New Year, New Experiences

Well, it is August 26th and I have now completed my first two days of classes. Even though I will be taking a smaller load than usual, I think it is going to be a busy semester. I will be taking Intermediate Spanish, Advertising: Media Planning, Biology, and Advertising: Copywriting. One great thing that I am looking forward to is not having a class until 12:30 everyday. Some might be jealous and some might not, but having that schedule has its perks and downfalls. This semester I am starting my major classes and it is really exciting/intimidating. There is no more "I don't have to read for this class" mentality. This is what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life, and I need to know what I am doing.

I want to tell you what I am going to be doing this semester in my ad classes. In my Media Planning class, I will be learning the first part of the semester and then the second I will be making a media plan for actual client! If you don't know what a media plan is that's okay. Media planners use calculations to find out what area is best for the placement of the ad. That is why you see tons of Miller light commercials on ESPN and not on PBS because the audience is totally different. Media planners have to place an ad in the right place for the best production to happen. Anyway, you might know this client; the client is Nissan! There is a competition every year with the AAF (American Advertising Federation). In that competition many schools come up with a ad campaign for the client of that year. Last year it was JCPenny, and the winner of the competition got to use their ad campaign for JCPenny. So that is going to be fun! In my copywriting class I will be choosing a client and use them the entire semester, making print, radio, and internet ads for that client. It is not really for them, although it could be. They could use my ads and publish it in a paper or whatever! So that is exciting.

I will be working hard all through this semester making ads, studying, and using my talents working for KTSW, the local radio station here in San Marcos. One thing that I know for sure is that God will never leave me. Like Joshua 1:9 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." I need to carry that mindset everywhere that I go on campus, whether that be in the classroom, at KTSW, or even in my own apartment. I know that God has put me here for a reason. This is my life right now, this is my Poreia.

Life this past year...

Well, it has been awhile since I have written, but I am back and ready to talk about what has been going on in my life.

As of today, I am three semesters away from graduating from the best college ever! (Texas State University- for those that don't know where I attend) This was my first full year at Texas State, not to be confused with my first year at college all together, but these past semesters have been full of new things and opportunities. For all of the people wondering, no I did not go to any parties, or get in trouble with what some call drugs. None of that, but the new things like going to my first home football game or living in an apartment with my best friend.

I started my journey at Texas State with 15 hours and an eager heart. In the fall I took some great classes: Mass Media and Society; English Literature to 1865 (not that great of a class lol.); Spanish 1; Visual Communication; and Statistics. I did pretty well and was happy with getting 4 "B's" and an "A".

This semester was a lot better school wise. I took 15 hours and achieved full major status, which means I can take upper level courses toward my major. My grades were a lot better than the fall, 3 "A's'' and 2 "B's". This gave me a 3.65 GPA and landed me on the Deans List!! What what!! I am proud of this accomplishment and I am glad that all my hard worked paid off.

All in all, this school year has been quite a journey. God has shown me a lot of things, some of which I recently learned. It's funny how that happens. One lesson learned is how to live away from my mom! haha I thought dishes magically appeared in the cabinets and the sink was alway empty... Well, that is definitely not the case! Sorry mom; I love you so much, and I now know how much of a servant you truly are.

Another lesson learned is... no matter what happens just have faith... and accountability. There were a lot of ups and downs this year and there were times where my faith was shaken, but the thing that helped me was my roommate/best friend Paul Gilmore, even though he didn't know sometimes that he was helping me. He continued to shine the light of the Lord which encouraged me to do the same. Thanks man for being there bro. The other one was Caitlin McClanahan, my amazing and beautiful girlfriend, she always pushes me to be a better leader and points me to Christ. Every time I talk to her there is always encouragement that takes place. She lifts me up and makes me happy!

This summer I will be working at Daycation for my 4th summer in a row as Assistant Director. This is a great opportunity to show the kids who Jesus is and how much he loves them. It is amazing how he works and I can't wait to see how he works this summer.

This past year made me learn that God is in control and is above all. He was there for me when I was fully relying on him and he was there for me when I was furthest from him. He has shown me forgiving and unconditional love. He is in control of my life and in control of... My Poreia