Monthly Archives: August 2010
My Blog: Kindle Edition
The Amazon Kindle, an electronic reader sold by Amazon.com, now includes blogs among its many types of media that can be downloaded from the Kindle Store. As a blog writer, I couldn’t resist checking into how I could publish my blog through the Kindle Store. When I found the publishing site, the registration took less than 15 minutes to submit.
After checking the status of the submission this evening, I saw that my blog was accepted into the Kindle Store (for what it is worth). The whole idea behind Amazon offering blogs on the Kindle is great. I would, however, like to remove the premium that Amazon placed on my blog. Nevertheless, it is still neat to be published on Amazon. Maybe one day my writings will be worth something… (And just in case you believe that they are, I am a rising first-year college student who would be most appreciative of your support. But I would never shamelessly advertise my blog or the 14-day risk free trial. That’s just not me.)
View my blog on the Kindle Store.
British “Villain” Caught On Tape
If you just watched this video, you are probably just as angry as when I first watched it. This tugged on my heartstrings in that, although I am not a pet owner, I felt the greatest sympathy for this helpless cat which was baited and trapped in a wheelie garbage can.
In the scheme of world events, this story does not even compare to events such as the recent activity in the Congo or crises in the Middle East. Nevertheless, as MSNBC’s Helen A.S. Popkin writes, “sometimes you just have to make a stand, sit down at your computer, and click a Like button on Facebook to let the whole world know that you are against putting perfectly good tabby cats in wheelie garbage bins.”
An Appalachian Adventure
For many college first-years, the beginning of the year normally begins with sitting through orientation classes and getting to know the friends that you will grow with for the next for years. My year begins just a bit differently.
Washington and Lee offers a couple different types of pre-orientation trips. The first being service ventures and the second being a backpacking trip. I have never been camping or spent a great deal of time in the woods; and because of that very fact, I chose to take part in the backpacking trip. One comforting thought is that I know other students will have the same level of inexperience that I possess.
Madison Bowles, one of my friends who just started her first year at West Virginia University, gave me a little taste of what her backpacking trip was like. As expected, she said that it was rough and dirty, but a trip that she is happy to have experienced. From what she said and what I have gathered from others who have taken these trips: it’s mostly a mental endurance challenge.
Nevertheless, I am excited and looking forward to this experience. I will keep a journal of my trip, and depending on how things go, may even have a before and after pic. The best line from the Web site: This year’s motto is yet to be determined…something like “NO RAIN, NO RAIN, repeat.” Wish me luck and please hold off on your rain dances for a few days!
“A Change of Operation”
In the coming days and weeks, my life will be changing quite dramatically. Like thousands of other students, I will be heading to my first year of college.
Looking back over my years, I can honestly say that I have experienced wonderful opportunities and learned many valuable lessons—both inside and outside of the classroom. These lessons and memories I would not trade for anything for they have become a part of me and made me a better person. As I have expressed on many occasions, I owe so much gratitude to my parents who selflessly raised me to achieve a better quality of life than they were given the opportunity of having.
Nevertheless, it is an interesting transition that both my parents and I are on the brink of undertaking. Yes, I am filled with many emotions, but all of them are surpassed by the drive and excitement that I have to progress to the next chapter of my life. (I hate clichés too, but hang with me.) I am so excited to meet new people and experience new challenges and opportunities that will inevitably serve as a foundation for the rest of my life.
My goal is to blog about as much of my college experience as is (at least moderately) interesting. The next post should be a good start. I am starting college already climbing a mountain…literally.
Elks Award Student Scholarships
Youth honored during mid-year convention
August 15, 2010 – By ANGELINA DICKSON, Staff writer
YOUTH HONORED — Students from throughout West Virginia were honored Saturday during the Order of the Elks mid-year meeting hosted at the Holiday Inn, Weirton. Awards were given, ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 in scholarships. Pictured is Vince Gurrera, West Virginia Elks president; Breanna Nolan, Taylor Nicholas, Katie Palmer, Rachael Nolan, Chelsea Wells, Lisa Liang, Lauren Dittebrand, Victoria Fratini, Christian Cummings, Dylan Reynolds, Landon Herrick, Christian Martine and Michael Smith, national president. - Angelina Dickson
WEIRTON – The West Virginia Order of the Elks presented students with scholarship awards during the mid-year convention hosted at the Holiday Inn in Weirton on Saturday.
Although not all students being honored were able to attend, three groups of winners were honored – Americanism essay contest winners, Teenager of the Year and scholarship winners.
One young man, Landon Herrick from New Martinsville, gained national recognition by placing fifth on the national level. He was awarded a $12,000 to be distributed over the course of four years.
Herrick said he plans to attend West Virginia University where he will major in pre-pharmacy.
“I am very honored to be the first to receive national scholarship from the Elks,” he said, “and I’m proud to represent the Elks association.”
Christian Martine of Daniels, near Beckley, another scholarship winner, said he was humbled and honored to receive the award.
“Each chapter of the organization raises money given straight from the hearts of those who wish to help,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”
Martine plans to attend Washington and Lee University where he hopes to plan for a career in law, business and politics.
Awards were given ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 in scholarships to other students in attendance including Breanna Nolan, Taylor Nicholas, Katie Palmer, Rachael Nolan, Chelsea Wells, Lisa Liang, Lauren Dittebrand, Victoria Fratini, Christian Cummings and Dylan Reynolds.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
