The Picture of Education

I was asked to speak to a group of student leaders at our College of Medicine tonight. Although I was originally afraid of showing up late due to other commitments, I actually ended up where I was supposed to be fifteen minutes early. The CoM is located right on the edge of campus, and is not a direction I tend to go unless I have a specific purpose. (The same can be said of course for these students who live in this glorious new building bubble.)

As I was standing in the classroom in which the dinner was being held, I was looking around (the higher education person that I am) and making note of the set up of the room. Six rows of tables, theater style, with cute swivel chairs attached and two plugs placed in between every other seat so each studious student can hook up the trusty laptop. It was a smaller room, but clearly intended for use by students such as those in the CoM.

Taking in the set up of this room, I imagined the students lined up with their sleek notebooks ready to dive into class. This made me think about the number of different visions we can have when we think of what it means to be in college. The image of the hard core academe like I pictured today. The image of the flow of free thought and discussion in an environment more like I experienced in the liberal arts. The over involved achievers that are presidents and honors society members. The fun lovers playing Frisbee on the green. All finding some place not only here but in the world.

Not to say that all these images cannot overlap. Many times they do. But my thought was I find it interesting that when we talk about higher education, we talk about this large nebulous thing and stereotype it into this blob of experience. Yet clearly no one's experience in higher education is the same. I do not think I really have some philosophical point to make here, but I found it an interesting thought to picture all the different images higher education can imply.

What an interesting world in which to work.

Sidenote: Fall semester is so here. Woot.

They All Come Back Around Again

Today was they first day of fall classes. Officially my round two at FSU. This has flown by. I know I have already spent one post reflecting on my first year here. Now as fall has smacked us in the face, I am looking at what I hope to accomplish this year. I feel like so much stands before me now, and I almost feel like now I am really kicking in as a professional. Although part of me is still scared to death that I am an "adult."

I was torn seeing all the students back today. The better part of me was excited, of course. This is why we do what we do. The other part of me, though, wondered where in the world my summer went, and why did I not take a real vacation? Tomorrow I head back into the world of student organization recognition, crazy meetings, and random commitments (i.e. I was asked to speak at a dinner for student leaders at the med school. Random.). The wonderful whirlwind begins.

So now I am looking forward to not only programmatic changes like our recognition process, and new responsibilities like our heading our campus-wide Halloween event, but also new ways to develop my SOAR Board students that I advise and working with a new graduate assistant. Another major plus for this year is we are finally at full staff, and after our recent retreat, I am excited for how we will work together this year.

The only unfortunate note is the rough start I have already had to the semester. From poison sumac contracted from doing volunteer work, to severe tonsillitis that kept me from the majority of our Seminole Sensation Week, to now another case of shingles which I had successfully not had in quite some time...perhaps another indication I should have taken that vacation. Oh well. As I am on the upside of healing, here is to the great and crazy things this year holds in store.

Sidenote: I love LEGO Star Wars.

We Wake Up Together Alone

I find it interesting that we as human beings struggle to find deep connections with others. We put forth effort to find relationships to enhance our lives. If we are lucky enough, we find a handful of people that truly fit the role (or at least we think so). Family, friends, "significant others." What sucks is when those same relationships end up being the ones that hurt us most.

For this scenario, imagine boy meets girl. They get along, everything seems right. Then, maybe one of them falters, maybe not, but something happens that the relationship as it was ends. Both of them seem to try to hold on to something that still fills a part of their lives. Maybe one is holding on more than the other. Sometimes holding on works, but when it doesn't, it really doesn't. If they are lucky enough, they move forward with a different take on the relationship. If not, one or the other or both are left with something that just hurts.

I think I have written before about learning to try and let go of things that maybe we should not hold on to. But how do we figure that out? What part of us tries to hold on so hard that we just force ourselves into a worse place? When does holding on become toxic?

I have always been the one to want to make things right for people, and seeing this struggle is difficult. This is partially because I can both empathize and sympathize I suppose. A side but related note is this past weekend I learned that empathy was my number one strength in StrengthsQuest. It made me laugh how much that was true. But because of this, maybe I struggle more with the issue at hand. Maybe I will have more thoughts later...

Disclaimer: This post is not just about one person but more a combination of observations and experiences. Just a chance to get out some thoughts on the subject. ^_^

Wedding #2 and a Visit Home

Two weddings in two weeks can be a little overwhelming, but as I am about to head back to Tallahassee, I am sitting here thinking over these past couple of days glad that I have had the chance to do this. It has been a few days of remembering some pretty awesome times.

As soon as I made it to town on Thursday, I went for a "Girls' Afternoon" with my mom, sister, stepsister, and cousin. We went to see the tearjerker "My Sister's Keeper," and then went out for some Cuban food. (Yea, I left Florida to eat Cuban food...oh the irony...ha.) This is something we so rarely get to do that it was so nice to spend some time with these awesome women. Moving away from home has definitely made me cherish these little moments a little more. I hope this is something we will get to do again soon...minus the depressing movie of course.

Yesterday was my friend Ronnie's wedding. For the first time in a very long time, I was able to be with friends who made Rock Hill memorable. It was crazy to think back on times that seem so long ago but seem like just yesterday. Beach trips, giggle fests, just hanging out. Interesting to think about how far we have all come. At times, it was like nothing had ever changed. Congratulations to Ronnie and Jessica, and thank you for a chance to bring us all back together.

Today, I went over to my Nanny's (a.k.a. Granny Bill) for dinner. While sitting around the dinner table enjoying Saturday Night Soup (a family favorite), my two cousins, my sister, and I spent the better part of the evening remembering the crazy things the four of us used to do together when we were younger. Making up dance routines to "Rhythm Nation," roller skating routines, tricycle competitions, games of spoons, and singing Wilson Phillips...at least these were the appropriate memories to talk about at the dinner table. Then came the obligatory stories of me refusing to play softball, my infamous first word, and my sister's obsession with butter. And of course I always treasure getting to spend time with Nanny and Paw Paw because you will never meet two better people. We were also reminded that we definitely get our brutal honesty and attitude from Nanny Bill.

Other highlights of the weekend include going to see my sister at work at Earth Fare, learning about new cheeses and getting to buy Fat Tire for the first time in SC. I was able to get some needed work done on my Jeep and run some errands. Today I was able to chill and have homemade breakfast. Oh, and watch another sad movie, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." Seriously, my mom is on probation from choosing movies for a while.

I enjoyed my time home, but it's back to Tally in the morning. So much waiting for me in preparation for that fall semester...really, who made summer so short?

Sidenote: Poison sumac is not fun. How is this what I get for doing volunteer work? Ha.