2011 Rewind

Friday, December 30, 2011
“Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.” - Einstein

I know I say it all the time, but I seriously CANNOT believe that 2011 is coming to an end! This was a big year for me. I mean, seriously! So what better way to sum up the year than with a Top 10 countdown?! Here goes nothing…

2011 Top 10 Moments

#10 Summer Concert Series: This was the best summer for concerts included on the Country MegaTicket. Who needs front row seats when you have the lawn?! Concerts have been a recurring event every summer since my freshman year of high school, and they’re something I look forward to every year! This year I saw: Jason Aldean, Eric Church, JaneDear Girls; Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Jerrod Neimann; Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Uncle Kracker; Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry; Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Justin Moore, Easton Corbin.
Ashton and I during one of the concerts!
#9 Traveling: The whole reason I started this blog was because of this job (see #2)! Even though I was a “resident” this semester and spent most of my time living in New Orleans, I still got to do quite a bit of traveling. I calculated this (I had 4 weeks off for break – not complaining! – but I had to do something with my time!) – since the end of July, I’ve been on 33 flights, went through 9 states, and visited 7 chapters. Yes, this job is still pretty cool and yes, I still enjoy it, all of it. J

from my very first visit to OSU - I went a total of 3 times this semester

#8: Family Vacay in Florida: I’m still in Florida right now and this trip has been nothing but fun. You can expect a blog to follow with all the details. Give me a book (or my Nook J), my iPod, and the beach and I’m the happiest person you’ll ever meet. With nowhere to go and nowhere to be, this has been the perfect family vacation.

now playing: "Knee Deep" by Zac Brown Band

#7 Spring Break: During my freshman, sophomore, and junior Spring Breaks, I went with a few different friends each year to random places down south. My senior year I decided to go with the rest of Hanover College and headed down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. I had too much fun soaking up the sun, hanging out with my friends, and enjoying every second we had there. ‘Tis mediocre.

we went all the way to the famous Flora-Bama just to get a koozie!

#6 Passing Comps: Senior Comprehensive Exams. I had anxiety about these ever since I stepped foot on campus in August 2007. After recruitment and interviews, my entire life starting in mid-January was devoted to studying for these bad boys. There were 4 impossible parts that I somehow passed with a B+. I’ve never worked so hard or felt more relieved to get a B+. The best part about all of it? I could officially graduate with that passing grade. J
 
this has nothing to do with comps but it's my little and little little who I absolutely love.
#5 New Friends: This fall I’ve met so many people and have made so many new friends. From the other consultants, HQ staff, collegians, and volunteers, I’ve met some people who I’ll be keeping in touch with for the rest of my life. And luckily I’ve still been able to keep in touch with my friends from home even with the distance. I feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life right now!

training...ohhhh the memories. I think we knew each other for about 3 days at the time of this picture.

#4 Christmas: The week before Christmas we celebrated with my mom’s side of the family with around 30 people in my grandparent’s house. It’s probably my favorite day of the year. I’ve outgrown the presents stage and now all of the great-grandchildren are the ones sitting around the tree ripping open their presents after our big lunch, but it’s still such a fun day getting to see everyone. On Christmas Day, my family just spent the day at home and we had a nice, relaxing day. Having both my brother and me home so that the entire family was together was the best Christmas gift of all.

my mom still makes us a take this picture every year at my grandparent's house!

#3 Spring Term: My senior Spring Term was hands down the best 4 weeks of my life. We have 2 regular semesters and then we have Spring Term where you take 1 class for 4 weeks and enjoy your time as the school year winds down. We go to class for just a few hours a day, then go on hikes, hang out, go on road trips, and pretty much do whatever we want. Lambda Chi Alpha puts on a wiffleball tournament as a philanthropy event and we spend our evenings out at the wiffleball field. Yes, you read that correctly, the wiffleball field. And yes, there are specific rules. And yes, I played on 5 different teams my senior year. And yes, our house mom pinch hit for me and I ran for her (she got walked). I just can’t put into words how much fun we all had and how we made sure to enjoy every single second with graduation looming at the end of those 4 weeks. If I could go back, I’d do it all again.

PROOF that our house mom played in a wiffleball game - and check out that crowd for our game!

#2 Getting a Job: I found out in February right around my birthday that I got this job – talk about a huge stress relief! I had something lined up for after graduation and could focus on the rest of my senior year. I can’t say enough about how thankful I am to just have a job, especially when some of my friends are still searching for jobs. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world!

lunch with the National President back in August!

#1 Graduation: This. Was. Huge! I remember that weekend perfectly. My chapter held a cookout for all of our families that Friday evening. Saturday morning I woke up bright and early to get ready. I had a legacy family picture that morning with the fam and then we headed back to the Phi Mu house for a really nice luncheon that we have every year. Shortly after that, it was time to head out to The Point to get lined up. We had prayed and hoped all week that it wouldn’t rain so that we could have graduation outside. Thankfully, the rain held off that afternoon and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Because I have smart roomies, we were almost at the end of the line and were very close to sitting next to each other (we behaved, I promise!). Cue the graduation music and it was time to walk. As we headed in I spotted my brother (he’s 6’7 after all!) and the rest of my family. The ceremony was perfect. We finally got to the last row and it was time. Talk about a huge sense of accomplishment walking across that stage, shaking Dr. DeWine’s hand, and finally getting that diploma. As we exited through the tunnel of professors cheering for us, it really hit me that this was it. I had finally graduated! It was such a bittersweet moment but I tried to enjoy it all and take it all in without letting the sadness get to me. I made my rounds and said as many “see you laters” as I could (I hate goodbyes) and then headed back to the Phi Mu house one last time. I was really ok until it was just me…in my room…with none of our decorations up…with the desks, closets, and dressers empty…with the futon gone…and the room just looked so empty. It was then that the memories of the last 4 years came flooding back and I realized I would miss that place more than I ever could’ve imagined. Bittersweet doesn’t even begin to describe it, but at the same time, I could not have been happier to have that diploma in my hand!

at The Point pretty close to where I walked across the stage and said goodbye to the best 4 years.

So there it is, my top moments of 2011 and what a year it has been! As for resolutions, I’ve got only 1 this year and thanks to a good friend of mine, I think I’ll be able to finally accomplish it this year!

2011, you’ve been so good to me. 2012, bring it on. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for me!
Read On

All I Want for Christmas

Sunday, December 25, 2011
“All I want for Christmas is a real good tan, take me to the islands put my feet in the sand, rocking to and fro with the rhythm of the ocean, singing Silent Night with the palm trees blowing. Don’t you think it’s a pretty good plan? All I want for Christmas is a real good tan.” – Kenny Chesney

The presents have been opened and Christmas dinner has been made! Now all that’s left to do is pack for Florida! My mom and I leave first thing in the morning to spend a week with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We didn’t have a white Christmas, which just doesn’t quite seem right, but it’ll still be nice to get out of this cold weather and into that Florida sunshine.

the annual Christmas Card picture. aren't we just adorable?

It was great to have my brother home and we all had a great day opening presents, spending time together, eating good food, and laughing until we cried. It doesn’t get much better than this! He still picked on me and called me names just like when we were younger - I guess that just comes with being the little sister. Glad to know some things never change!

So, let’s recap:

Leaving this...

To go to this...

Excited? YOU HAVE NO IDEA. (!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Read On

Good News of Great Joy

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” – Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 "Mary and Joseph" - Dave Barnes

“We got a King; they got a son.
Mary and Joseph were the only ones
there on that very first Christmas day.”
Read On

A Very Merry Christmas

Tuesday, December 20, 2011
“The old neighborhood always looked so good each December. We say hello to the friends we can and can’t remember. Then the hand bells ring and all the children sing. Then we talk so late that the fireplace is on the embers. You and me and all this family… We’re gonna have a merry Christmas, babe, a very merry Christmas, baby.” – Dave Barnes

Since last time…

I went on a little Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee road trip and had the absolute best time during my first week home for the holidays!

Last Wednesday evening I headed down to Hanover to see some friends (happy birthday, Jess!) and on Thursday morning I headed to Bowling Green, Kentucky to meet up with phimucc Hanna! Friday night we headed down to Nashville for the Dave Barnes Christmas concert. I fell in love with Dave Barnes (again) that night and also with Nashville…and with Matt Wertz, Ben Rector, and Gabe Dixon since they were special guests at the concert! Saturday morning I made my way back home and stopped in Hanover again that night to see one of my old roommates and some other friends who were in town. Sunday morning I headed straight to my grandparent’s house for the Morris Family Christmas! It was a busy few days but so worth it and so much fun!

we always have those other phimuccs in mind at all times. GATOR CHOMP.

Dave Barnes and my big brother. love them both!

This week will be full of finishing up Christmas shopping, heading to the Christmas Eve church service (my favorite of the year!), celebrating Christmas at home with the fam, and heading to Florida the day after Christmas to be with the extended fam!
Read On

Back Where I Come From

Monday, December 12, 2011
“Back where I come from, where I’ll be when it’s said and done. I’m as proud as anyone, that’s where I come from.” – Kenny Chesney

I left New Orleans early Saturday morning, met up with a few friends throughout the day, landed in Indy to my mom saying “Put on your winter coat!” before she even said “Hi!” and got home around 10pm that night. I could not be more happy or excited to be home for a few weeks!

Here’s to a worry-free and stress-free break because as Francis Chan talks about in his book Crazy Love,

“Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.”

I just started reading this book, but I'm sure there will be more posts about it in the very near future. Until then, good luck to my college friends finishing up their finals – I absolutely do not envy you right now!
Read On

"Can Boone Pickens Just Buy Us a Spot in the National Championship Game?"

Friday, December 9, 2011
“There’s bound to be rough waters, and I know I’ll take some falls. But with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.” – Garth Brooks

Even though I’m a child of the ‘80s, growing up in the ‘90s, I loved Garth Brooks…and still do. So it’s only fitting that I visited his alma mater 3 times this semester! Garth came to Stillwater on a track scholarship and graduated in 1984 with a degree in advertising.

when I saw this view back in August, I was scared to death.
this time, chapter members met me at the front door and I felt right at home.

I can’t believe my final chapter visit of the semester has come and gone. I seriously cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by! Taking a trip down memory lane, I landed in Oklahoma City and made my way to Stillwater on August 5 for my very first chapter visit. It honestly seems like just yesterday, but thinking about everything that has happened since then makes me very grateful and thankful that I have this job! I’ve learned so much and have grown so much since I first set foot on this campus. I can’t wait to continue to grow and to hopefully continue to assist and inspire these chapters as I make my way across Phi Mu America.

This time when I arrived in Stillwater, OSU had just beaten OU the night before in the Bedlam game. The girls were still so excited about the win and I heard so many funny stories from the night before. That night, we watched the BCS standings be revealed and I have to say, I was almost as upset as they were to see that OSU ended up #3 behind LSU and Alabama. I was hoping for a chance to see OSU play in the National Championship Game!

Because I have visited this chapter 3 times this semester, when I come back it’s always fun to just catch up with friends. The first night I was here, I met with both the new and old Executive Committees to get them thinking about some goals for next semester. Working with new Executive Committees is always fun for me, and it’s exciting to see them so excited and ready to tackle the challenge of their positions. I have so much invested in this chapter and have loved seeing them grow and watching leaders step up since that first visit back in August.

The chapter also had a hot chocolate social event with some members of the Greek community, which was perfect since their house is decorated so beautifully for the holiday season!

it only took us 5 minutes to get a good picture

I have loved getting to work with this chapter and am so thankful for the friends I’ve made. I was sad to leave knowing that this was the last visit I would make to this chapter! Lots of laughs and plenty of memories on this visit:

Qdoba running out of tortillas…what?!
Hearing my least favorite phrase – “Yo Nationals!”
Seeing the house mom’s grandson
An inspiring and honest conversation with the next President
An emerging leader wanting to help a sister out (blog coming soon!)
Driving 2 hours round-trip to only stay 15 minutes at Sam’s Club
Seeing one of my favorite Greek Advisers from all of my travels
Making plans to meet up in May with one of the chapter members when she comes to Indiana
A fun dinner with 2 chapter members at a new restaurant in Stillwater
Getting tshirts because I may or may not have asked if they had any extras J

a gift from the house mom's 7 year old grandson that he picked out all by himself. HOW PRECIOUS.

Now I'm back in New Orleans for a day and then home for about a month! I’m so looking forward to some time off and spending time with family and friends. What a great semester it’s been – already looking forward to what next semester holds!
Read On

Training Wheels

Friday, December 2, 2011
“To serve in the light of truth, avoiding egotism, narrowness, and scorn.” – Phi Mu Creed

I had a meeting with a newly elected Executive Committee officer this week. As we were going through the typical meeting questions and just checking in on things, I asked her, “Ok, so tell me about some goals you have for this chapter overall.” We had a great discussion and she brought up some really great ideas. Then I asked, “Ok, anything else…?” because sometimes these officers, especially new ones, just need a little bit of a push and a little bit of encouragement for them to say exactly what they want to. After she hesitated for a moment, she said something that literally almost made me start to tear up. What she said is exactly what I’ve been trying to get this chapter to understand the entire semester. At times I felt like I wasn’t getting through to them, and I’ve been continually trying to think of ways to make them understand. When she said that, without me having to try and lead her in the direction to get to that conclusion…talk about a pretty big “small victory.” They are listening; they are understanding; they are growing as a chapter. Meetings like this are a constant reminder of why I'm here.

Tomorrow we have our New Officer Training/Transition, which is something I’m really looking forward to! It’s one of my favorite things that I get to do with this job. I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to get these women ready to take over leadership positions in this chapter! Even though I won’t get to work with this new Executive Committee next semester, it’s still exciting to push them and challenge them and see where they want to take this chapter.

I woke up to this amazing sight after a nap on one of my flights. it's pretty amazing some of the sights that you see from the air!

Here’s to keeping our horizons short and remembering that there’s always room for improvement!

P.S. I LOVE THE PHI MU CREED.

P.P.S. I MISS MY PHIMUCC SISTER FRIENDS.
Read On