plz learn how 2 write an e-mail

Dear Uninformed E-mail Writers,

I hope you will learn some things despite the increasing rates of text messaging. According to cellsigns.com, as of June 2008, over 75 billion texts are sent every month. That is such a huge number! I admit, I contribute to that number. But, I have not let text messaging language take over my ability to effectively communicate.

Not naming names, I received an e-mail from a freshman requesting help. Within the e-mail, there was random capitalization and punctuation was out of the question. Even though it pains me, I could overlook those two errors. However, when she included text messaging shorthand, I was devastated. Sure, I am a fellow student so it may not be as pertinent she write properly- but why get into that habit? We covered proper e-mail etiquette in freshman seminar and text messaging shorthand was not on the list of things to be sure to include.

This website offers tips regarding use of proper e-mail etiquette. Please read them, I promise you will benefit from what it has to say and come off just a little more competent.

Sincerely,
Concerned Peer Adviser/Fellow Student

Meet Charlie!

In November 2005, I was a junior in high school and we had to face the hard reality of putting our dog Max down. He was fifteen years old and it was the saddest day of my life. My parents brought the runt of a sheltie-mix litter home after I was a year old and before my younger siblings were born. He was my buddy and is very much missed.

After the grieving process lessened, I started begging my parents to get a new puppy. However, none of us were home often enough to take care of a puppy. Then, in May, my mom and brother watched a friend's dog while she was on vacation. Their dog, Maddie, was a terrier mix. My mom has always wanted a lap dog while my dad and I have always wanted a Newfoundland.

After watching Maddie for the weekend, talks of getting mom a lap dog. The following Tuesday, I was running errands in preparation for my brother's graduation party. I stopped by a pet store "just to look" and found this tiny puppy. He was the smallest in the store and THE ONE that stood out to me. I spend a couple hours at the store calling/texting/begging my parents to cave and let me bring this little darling home. THEY SAID NO.

The next afternoon, my dad called me at home and said that Mom wanted to go see this puppy. My sister and I met her there and as soon as they saw him, they said we had to take him home. It was over, he had melted their hearts. We finally got home around 8 p.m. with our new puppy and supplies in tow. Dad and Tyler instantly fell in love with this tiny smush of a puppy. He was only 1.6 lbs!

After a couple hours of discussion, we landed on the name Charlie Brown. Partially because our family loves Peanuts and partially because my brother just played Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown- his senior year musical.

Charlie is a Yorkshire terrier. He's quite the handful and always keeps us on our feet.

At his last vet visit, he was 2.15 lbs. We don't expect him to get much more than 3 lbs. Here he's playing with one of his favorite toys (look at all the bite marks already!).

Charlie does enjoy a good nap. More and more he wants to nap in his bed but on occasion, he will conk out in your arms. When he does, he likes to be held like a baby or on lay on your shoulder like a parrot.

Charlie also likes to chew on socks...especially mine.

More to come as we traverse this new life with having a dog in the house again.

Wanted: Prayers

My daddy is in the hospital... and it's rough seeing him like this. My mom and I are more comfortable in the hospital than he is. Not too many answers just yet just a lot of antibiotics and pain medicine until he can get well enough to start talking about surgery options. Please pray for him.