Over 4,000 miles away my family, parents, and friends are going on with their everyday lives in different time zones in a different country on a different continent.
Over 120 days away from people that contribute so much to every aspect of my life on a daily basis.
With 11 days until some sweet long lived reunions in Europe and 25 until the real deal ones in America, there's something to be said for having four months abroad to yourself.
Long distance is hard, but abroad distance is a new trial in every way. There's something to be said for having something that is 100% your own. I share my hometown with my parents. I share my college with my friends, but right now, in this moment Florence is mine and only mine.
You can't always have absolutely everything in common with people you care about. You need differentiation. Something that makes you you-er than you. Something that people associate you with, that credit you with, that look up to you about.
There is nothing that forces you into being yourself more than being forced away from everything you know and are comfortable with. Especially when you put yourself into that uncomfortable situation by choice and not actually by force. There's a comforting feeling in knowing that I did this on my own and that I made it out completely fine or even better than when I began my time here.
It takes some people their whole lives to acknowledge their own adequacy, and some are never lucky enough to have that enlightening moment. I couldn't ask for anything more than to start out my 20's knowing that I am capable and enough on my own.
When you're young, there's a good chance you are the only person holding yourself back. I know that I am by far the hardest person on myself. Giving yourself credit for what you do and can accomplish only happens when you throw away your crutch, security blanket, comfort zone- whatever you want to call it.
It's not feminist and it's not selfish- it's distance and distance can do more for you than quotes on the wall and philosophy classes.
XO,
Dev
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
We, Robots
The idea of robots being able to surpass humans intellectually is quite frightening. This notion is definitely relevant to humankind in a growing technological era. As people, we pride ourselves on innovation and discovery. However, the issue becomes that in attempting to discover new technologies we lose some of our desire to continually make ourselves better and instead focus on continually making technology better.
In bringing robots into our world, we substitute man made activities with ativites that can be completed by technology. We lose the sense that we have to accomplish things for ourselves. We become content and lazy and ultimately stuck in our ways. On the other hand, without new technology society stagnates. Without technology there's no new iPhone to stimulate the economy, there's no new medical device to save a life, and no new discovery to spark more innovation and motivation among entrepreneurs and the scientific community.
Technology holds a place in our lives and we cannot turn back from what we've started. However, we have to be mindful of the consequences technologies, such as robots, place upon our society and ourselves. Like everything, robots are a tradeoff.
In bringing robots into our world, we substitute man made activities with ativites that can be completed by technology. We lose the sense that we have to accomplish things for ourselves. We become content and lazy and ultimately stuck in our ways. On the other hand, without new technology society stagnates. Without technology there's no new iPhone to stimulate the economy, there's no new medical device to save a life, and no new discovery to spark more innovation and motivation among entrepreneurs and the scientific community.
Technology holds a place in our lives and we cannot turn back from what we've started. However, we have to be mindful of the consequences technologies, such as robots, place upon our society and ourselves. Like everything, robots are a tradeoff.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
project 5 updates
For project five I want to focus on an ad campaign. I think that this will be most effective because it could actually be used to persuade people. Combining ad campaigns with social media is most effective so I will also be creating a twitter page for it as well.This corresponds to my topic from project 4 because I'm using the same topic and basing my project on ways to persuade an audience most effectively.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
comic strip
http://www.raypeatforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1532
the potato side of life comic
The comic represents time by showing the changes that have occurred since technological innovation. In showing the normal potato confused by his vegetable counterparts it represents the world moving to a different time- a time of genetically modified foods.
The comic represents motion by using similar colors and repetition throughout the 3 part sequence. In doing so your eye naturally moves from the left (beginning) of the comic to the right (end) of the comic.
The comic does not represent sound other than the "voice" of the potato talking.
the potato side of life comic
The comic represents time by showing the changes that have occurred since technological innovation. In showing the normal potato confused by his vegetable counterparts it represents the world moving to a different time- a time of genetically modified foods.
The comic represents motion by using similar colors and repetition throughout the 3 part sequence. In doing so your eye naturally moves from the left (beginning) of the comic to the right (end) of the comic.
The comic does not represent sound other than the "voice" of the potato talking.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
gmos + project 5
My topic is the genetic modification of food. I want to use multiple collages to create a marketing campaign against the use of GMO food crops. This would be powerful for my topic because it would aim to target the consumers that would be directly affected by consuming GMO's.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
The right way to email- professors + parents + friends
Email one ---->
SUBJ: BUS 1010 SECT 9: Notification of permanent removal from class
Dear Professor Tumblin,
I'm currently in your BUS 1010 class on Friday at 9AM. Due to recent issues financially, I will be removing myself from this university permanently. As a result, I will no longer be a student under your instruction. I will be officially leaving the university on April 9th. This is a personal decision and in no way reflects my feelings toward you or the university as a whole. I hope that you understand the terms in which I have decided to leave. I am happy to answer any questions you may have for me and agree to complete the assignments until my departure.
Sincerely,
Devin Ostermann
C19382337
dosterm@g.clemson.edu
(540)287-1352
Email two ----->
SUBJ: College Updates
Hi Mom & Dad,
Recently, I have been having issues adjusting to life in college. The decision to leave Virginia was a difficult one for me as I'm sure you remember. I think that my decision was prematurely made and unfortunately, I regret coming to Clemson. As a result, I will be dropping out after this semester. I plan to take a year off and attend community college back home before making my next step to a college in Virginia. I have been considering dropping out since the beginning of second semester and have made a plan for my living arrangements and lifestyle changes after I leave Clemson. This decision was extremely difficult for me and I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I would appreciate your full support during this confusing and stressful time. Please call me when you get this so we can discuss it further.
Love,
Devin
Email three ---->
SUBJ: I GOT TO MEET CHANNING TATUM!
Ok, so I didn't meet Channing Tatum, (sorry) I just wanted you to actually open this email because who actually emails their friends?
Krissy I have SO much to tell you.. I finally dropped out and I'm SO excited to be back home! Clemson just wasn't the school for me. It was super hard to keep up with my work and I didn't feel like I fit into the typical crowd there. I'd rather just go somewhere near home and not be in debt for the rest of my life at a school I only halfway like.. anyways call me ASAP!! I want to hear your updates too. :) Love you twinsey!! <3
XO,
Dev
An email I've sent to a professor previously ---->
SUBJ: Dig Pitch/Exam time conflict
Hello,
SUBJ: BUS 1010 SECT 9: Notification of permanent removal from class
Dear Professor Tumblin,
I'm currently in your BUS 1010 class on Friday at 9AM. Due to recent issues financially, I will be removing myself from this university permanently. As a result, I will no longer be a student under your instruction. I will be officially leaving the university on April 9th. This is a personal decision and in no way reflects my feelings toward you or the university as a whole. I hope that you understand the terms in which I have decided to leave. I am happy to answer any questions you may have for me and agree to complete the assignments until my departure.
Sincerely,
Devin Ostermann
C19382337
dosterm@g.clemson.edu
(540)287-1352
Email two ----->
SUBJ: College Updates
Hi Mom & Dad,
Recently, I have been having issues adjusting to life in college. The decision to leave Virginia was a difficult one for me as I'm sure you remember. I think that my decision was prematurely made and unfortunately, I regret coming to Clemson. As a result, I will be dropping out after this semester. I plan to take a year off and attend community college back home before making my next step to a college in Virginia. I have been considering dropping out since the beginning of second semester and have made a plan for my living arrangements and lifestyle changes after I leave Clemson. This decision was extremely difficult for me and I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I would appreciate your full support during this confusing and stressful time. Please call me when you get this so we can discuss it further.
Love,
Devin
Email three ---->
SUBJ: I GOT TO MEET CHANNING TATUM!
Ok, so I didn't meet Channing Tatum, (sorry) I just wanted you to actually open this email because who actually emails their friends?
Krissy I have SO much to tell you.. I finally dropped out and I'm SO excited to be back home! Clemson just wasn't the school for me. It was super hard to keep up with my work and I didn't feel like I fit into the typical crowd there. I'd rather just go somewhere near home and not be in debt for the rest of my life at a school I only halfway like.. anyways call me ASAP!! I want to hear your updates too. :) Love you twinsey!! <3
XO,
Dev
An email I've sent to a professor previously ---->
SUBJ: Dig Pitch/Exam time conflict
Hello,
I'm in your MWF macroeconomics class and I noticed an issue with the time the class is scheduled to take the final exam.
I own a small jewelry business, Devin Ashton Designs, and have been invited to pitch my business in front of possible investors as well as well known business professionals and seasoned entrepreneurs. My creative inquiry instructor directed me to the opportunity and believes that I have a very good shot at winning the pitch. In winning the pitch I would receive prize money that would be extremely helpful in growing my business and taking it to the next level.
The event, Dig South Wild Pitch, takes place May 1st in Charleston at 11:00 AM. I planned on traveling down the night before and taking part in other activities in the conference before pitching on Friday at 11. The issue is that I'm supposed to be taking your macroeconomics exam at 3PM that same Friday. Since the event is in Charleston I won't be able to make it back in time for the exam.
This pitch is an incredible opportunity for both me and my business and if there is any possible way to reschedule my exam to an earlier date I would greatly appreciate it.
Please let me know if this is possible.
Thank you,
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