One Year Ago

At this time in life I look back to where I was a year ago. Mainly because this upcoming weekend is GAPP (Graduate Assistant Preview Program or something like that) weekend here at ASU. I remember sitting at my desk at YouthWorks and getting the e-mail saying that I was invited to come to GAPP weekend and interview for different assistantships. With a sudden celebration held in the good ole' Service Center-knowing us it was probably a dance party...probably just Derksy and me - it was on to the next step of moving towards the goal of grad school. $800 later and two tickets were booked for my mom and I to take a trip to some random place called Boone, North Carolina. I was so excited! The dream was inching closer and closer to becoming a reality.

Then I got to Boone and for a period of 36 hours I was dead set on NOT going to ASU. We drove up throw Blowing Rock in a freaking blizzard, the town reminded me of all the small towns in MN that still have a Pamida (a store a step below K-Mart. Yes, there is such a thing). However, confession time, I saw they had a Jimmy Johns and a 2-story Wendy's and for a moment thought I may be able to survive in a town like this...but only for a moment. Upon entering our empty apartment in Mountaineer Hall my mother and I looked at each other and we both agreed that ASU was not a school I would be attending. GAPP then became a weekend of practice interviews for me. Only problem was that after spending a couple days on campus, I actually started to like the school. And then from like it soon turned to loving the school! Mom and I got some ASU gear and left Boone secretly hoping that I would be able to call that tiny little town home one day. Then came the wait-list and the call from the Assistant Director about my shortcomings in communication and I was ready to wash my hands of ASU completely. But of course the day after that came the call offering me the position. And now I reflect on all that has taken place from "Yes, I accept the position." until now.

Many things have changed since then and I have learned so much about myself and others throughout the process. All the ups and downs now seem to me as minor speed bumps that are bound to occur along the way. I also find myself eagerly awaiting to be looking back on today after yet another year. I'm ready to see how this unpredictable and crazy year is shaping me and making me a better and stronger person. I'm ready to see these things that currently appear to me as immovable mountains seem more like innocent mole hills that were more of a nuisance than anything else. I'm ready to see what things stay the same and to look back on the things that, without my control, changed so quickly for the better. What a true and major understatement it is to say "a lot can happen in a year". And this is something I am really hoping for. Can't wait for next year.

The Plan

Within the first couple months of grad school, our professors and other student affairs professionals would come to class and have us share what we hope to do with our careers after we are done at ASU. My thoughts would then result in the following: "Sunshine, please. Let's slow down for just one second. I just got here and am in no place to have my future figured out." The thought of having to know who we we're going to be within the profession caused a lot of unnecessary stress and I was certain that it was going to take an exponential amount of time to figure "the plan" out.

Well, with a semester of grad school completed, each day I become more and more confident that I am in the right profession for me. And to my surprise, I believe that I have actually figured out the answer to the question I was asked by my professors 5 months ago. So here it is. I'm going to put it in writing here to either, serve as a form of accountability or maybe 5 years down the road when I am doing something completely different it will show me just how far I have come since today. The plan is...(drum roll please) to be a Director within the Office of International Education and Development. If that just sounded like a foreign language to you, it means I really want to work within study abroad programs at a University. I believe I am so drawn to this area of my field because my two months spent in Europe and Africa during my undergraduate years changed my life! The memories I have from that time and the lessons I learned there are so precious to me. I am constantly telling the students I know that they should really pursue studying abroad and I want to keep being an advocate for the benefits such an experience can have on an individual. I am even doing my research project on issues related to study abroad!

So that's the plan. I'm not certain when I'll get there, but I know someday I will. This summer I am hoping to work within ASU's Office of International Education and Development (OIED) to start getting my foot in the door and to become more familiar with what that functional area is like. Some other parts of the plan include becoming fluent in two languages. I am hoping to pick up Spanish again and then I believe I will then pick up French. I would also like to work in England for a period of time. And probably, (oh gosh am I really about to say this?!) will pursue getting my PhD. Yikes! I have a lot of work a head of me. But even with all the work needing to get done and things I need to check off my list, it feels really good to have an idea of what I want to do, who I want to be and what I am working towards.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

New Year...New Bucket List

Happy New Year All! Hope you had a great evening ringing in 2011. Before heading down to Minneapolis to celebrate with some friends from college, I went to a friend's wedding in my home town.

Side note: To all my girlfriends out there that are kind enough to read this silly blog of mine, just a warning, I am going to be a hot mess at your wedding. There is something so special about watching a good friend start a new journey in life with someone who loves them so sincerely and completely. Brings tears to my eyes. Can't wait.

Okay, end of tangent. Back to original purpose of blog.

With the beginning of a new year upon us, I was reminded of a recent conversation I had with my dad while perched on a counter in our kitchen. My dad brought up having a bucket list and all the things he wants to do throughout his lifetime. He spoke about wanting to see Alaska, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon and some other incredible things. This conversation got me thinking about my bucket list. While spending some time in Africa in college, my teammates and I made our own bucket lists. But of course, that was five years ago and I have totally misplaced my list. Not surprising. Nonetheless, I figured it was about time to revamp said list. So to all three of my readers, my bucket list. Notice: said list is subject to change and these items are listed in no particular order. :)

Bucket List

Become fluent in another language

Live and work in Europe

Learn how to play guitar

Figure out a way to dance with Mark Ballas

Celebrate NYE in NYC

Visit the Holy Land

Drink wine with Jorgen in Italy

Catch a game at Fenway and Yankee Stadium

Read the complete works of Shakespeare

See the Great Wall of China

Go see a Coldplay concert with my dad

Take a helicopter ride around the Hawaiian Islands

Be an incredible wife and mother

Needless to say, some of these items are a little more tangible than others. I mean the chances of me getting to dance with Mark Ballas are slim to none, but a girl can dream right? Hmm...now I just need to figure out which item I am going to check off first!