Tuve aprender el espanol en dos mil ocho.

2008: A Year on the brink of "Change"



'08 has been a year that has brought many of us down, but a lot of promises are being made that guarantee 2009 will be a little brighter, and that "change" is upon us. There are a lot of skeptics, but I am trying to stay positive, despite the murkie outlook.




First of all, I'm proud to say I did live up to a lot of the goals I set-forth last year. Such as:

• David and I are still together and lovely (2 years!!!)



• I have managed to keep good grades and I got a GREAT new scholarship that began in the fall.



• I did find a new place to work that is beneficial to my career-goal: Kpt. Times News. I'm working in sports which has been a big adjustment, but I'm learning. Plus, I love a good challenge.



• Made some new friends along the way.



• Bought a "new-to-me" car and on my very own! I love Sammy!



• Yep, I finally got a vacation and it was a great week! (Well there were a few moments I could have done without..brr)



• And I managed to get closer to my family, but there's still work to be done there.

There was only one thing I didn't do: Start playing the guitar again. If only there was enough time in the day!!

2008 Accomplishments/Happenings:

• East Tennessean - began writing in Jan. I got the opportunity to do some really great stories that I think helped me get the job at Times News. I even started my own "go-to girl" column, in which I got to talk about coupons and bargains - so much fun!



• Took my first two journalism courses and loved them both. Learned AP style and some cool old school journalism stories from Mr. Anderson.
  


• Won a journalism award. I was shocked! I had to double check to make sure it was possible that a freshman could win it, but sure enough it was a scholarship especially for first year journalism students. I got to go to a fancy ceremony that lasted forever, but was still fun.



• David graduated!! Then we went to the beach with his family and some friends. Very interesting/fun times I will never forget.



• I continued to work in Financial Aid, even during the summer. It was absolutely the craziest work environment I have ever been in. No stressful situation can compare to crabby, spoiled, demanding college students yelling at you or cussing you in person or over the phone. Plus, the parents make it even worse!! I tried my best to be a dependable worker and the experience really improved my work ethic.



• I took Spanish - over the summer. Man, foreign language is waaay harder than prob. and stats. I was in class Mon-Fri at 800 am. Then worked until 430 and did homework until it was time for bed. It was a very stressful five weeks. I got through it and was ready for college level..Proud to say I made an A and I only have one class left of it.
  


• Got some new roommates. Erica and Kristen are great company and I love all the cute stuff they brought to brighten up the place. Plus, they cook some yummy food!



• Turned 20. Its a confusing age, I'm no longer a teen, but not yet an adult. I'm basically a drifter until the big 2-1.



• Became more comfortable with my own skin. David helped me with that, but I'm still realizing its just okay to be me and nothing more. I think I grew up a lot in '08, but I still have a lot to learn.

Wow, I must say that is a pretty nice list of accomplishments, but I'm not finished. I want to continue to grow in every way possible.

Goals (Not to be confused with resolutions):

• Acquire a more professional tone when talking to others, especially in interviews, in class and at work. I don't want to lose the lovely East TN accent, just modify it a little.


• Write as much as possible and get published somewhere new.


• Get a regular workout schedule going and start shooting b-ball again. I miss it.


• Begin playing the guitar again.
  
• Figure out my minor..bleh!
  

If you got this far; Thanks. I would really appreciate any of your thoughts and comments on this post and/or blog.

Happy Two-Thousand and Nine!

A. Marsh

Casualties grow as opinions weaken

CNN has recently posted a list of Americans who have lost their lives both in Afghanistan and Iraq. The numbers are terrible and almost every death listed has a common theme: an age of early to mid 20's and cause of death by roadside bombs.


Well, here are the casualties:

Iraq: 4,528

Afghanistan: 1,031

The site names each fallen soldier, age, unit, hometown and cause of death. Many also supply a picture, which gives an identity to the soldier, making it even more heartwrentching.

Here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/index.html

To be blunt about it, I really don't understand much about the war that's going on and I don't know if a lot of Americans really do either. I mean, I hope I'm not alone in my ignorance.

What I do know for sure is that this is an issue constantly swept under the rug. It seems to come up every now and again when something big breaks out, or there is some kind of new movement to end it. Just because people aren't dying in the immense numbers as they were in previous wars, doesn't mean that these lives aren't precious and important.

People try to blame the media for bad coverage, lies and bias, but in reality I believe that the media isn't getting any info and in turn is having to scramble for the bits and pieces it can get. Its a tough situation over there that apparently a lot of people aren't comfortable talking about or allowing anyone else in to see it. Is it too dangerous? Or is the government trying its very hardest to prevent a repeat of Vietnam?

I don't have the answers, but people are dying, and young too. It's ridiculously sad that these men with so much life ahead die for a cause neither loved nor hated. The war is simply in existence. We like to bark about it when we hear how much its costing us and we offer our deepest sympathy when we hear that an acquaintance, friend or family member is being "sent over."

I'm guilty of it too. My uncle is currently serving in Africa and has done two tours in the middle east since 9-11. There are many people I went to high school with who are serving. My roommate's twin brother is there as we speak. Yet, I don't show my support and thankfulness for their service and I really should.

I'm not an expert. I don't know if we should stay or go, I'm not trying to tell you what to believe. That's your decision. I just want this country to hold an opinion and really voice it. I don't want America to lose the right to free speech, but I really think it could be taken right out from under our little noses if we don't use it.

Check the website out, read through some names and give them a few mins of a respect.

Happy New Year. Be Safe!