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UWF Student Authors

The Students of UWF are excellent writers. Here, you can find some of their published articles.

Open Bridges. Open Opportunities: Now Hiring in Pensacola

Written By Irene Regaspi
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, Pensacola, UWF Student Authors

Now that the Pensacola Bay bridge is open and locals and tourists head to Pensacola Beach, life seems to be getting back to normal.  The nation is slowly recovering from the COVID pandemic and so is Pensacola. The landscape has changed – literally and economically. The changes may have forced you to adapt to a new way of living and may have forced you to learn skills you didn’t know you were capable of. That’s a good thing. Why? Pensacola is hiring.

Pensacola’s primary industries are in the medical, food service, and retail professions. The transportation industry, which includes Uber and Lyft, is also growing. The nation has been challenged with putting people back to work, especially in the hospitality and retail industries. Due to COVID, employees were laid off or they stayed home to protect their health. Today, jobs need to be filled. You just need to decide what you want today to get you where you need to be tomorrow. Are you needing fast cash? Need to find a job quickly and easily? Are you needing to be strategic and just need a stepping stone to the next position? Did you take courses through the quarantine and are ready to commit to a long-term career – with benefits? Maybe you are just ready for a change in careers. Once you’ve done your research – on yourself and your needs – put your best foot forward, be prepared, smile, and apply.

Pensacola has listings on staffing agency websites, hospital employment pages, and job boards such as Simply Hired, Indeed and Zip Recruiter. Staffing agencies post an array of job openings and are good resources for administrative, technical, and labor type positions. Job boards list everything about the job; it also gives you an idea of the industry that is actively looking to fill positions.  Here’s a quick rundown of who’s hiring.

 

Medical

Look on hospital websites to find out where to apply. Job positions are also listed on job boards. Pensacola has ample medical facilities, so if hospitals might seem a little overwhelming, apply for positions in smaller medical offices. Many medical offices are affiliated with the hospitals, so job openings may be listed there.

  • Baptist Hospital – nursing, radiology, food service, facility/environmental health
  • West Florida Hospital – nursing, clinical techs, radiographers
  • Ascension Sacred Heart – nursing staff including CNA, medical assistants, medical office assistants, medical technicians

 

Restaurants

Below are a few listings from Simply Hired. If there’s another restaurant you have in mind and you’re already dining in, it never hurts to ask the staff or manager if the restaurant is hiring! Otherwise, drop in mid-afternoon or other non-peak times and ask to speak to the manager about open positions.

  • McGuire’s – Kitchen Staff
  • Sonny’s BBQ -Hostess
  • Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group
  • Flora Bama Mgt. LLC – Line Cooks
  • Flounders Chowder House – Food Runner

 

Customer Service (Retail)

Retail and restaurants are sometimes similar in that you will get a quick response if you ask a manager about open positions. They’ll either enthusiastically tell you, “yes, we’re hiring – go to the website and apply,” or they will tell you “no, and please continue to be patron.”

  • Big Box Retail (TJMaxx, Marshalls. Sam’s)
  • CarMax
  • Circle K
  • David’s Bridal
  • FedEX
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Home Depot
  • Lowes
  • Spikes Printing
  • Walgreens

 

Customer Service Representative Positions (Technical)

  • Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Conduent
  • Southeastern Freight Lines
  • Advance America
  • Lee Heating and Cooling

Free Family Activities In Pensacola

Written By Irene Regaspi
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, UWF Student Authors

We get it. You need free activities, and your time span might be between meals and nap time. You’re wondering, “How can I squeeze in an activity or two and maybe a reward for just having a great day?”

We’ve put together five popular spots in Pensacola for you and your young people to explore. Choose between sightseeing or hands-on activities. Regardless, your kiddos will have a blast!

Here’s what your day might look like:

Bay Bluffs Park aka “Let’s go Bluffin!” The drive to Bay Bluffs is scenic itself as it’s located off of Scenic Highway which teases beautiful views of Escambia Bay.  Once you get to the nature preserve, you’ll take the long wooden stairway down to the beach, cross railroad tracks, and let the kid’s imagination take off! Beautiful trees line the sometimes steep boardwalk. Perhaps an adventure to Neverland? Nonetheless, a treat at the Dairy Queen at the foot of the Escambia Bay Bridge and Scenic Highway is an awesome way to treat yourself to making the eighth-of-a-mile hike!

Bayview Park is located in East Hill right on the bayou. It’s just a large park to play in and includes a dog park! Tennis courts, a fitness pad, children’s playgrounds, a community center, and many walking trails give you options to choose from. Trees provide shade and park benches and picnic areas provide a place to rest. When you’re done, you can drive by the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Avenue, then stop by Krispy Kreme on 9th  Avenue and Cervantes for donuts – it’s always fun to watch these being made.

Naval Aviation Museum. Make it a Blues day by visiting the Naval Aviation Museum which includes a play area for children five and under. There are many activities to do as you walk through the history of aviation. Plan to get to the museum early on Tuesdays and catch a Blue Angels practice. When you’re done, take a drive to Barrancas National Cemetery. It’s an awesome sight, especially during the holidays or Memorial Day when headstones are lined with wreaths.

Plaza De Luna. Make it a De Luna, Pier, and Pelican day! Historical markers will tell the story of Spanish Conquistador, Don Tristan De Luna and about the African Presence in Colonial Pensacola. The park is downtown at the south end of Palafox Pier. Here, you’ll watch pelicans dive for fish, see all sizes of boats and ships – including tugboats, yachts, and cargo ships, and finally, play around in the splash pad. Parking is available and the pier is within walking distance of historic downtown Pensacola where you can visit shops, galleries, and parks. Restroom facilities are next to the ice cream shop located where you exit the plaza. To add a little fun, go on a hunt for Pensacola’s Pelicans in Paradise. The fiberglass pelicans are a project by Pensacola News Journal featuring local artists. The birds stand about 5 feet tall – so they’re easy to spot! Begin your hunt on Palafox & Garden as you head south towards the pier.

 

Beach Day!

It’s true if you live in Pensacola, EVERY DAY is a beach day! Building sandcastles, riding the waves, looking for shells – a child’s imagination is all you need. Looking for a little something different? Here’s a beach day option.

  • Shell hunting down by the bay. Headed towards Ft. Pickens, park in the last parking lot(s) before the entrance. You’ll park on the sound side where you’ll look for shells. When you hit the beach, start walking towards Ft. Pickens and look for shells within five feet of shore. You may spot a King Crown, Banded Tulip, or Moon Snail. Be sure the shells are uninhabited. If a hermit crab occupies the beautiful shell, return it unless you have another “home” for it to move into.
  • When you’re finished shell hunting, cross over to the Gulf side and have a picnic. The pavilion provides plenty of tables, shade, and bathrooms.
  • Bird watching. Look for more than just seagulls. You’ll spot pelicans, and cranes, and because you’re close to Ft. Pickens, you might see some ospreys hunting for lunch

A stop for slushies at the convenience store at Quietwater Boardwalk is an inexpensive treat to end the day. If you still have a bit more energy, you can explore the shops.

Discover Why A Continental Fare Restaurants Are So Special

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, Pensacola, UWF Student Authors

Having a specialized menu that covers all sorts of cuisine is a fantastic experience.

O’Brien’s Bistro is always cultivating and creating new recipes, flavors, and experiences. Having chiefs that have worked in London for years, they have perfected their talents and have learned how to make food worldwide. From their new bar to their expert wine list, O’Brien’s has been hard at work to bring something special to the table. This energy takes their menu to all sorts of tasty and thrilling places. This exceptional taste is why they are excited to highlight their continental menu. They are ready to show you how their food dazzles.

 

What Is A Continental Menu?

A continental menu is when the food served on the menu is from different continents on the planet. One or two dishes from each continent, handcrafted to express different delicious dishes to dazzle the taste buds. There are dishes from America, Asia, Europe, etc. It also can be country-specific, with dishes showcasing specifically French, Chinese, and Italian cuisine. This gives the menu the ability to curate a better, more cosmopolitan menu. The goal is to bring more options for the customers to be able to consume staple dishes from around the globe.

 

What Does O’Brien’s Bistro Bring To The Table?

O’Brien’s has a great tapestry of options to pick from. If you start your day with brunch, there are the iconic Belgian Waffles that bring the senses to the streets of Belgium. If you want some really tasty appetizers, to begin with, the Pesto Escargot is inspired by France, and the Yellow Fin Tuna Roll coming from Japan are wonderful starting dishes. Both offer a way to bring customers across the world. For Lunch, there is the scrumptious Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich, which has vibrant Greek flavors. There is also the Chicken Piccata deriving its brilliance from Italy but served in Pensacola, Florida. And finally, for dinner, there is Caribbean Jerked Mahi Mahi and, both bringing joy from the Islands and the Southern US, respectively.

 

Why Is This So Special?

This is so wonderful because these foods bring different cultures and traditions to your taste buds and your soul. If you cannot afford to travel to Italy but want to have a taste of it, then try the Gnocchi Mac – Mushroom Sherry so that your soul and travel, even if it is just for a moment. O’Brien’s Bistro wants to bring the world to your table. They do this so that some part of you can experience the world, even if you cannot physically move across the oceans.

 

Why Getting Pest Control In The Winter Is Critical For 5 Reasons

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, UWF Student Authors

Despite popular logic, colder weather doesn’t magically remove all pests.

Jack-o-lanterns and redding leaves remind us that autumn is here, and soon lights in trees and jolly music will be all around us. The weather gets colder, and the public goes from embracing the scary to the merry, yet something else could be creeping around the corner. From spiders to rodents, many pests can cause problems if they are not cared for properly. Here are five reasons why getting pest control in the winter is very important.

 

Rodents

The cold weather brings all sorts of things inside. Yet, one that can get overlooked is that of rodents. Rodents will grow into a bigger and bigger problem when not dealt with, for they usually are not alone, and they grow in numbers quickly. If you do see a rodent, there are probably others nearby. Rodents also carry diseases that, combined with the cold weather, can be a real issue. Using pest control in the winter is a great way to solve this problem.

 

Bugs Living Inside And In The Walls

When the cool air comes, pests like to find that nice warm spot, and your home is often just the place they were looking for. The temperature outside does not affect them nearly as much if they live inside walls or behind cabinets and shelves. Unfortunately, this can grow into an infestation, which is a costly endeavor to deal with properly.

 

Attics Are Perfect For Wasps And Spiders

Attics are the perfect place for wasps and spiders to wait out the chilly air. Unfortunately, the atmosphere and lack of circulation let spiders and wasps go unnoticed and continue to grow. The growth can be a big problem when spring comes, and the weather is much more welcoming for the bugs to move around.

 

A Great Way To Check Your Home For Spring

Having a pest control specialist check your home in the winter is a fantastic way to make sure your house is pest-proof. This is because there are entry points all over the house for pests to come in. It can be through doors, windows, and weep holes where they can get into the house undetected.

 

Removing Eggs And Nests Help Prevent A Reemergence

Another great reason to get pest control in the winter is that any eggs and nests will be removed. These can grow into a more significant issue when they no longer stay dormant in the springtime. Having a proactive stance on treating your home will save you more in the long run and give you an easier time sleeping at night.

 

For this Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, treat your home and property right with proper pest control at Advanced Pest Control so that you can sleep easy at night. 

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders In Florida And What You Need To Know

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, Pensacola, UWF Student Authors

It is always good to know and review your rights when you may need help

Domestic Violence Explained

Domestic violence in Florida is defined as assault or battery including ones that are aggravated and sexaul in nature, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death, committed by a family or household member against another family or household member.

“Family or household member” refers to any of the following persons:

  • current or former spouses
  • persons related by blood or marriage
  • persons currently or formerly residing together as if a family, or
  • parents who have a child in common, regardless of whether they were at any time married.

With the exception of parents who have a child in common, the persons must currently or previously have resided together in the same single dwelling unit in order to be considered a family or household member under Florida law. (Fla. Stat. § 741.28).

What Is A Domestic Violence Restraining Order?

A Domestic Abuse Restraining Order is a form of restraining order or order of protection used under domestic abuse laws.

How To File An Order

Even if you have not been physically battered, you can still qualify for an injunction if the judge believes you are in immediate danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence. When deciding this, the judge will look at the following factors:

  1. The history between you and the respondent, including threats, harassment, stalking, and physical abuse;
  2. If the respondent has attempted to harm you or family members or individuals closely associated with you;
  3. If the respondent has threatened to conceal, kidnap, or harm your child;
  4. If the respondent has intentionally injured or killed a family pet;
  5. If the respondent has used or has threatened to use, any weapons such as guns or knives against you;
  6. If the respondent has physically restrained you from leaving the home or calling law enforcement;
  7. If the respondent has a criminal history involving violence or the threat of violence;
  8. If there was a prior order of protection issued against the respondent;
  9. If the respondent has destroyed personal property of yours (e.g., telephone, clothing, or other items belonging to you);
  10. Whether the respondent has behaved in any other way leads you to reasonably believe that you are in immediate danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence.

Why It Is Good To Know

Filling a restraining order is an excellent way to build up protection from an attacker. Tim Fleming Law Center wants to make sure all Florida residents know their rights so that if they know of an incident that occurred or was the victim of a crime, they can know what the law can do to protect them.

Solving That 24/7 Ring Problem

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, UWF Student Authors

Rings can be so special and personal… but it can be so easy to forget to take care of them. Life just simply gets in the way. The solution that so many people fall back on is that they just keep their ring on their finger 24/7, and while that seems like a good way to make sure you don’t lose that special part of you, it is a really bad idea.

Countless things you do during the day can cause undue wear and stress on your ring. It can be the sweat that builds up when going out for a nice morning run or the heat and movement that happens when you are cooking your favorite pasta recipe. That stress multiplied day after day can cause real problems. Without realizing it, a prong can crack or pull away from the stone, resulting in a loss of a precious stone. The back of a ring can get cracked and without taking it off to look you will never know it’s there until it is too late. A ring can also get worn down by all the chemicals that get stuck between your ring and your finger from all the essential hand sanitizer and hand washing we are doing. Stones can chip, and the back of the ring band can crack without you even noticing.

A lot of these problems can be avoided by following some helpful hints.

 

Remove The Ring At The Same Time Each Day

This will get you in the habit of taking off your ring so that it becomes easier not to forget about it. Getting into this habit is a great first step into giving your ring a longer life.

 

Place The Ring In The Same (safe) Place Each Day

Make sure your close family member knows where you place it. This way, you can have peace of mind that you will always know where your ring is when it is not on your finger. It’s also good to tell people you trust where it is so they know not to change its location or don’t accidentally move the box in which the ring is located.

 

Remove Your Ring When Wearing Gloves Or Exercising

Make sure you remove your ring when wearing cleaning gloves and definitely when exercising with weights. All that friction, sweat, and movement will make the ring break down faster. The same idea goes for when you wash your hands or deal with chemicals in any form. Keeping your ring away from such things is incredibly important.

 

Have The Ring Checked Twice Annually

This is usually done as a courtesy by your local independent jeweler.  Upon inspection, your jeweler will be able to detect any problem. It is also good to know that not all rings are cleaned the same way.

 

These are some great tips to get started on properly taking care of your ring.  That does not mean that it wouldn’t be hard, life just gets in the way sometimes and it is just easy to forget. Yet, by working at establishing a system of cleaning your ring, you will get to keep that ring so much longer so that your special gift can stay with you longer and shine brighter.

Giving Inherited Jewelry A 2023 Shine!

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, UWF Student Authors

Change is constant. Culture and art are always shifting and design is never static. This is why Cummings Jewelry Design has constantly been trying new ideas and new concepts throughout our years of business. We never want to stop moving forward with programs, designs, and the process that makes great pieces great. As a result, we are constantly trying to tap into ways to bring new and unique products to our customers while still including them in the process and keeping it personal to them. The best jewelry is the one with sentimental love and value.

So, over this past year, Cummings has been trying something new. We have been providing a new service for our customers. We use outdated, overused, and broken jewelry from our clients to create brand-new, stylish, and creative products that our customers can wear in today’s world. Let’s face it; sometimes, we have the challenging dilemma of giving or receiving a ring, a bracelet, or a necklace that is either falling apart or is simply too out of date. It still has that sentimental value. It’s that particular stone or engraving that means a lot to a family. To a loved one. People will continue to pass it down until it gets lost or completely broken. However, is that the best way to keep the memory and feelings alive? We do not think so. We believe that giving that piece a new life is a better and more sustainable way to keep the memories and feelings flowing for more generations.

This is why we want to work with you, to take that diamond watch that is no longer running, with a face much too small, and make gorgeous diamond bracelets! We can take that ring with that huge gemstone and create a one-of-a-kind, eye-catching pendant. There are endless possibilities to what we can do to make your jewelry shine like it once did in the past. We want to recreate that glow that a pair of earrings that become charms on a bracelet can give.

We can create multiple pieces for different family members so that everyone has a piece of family history. This can help families from having to pick a family member over another family member for inheritance. Everyone can get a piece of familiar spirit. Using this program is also great for the environment, for it lessens the waste that can build up from jewelry and keep the longevity going longer. We are reinventing the structure of your past while keeping the essence alive.

If you are unsure of just what to get, yet still want to carry the spirit of that unique piece, then there are no worries. We are idea people, and we know how to help! This is what makes this process so great! We get to work together to create the very best creation for you. We have been working in this field for 43 years, and we have the know-how and experience you are looking for. We are excited to work with you!

For more information about Cummings Jewelry Design, visit their website at https://www.cummingsjewelrydesign.com/

Exploring New Sounds And Voices At The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, Pensacola, UWF Student Authors

Writing and music from Pensacola natives merge wonderfully in this festival.

The sun is setting on the beach, the breeze is still whispering new tunes it just learned, guitars are being put in cases, and notebooks of lyrics are being closed for a mini-vacation as yesterday the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival finished up. The waves are complete with wonderful rhyme schemes, and the seagulls are humming melodies that we stick with them for years. The ten-day festival was from November 4th to the 14th and consisted of incredibly heartfelt music of many genres celebrating the power of music.

The festival is a true Flora-Bama event comprising Escambia County, Florida, Baldwin County, Alabama, and nearby areas. The festival isn’t just made to join Florida and Alabama together through music, but for anyone who wants to feel and learn the richness of musical talent that both states can create.

According to their website, “Taking place in November, the Festival provides an economic boost to all sorts of businesses in the area during a traditionally challenging time of year. Recent surveys indicated Festival attendees came from 44 states and contributed over four million dollars to local economies”. This shows not only the growth of the festival but what it’s trying to accomplish. They want to promote and bring tourism to business in the gulf coast area. Yet, the festival is even more than those great goals. The festival knows that songwriters are the unsung heroes of the music world. The songs will be known, but the writers behind them are seldom known. This festival aims to change that by giving them the stage, and bringing names like Rob Aldrige, Jim Parker, and Ella Langley to focus on them and their music.

It’s not just established songwriters, though; there is also a youth program that lets kids under 18 work to show their skills and get real stage and performance experience. The festival also prides itself on promoting music development and teaching in schools. In addition, the festival helps fund the non-profit Frank Brown International Foundation for Music. The foundation works to keep the school’s music program going and growing. They also have an outreach program where a professional songwriter with a background in education goes to classrooms to speak with students about questions and understandings of the industry as well as give an excellent performance to show the power of music.

The festival was created by a lover of music and the arts, Joe Gilchrist. Gilchrist believes in the power of music and education, even being honored for his work in both areas by different governors in the past. Gilchrist made the festival to tribute to his friend Frank Brown and give a stage to songwriters who struggle to get recognized. For Gilchrist, it’s important to remember the memory and joy of Frank Brown, who was a night watchman at the Flora~Bama restaurant for twenty-eight years, retired at the age of 91, but sadly passed at 93 in 1988. In Gilchrist’s eyes and many others, Frank is an example of good character and how to find happiness in the beats behind the lines. Brown’s soul is the soul of the festival. A time for music, laughter, nature, and good food.

There is something to be said about a great music festival. When you get together with a group of friends, listen to music that rocks your world, eat great food, and feel like you left the world for a period of time. Just look at the Twitter discourse during any music festival, and the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival is the same way. Lots of praise and excitement, but mostly it’s the feeling that a moment of specialness is happening right now. That there is this memory that is forming in front of our very eyes. Music transcends time and links us to a moment where we feel powerful emotions. Music creates deep sadness, deep joy, and all the great emotions one can feel. Yet, in a festival, these emotions and moments are just amplified. They get isolated and drawn out in a way that is hard to describe.

This is where the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival is even more unique. When you are there, you hear from the writers that they don’t get the spotlight like other singers and musicians. Instead, you are hearing someone perform their writing in all its power and meaning. It adds the link to the music that isn’t always felt. It’s unique to see someone perform as raw as they can.

If you are in the area next year and you want to be on the beach with a nice beverage in your hand and good music in your ear, or if you have a song, a voice that you want to share with others, then look into the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. It might stir something powerful in your soul.

Why Keeping A Graduate Journal Will Help You

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, Community, UWF Student Authors

There is this transformation of worldly understanding when you see the world through the eyes of others.

Somewhere in my whirling mind, I feel as if I have heard the phrase “gratitude is hard to come by”. However, after consulting my mom and google, it seems that what I thought was a phrase is not a phrase at all; the phrase is “good help is hard to come by”, which I feel that phrase and its origins can and should be cross-examined to death. Still, this part in my brain keeps coming back to gratitude being hard to come by.

The reason I feel this way is because gratitude is hard to come by. I am not focusing on those around me when I say this, although I am sure everyone feels somewhere inside of them that they would like to be thanked more for the efforts they put in on a daily level. Instead, gratitude is so hard to come by within ourselves. It’s hard to put oneself out of their own bubble. To see life in this way where we are not in the center. I mean it when I say it’s hard. It doesn’t help that the reason behind it being so hard is difficult in itself to swallow. There are different hardships that different people don’t have to face. There are people who have to deal with a more complicated life than you and I. I think that can be hard for many people to accept, especially when they themselves don’t see their life being lived in some ivory tower. Yet, even though life is not always the best, it can be good to see a little light in the dark. All of this is why I feel that everyone should write a journal for moments when they feel gratitude, a gratitude journal, if you will.

So if you do want to start a gratitude journal, then here is what I would envision it looking like, but you can do with it what you will. At the beginning of the day, I would write down something that you are thankful for. It can be shelter, a good meal last night, or that you have the ability to go surfing. This starts the day off with gratitude. From there, you can take the journal wherever you go throughout the day and if something stands out to you, write it down. Now it can be easy to go overboard and underboard with this process. You could fill an entire journal out before a day is down, or you take years to fill one out. If you are the type to go overboard, limit yourself to three to five entries a day, and if you are the type that doesn’t write a lot or struggle to see gratitude in their world, then try your best to get to three entries a day. At the end of the day, think about your favorite moment that happened. It doesn’t have to be solely based on gratitude, but if you keep doing the entries, then you might discover that your favorite moment of the day has to deal with bringing goodness to others or goodness being given to you. It can cause that shift in seeing the world outside your bubble. Also, this is not to say that you can’t have bad days, and sometimes it might be hard to be thankful for anything at all. In those moments, it’s up to you how you want to go about it, and either way is understandable, yet if you decide to keep writing about things you are grateful for, it could make your day better. This is not to say that it will, but it very much could.

I want to point out that being focused on moments of grace and gratitude doesn’t mean that you should not like change or that life’s status quo shouldn’t change just because there are things that people should operate. You can have gratitude and still advocate for change. I also want to mention that seeing life in this way can also be hard on your heart. It can be hard to step back and see where there is suffering around you. It’s hard and may even make you feel guilty. With this stated, just because something is hard on your heart does not mean it’s terrible; it opens up empathy. We most certainly need more empathy in the world. As far as feeling guilty goes, it’s not that feeling guilty is inherently good or bad, but it’s what you do with that potential guilt. Hopefully, it’s to make the world a better place because you can stand not trying.

I think the goal of such a journal is to open up to a more worldly understanding of the goodness and hardships of life. 

Keeping a gratitude journal is going to change how one may see the world, and it may give you hope for a better future. When you see moments of goodness and kindness in others, when you see families grow and change, when you feel laughter from within, you get to feel more enriched and more full. The world is this messy, shifting amalgamation of the worst and the best of humanity, and it’s easy to let nothing positive come by, but when you are trying to make a change, and you are fighting for something better, seeing good moments that you are thankful for will only make you stronger.

Picking A Cryptocurrency To Invest In, When Not Knowing Anything About Cryptocurrency

Written By Jack Hindle
Posted on
Categories: Blog Posts, UWF Student Authors

Cryptocurrency is a vast and confusing monetary system, and here’s what I learned.

Full disclosure, I am not a finance person. I have never really followed the stock market, never invested, and never truly got cryptocurrency. With this said, I want to explain what cryptocurrency I would invest in from a completely outside perspective.

The first thing is that I want to explain what cryptocurrency is and which ones are out there. My understanding of cryptocurrency is that it is a non-governmental digital currency that’s entirely made in blockchain technology. So there is no authority behind it; it’s worth is solely on the users of the currency and how much people invest in it. It exists solely online with technology that records information to make the entire system almost impossible to hack. The hype comes from the ability of the public to decide what the worth is. It can be used to buy things, but it is used primarily as a way to invest as if you were investing in Google or Netflix.

Here are some cryptocurrencies that are out there that are being labeled as some of the most interesting right now. None of these are my top three, but they all are parties of interest. First, there is Solana (SOL), which focuses on proof of stake and proof of history. It is seen by the company Bloomberg as a “potential long-term rival to Ethereum”. Right now, it’s had some reasonably good growth, but it hasn’t hit the zeitgeist yet.

Cardano (ADA) sees itself as faster than bitcoin and more secure than Ethereum, which has yet to be one-hundred percent proven, and right now, they are having an overall good year, but the past three months have been pretty low on value.

Binance Coin (BNB) is one of the largest in terms of day trading but has had many investigations and breaches in security. It has had some significant growth this year, and the last three months have been a bit of a roller coaster, but it is at a high right now.

There is Tether (USDT) which has the principle of always trying to stay on the exact value of the US dollar. It has even passed bitcoin once in 2019 on the volume of trades daily and monthly. The problem is that because it stays on the value of a dollar, it can’t exceed it.

Polkadot (DOT) has an environmentally friendly spin on the crypto world and an interconnected internet of blockchains. As a result, its market value this year has been on a good trend up.

Finally, Dogecoin (DOGE) is known as a meme created by Tesla founder Elon Musk and is incredibly volatile. The market is all over the place with Dogecoin, and it’s definitely for the risky-minded investor. This year has had tremendous highs and lows; right now, it is at a low.

 

So after some research and talking to my friend who is in the finance world. My top three choices in order from least to greatest are Shiba Inu, Bitcoin, Ethereum.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) is similar to Dogecoin for it has its roots in meme culture, and if I were to be a little riskier with my money, this is the risk I would take. The reason why is that it doesn’t have one person that can make or break it and that compared to Dogecoin, it is a much more upwards incline in value. My second is the infamous Bitcoin, for it is one of the most stable currencies in the game. It also has the best-staying power as of yet. The only reason it isn’t my number one is that it is super expensive to buy in.

So now I am at my number 1 choice, Ethereum (ETH). While it is second to Bitcoin in market capitalization, it is cheaper to buy in and still has immense staying power. Ethereum is also working in NFT’s which is making it even more profitable.

So, at this point, I have learned quite a bit more about cryptocurrency and can say that this has been a rollercoaster of an experience. There is a ton of research and essential information to understand if you want to have a completely informed opinion and the ability to make decisions on the matter. To make it all the more confusing, everything changes in a matter of moments. You have to be constantly watching the charts and markets to keep up. It is a rabbit hole where you can make suitable investments if you know what you are doing. What makes this part of the investing world even more interesting and consuming is that because of its digital roots, the amount of information just keeps going, and the ability to make a cryptocurrency is relatively easy that it is super important to know what brand is a more serious mainstay and what is a pump and dump meme.

Whatever you do, I want it to be known that I have no finance training, but I think regardless of who you are, you should only invest in things where you would be willing to lose that amount of money for good. Investing in more than what would be financially sound for you is never a good idea, yes good luck can come your way, but it may not; lots of things in life are volatile, don’t let the income that supports you be the same way.