A Day Without Sunshine

When my grandma passed away, I can tell you exactly where I was, the time, the day...everything.

I remember kicking myself for just being alive when she was taking her last breaths before embarking on her new life of living in Heaven. I hated myself for laughing, smiling...breathing. Why her...Why now? She was one of the most inspirational people in my life. What did she do wrong?

Fast forward almost 5 years later...

One of my best friends, Brandi, a teacher at a local high school, was putting on the school play. It was called Three Gifts. It was an amazing story about living for others not just yourself. I don't believe in coincidences so when I found out Drew died that night, I knew it was a sign.

Andrew Thomas Boggess...a fighter, a survivor, a lover.

Drew was only 21 years old. He had the world in front of him, so much more to experience in life. What else could he really want. He had friends, family and the love of his life. He was in his glory.

Drew was diagnosed with lung cancer when he was 16. He fought long and hard to make it to today. After one operation, the doctors had injured his vocal chords, leaving him with a raspy, low voice. But it didn't matter, he beat cancer. He graduated high school, he was going to college.

He lived in my hall his freshman year. He fell in love with Rachel. It felt as if they were soul mates destined to meet that day. Together it was like they were an old married couple. I have never seen anything like it.

A successful year of college as well as a season of baseball.

During his second year, things started to get ugly again. Before we knew it, he was doing chemo and underwent another operation. This time they removed a lung. He stayed so strong and so optimistic. Cancer was beat again for the second time.

Up until about a month or so ago, Drew was still taking classes. He never once gave up. You would see this kid, with a huge smile on his face, walking with an oxygen tank around campus.

When the news came that Drew was getting worse, we all worried but thought hey, he can beat it again.

Rachel, his soul mate, was there at his side through thick and thin. She allowed him to realize life is worth fighting for.

Drew fought until the very last breath.

The world lost a beautiful soul. A girl lost her soul mate. A family lost their son.

How do you even begin to try to understand that.

WHAT DID HE DO WRONG!

There are people in this world who sit on their ass expecting greatness to come to them. Drew was different. He did everything in his power to work for greatness.

Drew was a hero, an inspiration. He lived not for the future but for tomorrow.

I hope for the rest of my life I can be as strong as him. I want to be as optimistic as him. I want to find my soul mate like he did. I want to know that when my time comes, I had one hell of a ride.

I write this to ask you to do the same. Look into yourselves and realize the grudges, the hatred...they need to go. We don't know when it will be our last goodbye or our last I love you.

To Drew, a man of so many great things. Keep looking over your boys as well as the love of your life. And to Rachel, keep your strength and know that in time you will heal.

Andrew Thomas Boggess
1987-2008

May 3rd - It's only a semester away

Since I was 13-years-old I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I would be a journalist. More specifically I knew I would be a music journalist.

Then college came.

Sports photography became my new found passion. For me it’s the combination of the love for sports as well as taking pictures. First a hobby, then a job on campus.

I am hoping for a career.

Steve Canale, the manager of recruiting and staffing services of General Electric Co., said “It’s going to be tougher for the class of ’09 than it has been for the previous couple of years,” in regards to finding a job after graduation.

Great, just great.

What are my options?
1. Apply for internships
2. Apply for jobs related to photography
3. Apply for odd jobs
4. Grad school
5. Be a lazy ass on mom’s couch

Well the last two are out but I thought they added to the list.

Okay so where exactly do I look?

Top choices:
1. Arizona – lots of family yet way too hot and sunny for my fair skinned self
2. Florida – more family but again the heat and sun is just too much
3. Ohio – live by mom yet she would still hover over
4. Maine – beautiful fall season but too much snow for my liking

Those are just the top regions I considered. With the economy the way it is, I am not sure if I really have a choice. It’s just a matter of where the jobs are or aren’t.

In an article from CNN by Lara Moscrip, she writes “The number of states suffering monthly job losses more than doubled in September, with Michigan losing the greatest number of jobs.”

So do I even bother looking in Michigan?

There will always be sports and people will always want photos of sports. I like to tell myself that in order to keep the spirit alive of finding a job.

According to Shannon Martineau, director of career planning at Adrian College, some areas of profession that are currently in search for employees are; health care, computers, teaching, financial planners and accountants. Aside from the fact that I hate needles and my mom still takes care of my taxes, I am earning degrees in English and Sociology.

I guess I will continue to search the internet for potential employers on sites like www.journalismjobs.com and www.workinsports.com.

I am currently waiting to hear back from the Cleveland Indians Baseball Company about a summer internship doing sports photography.

I am currently filling out an application to intern in Australia for 10 weeks during the summer.

I am also considering a job offer from KE Action Pix, the local sports photography company who works with Adrian College. (Yes the ones with a booth of tons of electronics at sporting events. Oh and yes the ones with the yellow jackets.)

People continuously tell me to keep my options open. Are we sure I will even have other options? KE Action Pix might just be my foot in the door to something great.

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Sources:
Martineau, Shannon. Personal Interview. 24 Nov. 2008.

Moscrip, Lara. “Monthly job losses cut across 41 states.” CNN Money. 21 Oct. 2008 http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/21/news/economy/state_unemployment/index.htm

Tuna, Cari. “For 2009 graduates, job prospects take a dive.” Baltimore Sun. 27 Oct. 2008 http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/careers/bal-grads1027,0,1291189.story