8 priceless words...

It was my mom's birthday on January 18.  I sent her gift around 1:00 AM, (January 19). I know, Tardy Tammy, but it took a few hours to put together... Happy Birthday Mommy on YouTube.

I guess the good thing about being in an "overworked and underpaid" season of my life, (particularly during celebrations like my mother's birth) is: I have no choice but to search my heart for a gift without a price tag. 

Eight words I'll never forget, spoken by my mother on January 19, 2011: "this is the best gift I ever got." 

I guess ballin' on a budget aint so baddd... 

Bound by Haiti

Check out Jon and Roman's website, BOUND BY HAITI.

My way...

As I sit and enjoy the last ten minutes of my birthday, I'm listening to Frank Sinatra's, "My Way."

Ol' Blue Eyes would have been 95 today; a man with "many sides" as described by Bill Gallo, in the NY Daily News,

"He was brash, good-natured, shallow, deep and poignant, angry, happy, funny, classy, unpredictable, steady and always on time, a slang-talking street guy, with diction so precise and clear that it complimented the English language."

Frank Sinatra is a legend. His songs are timeless. His voice is "The Voice." I can only dream of leaving such a legacy on the world.

I do hope that when I reach the end of the road, I can confidently say, "I faced it all and I stood tall; and did it my way."

How we live defines who we are and how we're remembered.

No one is perfect. We're all messed up, and we're living in a world that's just as screwed up as we are. But no matter what life throws our way, we must stay true to ourselves, never compromising what we believe in.

In the end, it's not the fall that makes us an inspiration to others, but our faith during the fight to get back up.

So, say the things you truly feel and show the world your "many sides." As Sinatra once said, "dare to wear the foolish clown face."

Birthday card from the parents

12.12.10

Living the dream

CBS News Correspondent Kelly Cobiella 

Miami, FL

12.10.10

Life's full of inspiring moments...

                   watching someone 

live their dream 

is one of them. 

good things come in small packages...

"This is a school, not a corporation"

UF Rally Against Block Tuition 11.17.10

Photo by: Diana Moreno 

On the steps of Tigert Hall, a large group of students protested block tuition, which is most likely going to be a reality at the University of Florida come Fall 2011. 

After a UF administrator addressed the crowd, one kid screamed out, "this is a school, not a corporation!" and for some reason his words stuck with me... 

Some of the images I tweeted from the protest:

Seeing Ester and Murray

Grandpa Murray and I

Giulia Lewis Memorial Dinner

11.5.10

Giulia was an adventurous child. I remember when were ten-years-old, her grandparents took us to a church carnival. Giulia begged me to go on "The Zipper," which, if you've never heard of it, is the WORST carnival ride ever invented- a small cage... of death. I still to this day, get sick just looking at. Anyways, she convinced me to suck it up, and go on.

I remember trembling as the ride operator strapped us in. I looked over at Giulia and she was smiling from ear to ear, swinging her feet in excitement. As soon as the ride started, it took about five seconds for me to start screaming bloody murder. After two minutes of hell, the operator let me off. I ran to the back of the ferris wheel, and puked my brains out. The funny part about it was, Giulia was cracking up.... just laughing the entire time. 

This past weekend at Giulia's memorial dinner, her grandpa Murray started talking about that night at the carnival. I've blogged about Giulia's grandparents before, and keep in touch with them through letters and phone calls, but this past weekend was the first time I've seen them in seven years.

As much as we need to move on from tragedies that have touched our lives, we must not let time erase those memories that keep who, or what we've lost... alive.

I'm comforted to know that Giulia's grandparents can still hear her laughing behind the ferris wheel... because if I close my eyes, and go back to that night, I can too.

Ester and Murray 

11.5.10

Awkward Kristin

My friend Andi decided to advertise one of my most awkward moments on Facebook and YouTube. You would think a stunt like the one captured above was done on purpose--but as the girl in the Florida sweatshirt behind the printer, I, Kristin Giannas, can promise you... this was real life. I'm really just that awkward.

So on the day of the above video, I was in the basement of Weimer Hall, and had locked myself in a dark, cold, editing cave to work on a project for one of my TV classes. Judging by the fact that I look like the Crypt Keeper, I hadn't seen the light of day for some time.

Make a long story short, in my zombie-state I left the edit bay and moseyed over to the printer to pick up some papers. I remember staring into a bright light.... and it took me a few seconds to realize that light was atop a camera feeding a newsroom live segment INTO OU NEWSCAST! Once this all clicked, I had seconds to make a decision and, being so quick and smooth on my feet, I decided it was a good idea to, elevator-style, drop it like its hot behind the printer.

I'm jealous that David can blame the dentist.

15 C

I just boarded the plane that's taking me to New York for Giulia's memorial dinner, and I'm sitting in seat 15C.

Giulia was killed seven November 5th's ago.

She was 15.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm not a fan of the number 5.

"Everyone was where they were supposed to be"

I've learned that sometimes, you're at the right place at the right time....and when you're at the wrong place at the wrong time,  all you can do is trust that God knows what he's doing. 

Uncovering truth.

Tonya Miller

10-7-10

Evidence bag containing father's belongings

Inside father's wallet, Clifford's Meridian appointment card

Appointment cards found in father's wallet

Faith

Demeatrius & Tonya Miller

10-6-10

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

Have you ever had one of those, "God" moments? It's a step past goose bumps and the chills... where you feel an unexplainable presence around you. You can hear the beating of your heart as your mind seems to drift for a second, but you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be...

I guess the feeling is hard to describe, but if you've ever had a "God" moment, you know what I'm talking about.

I had one tonight, and it was when I decided to put down my camera, and pray with a family broken by tragedy.

"We cannot attempt to understand how Clifford junior became so disconnected with reality, that he was able to harm those he loved most. We are extremely sorry for the pain and grief ripping the Gainesville community, and we can only hope that time will begin to heal the wounds so deep. Six families including ours, have been affected by this unthinkable horrific act. Please continue to pray for all families involved, as the community rely on our faith to heal."

Miller Family Statement