Moving Back Home

In about two weeks, I'll be moving back into my parent's house. My parents are totally fine with this and are encouraging it, but I on the other hand am very apprehensive about it and want to continue my freedom and independence. I mean, hello, I am a college graduate moving back into my childhood room with it's North Carolina blue painted walls, twin sized bed, shelves lined with trophies and every photo I've ever printed out on my ribbon boards. (Thankfully when I was home this past weekend, I prepared my room for the big transition by putting every trophy, medal, photo frame, scrapbook, and old memories into a box.)

I don't know why, but I always feel obliged to show people
a photo of the beautiful high school I attended.

The room congestion aside, the hardest part will not be having my parent's in my personal space, but running into parents, old coaches, friends and old teammates. Other than hanging out with a select few people when I have gone home in the past, I tend to keep a low profile. If I go out, there's a slight chance I'll become "bitter" and extremely negative about seeing everyone I thought I left. This time around, I can't act like this. I can't think about going back to Aquinas, because I am graduating and Aquinas is soon to be in my past.

Sophomore Year Volleyball Pink Out with my friend Jon!

 I can't describe my college friends in a blog post. I could talk for hours about how great a guy Jon is, or how hilarious Liza is, or how caring (once you get to know her) Taelor truly is, or about how serious Abby can be, or about how Rachael is always there for me, or how Mikey brightens up my day, or how forgiving Prince Harry is. In the end, my Aquinas family has been there with me through a tough first semester, six seasons of basketball and lacrosse, an interesting junior year and a fabulous senior year! I grew to who I currently am in front of and with my Aquinas friends. I cherish each and every memory I've made here. I know going back home and leaving my college friends will be hard, but four years ago, I left my high school friends, and wasn't that hard? I'm not sure if I actually was sad to leave all of my high school friends, but I am excited to catch up with them, maintain friendships with my AQ Saints and continue to make new friends each and every place I go. 

Moving back home won't be that bad. I don't have any ex-boyfriends (PHEWF!) that I'll run into... but there will be old coaches, and teachers, and high school classmates who's names I've forgotten, and... and... and...  Oh well, at least my rent is free!  

A group of my high school gang after a friend's graduation party! 

xx

In Light of the Meteor Shower Tonight

If you're every lying on a beach with 80 billion grains of sand beneath you,

700 thousand ocean waves before you,

60 million stars stretched out above you,

And you're still not at all impressed,

I want you to think about this:

The light you see reflecting from the stars is over one million years old.

Wow.

But then, just before you start to feel,

like a mere blip in the gigantic scheme of things,

please remember this:

Yes, you are small, but you're also irreplaceable,

and invaluable,

and miraculous.

Those stars don't have anything on you.

_____________

I don't know who wrote this poem, but a swim coach I idolized when I was a child gave this to me for my 11th birthday. I have had it on my desk ever since and I used to rehearse it every morning when I was getting ready for school. Just remember - whether it is a boy you're going up against in the final round of lightning, a classmate you're up against for a debate or the thousands of applicants applying for the same position as you - you have your own unique characteristics to bring to the table and don't let anything intimidate you, not even a sky full of stars.

"No one can make you feel inferior

 without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

xx

What I've Learned, Part 1

College is the place where you find your bridesmaids and never miss a fraternity's party, right? Well, thankfully for me I only want 2 people in my wedding party and that Aquinas does not have Greek life. 

1. Patience - I am a very impatient person, and I used to be a lot worse. I tend to be impatient about a lot of things, including my love life, teaching my mother something new on the computer, the offense progressing, shopping, and lastly, school work. Seriously, I was that student that if I could not grasp a concept or solve a problem my first two times trying, I would move on/skip/pretend/guess it. I am not sure when the revelation occurred, but I have become much more patient when doing school work. I will re-read directions, take a deep breath and figure out the assignment I am doing. I look back and think about all the times I "gave up" on an assignment or theory because I was too impatient and antsy to sit down and solve it, and I think about how much more I could know (or about how much better my GPA could be...). But hey, at least I figured this personal issue out before I started graduate school and a full time job.
2. Events on campus - Aquinas is a small college, with 2500 students enrolled. However, Aquinas offers so much on campus in terms of resume builders, student events, athletic event, arts & music shows, community service opportunities, religious retreats and much, much more. I have realized that over my four years of college that although I have attended many more events than my fellow classmates, I have not attended enough to satisfy me. Being at Aquinas, I want to pass on to the other Saints that it is okay to attend a basketball game alone, or head to a baseball game with a group of friends even if you don't know anyone on the team, or even to a senior's clarinet recital that you haven't talked to since freshman year, or to organize a group of your friends to go cleanup a park on a Saturday morning. Aquinas has so much to offer and we barely take advantage of anything. I have really been living it up at Aquinas this last semester, trying to fit everything in, even if I have to go to events alone. I want to take this mindset into the real world with me to make sure I sign up for a volunteer association, to attend happy hours that are organized by a fellow young professional, to step out of my comfort zone and sign-up for a recreational basketball league. I want to make the most out of my life, and I want each one of you to make the most out of your college experience, especially if you attend Aquinas. In the end, attending the Career and Counseling Services workshops and participating in CAVA's Clean the Streets service activity will totally be worth it.
3. Go out - I am not advocating to go out every night, but rather once a week or when you have the time to. I understand how academically challenging college can be, but learn to prioritize. I have found that if you want to go to the "Jersey Party" on a Saturday night, but have a three chapter exam on Monday, to study during the day on Saturday, rather than at night. Whenever I have stayed in on a Saturday night (Yes, I know... hard to believe me being so popular and all) it defeats the purpose because I am unproductive and wish I was out and about wearing my Kobe Bryant throwback jersey like the rest of my friends. I am by no means saying to go out every single night of the week, but if you learn to have balance in your social and academic life, you will enjoy life as a whole more. 

   

   My family and I on my brother's
    graduation day just two years ago! 

   4. Drink coffee - I still can't stand the smell of coffee, or the taste of black coffee, but I am thankful for the energy and life coffee has given me when I have been near death. I think this coincides with my patience post and being determined in getting the job done, but coffee has come in clutch this past year when the only thing on my mind is taking a nap. Oh, learn how to make coffee because it will save you a ton of money rather than heading to Starbucks like me whenever I crave it. 

Think of college as a marathon... not a race

xx

Lilly Pulitzer

The brand Lilly Pulitzer will always fashion inspiration. 

Rest in peace Ms. Pulitzer!

.

xx

Senior Days

Senior Days are always emotional for each athlete, family and teammates. You want to send your teammates out in style, as a senior, you want to play your best game to date on Senior Day, and as a parent your emotions are ________. (I'll let you know...) Today was the AQ Women's Lacrosse Senior Day, and I was so excited to see two of my housemates, and two of my former teammates get recognized for all of their accomplishments. I played lacrosse my first two years at Aquinas, and have been the team's statistician my final two years. Although I am not technically on the roster, I love the lacrosse team as if it was my own. I feel as if these girls are genuine, fun and competitors. Lastly, the lacrosse team's parents are phenomenal... I could go on and on about the Terebinski's, McCarty's, Flewelling's, Roger's, Barrett's, Morrow's, etc., etc., etc. On every team there is drama, but at the end of the day, it's all about being able to put it behind you and compete.

The AQWLax Team photo at half time of the game today!

The girls presented me with flowers and a gift card
for keeping stats for team. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved playing basketball at Aquinas, but the team's cohesiveness this past season was not something I was fond of. Actually, it irritated me and kept me up on numerous nights because I could not figure out how to get us all to click and be happy. However, I was extremely pumped and motivated on my Senior Day, because my best friend, Ben, was coming to my game and he hadn't seen me play since high school. My parents and brother were also coming. A lot of AQ friends were there as well, including my brother's old housemates, my housemates and other parents that I've bonded with throughout the years at AQ (Yes, the Terebinski's made it!!). Senior Day for basketball was a "win or go home" game. We ended up losing 81-75, but I was most happy that my team for the first time in what seemed like forever went out leaving it all on the floor. We finally competed and hustled after every loose ball. Personally, I just wanted to play like the old Clare used to play; reckless, tough and mean. Thankfully, I did, at least in the second half. Although we did not win the game, I was content to finish the game without any regrets, and I made my last shot (...Something I told myself I HAD to do. I did it in high school too!)

Senior Day with my parents and coaches

I was blessed to be able to play basketball for all four years in college. Now, I came in with four girls, Liza, Karp & Tae and in typical girls basketball fashion, all three have hurt their ACL's. Karp & Tae redshirted their senior season, but will be back next year for redemption.  I was blessed to have never seriously hurt myself in 16 years of playing basketball (one serious sprained ankle during the summer was it!) I was blessed to have the BEST parents, who never said a negative thing to the AQWBB coaching staff. I was blessed to have my parents, family, and friends at so many games that it added as an extra inspiration to play harder. Lastly, I was blessed to make my best friend, Liza. These four years of college would have been dreadful and uneventful without her by my side. So, thank you Coach Nash for bringing Liza and I into the women's basketball program because at the end of the day, playing four years of basketball was worth it. 

The Original Four at Nationals, 2010!

The Original Four, Senior Day, 2013!

When it's time for your senior day, or your last hurrah at whatever it may be, go out on top and end on a make because it will make the end bearable. Thank you, Aquinas College family for making my four years here better than what I could have ever expected. 

xx

Time does fly

Four years ago I was a senior at Grosse Pointe South High School. 
The University of North Carolina, lead by Tyler Hansbrough, won the NCAA Men's National Championship. 
My basketball team was conference champions for the first time in 17 years. 
My track team won Regionals. 
I drove a Jeep.
I could not wait to leave high school.

After a successful attempt at high jump with Coach Lamberti

Before Grosse Pointe South's Senior Prom with
a friend I've had since KINDERGARTEN!

The Class of 2009 Varsity Girls Basketball Players

Now, I'm getting ready to graduate from Aquinas College in a month.
The University of Notre Dame Women's team is in the Final Four for the third year in a row.
My basketball team in college went 12-16 and underachieved in the WHAC Conference.
I run a few miles here or there to maintain my cardio... and because deep down I enjoy it.
I drive a Ford Fusion. 
I don't want to leave college.

One of my first games of my Senior year

Senior year Homecoming with some of my favorite AQ Saints!

Wow. Time has flown by. I have changed. I have learned. I have flourished. 

Oh, I leaned in!

Thank you, Sheryl Sandberg for inspiring me today during Levo League's "Office Hours." We all need to read her book Leaning In as soon as possible! It's next on my list, once I finish Jay Bilas' book! 

Stereotypes

Having a prom date or getting voted most likely to succeed? 
Well, Ms. Sandberg said, "You can decide its better to be most likely to succeed than to have a prom date, because it is." 

After this dance, I learned to always believe in myself

I could not agree more. I went to a few proms in my day, but I went to my high school's junior prom without a date and I treated it as the worst night of my life. I went in a group of 7 couples and myself, rather than in a group of girls without dates. I cried (yes cried!!) at photos because I was so ashamed (yes ashamed!!) of myself for not being "worthy" or "pretty" enough to have a date to silly junior prom. I left this dance approximately 45 minutes after I got there. Every time I look back on this memory, I become so disappointed in myself because I should have been more confident about going to a dance alone. All of the other proms I went to, I went with dates, and they were all awkward, dreadful and not fun. Although I didn't win "Most Likely to Succeed," I did win "Most Athletic," and that's something I'm more proud of than having had dates to dances, because I worked hard at sports my whole life and was well respected by my peers to receive all their votes. 

(After junior prom, I changed for the better and became more confident. I went to 6 dances senior year and had dates to all of them. Coincidence? I'd like to think so, but then again, it's just a silly dance.)

Stereotypes. My whole life I've defied stereotypes and redefined who I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to do (Like when I played Little League on an all boys team... and played middle-infield.) However, when it comes to the work force, I want to bring a skill set that is admirable and I want to change what is expected of women. I am a young professional, and I want to be prepared for everything that will come my way. Ms. Sandberg has defied stereotypes by being a female C.O.O. and raising a family. She taught me today that by leaning in and committing to my career, I will then develop balance. I could not agree more and I am excited for the upcoming challenges my future holds!

Don't call the little girl on the playground bossy... 
"She's not bossy, she has executive leadership skills"

xx