BUMegan's Blog : Family

soo...umm...it's been awhile.....

BUMegan — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:08:00 GMT

So, I know it's been awhile....I feel really bad (for anyone who actually wants to/likes to read my blog), but trust me, I've been busy. As in, work alllllll day and then at night, reading and reviewing files. I know some of you out there think my job is glamorous, and parts of it can be fun. But THIS is the part that is the most stressful of the whole year. The admission counselors at Butler have worked really hard and put in some long hours to review the large amount of applications we've received so far. We've been so lucky that we've had so many great kids who have applied. THANKFULLY (!!!) we finished and are now in the process of putting together our admit packets for the student who've been admitted. We will be sending them out this week, and we are very excited for that!

To be honest, that's pretty much all I've been doing as of late. I did get to go home for a few days for Thanksgiving and spend time with family, which was wonderful. I also got to see friends from home, which was also amazing. We don't get to see each other a whole lot anymore, being that we are spread out all over, but there is another reunion planned for Christmas, which I'm really excited for-finally everyone back together, at least for a little bit of time. I can't wait:)

BUBrad and I did get to do something kinda fun, something we'd never done before-we made a video about the life of an application. We were able to put it on youtube right before Thanksgiving break, and it got a lot of traffic. I'm really glad we were able to clear up some of the misconceptions out there about what we do as admission counselors. I DEFINITELY did not realize how much people wanted to know about it, and how many hits it got. I felt really awkward making it, but I felt good that we were able to provide something to our students to help demystify the process. I think that can really help, especially for students that don't have older siblings or are unsure of what really goes on in an admission office. I just hope that if people have more questions like that, or want to see other things along those lines, they let myself or Brad know. We would be happy to help in any way we can-I always tell the students I meet with that that's part of my job-helping answer questions and getting their concerns out of the way.

I know it's a nerve-wracking time for anyone reading this who has applied to Butler and any other school. I wish you guys the best of luck in the coming weeks, and I hope that everything works out for you.

This past weekend was also a good break-besides the cold weather we've been experiencing, I went to a great Christmas party on Friday night with friends-the suggestion was for ugly christmas sweaters, but I wasn't feeling it, so I just wore green instead:) Saturday and Sunday were spent relaxing and hanging out. Sometimes it's nice just to relax in bed and have a lazy weekend....I DID get Steak and shake though, which was really good...I hadn't had it in awhile, and the vanilla shake was AMAZING ;)

This week promises to be pretty good-we will be delivering cookies to our local guidance offices on Wednesday, and the counseling team is getting together Thursday to celebrate the holidays and getting through the first part of app reading season. Friday is the Admission lunch/white elephant exchange. Then my parents will be here to pick Caitlin up and get her stuff together. I'm excited for that and for my friend Shawna's visit. I haven't seen her since October, and she'll be here all weekend. After the craziness of my life recently, this week is SUCH a good break from that!!

I hope everyone is doing well, especially the BU bloggers-we had a wave of the Norovirus come through campus (which mostly stayed out of the Admission office, thankfully!) and a lot of students got sick. Thankfully it passes quickly, which is good, being that this is finals week. BU students-good luck with your finals!!

If anyone needs anything, please let me know!

on the road again...

BUMegan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:26:00 GMT

I haven't been so good at updating this thing...my once a week rule has turned into once every two weeks...at most...WHOOPS....

I do have a good excuse though...this time;) I am planning travel again! I honestly can't believe I am going into my THIRD travel season. It seems so crazy that I've been doing this for over two years. I'm VERY excited though, because I finally have a good handle on my suburbs in Chicago, and obviously love getting to go home to St. Louis for two weeks. I'm a very lucky girl when it comes to travel territories. It will be good to see all the other counselor friends I've made in the St. Louis/Chicago areas. I just can't believe it starts next week! I'll be going home on Saturday for two weeks, with fairs and visits to a lot of great schools. After that, its up to Chicago for 5 weeks. I'll be sure to keep you posted of ALL my travel adventures. :)

I feel like a lot has happened since I last posted. I turned 25 (gulp) and actually had a REALLY amazing birthday. My sister and I didn't do a lot for it, but it was a great birthday, one of the best I've had. ;) We also, last weekend, moved my little sister Caitlin to Butler. It was VERY surreal, to walk around Schwitzer and get everything from the van unloaded and moved in. It made me feel old! She seems to be doing ok, and for that I'm grateful. I definitely had a period of transition here, which I wasn't prepared for experiencing. I was homesick, and not truly comfortable until October. I wish someone could warn students moving to college that it's like for a lot of people. It would have been nice to know I wasn't the only one. (which I definitely wasn't!!!!) However, Cait is very adaptable and hopefully is enjoying herself. I love it here, and I only hope the same for her. :) All three of us have been teasing my parents, however, about their new "empty nesters" status. I was honestly more worried about them! Thankfully, they seem to be doing ok, and keeping busy. They both seem really excited about me staying with them for two weeks, and I must admit, it'll be nice to be a "temporary" only child. HA!

I think the thing I am most excited for during my trip to St. Louis is getting a new computer. Unfortunately, the laptop I've had since sophomore year of college died. Because Butler offers discount programs through Apple and Dell, I've decided to get a MacBook. I've never owned an Apple computer before, but have used them throughout school. Obviously, I'm expecting a period of transition to understand everything, but I'm really excited. I've always wanted to get one, and I finally am. Dad and I are going sometime during the two-week period I'm in town, so I'll FINALLY have a computer at home again. It's been rough...and shows me just how dependent I am on it!

Other than that, life has been pretty amazing as a 25 year-old. I had a great weekend with my sisters and friends, and it was a perfect way to culminate the end of summer and end of my normal life for the year. ;) APPARENTLY, BUJerry has decided he wants his blog to be read more than mine, which I think is hilarious, being that I don't REALLY know who reads this to begin with. I definitely appreciate anyone who does, and it makes me happy to know that someone could be enjoying the blog entries I come up with and write. HAHAHA Anyway, good luck to BUJerry on his quest. I would say I hope it works, but I like people reading MY blog....so read both?! HA!

Like always, if you have questions, let me know. I'd be happy to help!!

yikes...it's been awhile....

BUMegan — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:30:00 GMT

So it's definitely been awhile...I feel kinda bad, but I've been on the road for the past two weeks in Chicago, and things have finally settled down here, enough for me to post a recap!

My travels to Chicago are always fun, and these past two weeks were no different. My first week of travel took me to the city of Chicago for a fair at Richard J. Daley College, and then to Rockford, IL for a fair at Rockford College. I think both fairs went pretty well, and it was SO good to see all the people I travel with in Rockford. I tried a new restaurant when I was there (new to me, as they've been around for awhile!) called Red Robin. I'm not sure if we have them in Indy, but it was SO good. I went with one of my friends, Mike, and he had a burger that had a fried egg on it. SO weird, I know, but it actually was really good! My burger was a little on the weird side too, as it was Teriyaki flavored and had PINEAPPLE on it! I know, I know...I was a little weirded out at first, but it was soo good. I think I'm one of those people who will try anything once, and it just so happens that trying both burgers actually worked out for me. :)

I also got to hang out with some friends from Butler when I was there, Shawna-who is doing rotations in Chicago right now, and Josh-who is spending the month of March in Chicago for some work training. We went to a place called Hackney's, a great burger place that was up in Glenview. It was SO good!! (There was a definite theme to my trip that week....) It was really, really good to see both of them. Shawna actually lived with my sister and I for awhile, and I miss her SO much. Josh too-because he lives in California, it was great to finally catch up and hang out with them both. Overall, an awesome week.

Round two to Chicago was spent in Oakbrook. I stayed in a REALLY nice hotel that was in a more secluded, quiet area. Very nice:) We had a fair on Tuesday at College of Lake County in Grayslake which was actually really busy for me. I met some great students who I will hopefully being meeting again in the fall. The other fair I attended was at Depaul University on Thursday night. That was a quiet night, as there weren't many students and families there. Overall all, though, it was a good trip. I got some quality time in with my friends on the road, and I am VERY excited for April and getting to spend more time with all of them. It's such a good group of people!! This was an amazing week, regardless. I'm just really happy with how everything turned out:)

I'm back in the office for two weeks. It seems so crazy that it's the end of March already. I was able, however, to spend my favorite holiday in the office-St. Patrick's day. LOVE IT! I posted a couple of pictures from our potluck lunch that was truly an Irish FEAST! I'm lucky to have such amazing co-workers!

This weekend promises to be pretty good-a good friend from school, Jamie, is getting married on Saturday. Josh and Shawna are coming on Friday and spending what will be a crazy but fun weekend here. So excited for it! I need to find a dress, but have a great date-so it should be a good time. I'll be sure to keep you posted. :)

The family also came in last weekend-it was my mom's birthday and Caitlin (the little sister) registered for classes. She isn't dead-set on Butler, but I can keep my fingers crossed, right?!

That's about all I have from here. Hope everyone is enjoying/enjoyed/will enjoy their spring breaks. I know that I'm definitely ready for warmer weather!! Hope everyone is doing well!!!

life is good!

BUMegan — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:19:00 GMT

I really just don't understand how it's almost February already. I really can't believe it!! Thankfully, February doesn't seem like it will be boring at all, thanks to having to work some weekends AND getting to go to Chicago a couple of times. So maybe life isn't exciting in the traditional sense, but there is definitely alot more going on!'

My parents and little sister Caitlin were in town this weekend. I absolutely LOVE when they come visit. I had to work on Saturday, but then we went out to dinner to a restaurant called Sahm's which was SO, SO good. Shawna (Mine and Erin's old temporary roommate and totally a member of the O'Rourke family!) was also in town, so we got to go out with her and Nisha too. I love when the four of us are together because we have such a good time and it is just really nice to have them here! :) Sunday was brunch with the family (Cafe Patachou=AMAZING.) and watching the game. Can I say that I was actually bored for the first half? I was really disappointed with how it was going, UNTIL the fourth quarter. TOTALLY BRILLIANT. Eli Manning was awesome-it was definitely worth it up to the final seconds of that game. I loved it! It was really good to see the Giants win-I am such a fan of the Manning family, because to me they are such good representations of how professional athletes should act and carry themselves. Glad to see the Giants pull of such an awesome upset...

In response to the last time I posted, I did go see 27 dresses. A pretty cute movie (a little predictable) and James Mardsen is really cute in it. AshleighTaylor left a really good post about an idea for a girls night, and I definitely used her suggestion this weekend! Friday night Nisha, Shawna and I got sushi and just hung out. (There MIGHT have been some ice cream involved too, but it seems a little crazy to say that we wanted ice cream in February. No judging though, right??!!)

Last week was a little crazy as we had our Scholar's Forum program on Saturday, but also had the Bloggers chatting with students last Wednesday. BUBrad and I were here to witness the craziness that IS the student bloggers. Brad posted a lot of the video that was recorded on youtube (if you want to check it out, the website is: www.youtube.com/butlerbloggers) I had never met a couple of the bloggers and they are AWESOME. I definitely had a very fun night with them, even if I'm the...adult of the group....HA! On a side note....apparently knowing the Cupid shuffle helps with the admission process....thanks to ChristinaD for showing everyone how it's done!!! (HA...riiiightttt...)

Work might be a little crazy this week, with trying to read applications that are still coming in, making phone calls and plan spring travel, but I am definitely ok with crazy. I LOVE it when it is and when we are busy...to me it means we are doing something right, and I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to work here with all these wonderful people to get to do what we do. I've been presented a lot of great opportunties and have met a lot of great people along the way ( not to mention all the cool experiences I've had here!!!) so hopefully this year is EVEN better. :)

Another thing I'm excited for is a conference this weekend. (Ok yes, sometimes conferences can be boring, but I've got high hopes for this one!) Andy, Chris, Pam and I (all three are other Admission Counselors here) are going to stay at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Chicago for the conference, which is Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I absolutely LOVE downtown Chicago, so I'm excited to get a chance to travel there next weekend! I'll be sure to keep you posted as to whether or not the conference was boring ;)

Finally, if any senior has questions about the enrollment forms, Early Registration or anything, please let me know. Hopefully I can help!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...everywhere you go....

BUMegan — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:33:00 GMT

So, it snowed. A LOT. Indy is still covered in snow, but really, I'm more than ok with that. I have always been a fan of snow in December, especially around Christmas. It never happened too much when I was growing up (that I can remember) so it's nice to think we WILL have a white Christmas this year. (Even though I'll be in St. Louis, they have the same weather. I know you were worried;)

This weekend was really relaxing and fun. Mom and Dad (sans the little sister) came for a quick visit. My twin sister, Erin, works for the Indianapolis Children's Choir as the Outreach Manager and they had their annual concert on Friday and Saturday. Mom, Dad and I went to see them perform and I must say I was REALLY impressed. This was my first time attending an ICC event, and they are TRULY an amazing group of kids. All the choirs were really impressive. (Yep, I even know the differences between them! Who knew it could be so complicated?! I sure didn't.....) After the concert, we went and got pizza and beer (donato's and 312 (goose island in Chicago-SO good!) ) and hung out and watched Christmas movies. It was dad's birthday, so I baked him a cake and we celebrated that night. It was a quiet evening, but nice and SO fun to hang out with my parents. Erin and I are really close to them and we always have a good time together. However, because of the crazy weather that covered the Midwest on Saturday, Mom and Dad cut their trip short and left about 9:30 that morning. I really didn't do a lot the rest of the weekend, but it was nice regardless.

This week promises to be pretty quiet. Admission Decisions are getting mailed on Thursday, so I'm sure we'll be getting some phone calls in the meantime. Friday is our last official day of work before break, and i am MORE than ready to go home and spend time with friends and family. ALL of the lifers will be back, and I'm so excited to see them and hang out. Caitlin too, will also be having a reunion of sorts with her friends (who are now both in their last year of high school and first year in college) at our house on Saturday. HA! Can't wait for that! :)

Other than that, we'll go shopping with Dad on Sunday or Monday (always a tradition with him...waiting til the last second!:) and Christmas will be at our house, as it is every year. All this talk of break has me really excited and very happy-so to end, I hope everyone enjoys their winter breaks and good luck with your exams etc. this semester. If you are a senior-I hope your letters of acceptance are coming in and good luck with all the schools you've applied to!

A few quotes, from a couple of my favorite Christmas movies as a way to end:

Harry Bailey: A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town.

Zuzu Bailey: Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.
George Bailey: That's right, that's right.
George Bailey: Attaboy, Clarence.

Flick: Are you kidding? Stick my tongue to that stupid pole? That's dumb!
Schwartz: That's 'cause you know it'll stick!
Flick: You're full of it!
Schwartz: Oh yeah?
Flick: Yeah!
Schwartz: Well I double-DOG-dare ya!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] NOW it was serious. A double-dog-dare. What else was there but a "triple dare ya"? And then, the coup de grace of all dares, the sinister triple-dog-dare.
Schwartz: I TRIPLE-dog-dare ya!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat!

Mr. Parker: Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.
Mrs. Parker: Uh, I think that says FRAGILE, dear.
Mr. Parker: Oh, yeah.

Have a good break everyone:)

Thanksgiving break...I wanna go back!

BUMegan — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:48:00 GMT

The Monday after a break is always rough. For some reason, today is ESPECIALLY rough for me. Not sure why, but I am super tired today. Erin and I drove back to Indy yesterday after a wonderful break at home. We were home from Wednesday until Sunday, and the break was MUCH needed.

Wednesday was dinner with the family and going out with friends from home. The group of friends from home has been around a really long time, and we refer to ourselves as the Lifers. I got to see Amy on Wednesday night, as we went out to celebrate being home and Thanksgiving. Thursday was family all day, and it was nice to get to see Mom's side of the family. Thankfully, we host dinner and it's really nice not to have to worry about going anywhere. Friday was a night out-we went to an Irish pub in St. Louis called McGurk's (I know...I know...I can't help it!!) and met up with a bunch of friends from home. It was really, really good to see all of them, especially Ryan, Brian and Peter. I'm grateful they made it out to visit, because I hadn't seen any of them in quite awhile. Overall, it was a really good night. I got to see most of the Lifers, and there was a band on Friday that played for awhile-love Irish music! (Justin, Amy, Ryan, Brian, Erica, Peter, Julie and Lis-Friday night was amazing. Thanks:)

Friday morning was also shopping for my dad and me. The TV at our apartment in Indy no longer works, so Dad and I braved the ridiculous amount of people Friday to find a good deal on a TV. I have to give props to Dad, because he's the one who ended up finding the one we ended up buying. It's AMAZING. I'll be sure to post pictures of it later. When we got home, the family ate breakfast and the girls went shopping for the afternoon. All in all-Friday was my favorite day of break.

Saturday was a lazy day, which I definitely wanted (and probably needed!!). Caitlin, my little sister (the baby of the family) is a really, REALLY big fan of Christmas and all that it entails. She decided that the family should decorate for Christmas after she got back from work on Saturday. Now, according to my mom, because it was her last Christmas before college, we should acquiesce with her wishes and put up the tree and decorate. So, a majority of Saturday was spent in the living room, putting the tree up (yep, we have a fake one) and decorating the entire house. That night, Erin, Caitlin and I went to go see a movie together. Erin REALLY wanted to see Enchanted, and Caitlin had said that or Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, so we decided on Enchanted. It is a really, really cute movie, for anyone interested. Very much a girl movie, and very sweet and romantic, but funny too and overall a movie I really enjoyed. Go see it!!

Overall, it was really good to be home. My family is very close, and I really love getting to spend time with them. (We generally have a really good time together, soo...) Now it's back to reading applications and concentrating on work. I think that after such a good weekend, though, it shouldn't be too bad of week. I hope anyone reading enjoyed their break as much as I did, and that you are refreshed for the rest of the semester.

To end-I just want to say how thankful I am for my family and friends and people I work with. The holidays, if nothing else, show me how lucky I truly am, and how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life. So thanks to all of you ;)