I signed up for a statistics class at GGC for the summer semester, but next week, I have the whole week free! No class, no work, no serious obligations. Already I’ve created a list of what I want to do–if not during next week, then sometime during the rest of my break. Having free time is kind of a foreign concept to me, but it is extremely appealing, at least for a little bit. this whole week I’ve been working and finishing finals. I normally planned to drive home tomorrow; however, the work schedule deemed otherwise, so I won’t be leaving until Friday.

But I digress a bit there. My goals/plans to accomplish this summer:

1. Go biking

2. Go hiking and have a picnic!

3. Go to Stone Mountain Park, climb the mountain, see the laser light show

4. Go on a date at a local Mexican restaurant: El Centinela

5. Go tubing in Helen

6. Go to Six Flags!  (Haven’t been on a roller coaster in years)

7. Celebrate a one year anniversary with my boyfriend. (He apparently has a surprise planned )

And that’s my list thus far. What’s your list? What are your plans? I bet many plan to go to the beach, which does sound wonderful.

Anyway, I would like to conclude saying I wish I had written more blogs, and that I wish I had had more time to write them too. It has been very fun and certainly interesting. I hope everyone had a great semester and will have an even more terrific summer.

Dr. Van Tuyll, everyone admits, is the best instructor for this subject. When I signed up for this course, I was expecting to edit blocks of paragraphs, design layouts, and read like crazy. However, never would I have thought that the text we edit was going to be published into an actual book.
When I first heard this idea, I was quite intimidated. This was a hard task for undergraduates. On the contrary, I never thought that I would get a chance to be involved in a book publication. This project is rare, almost unheard of. On top of that, the text materials that we received was also written by undergraduates in a journalism history class, (and a lot of them were writers for the Bell Ringer). This class was too surprising that I almost had a stroke. After all the harsh work of reading and editing was done, I ordered an actual book off amazon and gaped at my name that was printed in the acknowledgement section of the book, along with all my other classmates.

Book Signing and reception

This class was one of the most stressful classes I have ever had in my life, other than HUMN 2001 & 2002. On top of heavy reading, the students were also required to learn In-Design, and learn the basic of copyedting, and public relations writing. After the book was published, we still had to take exams, turn in projects, and essays. This class nearly threw me off the edge. I could have done better in many ways, even though I am still not sure about the final grade that I have for this class.
The only thing I know is that this class is the best class for students who want to enter the field of publications. Dr. Van Tuyll is strict, but she provides as much assistance as needed.

Scott Hudson’s report: http://scotthudsonnews.wordpress.com/
The leaders of this publication, other than Dr. Van Tuyll, was Scott Hudson. He was also known as the Augusta’s Redheaded Stepchild Reporter; in addition, he is the owner of a local liquor store: Cheers: Wine & Beverage on Washington Road.

Book Description:

“This book narrates the rise and growth of WGAC radio station in downtown Augusta with the contribution of J. B.Fuqua, and many others. From helping to build the career of pop star James Brown, who once shined shoes outside the studio, to building the Masters Golf Tournament into an international tradition, WGAC has brought the best of Augusta to the world. It has weathered the transition in American radio from local stations with hometown programming to corporately owned stations that feature syndicated segments, all without giving up its Augusta character. Join local writers Debra van Tuyll and Scott Hudson as they trace the history of this community landmark from its infancy to its number-one status today.”

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WGAC-History/264187973666978

Local News 12: http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/ASU_students_publish_book_detailing_WGAC_Radio_history_146904805.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Augustas-WGAC-Radio-Seventy-History/dp/1609493397

Find this book on Barns & Nobel, local libraries, or on the websites.

Click to enlarge the image

As a kid, newspaper has been fun to me. My grandpa would buy newspaper at 7-11 almost everyday to look at lottery number and the stock market. The papers he collected soon piled up to a mountain. Grandpa didn’t want to throw them away because they make a good table cloth. My sister and I would fold them into shapes of animals, cut them into paper dolls, and doodle over them. Never did I pay attention to what was exactly on the paper until I reached 18.

Back in the summer of 2009 when I was interning at the Chinese Montessori Foundation, I enjoyed walking to the subway, having the newsman handing me free newspaper at the entrance and saying good morning to me. On my way to work, other than being jammed in the train, I enjoyed reading news paper. Looking at the political events, crime cases, statistic reports, horoscope, and, last but not least, the comic section.

Back when I was in high school, even nowadays, from time to time, I’d see my friends working on the cross-word puzzle in the newspaper.  Since I have a dream to become an editor at the New York Times, I began to read English newspapers. I enjoyed having free newspaper to read when I was interning at Augusta Chronicle. After I left there, I stopped reading printed news for a while. I still read news online and watch TV in order to to be informed about what’s going on in the society. Online publication and television is nice and all, I still prefer the old traditional style to read newspaper.  I have been an adherence reader of school publications: Phoenix Magazine, Sand Hills Magazine, and The Bell Ringer.

Dr. Van Tuyll is the director of the Phoenix Magazine, Dr. Sladky is the director of the Sand Hills Magazine, and Dr. Bosisio is the director of the Bell Ringer. All of our student publications have won phenomenal awards and have been the best in this area. I’ve been dying to get the opportunity to work with them. Just a few weeks ago, as I was flipping through the Bell Ringer, I saw a position, webamaster, was available. As fired up as I am, I sent out my resume. Later, the editor in chief, Tiffannie Meador replied to me for an interview. After the interview, I met with Dr. Bosisio again, and he encouraged me to meet up with Ashley Panter, the former webmaster of the Bell Ringer.

As little as I was equipped with Html knowledge, I showed great passion to the idea of working with the Bell Ringer. She showed me the process and the responsibility to manage the Bell Ringer website: http://www.asubellringer.com/
As difficult as the work appears to me, I was excited to learn new things. Like a little boy staring into the Hot Wheels commercials on tv, I was reading enthusiastically at the Bell Ringers articles.

http://blumountainexpressions.com/about-me/
Every Wednesday at 5 p.m., Bell Ringers has a meeting in the office right next to the Jagcard office. Dr. Bosisio invited me there, where I signed the contract with the Student Activities. After a light refreshment, Tiffannie presented a slideshow with a music of her choice. There were photographs of their trip to a conference wining a dozen awards. In addition, there were photos of them hanging out casually at a restaurant. Their involvement reminds me of Model UN class that I participated during this spring break. As I mentioned in my other blog: Model UN (SABR 2930) was the first American class that I ever had the chance to remember everyone’s name and their interest as an individual. The Bell Ringer strongly gave me the same feeling.

Again, I like to share with you guys the joy and the honor to be part of the Bell Ringer.
Our school has been great with our publication. I am thrilled to have the chance to contribute my skills.  A camp fire wouldn’t burn without every little contribution from the wood. I am a fire wood, and I have found my camp fire

Not to say that I get a TON of free time between school and work and life in general, but when I do get some free time, I tend to do art. I know that I am classified as a Biology major, but I do love to art. Today I’ll show you some of my polymer clay creations, and maybe in the next post I’ll show you some of my cakes.

This picture sums it up fairly well. You can see some of my bear charms/necklaces, some biscuit charms along the bottom, a charm bracelet, and other girly sculpted things- like lollipops and other characters. In the middle there is Finn and the Flame Princess from Adventure Time. I know, it’s a bit juvenile that I still like cartoons and I’m an adult in college… but I know I’m not the only one by far, so I’m okay with it.

It’s good to break away from studying and really do something that you just enjoy. Stress is bad for you, and taking time to yourself is important to maintain your good mood and self-esteem. For instance, I like to take a few minutes each week to paint my nails, and now that it’s sandal season, every time I look down I’m instantly cheered up by all the artsy colorful action going on at my toes. Another reason to love this time of year!

I want to take classes during summer. I guess even though that would mean being very busy, and less time for the beach, I still have nail polish, summer dresses, and my sandal collection.

I hope everyone else is taking time for themselves. Finals are coming!!!

My philosophy is to never say that I’m busy, because believing myself to not be busy allows me to do more things.  I look down on those who find excuses to no do things.

I love writing, and I was really thrilled to have this opportunity to be the president of the Creative Writing Club. There were many ways I could have done better, and there were times when I thought nothing could have been more perfect than that. In my freshmen year, my Learning Support instructor Dr. D recommended me to join the Creative Writing Club. As fired up as I am, I sent an email to Dr. Kellman and things slowly developed from there.

A problem I found with the Creative Writing Club was that, not even members, there were barely enough people to make officers. At the beginning, there were only me and Amber from the English Department. In fall of 2009, I was the Vice President. Amber and I were both new to the club, even new to the entire school. We made several mistakes, such as not turning the funding request from in time for the trip to Atlanta, and forgetting to send out reminders. Even with the constant reminders on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/115951698492417/) or via emails, there were barely any members showing up. In the spring semester, I took over the responsibility of fundraising; in order to raise money, I designed bookmarks, printed them, and laminated them, cut them, and put tassels on them. There was a member, Cathy, who participated with the activities frequently. She helped us selling some book marks. We would also sell bookmarks during Sandhills Writers Series. But again, the support we received was very minimal.

book marks

As time flows by, around fall of 2010, Amber became very busy with school and left the club. I took over her position and became the president. Even though Dr. Kellman found another helper to help me with this club, I still did most of the work by myself. The routine of the club continues: general meetings, night readings gathering every month, an open-mic night once a semester, and a trip to Atlanta once a year. The reservation of rooms at JSAC or through Physical Plant was handy and I could do it by myself. I even built a website for the club, putting updates and create publicity. (http://asucreativewritingclub.weebly.com/)

However, the trip to Atlanta was a tougher task that I must work with Dr. Kellman. Every beginning of the semester, Dr. Kellman and I update our contact list. Around the end of the semester, we report to Student Activities. Whenever there was an orientation, I always represented the club and tried to recruit new members. Counting down the semesters, Dr. Kellman and I have work with each other to build up this club for years. Not that I am bragging, but I really have become a well-experienced leader who clearly understood every process to function an organization. Passing down the years, the Creative Writing Club has plenty collaborative events with Black Student Union and Film Club. The publicity of the club developed very quickly with the joint sessions with other organizations.

Open Mic Night

Trip to Atlanta

We weren’t able to get another officer until fall of 2011. Shelley volunteered to be the secretary. She helped me to send out reminders, and I was grateful because I have really bad memory. Fall of 2011 was my proudest moment with the Creative Writing Club. I was actually standing in front of dozens of students at the first general meetings. We had more than a dozen of people showing up at the night reading gathering.

Never had I been more proud of myself before. Many people might not think it’s much to be proud of, but when I saw a classroom full of people, I nearly ran tears to my eyes.

After this semester, however, I will step down as the president. I am very sorry to announce that, but it has been agreed upon both Dr. kellman and myself. I received Cs in my creative writing courses, which was a big discouragement, in consideration that I was the president of the Creative Writing Club. On top of that, I was, oh gosh I hate to admit this, busy with school and other things. It’s a shame that I have to break my goal, but recently I had been stressing out and getting depression problems. I am not physically busy, but emotionally I’m overwhelming myself. Dr. Kellman really recommended me to not push things so far; beside I’ve done enough already. I have been an officer for the club for more than 3 years, and it’s time for me to find other opportunities and learn new things.

I will still be involved with the Creative Writing Club activities; besides, I have never been a member of the club before. For years, I’ve been participating as the leader. It’s time for me to sit back and watch someone else do the work.  I’m retired!

The Honors Program mission is simple and clearly stated: “The Honors Program seeks to challenge students intellectually, enhance their interpersonal communications skills and prepare them for a culturally diverse society. The course of study balances breadth and depth. It is not a separate degree program but is designed to augment the course work required for a degree. Successful completion of the program requirements culminates in an Honors Degree, a seal of distinction which lets prospective employers, graduate schools and professional schools know that the student has maintained a consistent record of excellence.”

In the program, you should start in either your freshman and sophomore year because you must take five honors courses that cover your basic core requirements (i.e. Honors Political Science 1101, Honors Psychology 1101, and many more). You also have the opportunity to take two Honors 3900 courses, which are special courses designed with distinct and sometimes unusual (but still fun) topics. Next semester one course will be over China’s history, economy, and art, and for Spring 2013, the course will be over James Bond movies and the correlation with Cold War tensions. After completing the five courses and taking the HONR 3900 classes, you move on to Honors Prospectus, Honors Thesis, and Capstone. Each completed in adjacent semesters, this part of the honors curriculum is saved for your junior or senior year. The three of these courses encapsulate your Honors Thesis- which is published and it classifies you as an honors graduate (an invaluable asset in terms of prestige for those pursuing degrees beyond Bachelor’s).

It should be noted that the honors classes themselves are fun! You are among like-minded students in even smaller classes than what ASU already has! Not to mention, honors students receive early registration. You don’t have to worry about not getting the classes you want or need! And, in the Honors Suite on the third floor of University Hall, you have access to free printing. In my opinion, the advantages of being an Honors student are unassailable.

But what will happen to the program in the future, in the midst of consolidation? In reviewing the documents and literature provided about the consolidation, the Honors Program isn’t really mentioned, except once. In an overview of the future leadership structure, a box specifically says Honors College. COLLEGE. Like the Pamplin COLLEGE of Arts and Sciences? Though I am not sure what the term ‘college’ entails, it connotes perhaps more autonomy. How will the course structure change? What are the benefits the students will gain from it (if any)? Who will be in charge? What are the overall pros and cons?

Nevertheless, if you’re a freshman or sophomore, you should seriously take into consideration having the honor and prestige of having ‘Honors Graduate’ on your diploma. ASU’s program makes it fun and makes it worth it, and I can only hope that the new Honors College continue with this in mind.

If you have any questions, visit the program’s website:  http://www.aug.edu/honors_program/

Or visit the office on the third floor of University Hall and ask the wonderful Blanche Clinefelter about more.

Age 12

Never had I ever imagined that Cupid would also include me into his shooting range.

Age 10

Like I mentioned, I was a Tom Boy. I acted like a boy; I dressed like a boy; I treated myself like a boy, and I even look like a boy: Short bold cut, tan skin, and very built. Growing up, I hung out with male friends than female friends a whole lot more often. It’s still the same way nowadays; besides, what other girls enjoy riding bikes with bunch of stray dogs and roll around in the dirt? Even with such close distance, I didn’t even have the slightest idea about dating a man until college.

Peer pressure perhaps? I saw couples kissing in front of their lockers back in High School. First, I despite it; later, I questioned myself: why not me? Slowly, I figured out that I didn’t hang around with guys like a girl. I hung out with them like a guy; besides, which guy wants to date a girl who rolls around in dirt?

Then, it clicked.
I need to treat myself like a girl before guys can treat me like a girl.

Age 14

Curling my hair, painting my nails, and wearing pretty dresses made me really uncomfortable at first, but then I actually found it quite enjoyable. In fact, I am a female after all. Unfortunately, I was still unable to get guys’ attention in High School. Nobody asked me to prom, not even just a date. Gradually, I merged back with my old living style— carefree, wild, and adventurous. Nevertheless, peer pressure got worse after I went to college. Without a shelter from the family, I was constantly influenced by my roommate who brought her boyfriend home to sleep with every night. My friends started to engage with sex talk and—experience sharing, while I sat idiotically at the table with them. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was getting desperate. I blamed myself for being so weak-minded.

Age 19

In my freshmen year, when my first boyfriend showed interests in me, I was flattered. I started dating him right away without a second thought. One short sentence to conclude my first relationship: it was the most regretful thing I have ever done in my life. Few months later, I met “Robert.” While dating, both of us were trying to make this relationship as short as it could be in consideration of the distance. As foolish as it could be, I was still shot by Cupid’s arrow. He was too. Like two lovey doves we were, sang together and flew beyond the skies with each other by the side. Yet, flowers have their seasons to bloom, and fruits have their seasons to be picked.
After two years, he asked me,“What’s the point of this relationship?”
A simple rhetorical question could stun me so much, and put me to such a speechless mode that I could do nothing but cry. Is it really to love and loss, than never love at all? Do I still believe in picking the right apple after getting food poisoning from the previous ones? The answer is NO.

I loved a person, truly, dearly. I was, also, shattered by the tiniest pieces.

Of course, my friends and family around me encouraged me in the old fashioned way: be patient because one day Mr. Right will come or don’t judge one person as the whole group. Looking spacy into the sky, it sometimes disgusted me to see two lovey birds flying together. I’m all different now, even though I pray as I sleep, wishing to be back to the normal me. Before the arrow hit, I never wonder around my cellphone waiting for a reply on a text message; I never stalk on facebook; I never pull on the flower petals saying, “he loves me, he loves me not.”

Recently, I grew interest in this person. Also, I saw Cupid readied his bow and arrows.
When it hits, what should I do?

The Clothesline Project has been in going on for several days now, with students and guests decorating T-shirts and making postcards for survivors of assault. On Thursday,  ASU held the annual Take Back the Night rally at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, with hundreds in attendance. The rally is to bolster awareness of the kinds of crimes that very frequently go unreported. The admission for this event has always been free, and students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are always encouraged to attend.  There are guest speakers, and counselors (and information on where to receive counseling) are available. It’s this kind of event that makes me feel comfort knowing that we have a very strong, supportive and proactive community at ASU and in Augusta.

There has also been a ceramics sale going on near the JSAC, where students taking the ceramics course during the current semester sell their beautiful work. This is a semi-annual event, one sale for Spring and one for Fall. I bought a small dish for jewelry and some ceramic charms. It’s fun to see what awesome designs other students have created.

Martha Buck, Richard Cunningham, and Sydney Ewerth volunteering at the Pottery sale, selling their own handmade wares as well as the artistic creations of others students on Friday.

There’s always lots going on at ASU, and these are just a few of the events I’ve enjoyed. I hope to share more with you soon! Thanks for reading, and please feel free to comment or ask questions!