New blog address

So, I switched over to wordpress for my blog. Check it out at http://girlnamedhercules.wordpress.com

Social Media

When I was a senior in highschool (2004-2005), I began to hear this buzzword around school: "facebook." Everyone started talking about it around the halls, and it became something that was a must have. No one quite understood what it was, or what we were to do with it, but we knew we had to have it. You just had to start a facebook page or that was the end of your social status. But when facebook began, you had to have a college e-mail address in order to start an account (Example: katy_boatman@ecats.gcsu.edu.). It's whole purpose was to keep college students in touch with one another and in touch with their friends and former classmates.

So, of course, the highlight of senior year is being accepted to a college and choosing which one you'd go to. The new highlight, however, became not only getting accepted, but recieving your first college email address so that YOU could start your facebook page. Forget graduating- getting facebook was the new milestone!

That first year of facebook was the best. You can't forget the GIANT enevelope that would show up on your homepage to show you that you had a message. It made me feel special! And the scroll of birthdays was big and right on the front screen so you couldn't miss it. These days ,with the 5pt font over in the bottom corner, you're lucky if I even know you have a birthday..

I've realized how much Facebook and now this whirlwind called Twitter, have shaped and changed our culture. Facebook moved onto allowing high school students to join, then opened up to the entire world. I can remember the day high schoolers were allowed to join facebook. You should have heard the complaints on the college campus. How dare they take away OUR facebook! But now, it has become a place for 40 year olds to find their high school friends, parents to keep tabs on their children, an outlet for friends and family to see your photos, a way to send out surveys, and an adverstising and marketing tool.

I have been in meetings the past couple of days, and listened to the marketing procedures for new products coming out from my company. Every single one of them will use facebook and/or twitter as one tool to get the word out about the product. It became so much of a given that the presenters would end marketing plans by saying, "oh, and of course we'll use social media."

But can I complain for a minute? What happened here? And where did my outlet to just keep up with my friends go?

I attend a church service for 20s-30s, called Kairos, here in Nashville and the pastor has shared before that so many people ask to come and sell things or give away things to us before or after the service, but the pastor and leadership team will not allow it. He says he wants to protect us, and give us a place where we don't have to be distracted by people pulling at us all the time.

I cherish that. And I appreciate that.

Now, I understand the usefullness of Facebook and Twitter as marketing tools, and I get that it has helped my generation and others be more informed and more involved. But I can't help but wish that the Facebook I was so attracted to 5 years ago had never changed; that commercials, magazine ads, soliciters, and billboards, would have been enough.

I commend the creators of Facebook and Twitter, and know they must be pleased with the success and CRAZE they have caused (and the millions of dollars they're sitting on). I just sometimes miss the days where I didn't have to say no to 10 events that I could care less about, skip through peoples' results for which Disney princess they are, delete who tagged who in some meaningless note, bypass who joined the "I'm a fan of peanut butter" group, and feel sorry for who ended their relationship. I. don't. care.

Long story short: I feel violated. Is that harsh?! Now let me go post on my status that I updated my blog...

the bubble

I talk about my friends alot. And that is because they are a big part of my life! I have 5 best friends, some I met in college, and others I've known since age 6, but they each hold a special place in my heart. I am proud of each of them. Graduating into the horrible economy where finding a job is a major challenge, was stressful for sure- but I am happy to say that we found jobs (or got into grad school)! 1 is a nurse, 1 is on staff with Young Life, 1 works at a dental office, 1 works for the FBI, and 1 is in Physical Therapy school. Impressed much? I always am :)

I may not see them often, or even talk to them everyday, but I know they are there, and I know they get me. Two of my friends were up visiting this past weekend, and one was explaining how she sees our friendship. She tells people that we are her bubble. She has a new life, a new job, new friends, etc, but we are the bubble that surrounds it all. We are consistent.

Cheesy as it may be (but that's the way we roll), it's true. My friends are my bubble, my consistency. I can go for a long time and not see them, but the minute we're back together we just pick up where we left off.

I am blessed. Blessed to have friends that get me. Blessed to have friends that became family. Blessed to have a bubble.

Thanks, Rika for letting me expand on your idea :)

2 Years later..

Exactly 2 years ago, I took a road trip from Milledgeville with 2 of my best friends, Erika and Caroline to go the UGA/Vandy game in Nashville. It was 1) a chance to see the Dawgs play, and 2) a chance to visit my brother and sister-in-law who lived in Nashville. I remember the weather was awesome, the game was so fun, and the weekend was a great time spent with family and friends. See pic.

We left and drove back to school on Sunday and I remember just being obsessed with Nashville for the rest of the week. I just loved it. And I knew that I wanted to go back. I called my sister and told her how much I just loved the town, and how I really wanted to try to find an internship there for the summer, so I could truly experience Nashville.

And so I did. I moved up there that following summer (the summer before my

senior year) and lived with Ad&Ans, and interned at a church. It was one of the best summers ever. I cried when I left to return to school; not because I didn't want to begin my senior year and be back with my friends, but because I knew my heart was being drawn to Nashville.

Two years after that UGA/Vandy game, I find myself living in Nashville and extremely happy! On Saturday, the Dawgs returned to this great city and rallied a win for us. Of course, the day was not complete without good food and good friends and family. I'm thankful that my family bonds over Georgia football, so my other brother and his fiance joined us in town for the fun. It was good sibling bonding indeed! I think the thing that I find even more special is that Erika and Caroline road tripped up here yet again to cheer on the Dawgs, but this year to visit me!

Who knew that two years ago, when I drove away from this special place that I would return to live and work here. Oh Nashville, how I love you!

And p.s. Erika, of course your hair color changed like 10 time in those 2 years. haha! But that's why we love you!