Monthly Archives: January 2017

The University of Oklahoma’s football team came out on top against the Longhorns 45-40. However, the team’s win isn’t the only thing Sooners should be proud of after OU vs. TX 2016.

Atmosphere
The Cotton Bowl stadium is always a thriller. Its inclusive structure, seat assignment of half burnt orange and half crimson and plethora of enthusiastic fans is sure to provide an exciting atmosphere. OU students have class off the Friday before OU vs. TX for Fall Break, which adds to the excitement. Additionally, the Texas State Fair is just around the outskirts of the stadium. For fans on both teams, OU vs. Texas weekend feels like a holiday.

Performance
Though the Sooners performed far from perfect, their drive to do well throughout the game was admirable. In times when it seemed nothing could go right (fumbles lost, interceptions thrown), the OU football boys stayed determined and focused on executing to the best of their ability. However, they were not alone. Their supporters followed them all along the way.

At the game, I sat at the top of the stadium. And by the top, I mean, the very top. This allowed me to watch the actions and reactions of both Sooner fans and Longhorns fans. And let me tell you, I’ve never been more proud of the vibes Sooner fans put off.

Even when the football boys would frustrate Sooner fans every so often, OU spectators often responded with a sigh and an eye roll, but then they were back and ready to cheer the team on. Contrarily, when the football players from Texas would let their fans down, their fans would sit down and pout until the team did something ‘good’ again. Their cheering was in-genuine and temporary. That doesn’t seem like loyalty to me.

Impact
The football players don’t have to watch our fans from a distant to know they are supported. I’ve watched numerous interviews of OU football players explaining how big of an impact the audience has on their performance. They can tell, just as well as the fans can, when their support system has given up on them. These are the things to take in account when you watch teams that are able to rise to the occasion versus teams that look defeated before the game is even lost.

So let’s keep up the Sooner Magic. Our support is helping the team perform to their best ability. They can’t do it without us. If you don’t believe me, let former OU football player Ty Darlington explain it to you from his standpoint.

Throughout each year we often find ourselves searching for more time. Time to exercise, extra time to study, time to hangout with friends and time to call our parents. It seems the 24 hours in a day are not enough for all we need to accomplish.   Most of the time, the way we spend our time is the problem. Here are a few tips to help you come up with more time.

Getting behind can be the cause of a lot of stress and wishing for more time. But, getting behind can be blamed on finishing one task and not knowing another is biting at your heels. Keeping a planner allows you to have a weekly, or even monthly, to-do list. Finishing tasks seems a lot easier when you’re able to check them off one by one. So instead of finishing a hard week and taking days off to relax, have a planner that allows you to look ahead and start spreading out the next events you must accomplish. Having your responsibilities down in a planner will help you get ahead which will give you more time to deal with random additional tasks that pop up. Here’s how to correctly utilize a planner.

… Really, put it down. SmartPhones have become the ultimate distraction in our everyday lives. Eliminating excess time being spent on your cell phone must first begin with being aware of how much time you’re wasting on it. Lucky for you, iPhone users have a feature that many people need to look into.

Pay attention to how much you’re sleeping and read up on the recommended amount of sleep for your age group. Just because you feel tired does not mean you need more sleep. Time can be wasted on napping and oversleeping, so pay attention to your sleep schedule. If you go to sleep at 1 a.m., make sure you’re setting an alarm for 9 a.m. This will inevitably make you to wake up earlier, which is probably exactly what you need to make more productive hours in the day.

Weekends are a time of relaxation. However, they can be a time of catching up or getting ahead, too. In addition to unwinding, many tasks can get done on the weekends. Instead of watching another TV show of a series you really don’t even care about, begin planning or beginning the next responsibility you need to get done. Looking ahead will help you save time before the week even begins. Getting things done over the weekend will enforce you going into the next week less anxious about your duties, so help yourself and use weekends wisely.

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Save yourself from feeling overwhelmed by controlling simple aspects of time in your everyday life. You will find yourself becoming a lot more productive and a lot less stressed.

This week in PR Publications, we were given a very simple first assignment: watch the movie “Inside Out.” Although I was thankful for such a simple assignment, I questioned the movie’s importance and relevance to PR Publications. I quickly found out how much I could learn from the movie simply by discussing the process of its creation.

Inside Out is a unique (and adorable) movie that takes place mostly inside of the main character’s mind. After watching the movie individually, as a class we watched “The Story Behind the Story,” which explains how the original idea for the film changed and transformed numerous times before deciding on its final version. It turns out the back story of this movie has sparked interests of many. This trial-and-error process depicts the steps of the brainstorming and design processes: empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test.

Getting to see how each of these steps work together and build off of each other is interesting, and it helps me understand that true creativity takes work, and time. I am excited to see how PR Publications will challenge my creativity this semester. Additionally, I’m excited to put my creative skills to work with Adobe programs, since I have little to no experience with them thus far. I loved how this class started out, and I can’t wait to create creative work to add to my online portfolio!

Although I love the atmosphere of living on a college campus, I enjoy having a change of scenery every once in awhile. Taking an adventurous trip can be refreshing after weeks of studying. Norman is in the middle of Oklahoma, and its location provides numerous opportunities to explore the state. Here are a few interesting attractions to discover under an hour and a half away from Norman.

Heading south from Norman, Turner Falls Park is right off of Interstate 35. Turner Falls Park is an extremely popular attraction in Oklahoma, because it holds Oklahoma’s largest waterfall. That being said, you can swim in the base of the waterfall, hike, or just simply go sightseeing. Turner Falls Park is 58 minutes from the University of Oklahoma, so seeing it would be a simple road trip and day getaway.​ To find out more about Turner Falls, read about it here.

Right across from the Turner Falls Park is the Arbuckle Mountains Wilderness Park in Davis, Oklahoma. It is also about an hour away from Norman. On the weekends, the Arbuckle Mountains Wilderness Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) for a ‘Safari Road Drive Thru.’ Additional exhibits and attractions are available throughout the year, even in the winter season. Check out more information on their website.

Oklahoma City is about 30 minutes from Norman and has a number of attractions. Besides seeing Oklahoma City’s Bricktown, shopping, restaurants and nightlife, anyone can walk on the Oklahoma City SkyDance Bridge. According to the SkyDance website, the bridge goes over Interstate 40 and is a symbol of Oklahoma’s state bird, the scissortail flycatcher. You can request the bridge to be lit up online. Here’s how to find it.

The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lawton, Oklahoma. Its location is 1 hour and 18 minutes away from Norman. Pictured is the Elk Trail, though this refuge offers numerous trails to hike and see the nature of the Wichita Mountains. Whether you’re looking to be active or just sit and enjoy the scenery, the Wichita Mountains provide a refreshing atmosphere. For more information, click here. 

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If you’re in need of a quick getaway trip, Norman is in the middle of a few great opportunities to sightsee. What better way to take time off than visiting Oklahoma’s beautiful attractions?

Growing up, I had a love for the sport of soccer that no one could take away from me. I played with my closest friends, creating some of the greatest memories imaginable. As we all got older, many of my friends lost their love for the game, I however kept going. As my senior year began, I was faced with a hard decision: to play at the college level or let the game end after 12 years. When graduation got closer, so did the stress of college and scholarships and everything in between. I received a call from a few colleges asking me to play for their school, one in particular being Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. My first thought of the offer was not positive, in fact it was so negative I ruled it out completely, thinking there was no way I was going to a junior college. My egotistical attitude got the best of me on that one, but after contemplation and advice from my ever so wonderful parents, I decided to join the Rose State Women’s Soccer team. Let me tell you, it was the most humbling, uplifting, exciting, terrible, and all so worth it decision I have ever made. 
    There were many factors weighing into my final choice, one being the location. Rose State was not even an hour from my home town, which is far enough to have some freedom, yet close enough to still feel like home. Scholarships were also a huge part because I was fortunate enough to receive a completely full ride. Rose State even covered my morning coffee (which is much needed when you are learning how to juggle the big kid life of being a college student.) Plus, at the time of my commitment, Rose State had just established a soccer team, which makes me apart of the inaugural team, also making for a cool story later on. All of these attributes made me have a change of heart, and then made me a Rose State Raider. 
    The August after graduating high school, I moved into a cute little apartment in Moore, Oklahoma with a very random teammate of mine from Houston, and a friend from high school who also joined the team. My advice to you after this living experience is this: Do not live with people you have never met and do not live friends who do not share the same living habits as you, it doesn’t end well. Once I was settled in and ready to start my career as a college athlete, my life turned into a roller coaster. But not the fun roller coasters you see at the county fair, no. The roller coasters at six flags that make you cry tears of fear and tears of joy, and you are too rushed with adrenaline to even tell them apart. That story however, is for another day. 

       I participated in 4-H and later on FFA for many years, competing in livestock shows, national agriscience projects, state fair projects, and public speaking. Although each event benefited me in some way, public speaking was the one that has made the biggest impact on my life. Growing up, I was very shy and quiet. I would not speak unless spoken to and I would never dream of speaking in front of a crowd. That changed, however when I began speaking through 4-H. Even though my speeches were as simple as “How to Bake Cookies,” it helped form me into the confident and profound speaker I am today. As I entered FFA in high school, the speeches I wrote were much more complex, covering anything from the production of crops like cotton, to the benefits of buying organic products. Those speeches had to be a minimum of three pages, and it had to be fully memorized and performed perfectly. When preparing the speech, three printed and bound manuscripts were required; one for each judge. They must be typed in a certain font, with certain margins, and a cover letter. As I enter the room to give my speech, I pass one out to each judge, shake their hand firmly, ask their name, and smile brightly. I then back away, fold my hands politely in front of me and begin speaking, just like I had rehearsed a million times. There is a different type of speaking when involved in FFA, it is called your “speech voice.” The speech voice is loud, steady, slow and emphasized. This sounds easy but it actually takes a lot of practice to master, trust me. Today I still catch myself doing my “speech voice” when talking to anyone professionally. At the end of the three to four minute speech, I ask the judges if they have any questions. They can ask anything they chose, which means I have to not only memorize my speech, but also memorize every little fact and detail about my subject to ensure that I will be able to answer any questions that are given. 
    These speeches may seem silly to some, but because of my many years of experience, I know that I am prepared for any speaking event that may come my way. I enjoy talking to people; it does not bother me to make phone calls or talk in front of large audiences, and I know that I am one step ahead because I have had the practice that many have not yet received. Because of my FFA background, I know that I will be able to excel in the career path I choose. ​

John 8:12 states, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As people, we are often drawn to all forms of light. Whether it is the warmth of the bright sun, or the safety and comfort of a campfire, light is something that we do not want to live without. Naturally, living in pure darkness can cause pain that can often lead to greater issues, such as depression and sadness. Just like the sun can cure abundance of problems, so can the light of God. The light of the Lord shines unconditionally, His light reaches to anyone who is in need, providing encouragement and protection. Without Jesus’s light, we can grow cold and weary; we stubble and become lost in our own flaws. It is as if we are walking through a dark tunnel, without a candle to guide us. Although accepting Jesus’s light is what He wants from us, we often shield ourselves from His warmth and comfort. Maybe it is because we cannot stand the circle of sin we see ourselves living in when we accept the light He provides, or maybe we just do not take the time to soak in His grace and mercy. Either way, God provides an everlasting light to keep us shining when we have grown cold and bitter and to give us hope when we are feeling lost and alone. Allowing life to be covered in darkness is not what Jesus planned. He encourages everyone to fulfill their hearts with his wonderful grace, and to let his light shine through each individual for the world see. Jesus wants to a set fire in our souls, so we never have to see darkness again. Even though there will be darker and harder times, and it may feel as though his light is dimming, it will never die. Accepting the Lord in every situation, and trusting in His plan, will allow the light to gleam through any problem. By shining the Lord’s light, it will bring others to shine His light as well. 1 Peter 2:9 states, “You can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” When you are feeling lost and afraid, call out to the Lord’s light, for it is the light of life and it will always provide. ​

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OU is a big place. Every corner of campus is filled with people and buildings and really just a whole lot of clutter. Sometimes finding a place to be comfortable seems impossible, but I found my favorite place during my first semester here. It is not a special place and it is not even a private place. My space is right in the middle of Gaylord Hall, sitting on one of those big couches. They are very comfy. I think the reason I find this space so relaxing because it allows me to lean back and work without being rushed or under pressure. I can sit there all day and not feel like someone is waiting for me to leave. Not that I would sit there all day though, that would be weird.  I also enjoy the people that come and go through the building. Because it is in the lobby area, there is plenty of traffic moving through. It’s not loud traffic so it’s not distracting, but it allows for people watching, and that my friend is quality entertainment. It’s the perfect spot because I can study all I want, but if i get bored I can just look up and bam: someone’s brought in their larping gear. 
Some people find the library to be the best place on campus, others find a coffee shop or a place in the Union. To me, I want a place where I will not feel bad if I make a little noise, but also a place that is quiet enough to focus. The lobby area of Gaylord creates that space for me. There’s also multiple perks to this spot, like the computer lab which is about five feet from the couch, and the vending machine room, which is more than five feet but totally worth the walk. Little things like this make that big cushy couch the best place to study, do homework, or even catch up on Netflix while waiting for class to start. I’m not saying I do that, but if I did it would be good place for it. 
In a area that is big, crowed, and extremely diverse, it is hard finding those comfortable spots where everything feels familiar. I am definitely a creature of habit and I dislike change, so I’m happy to have that couch, it’s the closest thing to home I’ve found on campus and it’s one I’ll stick to until I graduate.