“The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.” -Will Durant

With graduation fast approaching, I constantly find myself questioning my preparation, my abilities and what lies ahead of me in the next few months. My University of Dayton education has prepared me for a life of success and happiness, but it never fails that I start to second guess where my life will lead. I have lived a life of love, faith and perseverance, thanks to my family and friends, and know that my past experiences will serve me well in the future, but still, questioning ensues.

I am guilty of thinking with my fears. I sometimes base my decisions on things that I am afraid to do. A life of fear is not something I think I have, yet fear slips in, sometimes in the most inopportune times. I have said that my greatest fear is failure, and while that still holds true, granting myself the permission to fail has become necessary.

Graduation will bring me to a different phase than most of my friends. I have decided to attend graduate school at UD for a fifth year to finish my M.A. in communication research. I was given this opportunity by participating in a five year program through UD's department of communication and am excited at the possibilities. I am sure that graduate school will be drastically different from undergrad work... new roommates, new academic topics, new living situations, comprehensive exams, and a possible thesis. These experiences are all opportunities I have decided to begin and all have the possibility of failure. Growing up means taking risks, and thinking with your mind, rather than hopes, fears and wishes.

Hopes and wishes are great starting places, but ultimately, it is what you know and how you react that will determine your outcome. Staying positive, eliminating unneeded stresses, allowing mistakes, and learning from mistakes are all concepts that I have decided will rule my life in the next 16 or so months, and hopefully beyond.

My current roommates will be moving off into the real world come May, and will too face new experiences. They are all student teaching this semester and will begin to mold the minds of the youth within months. I am so proud of the work they are doing, and sincerely wish they would all teach at the same school, so my future children could have them as teachers. :)

My mom and dad are still working at being empty nesters and obviously new experiences are around every corner for them. They are two peas in a pod and are really reestablishing themselves and their relationship in their "better half of life."

My little brother, who is a curious george if I have ever known one, is a sophomore at Miami University and loves college life. He recently got a new roommates who he has embraced and truly become "buddies" with. He greatly enjoys his classes, and loves the fast pace life he leads. He has gone from high school athlete to college scholar and is embracing the changes.

My long time friend Jill, who just married the man of her dreams this summer, has taken a new job back home, is doing the semi-long distance/part time thing with her husband, and is busy house hunting. With God on her side, she has many new experiences in the near future, and is ready to take them head on.

My boyfriend of almost four years has recently finished college and continues to look for a job that will suit his upbeat and outgoing personality. Through the daily struggles of job searching, "growing up", and dealing with a long distance girlfriend (haha) he has become a different person, from four years ago, whom I am blessed to have in my life.

There are many other people in my life who let their minds rule their behaviors, and I know that with their support the upcoming months of uncertainty will become exciting chapters in my "grown up" story book.

God Bless!

There's No Place Like Home

Or could it be, "There's No Place Like Homes?"

My "home" home is Delaware, Ohio where my family is, and where I grew up... but the longer I am at student at the University of Dayton, the more I feel at home here too. True, I am a senior and I've lived here for almost four years, but UD did not always feel so comfortable. Freshman year was a year full of emotions. I had a difficult time adjusting, but eventually started to make some of the best friends I've ever had.

I love my high school friends, and the memories we have shared, and continue to share together, but the bond you make with college friends is different and rare. I live with three girls, Shanley, Kristina and Bree who seriously make me laugh everyday. They are my moms away from Delaware. We have fun together all the time, and I love 'coming home to them' :).

My Zeta Tau Alpha sorority sisters, including my recently enlarged Zeta family, also make UD feel like home. I love the sisterhood that we share and the events we attend together. I know I can either count on crying (in a good way) or laughing at any Zeta event. My little Sarah is sitting here with me now, and she offered "sometimes both crying and laughing at the same event!" Which is true. My other little, Lindsay is in Rome this semester, educating herself in a new country (and maybe finding love, in the most romantic place on earth), and I miss her every day. My two grandlittles, Anna and Emily are both searching for two new additions to our family, and I can't wait for big/little week! My big, Meghan sadly graduated last May, and is living in St. Louis starting her career as a wonderful newswoman!

The third aspect of home here at UD, are my major friends. I have made some wonderful friendships with students in my major and love seeing them in all of my classes! Next year, when I will hopefully be a graduate student at UD will include living and playing with a lot of them!

Home will always be where my mom, dad, brother and boyfriend Tim are, but for now, UD is also home. I love spending time with each 'family' and know that my life is better for everyone in it.

God Bless!

Like Father, Like Daughter

So, the morning of my first offical blog is here! And to my suprise, this is the text (from my mom) that I wake up to:

"Morning Kids... I am worried about your Dad! He is going to start a blog... Ramblings and Observations During the Other Half of Life. I am afraid I may be in it... or you could too!"

As a 22 year old young professional, getting ready to start my 'real world' life... I thought it only appropriate to start a blog about my experiences, career path, social life and anything else that might be interesting. My dad on the other hand, is a 58 year old, married with two children, (beautiful and smart children I might add :) ) and has the same blogging calling. When I called him today to ask him about it, he unofficially challenged me by saying, "I bet I'll have more posts than you in the next five months!" While I don't want to admit defeat on the first day, this is very possible, as I am still in school and dealing with being a college student, balancing work and play and the daunting thoughts of what life is like after graduation.

The premise of my blog will be basing each post on a quote, word of advice, or saying that I (or others) have come across. Sometimes the quotes will inspire me to write, while sometimes the activities in my life will inspire me to write and I will find a quote to fit. These 'words to live by' are not meant to be inspirational by any means, but are meant to bring about thoughtful insights to everyday life occurences.

I'm very excited to join the blogging world!
God Bless!