Bad News For Music Lovers

Studying during the last semester of college was excruciating. It wasn't because of dull course work or lack of focus, but because of the constant ringing in my ears caused by tennitus. I had been to a quick clinic, thinking it was an ear infection. The doctor gave me antibiotics to clear up the fluid in my inner ear, saying the ringing was from a blocked tube. I had two weeks of gloriously silent studying.

After graduation, I decided that I had the time on my hands to actually see an ear, nose and throat specialist. I went in thinking that I may be facing some sort of bad ear infection that required the insertion of tubes, but I never thought of anything beyond that. After an entertaining hearing test--I recommend everyone to get their hearing checked--the doctor informed me that I had hearing loss of low tones in my right ear. Just when I started thinking that I could deal with hearing loss of the tones affiliated with whale sounds, he goes on to inform me that I had to have an MRI to check for a tumor on the nerves in my inner ear. Worse, he informs me that my hearing loss appears to be the early onset of Meinere's Disease. What's Meinere's Disease, you might ask? It's an inner ear disease that affects balance and hearing. 

I admit that having a doctor throwing words like "tumor" and "disease" around absolutely scared the crap out of me! I'll even admit to shedding a few tears in the parking lot. What can I say? I'm a music lover! I'm not talking about being a fan of a musician or a band. I have a strong passion for music that cannot be put into words--I can't imagine life without it.  On top of this, I'm a musician myself and can't imagine not being able to hear the tones of my piano or the low pitches on my flute. 

By the time I made it home, I'd come to terms with my hearing loss and decided that I was being petty, selfish and unappreciative of the blessings I had in my life. There are so many people who are going through issues in their lives much worse than mine. I may not be able to get back the hearing that I've already lost, but I can refuse to accept that it's going to get worse. I've decided that I'm going to just believe my prayers leave it in God's hands. 

I don't want to go off on a long-winded, religious rant, but being a Christian in this day and age can be a challenge. People demand proof and evidence of a higher being, but they cannot see beyond their scientific reasoning and understand that a relationship with God required nothing more than faith. I don't mean to go off the deep end--I can practically see people exiting out of my blog right now--but I feel like I should have a right to state my beliefs at well.

Let me just say, I'm not the crazy Westboro Baptist Church kind of Christian! You can ask anyone. I believe that Christianity is supposed to be a faith-based personal relationship with God in which you lead your life as an example to others. My point to all this rambling is that I want to add one of my favorite Bible verses, Ecclesiastes 3, to remind myself that in life there is a time for everything.

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time  to every purpose under the heaven:

 2 A ^atime to be born, and a time to ^bdie; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 4 A time to weep, and a time to ^alaugh; a time to ^bmourn, and a time to dance;

 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 6 A time to ^aget, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 7 A time to ^arend, and a time to sew; a time to keep ^bsilence, and a time to speak;

 8 A time to love, and a time to ^ahate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Big Girl World

This morning, my mom and I had the one of the biggest arguments ever. I've been struggling with my desire to travel versus my desire to start my career, and she couldn't seem to understand why I couldn't just make up my mind. It's just not that easy.

Being in college was difficult and stressful at times, but it came with a guideline of what you need and advisors to guide you in your decisions. Now that I've graduated, it sometimes feels like I'm a little bit lost about what I want to do. I want to travel and see the world, but that takes money or, at the very least, a grant or scholarship. On the other hand, I feel like I need to jump into my career before all of my training and education starts to blur and dissolve and my mind turns to mush. I've never needed an advisor so much in my life! 

I've decided to make an appointment with the study abroad program at my university to see if they can give me a little guidance. I know that their programs are only available for undergraduates, but surely they can push me in the right direction! If not, I'll take it as a sign to move on and start my career. 

Searching for a career is not the easiest thing in the world. It's a full time job without the pay or the benefits. I know this sounds pathetic, but it can be a challenge to make your own decisions and act like an adult! In college, I excelled in my assignments and projects, but I was did well because I was following orders and toeing the line. Now I feel like an explorer without a compass! Universities should consider an "exit counseling" program for their overly-attached students who enjoyed college a little too much.

 I know what I want in life--a job that allows me to travel. More specifically, I want to work in public relations in the travel and tourism industry. I have all of the training and even experience in internships with excellent references. What I need to do now is, sadly, grow up. 

Be The Change!!!

My mom, Bonita McCoy, and I have been accepted as international volunteers to travel to Costa Rica to teach English to low-income communities in San Jose and surrounding areas with the non-profit organization, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ). 

I'm a recent graduate from Western Kentucky University and have always wanted to volunteer abroad to help make a positive impact while, at the same time, having a chance to travel! For the first time ever, I have the chance to follow my dream! International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) was formed in early 2007, with the aim of making volunteering possible for everybody through affordable, safe, high quality projects in developing countries.

In addition to providing aid and assistance to these countries, IVHQ endeavors to increase education and heighten awareness through not only the skills and expertise taken by volunteers to their host communities and institutions, but also through the experiences and lessons volunteers will in turn take back to their own countries and cultures.

 Through IVHQ, my mother and I will be making the journey to Costa Rica to participate as a volunteer in their community literacy projects. Costa Rica is increasingly becoming the tourism capital of Central America, meaning English is a prerequisite for all people looking to make a career in the tourism industry and get above the poverty line.

As a volunteer, we will work in local schools, orphanages and community centers. Work varies but generally consists of providing tutoring to local students, setting up small workshops, assisting local teachers and organizing educational games and activities. I've sent more information in a fundraising packet or you can click the link below! Please help us raise money for our trip so that we may have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others! Thank you!!

Crowdfunding