Cafe Victoria

Dear Vic, When you are completing your capstone project for the graduate program remember these words of wisdom quoted in Sharyn Salvin Miller’s Spring 2007 newsletter written by Parker Palmer from Let Your Life Speak:

“Vocation does not mean a goal that I pursue. It means a call that I hear.
Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it.
I must listen to my life telling me who I am.”

I see you completing your dreams and knowing deep in heart where to give your spirit.

Ahh, the last day of the spring semester. Tonight is graduation. I have the role of the floor manager. Which is a lot of fun by they way, because it takes me back to my theatre stage managing days. Que the music and starting the show on time! This weekend is the annual family tradition of watching the Indy 500. For the first time my parents are driving down here to watch it at our place, as my sister comes into town to do final Bridesmaid dress stuff. I am looking forward to it! Of course, the best part about living in 2007 is you can “DVR” the race and start watching it at 10am or 11am instead of right at 9am. Ahh..but if you asked my sister and I if we went to church while growing up, the answer to that would be no..there was a Cart race on. Go Michael Andretti! Break the curse!

Welcome to those who are visiting my site for the first time. Matthias and I just sent out Save the Date cards with the wedding website on them which links to my blog. Hi!

Matthias set up this grad school blog for me that will ultimately be used for my final capstone project.

Life is good. So far on my blog I have been writing about significant moments in school like finishing a class, or something fun at work and in life. I also try to write about random stuff but mostly it is reflecting. I cannot wait to show you Sonoma and of course share the big day.

As you read more on my blog you will find I have been working on my graduate degree in College Student Affairs, that I work at Napa Valley College as the Student Activities advisor and I have made some awesome trips to Germany. My new hobbies include tasting local wines, taking vacation days, watching NASCAR, American Idol and America’s Next Top Model and eating dark chocolate.

Hope to see you soon!

I had a blast with my cousins. I miss them already. Kevin and Craig hit it off with Matthias like they had known each other for years. I will post some photos soon. ASB elections begin tomorrow. The campus is FILLED with lots of campaign posters. I think my favorite is the one that says for “the peacocks vote for… for ASB President”. NVC’s maskot is the Storm, however, you wouldn’t know since there are 15 peacocks living on the campus. Each day, one stops by the office to pick up his Student ID. Good Luck to all who are running!

Before I started this graduate program, I used to think, if I only had my Masters people would listen to me. Recently, I have found myself envying others who have completed their Masters. I see other staff becoming faculty and at the same time I think, when it will be my turn. What I am realizing is when I envy others, I devalue my own experience.

I started this graduate program with the intention to one day become a Student Affairs faculty member who could blend theatre with student development. I saw myself finishing my degree and being able to advise students, teach leadership and cultural programming classes and direct plays. As I enter my third and final year of the program, I am starting to wonder if my degree will be good enough. At the community college level, there are very few of us with degrees in College Student Affairs and for those with one, the college does not know what to think of us. Are we good enough to be in Administration? To join the faculty ranks? You bet!

What will happen when I am done? I think I will be surprised to see that instead of more people listening to me, it will be myself listening to what I want to do and trusting myself to go after it.

If you thought deciding on a topic for a research paper was hard, try deciding on bridesmaids dresses. There are so many thoughts running through your head. Does the dress look great on them? What about the color? Will it match or take a way from my wedding dress? Ohh and don’t forget the groomsman’s tuxedos being black. Wow! What a day. And here I though spending a Saturday writing a literature review was tiring.

I do have company coming in an hour. So, a bit tired from getting the house ready. My cousins are coming! My cousins are coming! I have not seen them in 5 years. Hey, as the old saying goes, be happy you have things in your life to be excited about and work towards!!

25 weeks to go until the wedding.
5 classes to go until I finish my Masters degree.
5 weeks left in the semester.
1 hour and 20 minutes left until Saturday Night Live. Yahoo!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost children and the Virginia Tech University community.

To the Student Affairs Staff handling the crisis, I know you will do the best you can to handle such a large crisis.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all college students who are feeling alone, frustrated and pressured to succeed in college, relationships and life.

Whatever you feel, reach out and connect. We are here for you.