It's been crazy busy in my life! School this semester is very intense, and much more like what I imagined graduate school would be. My classes are much more discussion-based, making it very obvious if you fall behind in the reading! And I only have one class that has an actual midterm and final test; the other two have weekly papers and a term paper, respectively. I expected to do a lot more talking and writing in grad school rather than being lectured at and tested. Last year, because I was mostly lectured at, I still felt very much like I was an undergraduate. This semester is much different!
Work has been incredibly busy. The biggest leadership event we do is the annual Student Leadership Conference. Last year I served on the committee for the conference and provided whatever support the coordinator needed. It was a good learning experience but, despite it being a leadership program and me being the leadership initiatives grad assistant, I really had very little to do with the conference. That changed this year!
We moved the conference to the fall semester for the first time this year and with the transition in the office and more pressing programs to plan and launch, the planning of the conference did not really begin until the semester started. That gave me six weeks, SIX WEEKS, to coordinate a conference for roughly two-hundred students! Of course, I am not doing it alone, but I am doing a lot!
I have, in the past five weeks: researched national keynote speakers, solicited proposals from those I felt may be able to provide what we were looking for, convinced the committee to go with my top choice, extended an offer, took care of all of the speaker's travel and facility needs, managed the needs of the afternoon speakers and their technical needs, convinced campus catering to waived a $400 fee, oversaw the solicitation of co-sponsorship in the amount of roughly $5000 - 7000 (we won't know about the last $2000 until after the conference), chose and ordered a conference gift, convinced several on-campus departs and Kaplan, Inc. to donate raffle prizes, and the performed the multitude of daily tasks such a large conference requires.
The conference is one week from today, after which my life gets much easier!
I have still been managing to make it to the gym and continue to impress myself and Lauren with my awesome strength. The gym visits fell off this past week because both Lauren and I felt pretty puny. The time at the gym most likely will be scarce next week, as well, as I put in long hours at work pulling the conference together. Still, I can see and feel a difference and my doctor was uber impressed at the lower numbers my cholesterol is showing (ok, so there was also some medicinal intervention in that one, but I'm doing a lot too!).
The roommate situation is still going well! So is the getting to know our neighbors. This place is starting to turn into its own little community, which is very nice! I like knowing the people who live around me and I like having the ability to have a conversation and even friendship with them. It's shaping up to be a good year here at 1257, 1R.
I am super excited that I am going to become an auntie! :)
Some of the best movies of all time, in no particular order:
12 Angry Men (1957 version)
My Fair Lady
Shop Around the Corner
Love to everyone!
~g
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Madison
So I went to Madison this weekend to hang out with Angela and her buddies and some of my own! Angela's birthday was this past Monday and, falling during the week, mostly unnoticed. She spent last weekend with her boyfriend and this weekend with her friends to make up for it!
My good friend, Mike, came up from Dubuque to join us in Madison. I was super happy as I do not get to see him, well, ever. We all went out last night to watch Wisconsin play Fresno. That was a blast! I loved being back in an atmosphere where everyone was intent on their friends but fully ready to yell at the many TVs broadcasting the game.
We slept in today and got a late start back to Chicago. Making only one detour for cheese, we made it back in very good time and now I am just taking the evening to unwind and gather myself for this coming week. I have quite a few assignments due and frankly could not afford the weekend road trip, but I decided the memories of this weekend are more important than the perfect grade on the assignments.
Life continues to be very busy and I continue to stay right at the water level.
The Broncos need to learn what the word "defense" means.
LOVE!
~g
My good friend, Mike, came up from Dubuque to join us in Madison. I was super happy as I do not get to see him, well, ever. We all went out last night to watch Wisconsin play Fresno. That was a blast! I loved being back in an atmosphere where everyone was intent on their friends but fully ready to yell at the many TVs broadcasting the game.
We slept in today and got a late start back to Chicago. Making only one detour for cheese, we made it back in very good time and now I am just taking the evening to unwind and gather myself for this coming week. I have quite a few assignments due and frankly could not afford the weekend road trip, but I decided the memories of this weekend are more important than the perfect grade on the assignments.
Life continues to be very busy and I continue to stay right at the water level.
The Broncos need to learn what the word "defense" means.
LOVE!
~g
Thursday, September 11, 2008
OWIE!!!
I'm kicking butt at the gym but dang does it hurt! The abdominals in particular have taken a beating this week.
I'm going to be an aunt! It is a bit strange to think of but I am excited. And to be honest a little sad and longing for the relationship and the family myself. But mostly just excited and already loving my new niece or nephew. This seals it - we're officially adults now.
Life has been going quickly, as usual. My big event for work is coming up very soon and with the school year fully underway my obligations to our student group are also picking up. Be sure to check out PASA's blog and website!
http://uicpasa.blogspot.com/
http://sites.google.com/site/uicpasa/
The roomie and I are heading to Madison this weekend to celebrate her birthday with some of her friends. We have plans to hit the farmer's market and the local cheese shop. Party people!
We have gotten to know our neighbors upstairs. Last weekend we grilled out together in the courtyard and played corn hole and had a generally good time. Last night we exchanged fruit and vegetables. I like the sense of community and knowing the people I share walls and ceilings/floors with. CNB is still CNB.
Other than that life just continues to plug away.
Love to everyone!!
~g
I'm going to be an aunt! It is a bit strange to think of but I am excited. And to be honest a little sad and longing for the relationship and the family myself. But mostly just excited and already loving my new niece or nephew. This seals it - we're officially adults now.
Life has been going quickly, as usual. My big event for work is coming up very soon and with the school year fully underway my obligations to our student group are also picking up. Be sure to check out PASA's blog and website!
http://uicpasa.blogspot.com/
http://sites.google.com/site/uicpasa/
The roomie and I are heading to Madison this weekend to celebrate her birthday with some of her friends. We have plans to hit the farmer's market and the local cheese shop. Party people!
We have gotten to know our neighbors upstairs. Last weekend we grilled out together in the courtyard and played corn hole and had a generally good time. Last night we exchanged fruit and vegetables. I like the sense of community and knowing the people I share walls and ceilings/floors with. CNB is still CNB.
Other than that life just continues to plug away.
Love to everyone!!
~g
Thursday, September 4, 2008
CNB
Neighbor Joe has officially been dubbed CNB - Cute Neighbor Boy.
CNB came around tonight for help hooking his Mac up to the Internet. I looked decidedly better tonight compared to his first visit, but alas was not able to help. Macs are dumb. He's a bright boy and has a PC for everyday use; his Mac is only a really old secondary computer.
2 miles at the gym today. 2.5 yesterday. Weights and such as well. Dang. I'm trying to convince Lauren to swim tomorrow in an effort to shake up the routine.
No big plans for the weekend. At some point I need to kick it into gear and get into school mode. It's been difficult to transition into this semester considering how few classes have actually been held. I'm sure this next week it will start to feel more settled.
I'm starting to get a social life. I have been invited to road trip to Madison as well as somewhere in Indiana a few weeks from now. Problem is the road trips are scheduled for the same weekend. Yayy for having friends and being in demand!
Stupid Gustav rain bands. I got soaked despite my umbrella (ella, ella, hey hey). It's time for a new umbrella. The 5 + year old one with the broken spokes just isn't cutting it anymore.
I am becoming a fan of headbands again.
~g
CNB came around tonight for help hooking his Mac up to the Internet. I looked decidedly better tonight compared to his first visit, but alas was not able to help. Macs are dumb. He's a bright boy and has a PC for everyday use; his Mac is only a really old secondary computer.
2 miles at the gym today. 2.5 yesterday. Weights and such as well. Dang. I'm trying to convince Lauren to swim tomorrow in an effort to shake up the routine.
No big plans for the weekend. At some point I need to kick it into gear and get into school mode. It's been difficult to transition into this semester considering how few classes have actually been held. I'm sure this next week it will start to feel more settled.
I'm starting to get a social life. I have been invited to road trip to Madison as well as somewhere in Indiana a few weeks from now. Problem is the road trips are scheduled for the same weekend. Yayy for having friends and being in demand!
Stupid Gustav rain bands. I got soaked despite my umbrella (ella, ella, hey hey). It's time for a new umbrella. The 5 + year old one with the broken spokes just isn't cutting it anymore.
I am becoming a fan of headbands again.
~g
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
So busy!!
Yeah, it has been awhile. Stupid life getting in the way.
School has commenced. In the two weeks of classes (during which time I should have had six classes) I have attended all of three. Labor Day took care of one, and another course I have yet to begin. The teacher has been out of town at conferences for the past two weeks and has yet to hold class. It has been an interesting start to the semester!
I have come to the conclusion that work is going to be a real challenge this year. With all of the transition politics, new expectations, and a redefined list of duties for my position it is very confusing, tiring, and difficult. I am doing more than I did last year, playing a much more vital role in the programs I oversee. I have no problem doing this but feel in some ways I have been left without the proper support to ensure the programs are a success. It seems more like a sink or swim on my own deal. The real problem is not that I am executing the programs that fall under the scope of my position, but rather that I am executing someone else's vision of the programs in my realm. It is a struggle.
I have begun attending the gym quite regularly, both because I would like to lead a healthier life and because I have to do something with my work stress and anger. I have been constantly sore for the last several weeks and am a bit frustrated by a lack of physical changes. I know those will come in time if I keep up my schedule and eat healthier, but in the era of instant gratification I would like to see results faster. That being said, I am growing to appreciate my strength if not my appearance. As I have become fond of saying, "It may be a bit flabby, but it's strong!" My legs, especially, are amazing. I'm pretty much have the strength of a newborn bird in my arms, but boy howdy can I push the weight with my legs! I broke 200 pounds this week on the thigh abduction/ adduction machines and was able to run for 2.5 miles straight today. Go me with my gym self!
On the home front, things are going well with the new roommate. Having never lived with males other than my immediate family I was a bit hesitant to take on a male roommate but now find myself regretting not having done so earlier! There is no drama, the place is cleaner than it was with the old roommate, and there is no crazy significant other or drug dealer. Ryan came around at the right time and was the perfect fit.
The new neighbors in the apartment upstairs are also much better than the girls from last year. We have a Justin, Sarah, and Joe living upstairs and have started to get to know them. We're planning a grill-out this weekend with them and anyone from the front building that would like to join. Last night Justin and Joe came a'knockin at our door with the proposition to share our wireless. We have a great, well-established connection with a pretty strong router while they were running into difficulty after difficulty in getting any service. They have been able to see our signal which is, of course, protected and knew it would work in their apartment. We agreed to give it a try and gave them the password. It works very well, so now there will be six of us paying for wireless access, meaning smaller bills all around. Yayy!
I have to say, Joe is a total cutie. I had not met him before last night, but wow! He and I share a wall. Maybe we'll become friends and have a knocking code.
I'm a dork.
For the record, I think that idea is silly.
On the political front, the less I say, the better. My opinions seem to be a bit too straightforward for some. I will leave it at "God help us all if McCain/Palin actually figure out how to rig yet another election for the Republicans and steal the White House."
I will try to post more regularly.
Go Broncos!
~g
School has commenced. In the two weeks of classes (during which time I should have had six classes) I have attended all of three. Labor Day took care of one, and another course I have yet to begin. The teacher has been out of town at conferences for the past two weeks and has yet to hold class. It has been an interesting start to the semester!
I have come to the conclusion that work is going to be a real challenge this year. With all of the transition politics, new expectations, and a redefined list of duties for my position it is very confusing, tiring, and difficult. I am doing more than I did last year, playing a much more vital role in the programs I oversee. I have no problem doing this but feel in some ways I have been left without the proper support to ensure the programs are a success. It seems more like a sink or swim on my own deal. The real problem is not that I am executing the programs that fall under the scope of my position, but rather that I am executing someone else's vision of the programs in my realm. It is a struggle.
I have begun attending the gym quite regularly, both because I would like to lead a healthier life and because I have to do something with my work stress and anger. I have been constantly sore for the last several weeks and am a bit frustrated by a lack of physical changes. I know those will come in time if I keep up my schedule and eat healthier, but in the era of instant gratification I would like to see results faster. That being said, I am growing to appreciate my strength if not my appearance. As I have become fond of saying, "It may be a bit flabby, but it's strong!" My legs, especially, are amazing. I'm pretty much have the strength of a newborn bird in my arms, but boy howdy can I push the weight with my legs! I broke 200 pounds this week on the thigh abduction/ adduction machines and was able to run for 2.5 miles straight today. Go me with my gym self!
On the home front, things are going well with the new roommate. Having never lived with males other than my immediate family I was a bit hesitant to take on a male roommate but now find myself regretting not having done so earlier! There is no drama, the place is cleaner than it was with the old roommate, and there is no crazy significant other or drug dealer. Ryan came around at the right time and was the perfect fit.
The new neighbors in the apartment upstairs are also much better than the girls from last year. We have a Justin, Sarah, and Joe living upstairs and have started to get to know them. We're planning a grill-out this weekend with them and anyone from the front building that would like to join. Last night Justin and Joe came a'knockin at our door with the proposition to share our wireless. We have a great, well-established connection with a pretty strong router while they were running into difficulty after difficulty in getting any service. They have been able to see our signal which is, of course, protected and knew it would work in their apartment. We agreed to give it a try and gave them the password. It works very well, so now there will be six of us paying for wireless access, meaning smaller bills all around. Yayy!
I have to say, Joe is a total cutie. I had not met him before last night, but wow! He and I share a wall. Maybe we'll become friends and have a knocking code.
I'm a dork.
For the record, I think that idea is silly.
On the political front, the less I say, the better. My opinions seem to be a bit too straightforward for some. I will leave it at "God help us all if McCain/Palin actually figure out how to rig yet another election for the Republicans and steal the White House."
I will try to post more regularly.
Go Broncos!
~g
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