Reporter Resume Reel

Making Your Mark

This semester is proving to be a busy one. I have officially made my minor into a second major and am now pursuing a degree, not only in Electronic Media Communication- Journalism, but also in Spanish. The decision to add Spanish as a second major was an easy one. I love Spanish and believe that it will be beneficial with my future career aspirations. I am going to start using this blog to keep anyone and everyone (that is interested in what is happening next in my life) updated. As my graduation date in December is drawing closer and closer, there is even more emphasis being put on my abilities as a broadcast reporter and my future aspirations. This semester I am anchoring the Thursday night newscasts for MTSU's student run television station, known as MT-10. You can tune in to watch on Channel 10 on Comcast every Thursday at 6:30. I am contemplating what to do for my Honor's thesis and have decided to do a Spanish newscast as my thesis project next semester so if you know anyone interested, tell them to contact me. And be sure to look out for my Spanish newscast this upcoming Fall semester.

Mixings and Movings!!

Soooo... I realize that I have fallen off the radar lately so please allow this post to serve as an update on the mixings and movings of Me:)

Miss Tennessee was a great experience. An experience in itself. I personally feel like you have to really be determined into making being 'Miss Tennessee' your life in order for your hard work to pay off. Not to say that I did not work hard- because I certainly did but its a whole different ballgame when the competition has endless amounts of help and monetary support. With that said, I think it is clear that my experience at Miss Tennessee is something that I am extremely proud of. I left with no regrets and that was my goal all along.

In other news, I am trying to get things situated for yet another school year. The only difference?? This will be my last year at Middle Tennessee State University. I am deeply saddened to realize that my days on the Blue Raider campus have become numbered. It brings tears to my eyes to reflect on how much I have gained from this intimate community of classmates, sisters, and friends.

I was always told to enjoy my high school days because they are "the best years of your life!" Maybe this sentiment holds true for some or it could be that the people who spoke those words did not attend college, but for whatever reason-- college has definitely been the highlight of my life. It has been in these years that i have grown momentously as a person. I have learned more life lessons here than in all my primary & secondary school years and I have blossomed into a person that I am sincerely proud of.

It has been within my time here at MTSU that I have studied abroad in Spain (and been able to pursue my love for Spanish), get to dance on ESPN at a college football game, gained 120+ sisters for LIFE, encountered obstacles that have made me stronger and shared experiences that i will FOREVER hold close to my heart. Once again, the word sadness could not possibly address the amount of loss that I am beginning to feel for my college home. This is the place where I have come into my own and been able to fully make mistakes and be completely responsible for picking up the shattered pieces and putting them back together.

It is times like these that I wish there was a remote control for life so that I can press 'Pause' and linger here a little longer. I know that no such remote exists, unless you reside in the movie 'Click' with Adam Sandler, but it makes me desire to fully grasp the last remaining months that I have here and make every moment last.
I know this next year, just like the past 3, will fly by. I am nervous about my future because an ending always means having to begin again and new beginnings are always scary. I guess I will just have to break out my highest heels, in the hopes that I may walk a little slower and be fully available to take in every single senior second.


Stay tuned for more on the Chronicles of Callie!!


XOXO
Callie

1st Annual 5k Run/Walk for Autism Speaks!!

Hey everyone!

I am hosting a 5k run for Autism on April 16th in Warren County. It is in the Morrison community which is only a 45 minute drive from Murfreesboro. April is Autism Awareness month and all proceeds will go to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the national organization that funds Autism Research.

Autism effects 1 in ever 110 people and is the most rapidly growing neurological disorder. It is the most prevalent disorder and yet it receives less than half the funding when compared to other disorders and diseases. This is an important philanthropy that needs to gain more awareness. If more money is not raised to go toward autism research then a cure or treatment will never be found. The number of cases continues to increase each year and it is becoming an epidemic.

I have 2 younger autistic cousins and so I have seen its effects firsthand. Please take the time to come and participate in our race. Even if you are not a runner, then you can walk it or spread the word for our cause. Your help and support means more than you possibly know. Please pass this information on to everyone you know and especially those that you think would be interested in participating. If you have any questions then you can contact me, Callie, at missmtbr@gmail.com . You can also contact Darlene at (931) 808-0621 or Ashley at (931) 273-2313 for more information.


"Even though I cannot speak, it does not mean that I have nothing to say." -Autism quote

Speak Now! (for Autism Awareness)


Thank you!
Callie Durham

More from Spain!

Sorry that I have not been able to blog- I am sure you can imagine that I have been CRAZY Busy!!
I have had a few requests as to what to blog about so here it goes...

What do I miss the most?
What I miss the most is definately TV programs in English. Whenever I do have a minute to relax- I would like nothing more than to be able to watch an episode of This season's "So You Think You Can Dance" -p.s. Mom! you better not be deleting any episodes from the T-Vo until I get back (lol). I also Really miss the food. My senora is so thoughtful & she really takes notice of the food that I like & she makes them more often, which is a definate plus but on the downside she barely cooks her meat & I cannot force myself to eat any meat that is not cooked well done. I start gagging at the sight of pink meat.

What is my senora like?
Well for those of you who don't know- a 'Senora' is what they call our host mother. My host mother aka senora's name is Josefina Hernandez. She is 72 years old (& it is her birthday on Monday), she has 1 son & 3 daughters. She also has a few grandkids. I have only met one of her daughters once (she was very nice) & I see one of her granddaughters quite a bit. She is very nice, I see her more because she goes to the art school in town and I pass it on my walk to school everday. My senora is great- I could not have asked for a better senora. It is seriously like living with your grandmother. One night, I was asleep in my bed & she saw that i had not pulled down the blinds before going to bed so she pulled them down & when she did the noise woke me up (my bed is right beside the window and the wooden blinds are loud) so when she saw that she had woken me she pulled my covers up around my neck, leaned down & gave me a kiss on the cheek & said "Buenos noches bonita" -which means "Goodnight Pretty":) She is so sweet. Last night she went into this deep conversation about why she hosts students. She is divorced and her kids are grown so she said she gets lonely in that house by herself so she enjoys having someone to cook for & eat with & talk to. She said she feels like we are her "hijas de un otra hombre" aka "kids from another man". I am blessed to have her as my senora.

What do I like the best?
I like... feeling accomplishment when I can actually get out what I am trying to say (in Spanish) & having someone actually understand and respond to me.
I also love our weekend trips to other places. It has been a wonderful opportunity to see so many breath-taking things.

Now, I have to go study because I have a test tomorrow, but after it is over with, I get to start my long weekend!!! Yay:) I am going to Valencia & Barcelona!

XOXO
-C

P.S. If you want me to answer any other questions just post them in a comment below:)

Madrid

So.. I went to Madrid this past weekend. Madrid was pretty awesome. I went to the Museo del Prado (which is the #3 best art museum in the world behind The Guggenheim- don't think I spelled it right, and the Lu in France- don't think i spelled that right either haha!) Anyways.. I also went to the Museo de la Reina Sofia, Sofia was royalty and it is a more modern art museum. I went to The Plaza Mayor and my hostal was right beside the Puerta del Sol. It was SO Hot in Madrid!! It is only an hour south of Segovia but the temperature difference was crazy. We went to a park called Parke Retido where they have a small lake/large pond in the center and we rented a row boat- it was neat. We also went to the Palace in Madrid- It was awesome, we weren't supposed to take pictures, but I turned my flash off and was able to snap a few lol. We rode the metro (which is the subway), it was interesting... you had to keep your hands gripped on your belongs the entire time you were in certain parts of Madrid because it is known to have some really bad pick pocketers. We also went to a Bull fight- i am glad that I went so that I am able to say I have experienced it but I did not enjoy it. I was unaware of the fact that the Bull dies every time. It wasn't even a fair fight. People are basically paying money to watch various men slaughter various bulls. I felt sorry for the poor bulls. (I have to stick with my fellow Tauruses;) I am not sure what everyone wants to know about Spain or what i am doing so please comment if there is something in particular that you want me to blog about. I have to go for now, but I will post more later.

XOXO
-C

Espana!!

Spain is GREAT!! It is SO beautiful here. Being in Europe makes me miss Tessi (my German friend) and lucy (My Dutch friend); it just seems like it isn't really Europe without them here lol. The food is definately a transition for me. It is not really that my Senora is making food that I have never heard of, but moreso that the food tastes different here. My stomach seems to never really be full and it is at least a 15 minute walk to my house from school. It is true- My Senora does not speak a word of English, but it is really good for me because I can already tell my Spanish is ever so slightly improvng. It is extremely gorgeous here but so different and definately an adjustment:)

XOXO
-C

Hey Everyone!!
Just a little shout out for my Mom... Today, as some of you may know, is the first day of early voting so Everyone get out and do your part. Re-elect Darlene Bryant Trustee!!! Please tell all your friends and family. Your support is greatly appreciated!:)

XOXO
Callie

Belated Birthdays

Hey Everyone!
I haven't blogged in a while, so first off I would like to Say Happy 'Belated' Birthday to my little cousin- Carter J, my friend- Ramsey Stewart, and also to my BEST friend and sister- Regan Anne! Rae Rae is the best sister and friend that a girl could ever dream up and I feel especially grateful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful person in my life. She is always there for me through the good and the bad and i can only hope that I am as good of a friend to her as she is to me. I love you Sissy! You mean more to me than you could possibly know! Happy (Belated & 21ST) Birthday love!!! :)

XOXO
Callie Baby

Happy 21st Birthday Cody!

I would like to take the opportunity to wish, my big brother, Cody Blake a Happy 21st Birthday!!! I love you bubba!!! and Hope all your wishes come true! :)