Cafe Victoria

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.

These last few days have been filled with great joy and unexpected sorrow. On Friday, I found my wedding dress while shopping with my mom. In the evening, I enjoyed a great visit with my Dad, his father and Matthias. This morning, I sent off my final paper. But in all of our thoughts is my Grandma Betty. She passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon. The last time I saw her was last weekend at church. I feel really grateful that I was able to bring Matthias to mass last Sunday. She was in great spirits and so happy to see him there. We laughed, sang along and she told us stories as we drove her home. My Grandma and I have been attending church together regularly for over 8 years now. These last few months, I would drive her home from mass since her car wasn’t working.

I ask if you could keep my family in your thoughts over the next month. Especially for my Dad and his brothers and sisters, it is their first parent to pass. Many of them will be traveling out of state to visit. I hope my cousins can come too.

My Grandma always knew how to laugh, forgive and enjoy life. She loved to dance, volunteer and take walks. I will miss her. It probably won’t hit me until the next time I am driving to mass, late as usual. I will try to find a parking spot, walk fast to the church doors, come in, bless my forehead with holy water and see if I can see her sitting in the second row. Then I will find my place, say a prayer and know she is right there with me.

Ein wunderschoner Tag heute! It’s a beautiful day today! Life is good. The vines are beginning to bloom. My students are on Spring Break which is giving me time at work to catch up and take some time off myself. Matthias is soo close to finishing the video game he is working on. Maria and I are making it to the gym. Marta and I met up to shop for Bridesmaid dresses. We had a blast. In a few days, I will finish my final paper and then I get a break from classes until June.
Latest Highs:

Watching Casino Royal. Soo good! A must see. Another great James Bond film.

Deciding to run instead of walk on the bike path. Wow! I was listening to Faith Hill’s “Stealing Kisses” (great song by the way). And, all of sudden, I let go of all my thoughts and ran. Something I have not done in soo long.

As I was driving to Napa today, I thought of a few things I wish I knew:

• How to upload pictures on to my blog.
• German
• Coding
• Delegate work.

As for last week’s blog entry and the birds, I’m still rushing out the door. Yet, I am doing a better job of checking in on them before I leave. This week, I will try to stop and listen when I hear them. They do make for great company. By the way, we have five budgies. Cloud, Jeremy, Squall, Aeries and Gwen.