Erik's Ideas

Workin' for the Weekend

2010-02-01T09:14:00.002-07:00

I love campus on the weekends. The atmosphere is drastically different and although many people do go home, the people who stay have much more fun.

This weekend was packed with good times. Friday started off with a movie marathon. Well, not a movie. A television show. I love T.V. Anyone who knows me in real life can attest to that. When I can immerse myself in that kind of in-depth story, it just makes me feel good. The show I marathoned was 'How I Met Your Mother' and I can to a realization: I am Ted Moseby. Optimistic, fun, outgoing, stable, and a bit sarcastic. That's me! With my relationships and work, I have a silimar outlook to Ted, he wants more and I am the same way.

I love my job becasue I get the opportunity to hang out with people all the time. I had a free ice cream and pizza party on Saturday just becasue I was bored. Yes, I really am that cool. Just hanging out with the people who are here on the weekends is so much fun, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Eating ice cream, watching television, and spend time with people I care about. Is anyone jealous of the fact taht this is how I work on the weekend?!

Welcome Week

2010-01-13T19:06:00.002-07:00

This week I hit the ground running. I didn't expect to be so busy right out the gate this semester, but somehow, I managed to wriggle my way into classes that are pretty front-end heavy. I know that I will be able to manage this semester much better than last.

Someone very important to me said yesterday that I wasn't the best at managing my time last semester, and I would have to agree with her. It was hard to balance my relationships, work and school; but that is something that will always be a struggle. I know that the day that I am not torn in so many different directions, I will simply be heartbroken that I don't have so many things to occupy my time. Knowing that I have so many options, and so much to do, has always helped me to provide balance for my life. Being someone who has created a strong network of connections on campus has helped me to lead a healthy life. I know that I can depend on the people I live with and the people I chose to associate myself with to help create a balanced life.

I know that I tend to repeat myself a lot, but I tend to struggle with the same things... over and over. To be balanced and keep on running at the same speed are some things that I am ready to accomplish as this new school year begins. Wish me luck!

Winter Break 2009

2009-12-21T19:06:00.002-07:00

Sorry for the late posting, my academics this semester took priority... this was the hardest academic semester of my life. I didn't know classes could be this hard, but that's what I get for taking three 400-level classes. Luckily, everything worked out well for me... I am rocking a 3.5, ladies and gentlemen!

This break could not have come at a better time. As much as I love school and my life on campus, I needed a little bit of time for me to breathe. Very rarely do I ever take time for myself, and this break that is all I have done. I am working in a manufacturing plant and all I do is work at a large machine with my iPod in, listening to the Harry Potter audio books. Being solo and working by myself has given me a new perspective on what I want to do in my next few semesters at UNC.

I always knew I wanted to work with students, but my involvement on campus and work as an RA has given me a way to work with students in a more practical application. I will be working as an intern in the Department of Housing and Residence Life! I am really excited for this new opportunity and can't wait to work with my bosses in order to make student living better here. I think I may get to work with LeadOn, which is a leadership program for incoming students, and I am really excited for that!

I move back to campus the first week in January,and I can't wait to get my floor ready for my residents to come back. If anyone has any ideas on what my "floor theme" should be... let me know in the comments!My break is moving really slowly. Ever since I found out that this intership is a "go", it has been the only thing occupying my mind, and no matter how much Harry Potter I listen to or how many fun themes I think of, my excitement for the next semester won't go away!

It's That Time Again

2009-11-09T14:04:00.002-07:00

Hey blogosphere!

So, It's about 1/2 way through the fall semester and I have been so busy this year! I have done so much work with housing this year, everything starts to run together. From our awesome Homecoming in South Hall, where we won overall spirit points, the Cans to Candelaria Food Drive competition, and the lobby decorating contest, to even my floor's awesome programs and our adventures throughout town, this has been a whirlwind of a semester.

I wish I could've been able to share more with you all! Living on campus really is all that it's cracked up to be, and meeting so many people and sharing all of these experiences really is fun. I may be a senior now, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy all of the activities that go on across campus.

This week is another packed week for me. I am leaving on Thursday for the IACURH conference at Northern Arizona University where I hope to learn some valuable skills about how to bring out some spirit in my residents. I went to the conference in the past, and I hope that this year is as much fun!

It's too bad I have to leave Greeley at 4 a.m. to make my flight.

Focus In!

2009-04-27T00:25:00.001-06:00

Well, readers, this is it: the end of the semester.

Don’t panic, UNC-students, there is in fact two weeks left. But all of my hard finals are this week. Two tests, a presentation, and three papers. Gotta love it. I am relatively prepared, but that is only in comparison to the homework lockdown I was on this weekend. It was intense, but ironically enough, I didn’t get as much done as I wanted. I studied at the Library, wrote a paper in my room, even tried reading in the lobby, but I couldn’t get my focus “on”. It was rough, but then I thought about one of my favorite quotes by Anthony Robbins, an American entrepreneur and motivational speaker:

“It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”

I think this really rings true in my life NOW. I have had a lack of focus in my life and I just need to put things in perspective, like my academics and my work in ResLife. I know that I can do it, it’s just putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on the things that really impact my life right now. I know that my academics are a current priority in my life, and it has taken me a while to get that ingrained in me over that last two weeks. Recently I’ve been more into being social and doing my job… its all about priorities these days, isn’t that what they all say? This next week will be all about how I can overcome the things that attract my focus and put it all back together again. But... that's what I say now, only time will tell if I really can do all that I set my mind to.

FALL OUT BOY!!! and duty...

2009-04-19T22:55:00.001-06:00

This week has been a hectic one, to say the least. It started off with a BANG when I went to the Fall Out Boy concert in Denver. One of my favorite bands ever- Metro Station played too. The song “Shake It” is one of the best, since it reminds me of my summer camp. I had such a fun time and was traumatized by a mosh pit… and a weird dancing boy (who was under the influence of something questionable…). But regardless of the crazies, I has a blast with all of the girls I went with. They always seem to keep me on my toes. From then, my week took a drastic turn: DUTY.

Duty is the fun term that encompasses a Resident Assistant’s responsibility to do safety and security walks through the building to make sure that all the residents are making good choices and not putting themselves in harm’s way. I was on duty for three days straight. THREE! That means three late nights with ridiculous stories and great friends. And three days of minimal sleep and lots of time at the Front Desk.

I love my job, but it just gets ridiculous when that is all that I do for three days. I had stuff to do, yes but I couldn’t leave the building nor have an outlet to be ridiculous. I NEED TO BE RIDICULOUS! I thrive on that, and after my mentality was worn so low, I didn’t know how to be ridiculous. That is, until softball came around. My team is great, we represent Turner Hall and I get such a kick out of playing. I miss sports, and this team is a way for me to play, but not be in the uber-competitive environment that made me quit baseball in the first place. Winning our game today was great. I feel so accomplished and I am so grateful to have my teammates who keep me laughing during the games. Our team is in a really good place come finals next week.

I am totally winding down. Summer is 19 days away… and I feel it with every minute that passes.

Relay for Life and the Hecticness that Followed

2009-04-12T23:52:00.002-06:00

I am t-minus one hour for registering for my classes to start my Senior year of college. Woah. Talk about a throwback to 90’s television. I have spent the last few weeks working on prepping my life for this moment: making it to my fourth year of college.

I am really proud of my floor this week. For the Relay for Life we raised over 100 dollars in a Penny War. Turner, as a whole, raised over 500 dollars! It was such a moving experience and being a part of the Relay was great. I loved the Luminaria ceremony where all 500 participants walked on the track in remembrance and celebration of those who have lost the fight, or are still fighting cancer. Together, UNC was able to raise over 35,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society’s research. Yes, it was not a misprint. $35,000. To learn more about the relay, check here: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/ and see what you can do to help end cancer.

My life has been really hectic since then, with school and my social life (don’t laugh, yes… I have one) I have been constantly busy. I submitted all of the Bids for RHA on Friday as well. Bids are just a fancy way of recognizing greatness on campus, and Turner Hall (my home) is up for both Hall of the Year and Hall Event of the Year, both of which are huge accomplishments.

I'm really excited to find out if we win... but regardless, I'm proud of my floor and my building for all the great work we've done this year.

Sick. On a Snow Day. Seriously?!

2009-03-29T19:04:00.001-06:00

Ok. So I’ve been sick as a dog for the last week. I had a great Spring Break, fun and relaxing, and as soon as I get to school… BAM! I’m hit with this sickness. And man, what a sickness it is! I’ve been completely out of commission for three days, and haven’t been able to talk in a week. I’ve had the worst sore throat EVER!

But I’m vastly improving. I went to the Student Health Center in the middle of last week and they hooked me up with a diagnosis: a viral throat infection; and some advice: stay in bed. Advice I gladly took. Being able to relax and take time to watch my favorite television shows was a great extension of break. I was really able to spend time focusing on myself. Really getting to the heart of what I’m studying and what I’m focusing on in my life. I know that this blog has often turned into “Erik’s Reflections” and it gets kinda boring, but I really do spend a lot of time making sure I am focusing enough on myself since so much of my life is devoted to other people. My job as a Resident Assistant is something I wouldn’t trade in for the world, but my bosses always say that we need to take time for ourselves as RAs, and this sickness was the only was I could do that. I tend to throw myself into things, 100%, and until something shakes me out of that, I don’t tend to pull myself out on my own. Even when I was sick on UNC’s Snow Day (YES, WE HAD A SNOW DAY IN COLLEGE! IT WAS EPIC!)I had my door open and my residents came to “talk” with me. I wasn’t contagious, so don’t freak out and I say “talk” because my kids spoke, and I texted and showed them my phone.

I am so glad to be so near to the Health Center. A ten minute drive and I was there. Perfect. Just what I need when I’m sick. I’m thankful that I’m finally on the mend… let’s hope I can make it to class this week.

The Disneyland of Mexican Restaurants

2009-03-08T12:24:00.001-06:00

I decided that the TV show South Park is hilarious. Even more hilarious to Colorado natives since there is so much underlying humor built in the show for us Coloradans. Yesterday I went to the “Disneyland of Mexican Restaurants,” Casa Bonita! If it wasn’t for South Park, I think this place would have gone under years ago. The episode where the gang or Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny trek to South Park is one of my favorites.

Now, this restaurant is not the most delicious, nor is it the least expensive thing ever, but when you go, it envelops you in an entirely different atmosphere. I went with some of my closest friends: my staff. The Casa Bonita experience is not complete without the genius of the sopapillas. These magical pieces of puff pastry are awesome when drenched in honey… I had 5 of them. Needless to say, my stomach was pissed for a while. But the notion of driving over an hour for a not-so-great restraint for the pure atmosphere is crazy! Going there was so much fun. With Black Bart’s Cave and Piñatas, my staff and I had a great time bonding and taking a break from campus.

As much fun as campus is, it can’t be your whole life, and every once in a while it’s good to get away and gain new energy for the rest of the semester. Now with Spring Break right around the corner, I can’t wait to see what other things I can do to keep my energy up. It really is true what Cartman says about Casa Bonita: “Food, Fun and a Festive atmosphere!”

SuperFriends

2009-02-22T22:59:00.002-07:00

I just got back from a stellar experience.

I just had the chance to have my life impacted by some of the most powerful young leaders. Being a chaperone at a Student Body retreat for Loveland High School. Being 4 years removed from the whole “High School” experience, this weekend was just what I needed to prioritize my life. Or should I say, RE-prioritize. The stories that I heard this week really hit home to me and helped me to realize that some experiences are universal regardless of age level. Fitting in, peer pressure, finding your place, it all comes down to being true to yourself. I didn’t expect to gain as much as I did from this experience: I was just supposed to make sure the guys respected the lights-out and quiet hour policies. I didn’t expect to be taught so much about the human condition.

This learning experience was coupled with me spending time with my best friend, Mark. Having known each other for over a decade (WOW, I sound so old) and being involved with all sorts of leadership activities, it is always great to hang out with a good friend. Though he’s not that far away in Boulder, we don’t hang out enough and this experience was a great way for the two of us to re-connect and make our friendship grow stronger. Spending the time with friends and taking time out the craziness that is college life is something I don’t do enough, but I’m working on.

At the end of camp, I was really able to put my life and see if I was living the life I want to. I know there is a lot I need to change, but as long as I keep the lessons I learned the weekend in mind, and have my friends behind me, I can make the changes in my life I need to.

TV Addict

2009-02-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes I have really good weeks. This was one of them. I was busy, as per usual, but I had a lot of time to spend with friends: doing nothing and just chillin. One of the best things I can do to relax is to just sit back and watch TV. Ask any of my staff, friends, family, and they will totally vouch for me.

My television addiction (in the past) had resulted in my social life taking a hit, but I’ve bounced back, with the help of interventions and the invention of www.hulu.com. From How I Met Your Mother, to Scrubs, to House, to Heroes, to Lost and to my newest addiction: Fringe, I am finding myself thinking how my life would be the best sitcom ever. From the dysfunctional situations I put myself in, and the unrealistic expectations I have for myself, I can see my life portrayed on any network (but probably the CW thanks to the level of drama). Living the lifestyle I do in the Residence Halls, I am able to have a rotating cast of guest stars and with the die-hard series regulars who I live with, the good times never would stop. We could hit 100 episodes in no time.

Television, though not the best habit, has really helped me. I know that no matter how many times Ross and Rachel fight, they will become stronger for it, and no matter how confusing the numbers in Lost are, they will eventually make sense (I hope…). That is to say, my addictive personality has become attached to characters, and people. It may seem as a contrast: a TV addict and a people person, but I fit the bill. I don’t always want to be personable, but I know that my interactions (in addition to making some priceless moments for the invisible cameras) will help me to grow and better myself and my relationships.

I guess it all can come back to a moral, just like a good episode of Grey’s.

When will my relfection show who I am inside?

2009-02-09T00:31:00.002-07:00

This past weekend I spent a lot of time reflecting. Maybe it’s caused I watched Mulan. I have no idea.

But seriously, I have spent time focusing on what I want to get out my next few years in college. I went to the ‘Become-A-Bear’ weekend in Grand Junction. One of the guys asked me why I went on the trip… I was kind of stunned. That question took me aback. Why did I go? Then I realized, it is because I love seeing people excited about college. Cheesy? Maybe. True? Totally. The way students react when they see what life will be like in college away from their families is something that I get unnaturally excited for. People are continually astounded by all the different options UNC has for housing. From The brand new North and South Halls, to the classic Harrison, there are options for everyone and for every need. I didn’t plan on being ‘that guy’ when it came to housing and living on campus, but that is what I’ve become over the last two years.

Reflecting on my choices. I may not be the nicest person ever, but I’ve been able to develop some very strong friendships here at UNC. Anyone who knew me in high school can attest to this, but I’ve never been the guy with plans every night of the week. But I’ve come out of my shell and made those lasting friendships that you really only see in corny 80’s Brat Pack movies. I didn’t see myself being like that, but now I am. And I couldn’t be happier about it. From cutting my hair in someone’s bathroom at 1 in the morning, to having enough coffee to make you feel like you’re going to explode, I am making those memories that people talk about later in life.

Once and a while I get on these random tangents, and I wonder what my life would be like if I didn’t get connected early in my college career with things that I was passionate about. Then I wonder, why should I care? I have a great life and I wouldn’t regret any of the stupid decisions I’ve made if they’ve led me where I am today.

Maybe through my reflection this week I've seen who I am inside?
A great guy with great friends who loves what I do.

Take A Breath

2009-02-01T23:32:00.001-07:00

This past week has been extremely trying. I was under so much stress in most aspects of my life; I didn’t really know how to handle it all. I know everyone always talks about how their stressers don’t affect them “that much,” but that is a lie. When enough things bog you down, it will always affect you.

I shared with you all last time that I was applying for a new job… and guess what?! I GOT IT! I’m on staff next year in New South Hall and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Working with a large staff again and being on West Campus were two things I really pushed for. But even though things worked out for the best, I was still really stressed all week… just ask all my friends. It wasn’t anything I could control, I know that, but my future hung in the balance! (I know that sounded melodramatic, but that was my state of mind all last week.)

And beyond all that, I still have school. Really?! I feel like sometimes that part of my life is forgotten about. But working with groups can be another stresser in my life, as list week kept on pointing out. And guess what our project was on? Conflict. I just had so much to do, and analyzing conflict didn’t help. Haha.

I realized that this post is very moral-heavy. It’s like a good episode of Scrubs that way. Everything in my life last week really made me focus in on something. That we stress for unnecessary reasons. That working together is much easier that working alone. That if you just take a second and breath, things will work out. Everything worked out well, and I know that all I need to do, is not let the little things in life bog me down anymore.

Back in the Routine

2009-01-25T21:22:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates, everyone. Life has been crazy since I last posted.

Finals finished strong, but that’s old news. The best thing in my life right now had to be getting back in the swing of things. I love home, don’t get me wrong, but I had no real structure there, just lying on my couch all day watching LOST. The whole rhythm of school and classes is something I took for granted for so long. Maybe I’ve hit the age where I need independence, but that’s not true. Haha. I am a giant homebody and moving on kinda scares me, but I know its something I should do.

The whole concept of moving on is a theme in my life right now. I just applied for a promotion with my job and am trying to plan for my life next year. I guess you can never stop thinking about how the decisions we make today make our lives tomorrow different. Many of the actions in my life reflect directly on the way I lived and the decisions I made. Now, I’d like to think that I am a better person for those choices and live a life to be proud of, but you can never be too sure, right?! I guess the only thing that I can ask for is that my life keeps going on the pace I’m on now: Great friends, great family, and a great job. I guess having a rhythm in life isn’t that bad if your life ends up as good as mine has.

Crazy: Is It In You?

2008-11-14T01:59:00.002-07:00

My friends are frickin’ crazy. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. I just can’t get enough of the crazy stuff I do here at UNC. Last weekend, I went spur of the moment to…. Timeout. I’m sitting in my room right now and Bonnie, Dede and Margaret just ran in screaming and singing Taylor Swift. Now, I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure that THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN TO REAL PEOPLE! But back to what I was saying, I went on a great adventure this week.

Then, on Tuesday, I went to see the cast of the new movie Twilight in Denver. Now, I’m not obsessed (cough-cough), but my friends are. To protect their identities, I will simply call them Bella and Alice. Now Bella has always loved the books, and was hyperventilating when she heard that Taylor Lautner, the actor who plays Jacob Black, was going to be in the same state as her. Alice, on the other hand was in love with Harry Potter but that changed soon. As she said, “I’m totally 100% into Harry Potter and I was only 70% into Twilight, but now I’m about 90% into it.” These two were more excited than every other 12 year-old girl in the entire place. We had arrived too late to get tickets for the autograph session, but through eavesdropping and stalking, Alice was able to get two tickets to meet Lautner, Rachelle Lefevre, and Edi Gathagi. The latter two play Victoria and Laurent in the film. Before they even met anyone, they were in tears. Don’t even get me started on the after. I was excited, but not like that.

I was in the front row of the question-and-answer session, with our fourth cohort Andi since we didn’t get to meet anyone face-to-face, when Lautner told the captivated audience of 900+ people that he was astounded by the passion of the so-called “Twilighters” and that he was so touched when he saw three people cry when they got to meet him. ALICE and BELLA were too of the three criers! I went nuts in the front row when I heard this. I also went nuts when Lautner said his favorite band was the Rocket Summer, which happens to be one of my favorite bands. I started to yell at the same decibel level as all the children at this point. So, yes, I’m kind of crazy too.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I don’t live an ordinary life. The things I do aren’t the norm, and I’ve come to accept that. When you live on campus, and especially when you are a Resident Assistant, you’ve got to have a little ‘crazy’ in you. The end of the semester is creeping up on me, and I am just trying to keep my craziness hidden a little bit longer so I can survive until Thanksgiving.

It's the Simple Pleasures that Make Life Worth It

2008-11-06T20:31:00.002-07:00

Sometimes we just need to kick back and enjoy ourselves. And with the week that I’ve had with all this election-business, recovering from Halloween and my course work, I could sure use one. (Sidebar: my Halloween didn’t really need recovering; I fell asleep at 11:30 p.m. in the Turner Hall lobby on a couch dressed as a giant Whoopee Cushion. Possibly the lamest Halloween ever, I know.) What follows is a list of 55 simple pleasures and enjoyable activities to explore without breaking the bank. This list only skims the surface… the possibilities are endless. My compliments go out to StumbleUpon, which introduced this to me last summer. I can’t get enough of how funny some of the things on this list are. Now remember:

Enjoy yourself.
These are the good old days you’re going to miss in the years ahead.

- Author Unknown

1. Check out a book from the library and read the afternoon away.
2. Break out the old mix-tapes and mix-CDs of yesteryear… soak up the memories and sing your heart out.
3. Picnic in secluded areas.
4. Bake and eat homemade cookies.
5. Hike outdoors and explore Mother Nature.
6. Head downtown with a friend and two digital cameras. Shoot as many funny and interesting photos as you can. Then go home and sort through them all.
7. Find old stuff in your attic, put it up on eBay and watch the bids role in.
8. Play old-school board games like Monopoly and Scrabble.
9. Learn to play guitar (or any musical instrument) online.
10. Go swimming.
11. Crank up the tunes, break out the Wii and invite some friends over.
12. Fly a kite.
13. Research and discover new bands and musicians similar to the music you already like.
14. Stargaze.
15. Re-watch a great movie you haven’t seen in a while.
16. Learn to play new card games.
17. Test-drive a really expensive car.
18. Fire up the backyard BBQ.
19. Browse around thrift stores.
20. Make a pizza from scratch.
21. Craft some artwork.
22. Take an easy, breezy bike ride.
23. People-watch in high traffic areas.
24. Build a backyard bonfire and roast marshmallows. Or microwave s’mores. It’s all the same, right?!
25. Feed small wild animals… like squirrels. Just not on campus, okay?
26. Prepare a big ice cream sundae or a banana split.
27. Master a new simple skill you’ve been meaning to learn.
28. Go bowling on discount bowling night.
29. Dance.
30. Look through old photo albums.
31. Create a digital video highlight reel of all your favorite digital photos and video clips.
32. Play Catch Phrase or Charades.
33. Host a water-gun war with water-balloon grenades.
34. Dream an afternoon away in your cozy bed.
35. Host a paper airplane distance competition.
36. Learn new jokes online and share them with friends and family.
37. Go rollerblading.
38. Challenge someone to an exercise competition. Choose 10 simple exercises and see who can go the distance. (I wouldn’t do this, but you could!)
39. YouTube
40. Call an old friend and catch up on things. Use your night and weekend minutes. I don’t do this enough, but I’m trying. (That’s a shout-out to you MLC folks!)
41. Climb up a large oak tree, hang out and think (not too high). There’s one of these on Central Campus. I climb it a lot.
42. Learn to juggle.
43. Youtube. It’s on here twice because I can’t get enough of it.
44. Plan your next vacation.
45. Look at the current ingredients in your cupboard, find some recipes online and cook a feast (or something simple) you’ve never made before.
46. Karaoke anyone?
47. Attend an Improv comedy show.
48. Put together a framed photo collage.
49. Wink at complete strangers in a busy public setting. It’s more fun than you think.
50. Play with puppies at the local pet store.
51. Give people unexpected compliments and watch them smile.
52. Go sledding or play in the snow, weather permitting.
53. Stretch.
54. Eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
55. Pillow fight!

p.s. I register for next Spring’s classes in 3 hours. I’m so excited!

The light at the end of the hallway

2008-10-23T23:51:00.001-06:00

Every time I sit down to write a post, I think to myself, “what did I do this week?” And this week, I almost drew a total blank. (Minus the awesome concert I went to with my best friends on Friday night.)
You know why this week has been “blank.” The answer is really easy: SCHOOL.
This week has been dominated by my academic life: I know, after I the fun I’ve been having, I might as well have a week from Hades. Karma sucks. But seriously, I’ve been swamped with all the work I’ve been doing in my classes. I love school, don’t get me wrong, but its weeks like this that push me to the limit. In the last 10 days, I’ve written 30 pages worth of papers. (That’s in 4 assignments!) I’ve almost finished my second novel in the last two weeks as well.
I really couldn’t have gotten through this week with my awesome residents, staff and professors. I know it may seem lame, but the people I live and work with have been such a resource to me. I get such a kick out of them and they remind me of why I love living on campus. Even in these really dark weeks, I see the light at the end of the tunnel (or hallway). From encouraging words, to late night runs to Wal-Mart and McDonalds for a caffeine fix at 2 in the morning, I can look to my building as a great crutch to help me.
My professors are real people! Granted, I’ve known this for a while, but my professors always surprise me. I needed help this week, and they were there for me. I tend to think of myself as a good student, but every once in a while I need help and want to bang my head against a wall. My English professors have been great this week and have helped me so much.
Let’s hope next week gets better. (It probably will, I’m kicking off the weekend with a massive trip to the Fritzler Corn Maize!!)

Lions, Tigers, and BEARS! oh, my!

2008-10-10T00:34:00.001-06:00

I’ve seriously slept less than 4 hours a night all week. But it’s totally worth it… you know why?

HOMECOMING!!

This week was packed with awesome activities from a Banner Making Contest (Go Turner!!) to a great BBQ hosted by UPC and Student Activities. But the highlight of the week so far was the Lobby Decorating Contest on Wednesday. Turner Hall had the greatest lobby EVER!! The University’s Homecoming Theme was “Become the Claw” and, although cryptic, was supposed to mean Superheroes. Turner Hall decided to take that in a different direction: we became the claws of the LIONS, TIGERS, and BEARS of the classic film, The Wizard of Oz. Since Turner’s mascot is the Lions, and we are the UNC Bears, and since we are going to play Idaho State University’s Tigers on Saturday in the Homecoming Game, it just made perfect sense! With our lobby, we became the claw in full force! A tornado, a yellow brick road and an entire munchkin village made our lobby look like a scene straight out of the movie.
Our lobby was packed too. We had over 100 residents come to join in the festivities who all enjoyed caramel apples and popcorn as well as many small games with prizes.
I can’t wait for the Homecoming Formal on Saturday. I have a sweet suit that I got from a secondhand clothing store that I plan on wearing. Yeah, it’s that awesome.

Homecoming Preparation

2008-10-02T21:25:00.001-06:00

Sorry about last week: technical difficulties. Haha. Last week was pretty nice, I am working hard in my classes with the midterms looming, but I am staying afloat. The workload in my classes is pretty heavy, but that’s only because they are all higher level classes… oh, how I miss my 100-level courses! One of my English classes is challenging me to write a 20 page paper by the end of the semester and read one novel a week until then. Seriously?! I would complain, but I just like the class too much. But I am getting excited for HOMECOMING next week! This is one of my favorite weeks of the school year and I love the atmosphere on campus. With events every night of the week, (see the schedule here: http://www.unco.edu/upc/UNC%20Homecoming%202008.html ) I keep so energized and busy.

These past weeks have been a blur with all of my midterms starting, but I always know that I can blow off some steam with the different events that go on all-across campus. I’ll let you know next week what happened with all the craziness from this week.

(AND DON’T FORGET: My favorite event of all time, BINGO, is this Wednesday at 8:30 in the UC Ballrooms. Be there or be square!)

Family & Friends Weekend

2008-09-18T22:48:00.000-06:00

This weekend is going to be ϋber-busy. Its Friends and Family weekend on campus and you all know what that means: my family is coming to bring me everything I need to survive until Thanksgiving! (And all sorts of other activities: the first Home Football game of the season included.) I’m excited to have my family visit, they haven’t seen the sweet set-up in my room and my sister is doing her college visit tomorrow. She’s an athlete and is getting the full treatment.
Having the UNC football team back at Nottingham is awesome. I’m not really the most athletic person (if you know me, you’re probably laughing at the truth in that statement) and I never really get that into sports. But there is something about cheering in the stands and losing your voice with all of your friends. We may not be the team that wins every game, but at this point in the season, you can’t say we don’t have spirit!
Plus- tomorrow is my favorite event ever: BINGO! A whole crew of my residents on the 3rd floor (20+) got together this past Wednesday and made “3rd Floor Pride” shirts that we are going to sport all day Friday with the culmination of BINGO at 8:30! I have been so impressed this week with all of my 3rd floor homies, they have gone above and beyond to be active members of our community and have really supported each other. (Last week, I got 13 residents to support our Northern Colorado athletes (2 of which live on my floor) at the Alumni game!)
Moral of the story: I am really excited for this weekend. Anything that starts with BINGO has to be good!

Why I Love Teaching

2008-09-12T00:03:00.000-06:00

Last weekend totally lived up to the hype. I had a marathon of my favorite T.V. show, ALIAS and made some sweet t-shirts with my staff members.
But back to the task at hand-
My teaching experiences have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Working with students and learning more about my future profession make me so thrilled to be in this field. I’m assigned at the University schools here in Greeley and I am learning so much from my host teacher. I spend a lot of time sitting in the back of the room watching Mrs. X teach, and I have already gained so much from her. Everything from classroom management to how to form those crucial and friendly relationships with students. Mrs. X is a professional teacher who I get to observe twice a week and she is involved with all the extra-curricular activities that I want to be involved with. I’ve been spending so much time in her Freshman English classes that I am beginning to remember what high school was like for me and more importantly, WHY I wanted to be a teacher. I want to make an impact. Helping others is why I do most of the things in my life, from my job to my future.
Although the program is confusing at times, it always keeps me on my toes. I am learning so much from the specialty seminars and from my professors on how to deal with different situations I might be placed in as a teacher.
I just got word today that I get to chaperone the Homecoming dance… now THAT I’m excited for!

An Un-Week, kind of

2008-09-04T22:51:00.001-06:00

Every once in a while, I have an un-week, where nothing really happened. This week was definitely NOT an un-week. Haha.

I feel like Monday was great; no school, a great day of community service and free Jimmy John’s, I hate to simply summarize it that way, but it really was just that positive. That’s just how it happened... I swear. Tuesday I was really excited because I got to start my student observations with the education program. (Don’t worry; I’ll elaborate on those experiences later.) AND I got my gorgeous mug in the Greeley Tribune for my volunteer work. I’ll find the picture soon and post it up here.

I LOVE BINGO!! The Center for Peer Education puts this on every other Wednesday night and I couldn’t have had a better time. I went with a bunch of my residents and, though I didn’t win, I yelled and screamed every time I got to mark my card.

Generally speaking , it was a pretty packed week. I hope this weekend can live up to the hype!

Week One, down

2008-08-29T00:07:00.000-06:00

Its official: I’ve survived the first week of my Junior year in college. Seriously?! If you would have told me when I was in high school how content I would be, I would not have believed you. I am in such a good place. This week I was the busiest I had been in a really long time… and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m the kind of person who thrives on being busy and having stuff to do. When I have a slow week, I turn almost counter-productive to the task at hand. Getting to know all my residents, attending the first Turner Hall Council meeting, and attending classes (of course) made this week fly by and I am trying to get a grasp on all the work that I still have to do before the three-day weekend and one of my best friend’s birthday. AHH!
My classes are what I am really pumped about this semester. I am finally taking more classes that directly relate to my major and I can’t WAIT to dig deeper into the discipline that I love. My 400-level class is going to push me to my limits, but I can’t wait to read and learn more. (Yes, I’m a nerd. I know.)

Who's Ready?

2008-08-22T19:27:00.001-06:00

- - Transcribed from notebook paper in the midst of power outage - -

As I sit here in the Turner lobby, I can’t help but think about how excited I am for the next school year. With my staff members, we have helped to craft an awesome place for almost 600 residents this year. Opening week is going to be extremely filled and I can’t wait for students to finally arrive. There are activities every night from watching Iron Man in the UC Ballrooms to a giant teambuilding exercise for all students living on campus called Play Fair. It’s going to be such a packed couple of days, but I’m pumped!

The Fall “Bizarre” is one of my favorite events and is a great way for students to see many of the clubs and intramural sports on campus. It’s also a great way to get free stuff. LOTS of free stuff.

For more details of on the first four weeks of school, visit http://www.unco.edu/studentactivities/2008events/

Wendy's Anyone?

2008-08-15T07:55:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have been swamped these last few weeks. Sorry about the lack of updates. But it for a totally good reason: I’ve been in Resident Assistant training and moving into my room in Turner!!

Training is long, but extremely useful. I feel so prepared to help residents in whatever they may need in this coming year. Being on campus (especially in Turner, where I have lived before) just reminds me of how much I love campus life. With everyone so close, I can be so connected to others and feel supported. For instance, last night I went to Wendy’s at 11:00 p.m. with a couple friends … for no apparent reason than I was craving a Frosty. That doesn’t happen where I normally live.

My community is Olympic-themed. I’m so psyched to watch the Olympics every night when I have a spare twenty minutes and the Olympic spirit of cooperation and teamwork is something I would love to carry with me throughout the next semester. I have been working hard to make my floor community a positive place where my future residents (and let’s be hopeful – my friends) will be able to form those connections so they can find someone to take to Wendy’s at 11 o’clock at night.

A Precautionary Tale

2008-07-26T00:10:00.002-06:00

Every once in a while, you get the chance to see something that changes your outlook on life.

With that being said, I saw The Dark Knight this week. Now, while I won’t spoil the plot for the remaining seven people in America who haven’t seen it, I will pass on this message that the movie tried to press upon the audience: Sometimes you need to do what is needed for others as opposed to what YOU want to do. In my humble opinion, that’s crap. Sacrificing your own personal goals and aspirations is not what life is about.

This movie got me thinking about what my responsibilities are in life and what I am putting “on hold” so that I can help others. My summer job is working retail, and although I enjoy the people I work with, I do not enjoy helping spoiled pre-teens pick out which tank top matches her shorts best. I’ve put on hold my desire to travel and my need to advance skills I will need for my future for this job. Now, retail isn’t demanding, but for what I make hourly, I need to work as many hours as I can. I don’t want to sound full of teenage angst here; I am privileged enough to work at a summer camp for high school students in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the CHSAA Leadership Camp for High School Students, and for that I am thankful. But I don’t want to put the rest of my goals and wants on the back burner, just waiting for someone to wake me up, even if it does benefit others. I want to be the guy making decisions, the one going “all in” in the next hand.

This entry is more of a precautionary tale: don’t be like Batman. Sometimes personal sacrifice hurts in the long run. He may be awesome, but it’s just not worth it.

p.s. The Dark Knight did not change my life all that much; I just needed something dramatic to start this post with.

And So It Begins...

2008-07-15T10:43:00.000-06:00

So… this is a blog. It’s a pretty cool idea and I am excited for the next year. But before I get too far ahead of myself, here’s a little bit about me:

My name is Erik. If you’re not my friend, you should be. I’m a pretty cool guy, if I do say so myself.
I am 20 years old. (But not for very much longer, the 21^st b-day countdown has begun.)
I am going to be a junior at the University of Northern Colorado in the fall.
I am pursuing a double major of both Communication and English with an emphasis in Secondary Education. I want to be a High School English teacher; education and learning are my passions.
I am from Loveland, Colorado
I am a Resident Assistant on campus and will live in Turner Hall next fall.

I guess the first thing I want to dive into, especially since I’m not living on campus yet, is why I chose UNC and why I wanted to initially live on campus/ why I am still living on campus. It was really easy for me to choose UNC. I had known since I was a sophomore in high school that I wanted to be a teacher. With friends in the education program here and with my ample research about the education program versus other programs around the state, I knew this was my best fit. Note how I didn’t say all around the country- I am a HUGE homebody. The fact that UNC is a mere 30 minutes away from my family is just another perk that threw it in front of the line.

Living on campus was the best thing that happened to me my freshman year. I felt so plugged in to the campus community and really found the family I needed. I met more friends than I was expecting and made those life-long relationships you only see in corny Hollywood films. I was in Turner Hall and there was never a dull moment! I live on campus now so I can create more healthy relationships and keep life interesting. I wanted to be an RA to help students feel that connection I had my first year on campus.

Well, those are Erik’s Ideas for this week. Let me know what you think!