Alaina O'Neal

Designer’s desk: Water adventure leaves lesson in wake

There are many benefits to living in East Tennessee, and the lakes that surround us are a great example of that.

Recently, I got a better taste of what exactly our area lakes had to offer — quite literally because it did involve a couple accidental mouthfuls of water — as I attempted a little something called wakesurfing for the very first time.

The first thing I learned about wakesurfing is that there is a difference between that and wakeboarding — which I didn’t know until moments before going out into the water. For weeks I had been telling my friends I was about to try wakeboarding. (Oops).

So to give a very brief, not-so-technical difference for those of you — like me — who did not know the difference: Wakeboarding involves faster speeds, a different kind of board and more use of the rope.

Part of me had always wanted to try some type of boarding or skiiing, but my stomach was in knots when the day actually approached. My parents put me through swim lessons when I was younger, and I mastered the doggie paddle, but that’s pretty much all I retained. I’m someone who hates putting her face in the water — especially lake water — and I try to avoid it at all costs. Eventually I realized that falling would be unavoidable, so I instead tried to fool myself into thinking I would figure out a magical way to fall without getting my face wet.

As I watched the other five people on the boat surf first, I tried to take note of their movements and admired their fervor as they darted in and out of the wake and glided over the water.

They impressed me. And I appreciated the fact that they pushed me to try it without making me feel too pressured. I psyched myself up and told myself I could do it. After all, attitude is everything, right?

On my first round in the water, I couldn’t even stand up on the board.

But I did on my second — and it only took about fifteen times of falling before I had a decently long ride.

It was exhilarating — I experienced a rush of adrenalin that I haven’t had in a very long time. It was worth having my eyes, nose and ears filled with lake water a couple times — and now I’m a little less afraid of that concept.

As I thanked the crew at the end of the day for all their support, they told me something that surprised me a little. I thought they have been wakesurfing for years, but they had only started last summer. They were just a group of people who pushed each other. They would pull up videos on the Internet and critique each other’s moves, constantly trying new tricks and tips to improve themselves. They described themselves as like-minded individuals who sought self-improvement in something that was important to them.

I once read that you are an average of the five people you hang out with the most. It’s important to spend time with people who have skills that you lack, but wish to cultivate. Since you become like the people you hang around, find people who inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

Success and happiness isn’t about comparing yourself to others, but it does require having a good group of people around you who can help you reach your goals — whether you’re on the lake, on the job or just one face full of water away from doing something great.

This series is a weekly installment about following through with a New Year’s resolution to have a new experience each week. To suggest topics or experiences, email alaina.akens@ elizabethton.com.

Designer’s Desk: Starting resolutions

Someone once told me the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day, and that 90 percent of those thoughts are the same as the day before.

I’m a little skeptical on how accurately the average amount of thoughts can be measured from person to person, including how much they vary from day to day. But if it is true, it’s a little disheartening. I realize that we as humans are creatures of habit. I am often guilty of following the same routine from week to week, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Actually, I would even go so far as to say that following a schedule is healthy. But it also lacks challenge, and I wonder how much (or little) effort it would take to allow ourselves more than just 10 percent-worth of new daily thoughts. Learning something different always feels like an accomplishment, at least for me, and my favorite way to do that is through new experiences.

That’s why my New Year’s resolution was to experience new things. Now that it is halfway into the year 2014, I realize that I could not have made that goal any more vague if I had tried. However, I can say with certainty that I have done at least two things this year that I have definitely never done before.

My first new experience? I broke a bone, in my right index finger.

My “clicking finger.” As a designer, it was probably one of the few injuries that could potentially affect my work. I wish I had a better story for how it happened when people ask, but I smashed it with my car door. I don’t recommend trying it.

The second new experience I had this year was that I let myself run out of gas. Not: “My gaslight was on, and whew, that was a close one!” My car actually stopped running because it literally had no more fuel. I don’t have a good excuse for letting this happen, either. Actually, I had just passed a gas station about a mile before when my car started to sputter to a halt.

My only defense is that I was running late, and I drive a fuel-efficient car — which I thought could run forever. Alas, it does not. Who knew?

Continue reading “Designer’s Desk: Starting resolutions”

Executive editor says goodbye

I am dangerously close to leaving my comfort zone. Since before I can even remember, I always knew what the next step of my life was going to be — until now.

In elementary school, my goal was to eventually date my third-grade crush. In middle school, my goal was to join the yearbook staff. In high school, I knew I wanted to go to college at East Tennessee State University.

I have always been sure of these things, and I have accomplished them. I always thought that by the time I got to college graduation, I would know what the next step would be.

However, at this moment the only certain thing that will happen in the next few weeks is that I will walk across a stage on May 5. I will shake a lot of hands — mostly of people I have never met before — take pictures with my fellow graduates, and receive a piece of paper that costs a great deal of money and time (or at least the cover which that piece of paper will go into a couple of weeks later).

While I can’t honestly say I am going to miss writing 10-page papers or staying up all night studying for a big test, I will miss a lot of other things. I’ll miss the fact that it is socially acceptable for me to be poor right now. I’ll miss the sense of comradery with other college students. I’ll miss the guilt-free indulgence of junk food, the excuse to live off Ramen noodles, and the late-night runs to Taco Bell or Mid City. Most of all, I’m going to miss working for the East Tennessean.

I began working for this paper my freshman year. It was probably the best decision I ever made in college. After four years, 200-something issues, and writing 60-something articles, my time here is almost done. I feel like I have learned more in this office than I did in any classroom.

Being involved in the newspaper was like being involved in the entire school. I have worked with several other organizations and helped them get the word out about what they do. I’ve seen profiles of students who are often unrecognized, but have made some great accomplishments. I’ve seen so many stories of people involved on campus who take time out of their busy day to devote their time for a better cause.

Continue reading “Executive editor says goodbye”