A Few Smart Ways to Travel

There are many smart ways to travel.  Through my experience I have learned many valuable ways to get the most out of visiting somewhere new.  I wanted to share some of them with you. 

Learn at least some of the local language.  Knowing hello, goodbye, thank you, and a few friendly phrases will be greatly appreciated. 

Don't go on a cruise to experience a culture.  If you want to relax, that is one thing, but it is hard to truly experience a place when you are isolated on a boat.

Meet locals; learn about their lives, traditions, culture.  Be respectful and have fun.  Making friends will open incredible doors!  Plus, it is always great to make new friends.

Always try new foods!  Food is an integral part of any culture, and you will really miss out if you don't try some of the local cuisine!  If you get the chance, help prepare it, too.  It is a great way to find new spices, ingredients and cooking techniques.

Be respectful.  Before you travel anywhere, you should inform yourself on the social norms and customs of the area.  Know what clothing might be offensive.  Be especially careful when visiting religious sites. 

Don't ever set out to travel to help a group of people.  Travel with HUMILITY.  Go to learn, not to teach.  I whole-heartedly support volunteering at local non-profit organization, funding grassroots organizations that promote communities or assist in other local, worthy causes.

Don't take pictures of children.  They are not animals, and they are not attractions.  Don't ask parents if you can take pictures of their children.  You wouldn't want people taking pictures of your kids.

Support local artists.  It is a great way to see new musicians, painters, drawers, jewelers, etc. and if you are lucky you'll walk away with priceless gifts.

Take risks :)

Have fun!

My First Printed Story

Campus radio prepares students for careers

By Lisa Elaine Babb & Arielle Robinson

Contributing Writers

Published: Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 01:00

Nate Packard

Malvin Massey Jr., DJ at the university radio station WUMR, has been working there since 1988. The station plays strictly Jazz music both old and new.

With 50,000 watts of power, WUMR is Memphis’ only variety jazz station and it operates on campus in the Theater and Communications Building.

John Hardin, the radio station’s production manager and a senior journalism major, began as a volunteer in 2010.  When a student graduated and the manager position became available last year, 30-year-old Hardin said he gladly accepted the job.

“The radio is just flat-out fun,” Hardin said.

With animated gestures, Hardin described his experiences at the only jazz-format station in Memphis that boasts about 40,000 listeners.

“The best part of working for the station is exposure to everyone in journalism and broadcasting,” he said. “ It has opened up a lot of doors and opportunities for me.  You get to know the movers and the shakers of the business.”

WUMR’s satellite reaches across Memphis to Hernando County, and citizens in roughly 25 countries in Europe tune in every day.

The station has relatively few employees though, relying mostly on volunteers and students for on-air shifts and other daily tasks for the past three decades.

Opportunities are available for disc jockeys, sports reporters, news reporters, editors and copywriters and vacant positions change constantly, Hardin said.

Melvin Massey, Jr., the station’s general manager, coordinates with the staff members on the new software for disc playing and equipment maintenance, a program he said is “cool.”

He mentioned that there are 40 DJs, five sports commentators and six paid students. The DJs are trained and meet twice a month to practice real-world scenarios and feel the “flow of the radio,” Massey said.

The history of Memphis’s signature jazz station, one of a handful of college jazz formats in the country, began in 1979.  Since The University purchased the station from Rhodes College, WUMR 91.7 has been broadcasting a variety of jazz programs.

“When I founded the station, we chose the all-jazz format for three reasons. We didn’t want to compete with the programming of commercial radio in Memphis and none of the stations were playing jazz regularly, we wanted a musical style that appealed to a multiracial audience, and, finally, the format fit in nicely with the jazz curriculum in our music department,” said Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

Being a nonprofit organization, the station relies on money from companies who sponsor specific programs and radiothons. Hardin described how in a previous year, the station “broke the bank,” raising over $22,000.  These fundraisers take place in June and November.  During this time, there are extra opportunities for student volunteers. About 130 universities participate with The University of Memphis in the radiothons.

Currently, WUMR, the “Jazz Lover,” provides 24-hour jazz music ranging from contemporary to classical.  Listeners can also tune in to hear coverage of University sports and news. Hardin said the station prides itself in being the only Jazz radio station in Memphis.

The station offers a variety of jazz programs, from Blues to Latin by local and international artists.  The station’s most popular segment, Beale Street Caravan, features a variety of local jazz musicians on Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m.

Chris Davis, the station’s program director, hosts the morning show every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:30 a.m. A segment called Drive Time is set for 4 - 6 p.m., and the station also hosts sports segments, plays local bands and streams service announcements.

The service messages are called “underwriting” because they are not advertisements or commercials, “but they benefit The University,” Hardin said.

 WUMR is now available to listeners through online streaming that can be accessed through the station’s link on The University of Memphis website.

The Power of Love

Love has had such an indescribable affect on my life.  I have been so blessed to experience unconditional love from my family, unwavering dedication and support from friends and the warmth in my heart from connecting with guys that I deeply care about.  The loss of a loved one has been one of the hardest trials I have had to go through.  I am thankful for it, though.  He accepted it with grace and gratitude as an inevitable step in life.  Luckily he is always with me, because when you really love someone, they stay with you in your heart no matter where you go.

The most important thing I have learned about love is that before all else you must love yourself.  When you love the person that you are and the wonders that surround you, you are truly able to share that love with others.  A benefit of loving yourself is humility.  Loving yourself takes clear self reflection.  You have to acknowledge yourself as you are.  Flaws and all.  When you see this you realize you are a human, and so is everyone else.  We all just want to love and be loved in return.  So go on and shine.

THREE :) songs about love to brighten your day:
Everyday - DMB
Love Is My Religion - Bob Marley
One Day - Matisyahu

What I've Learned From Traveling

People often ask me, "What is the best country you have visited?"  This has been a very hard question for me to answer. Through self-reflection, I discovered why . . . 

-how you view a country is intrinsically shaped by the way your travel (where you stay, your outlook, the places your visit, do you hit the main attractions or the back roads?  Did you learn the language?  how much research did you do on a place before traveling, etc. . .)
-every place is unique in its own way (with benefits and drawbacks)
- your state of mind and the way you think
- the people you are with and those you meet
- your experiences

I ultimately learned that all people are the same.  Every where.  We may look slightly different, share slightly different beliefs, and live in different conditions, but we are more alike than we are different.  We all love, die, breathe, sleep, experience hate, pain, and joy.  We all deserve shelter, food, access to basic healthcare, kindness,and the respect of taking care of the planet we share. 

Oh NO!

After watching a recent Parks and Rec <3, I decided to create my own “Oh no” list, and add an “oh yes” one as well.  

Oh no

Crocs

Wearing your pants where your underwear shows – what would your mama say?

Playing video games more than 4 hours a week

Pajama pants in public – there’s a place for those - HOME

Skinny jeans – if I can wear ‘em, you shouldn’t

Arrogance

Games – there was a time and place for those – middle school

Stickers and tags on clothing.  They are almost as annoying as clothes with blaring logo’s.  For example: most any shirt from Abercrombie.

Getting your mom to do your laundry.  Let’s keep it movin’.

Inability to listen.  To truly be able to hear someone is an art.
Smoking.
I thought we were too old for me to list this, but apparently we are not.  Getting your friend to tell a girl's friend to tell that girl that you like her.

Oh yes

Passion for something.  Many things, hopefully. Social and economic justice, career, learning, spirituality, etc.

Basic. Hygiene. Soap and deodorant should be a vital part of any man’s daily routine.

A kind compassionate heart <3

Confidence.  Boys confuse this with arrogance.

Ability to work on your car – greased up outside under the hood of your Chevelle sun beaming down on your sweaty body.  Whoops!, I digress…

Independence

Ability to aid me in my computer needs, which believe me there are many.

INTELLIGENCE – shout-out to the smart men

The ability to make decent money.  Note the word ability.  If you are doing something for a noble cause for low wages, more power to you.  But you must possess the ability to recognize and achieve your potential.

Good manners.

Southern gentlemen :)
Intelligence and wit.  I love a man that can challenge me mentally.
A touch of sarcasm.

This list is by no means exhaustive, so please feel free to add any I missed!  Keep in mind, your list should be flexible.  The right guy can change the rule, or the right gal can change the guy ;-)