Indy's Entry: A Poem

Five Ways to Procrastinate
By Indy Coombs

There are so many ways to procrastinate
I can hardly name them all.
So before homework starts,
How ‘bout a phone call?

What began as a “Hey, How are you?”
Has now lasted three hours.
When you say goodbye, your stomach screams
“What is there to devour?!”

So a bite to eat sounds good
Those chips and dip taste great.
And right when they’re almost gone
You realize a text message awaits!

Important conversations begin
And thumbs go clicking away.
But soon your eyelids start to droop
And a nap is needed today.

After hours of dreamless sleep
Homework must begin.
You sit in front of the computer
But Facebook will always win.

Indy's Entry: The Opryland Hotel

I love to visit the Gaylord Opryland Hotel every winter because of their amazing Christmas lights. It’s said they use over 2 million lights for the whole thing. On some trees they string lights down to the very twig. They also create a Christmas tree off of the flag pole with pretty flower lights at the bottom. It really is beautiful to see at night.

Then on the inside there are garden-like touring areas. They have ponds, waterfalls, little rivers, a fountain show, and sooooo many different plants. It really is interesting to walk through and it is enormous. You could easily spend hours there.

Well, Joey, my friend Kristi, and I went to visit the lights before they were taken down after the holidays. It was really fun sight seeing the beautiful scenery. The night was also made better by the lack of people. I think going from 10-1 at night was a great idea… everyone was sleeping!! We had the whole place to ourselves. Of course we took a million pictures and posed for some of them. We also went to a few different places to eat and get drinks, one of which had a live band that played any requests- my favorite was “Anyway You Want It” by Journey.

Other than that and the exciting escapade of getting lost and spending thirty minutes finding the car later that night… (Whoops! Remember where you park, people.) …Joey’s stay consisted of lots of house parties and super late nights along with late mornings.

Indy's Entry: Small Talk and More Essays

I figured I would give you something to read besides some of the essays I wrote for college. But don't worry, these aren't the last of them, so don't be disappointed. ;) I still have three more to write for scholarships and then I am DONE!

Besides all the boring college stuff, my job at Red Lobster is going really well. I think I have finally gotten the hang of serving on my own. Yay for the money, right?

I got out of school on Monday and was lucky enough to keep up my grades and keep down the absences to be exempt from all exams. My Christmas break will mostly be filled with work, work, work, (I'm already scheduled five days this week), and my social life, of course. So many people to see, so little time! I have my friend, Joey, coming into town from West Virginia. He will be staying for a bit during the New Year's weekend. I am so excited!! Life has been great and Christmas should be even better. I just have some last minute Christmas shopping-- Poor Gibby still needs a present... what to get for the dude?? Girls are so easy to shop for. Wish me luck dealing with the traffic jams and crazy people.

Indy's Entry: Scholarship Essay for Vanderbilt

Since we all perceive the world in a different light, when we transform our ideas and feelings onto a piece of paper, through the soft melody of a musical instrument, or written in the form of a poem or story, it becomes something others can relate to. Creativity is an important part of my life. By exploring my own creativity and studying the concepts of others, I begin to learn about the unique personalities of those I come in contact with. I have a passion for creativity, which will be reflected in my academic journey at Vanderbilt.

I thoroughly enjoy many aspects of art, whether it is appreciating another’s work or creating my own. I intend to pursue my love for painting in studio art classes, and while I may not be the next Vincent Van Gogh or Claude Monet, it will be a gratifying outlet to express my feelings and individuality. I am eager to learn about the history of art through the ages and the lives of the artists themselves.

After many years of playing guitar, I look forward to classes in songwriting and music theory; furthermore, I would be delighted to learn the basics of piano in the Blair School of Music. I have always felt that music is the closest connection to my inner self. Playing the guitar brings peace and relaxation to a stressful day. I relish the thought of creating this same atmosphere by playing “Für Elise” on the piano, for example, or transferring my ideas and personality into a song of my own.

Being an avid reader, I increase my knowledge reading books that interest me on a variety of subjects. As culture greatly influences authors and their writing, I discover history in a fascinating and enjoyable way from the author’s perspective. I also internalize moral lessons or simply become a part of another imaginative world. I have always felt that the most well rounded and intellectual people are those who have created a library in their own home. Therefore, the opportunity to become acquainted with other works of literature through various courses at Vanderbilt University is important to me academically.

Psychology is the aspired path for my academic career because I feel impelled to help others through therapy, especially children. A strong believer in the ripple effect, I know when I am a positive influence in a child’s life through therapy, I will also make a difference in other lives through that child. However, in order to do so, I must have a solid education, not only in psychology, but in a broad range of subjects. I value Vanderbilt University’s dedication to provide opportunities for academic excellence which will help me develop the knowledge and experiences that I will draw upon to seek understanding and find common ground with those I meet in my life’s journey and career.

Indy's Entry: Elon Essay

Peer pressure is one of the greatest challenges facing my generation. Whether it is due to media examples or those within a circle of friends, teenagers are conforming to certain expectations at a faster rate every year. I understand through my own experiences the difficulty of adhering to personal morals in the face of peer pressure.

Media examples are extremely influential to a person seeking a role model. However, if teenagers pick the wrong ideal to look up to, the expectations set before them can be life altering. For instance, many girls develop eating disorders to resemble celebrities. Media images cause females to generate within themselves a distorted body image where every bump or bulge is disgusting and ugly. To combat their insecurity, young women can go to extremes. I have personally seen a girl at my school reach a startling stage of starving herself, to the point of becoming literally skin and bones. Eating disorders become a life long battle in many cases, even if they are treated. In another situation, the media pressures young adults to rush into sexual activity. Scenarios glamorizing intimacy in movies and television shows cause teenagers to feel left out or abnormal for not participating in sexual activity. By constantly showing examples of skinny, beautiful people and movie scenes of sexual activity, teenagers feel pressured to look and act in the same manner.

While peer pressure can come from a role model teenagers do not even know, it often develops within their circle of friends. Because teenagers tend to value their self worth based on acceptance, feeling different from those around them can cause a change in their actions. An obvious example is those who begin to smoke to fit in with a group of friends. At my job, I witnessed a girl turn on her own values to adapt to her new friends’ standards. She began to smoke in order to take smoking breaks with them and feel part of the social scene. Since many teenagers do not have the ability to stand up for themselves and go against the crowd, they can be easily pressured by their peers to conform.

I am working to meet that challenge by helping others in my generation understand that they are worthy of peers who respect them by being a good example of a friend who has their best interest at heart. As for myself, I choose to be surrounded by those who understand and accept my values as part of my friendship. I want to be unlike the majority of my generation and withstand peer pressure, being an example that reinforces the ability to be accepted while maintaining personal morals.

Indy's Entry: Essay Numero Uno

This essay details my work experience and highlights the values that come with having a part time job.


For the past two years I have worked part-time, which has provided me with many opportunities to strengthen valuable skills that I plan to further build upon in my college career. This aptitude, combined with a confident, outgoing personality, will assuredly enhance the educational experience of the freshman class at Auburn.

I am a worthy candidate for admission; academic achievements notwithstanding, I have fostered character traits vital to success. While athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities were beneficial, the skills I attained, which will serve Auburn’s freshman class best, were achieved in the workplace. There, I discovered the worth of hard work, responsibility and discipline.

Working in an environment where I was accountable for all my actions, responsibility was essential. I learned how to manage my time, work quickly, and finish tasks precisely. I became known for arriving promptly and cheerfully performing what was expected of me, and more, without being asked to do so. Furthermore, seeing the difficulty a manager faces in setting up work schedules helped me to recognize the importance of dependability. I developed self-discipline to become a person who could be counted on whether it was convenient or not. Training new employees and providing excellent customer service showed me that patience is another form of self-discipline. When frustrations arose due to circumstances beyond my control, I realized positive outcomes were reached when I showed consideration and responded with empathy, while recognizing the importance of resolving the predicament.

In gaining responsibility and discipline to be a valued employee, I matured into a young adult. Colleagues older than I became my peers and were examples of professional conduct. Being employed allowed me to partially support myself and save for college.

My path to Auburn University has prepared me to work hard and utilize skills strengthened through employment. I have no doubt I will handle a heavy course load with ease and a positive attitude. I have a drive to succeed; the responsibility and discipline to achieve my goals. As part of the freshman class at Auburn, I will be an exemplary student who will gladly share what I have learned with others and lead by example.

Indy's Entry: Skydiving Essay

So for those of you who aren't sick of skydiving stuff...
you've seen the videos, you've seen the pictures, and now you can see the ESSAY.

Dad wants me to post it. I've sent it to Auburn and Vanderbilt. Wish me luck!

A turning point in a person’s life can be a process over time or one short moment that changes everything. After that metamorphosis occurs, a profound shift of perspective follows, reshaping the individual. The journey and challenges of life are forever altered. My turning point took approximately five minutes; I went skydiving.

I have dreamed of skydiving since I was about eight years old. To see the world from above, to feel the exhilaration of jumping out of a plane, and to return to earth by parachute seemed like one of the biggest challenges a person could undertake, but also one of the most rewarding. I was right.

I went on a Saturday in October, just three days after my eighteenth birthday, to Skydive the Farm. With time to kill I met many future friends, two of which were DZ Chad and Big Steve. They agreed to accompany me on my first jump as videographer and tandem jumping partner. We were the perfect trio; I, the excited risk taker, Big Steve, the man willing to do aerial back flips out of the plane, and DZ Chad, a fantastic cameraman.

Our turn finally came near dusk, which according to the veterans, is the best time to skydive because of the beauty of the sunset and optimum winds. Big Steve instructed me about skydive body positioning before it was time to leave and all three of us gathered together. With my excitement rising, we took off in a small plane packed with about twenty-five other ecstatic people, ready for their own adrenaline filled moment. After flying to 14,000 feet, it was time to prove myself.

Big Steve and I prepared to be the first team out of the plane. The gate opened up and a chilly forty degree wind rushed in. As I looked out, I realized I was eye level with the horizon. The wind whipped across my face and through my hair. I keenly felt the energy of being alive. I knelt in front of the opening with Big Steve as DZ Chad hung onto the side of the plane. I looked over at DZ Chad and gave him a nervous smile. Up until that point, I had no fear of skydiving, but looking out at the expanse below, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of fear. I crossed my hands across my chest and lifted my head up. I gazed upon the beautiful terrain of Georgia nearly two and a half miles below me. As Big Steve counted to three, I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and let go of all my fears; it was at that moment we jumped into the air.

The view was surreal. I was watching the earth spin before my eyes, the land and sunset trading places. Once we reached free fall at 120 miles per hour, I lifted out my hands in fists and screamed for joy. I felt invincible and strengthened. Every part of my being was invigorated, and looking below me, I felt as if I owned the world. The sight of the moon rising in the east and the sun setting in the west was almost magical. The rippling textures of the green rolling hills and the grassy landing zone beckoned us to return. We pulled the parachute cord and floated our way down to earth, greeted by the cheerful reds and yellows of fall trees. I was part of a panorama that was both beautiful and empowering.

Skydiving taught me that I can accomplish anything, no matter how frightening it seems. I learned to be unwavering in my decisions with confidence in myself and my capabilities. I will reach out with this same boldness to achieve my academic goals while placing my eyes on the horizon of what is yet to come. As I leap into the fulfillment of my dreams, I know the journey is as rewarding as the destination.