Friday Reflections

As the first weekend of May approaches, I started thinking how it has been TWO years since I graduated from my master's program and FOUR years since I graduated from undergrad. YIKES! Time does fly...

I had the opportunity to talk with an professor I had in college and one of her current students. The student is planning on completing the same grad program I did come this fall. It was fun to reflect back on that time and answer her questions. I tried to put myself in her shoes, thinking of telling her things I wish I had known at the time.

Graduate school was an interesting time in my life. I was four hours away from home, living in an apartment for the first time, cooking my own meals, teaching, writing my butt off (with my trusty APA manual by my side), and going out more than I ever had in my life.
There are still aspects I miss: free time, campus life, the people.

I remember my first semester being intimidated and scared. This was the first time in eight years I would not be attending a Christian-based institution. I thought everyone would be smarter than me. I didn't know if I would make any friends.

I was 22 my first year. That seems so young to me right now. Looking back, it was a great transition point into the "adult career-world." Although I was still a student, I was placed with more responsibilities than I had as an undergraduate. My professors would refer to us as colleagues, and being a graduate teaching assistant, I was able to interact with the other teachers in an office-like setting.

And I survived. I graduated and landed a good starting job.

As I reflect back on this time with (mostly) happy memories, I recall how it has shaped me to be who I am today. I learned a lot about myself, relationships, and applying myself to continue to work hard.

Happy Friday!

Music Mix of the Week

I love when people blog/post what they are listening to. It's like a glimpse into someones personal soundtrack universe. Here are some samples of what I've been listening to this week:

Did you hear...I'm going on vacation in one month! A couple friends and I will be island hopping through the Caribbean. My personal theme song for this trip is "Toes" by Zac Brown Band. Every time I listen to Zac Brown Band, I become more and more impressed. Their music is is big blend of country, folk, bluegrass, and a little Jimmy Buffett. Check out "Toes" below:

My favorite boy band got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week! Check out the Backstreet Boys:

(people.com)

It's hard for me to believe that BSB has been around for TWENTY years! Makes you feel old, right? Seeing them get that star prompted me to listen to a mix of their songs. Brings me back to some late 90s and early 2000s nostalgia. Check out this oldie but a goodie (and Nick Carter's bowl cut!), As Long as You Love Me:

Have you caught Nashville on ABC this year? It's a terrific show filled with drama, soapy story lines, an attractive cast, and yes, country music. It stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere as rivaling country divas who are forced to go on tour together. It really gives an interesting perspective to the music industry and the struggles people go through to achieve their dreams. The plot lines are intriguing, and the music is fantastic. I've been rocking out to the soundtrack, with this particular song on repeat, One Works Better:

There will always be a part of me that will always love mainline pop music. I have fond memories of blasting the Top 40 radio stations on the drive to my high school. Nelly, Ja Rule, Ashanti, 50 Cent, Destiny's Child...I love them all. That is why I have been cranking this song when I work out, Pitbull featuring Christina Aguilera Feel This Moment:

What have YOU been listening to lately? I'm always ready for new suggestions. 

My Reviews on a Few Recent Reads

When I was in school, the only time you would catch me reading for fun would be during the summer and possibly on breaks. After reading text books and academic articles, reading for pleasure never really appealed to me. When summer did hit, I usually could be found reading either a beach read "chick-lit" novel or a cozy mystery.

Much to my surprise, I have slowly begun to branch out of those two genres. I've been reading memoirs, crime novels, and (gasp) classic literature.

Some of the more interesting books I've read in the past couple months have been Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag by Jennifer Gilbert, and Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. 

(www.rarebookschool.org)

Ever since I watched The Torkelsons and its spin-off Almost Home on Disney Channel back in the 90's, I always wanted to read Jane Eyre. One of the main characters on the show, Dorothy Jane (Olivia Burnette) was trying to encourage Molly (the late Brittany Murphy) that she would love this book since she loved romance novels.  Since watching that episode, it's always been on my unofficial bucket list to read. 

See, doesn't it sound good? So after 15 years I decided to go for it. Classics and I usually don't get along. I usually quit after a few chapters. But I was determined to finish this. It took me about a month and half (I had to stop frequently as my mind would wander) but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Bronte's writing style was simply beautiful at times. The depth of the characters was also fantastic. Jane and her beloved Mr. Rochester were complex and well written. 

(www.goodreads.com)

My supervisor gave me two wonderful presents for my birthday. One was the book I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag by New York event planner Jennifer Gilbert. I had been helping to plan some major events at work recently so it was fitting to read someone else's perspective. Jennifer recounts a horrifying memory that at just 22 and fresh out of college, she was violently stabbed by a man with a screwdriver outside a friend's NYC apartment. This sets up her remarkable tale of coming out of that horrifying experience and eventually founding her own event planning company, Save the Date®. Ms. Gilbert's go-getter attitude allowed her to overcome her tragedy to become a successful business entrepreneur.

Last fall I started watching Mad Men via Netflix. I became fascinated with the 1960s time period. For me, it was a time that seemed so glamorous, yet filled with so much change for the United States. One of the most defining moments of the 60s was the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which the show incorporated during season 3. 

(www.nytimes.com)

In 2012, Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly with Martin Dugard released Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot. This is the second book in O'Reilly's "Killing" series (The first being Killing Lincoln released in 2011 and Killing Jesus which will be released later this year). IO'Reilly and Dugard have written this book in more of a novel style rather than a biography or a history book with numerous dates and facts listed. The story started when Kennedy was in World War 2 and ends right after his assassination. I enjoyed learning more about Kennedy, his brother Bobby, his wife Jackie, and his increasing tension and dislike of Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson. I also got a better glimpse of JFK's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. It's a good read if you're not too familiar with the story or need a refresher from history classes.

(

What are you reading? Have your tastes changed over the years?


P.S.If you're not on the social media sight, Goodreads, you're definitely missing out! This sight allows you to search for books by genre, read reviews, and track your reading progress. The progress is my favorite part as it has challenged me to read 50 books this year! Connect with me!

Election 2012

I don't like getting political on social media.

I love talking about it privately with close friends and family, but when people discuss their political ideas on facebook and twitter, it makes me sick. I know, I know-free speech yada, yada, yada. People have the right to discuss such things which makes this country so great.

It's the hate that gets me. Why must people post their views by attacking the other side? Why do I have to be called dumb, a piece of trash, etc. for not thinking like you? Can't you just say your piece in a respectful, intelligent manner?

A lot of people I respect constantly posted very mean-spirited, hateful political rants on their news feed, forcing me to block their posts.

Yes, I have beliefs for one side over the other, but I pray that I'm not hateful if my guy doesn't win. I also pray for the country to stop the hate as well.


#dividedwefail

In the moment

A few weekends a go, a friend received two free tickets to a country concert at a bar on the north side of the city. We had been to this bar/venue previously and were excited to return.

Unfortunately...it was probably one of the worst concert experiences of my life. It was such a shame because the band was so good. It was a combination of the venue and fellow audience members that made it unbearable.  

Let me paint a picture for you. The venue is a bar that has a semi-large concert space in the back. Unless you have VIP seats, it's standing room only. My friend and I are pros at standing room only concerts and it has never been too much of a problem...until this concert. The place was JAMMED. You could barely move and what made it worse was no one could stand still.

"I'm sorry."
"Please excuse me, my friends are in the front."
"Whoops, didn't mean to spill that beer all over you!"

These were some of the numerous comments we heard in the two- hour span we stood and were shoved around. It seemed as if no one came enjoy the concert...they just wanted to be in the space whether that was getting beer, taking pictures, etc.


It got me thinking...in today's  world, do we ever just keep still and enjoy the moment?

Now, I will be the first to admit that social media is a big part of my experiences. When I attend a concert or anything big, I usually Foursquare my location, take a few photos on Instagram, and usually post something to Facebook, or Tweet about it.

But does this take away from our experiences? How much do I miss of the moment by "proving" to everyone that I have a "fantastic" social life.

Many times, our best memories come from those spur-of-the-moment or unexpected experiences. Some of my favorite moments in college were those Friday nights we chose to stay in and talk till 3:00 AM. Or those random dinners where you sat with new people and laughed until the cafeteria closed. No checking-in, no tweets, no photos. Just living in the moment.

I'm kind of a planner by nature so I don't think I'll stop organizing events or taking pictures or collecting points on foursquare. But, this concert did make me realize that it is okay to put the smart phone down one and awhile and sit back and enjoy.

What social media tools do you use when you are out on the town? Do you think it takes away from your experiences?

Fake ID

In my post-college collection of new interests, I love to country line dance. There is a great place in the western suburbs of Chicago that I like to frequent on Friday nights. You'll find everyone from ages 21-80 letting their hair loose and kicking up their boots. 

For those haters or skeptics out there-don't knock it till you have tried it!

My goal for December 31, 2012 is to learn this line dance, the extremely challenging Fake ID from the movie Footloose:

Rediscovering Art

When I was in undergrad, one of my majors was Graphic Art. With this major, some of my requirements were to take classes such as drawing, painting, and fiber arts. Now, I loved designing things on the computer. I loved making posters, invitations, business cards, etc. But free drawing-FORGET IT! I didn't have the patience for shading or erasers or those prisma colors. I was the girl who always had to buy 10 packs because I couldn't take care of my materials properly.

And don't even get me started on painting!! I could never get the brush to do what I wanted and I always felt constrained by assignments. Why couldn't I just take my brush and make a million paint strokes go back and forth? Why was I constrained to these assignments? It's art isn't it?

After I graduated, I moved onto grad school where life was consumed by papers, reading, teaching, and socializing. I didn't really miss art. I dabbled in a few graphic design projects here and there but didn't really MISS it.

Then after graduation, I ventured into the "real world." I love what I am doing, yet it was a tough transition. I recently celebrated one year at my job, but felt like something was missing. Several people at  work are musicians and actors on the side and I sometimes wished I had something like that to do after work. Something to express myself creatively.

And then I finally figured out what I needed to do. I needed to start creating art again. I can paint how I want to paint. I can make a homemade loom like I did in Fiber Arts. (Stitching the yarn back and forth on my train commute sounds so soothing!) I can create collages using mixed media. I'm FREE to create how I please without worrying about a grade being attached to my art.

So this is my new goal for the fall. Please hold me accountable.

How do you express your creativity outside of your career/school mode? Would love to try new things!