Just Listen To Her

This is the long-awaited blog post about that awesome person I mentioned....drumroll, please!


A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview a friend of mine, Jeannine Saadeh.

Jeannine is a junior studying Elementary Education at the University of Kansas. Jeannine is also a Muslim and is eager to share and educate people about Islam. She spoke to my Multicultural Education class on Islam and I was engulfed with interest and curiosity. Jeannine was kind enough to sit down and talk with me about Islam, the presentation of self in her religion, the way she interprets beauty norms, the human body and how precious it is, and her experiences pertaining to all of that. I learned so much from talking with her and I hope that you will take something away from this as well.

Jeannine is a beautiful person both inside and out. The passion that she has for her culture and religion is radiant. She speaks with knowledge and compassion to educate people about Islam.

I decided to split up the interview in parts...this is Part 1. There may be one or two more parts coming later, I haven't decided yet. But I wanted to break it up so you would pay attention to every word she says because what Jeannine has to share with you is important and I don't want to throw it all at you at once!

This is about ten minutes long, and I apologize for the cruddy recording (we recorded the interview at the Underground Cafe on campus...bad idea, I know), but I initially anticipated writing a blog from the recording, but then I realized that I don't think I could do her words and her eloquence justice in writing. You'll just have to listen to her to understand.

So without further adieu, check out Part 1 of my conversation with Jeannine Saadeh.

- Annika Wooton

Miss Butler County 2014

What Can You Do in 90 Seconds?

At the end of my last post, I said my next one would be about a really incredible person.

Well this is not a post about that person... you'll have to wait a little longer for that one (: But it's worth it.

This post is about what you can do in 90 seconds (or less).

I have committed to 100 days of noticing things that make me happy or that I am thankful for. And I'm noticing the little things that people do for me or that I do to improve the quality of life just a little bit that.

So I figured I would come up with a list of things that you can do in 90 seconds or less that might make yours or someone else's day just a little bit better.

1. Put the dishes in the dishwasher...or unload them 

(might take a few extra seconds, but your roommates will be grateful)

2. Pick up stray articles of clothing - a clean 
living space makes for happy people!

3. Empty the trash

4. Put on some good music

5. You can actually sing most national 

anthems in 90 seconds...fun fact

6. Let someone know you are thankful for them

7. Bake chocolate chip cookies on a 

waffle iron (have not tried this...now I need to)

8. Call your mom

9. Smile at that person on the bus, or even say hi! 

You never know, you could make their day!

10. Stun a crowd

This is me a few years ago being a goofball,
but I thought it was applicable.

Number 10 is actually kind of the point of this post. Because Number 10 is what I plan to do the first week in June as my talent in the Miss Kansas Pageant. In just 90 seconds (exactly), I will create a painting in front of my peers, my judges, and the audience. That's right, I'm speed painting for my talent. In 90 seconds, count them - 90, an image will appear before your eyes that I have been practicing for months. A few of you know a couple more details than I will reveal here - but if you don't know and want to know what I will be painting, I guess you'll just have to come to Pratt in June to find out!

Keep checking back for that post on that awesome person. It's in progress.

- Annika Wooton

Miss Butler County 2014