Final Blog- Anna's Greatest Hits

Well Hello Friends,

What an adventure this semester has been so far. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can speak for most people when I say it has been quite amazing, to say the least. I have had so many different, new experiences. I have made numerous friends and have learned so much, mostly about myself.

Most of these experiences have been from the Honors Program. Seriously, it is my absolute favorite part about UNA. I am so lucky to be a part of this amazing family. Yes, we are seriously one big family, a dysfunctional family, but a family none the less. I am a little sad that this semester is over, and I am going to miss these blogs. Okay, maybe I won’t miss them that much. However, this last one will be a flashback. It will be one of those epic ones that tell a story and make connections to present a bigger picture at the end. You ready for this, Vince? It’s going to be awesome.

My experience here in the honors program really began with a little trip to Memphis. We all jumped upon a jolly bus and headed to a place most of us had not been to with people we sure as heck did not know at all. It is funny that most of first impressions of people have changed since then. As most of us were talking earlier in the lobby, we all thought Graem was shy. I also thought Chuck was a jock. He is athletic, but we all know Chuck now as his own being, not able to fit in any one category. The people I did not know at all became my family, my closest friends with which I spend most of my time. A value that Dr. Vince talked about tonight was community. I believe that is definitely something we have established here. This community has provided much support to me throughout this semester. Before my first Makowski test, I received much advice and hugs. When Drew White made me want to cry, my honors friends reminded me that I was in the honors program. I have spent so much time here. I have had study sessions, as well as fun times. This community has been here for my angry days, my breakdowns, and here to celebrate with me through my accomplishments.

I would like to introduce a little flashback, something I said in my very first blog.  

“My favorite part of the trip was the art museum. I have never been to anything like that before in my life, and it was so exciting. I had so much fun and learned a lot. My favorite part was analyzing and debating a ridiculous piece (in my opinion) made of eyelashes. It was so much fun to hear everyone’s perspectives. It still didn't change mine, but it definitely opened my mind to how others perceive art. I am looking forward to more memories here at UNA and in the Honors Program.”

I remember this moment. Graem was actually a part of it I believe. Now we are both sitting here together studying our butts off for finals. Actually, I think he’s just about to go play Halo. So, never mind on that one. In seriousness, this was a great moment. It actually ties into a class I took this semester, Art Appreciation. Although many people might say what a joke class this was, I really enjoyed it. My appreciation really started at the museum we went to, because I had never been to one before. I really enjoyed it. It made me realize how real, tangible and alive art is. So, it helped me in that class. Maybe it did not help academically necessarily, but definitely on a deeper, more personal level.

I met one of my very best friends on this trip. We sat next to each other on the bus. We did not know each other at all. Now, we are super close. Funny how that happens right.

Life continued, as well as our forum class. The common theme was values. I do not think my values have changed over the course of the semester; however, I have learned that it is completely and totally doable to have multiple values in one’s life. One thing I still stand for is love. Flash backing to another one of my blogs from early in the semester….

“I think that love governs all things. Love is the fuel behind our courage, the spark that illuminates our faith, and the push behind our passion. It is what makes us have friendship and be capable of creativity- because we "love" what we do and want to come up with more. We love ourselves to care about our health. We love others to have "helpfulness". Of course, love also produces respect. Therefore, love really does encompass anything. Coming from the Christian faith, love is the center of the universe-being God (God is love). So, love really is everything. Aside from religious views, as I have said before, love governs many of the values society cares about. “

Of course, I still agree with this. As I have seen this semester, love really does govern everything. It is the most important value to which we base our other values on. Love has taught me a lot. It has strengthened me and has reminded me of who I am and what I stand for. It has taught me to stand with who I am. It has taught me how to be a friend and how to keep the relationships that are important to me in my life, while also teaching me how to form new ones.

My old friends:





And some of my new ones:







It is all about balance. And also LOVE. :)


 Love is so very important. How could I have made it through this semester without love in my life, the love from others around me, as well as the divine love that gives me enduring strength?
 

Well, enough with the sappy things. At this point in the story, the semester got hard. Classes were in full swing and the POD was kicking my rear end.






Here is some comments from blogs at that point:

“More than anything, I realized I do not know anything.”

 “Life happens. Let us embrace it from the very core of our beings wholly unsure of what is to come. “

These sound pretty eloquent and epic, but no need to fear. They only stemmed from the inner depths of my frightened and tiresome soul. However, it is ironic to read these things now, finals being just around the corner. Life does happen. It is a roller coaster my friend. Some things happen that you cannot control at all. This semester I feel as though I have learned to better deal with these situations, as well as learned to control myself in these given situations. Along with love, I can get through anything.

I did not know all though. Here comes the “big question” that has been a common theme this semester. It has reoccurred not only in my academic life, such as Forum, but my personal and social life as well.

“The same question has been haunting me since I get to UNA in various forms around campus. It is this: “Who am I and what am I called to do?” This is such a large question, that, to be honest, I don’t even know if I can understand it, much less answer it myself.  College, thus far, has been challenging, exciting, fun, stressful, awesome, etc- however; no revelations of any kind have been conceived even leading me to this answer. So, fellow bloggers, hopefully by the last one of these, or at least when you see me getting my diploma, I will be able to answer it for you.”

I still don’t think I can give you an exact answer. That, however, I feel is okay. I do better understand the question and how to come to it. I have learned a lot about people, especially myself, over the course of this semester. I have learned, for one thing, that I am a complicated human being. I am made up of multiple dimensions. I have many paths and opportunities to choose from. Generally, I have a wonderful life. So, I know that much. I know who I want to be. I know that I am called to themes, one of them being love, another service. I think these are good answers thus far.

Continuing on the journey of my life (this semester), we are then brought to a wonderful time, full of questions and stress. How shall we overcome life’s challenges? One word: Courage!

“It takes courage to ask questions in class. It takes courage to do many of the things that make us better human beings, as well as progress society. Many of our world's greatest philosophers, inventors, scientists, and leaders had to have courage to accomplish whatever it was they made them so "great". Courage is not easy, or else all of us would have it. Like, love it is a fuel. It fuels many other aspects of our lives that make them better.”

I have learned this in full. Recently, I have talent he courage to try many new things. I interviewed to be a SOAR counselor, a Community Advisor for next semester, as well as a job back home over the break. Thanks to my fearless courage to try these things confidently, as well as my awesome lucky interview outfit, I was blessed with all of these things. I am very excited to participate in all of them. It took courage to apply, it took courage to interview, and most of all it took courage to have confidence in myself to believe that I can do it. That is what has made all the difference.




Courage gave me strength during those long hours at band practice (especially Saturday morning). Courage is a value that I have implemented into my life. It is important. With love, it is helping me figure out who I am.

At this point in the semester, I am really understanding my specific purpose in this forum. I am to find who I am and answer some questions that I have always had. I think that has been a fun journey for myself. It has opened my eyes to things I would have never thought to look at before. Trying to figure all this out has made me a great observer, thinker, and listener. It has made me curious. With courage, I am able to ask questions to make my process even better.

"You have clear identities that normally stay stagnant during your time there. College, however, is a completely different story. You are no longer really defined by the same things. It could possibly be a time to change your identities, or just add new ones. I have been flooded with so many new opportunities since I have been here. It is hard trying to balance it all. So, I am having a great time. I have learned a lot about myself as a person, as well as determined some goals for myself and future. Despite all the questions, my future looks bright. I am thankful for the adventures I have had, as well as excited for the ones ahead."

As you can tell, I was very excited. I do not think this was taken from a blog based on a speaker. I believe this was a free standing one that I wrote for myself, in my self-discovery. I know this all sounds cheesy, but it really does mean a lot to me.

In college, especially, we are stupid. We make mistakes. It is part of the college experience right?

"We make mistakes. Often times, those mistakes shape who we are today.  We would not have enjoyed the roller coaster that is life without the twists, turns, and unexpected bumps and jolts."

Is that not so true though? I wrote this off of what the CEO of a bank said. Surely, the guy knew what he was talking about. It is important to remember the big picture. It is important to not let the twists, turns, and stomach drops keep you from enjoying the ride. Roller coasters are a thrill right? Well then such is life.
(This is finals week. I really need to remember this.)

Then comes October 2nd. It was my birthday ya'll. I turned 19 that day. It was a pretty good day. I ate lots of chocolate and went to eat after forum. Ironically, it was one of my favorite speakers that night. Alyson's dad, the CEO of Shoals Hospital, spoke with us. I really, really liked him and everything he had to say. That day reminded me of what I want to do. It reminded me of why I want to do it. I would definitely want to work for him, or someone like him in my future.
He had a mission statement for his life. It seemed to be working pretty swell for him. So, I thought that making one would be good for me. I also thought it might help in coming up with some of the answers to my self-actualization questions.

"So, I just have to come up with a mission statement for Anna Goggans to live by and make decisions from. Okay, I can do that. I'll get back to you when I have made my final copy. I have a plan. I am ready to execute it. The journey is already in motion."

Well, I still don't have anything too neat yet. I figure love and courage will play a role. Maybe my motto will be, "Love courageously". Is that already taken? I'm sorry friends. It is still a work in progress.

As Walt Disney said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."
This provides me with much encouragement and inspiration.
Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.


Awesome advice right? Plus, who doesn't love Disney?!

Anyways, I digress.
So, life went on. It was pretty boring considering the last big event was my birthday. Since I am not big on Halloween, October is not so much my month anyways.

As I am sure you have probably guessed, band has not exactly been what I expected. I have always had a passion for music. Despite my experiences and my decision to not march next year, I still hope that it stays in my life. Here are some of those thoughts when I was making that decision and realizing how music played a role in my life:

"Music is something that has kept me grounded, sane, and has reminded me of who I am and who I want to be. Relating to my life questions, it helps me find myself. Scratch that, it is helping me find myself.Music amazes me and makes me happy. I hope that I never loose that no matter where I am or what I am doing. "

Reading this right now makes me very sad to be quite honest. I know that band is no longer something for me. I know that music can be played and appreciated in different ways. However, this will always be something special to me. Band was my life. I guess with college, we have to leave old things behind. This must be mine. It is sad. However, I am excited for the future. Maybe one day I will still get to play. I am playing next semester so hopefully I can enjoy that as much as I did before I came here.
I know it may not be a big deal to most people. However, this is a big deal to me. UNA's band was one of the main reasons I came here. Knowing now that it is not what I thought it was, nor is it where I am supposed to be is a little hard to deal with.
I am moving on though. I am leaving that part of my past behind.


Yes, all those medals were earned.


This is actually a picture of me right before my UNA scholarship audition. How ironic right?




Here's me rippin' it up sophomore year on my epic solo. Yeah, I'll miss that.



However, music will never leave me. It is such a vital part of who I am. It has shaped me into the person I am now. Maybe that was a part in discovering myself and who I am. I had to see myself stripped of something I thought made up who I was to see that I am something else. This process has shown me, especially through courage and my community, that I am so much more. I do not know what yet, but I have big plans in store in my life.

"As I got older, I realized that I had a passion for different people. I realized that I really had a passion for missions, specifically. I loved children as well. So, I started going on Mission trips working with lots of different types of children. Those have always been such fond memories for me. I hope to continue doing such things. Even though this is just a small portion of all of the things that shape me as a person, they help to define who I am and who I want. I want to help people more than anything. Also, I want to give hope to people, in any way. I want to make people believe in magic, in some way. I still really don't know who I am, but I am getting a better idea of the person I was and the person I believe I am meant to be."

Maybe this is the path I should follow instead. In previous blogs I have talked about my mission trips. That is definitely something I want to continue to do. Relating to my Disney obsession here I see I talk about Magic. But in reality, I do think it is important. It is important for people to experience love and to feel hope. It is important for every single girl on this planet to feel like a princess at leas once in their life. I think this had to do with the talk about childhood, about doing what makes us happy. Well, helping people makes me happy. It always has and it always will. I love putting a smile on someones face. I love taking care of others. I love making a difference. Whether I do that on another continent or in the future hospital I will be working at, I hope to affect people's lives.


As I have said before, some of my sweetest memories are helping others.
Children, especially.
There is just something about being around the beautiful innocence of a child that fuels me.
I love feeling their gracious love.

I worked at a summer camp over the summer. Let me tell you something, it was NOT easy. There are times where I wanted to strangle those kids. However, I loved them regardless. I loved those special moments where we connected. I loved the hugs and the fights with mud. I loved putting a princess band aid on their scraped knees.

So, overall, I guess this has really been a scrapbook. I have shown you my thoughts and experiences throughout the semester, as well as my memories from the past. Both have shaped me into the person I am this very day, this very second of this very hour.
We are constantly changing. I think that is why I cannot so acutely define who I am. I know who I want to be and I have plans to get me there. As we have talked about, sometimes life is crazy. However, I feel as though I can tackle those curves better now. I know what it takes to get to where I want to be.
I know my priorities and I know that love is all you need.
I have seen and felt courage and its importance in my life.
I also feel my community and its important presence in my life.
I guess in retrospect I may have really answered more questions than I asked without really answering the first. However, I am okay with that. College is not over. This semester is not over. I have much more to learn. I also have much more to learn about myself.
As quoted by one of my favorite songs, "My learning isn't done." It is never done.



Who am I? Guess it depends on the hour. At this particular moment, I am a tired, sleep-deprived college freshman stressed about finals. Who knows what tomorrow has in store?

I know one thing is for sure:

"I NEVER want to work in Corporate America. EVER. That is definitely not where I should be."

Sometimes I just crack myself up. For real.
And that, my friends, is Anna's Greatest Hits. I believe I have said some pretty deep stuff, as well as some funny stuff, and maybe even just crap you really don't care about. That is okay, I feel you.
I apologize for my brain being all over the place sometimes. Thanks for keeping up. Truly, you are amazing.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!!
Much love from Anna Goggans
Peace.