LaKia R. Thomas

I must apologize for my two-week absence from the cyber world. Applying to forty plus jobs daily, multiple all-nighters and trying to maintain a social life leaves little room for blogging. So, what’s blog-worthy these days? Let’s see…unfortunately all that surfaces are song lyrics from the radio in the bathroom. Maybe better luck tomorrow—after eight hours shut-eye and a helping of Asparagus with Prosciutto Chips. I should be excited my last full week of undergrad starts tomorrow. Unfortunately, my exhilaration must first take a backseat to apprehension and apathy for the fifteen page paper in progress.

Is it safe to assume that yesterday’s events set the agenda for the rest of the week? Indeed, the compassion forum was a success in my book, a highlight to my academic career and a much needed push to get through these next few weeks ahead! After all, I witnessed history! I don’t know if it’s because CNN Election Center Anchor Campbell Brown walked right past me at the conclusion of yesterday’s compassion forum, having floor seating to the actual event, or the number of business cards and contact information I gathered while working in the message room prior the mega event. Whatever it was, I definitely woke up this morning with a much needed pep in my step. I was most excited to see where the candidates stand on those issues that matter. While I would never publicly criticize any candidate, I’m still not sure of a few things and I was hoping to hear much stronger and less evasive answers. (maybe an in depth dialogue about Darfur and genocide) Sigh, I am so ready to start my broadcasting and political communications career. Ok, now back to reality, I still have three crucial weeks left of being a student!

On a final note, Messiah College Men’s Volleyball Club team won the national championship this weekend! Congrats to the guys! Wow… Messiah does it again!

As the end of my undergraduate academic career draws near, I find myself unexpectedly doubting whether or not I can excel in communication. I am ever conflicted over the idea of obtaining my M.A. in Communication, or launching a new direction and attending Marymount University in the fall for my accelerated B.S. in Nursing. Throughout the years I have become well-versed at public speaking and now consider possible careers as a News Anchor, Communications Specialist, or Media Relations Manager. Without a doubt, I am unmistakably in pursuit of a career that demands commitment, enthusiasm, passion, time-management, and a higher education. Whether or not it is communication or nursing, I have yet to decide. It is extremely early to call this ambiguity a quarter life crisis and I presume that graduation is my only remedy for this reoccurring lack of uncertainty!

EIGHT RANDOM THINGS I’VE REALIZED LATELY:

Spring break 2008, is well underway and I am lavishly enjoying every minute. Waking up in the afternoon and going to bed in the morning= my recipe for a good break. Two days ago, I hosted an amazing event: A Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PS2 tournament from 11pm-6am. I dare not reveal who came in first, second, third, or honorable mention. If I did such, I would officially be friendless. Anyways, I didn’t want to keep you too out of the loop so I’ve decided to share my day with you.

TODAYS FESTIVITIES INCLUDE:

HAPPY 1st day of spring everyone!

It is ten minutes to two and I am applying for jobs out the wah-zoo! (Haha…I had no intentions of rhyming that sentence, I swear!) I know it is late but I tried hard to finagle my way from the computer. Unfortunately, after two attempts made, it’s a lost cause! Might I add that I am a bit reluctant to go to bed because my chest has been acting funny (darn asthma) and my lungs aren’t huge fans of me either! Anyways, prior to the frightening and never-ending job search, I spent hours caught in the vicious cycle of reality TV, followed by a short lived ‘adult move’ of reviewing my pretty good credit report from Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. (you have to start early guys!)
My night continued with laconic thoughts of spring fashion and all the subtle, yet eye-catching colors to dye my hair over break. Then I got to wondering how much a plane ticket will cost me back and forth to the U.S. once we move to London, and now, I am finally trying to study for my fourteen chapter communication theory exam on Wednesday! I guess you can say I spent way too much time focusing on things that can easily get done another day. Oh, you can also add researching Italian recipes on the web today (or shall I say yesterday) to the list, and now, I must pay for my fine taste in delectable cuisine. Wow, I seriously need to go to bed! I have to wake up at seven to shower, drink down breakfast, devotionals with God, chat with Marcus, prepare for a follow up with the parental unit (they like to call me early) and last but not least, be at my internship by nine sharp. I can already predict it is going to be a long four days until break. I’m in dire need of sleep…and sanity!

Can someone cut me a slice of spontaneity, place it on a platter of uncertainty and serve it to me warm, please? For the love of canned spam, I have had enough of organizers, worksheets, and downloadable checklists. I am officially boycotting all things structured this week. (except for class because I seriously need to graduate!) No more weekly budget worksheets and Susie Orman rhetoric, you bet I’m saying no to cover letter editing for the night, and yes, I’m definitely giving the caterer a call back tomorrow! Spring break “anti concern” syndrome is in full effect!
‘Twas another great weekend with my marcus that came and went too fast. You can never have enough of those impromptu weekend rendezvous, something our schedules don’t usually permit.


Us on our Winter Ski trip

Now, it’s back to studying for midterms, and writing papers.
Sixty-nine degrees today and the only thing to capture my attention for longer than ten minutes is spring. Yes, my latest craze is the weather. I heard a guy yell out today, “It is waaarrrmmmm, and I am haaaapppyyyyy!” Yes, I too know the feeling. I just can’t wait to say it every day. Who doesn’t love the spring time? I find it hard to pass up the warm sun, barefoot walks through mossy grass, that cool breeze that sweeps through a cracked window, and of course, time for some amateur gardening.
Flowers + free time = my new passion. I’m realizing more and more each day that you don’t have to go out and buy a Prius just to become environmentally conscious, you can start by installing an extra surge protector or two, purchase organic or locally produced food, switch to fluorescent light bulbs and maybe, lay off the accelerator.
So what is it about spring that I am most looking forward to? Hmm, let’s see, maybe its finally learning to ride that bike I should have done when I was [I don’t know] six, testing out a new recipe, or not running from building to building afraid to speak to people in fear of my tongue falling off from arctic frost. Spring also means one step closer to 05.17.08 :)

Heaven forbid, for some bizarre reason I had to do another semester before I could graduate, without question I would head back to the Philadelphia campus. Ah, the city of brotherly love!!! Oh how I miss being there! Dedicating an entire year studying at Temple University while living in loft style housing with other messiah students did some much needed pruning and refining of my character, faith walk, and intellect.

Reluctant to spend more than five seconds in the “hood” when I first arrived, my parents raised eyebrows, sent me sharp looks and asked for the hundredth time, “Are you really sure you want to be here?” Even for their city upbringing and fast paced lifestyles, dropping your child off on North Broad Street at first glance seemed like a bad idea. Philadelphia was no Washington, DC—no glamorized metro, no Georgetown, Capitol Hill or Monument.
There my parents and I were looking to conceptualize my reason for coming to the city, seeking to find similarities from home to reassure me that things would be alright, instead of grasping to the one truth we as Christians rehearse so much; the fact the God will never leave us nor forsake us. Little did I know, God was about to began a good work in me. He was about to do the very best in me at the place where I wanted to be the least. By the time my parents got ready to leave, most of their questions and fears were subdued. Welcome weekend at the Philadelphia campus provides orientation for both students and parents about safety precautions and guidelines. Students meet with city police, Temple University police, and administration from the Philly campus. Then, almost immediately you began to submerge yourself in urban culture with service projects and tours of the city.


Note: If you’re going to live as a Temple student, you must committ and buy a sweatshirt!
When we weren’t serving the community, we attended class. Most students who come to the Philly campus are Broadcasting, Film or Journalism majors who have the opportunity to land stellar internships while gaining more exposure and experience in their field. Three out of five of my Temple Professors were adjunct and also worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer or local new station. Although I love my Georgetown, shopping in Philadelphia is just as great. I became no stranger to Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square District. Temple is also a great school for socialization, as it is surrounded by areas colleges as LaSalle, Drexel and UPENN. I think all messiah students should go at least once.
Needless to say, my junior year became my best year of college.

Taking up residency in central pa has made me soft, two inches of snow and I panic frenetically checking the college’s homepage in lieu of a two-hour delay or class cancellation. What happened to that city girl I used to be…you know, the one desensitized and immune to a little harmless precipitation? Could it also be that nothing has changed and I’m just eager for some lounge time much like Ferris Bueller determined to have a day off from school? Speaking of eighties flicks, tonight starts the “made-in-the-80’s” marathon for my girls and I who are celebrating my friend’s twenty-second birthday today. We’ll definitely be making it a blockbuster night if one thing’s for sure. The hassle of the turnpike or simply going into Harrisburg for a fun evening does not sound too convincing considering the expected freezing rain on its way.
The 80’s movie’s that made the cut are Dirty Dancing of course, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Mannequin, Footloose, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and *cough* Meatballs. While interning today, I received some pretty good recommendations. Among them, Airplane, The Blue Lagoon, Beverly Hills cop, and so on. If the movies get too sappy, I’m breaking out Children of the Corn. A few of the most overrated 80’s movies (in my opinion) include Gremlins, E.T., and Ghostbusters. Eww to all three!

Oh, True Life: I’m Graduating was very beneficial. One of my favorite seminars was the one dealing with budgeting and finances. One of the things reiterated by the speaker was that “Christ not cash is preeminent.”

We will see! Now i’ve got those pre-real world jitters. Interview of my life in two weeks.

Anywho, service day is coming up very soon. I haven’t participated since sophomore year because I spent two semesters at the philly campus. One option the college provides this year is to pick and plan your own service day. I think this will be a fun end of the year activity for my girls.. one of those feel good moments that you’ll remember twenty-five years from now. Ahh, I love my girls: