One Word 2013: Venture

Instead of making of laundry list of sometimes very unsuccessful goals and "resolutions," I have begun to focus on one word to guide my focus throughout the year.

My OneWord  for 2012 was "choose." I wanted to make a more concerted effort to be more cognizant of the choices I have and more intentional with the decisions I make. I made a lot of big decisions that I'm proud of and am excited to see them take shape over the next few months..and maybe even years. 

For 2013, the word I chose is venture. As I set myself to graduate from college in May and enjoy my last few months of undergrad, I'm excited for what's to come. I'm venturing into the next chapter of my life which includes moving to Grand Canyon state, starting my graduate program in Higher Education, and a myriad other exciting things.

This year, I resolving to venture wholeheartedly into my next chapter; to live and love fearlessly and openly.

Instagram Updates: Road Trips, Connections, End of the Semester + More

As usual, Instagram photos speak louder than words. 

UVM | UVM Davis Center | UCONN SU | UCONN

BSU | Chowder Fridays | Tent City | Pumpkin Froyo!

ThinkFast! | Special trip for VP | Thrifted Camel Skirt | Lists...

Tea | Greenhouse by night | Logo planning | FNL

Wrapping | Thoughtful gifts from friends + A | New glasses

GSC V Part I: To Kayla, Love University of Arizona

Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain), Tucson, AZ Credit

Yesterday at 4:03pm, I received the best Christmas present ever: an acceptance letter email to the University of Arizona's Masters of Higher Education program. It was overwhelming and exciting at the same time. This has been, by far, the best experience throughout this whole process. Sure, it's awesome to finally apply to schools and then anxiously wait for a decision, but it's different when you finally hear back.

My acceptance to U of A was the best Christmas gift for a few reasons. It's real now. After a year of planning and applying, I'm no longer in this weird limbo period waiting for an admittance decision. I know that even if I don't get the response I want from ASU or any other position I applied to, I'll be moving to Arizona in the summertime regardless. I'll be living out my dream, going to grad school, and starting the next chapter of my life. Another bonus is that A and I only have a few more months left of being in a long distance relationship. Even though there's still more hurdles to cross in terms of securing an assistantship and a place to live; I'm confident it will all work out in the end.


By the way, isn't U of A pretty?

Credit

Credit

So thanks, U of A, for making this the best Christmas ever! 

Seeking the Support and Approval of Others

I have a bad habit of constantly seeking approval and support from others. I grew up in a very supportive home and my mother always taught me to brave and set high goals for myself. However, in my formative years, not everyone who I cared deeply about were supportive or approving of what I wanted out of life or what I sought to do. As a result, I subconsciously began making sure that everyone I ever encountered approved of what I did. This led me down the destructive path of always second guessing myself and being really insecure.

Then one day I woke up and realized that a life of second-guessing wasn't what I wanted. I read Donald Miller's A Million Miles In A Thousand Years, which is all about living out your purpose and making the story that God wrote for you come to life. One of the passages in the book hit me particularly hard:

"Fear isn't only a guide to keep us safe; it's also a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life."

When I was 17, I was living a boring life because I was always afraid of what others would think and if I would get the significant amount of approval and support for my psyche. I knew that there was a bigger purpose for my life and I shouldn't be fearful of taking the risks necessary to live out my purpose because what is best for me might not be the best for someone else.

Even though sometimes, I slip back in the "seeking out approval" abyss; I'm more cognizant of it now and take the steps to change my thinking. I make strides the necessary to make sure I accomplish all of the goals I have for right (AZ here, I come!).

Take risks. Find ways to get to "yes." Turn dreams into plans. Ultimately, it's more important to live out my purpose than running around seeking approval from others.

Thankful.

I could rattle off the traditional laundry list of things to be thankful for...friends, family, shelter, etcetera. However, all those typical things fall into one umbrella category for me: community.

I am most grateful for community. Whether it be the supportive, network of folks I have at BSU, colleagues from ACUI, my family, friends, or my significant other; I'm reminded everyday of the bonds and special relationships I have with others.

I'm thankful for community, and all of the support, love, and struggle that comes along with it.

Diary of a Social Media Lady: Reflections from #ACUIr1 2012

We have fun in Region I

There are few times throughout the year where I force myself to shift from an introvert to full blown extrovert,  and one of those time/situations are conferences. This past weekend I took part in my third (and sadly, final)  ACUI Region I Fall Conference. This year I had the incredible opportunities to serve on the conference planning team as social media + technology coordinator, as well as co-present two ed sessions, a flash session, and co-facilitate a round table discussion on social justice.

In my time as an undergrad, I've attended two other regional conferences and one international conference, but I have to say that this past weekend was by far, my best experience with ACUI. In 2010, after attending the regional conference at Bryant University, I made the "official" decision to pursue a career in higher education and student affairs and never looked back. After the 2011 regional conference at UNH, I knew I wanted to give back to the Region in some way and decided to apply for the CPT. I was beyond grateful and excited to serve on this year's conference planning team with some of the most awesome people I have ever come across.

As social media and technology coordinator, I was chiefly responsible for creating the conference program book supplement using the mobile app Guidebook, scheduling tweets through the Regions twitter account, and creating the conference social media challenge. When drafting the social media challenge I wanted to create an opportunity for delegates to connect with the Region, Association, and other delegates through the use of mediums like twitter, facebook, and even the new land of instagram. I was referred to several times by delegates as the "social media lady;" a name I wore proudly as I hauled my box full of tiny buttons around with me everywhere I went. The majority of participants in the SoMe "challenge" were undergraduates, which was totally awesome and a little unexpected. I always get really inspired when I read the conference back channel during the weekend and loved seeing what professionals, grads, and, especially, undergrads were gaining through their participation in conference programming.

Today I realized that this was last official hoo-rah with Region I. It's hard to articulate exactly how grateful I am to everyone I have encountered through my involvement in ACUI. I'm forever inspired by the enthusiasm, excitement, and downright love of the field that is displayed by all of my friends and colleagues who are in the profession, full-time. As I continue to follow the path towards a career in student affairs, I can only hope to be a quarter of the professional that they are. I'm also continually overwhelmed and humbled by the support that folks in the Region have given me throughout my short time participating in regional and international activities. As I look to head out west to a new region, I hope that I can continue to carry the excitement, enthusiasm and love of the field that Region I has helped to bestow upon me. My involvement in ACUI revealed the importance of professional organizations for building community within a field, and I'm grateful for the community I found in Region I.

The Grad School Chronicles Part III & IV {Hit Submit and Wait}

This morning, I submitted my first of two applications to grad school (Arizona State, check). I mentioned earlier that I was applying to three schools, but upon looking further into one program I realized it wasn't really the proper fit for me. I'm submitting my final application in two weeks, and then I'll be playing the waiting game...

It's both overwhelming and exciting to think that next fall, I'll be starting the next chapter of my life in a state so far away from where I grew up. It's a challenge that is greatly accepted and I can't wait to see what's in store.

Friday Shorts: Remembering to Live in the Present

In an effort to be more consistent with blogging, I'm starting a new series called "Friday Shorts" that are just short posts about what is on my mind at the current time. Enjoy. 

I'm not one to hide the fact that I'm excited to graduate. I'm SO excited; I'm going to be first in line when the applications to graduate become available. All this excitement to graduate, go to grad school, move out to west, and, start the next chapter of my life is making it extremely difficult for me to live in the present. I have to remember that my life, here in Massachusetts, is still important too.

Balancing the excitement for the future with life in the present is going to be difficult for me (especially since futuristic is, like, my number 2 strength on StrengthsQuest), but it's something that has to be done...

The Battle Against Complacency

When I was first embarking on my undergraduate career and starting to dive into the thick of my involvement, I could dole out the creative/new/fresh/totally awesome ideas. I was able to take ownership in the project I did, both individually and as a group. I was totally passionate and always excited.I was humble, didn't care about a "thank-you." I always threw 210% of myself behind everything I did, because I wanted and loved too. It. Was. AWESOME.

Until one day, back in late June/early July when I had gotten into it with one of our guests at the hospitality center I worked at. I don't even remember how our scuffle started, all I really remember was this exchange of words:

"You think you're so awesome, because you're out here, all high and mighty and helping people."

"You know what, you're right. I am awesome. You're welcome."

As soon as I finished that last sentence, I wish I could have taken it all back. I immediately ran inside to hide out in my old friend, the freight elevator, and cry. Did I really think I was super important and awesome for taking time out of my summer to come back here? Did my biggest fear just come to fruition? Had I entered the land of smug self-satisfaction, also known as complacency? Yes.

I hated who I had become. I felt gross. In that fight with the guest, I had lost all sense of humility. I spent the rest of my day, evening, and the next four days doing some serious self-reflection. I had thought about the word I chose as my "One Word" for the year, which was "choose." I wanted to be more cognizant of the choices I had and the decisions I made. At this point, I knew I had to choose between continuing on the road to becoming a complacent jerk or go back to being the former, extremely grateful version of myself.

 I realized that over the course of my "awesome" experiences throughout my first three years of college, I had become too proud of myself....a trait that I absolutely hated. I realized that I never want to be complacent; I want to continue to remain intentional about every decision and radical in my approaches to every situation, challenge and opportunity that arose.

After my extremely, low, and shallow rock bottom I hit earlier in the summer, I began to attempt to make a conscious effort to challenge myself in every situation and not seek out recognition from others. At the close of summer, I felt like I had returned to the former version of myself, described earlier. The young woman who took on everything with excitement, who was always ready for a challenge, who realized she didn't get to where she is by herself, who didn't care if she was ever thanked by any of her superiors, who only cared about the people she worked alongside.

Even though I made it through my battle with complacency, it is still something I have to, and probably will always have to, deal with. When I feel myself slipping back into the land of ungratefulness and pride, I think of this verse:

1 Peter 5:5-6: "....clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time"

 I hope to always remain vigilant in all that I do and never head back down the road to complacency. 

Life Updates Through Instagram

Sometimes, I'm so grateful that instagram exists. It provides a great way to share updates of my life without having to sit and type out a blogpost. Sure, it's cheating the system...but it works, right? 

The Republican National Convention: I attended the RNC through the Washington Center and my university. Even though I don't really like to talk about politics or spread my political views, it was a pretty sweet experience. Note: I don't identify with either party, I vote how I want to...so, going to the RNC doesn't mean anything. 

TWC | Fresh Mouth Veggie Burger | Dr. Genovese!! | Pre-Convention Pass

the Floor | FREE Del Sol bag | Special Media Passes | The Forum

Nomination | Google+ Media Lounge | Afternoon pick-me-up | NEW GLASSES! 

The new semester started and it's still going! I've been pretty busy lately, but it will all pay off in the end! 

 postcards from friends | plants from A | pumpkin whoopie pies | flair for ACUIr1 Conference!

visited A in AZ | The DBG | Four Peaks | Love. 

UCONN Activities Motto | fall in New England | Halloween Package from A | Studying. 

The Grad School Chronicles Part II {The GRE}

My sincerest of apologies for being MIA lately, this semester has been pretty busy, but now it's almost halfway over(crazy how fast time goes by!).

Saturday October 13th, was (hopefully) the last time I will ever take a test that is better known by its acronym. I spent 7 months studying for the GRE and I have to say it all paid off in the end. I received the raw score I wanted to get and now am patiently awaiting the arrival of my final scores.

I'm pretty stinkin' happy to have this part of the grad school application process behind me. Now, all I have to do is submit my applications; the goal is to get everything out by Thanksgiving.

In the next few days, be on the look out for a full instagram update on my life since the end of summer!

Not Abandoning Y'all...

I promise!

I'm currently at the Republican National Convention working for CNN and reporting for BSU...no posting until it's over!

The Grad School Chronicles: Part I {The Applications}

The time has come. I'm applying to grad school for my masters in higher education and student affairs. Finally. 

For the past year or so, I have poured over graduate program databases, talked with people from different institutions, sought advice from mentors at my own institution, researched the type of degree/program/assistantship hiring process, studied for the GRE, and looked up ideal locations (including nearby ultimate frisbee leagues) in order to find the right fits for me. My ideal schools took up one Google spreadsheet and I had a complex ranking system in place to help me decide which schools are the best to apply to.     

My year's worth of research led me to my final three (in no particular order)...drum roll, please: 

1. University of Maryland - College Park
2. Arizona State University
3. University of Arizona

Now that I know where I'm applying, I can put the majority of my energy into writing my personal statements, updating my resume/CV, and taking the GRE. 

Be on the lookout for more tales from my Grad School Chronicles (GSC) as the process unfolds! 

The Beginning of the End

September will mark the beginning of my final year at Bridgewater State. Honestly, it's weird to type out those words and see them on my computer screen. I can't believe how fast four years flew by! Not only does September mark the beginning of the end of some really great things, it also marks the beginning of some even greater things.

The End of:

• My research. Yesterday marked the one year mark for my thesis project on rhetoric and immigration, and come May it will be all over. I've put a very large part of myself into this project and am excited to finally see the end result. 
• My time with the Social Justice League. I joined SJL the second week of my freshman year and never looked back. It's going to be sad to leave an organization that has helped me grow so much, but I'm excited to end my time with SJL as the chief point person. 
• My job at the RCC. I've been truly blessed by my tenure at the RCC. I've been given so many opportunities, worked with and for some of the best people on campus, and found a real passion for the Student Affairs Field. 

The Beginning of:

• My journey to grad school . I've put tons of energy into researching the right type of program, location, school, and studying for the GRE for over a year. Now, I finally get to put all of that energy into applying to my "final four" (schools to be revealed at a later date). 
• Living on my own. I'm moving into the guest room of two of my really great friends' house to be closer to school and take my long overdue crack at true independence. This is good practice for my big relocation to wherever I'm going for grad school next summer.  
• An adventure with someone I really care about. I've recently entered a relationship with a pretty awesome guy, and I'm really happy. Right now we're separated by a pretty steep distance, but I'm excited to see how we grow, both in our relationship and as individuals, over the course of the next few months. 

The stories on this blog are going to get more exciting as time goes on, so be sure to stick around! 

Two Months in Arizona: A Tale Through Instagram

I spent the last two months in Arizona working on research for my thesis and spending time on summer staff at Andre House. There's a lot of stories to tell, but pictures say a thousand words, so here's some of my best Instagram shots: 

4.5 layover in Dallas to start my trip | spending time with my housemates | the craziness of Monday nights | and my keys to the building. 

new Chacos I found in the basement | my love for Americano grew | I baked a lot of yummy things | RAIN

After a year and a half of researching and reading, I finally made it to the Sonoran border. 

Goodwill 50% off Saturdays | Dutch Brothers | caught up on some reading | Shirley, my favorite Monday night volunteer

I hiked the Maxwell Trail at the Mogollon Rim. 

And last, but certainly not least, I met someone and we're pretty happy. 

The Semester in Instagram Photos

The semester is spiraling its way to summer. Finals end May 8th and I'm so excited to finish up and start preparing for my trip to Phoenix.

Here's an overview of my semester through Instagram:

We brought Campus MovieFest to Campus again: 

There were over 29 films submitted, and 16 films made it to our Finale. 

 I traveled to Minneapolis for the National Service Learning Conference. 

 SJL sponsored and co-sponsored events:

Spring Homelessness Forum, Genocide Survivor Panel + the Just Trade Fair

A semester full of projects, letters from friends, tea and thesis. 

An Introvert's Tale of Conference Travel

A month late is better than never at all...enjoy. 

I am an introvert, there is no question about that. I always have been, and attending conferences, conventions, or other large-scale events just exacerbate that fact. However, in order to make any kind of connections and enjoy yourself at these kinds of things, you have to step out of your comfort zone every now and then.

I had the very exciting opportunity to attend the 2012 ACUI Annual Conference in Boston this past March (THANK YOU, Region 1). Being the only student, both undergrad and graduate, in my delegation it was imperative (strong term here, but it mattered) to shake myself of this introverted-ness. As exhausting as it was to constantly be the butterfly out of the cocoon, I can honestly say that I had the best time. I loved getting to know my fellow Region 1 colleagues better and in a different setting. Per usual, I took away a lot of new ideas from ed sessions, and got some new ideas about how to better incorporate and integrate social media into our regional conference in November.

Overall, #ACUI12 was a great experience and I was so grateful for the opportunity to attend.

Beginnings

After many failed attempts at blogging, I'm going to try again....for real this time. I'm not quite sure where I want this to go yet, but I'm excited at the prospects of a building a space of my own to reflect and share the happenings of my life, my interests, and my travels.

Expect the unexpected. But I can guarantee honesty, recipes, stories from my time spent in Arizona, and fun.

-K