Medicine of the Mind

   As a music junkie, I find great pleasure in attending concerts, music festivals, and learning new instruments. Music has become part of my life on a day to day basis. I find it is an avenue of escape and stress relief when I exercise. Furthermore, music tends to improve my study habits and minimize stress. Being from Colorado, I have been influenced by and introduced to a wide variety of music. Music ranging from artists like John Mayer, The Lumineers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Avicci and Childish Gambino, as well as country like Keith Urban and Josh Turner, have been a significant influence on my music appeal. 

   I have always been taken back by artists whose lyrical expression and unique music form go beyond the norm and truly tap into the audience’s emotions. I believe that music can be one of the best forms of personal therapy and self expression. I can’t even imagine a world without the art of music.

   The next few weeks are going to be bubbling with excitement and anticipation as the infamous Austin City Limits arrives. This year will be my first experience at ACL and I am thrilled for the line up. There are so many amazing bands that will be uniting in one place to spread their talent and love. “It is going to be one for the books,” as Danielle and I always say. 

   College has blessed me with some of the best friends I could ever imagine. I am ecstatic that I will be able to share this experience at the upcoming ACL music festival with my best friend, Danielle. Only having met two years ago, Danielle has acted as a true confidante and has been there for me through thick and thin. We have already shared so many grand and priceless memories together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.

   As senior year races by, it is important that I take every opportunity and experience that comes my way. Danielle shares the same joy and passion in music that I do, and the music festival will be a truly unforgettable time. Thank goodness for Texas; good food, good music, and great friends.

"A painter paints pictures on a canvas.

But musicians paint their pictures on silence."

Leopold Stokowski

Embracing Family and Change

   Having my family here for TCU’s family weekend was an unforgettable experience. TCU put on a hefty variety of festivities which truly made the weekend exciting for all ages and was an ideal portrayal of the college TCU spirit. Coming to TCU from Colorado served as an obstacle throughout my college years during Family Weekend due to my siblings varied activities and conflicting obligations. However, I was fortunate enough this year to have my two brothers and my parents all fly down for the memorable weekend.

   We started off the weekend right with the Schieffer School of Journalism Family Weekend Kickoff Party. I was thrilled that I could introduce my family, principally my mother and father, to a number of my teachers and friends. It is one thing to communicate my class activities across a phone, but it was much more influential to share my education and knowledge gained in person. I have enjoyed the past three years in the Strategic Communication major and find myself enjoying my classes the more demanding and specialized they become. I was also able to share a new perspective of two of my professors, Professor Levering and Professor Johnson, with my parents that I had yet to acquire. Seeing Levering and Johnson perform in a band showed me a little bit more about their unique character and hidden talents. They were an amazing band and I was taken back by the musical skill and lyrical expressions they possessed. The music set the tone for the evening and allowed my parents to see what an amazing group of professors the Schieffer Journalism school has to offer. I feel that the education I have gained so far has been so effective and inspiring. 

   Morning mimosas and family adorned with TCU paraphernalia started off game day versus Virginia. Although it was an early morning, the frog fan spirit and excitement was bubbling in frog alley with the marching band entertaining the crowd. It was my parents first experience going to a college football game and they soaked up each and every minute. We stayed the entire game to ultimately see TCU dominate Virginia. 

   You never know how much family bond means until reunion incurs after a timely absence. I missed my family so much and united by happiness we lived each moment to its fullest. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend with my family at TCU. They have seen me grow so much during high school and college, and now to have them with me while being presented my TCU class ring, I am beyond overjoyed. The real world is right around the corner, and I am confident and optimistic that the future bears many incredible opportunities and adventures for me. Family by my side, I intend to explore each venture that arises, confident that I have a strong base to fall back on.

“Lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at you.” 

David Brinkley

Uniting in the Effort for Change Over a Nation Divided

  
  September 11 will always be marked as a day of great sadness and remembrance for America. Unfortunately, this year brought further violence with the destruction and murders at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Will September 11 become a day marked by feelings of premonition instigated by imminent fear of further attacks?

   Labeled as a Millenial and nearing the end of my college years, I realize the prevalence that generation Y has in regard to impacting and transforming the future of America’s economy and international welfare. We are the voice that will rock the nation. It is a revelation that has truly changed my outlook on political awareness. Young adult’s like me will play a significant game changing role in the coming election.

   Following the heinous rioting and insurgence at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, President Barrack Obama proceeded to give a public apology expressing sympathy for those insulted by a viral YouTube video representing the Prophet Muhammad in disrespectful ways. His statement was later countered by Obama’s opponent, Mitt Romney, whose opposing opinion was highlighted in defense of the U.S. and condemning the President's apology. I personally was astounded by the public apology that Obama made when the issue at hand was far greater; trespassing, terrorism and murder forced upon the American people. 

   I for one intend to take advantage of my right to vote and stay actively engaged in world events and politics. Although I have never been one to be thoroughly engaged in the political arena, over the past few years I have learned the magnitude of how government and politics effects not only the economy but me personally. Americans are subject to the choices of the government, thus making the young people’s role in the election that much more instrumental. We are a product of our choices. The future is dependent upon the good or bad choices made now, so make those decisions characteristic of thought, wisdom and of moral vanguard.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Maria Robinson

Blake Shelton Giving Voice to a New Year

   Thousands of Blake Shelton TCU fans flooded the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center lawn to watch the country music superstar perform. It was an incredible experience in a breathtaking setting with the newly renovated 163 million dollar Amon G. Carter stadium in the backdrop.

   Having Blake Shelton perform at TCU really amped up the horned frog spirit, foreshadowing the eventful and unforgettable events yet to come in the 2012-2013 school year. For me this concert topped the previous three years, making my senior year just that much more memorable. This experience will resonate with all who attended Shelton’s incredible concert Thursday night.

    It was an eventful week post concert with numerous festivities surrounding the first TCU home football game versus Grambling State on Saturday, September 8. A full day of barbecues, tailgating, and game time ensued. One of the most exciting moments was when the game football was flown in by the TCU Rocketman. The unexpected entrance was followed by a killer game. TCU absolutely demolished Grambling State, concluding the game with a nearly perfect score of 56-0. It was a great start to the football season leaving the student body and TCU fans with high hopes for the success of the horned frogs.

    A number of fans stayed after the game to watch TCU present Gary Patterson with an award for being the coach with the most wins in TCU’s history. Afterwards, a beautiful fireworks show erupted over the stadium. It was a bittersweet moment when seniors realized that this was the last first yearly concert and last first TCU football game in our college years. I am grateful for the events that have made the beginning of senior year so priceless. Let’s go out with a bang TCU, let’s do it right! GO FROGS!

"LEFT SIDE! STRONG SIDE!"

-Remember the Titans-

The Ideal Balance?

As senior year begins, I find that readjusting to school life can be a bit of a challenge. I want to take advantage of each opportunity that arises and enjoy every bit of my last year in the college life. With a full load of classes, all of which I have high hopes for, and two part time jobs, I find that juggling all activities can be challenging.

After getting used to an 8 to 5 full time internship this summer, I was optimistic that I would be able to adjust easily. However, with my time being divided between school, work, and weekend festivities I find that I have little time to devote to myself.

Prioritizing my activities are so important so that I can devote a supple amount of time to exercise and self empowerment. Yoga, as a physical and mental discipline, has been an important activity for alleviating personal stress. Furthermore, I regard exercise to be a necessary part of my day. I have found that in the first few weeks of school, being able to organize my time so that I allocate an hour a day to exercise has given a boost to my health and motivation in school and at work.

A health advocate, I know that the coupled affect of exercise and a healthy diet is what it takes to accelerate weight loss and maintain a healthy heart. I have chosen to make some diet changes this semester. Some of which include:

Instead of...          Choose...

Dairy Milk ->       Almond, Hemp or Soy Milk (unsweet)

Meat ->               Beans, Legumes, Tempen or Quinoa

Cheese ->            Hummus, Olive Oil, Balsamic, Vegetables, Baba Ganoush

Eggs ->                Plant based protein shakes, Almond Butter, Oatmeal

Beyond health ambitions, I hope to set my future goals in motion and begin to establish a career path. I have found that companionship with my close friends has helped me to truly appreciate and live up my final year at TCU.

LIVE LAUGH LOVE