So, hello loved ones!
All is swell here in Columbia, I'm not sure it's possible to put into words how much the Lord has blessed me since I made "the move." The people, opportunities and atmosphere are all the perfect combination to keep me mostly distracted from missing all of...YOU! At the end of this week I will have been here for two months. In my mind I seem to have been here longer...I've started counting down the days until mom and dad visit, and I've also made my flight arrangements for Thanksgiving...I need some PA time! More importantly, it's been approximately a month since my last post...so let's see if I can give you a little glimpse of what I've been up to...take a look at my "top ten!"
- Classes have been wonderful...I repeat classes have been wonderful and I'm actually enjoying my homework. Shocking, I know! My professors are incredible; their wealth of knowledge in the field and their willingness to help us grow and develop as incoming student affairs professionals is more than genuine. That being said, I have a lot of work to do before Thanksgiving - presentations, submitting an article for publication, term papers and more! However I can sincerely appreciate how applicable each assignment is to the degree we are all working towards...so that makes all the time and effort a bit more worth it :)
- Work is great! Again, I cannot say how truly blessed I am to be in such a wonderful office. Everyday I am excited to go to work! It is a wonderful feeling. As our program director tells us, you don't have to look far to realize that not everyone loves what they're doing - but if our heart is really into student affairs, we'll never work a day in our lives. Let's see if I can make that happen! Check out our Web site (and our head shots/profiles) at www.sc.edu/studentengagement!
Below is my supervisor and I having some fun at one of our office events - we really like to enjoy ourselves on those days out of the office...bungee jumping inflatable anyone?
(Warning: I couldn't move my neck for 2 days after this - haha!)
- Sundays...I've been attending First Presbyterian Church of Columbia and I have genuinely enjoyed the teachings and services. The senior and associate pastors are incredible - I find myself "debriefing" after sermons with Drew because the teachings are so rich and really dive into the word. The church is beautiful and I'm loving the "tradition." I'll be sure to keep you posted, as I'm hoping to get involved with a women's group or attend the weekly lunch they hold on Sunday afternoons for college students - overall I'm really happy to be getting "plugged in" somewhere!
- One component of my assistantship is academic coaching. For 3+ hours a week I have the opportunity to work with students who are on academic probation, are high achieving and need help balancing their schedules, and even freshman who are just getting their feet wet at this very large institution. This past week I had 3 incredibly appointments and was truly on an academic coaching high. I was SO motivated and encouraged by the students that I met with, and felt that I was truly having an impact. These students are incredible individuals with outstanding aspirations and I feel so lucky to be able to help them. In a nutshell, my time in Columbia has reaffirmed 110% that I have found my calling in SA (Student Affairs) and in helping students to reach their full potential within and beyond college...I'm so excited just talking about it!
- In addition to working with individual students across the spectrum, I have also been afforded the opportunity to be the academic coach for a fraternity at USC. That's right my friends...real Greek life! In case I haven't told you already, Greek life here at USC is a big deal - we have a Greek village here filled with mansions that house over 40 fraternities and sororities. SO, this past week I had the opportunity to attend a chapter meeting with the fraternity that I will be working with...needless to say I was a bit nervous...but quickly was embraced by the 100+ men of the fraternity (that shall remain nameless) I'm really looking forward to our partnership and the chance to have an academic interaction with a component of student affairs that is completely new to me.
- So as I write this, I'm having my morning tea with Drew over Skype...welcome to long distance relationships...you've got to get creative! While many of you may know because of my excitement over Facebook, Drew came to visit the week after Labor Day and it was WONDERFUL! He drove all the way from PA and met me in Columbia but stayed with his sister, brother-in-law and beautiful niece in North Augusta, SC. I then headed to North Augusta for the weekend where we hung out at the river house, played with Eva and ate wonderful food! Drew and I were quite taken with Eva - she has quite the personality and is definitely warming up to us. One of the highlights of our time with her was the long bike ride we took with her in her "bike trailer!" We had a blast :) I love him. :)
Drew made us laugh in this one!!
Our last night together - we met at Aiken Brewing Company in Aiken, SC - so bittersweet!
- One of the great attractions we have here in Columbia is the Riverside Zoo. Drew and I had the opportunity to visit (thanks to tickets from Matt & Carly!) and we had a blast. My favorite were the giraffes! I can't wait to go back and feed the giraffes - feeding was already over when we got there - but I've heard it's a great experience! The zoo here does events for Halloween and the holidays...it's a great family place and lots of folks here get season passes.
- Now I wouldn't be a true USC student if I wasn't involved in some Gamecock football! I promise you when I say I have never been more excited about a football game in my life. Yes, I wore a dress. All the girls here wear black dresses with garnet accessories. I also got chills when the team came out of the locker room...the Gamecock's entrance is one of a kind! You should YouTube it.
Courtney, Carly and myself! SC friends and HESA classmates!
(HESA = higher education & student affairs)
That includes all of my updates for now...as I'm sure I've kept you reading long enough! I'll try to keep up with shorter, more frequent posts. The semester will continue to get more and more busy as the holidays approach, but I love keeping in touch with all my loves at home :)
Love you all, miss you always & I promise to "post" again soon!
SCD
