Today I attended an impressive leadership retreat (or what I like to think of as an advance - not a retreat) for student leaders involved in the Student Government Association, Program Committee, and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) all of Bridgewater State University. The speaker for the advance was Michael Miller. It was the second time I've seen him speak (yell?), and he is an amazing and engaging speaker. He is also probably the loudest and edgiest I know, but he drives home great points - and tells powerful stories.
I was at the advance because of my co-advisor role in RHA, an organization that transformed me when I was in college at Radford University in Virginia over ten years ago. Michael Miller made many memorable statements, but one that struck me was his question, "What do you WANT in life, and what are you doing to get there?" It sounds like an easy question, but it certainly is not. It's practically an existential one, and that's what makes it so important.
As I pondered how I'd answer that question, I initially focused on the present time. Right now, my journey is toward changing my career path to work in a college or university registrar's office. Many people consider the thought of that career as boring, but I strongly disagree. A registrar's office serves as the steward of all students' records and plays a crucial role in coordinating the academic class catalog and schedule. It is truly the heart beat of any higher education system. I've started taking steps to make this my new career by attending a regional registrars' conference, but I have stalled out in updating my resume and reinventing myself. Time to stop stalling and make it happen.
The second thing I've reflected upon from that question posed by Michael Miller is - what did I want in the past, and what steps did I take to get there? Well, my role in RHA as a college student largely influenced my decision to apply to graduate school in student affairs. Ultimately, I ended up at The Ohio State University, and I will always parade my pride in my graduate education at such an incredible unparalleled institution.
There are many students I currently know who are interested in a career in student affairs, and they have graduate schools on their mind. Part of the application process includes writing a personal statement on why you want to be a part of that program and the field of student affairs. The personal statement is meant to describe the essence of what you want in life and what steps you're taking to get there.
Well - I pulled up my old personal statement for when I applied to OSU and was pretty impressed by both my naivety but also my maturity and decisive attitude. So - I thought I'd share my personal statement with you. It reminds me of why I chose to enter the field of student affairs. And now it seems I'm revisiting the fork in the road: what do I want to do in student affairs? The answer, it now seems, is the registrar's office.
On that note, I leave you with my personal statement written almost exactly ten years ago. I stand by the same principles and governing values that I had at that time, which I think is remarkably positive.
Statement of Intent
The impact an individual can have on society is tremendous. Over an entire lifetime, one individual can change so much, inspire so many people, and create new realities with one unique vision. Taking the time to work with one individual and emphasize his or her potential can make a world of difference. I am a firm believer in individualism, and this belief developed into full form while attending college.
The transformation began my sophomore year when I received the invitation to serve as vice president of my residence hall council. It was a training ground to develop a sense of teamwork, community service, and commitment. I took the initiative to create a web site to expand our hall council’s reach. It has been my belief that web sites are especially important in reaching out to college students. After developing the web site, the opportunity arose to get involved campus-wide by designing a web site for the Residence Hall Association (RHA). My appointed position as web master gave me the opportunity to speak up at weekly campus meetings. As a shy individual, I previously felt my opinion was meaningless and my ability to make changes was impotent. However, I was becoming comfortable stepping out into the spotlight, and I believed I had the potential to make a difference.
The defining moment arrived when I sought out to become the Vice President of Policies and Procedures for RHA. I felt the RHA was in need of positive energy and an impassioned renewal. I spent several weeks working on a bid for the position, as well as a speech in which I wanted to show my commitment to the organization and the students within it. An overwhelming majority of the student representatives from the hall councils chose to vote me into the position. It was an emotional boundary that I crossed. At that moment, I became aware of my purpose in life. I knew I was doing something right. My dedication to the students was fully materialized. I wanted to work with college students and help inspire them to realize their own potential to make a difference.
The individual is my primary interest. I want to actively participate in the process of student development. Currently, I spend the majority of my time developing and implementing surveys to measure the opinions of the on-campus students regarding RHA. Surveys can accomplish two tasks: a) discover how an individual views and is affected by an organization and b) demonstrate how the organization can change to better the individual and itself. In the hustle and bustle of today’s fast-paced world, it must not be forgotten that the organization and the individual are closely tied together. There are too many individuals that feel their significance in an organization is minimal, while the fact is, any individual has the potential to change the organization! All it takes is some inspiration, ambition, and a focused effort to make that change.
I have also been intrigued by the noteworthy impact that personality and emotional development have on the lives of individuals. College students are at a stage of their lives when they are still discovering themselves. How they handle college life emotionally and how their personalities develop are both crucial to the way they live their lives beyond college. I believe the primary focus of student affairs is to promote the overall development of college students, and I personally would seek to contribute to the success of college students with a particular concern for their emotional and identity development.
A graduate school education would serve as my guide to explore the possible paths I could take in student affairs. My commitment to student affairs has already been realized; I just need to build on that. Starting in the Fall Quarter of 2001, I believe The Ohio State University and its program in Higher Education and Student Affairs, with an organization and student development emphasis, would offer exactly what I need to pursue a future career in student affairs. I am aware that Dr. Robert Rodgers has an interest in personality and Jungian psychology. I also understand that Dr. Susan Jones is involved with identity development research. I also am very enthusiastic regarding the Study Abroad program for England. The opportunity to get a first-hand experience working in student affairs in another culture is a thrilling prospect to me. Furthermore, coming from a small university, I would be delighted to get the “big university” experience and education at The Ohio State University. I believe all of what The Ohio State University has to offer would benefit myself and in effect, future student populations to come.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Looking Forward to April!
I am most definitely looking forward to April.
No, it's not because I'm tired of the snow. I love snow - I'm in my element right now.
But in April, I'll truly be in my element with friends and folks who enjoy family history and genealogy just as much as me! The New England Regional Genealogical Conference takes place April 6-10 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
If you don't already know I enjoy genealogy, I definitely encourage you to follow my "Take a Good Hart Look at Genealogy" blog. I plan on starting a project of posting and explaining a total of fifty letters that my great-grandfather John Tyler Fairall wrote when he was a pilot during World War I in France. So friends, even if you don't care that much about genealogy (but how could you not?), you might find the true adventures of a young pilot during WWI as mighty interesting reading!
So. Back to the conference:
The NERGC takes place every two years, and the one in 2009 was the first one I attended. It was really my first experience meeting other people who enjoyed genealogy, other than my grandfather. All I had done before that was solo research and e-mailing other newfound cousins. But I was able to meet two wonderful cousins at the conference in person for the first time (and I plan on seeing them again this time around)! I met some amazing people, volunteered a little bit, and learned so much that it was a bit overwhelming.
It was at this conference that I learned about the Boston University Genealogical Research program that I later enrolled in from January to April 2010, where I earned the course certificate, fantastic knowledge, and many more friends. I've stalled out a bit with my genealogy research since then, as work and personal life have dominated. But I imagine going to the NERGC will rekindle that initiative to push forward with my family history. I plan on volunteering more this time, and now that I'm much more comfortable in the genealogy world, I know I'll gain even more friends and knowledge. I'm so pumped!
Early bird registration for the conference ends February 15, so if you see yourself as someone who'd love to learn more about genealogy (and you really could go to this conference knowing nothing and still gain much), you should consider it!
No, it's not because I'm tired of the snow. I love snow - I'm in my element right now.
But in April, I'll truly be in my element with friends and folks who enjoy family history and genealogy just as much as me! The New England Regional Genealogical Conference takes place April 6-10 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
If you don't already know I enjoy genealogy, I definitely encourage you to follow my "Take a Good Hart Look at Genealogy" blog. I plan on starting a project of posting and explaining a total of fifty letters that my great-grandfather John Tyler Fairall wrote when he was a pilot during World War I in France. So friends, even if you don't care that much about genealogy (but how could you not?), you might find the true adventures of a young pilot during WWI as mighty interesting reading!
So. Back to the conference:
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| The above image advertisement is proof I'm going. ;-) |
It was at this conference that I learned about the Boston University Genealogical Research program that I later enrolled in from January to April 2010, where I earned the course certificate, fantastic knowledge, and many more friends. I've stalled out a bit with my genealogy research since then, as work and personal life have dominated. But I imagine going to the NERGC will rekindle that initiative to push forward with my family history. I plan on volunteering more this time, and now that I'm much more comfortable in the genealogy world, I know I'll gain even more friends and knowledge. I'm so pumped!
Early bird registration for the conference ends February 15, so if you see yourself as someone who'd love to learn more about genealogy (and you really could go to this conference knowing nothing and still gain much), you should consider it!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Meet "Fly"
I'd like to present to you an opportunity to meet my cartoon alter-ego. His name is "Fly."
Why mention him? Well - when I woke up this morning, my mind was bursting with childhood and adolescent memories. My dreams were bittersweet, a collage of the many different places I've lived. I've moved a total of twenty-two times in my 31 years thus far. Sometimes it was just down the street, and twice it was nearly 3,000 miles. Along my travels, my creative alter-ego has always tagged along. Here he is:
I've always enjoyed putting my mind to creative use, whether it be in the form of poetry, photography, drawing, and even electronic music. In fifth-grade during an after-school program, I was doodling with some crayons in the cafegymnatorium (an Urbandictionary term for a combination of a cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium). I think I would have been about ten years old. At that time, I loved drawing goofy cartoon characters. Bursting onto the paper, the world witnessed the birth of an unusual new bird: Fly. Okay, so that's a little dramatic.
I wish I kept the original drawing of Fly. What I can tell you is that he matured over a few years, subtly changing, as I did the same in my youth. The above drawing, which I just did today, is pretty much what Fly has looked like since I attended high school. I don't know what kind of bird he is. Maybe an experimental cross-breed between a peacock and a chicken? He has always worn something resembling a target on his belly. His hair and feathers are typically flamboyant and blue, though he has occasionally been dyed a different color, depending on my mood. The expression in his eyes is generally of an acute alertness, frequently bordering on the panicked "deer in headlights" look. He is precariously balanced on two little stick-legs. He has wings, but despite his name, I'm not really sure he has the ability to fly. Perhaps a few feet in the air for a short distance?
Fly was featured in comic strips that I created when I was in middle school. He hung out with a turtle sort of friend, though I don't know if his friend ever had a name. I've sometimes drawn Fly on chalkboards in classes before teachers arrived. He is, in essence, my companion of imagination.
I guess if I were a bird, I'd want to be like Fly. Because I know I'm one strange bird, which is just how I like it. ;)
Right now, I kind of feel like a kid again.
Why mention him? Well - when I woke up this morning, my mind was bursting with childhood and adolescent memories. My dreams were bittersweet, a collage of the many different places I've lived. I've moved a total of twenty-two times in my 31 years thus far. Sometimes it was just down the street, and twice it was nearly 3,000 miles. Along my travels, my creative alter-ego has always tagged along. Here he is:
I've always enjoyed putting my mind to creative use, whether it be in the form of poetry, photography, drawing, and even electronic music. In fifth-grade during an after-school program, I was doodling with some crayons in the cafegymnatorium (an Urbandictionary term for a combination of a cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium). I think I would have been about ten years old. At that time, I loved drawing goofy cartoon characters. Bursting onto the paper, the world witnessed the birth of an unusual new bird: Fly. Okay, so that's a little dramatic.
I wish I kept the original drawing of Fly. What I can tell you is that he matured over a few years, subtly changing, as I did the same in my youth. The above drawing, which I just did today, is pretty much what Fly has looked like since I attended high school. I don't know what kind of bird he is. Maybe an experimental cross-breed between a peacock and a chicken? He has always worn something resembling a target on his belly. His hair and feathers are typically flamboyant and blue, though he has occasionally been dyed a different color, depending on my mood. The expression in his eyes is generally of an acute alertness, frequently bordering on the panicked "deer in headlights" look. He is precariously balanced on two little stick-legs. He has wings, but despite his name, I'm not really sure he has the ability to fly. Perhaps a few feet in the air for a short distance?
Fly was featured in comic strips that I created when I was in middle school. He hung out with a turtle sort of friend, though I don't know if his friend ever had a name. I've sometimes drawn Fly on chalkboards in classes before teachers arrived. He is, in essence, my companion of imagination.
I guess if I were a bird, I'd want to be like Fly. Because I know I'm one strange bird, which is just how I like it. ;)
Right now, I kind of feel like a kid again.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
My First 5K!
After walking two half-marathons in June and October this year, I finally participated in my first 5K run/walk today! I know... usually, one probably starts with a 5K, then a 10K, then works their way up to doing a half-marathon, but I'm always doing things the unconventional way.
Today's 5K was the Crescent Classic 5K Run/Walk at Bridgewater State University where I work. It was put on by Gamma Phi Beta, one of our sororities, whose members and alumni include some awesome people, such as my senior RA, my friend Erin at work, and several residents I know. The proceeds from the 5K went to Camp Fire USA, whose goal is to "build caring, confident youth and future leaders."
The difference for me doing a 5K was that I felt pressure from peers (and myself) to run a good part of the race. I really hate running. But it totally makes sense that for these shorter races, I should challenge myself more by running. Three-mile brisk walks are routine for me now, and I'm not going to improve much more on my walking pace (my best walking pace so far was around 13:26 min/mile, I believe). So I've been training (albeit less than regularly) over the last three weeks or so by jogging and walking in intervals each time I go out. My shins and ankles are never happy with me whenever I do this. But enough about the complaining!
Today's 5K was a hilly course on the campus. I think I probably jogged and walked in equal amounts, which was the best I've done so far. According to RoadRunnerGPS on my Blackberry (oh yeah, that was a wonderful new cell phone purchase that replaced that Samsung Restore I mentioned in a past blog), I ran 3.33 miles in 40:07 at a 12:03 pace. That was a pace record for me. I guess it was a bit more than a 5K at 3.33 miles, but it's better for it to be longer than shorter than the promised distance!
Check out what RoadRunnerGPS does - I love it!
I'm sure I'll be participating in more 5Ks in the future. But I really need to find another half-marathon to put on my schedule. I'm ready for another long-distance WALK. :) And also nothing motivates you more to keep training frequently than a goal on the horizon.
Today's 5K was the Crescent Classic 5K Run/Walk at Bridgewater State University where I work. It was put on by Gamma Phi Beta, one of our sororities, whose members and alumni include some awesome people, such as my senior RA, my friend Erin at work, and several residents I know. The proceeds from the 5K went to Camp Fire USA, whose goal is to "build caring, confident youth and future leaders."
The difference for me doing a 5K was that I felt pressure from peers (and myself) to run a good part of the race. I really hate running. But it totally makes sense that for these shorter races, I should challenge myself more by running. Three-mile brisk walks are routine for me now, and I'm not going to improve much more on my walking pace (my best walking pace so far was around 13:26 min/mile, I believe). So I've been training (albeit less than regularly) over the last three weeks or so by jogging and walking in intervals each time I go out. My shins and ankles are never happy with me whenever I do this. But enough about the complaining!
Today's 5K was a hilly course on the campus. I think I probably jogged and walked in equal amounts, which was the best I've done so far. According to RoadRunnerGPS on my Blackberry (oh yeah, that was a wonderful new cell phone purchase that replaced that Samsung Restore I mentioned in a past blog), I ran 3.33 miles in 40:07 at a 12:03 pace. That was a pace record for me. I guess it was a bit more than a 5K at 3.33 miles, but it's better for it to be longer than shorter than the promised distance!
Check out what RoadRunnerGPS does - I love it!
It was pretty cold outside today - the wind chill was 25 degrees. I made some winter running/walking gear purchases a few weeks ago, though. Gloves, a head band, a jacket, and a couple pairs of running tights. I love the running tights. Nothing says "I'm a man" more than when you're wearing these bad boys. That's totally sarcasm, but it is amazing how well they work considering it's such a thin layer of fabric. They do a great job keeping your body heat in once you get going.
Here are a couple photos (I can't claim credit for them, though; that'd be Maribeth who also works at BSU)!
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| At the finish line |
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| Yeah, fancy pants! (and fellow friends, co-workers) |
Oh yes, and on a random note, completely unrelated to walking and running - I'm putting myself back onto the dating market again, effective this weekend. I've been stalled out for far too long in the relationship arena. It's time to go actively looking again for that special someone! I'm looking forward to it!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Gut Feelings: Seeing it in Writing
A few weeks ago, I decided that it would be helpful to read a biographical book written by someone with some form of an intestinal condition. I was tired of feeling alone in my condition; anything relevant with depth would hopefully meet my needs. I came across a book called "Learning Sickness: A Year with Crohn's Disease," which I picked up at the local library. It's a relatively short book, 187 pages, written by an English professor working at Assumption College in Worcester, MA. The author, James M. Lang, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1996 when he was a graduate student and new father.
Before I go on, I want to clarify that I personally don't have Crohn's disease. I didn't state what condition I was born with in my previous post. While I have no intention of describing my condition in depth at least for the time being, due to the stigma surrounding it, if you are so inclined you can read more about what I was born with (high I.A.). It's tough to even reveal that! But based on the positive responses I've received so far, I feel just open enough to share the link.
While Crohn's disease is very different categorically to high I.A., there are just enough similarities in symptoms, to the point that I felt a distinct connection to Jim Lang. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is very painful. The disease affects different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and its impact varies greatly between individuals affected by it. Crohn's tends to "come and go," in the sense that it can go into remission and flare up again for weeks, months, or years at a time. Bowel movements are frequent and nearly uncontrollable. There is no "cure" for Crohn's disease. Crohn's can be treated, though, and if caught early, the lifetime impact can be lessened.
Jim Lang's book focuses mostly on one year of his life in which his disease was at its worst. His book moves forward and backward in time, as he discusses when he was first diagnosed with Crohn's and recalls other significant times in his life that were negatively (or positively) affected. I felt most emotionally connected to Jim's story when he discusses the bad moments and close calls of having "accidents." Most people really have no clue of the major stigma associated with these.
There were two major points that stuck with me from Jim Lang's book: a) patient advocacy and b) religiosity among those with chronic illnesses.
Without a doubt, it's critical when you have a chronic illness to be your own best advocate in the medical system. Doctors are not always right, and you will likely know your own body better than any doctor would despite the most advanced technology. When you're in conflict with a doctor's suggestion or opinion, and you absolutely know you're right, you have to stand up for yourself. With that said, doctors definitely have access to all of the tools and training to help you.
Jim's other point - that he believes many people with any kind of chronic illness are religious people - was intriguing to me. Certainly, if you're dealing with a lot of pain and suffering that you know won't go away throughout your entire life, you may look to a higher power. I myself am not religious by any means, but I consider myself a spiritual person (I'm drawn to the philosophies of Taoism and synchronicity - but that's for perhaps another post!). I was an atheist up until the time I had my first bowel obstruction in 2000. The combination of the trauma I experienced, along with the love that I felt from my friends and parents, made me think a lot more about what it means to be alive. Life is truly amazing and worth cherishing and reflecting upon.
I do think that Jim Lang over-sentimentalizes some things in his book. There are other factors that come into play in the way he deals with Crohn's disease, and those factors won't necessarily be as relateable to others with Crohn's or other intestinal disorders.
But the major sticking point about his book is that he wrote his thoughts and feelings down about what it's like to deal with his disease. As far as I know, there are no other biographical books about Crohn's, though there are quite a few practical and medical books on the topic. His book hits home, and you see the humanity that overshadows the disease.
That's what is missing for people born with I.A. No one, to my knowledge, has written a book or even a lengthy, in-depth description of what it's like to deal with the consequences of this throughout life. Someone should do that. Part of me would love to attempt a book, though I'm not sure if my personality lends itself well to such a long-term endeavor.
As I begin to hear from new parents with children born with I.A. - and even from other adults like myself - it's becoming all too clear that we've got to break through the stigmas and barriers. We're not alone. The stories need to be shared. Let's talk about things. Let's see it in writing.
Before I go on, I want to clarify that I personally don't have Crohn's disease. I didn't state what condition I was born with in my previous post. While I have no intention of describing my condition in depth at least for the time being, due to the stigma surrounding it, if you are so inclined you can read more about what I was born with (high I.A.). It's tough to even reveal that! But based on the positive responses I've received so far, I feel just open enough to share the link.
While Crohn's disease is very different categorically to high I.A., there are just enough similarities in symptoms, to the point that I felt a distinct connection to Jim Lang. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is very painful. The disease affects different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and its impact varies greatly between individuals affected by it. Crohn's tends to "come and go," in the sense that it can go into remission and flare up again for weeks, months, or years at a time. Bowel movements are frequent and nearly uncontrollable. There is no "cure" for Crohn's disease. Crohn's can be treated, though, and if caught early, the lifetime impact can be lessened.
Jim Lang's book focuses mostly on one year of his life in which his disease was at its worst. His book moves forward and backward in time, as he discusses when he was first diagnosed with Crohn's and recalls other significant times in his life that were negatively (or positively) affected. I felt most emotionally connected to Jim's story when he discusses the bad moments and close calls of having "accidents." Most people really have no clue of the major stigma associated with these.
There were two major points that stuck with me from Jim Lang's book: a) patient advocacy and b) religiosity among those with chronic illnesses.
Without a doubt, it's critical when you have a chronic illness to be your own best advocate in the medical system. Doctors are not always right, and you will likely know your own body better than any doctor would despite the most advanced technology. When you're in conflict with a doctor's suggestion or opinion, and you absolutely know you're right, you have to stand up for yourself. With that said, doctors definitely have access to all of the tools and training to help you.
Jim's other point - that he believes many people with any kind of chronic illness are religious people - was intriguing to me. Certainly, if you're dealing with a lot of pain and suffering that you know won't go away throughout your entire life, you may look to a higher power. I myself am not religious by any means, but I consider myself a spiritual person (I'm drawn to the philosophies of Taoism and synchronicity - but that's for perhaps another post!). I was an atheist up until the time I had my first bowel obstruction in 2000. The combination of the trauma I experienced, along with the love that I felt from my friends and parents, made me think a lot more about what it means to be alive. Life is truly amazing and worth cherishing and reflecting upon.
I do think that Jim Lang over-sentimentalizes some things in his book. There are other factors that come into play in the way he deals with Crohn's disease, and those factors won't necessarily be as relateable to others with Crohn's or other intestinal disorders.
But the major sticking point about his book is that he wrote his thoughts and feelings down about what it's like to deal with his disease. As far as I know, there are no other biographical books about Crohn's, though there are quite a few practical and medical books on the topic. His book hits home, and you see the humanity that overshadows the disease.
That's what is missing for people born with I.A. No one, to my knowledge, has written a book or even a lengthy, in-depth description of what it's like to deal with the consequences of this throughout life. Someone should do that. Part of me would love to attempt a book, though I'm not sure if my personality lends itself well to such a long-term endeavor.
As I begin to hear from new parents with children born with I.A. - and even from other adults like myself - it's becoming all too clear that we've got to break through the stigmas and barriers. We're not alone. The stories need to be shared. Let's talk about things. Let's see it in writing.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Bad Dream: The Tractor-Trailer
It's not that often that I remember my dreams, but as my sleep was interrupted around 1:00am in the morning, I vividly recall in detail this particular bad dream. It was one of those dreams that feels very real, as I was experiencing a great deal of anxiety in the dream and even upon waking up. I figured I would post it here on this blog while I still remember it in such detail (then hopefully, I can go back to sleep in peace!):
I was at my parents' house and was just saying goodbye to my dad. I had rented a tractor-trailer, though no one I personally know seemed to be aware that I was doing this, including my dad. As I'm driving the tractor-trailer alone, I come to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (if you're not familiar with it, it's an expansive bridge/tunnel connecting Hampton Roads to the Eastern Shore of Virginia). Except in this dream, there were apparently a series of stairs on the roadway of the bridge-tunnel that you have to carefully drive your vehicle down. Fearful of the potential dangers of driving a large tractor-trailer down a series of stairs on a bay bridge-tunnel, I slowed down and cautiously moved downward. But apparently, I wasn't cautious enough, and the tractor-trailer overturned to its side, crushing other cars in the process. I'm physically fine, but I see someone trapped in the car immediately next to me but can do nothing for them. I call 911, my voice shaking, to let them know I've caused an accident. They keep on telling me to calm down. The dream skips here, whereupon my father enters the scene to pick me up at the bridge-tunnel. He tells me he assumes it's a mechanical problem with the tractor-trailer and that it'll be okay. Then he nonchalantly asks: why don't we go to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and relax for a vacation? I agree to do that, but I can't shake the lingering feeling that I'm the direct and sole cause of that massive accident.
That's when I woke up. What a silly dream! It's nonsensical, but it's funny how we can imagine it to be so vividly real as we experience it and even for a minute or two after we wake up. I'm not really sure what the dream means, if anything.
On that note, I'm going to try to go back to sleep! Feel free to laugh, process, or wish you had done something other than read about a dream! ;-)
I was at my parents' house and was just saying goodbye to my dad. I had rented a tractor-trailer, though no one I personally know seemed to be aware that I was doing this, including my dad. As I'm driving the tractor-trailer alone, I come to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (if you're not familiar with it, it's an expansive bridge/tunnel connecting Hampton Roads to the Eastern Shore of Virginia). Except in this dream, there were apparently a series of stairs on the roadway of the bridge-tunnel that you have to carefully drive your vehicle down. Fearful of the potential dangers of driving a large tractor-trailer down a series of stairs on a bay bridge-tunnel, I slowed down and cautiously moved downward. But apparently, I wasn't cautious enough, and the tractor-trailer overturned to its side, crushing other cars in the process. I'm physically fine, but I see someone trapped in the car immediately next to me but can do nothing for them. I call 911, my voice shaking, to let them know I've caused an accident. They keep on telling me to calm down. The dream skips here, whereupon my father enters the scene to pick me up at the bridge-tunnel. He tells me he assumes it's a mechanical problem with the tractor-trailer and that it'll be okay. Then he nonchalantly asks: why don't we go to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and relax for a vacation? I agree to do that, but I can't shake the lingering feeling that I'm the direct and sole cause of that massive accident.
That's when I woke up. What a silly dream! It's nonsensical, but it's funny how we can imagine it to be so vividly real as we experience it and even for a minute or two after we wake up. I'm not really sure what the dream means, if anything.
On that note, I'm going to try to go back to sleep! Feel free to laugh, process, or wish you had done something other than read about a dream! ;-)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Change is in the Air
November is apparently going to be a month of change for me, in big and small ways. Some changes have fallen into my lap, and others have been a conscious personal choice. Altogether, I think they are positive!
The first piece of wonderful news I received was that my father bought a new 2010 Toyota Prius, and he decided to gift his 2005 Prius to me! So, sometime later this month I'll be going down to Virginia to pick it up and drive it back to Bridgewater. I'm so excited for a couple reasons: a) it's always nice to have a newer car, and b) the Prius obviously gets great gas mileage. My 1998 Nissan Altima is really starting to show its age. It has nearly 114,000 miles on it, and it has its bumps and bruises. That car has treated me so well since I got it from my parents in 2003. I got the Altima when I received my graduate degree in Ohio, and the car took me to Idaho where I worked for three years, and then across the country again to Massachusetts where I've been working the last five years. I'm spoiled when it comes to getting free cars, but I greatly appreciate it! So I don't think I'm a brat. ;-)
In other news, my cell phone has been acting up over the last few weeks. The display has been demonstrating a kaleidoscopic show of red and blue colors intermixed with what it's supposed to be. Then this morning, I woke up and discovered the display was upside-down and in reverse. The only way to read the phone display was by putting it upside-down and in front of a mirror. So... that forced me to get a new phone this afternoon. I went to the local Sprint store and decided to go with the Samsung Restore. It's advertised as an eco-friendly phone - it's made of about 27% recycled material, and when I decide to recycle it and get a new phone, 77% of the phone is recyclable. Considering I chair the sustainability committee in my office, I guess the combination of the Prius and the Restore is a good image for me. :) I upgraded my service plan to the Everything Data 450 which means I'll now get internet, e-mail, facebook, and all that jazz on my phone. The Restore isn't as snazzy as the Blackberry, iPhone, or Droid, but it's like my "gateway drug" to those savvy phones. So far, it seems to do almost everything the smartphones do. I am already getting addicted to being "connected" 24/7, I fear.
Upgrading my phone plan will reduce my budget by about $20 a month, though with my 15% USAA discount, it's not really that painful. Plus I just cancelled my gym membership at Planet Fitness today. I don't really use the gym anymore. I get a good cardio workout from all my walking, and I'm thinking I'll invest in a few inexpensive free weights (or maybe get them for Christmas!).
Finally, I went to the NEACRAO (New England Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) conference yesterday in Newport, RI. I was equally excited and nervous about attending, since I'm strongly considering pursuing a position in a registrar's office in the not-too-distant future. I felt relatively comfortable at the conference, though. Some wonderful people who made me feel very welcome. At the "first-timers" breakfast, when all introduced themselves and their positions, I announced myself as a Resident Director but quickly followed that up by saying "But I'm not lost!" The sessions I attended and the people I met reinforced my hopes to transition to this career area. Don't get me wrong - there are several areas of Residence Life I still greatly enjoy (particularly my staff that I supervise) - but being an RD is not a lifetime career. NEACRAO was, I hope, the start of a greater life change.
The first piece of wonderful news I received was that my father bought a new 2010 Toyota Prius, and he decided to gift his 2005 Prius to me! So, sometime later this month I'll be going down to Virginia to pick it up and drive it back to Bridgewater. I'm so excited for a couple reasons: a) it's always nice to have a newer car, and b) the Prius obviously gets great gas mileage. My 1998 Nissan Altima is really starting to show its age. It has nearly 114,000 miles on it, and it has its bumps and bruises. That car has treated me so well since I got it from my parents in 2003. I got the Altima when I received my graduate degree in Ohio, and the car took me to Idaho where I worked for three years, and then across the country again to Massachusetts where I've been working the last five years. I'm spoiled when it comes to getting free cars, but I greatly appreciate it! So I don't think I'm a brat. ;-)
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| My '98 Altima, in the Canadian Rockies (2005?) |
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| I don't have an actual photo yet, but this is what the '05 Prius looks like! |
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| My Rumor2 demon cat display! |
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| Samsung Restore random stock photo :-) |
Finally, I went to the NEACRAO (New England Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) conference yesterday in Newport, RI. I was equally excited and nervous about attending, since I'm strongly considering pursuing a position in a registrar's office in the not-too-distant future. I felt relatively comfortable at the conference, though. Some wonderful people who made me feel very welcome. At the "first-timers" breakfast, when all introduced themselves and their positions, I announced myself as a Resident Director but quickly followed that up by saying "But I'm not lost!" The sessions I attended and the people I met reinforced my hopes to transition to this career area. Don't get me wrong - there are several areas of Residence Life I still greatly enjoy (particularly my staff that I supervise) - but being an RD is not a lifetime career. NEACRAO was, I hope, the start of a greater life change.
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