I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A MONTH!
So, now it's been over a month since I've last written, and I feel AWFUL. I do have to wonder though, how many people actually read my blog. Truly! I'm just one of two staff bloggers, and I know the student bloggers are the highlight of this sight, and rightfully so. I feel like my blogs tend to be a little less exciting, a little more mundane, so it always surprises me to hear that people read this thing. I can only hope they like it as much as I enjoy writing it. If nothing else, it serves as way for me to see the things that have gone on in my life, and some of the cool things I've done in the past however many months. I've definitely been slacking too, with keeping up the forums that we have on this site. It's cool though, to see just how many students have joined the site and are contributing to the forums, asking questions, getting to know each other and accomplishing what Brad had hoped for so many months ago (and me too! I love getting to see how all this plays out!!)
I've finally finished my spring travel, and I am, generally speaking, VERY happy to be back. I will definitely miss all the people I travel with, (SARAH!, Troy, Mike, Corey, Melissa, Jae, Brian, Kelly, Meg and everyone else!) but am SO excited for the fall and being back in one of my favorite cities. This spring's travel was DEFINITELY busy, SO much more busy than last year. I met a lot of great students though, and I'm really excited to be working with them in this coming fall. I went to a lot of great fairs: Barrington, the Glenbrooks' Fair, District 211, Fox Valley, Lyons Township and so many others. It amazes me how great of a response we get in Chicago.
My trip up there was really successful, and a lot of fun too. I was able to try some new things, and it's ALL thanks to a couple of my friends up there. ;) I went to a sushi restaurant, RA, in the Lombard area which was REALLY good. I had never been and was nervous to try it. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone-I loved it! I also tried oysters and alligator at restaurant called Pappadeaux, and let me tell you-I surprised myself by trying them!!! Oysters are really not something I foresee myself trying again, but at least I did, right?! (I'll just keep telling myself that...) Another cool restaurant to check out would be Harry Caray's. Now, as some of you know, I'm from St. Louis, and therefore a definite Cardinals fan. HOWEVER, I figured that Harry Caray had his start in St. Louis and went with a friend for lunch. The food was awesome, and it was really neat to see all the history and memorabilia that they have hanging up. They even had toasted ravioli, which is a St. Louis thing. I had a blast there:)
I also saw a movie which I really liked, 21. Now I know the main guy is from Across the Universe, which I haven't seen, so I really didn't know what to expect. It was a great movie!! I was really impressed with him, and will be renting Across the Universe, for sure. :)
I would be remiss if I did not mention my boss, Aimee had her baby and has been on maternity leave for a little while now. She had the most adorable baby boy, and I'm really hoping she likes the present my mom and I picked out for him. I'll be sure to keep you posted! It's weird, though, to come back and not have her here. I can't wait for her return to the office! COME BACK SOON AIMEE!!
My final bit of travel was a conference, held at the end of April and beginning of May. It was good to get see people I haven't for awhile, and to attend some really good sessions on a variety of topics. I love how much you can learn from attending a conference like that. We are truly blessed to have so many people in our profession who've been in the field for awhile, and have SUCH a depth of knowledge when it comes to higher education. Education is such a passion of mine,but when I graduated, I really didn't know the impact it would have on me. Its hard to imagine ever leaving the education field, in whatever capacity that encompasses. Time will tell what the will hold for me, whether I stay with admission or switch to another area with higher ed. It's something I truly love and am excited for this upcoming year.
Things have been a little quiet around here, with finals ending yesterday, and the amount of visitors slowing. I'm sure we'll see an increase come summer, but this is the time for finals, proms, graduations and the like. I know that I will attending a graduation, as my little sister Caitlin graduates from high school this year. I'm SO excited, because she will be attending Butler in the fall!!! She made her final decision, and I could NOT be happier. She is one of my most favorite people in the world, and I love knowing we will be in the same city. My hope is that she has as great and wonderful and fantastic an experience as I did when I was here, in whatever way that means. I leave on Sunday and will be home for a few days with them. I'm also lucky because I travel St. Louis and get to be at home with my family too. I was actually home for a couple days in April, doing a couple of fairs in the St. Louis area. Very fun. :)
I hope all the students having to take finals this week and from now on do well, and if anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. I promise I will be doing a MUCH better job than I did in April of keeping up. :)