I'm in repair

In the words of John Mayer... I'm in repair... but I'm getting there.

That's 1 of my biggest goals for this year is getting back to the old me, in every sense of the word. The happy, healthy, driven, and passionate person I used to know but got whittled away more and more last year largely in part to my attitude and coping methods.

Last week while I wasn't feeding my yearbookyourself.com addiction (see pictures below) I put in 29 1/2 hours at ACES (not paid but you bet your bottom dollar I'll use those hours later on when I'm sick, etc) to prep for what shall be a crazy year in that office.

Here's some of my fav yearbook pics:

Sonny Bono's yearbook pic (aka Ed)

Kitty Forman, the mom from "That 70's Show" (aka Anna)

Ringo Star (aka David)

Debbie Gibson (aka Cassie)

Kirk Cameron from "Growing Pains" (aka Fong)

LaToya Jackson (aka Rita)

Alice Cramden (aka Me)

Budnick from "Salute Your Shorts" (aka Took)

SUNY Oneonta Psyc professor Leslie Downing (aka 27's)

Sammy Davis Jr (aka Jayson)

Bob Saget/Jim Halpert (aka Dean)


On Wednesday I went to dinner at one of my fav local Mexican restaurants with one of my 1st year mentees which was very nice. On Friday I volunteered at UConn's 1st Late Night of the year which my other mentee is in charge of. It was a ton of fun & I had some very amusing convo's w/ freshman (I love freshman haha).

Saturday myself, Crissy, her friend Kim, and Mary (SUNY sister 1st year HESA!) went to see John Freaking Mayer. Prior to the show some silly tailgater was sitting on Crissy's hood so she asked him to get off and he was like appalled at her "nerve". Not to our surprise he left us a present for our return after the show and decorated her hood with urine. While it was gross and rude and uncalled for I couldn't then, and still can't not laugh hysterically just thinking about it. All piss aside, JM was AMAZING, put his heart and soul into it b/c he was in his homestate!

Me & my darling roomie Crissy

SUNY Holler! Mary & I!

Johnny Boy!

Monday was the official start of my last year as a student EVER and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm starting it off with a new attitude, motivation & guaranteeing myself "me" time (which includes waking up at 5am to workout everyday so exercise doesn't go on the back-burner b/c that played a big role in my funk last year), more confidence b/c I know what I'm doing more both at my job at ACES & in classes, alot more responsibility since I'm teaching 2 FYE classes this semester & have almost 100 advisees when last year I didn't even have 40, & a whole new group of faces in HESA to get to know!

With the increased caseload it's somewhat easier (though definitely not easier to manage time-wise) b/c I know all of them, either b/c I advised them last year or I worked with them this past summer during Orientation. It was hard coming in as the new GA last year who knew nothing and picking up 40ish of her boss's (aka the Director of Advising's) students midway through the semester. It was big shoes to fill and it made me very self conscious all the time that my students didn't trust my opinion. But my evaluations from them last year were all incredibly positive, & reflected my ability to do the things that matter most to me personally in my job well.

This morning b/c I had to be on campus super early I skipped the gym to save time and instead ran/walked 4.7 miles uphill w/ Crissy. I was mighty impressed with myself for keeping up with her pretty well considering I do not run like ever b/c of my bone deformities. It felt great and I was really proud of myself and how much better I've gotten at steadying my breathing, etc. Also today I had the 1st of my 2 FYE classes and it went GREAT! 4 of my advisees signed up for the class which helped set a friendly atmosphere from the start, and thanks to a presentation we attended I stole the idea of playing music at the beginning of my class (obv picked John Mayer) to further enduce a relaxed and friendly environment. One of my fav advisees in the class (who apparently was also at the John Mayer show) stayed after class to make my day & thank me for how much all my help has done and meant to him. Sometimes those little things come at the PERFECT time, & that was one of those times, seeing as I've felt like I was drowning at ACES this past week desperately trying to see the floods of students coming through the doors, keeping up with emails, and prepping for FYE.

Tomorrow I start my 1st day at Housing Services which I'm pretty nervous about, not gonna lie. UConn housing this year was bananas, on the news, etc. b/c students didn't have places to live or were being put in lounges w/ 3-4 other people. It will definitely be a learning experience.

I keep thinking about the breaking news we got last night that a UConn senior who I've met and know (not well but he was an established person on campus, USG senator, etc.) was found shot to death in New Haven in a house notorious for big drug deals. It really shocked me and still hasn't really registered as reality. Like... that doesn't happen to campus leaders. That happens on CSI to skells. Life is crazy. And the worst and weirdest part of it all is that not one person made mention of it today because when you're at a school with over 16,000, deaths make less of an impact. I cannot even imagine what news like that would do to like Oneonta.It was on the cover of the Daily Campus and the Dean of Students sent out an email but you would think people would be talking about it everywhere. Nope.

Yeaaaaa...... so in lighter news it's mellowcreme pumpkin season. That always puts a smile on my face & longing desire on my sweet tooth. Please see evidence of the joy and effect these little bad boys have on people below:



That would be my darling roommate succumbing to the pumpkin's joy and joyness, completely oblivious to her inclusion in this pic.


We have a 3 day weekend I'm heading home to the island for. Friday night Jaci, Ed, and I are going out to dinner and to see Pineapple Express, Saturday I'm meeting up with Teresa in the city for her 24th bday, then Sunday and Monday I'll be doing boodles of work & spending time with the fam, & hopefully seeing Becky/Lisa.

PS My b-day is right around the corner and I can't flippin wait b/c I'll be spending it where my heart is, in Oneonta!

Alright ridiculously long post and I need to go to bed b/c I'm waking up in 5 1/2 hours