Alpha Chi Induction UNC Pembroke

                                       October 25th 2009 
                   UNC Pembroke  ALPHA CHI induction ceremony.

"These students are the Creme of the Creme" stated the Chancellor of UNC Pembroke today.   He praised the gathered students of UNC Pembroke for acheiving a very high standard of excellance, according to University standards.
The Chancellor made us all aware of the fact that these particular students were the top 5% of all University students by the continual high Grade point average they had to maintain to become 'Alpha Chi members.

Of course I was very proud of Julieanna today.  She continues to excel at just about anything she puts her mind to.  It was quite an honor to watch her go to the front of the room as her name was called, and receive her certificate and shake hands with the Chancellor.....  what a moment in time.... a well deserved moment for a very hard working young lady.

The following pictures I captured tell the story of today with out much narration, other than the escort Julie chose was none other than her brother Matthew!
The event was held on the campus of UNC Pembroke, and as we sat amoungst the other student recipients of the award, we got to know some Chinese Exchange students... apparently they are very bright also!

It was a great day, and we enjoyed a nice little luncheon afterwards.... and I got to 'Pin Julies gold pin on her sweater.


Again; though I have said it before;  "Congratulations Julieanna...keep up the hard work, Chin up....keep the faith!"   
Love You!
Mom

Julieanna arriving on campus

Brother Matthew is her 'chosen escort today! (Mom tagged along too!)

Finding and putting on her name badge......

Now, to find our table...and get seated.

Busily reading the brochure.....

Sitting amongst the Chinese Exchange students....

A close up photo of the brochure they handed out to us at the entrance.....
Interesting Alpha Chi Motto: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free..."   (Where have I heard that before?) Interesting that they used that scripture for their motto!

The banner, the candles (each color had a meaning ) and the induction registry.

    Julieanna coming up to the front to sign her name in the registry......

Her name is on there....

Receiving her Certificate of Membership directly from the Chancellor... and a warm congratulations for becoming one of the top 5% of the University!

Julieanna waiting on the platform for all the students names to be called up front......

    

 

Still patiently waiting until all the student came up to the platform.....

Then, after all the students had been brought forward, handed their certificates, and brought up on the platform, they all took the oath together!  

Julieanna posing with the University Chancellor after taking her oath and becoming inducted in the Alpha Chi Honor society.

Julieanna's Alpha Chi PIN!  I got to 'Pin her!

 Julieanna with fellow Chinese exchange student.

Certificate.....

Well, this is Ju's....

Handicapped College Student carries on~

Sometimes in life, when things get tough and you just want to quit, and stay in bed pulling the covers up over your head, you need to just put your head down, put your back to the wind, and carry on.  So it is when a very busy college student/military cadet hurts themselves to the point where it is almost impossible to walk, let alone continue to go to class...

Julie found  herself hobbling on crutches, and facing a huge campus full of obstacles, like stairs, heavy glass doors, and a 50 lb backpack and thousands of students mulling around getting in ones way at the most inconvienant times.
There in comes the need for an assistant, and therein comes my new found job, albeit, it probably wont be a forever job.  A week at the most?  Two?

Well, I was now facing the middle part of the week of my new assignment.  The assignment being to drive my daughter to and from her college every day, and just be generally at her beckon call, as it was almost impossible for her to get around.
I found my new job to be very exciting, as I got to pretend I was a college student again~!
One of the most memorable parts of the week was when I got to sit in on her TV production class.  It was a blast watching Julie 'host their college show, "Reel Watchers"  ( a spoof exercise in producing a TV show). 
Everyone was so nice to me, and let me take photos and watch the entire event.
Here is some of the pictures I took...

                    Julie on set, being instructed by her professor.
 

                     Getting ready to 'shoot footage of Julie on set.... ready 1,2,3...quiet on the set!

                        Julie as seen on the TV......( I cant say I recommend wearing WHITE on TV!)

                                Students receiving instruction after class was over.

                               Julie getting things under control on the 'floor of the set....

Going to classes with Julie! ~ Wheeeeeee fun!~

Well, it was the day for Julies big 'Power Point presentation.  We were running late, and she was slotted to be the first to give the presentation to the class.

Nothing seemed to be going right that day, as the presentation was to be based on her previous ROTC commander John Torre. 

He was proving difficult to reach, with his new position and all.... so Julie had attempted to change the personality to be interviewed to her new commander.

So, Julie had planned to interview her current commander at ROTC.  The problem was that he was only a temporary replacement for Torre, and he was under duress.  He had been sent to Fayetteville, due to his wife dying.  He was now a widower, and Julie just didnt have it in her to bother him.  He seemed so withdrawn and sad.  So, Julie had to improvise, and ignore the ankle.  She came through like a true professional.  The teacher was amazed!

So, with hurt ankle and puny 'Power Presentation in hand, Julie braved forward to instruct the class on the basic's of giving a PP presentation.  Her teacher sat in the class with rapt attention, and I was safely off to the side, trying not to be noticed... and, couldnt help but notice how Julie kept moving her hurt ankle around.  I knew what pain she was in..... and sympathized with her... but, I was enjoying the time spent being a 'Mom!  Oh, I mean an 'assistant!

Despite Julies lack of the interview she had planned, the professor was amazed at Julies composure and resources, and ability to 'present' despite it all.  Needless to say, Julie fared well............. and having her 'assistant in class for a photo shoot may have set the stage a little!  The professor was happy to smile for the camera, and when class was over, we both sighed a little sigh of relief and moved on to her favorite. class;'TVproduction and Broadcasting. 

Crutches in hand, backpack secured, laptop put away, off we went, hobbling across the vast campus, dodging students here and there, arriving at the studio tired and out of breath!

That will be for another post.... stay tuned to see Julie on 'TV!

~ACAPULCO~ Cliff Divers

After a nice day at Pie de la Cuesta, Julie wanted to head downtown Acapulco. We decided to go to the part of town where the now Famous Cliff Divers do their nightly show.
Its called: La Quebrada.....
Alot of tourist wear the T-shirts, and postcards show the famous Swan dive the divers make off the cliffs...into a very narrow and choppy channel of water below.
It was well lite up with Christmas Tree lights...... and very HARD to photograph, as our camera had a hard time reading the light....sorry for the horrible shots...but, we tried.
Of course we watched and waited until the show started...the guys climb up the huge rocky cliffs...STRAIGHT UP with NO shoes or safety ties......... when they get to the top, they raise their hands up and expect cheers from the crowd, which they get! Then before they dive, they go to the Guadalupe Altar on the top of the Cliff and pray. (Chuy says that's the part he doesn't like)...but, if I was wayyyyyy up there, ready to dive, I would want SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO PRAY TO AS WELL!
Julie was having a photographers heyday attempting to get the "right shot". It was very awkward, due to the angel of the stairs leading down to the area where all the spectators stand.... they push right up to the edge, and unless you are one of the fortunate ones, and have pushed right up to the edge, and fiercly stand your ground to be near the edge, you wont be able to get a proper shot of the divers hitting the water.............
Chuy was disgruntled, cause he said they were all 'CHILANGOS"..... (I guess that means the City people from Mexico City). He said they are so rude...... and disrespectful. The Acapulco locals do not like the Chilangos at all...its kinda a war between them I have since found out. All in all, the boys put on a great show. Julie was asked to take a picture with them, and we obliged! (Smile).
Julie bought a pretty Conch shell, and we headed downtown to walk the beach, and see the famous discos.
NOTE: IF you place your mouse over any one of the pictures on the blog, and right click, I believe the pictures will automatically enlarge, and you can see detail better. To make it small again, just click the back arrow.

Some of the divers dove from halfway up the cliff...I think they were too inexperienced to climb to the top...... nevertheless, look at the narrow channel they had to dive in to, EXACTLY at the right moment, between waves.

Guess Who! Well, its Julie! Trying to get the right angel and shot. It was hard...!

If you look closely...you can see some of the guys climbing up the cliff....they do this barefoot!

Top of the Cliff with the Guadalupe Altars.... getting ready to dive....

Believe it or not, the diver with the big belly was one of the best..... He did the swan dive. Chuy says its his weight that pulls him down the right way for that dive........