Thursday, June 17, 2010
Oops...
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.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Training Is Truckin' Along
Monday, May 17, 2010
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!
Here's some of my UNC swag...my favorite is the True Blue Traditions book!
Showers, Laundry and Make-Up Free Faces
My Elementary Ed Days Are Comin' Back...
My First Chapel Hill Weekend
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.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Another reason...
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Loving the Job!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day Two Is a Wrap
Monday, May 10, 2010
Gaining my Tarheel Footing
Sunday, May 9, 2010
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.