After returning from the CKI convention, the week began with a swift start. Monday brought two meetings and plenty of drawing to catch up on. In the morning, Jessi Fernandes-Flack, the president of STUFU, and I both were happy to attend the team meeting at the OSU Foundation to announce the exciting Cowboy Spirit results! Being towards the end of the agenda, it was really neat to hear about the great things that are occurring within the Foundation and to be a part of that harmonious spirit even just for a short time. Later that afternoon, I returned to the Foundation for a Cowboy Spirit follow up meeting. Every year after Cowboy Spirit, the advisors, executive board and prominent donors Mike and Anne Greenwood convene to discuss all aspects of the event, inside and out, what needs improvement, and what we felt had a positive impact. We have results from the surveys given to STUFU members about the event and detailed monetary results as well that assist in this process. We are very excited about this year's event, but must analyze our actions to grow the event even more! I'm already looking forward to next year!

Tuesday I had a Merchandise and Apparel Design Association meeting that featured designer Claire Kennedy! She truly provided a wealth of information and inspiration. Based out of Oklahoma City, Ms. Kennedy is a one-woman show; she designs, fits, and sews custom wedding and debutant dresses. Having been in apparel design for a year it is easy to see that this is where her passion lies due to all the work those processes entail. The information that she shared about how her business came about and the niche she formed for her business was very interesting. Also, she mentioned many strategies in maintaining customers and explained in detail the reasoning for her contracting procedure. Most notably, she discussed how important it is to discover your passion not matter what field you study. She stated that regardless of the work load that may arise it's always fun because it's what she loves! It's reasons like that that I feel organizations like MADA are so important; they bring in people who are experiencing their dreams and can divulge how they accomplished their journey.

Wednesday after drawing, I had an AIGA meeting in the computer lab for the purposes of the topic. Online professional databases, or portfolio-type websites were discussed in detail. It was extremely informative and I am so glad to know that there are opportunities such as this to showcase one's work. Behance, Linkedin and Vimeo were among the top sites that were explained in-depth. It's an easy way to not only get your work out there, but to see what others are producing as well. Being aware of how to setup these sites will become very beneficial to me as an art major.

My second exam in marketing was Thursday, followed by a Student Foundation executive meeting and a Circle K International meeting. The STUFU exec meeting was a bit more exciting than usual with the celebration of Abby Fox's birthday, which was the following day. The execs surprised her with a cake and warm wishes, although it would be difficult to do anything that could match the appreciation we hold for all that she does to support and encourage us!

The speaker for the CKI meeting cancelled last minute so we improvised by making a few more blankets to give to domestic violence next week. We also played a few entertaining ice-breakers!

The Lew Wentz scholarship deadline was Friday, so after an exam, I made a few final adjustments and dropped the envelope off at the Student Union. I believe that was my last scholarship deadline, for a while anyway!!   After I submitted my monthly CKI secretary report to the district, I was off to OKC for some live music! That evening I saw Needtobreathe, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and Graham Colton; what an incredible concert! The affect that live music has on my spirit never ceases to amaze me! All my worries disappear and I just take in the wonderful talent before my eyes. The exceptional gratitude of all three bands for our support was really neat too! Here are a few pics from the awesome night!

Me with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers!	Needtobreathe!

Graham Colton!

On Saturday I woke up and got dressed to impress for the Kiwanis Governor's Visit. Throughout the year the governor of Kiwanis visits all the divisions within the Texas-Oklahoma district, this is very similar to CKI. There are many Kiwanis clubs within a division, so people from different parts of OK traveled to Stillwater to attend Saturday's event! Three members of CKI also attended; these events are always a lot of fun! Kiwanians are such a great group of people to be around! Here are a couple of pics from the afternoon.

	Chuck Rager, President of the T-O Kiwanis Foundation!

Throughout the course of the last week or so, some extremely unfortunate events have transpired that have been very difficult for me to confront. In a number of past blog entries I have mentioned my summer plans to study abroad in Italy; working over the Christmas break, applying for scholarships etc. Well I was very honored to receive the Provost Scholarship and to be selected as a finalist for the Bailey Scholarship. About the time I received notification of the Bailey finalist information, it was confirmed that the Landscape Oil Painting: Tuscany course was cancelled. Although I truly pride myself on thinking positively, it was difficult for me in this circumstance. I was not aware of the possibility that the class wouldn't make and truly had my heart, soul, and mind set on the trip, having already begun lots of research into the region, etc. I met with the study abroad office to discuss the possibility of other options. They were extremely helpful and although there were many programs, I have a summer employment commitment that ruled out a number of them and others were substantially more expensive or just not quite what I had my heart set on. With reluctance I notified the appropriate contacts of my decision and thus declining the Provost and my interview for the Bailey scholarship. One of my mottos is and always has been, “everything happens for a reason.” I believe that sometimes we don't understand why things occur, but we still have to have faith that there is a reason. This mindset gets me through any difficult time, however, it has taken a lot of prayer and support from my family to realize that waiting a year to try again is what was meant to be. I will definitely be trying again next year though! Every day is a new day, full of new opportunities and experiences!!

 

GO POKES!