SanFran Experience

My trip to San Francisco was AMAZING! What a refreshing experience to have! I arrived on Friday, July 16th and realized that this was the 1st time I was traveling all on my own to a place where I new absolutely no one. I was a bit anxious when I first realized this, but I reminded myself of how great an opportunity I had awaiting me.

From my first interaction with my fellow teammates, I knew that I was in for a week with supportive people. During the weekend, I ended up having a lot more free time than I had anticipated. I was able to travel around San Francisco and see many things (Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz from afar, AT&T park, downtown Palo Alto, and Stanford's beautiful campus). I stayed in Roble Hall, where LeadAmerica housed two conferences (Engineering and Leadership University). Throughout the week I was the leader for 15 high school students; an experience that I had never had before. I quickly realized that despite all of the experience I had at JMU, working with a different age group was a whole new playing field. I learned that every experience is a new one and you always have to expect the unexpected.

I had a great time with my students during the week, and learned a lot from them as well as the other leaders, my teammates. My favorite term that we taught was "Unconditional Support." It is pretty self-explanatory but a nice way to remind people to show respect towards others.

3 month recap!

I have not written on here in over 3 months... oops!

Here's what's been going on:

Got accepted into Radford, UGA and the Peace Corps.
Decided to go to Radford and pursue a degree in Counselor Education.
Found my future roomie in one of my classes at JMU... it was destiny :)
Signed a lease to live in Copper Beech in Radford.
Dislocated my knee the week before finals... that was a pain to deal with.
The week right before finals was the most stressful week of my entire undergrad years.
Fortunately, I survived.
Graduated May 8th from JMU :)
Traveled to the OBX for a week with JMU friends and lived the life.
Watched the sun rise on the beach from my bed.
Layed out on the beach.
Read some books by the pool.
Bought JMU football tickets [against VT and homecoming!]
Went to Delaware to Elyse's beach house.
Explored Bethany Beach and Ocean City on one cold summer day.
Visited my Grammie and family in Lavale, Maryland.
Drove to Connecticut with Alaina, Kelly, and Kat.
Saw Dave Matthews Band in concert.
Drove to Long Island, New York for Jenn's graduation party.
Spent some time in Harrisonburg here and there.
Volunteered a couple days with JMU Orientation.
Celebrated one of my best friends' 40th birthday at Guadalajara's in VB.
Went to Maryland to visit Nicole with Alaina.
Saw PHISH in concert.
Lived the life of a tourist for three days in Virginia Beach with Alaina and her family.
Layed out by the pool and soaked in the sun.

Future events:

Enjoying home for a few more days.
OBX with Grammie.
July 16th-24th I am flying out to San Francisco! A few days ago I was offered a position with LeadAmerica to lead students through a leadership conference at Stanford University! I am VERY excited about this opportunity. My summer feels like it will finally have a purpose and a reason to be productive. From what I have heard so far, everything I will be doing with the students I have experienced before at JMU, and it is what I want to do in the future with my career as a school counselor.

After that I will return home for a few days... then head to Harrisonburg to pack up my townhome and move to Radford on August 6th! Only 31 more days to go! I am really looking forward to this new change in my life and to meet new people :)

University of Geogria

On March 1-3 I went on a 9 hour road trip down to Georgia with one of my close friends Mary Elizabeth to go for my grad school at the University of Georgia! Took the whole day to drive, but it was not bad... and besides- I love driving! We did not do much while we were down there, because the driving took a lot of energy out of us.

There was BEAUTIFUL weather both driving days, but the one day I had to drive to Athens/UGA... it was SNOWING! I could not believe it! I just could not get away from the snow. It made me nervous, since I have never been to UGA... I was so anxious about getting there on time. Luckily, I made it 20 minutes early! I was a little nervous before the interview, but once it got started I knew I was doing well. About one hour after my interview, I received a call from the program coordinator, and they offered me a spot in the program! I was completely blown away- I never really expected to get in. I considered it a far reach school. The whole day I could not stop smiling, it just felt so good!

They requested that I let them know as soon as possible, preferably as soon as right after Spring Break. I did some more research, looking at the finances and trying to see if it could be a reality I could handle. There are lots of factors to consider. On the plus side- the program is absolutely phenomenal, I love that they emphasize diversity and teamwork, and it is also in a great location. On the down side- out-of-state costs are extremely high, the distance from home, and it starts soon after graduation in May.

I was ready to make my decision before I left for LA, but I figured I should give it a week to sink in and digest my thoughts. I am planning to let them know my decision this week.

As far as other future options, I have not heard anything back yet from the Peace Corps or other schools... so I still have more to look forward to!

Oh Time... why do you do this to me?

I have made a lot of options for myself next year... I think I have made 6 total. I am so lucky that I have ability to do such a wonderful thing for myself. I have only heard a definite from one opportunity, and it has really put me in a strange mood. One of excitement and thrill and also of worry and questioning. Thinking day in and day out... Imagining my life in these different situations, probably wasting my time since I don't know what's really going to happen. I just feel like a totally different person than from last week...my everyday thinking has totally made a 180 shift. I can't stand my mood lately... Maybe once I get out of the burg and on the road it will help... Only got to get through tomorrow and Saturday... then I'm FREE!!! AHHH. I'm making a goal that while I am on my trips to GA and LA I am not going to sit and ponder about the future. I need to occupy my mind with something else...

Food For Thought

I read this line in Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" yesterday, and it really made me think more than twice about it. Thought it was worth posting...definitely words of wisdom.

"Remember frustration is a function of our expectations, and our expectations are often a reflection of the social mirror rather than our own values and priorities."

Admitted to Grad School... Yesssss

Yesterday I received an email from my new academic advisor from Radford University... and today I received my acceptance letter in the mail!!!! I can't believe I got in somewhere! What a relief! It feels so good to know, but now reality of the future is definitely setting in- and it's a strange feeling. It's like one of those things you dream about for years, and now it's almost here! I am hoping that I can hear back from all of the places that I have applied to before I have to make a decision... I still don't know what I am going to do... UGH

Waiting, Wishing, Hoping

7 days of hell coming up (4 papers, 3 exams, and 1 presentation). Plan to work my butt off this weekend and thinking about GA and LA to keep my motivating HIGH.

March 1st I will be driving down to Georgia for my UGA interview on March 2nd!! I am really excited for this 3-day road trip with Mary Elizabeth! I miss her so much. I know we will have a blast on the 9 hour drive down... Then back to JMU 2 days of class... THEN flying out to LA CUIDAD DE LOS ANGELES!! <3 Pure love.

Also, I should be hearing from Radford by mail by next Friday!!!

Still in the freak out stage, but as I find out more and more from the places I have applied to the more excited I get!

In the meantime, I will be keeping my hopes up and my dreams alive as I sit back, waiting, wishing and hoping... :)