Karaoke is a versatile form of entertainment suitable for people of all ages, from kids to seniors. It provides a platform for everyone to participate and enjoy the fun.

The word “karaoke” originated from a Japanese word meaning empty orchestra or empty choir and the karaoke machine was independently invented in Japan in 1971 by Daisuke Inoue (Businessman and Night Club Musician). Karaoke is THE perfect bonding activity for me and others who enjoy a creative way to express oneself and ultimately just bond with your favorite people, by creating healthy,…

I've been back on campus for a week now, and I feel like there are so many amazing things to look forward to this semester. Prior to this week I had a lot of apprehension about returning. I was trying to pin point the main reasons why I was so hesitant about coming back to school and although there are multiple reasons, I think the main one is that I honestly felt like God was not finished with what he was doing with me this summer. I had this fear that I'd be coming back to school unfinished and that scared the bejesus out of me! The time had come and although I told myself I was not ready to be back, there was nothing I could do about it. Here I am, entering my last semester of college, and I'm afraid there's no turning back.

This week, we've been doing leadership training and I think this was crucial to my change of heart in my attitude towards coming back. Now, coming into this I didn't know what to expect. In the three years I've been here at Nyack, I haven't pushed myself to take leadership positions around campus even though I was asked to. I'm realizing my problem here wasn't that I felt incapable. It was that I fear commitment. What if I hate it half way through? What if I don't connect with others well? What if I fail!? After hearing a little from everyone at our first group meeting, I realized that I'm not alone in this. We're all putting ourselves out there. Being vulnerable with others. Setting standards. Being real. It's a challenge, no doubt but with a supportive team it's so much easier to leave those fears aside and be an incredible leader.

Going into training, I didn't expect to be changed, but I learned so much about myself specifically on our hike. I didn't really know how to feel about it at first because I wasn't really familiar with my group. I didn't even know everyones names! I was definitely not excited about the whole thing, because I was taken out of my comfort zone. I wasn't around anyone I really knew. So the hike went like this..:

Two people were blindfolded, two were not allowed to speak, two "unconscious", two unable to use an arm, and two unable to use a leg. We had to get from the starting point to a bridge and if someone messed up, the entire team had to start from the beginning. I hoped I couldn't use my arm, and it just so happened that that was my ailment. I hoped for the easy one and I got it. I was pleased. So, since I'm not terribly strong and had one arm, I couldn't do heavy lifting, so I decided to lead the blind people. I talked them through it and let them know when rocks, roots, and branches would be in the way. My job was to ensure they didn't fall on their face. Half way through, Pastor Kelvin (our overseer) switched some of our roles. I was now taped at the mouth and unable to speak. I was wondering, how on earth I was supposed to lead the blind now!? I managed to do it while still having the girls I was leading maintain a trust in me that I wouldn't lead them to their demise [or a just less dramatic fall]. Towards the end I was switched back to not being able to use an arm, and I started to lead a new set of blind people. I had to assure THEM now that I wouldn't lead them to fall. And then we happily reached the end!!!

So what did I learn about my self?

#1. You can't lead with something you don't have: It's something you have to be honest with yourself about. Let's be real, I couldn't life the unconscious person with one arm.

#2. I kind of like to lead: I think I'm more of a natural leader than I thought. Thinking back on group projects with classes or anything, I tend to just assume the leadership role, and I felt like I did that with the group.

#3. I shouldn't shut myself out: When I was told I couldn't speak, my role changed. I wasn't "naturally" leading the entire group anymore. I was just leading the blind now. I think I was pretty effective, but when I was allowed to speak again, I didn't. I behaved like a mute. I didn't assume the leadership role anymore. So It made me wonder: "Do I have a fear of putting myself out there again when I have been figuratively muted?"

#4. It is IMPORTANT to understand your team's fears and anxieties: Let's be real. If I were the blind person, I would not make it easy for someone to lead me. As I lead my blinded teammates, I had to be sure that I comforted them. That I built a relationship of trust because there weren't going to trust me right away. I had to understand their fears and really care that those fears existed. When I built that trust with the girls, Kelvin gave me two guys to lead and I had to build up trust with them from the start. It wasn't until i understood their fears that I was able to lead them better.