Today’s vlog features yours truly! Enjoy!

So what’s your story? JamTown

• College Survivors: How often did you see your parents during your college years?  Did they pop up on campus all the time or did you hardly see them at all?
• College Dreamers: How much of a physical presence will your parents have for you in college?

JamTown’s Response:

I wish my parents had more of a physical presence while I was in college.  However, they were in Texas and I was in California.  So it wasn’t that feasible for them to visit that often.  I wished that they could have been there for a few parents weekends, a few of my dance performances, and even just to visit.  But alas, that wasn’t the case.  My mom actually came in town to my sister’s swearing-in ceremony my senior year of college and she was able to come see one of my shows.  That was really exciting because she hadn’t seen me perform live since high school.  But the only time both of my parents came to visit after moving me out to California was for my graduation.  But like I’ve said before, the fact that my oldest sister was living in California the entire time I was at USC was almost as good as having an occasional parental visit.  And that’s what family is for, right?

So what’s your story?

JamTown

• College Survivors: Did your parents ever visit during parents weekend?  Was it a positive experience?

JamTown’s Response:

My parents were never able to come during parents weekend when I was in college.  It would’ve been awesome if they did because there was so much activity going on during that time.  It would have been a great way for them to experience some of the staples of USC life, especially the crazy, hype atmosphere of football season.  I also usually performed with the Gospel Choir and there were all kinds of dinners and concerts with big-name artists each year.  One year, Nancy Wilson performed during parents weekend.  It’s one of the many highlights of my college experience.  I was floored by her youthfulness, her beauty, her stage presence, and her amazing voice.  And while my parents couldn’t be there (and they really wanted to be there), I was fortunate enough to have my oldest sister come in their place…and that was something I was truly grateful for.

So what’s your story?

JamTown

Response of the Day comes from Dionna Muldrow @ “Say Cheese” (Campus Life Category)

I took lots of pictures when I was in college. There was always something I wanted to capture – football games, lunches on the stoop, performances at Tommy Trojan, getting ready to go to a party, SBG concerts, random nights in my apartment eating french fries and cookies. It?s fun to look back at them even now (I?m only about 3 years out of college).

I ALWAYS had pictures up in my room of family, friends from high school, friends from college. At the end of my Freshman year, I did a scrapbook of all the stuff that happened that year. I?d decided to do one for every year. Well?that?s the only one I ever finished. It was a good idea, though.

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In Wooden Nickels: CG’s mother surprises him with the unexpected.

• College Survivors: Did your parents ever do anything to you in college that caught you by surprise?

JamTown’s Response:

The only unexpected surprises I can remember were the care packages my parents sent me.? Care packages may seem so cheesy and even childlike, but getting that box of goodies in college can make a student’s week…maybe even the whole month.? They would send packages with food, notes, and other things to make me smile.? I can remember getting one during finals week and it seriously relieved alot of my stress from studying so hard and not getting any sleep.? And come to think of it, some of my friends tried to take my care package goodies!? But I would huff and puff to keep my goodies safe from their hands.? Thanks Mom & Dad!!

It’s Friday!!!!! Response of the Day comes from Lola @ “The College Newspaper.” You can find the post and my response under the “Campus Life” category.

Our newspaper was called the North Texas Daily and I read it pretty regularly. Many times I would take it with me to read in the cafeteria while I ate. For some reason, this seemed like really mature behavior to me. My senior year, an article was written about me in the paper. I went around campus collecting copies for posterity. They?re probably browning somewhere in my parents? house.

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In Wooden Nickels: CG’s mother rescues him from a sticky situation.

• College Survivors: Did your parents ever get you out of trouble when you were in college?
• College Dreamers: Will you rely on your parents to help you out when things go sour or will you be handling things yourself?

JamTown’s Response:

The only trouble I had to be rescued from by my wonderful parents was money trouble.? Everyone knows that college is expensive.? And USC, a private school, is really expensive.? So I would have to make that call every now and then for help.? I didn’t call often though!? And I was calling for tuition money, not for party money.? Thank goodness that my parents always came through for me.

So what’s your story?

JamTown

It’s that time again.? Check out the interview I had with someone many of you may have seen before. Key words: TV Guide Channel and Chana.? You can do your own research to find out more (smile).? Keep spreading the word and sharing your stories!

So what’s your story?

JamTown

Happy New Year!!! (wooooooooo!!!!) It’s 2009 and I’m so glad it has arrived. I hope you’re making your resolutions and that you stick to them. I mean really really stick to them. I hope you start the new year at full throttle. I hope that you’re a better you than you were last year….Ok. This is starting to sound like a self-help column.

So onward to the 2nd question for Wooden Nickels – The Movie!!! Thank you to all who have subscribed. Make sure you tell a friend to join us and don’t forget to continue sharing your stories. But before I can give you a new question, I have to recognize those who shared in the first post. Those roommate stories were hilarious (and a little scary). And in response to all of you being so incredibly interesting, I am going to start doing a Response of the Day. I don’t really like that title so if you have a better one, please suggest it. This was a tight race between Tyra, Carolyn, and Duke. And the winner is…

Response of the Day: Carolyn!!!
I had a roommate I found through a friend. This girl was my friend’s girlfriend at the time. She was from Oklahoma, and although she had graduated high school 5 years earlier, she still had a slew of her high school cheerleading squad teammates on her wall. She was about 5 feet tall and platinum blonde. At one point, she decided that I was using more than my fair share of the jointly-purchased toilet paper.(!) She decided the best way to confront me about this issue was to knock on my bedroom door and show me the Colt .45 revolver her daddy had bought her to combat the rapists who run around Austin at night. I moved out the next day.

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Okay now on to our first question of the new year!!!

In Wooden Nickels: When CG departs for college, his mother gives him a last minute speech about how to succeed. It’s a speech he knows all too well.

• College Survivors: What was the one thing your parents told you over and over again when you went off to college?
• College Dreamers: What are the pep talks your parents constantly give you and will more than likely be included in your college departure?

JamTown’s Response:

My dad is known for his speeches. I mean he can talk. I think that’s where I got it from.  Actually, without a doubt, that’s where I got it from.  But anyway, I can remember him giving me the “you’re about to go to college” speech in the kitchen and I was somewhat prepared for it.  I mean, I was about to move from the South to the West coast to “find myself” in USC’s film school.  I can’t remember too many details, but here are the words of wisdom that have stuck with me all these years.

1. Handle your business. -My Dad
2. You already know what to do. -My Dad
3. Your job is to go to your classes and do your work.  -My Dad
4. Don’t let guys hang out in your room. – My Mom
5. Make sure you pray and read your Bible everyday. -My Mom

So what’s your story?

Don’t forget to subscribe and tell 5 friends!!

JamTown