I have applied to grad school for Student Affairs!

I got a 3.5 last semester.

I haven’t rowed since May.

I’m applying (and struggling to get interviews) for an internship this summer.

I’m graduating in 5 months.

I would rather watch reruns of TV shows than go out to a bar.

I frolicked in the snow during the first week of classes.

My only class on Mondays and Wednesdays is Yoga.

My only others are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I’m flying into MSP on Thursday to briefly visit Chloe and Jake then traveling with Steve to La Crosse, WI where I will play in the snow. Or something like that.

I am truly happy about where I am in life right now. Not a rare occurrence, but always a great feeling. UConn may have rejected me, but Oregon State wants to interview with me… I wonder what the coming month holds for me!!! =]

–Happy Girl in Like

Maybe it was my mom buying me an interview outfit. Maybe it was sending in all of my graduate school applications. Maybe it was my sister turning 30. Maybe it was my brother’s wedding that’s happening this weekend.

Maybe it was all of these things. Actually I’m deciding. It IS all of these things. And more. Ringing in the new year by myself with a bottle of Martinelli’s in my hand and my dog barking at the fireworks was a perfect way to have things go. Time to reflect. Time to plan. And time to appreciate all that I’ve been given and all that I have to give.

2011 was filled with some good moments and some not so good ones: Getting Roxy, our pitbull toddler. Injuring my back rowing. Battling to get back into the top boat. Going to National’s. Losing at National’s. Living on my own for a summer. Turning 21. Going to New Orleans. Meeting 55 amazing people there. Having a few super empowering moments where I realized I needed to stop settling and do something different. Catering, RA-ing, studying, homeworking, relaxing, sleeping, eating, playing, not working out, working out, yoga, two rounds of  failed physical therapy, and trying not to let my back pain get to me.

But it did. And if I have one New Year’s Resolution it’s to not let that get to me this year. When you’re changing your actions you need to also change your mindset: I’m doing some new stuff for my back and for my life and I am in full mental support of these changes. I think this is the key.

Now is the part where I sit back and let grad school offers roll in, work hard in school, give my freshmen an amazing time in the hall, call home way too much, and worry about the things I can control and let go of those I cannot.

Feelin’ Good About the New Year,

Girl-in-Like Version 2012

But I have learned some things this year: Reindeer are real and there is a North Pole (in Alaska) where I can only assume that it’s Christmas all year round. I don’t know if I could handle that. Christmas already starts at my house in mid… I dunno.. July?

Anywho. This past semester I have realized that there are a lot of little things in life that we complain about every single day. On my staff-team (of RAs), we meet weekly and for a few minutes of the meeting we share “happy/crappies”: a highlight and a lowlight of the week. I often do not have a crappy, mostly because that’s my nature… I’m sure something kinda “ugh” has happened every week of school, but if you complain about it, what good does that do. I remember one crappy, but it was the day that I said the crappy was my happy; I broke up with a very nice boy, but I did it so that I could reach my full potential and it was in a moment of empowerment where I practiced what I have always preached to my girlfriends (if you’re not happy, change something). And as my friend pointed out, “Now you have a lot of free time that you can spend on school work!…….” yay. =]

So, when we looked back at the semester, a few people went around and told their highs and lows of the school year so far. When it got to me, I only had a happy. I couldn’t think of one crappy that had resonated so much with me that it came to mind at that moment. That’s a pretty incredible feeling.

So, to be cliché, I’m creating a New Year’s Resolution: ALWAYS live in the moment and don’t dwell on the small lemons life throws at you. There will be plenty to complain about when my roof leaks or I have a child’s education or backyard wedding to plan/pay for. (Shoutout to my parents, who despite being “allowed to complain” via this clause, have not. They just deal).

I want to do that. I want to make sure that I wake up everyday realizing that it is a new day. I have yet again made it through another day. Woot.

Tis the season,
Girl-In-Like

Despite these crazy moments, there are also some really truly meaningful ones. Ones that justify your ever having chosen to become an RA and make you realize that all those times that you didn’t think you could possibly finish all of your work on time you somehow got it done. 

Tonight, 8 of my awesome residents came in talking about how one of the empty rooms on the floor should be turned into a “make-out” room. They were of course simply speculating and joking, but I did seriously raise concerns about STDs and cleanliness. I wouldn’t be a good RA if I didn’t take them seriously and turn this into an opportunity to talk about sanitary living conditions. 

This conversation died down quickly and all but one exited the room. This one had engaged me in a conversation about a movie called 180° South about a man who gives up everything to pursue his dream of climbing the North Face of Patagonia. This particular resident was beaming as he told me that he wanted to do something bigger than college. He doesn’t quite yet know exactly what he’s passionate about, but let me tell you… when you hear someone talk like that you know they are going to do something spectacular. I was able to let him know that sometimes you find out really early on in college what you want to do, whether it be Med School or turn your love for traveling and different cultures into a career with Peace Corps or another service organization. I found out that I wanted to journey into the field of Student Affairs this summer at a 3-day conference. If I could figure it out in three days, I’m sure this one will figure it out in three more years.

It was just such a refreshing conversation to have; one where someone is already seeing the big picture and knowing that there is more to life than getting A’s (although I hope he still studies hard).

That’s all I’ve got for now… more to come soon, I’m sure.

—Refreshed Girl-in-Like

Well, momma may have been quoting E.B. White, but she still lives by these words as if they were her own. I can’t even begin to describe my feelings about this quote or about this woman.

Some of you may know, and some of you may not know, that I have recently made a very tough and emotional dating decision. The relationship was filled with miles of laughter and many feet of smiles and in the end I grew a lot because of the boy. I never have regretted my choices in that relationship and I never will because I experienced some of the happiest and best moments with him. And even during the lows, I still was learning. This is how I know we did things right. We challenged each other and when the challenges ended for me, well, here I am, looking back on it all. Learning from hard decisions and forging new paths.

My mom (and dad) were here through it all. Dad, I’ll write about you one day, but for now, here’s mom’s belated birthday post:

Mom, you taught me to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Through that I have realized that neither you or me choose the latter two choices. We are always leading, even if it goes unnoticed, or if our leading is enacted by empowering others to lead.

You are my shining star, my sun during the rain. You make me want to improve the world AND enjoy it at the same time.

This quote that I found on your wall today describes the journey that I have been on since the day you welcomed me into your life:

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

I think E.B. White had something wrong; I think you can do both. And that has been my path in life. I have never done what is easy. Instead I have always chosen whatever choice makes me a better person, what makes me happy, and what will (in the end) help me out in my quest for a better world.

Heading into Student Affairs is my small way of trying to improve the world. I will one day have a big impact on a few people, which is much better than having no impact on a million people.

Thank you for supporting me (financially and emotionally) as I sort through the choices that fulfill and better me. One day I will have a little girl that looks up to me as much as I look up to you.

And she’ll look up to you as well.

Thanks, momma. For the 8 am phone call of support. For the 11 pm text messages of love. For the emails full of good deals and discounts so I don’t get bored. You’re the best.

Arrival in Saint Paul, MN:
OMG OMG OMG CHLOE!!!!! I haven’t seen this girl in, hmm, about 9 months, but that was only for a minute, so OVER A YEAR!!!! Everything has worked out. Saint Paul is adorable, you can walk anywhere, Macalester is officially Puget Sound (but with a different face). I could literally swap students and they would fit in at either school.

We went to a lecture, went to her summer fellowship poster session, went for a 30 minute run with the XC team for Coming Out Day (rainbow theme, awwwhhh yeah), had dinner (pasta with pumpkin sauce!) with the team, went to an a capella concert, went to see 50/50, got teary-eyed in 50/50, and then came home to climb in bed so Chloe could get some needed sleep before her XC meet the next morning.

And now today, I’m sitting in a Tea Bar in Saint Paul, sipping on some Boba Milk Tea (Leah, it’s a CLOSE 2nd to the Name-Unknown-because-it-keeps-changing Boba place),

and waiting to go to lunch with Jakey, a fellow STARS NOLA graduate.

I survived most of Midterms (a few things left to do, i.e. an exam and a group paper), and think I did well on most of it.

It’s just really nice to spend Fall Break relaxing somewhere that isn’t my room in a freshman hall, as much as I love my freshman (I actually am LOVING my floor; they’re kind of fantastic).

So while Chloe’s friends are studying, I am relaxing. (I put in my time, don’t get jealous too fast, now).

I am excited to see out the rest of this weekend.. drinks tonight, apple picking tomorrow possibly?, and fun fun fun in general.

Until next time,
MidwestGirl-in-like

I’m currently sitting in a Post-NOLA-world. After visiting New Orleans with 55 new additions to the “greatest people I’ve ever met” list, everything is different.

I have a goal: Attend a grad school for Student Affairs (google it).
I have a plan for it. (In action: applying to 6 schools).
I have a new sense of self.
I have an amazing group of human resources.
I have an experience that no one can take away from me.

And I constantly compare fun nights out to the ones in New Orleans, and let’s face it.

They don’t compare. =]

It’s funny to think that 3 nights with these random student-leaders could be anything more than “a good experience.” But I’m telling you. These people were incredible. So many different views of the world, so many different stories, so many heroes, heroines, brave souls, family lovers, friend supporters, and just all-in-all amazing young men and women. I didn’t meet a single dud. This also means that keeping in touch was necessary.

And we have.

We post (or someone does) EVERY single day in our Facebook group. We give each other advice on student affairs questions, tips for looking for and applying to the right grad schools, and just general support for anything and everything we’re involved with.

It’s phenomenal.
And I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to experience it.

I walked out of the STARS experience not only with one new mentor, but with 55 new mentors.

Life is Good.

More to come,
Grateful Girl-in-like

I’m on campus. I’m fed–I ate at Camellia Grill (a must when in this city). I’m lost. Well, I know exactly where I am. I’ve been to three different parts of campus, chasing the registration table.

There’s this group of about 20 people sitting in a circle, with no luggage, chatting it up. That can’t be my group. We’re from all over the country. WE HAVE LUGGAGE. Ugh. So frustrating. Horrible omen that an RA can’t figure this stuff out.

Then someone comes up the stairs. “That must be us. Who else but RAs would sit in a circle upon first meeting?”

DUH. Of course those are my comrades. I awkwardly abandon (safely) my luggage and join the circle that has grown to about.. hmm.. 50!

Jacob loudly and awesomely invites me to “sit down, PLEASE! Join our circle.” I do. And then it begins.

Ice breakers. Harry Potter or Twilight. Red or Green. Batman or Superman. Pepsi or Coke. I’m getting to know some of these strangers pretty well based on their choices.

Then the name tags.
Then the break-downs into our clusters of 5 students and 1 mentor.
Mine is Gisela. She’s great.

We learn about resumes, grad-school, networking, OPE, CPE, RAs, RDs, STIDRTPUAA (stuff that I don’t remember that probably uses an acronym).

DAUNTING.

But I have news.

STUDENT AFFAIRS IS FOR ME.

I’ll be starting my official grad-school search this year, and I couldn’t be more excited. The networking that has already begun and the people that I have just met… I know that these are going to be my class-mates… my colleagues.. MY BOSSES.. my mentors. And I’m so relieved, because honestly, I couldn’t think of a better bunch to go down this route with.

Looking to the future,
Student Affairs Girl-in-Like

I surfed the web for a while to try and find quality places to visit, eat at, and drink at (read: looking for an awesome bar). I had been here before, but in a very different time in my life. I had been visiting Tulane as a prospective college. Pros: beautiful, rich culture, opportunity for volunteer work, diverse community, great academics, amazing campus. Cons: the humidity, 1,500 miles from home, the booming night-life (mardi-gras intimidated.. intimidates… me), and well, the price-tag.

NOW, I’m heading into my senior year and all I see in this city are: a rich night-life, tourist spots to conquer, and memories to be made. I quickly take down the streets of Cafe du Monde (for beignets) Bourbon Street (for after-hours fun), Pat O’Brien’s (for their famous yet potent Hurricane cocktail).

Now to bed, for tomorrow is, what I call in my head, RA camp.

I mean… I feel like I just celebrated my Tarzan themed 10th birthday… man… where has the time gone?

Anyways… I’m living in a cute little room in an ugly little house with 3 beautiful girls.

And, as of a few hours ago, I have decided that I am going to do a half marathon in early August. So my training starts NOW. I’m gonna look up mileage plans in order to gear up, but I’m excited! =] I hate running, so it’ll be nice to have a running goal.

I am still dating the boyfriend. He’s great. We’re great. I got to spend the weekend with his family at his sister and her husband’s place because it was their daughter Madeleine’s first birthday… made her a very cute card, obviously. It was nice to be included in their family’s celebrations. They are a fun bunch. Giving Drew a hard time is their favorite activity, but they do give him kudos for one thing, at least: picking out ME as a girlfriend! haha!

I will be headed to New Orleans for a long weekend the 2nd week of July–I am SO excited! It’s for a mini-conference for college students interested in professional student development (like for Grad School), so I’m getting geared up to nerd out Student-Affairs style! Woot woot!

So, as you can see, living on my own, buying my own food, paying my own rent (actually, scratch that: thanks Mom and Dad!), working a catering job only 20 hours TOPS a week, and planning a trip to New Orleans has been a squeeze. I am becoming very comfortable with budgeting my money, but it still stresses me out.

Well, that’s it for now; I’ll try to get back into the swing of updating things!

Signed,

Girl on a budget