Brandon Carroll

 
 
 
 

Matisyahu - So High, So Low

This week's Music Monday is by Matisyahu. The song, So High, So Low, is just a real chill song to listen to. Also, it is the first week of school, and it just kind of sets the mood.

Enjoy.
 
 
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As the week  begins to unfold, I wanted to use my blog to reflect on my summer.

It has been an experience of a lifetime to say the least.

First and foremost, I have the privilege with being able to meet with administrators across campus and speak on behalf of 23,000 students....
 
 

Puff Daddy - I'll Be Missing You (Live)

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This week's Monday Music is dedicated to my Grandma Gloria, who passed away on June 30th. 

It has taken me a while to grasp the fact that I will never have a conversation with her again, as she was always filled with so much joy and gave me so much unconditional love. 

This song made me tear up a little when I listened to it, so I thought it would be perfect for this week, as I have begun to understand the fact that she is gone.

I don't know how one is supposed to deal with death - I am often confused exactly what to do. Death is a part of life...I understand that. But, I also understand that she had an amazing life and left an amazing legacy, especially because she worked on the first computer ever, called the ENIAC. She was a woman pioneer in the computer industry. Her will, self-determinism, and selflessness has helped shape me into the person that I am today.
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Grandma is the one kneeling
I will never forget when I was little and she used to watch my brother, sister, and me, because my parents were divorced, so my mom had to work. She would pick us up after school, take us to our sport practices, and help us with our homework. We'd always go shopping with her, and she would buy us all types of junkfood, even though she knew my mom hated junkfood ;).  Also, she used to sing all the time, played the piano beautifully, and was a genius mathematician. 

Honestly, I will miss her sincere kindness so much. 

As I begin to tear up once again, I know that my grandma is watching over me and she is singing her songs and playing her piano, while putting more into relationships than she receives.

RIP Grandma Gloria. I love you and will never forget you.
 
 


Why Do I Wake Up Early and Never Sleep?


I am extremely internally motivated. Every day, I wake up and have an inner-drive that is unparalleled. Here are a list of three things that motivate me:
 
 
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Below is the exact blogpost posted by our waitress at PF Changs over the weekend. This is why we are all involved in Actively Caring. Before you read her blogpost, let me give you the background:

First we went to PF Changs with Bo's friend from Homeland Security to learn more about his story and relax. It was me, Shane, Taris, Joey, and Bo, along with Bo's friend Mike and his Wife. Our waitress' name was Rachel. She graduated from Steson in Florida and wants to go into Non-Profit Management! We were ecstatic...
 
 

 Brett Dennen - Ain't No Reason

This week's Music Monday is by an up and coming artist, Brett Dennen. The song is called Ain't No Reason, and the lyrics are amazing. Brett Dennen really made me think and reflect about life through his lyrics. I think the best lyrics are, "You don't need no reason or a three-piece suit to argue the truth." Below are the two main points that I took away from this song:

  1. You do not need a title to be a leader. Just because someone has a position of status or authority to know what is right. The truth puts us all on the same level - we really are all one people.
  2. Be grateful for what you have and understand that others are not so fortunate. Also, we can really give a little more. We are often so content as the way things are...but if we stop and reflect for one second...we can understand that it...doesn't have to be this way.
 
 

Bob Sinclair - Give A Lil' Love

This week's Monday Music is by the great Bob Sinclair. The song is titled Give a Lil Love. The best part of this song are the lyrics, especially when he says, "give a lil' love, you and I can change the world"." It is a nice meaningful and relaxing song to start off the week. Enjoy.