thirtysevenseconds.com

It's about time I got a little domain of my own. Come on over to thirtysevenseconds.com! Housewarming gifts encouraged.

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.

hopeful... maybe more like thoughtful.

Those of you who know me well know that I don't follow politics. That is an active choice - I've attempted to follow, and find myself just getting more frustrated and more disappointed in people every time I get into them again. So, I choose to focus my energy, talent, and time on things that I believe are more important, in hopes that helping develop strong, independent, intelligent, caring young people will help the future of our country in a way that politics clearly are not. 

I did vote today. I'm also taking a few minutes before bed to watch some of these election results roll in.  But before I turn in for the night, I wanted to post about something that popped into my head as I am watching moments of joy and disappointment, hope and fear roll across the screen...

Amidst celebration and concession speeches with backdrops of mostly red balloons, I'm hearing overhead speakers blast the Blacked-Eyed Peas' "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night"... (hm, that's interesting.)  Good or bad is not for me to judge, but tonight certainly is a big night.  In particular, it's a life changing one for many who have been voted into office for the first time or who are starting a new chapter in their political journey.  Then too, in just one day, the course of our country has officially shifted, which is pretty powerful to think about.  You don't need to know who I voted for or what, if any, party I identify with. This is for everyone and anyone who had the night of their life tonight, as we move past election day and onto every other day.

The Man in the Glass.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say. 

For it isn't your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass. 

Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye. 

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest

For he's with you clear to the end

And you've passed your most dangerous test

If the guy in the glass is your friend. 

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

a bit on the lighter side.

Thirty-seven seconds... not even necessary.

My baby sister Meredith is visiting the 'bus this weekend (!). Of course, Mer knows when she comes to visit we will probably (okay, certainly) go shopping. So, we took a stroll through the north end of Easton this evening. 

Now, admittedly, I am a true believer in retail therapy. Even just being around all the pretty window displays and twinkle lights makes me giddy. We walked into the new Madewell store for a split second tonight, and that was it. Love at first sight.

No no, this has nothing to do with a man. I really, truly do love shopping just that much.

Slighty shallow post? Sure. Am I posting it anyway? Absolutely. I find joy in all sorts of little moments.

Moral of the story is 1) promise me window displays and twinkle lights, and I may be falling in love with you instead of a "dynamic, mixed-use town center" or a pair of killer cognac riding boots, and 2) Go check out Madewell, will ya?

Dear Santa, See this? Yep. XOXO, Mel

great expectations.

I know I owe you more dish on Europe. But... I had the chance in class today to talk about something that represents a part of my life that significantly impacted my identity development, and it sparked a few thoughts worth blogging about.

I brought a pretty important piece of jewelry to share with the class (It's shaped like a kite)... and it reminded me of one of my most favorite moments in college - a moment of appreciation, thankfulness, clarity, and loyalty.

Those who were there will remember this excerpt from a Roy Croft poem:

I love you, not only for what you are, but for who I am when I am with you. 

I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, 

but for what you are making of me. 

I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. 

I love you, because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good,

And more than any fate could have done to make me happy... 

...You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. 

You have done it by being yourself. 

Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

Even if you may not know what moment I'm referring to, I think you can imagine the impact of this poem... particularly when presented in a way that isn't on a random, rambling MelRoc blog post. ;) I'd like to think we are all able to say that this poem reflects how we feel about anyone we spend a lot of time and energy on or with. And if we can't, I hope we have the courage to do something about that.

This one certainly goes out to my girls, for reasons obvious to them. But, in particular, it goes out to my brother Kevin - someone who I admittedly fought with for most of my life. Yet, as we get older I realize we share much of the same values, perspectives, expectations, and dreams.  I admire him for a lot of things, particularly his strength and determination. He's a smart cookie, too. I think he'll get why I dedicated this particular post to him... Love you, Kev.

source: www.cartoonstock.com