Five Ways to Thrift the Perfect Wardrobe

By Ashlyn Henderson

Motlow Buzz Contributor Writer

        Many people think that thrift stores are for people who cannot afford to shop at name- brand shops or that thrift stores have ugly clothes, but that is not the case. Most items are marked for a fraction of the cost of what they are priced initially at in stores. For example, I have bought four very expensive name brands items in the past at Goodwill for $23 that would originally retail well over $100.

         I just recently moved and went through my closet to get rid of almost half my wardrobe. I decided to shop at a local thrift store to replenish the clothing items I gave away to Goodwill. I found great brand names, deals and steals at a few consignment stores near me. A few brand-name items I found at a thrift store were Patagonia, Birkenstock and Free People.

        While thrift shopping can help you build your perfect wardrobe, it also saves you a tremendous amount of money. I shopped at Goodwill the past month and spent a total of $89.47. I searched on Amazon.com for the prices of each item, and everything I bought added up to $279. Overall, I have saved roughly $200 this past month by thrift shopping.

        Thrift shopping sounds all fun and games, but there are tricky parts to it. Thrifting can be overwhelming and it may be hard to find cute name-brand items when you first start. Do not expect to walk in and automatically see them. It is overwhelming because you have such a wide to selection search through, but I have a few tips and tricks to help you maneuver your way through all the chaos.


First Tip: Know Your Brands

        Do your research before you go in, so they are easier to spot. Some brands to look out for that are not well known, but expensive brands are Alden, Brook Brothers, Cartier, and Dunhill. If you find an item that is more on the expensive side of a thrift store, google it! I found a pair of jeans at Goodwill that were about $10, so I googled it. It ended up being a $120 pair of jeans. Check out this link to familiarize yourself more of brands you might not know about: https://www.reddit.com/r/frugalmalefashion/comments/1y07bo/brands_to_look_out_for_at_thrift_shops/.


Second Tip: Have an Idea of What You Want

        If you go into a thrift store having no idea what youre looking for, the search will be exhausting and overwhelming. For example, say you knew you wanted or needed colored jeans. You search in the jean area, and they have a section for colored pants. If you go in with the slightest bit of knowledge of what you want, you will be more successful than if you went in and search every single section of the store.


Third Tip: Quality over Quantity 


        I know it is easy to throw everything you like into the basket without thinking twice about it because it is cheap. As you are searching through the racks, check the shape that the article of clothing is in. Look at the hardware. Are all the buttons there? Are there any stains or holes? Do the zippers work? If so, be practical with yourself. Are you actually going to buy the materials to fix the item? If there is damage and you are not willing to fix it, try and see if the store will give you a discount on the item.


Fourth Tip: Go Out of Your Comfort Zone

        If you are a woman, do not limit yourself to only women’s clothing. Branch out and shop in the men’s section! It might feel odd shopping in the men’s section, but I have found some of my most unique finds there, including vintage sweatshirts, jean jackets, and button-ups.


Fifth Tip: Familiarize Yourself with Thrift Stores near You

          Find different thrift stores near you other than Goodwill. Familiarizing yourself with more option to shop at will give you a better chance to locate precisely what you are looking for. There are thrift stores, consignment and resale stores, and online sellers. Two of my favorite online resale stores are Poshmark and Mercari. They are both apps that are free to download on an Android or iPhone, and easy to find great deals on. Plus, you can even resell some of your items on there as well! 

        See a video of Vanessa Blanco explaining how to shop and sell on Mercari and Poshmark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaL9IG4O3E. To learn more about this app or to try it out, visit https://poshmark.com/ and https://www.mercari.com/.

Which Facial Oils Are Right For You?

By Kim Prasanerak

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

     Do you have acne-prone, sun damaged, or just overall dull skin? Or would you like a brighter and firmer complexion? Facial oils may be the answer to all of your skincare emergencies. If you want a radiant glow, a well-chosen oil is a must have.

Why I use facial oils
     I know there are several different facial oils out there on the market, and it can be overwhelming to know what oil will benefit for your skin type. I first started using oils when I was 15 years old, and I started to have a curiosity for skincare and developed a full skincare routine for myself. I have tested and trialed many different oils on my face over a span of a few years, and I have discovered that some are more effective than others for different skin types.

Why you should care for your skin
     You only get one skin over your lifetime, and it is your duty to take the best care for it as it ages. Proper skincare is important because our skin is the largest barrier against infection that we have. Keeping our skin healthy and moist keeps this barrier strong. All skin types are different. Because of this, your skin may require more care than the next persons. For this reason, you should pick products that work for you and cater to your skin needs.

What are facial oils?
     Facial oils are oils that are safe to be put on your face that can be beneficial for every skin type. Unlike creams or moisturizers, oils can sink deeply into the skin for long-lasting hydration and supplement. Face oils are naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants needed for soft, glowing skin. They can help prevent and treat acne. There are several different oils on the market, and it can be overwhelming where to start. Some oils may not be so helpful to one skin type but be the holy grail to another. It is crucial to choose the right oil for your skin type, and this is a guide to help you to put your best skin forward!

Oily skin
     You may think, “I have oily skin, why would I ever put oils on my face?” Actually, oils may be the most beneficial to this skin type. Your skin may be oily because it is actually very dehydrated. Dehydrated skin tends to overproduce oil because your skin doesn’t know when to stop producing sebum since it is so dry underneath. It balances out your natural oils and can overall make your skin less oily. Oily skin types can benefit from a variety of oils on the market, but these are my favorite ones as I have this skin type!

Jojoba Oil
     This oil can be incredibly life-changing for an oily skin type. Jojoba oil is the closest thing to our skin's natural sebum, which is great at balancing out the oil on your face. It “tricks” your skin into producing much less oil. Jojoba oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores. It is hypoallergenic, which means it will not cause irritation. It also has smoothing anti-inflammatory agents, healing properties, is moisturizing, and is a natural antimicrobial. These traits suggest that jojoba oil can prevent acne and promote healing for active breakouts. You can learn more about the benefits of jojoba oil at https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/jojoba-oil-for-face.

Grapeseed Oil
     Grapeseed oil is a very lightweight oil and absorbs quickly into the skin. It contains high levels of linoleic acid, which can control acne by decreasing clogged pores. It can help your skin's moisture level by reducing transepidermal water loss. This boost of moisture will help slow oil production down since the skin thinks it is dry. Grapeseed oil is also great for reducing inflammation. To learn more about how great grapeseed oil is for your skin, you can visit https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/a26038564/grapeseed-oil-skin-benefits/.

Dry Skin
     Dry skin types can benefit from facial oils a great deal since oils are very moisturizing. They can add a lot of luminosity to the skin and make the skin look overall less dull. Your skin may be dry because of a damaged skin barrier, and oils promote a healthy and strong skin barrier. Oils will heal the skin from inside out!

Almond Oil
     Almond oil is a light oil but moisturizes deeply. It is high in vitamin A (where retinol derives from), which can smooth out fine lines and help with skin texture. It is also high in vitamin E, which is an extremely powerful antioxidant, keeping your skin cells healthy and protects your skin from UV radiation damage. Almond oil is also loaded with fatty acids that help your skin retain moisture and heal chapped, irritated skin. To learn more about the many benefits of almond oil, you can go over to https://bucklersremedy.com/blogs/the-dirty/the-many-so-many-benefits-of-sweet-almond-oil-for-your-skin.

Marula Oil
     Marula oil leaves your skin full of vitality and radiance while reducing epidermal inflammation and restoring the skin’s balance. This oil can build skin resilience and strengthen the natural lipid barrier. With regular use, marula oil has proved to significantly increase skin hydration and help build healthy
collagen. It is also highly anti-inflammatory, which will not irritate the skin. To learn more about what marula oil does for you, go to https://africanbotanics.com/pages/the-beauty-and-skin-care-benefits-of-marula-oil.

Sensitive Skin
     Sensitive skin types may need to be careful with what they put on their skin. Before putting anything on the skin, they should do a patch test first making sure it will not cause any irritations. They need to find a formula that has no essential oils, which can be highly irritating. Sensitive skin types should look for an oil that will help repair the skin barrier that also soothes and nourishes it.

Aloe Vera Oil
     Most of the health benefits provided by aloe vera come from its water-retaining leaves, specifically the nutrient-rich gel extracted from them. It is the gel mixed with a fatty oil that creates aloe vera oil. Aloe oil can help in keeping the skin supple and firm. It may help with fine lines and wrinkles. It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antifungal, and astringent activity. It is known for its ability to promote overall skin health. To get more insight on how amazing aloe oil is, visit https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/aloe-oil.aspx.

Moringa Oil
     This oil is getting more and more popular by the minute in the cosmetic industry mainly because of its anti-aging benefits and other important properties. It helps fight skin fatigue and helps the bad effects from pollution on the skin. It is a wonderful skin purifier, making it glow naturally. It is filled with antioxidants that slow the aging process down and help the activity of free radicals. It is also packed with fatty acids helping repair the skin barrier and anti-inflammatories to calm irritated skin. To learn more about the benefits of moringa oil, go to https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-moringa-oil-for-skin-hair-and-health/#gref.

A House Divided

By Rachel Towle

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great
parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution."

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                            – John Adams

            Throughout my life, I have always been fascinated by history. I have had many opportunities to visit Boston, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. to learn more about my country and see the places where important events took place. As I began to participate in different political events, I started to wonder, why is America divided on so many issues, and where do I stand on each issue?

History of the Parties

            Originally the Democrats and Republicans formed one party. Why did they split? How did they get their symbols? What major issues did the two parties disagree on in the past and what issues do they disagree on today? As a citizen of America, you must be informed on current issues and gain a better understanding of the history of each party and what they stand for, as well as determine where you stand.

            According to History.com, people like George Washington and John Adams were known as the Federalists because they believed in having a strong government and national banking systems. However, people like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison opposed this because they supported the idea of having a limited government. This led to the founding of the Democratic-Republican Party. 

            Washington spoke about his concern with having opposing political parties in his farewell address, and eventually the Federalists disbanded after the War of 1812. In 1824, four Democratic-Republican candidates were running for president. Andrew Jackson was one of them, and because he did not win the majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives placed John Quincy Adams as president.

            During the 1828 presidential election, Jackson formed the Democratic Party and won! The Whig party formed in opposition to the Democratic Party, and both would end up having control over the political system by the 1840s. The Republican Party was not founded until 1854 when the Kansas-Nebraska Act was proposed to allow slavery in new U.S. territories. Democrats were split. Some believed that slavery should extend to all territories, while others believed that each state should decide for themselves by popular vote. 

            The Whigs, Free-Soilers, and a few Democrats formed the Republican Party to stop slavery from expanding into westward territories. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican candidate, was elected in 1860. This led to seven states seceding, which caused a civil war between the Republicans in the north and the Democrats in the south. History.com has more articles about how and why both the Democratic and Republican Parties were founded. Visit www.history.com/topics/us-politics/democratic-party and www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republican-party-founded to learn more.

            Once the Union won the Civil War, Republicans controlled Congress. Democrats continued to fight against their attempts to protect the civil and voting rights of African- Americans. It was not until 1865 when the 13^th Amendment of the Constitution was passed that slavery was abolished and the Jim Crow laws that enforced segregation were abolished with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Political Party Symbols

            When it comes to their symbols, it was Cartoonist John Nash that made them popular. While running for president, Jackson was called a jackass by those who opposed him. Amused by this, he decided to use the animal itself in his campaign posters. The symbol did not start to catch on until the 1870s. 

            The elephant first made its appearance during the Civil War in a newspaper illustration. Nash used the animal to represent the Republican Party in many of his political cartoons, and other illustrators followed suit. If you would like to read more about how their symbols were implemented in American culture, be sure to check out www.history.com/news/how-did-the-republican-and-democratic-parties-get-their-animal-symbols.         

            

Current Issues

            Today, both Democrats and Republicans are divided on various issues. Democrats tend to hold a more liberal view, meaning that they believe the government should be responsible for bettering the lives of the American people while Republicans hold a conservative view in that they believe the government should not be involved in the lives of U.S. citizens other than to protect civil rights. The topic of abortion questions whether the unborn even have civil rights.  
         

            Liberals support the idea that women should have the ability to choose whether or not to terminate their pregnancy. They argue that a fetus is not a human and therefore does not have any rights. Conservatives believe that an unborn baby is a human being with unalienable rights

and that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions. You can visit 

www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/ to learn more about the difference between liberal and conservative views on various issues.

            Gun control, climate change, and immigration are also examples of current issues that Democrats and Republicans disagree on. Does the U.S. contribute to global warming because they produce 25 percent of carbon dioxide, or are humans not contributing to climate change at all and it is just a change in temperature that has slowly been happening overtime? Should the government ban Americans from obtaining guns, or do we continue to protect our constitutional right to bear arms? Should the millions of immigrants who enter our country illegally be given the same rights as American citizens or should we strengthen our border to prevent them from infiltrating the country? The United States of America is a house divided against itself. Where will you stand?

           

Motlow Smyrna Library Announces Winners for 'Unplug & Read'

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            The Motlow Smyrna Library participated in the annual, county-wide initiative known as “Unplug & Read” for the seventh consecutive year.

            This month-long event is sponsored by Read To Succeed, the literacy organization for Rutherford County. Its purpose is to encourage people of all ages and reading levels to “unplug” from televisions, computers, video games, cell phones, and other electronic devices to enjoy the relaxation, pleasure and educational enrichment of reading.

            The Smyrna Library has adapted the program to fit in with the college environment, though hopefully still get the message across of literacy awareness and lifelong learning. To qualify for prizes, participants must keep track of the time they spend reading “unplugged” for the entire month of February, fill out entry forms, and submit them.

            The entry forms were located in the library, along with the box where readers dropped off the completed entries, which could be submitted every day, every week, or at the end of the month. Qualifying materials could range from newspapers and magazines to textbooks and graphic novels, as long as they were true printed materials.

            While 2019 seemed to be a low participation year in number of individuals, they more than made up for limited numbers of participants with impressive amounts of time reading. Seven individuals took part in this event: one faculty member, one staff member, and five students. These seven industrious souls turned in a total of 13 entries and totaled 169 hours and 12 minutes of “analog” reading time in February.

            “I would like to personally thank each person who was dedicated to this task and followed through by submitting the entries. If even one additional person per year is inspired to read more, all the effort is worth it!” said Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson.

            The winners included student Gabby McCardell with 30 hours; staff member Jeannieann Mathis with 8 hours; and faculty member Omar Tantawi with 117 hours! Each winner received a gift card provided by Hendrickson, who is already brainstorming for February 2020.

Gabby McCardell

Jeannieann Mathis

Omar Tantawi

Two-Time Grammy Winner Dennis Scott Shares Music Industry Insights With Students

     SMYRNA -- Two-time Grammy winner Dennis Scott (center) hangs out with students after giving a talk about the recording industry on the Motlow Smyrna campus. Scott's visit on March 20 was part of the college's "Famous Communicator Speakers Series." Hanging out with Scott are (from left) Mary Mann, Ian Cox, Kaleb Rowland, and Julia Howard. The producer-composer's album, "Songs From the Neighborhood -- the Music of Mister Rogers," won a Grammy Award as "Best Musical Recording for Children." He also is a recipient of two Emmys, a Parent's Choice Award, and a Telly. Scott moonlights with the popular Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. To learn more about him, visit www.DennisScott.net. (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Motlow Artists Can Share Their Talents at Open Mic Night on April 11

            LYNCHBURG -- Open mic night is here! Motlow artists can show off their talents with poetry, prose or music from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on April 11 (Thursday) on the Moore County Campus.

            The Open Mic Night will occur in the Jack Daniels Meeting Room at the Forrester Student Center. Each participant will have four minutes to showcase his or her work. Individuals may sign up at the door on a first-come, first-read basis. Refreshments will be served. 

            This event is sponsored by the "Write Here! Write Now!" community writing workshop and the Department of Languages. For more information, contact Dr. William Murphy at wmurphy@mscc.edu or Tamara I. Jones at tjones1@mscc.edu.

The Story of St. Patrick

By Ramona Shelton

Motlow Buzz Managing Editor

            While March of 2019 is best described as WET, March in general is most often known for one holiday - St. Patrick’s Day. Everybody knows that St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with Irish, green, and leprechauns but the true story behind St. Patrick and the day set aside to honor him is more interesting than our watered-down traditions.

            Sorry to burst your bubble, but Patrick himself was not Irish. Shocker, I know since he is the Patron Saint of Ireland, but according to History.com, Patrick was actually born into a moderately wealthy family in modern-day England in the 5^th century AD. His family was wealthy because of his father’s position as a deacon in the local Christian church, but that does not mean they were particularly devout. Because Christianity was still finding its foundations in Britannia at that point, becoming a church leader allowed Patrick’s father to have tax breaks and incentives.

            This wealth earned Patrick’s family the attention of rouge Irish tribesman. When Patrick was 16, Irish raiders attacked his family’s home and carted him off as their prisoner. They kept him as prisoner for over six years. In his journals, he noted that he dreamed of the voice of God telling him it was time to go home but that he would return to Ireland as a missionary. It took him 15 years of study to become an ordained Christian priest, but at that point, he asked for and was granted a position in Ireland, ministering to the Christians there. This debunks a couple of long-held beliefs about Patrick. Firstly, if he was stationed there to minister to Irish Christians, that tells us he was not the one to bring Christianity to Ireland. Also, for some reason, stories about Christian missionaries in Ireland like Patrick always include miraculously converting the populace as a whole by driving the snakes out of the land. Scientists at National Geographic argue with this part, saying that there were never that many snakes in Ireland to start with. It was covered by glaciers for so long during the Ice Age that snakes had already found homes in other places.

            Regardless, Patrick was successful and popular as a minister to the Christians already in Ireland as well as serving as a missionary to bring more Irish people into the Christian fold. The vast majority of the Irish people were pagan, so Patrick did what other early church leaders did - superimposed Christian connections over their traditional pagan beliefs. For example, the Celtic cross that is still used in the region to this very day looks different than the typical Christian cross. It has a circle in the center where the two bars cross. Patrick knew the Irish pagans were sun worshippers, so he added the sun to the center of the cross. Didn’t Jesus, the Son of God, hang at the center of that cross? Therefore it is an easy jump to say sun = Son of God. Part of the Irish pagan beliefs were tied to the oral tradition of their heroes. Patrick took up those stories with a Christian spin, showing how the Christian God backed those men of legend and gave them the ability to become heroes. Talk about adding to some origin stories! Stan Lee ain’t got nothing on St. Patrick!

            Interestingly, as much as this man is revered as a saint and is truly considered to be the Patron Saint of Ireland, as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, this is a misnomer. To truly be considered a saint by the church, a person has to go through the full canonization process, including his supporters providing proof that he performed at least one miracle and being acclaimed by the church hierarchy as a saint. According to History.com, this process did not exist until several centuries after Patrick’s life, and while there are several saints who were put successfully through this process posthumously, Patrick was not one of them. However, the Catholic Church does acknowledge the fact that Patrick attained sainthood through popular acclaim.

            St. Patrick died in Ireland on March 17, 460/461 AD, so that date became the day to celebrate his accomplishments. It is easy to assume that as Irish immigrants made their way to the United States over the years, they brought traditions such as St. Patrick’s Day parades, Irish flags flying, and dying everything green with them. However those assumptions are incorrect. In the mid-1500s, an Irish Franciscan friar named Luke Wadding solidified the idea of honoring Patrick’s death date into a true Catholic feast day, but this was much more of a day of introspection than of a bacchanalia-like celebration. In 1737, Irish immigrants in Boston, tired of being belittled for their Irish customs, decided to step up the celebration game. They were the first ones to add the parade and wearing green aspects to the feast day. Green was the color of Ireland, and Patrick was their patron saint, so these immigrants took to the streets to celebrate their heritage. Three decades later, the parade aspect spread to New York City. But Ireland’s official website says that the parade idea did not take hold in the motherland until Waterford held Ireland’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1903 and Dublin finally joining the club in 1931.

            It is not just Ireland and Irish immigrants in the United States that hold a green out each year to celebrate Patrick. In recent years, the Colosseum in Rome, Sacre’-Coeur in Paris, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, and the London Eye have all shined green on March 17. While U.S. celebrations tend to include dyeing rivers green and going on pub crawls, this amazing man’s story is one the world remembers and honors each year.

Being 'Hip' at the HIPS Conference

     Motlow Smyrna faculty members (aka "The HIP Seven") gather between educational sessions at the 2019 High Impact Practices Conference at Western Kentucky University. 

Being "hip" at HIPS are (from left) Professors Khalid Tantawi, Ramona Shelton, Tamara Jones, Debbie Stockdale, Mary Jo Johnson, Stacy Dowd, and Charles Whiting.

'A Woman's Voice' to Feature Stories of Strong Women in History on March 27

Words from Paige's Pages: Nefarious, Oxymoron, and Plethora

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

        Motlow Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson has selected “nefarious,” “oxymoron,” and “plethora” for her latest column on words.  

nefarious

ne·far·i·ous

/nəˈferēəs/

adjective: (typically of an action or activity) Wicked or criminal.

Synonyms:      wicked, evil, iniquitous, sinful, vile, foul, monstrous, shocking, outrageous, atrocious, abominable, reprehensible, hateful, detestable, despicable

Example: Although most college pranks are intended for fun and frivolity, some students’ motivations are much more nefarious and can cause serious harm.

oxymoron

ox·y·mo·ron

/äksəˈmôrˌän/

noun: A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Synonyms:      contradiction, contradiction in terms, self-contradiction, inconsistency, incongruity, anomaly, conflict, absurdity, oddity, enigma, puzzle, mystery, conundrum

Example: Many accepted phrases in the English language are obvious oxymorons, which combine opposite terms, such as: bittersweet, civil war, deafening silence, dull roar, freezer burn, icy hot, liquid gas, loud whisper, original copy, resident alien, sad smile, silent scream, “The Sound of Silence”, “sweet sorrow”, and working vacation.

plethora

pleth·o·ra

/ˈpleTHərə/

noun: A large or excessive amount of (something).

Synonyms:      abundance, mass, host, plenitude, cornucopia, riot, surplus, surfeit, multitude, sea, wealth

Example: The frustrated student was convinced that he would need to change research topics to finish his paper by the deadline, until he spoke to the Librarian who assured him that a plethora of sources could be found using the college’s online databases.

The Difference Between Concepts and Reality

By Dr. Bill Kraus

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

        We always talk in the classroom about the need to closely relate the concepts and theories of our subjects on the one hand to the realities and dynamics of the world around us. As faculty, we are always striving to try to bring this relationship for a clear grasp and understanding by our students.

Professor Dr. Bill Kraus

        I recently received the following email from a former student who, today, is going to law school in the evenings and weekends and working as a full-time nurse at a Middle Tennessee hospital during day shifts. I think she says it all… bridging the theories of life with the real-world happenings. I thought she did an excellent job, don't you? 

I'm sitting at the school library preparing for class. Estate Planning. I'm wearing scrubs because I was up at 4:30 this morning rushing around to get to work, just like yesterday and the weekend. Only as I sit here staring at pages with black letters running around on a page, I hear the professor saying, "Nobody ever plans on dying."

I suddenly want to go to the bathroom and cry. I want to scream. I want to hit the wall and have a major breakdown. Why? Because I hear the words of the professor, but I also hear something else. I hear an alarm overhead at work when I was just sitting down. I still recall the adrenaline as I jumped and ran upon hearing the Code Blue on my floor. I can still feel the fleshy breast of the woman as her chest caved under the chest compressions in hope of bringing her back to life. I hear the scramble and feel the crash cart hit my back legs as others arrived to assist. I feel the stretch of my muscles as we tried to get better access to the woman by moving her to the bed from the bench in the patients’ room.

The patient? I forgot about him, but he is in the shower unaware that his wife is dead! Twenty minutes later the doctor calls it. The man… his life is forever changed. And me? I'm now at law school removed from the Code Blues, grief-stricken glances, bated breath as family arrives in shocked silence.

Me? I've somehow got to get my mind ready for Estate Planning and recall that nobody ever intends to die. But I can’t help wondering what this little stain is on the pant leg of my scrubs? Scrubs I have to wear until I get home tonight and shower!

     Gives us some thoughts to ponder, doesn't it???

Progress Continues on Third Building

     Following is how construction on the third building at Motlow Smyrna was progressing on March 11, 2019. (Photos provided by Aerial Innovations Southeast and Messer)

Students Can Earn TNPromise Service Hours by Volunteering at Radnor Lake

                Students who are looking for TNPromise service opportunities can volunteer for one of the following events at Radnor Lake State Natural Area in Nashville. 

                According to Professor Kevin Fitch, simply follow the weblink below and meet up with Radnor Lake rangers on the selected date. Lunch is usually provided by the Friends of Radnor Lake. Be sure to wear work clothes (e.g., pants, boots, long-sleeve shirt, and bring gloves and plenty of water). Radnor Lake will have you sign a liability wavier.

                Visit here to learn more: https://radnorlake.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Updated-12-17-Volunteer-Liability-Waiver.pdf .

                For directions, visit https://goo.gl/maps/UzifeXmzoVw .

Motlow State Tennessee Promise students Kayla Cuyugan and Ramtin Koushkabaghi volunteer at Radnor Lake with Professor Kevin Fitch (Photo from Inside Motlow)

                Here’s the Radnor Lake State Natural Area Volunteer Schedule for 2019:

                * March 22 (Friday), 2-6 p.m.

                * April 26 (Friday), 2-6 p.m.

                * May 24 (Friday), 2-6 p.m.

                * May 31 (Friday): 2-6 p.m. - National Trails Day Kick-Off

                * June 21 (Friday): 2-6 p.m. - TNPromise Workday Kick-Off

                * June 28 (Friday), 2-6 p.m.

                * July 26 (Friday), 2-6 p.m.

                * Aug. 23 (Friday): 2-6 p.m.

                * Sept. 27 (Friday), 2-6 p.m. - NPLD Kick-Off

                * Oct. 25 (Friday): 2-6 p.m.

                (November: NO VOLUNTEER DAY)

                (December: NO VOLUNTEER DAY)

               Individuals can learn more by visiting https://radnorlake.org/about/get-involved/volunteer/ .