Cafe Victoria

Inspired by my fellow co-hort member Shauna’s blog.

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Green Tea

American Idol (I’m hooked)

Listening to music on the way to work

Journaling

Snooze button.

Hugs.

Coordinating the annual student government African American Celebration Dinner. This was the week for the dinner and it sold out! Over 225 people came out for free soul food, live theatre and great company.

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Running out of time to enjoy lunch break.

Uncomfortable shoes.

Feeling overwhelmed.

People lying.

Feeling cold.

Have you decided yet what you will give up or let go of? In my office I have a candy bowl that keeps me connected to my students. Often times, my daily highs are when a student comes in for some candy and ultimately let me know how they are doing.

During Lent, I remove the candy and replace it with tiny pictures that have a word on the back of them. I was just thinking, what is Lent really about. Is it about “giving up something” like chocolate or could it have an intention such as “let something go”?

For this Lent, I want to let go of doing more and focus on the joy happening right now.

Speaking of enjoyment, Missy took me wedding dress shopping last weekend. It was so much fun and meant a lot to me. Thanks Miss!

Matthias and I are getting married! 8 months from today. He asked me in the middle of a labyrinth in Sonoma. One of the places we went to on our first date. I loved it. I said yes and we spent the rest of the evening walking the streets of the Sonoma Plaza. It was Christmas Day in the evening. Not a soul around. As we walked hand in hand we promised that we would reach out to each other when we needed to the most. That we would try to reach out to friends when times were tough and life was busy with work and school and we couldn’t be there in person. Most importantly, we saw how sharing our lives made all the difference in the world. Our wedding date will be Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007.

How am I doing it all?  I’m taking it one week at a time and ordering champagne when I can.

My 30th birthday party was a blast. I want to thank everyone who was able to make it. We all enjoyed sparkling apple cider, a few different kinds of red wine and lots of cheese. Carmen, Christine and I got our grove on when the best of the 90’s hip hop music came on over the stereo. For background music, I chose a 90’s theme. Through out the party we were all trying to remember who the artists were. My mom was a HUGE help, I could not have down with out her. She helped me clean and put all the meats and cheese trays together. The best part was she picked up 10 extra wine glasses so everyone at the party had their own glass. Thanks Mom! Here are a few of my favorite pictures. (Pictures under the cut)

This coming week, I turn 30. My birthday is on Friday, January 26. I am excited. But most of all, I am looking forward to enjoy all I have been working towards. I never was the kind of person who lived by “must do before I turn 30”. However, there is something about coming on to the 30 and feeling that I can now slow down, look back and be proud. Its funny, I thought that when you turn 30 you might be thinking about all the stuff you didn’t do. Instead, you start to think about all you achieved and how much the next ten years are all yours to do what ever you want. Sweet!

I love working on a college campus. I love that I get to experience the first day of school twice a year. Remember what it was like on the first day of school? You got to wear a new out fit or got the chance to see your friends again. What about meeting a new teacher or buying text books?

This week was the first week of Spring Semester classes. Part of my job is to coordinate the information tables. At the tables, campus volunteers give out campus maps, coffee and doughnuts. It is such a joy to help a student find their way to class. It’s also a great way to make a student feel welcome and connected to the campus. To take a college class is truly a choice. For some, it might feel like there is nothing else to do, or parents expect it or you have to do it for your job. But in the end, you make the choice to get out of bed and come to class.

This week, I also got the chance to present my mental health workshop assignment for my Counseling Issues and Practice course. I did not have to present my workshop but there was something inside me that encouraged me to present at Flex Day. I did and it felt so great to share all the knowledge I have been learning in this graduate program with staff and faculty at the college. For the first time, I really felt like an expert in the field. Yahoo! All this work is paying off!