Self-Discipline

I most definitely lack self discipline in working out, studying, chocolate, salt intake, sleeping in.  With these it is definitely hard to say how I could improve these.   I could say that I am going to work out every single day, while I watch my salt and chocolate intake, so then I wouldn't be as tired so I could make more time to study.   But like any other New Years Resolution it is either A) easier said than done or B) only done for a short period of time.  I am accountable for all of the things that I lack discipline.  The easiest thing for me to do, is to try a little bit every day and make it a habit.  As for chocolate and salt, I tried to cut it out of my everyday, at least by half until it is very minimal or not even a habit anymore.  Eventually I can make this into a good habit, versus the bad habit that it has been.  

   As for working out, studying , and sleeping in.  These all depend on my college days.  Most of my time is dedicated to studying as much as I can and doing activities for cheer and Tri Delt, so whenever I get the chance to actually work out, I would most definitely rather sleep.  I truly cherish the down time I have during the day, and not at night when everything is already taken care of.  However, it would be to my benefit to work out so a nights rest would be far more relaxing.  

   Thinking about all of the areas I lack self discipline is really kind of dumb on my half.  Having self discipline in these areas would be to my benefit.  Even if I slowly eased into everything.  I can improve these by just reminding myself that I only hurt myself when I give in, and I can only benefit from disciplining myself, even though sometimes it is extremely hard. 

If you lack self discipline in studying too, you will probably like Google Pacman as much as I do. 

My Mission

My Mission:
I am at my best when I think positively and and decide to be productive.
I will try to prevent times when I think negatively and thinking how being on the otherside of things.  The grass is not always greener on the otherside. 
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can I really like to work hard but make everyday interesting..
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through having a wonderful day no matter what stress it might entail
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as enthusiasm, positivity, comedic relief.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will study abroad in Spain and become a physicians assistant..
My life's journey is being successful, and by succesful I mean content with my life. I will be married and living contently for a beautiful family that I hope to have one day and doing my best to satisfy their needs..
I will be a person who I have been a good loyal friend for many years and that we shared some times that we will never forget..
My most important future contribution to others will be enthusiasm and competitiveness..
I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• stern but understanding
• relaxed
• ambitious

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Be happy with the way that I am built and know that I can only do so much.
• When times get harder, keep pushing through and live by His word, knowing there is a reason for the good and the bad times.
• When small things go wrong to not let them affect the larger picture, or make myself that it already has affected it.
• Not take everything to heart.

     I certainly hope I never have to memorize my mission statement, for it is a long one. However, after reading through it, it does describe me perfectly.  My mission statement put thoughts out of my head and put it into something.  Instead of just thinking about Studying Abroad in Southern Spain, it tells me that I will do it.  Puts into an action versus just a thought. That aspect of this activity I thouroughly enjoyed.  I also enjoyed how it included people that have traits that I have looked up to forever and ever.  

    Making this mission statement has put everything that I am thinking about and put it into a pretense form.  If I'm not doing it now, I soon will be; not possibly, not maybe, but I WILL do what I set my mind to.  I will continue to use my strengths to get where I want to go and not focus on my weaknesses.  It also gets personal when I have to focus on the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional side of me.  Because all four of those aspects are important to me and how I function whether it is a normal day or a stressful day.  

OU Mission

The mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.

    By reading this OU Mission statement, I would like to believe that I am fufilling it.  I know I am receiving excellent in teaching by the best staff, equipment and facilities; I just hope that I am using these to my benefit.  As much as I would like myself to believe that I am completely and 100% fufilling this mission statement, I could do a little more on my end.  All of the tools that I need are there for me if I would just use them.  Not that I am completely slacking, but I should not settle for anything less than I know that I can handle.  Sliding by should simply not be good enough.
    OU is fully living the mission statement every day.  It has given us one of the best learning enviornments for it's students not only by beautiful kept up to date buildings, but lab equipment as well. OU also gives it's students many resources to get involved with the community and the state.  Greek life, CAC, and other events may seem like fun events/ campus organizations that are just on campus however, most events are actually fundraisers or raise awareness for something.  Getting students involved with these types of groups also gets students to serve the state and the Norman community.

Board of Advisors

     My name is Jennifer Miller, hopefully you knew that, but what you might not know who my Board of Advisors are who have made me and who I am.  To name a few people on this board would definitely include, my mother, my daddy, and my sister; these people are not on my board because they are in my family, but they have truly shaped who I am.
       My mother doesn't always tell me what I would like to hear.  She can be brutally honest, but often she doesn't focus on the negative she focuses on how to help me and what I can do to better myself.  My mom is my number one resource, and she is definitely super mom.
       My dad is the realistic side, especially financially.  He keeps me within my means and because of him, I'm not bankrupt while I am out on my own.  He keeps me in check when I go out of line, but never seems to lose his temper.  He is well calm and collected when I don't expect him to be.
       Next, is my sister.  She is the cushion in my board of advisors.  My sister is a listener, but also has a fun side to her.  She is the most well rounded person that you could ever imagine, and she might rule the world one day. Just saying.  My sister is definitely the Chair Person on my Board of Advisers.  I look up to her more than anyone in the world.  It amazes me that she affects everyone in her life without doing anything extra spectacular.

      The next two on my board of advisors is my best friends Taryn and Alex.  These two range from being brutally honest, to being my safety net.  I can rely on thest two girls no matter what, and for absolutely anything.  They have no problem telling me when I am wrong, but they never lead me astray from my main goal or what is right.

Leader in the Field

   With in the past couple of weeks I have changed my mind, trying to decide what I would like to do with my life.  Do I want to be a physicians assistant, do I want to try and shoot for med school, or do I want to do something I've always wanted to do and become a physical therapist.  Recently after knowing the right people, I was lucky enough to interview Physical Therapist and Clinical Director, Corey Long with a few of his employees.

   With in the first few minutes I noticed how upbeat and enthusiastic the whole place was.  When asking Corey what his job entails, he included "making everyday a fun enjoyable atmosphere, half of the patient receiving full treatment, is to enjoy where they are getting it from."  This response already had leadership written all over it, because as clinical director, Corey received permission from all of his employees and patients.  This attitude alone, has allowed Corey and other clinical directors to open new practices all around the metroplex. 

   Talking to other physical therapist I asked how leadership was vital to their everday.  Responses varied from leading eachother in keeping up with new practices, or leading their patients to understanding exercises that will increase mobility even though it is not strengthening the injured area.  Leadership is extremely important in physical therapy.  When I injured my back, I knew that my physical therapist would help me, however I was not ready to follow.  Whenever I realized that his best interest was to help me get better, I allowed him to lead me.  Even when I wasn't working on exercises that strenghthened my back, I was working with muscles that would help to not use my back as much.  I continued to follow my physical therapist when we created more of a bond.  I was spending two hours three days a week at this place, hopefully and eventually I would like attending these strengthening courses.  

   Click Here to find more about Physical Therapy and what an everyday job might entail.

Future @ OU

After this year, I see myself attending OU for three more years and completeing a major in Health Exercise Science and minoring in Spanish.  Other than school, I see myself being more involved.  I would love to be more involed with my sorority and other CAC events.  Hopefully I find myself being better at time management so I could do so.
   I am so interested in Multi-Cultural events.  I would absolutely love to be involved with coordinating these events and then attending them.  It amazes me that no matter how diverse our culture is, there are many people that add to their culture by carrying out theres.  I also think that it is interesting to see how our culture varies from others and how we interact with one another.  I am completely enthralled with other cultures and ethics.

Attitude

Attitude is everything.  This sounds terrible that I can think of positive leaders and negative leaders, and how their roles affect what I do.  Cheerleading is a huge group task with girls who have the same goal.  Some are there because they love it, and others are there because they felt like it when they signed up.  I have noticed in all my years, that attitude is everything.  It takes 4 or 5 positive comments to erase a single negative comment.  Captains of the OU cheer squad have influenced me so much because when they are positive, I find myself wanting to be at practice, where as when they're negative I can not wait to leave.  "Our attitudes are our most important assests," could not be a truer statement.  A situation can only be as good or as bad as you make it.  If it is terrible, trick your mind and repeat how much fun you're having.  You might notice actually having fun.

Problem Solving Strengths

Adaptability
Positivity
Harmony

Those three words are 3 of my 5 top strengths that all help me solve problems.  All of these traits are critical for me solving problems just because I can adapt to certain situations, and I can remain positive, and retaining and leveling out harmony.  However sometimes adaptability could get in the way because I learn to adapt to situations that can be problems, when I should learn to fix the problem.  Harmony sometimes can too, because I often don't vocalize problems and how to fix them because it I feel that I might not be helping the situation and I don't like confrontation.

Dear Seniors

Dear Seniors of GHS,
   I'm so excited that I finally get to vent, and tell about my struggles in this letter you will read.  But I am even more excited to tell you about my experieces, and why I have enjoyed college so much thus far. Do not let college intimidate you! You must take it as it is.  It is so fun once you get the hang of being on your own, and you learn how you study best.
   School.  Don't take it too lightly.  College is harder, and part of the reason why it is harder is because of all the distractions.  Take it seriously.  Don't cram.  Be positive and learn to manage your time.  It will all pay off in the end.  It will not be fun if you have to take classes over and over again. Plus, you can only do that three times.  Remember, college is deciding your life.  This do-over is a tad bit more expensive than the do-overs in high school.
      Parties.  Over rated.  No one likes to see/take care/ be the sick person.  If you're ever in doubt, then you shouldn't do it.  It is always good and healthy to trust your gut feeling.  Take care of yourself. Take care of your friends.  Don't ever be afraid to say no.  But they can also be so fun!  Be social, get to know people, some random person at any given point could become your best friend!
   Activities.  Don't do too many of them.  It is so exciting to be involved with so many things in college, but you will find it may stress you out.  School is why you're at college, so if the focus comes off of that, you're probably doing too much.  Don't forget, you need sleep too.  However, activites help you get to know people.  College is the best place to meet people, whether it's in your classes, in your frat/sorority, or any campus activities.  Get yourself out there! It is fun, enjoy it!
   Eating. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS.  This is something I struggled with the first week.  It can be easy to eat the yummy foods, but remember what your body needs.  It will eventually give up on you, and you're body needs to eat somewhat healthy to keep running. Be nice to it.


Enjoy senior year, enjoy college more.  Enjoy your freedom, and learn self-control and your independence.  You will find who you are in college.

Jennifer Miller


oh, and P.S. BOOMER SOONER!!!!
YOU HAVE TO GO TO A FOOTBALL GAME...OR ELSE

Bystander Behavior

   Thinking about it to write the blog, makes it difficult to think of a time when I was a bystander that really stuck out to me.  But I know that I am a bystander everyday, maybe not always big things, but little things that may have not impacted me as much as other things.
   The time that I can think of that I have been a bystander was probably when I saw a guy stealing at Franchescas. I just remember being so confused and not really understanding.  I had always heard about stealing, but it was just kind of an eye opener that people actually do this.  This was the weirdest thing, because for the first time I felt violated almost.  The guy had done nothing to me, had no way of knowing who I was; I just felt vulerable.  I felt guilty as if every one saw me watch him take stuff.  It's easy not to say anything.  Maybe he would have denied it, or maybe somebody wouldn't believe me.  Then I felt afraid to say something to the guy, in fear he would do something to me, or blame something on me.
   It is so easy not to step up and say anything.  Maybe college students think they shouldn't say anything because someone might be angry, or maybe because they think they know that someone is going to do it anyways.  Maybe they feel like it's none of their business and they shouldn't say anything because it is not directly affecthing them.
   This brings me back to the situation, and I really wish as if I should have stepped in.  It would have been a bummer for him to get caught there, but it would have maybe prevented him from stealing from somewhere else, and him being in bigger trouble.  Or maybe I could have helped another bystander from feeling so awkward.  Moral of the story, don't steal.

Priorities

   OU has not only made me mature a lot faster than I had expected, but it has definitely re-prioritized my life.  Before coming to college I was so excited to be involved with cheerleading, and then I became even more excited when I joined a sorority.  For the first week, those two things were my main priorities.  However, it took a big uturn fast as soon as I figured out how much studying all of my classes required.
   Putting forth the effort towards all of my classes and making my grades has made all the difference.  Finding how I study best, managing and prioritizing has also allowed me to fit in the things I am involved in and enjoy doing.  I have also found that sometimes I have to prioritize the things that I want to do, because I will do them anyways.
   Kinda cheesy, but prioritizing my schedule has extremely helped me.

BOOMER SOONER!

Influences

   I've been influenced many times in my life.  More often than not, I think that I have been influenced by my coach to be a better cheerleader, or by a miracle to strengthen my faith and influence my regular church attendance.  When entering college, I realized that I have had someone in my life for 13 years, that influences me everyday.  This girl influences me to have stronger faith when I feel weak.  She influences me to be a better person, and because of this I could not ask for a better sister.  Everytime that I talk to this young girl, I realize how blessed I am to have such an amazing person in my life.
   Entering college I was really timid and like every freshman unsure of what to expect.  Being away from home was hard, and although she has never experienced it, she was sure of what to say to calm me down.  On top of being a teenager, and dealing with meaner girls her age, managing to make good grades, and be such a beautiful dancer, she found time to make sure I was okay.  My sister has always been amazing person, but this above all influenced me to take the time to slow down my day, and not be so selfish.  By doing this I have found not only myself less stress, but I have found myself getting closer and closer to my sorority sisters and other friends, helping them, with what my sister helped me with.  I have also found that I am more understanding of others, and willing to help more.
   It is amazing to see that the influences in my life, are people that humble themselves and open themselves to others.  Not because they feel obligated, but because they genuinely care about me and my well-being.

My Life in a Nutshell

     My name is Jennifer Miller and I was born in a small city in North Texas.  Texas Born and Raised, but I am Sooner Born, and Sooner bred, and when I die, I will be Sooner Dead.  Oddly, enough I wasn't sooner born or bred, but I act like I have been.  My mother, is the best mom ever.  She is basically super mom, and I hope to be half the mother that she is to me. She has raised me to be my own person and remember to live by my Faith, and the values and morals my family has set. She is my mother, of course, but has been so amazing that she can be my friend as well.  My father, is the best dad ever.  He is Baylor superman, or so I would like to believe.  I was supposed to be a Baylor Bear, and I broke his heart to go to OU.  My dad is everything to me, even though he doesn't exactly know it.  I value his love so much and I have taken everything he has taught me to this university.  I hope to marry someone like my daddy and I hope he can carry out the same message to our children.  I am so blessed to have amazing parents, and I am even more blessed that they gave me my younger sister.  My role model has most definitely been my sister.  Chelsea is literally everything you look for in someone.  She is completely honest, trustworthy, dependable, loyal, sincere, and I could go on and on about her, but I won't.  I absolutely envy Chelsea and how lucky I am to have known her so well and developed a friendship and a bond that will always be there.
    I am someone who values family, friendship, hobbies, interest, and of course my studies.  When I describe myself as shy, they look at me funny; therefore, I would not describe myself as shy, more like reserved at times.  I believe I have OCD, but there is no way, considering I only sweat the small stuff.  I enjoy reading outside of class, but I don't enjoy reading for class.  I love fruit, and cheesecake is my weakness. I love my dog Bandit, he is my little baby.  
   Ladies and Gentlemen, that is me in a nutshell.