I Was Here

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

1 Peter 3:3-4

At approximately 2 AM on December 8th, 2010 (a.k.a. the night before my most difficult final ever - Accounting 2), I was awakened by a group of overly ecstatic UGA H.E.R.O.* Executive Board members telling me that I was chosen as the 2011 Campus Relations Chair. Most people would consider this a bit rude and definitely weird, but my thoughts were the exact opposite. I have wanted to serve on this position for several months now and have been diligently working to prove to the rest of the HERO Executive Board that I could handle all of the position's responsibilities and challenges. Though I was a bit delirious when I heard the news, I had severe trouble falling back to sleep because I was so excited and honored.

I have to admit that at the beginning of my quest to be named the Campus Relations Chair, my main motivation (which has been my motivation for many leadership positions that I've held) was to add an impressive role to my resume for a very worthy cause. But as this semester has passed, that has drastically changed. As I've become more involved with HERO through being a member of the Public Relations and Marketing Committee, I now grimace at my original thoughts. This organization is so much more than that, and it's made evident through the passion of its leaders. What is their passion, you might ask? The children who have absolutely no one else advocating for them. They are the 12,000 kids in Georgia alone who are either infected with or affected by the horrible, worldwide epidemic of HIV/AIDS, and we are the only organization that provides quality of life programs for these children.

Before I became involved with HERO, the only things that I thought of when I thought about HIV/AIDS were Africa and Oprah. I had no idea that its effects hit so close to home. I used to believe that in order to made a difference with AIDS, I had to have my own talk show, visit third world countries, and be an expert on the disease. I now know that I don't need any of that. I only need this organization, the children we support depending on us, and my fellow HERO members (past and present) to motivate me and help me make a difference.

Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that I'm not the loudest person. Soft-spoken, a tad bit shy, and nurturing would be more appropriate words to describe me. I'm never the HERO member who raises the most money nor am I the one who gets everyone pumped up at our big meetings. This was always an insecurity of mine... Until now. Two young women who I greatly admire and have had the pleasure of meeting and working with this past year on HERO actually complimented me on what they saw as qualities rather than weaknesses of mine. Hearing these sweet words has encouraged me to not only to embrace these personal characteristics, but they also made me realize that I don't have to be the loudest nor the strongest person in order to make a difference. I can still have a positive effect on others with my own quiet, genuine disposition.

So that's what I'm going to do... I'm going to continue to work for these kids whose voices are more difficult to hear than my own. The two young women who I mentioned above gave me the confidence and the voice to be heard in this organization, and now I want to help raise the voices of the 12,000 children who not only want to be heard, but need to be heard. I know I won't be able to personally meet and help all 12,000, but if I can make even the smallest difference for a fraction of a few, I'll be satisfied knowing that I left some sort of mark in my life - And not a mark on my resume, but a mark on other lives.

I Was Here

by Lady Antebellum

You will notice me
I'll be leaving my mark like initials carved
In an old oak tree, you wait and see

Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold, I don't know
But I'm ready start 'cause I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says "I was here"

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock
'Cause this dream's too strong and before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
'Cause I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
And leave nothing less than something that says "I was here"

And I know that I, I will do more than just pass through this life
I'll leave nothing less than something that says "I was here"
I was here

*UGA HEROs (Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out) strives to improve the quality of life for the 12,000 children in Georgia by raising money to support the programs offered by H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc., spreading awareness about the growing problem of pediatric AIDS, and participating in service initiatives aimed at improving the lives of affected children. UGA HEROs now unites more than two thousand collegians under this mission statement. Our vision for the future is to not only keep growing in members and donations, but to increase awareness of our cause across the state of Georgia. UGA HEROs rallies students across campus in a year-long fundraiser that culminates in a grand finale at the HERO Olympics--an event for these children and UGA students. UGA HEROs works closely with the UGA football team, Athletic Association, and both Head Football Coach Mark Richt and Georgia Legend Vince Dooley (who are both H.E.R.O. Board members) to help rally students and raise more money for children with HIV/AIDS in Georgia.

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT UGAHEROS.ORG

TO DONATE, PLEASE GO TO UGAHEROS.KINTERA.ORG

Everyday

A friend loves at all times... (Proverbs 17:17)

Like I said in my first blog, my first year at UGA has had its ups and downs. Recently, though, the downs seem to be more frequent than the ups, but I feel that cycle reversing, and I owe that to Phil and Stu (you know who you are). I have come to love these girls (yes, they’re girls) like family. Our relationship continues to amaze me everyday. With every movie watched, every plate of Choo Choo’s ordered, every tear cried in the middle of Bourbon, every fish bowl ordered, and every car misplaced, our sisterly bonds have only become stronger. I cannot thank God enough for blessing my life with these beautiful, smart, HILARIOUS, remarkable young women.

After watching Bride Wars, The Notebook, and 27 Dresses together multiple times, our conversations lately have centered around our thoughts and hopes for our future weddings. It’s already a given that we’re going to be standing at the altar next to each other in hideous dresses crying our eyes out as one of us is reciting her vows. What we question, however, is whose eyes we will be staring into as we promise to spend everyday for the rest of our lives with them. Since our love lives haven’t exactly been ideal this past year, it’s something we have become to express slight anxiety over. We even assume at times that it’s never going to happen for us, so we might as well go ahead and embrace the fact that we’re going to end up like the ladies from Sex and the City, living as single women for the rest of our lives. That’s ok, we think, since we’ll have fabulous closets, cool apartments, delicious cosmos, and hot men surrounding us at all times. At the same time, however, we know we won’t be completely happy unless we find this so-called “true love” that everyone longs to have.

Though I cannot imagine having a ring on my finger at any point in my life right now, I know that God has a plan for each of us, and I know that plan involves us living happy, love-filled lives. What I have come to realize, however, is that we need to accept and embrace the love that He has given to us and allowed us to enjoy everyday this past year. We may not be experiencing love and affection for and from the opposite sex, but we are experiencing a love for and from our best friends. This love of friendship is the type of love that God wants us to experience here – right now – in the final days of our freshman year of college. He has a plan for us, He makes everything happen for a reason, and maybe He planned these heartbreaks caused by our significant others so we would know that we could always count on each other to mend it back together. Plain and simple, breakups absolutely suck, but friendships like these are the best.

Girls: I love you and will always be here for you, whether you need a shoulder to cry on, assistance finishing a fish bowl, helping you find your car the morning after a crazy party, or someone to stand behind you at your wedding. I thank God everyday that He allowed us to find each other. If I ever find a man who is as strong enough as you girls to put up with me, you will be standing right next to me on that day that we dream about now to make sure that he doesn’t try to escape. And I promise not to choose dresses that are too hideous. ;)

Love, Alan

Everyday

You could've bowed out gracefully
But you didn't
You knew enough to know
To leave well enough alone
But you wouldn't

I drive myself crazy
Tryin' to stay out of my own way
The messes that I make
But my secrets are so safe
The only one(s) who get(s) me
Yeah, you get me
It's amazing to me


How everyday
Everyday, everyday
You save my life

I come around all broken down and
Crowded out
And you're comfort
Sometimes the place I go
Is so deep and dark and desperate
I don't know, I don't know

How everyday
Everyday, everyday
You save my life

Sometimes I swear, I don't know if
I'm comin' or goin'
But you always say something
Without even knowin'
That I'm hangin' on to your words
With all of my might and it's alright
Yeah, I'm alright for one more night-
Everyday
Everyday, everyday, everyday
Everyday, everyday
You save me, you save me,
Everyday
Every, every, everyday-

Everyday you save my life

I Wish That We Could Always Stay...

"I wouldn't go back to high school, but I'd go back to college in a heartbeat."

"You won't want to graduate. Ever."

"You'll have the time of your life..."

I had countless people repeat these phrases to me millions of times the summer before I went off to college at the University of Georgia. Just graduating from a truly wonderful four years of high school in a beautiful small southern town had me wondering if these people who told me these things really knew what they were talking about. I seriously had it made in high school. Leaving behind cheerleading, serving as class president and yearbook editor, being an honor student, and baby-sitting for my teachers made me nervous about transitioning to my new life as a college student. Everyone told me that I would be absolutely fine...

They were wrong. I hated it. I cried myself to sleep nearly every night, could barely keep any food in my stomach due to all my anxiety, and the only way I could ever calm down was by telling myself that I would move back home to Statesboro and transfer to Georgia Southern next semester.

That lasted about three weeks, and then I realized that all those people were right. And I owe my recovery to three amazing young women. One who I had met five years prior and went to high school with, but never got the chance to know. The other who I found quite annoying at first, but quickly realized her heart was ten times as big as her mouth (and that's BIG!). And another who I originally thought was stuck up, but then found out what a caring, funny, and supportive friend she really was. I consider having these three wonderful people walk into my life as a sign from God that I am where He wants me to be.

The past couple of days, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with my dad during one of his business trips to Athens. I took advantage of his visit to introduce him to my friends and was thrilled when he not only approved but also seemed to love them and appreciate them for who they are just as much as I do. His trip here ended just a few hours ago as he had to get back home. I'm always a little depressed whenever I have to say goodbye to a close friend or family member that I know I will not get to see in awhile, and this time is no different.

So that's when I decided to go see my incredible friends to get my spirits back up. As I was talking to them and feeling my mood being uplifted, I realized something. I had just said goodbye to a family member, but I had also just returned to my family... Wow. I was rather astonished when I realized this, because I had never really opened up to anyone other than my mom, dad, brother, and sister before, but these girls already have seen every side of me and know more about my life than many of my close friends from high school. Heck, they probably know a bit more about me than my parents, but we won't go there...

"I don't want to graduate. Ever"

"I'm having the time of my life."

These are my thoughts and words now. I finally understand what all those people were saying. I honestly do want things to stay just as they are now. Two of my favorite people right next door, the other across the street. All just a text message or phone call away to listen to whatever nonsense I have on my mind. (And believe me - I'm full of crazy nonsense.) I have met a lot of people throughout this past year, and I know that I will not stay in touch with all of them. But I know these girls are here to stay...

Lord, thank you for these three wonderful blessings you have placed in my life.

And Ashley, Meagen, and Brea - I LOVE YOU! Promise me that we'll always stay friends and that we'll always, ALWAYS stay "19 & Crazy." :)

"This belly button dangle

Will probably just be one of those things

I won't be showing off too often at 65.

This butterfly tattoo

Might be something I'll tell my kids not to do.

Spring Break shouldn't last the rest of your life.

There were things

I should not have done. (Law school, disappearing at AGR, cough cough)

Then again

Well we sure had fun.

Being free, being wild, being bulletproof

Back then we were rebels without a clue

Nothing in the world that we wouldn't do

Whoa Oh Oh Oh Oh

Didn't give a damn what people say

We were doing it, doing it our way

I WISH THAT WE COULD ALWAYS STAY

19 AND CRAZY!

The only things that I regret

Are the things that we didn't do.

Those crazy days that I have left

Have led me here to you...

Being free, being wild, being bulletproof

RIGHT NOW we're rebels without a clue

Nothing in this world that we can't do

Don't give a damn what people say

'Cause we're doin' it, doin' it OUR WAY

I WISH THAT WE COULD ALWAYS STAY

19 AND CRAZY!

PROMISE ME, WE WILL ALWAYS STAY

19 AND CRAZY..."

-Bomshel