Grading Style

In the style of WPI, there will be no grade modifiers. However, NRs will not exactly have no record... There will also be no Ds.

A: Divinely delicious. I might have it at every opportunity.
B: Tasty, but not top of the list.  I will eat it again.
C: Okay, but I won't likely have again freely on my own
NR: Technically should not even appear.

Morning Pastry Review and Tonight's Vegetable Experiment

This morning I had a Chocolate and Creme Tosade from Au Bon Pain.  It was light, and true to the cashier's description, similar to a crossaint.  The pastry was much more compact, so I didn't have to endure a whole lot of puffy lightness.  That to me is worthless calories spent. CCT is very sweet.  So sweet, in fact, I would probably not have it again. The end bites had a light sweetness to it but everything inside of that was a bit much.  If not for the natural sweetness of the watermelon I bought with it and the (free from the office) Lipton decaf tea I had immediately after, I was thinking about brushing my teeth.

Calories: 250
Cost: $2.29 (exclusive of tax)
Calories per cent: 1.092
(I have no clue what this calories per cent ratio will mean... but I feel the need to further evaluate the data.  If you can't create ratios and compare them, what is the point of having data?)
Overall grade: C

I bought frozen brussel sprouts without any idea of how I might prepare them, but I knew I could definitely get some Vitamin C I am lacking.  Except for things like water melons and berries, I much prefer vegetables to fruit.  Juice is too sugary tasting and too many calories. The mircowave does not seem to provide the right preparation methods, but, really, does it ever?  A double boiler doesn't allow for much flavor and I didn't want to cook them in oil all the time.  As much as I love the south (so far), cooking a vegetable in butter or lard a la Paula Deen seems a bit crazy to me. So I found this recipe but might instead wrap everything in aluminum foil. It might go along well with the grilled chicken.

Why I loved (and still do love) Worcester Polytechnic Institute WPI

I loved my undergraduate university.  Growing up I knew I wanted to be a civil engineer, but I never gave any thought to going to WPI since it was in my home town.  In my mind I wanted to go to a program in another state with a good football and maybe even basketball or hockey program.  There were a number of things that brought me to ultimately apply and attend WPI.  These factors also played heavily into what made my experience so amazing.

1.   Ability to play an NCAA sport – It was my dream growing up to play a college sport.  I attended camp my senior year and the field hockey coach asked if I was thinking about playing in college.  It really planted the seed in my head that I could make that dream come true.  It was a lot of hard work that paid off and that I enjoyed doing, but I got to play a varsity sport for four years, including being a two-year starter, a senior captain, and junior year leading the defense in our number one ranking of the lowest goals against average in a pretty competitive conference.
2. Study” abroad program – Engineering programs require a lot of specific classes in a predetermined sequence, so it is usually tough to get that experience “overseas”.  WPI sends about three quarters of its students (far and away more than any other engineering school/program).  I got to experience Puerto Rico and the cultural differences, understand the difficulties of island life and discover the lack of both infrastructure and good infrastructure that served as a barrier to a healthy population with access to affordable, clean water.  My friends went to Thailand, South Africa, Namibia, Hong Kong, London, Australia, Italy, and others.  I heard Panama is in the works for coming years!  You’re also working on a real project that effects the lives of those in a certain community – no classes.  For two months you’re immersed in activities to make people’s lives better.
3. Projects based curriculum – The idea that you get to select and direct projects you are interested in instead of one project everyone has to work on was incredible.  It really prepared me for a projects based workplace.  Team work, managing others, time management, self teaching (I designed the foundations for my project without having yet taken the class), deep investigation, creative problem creation and solving, technical writing, and practical technical applications were just some of the skills I developed
4. Quarters instead of semesters – Seven weeks and you’re done.  If you love the class, you get to dive in deep right away.  If you hate it, hunker down and its over in less than two months.  Definitely prepared me for a fast passed professional environment and encouraged me to really learn the material. 
5. Small campus – WPI was (and still is) very much like a family.  Everyone knows and is friendly with everyone else, but its large enough that you’re able to find a group with your sense of humor and values.  There was also the ability to rise to the top and be a very big fish in a little pond.  Definitely an ego booster, but also a skill developer.
6. Growing prestige – The rankings keep going up and our presence on lists where only a handful of schools are selected to receive an honor is expanding rapidly.  Google (or Bing) WPI and you can find out all sorts of things, like how they are among the best in ROI and have the #1 part time MBA program in the nation
7. Greek Life – I was very interested in the prospect of joining a sorority.  I wasn’t 100 percent sure if it would be something I wanted to do. In the end, I became a sister of Alpha Gamma Delta in the Zeta Zeta chapter and alongside WPI for my education was the best decision I’ve made in my life.  I was an officer and executive leadership positions, planned and participated in philanthropic and community service, gained a group of friends to study with and get advice from on classes, and made the most amazing friends I could ever ask for.  I didn’t know friendship was this incredible.  I grew as a woman, gained confidence, and I believe my Alpha Gam sorority experience at WPI served as a solid foundation for early career success. 

I like having everything. I don't like choosing.

What do you do when you are passionate about everything? No matter if an article or blog is about personal finance, careers, running, wellness, authors often instruct you to run with what inspires you the most.


My greatest interests often change by the second, where I am, who I am with. For example, a list of things that I have been passionate about this week, and it is only halfway through:

• Alpha Gamma Delta
• Mentoring on financial literacy to middle school aged girls
• Setting career goals
• Guiding others to achieve success
• Spreading engineering networks geographically
• Economic development for Worcester, Massachusetts

 I want to be a civil engineer. A multi-state licensed, project managing, Professional Civil Engineer with a stamp. It’s a career I’ve pursued since a science fair project in fifth grade. In the grand scheme of things, I do very much want to shape American infrastructure, to move the nation and move the world. Sometimes it just isn’t what I want to do the most. What happens to all of my other passions?

My dream position (or combination of responsibilities and positions, perhaps, both professional and volunteer/external?) is one where I can combine:

• Civil Engineering
• Business management aspects
• Education, particularly in science, math, and civics
• Policy

Maybe someday I can start my own business. Maybe I’ll run a department or division. Maybe I’ll end up quitting engineering and teach. Maybe I’ll run for public office. Maybe I’ll head a national organization. For right now, though I'm content where I am, I know for sure I’ve got to figure out the best way to combine everything.

You wouldn't buy a car without knowing what you're getting out of it, right?

SPONSOR AND GAIN IMMEASURABLE VISIBILITY


I saw this statement as a header instructing email readers to contact someone at an organization about being a sponsor at the national, annual conference. It struck me as strange, because why should any person or business invest in being a sponsor if their return on investment cannot be measured?


Through a quick search on Bing (since it comes standard and I use IE in the office) there were generally two varying definitions. The first was along the lines that immeasurable was impossible to measure. The second definition stated that it referenced something that was too big, huge, or monumental to be measured. My question becomes, is it that this organization cannot measure sponsorship ROI, or is sponsoring so monumentally impactful that it in no way can statistically be measured?

I love statistics and numbers and data, especially in situations that require some sort of decision making. It is something more solid than following a gut feeling. Seeing a statement telling me you can’t measure something doesn’t compel me to open my imaginary corporate wallet.

What about working with companies to see why they do it? Is it an assertion of dominance? For example, sponsors of X have increased their ranking for five straight years after their sponsorship. Does business increase? Does your ability to attract and retain talented employees hinge on sponsorship of some level? Is there a level of sponsorship that pays off while another does not? In other words, does a larger investment yield a better return - $1,000 sponsorship may only increase A by 11%, but the $2,500 sponsorship increases it by 47%. Depending what is being measured (if you measure it!) that could be a compelling argument to upgrade a sponsorship level.

Giving solid facts also helps one person sell the argument to another potentially more powerful decision maker. It provides rationale.

This professional organization is very high on ethical practices, so I could understand hesitance to twisting the ‘damned lies and statistics’ in their favor. But why not present actual, somehow measurable results?

Even Gwen Stefani Referred to Herself as "Just a Girl"

I am mesmerized by the debate and debacle of gender inequity in the workplace.  The most commonly cited statistics relative to the subject revolve around salary, and in recent months the data on women in leadership and in senior management roles (or the lack of them) have jumped on stage prominently.

I was born in the 80s. I grew up in the 90s. That meant that Spice Girls were on top and if you didn't believe in "Girl Power!" then you were probably a 10 year old boy. I went to take your daughter to work day.  The WNBA came to fruition.  Brandi Chastain took off her shirt when we won the World Cup. We were told that we could be anything we wanted. Hell, we were even told we were better than the boys!  

With this in mind (and pre-avoiding accusations of childhood feminism and allegations of being gullible - both probably true) I must have thought it was my mission as a pre-teen girl to climb barriers and knock them down in my wake.  And why not?  What better candidates were there as the antithesis to pink-wearing, Barbie doll using, Pretty-pretty-princess playing?  None in my little world: I loved sports and science and math were my favorite classes.  In 5th grade, when I decided to become a Civil Engineer (some dreams do come true!), part of the appeal was that I was chasing a profession dominated for centuries by men.  Exclude prostitution and it was probably the first profession of sorts.

My generation still has a few years before we reach middle and upper management en masse.  Does that contribute to why the numbers are seemingly low - because we are measuring the wrong data?

The more I read on the subject the more questions I have.

• Are women's network groups still useful?
• Do men care about these issues?
• Would companies in Europe ever be progressive about having more women at the Board level if not for the government involvement?
• Are recommended solutions actually feasible on a scalable basis?
• Where are all of the stories and statistics about the men in jail? I'd imagine that might contribute to women earning more degrees than men. 
• How accurate are the numbers really? Where is the bias and skew?
• Does segregating women for certain honors really honor them for their achievements, or because they are a woman?
• Is all of this woman promotion hinting at an idea that women are, and not just are perceived as, a second class of sorts?
• Are women moving backward? Sideways?
• Why is abortion considered the top "women's issue"? Why are there even separate women's issues at all?  

There are dozens more.  Being in the corporate world in engineering and reading what the media promotes makes me even more curious about the inequality issue.  I never really put a lot of thought into it before, except when I was younger, an age of idolizing the talents and careers of those like Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoops.

I'm only in my early/mid 20s, but I know at some point in the next 10 years children will come into the picture. How does that change perception of the woman question?  The attitude toward work and home?

These are the questions that make me think, doubt, question everything. It erodes into all corners of my life - business, education, politics and government, society, sports, media, and all else.  And this is from someone who goes out of her way to avoid playing any type of "woman card".

Oh Technology.

I follow a couple news sources on Twitter because it is a fast and easy way to keep on top of the big (or little) stories of the day. 

There was a post a few minutes ago from the New York Times, as follows:   @nytimes Coalition Force Attacks Taliban Stronghold in Afghan South http://nyti.ms/9pTO2l

It's amazing that we get play by play of what is going on half a world away. Years ago we had to wait days or even as long as weeks to get word of what had happened (cue the Battle of New Orleans). 

I remember back in high school, after 9/11, coming home and turning on the television to watch the war. Why not just read the history book when you can see it in action?  All of this technology, and the way it impacts everyone's lives, for better or worse, is fascinating.We find out in real time that the former president was in the hospital with heart issues.  That a tragic fatality occured during practice prior to the opening of the Olympic Games.  And we know which commercials our friends loved or hated during the Super Bowl.  (I love that the Drew Brees Mardi Gras float in Bristol commercial is back!  Much funnier this time around.)


Another note on technology from the NYT: Wifi for high schoolers on the bus for long rides. 
Cell phones hadn't even really gained that much traction in that age group between 2000-2004, and now they all have computers?! Wow. I also wonder how theft rates will be affected on those buses and in the school system/local communities. 

Yes, Alanis, I do think.

Two ironies I noticed today.

1. A good chunk of my work clothes have been at the dry cleaners for a week and I was happy to get them back.  What should I be expected to wear on Tuesday? Jeans.
2. Why am I wearing jeans on Tuesday?  I am leaving my home in Worcester, to go to my office in Boston, to do a site visit in Worcester, to go back to the office in Boston before coming home to Worcester at the end of the day.

Sometimes the world is just a bit silly.  Here's to hoping for a warm, windless winter day in the Worcester hills!

On a side note, I love Peyton Manning.  I think I still might be going for the Saints on Sunday....who dat!

It's like Christmas in January!

I have never been so excited for an election, including the ones that I have been heavily involved in.

All over television are campaign ads from each of the two major candidates, their parties, and groups who support certain beliefs extolled by the candidates. Is it overkill and obnoxious?  Admittedly, yes, but a part of me is celebrating inside.

When was the last time that national parties paid attention to Massachusetts?  It certainly has not been during my conscious lifetime. 

We're facing so much history in this election.  First female Senator from The Commonwealth, or first Republican since my parents were in high school?  A supposedly comprehensive first bill for health care reform discussed since....maybe when my grandparents were in high school? And not to be forgotten, this iS a special election to replace the late Senator Kennedy after his 47 years.  Both parties stand to gain and lose so much down in Washington.

Watching the morning news today there was a marked difference between the local ads and where the national organizations stepped in.  They were such stereotypical political ads - the voiceover and images and text.  No creativity or localizing. It was almost as if there is a text book or catalogue of commercials, and all you need to do is "insert candidate", "insert district", "insert office", "if applicable, insert party". 

I am worried about this election.  Firstly, that the right person for our state and nation to be elected.  That is the greatest concern.  Secondly, I am fearful of voter turnout in Worcester and across the state.  Why so much apathy?  Why so much disdain for having to vote?  I have friends who have admitted in recent weeks that they have never registered, never changed when they moved. That is so disappointing. Not to play the woman card, but I have to laugh when I think about these same women being upset 100 years ago that they wouldn't have been able to vote. It is so easy and quick to make a vote. How many places in the world would people be banned from this practice?!  I am very proud of my 100% voting record.  if so few people showed up to an election on a recognized voting day, who and how many will show up Tuesday?

People also tell me they don't vote because they don't like the candidates.  Then vote against them! Putting in a blank ballot or writing in your own candidate shows what you think of the people trying to represent us.  It IS voting against them.

I cannot wait to cast my ballot on Tuesday! Please make sure that you cast yours!

I start my new job tomorrow!

Very excited.
More to come at another time.

However, I will say I am excited for
1. A return to professional world
2. A return to a routine

Just laughing at myself for being excited about a walk.

I'm finding myself intrigued at my own self tonight.

I decided I would go to the gym. And I was excited about that decision.  Each step I took to get there made me even more excited - putting on the shorts, the socks, searching for headphones.

I'm tired and feeling pretty full from two Christmases, plus my body is hurting.  Despite this I felt I had every reason to go. A walk/jog/run would help me feel energized, happy, and ready for bed later on; healthier, encourage healthier eating and more water consumption.  Getting back to a WJR workout makes me so much more conscious about my body and what I need to do to keep it strong and in limited (or none at all!) pain.

These feelings also make me curious about all of the studies that confirm "people who stretch more likely to be normal weight" or of similar ideas like "people who wear sunscreen less likely to be diabetic." Those are just examples, but each have two examples of a health related behavior.  If you are stretching, you are probably already taking the time to fit in exercise or dancing, and while you are exercising you are probably monitoring food intake and overall managing weight.  So, of course those people who stretch are normal weight. It's an activity that is a prereq of sorts to another, likely healthier in my untrained mind, good-for-your-body activity.

Dreaming of a White Christmas, But Not a White Winter. Also, Snow and Government Work

Do you ever hear reports about bad weather and hope that if you don't actually see anything on television or hear the radio that it may not come true?

Well, for some reason that has been my attitude this week. This nor'easter is blanketing now from the Carolinas north, and even DC is looking at getting up to 6 inches of snow. That is a lot!  I have heard anything ranging from clouds to rain to a few inches to up to 2-3 feet.

While snow is very pretty to watch fall, I despise it when it comes to my driveway and walkways and driving in general. Can you be NIMBY about snow?  We had an 8 inch storm a few weeks ago, and that finished me off for the year. Heavy, wet snow that had to be shoveled in rain.   It could be a long winter.

However, I have to admit that I am childishly excited it will be snowing on Christmas!

......

When I heard that this winter was supposed to be wildly snowy, I cringed.  Not solely because of my opinion toward snow, but more because of the financial drain it is going to be on local municipalities.  In "normal" or "average" winters the snow removal budgets are blasted through, and in a year with large deficits to begin with, it looks like the cuts may have to be a lot deeper.  I've been a fan of small government, but not this locally and at these deep cuts!

Also on the subject of cuts, I recently found out that while the State government is laying off thousands, the DOT is actually hiring, and in some programs actually will be filling positions of more than double the current roles. It is strange occurances like this that make me feel better about Civil Engineering being pretty secure.

All I Want for Christmas is a New Job

"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree"
               - Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You

Since being laid off, I've had the feeling that the job search has been easier as a professional than it was as a college student.

1. Focus (Part I)- I have one goal right now. That goal is to find stimulating, challenging, full-time work in Worcester, Central Mass, Boston, or somewhere along the commuter rail line. That's it. It's all I do, save getting in a work out and subbing when I am called it.  Subbing starts at 7:10 and ends at 1:43. It is not like I need to do homework, organize a philanthropy event, attend the Panhellenic Council meeting, or work on my senior project.  After waking up, I hop on my computer and map out the strategy for the day's search. Anything else I do is icing on the cake.
   
2. Focus (Part II) - When I was in college, I had no clue what I wanted to do.  I had a vague idea of what I did not want to do (structural design, waste water) rather than what I did want to do (anything else within civil engineering).  So this challenging work I want?  I now know that I am seeking opportunity erelated to infrastructure and potentially involving water at some level. When I think of infrastructure, my focus is on transportation including airports, highways, and public transit systems. When I think of water, I am thinking anywhere between where does water runoff a surface all the way to watershed and water supply issues.
3. Scheduling - Class at 9, 10, and 2 makes it difficult to schedule interviews without sacrificing time in class - with seven week terms missing one class sometimes felt like falling up to a week behind. ____
   
4. Experience - I have about 18 months of professional, post-collegiate experience in addition to three summer internships. This puts me at a strange middle to apply for jobs, as I am within the 0-2 years of experience range, in addition to the 1-3 years and 2-5 years. However, being within that window I am far more open to other opportunities!  Recently, I met with an organization for an informational interview.  My belief was that I would only be eligible for X position.  When they considered my experience and Engineer In Training certification  I was suddenly an X+1 or X+2 position! I'd be cheap entry level labor, or I could come in at my own professional level and hold my own.
   
5. Transportation - This time around, I actually own a car. I don't need to rely on the generosity and trust of my friends to borrow a car or ask for a ride.  There is no need to throw off family schedules to get a car delivered. 
6. Networking - I had the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with some great people while I had been at WPI.  Though the alumni is an amazing group of people, it is still a smaller corner of the world. Coming out of college everyone knows you are looking for work, but after a layoff there is considerably more sympathy.  I've found this to be extensively so as the unemployment numbers worsened.  I think it was also to my advantage that I was open to a lot more opportunities and was keeping positive about job prospects.  Saying I had been "laid off and searching" garnered sympathy, but being "in transition" and "finding that open door" as well as understanding what I wanted to do seemed to throw open a few hidden doors. Thank you growing up in politics and sorority recruitment for helping me feel comfortable talking to anyone, anywhere, about anything.
   

Everything of course has its advantages and disadvantages.  Being laidoff was a let down, but I knew I had to attack the job search aggressively and with a positive attitude to make headway, nevermind actually get a job. As we are close to the holiday, I am under the impression that my Christmas wish may have been answered!

On Pop Music, a Once a Year Party, and a Rough Career/Education Outline

I was reminded today that driving in the left lane on the Mass Pike combined with excellent jams turned up pretty high makes it pretty easy to exceed my intended speed.

I also was  pretty close to teary eyed during the Dixie Chicks' Traveling Soldier.  When was the last time you heard Dixie Chicks on the radio?

I love Beyonce. I love Lady Gaga. Together? I love it.  They each seem to have a song featuring the other.  Lady Gaga's Telephone was on the radio today and I fell in instant love.  I'm discovering I have a place in my heart for super catchy music. Like Miley Cyrus Party in the USA. At least it is out in the open now!  My favorite place to have heard that song?  Dueling piano bar in Chicago.  Every single girl in the bar knew all the words. So fun to be a part of.

New Year's plans are in place - a ticket/pair of tickets is reserved. Looking forward to actually reaching my destination this year. I brought in 2009 with the MBTA!  Fun story, though I am not sure I want to do it again.

Finally re-rolled the ball on the application for a Certificate in Business Administration. I feel like it is going to have a significantly higher ROI than an MBA that doesn't really apply to me at this point in my career.  I'll save all of the major debt for a Civil Enginering focused Master's Degree.  Still need to research programs.  I have two in mind, but only one would be able to be completed in person long term.  Lots of time between now and then - but I KNOW I want that degree. I'm impressed that potential employers are impressed with my interest to get some formal education in business.  I ultimately want to manage projects and be a larger cog in the corporate/government wheels and on top of the technical base I know I will need to develop some sort of business acumen.

A little bit here, there, and everywhere.

A few thoughts while I am thinking of them.

Books

1. Just finished yet another Jennifer Weiner book, In Her Shoes.  As someone with a younger sister and struggling with the challenges of the relationships with someone so much the same and so different, I think it really felt close to home. Nevermind the fact that Weiner is so captivating in her writing.  Her heroines are real, with all of their flaws.  Sometimes they play the stereotypes a bit much (all brains, not as much beauty, or at least not smaller than a size 12), but then again stereotypes come from somewhere. Loved the book.  Satisfied at the ending, though it did seem slightly abrupt - don't endings always - I wish it could have continued on.
2. Totally looking forward to reading Dirty Girls on Top by Alisa Valdez-Rodriguez. That will keep me busy between classes while I am substitute teaching. 
3. About 75 pages or so into the Katherine Graham autobiography. What a strange family dynamic the Meyers had! I think there is a lot to be said about decades of difference in society. I am so far a fan of Eugene Meyer's life section plan, where you spend some time exploring, the next section in industry maing it big, and then finalizing your career in public service of some kind. The thought is great. I'm very interested to keep learning about the family. 
4. Thankfully the library is forgiving overdue fees through December 28.

Home Ec

1. Remember all the excitement about "at home dry cleaning" products like Dryel? I was thinking about the number of chores that need to be taken care of and dry cleaning is high on the list.  I am curious at how well it works, and for what articles of clothing.  I know I have two coats that need to make it to the dry cleaners, and I've unfortunately developed a desire for nice clothes that require additional cleaning outside of a washer and dryer.
   
2. Still trying to figure out why water spills all over by the washer and the sink.  Potential hypothesis:
1. Laundry and dishwasher running at the same time
2. Laundry and shower running at the same time
3. Overloaded washing machine
4. ?????? Magic ??????

Calendar

1. Boyfriend is home this week after eight/nine months in training for the Air Force!
2. Christmas is less than two weeks away. 
3. New Years is less than three weeks away! So far I think a plan is in place. Unfortunately it will not be Vegas, but given the current unemployment that would not have happened anyhow.
   

Slowing down so maybe someday I can go faster

It took a while to get there, but I finally made it to the gym again today - a week later.

My body in every sense feels amazing. I feel alert. Happier. Stronger. Leaner. Healthier. Dare I say, sexier?

I've been subject - rather I've subjected myself - to a wide variety of repeating injuries and muscular imbalances including my knees, back, and left shoulder. Last Wednesday at the conclusion of the snow storm, shoveling took its toll.  Yes, I know, "bend with your knees and not your back", but shoveling eight inches of heavy, wet snow in the freezing rain unfortunately ruins my form. Result: aggravated, sore lower back. I sound older than my parents with that one.

I think the hardest part of going back to the gym, aside from trying to rebuild the habit, is getting back into workouts slowly.  I miss running. And running fast. And training for races. But I've realized since July or August that maybe walking is going to be a lot better for me, even if it is a lot less glamorous and athletic than running.  The pain isn't there after a workout. I know I am putting in the time and working out as part of a healthy lifestyle. I love this feeling good, instead of feeling hurt.

Taking it slow is a challenge to someone so used to competition. I think in the end, and even as soon as the end of the workout, I'm satisfied.  Not quite sure I could have said the same thing after the "go fast" workouts.

Middle school subbing, Day 4

Today I was a substitute teacher at a local middle school.  I was assigned the in-house suspension room and had as few as three kids to as many as six.  Most of the day there were five. When I looked at the room number on the sub sheet, I held my breath, hoping for the best for the rest of the day. I had been bracing for the in-house room since the day before; I'd been warned.

Surprisingly, the kids were well behaved and did all of their assigned work.  Well, some read quietly but I'll take reading when they are in middle school.  There were two kids in particular, and maybe even three now that I think about it, who really stuck out.  Once we got to talking ("about life", they requested. "Mr. So-and-so usually does") at the end of the day, it became clear that these are good kids who are having a hard time.  Or aren't getting the help that they need.  Or are not getting the attention at home or from school.  There's a divorce, a parent in jail, denial that a student has mental/physical health issues, family deployed, the list could go on.  Never mind just being 12 and 13 years old, these kids are dealing with a lot more. 

I know the teachers are doing their best and mean well, and only from my limited experience as a sub do I see the challenges they face at the secondary level with not just 25 kids at once, but sometimes more than 100 a day. How are you able to give each individual attention and teach all of them?

Days like today I just want to take the hands of a thousand kids and help them through school. 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Oh, and winning.

I love accomplishing, achieving, winning, and beating goals.  Outside of relationships, they are probably my favorite things in life.  I generally have two types of goals I am setting.  The first type is a "big goal" and the second an "everyday" goal.

My big goals are, not surprisingly, big goals. Get a job. Keep paying down the mortgage and the car. Lose ten to twelve pounds. Become a Professional Engineer. I can't accomplish these without the little things.

The everyday goals give me the continual motivation to just keep on going toward what really matters. Clean the house? I know I need to sweep five rooms, do laundry and the dishwasher, put away pots and pans, wash the baseboards. Finding the job? Working networking opportunities, searching, writing cover letters, revising the resume, selecting companies. Knocking those tasks off my list really makes my day!

When I played college Field Hockey, my dream goal was lofty - win a D3 championship.  You'd have to likely win the conference to earn a bid to the NCAA tourney.  Winning the conference meant winning big games, nationally ranked teams. I didn't want to just be on a team that won a championship, I wanted to be a contributing player. A starter. And that required commitment in the off season, spring season, and obviously in season.

My summers consisted of three to five double sessions a week to get my body conditioned to needing to be available for more than one workout in pre-season.  Long runs for endurance in the morning, and focused skill workouts and speed development after work. On weekends, I waited to do my workouts until midday and early afternoon.  It just seemed worth it. Played in a league with the team once a week, and we commonly played pick up once a week as well.  When late August rolled around, I wasn't just in shape, I was ready to dominate.

Unfortunately we never made it out of the conference. I am in awe of the teams and student athletes that make it so much further. Boyfriend's oldest younger sister has two D3 championships. How cool is that?!

I am watching the SEC Championship Game, Alabama beating Florida in the fourth quarter. Tonight's win isn't the big goal.  It is just the current step in winning the national championship.  Watching the UCLA v. Stanford women's soccer semi finals yesterday had me close to teary eyed thinking about what it felt like to be so near the pinnacle of your sport.

Originally, I had wondered what the feeling was to be at the pinnacle of the sport, but even a win in that game only guaranteed finishing in at least second place. I'm reminded of when Cal Bouchard, former Boston College point guard who played for the Canadian Olypic team in Sydney (2000). I can't find the article that was in the Globe, but she wrote about how wonderful so many people thought it was to have the ability to play in the Olympics.  Her thoughts on the subject (as I recall almost 10 years later) were that it was an honor to play for your country, but that the real point is to win gold, see the Canadian flag waving high, and hear the national anthem played.  Everything along the way is just part of the grander plan.

One of my favorite lines of the Alpha Gamma Delta's purpose: "To possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them". Go big.  If you don't get there, at least there are the small victories along the way.

Although the big ones are pretty nice, too.

One man's trash is another's treasure.

Upon filing for unemployment, I attended a "mandatory" session to be able to use the career center (CC) that the unemployment office was housed in.  The session didn't offer me significant and new information, but I would imagine it was helpful for someone who was with a company for 20 years, didn't have significant skills, education, or experience, or just got out of jail.

I'm very big into making the best out of everything, so what did exactly did I learn? I did take away that I can go to school full time, stay on unemployment, and no longer apply to at least three jobs a week.  There was also the reality at how fortunate I was to have a grasp on the small things - understanding how to use a computer and the internet, for example. It dawned on me that not everyone has that ability, even if it is 2009.

Most of the presentation centered on taking advantage of the website, library, and how to utilize these resources.  Professional behavior was one topic they briefly discussed - and it floored me because they started the meeting ten minutes early.  I felt my time (though no longer chargeable to a job) was taken advantage of.  A strict "on-time" policy was outlined and the instructor was late in starting the meeting.  She pleasantly shared during the presentation that the meeting didn't officially start until 10 past the hour. It seemed silly to me, but alas, it is apparently how they do business.

I took advantage of the opportunity to speak with someone about my job search and resume.  This is someone whose occupation was helping others get to work! There was no reason to pass up a chance for another opinion.  Had I not been so privileged to have such incredible resources at my undergraduate institution and great guidance along the way, it would have been a great session. The woman who worked with me was very intent on making sure I had every tool available. I didn't need to take up a lot of her time because I passed some of the basic tests - professional email account, actually had a resume and good experience, and was on time. My hope is that someone else could be helped, or that this woman had a few minutes to breath - her pile of applications was pretty hefty.

I think that career center is a fantastic resource for a lot of people.  If only there was a way to demonstrate you knew the basic material... Perhaps better luck next time on my account?

Because the Folgers isn't ready until I make it.

I've discovered that the best way to start my day is making my bed.

1. My room just looks cleaner and neater with a made bed. 
2. Everything in its place makes me feel a little less stressed out.
3. I've already accomplished one thing on my day's to-do list!
4. I'm refreshed from the night before - I could just climb in under neat sheets and quilt. 
5. I feel less incentive to climb back in under the covers. 

Technically, I weigh myself first. It's not too bad. Oh, another reason:

• If my weight didn't cause some excitement I can redirect my attention on something else (kind of) positive.

"The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup!" In reality, I would love a coffee from Dunkies. every. single. day.  Cutting expenses means cutting the coffee someone else makes. But at least my bed is made in the morning!