Hello family.
So, I wanted to invite you all to my graduation ceremonies....
On Friday, May 9th, at 2pm is my Grady Commencemnt Ceremony. This is just for the school of Journalism. It's the smaller one.
On Saturday, May 10th, at 9:30am is myt University Wide Ceremony.
Obviously, it may be a pain to make it to both, but I would like the parents and realitives to try to make it to at least one.
I'M GRADUTATING COLLEGE!!!!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Yeah, I Was Lucky
As most of you have heard, I was in a pretty bad wreck last night.
I was in the right lane of SR 417 in Orlando, FL. I was going about 60, getting ready to bear right to pay a toll. As the new right lane started to become available for the diversion to the change / receipts toll plaza ...
BOOM!
Hit on the driver's side. I never saw it coming. Suddenly the car was starting to go the wrong way as the back was skidding to the left. I tried to maneuver the car but it didn't seem to respond. I saw a white SUV that I knew I was going to hit.
Boom.
Not as loud or as jarring. I clipped the rear bumper. Next thing I know I'm heading for the guard-rail. I thought I was going to crash right through it and head down the steep hill into the ravine. At that moment I thought, this might actually be the end of this story. You know. Then end of MY story. Anyway, I imagine I had my foot on the breaks by now.
Boom.
I hit the guardrail. The car stopped and the guardrail was no worse for the wear. The radio was still on. The engine was still running. I was still strapped in. No glass. No blood.
I got out of the car and a nice young man of about 27 or 28 years pulled over to see if I was O.K. I told him I was. He asked me what happened? He didn't see the impact - just me sailing down the highway like it was an episode of the Rockford Files. I told him I got sideswiped by a vehicle as yet unknown. I called 911 and asked the guy to tell the dispatcher where I was, because I was not sure and still feeling quite a bit disoriented.
He returned my cell phone and left the scene. Next, the driver of the S.U.V. that I had hit came running over to see if I was all right. I told him I was and he told me everyone in his car was fine. He asked me what happened? He didn't see it either. Said he saw pieces of my car flying through the air. Then saw me hit him.
Next the Sheriff showed up. I told him what happened. He told me to sit tight for a few minutes. After that the EMT showed up. The driver of the SUV that I hit wanted his young son checked out just in case, because he complained that his neck hurt a little. The EMT said the boy was fine.
After that the Florida Highway Patrol officer was on the scene. He dismissed the Sheriff, took my license and asked me what happened? I told him too. At first he misunderstood me and thought I was intending on changing into the left lane. I didn't realize that right away, but in the next conversation I explained to him that the left-lane was for people with an electronic toll pass, and I didn't have one, so my intention was to go into the right lane that was coming up so I could pay the toll.
The driver of the SUV that hit me was parked a few hundred feet down the road ahead of the SUV that I hit. The policeman informed me that the other driver's position was that I hit him. He told me that the police would investigate the evidence and would make their report and basically the insurance companies, and if necessary, the courts would sort it out.
I went back to the point of impact and noted that my skid-marks started in my lane, so that supported my side of the story.
The tow truck driver showed up. He had tattoos all up and down his arms and a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt. He managed to get the car on the bed of his truck.
Meanwhile, I approached the driver of the SUV that hit me and I asked him what happened? He was perhaps 5' 10'' and extremely over-weight. Obese. 400 pounds maybe. He muttered something unintelligible, which may have been, "You tell me." I said, "The officer said you say I hit you?" He said, "yeah." I said, "You hit me!" He muttered "Speak to my lawyer." I understood him, but I said "What?" His lady companion said, "He said, 'speak to his lawyer.' "
I walked away shaking my head.
The tow truck driver drove me to the airport. I filled out an accident report and was given another car.
Not the best day of my life, but as Connie was quick to point out, at least she didn't go to bed a widow last night.
I was in the right lane of SR 417 in Orlando, FL. I was going about 60, getting ready to bear right to pay a toll. As the new right lane started to become available for the diversion to the change / receipts toll plaza ...
BOOM!
Hit on the driver's side. I never saw it coming. Suddenly the car was starting to go the wrong way as the back was skidding to the left. I tried to maneuver the car but it didn't seem to respond. I saw a white SUV that I knew I was going to hit.
Boom.
Not as loud or as jarring. I clipped the rear bumper. Next thing I know I'm heading for the guard-rail. I thought I was going to crash right through it and head down the steep hill into the ravine. At that moment I thought, this might actually be the end of this story. You know. Then end of MY story. Anyway, I imagine I had my foot on the breaks by now.
Boom.
I hit the guardrail. The car stopped and the guardrail was no worse for the wear. The radio was still on. The engine was still running. I was still strapped in. No glass. No blood.
I got out of the car and a nice young man of about 27 or 28 years pulled over to see if I was O.K. I told him I was. He asked me what happened? He didn't see the impact - just me sailing down the highway like it was an episode of the Rockford Files. I told him I got sideswiped by a vehicle as yet unknown. I called 911 and asked the guy to tell the dispatcher where I was, because I was not sure and still feeling quite a bit disoriented.
He returned my cell phone and left the scene. Next, the driver of the S.U.V. that I had hit came running over to see if I was all right. I told him I was and he told me everyone in his car was fine. He asked me what happened? He didn't see it either. Said he saw pieces of my car flying through the air. Then saw me hit him.
Next the Sheriff showed up. I told him what happened. He told me to sit tight for a few minutes. After that the EMT showed up. The driver of the SUV that I hit wanted his young son checked out just in case, because he complained that his neck hurt a little. The EMT said the boy was fine.
After that the Florida Highway Patrol officer was on the scene. He dismissed the Sheriff, took my license and asked me what happened? I told him too. At first he misunderstood me and thought I was intending on changing into the left lane. I didn't realize that right away, but in the next conversation I explained to him that the left-lane was for people with an electronic toll pass, and I didn't have one, so my intention was to go into the right lane that was coming up so I could pay the toll.
The driver of the SUV that hit me was parked a few hundred feet down the road ahead of the SUV that I hit. The policeman informed me that the other driver's position was that I hit him. He told me that the police would investigate the evidence and would make their report and basically the insurance companies, and if necessary, the courts would sort it out.
I went back to the point of impact and noted that my skid-marks started in my lane, so that supported my side of the story.
The tow truck driver showed up. He had tattoos all up and down his arms and a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt. He managed to get the car on the bed of his truck.
Meanwhile, I approached the driver of the SUV that hit me and I asked him what happened? He was perhaps 5' 10'' and extremely over-weight. Obese. 400 pounds maybe. He muttered something unintelligible, which may have been, "You tell me." I said, "The officer said you say I hit you?" He said, "yeah." I said, "You hit me!" He muttered "Speak to my lawyer." I understood him, but I said "What?" His lady companion said, "He said, 'speak to his lawyer.' "
I walked away shaking my head.
The tow truck driver drove me to the airport. I filled out an accident report and was given another car.
Not the best day of my life, but as Connie was quick to point out, at least she didn't go to bed a widow last night.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
happenings...
Twila got back from Rome yesterday safe & sound. Seems like she had a good time! Long flight though. She says she's taken lots of pictures so I hope she posts some, but it might be awhile due to jet-lag.
Kacie is in the mountains on spring break.
Emma is glad that Ethan is home!
George spent the entire day today working on a class project. He's been to Kennesaw mountain, the library, and now, Albert's house. He's going to be CRANKY when he finally gets home!
Oh yeah, George and Emma went to see Les Claypool last week. I guess it was fun, though George said if it was up to him, he wouldn't have stood up the whole time...
Cheyenne seems to be having a BLAST at Disney, from all appearances! Can't wait to see her in April!
Mike just spent his first week off since going to 3/4 time. He will be in town all next week too but he will be teaching. No more cooking eggs for Veronica before school!
Speaking of Veronica, she seems to be having some trouble deciding which of the boys that "aren't interested in her" she should hang out with...
Me, I kind of have a head cold which isn't much fun.
Kacie is in the mountains on spring break.
Emma is glad that Ethan is home!
George spent the entire day today working on a class project. He's been to Kennesaw mountain, the library, and now, Albert's house. He's going to be CRANKY when he finally gets home!
Oh yeah, George and Emma went to see Les Claypool last week. I guess it was fun, though George said if it was up to him, he wouldn't have stood up the whole time...
Cheyenne seems to be having a BLAST at Disney, from all appearances! Can't wait to see her in April!
Mike just spent his first week off since going to 3/4 time. He will be in town all next week too but he will be teaching. No more cooking eggs for Veronica before school!
Speaking of Veronica, she seems to be having some trouble deciding which of the boys that "aren't interested in her" she should hang out with...
Me, I kind of have a head cold which isn't much fun.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Think you've seen them all? UPDATED!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Twila posts again!
Sounds like things are going better now!
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Much better!
The trip to Rome has been AMAZING since the first day. Today, we mostly had time to ourselves. We got up at the usual time and headed over to see some more churches. We've seen a lot of churches, but they're all churches I've seen in Art History so it is really amazing. Plus, it's like going to a museum, there is so much art in them!
Then we had time to ourselves. Some of us headed over to the Vatican Museum. There, we changed over money and I bought a rosary for a friend. Then, David and Jason and I decided to strike out on our own while John, Lina, Readi, and Fengwei went to the Sistine Chapel and Sam and Tiffany went to the St. Peter's for gifts. Unfortunately due to my wonderful coordination abilities, David, Jason, and I had to walk all the way around the Vatican. In the rain. I swear it looked like the shorter method, but let me tell you - it wasn't!!! -_-
Eventually we got out to the courtyard of St. Peter's where we were supposed to meet Sam and Tiffany, but they were no where to be seen. (Probably because we were so far off course that it took us longer than they cared to wait.) So we decided to head over to the Spanish Steps and get lunch.
The Spanish Steps was a bit of a disappointment. You couldn't see them very well from the angle at the bottom and since it was rainy they just seemed rather deary. However, we did end up finding most of our party again there.
We got to eat lunch, and then Jason, David and I did some shopping. I got Korey some gifts, and they got some leather items. This was in the high-end section of town, though, complete with Armani and the like, so everything was very pricey! I was content with my purchase, though I saw many pairs of expensive shoes I'd love to have!!! =)
It's interesting how much more expensive things are here. Before you purchase anything, you have to consider that you have to add half of your purchase price to the amount you're spending in order to get the American $$ amount. Therefore, when you see something for 30 euros, you have to remember it's actually $45. I wish the dollar wasn't so weak. =(
We also saw some more churches afterwards and the museum recently completed by Richard Myer in 2006. (He also did the new branch of the High Museum, but I thought this work was much better.)
So far this trip has really been an eye opening experience. There are so many things different. No only big things like the language and public transit system and the thousands of little Smart Cars, but little things like the toilets and the way you leave your key card in the hotel lobby and how wireless internet isn't free everywhere.
And let me tell you something, if you thought Georgian's were bad drivers.... well, you have another thing coming!!! I think Korey'd like to have a heart attack if he saw me cross the street like I do. (Not to mention my mother!!!)
Overall though you never really feel alone like I was afraid you would because we always have people here from the school. I worried it'd feel like another world with the language barrier. But really, you get by.
I just wish we had more time!!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Twila's first day in Rome!
Here is a post I swiped from the class blog about the trip:
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A miserable day....
The airport was a very easy experience, but from there, it only went down hill.
When we got to the hotel around nine, Jereme's laptop bag was stolen within the first fifteen minutes! The hotel representatives wouldn't believe us at first, although we all saw the known suspect, and it was their fault for having us place all our bags in an unsecured room.
Nine hours later....
We finally have an informal police report and a new hotel. The new hotel is nicer and seems safer, but more people have to share a room together. We get to dinner, which is yummy, and then some of us inquire about making phone calls because we all have people wanting to hear from us back home.
Now, you might ask why we didn't make phone calls in the nine hours we spent hanging out in the first hotel's lobby. Well, it always seemed that any minute things were going to resolve themselves. No one wanted to wander too far from the hotel in case we had a solution. We didn't know it would be nine hours in the making.
Anyway, we go off to see some monuments after dinner. There was much to be fascinated by, and the old Roman monuments are marvelous when you think of how long ago they were made - in some cases over 2,000 years ago!!
We all started to get tired around midnight and started to head back. (Luckily, most of us got to take naps in the hotel lobby, although this is discouraged as a means of getting over jet lag and it is instead recommended to be in bed by nine.) At this point, it became obvious to me that the likelihood of me getting to call home was dropping by the second. My feet hurt like hell, and I'm going to admit it because everyone knows it anyway, I was crying almost the whole 30 minutes it took to get back to the hotel. I never thought I could possibly be so homesick, but every minute was like a stab in the heart. All I could do was think about what time it was back home and how worried Korey must be that I hadn't called him.
We finally realized phone calls would be impossible after getting back to the hotel and heading to Termini Station - the central hub of the train system.
Luckily I got to send Korey an e-mail, but it wasn't very satisfying. =(
Overall, today has been an overwhelming mix of emotions. Fear, confusion, anger, frustration, awe, sympathy, and excitement have all had their place. Hopefully, though, tomorrow will be better for me. I'll get to call Korey, alleviate some of my homesickness, and be able to get on to enjoying Rome. For now, I hope to get some sleep and that something gets settled with Jereme. =/ Even through my own issues, I feel worst for him.
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