August 23, 2010

            Every year welcomes excitement and new experiences when you're an Oklahoma State Cowboy! This semester surely promises no less, and I'm looking forward to sharing my adventures and love for OSU once again. I'm very grateful to have been chosen as the Scholar Blogger for an additional year. Before I continue with the events of Stillwater, Okla., I'll recap my summer season.

            Although I worked in my hometown of Weatherford, Okla., for the majority of the time, my job at the Farmers Coop has never served as a burden. Over the past five summers, the employees have become more like friends and family, and I continue to be challenged in my work. I'm grateful for the opportunity each summer.

            The significant and yes, “life changing” highlight of my summer was visiting my brother in California. Clay is an’08 OSU grad - mechanical engineering. If you’ve read the blog previously, you may remember my visit to see him last summer was in Minnesota, however, he is with the same company but now works in Irvine, Calif., and lives in Newport Beach on the peninsula - tough break, haha. My mom and I were extremely fortunate to be able to spend 12 action-packed days in “SoCal” and it was the vacation of a lifetime. We spent a lot of time researching the area months before (I read the travel book like a novel ), which made a difference because we had all our days planned out when we arrived. Of course I had my camera with me everywhere, capturing approximately 900 pics total; so it's hard to describe in a blog entry the breathtaking scenery while paragliding over the ocean, or the feeling of meeting with a donor who is largely responsible for funding your education. But I will do my best to summarize the amazingness that comprised my first visit to the state of California. 

            Laguna, Malibu, Newport, and Huntington Beach all were just names on reality TV shows before this summer. “The Beach Cities” truly are magnificent places to be, always bustling with activity and one can’t forget the 75 degree weather - awesome . Every day seemed to be more beautiful than the last as my mom and I journeyed to the San Bernardino National Forest, La Jolla where I paraglided tandem off a cliff, and Laguna to Arts Festivals. My brother joined us on the two full weekends we were there and in the evenings; He showed us around L.A.: The Getty Center was outstanding and Griffith Park! The last weekend we took a catamaran to Catalina Island or Avalon. Snorkeling in clear blue, fish-populated waters and hiking were on the agenda there! Overall the trip had the perfect amount of “going and doing” and relaxing in the sun; about 80:20! One major focal point of the trip still remains though!

            Since my freshman year at OSU I have been fortunate to receive a scholarship from the Former Agents of the FBI Foundation and the past two years, my scholarship has come from the same individual who happens to live in Coronado, California. I have been in contact with Mrs. Hashman since I first received the scholarship in 2009, but meeting her in person far surpassed anything I could have imagined. This woman is truly amazing; her giving nature, accomplishments, and personality are all an inspiration! I can't express enough how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to meet the person that has made and continues to make such a major impact on my education and my life. Scholarships in general are solely the reason I am able to call Oklahoma State University my home and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive an education at this prestigious university. My passion for giving back is ever-growing due to the generosity I've been afforded.

Here are just a few pictures from my trip

The gardens at the Getty Center.	Paragliding at Torrey Pines!
Mrs. Hashman, my mom, and I in Coronado!	Clay and I snorkeling on Catalina Island

            When our plane landed in Okla. and it was back to reality and triple digit weather, all that was on my mind was getting packed and returning “home.” Each year the excitement of summer lasts about a week and I’m ready to be right back in the midst of the orange spirit that resides here at Oklahoma State University.

            Sunday really jump-started my excitement for this semester with the annual Scholars Round Up! This year as a member of the OSU Student Foundation, I also got to help out with the event, which was a great time. I look forward to this event because it's the day before school reconvenes and I always get to catch up with friends and familiar faces that I haven’t seen for the duration of the summer. Coupled with working alongside STUFU members whom I hadn’t seen since may made it a great day!

Here are a couple pics from the event.

Some STUFU members at the event.	Awesome cookies!

            CKI also had a board meeting that afternoon. It’s great to get things planned out for the beginning of the semester, and what’s better than getting geared up for service!

GO POKES!