be still my heart.

I promise, I'm not trying to brag. Though I am proud and extra smiley right now, I do have a really important point to make that requires you to see this:

Taking this class was one of the best choices I have made at Ohio State. Melissa is a wonderful instructor and was so knowledgeable about everything we discussed. She always had extra examples in case we were struggling with grasping concepts or visualizing scenarios. I learned so much about myself and about others that I have interacted with. I feel like I am prepared to deal with any leadership situation I will encounter as well as the diverse personalities of those whom I may encounter. 

I would take anything Melissa taught in a heartbeat.

And there it is. 

Smelly markers. It's a student affairs thing.

I'll admit it, my job can be both professionally and personally draining at times. I've been struggling recently to manage my own life in exchange for churning out great work. It happens, and I'm pushing through knowing that rough patches are inevitable. Right now though, in this moment, as I read through the comments my students in my Intro to Leadership Theory course submitted to the university about my class, I am reminded of how lucky I am to do what I do, and how much energy, inspiration and love surround me each and every day, even amidst the chaos. 

I also know that there is no way I would be successful at this job if I didn't absolutely love it.

If you don't have a job or career that motivates you to be a better person (not a better employee, a better person), you are seriously missing out. I would encourage you to do something about that. You deserve feedback like this, too.

sing it, billy and tony.

I'll admit it. I have become dangerously infatuated with a city I swore I could never really get.  Simone De Beauvoir says that "there is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless." It certainly has this unique energy that I still can't quite put my finger on.

But I like it. And it looks/feels/sounds something like this:

Ignoring weather.com and clacking your heals furiously through the streets in the rain to make it to dinner on time at the Ganesvoort.

Running amuck in an extra-large version of your favorite store with your best friend, on solo shopping missions, only to come to the register with the exact same sequined tank. 

Purposefully losing yourselves in, and subsequently falling in love with, the West Village. 

Meeting an old friend's hubby-to-be for the first time. Seeing her face light up as she introduces him. Realizing that she truly got it right with this one. 

Finding a lovely new friend who may or may not have given up a large portion of his weekend to show two gals a good time in the city, while working around your nap schedule. 

Being tossed a Louis like it was a Jansport simply because "it looked fabulous" with your outfit. 

 
Rolling out of bed and heading all the way downtown for brunch at a French cafe in Chinatown ... because you know it's best to see your favorite quirky brunette in her own fabulous world. 

A 2:30 AM proposal to continue the evening, just before we get into cabs to head home. 4:30 am comes and goes... 

Bagels and coffee in PJs and ponytails at 1:00 pm. 

Stepping outside onto E. 25th in the early morning, about to head to the airport, and hearing the little voice in your head simply state; "this was good."


To those involved with all that I've shared above, thank you. You have earned my sincere adoration, and in the process helped me establish this whole new appreciation for the Concrete Jungle. Lots of love coming your way from Ohio as you deal with the aftermath of an unwanted visitor. (That Ms. Irene... goodness.)

xoxo

"it's not about the ball. it never was."

Okay, I might be drinking the Buckeye Kool-Aid, but regardless... this is an incredibly well-written piece:

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2011/05/the-man-who-wasnt-there

The news about Jimmy T. and all of the drama/investigation/discussion/accusation/blaming/anguish, etc. makes me so aware that all that cognitive and moral development mumbo jumbo I learned in grad school, even the more new-age theories of Spiral Dynamics and Social Change Model of leadership development... make so much sense. People, organizations, and systems and their inability to move past certain "stages"... wow.

Let's be real: No one gets through to each and every student. No one. Though, the good educators/teachers/coaches keep on trying, even when the student may not "get it" 'til much later on in life, or maybe not at all. And even with the ones who don't turn out completely how we'd like them to... we do know that they are at least a little bit better, a little more mature, on a bit of a better path than they would have been without us. That's why we never quit trying, even when it means something not-so-great for us professionally or even personally.

Like Ramzy from Eleven Warriors says in his post, "It's not about the ball. It never was." It's about what happened in between the games, in the few seconds here and there throughout each and every day that The Vest challenged and pushed these students (yes, I said students, not athletes) to be better people (yes, I said people, not players). THAT is the true measure of a man (yes, I said man, not coach.) To me, it's a shame that more people can't see that (or can, but won't).

And yes, he was more than just a football coach to our university. He didn't have to be, but he chose to be a mentor and partner in all things curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular... and he pushed his students to be the same. The man has his own real fans and real friends. I'm not sure we will ever find all of that in a "football coach" again.

So, here's the deal. We all make mistakes. I sure hope you won't be defined by the few you make, but rather by your many accomplishments, by your head and your heart, by your caring nature and your positive intent.

And if after considering all of this you still can't see my point, I suggest you spend some time studying that cognitive/moral development mumbo jumbo I mentioned above.