupid things to get annoyed over," and I'm ok with that, because I'm sure I could say the same thing about some of yours. We're all different, so we don't think the same way about things.

And now, to give you an insight into my brain and the way I see things, I'll list a few of my pet peeves:

1. One of the easiest ways that I get annoyed is when I am driving, and I get stuck in traffic or get stuck behind someone who clearly can't drive. With the traffic thing, I just don't understand it sometimes. If the people in front would just drive, and everyone behind them, and behind them, and so on, there would be no traffic (unless there's a wreck, but I'm usually too mad/frustrated by the time I discover there has been a wreck to be calm). Sometimes I wish that whenever I had to be somewhere, especially on a road trip or whatever, that all other cars would not be on the road (I just realized how self-centered that sounds, but I'm sure you've thought it too), especially people who can't drive. I'm sorry, but grandma/grandpa, if it's rush hour, you shouldn't be on the road if you can't drive somewhere between 5-10 miles over the speed limit. I hate to be heartless, but that's the way it is. I know some people are just trying to be safe and follow the speed limit, but you are doing more harm by driving 10mph under what everyone else is doing.

2. A second way to annoy me is lying. Mostly everyone does it every now and then, but it's annoying when people do it, especially to me (self-centeredness again, but that's kind of the theme of this post...) Don't lie to me. I would have so much more respect for a person if they just told me the truth, even if it would hurt, rather than spare my feelings and lie. I am going to find out, and it's just going to make me really mad and upset that I trusted you. Lying to anyone at all just isn't worth it. So don't do it. Tell the truth next time.

3. When someone doesn't text you back. Hear me out on this one, because there are conditions. If you text someone, and you're having a conversation, and then for some reason, they just stop without warning, that's annoying. Your phone is in your hands if we're having a conversation, so I know you read my text. Why not just respond? If someone doesn't text back after you texting them just once, that's ok. They may be at work, or sleeping, or whatever. But respond eventually, even if it's just to say, "Hey, sorry I didn't text back, I was..." I may sound like someone who is just complaining, but really, if you're in high school or college, there's a good chance that you're phone is on your person at all times (I know mine is). Why ignore a text? That person obviously thought enough of you to text you, so text them back.

4. Stupidity. Listen to directions. Pay attention in class, or don't ask questions later. Pay attention to rules. I feel like this one doesn't need much explanation. I don't know of anyone who just loves being around people who are stupid.

Those are most of my pet peeves. But I'm not done.

Because my blog is titled "Working on Positivity," I want to talk about how I can use situations where these things happen as a learning experience and become a better person through it. I know that I have very little patience, and that most of these pet peeves revolve around me getting impatient with other people. It's definitely a personal matter, and I know that God is trying so hard to teach me patience. Traffic happens. There isn't a way around that, and most of the time it happens for a reason (construction, a wreck, etc.). It's selfish of me to only be thinking of myself in this situation, when people could be hurt. I really can't think of how to look at lying positively. I guess I could take it as a chance to give out a second chance at trusting the person, because I know I've been given many second chances by many people. When it comes to texting, I need to understand that people get busy. Something comes up to where they need to pause the conversation for a little while. This is the hardest to understand, for sure, but it can be a learning experience the next time it happens, I just have to remember that. People mishear things all the time, and I should know that sometimes people need things repeated, especially if it's work instructions or test material. They just want to be sure they have heard things correctly so they do a good job with whatever it is, or they have the correct material to study.

If you have ever experienced any of these things that I've done to you, I apologize. Feel free to call me out on them, because I make a conscious effort not to do them because I am annoyed when other people do them to me.

I challenge you do to the same thing. Make a list of all the things that annoy you, then look at how you can use them as a learning/growing experience. You'd be surprised at what you can teach yourself.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron

No Shave November

It's December now, so that means the annual tradition known as No Shave November is officially over for 2011.

For girls that love seeing facial hair on guys, this day is probably very sad, as guys across America will be shaving off the month-long growth of hair on their faces. But for girls that hate seeing facial hair, today is a good day, and one they have looked forward to since November 1st.

For the first time in my 20 years of life, I chose to participate in No Shave November. I don't have an official "Before" picture, but if you look either on my Facebook or at an earlier post on my blog, you can see a picture(s) of me with no facial hair. Boom. Before picture.

The picture seen below was taken on November 11th, as part of the 10 day blog challenge I completed earlier in the month.

There isn't much to see, but it was there. That was day 11.

The next picture was taken shortly after midnight on December 1st, the end of No Shave November.

There is not much of a difference, but it was a lot more than I was expecting in a month's time. I would also like to point out that when I looked at this picture before uploading it onto mt blog, it scared me because I realized just how much I look like my dad. Granted, he's 30 years older and doesn't have glasses, but I've been told all my life by people I knew and didn't know that I must be "Mike Yarbrough's son" because I look just like him. (Sidenote: I was approached by someone whom i did not know awhile back while I was out with my friends. This person, and I quote, said, "Excuse, me, are you Mike Yarbrough's son? You must be, because you look just like him." I wasn't even around my dad, but someone still said I looked like him.)

As I look back on the month, I am glad I participated in No Shave this year. For one, it saved me time in the morning because I didn't have to shave (which is normally something that happens daily for me). Also, I got so many compliments on my facial hair (with just a few naysayers), and was told how I looked so much older than 20 years old. I am pretty sure I want to keep it. I mean, I've let it grow for a month, why quit now?

So, reader, tell me: what do you think? I am interested to see how other people feel about this new look I'm trying out.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron

"Do good." "Don't you mean do well?" "No, I mean do good."

I just wanted to start with one of my favorite quotes from my favorite show of all time, Boy Meets World. I had a 4+ hour marathon this past Friday, and it was awesome. I love that show so much.

You know that feeling you get when just about everything goes right? And even when a thing or two goes wrong, you're on such a high from the good things that the bad things don't seem to matter? Yea. That was my Thanksgiving break.

The weeks leading up to the break were some of the worst of the semester. I was so ready for the break, that when it finally came, I felt so relaxed and ready for it. I'm pretty sure that when I saw the sign telling me that I was in Columbus, this wave of peacefulness hit me, and it stayed with me all week. It just felt so good to be back at home, in the place where I grew up and I knew was a safe-haven from everything that had been going on. During those few weeks prior to the break, KSU, to me, had this aura of negativity and debbie-downerness to it that I just had to get away.

But I definitely do not want that to be the focus of this post. This one is all positive :)

My break was absolutely wonderful. It actually started on the ride home. One of my best friends from high school who also goes to ksu, Keira Schrader, gave me a ride home. It was nice to catch up and talk about life, because we hadn't seen each other in so long. She gave me some really good perspective on some things, and I really enjoyed talking to her for a little while. Upon arriving home, I walked in the door and was greeted with the smell of my mom cooking dinner. I love home-cooked meals, especially those cooked by my mom. No one cooks better than she does. After eating dinner and watching Jeopardy with my parents (yes, we are that family), I went camping with some of the best people I know: my growth group. Outside from getting together every week our senior year in high school, I hadn't hung out with all of them together since we all graduated. It was so nice to reconnect as a group and spend some time together cooking, talking, and riding four-wheelers, especially in the rain. It was here that the peacefulness hit so hard. Just being out in the woods, away from the city and whatnot, with my best friends was exactly what I needed to bring me back to a positive, good-mood mindset.

Wednesday I got home from camping around 8, went to sleep around 9, and slept until 3:30. Mom got home from work almost 2 hours later and cooked again. Two home-cooked meals 2 nights in a row?! A college kid couldn't ask for much more than that. Even better was the fact that most of my family was home that night. My younger brother didn't have an away game (like the previous night) so he was home, one of my sisters had come in from Macon that day, so she was home, and my brother and his wife came over for dinner, so they were there. I hadn't seen any of my family since the wedding, so it was nice to be back around the Yarbrough dinner table with them again. After dinner I went to a friend's house for a bonfire. It was also really awesome. My friend group from high school (named by others the "Mafia") was all there and back together again. It felt like old times. We all sat around the fire and reconnected with each other for a few hours. Definitely an evening well spent.

Turkey day! Except not really, because my mom had to work and my sister was supposed to work. Nothing significant happened that day really, I just watched some football and Netflix (Teen Wolf is now streaming live, enough said). After dinnertime, my family went over to my sister-in-law's parent's house for dessert and just hanging out. It was a lot of fun. Our families are both very family-oriented, so we meshed well together. I played Corn Hole for the first time and it was fun! I didn't do too well, but Caitlin's brother-in-law and I won 2 games out of 3 against my brother and his nephew.

Friday was the of Boy Meets World! After a wonderfully delicious grilled steak dinner prepared by my dad, I went to a friend's house for several hours of the greatest show ever produced: Boy Meets World. We started with season 5 (the start of Senior year), and after watching all of it, we skipped to season 7 (college). I love this show. I wish I owned all of the seasons so I could watch them whenever I wanted (or that they would be on Netflix). Such a great TV show. I don't know how many shows I could just sit and watch for literally 4+ straight hours.

Saturday was Turkey day for real! And football day! The spirit of the fall season was summed up in this one day: football and Thanksgiving. First it was my Dawgs versus those nerds from Tech. Even though it's not a conference match, this is definitely one of the most important games of the season for the Dawgs. It was a good game, and my Dawgs pulled out the W ("We still run this state!"). Before/during Thanksgiving dinner was the Auburn/Alabama game, the Iron Bowl. My entire immediate family loves Auburn, so this game is always a cause for commotion around the Yarbrough house. I didn't care how the game ended up, but Alabama won. No surprise there. After dinner we went to get our Christmas tree! I LOVE Christmas time, but I do wait until Thanksgiving is over before getting into the Christmas spirit. Now that we had had Thanksgiving dinner, it was Christmas time. It's Yarbrough family tradition for 5 of us kids to scope out the trees and find their favorite, then my parents decide which one they like best. I'm a usual front runner for favorite tree, but my sister's won this year. It's a good tree though, so it's ok that she won. Our house now smells like Christmas (which smells like a Christmas tree, by the way), and I love it. I can't wait to go back home to be surrounded by everything Christmas.

Sunday! My last day at home for the break. I had been looking forward to Sunday for about a week or 2 before the break. After church, I met my 2 life-long best friends for lunch. When I say life-long, that's literal. The 3 of us have literally grown up together, and I love them so much. It's always so good when the 3 of us get together because we always pick up right where we left off. We had such a great time together, and I can't wait until I can see them again. Lunch with them was the perfect way to end my break.

If your break wasn't as good, I'm sorry. I hope it was, but I understand if it wasn't. Mine was tough to beat. Take the remainder of this week and strive to make it as best as possible! Thanks for reading!

Cameron

My glasses kinda ruined the picture, but I love my best friends!

My brothers and me at the Christmas tree farm

The Mountaintop Ending to a Valley Week

This week (including the weekend preceding it) was the worst of the semester, by far. Basically everything that could have gone wrong went wrong somewhere between Friday of last week and Thursday (Yesterday). I'll mention some of the things that happened, but some I'll leave out for various reasons.

1. My fish died on Tuesday morning. Now, I know this is not a big deal at all, but it just added on to the great week I was already having. I had had Julius Caesar since February, because of Ice Formal. Most of the people who got fish from Ice Formal said theirs died rather quickly, so I was quite proud of Julius for still being alive. He had made it all of Spring Break without being fed (I'm a terrible owner, I know), and a few trips back and forth from Kennesaw to Columbus. This semester, because I'm an RA living in a super suite, he was my roommate, so to speak. I have a daily routine in the mornings which included feeding him, so I got very used to him being around. I trained him how to tell me when he was hungry, so I feel like we bonded and he kinda liked me as an owner. Although he was a fish, it wasn't a good thing to find him dead Tuesday morning.

2. I scratched my throat or something at the Yellowcard concert. On Tuesday night, Jessie, Danielle, and I went to the Masquerade in Atlanta to see Yellowcard. I had been looking forward to this since I became a huge fan of them last semester. I caught a guitar pick! This night was definitely a super-high to the week (and it kept me sane during the mess). Wednesday morning when I woke up, I could tell that something was wrong with my throat, more than just me losing my voice due to the concert. My throat has been hurting like crazy since Wednesday morning, and it sucks.

3. My glasses broke (well, I broke them) on Wednesday night. Sunday afternoons, I play volleyball from 3-5 with whoever shows up to play. I was up at the net, and the hardest hitter on the court was on the other team. The guy on my team tried to set it to me, but set it a little far, and it went over the net. The hard hitter saw this opportunity for a great kill, jumped up, and hit the ball as hard as he could...into my face. My glasses flew off and got all kinds of bent. I had been trying to bend them back into place so much that on Wednesday, the metal finally broke. I have been without glasses since then. It's kinda funny now, living life without glasses. People comment on how different I look, they ask if I can see, and make jokes about me not being able to see. I am adjusting nicely without glasses, but I would love to get a new pair soon.

So those things are some of the things that just absolutely killed my week. If you saw me at all and I was anything less than nice, I am so sorry.

Now for the Mountaintop! Friday gets here, and I am so excited for Fourks staff bonding. A few hours at Red Top Mountain with my staff sounded perfect to me. I just had to get through in-service and I was good to go. It was just a speed bump to a good evening, something that I overlooked. It was something I had to go to, and I wasn't expecting to get much out of it.

I was completely blown away by the amazing afternoon that James had planned for in-service. It started off with a talk from Jeff, and then a guest speaker, Zach! He was an RD in the suites last year, and a supervisor to the UVS Council, of which I was Vice-President then President of my freshman year, so I knew him well. After he spoke, a few RA's talked about what motivated them. It was nice to hear about what kept other people going when life/the job/whatever got them down. After that, James had arranged for each RA to have a paper cut-out t-shirt. We were to write our names on the shirts, then go around and write really awesome things on other people's shirts, starting with our own staff. Reading all the nice things people said about me really surprised me and gave me the pick-me-up that I so desperately needed. I was instantly overcome with happiness, joy, and all kinds of other good things that my valley of a week seemed to not matter anymore. I didn't know I had the affect on people that I apparently have, and finding that out meant so much to me. I have been affected by my staff and others, and I had hoped I was having a similar affect on them. I can't wait to hang my t-shirt up to serve as a constant reminder to the way my actions affect others.

Staff Bonding. I had been looking forward to it since I got the email about what we were doing. An evening at Red Top Mountain. Perfect. As soon as we all got in the van, I knew it was going to be great. My great mood from in-service had definitely carried over, and I was ready for a great evening. We got to the campsite, and Krystal had to check in at the visitor's center. We all decided to go hide from her, so we got out of the van and ran to some trees to hide. It seems childish, but we were having fun. We got to the place we reserved, and it was blocked off, so we had to wait for a camp ranger to let us in. While we were waiting, we took a few staff pictures around the Red Top Mountain sign, and I took a few great pictures of the scenery of the mountain and lake. We got to the site and started setting up things for dinner and the activities we would be doing. I ran down the hill to the lake to look for a fire pit, but didn't find one. I did, however, get another great picture (I just wish I had a better camera phone). We bonded over dinner, the activity before dinner, and the conversation after dinner. It was just the thing that I think we needed as a staff, and that I needed as an individual. Such a perfect evening. I definitely ended my week in the valley on a mountaintop (literally and figuratively!).

A few members of my great staff!

The great picture I took down by the lake on my phone

Day 10: 1 Picture (of yourself))

So, I decided that, for the first time, I was going to participate in NoShave November. I started this 10 day challenge with the thought in mind that day 10 would be a picture of my progress thus far in the month. (My glasses broke on Wednesday, which is why I'm not wearing them in the picture.)

Due to bad lighting and a bad camera, you probably can't see much of the facial hair, but it's there.

Thanks for sticking around through all 10 days of the challenge! Be sure to look back at my blog every now and then for new posts!

Cameron

Day 9: 2 Songs

1. Believe by Yellowcard. I recently (probably March or April) became a huge Yellowcard fan, thanks to my Cartel station on Pandora. Said station played one song by Yellowcard, and I don't even remember which one it was, but I really liked it. I already had Ocean Avenue (because come on, who didn't?) on my iPod, so I decided to check out more of their stuff, and I really liked it. I now have 4 of their CDs (working on getting the rest) on my computer and iPod, and they are one of my favorite bands. I don't think I go a day without listening to them. This song in particular is probably my favorite by Yellowcard. The chorus of this song, though very simple, speaks volumes, especially to me. It just repeats the phrase, "Everything is gonna be alright" three times then says, "Be strong. Believe." While simple, it stands out to me. If I am ever having a bad day (which has been happening more often than not lately, sadly), I just listen to this song, and it makes me feel better. Everything will be alright, I just have to be strong and believe it. I try so hard to live like this. I wish I did it more often.


2. I Am Understood by Relient K. This is my favorite band, and has been since probably elementary school. I have seen them 3 times in concert, and I can't wait to see them more. The writer of this song talks about how there is one person, God, who understands him completely, and loves him even though He knows him. I think I have a few favorite lines from this song. This first is this: "Your love regardless of the mistakes I make will spoil me." The writer talks about how he is so loved by God, that despite the things he does that are wrong, he is still loved just the same, and he is spoiled in that love. I compare it to a kid who is so spoiled with toys and whatnot that he/she doesn't know what to do with them all. The writer is overwhelmed by the amount of love he feels from a God who loves him regardless of what he does. Another favorite line I have is, "And You recite my words right back to me, before I even speak. You let me know, I am understood." That's all most people really want, right? To have someone that they know understands them. The writer loves how God knows what he's going to say before he says it, and that He tells him he is understood. I love this. 

Day 8: 3 Films

1. August Rush. I saw this movie three times in theaters (but I never paid for my own ticket any time). It is such a great movie, and one of my favorites. It shows a great example that the power of music has, enough to reunite a family. It also shows how if you want something bad enough, nothing will stop you from getting it. Freddie Highmore, Keri Russel, and Jonathan Meyers are all incredibly talented.

2. The Prestige. This movie kept me guessing until the very end. I am usually good at guessing what's going to happen at the end of the movie, but I couldn't figure this one out. An incredible plot/story line and great acting combine to make this such an awesome movie.

3. Shutter Island. After watching this movie for the first time, I literally sat in my seat stunned for a few good minutes. I did not see the ending coming. I applaud this movie on its ability to completely blow my mind in the end (I won't give away the ending for anyone who hasn't seen it). Just know that you need to see this movie.

Day 7: 4 Books

1. The Harry Potter Book Series. When the books were coming out, I was not allowed to read them. When a friend literally thrust the first book into my hands my junior year of high school, I could not stop until I read all 7 books. It is definitely one of the best book series I have ever read.

2. The Left Behind Series (kids). I started reading this series one night when I was probably 8 or 9. My sister gave me the first book to read, and I started reading it. My siblings and I (minus my younger brother) were all reading the series, just different books. My mom would buy the books as they came out, my older brother would read them first, and pass them down the line, until all 40 books were read by the 4 of us. It was also an incredible series, and one of the first I remember reading through its entirety.

3. The Kite Runner. I read this book my senior year of high school because of my World Lit. class. I honestly thought it was going to be just another dumb school-assigned book, but it was so good. I loved reading it and discussing it with my classmates who also read and loved it.

4. The Hunger Games Trilogy. I picked up the first book of this trilogy back in January, while at Barnes and Noble. My friend Emily said she had heard it was such a good series, and I should buy the first book, so I did. It was incredible. The first book took me less than a week to read, no doubt. I just had to get my hands on the other two books. When I was home one weekend, I bought the second book, read it in one day, took it back to the store the next day, and bought the third book, which I read in just a few days. It definitely ranks up there with HP as one of the best book series I have ever read, and I am so stoked for the movie that's coming out in March.

I know I technically picked more than 4 books, but I couldn't choose just 4 books that I loved reading. I had to go with the 4 books/series that I had the most enjoyment reading. If you're ever in doubt of a book or book series, check out any of these 4 suggestions, or email me for others!

Cameron

Day 6: 5 Foods

1. My mom's spaghetti casserole. It's one of the first meals that I learned how to cook by myself, and it's so good. I usually request it whenever mom asks what I want for dinner.

2. Pizza. Growing up, I think this was every kid's favorite food. Even now, it's still one of my favorite foods. Whether it be delivery or store-bought, pizza is good. It's one of those foods where I have to be conscious of how much I'm eating, because I could eat a lot.

3. Wrap from the Commons. I hate to admit that this made the list, but the KSU Commons makes incredible wraps. I get one pretty much every time I go to the Commons. They're so good.

4. Lasagna. I love Italian food, and lasagna is no exception. Most of the lasagnas I have tried have been amazing (Stoeffers, various restaurants, etc.), and that's due to the fact that lasagna is just really good and easy to make.

5. A good sub. Now I know that this isn't specific, but that's because there are many places that make good subs (Subway, Firehouse, Jimmy Johns, just to name a few). I think I could eat subs for most of the rest of my meals for life and be completely ok with it. If you can make a good sub, you're good in my book.

Thanks for reading!
Cameron

Day 5: 6 Places

1. Columbus, Georgia. It's where I was born, and where I spent most of my life growing up. Most of my friends are from here, and it's where I have most of my memories. It's also where I went to high school and where my parents live. I feel like because of these reasons that it should be the first on this list.

2. Paris, France. It is definitely the place I want to travel to more than anywhere else. I love the French language, and now that I feel I know enough to have a basic conversation and get around town, I so badly want to go.

3. Salvador, Brazil. I went here last October with my PEGS group, and it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. It was so much fun, I bonded with my PEGS group, and I was able to experience Brazil, something I feel most people don't get to do.

4. Durham, North Carolina. I spent 3 and a half years here, and they were some of the best years. I made so many friends, many of whom I still talk to now. I can't wait until the next time I get to go back (hopefully this summer!)

5. Boston, Massachusetts. I've never been here, but being a history ed. major, I want to go so bad. There is just too much American history to not feel the need to visit. So many important things happened in Boston.

6. Kennesaw, Georgia. Obvious choice. It's my home now. My school is here, most of the people I talk to on an everyday basis are here. This is where my life is for the next few years.

Thanks for reading!

Cameron