by Mindy on November 8, 2011
Since 1855, Penn State has clawed its way from a sleepy agricultural school in the middle of Pennsylvania cow pastures to a well-respected institute of higher education and football powerhouse … in the middle of Pennsylvania cow pastures. From bewildered freshman to the scholars of Dickinson School of Law and other post-graduate programs, nearly 100,000 students proudly wear the blue and white each year. We walk the hallways of campuses from Erie to Abington, Altoona to University Park, standing united as Nittany Lions no matter where our attendance markers lie. And with diplomas in hand, we disperse across the country and around the world with “WE ARE…” etched into our hearts, souls and business card holders.
And in times such as these, when our beloved PSU fills headlines for failing our Alma Mater — “May no act of ours bring shame/To one heart that loves thy name” — we are the ones entrusted with the duties of defending her honor.
At Penn State, we are more than figureheads and football. We are more than today’s trials and tribulations. We are more than the deplorable and depraved actions of a few. We are an alumni of men and women — more than 500,000 strong — coupled with thousands of students who love this university more than words can adequately explain and we are the ones who will stand by her as she overcomes this, because she will. The road ahead will not be easy. The bumps will be numerous. But the time has come for us Penn Staters to do what we do best — STAND TOGETHER and yell with all our power and might “WE ARE…” and truly prove what it means to be “PENN STATE!” in the shadow of so much disaster.
Our Nittany Lion Nation will not let this define us because, despite what some may be quick to assume, this is not who we are. We are students, parents and grandparents. We’re doctors and lawyers, journalists and accountants, teachers, football players and everything in between. We are not and will never be a reflection of these incidents and behaviors, nor are they a reflection of the strong tradition annually emanating from our University with each individual who turns his or her tassel.
Our hearts may ache, our foundation may be rocked, but PSU will overcome. Just wait and see.
Fight On State.
by Mindy on November 5, 2011
Two years ago — and one day* — a little boy was born 600 miles away from me. Just after 5 p.m. on November 4, 2009, Jaidyn Christopher Skutnick arrived and I was officially an aunt. A few months later, I was honored to also become his godmother. I have been spoiling him as best I can since that first moment.
This weekend, I traveled those 600 miles back to my hometown of Scranton, Pa. to celebrate his second birthday and seeing how much he has grown is truly remarkable. From little sentences to the way he calls me “Mimi” and seems to already know SOOOO much for a mere 731 days on this planet, I adore each minute in his presence. Crazy how one tiny boy can change so much.
Last year, he dove into his cake and I never shared my favorite photo. Today is a perfect opportunity to do so.
Happy 2nd Birthday to the amazing nephew I call “Baby J” and “J Monster.” Cannot wait to celebrate many, many more with you. Always remember your Aunt Mimi loves you very much!!
* Because I’m perpetually one day behind with NaBloPoMo…
by Mindy on November 4, 2011
Time is of the essence today* after …
- working my lovely 8-5
- conducting some ridiculous qualitative research at the UNC-Charlotte library
- a $33 trip to CVS (who spends $33 at CVS? I mean, really…?)
- a WalMart stop thanks to Sophie — my pup — ripping my bed sheets
… and finally arriving home somewhere around 9:30 p.m. to a Lean Cuisine feast, laundry, bill-paying and packing before taking off in two hours (at 4 a.m.) for a weekend in Scranton. So, please do forgive this oh-so-slight cop-out of a NaBloPoMo posting this evening.
However, with that said, Ms. Jenna Marbles is worth sharing.
If you’ve been hiding under a rock for several months now — or longer — perhaps you have yet to encounter the awesomeness that is this YouTube sensation. Posting a new video each Wednesday, Jenna covers a variety of topics, from Gaga and to what dudes look at on the internet, with humor and a goofy personality that keeps viewers coming back for more. The chick has nearly 1.5 million subscribers — yep, you read that correctly — on YouTube for a reason, and you haven’t glanced her direction yet, now is your opportunity.
Posted below is one of my favorite Jenna Marbles videos**, though I must admit, choosing among her dozens of uploads was quite the task. Anywho, I suggest strolling to her page and taking a gander for yourself if you even minutely like what you see!
* Technically, it’s already Day #4 here on the East Coast, but if you read NaBloPoMo #2, you already know I’m late for everything so this 2 a.m. posting shouldn’t be terribly surprising.
** This is one of her more recent videos — about a month old. Pretty sure it also won among the rest because I am a “white girl” guilty of many “club” faults Jenna mentions here. Oops?
