Mission Statement

I am at my best when I am Spiritually filled, physically fit, mentally awake, and morally straight.
I will try to prevent times when I am tired and stressed.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can enjoy life, have fun, and laugh a lot.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through long walks and music. I love to listen to and play music.
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as Music, listening, and laughing.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will Climb Mt. Everest.
My life's journey is travel the road less traveled while being close to my faith, my family, and my friends.
I will be a person who my brother looks up to not only as a brother but as a friend.
My most important future contribution to others will be to physically and mentally support them bringing them the love and joy they deserve.

I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

• focus and determination.

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Perseverance
• Love
• Lightheartedness

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Working out
• Focusing
• Determination
• Leting loose

OU Mission

To me, the Mission of the University of Oklahoma not only aims to give its students the best education possible, but to allow them to flourish into fine leaders and adults as well. They pick the finest teachers who truly care about not only their fields of interest but the education of their students as well. Professors here are of the top quality and rub that off on the students. The opportunities here for students to research and dive into real world situations in their fields of study allow them to be the most prepared they can for the work world. The opportunities to be involved in things other than class work allow students the ability to relax and enjoy growing up. It serves as a mixture between work and play, lowering stress for its students. The service aspect of the university allows students to give back to the community and be servants developing strong characters and strong minds.

Who's Who

I really enjoyed the Who's Who brunch last Thursday. Listening to all the wonderful advice from those who have been where I am today. I also enjoyed the more personal conversations I had with the several of them. They all really seemed to care where we are and where we have come from. It was inspiring that they took the time to come eat breakfast with us, just a bunch of freshman, and really be interested in us.

Interview

I interviewed Samuel Downing, a working professional in the photography field. He said his best advice to someone really interested in becoming a professional photographer, in any aspect, is to intern anywhere and everywhere. Whether it be for a magazine or a studio. Free help is always wanted and usually appreciated, and gives you the best skills. After your internship is over, you either get the job or you don't. If you do, super-cool! If not, you learned valuable lessons and you move on to the next place. Eventually you will find the field and the place you fit best and feel most suited for. That is where most likely you will form the best relationships with your co-workers and employers. Another word of advice he had for me was to remember that I won't have the perfect skills for everything and to not put other's ideas aside. Personally, I have difficulty coming up with ideas, yet I am very good at taking ideas and running with them. You have to be able to accept the fact your idea is not, will not always be the best for the situation. You have to be understanding and be able to take criticism. Criticism, as he put it, is just part of the job being an artist. Your work will not always please everyone, no matter how perfect you think it is. One of my favorite photographers, and one I strive to be like is Scott Serfas. He works for several of the top extreme sports magazines such as Transworld Snowboarding and has multiple cover shots. However, he also takes a lot of pictures in several categories such as portraits and still life.

The A-word

Attitude plays a huge part in how people act and react. People with positive attitudes tend to act positively, nothing can seemingly tear them down. THey always find the good things in life and everything always rocks. They also tend to react in ways that are positive and not debby downerish. Whatever happens to them happens so something else better can happen. It also can affect the way people act and treat another. Someone with a positive attitude tends to have more friends and have more opportunities available to them than one who is negative.

Problem vs Challenge

In my opinion, as if it really meant a whole lot being merely 18, is that there is a huge difference between a problem and a challenge. What most people would see as the same thing, I find a huge difference. A problem is something that one can not do anything about it. Time and patience are all it takes, one must "hunker down" as many say. On the other hand, a challenge is something that through hard work and dedication can be overcome. A problem might be a sickness but a challenge might be a broken computer. There is not much one can do to heal a sickness but sleep and wait till it passes, yet an IT employee can be called in to fix the computer.

Letter to Myself

As a current college freshman, I already have some advice to myself in high school. The biggest one is to not slack off. Though a very easy senior year was very fun, it did not prepare me very well for college. I am still wanting that easy breezy schedule, however, I have way more to do. Take some classes that will better prepare yourself for the workload and the mental capacity needed. Also, try to be a little more social, get used to making friends and hanging out instead of just being a loner. It will make the long afternoons more fun. Be more assertive instead of waiting for people to ask you to do stuff. Other than that, your pretty much ready for your freshman year at OU!