Oops...

So i just realized its been almost a month since my last posting. I can't even begin to say everything that's happened.

The networking opportunities are so great here. The professional staff is so willing to talk about their careers, the field, and give me advice about my upcoming job search. Like today, I coincidentally had lunch with one of the Assistant Deans of Students today and it was really productive to chat about UNC, the student population, and just have a professional to connect with. My supervisor is really great about that, too.

The students absolutely blow me away. Every day they do something that makes me wonder if I would have the same response when I was 18/19/20. They are really supportive of each other, which is helpful during stressful Orientation days. They are so smart and come up with feedback about the program and are really intentional about making Orientation a success. I so value interacting with them.

That's not to say that every day is easy. In fact, some days are downright hard. But, it's nice to have such a strong support system here and back home/Columbia. Whether they know it or not, the OLs have such a good way of picking me up out of a bad mood. When they have a good day, I have a good day.

Well, the day is just about halfway over in Session 5 (of 14). It's hard to believe I've already been here about five weeks. Orientation is going by fast. I'm also enjoying developing relationships with the other interns here in the Triangle. It's nice to have a set of other interns to hang out with, explore the Triangle, lots of fun stuff.

I'm learning so much not only about this field that I love but also about myself. One thing that seems to be a recurring trend is the importance of flexibility and communication. Sometimes, I feel like you can't have one without the other. I've learned how to have constructive conversations with colleagues, and although feedback is always something I've had a hard time with, I feel like I'm learning better ways to give and take feedback. All in all, I learn a little something every day.

Training Is Truckin' Along

Hey friends! Just realized its been a week since I posted...which is a testament to how busy I've been with OL training. We train from about 9am-9pm daily, so there's not much time for blogging. The OLs are absolutely fantastic- they blow my mind with something new every day. Today we had registration training. It is so stressful- how to register, what classes to take, how to prep first years for registration, all the requirements, prepping for sassy parents, a whole big tangled bunch. They took it all in so well- asking questions and taking notes. I was proud!

Their skit is also getting better. They have these two dances they do before and after the skit and honestly- they could be on So You Think You Can Dance. I think they're starting to get more comfortable with Nathalie and me, which is a big plus. We have four more full days of training, then one half day. Orientation starts June 3rd...sounds so far away but it is SO close.

This past weekend Nathalie and I went to Michaels to buy supplies for OL motivation. We're working really hard to make them a comfy space where they can relax, nap, hang out and have fun without the watchful eyes of families and new students. The unveil is tomorrow- hope they like what we've done...pics coming soon!

I am already learning so much from this internship. I find it interesting how my leadership style is changing to adapt to a different set of students. My supervisor says to treat this job as a lab and to try new things. I really appreciate how she is so supportive of Nathalie and me. She gives us a lot of great feedback and is really open to our questions and suggestions. I hope I can adapt a similar style with the OLs.

Small world moment- Today I met the Orientation academic advisors with the OLs, and one of them used to be the Assistant Director of Central Campus at USC! Two minutes later, I met another advisor who knows J-Bloom. How crazy. What a small world!

Every night, the OLs wrap up training with dance practice. They have this song about Carolina that I absolutely love. I joke about how every time they do it, they make me want to come to Carolina. I even bought a Carolina sweatshirt today and learned the words to the Alma Mater. I might become a Tarheel after all....

Pictures of My New Adventures

Just realized I haven't posted any photos of my room or any Chapel Hill things. So here we go!

This was the sign on my door when I got here last week. So awesome!

Here's some of my UNC swag...my favorite is the True Blue Traditions book!

A few pictures of my room. I actually really like it. Feels like home :)

View from the other side of the room.... Diploma of course :)

My FSU OL corner. OL '07/'08 Love! <3

The two closets. They knew I was coming.

That's all for now! Campus photos coming soon!

Showers, Laundry and Make-Up Free Faces

This summer is my first experience living in a community-style residence hall where the bathroom is shared by the floor. In undergrad, I lived in suite-style halls where three or four people share, so sharing with ten or twenty is a new adventure to say the least. It's going to be funny crossings paths with the OLs after showers in bathrobes or first thing in the morning in my PJs with crazy bedhead. Awkward.

I've decided to be positive- maybe this will make me see more approachable to my OLs? I mean, if anything it could lead to some laughs. And laughs always bring people together.

My Elementary Ed Days Are Comin' Back...

In a good way!

Here's a picture of the Orientation Leader door decorations. We're going to mat them on black construction paper and hang them on their doors tomorrow morning. We got the template off Google Images (love it) and then used Photoshop to use the official Carolina Blue color for the background. We're going to have little Carolina basketballs and baseballs on the walls in the training room, and their schedule has a sports theme. I am too proud of these. Don't make fun.

My First Chapel Hill Weekend

Today is the start of my second week here in Chapel Hill. Tomorrow the Orientation Leaders get here and training begins- so today is a lot of last minute finishing touches. I am so excited to start working with them and I hope that they think all the activities Nathalie and I have planned are as cool as we do!

This weekend was very relaxing. I stayed in the residence hall on Saturday to do some reading, take a really long nap, and just enjoy the down time before Orientation kicks in. Nathalie and I watched Step Up- I forgot how much I loved that movie- then watched Alec Baldwin on the SNL season finale- pretty funny! Sunday, Nathalie and I went to see Letters to Juliet at Southpoint Mall- a huge outdoor complex of shops, restaurants and entertainment (think Sandhill for my Cola friends). The movie was cute- definitely predicable. Honestly, I think Southpoint was more stimulating than the movie. I told Nathalie I had to put blinders on to prevent me from wandering in to one of the many stores that caught my eye. We went to SuperTarget- my first ST experience. Again- blinders- groceries only...although I did stumble into the dresses at one point but didn't try any on- willpower wins again.

After SuperTarget, I cleaned up my room in the residence hall and got organized for the week ahead. I'm really looking forward to having all 20 of the OLs here, even if it is really scary. I just hope I can inspire them to be as wonderful as I know they are. I've already noticed that UNC-CH students are different than other students I've worked with before, so I'm excited to see how that will change how I work with them. I love working with students so much, and even though it's not a whole lot of fun- Nathalie and I have planned some really purposeful and fun training activities for them. Hopefully they'll enjoy it.

Now, I'm getting ready to go into my second office staff meeting before another meeting with my supervisor. Tonight, Nathalie and I are going to try to navigate the laundry situation. More on that later.

Another reason...

Reason # 24893843 why I love Chapel Hill:

I saw two chipmunks and a baby rabbit on my walking commute. This place is like a Disney movie. Clearly my mothership.

Loving the Job!

So the job is wonderful. I'm starting to get comfortable working in the office and with the people I work with. Everyone is really funny and has a great attitude. Yesterday Nathalie and I took our lunch outside in this really cute set of picnic tables. The weather has been beautiful, and the brick combined with the blue skies really makes for a pretty picture...which I will upload soon.

The bus system is still a little sketchy. Nathalie and I took a bus today that took us on a nice little tour of Northern Chapel Hill. Oops.

Two more work days till the OLs get here means busy busy planning. Today I finalized their training schedule and session grid. After that I worked on their door decs with Nathalie. I'll post a picture of them later- but there's a definite theme. Hope the OLs think its as cute as we do.

Love my life.

Day Two Is a Wrap

Today was a pretty successful day. Nathalie and I walked to work and ta-da, made it on the first try! Woohoo.

We met with my supervisor for a little bit, then started working on some projects. Today I was working on the OL session schedule and making their training schedule look pretty. The OLs also do a skit during Orientation, but I had to put some edits on their song choices...looks like I'm officially the old lady.

After work, Nathalie and I decided to navigate the Chapel Hill bus system. We got on the right bus the first time- woohoo times two! We rode the bus about 10 minutes to Franklin Street and our bus driver decided to take a break. Instead of griping, we decided to seize the moment and took a little stroll down Franklin Street. We caught the bus again about 20 minutes later and found a stop about five steps from our residence hall...wam bam turkey and ham! Three transportation victories in one day...my travel karma is improving!

Nathalie and I just got done watching Glee (duh), and now I'm watching my favorite show- Parenthood. This show is so awesome. I think I like it because its all about what one of the things I'm most interested in- family relationships. I so look forward to watching this show every week. I love that it finally shows a dynamic and realistic family. Love that not every problem is solved at the end of the show, and that the characters aren't all shining smiling faces. If this show gets cancelled, I'm not sure how I'll cope. Haha.

Gaining my Tarheel Footing

Today was my first day working in the office, so of course my alarm didn't go off. I managed to make it on time, but only with some clever and quick makeup application. This morning we took care of little but important details like parking and UNC ID cards. We had staff meeting this morning, so I got to meet the professional staff and some of the student assistants. Today we had lunch provided from the Carolina Inn, and they gave a presentation on the history of the Inn which was really interesting. After lunch, Nathalie and I met with our supervisor and went over the Spring Training schedule- good grief it is intense! The OLs will get here Tuesday the 18th which I'm really looking forward to. Its nice to know that we have a week to get settled without them but I can't wait to start working with them.

One of the student assistants took Nathalie and I on a really quick campus tour. Good grief this place is beautiful! The campus seems really big but I'm sure it will all make sense soon. One of my favorite spots is the Belltower, which has a really cute tradition where seniors can climb tower during their spring semester. (PS I did not take this photo- obviously)

After the tour, we went back to the office to go over some more training details. Since the OLs will be in the same room for so long, Nathalie and I are going to decorate it...but the theme is top secret! I started working on the OLs session schedules, and tomorrow I'll work on making their training schedule look spiffy.

After work, Nathalie and I drove over to a frozen yogurt place on Franklin Street that everyone told us about called Yogurt Pump- YoPo. So yummy!

Nathalie and I went back to our residence hall to take a nap. Four hours later, I just woke up from it. Oopsie!

Funny moment of the day- My boss kept talking about how we needed to get an "onyen" to be able to navigate around campus, log into our computers, get our UNC emails, etc. All morning long, people asked us if we had our onyens grown yet. I seriously thought people were playing a joke on us. Turns out, its real- Only Name You'll Ever Need. Onyen. Kudos, Chapel Hill!

Today was really great- especially the campus tour. I really enjoyed learning my way around a little bit, even if I have no idea which way is North. I think I'm getting a little better though. I drove from the residence hall to the office today and actually made it there on the first try- success! It's the little things, right.

Starting New in the Southern Side of Heaven

One Sunday every May, I cry. A lot. This Sunday usually comes after weeks of advertisements reminding me. I dread this day because it is one of two days a year that I am forced to think of her. Sadness has turned to anger, but that’s another story for another time. On the road to NC this morning, I pulled over, had a good cry, and kept on driving. For once, I wouldn’t let her ruin that Sunday in May for me again. This Sunday in May was different- a start of something new.

After a night with two of my best USC friends watching SNL and playing Scategories, I left Columbia this morning with the car packed to the brim, my heart pounding out of my chest. I had made the 3 and a half hour trip to Chapel Hill before, but this time it was special. This time, I was driving to a new journey.

A familiar routine with all my road trips lately, I stopped for gas and picked up a liter of water and a bag of Jolly Ranchers and headed out onto I-77. I listened to the Glee soundtrack, called family and friends and sung along with the radio to pass the time. All along questioning what would be waiting for me when I arrived on campus.

There could not have been more perfect weather. Gorgeous Carolina blue skies with perfectly fluffy cotton ball clouds. A comfortably cool 70 degrees with a breeze. Perfect day for travel, and for moving.

I arrived on campus and met my supervisor, then we went to unload the car. After a few minutes of unpacking, we met up again and made the quick trip to Raleigh-Durham Airport to pick up my co-intern. She is instantly fabulous- and I’m sure we are going to get along swimmingly.

My supervisor took Nathalie and I to a “Carolina Institution” for supper- Mamma Dips. The cute restaurant just off Franklin Street smelled of biscuits and barbecue as soon as we stepped in. A delightful supper of conversation about Carolina was almost as good as the barbecue.

After supper, Nathalie and I went on a very sketchy excursion to Wal-Mart (never again) and ended up at another grocery store. Two hours later, I’m laying comfortably in my Chapel Hill bed, everything unpacked and in its place. My room feels like mine, not like the room of hundreds of Carolina students before me. It’s cool to think about-students have lived in this room since the 1950s. If these walls could talk…

As I was unpacking, some of the Orientation Leaders stopped by to say hello as they were moving in, surprised I remembered their names (please- names are my thing!). Interacting with them reminded me of one thing- I am SO excited to throw myself into what I absolutely love to do, and nothing else, for 3 months straight. What a blessing.

Driving around Chapel Hill this afternoon, I can’t wait to explore this idyllic campus and the town that surrounds it. I am so looking forward to exploring the little shops and restaurants that line Franklin Street, and go shopping at South Point. But more, I can’t wait to work with a stellar group of student leaders to develop and welcome a new class of Tarheels. It’s so wonderful to see their pride for their school and know how much they love it here. The school spirit is contagious, and I’m so looking forward to starting a new journey here. As one of the OLs said in a very sweet “WELCOME!” email back in March, Chapel Hill is the Southern Side of Heaven. I have to say, as of right now, he’s right.