Old Soul, Young Heart

I feel like I haven't written lately, but that I've thought about things that I could write about a lot lately. Week four of class and work will commence tomorrow. I can't believe that we're halfway to midterms already. It feels better if I view it that way. One-fourth of the way done after this week. All things considered, though, I feel like things are going well. Work at ISU is fine; it's nice to know everything at this point and just be comfortable there. Work at Heartland is taking shape, which makes me feel 100% better. I still haven't actually advised much, but I'm getting to know everyone better, so that makes things feel less scary. Class is fine--lots of reading and lots of projects to be thinking about and working on in the midst of everything. On Wednesday I have a mock interview for Capstone, which is the thing I'm looking forward to least this semester. Just have to get it overwith. I'm getting more nervous about the future, mostly

As I get older, I'm becoming more interested in history, specifically the history of Bloomington/Normal and central Illinois, since the history of my family is so rich here. The other night in class (Community Colleges), Dr. Palmer showed this link and I've since looked at it again. It's a copy of the catalogue from the Bloomington Female College during the years of 1862-1863. Jesse Fell (as in Fell Hall and Fell Avenue) and David Davis (as in David Davis Mansion) were on the advisory board and there were only about 150 students, most of which were actually from Bloomington. It's just so interesting to read about what sorts of courses, programs, and rules they had. I think someday when I have time for hobbies again I'll do some work and find out things about our house because I know it's been around for a long time. I also want to learn a lot more about the Schefferts (dad's dad's family), Greys (dad's mom's family), and Hamblins (mom's mo

I've known for awhile that my supervisor (Brady) in the Accommodations Office might be leaving soon. He has randomly mentioned it several times, but has never said anything is for sure. He's still not sure what his plan is, but today he said that I would be the first pick to replace him if it happened. This is good news and makes me feel slightly better about the job search (since, if he left, I wouldn't have a job search). I would definitely take it if nothing else pertinent in the area came up. I like it here--I feel comfortable, everyone in this office is great, and I like the work. I'd be able to stay in the area and do more school for free if I wanted. I'd already work internally if something more student affairs related came up within a few years and I think there would be a lot of opportunities to get involved. Overall, it would be a really good thing, I think. I don't want to get too excited about it because it might not happen, but I can't help

I just think it is so amazing the things that education can do. (I always try to make a bold statement up front as to catch my reader's interest. Haha.) With that being said, I never thought I'd be as interested in disabilities as I am. For a long time I think I was afraid of people with disabilities, actually. All I can attribute that fear to is being ignorant. I didn't understand why people were the way they were and I didn't know how to react to them; it made me uncomfortable. I think this is, unfortunately, a normal reaction. Another reaction is to make fun of someone with a disability, which is also sort of a coping mechanism for not really understanding. (Which is why we make fun of other cultures, races, sexualities, etc). And finally, we ignore those with disabilities because we don't know what to do. And that's why I love learning. It demystifies things that I don't know about and opens up possibilities that I would've never thought for myse

My Best Year Yet 2011 "May this be a year that I love to live. Have fun, achieve, have much to give, Pursue, attain, forgive, forget. In short, may it be my best year yet." - Russell A. Kemp Dr. Phyllis put this up at the beginning of our first capstone class on Wednesday. I thought it was nice way to start the semester, especially since many of the things that we talked about during class were/are very stress-inducing (resumes, cover letters, job searching, interviews). In some ways I do think that 2011 will be one of my best yet... but last year will be quite hard to beat! I'm feeling overwhelmed with all of the stuff I have to do and I can't believe I feel this way this early in the semester. Sometimes I think my feelings of overwhelmption come from being around others who are also overwhelmed. Perhaps the collective stress just weighs us down and gets to all of us even more. I think this semester is going to be particularly hard due to the added pressur

There's a job opening that I should and will apply for. Things just got really real. Here come the nerves...

I think we're getting married. Let me tell you, it is so strange for me to write that and think about it. Absurdly strange. I have told myself (and others) for many years that I'm not the marrying kind, that I'm too young (ha!), and other variations of these answers when asked if/when we were getting married. Clearly, things have shifted and I find myself in this place that I just can't believe that I'm in. (Not strange in a bad way or "can't believe I'm in this place" in a bad way... it's just... different.) But like Philip said, we've never done this before, so it's going to feel different. But it's just so crazy to have these conversations! It makes me happy and excited. :)

I guess I'm a bad graduate student and a bad future student affairs professional because I don't spend my down time reading articles on student development. I've wondered if this is an indication that I'm not really all that passionate about it. Should I want every aspect of my life to revolve around what I do for a job? I know for some people it does. But so much of my time is already devoted to thinking, reading, and writing about these things--can't I just... watch tv or something instead? With that being said, today I received a copy of About Campus  in the mail, ACPA's (American College Personnel Association) bi-monthly publication that includes select journal articles on topics related to our profession. Usually I open it, look at the topics of the articles, and guiltily throw it in the recycle bin. Today I looked at the topics and read the editor's note, which caught my attention. I'm so used to reading about student-involvement-this, student-in

Work tomorrow. I have had 15 days off from ISU. I'll be happy to have some sort of routine again, but it's so hard to get amped to go back to work. It'll also be nice to have a reason to leave this house and walk around a bit. I feel like my body is stiff from just sitting around all day. I'm meeting with Matthew (who will now be my practicum supervisor at Heartland) on Tuesday to talk about what I'm going to do. I'm still really nervous for this. It's the advising with someone watching me advise that just gives me stomach aches. I have to start somewhere though. I'll probably feel better after this meeting, knowing that I have a plan for the semester. (Unlike this past semester where I literally felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants every day.) I'm currently in talks with my old academic advisor from the sociology department at ISU, Teri, about getting some advising experience there, as well. I contacted her probably two years ago about

Well, it's official. I'm moving to Stowe, Vermont because I'm winning the  HGTV Dream Home Giveaway . I'm also pretty sure there a few colleges nearby that need me as an employee. Seriously, though... look at how gorgeous this house is. Ridiculous. 2011 will be a good year. There will be a lot of major life changes this year. I'll graduate from grad school, I'll get a job (hopefully), and I'll move (possibly, hopefully)... to Vermont. :P Much excitement in the future!