There are only five more weeks of this semester and I can not wait til summer! This summer, I will be studying abroad in Costa Rica for a month. I am so excited to immerse myself into a new culture that is full of interesting foods to try, beautiful places to visit, and new friends to be made. Only 35 days til I board the plane...not like I'm counting or anything though.
Just through the pictures I've seen, Costa Rica is a very beautiful country. They take pride in all they have to offer in means of rain forests, cloud forests, volcanoes, and beaches. Ecotourism plays an important part in Costa Rica's industry. For a class project, I will be exploring how social media has an impact on the ecotourism industry and posting my discoveries onto this blog over the course of the next month or so.
According to Socialearth.org, Costa Rica "leads the world in sustainable and conservation tourism."
Visit Costa Rica Facebook
Visit Costa Rica Twitter
4.05.2012
12.28.2011
Lessons Learned in 2011
1. Everyone suffers some kind of pain or hurt. Saying this semester was rough is putting it lightly; however, I know I wasn't going through a killer semester alone. I believe my whole group of friends would agree with me in saying that even though we went to hell-and-back this semester, we came away from it stronger because we had each other. And when I had nothing else to cling to, I knew I had the best (sorority) sisters anyone could ask for. Here's to Alpha Phi's Sophomore Class!
2. Don't take anything for granted. After seeing the devastation in Tuscaloosa, I really gained a whole new perspective on life. It's going to be years before Alabama recovers from the natural disaster. Sometimes I think we all forget that we should be grateful for simply having a roof over our heads. Seeing the things I have seen this year in Alabama and in LA has really brought me back down to earth and to remember that everything one has can be taken in an instant.
3. TTP: Trust the Process. This is a phrase that has been said on repeat to me throughout the past year. I first heard it at UIFI, and then again at Alpha Phi's ELI, and then AGAIN during my Service Immersion Trip to Tuscaloosa. I've learned to take a step back and just let go. Sometimes things don't always go as planned, if there even is a plan. Trusting the process is all about learning to trust others and trusting that, even though it may not look like it at any given point, that things will turn out right and the way they need to be. It's about not being in control and stepping outside of your comfort zone. To trust the process is to stop questioning everything and to have faith in yourself and others.
4. I learn so much more about myself, others and skills that I can actually apply in the "real world" through my activities outside of the classroom. Seriously, through my leadership positions on the Habitat For Humanity and Alpha Lambda Delta Exec Boards and through my position in Alpha Phi, I have learned valuable skills that will actually be applicable to my future. These skills such as event planning, managing a budget, conversation skills, communication etiquette, leading others, and so many others will be the skills that will help me land a job, not the facts about the Civil War or how to do some ridiculous mathematical equation. If I could, I would totally double major in extracurricular activities and leadership. Hah.
4. Boys are still stupid. Enough said.
So here's to a new year, a better semester, and good memories.
With Love,
Ashliegh
2. Don't take anything for granted. After seeing the devastation in Tuscaloosa, I really gained a whole new perspective on life. It's going to be years before Alabama recovers from the natural disaster. Sometimes I think we all forget that we should be grateful for simply having a roof over our heads. Seeing the things I have seen this year in Alabama and in LA has really brought me back down to earth and to remember that everything one has can be taken in an instant.
3. TTP: Trust the Process. This is a phrase that has been said on repeat to me throughout the past year. I first heard it at UIFI, and then again at Alpha Phi's ELI, and then AGAIN during my Service Immersion Trip to Tuscaloosa. I've learned to take a step back and just let go. Sometimes things don't always go as planned, if there even is a plan. Trusting the process is all about learning to trust others and trusting that, even though it may not look like it at any given point, that things will turn out right and the way they need to be. It's about not being in control and stepping outside of your comfort zone. To trust the process is to stop questioning everything and to have faith in yourself and others.
4. I learn so much more about myself, others and skills that I can actually apply in the "real world" through my activities outside of the classroom. Seriously, through my leadership positions on the Habitat For Humanity and Alpha Lambda Delta Exec Boards and through my position in Alpha Phi, I have learned valuable skills that will actually be applicable to my future. These skills such as event planning, managing a budget, conversation skills, communication etiquette, leading others, and so many others will be the skills that will help me land a job, not the facts about the Civil War or how to do some ridiculous mathematical equation. If I could, I would totally double major in extracurricular activities and leadership. Hah.
4. Boys are still stupid. Enough said.
So here's to a new year, a better semester, and good memories.
With Love,
Ashliegh
12.23.2011
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else" -Ben Franklin
On April 27th, the community of Tuscaloosa, Alabama was changed forever. An EF-4 tornado more than a mile wide ripped through the center of their town taking out over 5,000 homes and buildings, leaving over 7,000 people unemployed, and put 1,500 people in the hospital. In a matter of 6 minutes, 6 miles of Tuscaloosa were destroyed.
I arrived in Tuscaloosa on December 17th with a team of 22 Greek students from all over the country and our two leaders from the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values for a week of service. While in Tuscaloosa, we were immersed in the culture of the city and served in many different ways. From cleaning up debris and cutting down trees with the Tuscaloosa Area Volunteer Reception Center to filing paperwork and folding clothes for the Temporary Emergency Services, we were able to see just how much help the area still needed.
Community service was instilled as one of my core values at an early age. My family didn't have much but we had what we needed and we made the most of what we had; however, around the holiday season, we always found the money and time to participate in Christmas Angel programs where we would buy gifts for families who couldn't afford them. As a middle schooler, I dedicated my Wednesday nights to the AWANA program at my church and lead a table of 10 carefree and fun-loving toddlers in memorizing their Bible verses, handing out snacks, and other activities. In high school I volunteered for the Canal Fulton Historical Society, helping them to clean the historic houses and museums and volunteered within the city wherever help was needed. Now in college, I give much of my time to volunteering and advocating for Habitat For Humanity.
I do not volunteer because I feel the need to prove I'm a good person or need the recognition; I serve because it allows for the burden of another human being to be lifted from their shoulders, it gives that person hope that there is good in this world and they're not alone.
I do not volunteer because I feel the need to prove I'm a good person or need the recognition; I serve because it allows for the burden of another human being to be lifted from their shoulders, it gives that person hope that there is good in this world and they're not alone.
After a very rough semester, this trip was so refreshing. It reignited my hope in people, my love of forming relationships, and my passion for serving others. It reminded me that I am passionate; I am happy; and I am a leader. I am reminded to never take anything for granted. I am so thankful that I was able to serve the Tuscaloosa area as it was an incredible experience and I am so blessed to have been able to help.
After this week in Tuscaloosa, I believe this will be my most thankful and blessed Christmas yet.
With Love,
Ashliegh
The sight of the inside of this apartment brought tears to my eyes. A little girl's drawings and colored pictures were left taped to the wall with everything in ruins. This really gave me a reality check.
"There are two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we receive and the larger kind for what we give."
- Edward Arlington Robinson -
10.14.2011
"I'd rather lose myself in passion than lose my passion." - Jacques Mayol
We're about halfway through the fall semester here at Ashland University and it's been a long past few weeks.
The past few weeks, I've been really reevaluating my life and what I hope to do. Now don't get me wrong, I love my major. I really enjoy broadcast and journalism and film and all of that. I enjoyed my time in LA and I would LOVE to have Robin Meade's job on CNN or be the editor of Seventeen Magazine. However, for some reason, I don't think it's what I'm meant to do for the rest of my life.
As many of you know, this summer I was able to attend the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute and Alpha Phi's Emerging Leader's Institute. I had such a wonderful time and learned so much about myself and leadership at both of these institutes. I've been thinking a lot about it lately and I think I'm meant to go into student affairs. I love seeing and hearing about college-aged men and women reach their potential and do such incredible and inspiring things at such a ripe age.
Being torn between these two passions of mine have left me feeling quite distressed lately. I honestly can not see myself in any other major, but I also can't see myself doing broadcast for the rest of my life.
Another thing that I've been thinking about a lot recently is Alpha Phi elections, which are 38 days away. I know many people are expecting me to run for president (and I expected myself to do that also) but after a lot of soul searching, I have decided to hold off for a year on that dream; however, I will be running for a position.
I knew the day I joined the Epsilon Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi that I wanted to someday be president. Last semester and over the summer, I thought that my time for this position would be this year. After thinking long and hard about this over the past few weeks, I've decided to wait. I want to truly develop my leadership abilities to a further extent before taking on such a position.
Part of being a leader is wanting what is best for the organization at the time being. A leader also knows their limits and not to spread themselves too thin. I believe that, right now, I may not be the best choice for Alpha Phi but I hope that, eventually, I will be. I think this process of choosing whether to run or not has come with a great deal of maturity, as it takes a very strong and mature person to be able to evaluate and critique themselves and decide on what is right for not just themselves, but for their organization as a whole.
As many of you know, I don't do anything without submitting my full passion into it. Alpha Phi and Greek life have become not just a passion but a way of life. I love the ideals that we hold for each other and holding each other accountable for each others actions. I believe I am ready to take on a higher position and I hope that my chapter will have the confidence in me to allow me to do that.
With Love,
Ashliegh
The past few weeks, I've been really reevaluating my life and what I hope to do. Now don't get me wrong, I love my major. I really enjoy broadcast and journalism and film and all of that. I enjoyed my time in LA and I would LOVE to have Robin Meade's job on CNN or be the editor of Seventeen Magazine. However, for some reason, I don't think it's what I'm meant to do for the rest of my life.
As many of you know, this summer I was able to attend the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute and Alpha Phi's Emerging Leader's Institute. I had such a wonderful time and learned so much about myself and leadership at both of these institutes. I've been thinking a lot about it lately and I think I'm meant to go into student affairs. I love seeing and hearing about college-aged men and women reach their potential and do such incredible and inspiring things at such a ripe age.
Being torn between these two passions of mine have left me feeling quite distressed lately. I honestly can not see myself in any other major, but I also can't see myself doing broadcast for the rest of my life.
Another thing that I've been thinking about a lot recently is Alpha Phi elections, which are 38 days away. I know many people are expecting me to run for president (and I expected myself to do that also) but after a lot of soul searching, I have decided to hold off for a year on that dream; however, I will be running for a position.
I knew the day I joined the Epsilon Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi that I wanted to someday be president. Last semester and over the summer, I thought that my time for this position would be this year. After thinking long and hard about this over the past few weeks, I've decided to wait. I want to truly develop my leadership abilities to a further extent before taking on such a position.
Part of being a leader is wanting what is best for the organization at the time being. A leader also knows their limits and not to spread themselves too thin. I believe that, right now, I may not be the best choice for Alpha Phi but I hope that, eventually, I will be. I think this process of choosing whether to run or not has come with a great deal of maturity, as it takes a very strong and mature person to be able to evaluate and critique themselves and decide on what is right for not just themselves, but for their organization as a whole.
As many of you know, I don't do anything without submitting my full passion into it. Alpha Phi and Greek life have become not just a passion but a way of life. I love the ideals that we hold for each other and holding each other accountable for each others actions. I believe I am ready to take on a higher position and I hope that my chapter will have the confidence in me to allow me to do that.
With Love,
Ashliegh
9.01.2011
Hello Sophomore Year!
I've returned from LA and am back in action at Ashland University!
What an incredible and eye-opening opportunity it was to work on the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program. Hearing the stories of the women who will be featured in the documentary and getting to know the women on Team Joy was a wonderful experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. The women's stories of overcoming domestic violence were so empowering and filled with hope. The women who were on the Team Joy crew with me were, well, filled with joy! I made so many new friends and learned so much from those five women. I am truly blessed to have them placed into my life.
I would like to thank Mary Kay and Dreaming Tree Films for putting on this program that will empower women all over the world. I would also like to thank my sorority, Alpha Phi, for putting the application link on their Facebook. Had they not linked to it, I would have never found out about the program and never would have had such an incredible opportunity.
And now, I'm back at the lovely Ashland University for year two. This semester I am taking 18.5 credit hours, while also maintaining my leadership positions in Habitat for Humanity, Alpha Lambda Delta, 88.9 WRDL, and TV2. I will also be taking my newspaper practicum this semester so be on the lookout for a few articles written by yours truly in The Collegian!
Goals for the semester:
1. 3.5 GPA. What's up, Dean's List!? I missed you!
2. Plan Alpha Phi Semi-Formal without losing my mind.
3. Get at least 10 new people to volunteer with Habitat For Humanity.
4. DON'T GO INSANE. We don't want a repeat of last semester, yikes.
I am so excited for all the opportunities that will present themselves this semester and throughout my sophomore year. And already, Greek Life is showing it's benefits as I will be working on my blogging/journalism skills as a Collegiate Perspective blogger on the Alpha Phi blog and will be attending the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values' Tuscaloosa Immersion Trip.
For those of you freshman who may have stumbled upon my blog, GO GREEK. It is truly an amazing experience, and the best part of it is: it doesn't stop after you graduate. When you join a Greek organization, whether it's Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu, Delta Zeta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Kappa Psi, or Phi Delta Theta, you join for life. I will never say "I was an Alpha Phi," but will always say "I AM an Alpha Phi."
And now, I must do some homework....
With Love,
Ashliegh
What an incredible and eye-opening opportunity it was to work on the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program. Hearing the stories of the women who will be featured in the documentary and getting to know the women on Team Joy was a wonderful experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. The women's stories of overcoming domestic violence were so empowering and filled with hope. The women who were on the Team Joy crew with me were, well, filled with joy! I made so many new friends and learned so much from those five women. I am truly blessed to have them placed into my life.
I would like to thank Mary Kay and Dreaming Tree Films for putting on this program that will empower women all over the world. I would also like to thank my sorority, Alpha Phi, for putting the application link on their Facebook. Had they not linked to it, I would have never found out about the program and never would have had such an incredible opportunity.
And now, I'm back at the lovely Ashland University for year two. This semester I am taking 18.5 credit hours, while also maintaining my leadership positions in Habitat for Humanity, Alpha Lambda Delta, 88.9 WRDL, and TV2. I will also be taking my newspaper practicum this semester so be on the lookout for a few articles written by yours truly in The Collegian!
Goals for the semester:
1. 3.5 GPA. What's up, Dean's List!? I missed you!
2. Plan Alpha Phi Semi-Formal without losing my mind.
3. Get at least 10 new people to volunteer with Habitat For Humanity.
4. DON'T GO INSANE. We don't want a repeat of last semester, yikes.
I am so excited for all the opportunities that will present themselves this semester and throughout my sophomore year. And already, Greek Life is showing it's benefits as I will be working on my blogging/journalism skills as a Collegiate Perspective blogger on the Alpha Phi blog and will be attending the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values' Tuscaloosa Immersion Trip.
For those of you freshman who may have stumbled upon my blog, GO GREEK. It is truly an amazing experience, and the best part of it is: it doesn't stop after you graduate. When you join a Greek organization, whether it's Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu, Delta Zeta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Kappa Psi, or Phi Delta Theta, you join for life. I will never say "I was an Alpha Phi," but will always say "I AM an Alpha Phi."
And now, I must do some homework....
With Love,
Ashliegh
8.20.2011
"You're a dirty hipster!"
So this title might need to be explained to those not on "Team Joy" of the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program. The phrase came from my new friend, Amanda. We were on-set at an interview with one of the domestic abuse survivors and her two teenage sons. Here in the LA area, they style for boys seems to be the v-neck tee and skinny jeans. Very hipster. Well, back to the story. Amanda had been talking to the two sons and then said something along the lines of "you're a dirty hipster!" We were all kinda confused. She explained that where she is from that's a common term. From then on it just became an inside joke for Team Joy.
So here's what I've been up to since the last time I blogged...
Tuesday:
After a day of uploading our footage from Monday and reviewing it, we all decided to go to Hollywood! However, because we don't have cars here in California, we had to take the Metro, which gave us a few good stories to tell when we get home, haha. I saw the Hollywood sign from afar, a little bit of Madame Tussaud's, Kodak Theater, Grauman's Chinese Theater, and so much more!
Wednesday:
We traveled down to the Newport area to interview our third, and last, survivor, Robin. She was such an outgoing and fun woman and it's incredible to hear her story. It's so amazing to me how much joy these women have in their lives now and it's wonderful to get to know them and to hear their stories and to see them truly loving life now. While in the area we also took Robin and her two boys to the Newport beach, which was beautiful!
Thursday:
All three of the women we interviewed joined us at the Kyoto Grand Gardens to do a group interview shoot. The gardens were a beautiful backdrop for the scene even if it was a little bit noisy. It was nice to see the survivors interacting with each other and telling their stories to one another.
Friday:
Yesterday, we were joined by the beautiful Alexa Vega! I didn't really know what to expect before meeting her but she is a very down-to-earth young woman who really showed an interest in the cause and what we were doing. It was so much fun being on set with her and getting to know her!
Today we are editing the doc and I'll be back home at Ashland University tomorrow night.
With Love,
Ashliegh
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
