The University of Texas at Austin
Longhorn Confidential

Longhorn Confidential

Today is a gift, thats why they call it the present…

Wow, its that time of year again. That time when I have no finals, no meetings and nothing to do. The time where I reflect on the year that changed my life. This has been the absolute best year of my entire college career. I’ve experienced successes, friendships and most of all I’ve learned so many lessons.
In a few days I’ll be attending quite a few graduations. I think seeing many of my friends and mentors graduating and leaving the 40 acres makes me think of how close I am to walking across that stage. 2 years from now, I will be graduating from the University of Texas Austin!
I cannot believe that two years ago, I was driving with my family to Austin with “I Got A Feelin’” Blasting from the car stereo. Although I was excited to start my new life, I feared being away from home. I have lasted three years through the grace of God at this institution and each year has brought me new memories. Through pain and passion, this experience has taught me that perserverance and determination can get you through anything.
Yes, things stay the same each and every year but I always met new and interesting people who become my friends, mentors and collaborators. I sometimes think to myself what would UT be had I not met the people I’ve meet on this campus.
This semester, I’ve joined a sisterhood of Kappa Delta Chi, revived my love for performance, finally decided to go to graduate school for African Diaspora Studies and finally got accepted to a study abroad program! I was also blessed to win a Tower Award for my volunteer work.  I’m so excited about next semester.  I’ll be preparing for Grad school applications, being an active member of Kappa Delta Chi, working with Students for Equity and Diversity, mentoring with LEAP and Interning with GLIE on campus.
Here comes goodbye
It’s ended.  I’m stoked for the next group of bloggers who will share their experiences with you all.  I am also sad about the ending of another year.  I’ve learned so much about myself, my friends and my future.  This is my last entry and I want to thank you for staying tuned.  I hope that I gave you a good glimpse into life as a longhorn.  This is just one story though…I hope that you learned something from each of the bloggers.  Maybe UT is where you need to be or maybe its another college but wherever it is, remember to go where you feel is best.

I’d like to give a special shout out to those who make up my support system at UT…you all know who you are.It is because of you all that I am able to call UT my home away from home.  Each memory that we have made is amazing and you all have shaped me into the person I am today.  I’ve been blessed to have the best friends, mentors, professors and loved ones who make my life better.  I didn’t have many real friends in high school and I am humbled and blessed that you all are apart of my life.

THANKS GOES TO…

My mom and Dad and Nathan and Jonathan…these college years have been rough but I could not have done this without you.  Thank you for every piece of advice, financial support and coaching you have given me during college and even before that.  Mom and Dad, I am so blessed to have you all as my parents.  I cannot wait to make you proud and receive my degree in Theatre and Dance and Latin American Studies Spring 2014!  Nathan and Jonathan, I am so proud of the young men that you have become.  You will go further than I will and continue to make yourselves and our family proud.

All thanks and glory goes to God.  For His guidance, love and the fact that he has showered me with so many supportive people for my journey.  This has truly been the best year of my college career.  My faith has increased, my life is enhanced. I finally got to live my dream of blogging for UT :)


Lesson #_____: Anything you believe, you can achieve.

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May 21, 2012 | | By Jelisa | Comments Off

A Few Of my Favorite Moments

UT Signature Event! PHOTO CREDIT:Virginia Mae Thomas

UT Signature Event! PHOTO CREDIT:Virginia Mae Thomas

Service…
On Saturday April 21, 2012, I got up early and volunteered with UT Service Scholars.  it was a tough job trying to dig and plant trees at Reilly Elementary.  I’m usually not a fan of out door volunteering but being with my UT Service Scholar friends was awesome.
Doughnuts…
My friend Jordan and I

My friend Jordan and I

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My friend Jordan and I met up with some friends at Gordough’s, on south congress where the doughnuts are fattening but worth every bite.  I’ve talked about this experience in a previous post but I recently found some photos of the time.  By the way, Jordan is a really outstanding new friend I met this year while volunteering at Black Homecoming last semester.
Earlier this semester, our old friend Rahul came to Austin from Washington D.C. Andrea, he and I met up for a birthday reunion since the last time we hung out in the summer of 2011 and gave him a home made card.  He graduated from UT about a year ago.
Me, Andrea and Rahul

Me, Andrea and Rahul 2012

Rahul and Andrea in Summer 2011

Rahul and Andrea in Summer 2011

Rahul's card from Andrea and I

Rahul's card from Andrea and I

My Birthday Breakfast with Eduardo, my mentor.

My Birthday Breakfast with Eduardo, my mentor.

My mentor Eduardo and I caught up on my birthday.  Along with my friend Polly, I met him at LEAP (Leadership Education and Progress) First Year Program and he has become another one of my best friends over the past years.

Polly and I at my first football game!

Polly and I at my first football game!

Ja'Michael (2nd to the left) after winning! PHOTO CREDIT:Tiffany Noble

Ja'Michael (2nd to the left) after winning! PHOTO CREDIT:Tiffany Noble

Another favorite moment was seeing one of my best friends Ja’Michael Darnell win the Mr. Black UT Scholarship Pageant.  I’ve been knowing him for almost two years and I have seen tremendous growth and promise.  I’m super douper proud.

Lesson #___: Life is not the amount of breathes you take, but the moments that take your breathe away. Spring 2012 has been an eye-opening semester that has brought me closer to my family, friends and goals of graduating.  I cannot believe that its been three years of college, three years of joy, three years of pain, three years of prosperity.  The fact that I am still at this university says a lot about not only my determination but the determination of my mentors, family and friends who continue to guide me through.
Stay tuned for the last few blog posts on finals, graduations and next semester and summer plans.
God Bless,
Jelisa

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May 7, 2012 | | By Jelisa | Comments Off

Senioritis, Schmenioritis.

First of all, apologies for not blogging for a while, who knew my last semester of school would be so busy?? On top of my normal course load, applying for jobs, intramurals, and getting in quality time in with my friends before we all part ways after graduation, this semester has turned into an incredibly hectic one! Okay, so here’s what you have missed: 1. I got a job DAing for a Design IV studio. DAing, is similar to TAing only instead of being a Teaching Assistant, I am a Design Assistant. This means that I help out a professor, Judy Birdsong, with her students. I mainly help with the smaller problems, where Judy talks about the major issues, but I also act as their cheerleader and mentor to help them through their design project. I have had a really great time doing this job, not only are the students just absolutely wonderful, I feel like I have learned so much from them! Such a worthwhile experience!

2. Our intramural team “The Graveyard Shift” (comprised of mainly architecture students), made it to the softball playoffs for the first time! We have had this team for four years now, playing softball, football, and volleyball, and after three seasons this was our first time to playoffs in softball. We lost out in the first round by one point, but we were happy just to be there. We never really had time to practice since we are all so busy, but we had a great team nonetheless. I can’t say how much I enjoyed being a part of an intramural team and how much it meant to me. I will miss these guys! The Graveyard Shift

3. Spring Break was a blast! A huge group of us went to Bourbon street and then to a beach house in Gulf Shores. It was absolutely gorgeous and a great time. I always wanted to take one of those trips where a huge group all road trips somewhere fun and I can now check it off my list! It was everything I thought it would be!

Heading down to the beach :)

Some of us hanging out of the couch the first day!

4. I got my class ring! I was sooooooo excited about this for two reasons: I never got my high school class ring and it will be a constant reminder of my wonderful experience I had at this great university! I got my ring from the CO-OP because I have incredibly small hands and the Balfour one just looked ridiculous on my hand. I love the orange sapphires! :)

My best friend Parker and I with our rings! Hook 'Em \m/ Our rings up close!

5. Beaux Arts Ball was a huge success! The Beaux Arts Ball is our architecture formal and is put on by UASC(Undergraduate Architecture Student Council), of which I am the financial director, and AIAS(American Institute of Architecture Students). Our theme was An Apocalyptic Affair, so all of our decorations centered around the world ending. We had a countdown streaming on the wall going until midnight where all of the lights shut off and end of the world scenes from movies started playing and black lights came on revealing Mayan symbols.  It was a huge hit and I had such a great time!

BAB2

BAB1

BAB3

6. I just want to give a quick shout out to my best friends Julie and Parker. They are the best people I have every met and have made my college experience better than I could have imagine. I love you guys soo much!

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From here its 3 days until my last class, 9 until my final review, and 18 until graduation. The end is so close!

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May 1, 2012 | | By Vikki | Comments Off

your photo here