Hardy, Zachary: Bucket List

At age 18, I am seven years away from reaching a quarter century of living. With that number looming in mind, it’s time to make a bucket list. Surprisingly, my bucket list is less about extreme endeavors but more about the moderate joy gained from ordinary things.

                  The first goal involves learning a new language. It could be German, Spanish, Japanese or Korean, as long doing so allows me to communicate and understand the people behind the words. Imagine all the books that haven’t been read, conversations that haven’t been spoken, the Korean pop music that haven’t  been understood, and all the animes or foreign films that haven’t  been watched without translations.

I would also travel to a concert as my second goal. With great talents such as Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson dead, who knows how long Bob Dylan, Madonna, and Paul McCartney have before they kick the bucket too.

                  The third goal is to write. It can be through any means, but it must be published.  The actualization of the goal would be a rebirth and an extension of myself as a part of me would appear in places unknown to me.

                  Watching a Broadway play easily ranks as my fourth goal before death. Broadway’s theatricality is so enthralling to watch on screen, and I can only imagine how much so electrifying it must be to actually be there in person.

                  My last goal is to run a marathon. It would be a testament to my will to know someone as lazy as I would attempt and complete a marathon, regardless of where I finished.

                  Reaching a quarter century isn’t depressing, but rather it’s the time to begin to realize my goals. Although I don’t plan to die soon, the list is a reminder of what I must accomplish before I kick the bucket.

Buchanan, Katie: Bucket List

The average bucket list is a composition of outrageous, unattainable goals. In contrast, my bucket list is composed of attainable goals that I one day will complete.

1. Be the person God wants me to be.
This goal is probably the most general and the hardest to attain. I believe God has a plan for my life and I trust Him to help me complete that plan. What makes this goal vague is not knowing God’s plan for me yet. I know that, in time, He will reveal to me what he wants me to do in my life.

2. Marry the love of my life.
I know that this goal is a little cliché, but it is my second most important goal. I want to marry the man God has set aside for me. I want to grow old with him and always love each other like the first time we met.

3. Make a positive impact on someone’s life.
Again this goal is vague so let me try to explain a little more. When I die, I want to be able to say that I made a huge difference in someone’s life. Most likely this person will be my child or children but this goal isn’t limited to them.

My final two goals are related to travel.
4. Go to New York City at Christmas time
5. Go to Washington DC

These two goals are pretty self explanatory. I have always loved Christmas decorations and shows so I would love to see all the lights and musicals associated with Christmas in New York. I want to go to Washington DC for the same reason everyone else does, to visit the museums and historical sites.

Mills, Taylor: Bucket List

The bucket list gives us motivation to do even the most simple things in life. We realize that the world has many opportunities. So, we write them all down hoping to fulfill these wishes. Here’s my list:

Master a martial art. There are various reasons people engage in these arts. I seek balance; to develop a great awareness of my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual state. I thank Bruce Lee for influencing my interest in the martial arts, because he had a great sense of individuality. He learned, thought, and taught in his own way and his ways were admirable.

Experience an adventure. The Peace Corps is an ambitious dream of mine. It was initiated by John F. Kennedy to encourage young Americans to perform good deeds in other countries. The program would allow me to engage in community service for two years. The following purposes keep me motivated: a change in how I view the world, a stronger connection with people, and an edge as a potential employee are things I would accept graciously.

Sing the blues like Billie Holiday. It’s a childhood dream to share my musical talents. I have developed a pleasant singing voice and practiced notes on my acoustic guitar and a grand piano. But I won’t share my talents any time soon. I need to finish my academic career.

Inspire others. I want to give inspirational speeches to adolescents. They need someone to make them aware of the good and bad in life. They need to be aware of the themselves individually and collectively. Finally, they need to hope that the consequences of their actions will be beneficial and good.

Most importantly, I want to be happy. I want to love and be loved. Wishing to have inner peace before I kick the can.

Harwood, Kala: Bucket List

Before I die I would like to complete five tasks. Everyone wants to do great things and explore great places. Some of my bucket list items are a little different. Some are simple, but to me they are important tasks to complete before my death.

My first two bucket list items are typical. They both involve travel. Before I die I want to travel to another country. I do not want to travel to Mexico because I went there this summer. It was quite a bit different from our culture.  It intrigues me to learn about places, and see just how unique they are. In addition to going to another country, I would like to take a 7 day cruise. I went on a 5 day cruise this summer and it was magnificent. I would love to do it again, just for a little longer this time.

My next two bucket list items are tasks everyone probably would like to complete, but they may not think of the mas bucket list items. Before I die, I would like to buy a house. It seems so wonderful to own something of one’s own. Before I buy a house, I would like to get married. I want to get married because I am very happy with the relationship I am in and I want it to continue to grow. I will obviously wait until I finish college before getting married.

The final thing on my bucket list is to discover something new.  I do not want to create something, I want to discover something. This is a big world and there have to be many things that man hasn’t found yet. I believe it would be a neat thing to say I have done.

                  Those are the 5 things I would like to do before I die. Some are normal bucket list items, but others seem to be quite different.

Pool Party 2012

SAU Honors College students, new and old, ham it up a yesterday's welcome back pool party.

A good time was had by all despite a 45 minute rain shower (no lightning, thank goodness). Marlar's Cafeteria catered the event as a donation to the Honors College again this year and little food remained by the end of the party. We appreciate their generosity.

Students frolicked in the pool playing Marco Polo and attempting (unsuccessfully) to make a pyramid.

Wednesday the fun and games subside and the real work begins. Here's to a fruitful semester.

Football team and others help with Move In Day

Move In Day 2012 went smoothly thanks to much help from the SAU Football Team, Central Baptist Church, and Missionary Baptist Student Foundation (MBSF). In the photo above a SUV is quickly unloaded while David Wingfield watches from under the Honors canopy.

Special thanks again to Dr. Deborah Wilson, David Wingfield, and Peter Kandidatov. This year's moving day was the easiest yet. The weather helped to with overcast skies, a slight breeze, and temperature in the 80s.

Darrell Gray Interns with the Detroit Lions

Darrell Gray (center) won an internship with the NFL's Detroit Lions football team this summer. Darrell is a junior Honors College student from Marshall, TX. Darrell is an athletic training major at Southern Arkansas University working under the direction of head athletic trainer Ken Cole.

Darrell is one of several Honors College students who took advantage of off-campus learning experiences this academic year.