Pride Week

Every spring semester, a week is set aside to celebrate the LGBTQA community here at Penn State. This week March 21^st through March 25^th is Penn State’s annual Pride Week for 2016.

I saw flyers in the HUB that promoted pride week and all its events but I didn’t pay it much mind.

On Wednesday, I got out of math and didn’t have much to do. There was a group of people outside of Old Main. They caught my attention and I walked over.

Eric giving his speech.

I quickly noticed the pride flag and I began to listen to a speech. It was a young man giving a speech, his name was Eric and he was from Nebraska. He explained how being from such a remote place it was hard for him to identify as his true self because it was practically unheard of. At the age of 17, he mustered up the confidence to tell his family, including his a dad, a raging homophobic. From the abuse he received at home from physical to emotional, he soon learned that sports would become his outlet. Since there are no major football teams in Nebraska, playing for their big team, the Huskies, makes you a local celebrity. Because people respected his talents, they became more open to him and the LGBTQA community. When Eric was done his speech he left us with some words of wisdom: “There’s only one you, take pride in that. Celebrate yourself.”

From this experience, I’ve learned that although laws are being passed such as the legalization of gay marriage, the community still does not get the respect they deserve. People are still very closed minded and concerned about the wrong things. I can never understand why people are so concerned about other people’s lives in a negative aspect and why they would want to lessen someone happiness. But in the words of Eric, “never stop being being yourself.” Being loving and accepting to everyone you meet. 

New Dog!

In beginning of fall semester my mom asked, “Well, what do you want to do for spring break? You should start planning now if you want to go somewhere.”  So, I gave it some thought and came up with nothing. I probably came up with nothing because I’m so decisive or maybe because I didn’t know who I’d go with, especially since I didn’t know many people here yet. Plus, my friends at other schools having different weeks for spring break didn’t help much either. Well, spring break came and I was just happy to have a break although the breaks never seem long enough. And what better way than to have a great break than to get a dog!

Winston!!

Winston, my other dog Emmitt, and me :) 

 My spring break was filled with a lot of little things like having my first cheese steak and visiting friends. But one of my favorite things that I did over break was getting a new dog! Growing up I remember always watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show(s). Every time dog shows would come on, I’d watch them with my mom. I’d wake up at 5 in the morning on random Saturdays just to keep her company at dog shows. My mom always expressed how one day she wanted to show dogs but I didn’t actually think it would happen. After years of experience with dogs and lots of research under of belts, we drove to New Jersey to pick up or new dog “Winston”.

Winston is a Shih Tzu and too cute. Just like any other puppy, he’s so curious and full of energy. His dad has just one a championship and Winston is starting training soon.

This is my first time going through the research of a show dog, getting the dog, and preparing him for dog shows. Although, the process is just beginning I’ve learned a lot so far. From understanding that I can’t exactly teach the dog the command “sit” and that he drinks from a water bottle that looks like it’s for a giant hamster, I’m realizing that raising a family dog and a show dog is a lot different. But the most important lesson that I’ve learned from this ongoing experience is from my mom. And that lesson is to never stop following your dreams because one day they will come true.

Thanks for reading, J

maraTHON

“Sometimes you have to go through things and not around them…”

In the beginning of the fall semester, I went to lunch and the involvement fair with Sarah. She already had it in her mind that she wanted to join Ohana, so she kept an eye out for it. Ohana is one of the top three Special Interest Organizations for the Penn State IFC Panhellenic Dance Marathon. When we approached the table, I didn’t know much about them or even THON, but they were so welcoming. They spoke to us for a minute and I joined and got involved.

Fast forward a semester and some change.

It’s finally February 19, the day many Penn State students look forward to. It was finally THON.

When I woke up, I just wanted the day to fast forward until 6pm. But, it didn’t. It went very slowly. I went to my classes, got my outfit out, waited, and waited some more. It was finally 5 and I went to dinner with my friend, Brandon. After dinner we joined the line to enter the BJC. To our surprise the line moved pretty fast and we were in before we knew it.

So, when Brandon and I got to THON we found Ohana in the stands and enjoyed everyone’s company while we danced in our bright orange. This being my first THON, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I knew there would be lots of colors, people, and excitement but my assumptions and expectations were surpassed. Getting to actually see all the families that Ohana contributed to was amazing. But to see all the families that Penn State helped as a whole was beautiful and breathtaking.

I didn’t stay at THON the whole time, maybe a good 12 hours. S/O to everyone that stayed longer to me, which is a lot of people, lol. Next year, I hope to join a committee or something similar because the more involved I am, the more I want to stay.

Being involved in THON has opened my eyes in many different ways. The most important lesson that I learned would be to always find happiness. The kids and their families go through so much but you’ll always find them with a smile. It proves that even when life gets tough you have to keep your head high and think positive. Ohana is FTG, FTW, & FTD. For the Goods, for the Wilsons, and for the Dawsons. To have the opportunity to hear their stories was also eye opening. So many more things go on than what we imagine.

From the overall experience of THON from bonding as an organization to learning about the families to actually standing, there was so much to gather.

Sadly, cancer is still a thing and even though millions of dollars’ are raised, many people are still left heartbroken and devastated. But as long as I am a student here, I will be involved in Penn State’s THON and keep dancing until there is a cure. 

Thanks for reading. :)