Hello from Chattanooga

It has been way too long since I have written/typed to say hello. I am doing very well and hope you all are too. This past fall I returned to UTC and hit the ground running with school. I continue to really miss Nashville and the scenes at the state capital. I have kept in contact with friends at the capital and have even been able to visit them. I have been quite busy with school and my position with Housing. When I returned to campus, I also took up a second job, working for the Safety and Risk Management Department. I inspect buildings on campus checking fire extinguishers and emergency lights. This department is one of the best on campus, mainly because of the people who work in it. I have been able to work at my own pace and on my own time. I also get to work events that take place in our athletics arena including, concerts and WWE Raw.

I am still working for Housing. This semester I was promoted to ARD (Assistant Resident Director). It is somewhat different from the RA position with a different role, minus that with residents. Instead of being on RA Duty during the semester, I have office hours! Plus better pay! UTC Housing has gone through a lot of change this year and most of it has only hurt the RAs and ARDs. More things to do, and less time to do them. The thought that we are students has disappeared. No matter, I plan on sticking it out, hopefully through the summer, and then I will be done.

Classes have been going very well. This semester I am taking 12 hours including, the History of Scotland, History of Traditional Japan, Seminars in History: the Reign of Elizabeth I, and Spanish. History of Scotland is probably my favorite class! There are so many things from Scotland's history that we use today and thoughts debated even today. For instance, the right for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Property comes from... Scottish thinkers!! Our discussions in the class are very interesting!

Not only are classes keeping me busy, but I am working on a special project of my own. My semester project is a program called "Thank the Troops". Through Housing, I am working on this program to compile a huge care package for troops overseas. My goal is to go to the student body and to get items donated for this care package. Not only is this a campus-wide program, I have gone also to the community. The package will be sent to soldiers from the Chattanooga area and therefore the community should also be involved. I have contacted organizations on campus like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Sororities, the Bookstore, and ROTC to help get the word out. The manager of the bookstore has really jumped on board and helping me out by offering a $100 textbook scholarship to the student who brings in the most items! I have drop-off locations all around campus. I proposed this program to our RHA (Residence Halls Association) and ask if it would help pay for the shipping costs. They agreed to it! Everything has fallen into place and I am very excited about this program, hoping that it turns out big!

Well, that's about it for my spring semester. The days are being counted down! Graduation comes this December! Less than a year (Can you Believe it...Mom, Dad?)! What happens after graduation? Well, I hope to return to the capital in Nashville, and I hope to move there for a position. Secondly, I plan to continue my education, eventually, and get my masters in Public Administration. This of course can all change if it be God's will! No matter what, I don't think I will be staying in Chattanooga. I actually can see myself moving back to Martin someday! (Completely different from four years ago!)

To wrap things up, I hope you all are doing well. God Bless!