Damn You, OPE!!*

[**Just to clarify, I don’t damn that lovely conference at all . . . just served me well as a catchy title!]

It snowed today.

“A lot.”

This is a big deal, as I think it’s snowed maybe 4 whole days this winter.

Like everywhere else, our winter in Wisconsin has been pretty mild.

And frankly, quite weird.

Last year at this time we had around 100 inches of snow.

This year we’ve had 24.

Tonight we got around 5 more.

So it’s kind-of a big deal.

[I should also say, while we’re here, that this makes me VERY NERVOUS for what Mother Nature is going to bring our way. I just can’t believe that this is IT. But I REALLY hope it is because I’m enjoying this ‘winter’ immensely.]

It was VERY pretty.

The snow was also wet and heavy and gross. I walked into a meeting today feeling like a football player wearing eye black, thanks to the walk TO the meeting and the aforementioned snow attacking my mascara. Classy.

But I digress.

I realized tonight that this snow is because OPE is this weekend in good ole’ Oshkosh, WI.

I’m not there, but when I have been, there has always been a huge snowstorm.

Every. Time.

I should be there, especially as I’m spending the next two weeks doing many phone interviews. Though I’m pretty sure if I suggested to this group of folks that they should meet me in a residence hall room in Oshkosh for an interview, too many of them might run away screaming. Not something we often do for a facilities staff interview.

Which is too bad . . . it’s a great opportunity to interview a huge number of folks in person – which, in my humble opinion, is so much nicer than interviewing on the phone. (Can you tell I have fond memories of all my OPE experiences? Because I do. Big fan.]

But I digress. Again.

Thinking about the OPE snowstorm made me think of my second trip there – when I was in grad school, looking for my first position post-master’s degree. We had a van of fun people who made it to Oshkosh and back safely. Which was pretty amazing considering the conditions. I won’t mention any names, but there were a few who weren’t comfortable driving in the city (that might have been most of the van), a couple who were undergrads who couldn’t drive (I can’t remember why … would have been helpful!) and a couple who WE weren’t comfortable driving us in a van. So . .. that left two of us. And, having been one of those two, I can confidently say that we were champs. That drive home in that snowstorm sucked tremendously. Thank goodness our passengers were such supportive colleagues (as all great student affairs professionals are), and encouraged us during the rough times.

Ah . . . . THOSE were the days!

Regardless of what side of the table you’re on this weekend, I hope you have a successful and fun OPE experience. Be yourself. J

Got Mail?

I’m back.

And apparently perpetually behind on life.

“Life” apparently means: sending out birthday cards, cleaning my apartment, blogging, going to the gym, catching up with friends, finding a new hair product that makes my hair behave . . . you know . . . life.

*sigh*

I’m working on it. Like everyone else on the planet.

Luckily, I have kind friends who remind me every now and again that since I’m behind on everything (not what they remind me of), and I’m not blogging, and we can’t seem to connect on the phone, they have no idea what’s going on in my life.

I know.

I’m sorry.

I have no excuses.

I was going to list off some of the things that I HAVE accomplished recently, but very few things have come to mind. I’m sure that’s the glass-half-empty tendency and high expectations for myself that I have.

I mean . . . surely I’ve accomplished SOMETHING.

I did get up and shower and go to work today. I even braided my hair (because aforementioned hair products are not providing me with the curl I desire).

But enough whining. That’s not what this post was going to be about. And so I’m just going to skip over that part entirely and move on.

Hi.

I’ve spent the last couple of hours attacking one of the craft tables that is currently taking over my living room. It’s been piled high with a multitude of craft projects, junk mail, too many magazines I haven’t read and those damn scratch-off coupon/game/things from the grocery store that are now expired. I’m able to see portions of the actual table, so I’m making progress, but it’s not usable yet. Though I’m confident it will be by the end of the week. [And then I’ll tackle that OTHER craft table that I put up in December to help a friend with a craft project. And is still here today.]

Anyway, while sorting and recycling and organizing, I was also thinking about a blog post that a friend tweeted recently. (Thanks VKR!)It’s about a woman who has decided to revive the art of letter-writing– and has devoted the month of February to writing people she knows – and sending them letters – IN THE MAIL. [Imagine that!]

It seemed like a cool project, but as many who know me know, I have enough damn projects to keep me occupied well into my 90’s. However, as I was sorting through all the card-making and scrapbooking supplies, it dawned on me that I have sent very few cards lately. [Lately being defined as at least the past year].

I used to send postcards to friends and family when I travelled – now I sometimes buy them, and I’m still carrying them around, thinking I’ll get around to it.

I also used to send a note or card ‘just because’ or to celebrate a holiday, or when someone needed a motivational pick-me-up. Love via the post office, if you will. And this piece of my life has been an epic fail. I’ve been great about giving out birthday cards to my staff, but I’m afraid that the rest of the people in my life have fallen off the radar. And I’d like to remedy that. Putting a card in the mail for someone, knowing how nice it is to get mail-that-isn’t-a-bill, it’s pretty great.

And so, for the month of March, I’m going to write to one person each day. If you would like to be a recipient of some snazzy mail, send me a message – either by facebook or email. If you don’t think I have it, include your address. It will help the post office figure out where you live. :) Help me get back to being me. Maybe we'll become penpals.

p.s. Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of a card that has a picture on it? With a camera phone? Why must something so seemingly simple turn out to be such a challenge?

p.p.s. I apologize for the ridiculously outdated background on the blog. It's clearly been awhile. It will get changed. Eventually. But isn't a new post better than new wallpaper? That's what I thought.

Witty Wednesday: Midwest Inspiration

Here's me, trying something new. I love quotations and sharing them - via a cute card, at the top of an agenda, or whenever something reminds me of someone. So . . . I'm thinking that maybe I'll start "blogging more" by sharing a weekly quote. On a Wednesday. We'll see . . . maybe someone can help me with a better title.

At any rate . . . there are two quotes I found that I think it'll be great to share with you. Especially those of you who identify with the concept of "the midwest people." [I found these quotes in my Midwest Living Magazine - a gift that gives me new ideas for place to go and things to do in this area of the country. Thanks, Mom!]

"Let's just say we Midwesterners choose what works, and only what works, and leave the rest behind. That's why we're the ultimate test market, and why marketers proclaim: 'If it doesn't play in the Heartland, it won't play.' I consider 'Midwest' as an honest, approachable, easy style of personal vision." - Amy Butler (Ohio Designer)

"William Maxwell used to say about Illinois that it was his 'Imagination's Home.' There is something about the Midwest that I've tried to get into my stories: the odd politeness of the people here, their secretiveness, their wish to do good.' - Charles Baxter (Minnesota professor)

You Can't Be Stressed Around a Baby

While home for the holidays, I did a little reminiscing with one of my aunts.

When I was in grad school, I spent every Tuesday afternoon at her house, holding her babies. My cousins. Three of them. You see, the twins were born in November, and they already had the lovely Hailey, who at that point was around 16 months old (if I’ve done my math correctly). Let’s just say that she was also a baby – just not the newborn variety.

As you can imagine, their household was a little insane, and needed a little assistance.

And so I became the Tuesday Girl.

Every Tuesday afternoon I spent approximately 4 hours at their house – I held, fed, changed diapers, fed, rocked-to-sleep, changed diapers, and occasionally entertained, 3 very small girls.

It was great. And exhausting. And perfect for a grad student in housing.

You see, grad school is stressful. It’s especially stressful if you also have an assistantship in residence life – it feels like a full time job, while also going to school full time, and trying to figure out how to supervise staff and appropriately manage a crisis and hold students accountable. Really great stuff – but stressful to try and balance it all and pay for school and figure out “what’s next” in life. So . . . yeah. .. . it was stressful.

But I had my secret weapons: Avery, Anna and Hailey.

Why, you ask?

Because you can’t be stressed when you’re holding a baby. They’re smart. Like dogs, they can sense how you’re feeling. And if you’re stressed? Then they’re stressed. And then they quickly become miserable. And when they’re miserable? They cry. And since you probably don’t want to join in (especially when there are additional small beings that might join in on the crying), you want to console them. And while you’re consoling the baby, it helps you console yourself. Or at least pull yourself out of whatever cohort-ridden drama you’ve found yourself part of, and stop thinking about that next thesis chapter you have to write, or how you’re going to fit in four classes and a practicum alongside your assistantship next semester.

All you have to focus on is holding a baby. Maybe trying to make her smile, or giggle, or calm herself because you awakened her for her afternoon snack. It’s not about you. It’s about the baby.

I was reminded of this when I saw the girls for Hanukkah. They are now 11 and 12 – and the oldest might now officially be taller than me (I’m not sure what I find more unacceptable – her extra 2 inches or the “bye shorty” valediction I received from her. Probably the latter). Anyway . . . my aunt and I reminisced about the days of jotting down every bodily function, memorizing the book “Moo, Ba, La la la” and ‘the Anna dance.’ Those were the days! Though, I do enjoy talking books with them or taking them down in a game of Uno or Who Gnu!

After that visit home, I got to meet Baby G, my bestie’s firstborn.

He.Is.Adorable. Clearly - look at that face!!!

Many of her siblings and their families were present, so I tried to be kind, and not steal or monopolize the baby. Though, I might have once (or twice) said “I think your brother-in-law is hogging the baby.”

[He WAS!!!]

But who could blame him? G is gorgeous and smells amazing and . . . you can’t be stressed when you’re holding a baby! And so I backed down and tried to focus on other things. But it was a good reminder that perhaps I need to volunteer at the hospital to hold babies. It might be a really healthy way to get some stress to disappear.

Come on . . . you know you’d wanna hold this adorable nugget!

I recommend you find someone in your life with a little one [asking a stranger is REALLY awkward, and probably a really bad idea], and volunteer to babysit. Chances are high the parents might need a night out together, and you can get some de-stressing in.

** Side note: I might have spent more time trying to google 'antonym of salutation' to figure out what to call Hailey's farewell statement. What the heck? I've shared the great blog I found along with the appropriate word: valediction. You learn something new every day . . .

New Year’s Resolutions

I don’t normally believe in making resolutions for the new year. I think if you want to make a change in your life, you should do it. And do it now. Not wait for a new year to begin.

Having said that, I’ve decided that NOW, conveniently, I’d like to focus on some things for the upcoming year. [What can I say . . . sometimes I also like to change my mind. J ]

My friend Erin and I often talk about trying to find balance, living in a new town with a new job. [Yes, I know that I have been here now for just over a year, however, the job is big, so I’m giving myself two years to call it “new” . . . deal with it.]

It seems as though we can do one thing outside our jobs – we can work out, be social with other human beings, or we can manage our life [clean our house, cook good meals, do our laundry in a timely manner, organize our closets, etc.]. But, apparently, we can’t do it all. Something, and often, TWO-things, always fall off the plate. I have spent the last year attempting to have a social life, which worked out for the most part, but I also tried to do that other stuff, thus, seemingly failing at much.

It’s okay, however. I’m going to let it go. But for 2012, I’ve decided that, per my usual self – I do want to try and do it all. I’d like to get up early and work out in the mornings so I can be social in the evenings – and maybe cook, clean and organize a little in there, too. [But not too much – let’s be real – I can’t completely change who I am!!!]

In addition to working on balance, I also want to blog more. I enjoy the process of writing, but haven’t made much time in the last few months to make that happen. I had originally thought I’d try to blog every day – but who really wants to read a post every day? So I’m going to come up with a more manageable goal – but I’m going to be more intentional about writing. I’ll also share at least one weekly quotation and photograph to mix things up a bit. I’m working on some catchy titles for those now. (If you have any ideas, feel free to toss those my way!)

To start the new year off right, I’m going to share both with you today. This picture is an amaryllis I got from my aunt for Christmas. It bloomed yesterday. What better message than a brand new flower in a brand new year?

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

My baby sister: All Wholesome and Shit

While home for the holidays, some of my fam and I attempted to watch The Change-Up, a comedy with Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman.

It’s not even remotely a holiday film.

In fact, it was pretty bad.

So bad, we stopped watching it.

Probably not soon enough.

We might have even traumatized my mother.

The best part happened later, when we were getting ready to go to bed.

Scene: All tucked in our beds

Me, randomly, to my sister: I can’t believe you made mom watch that terrible movie!

Sister: What? You said it was good! (I had dozed through the flick late the night before. When asked for an assessment earlier in the day, I might have given it a “good” rating.)

Me: I don’t know what kinds of movies you like. You rented it.

Sister: I don’t watch THOSE kinds of movies! I watch movies that are PG – not R!!!! I watch Santa Buddies – that’s rated G!!!!!

Me: Burst into hysterical laughter, followed by tears and a mega-coughing fit. Which I attempted to remedy with some magic cough syrup and my inhaler for my ‘sensitive’ lungs. And then promptly got out my notebook to write that quote down. [And, because I'm a good sister, asked Hunter for permission to share her hilarious comment with the blogosphere. You're welcome.]

Good times.

Over . . . Committed? Whelmed? Still a Cluster . . .

I’m doing too much.

Or trying to, anyway.

Some might say, per usual.

I have, overall, high expectations – of myself, of others, and probably the world in general. Most of the time, I can own this. But it’s harder to let go of the ones I place on myself.

Tonight I’m feeling the stress.

I’ve gotten to a place where I have so much to do, I can’t even decide where to begin.

And as it’s too long for a facebook status, I’ve decided that a brain-dump/delayed post/time to organize my thoughts is in order.

Here’s what I want/(need?) to accomplish. Soon. Like tonight and tomorrow:

1.   Make salmon dip for tomorrow’s staff party (just finished – yay!)

2.   Buy more ritz crackers to go along with said salmon dip (must do tomorrow on the way to work)

3.   While we’re talking about the drive to work, we should also put on the list “stop at Starbucks for a peppermint mocha” because this morning I apparently left my just-opened gallon of favorite coffee creamer on the counter. That only is sold at one grocery store in this damn town. That I literally opened this morning and used for one cup of coffee. And left on the counter to go bad. Ugh. Not my best moment of today. Quite sad when I arrived home and noticed it.

4.   Prepare decorations for tomorrow’s holiday party.

5.   Make Triple Chocolate Brownie cookies for tomorrow’s party. [As of sitting down to write this post I’ve cut these off the list. Maybe I can make them for next week. It’s not going to happen tonight.]

6.   Research, make a decision, and perhaps purchase a new car. Goal for this is before I leave for MI to see my family for Christmas. T-minus 10 days here.

7.   Make Holiday cards/notes for staff. I might need to make around 65 of these. I’m coming to terms with using some of the store-bought cards I used for others, and make about half of these.

8.   Write out notes/sign cards for staff.

9.   Download Christmas and Hanukah cd’s into iTunes account so I can make a holiday playlist for tomorrow’s gathering.

10.  Pack up pile of junk (like iPod and player) for tomorrow. Don’t forget the serving knife for the salmon dip!

11.  Make packing list for trip to Columbus this weekend.

12.  Wrap Christmas presents to take to Columbus this weekend. Did I mention that I’m leaving in two days for this?

13.  Email friends in Columbus that I’ll be in town and want to see them during this whirlwind trip. In two days.

14.  Pack for trip.

15.  Eat dinner.

16.  Attempt to convince my sisters to confirm their visit home for Christmas. I know they both want to join my parents and I around the tree, but it might not happen. I’m quite sad about this. And the old(er?)(est?) sister in me wants to make it happen.

17.  Fix chipped nailpolish on nails. Cannot appear in public with these current fingers.

Ugh. I’m sure there are others. Perhaps I need to reconcile with myself that some things just aren’t going to get done. Because surely I should take a few more things off this list other than those damn cookies. But now that the list is on paper (sort-of!), and I’ve re-entered the blogosphere, I need to get back to work. However, I think this was a cathartic and helpful exercise for me. I started my blog this way, makes sense to start back up again with a similar post.