..Tam.Odom.. » Friends

Take a Photo Tuesday

tamodom — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:45:34 +0000

Even though these we not taken on Tuesday I felt they were worthy of posting today! It has been around 3 years since I have seen my old roommate Jenn and about 6 months since I had seen my old friend Tiff. They both graduated from CSU and played Softball here while attending. I got a chance during their reunion to catch up and have lunch with them. So thankful to call them friends and know them from so long ago!

Merry Christmas friends!

Sam & Fred Engagement Photoshoot

tamodom — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:31:01 +0000

I got the privilege to shoot engagement pictures for my friends Sam and Fred. They have been dating for a long time and I’ve watched their relationship over the years. I am excited to also be able to shoot their wedding in May 2012. Hope you enjoy!

Fan Day Friday

tamodom — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:56:56 +0000

I know some people get so involved in supporting teams and become hard core fans of sports as if they are best friends with the players and coaches. They act like they know every thing going on in each of their lives and how the team is ran play by play. I find myself getting a little annoyed by people like that. Now, I realize that Charleston Southern University is not a major University and probably not on the radar for many in the United States. I also am the first to say that we do not have the largest fan base even for the surrounding area and directly related individuals who are affiliated with CSU. But I think one of the coolest things is knowing the players personally!

So recently I became “friend official” with one of the star athletes at CSU. Kelvin Martin is a senior on the Men’s Basketball team at CSU. Kelvin, aka K-Mart, has always been one of my followers on Twitter and Facebook, but not until recently had we actually known each other outside of Social Networking. Below is a picture of us together…

Since that night it has made watching the game more interesting and meaningful. He knows I am there to support and be proud of him and I know that he recognizes when I am there. To me it just makes the game more appealing and eternal to know I have invested in a worthwhile relationship that the Lord might one day use to draw him closer to the Lord. Check out his profile here.

Keep up with the CSU Men’s Basketball team!

Thanksgiving Break

tamodom — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:11:53 +0000

Going home is some times a task for me because you never know when you gather so many family members together what kind of “flavor” you will get. I was excited to go home this time because I had not seen my family in a couple of months and since the previous visit I had lost around 30 lbs and gone down three sizes in jeans. So that was a wonderful and exciting feat for me to meet my first check-in goal on October 31st of 30 lbs.

FAMILY TIME

Thankfully we did not have ALL of the family over for dinner so it was nice and enjoyable without people having to be crowded or walking on egg shells. I showed a lot of self control at the dinner table which was quite rewarding. It is always exciting to see my niece and nephews (my how they grow so quickly)!

After running around on Thanksgiving night at the Black Friday madness with my mom and brother…and then again with my Granny, Aunt and Cousin…I got to have breakfast with my really good friend Sam. Exciting news for her – she got engaged! Exciting news for me – I get to shoot her wedding!

NEW LOVES

I got back to Charleston on Saturday and had time to hang out with Lynette and the family. We had a blast playing Apples to Apples as a family and talking. That was a hoot to see everyone getting into the game. I must say they do not particularly play with similar humor as myself.

I just got back from picking up Baby Ash from the airport from her break. We went to the Outlets and walked around then had lunch and FROZEN YOGURT. Did I tell you that I have found a new addiction?? Yes – I have found a new love of my life. It was nice to sit and talk with her about life and her visit home. I am so thankful to have someone that I can just sit and talk to without having to have an agenda for our time spent together. I think it would be a good visit if we were just together without even speaking. That to me is a great kind of friendship because it isn’t based off of all the give and take.

TRADITION

Ash and I did talk about how it did not feel like Thanksgiving. I always refrain talking about that with students (especially freshmen) because I do not want to kill the spirit of the holiday season. I know for me when I came to college all of the “family traditions” almost went completely obsolete. What traditions I cared to continue having are kept alive because I initiate them. I am a create of extreme habit so traditions are a positive in my life because it is something you can expect to happen every time therefore creating habit! What are some of your “family traditions” at this time of the year (i.e.: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years)? For me, I am a huge fan of Christmas so we always have put up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I enjoy it so much that I don’t mind putting them up even before Thanksgiving because it gives me longer to look at them. I also travel some during this season so it cuts back on my time to enjoy them at my apartment. I put mine up the week before Thanksgiving and then put my Granny’s up while home for Thanksgiving. Why do you think traditions “change?” What do you believe that traditions are important?

Hoping to spend some time reflecting on things and sharing fun things I find during the Holiday season. JOY to the World!!

Birthday Celebrations [are the best]

tamodom — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:07:22 +0000

What a weekend of great times, food and cake! Thanks to my mom and second mom, Glo for coming down to visit me. Thanks to my adopted family for celebrating with me after church on Sunday. Thanks to my church friends for the surprise birthday party/bachelorette finale party! Man what a good time!

Free on Friday

tamodom — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:32:56 +0000

So this past Friday I took the afternoon off. I randomly thought, ”I want to walk the bridge!” So I text Kadie and we went to CONQUER the bridge! It was not a bad walk and its pretty cool to be up there looking out across the Charleston Harbor. One of the old radio personalities that was on 95sx’s 2 Girls and a Guy radio show use to always talk about how she LOVED the bridge! As a Charlestonian I felt like I should walk it at least once. I would have to say that it will become a frequent activity in my life. This is something FREE for everyone to take advantage of…a FREE chance to walk on the infamous bridge and get some exercise.

And you know me, I took pictures along the way!

Starting up the Bridge…

And the hike begins…

The Bridge

Looking over the Harbor…

The first turn…

One of my favorite graffiti postings…

On the way back…

MADE IT!!! Whew…

Wish List Wednesday

tamodom — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:18:07 +0000

As I walked around downtown Chicago with Ashley and Kayla on Wednesday we walked quite a few blocks and enjoyed some sites along the way. I think I have decided that the more I am able to financially afford it the more I am going to take advantage of visiting places around the USA. Being in a college I have a huge advantage of meeting people from all over the USA and therefore have a built-in personal tour guide where ever I decide I would like to travel. Some of the places I shall place on my wish list for this Wednesday’s post would be New York/Manhattan area, California, New Orleans, and New Mexico. So who is up for doing some traveling?

Talk Back Tuesday

tamodom — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:37:51 +0000

Do you ever get in one of those valleys where you don’t really want to come out of it because you like the pity party, but you know after a while that will get old and then you’re scared you really won’t be able to bounce back then? Or is this just me? What do you do to guard yourself from getting in to this rut? How do you find the faith to trust that the Lord is still faithful and has your best interest in hand? Who do you turn to to encourage you and challenge you through these valleys?

For me, I am thankful for my mentor, Lynette, because she shares truth in love. She always seems to know when to let me walk through it for a little bit of time before pulling my head above the water line to see some clarity. I know for me I can easily be dictated by the circumstances happening at the time. I try to figure out the trend and let others know so they can push me away from the circumstances where I will not fall in to that trap. I can think of two instances when that becomes the case…one of them which is happening right now…when everyone leaves for the summer (or for good because they are graduating). At this point I have gotten use to certain people being around and a routine…then it just changes. NOTHING LIKE THE SUMMER! I love summer break ….once I get over everyone leaving for 3 months. The other one is being around friends who are dating and I am not so I have a constant reminder in my face that I am lonely. That is a tough one to swallow AND to say out loud. I am thankful for friends who are willing to walk through that valley with me though.

This is why I think it is CRUCIAL that you would find friends/mentors who will hold you hand and help you believe that the Lord’s plan is perfect and promising. Hang on to that one!

What do you do? What do you think? Talk back!

Top Ten Thursday

tamodom — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 05:22:29 +0000

This week’s Top Ten Thursday is going to be dedicated to some of my top ten twitter friends…

10. @csuelevate

9. @cflemmingrun

8. @aliii_lew

7. @Nicole_Bromley

6. @pastor_tank

5. @kt_25

4. @soupcan15

3. @waziKbabee

2. @taraleighcobble

1. @csusports

Who would you say you read their tweets even if it takes you a few minutes to scroll back through their tweets for the last 24 hours. Love #superstar tweeters!

Top Ten Thursday

tamodom — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:58:09 +0000

So I am a few hours short of making this top ten blog post on Thursday, AND i am a few items short of making it a top ten! But I decided I would let you share ten words that describe me! I appreciate these words because they served as not only definition of who I am, but they encouraged me to know how you view me!

Feisty (Melodie)

My response: Lately my work-studies feel as though I have been a little feisty. I think it might be the real me coming out. So I say, bring it! Mel- I got some sassy pants from Bree if you need to try some on.

Dependable (Solmaz)

My response: I strive to be someone that people can depend on so to know that you view me this way is encouraging. I think this was instilled in me through my Granny. She always told me to commit and give 100% until it was finished so I took that with me. I think watching mothers like you teaches me even more about being a dependable person.

Leader (Jessie)

My response: To be honest, this is one of those I battle with. I am not always confident that I am a good leader. But the fact that you see that quality in me definitely spurs me on to be intentional with developing myself into a better leader. I hope to learn from you too Jessie!

Spiritual (Mrs. Peggy)

My response: I have definitely grown in my walk with the Lord in the last couple of years. I know that through doing Women’s Ministry and specifically with the female athletes I have been molded and shaped in my beliefs and been more comfortable in sharing my faith with others. I appreciate you for sharing Mrs. Peggy.

Organized (Clark)

My response: Thank goodness the Lord gave me the gift of administration and I get to use it daily in my job. I believe that this is probably one of those strengths that I can confidently bring to the table on whatever team I am on. I hope to become better at it every year as we plan our strategies and events to reach our campus. Thank you Clark for trusting me with this task.

Supportive (Mrs. Traci)

My response: I’ve been blessed beyond words and it would take days to tell you the stories of how my heart to support those around me has been support to me! I find joy and contentment through going to games and spending time with people. I know without doubt that the Lord used my photography skills to impact lives in a more eternal way. I am just thankful for people like you who support me and love me unconditionally!

Tamfastic (aka a good friend) (Michael)

My response: You have to be a good friend to have a good friend. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really good friends who support me and love me and encourage me. Even thinking back to the one who gave me the nickname, Tamfastic, was someone who exemplified being a good friend. I am always learning how to be a good friend!

Talented (Nae)

My response: To God be the Glory… I am surprised that the Lord has not taken away some of the talents/skills that He gave to me because I have not always been obedient to use them (especially for His glory). I have found that in order to be a good steward of what the Lord has given me that I must use my talents to bless other people because I don’t always have the money to do so. The times I have been faithful to use my talents are usually because I have friends like you, Nae, who push me to do it!

Thanks for all of your feedback! I am blessed!