I haven't posted in awhile... it's been hard because I haven't felt like myself. I LOVED being home for winter break and it's been hard getting back into a routine. I didn't want to post and sound unhappy but that is kinda the truth. I am still so grateful for the opportunity to be at JMU and now at Blue Ridge Community College where I am doing my practicum. And yes, I am learning lots! However, the newness has worn off and I feel like I could be challenged more at work. Maybe I'm homesick. Maybe I need a new purpose. - that is my theory for the blues anyway. My mom is convinced that it is wintry cold, dark, dreary weather. It's hard to believe that when two days this week every outdoor picnic table was full at lunch time because it was 60 and sunny!
Regardless of the reason, I haven't been myself and it makes me sad. Being the problem solver that I am I am going to try to fix this mess I'm in. I'm going to get out of my slump by finding one positive thing everyday and holding onto it. YAY!! Fake it til you make it, right?!
So here it goes - starting my New Year's Resolution a little late but in my efforts to have "one positive a day keep the grad school blues away" I'll begin with number one.
1. Today I met with one of my academic mentee's for the first time. (I'm in a program that mentors student who didn't perform very high in their first semester. The mentee's volunteer to participate.) Anyway, she seems really into it and wants to try really hard to do better. We got along great! I think after this semester I might have a new friend too. My other two mentees are male and I haven't met with them yet but today's Friday lunch meeting with my mentee was awesome!
More to come - I heard this blog was being underutilized so get ready... some utilization is about to occur!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
That awkward time between Thanksgiving and Christmas
That is where I am right now, awkward time, crunch time, whatever, it's happening to me. I had an absolutely wonderful time at home for my week long Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful in the fact that it was normal which at the same time is a problem because I feel like I am boring my blog readers! Anyway, so what if boring makes me happy - this is Thanksgiving break in a nutshell: relaxing at home, reading a book, having David's parents over for dinner with my fam, random night out at Rio Grande, spontaneous trip to Jungle Jim's, touring NKU with my Uncle Anthony, Twilight movie and Bar Louie with Hannah and Maria, Thanksgiving at my house, playing/loving/cuddling with my baby girls, shopping with my aunts and mom, sushi night with the family, partying at Jason's, date night with David... lots of my favorite things all in one week!!
Now back at JMU I have two weeks of classes and then a week of final exams. I'm feeling pretty confident that the end of the semester will end smoothly. My cohort is having a good bye holiday dinner the week before finals. I'm looking forward to it! We all have gotten so busy that I'm glad we plan things to keep in touch and help us feel like we have social lives!
As some of you may know, or remember from a previous post, I have a big problem with my itchy skin! It landed me in Urgent Care with an infection! Soon after finishing the medications I was prescribed it came back worse than ever, on my arms, chest, and face too! I was able to squeeze into the visiting physician's assistant (who focuses in dermatology) at JMU's health clinic and she gave me lots of home remedies and more medication. It cleared up for awhile but didn't go away like she said it would. So frustrating! Luckily, I had an appointment over Thanksgiving break with my dermatologist at home. She was all ready for me and had a plan of action! Then she found out that I wouldn't be in town after that week and she advised I see someone in VA who can do closer follow up. So frustrating!!
This really brings me to the point of my story though. I visited the dermatologist we very luckily got an appointment with in Wayneboro, VA today. She was slightly scatterbrained but she got right to it! She looked at my skin and started taking samples for testing. She thinks I have something with inflamed hair follicles and eczema. The eczema makes me itch which irritates the follicles and causes all the markings and infections and creates a cycle. However, to be sure and follow what my doctor at home wanted they took a biopsy and removed a sample of my skin for testing. They numbed my leg so I didn't feel anything but in that moment, lying on my stomach in a paper robe in a tiny room with strangers touching me, all I could do was pray. Pray that they found what has been bothering me for over a year now. Pray that they knew what they were doing. Pray that I could be brave. Pray for others who don't have the opportunity to take action.
After they were finished stitching me up (I go back in two weeks to get the stitches removed and learn the test results.) and left me alone to get dressed again I stood there for a few minutes. It was like I hit a wall. I, in my socks, underwear, and now torn and bloody paper robe, am working on my Master's degree while living on my own in Virginia. I am an adult. How did this happen? How did I grow up and learn how to do things like stay calm and ask the right questions when someone was taking a "punch" out of my thigh? Why do I have to do this alone? Why can't my mom be here this time too? It was like I was feeling a sense of pride (for going through all of this - biopsy, moving, grad school) and fear (for knowing I'm capable and have to take care of myself). It was so weird. I need some more time to think about it all maybe but it just feels surreal.
All in all, I hope we get some answers from these tests but until then I have two new medications to try! The women at the Kroger Pharmacy sure are getting tired of seeing me! Another note of interest for all you followers - I now get "no signal" every time I turn on my TV. You know my love of Comcast - how could such a well organized company mess up something like ohh you know, their service!!??? (Can you hear the sarcasm?!) I am getting other things accomplished such as blogging so I can't complain too much but you can bet as soon as I call them they won't hear the end of it!!
Now back at JMU I have two weeks of classes and then a week of final exams. I'm feeling pretty confident that the end of the semester will end smoothly. My cohort is having a good bye holiday dinner the week before finals. I'm looking forward to it! We all have gotten so busy that I'm glad we plan things to keep in touch and help us feel like we have social lives!
As some of you may know, or remember from a previous post, I have a big problem with my itchy skin! It landed me in Urgent Care with an infection! Soon after finishing the medications I was prescribed it came back worse than ever, on my arms, chest, and face too! I was able to squeeze into the visiting physician's assistant (who focuses in dermatology) at JMU's health clinic and she gave me lots of home remedies and more medication. It cleared up for awhile but didn't go away like she said it would. So frustrating! Luckily, I had an appointment over Thanksgiving break with my dermatologist at home. She was all ready for me and had a plan of action! Then she found out that I wouldn't be in town after that week and she advised I see someone in VA who can do closer follow up. So frustrating!!
This really brings me to the point of my story though. I visited the dermatologist we very luckily got an appointment with in Wayneboro, VA today. She was slightly scatterbrained but she got right to it! She looked at my skin and started taking samples for testing. She thinks I have something with inflamed hair follicles and eczema. The eczema makes me itch which irritates the follicles and causes all the markings and infections and creates a cycle. However, to be sure and follow what my doctor at home wanted they took a biopsy and removed a sample of my skin for testing. They numbed my leg so I didn't feel anything but in that moment, lying on my stomach in a paper robe in a tiny room with strangers touching me, all I could do was pray. Pray that they found what has been bothering me for over a year now. Pray that they knew what they were doing. Pray that I could be brave. Pray for others who don't have the opportunity to take action.
After they were finished stitching me up (I go back in two weeks to get the stitches removed and learn the test results.) and left me alone to get dressed again I stood there for a few minutes. It was like I hit a wall. I, in my socks, underwear, and now torn and bloody paper robe, am working on my Master's degree while living on my own in Virginia. I am an adult. How did this happen? How did I grow up and learn how to do things like stay calm and ask the right questions when someone was taking a "punch" out of my thigh? Why do I have to do this alone? Why can't my mom be here this time too? It was like I was feeling a sense of pride (for going through all of this - biopsy, moving, grad school) and fear (for knowing I'm capable and have to take care of myself). It was so weird. I need some more time to think about it all maybe but it just feels surreal.
All in all, I hope we get some answers from these tests but until then I have two new medications to try! The women at the Kroger Pharmacy sure are getting tired of seeing me! Another note of interest for all you followers - I now get "no signal" every time I turn on my TV. You know my love of Comcast - how could such a well organized company mess up something like ohh you know, their service!!??? (Can you hear the sarcasm?!) I am getting other things accomplished such as blogging so I can't complain too much but you can bet as soon as I call them they won't hear the end of it!!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Where, oh where, has the time gone?!
I can't believe that I only blogged once in October! I am so ashamed! One of my goals of when I moved out on my own was to spend more time on myself and blogging has been a really good way for me to reflect and relax. The fact that I haven't done so since October should tell you something - I have been so busy, not lazy!, very busy!
I guess I'll throw out a few of the most important things that happened but I'll try to keep this brief. I know my mom doesn't like to take too much time reading an extra long blog!
Since mid-October my students have been giving presentations on mental health issues. As part of my assistantship I have to attend every program that they put on. Most of my evenings are spent listening about various topics, many times, the same topic over and over. However, before participants show up and after they leave I get to have some one on one time with my students and I really enjoy that. I hope I am able to keep in touch with them after they are done with their internship because I can see us being friends later! One girl helped me with a special project and let me video tape her while she answered questions about our jobs. I wish I could post them because she did so well but she would not be very happy with that!! Last weekend I also took my students on a cultural immersion day long field trip. It was very cool and I think they were challenged to think in new ways!
I was also lucky enough to be able to attend the Association of College Unions International Conference that was held at UNC Charlotte. This conference is for people that work in Student Unions, like I did in undergrad. I don't work in a Union now but I am still interested in that area. Most importantly though my friends from NKU would be at this conference!! I was able to drive down with JMU folks and then stayed in a hotel room with Sarah, the Director of the Union at NKU, and Leah, my old roommate and the Reservations Coordinator at NKU. It was so much fun! I loved spending having a little piece of home with me and am very excited for NKU to be hosting the conference next year. We were able to learn, talk, laugh, craft, share, eat, sleep together! Lots of it was just like when Leah and I lived together! One night Sarah popped a leftover Subway chocolate chip cookie into the microwave and we split it three ways and then I popped a bag of popcorn (which was given to me by coffee guy downstairs) so we could get a sweet and salty fix. It was so nice being with them. And it was good to get back to my Student Union roots! I planned on featuring a whole blog about my trip with them so I hope they are satisfied with this little condensed version!
David, David, David! He has seriously been the best long distance boyfriend I could have ever dreamed of. One night we planned a Skype date to watch "Going the Distance" together, a movie about long distance relationships. During the day he had flowers delivered to me at work! I was so surprised!! We had an awesome weekend together the last weekend of October. He came to visit me in Hburg just in time for a snow storm! We got about 6 inches of snow! This ruined our plans to go hiking so we bought pumpkins at the Farmer's Market (for $2 a piece!), cooked chili, watched scary movies (and sports), carved our pumpkins, baked apple crisp, and drank apple cider. We also went shopping at an old fashioned Amish market, had a couple nice meals out, and went to church. Time of course flew by and left me alone on Halloween with lots of candy and no trick-or-treaters! Good thing I bought candy I enjoy :) I am a very lucky girl though and David is coming back to Harrisonburg this weekend! Jason (one of our best friends) is coming too! It will be his first time seeing the place, besides my Skype tour. We are planning on going to the JMU football game on Saturday, the last home game of the year. I'm also looking forward to being able to show Jason my apartment, campus, and downtown.
Last week I had a really crazy week. It was mid-term time and I sure felt it! My theory course assigned 8 questions (which had half a dozen other questions in each questions). On the exam day we walked in and were randomly assigned a small group. We were then given one question to work on and one hour to create a 20 minute presentation and be prepared to answer a 10 minute question session from our professors. Talk about stressful!! My cohort had a couple of group study sessions and were very prepared! I think we all did well but it still wasn't fun! The next day I had to give another presentation in my Student Services class. This one was on Fraternity and Sorority Life. I was lucky to have tow fantastic NKU alums help me with that. Lastly, my American Higher Ed class had a research paper due on Monday this week. I think I am finally caught up!
A few other things happened in this time frame that I will try to mention quickly. First, I was officially assigned as the practicum student for Blue Ridge Community College. This means next semester I will be working there for 10 hours a week. I am super excited!! Second, I visited the JMU Health Center to meet with the dermatologist who is in the office every other Tuesday. You see, after finished my prescriptions from urget care my "rash" came back all over my body, not just on my legs! It was very itchy and irritating! She diagnosed me with a skin disorder and gave me a steriod cream and many other at home remedies I could try. I'm still in that process and will be seeing a dermatologist for follow up at home over Thanksgiving break. Third, my friends from Georgia, Maggie and Craig, had the entire cohort plus significant others over to their apartment for a low country boil! We ate sausage, potatoes, shrimp, and corn off of newspapers, enjoyed corn bread on the side, drank homemade sweet tea, and ended the night with peach cobbler. It was delicious and so much fun to have everyone together! My friend Kristin, from New Jersey, is thinking about doing an Italian night. I really hope she does!
I have a week long Thanksgiving break and am looking forward to quality time with my family! My wonderful mother sends me encouraging cards in the mail and it makes my day every single time. Sorry that this once again ended up so long... I have a feeling that my New Year's resolution will have to do with a commitment to blogging! That's all for right now everyone! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.
I guess I'll throw out a few of the most important things that happened but I'll try to keep this brief. I know my mom doesn't like to take too much time reading an extra long blog!
Since mid-October my students have been giving presentations on mental health issues. As part of my assistantship I have to attend every program that they put on. Most of my evenings are spent listening about various topics, many times, the same topic over and over. However, before participants show up and after they leave I get to have some one on one time with my students and I really enjoy that. I hope I am able to keep in touch with them after they are done with their internship because I can see us being friends later! One girl helped me with a special project and let me video tape her while she answered questions about our jobs. I wish I could post them because she did so well but she would not be very happy with that!! Last weekend I also took my students on a cultural immersion day long field trip. It was very cool and I think they were challenged to think in new ways!
I was also lucky enough to be able to attend the Association of College Unions International Conference that was held at UNC Charlotte. This conference is for people that work in Student Unions, like I did in undergrad. I don't work in a Union now but I am still interested in that area. Most importantly though my friends from NKU would be at this conference!! I was able to drive down with JMU folks and then stayed in a hotel room with Sarah, the Director of the Union at NKU, and Leah, my old roommate and the Reservations Coordinator at NKU. It was so much fun! I loved spending having a little piece of home with me and am very excited for NKU to be hosting the conference next year. We were able to learn, talk, laugh, craft, share, eat, sleep together! Lots of it was just like when Leah and I lived together! One night Sarah popped a leftover Subway chocolate chip cookie into the microwave and we split it three ways and then I popped a bag of popcorn (which was given to me by coffee guy downstairs) so we could get a sweet and salty fix. It was so nice being with them. And it was good to get back to my Student Union roots! I planned on featuring a whole blog about my trip with them so I hope they are satisfied with this little condensed version!
David, David, David! He has seriously been the best long distance boyfriend I could have ever dreamed of. One night we planned a Skype date to watch "Going the Distance" together, a movie about long distance relationships. During the day he had flowers delivered to me at work! I was so surprised!! We had an awesome weekend together the last weekend of October. He came to visit me in Hburg just in time for a snow storm! We got about 6 inches of snow! This ruined our plans to go hiking so we bought pumpkins at the Farmer's Market (for $2 a piece!), cooked chili, watched scary movies (and sports), carved our pumpkins, baked apple crisp, and drank apple cider. We also went shopping at an old fashioned Amish market, had a couple nice meals out, and went to church. Time of course flew by and left me alone on Halloween with lots of candy and no trick-or-treaters! Good thing I bought candy I enjoy :) I am a very lucky girl though and David is coming back to Harrisonburg this weekend! Jason (one of our best friends) is coming too! It will be his first time seeing the place, besides my Skype tour. We are planning on going to the JMU football game on Saturday, the last home game of the year. I'm also looking forward to being able to show Jason my apartment, campus, and downtown.
Last week I had a really crazy week. It was mid-term time and I sure felt it! My theory course assigned 8 questions (which had half a dozen other questions in each questions). On the exam day we walked in and were randomly assigned a small group. We were then given one question to work on and one hour to create a 20 minute presentation and be prepared to answer a 10 minute question session from our professors. Talk about stressful!! My cohort had a couple of group study sessions and were very prepared! I think we all did well but it still wasn't fun! The next day I had to give another presentation in my Student Services class. This one was on Fraternity and Sorority Life. I was lucky to have tow fantastic NKU alums help me with that. Lastly, my American Higher Ed class had a research paper due on Monday this week. I think I am finally caught up!
A few other things happened in this time frame that I will try to mention quickly. First, I was officially assigned as the practicum student for Blue Ridge Community College. This means next semester I will be working there for 10 hours a week. I am super excited!! Second, I visited the JMU Health Center to meet with the dermatologist who is in the office every other Tuesday. You see, after finished my prescriptions from urget care my "rash" came back all over my body, not just on my legs! It was very itchy and irritating! She diagnosed me with a skin disorder and gave me a steriod cream and many other at home remedies I could try. I'm still in that process and will be seeing a dermatologist for follow up at home over Thanksgiving break. Third, my friends from Georgia, Maggie and Craig, had the entire cohort plus significant others over to their apartment for a low country boil! We ate sausage, potatoes, shrimp, and corn off of newspapers, enjoyed corn bread on the side, drank homemade sweet tea, and ended the night with peach cobbler. It was delicious and so much fun to have everyone together! My friend Kristin, from New Jersey, is thinking about doing an Italian night. I really hope she does!
I have a week long Thanksgiving break and am looking forward to quality time with my family! My wonderful mother sends me encouraging cards in the mail and it makes my day every single time. Sorry that this once again ended up so long... I have a feeling that my New Year's resolution will have to do with a commitment to blogging! That's all for right now everyone! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Where I'm From
It's been awhile, blog spot! Since my last blog and now it has almost been a month! That is far too long for me not to be updating. The worst part about this is that I had to get out my planner to see what I had done in the past month! My planner is my life. Since my last blog here are some of the activities that are worth noting:
- I was trained to serve on Judicial Council as a graduate student representative. It was a 7 hour training on a Saturday!!
- I had my second portion of Orientation to the CSPA program. We did so much adjusting on our own that the highlight was a free lunch voucher!
- I taught my first PYCH 402 course on my own and will have done so 4 times after this week. My students are practicing presentations so I'm not teaching content but I am giving feedback. I love being in a classroom so I am really happy I get to work with them.
- I volunteered at the Center for Multicultural Student Services' Homecoming Step Show with my friend Maggie. I can't wait to attend it next year. It got intense! Maggie and Craig made me dinner than night so after volunteering I made them Skyline dip! We ate the whole thing so I hope they liked it!
- One of my professors had my entire cohort over for a cookout at the beginning of October. It was the first really brisk day of the season so we ended the night with mugs of hot apple cider. It was so fun! We went over there again tonight for a spaghetti dinner and got to meet his two children. They both attend other universities and it was good to put a name with a face and swap stories.
- I visited home again since the last time I blogged and attended a wedding on David's side of the family. I also got to get together at the Raap house and had sooo much fun seeing everyone. It felt like a mini reunion! David and I did lots of different things that weekend - playing with my baby cousins, PowderPuff football tournament at NKU (which Ben was in charge of!), seeing David's sister and brother-in-law's new house, attending a musical at NKU with David's other sister, going to church, and having brunch with my parents at First Watch. It was such a good weekend home that it made this weekend, Family Weekend at JMU, bittersweet.
- As some of you know, I have had issues with my "itchy leg syndrome" for over a year now. This past week was the final straw! My legs started swelling actually and I think their was an infection. I spent an afternoon in urgent care talking to three different nurses/doctors before I finally ended up with a steroid shot and three prescriptions! Hopefully now things will get better and over Thanksgiving break I can see a dermatologist to help treat the scars from the rash/infection/disease or whatever it was I had.
- I volunteered for the concession stands at the football game yesterday and it was crazy! Technically, it was my first JMU football game since being a student here. Luckily, there is one more home game in November that I'll be able to attend and I can actually enjoy the stadium food rather than serve it!
Where I’m From
Emily Romito
I am from a UK blue Berk’s Landscaping sweatshirt, from Graeter’s Ice Cream and Skyline Chili.
I am from the silence of sadness to the overwhelming joy of a child’s contagious giggle.I am from the sunflowers as tall as the roof, from Mom cutting the lawn and Dad cooking dinner.
I am from rosary’s said on road trips and always being freezing cold, from Pasquale and Paul to Claire Madonna and Sarah B.I am from having eyes bigger than my stomach and growing food babies, from worrisome headaches and compassionate understanding.
From “I am so proud” and “You better not fight because all you have is each other.”I am from changing churches but staying strong in my faith as I grow on my own. All Saints with Mom and Dad, St. Joseph alone, and St. Paul having David to hold my hand.
I am from The Jewish Hospital and Italian Catholics, black eyed pea hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day and Grandma Mary’s pot roast which only exists as a mouth watering memory.From the fish bowl that fell on my foot, the only pets I ever had, the valiant rescue by my father, and the cries of “Michele” desperate for help.
I am from shoe boxes in the closet storing memories of life and love, high upon a shelf. Out of sight but ever present in everything I do, I am.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wine and Cheese Night
....was a blast!! I had so much fun tonight with my other CSPAers. After a really really hard week it was just what I needed! There was plenty of cheese in all different forms and of course lots of wine too! I brought an Ohio wine from when David and I visited a winery together. It's made with a special kind of grape from Ohio and was so yummy that I almost wish I waited to share it with him. But he said it was okay that I brought it so I guess we'll just have to go to a Virginia winery around me sometime and buy something new!
Since my last post I had some time to think about what I was trying to verbalize and tonight I had the chance to rephrase it and share it with people in my program. It was so nice knowing that they knew, understood, and felt it too. So here goes it - I feel like I love the people in my program and really couldn't be luckier to have them as my support system but when comparing them with my friends from home I feel like something is missing. I don't have to explain my back story to people at home because they lived through it with me. I also don't particularly want to share my back story with people here because it is so far in my past. My final conclusion to it all was not that one is better than another but that the relationships I am forming are different. Maybe I will share things one day, maybe not. But right now anyone of my relationships at home feels like family, mentally and emotionally I have included my friends in the category of family. In Harrisonburg though, the people in my program are my friends. I'm learning how to have friends again! Does that make sense? I'm learning how to trust others, open up, make conversations, etc. You know though, I am still incredibly grateful when I think of them. We do have a special bond - one of friendship, one that I am learning to define.
Last blog I wrote about things I was looking forward to (wine and cheese night being one of them!) Life works in crazy ways though. This week was awful. I just had a difficult week all around! To give a little run down: hard days at work, overload of homework that I feel behind in but I'm really probably not, my legs are extremely itchy and torn up (Thanks for the doctor's appointment mom! I had some more small infections this week as well.), my credit card bill came in and I own lots of money, my paycheck hasn't came in for six weeks so I don't have any money, my contract hasn't gone through at JMU yet so my tuition hasn't been paid so I have a hold on my account AND owe $9,000 (which will be paid by the program eventually but still!), my rent is due, my computer broke and can't recognize my web cam or printer anymore (translation - Skype doesn't work! I miss David! I miss the girls! I miss my parents?! What?! j/k :), this weekend is Jason's birthday and Race for the Cure and I can't go home because I have a seven hour training tomorrow for a volunteer position!! Whoa!! Whew!! TGIF for sure!!
I thought about not blogging about all this negative stuff but this stuff is my life. If you don't like reading it I suggest you just stop then. This is my life. If I only put the happy stuff up when I go back through it nothing will seem real to me. Things aren't always wonderful but things are always possible. I know I'll move on and get through everything I said but in the moment it is hard to focus on anything else. The encouraging text messages (Daddy) have been really great. I also love love LOVE getting mail in my mail box! I try to check my mail box twice a week but usually I have old mail from the guy who lived here before me, bills, or the town newspaper - talk about depressing! So send me some love too if you can :) I just bought a book of stamps so I can start sending out some cheer of my own.
I liked the things I'm looking forward to segment last time so to end on a positive note here are some things:
1) Talking to Hannah tomorrow at lunch time.
2) Taking time to clean my apartment and do laundry!
3) Catching up on homework this weekend but also going to a movie with the cohort.
4) Homecoming week at JMU, including the Step Show!
5) Finding a time to have my neighbors (cohort neighbors not the other ones) over for dinner at my place
PS - I know this is a late post and a little more touchy feeling that usual. What about the middle of the night makes people open up? (Mom, you were always right about talking on the phone with boys late at night! Sorry for all the times I thought I could handle trying to be grown up. I can hardly growing up now so when I was 15 I should not have been chatting up boys past midnight!!) But anyway, I had an iced tea before wine and cheese night to keep me awake... I've been home a little bit now and it's back fired! I'm not ready to fall asleep yet - so says my caffeinated body anyway.
Since my last post I had some time to think about what I was trying to verbalize and tonight I had the chance to rephrase it and share it with people in my program. It was so nice knowing that they knew, understood, and felt it too. So here goes it - I feel like I love the people in my program and really couldn't be luckier to have them as my support system but when comparing them with my friends from home I feel like something is missing. I don't have to explain my back story to people at home because they lived through it with me. I also don't particularly want to share my back story with people here because it is so far in my past. My final conclusion to it all was not that one is better than another but that the relationships I am forming are different. Maybe I will share things one day, maybe not. But right now anyone of my relationships at home feels like family, mentally and emotionally I have included my friends in the category of family. In Harrisonburg though, the people in my program are my friends. I'm learning how to have friends again! Does that make sense? I'm learning how to trust others, open up, make conversations, etc. You know though, I am still incredibly grateful when I think of them. We do have a special bond - one of friendship, one that I am learning to define.
Last blog I wrote about things I was looking forward to (wine and cheese night being one of them!) Life works in crazy ways though. This week was awful. I just had a difficult week all around! To give a little run down: hard days at work, overload of homework that I feel behind in but I'm really probably not, my legs are extremely itchy and torn up (Thanks for the doctor's appointment mom! I had some more small infections this week as well.), my credit card bill came in and I own lots of money, my paycheck hasn't came in for six weeks so I don't have any money, my contract hasn't gone through at JMU yet so my tuition hasn't been paid so I have a hold on my account AND owe $9,000 (which will be paid by the program eventually but still!), my rent is due, my computer broke and can't recognize my web cam or printer anymore (translation - Skype doesn't work! I miss David! I miss the girls! I miss my parents?! What?! j/k :), this weekend is Jason's birthday and Race for the Cure and I can't go home because I have a seven hour training tomorrow for a volunteer position!! Whoa!! Whew!! TGIF for sure!!
I thought about not blogging about all this negative stuff but this stuff is my life. If you don't like reading it I suggest you just stop then. This is my life. If I only put the happy stuff up when I go back through it nothing will seem real to me. Things aren't always wonderful but things are always possible. I know I'll move on and get through everything I said but in the moment it is hard to focus on anything else. The encouraging text messages (Daddy) have been really great. I also love love LOVE getting mail in my mail box! I try to check my mail box twice a week but usually I have old mail from the guy who lived here before me, bills, or the town newspaper - talk about depressing! So send me some love too if you can :) I just bought a book of stamps so I can start sending out some cheer of my own.
I liked the things I'm looking forward to segment last time so to end on a positive note here are some things:
1) Talking to Hannah tomorrow at lunch time.
2) Taking time to clean my apartment and do laundry!
3) Catching up on homework this weekend but also going to a movie with the cohort.
4) Homecoming week at JMU, including the Step Show!
5) Finding a time to have my neighbors (cohort neighbors not the other ones) over for dinner at my place
PS - I know this is a late post and a little more touchy feeling that usual. What about the middle of the night makes people open up? (Mom, you were always right about talking on the phone with boys late at night! Sorry for all the times I thought I could handle trying to be grown up. I can hardly growing up now so when I was 15 I should not have been chatting up boys past midnight!!) But anyway, I had an iced tea before wine and cheese night to keep me awake... I've been home a little bit now and it's back fired! I'm not ready to fall asleep yet - so says my caffeinated body anyway.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Time to take a breather
It is so easy to get caught up in... life! The every day things start to take over and I begin to process my world in list form. Breakfast, drive, park, work, lunch, work, class, meeting, drive, dinner, read, sleep, shower, and repeat. Such a big part of this experience for me was to immerse myself in the area in which I am living, to try new things, put myself out there, and be able to say that I didn't waste a minute of my two years in Harrisonburg. A couple things happened this week that made me stop and think, take a couple of deep breaths and regroup.
First, we had a nationally named expert on the first year experience in higher education come and speak at JMU. His name is Dr. John Gardner, if any of you have heard of him. He was coming to speak with faculty and meet with a few committees. The CSPA students were so fortunate to be able to have some one-on-one time with him. When I said he was an expert on the first year experience I more so meant that he created it. He came up with a concept of a University 101 First Year Seminar course. Because of him and his work we have First Year Program offices on college campuses. That was just an amazing experience to be able to listen to him speak! For those of you that don't know, my experience being an undergraduate teaching assistant for a UNV 101 course at NKU was the deciding factor as to whether or not I would apply to student affairs programs or not. Obviously, I had a wonderful experience and if I could do that the rest of my life I know I would be happy.
Having him be able to speak with us helped something click for me. I know it was something that I already knew so it was more like a re-realized it. I am at JMU to earn a Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration. I want to learn and try and test and experience as much as I can, but most importantly learn, because I want to get a job after these two years are over. And I know I joke around that I would be happy scooping ice cream the rest of my life (which let's face it - I probably would be) but I wouldn't be as fulfilled. I know in higher education I will be able to find a role/job that inspires and fulfills me AND makes me happy. To ensure that happens I need to work very very hard while I am here. It's not like I am slacking off and watching "Say Yes to the Dress" marathons every night (because I only do that some nights :) but I know that I could push myself harder than I am.
This weekend my friend Emily came in from DC to visit on Saturday. It was so good to see her and so much fun! I had the chance to show her around Harrisonburg and JMU. Seeing it through someone else's eyes for the first time made me look at it differently as well. As Emily says, "This place is way more peace, love, and granola than I thought it would be!" The valley is such a beautiful unique place to live and with Em here I got to take advantage of things! We went to lunch at the 3rd best restaurant in the Burg (thanks to Trip Advisor! We agree - the food was delish!) and then walked around a free trade market that was attached to it. We then got to drive through campus (because the parking gates are up during the weekend! Yay!) and walk around the bookstore. I couldn't resist and took Emily walking on campus too. She got to see the Quad first hand which is my favorite view in the entire city. I haven't seen a photo that captures it well yet. It has a feeling attached to it. We also walked around the Arboretum on campus. It was just fresh beautiful weather to be outside! Before dinner we stopped at a antique shop and I found way too many things I want to buy! After dinner we had a to die for chocolate mousse (It will certainly not be the last time I have that!) and hung out with friends from my program.
The next morning Emily and I met Maggie at another local hole in the wall place for brunch. It was so so good! I am going to be a regular there! I can't imagine a better deal for breakfast! Emily has a new apartment in DC and there isn't an easy Walmart to get to around there so we did some one stop shopping for good deals and apartment nessessities. Right before she left I was more than happy to take her to Kroger so she could stock up on some Graeter's pints and Skyline chili cans! (Even though Em is a vegetarian she knows her carnivvorus DC friends would love Skyline dip!!) I was so happy I got to have a little bit of home with me in Harrisonburg as well as give her a little bit of home to take back to the city with her.
Tonight I went to CCM for mass in a multipurpose room on campus. I am so happy that being here and developing my own faith community has brought me even closer to the Lord. CCM has so many opportunities I need to sit down and figure out what can fit in my schedule. They are starting an apologetics series on Monday nights that I might be able to go to as well as an adoration hour and benediction during the week. With all of the changes going on in mine and David's lives right now we need all the prayers we can get! We are both learning that nothing is possible without faith and with God all things are possible (they just might not be easy).
Here is a small list of things I am looking forward to in the near future in case I get too busy before I can write again:
1) Tomorrow I am helping with preference night of sorority recruitment at JMU. I will act as a counselor to women who are having a difficult time making some decisions. I loved being a Gamma Chi (recruitment counselor) at NKU so I know this will be worthwhile - even if it is a late night!
2) I've been looking for one last piece to decorate above my couch and I think I have found it! I just need to decide what piece I am willing to spend the money on. One of them is an antique washboard that says Old Kentucky Home on it - so appropriate!
3) David and I are going to start reading a set of Christian based reflection books together. I bought the version for women at the Book Fair out here and his family already had the edition for men. I hope we both keep with it so we can connect in lots of ways even when we are miles apart.
4) This Thursday my cohort is getting together for a wine and cheese night. I'm bringing a blush wine that I got at an Ohio vineyard. Gotta stay true to my roots! But I am looking forward to trying/tasting lots of yummy treats!
5) It is sure starting to feel like fall! I know we are supposed to get a couple more warm days in there but right now I am so anxious for the leaves to start turning! Not only do I want to go to JMU football games but also start hiking in the midst of it all. If you don't want to come to VA to visit me then consider coming for the scenery! I never get used to it!
First, we had a nationally named expert on the first year experience in higher education come and speak at JMU. His name is Dr. John Gardner, if any of you have heard of him. He was coming to speak with faculty and meet with a few committees. The CSPA students were so fortunate to be able to have some one-on-one time with him. When I said he was an expert on the first year experience I more so meant that he created it. He came up with a concept of a University 101 First Year Seminar course. Because of him and his work we have First Year Program offices on college campuses. That was just an amazing experience to be able to listen to him speak! For those of you that don't know, my experience being an undergraduate teaching assistant for a UNV 101 course at NKU was the deciding factor as to whether or not I would apply to student affairs programs or not. Obviously, I had a wonderful experience and if I could do that the rest of my life I know I would be happy.
Having him be able to speak with us helped something click for me. I know it was something that I already knew so it was more like a re-realized it. I am at JMU to earn a Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration. I want to learn and try and test and experience as much as I can, but most importantly learn, because I want to get a job after these two years are over. And I know I joke around that I would be happy scooping ice cream the rest of my life (which let's face it - I probably would be) but I wouldn't be as fulfilled. I know in higher education I will be able to find a role/job that inspires and fulfills me AND makes me happy. To ensure that happens I need to work very very hard while I am here. It's not like I am slacking off and watching "Say Yes to the Dress" marathons every night (because I only do that some nights :) but I know that I could push myself harder than I am.
This weekend my friend Emily came in from DC to visit on Saturday. It was so good to see her and so much fun! I had the chance to show her around Harrisonburg and JMU. Seeing it through someone else's eyes for the first time made me look at it differently as well. As Emily says, "This place is way more peace, love, and granola than I thought it would be!" The valley is such a beautiful unique place to live and with Em here I got to take advantage of things! We went to lunch at the 3rd best restaurant in the Burg (thanks to Trip Advisor! We agree - the food was delish!) and then walked around a free trade market that was attached to it. We then got to drive through campus (because the parking gates are up during the weekend! Yay!) and walk around the bookstore. I couldn't resist and took Emily walking on campus too. She got to see the Quad first hand which is my favorite view in the entire city. I haven't seen a photo that captures it well yet. It has a feeling attached to it. We also walked around the Arboretum on campus. It was just fresh beautiful weather to be outside! Before dinner we stopped at a antique shop and I found way too many things I want to buy! After dinner we had a to die for chocolate mousse (It will certainly not be the last time I have that!) and hung out with friends from my program.
The next morning Emily and I met Maggie at another local hole in the wall place for brunch. It was so so good! I am going to be a regular there! I can't imagine a better deal for breakfast! Emily has a new apartment in DC and there isn't an easy Walmart to get to around there so we did some one stop shopping for good deals and apartment nessessities. Right before she left I was more than happy to take her to Kroger so she could stock up on some Graeter's pints and Skyline chili cans! (Even though Em is a vegetarian she knows her carnivvorus DC friends would love Skyline dip!!) I was so happy I got to have a little bit of home with me in Harrisonburg as well as give her a little bit of home to take back to the city with her.
Tonight I went to CCM for mass in a multipurpose room on campus. I am so happy that being here and developing my own faith community has brought me even closer to the Lord. CCM has so many opportunities I need to sit down and figure out what can fit in my schedule. They are starting an apologetics series on Monday nights that I might be able to go to as well as an adoration hour and benediction during the week. With all of the changes going on in mine and David's lives right now we need all the prayers we can get! We are both learning that nothing is possible without faith and with God all things are possible (they just might not be easy).
Here is a small list of things I am looking forward to in the near future in case I get too busy before I can write again:
1) Tomorrow I am helping with preference night of sorority recruitment at JMU. I will act as a counselor to women who are having a difficult time making some decisions. I loved being a Gamma Chi (recruitment counselor) at NKU so I know this will be worthwhile - even if it is a late night!
2) I've been looking for one last piece to decorate above my couch and I think I have found it! I just need to decide what piece I am willing to spend the money on. One of them is an antique washboard that says Old Kentucky Home on it - so appropriate!
3) David and I are going to start reading a set of Christian based reflection books together. I bought the version for women at the Book Fair out here and his family already had the edition for men. I hope we both keep with it so we can connect in lots of ways even when we are miles apart.
4) This Thursday my cohort is getting together for a wine and cheese night. I'm bringing a blush wine that I got at an Ohio vineyard. Gotta stay true to my roots! But I am looking forward to trying/tasting lots of yummy treats!
5) It is sure starting to feel like fall! I know we are supposed to get a couple more warm days in there but right now I am so anxious for the leaves to start turning! Not only do I want to go to JMU football games but also start hiking in the midst of it all. If you don't want to come to VA to visit me then consider coming for the scenery! I never get used to it!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Well... it's been awhile!
Ohmigosh! Dearest followers - it has been far too long!! It seems like forever ago that I was in DC right before classes started. So much has happened since then! I've jumped right into my assistantship and had two weeks of classes! David came to visit me and I went home to visit for a wedding. I have lots to talk about so here are some of the highlights!
So there is a little thing in grad school called class....
Right now I am feeling pretty darn good about my decision to come to JMU! I love my classes! I love my professors! I love the people in my program - dare I say, my friends! I love going to JMU! The hardest part is that I love the content of my courses. I truly enjoy reading my text books. Um, what? Textbooks are interesting?! Class discussions are also thought provoking and I feel like I have much more ownership in them.
On the first day of class we all are sitting in our seats, textbooks on our tables, and pens in our hands. Our professor says, "Hm, what are those books ya'll have got?".... our response, "Uh, our very expensive textbook." (Don't worry NKU - it wasn't one of the books you gave me!) He then says, "Well, I'm sure it'll be a good reference book for your because I've never seen it before so we won't be using it. While we're talking about, ya'll need to buy this $13 book on self-renewal." Ahhh!! So frustrating!! On the bright side, I am actually loving reading the self renewal book!
Work hard, Play hard
So I go to class three afternoons a week but 20 hours (or a few more) a week I'm working in the Counseling and Student Development Center. Things have really been taking off super fast! The Peer Mentor Program has it's kick off pizza party this Friday and I will be matching new students with upperclassmen for a mentoring relationship throughout the semester. Emailing students doesn't always go as planned... they certainly don't respond when I would like them to! Another part of my job is outreach. I'm co-teaching a psychology internship course where students will create and present mental health issues in various ways on campus. We are jumping right in with that too and getting things scheduled. I think the students are a little overwhelmed right now but that is what I am there to help with so I know they'll be okay!
David is coming! David is coming!
David spent Labor Day weekend in Harrisonburg with me and it was so much fun! I was so excited that he was coming! It was kinda like "The British are coming!" I gave my apartment a good thorough cleaning. Stocked up on some of his favorite things like cookie brownie mix, reese's cups, and milk! Painted my toe nails and finger nails. Set up my wireless internet (because yes! My router finally came in!!) And finished up all my homework for the beginning of the next week. I was so ready to see him!
We filled the weekend with things we love, essentially, it was perfect. David drove from Florence to Columbus for work that morning and then in the afternoon made his way to Harrisonburg. When he finally got here, which seemed like forever, we unloaded the rest of my clothes (remember the ones I left/forgot at home!) After we went to Taste of Thai, a restaurant David really liked when he helped move me in. Both our meals were delicious and we got two desserts to take home. We ate dessert as we sat on the floor watching our show, Rookie Blue, and called it an early night.
The next day we went to the Farmer's Market and got doughnuts for breakfast, mint tea to drink, and sat and talked to locals. We also bought some fresh bread, naturally raised beef strip steaks, baby watermelon, potatoes, and some fresh herbs which we used all of to make a fancy dinner that evening. Until then though we got my oil changed (I am so glad I had a man to help me!) and walked around historic downtown and went in every shop possible. We got tea at a specialty shop, made a friend at a wine shop, got great information for me at a pottery painting place, found funny items at thrift stores, and amazing unique treasures in between (including a gift for Claire and Sarah at home). After dinner that night we went out to meet some CSPAer's and had a fun time over drinks and dancing.
On Sunday we went to mass at CCM House (the Catholic Campus Ministry I had mentioned earlier) and David got to meet Father's three legged dog named Trinity. We then decided instead of hiking we would visit Staunton, the town about 30 mins south of Harrisonburg. They have some interesting shops and restraunts too, including a homemade gelato place. We spent lots of our time in an antique shop browsing and whispering and touching things. I ended up buying a very cool wooden and glass washboard that I am going to hang on my wall. That evening we rented a movie and made tacos. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was watching the WEBN fireworks online through a streaming that David found. We got the music and the fireworks and each other. It was almost like being at home. :) JMU doesn't have off on Labor Day so on Monday morning as I left for work with tears streaming down my face David began his drive back home. The weekend ended much too soon. It just felt so good having someone nearby that knows me, truly knows the real me. (I am being real with the people I am meeting but they don't know my past history or secrets or experiences. David knows all of that and loves me anyway. It just meant a lot to be able to share Harrisonburg with him.)
Here comes the bride!!
Our separation was short lived though because I was able to go home this past weekend! My friend McKenzie got married!! I have known her since I was in the second grade!! We remained friends over the years and I was so honored to be able to say such meaning readings at her ceremony. The receptions was a pretty darn good time as well!! My parents also attended as well as lots of other family friends.
Other things I did while being at home... went to NKU and surprised Leah and Sarah during lunch time! It was too short! I wanted to be able to chat longer so I'm going to look into attending a conference that they will be at semi-nearby my area. It's crazy thinking that I was once a student attending conferences with Leah and Sarah. I will never forget when Leah and I got stranded on JMU's campus after watching a movie and the hotel shuttle stopped running. Haha we had to call a cab! A gentleman I met while on that conference is now also one of my professors. It's just crazy how life works out. But seriously, it was so good to see them and everyone in student affairs that I did have the chance to run into.
I had originally planned to just eat lunch with Benjamin since I wouldn't see him the rest of the weekend but he invited my entire Kappa Delta family (on Valerie's side). I got to talk with Ben some but the girls kinda took over the conversation. It was still lots of fun to be on campus in that setting again. Thanks for lunch Ben and I hope to get to Skype you soon!!
After the rehersal dinner on Friday night I went over to Jason's and true to old times we all sat around and talked. Saturday morning we met Tracy and her boyfriend for breakfast and that was fun too! Tracy is away in a student affairs program as well but was home helping with sorority recruitment. I was so lucky to be able to have some of her valuable time while she was here! We got extra lucky coming in on the same weekend! We both missed our chances at our first home college football game - kinda ironic!
The rest of Saturday before the wedding was spent working outside. David and I (with the help of Claire, Sarah, Mom, and Dad) chopped down all of the sunflowers I grew from seeds this summer. We were able to shuck them of their seeds and now Dad is working on roasting them. Some we saved for the birds at Grandpa's though. It was such beautiful weather and so wonderful being together we ended up rushing around like crazy people for the wedding!
Just a few other things for laughs and giggles...
- Remember how my Comcast router finally shipped! Well I had to call to check on it before it came. I waited on hold for 20 minutes before the woman assured me that it was already on it's way. I got the package two days later and it was postmarked "express overnight shipping" from Staunton, VA!! UGH!! So frustrating!! I could have just driven to Staunton myself and gotten it!!
- Whenever I see/talk to anyone they ask if blue fuzz is still everywhere. The answer is YES!! Thankfully I now have new (my old towels from my dorm room) towels and can get rid of those fuzzy ones!
- I haven't met any new neighbors but they have started grilling out in the parking lot on Friday evenings. They set up a grill right between cars and sit on the sidewalk and watch their burgers cook. It is the strangest thing! A gray cat without a collar has started getting in the habit of laying in front of my front door. I think it belongs to the coffee man but I'm not 100%. When I was loading in my stuff from being gone this weekend I was afraid the cat would run in my apartment every time I opened the door!
- Some people like to have a glass of wine every evening or a cold beer with their dinner... I like to have a bowl of ice cream around 9:00 PM every evening. It is starting to get a little ridiculous! I even load it up with whipped cream and chocolate syrup! Living on my own means I can eat the whole half gallon myself! Then why am I buying ice cream at the same rate a family of four would buy ice cream?! Haha I have issues...
- Panhellenic Bid Day was today at Northern. I have been thinking about my NKU Greek community, especially Kappa Delta - Eta Eta so much today! 50 new members!! That is amazing! Too bad there is not enough time in my day to creep on all of them! Next week I'll be helping out with JMU's recruitment in a role semi-similar to what I did when I was a Gamma Chi at NKU. I am really excited about it! That is what is helping me not be so sad about missing out on such an exciting day at home today.
- I feel like I am always laughing or talking to myself around here and think, "I need to put this in my blog!" then I forget what it is. I'll have to try to keep a list of that kind of stuff!
I should have some more free time this weekend to shoot out another blog. I will try so hard not to get behind like I did on this one! Most of y'all reading this are my life and the most important things to me, just because I am a 7 hour drive away doesn't mean I don't care! Please keep me updated on your lives as well!
So there is a little thing in grad school called class....
Right now I am feeling pretty darn good about my decision to come to JMU! I love my classes! I love my professors! I love the people in my program - dare I say, my friends! I love going to JMU! The hardest part is that I love the content of my courses. I truly enjoy reading my text books. Um, what? Textbooks are interesting?! Class discussions are also thought provoking and I feel like I have much more ownership in them.
On the first day of class we all are sitting in our seats, textbooks on our tables, and pens in our hands. Our professor says, "Hm, what are those books ya'll have got?".... our response, "Uh, our very expensive textbook." (Don't worry NKU - it wasn't one of the books you gave me!) He then says, "Well, I'm sure it'll be a good reference book for your because I've never seen it before so we won't be using it. While we're talking about, ya'll need to buy this $13 book on self-renewal." Ahhh!! So frustrating!! On the bright side, I am actually loving reading the self renewal book!
Work hard, Play hard
So I go to class three afternoons a week but 20 hours (or a few more) a week I'm working in the Counseling and Student Development Center. Things have really been taking off super fast! The Peer Mentor Program has it's kick off pizza party this Friday and I will be matching new students with upperclassmen for a mentoring relationship throughout the semester. Emailing students doesn't always go as planned... they certainly don't respond when I would like them to! Another part of my job is outreach. I'm co-teaching a psychology internship course where students will create and present mental health issues in various ways on campus. We are jumping right in with that too and getting things scheduled. I think the students are a little overwhelmed right now but that is what I am there to help with so I know they'll be okay!
David is coming! David is coming!
David spent Labor Day weekend in Harrisonburg with me and it was so much fun! I was so excited that he was coming! It was kinda like "The British are coming!" I gave my apartment a good thorough cleaning. Stocked up on some of his favorite things like cookie brownie mix, reese's cups, and milk! Painted my toe nails and finger nails. Set up my wireless internet (because yes! My router finally came in!!) And finished up all my homework for the beginning of the next week. I was so ready to see him!
We filled the weekend with things we love, essentially, it was perfect. David drove from Florence to Columbus for work that morning and then in the afternoon made his way to Harrisonburg. When he finally got here, which seemed like forever, we unloaded the rest of my clothes (remember the ones I left/forgot at home!) After we went to Taste of Thai, a restaurant David really liked when he helped move me in. Both our meals were delicious and we got two desserts to take home. We ate dessert as we sat on the floor watching our show, Rookie Blue, and called it an early night.
The next day we went to the Farmer's Market and got doughnuts for breakfast, mint tea to drink, and sat and talked to locals. We also bought some fresh bread, naturally raised beef strip steaks, baby watermelon, potatoes, and some fresh herbs which we used all of to make a fancy dinner that evening. Until then though we got my oil changed (I am so glad I had a man to help me!) and walked around historic downtown and went in every shop possible. We got tea at a specialty shop, made a friend at a wine shop, got great information for me at a pottery painting place, found funny items at thrift stores, and amazing unique treasures in between (including a gift for Claire and Sarah at home). After dinner that night we went out to meet some CSPAer's and had a fun time over drinks and dancing.
On Sunday we went to mass at CCM House (the Catholic Campus Ministry I had mentioned earlier) and David got to meet Father's three legged dog named Trinity. We then decided instead of hiking we would visit Staunton, the town about 30 mins south of Harrisonburg. They have some interesting shops and restraunts too, including a homemade gelato place. We spent lots of our time in an antique shop browsing and whispering and touching things. I ended up buying a very cool wooden and glass washboard that I am going to hang on my wall. That evening we rented a movie and made tacos. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was watching the WEBN fireworks online through a streaming that David found. We got the music and the fireworks and each other. It was almost like being at home. :) JMU doesn't have off on Labor Day so on Monday morning as I left for work with tears streaming down my face David began his drive back home. The weekend ended much too soon. It just felt so good having someone nearby that knows me, truly knows the real me. (I am being real with the people I am meeting but they don't know my past history or secrets or experiences. David knows all of that and loves me anyway. It just meant a lot to be able to share Harrisonburg with him.)
Here comes the bride!!
Our separation was short lived though because I was able to go home this past weekend! My friend McKenzie got married!! I have known her since I was in the second grade!! We remained friends over the years and I was so honored to be able to say such meaning readings at her ceremony. The receptions was a pretty darn good time as well!! My parents also attended as well as lots of other family friends.
Other things I did while being at home... went to NKU and surprised Leah and Sarah during lunch time! It was too short! I wanted to be able to chat longer so I'm going to look into attending a conference that they will be at semi-nearby my area. It's crazy thinking that I was once a student attending conferences with Leah and Sarah. I will never forget when Leah and I got stranded on JMU's campus after watching a movie and the hotel shuttle stopped running. Haha we had to call a cab! A gentleman I met while on that conference is now also one of my professors. It's just crazy how life works out. But seriously, it was so good to see them and everyone in student affairs that I did have the chance to run into.
I had originally planned to just eat lunch with Benjamin since I wouldn't see him the rest of the weekend but he invited my entire Kappa Delta family (on Valerie's side). I got to talk with Ben some but the girls kinda took over the conversation. It was still lots of fun to be on campus in that setting again. Thanks for lunch Ben and I hope to get to Skype you soon!!
After the rehersal dinner on Friday night I went over to Jason's and true to old times we all sat around and talked. Saturday morning we met Tracy and her boyfriend for breakfast and that was fun too! Tracy is away in a student affairs program as well but was home helping with sorority recruitment. I was so lucky to be able to have some of her valuable time while she was here! We got extra lucky coming in on the same weekend! We both missed our chances at our first home college football game - kinda ironic!
The rest of Saturday before the wedding was spent working outside. David and I (with the help of Claire, Sarah, Mom, and Dad) chopped down all of the sunflowers I grew from seeds this summer. We were able to shuck them of their seeds and now Dad is working on roasting them. Some we saved for the birds at Grandpa's though. It was such beautiful weather and so wonderful being together we ended up rushing around like crazy people for the wedding!
Just a few other things for laughs and giggles...
- Remember how my Comcast router finally shipped! Well I had to call to check on it before it came. I waited on hold for 20 minutes before the woman assured me that it was already on it's way. I got the package two days later and it was postmarked "express overnight shipping" from Staunton, VA!! UGH!! So frustrating!! I could have just driven to Staunton myself and gotten it!!
- Whenever I see/talk to anyone they ask if blue fuzz is still everywhere. The answer is YES!! Thankfully I now have new (my old towels from my dorm room) towels and can get rid of those fuzzy ones!
- I haven't met any new neighbors but they have started grilling out in the parking lot on Friday evenings. They set up a grill right between cars and sit on the sidewalk and watch their burgers cook. It is the strangest thing! A gray cat without a collar has started getting in the habit of laying in front of my front door. I think it belongs to the coffee man but I'm not 100%. When I was loading in my stuff from being gone this weekend I was afraid the cat would run in my apartment every time I opened the door!
- Some people like to have a glass of wine every evening or a cold beer with their dinner... I like to have a bowl of ice cream around 9:00 PM every evening. It is starting to get a little ridiculous! I even load it up with whipped cream and chocolate syrup! Living on my own means I can eat the whole half gallon myself! Then why am I buying ice cream at the same rate a family of four would buy ice cream?! Haha I have issues...
- Panhellenic Bid Day was today at Northern. I have been thinking about my NKU Greek community, especially Kappa Delta - Eta Eta so much today! 50 new members!! That is amazing! Too bad there is not enough time in my day to creep on all of them! Next week I'll be helping out with JMU's recruitment in a role semi-similar to what I did when I was a Gamma Chi at NKU. I am really excited about it! That is what is helping me not be so sad about missing out on such an exciting day at home today.
- I feel like I am always laughing or talking to myself around here and think, "I need to put this in my blog!" then I forget what it is. I'll have to try to keep a list of that kind of stuff!
I should have some more free time this weekend to shoot out another blog. I will try so hard not to get behind like I did on this one! Most of y'all reading this are my life and the most important things to me, just because I am a 7 hour drive away doesn't mean I don't care! Please keep me updated on your lives as well!
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