Spring Is Over... Hello Summer

      After that trip I felt as if I could to anything. While I was seeing the world I was discovering my true potential. Maybe that is what inspired me to take 18 credit hours the following fall semester, work two part time jobs, and take on a new student leadership role as Student Government’s Chair of Public Relations. The load of homework and responsibility felt like someone breathing hot breath on my neck. Nevertheless, with some time management and organization, I proved to myself I could do it. I finished the semester of with a strong 4.0 GPA and settled in with my PR position in Student Government.

                This spring I took 15 credit hours, worked a part time job, and was busy organizing, and prepping for spirit week at my school. At the end of last semester I realized being at a junior college a lot of students here are lacking in excitement for their school, unlike university students. The most of the students here go to class then go home and become really detached from the community our school is trying to build. Therefore, with the help of clubs, staff, faulty, and student government we hosted “Spirit Week and Complete.” Imagine! Flash Mobs, Mascots, Alumni, Decorations, and most of all spirit. The goal is make all the students at JJC to identify themselves as ‘one in the pack’ (the school’s mascot is a wolf.) I was pretty excited about the whole event and to see so many people making my ideas a reality. I had the chance to work with so many awesome people they truly made my job easy and fun! (Check out The Flash Mob [shhhhh....I was the mascot]----> Flash MOB) 

The picture I took after I received news about
being VP of SG

When I ‘officially’ graduate this semester I plan on staying at JJC and go for my Associates Degree in Music. I then will transfer to some amazing school get my Bachelors in Business and minor in Music. It’s a little bit different than what I first wanted, which was to get my Bachelors in Music Composition, but upon consulting with my music advisor, Dr. Broderick, she believe every fine arts should have be accompanied with something solid, like business.

      So now that the semester is over, I can say I finished  off again with a 4.0 GPA. WHoooHOO!! It was a close call with in My Spanish 103 class. I was averaging a B the whole semester! I wanted to give up after I calculated how much it would take to get an A. I would have to get an A in pretty much everything I did  for the last three weeks of school. Honestly, it was a miracle that I pulled it off. I went from a 85.67% to a 89.53% AND I Thank God that my wonderful professor pushed it over to a 90%, which so happens to qualify as an A. I'm just glad its over. Now it's just good old summer school to think about now. My Math131 online class starts today. Hopefully, that class will go fairly well. I am just a little bit worried about the fall. I'm already registered for 17 credit and I potentially have two part time jobs again. I can't afford to overload myself again. If that doesn't kill me, my piano teacher will. My music suffers when I pack on too many responsibilities. However, on a brighter note I was voted as the Vice President and the member of the year in Student Government at JJC. I will  get free tuition for the next year and my name on a wall, which I must say myself is pretty sweet and exciting.
 Right now, I'm looking for someways to develop myself to be a better leader, and steps I currently need to take to have a fulfilling life. If it's through life's lessons, my job, an internship, traveling, a book, or a long talk with my mother... I will receive it! I bring a lot to the table, but I also expect a good hardy meal!

     So dear world, between now and then I got somethings to figure out. But until then... Enjoy Your Summer. I plan to be busy busy busy :)

Kailyn Harris

Follow me on twitter @kk_rae

Instagram @kaifications

Like me on FaceBook----> Kailyn Rae

The Girl In The Mirror

I do not set goals nor do I take on challenges for the sake of doing so, but rather to be able to face the girl in the mirror. I am well aware the girl in the mirror is simply my reflection, but facing her has been my biggest challenge. Her glare declares the uncertainties of my heart. She is always disappointed, detesting my individuality, and unsatisfied with my accomplishments. Though her attitude burdens me, I am motivated to work harder to achieve greatness. It wasn’t until I raised money to go to Europe when I was able to push past my fears and completely overcome the girl in the mirror.

 I set a goal in 2010 to leave the country in two years, and I searched for traveling opportunities. October of 2011, People to People Student Ambassador Program, founded by President Eisenhower, accepted my application to travel to Ireland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. However, the trip tuition was $7,089 and I had seven months to raise the money. I identified the challenges and imagined the sacrifices I would have to make with my time to earn the money. Nevertheless, I preferred to learn, achieve, and acquire a broader view of the world rather than to give up. I never knew the experience would have such an impact on me changing who I saw in the mirror.

By January 2012 I felt like I was going to lose my mind. With $6,100 left to fundraise, the guitar lessons, candy sales, and at-home spa services were not making the cut. I began to doubt my decision to try to raise the money. No matter how hard I worked to raise more funds, the more money I needed. My family’s financial struggles and the stress of school made me feel as if I would spontaneously combust. I put my pride away and bore my heart to my mother in hot frustrated tears. She knew better than I the risk we were taking, yet she spoke words of encouragement and confidence that gave me the strength I needed. As a result I started to enjoy living on the edge trying to make money whenever I could, never knowing if I would have enough to pay the trip tuition due for that month, and letting my entrepreneurial spirit soar. My perspective of the world was already changing. I could see the girl in the mirror influencing my thinking in that low moment of weakness, so in overcoming it, I began to have more faith in myself. 

My greatest enemy, the girl in the mirror, is only me, Kailyn Rae Harris. Her insecurity is my own, but I learn to press beyond what I feel. The anxiety of failing has never left, but bravery is not the absence of fear, but knowing how to deal with it. With the help of a $1,000 scholarship I raised all the money in time and went on a trip of a lifetime.  When I returned home, I only see myself in the mirror now, a young woman ready for anything!

At The Louvre In France

Repelling Off a Castle In Wales

Me and the Eiffel Tower

Do you See it? Mona Lisa's Smile

I AMsterdam