HI

I hope everyone is having an amazing summer!

Update on My Zombie Job

First of all, if you haven't read my last post, go back and do so now. This one won't make much sense otherwise.

So I was slightly wrong when I called the video I acted in today a "commercial." It's actually going to be played on the jumbotron before games. It's purpose is to instruct audiences where to go incase they are injured while at the ball park. I'm not sure if the team is going to post it online, but the basic concept is "Do you feel like a zombie at the ball park" (shot of me staggering down the concourse in full zombie attire, spilling soda and popcorn all over the place) "then head to the emergency services station along the first base line. " (shot of me staggering as a zombie to said station) "We'll get you feeling back to normal in no time" (shot of me looking normal cheering in the stands).

I had alot of fun shooting it. I haven't seen the finished product yet, but I'll probably get to see it when I go back in today. It was the first time I'd worn my zombie costume and makeup since starting this class, and it really gave me alot to think about. At one point my director told me "More Walking Dead zombie, less Zombieland." Before this class I would have had NO clue what he was talking about. I would have thought "A zombie is a zombie," but because of this class I knew exactly what that meant.

Here's me in my zombie get up, which some of you may recognize from the photo I posted at the beginning of the semester. The "special sauce" for this video was the skin of the baseball I attached to my face. It made no sense, but it made this make-up somewhat unique to this project. I'll be sure to post the video on here if it ever makes it's way to the internet, and if any of you ever make it to Charleston, stop by Appalachian Power Park for a game, and be sure to get there early so you can see this video on the Jumbo Tron. (also tell the mascot I said hi).

Is Anyone Reading This?

Hi Guys! So I know the semester is long gone, but something happened to me today, and I just had to blog about it! So as you all may know, in the summers I work for a minor league baseball team as the mascot. Well today I was in the press box, and the Production manager walked up to me and asked what I was doing before the game on friday, and I told him nothing (because, I have no life). He told me they were filming a commercial and wanted me to be in it. I figured he meant as the mascot, but it turns out I will be playing a zombie! He was thrilled when I found out I owned my own zombie costume and make-up. I didn't mention the fact that I've spent the last semester studying zombies.

It made me think about how much I really know about zombies after this course. I my manager know what I mean if I ask him at the commercial shoot whether I'm playing a "romero-style" or "post-millenial" zombie. Likewise, I doubt there will be a greater message beyond "buy baseball tickets." Still, if they post the commercial online I'll be sure to post it. If any of you are as nerdy as I am and are still on this blog post semester I'd love to get your take on it!

Blog Withdrawals

I'm almost completely ashamed to say that I enjoy doing school work... But I can't help some of it. For some reason I keep checking Blogger on my phone to see if anyone has posted, but of course no one has. So if anyone reads this, what finals do you have left? Anything you wanna say before we depart?

I really enjoyed today, and I'm actually sort of sad to leave the class. I definitely grew as a writer, and whenever someone mentions zombies now -- you can bet your ass I can hold a conversation!

Overall, I'm glad to have had the experience with the rest of you 102 Zombie English Survivors.

Take care.

- Laura

Well, I made to FT. Knox

After 16 hours of travel I finally made it to FT. Knox and I will be training soliders how to fire different weapons effectively. I dont know if any of you will check but I will post pictures.
I am sad the semster is over, I really enjoyed our class. We had a great mix of people. I hope to stay in touch with many of you as we continue into the future. Good luck to all of you!

Vegetarian..

Over the past month, I've made a life altering desicison involving my eating habits. I've made the desicison to become a vegetarian and to tell you the truth, I've never felt healthier. My room mate and best friend Ally is a vegetarian and it influenced me to become one as well. Also, my great Aunt Virginia is 96 and has been a vegetarian for 60 years and is in perfectly good heath. Although those people did influence my choice, they are not the only thing that convinced me. The main reason is that I'm a sucker for animals, of any kind. I love them all. After hearing all of the cruel things that go on in factory farms and of the inhumane treatment in the raising of the animals, I looked at meat much differently. I looked into some of the facts behind meat eating and realized that I can get my daily protein from many other sources besides animals. I've been a pesco vegetarian for about a month now. I get most of my protein from seafood, beans, Greek yogurt and many other foods. Also, veggie burgers are DELICIOUS and I like them much better than regular burgers now. I would never be one of those people that tried to persuade other people into becoming vegetarians because I used to think it was insane that people didn't eat meat! But I must say it's definitely been a great choice I've made in my life but it's one you have to make for yourself. Well anyways, I can't believe this is our last blog post! I'm going to miss you all so much. But see you guys on Monday (with cupcakes) 

Love, 

Leah :-)

Final Blog Post of the Semester

Wow, how this semester has gone by. This is our last blog post for this class. It’s exciting and sad all at the same time. I just finished my critical essay, and am now working on my presentation and the details that go with it. I’m so excited for this semester to be over, so even though I’m nervous because I hate public speaking no matter who or how many people it’s in front of, I’m ready to do this. I’m also excited to hear everyone else’s papers to see what ideas you all have. I was debating on if I wanted to use technology, like a power point or a scene that I will be talking about from The Walking Dead, but I’m not really sure if I want to do that or not yet. I’m trying to figure out what parts of my essay I want to read, and if I need visual aids. I don’t really want to have to rely on technology, so really I’m just not sure what I want to do yet. I liked Jeff’s idea about printing out some pictures, putting them on board, and then cutting them out. What are all of you going to do? I have talked to some of you, but I’m curious as to how the rest of you are preparing for your presentations. Will some of you be using visual aids, or just relying on the contents of your papers? Oh, and is anyone else bringing any food Monday?

Not at all about zombies

This is a T-rex head with a cowboy hat. That I have in my living room. I know, random. Whatever. Enjoy!

Tomorrow

As you all will notice tomorrow, I will not be in class. I have to make an emergency trip to Alabama today. My grandmother, Lesley Butler, who I share my middle name with, has been fighting lymphoma for the past seven years. She had a scan in January that was clear and hopeful. But over the past few months, she has become severely depressed and has been experiencing a loss of balance. A follow up scan this week revealed three tumors in her brain, one large one that is pressing on her brain stem. The doctors gave the sad news that she has about a week to live. With treatment, she would only be expected to survive three months. 

So I will be flying to say my goodbyes. This is a difficult time for my family, my mother in particular. Unfortunately my eldest sister is currently in Berlin celebration graduation from college and her first season as a CPA. We have decided not to tell her and ruin her trip, but we know how much pain this will cause her. But my grandmother insisted on it. 

My family has been prepared for this for a long time and my grandmother is ready,  the entire family will be in town, aunts and uncles and cousins that I have not seen since I left home seven years ago. 

This is a picture from this past Christmas. Chelsea, the one in Germany is holding my twin sister's son, Rebecca is the one closest to my grandmother, my mother is beside me and my twin sister, Mallory is on the right. It was the first time in 6 years that my sisters and I were all in the same house. 

Final Blog Post

So... throughout the semester, when I've been out and about, if I saw something that I've thought would make a good blog post, I made a note about it in my cell phone. And then, almost always when I went to do my blog post for the week, I either already had a new idea, or just forgot that I had those ideas written down. Now that it's the end of the semester, and it is my final mandatory post I thought I'd do a short run down of some of those potential blog posts that never were.

So for starters I'd like to introduce you to Japanese sport of "Bo-Taoshi." I don't fully understand the rules, but the basic concept is that there are two teams, and each team has a pole. They must topple the other teams pole, while keeping theirs standing. Watch the video and you'll see why I thought it would make a good blog post. If these players don't look like zombies, I don't know what does.

The second topic I'd wanted to do a blog post about, but never really got around to was something I saw on "The Talking Dead," where guest Keegan Michael Key (of Key and Peele fame) discussed the possibility of a cult within the zombie apocalypse. I know we talked about people's individual faiths within the zombie apocalypse in class some, but I don't think we ever talked much about how a group of people who shared an extreme fringe belief would react. Sadly I couldn't find the clip I'm referring to online.

Lastly I wanted to go back to an idea we talked about earlier in the semester and that was the question of whether zombies and ghosts can exist in the same fictional universe? I think absolutely. In my mind a ghost is made up of everything a human must loose to become a zombie.

So this is the end of my final blog post! It's been a great semester, and I'll miss this class. What do you guys think of my "mini-blogs" this week? Are there any topics you wished I could have gone into more detail with? Also I'd love to get your take on the Zombie/Ghost thing.

FINALS.......

Alright, so finals are coming and they are coming fast! I am not one of the best people to talk to on the subject of studying, but I am a devoted “stublr” on a website called Tumblr. There are TONS of tips and things for studying in the community and I thought to share some with you guys!!!

What to do on the night before a big exam:        Studying for the exam:

                              

There are tons more of course but I thought these are the most relevant right now! I hope this wasn't too nerdy for everyone, this is just the kind of stuff that makes me super happy with my life! I wish EVERYONE the best on their essay and really, do not stress it will all be okay! If you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Have an awesome rest of the week and weekend!

Offensive.

As Austin and Dixon already know, my unpleasant interaction today prompted this blog post, at which I'm sure all of you may get a kick out of.

So, I work at the Wellness Center in the telecommunications department, where I answer all the 800 number calls, and transfer the appropriate lines. Well, I come in to work around lunch time, and have to pass where the Wellness Center Cafe is, including passing a ton of the kids lined up for their lunch orders.
More frequently lately, there have been some entitled jocks that think it is okay for them to cat call me, comment on my tush, and call me names such as "babe". NONE of this is appreciated by any means, and today I just said, "Please excuse me," and walked right past them, at which case they decided it was appropriate to loudly remark, "WOW, THAT WAS RUDE! STUCK UP BITCH!"
I was absolutely floored at how pigheaded, disgusting, and down right inappropriate a group of people could act simultaneously -- which brings me to my incorporation of zombies.

As soon as I got into work, I totally thought about writing a blog post about this interaction, and immediately knew how to incorporate zombies.

A lot of the views about zombies have been completely negative this semester -- but I have to say that I would quite prefer them in a situation such as this. Have you ever noticed how there isn't a pack mentality in any zombie movies? Each zombies end goal is simply to eat what they can. Zombies don't care about how they make you feel, and they don't get hurt by other zombies actions, and we don't really get angry or blame them for being zombies because they just are what they are.
Being a human is so different because we are such complex creatures and have so many different emotions that can harm others. In situations such as this which I deal with quite often, I would rather these people be zombies anyway. At least then I could understand why they act the way they do.

Thoughts?

Confliction/In Serious Need of Guidance

This blog post wont be my normal type of blog post -- it will contain much more of a rant-ish/needing help vibe.

So, I am so entirely conflicted on my major, and I need help from your guys' prospectives. When I first came to Shepherd, I was majoring in elementary education, and then halfway through the year, I switched over to English education. I absolutely love the English department, the professors, and I got extremely lucky to have Hanrahan as my adviser -- but I am torn. I had thought that once I had started the English program, I would feel a lot clearer and at ease about my choice, but I am unsure if I want to teach for the rest of my life.
I am nineteen, and I am unsure what I want to do with the rest of my life, because, well, I am NINETEEN and have very little life experience.

When I was first choosing my major, I basically had the decision to choose education or nursing, just because my family has such a ridiculously strong impact on my decisions, but I was unsure if I'd want to do it for the rest of my life. It's just that... College is SUCH a large amount of money, and I don't want to waste any time on an extra year or something like that if I switch majors.
I need to have a plan for a job that is actually going to hold up. I don't want to be unsuccessful when I get out of college.

See, I know that whatever I do end up doing, I would put my all in, and succeed as much as I possibly could. I'm thinking about Sociology, or maybe even Communications. I'd probably lean stronger towards Sociology with a minor in education or English, just because I absolutely love the department, and I'm excellent when it comes to creative writing. Truth be told, the reason why it's so darn hard to make this decision is because Dr. Hanrahan is literally (no kiss ass-ness intended) one of THE most stellar advisers on the face of the planet, and she is extremely helpful when it comes to needing guidance. Also, in case you're wondering, sometime in my future, I would like to write children's books while simultaneously holding another job, and also get my certification to teach abroad for a few years (which does not require a degree), so I could always use English regardless. I want to travel around as well, and help impoverished areas, and teach while experiencing the joys of the world, but also I need a stable job to have when I return home.

Does anyone have suggestions for me? Can you tell me about how you like your major, and why that is? I could really REALLY use some help.

Maybe it's just the finals stress getting to me, but I just feel so unsure about all of my big decisions lately.

Forgot to post almost.

Awh, the final weeks of the semster. I know I speak for the majority of the students when I say, god when will it end.
Come on guys, we are almost to the end. I know its hard to press on; it seems like your mind is drained of all function, but you can endure! I wish the best of luck to all of you as we start our approach around the final turn!

What to write?

So this entire week I've had writer's block when it comes to this blog. I've spent many days and nights in bed trying to decided for a topic. The process is what I decided to write about. As I am writing this, Oakley is demanding my attention. He makes a 65 inch tv look small with his head in the foreground. Also I took time away from playing Dragon Age. 

What I wondered is how a no name writer becomes a best seller. For example : J.K., George R. R., Stephanie Myers. How does a no name writer get published and have their work spread so fast (like a disease of you guys are hoping for a zombie reference). I also wonder if I were ever going to write a fiction novel what genre would I do. I'm pretty certain it would be fantasy. What would you write if you had a chance to get published?

Little ones looking up to us???

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is doing great! I have had quite a crazy week! Not only have I been getting ready for finals, but also getting ready for my brother’s big birthday that is tomorrow! Its crazy being the oldest sibling of two and seeing them grow up so fast! The other day my brother was driving, and I totally forgot how he was no longer a little five year old running around! Do any of you have younger siblings?

Besides that, I can’t believe how fast this semester has gone by! I’m slightly terrified of becoming a big “sophomore” in college. It’s a little scary to think that there will be new freshman looking up to us older kids, who secretly still have no idea what is going on!

I hope everyone has a great week, and don’t stress too hard!!!!

Last Couple Bits

This semester has flown by, and I can't believe that next week we will be posting our last blog post next week. I remember when we started, I was so nervous because I didn't know what to write about and I didn't want my ideas to come across as strange or be misinterpreted. However, this has been quite an interesting experience. I would not say that I hate English, but it isn't one of my favorite subjects. With that being said, I know I am going to miss this class next semester because of the wonderful people in this class and the conversations we have during class. I don't think that anyone could truly understand the depth of our class unless they were in it. If we were to go around campus telling people our class has a zombie theme, they would say something like, "That's cool!" or "How does that relate to English?" I think we have done a really good job about staying on topic and sticking to the zombie theme, and we've come up with some interesting ideas. I think it's partially because of the group of people we have in our class, but also because we are comfortable enough with one another to talk about the ideas we have. I have enjoyed this class, and while this last paper has been a little difficult to write, I think in the end it will be a pretty decent paper. How are you all feeling about your papers?

Need your opinion!

I've missed you guys this week! I love our class so much and I've felt weird not being there! Although, I have enjoyed the free time in the morning for finishing all of my assignments because the due dates are just creeping up! I feel like I'm always posting on this blog about stress but in college it's nearly impossible to not be stressed. I must say though that it's help me learned to juggle my tasks and manage my time more efficiently. I can't even express my happiness that our critical essay is finally done and I finished my final speech today for communications! In these next two weeks though I have a lot of tests and presentations including the one for this class! Speaking of which, I need your opinion. I am making some sort of zombie themed snack to bring in for during my presentation. Here are a few different kinds: tell me which one you guys want and whichever is the most popular I'll make for you guys! Can't wait to see you Monday! :-)