Monday, December 21, 2009

Winter Break 2009

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!

Monday, November 9, 2009

It's That Time Again

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.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Focus In!

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.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

FALL OUT BOY!!! and duty...

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.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Relay for Life and the Hecticness that Followed

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.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sick. On a Snow Day. Seriously?!

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.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Disneyland of Mexican Restaurants

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 PiƱatas, 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!”

Sunday, February 22, 2009

SuperFriends

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.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

TV Addict

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.

Monday, February 9, 2009

When will my relfection show who I am inside?

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.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Take A Breath

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.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Back in the Routine

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.