from the United States of Awesome

WTF

is happening to my Alma Mater?

I just spent the last 2 hours of my life- time that would have been better spent sleeping or working on ACTUAL spanish berbs- thinking about the mess that is going on at Mount Vernon Academy. I feel like I should be there, like some great injustice is taking place that I will NOT stand for! hahaha... alas, I am here at Andrews University persuing degrees in English and Photography. All I have is my laptop.

I am not one of these great influential alumni who has made some huge achievement and enough cash to build an art building for the school (I totally would... with REAL darkrooms too!) but I think us broke-ass college students living off ramen and praying that they have enough gas to get them to work have a say in this as well. Now I gave the four most mediocre years of my life to Mount Vernon Academy. Sure, whatever I gave back to the school was mediocrity in its finest, but what I took with me changed the course of my life forever.

Now, It wasn't the awesome coach busses that took me to all sorts of churches in Ohio ever weekend (although those were amazing times!) that got me through those years. It wasn't learning about cytoplasm and mitosis and all that stuff that I am pretty sure I dont remember that made those years so monumental. It was my teachers. Oh, you teachers and your corny jokes and lame (but surprisingly effective) anecdotes! We sure dont appreciate them while we're there, but later at the lowest moment of your life it will come back to you.

A story Mrs. C told in Intro to Chem.... Realistic advice from Mr. B in Campus Family.... Just the simple act of prayer from Mr. Soper in 'World Religions'- That was the stuff. The good stuff. Dedicated and passionate teachers. Now that they are trying to toss one of them I really just dont know what to say except WTF.

After the crap they tried to pull with my Brother last year? and now this?

I feel like there is something bad happening back there.It's sad but true that it is never going to be the same. It will never live up to the standards that it once held. It is going to fall into a black hole... Another monument to happier days just gone. I'm not exactly sure what is going on there but I have gathered a small bit of information and from what I know its not good.

I pray that God will make things right again.

Purpose

Mount Vernon Academy is a community of Christians who

have joined together for the purpose of academic progress,

personal development and spiritual growth. Our institution is

dedicated to producing graduates who reflect the character

of Christ and dedicate their lives to selfless service in their

communities.

plans

I live to make plans. Not that they work out for me very often but I need something to look foreword to. One thing that got me through last winter was knowing that in May I would be spending a few weeks in Tanzania. I miss that place so much... I was in Don May's office yesterday for a little bit and I saw all the books and some pictures he had recently put up. I mean the guy has this giant print of a lion in there. Its pretty amazing.

Anyways I got kind of sad. I am not sure exactly why, but Tanzania seems to have made a major impression on many people in the group. I want to go back so bad and I think it is totally worth staying here for another year. I could have easily gone to Mexico, California, or even Costa Rica, but Tanzania is where I want to be. I am not going to rule out Spain or another spanish-speaking country though. 2010 is the year for me to go, and if Africa doesn't work out then I will have to accept that and move on with my plans.

This year I had been hoping to go to Austria and Germany for a ski trip (right before Christmas) but I dont think I will be able to afford it especially if I am trying to go to Jordan in May. That trip is going to be about $6,000 and this time I wont have all the financial aid that enabled me to go to Tanzania. I am really hoping that this trip works out though. It is probably the closest thing to Saudi Arabia that I am going to get right now (heh.. wouldn't really be a good idea to take a study tour to Saudi...) and I guess they are planning to spend a few days in Israel. Its gonna be so gangsta.

I came to Andrews because of programs like these. I am not sure if Jordan could possible top Tanzania, but we'll see.

okay well that was a random post... time to throw some clothes in the wash and take a nice long nap before our bible study tonight.

**update**

just read this while going through Steve McCurry's old blog posts:

"When people ask me how they can become a photographer, I almost never mention cameras, lenses, or technique. I say, ‘If you want to be a photographer, first leave home.’ As Paul Theroux, a great writer and friend, further advises, “Go as far as you can. Become a stranger in a strange land. Acquire humility. Leaving home really means that the photographer (or writer) has to wander, observe, and to paraphrase Theroux, concentrate on people in their landscape. That is what I try to achieve in my pictures."

sup

homedogs! I have been shooting this evening and the light out there is quite awesome. bold Color is the theme today, hopefully my red boot will suffice. Weekend plans?

STEVE MCCURRY HAS A BLOG

That's right, a blog. on Wordpress. How Gansta is that?

anyone who knows me (actually anyone who has read any of the essays that I turn into photo classes) knows that Steve McCurry is basically my favorite photographer. I mean I dont like to have favorites though because its not like I have seen EVERY photographer's work. Like how do I know if Mexican food is my favorite? I have never eaten at every resturaunt in the world. How do I know that the greatest falafel ever made isn't waiting for me in Jordan? do they eat falafel in Jordan? oh I forgot to announce that. I'M GOING TO JORDAN THIS SUMMER!!!! sure it is going to be hard getting the money for it, but I am determined. The biggest mistake my dad ever made was letting me go to Tanzania, because now that I have gone and done the study tour thing, I dont ever want to stop. I am thinking that from Jordan I can fly to Dar Es Salaam or Arusha in Tanzania so my ticket wont be so expensive. Of course that means that my year as an SM will begin in the summer but I would actually love for that to happen.

but I digress.

Steve McCurry has a blog that I managed to spend a good amount of time reading last night. His stories make me sooo excited about photography. I would kill to be able to attend one of his workshops.. or even just to sit down with him for a little bit and talk about documentary photography. There is so much about it that I dont know but that seems to be the only way for me to go. Commercial Photography is cool and all but it feels empty to me. It would be amazing to be able to call myself a 'fashion photographer' but i dont know... I dont like that kind of control of the image. I might rearrange a few things, but to orchestrate the whole thing? I suppose it is a little like painting... but I am interested in people and the story behind the face. I am interested in history, how every second is becoming history.

whatever am I talking about? I dont know, but I have a mixed media assignment calling my name.

Oh! but yeah, STEVE MCCURRY HAS A BLOG! and every time I read something I just want to run out with my camera and start shooting. I am glad that I have something to be passionate about.

scattered thoughts and ramblings, thats all this blog is =)

-b

"Frankly My Dear, I Dont Give a Damn"

ummm... wtf, Rhett Butler?

So many things I hate about Gone With the Wind (which I have just finished watching... took like half a day...) but there are also so many things I loved about it. For a movie made in 1939 it was pretty amazing. great acting- especially Vivian Leigh. Did you know she was born in India? That's pretty random... well no.. she was probably born when the British were 'all up in there' so I guess that would make sense. Anyways I liked the movie- thought it was stupid how many people died in it (and geez it is long! 2 sided DVD!)

you know I almost stopped watching it at the part where she is like 'As God as my witness, I will never go hungry again!!!!!' because it seemed like the end but then it cut to 'intermission' music and then the DVD was over. good thing I thought to flip the disc because otherwise I would be very disappointed and confused.

well finally going to sleep.

oh- tonight when I was leaving Andrews I had to go through the Campus Safety gate where I was greeted by this girl who I have had many classes (and conversations) with. She said to me 'Hi! Are you a student here?' yeah, she said it so cheerfully too.

'um.. yes?'

'Ok well just to let you know, later this week CS is going to start giving tickets if you dont have your car registered. Just stop by as soon as possible to register your car and get your decal. Its better than a $40 ticket and its free so...'

umm, wtf Lady you know very well that I am not a new student, and you were even the one who gave me last years sticker.

ok... for real now... goodnight.