Self-Discipline

5 Areas of my life that lack discipline:
            1. Socializing- I will choose to hang out with friends over studying
            2. Procrastinating- I'll hold off my main priority until the last minute
            3. Family- I have just recently realized how precious family time is and that you should not take it for granted.
            4. Peer Pressure- Not necessarily anything bad but I can be convinced pretty easily by my friends
            5. Food- I cannot say no to any of my favorite foods, although I eat healthy organic food if I see a sweet that I like I will eat it!!

                  I definitely could improve all of these by increasing my time management skills, realize that I can socialize anytime after I get my stuff done and that studying is the most important. My mother has a great deal of discipline, she is able to get everything done within each day. She sets goals and ALWAYS meets them. Balancing a home and a career is difficult but she makes it look easy. I am accountable for my actions and grades. Whether it being to other people or myself. I am the only person who is accountable for me. My parents and friends help out but inevitably I have to make the best decisions concerning me.

My Mission

I am at my best when I am around my family..
I will try to prevent times when I am stressed out..
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can I love getting to know people within my working atmosphere and building lasting relationships..
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through spending time with my family, friends and traveling. .
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as being a good friend, dancing and listening. .
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will travel the world, eat brand new food and experience different cultures..
My life's journey is to better the world for not only myself but others around me. Through traveling and helping those who aren't as fortunate because in the end everyone plays a role in this world..
I will be a person who my children, grand children and great grand children, and my closest friends will look up to. I will be known for being understanding and forgiving to everyone in life..
My most important future contribution to others will be the ability to help anyone of the important people financially and emotionally to any single one of their needs..

I will stop procrastinating and start working on: my self.

• I should listen to other people's words more closely and fully understand what they are saying not just how I hear it and interpret it.

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Directness 
• Musical brilliance
• Visionary

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Yoga
• Positive thinking
• Reading
• Discussions

OU Mission

I am living the OU Mission statement! The University of Oklahoma is living and following through with their mission statement. I can honestly say that I have learned more this semester than I have in a year of high school. The Professors are excellent and I have enjoyed listening and participating in lectures. I am impressed with the amount of service students and faculty do not only for our campus but for the state of Oklahoma. They provide and offer great sources for any questions I might have. I can go to any building and find courteous and helpful people to interact with. I don't think anything needs to change but maybe the spirit could increase a little, but other than that there's nothing I would change about OU!!! :)

Board of Advisers

My Board of Advisers are the most essential resources within my life. Although a few people may change at various times, there are a few that will be consistently on mine.

1.) Tracy- my mother "chair person" : She is the most understanding person I know. No matter what I say she will always take my side and help me with whatever problem I have. She is brutally honest which makes for interesting conversations but I wouldn't have it any other way.

2.) Zane-my father: He is very direct when he talks to me and in the way he thinks. He always has an answer to everything I ask. He is the most knowledgeable person and every time I talk to him I feel like I have learned something.

3.) Peri- best friend: She can be mean at times, however, it is with the best intentions. She won't hesitate to yell to get her point across but it does work so I can't complain.

4.) Andee- best friend: She is the most outspoken person I know. She speaks at the most inappropriate times but she adds humor and fun into my life.

5.) Camden- my brother: Fortunately having a brother who is five years older then me has helped me a lot. I have learned from every single one of his mistakes and made sure that I did not do the same. He is now more mature and it's nice to have someone to look up to.

Leader in the Field

             Mehmet Balos was born in Turkey and lived there for most of his life, he currently resides in Dallas with his wife and two kids who both graduated from the University of Oklahoma within the last six years. He is now Chief Marketing officer of Genband Communications based in Plano, Texas. He has been in the field of telecommunications for about thirty years. He received his BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University and conducted his Graduate Studies at Georgia Institute of Technology in Industrial & Systems Engineering. Although he began his career in sales, he has recently moved to the field of marketing. Previously, he was President and was in charge of Global Marketing, Sales, Services and Business Development. Throughout his career, he has been the designated corporate spokesperson to Trade and Business Media and Analysts. Additionally, he has been an active Trade Associations participant, Editorial Board Member to Trade Journals, and a contributor to Financial Analysts Events. Now he is in charge of Corporate Marketing and Communications, Product and Solution Marketing, Business Development, Proposals and Experience and Knowledge Services. 

Many leadership skills are used throughout his various jobs.  The number one thing he said to remember was communication. Without it no one knows how to follow you. With over sixty people working under him, it can be quite stressful and difficult to come in contact with all of them. Especially because they all live in different countries, so the language barrier becomes a problem sometimes. However, through organization and time management he can get his work done and still help those who work for him. Traveling all over the world and being in charge of corporate events puts added pressure but taking a step back and staying positive gets him through the tough tasks. He plans on continuing this path for as long as the company keeps him, but no matter what he will keep his skills and move forward!

http://www.genband.com/Home/Resource-Center/Newsletter/Newsletter-Q210-(1).aspx

Future @ OU

After University Sing is over I plan on joining Spanish Club, UOSA, and CAC. I was extremely involved in high school however, it has been hard to fit other activities in when my life revolves around USING and studying. I would love to be apart of a multiculutral club of some sort and hopefully anything that has to do with my major which is Public Relations. Back home I taught ballroom dancing so I really want to join a committed serious group that I could practice with. I would also like to get involved more within my sorority because I feel as though that puts a lot more responsibility on you as well as producing more leadership skills. I enjoy hearing seminars and lectures that talk about interesting topics, I would like to go listen to at least two a month to just get my mind back on track! OU has so much to offer and I am just so greatful to have such awesome resources to be able to be familiarized with everything on campus!

Attitude

Attitude plays a HUGE role in accomplishing a group task. If the leader doesn't have a positive attitude then the rest of the group won't either. One person can bring the ship down. If you have a negative outlook on what is going on then you will procrastinate and not get the job done.

My student council adviser in high school always had such an awesome attitude. She made not only myself but everyone want to be there and help out. She was constantly encouraging us to do better but gave us reinforcement along the way.

 The quote, "Our attitudes are our most important assets," apply to everyone's life. If you have a bad attitude about everything then no one will want to be around you, or at least I wouldn't. The way you present yourself is how people will view you. If you give them a reason to view you as pessimistic then you will be labeled that until you prove otherwise.

Problem Solving Strengths

Although "communication" is fifth on my list of strengths, I think it helps me the most when solving problems. It is easy for me to put my thoughts into words and help others or myself out. Also, "empathy"... I always discuss and work my problems out so that is doesn't become even more complicated. I tend to put myself in other people's positions so that I realize what is right and what is wrong. I don't think any of my strengths hinder me from solving problems but "woo" may. I might be too focused on whether or not I am winning them over rather then helping them out. I sometimes push a little too much when helping people out. I think that my advice is the only way to go but I take notice and try to back off when I realize I am doing it.

Letter From OU

To all Seniors at Keller High! Do not let this year be your blow off! High school doesn't prepare you enough for college. Make sure you stay on top of your studies and seriously take at least 1-2 hours a day reading. If not you will not do well in college. Take advantage of the "free classes" you are in right now because for the next 4-6 years you will be paying and wanting to study to be able to stay in school. All the preparation is worth it and don't fall into too much partying. Join the greek life, it is a great way to broaden your social network. There will always be people who are in your major too and it's a great help! Other than that you will love college no matter where you go, but especially OU :)

Bystander Behavior

     I am usually not the person to be a bystander, in fact I always feel as though I need to put my "two sense" in. Although that is not always the best idea, I can't help it!
     One night I was driving home from a Student Council meeting and I saw a girl about 15 years old walking home and it was reaching about 8:30 so it was beginning to get dark. As I was driving closer to her I thought about just pulling over and picking her up because I wasn't sure what might happen if she kept walking later in the dark. However, that quick instant slipped on by and I for some odd reason kept on driving. I thought about it the rest of the night in hopes that she got home safe. I felt bad so the next week I offered a ride home to a younger stuco member.
     Last summer I was walking out of Walmart and I heard an older man "call out" to me but I didn't respond. He continuously kept on talking and following me. I hopped into my car and locked the door. He ran into his car and backed out as fast as he could to get up behind mine. He followed me all the way down the main street as he made faces I could see in my rear view mirror. The weird thing is was that there were multiple families walking around and saw all of this happen and no one said or did anything. I called my dad and he told me to pull into a random neighborhood and luckily I lost him and was able to get back home.
      I think people at this age are still in their "cool mode" where they feel as though if they step in they will look stupid. Everyone wants to leave drama back at highschool so if they intervene then they are immature or are told to mind their own business. People need to get over this image because if not many bad things will continue to happen, with just one person stepping in they could save a life!

Priorities

It seems as though I have brought all of my priorities with me to OU. I had to focus on school and maintain straight A's, do laundry, wash dishes, teach dance classes, and plan for student council events.  Not much has changed except for the fact that my dad says he is "paying me to go to school" and so that is my new job. Currently USING takes up most of my time and when I am not practicing I am studying at any place I find that is quiet. I happen to love having my priorities figured out, it keeps me on track as well as organized.

Influences

    My mother has been the most influential person by far throughout my life.  I look up to her and her amazing qualities. She is strong willed, grounded and extremely positive even during the toughest of situations. I can only hope that one day I will possess all of those. 

    Observing everyday life influences me. It is hard to focus just on yourself, when you step into someone else's life you can really get a good view of the world. 

    Since high school I have realized who is honest and who to depend on when facing hard times. You cannot always look to your first immediate reaction and go to your best friend or even a family member. Only being at OU for a month has helped me see what I really need and want in life. I want that person to continue influencing me in a positive way, however, I know now that everywhere you look you are getting influenced negatively as well. 

Who am I?

My name is Ellery Victoria Long. I was born in Upland, California and have lived in many different cities among CA. My favorite being San Jose in Northern CA; I lived there for 9 years. I moved to Texas at the age of twelve and began ballroom dancing. It quickly became my passion and now takes up most of my time. I love to travel, fortunately my dad travels out of the country weekly so my family and I get to take advantage of those trips and join him! My favorite place I have visited was definitely be the Palace of Versailles in France.

I chose the name "Cellery Ellery" because that is what I have to introduce myself as when I meet people because some how they just can't say "Ellery" haha. It is quite entertaining especially when people think that they are original for saying it. I have been called it my whole life and so far it hasn't gotten old! :)