AvaLowery's blog

The good news is that I've finished most of my college applications. I should have all my applications submitted by the end of this week.

I'm applying to or have already applied to:
UCLA
Berkeley
NYU
Harvard
UT Austin
Alabama

I'm also considering applying to Ithaca College and Boston University. I've filled out apps for both, but am not sure whether I'm going to send them in yet. Application fees are crazy expensive!

I'm looking to major in film. Surprised?

I've been keeping busy lately with the stress of finishing up SAT subject testing(which I've finally finished) and sending in college applications. It is both a scary and exciting time in my life right now!

I am hoping to have a new video out soon - before Christmas. I'll make an effort to blog more now that I'm almost done with the application process.

Wish me luck!

Obama on Monday announced Democratic primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as his secretary of state

With all the excitement about the election of Barack Obama people seem to be forgetting things - extremely important things. So I've compiled a very short list of just a few of these things that we cannot afford to put on the back burner.

* Over 4,200 American troops have been killed in the War in Iraq.

* Over 600 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan, and this year has been the deadliest year for US troops in that war.

* The national debate has passed 10 TRILLION dollars.

* Our relationships with countries around the world have deteriorated thanks to the foreign policy(or lack thereof) of the Bush Administration.

* Ignoring and isolating Iran isn't working. We need a new approach.

* Almost 50 million Americans have no health care coverage whatsoever, and millions more are struggling to pay for the coverage they do have.

WASHINGTON (MSNBC)- President-elect Barack Obama is on track to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, an aide to his transition said Thursday.

One week after the former primary rivals met secretly to discuss the idea of Clinton becoming the nation's top diplomat, the two sides were moving quickly toward making it a reality, barring any unforeseen problems.

The transition aide told The Associated Press that the two camps have worked out financial disclosure issues involving Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and the complicated international funding of his foundation that operates in 27 countries. The aide said Obama and Hillary Clinton have had substantive conversations about the secretary of state job.

Clinton has been mulling the post for several days, but the transition aide's comments suggested that Obama's team does not feel she is inclined to turn it down.

Great song and music video by Todd Snider - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhZtRKjSAlI

You can listen to more of his music here:
http://www.myspace.com/toddsnider

This is a good reminder of why our country desperately needs change.. and why no matter how much I personally like Obama, he must be held to his word on bringing about that change.

WASHINGTON - Some 691,000 children went hungry in America sometime in 2007, while close to one in eight Americans struggled to feed themselves adequately even before this year’s sharp economic downturn, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.

Since this video was made, unfortunately the death tolls in both Iraq and Afghanistan have increased. It is an important reminder of why we have to end the wars and bring our troops home safely. Click "Read more" to watch the video.

I would wish everyone a happy Veterans day today, but that almost seems wrong considering so many of our troops and Veterans are struggling right now both overseas and at home.

So often we hear the Bush Adminstration and war-hawks say: "support our troops." But what we don't hear about is the fact that the VA has been short-changing mental health programs when PTSD problems are growing. Or the fact that the Bush Administration has proposed 10 BILLION dollars in Veterans health care CUTS. Enough is enough! Support our troops and Veterans - Bring them home and help them get the benefits they deserve!

To our Veterans and servicemen and women.. thank you. We're going to do our best to support you by demanding that the VA is properly funded.

Obama's story really hit home with me last night especially. My younger cousin is about the same age I was during the 2000 election and has been keeping up with this election. I love him to death and he calls me 'his' "Ava Lou". We're close with our family, so I see him often.

He's also biracial and is being raised by his single white mother. Sound familiar? He gets picked on at school because of his being biracial.. not just by white kids but black kids too. The past year or two he has started to realize it, since he's started to have friends(in the south, especially white kids) who treat him differently, or little "girlfriends" that suddenly wouldn't talk to him anymore because of something their parents said. He's in a very small alabama town, and he hasn't had it easy as a kid. His mom hasn't had it easy either. She loves him to death, and it hurts her to see how some people look at him.

Last night she cried, my mom cried, I cried.. Zach slept since it was past his bedtime, lol.. but he was so excited about this election. I think he sees part of himself in Obama and Obama's story.

Today really does mark the beginning of a new America, where the American promise isn't a false promise. Anyone, with hard work and determination can become the leader of this now greater nation. In the past, desegregation has happened by force.. by supreme court rulings and national guard members having to escort a black student to class on a university campus. Last night though, the people made it clear that we as a nation no longer are that same country that had to be forced into racial tolerance. we a new country... we are a better country.

YES WE DID!

YES WE DID! I'm so proud that this was the election I first voted in.. absolutely amazing.