Curiosity, as the writing world knows it

As far back as I can remember I was never satisfied with just knowing minimal information; I always wanted more. Even now my drive for knowledge allows me to dream of a day where I can travel to the corners of the Earth; I have a love for seeking out unique experiences and venturing into the unknown. Curiosity is the reason why I believe there are great writers today. If writers did not start out life with a thirst to know more, I feel that nothing would become discovered. Curiosity is my starting point and allows me to freely express myself. By having a drive to know more, I am able to become more knowledgeable on my topic, and because curiosity is important to me authenticity is revealed in my work. With curiosity as my road map I am able to write pieces with the goals of getting true information out to the public, work that is entertaining, and pieces that encourage readers to know more about their world.

Even in the time of Jesus the world was driven by curiosity. During that time people always wanted to know more about this man that claimed to be God. If people weren’t curious about this man then thousands wouldn’t have gathered to hear him speak. They wouldn’t have followed him through cities to watch him perform miracles. An example of this is in Luke 17 where people came from all over the Middle East to hear Jesus teach, hoping and believing that he would heal their sins. In those days the only real form of transportation people had was to walk. How far was it that people were willing to walk to hear Jesus? They came from so far to listen to a man they have never heard or met. Curiosity plays out a huge role in wanting to search for truth. When these people curiously came seeking they got what they were looking for and more. Part of curiosity is asking questions and to this day Christians and non-Christians are still seeking to know more about the Son of God. Another aspect of curiosity found in the Bible is when Jesus is asking for faith from the people by not always answering their questions. In examples of curiosity found in the bible the disciples are asking questions wanting to know more. In those cases Jesus’ response for the most part is asking for faith from the disciples and not necessarily answering their questions. By people having curiosity to know more about Jesus the truth continues to be revealed.

More often then not journalists are not only finding the truth in stories but they are becoming voices for many. There are journalists in the world willing to risk their lives to dig deeper for issues that matter to them. An example of this is the story about journalist and human rights defender Ali Iman Sharmarke who was murdered on August 11th in Somalis. He was a man that was driven by curiosity and believed in being a voice. A friend of Sharmarke states, “He was committed to getting the truth out. He came back from Canada to promote democracy and give Somalis a voice. Today, he paid the ultimate price.” Through instances like this many can be turned away but I find an amazing respect for journalist like Shamarke. I value getting the truth and I also value authenticity in my own work very much. When I see it in others work I am also encouraged. A journalist that has always encouraged me to be more authentic is Al Giordano. Al Giordano is a veteran newspaper reporter, radio and television host, and Internet journalism pioneer who founded Narco News in 2000 and its School of Authentic Journalism in 2002. I feel that it is no mistake that he is the one that founded the school of Authentic Journalism.


Something that is important to me is being able to write pieces that are entertaining. In doing that I also value being able to pin point my own voice and personality in my work. I like to think that I give my work my own flavor and I respect journalists that do the same. I’m not really into celebrity gossip but these days it looks as if that is what sells and is labeled as entertaining. The great challenge of writing something that is entertaining is finding a great angle and interesting topic. I like to look for the details in stories that many may overlook. The best is when you find that detail and it also remains important and interesting for the story. One of my favorite shows that is amazing at finding a great angle is 60 minutes. I have always been entertained by that show and I feel as though they find the best angles in stories and turn them into groundbreaking news. Some of the stories that come to mind are "The CIA's Cocaine", which is the story that uncovered CIA involvement in drug smuggling; the "Friendly Fire", the report on friendly firing in the Gulf War; and one of the stories I liked best was the "Duke Rape Suspects Speak Out", which is some of the first interviews with the suspects in the 2006 Duke University Lacrosse team scandal.

Being able to report stories like the ones listed for 60 Minutes is really about knowing your subject. Doing my homework for a story is very important to me because I like being knowledgeable on my subject. Doing the research is not always the fun part but once having it done and then finally starting your story allows you to know what you’re reporting on and how to write the story. I also find that when I write articles that I am knowledgeable on I gain more respect from my readers. Some one that I do not always agree with but have a lot of respect for because he knows his subjects is Chris Matthews. Chris Matthews hosts the show “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” where he mainly expresses his opinions on a wide range of topics mainly dealing with politics. The best part of his show though is how he presents his topics. The show consists of a panel of guests and Matthews brings out every thing he knows about his subject and then presents his argument usually stumping his guests. When it comes to politics I actually don’t know that much but I still love watching him as he is firing away all of his knowledge.

Every one that I have talked about in this paper does have some status standing in being well known. But what I find interesting about those that I have chosen to add I feel are not driven by success. They are people that I enjoy to read up on, watch on TV, and allow myself to be inspired by, but they are people that have been driven more by the willingness to try new things rather then the success that they will gain from it. A great quote that goes a long these lines states, “Curiosity is defined as an eagerness to learn. It does not guarantee success. But curiosity motivates people to try new things -- and that's essential for success,” –Mariah Burton Nelson.

More thoughts on the Dove Campaign...(read the blog below first)

Dove definitely deserves credit on authenticity in this campaign because of the women that they model and the hair that they model. They are showing women that don’t have perfect bodies and whether it’s to sell a product or not they are also going a lot further with this campaign. Online they have ways to reach out to women that have low self-esteem. They have different women’s self esteem funds. So yes they are trying to sell a product because that is the kind of business that Dove is but I do not believe that are presenting any false advertisements. They are not showing off flawless women using creams obviously made for women with blemishes. So as far as credibility goes towards authenticity they deserve a lot.

The role that stereotyping plays in the Dove campaign is kind of an opposite. Instead of stereotyping women I feel as though they are stereotyping how every other competitor advertises their product. By that I mean that they use women of every sizes, being the first to do so, stereotyping how no one else does that. Also it is stereotyping that all women are without imperfections but are beautiful any way.

The use of this stereotype is most definitely different from any other ads advertising traditional models. The way they are advertising their product is ethical and its more ethical then how others choose to advertise their products. They are using real situations, real women, and real life to not just sell a product but to initially start a movement. There is nothing unethical about that.

I believe that the products advertised has every thing to do with how women view themselves. The world today is filled with media and advertisements of women who are sizes ones and flawless while the average women is a size 12 and suffers from adult acne. Even in stores they will have pictures up of cute little women wearing the clothes sold in the store while sizes 10 and up are almost impossible to find. Most of the time stores only sell smaller sizes so that their clothes look better on girls that can advertise them better.


http://www.dietbites.com/size-average-woman.html

Wrinkled or Wonderful?

This Blog is about Dove and all of their campaigns for the freedom of women. Dove started in the summer of 2005. Dove is a division of Unilever Corporation. It launched its campaign for real beauty in the UK; eventually moving all over the world. It started off to promote skin care products and it has now expanded to public services ads and promotions that ask the question, what constitutes real beauty?

There are 6 women used as models for the Dove campaign but these women are unlike the normal models seen in advertisements. They have dress sizes ranging from 6 to 14 and have different body types from each other. Some bare tattoos and some of larger thighs then others.

Some of the advertisements include these women displayed on billboards with questions referring to particular characteristics. One features a 95-year-old woman with two words printed underneath, “Wrinkled or wonderful?”

Doves campaign came out of an extensive research made up of 3,200 women in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Britain, and the United States. The goal was to reach women with “real” curves but Dove did the research to make sure that’s what women would want.

Some people believe that Dove is using women’s insecurities to sell their products. Dove is selling a skin-firming product. The women advertising these products are not perfectly skinny and come with flaws but are still labeled beautiful. The controversy seen by some: by Dove selling a product like this it is allowing insecure women to think that they can gain even more beauty by a skin firming cream.

So the question is what constitutes real beauty?

My vacation in Cancun....Yummy... :)

The morning sun peaks through the palm tree leaves and lays a warm blanket over the freshly cutgrass. The tropical birds of Cancun begin their morning song of shouts and screeches communicating that a new day has arrived. The Moon Palace hotel slowly rises from sleep and the sounds of a once quiet resort begin to be broken by the tourists ready to take on the day.

As I step out of my hotel room and onto my balcony I feel the warm air hit my face. My feet that were once tucked under a sea of blankets now cool off on the ice-cold cement. I close my eyes and take in a deep breath of the ocean’s air. As my eyes are closed I hear the sounds of Jet Ski’s slapping the waves as they pick up speed across the water.

I quickly change into my bathing suit and my Aunt and I jog to the beach. As we enter upon the sand I pick a handful of it up and it drops through my fingers like sugar falling from a bowl. It is the softest sand I have ever come in contact with. It also strikes me as odd that though the sun is burning hot the sand remains cold.

As the day continues on and my time of lying in the sun has been absolutely glorious I realize that my stomach beckons for food. I walk to the restaurant and the moment I come in I have a waiter eagerly wanting to serve me. I find this type of behavior a theme throughout the resort and slowly come to the conclusion that the service at this hideaway is impeccable.


My stomach feels satisfied and overfed by the time I am done eating but my mouth salivates for more.

As I walk out of the restaurant and decided to take on the pool the size of lake Michigan I run into some other vacationers. I pick a lawn chair next to theirs and their accents indicate to me that they are not from the US. They are in fact from Europe and also on vacation. My Aunt and I, we realize, seem to be the only Americans at this all-European filled resort, and we quickly understand that maybe they know how to vacation better then most Americans.

With staying at this resort comes many perks. For one, the vacation my Aunt and I chose was one that would be all inclusive. From friends I have heard all-inclusive resorts in Cancun are usually dirty and have horrible service.

At this point in my stay I can’t help but think that my Aunt and I are extremely lucky and I even feel a little reluctant to share my hideaway with the public. The resort itself was not that expensive to go to especially since it was all-inclusive. The total of all of my spendings to get to the resort and stay at the resort were a total of $1300. Resorts comparing to the one I stayed at generally run anywhere from $1500-$2300. So I have to ask myself, did we catch a deal without realizing it?


This resort was extremely clean and well kept and I can’t even begin to indulge on how wonderful the service was. Any time my face even remotely showed that I may want something some one was there ready to take my order.

They blew the phrase, “rest and relaxation,” out of the water. No one should be expected to even lift a finger at Moon Palace because chances are they have some one paid to do it for you.

The night before my Aunt and I left our 5-day vacation in Cancun we took our last night to savor our experience. We sit at a bar on the beach, vacationers like to call The Swing Bar. The bar got its name based off of its structure. It is a circular hut with thick rope swings hanging from the ceiling and wood planks for guests to sit on that seat you right at the bars height.

The breeze is exceptionally warm that no jackets are needed and the air is filled with the smell of the sea so that it tastes like an expensive fish dinner. The feeling is so delectable that I never want to let it go.

By the time my vacation is coming to an end I am not yet prepared to call it a day. My heart already begins to ache having to have to prepare to go home to a world so different from this. One thing is for sure though; the Moon Palace has not seen the last of me.

Christmas is here!

(Before my article a little blurb on the pictures. All these pictures I took at my Mom's house. a house my step-Dad built for my Mom. Her dream house. So just take a second and look at the pictures and see how perfect it really is :)

I’m now calling all kids from ages one to ninety-two to turn a hopeful eye to the joys of this wonderful holiday season. There are so many great things when talking about the holiday season.

Lets start with the first and most obvious Christmas thing we all love. Grandma’s Christmas sweaters.

If you are anything like me then the day after Thanksgiving you have already busted out the sweaters your grandma has been knitting you since you were born. And if you go into this thinking you are alone, you aren’t. In one-way or another every one is excited for them. My personal favorite is the one my Grandma knit me with Rudolph’s head, the size of my whole upper torso, knit on the front with a giant red fluff ball as a nose. I still proudly sport that sweater to this day.

If you really want to be honest with yourself though then you, like me, will openly admit that you have been secretly jamming to Mariah Carey’s Christmas album since November first.

In my book there are no rules of having to wait until Black Friday to listen to Christmas music. In fact, if my ears serve me correctly I’m pretty sure I started hearing Christmas music being played earlier then Nov. 23rd on the radios this year.

Nothing puts my roommates and I more in the Christmas mood then a sweet sounding Christmas carol flowing through out our apartment and putting our ears and minds into a winter wonderland.

“Christmas music makes life so much better, there is something magical about listening to it in our apartment,” says Senior music major Hannah Elliott and my roommate. “I definitely started jamming to it the day after Thanksgiving.”

What more is there to love about Christmas then the tunes blasting with lyrics full of meaning celebrating just that…the joys of Christmas!

Lets not completely rule out tradition though. Another great thing about Christmas is all of its tradition that it holds. Christmas is about a tradition that brings you home to things celebrated for centuries. No matter who you are, whether you are a celebrity or some one of common status we’re all celebrating the love of a holiday having to do with the birth of our king.

This is the season that brings hope and joy and where, when miracles happen, most give credit where credit is due, to God. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our savior but he was a savior that brought the best gift of all; love. This is a season where people love more. It’s a place where families come together after not seeing each other and where hearts are giving and more polite.

“What I love most about Christmas is that I get to see all of my family because I have a big family and I get to spend time with my uncles and aunts,” says junior Commercial music major Kyle Pidilla.

This is a time where as families we gather together in an elementary schools auditorium to watch children sheepishly perform the birth of Jesus. Having two younger sisters that participate in these kinds of pageants it is something that they look forward to every year. Plus its something, as family, that is fun to watch.

Another great thing about the holidays is all of our favorite Christmas movies; the ones that we, with our families and friends, gather around the TV to watch.

I’m talking about movies like Muppets Christmas Carol, The Grinch, The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, and the list goes on.

The list of why the holiday season is so wonderful could go on forever. If you have a heart turned cold by Christmas then know there is still hope for you. If Kermit the frog can still hold holiday cheer while married to Mrs. Piggy then there is hope for all of us. So don’t be a Scrooge, loosen your scarf, lace your skates, sport Grandmas sweater, and enjoy this upcoming season!

Why do people allow things to hold them back?

My first year I went to Ghana I left for Africa after a hard tragedy where my cousin Jenna of 19 died in a car accident 10 days before I left. I went very broken and not sure if God was calling me to even go any more but when I got there and was surrounded by such amazing people I knew then that God was calling me to a new way of life.

Even though I have never been over seas before this it just fit and I got into the swing of things with no trouble. I was making relationship, trying their food, living as they do and embracing it with a huge heart. God was using Ghana to help me heal and in that summer I knew for a fact that I would be coming back. So last year in the fall I came back and applied for 2007’s Ghana team and became the leader. I learned a lot by being a leader last year and this past summer presented it self with amazing experiences again. I was able to see my friends again that lived in Ghana and it felt as though I was coming home after being at school all year.

Then when I came back from Ghana this past summer the worst of the worst happened. I got an unknown virus from Africa. 4 days after returning to the states I went into the hospital with a 104-degree fever and had the shakes really bad. So my initial thought was that I had malaria. While in Ghana we were surrounded by those that had Malaria but also surrounded by those that had various other diseases too.

I was in the hospital for 3 days in Chicago, 1 day at Foothill hospital in California, and 2 and half weeks in Arcadia Methodists hospital in Arcadia California. Finally after 3 hospital visits and two surgeries on my throat, where the virus hosted, the doctors still did not know what I had. Currently I am virus free and after lots of meds it eventually left my body. Here is the kicker. I have decided to lead this year’s team back to Ghana for next summer. God has blessed me with two amazing parents who support me in every thing I do. People who hear how sick I got think I’m crazy but I know that this is where God is calling me.

But I will hear sad stories that after a bad thing people just stop. They allow that to be there stoplight that remains red for the rest of their lives. Maybe after something as drastic as this it would be the wise decision to stop and take a break, but for the rest of my life? If that is the case I mise well throw in the towel now. I mise well choose the life of a monk and not allow the adventure in my life that I seek.

What is holding you back? And is it really worth all of the credit you are giving it? How about this, how about you look at this obstacle in the face and kick it to the curb. The time is now.

Jenna :)

Jenna is that girl that changed your life just by being in the same room with you and I picked that up just by being on the phone with her. I have always known that there was something special about Jenna and her heart for God. She actually inspired me to be a better person long before this moment. She has always been the sweet honest Jenna that we all know and love while still maintaining that amazing sense of humor that I know we all love. When I was younger I loved being around Jenna because she made me feel so loved and valued. I had some of the best times with her and the hardest laughs.

I was blessed enough to be able to talk to Jenna one last time about two and a half weeks ago. Oddly enough we talked about memories that we have had together that actually made us laugh so hard I believe we were both crying on the phone. I know that God was giving me the most amazing gift of all by being able to have this conversation with Jenna that I am going to value for the rest of my life. We talked a little bit about how David and Ricky used to beat up on us during our summer vacations up at the condo or the lake house in Jersey and how much we hated it but also how much we loved it at the same time; our big brothers. We talked about the time that Ricky, my mom, and I were spending time at their house for thanksgiving and Jenna and I were eating breakfast and we were eating pancakes and I flooded my plate with syrup. And Jenna glanced over smiled really big and grabbed the syrup and started flooding her plate too until Aunt Lorie came over and started laughing and said, “ok your pancakes are swimming, that’s enough”. I remember Jenna saying that she just wanted her pancakes exactly like mine.

Jenna and I have had this running joke that since her last name is Staup S-T-A-U-P and mine is Staub S-T-A-U-B that we were just one letter away from being the same person. That Ricky, David, Jenna, and I were really siblings just separated into different families, but we both knew that her and David really just wanted to be Ricky and me. But my most valued and cherished memory I have with Jenna is the time that I went to go visit them in New Jersey and we were standing in her back yard staring up at the moon. Jenna was standing on the deck of her pool and I was at the top of her yard and we were amazed by the fact that when I looked at the moon it looked like it was right in front of me. But if I were to walk back over to Jenna it would follow and then look like it was right in front of her.

I’m pretty sure we sat there for about 45 minutes walking back and forth and jokingly arguing who the moon was in front of and I remember walking back over to her and standing on the deck of the pool both of us looking at the moon and she said, “its so weird to think that the moon will follow you will ever you will go.” And I realize that those words hold more meaning to me now then they did then. I realized that Jenna like the moon will always be with me where ever I will go. She will always be following me and all I have to do is look up and she will be right there.
Jenna had just finished her first year at Palm Beach Atlantic when she died. She wanted to be a doctor. She was pre-med with an art minor. She wanted to move to France and live off the money she would make from selling her paintings. She was the sunshine in every ones life.

So my question is, why does death affect us so much? AND why does it always seem like the ones that die are the ones that mattered most? That is a question I don’t have an answer for.

Why is life so hard?

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost






There are many different forms of the same question; some are just in more detail. Sometimes I will hear, “why is school so hard?”, “Why is finding a job so hard?”, “why is bringing up this problem with my friend so hard?” But the real question underlying all of these questions is, “Why is life so hard?”

Here I am. A senior in college attempting to answer this question…yay :) Some may deny me or hate my answer. Some may agree with me and think I’m one step down from God ::Wink, Wink:: But really I’m just a normal women trying to answer this question every day.

I read Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life a couple years ago and in that book I remember it stating that, “There is no growth without change; no change without fear or loss; no loss without pain.” (Pg. 220).

This is your journey. As you are reading this right now you are on a journey, THEE journey rather. I mean this is your life. Take a second and breathe that in. This is your life and you can do whatever you want with it. Cool.

In ‘The Christmas Song’ it claims that kids are from ages 1 to 92….so it’s really never to late to start dreaming like one :)

You are on a journey of growth. You will always see and hear new things. You will experience new thoughts and emotions. You will interact with the same people but in new and completely different ways. Every day you take in something new even if you claim that your days remain the same. You will interact with new people in new and different ways. In its own way, every day is unique! Your life will continue to be that way even in the days to come.

So life is hard. Life is hard for every one. I don’t care if you are rich. I don’t care if you are poor. I don’t care if you are starving. I don’t care if you are fat. I don’t care if you are a child and I don’t care if you are old. Obviously I care about these things but I don’t care if these are your excuses why life is so hard just-for-you. Life is hard for every one in a different way.

I could easily give out the normal self-help solutions and tell you to go connect with a group you can talk to or find close and meaningful friends. Or lean on your family more or finally turn to God during the hard times. But I won’t.

But why is life hard? That is the real question.

There is a movie that not only stars an amazing women but is a movie that exemplifies the, “why me” out look on life. The movie is called Last Holiday. This movie stars Queen Latifah as Georgia Byrd. Georgia is a cute, cautious, sweet, hesitant, choir-singing store clerk who, through her doctor, finds out that she only has three weeks to live. Throughout the movie we watch as Georgia learns to finally enjoy life to it’s fullest and come out of her shell at last.

She goes through a moment in the movie where she is crying out to God, “Why me!” She is constantly asking why God is allowing this terrible thing to happen to her. Queen Latifah’s acting doesn’t just come to her naturally but this, “why me” situation comes out of personal experience.

Queen Latifah’s journey has been tough from growing up in a single-parent household, living in a New Jersey housing project, to losing her brother in a motorcycle accident at 22. Her singing career had just taken off and as a present to her brother Lancelot (age 24) she bought him a motorcycle. Two months later he died in a motorcycle accident.

In an interview from 2006, Queen Latifah was asked about her Christian faith and asked if she ever had a, “why me?” moment in her own life. Here is what she had to say,

I definitely had a "why" moment--"Why us? Why my mom?" You know . . . "Why my dad?" When my brother passed away, that was definitely a "why?" I don't even know if it was just a "why me?" But it was surely a big old "why." . . . Especially at that age -- I'm 22 years old when this happened, my brother's only 24 -- and it's like, whoa. And I'm like, "Why [would this happen] to my mom?" She's such a good person. So, all of this stuff is running through my head.

Even Queen Lahtifah can ask, “why is life so hard?”

My goal is not to take away the focus of any one suffering but to give my own perspective. Maybe this is me trying to provide a window for some ones effort who’s trying to find God in the midst of a hard life.

Life is hard because that’s the way it is. From a sermon I heard two years ago the pastor said, “There's no reason that we should expect better. Tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, cancer, HIV, starvation - these are naturally occurring events that need no explanation. The universe is random, so bad things happen. We should expect them and find a way to make the best of life anyway.”

Like I said before, life is hard for every one. Life is not only hard for bad people deserving exactly what they get, but also for the good people who, with their lives, honor God to it’s fullest. Also life is hard for good and innocent people, like babies with illnesses, and people thrown into a life of poverty.

Life is rough and even in my own story I can pick out little things of why my life that in other words has “sucked” at moments. But I will continue to love and live my life to the fullest. Others may easily go to blaming others for their problems or blaming the world.

But I really want to ask those people out there, what are you doing with your life to make it worthwhile through all of its crap and hardships?

Giving voice to the voiceless

I believe that’s what a good journalist does; gives voice to the voiceless. I once said, "I couldn’t give a damn if I don’t have good spelling, correct grammar, or talk with perfect English. If the lowliest and in most need of love, kind of people understand me then that’s all that matters." Obviously grammar and good structure and those things are important because I want to have a broad audience, but they are not my top priority. This is the point where I give a big Thank You to my editor ;) When people read my work I want them to feel as though they are sitting down and having a conversation with me. I want it to be comfortable and natural. I want to reach many and have valid points. I'm only a college student...so I'm getting there; I'm learning. I would like to think that I am on my way to greatness, and I am…at least that’s what my mom tells me ;) I want to travel the world and risk my life. I read up on some journalists that gave a voice to the voiceless and I was inspired. All I kept reading between the lines is I or me. I want that to be Me. Allow Me to be that good some day. Allow Me to be that brave some day. Me...allow Me to be there one day.

As I was looking at the Fox News website I came across an article titled, “American Journalist Michael Kelly Killed in Iraq”, by Liza Porteus. In this article Porteus quotes Fox News anchor Tony Snow and he commented on the death of Kelly by saying, “There aren’t many people who on a regular basis, when I’m reading their columns, I say ‘man, I wish I’d written that.’” He also said, “There aren’t that many people who make that kind of an impact in so few years,” he calls this tragedy as, “an indescribable loss to the journalism profession.” I read Me….let Me be there some day…

Am I willing to take that risk? What voice do I want to have? What kind of risk do I want to take? Is it worth it? I would like to think that it is. Lets be honest, it’s easy for me to say that its worth it being at my Christian school with my friends and comfortable life; being around my family that love me and surrounding myself with friends that bring me joy but what happens when I’m done with school, will I go out there and ‘Just do it’? Only time will tell.

Make a Statement.

Travel through life. Live it. Love it.

(What Ive learned by traveling through life)

Who am I? About Me?

God, I don’t even really know yet :) I know I’m a girl who finds that the kindest kind of love is through a dog. He is truly the only creature that will ever love you more then he loves himself (Example: my best dogs Max, Alex, and the love of my life, Tucker :)

I’m a girl who is lead by a passion to just want to love…even if that means too much sometimes. I’m every day reminding myself to slow down but love with intensity.

I’m a girl with a story and an unexpected past. “I climbed across the mountain tops, Swam all across the ocean blue, I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules.” But you would never know that unless you have asked.

I’m a girl that hopes I leave a legacy behind just as my amazing cousin Jenna did at 19. One can only hope to be a woman of God like Jenna was, because to want to be more like Jenna would be wanting to be more like Christ.

I couldn’t give a damn if I don’t have good spelling, correct grammar, or talk with perfect English. If the lowliest and in most need of love, kind of people understand me then that’s all that matters.

I want to share the love of God no matter if it means crossing the deepest ocean to Africa, going to San Fran to live on the streets to understand what true love looks like, go to a country where I don’t speak the same language, or sitting on a curb smoking a cigarette with a homeless guy that just wants to be heard. God will come in disguise even if that disguise is me.

As cheesy as it is this is life’s biggest lesson: Live, Love, Laugh, and Learn.

The movie "Into the Wild"

(Just click on the question mark and it will take you to the trailer website)

The movie trailer of the book that started stirring my desire to seek adventure even more.

Always seeking more...

“Curiosity is defined as an eagerness to learn. It does not guarantee success. But curiosity motivates people to try new things -- and that's essential for success.” (Mariah).

As far back as I can remember I was never satisfied with just knowing minimal information, I always wanted more. Even now my drive for knowledge allows me to dream of a day where I can travel to the corners of the Earth; I have a love for seeking out unique experiences and venturing into the unknown. Curiosity is the main motivator in why there are great writers today. If writers did not start out life with a thirst to know more nothing would become discovered. Curiosity as a starting point allows writers to freely express themselves. By having a drive to know more, writers are able to become more knowledgeable on their topic, and when curiosity is important to a writer authenticity is revealed in their work. With curiosity as their road map, writers are then able to write pieces with goals of getting true information out to the public, work that is entertaining, and pieces that encourage readers to know more about their world.

Leather Tramp

"Leather Tramp

(noun phrase)
One who walks or hitchhikes. This is a phrase not often used, but is mentioned in Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild". (Mariah Burton Nelson).

Example: "He was a leather tramp, riding the backs of roads in search of adventure."

http://www.mariahburtonnelson.com/TwoPoints/TwoPointsCuriosity.htm