An End of an Era

I've been putting off writing this post for a few days now.  But I know some of the sharper feelings and memories are starting to slip. 

A picture of me on the last day of class.

My view of the school of social work (large pointy building on left side) on my last day of class from the parking garage I parked at everyday for class.

A picture of me walking across the stage after being hooded.

This is the first time in my life that I'm not a student since I was an infant.  I've spent the past 19 years being a student.  I love being a student!  I love the thrill of the start of a new school year, of learning a new concept for the first time, to the payback of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone (my computer programming class in undergrad).  With this graduation, it is also the closing of the more carefree, whimsical years of my life.

The one of having a cherished community of like minded people, of late nights studying with friends, to the random student schedule that often lead to Mondays off and mandatory tea breaks during 3 hour classes.  The general freedom to be selfish in your pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.  With the campus being all in bloom, it keeps bringing me back to my days at orientation, when the world was so new and uncertain.  My book was yet to be written as Natasha Bendingfield would say.  I still can feel those feelings of mixed mystery and excitement that I felt as a freshman, stepping on to the campus for the very first time.  The nostalgia of my dorm room, my first big crush who would later become my husband, of figuring out my path of social work.

Me, freshman year.

I think though as much as I love being a student, I love Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan equally as much.  And with that, I also feel so fortunate to have a degree which has given me the opportunity to serve people in need.  Which is a bigger passion of mine at this time than continuing my path as a student.  Which I think is the beauty of life, trusting the process, being in tune with yourself to know that your life and career grows with you as a person.  Maybe one day I will be a student again, maybe I wont.  All I know is that the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has given me so much in these past 5 years: internships and research opportunities, 2 degrees, multitude of friends, a husband, a path.  So with all of that said I am leaving this chapter of my life with affirmation from one of my favorite professors "With any transition in life, its okay to feel a mix of every emotion.  Something that brought you comfort and growth is hard to leave.  It is important to feel and honor all of these emotions, but then to let go into the next stage of life". 

A few pictures of my family.  Thank you for supporting me on this journey.

Alicia and I with our grandparents.  With Buddy in the background :)

A few pictures of friends I've made along the way:

And to my fellow graduate, can't wait to see you take on the world.

For now goodbye, for tomorrow good luck, and forever GO BLUE!

The Block 'M"

Last weekend, my family, Matthew, Rochelle and I headed down to UM's track and field house to watch Alicia run in the block "M" uniform for the first time.  Alicia's running journey has had many moments of challenge and celebration.  This past weekend, it was the later.  She certainly made us proud.  All of her years of self-discipline certainly seem to be paying of.  Here are some pictures of the day.

Spring Break 2011

So far this Spring Break has included....

.....traveling to Chicago with the Adler family to see Mike/ UM Club Hockey team at regionals.

Well...

...some how they won regionals after a terrible loosing streak, just barely getting into regionals, and having a team morale of zero.  It was amazing how much a little spirit can go.  

Later that day we...

.....celebrated Laura's birthday in South Haven.  Happy 23rd Birthday Lou!

Mike and I then stayed in South Haven for the next few days....

......and saw our dream house

....visited the beach.

And watched HGTV for hours, went grocery shopping, took a trip to Menards for fun, had a dinner date at Clementines and did nothing school related.  

Here is....

......my favorite picture from this week.  It's Mike patiently waiting in the car for me as I go crazy taking pictures.

Some other highlights from Spring Break:

-Dinner dates with best friends

- Spending hours at the book store with my little sister and Mike.

- My field placement interview for grad school!

-Wedding planning gone right

-Phone chats with best friends

-Watching Sweet Home Alabama

Bucket List #9 Completed.

Remember awhile back how I said I was making a bucket list? Well, I did and have consequently started "checking" items off the list.  My point of making a bucket list is to make sure I not only appreciate my final year of college in the great town of Ann Arbor at the great University of Michigan...but to soak up my last months of non-responsibility before "real life" as well as spend as much time with my parents, sisters, family, and close friends (who are basically family).  

So, it is safe to say that #9 on the bucket list was the most easiest in terms of effort.

#9- Jump up and down with Maize Rage.

For you non "umich" people, Maize Rage basically means the uncontrollable pride and spirit that University of Michigan students get for their university and athletic programs.  For outsiders, this is usually the arrogance that you speak of in regards to Ann Arborites and University of Michigan students. 

Anyways, #9 was easily competed between football games 1 and 4 (I have season football tickets), Alicia's race at MSU.   Also, University of Michigan Varsity Hockey games start this weekend!!

Game #1 versus Uconn:

The eight foot tall inflatable wolverine on Mike's house.

Mike and I tailgating before the game.  

Football in the streets.

Alicia's race:

University of Michigan Women's Cross County team.

Sportin' the gear.

On Life, Future & Recent Events

As of late, I have been a really lazy blogger.  I'm not quite sure why, probably because laziness goes hand in hand with summer for me.  Anyways, today is the first day of classes and I intend to do a quick catch up.
1) Food Intolerance-  Recently, I went to the doctors office for a check up.  I left with being diagnosed with a food intolerance. It gives you a new perspective on what you're putting in your body, that the food you are putting in is really actually harming your body.  To me it is also a challenge to eat right now that I am an adult who must cook for themselves.  


2) Something incredible happened in August in the realm of friendships.  I've had a blogger friend become a "real" friend.  I put "real" in quotations because the legitimacy of our friendship wasn't decreased simply because our friendship started online.  It's really something having someone you met online become someone you can talk to for hours like you do only with your best friend or sister or fiance.  It also gives you a new perspective on the whole "meeting online" deal.  Never will I judge a couple again for telling me that they meant online.  Ultimately, I believe God puts people in your life for a reason and I am looking forward to learn and grow from my friendship with Leslie.  Anyways, that night Cortny, Leslie and I all went to see this little indie band called the Civil Wars.  They are also incredible and also worth checking out, here.


3) I went shopping with Cortny and got out of my comfort zone.  It was one of those tiny victories for me.  I told her to help me pick out stuff that isn't the automatic buy that I usually go for (anything with blue and white stripes!).  It's amazing how much your closet can start to hold the same repeats and how we will only be drawn to one thing while something else in a different color or style will look much better for you.  Anyways the turning point was this button down blouse that I had wanted for awhile (well the style at least, not the particular blouse).  I instinctively went for the pastel pink while Cortny told me to go for the hunter green.  I went with her and ended up loving it.  Huzzah! That's to getting out of your comfort zone and the great friends that help you do it!


4) Tis the season of back to school!  I can't believe it's already my senior year of college.  Where has it all gone?  Nevertheless, I am enjoying the fall atmosphere and the scarf wearing temperatures.  It is almost if mother nature knew that back to school is perfect when the temperatures are in the 60s instead of 90s.  More importantly, I am really trying to prioritize my time and not over commit to things.  I am trying to balance my time between spending time at Mike's house and my apartment.  I have also quit Barnes & Nobles to keep my free time open for more studying.  

Picture copyright Peter Draugalis Photography.

5) The last thing to update on is my sister, the big ten athlete.  All my sisters past six years of running everyday, not eating partially hydrogenated oil and weight lifting has paid off.  About three weeks ago she became apart of the University of Michigan's women's Cross Country team.  The picture above is at the finish line stretch of her first race this past Friday with her coach yelling at her in the background.  The reason she is not in a uniform is because she is red-shirted for season.  
Way to go sis, I only have happiness and proud sister affection for you.  

UM Graduation 2010

This past weekend, Mike's sister, Laura graduated from college.  She graduated as a Sports Management major and is interested in pursuing a career in hockey (if anyone knows of any related job openings ;)).  Probably the biggest highlight of the ceremony was that Barack Obama was the commencement speaker.  

We were up by 7 AM to get in a line....we waited two hours to go through airport like security.

It was worth it though! All of the speeches were really good and even better it was held in the Big House.  The only over done part was that all speeches ended with "Go Blue!"....very original.  It was definitely one of those once in a life time experiences to have the sitting president speak in the stadium.  

My Two Favorite Teams

What a wondeful weekend.  My two favorite teams are doing so well.  MSU just beat Maryland to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.  Yes, I know I go to UM but I grew up in East Lansing so not loving MSU just doesn't feel right.  

The final game was held at the Joe Louis Ice Arena (where the Redwings play)

Last night UM won the CCHA after coming back from being the second to last ranked team to beating the top team in the nation. The best part was that our second walk-on goalie (who played for the first time a few weeks ago because our first goalie is injured) won MVP of the CCHA.  I love seeing stories like that.

Me and Cort sporting the cheeks

VICTORY FROM UM!  Next step: NCAA tournament and four games away from being National Champions!