BUMegan's Blog : college fairs

traveling...part 1

BUMegan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:38:00 GMT

So, I've definitely lost track of time with this....SO much has happened in the time I've been here, it's CRAZY to me that it's already the end of October. Travel season goes by so quickly, but it never seems that way when you're in it, if that makes any sense.

It's late here, after a fair, and I FINALLY HAVE A COMPUTER! My computer died about a week and a half ago, and let me tell you-it has NOT been fun. Because email is the most convenient way for a lot of my students to get a hold of me, it's been hard not have a computer to come back to at night and get through all the emails I need to respond to. Thankfully, Zach over in IR was very nice and had a loaner sent to my hotel in Chicago. Things like this make me love my alma mater even more:)

The first part of the month was great, albeit busy. I've seen a lot of students, a lot of GREAT students in the visits I've had and the college fairs I've attended. My first couple of weeks were non-stop, but things have slowed down (a TINY bit....not really enough for me yet!) but don't worry-I've still had time for some shopping, relaxing, reading and spending time with some of my friends. Because this is my third travel season, I've been more cognizant of trying to get more sleep, and finding ways to de-stress after a long day-so far, it's worked, as I haven't gotten sick yet. (keep your fingers crossed!!!)

I've been reading some of the other blogs, and I know it's Homecoming this week. I'm very sad that I can't go, and jealous of the friends I have going back to Indy. It promises to be a great time, and with the football team at 5-1, the game should be pretty awesome.

I promise to write more later this week, but one thing is on my mind right now-NOVEMBER 15TH. Our application deadline is FAST approaching, and I just wanted to remind everyone of that date-please, PLEASE let me know if you need anything or have questions. Hopefully I can help!

Hope all is well to anyone reading-to Jerry and Chris especially, I miss you guys! (You're probably the most likely to read this thing;)

Have a good Wednesday everyone! Stay tuned for another update this week!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A MONTH!

BUMegan — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:04:00 GMT

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. :)

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!!!