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!