Hey Beardy

I just want to say that I so appreciate this class now that I look back at how much we learned and accomplished.  I'm glad for the selfless heart behind our leadership, and I'm thankful to be in a Program that cares about making us prepared for a fulfilling adult life.  What a blessing to have a reason to work hard in school and keep dreaming!

 Well, if you click on the link below, you'll  find my V-log presentation!  My practice video was about 12 minutes, and I couldn't even watch it because it was so boring and I rattled on way too much, so I re-wrote my notes and cut off the nonsense.  I figured the small package packs the bigger punch in this case.
 
http://youtu.be/ZARARz1OM7E

^  ^  ^

Check it.

Lame Turkey

Monday we have a blog-video due about this semester, what we learned about civic engagement, the steps we took toward finding a platform, and how it affected us.  I think the biggest thing that really struck me this semester is that volunteerism isn't always completely selfless.  It's more like voting for the President.  When you don't vote in an election, you're saying, "What I vote doesn't count.  In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't affect me.  What happens, happens."  It's kind of the same with volunteerism.  When you don't get civilly engaged, you're saying, "What do those in need have to do with me?  I'm doing fine; let them take care of themselves."  By choosing defeatism and apathy towards making a difference, you're not only choosing ignorance, but also cutting yourself off from a vein of rewards.  Because the truth is, what you do, does count.  Helping one kid in poverty realize he has a purpose and a chance in life could mean one drive-by shooting, suicide, or burglary avoided.

My platform, which I will either start up volunteering at over Christmas Break or maybe wait to start until the semester starts, is all about saving lives, and I will talk about it in my presentation.  My service this semester was pretty random, from running a 5K to helping restore a historical house to working at the Soup Kitchen,  but I believe the most rewarding experiences come from things that move you to passion: Something that makes you want to talk about it.  The ongoing theme this semester has been to volunteer in something you enjoy, and it won't be a chore to you.