Quilted Women Picker-Upper

Men of Omaha update: I walked into Starbucks yesterday in downtown Omaha after being away for a whole week and I couldn't believe my eyes.

A man in a quilted jacket. 

Maybe it's my lust for a Burberry quilted jacket that made my eyes pop when I saw this fella, or maybe it's because he was talking about how he improved his golf handicap from a 15 to a 5 this past summer. Regardless, I'm on the prowl to see if more men in Omaha are wearing quilted jackets... and once I find a woman wearing a black Burberry one, I will drop everything to compliment her.

Link similar to the jacket I saw on handsome golfer: JCrew Jacket.  I'm still working on taking photos of the well-dressed and handsome men I see in Omaha... but as you can imagine, it's harder (read: creepier) than it seems.

The jacket of my dreams: Burberry

I just picture myself throwing on a pair of Jordan's, some skinny jeans, a graphic tee and the Burberry jacket to run a few errands, catch a basketball game or meet up with a friend to do some school work. Preppy tomboy at it's finest! (I also picture myself dressing the jacket up with a nice pair of riding boots and button up. Just to please my Mother). 

I wonder which outfit would attract the men of Omaha more to me....?  Considering I'd more than likely wear my hair up in a pony-tail, my Mom would say neither.

 

xx

Men of Omaha

Much to my Mother's nagging, I've decided to take my appreciation posts about the men of Omaha from Facebook to another social media platform... MY BLOG! However, with this move, I need to start taking photographs of the well-dressed men. Alert the stalk-a-paparazzi.

Moving to a new city, where I didn't know anyone, has led my eyes to stray away from my books and stare far more frequently than in the past. Honestly, if I were to have checked a man out in Detroit, he was either:
a) related to me
b) a co-worker of mine or my dad's
c) a former classmate, teammate or player for my Mom, Dad or brother
d) a member at the Detroit Athletic Club (which would just lead to an awkward match-up on the basketball court)

Free at least, free at last, thank God almighty my eyes are free to roam at last!

My whole obsession about the men in Omaha began when I first moved here and would walk from my apartment downtown to the "Old Market" area for happy hours.  This was the time where I hadn't solidified any friendships, so I would go off by myself just taking everything in.  In downtown Omaha, there's First National Bank, where employees are required to wear a suit.  As I'd walk to happy hour, they would be coming off of work and I just couldn't help but take in their beauty at the same time.  I know what you're thinking, but this is no different than the men checking us females out on the regular.  Granted, not every man is Cary Grant, but clothing certainly helps many of them out. (If you don't know who Cary Grant is, look him up... you're welcome).

Okay, back to focusing about the blog post and not getting lost in Mr. Grant's eyes.

My FIRST Omaha post:

As you can tell, I was truly just livening up my ever dull and serious Facebook newsfeed. Since a lot the activity on my newsfeed is from 40-65 year old females, I figured they'd get a kick out of my new life in Omaha.  Followed by a few emails, phone calls and text messages, I knew there was no turning back.

Below are the remaining appreciation posts of men, primarily in Omaha.  Not to worry, I will be adding photos to these posts, hopefully selfies. Ha!

 

 

Here are a two more posts which should help get your weekend started off on the right foot.  Let me know if going to the bar dressed as a bum works out for you?  Pretty sure everyone assumed I just rolled out of bed, when in reality I came right from church.  Nothing quite like pants with an elastic waistline. Am I right?

 

 

 

Tim Riggins.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

<3

 

 

 

Have a blessed weekend. May the men in your life be beautiful, well-dressed and beautiful on the inside (because that's what matters).

 

xx

 

 

Nashville Recap!

I love to travel.  I love being a tourist.  I love seeing new landmarks.  I love (read: am obsessed with) meeting new people. 

So... what better way to kick off my Fall Break from Creighton than with a long weekend to Nashville with my best friend Carey!  We had talked about going to Nashville for what seemed like YEARS.  We finally pulled the trigger in August and booked our trip.  There were some things we spent money on and some things we went the "college student" route with.  When it was all said and done, we sat in the airport planning our next adventure and our next adventure back to Nashville.  I may or may not have told everyone in Nashville that I want to move there...

To begin, Carey and I decided to fly Delta to Nashville.  After doing so, next time we'd fly, we'd probably take Southwest.  However, we met some phenomenal people in the airports, including the ONLY "cowboy" we met the whole trip.  He was a handsome, tall, athletic man who was just returning home from a business trip.  Go figure he played both baseball and basketball at Vandy.  He had even been to Omaha in the summer for the College World Series to see his alma mater win the national championship!

Carey and I stayed in the downtown Nashville Hostel.  In retrospect, this was a GREAT decision to make since all we did was sleep there and it only cost us a whopping $35/night.  We were roomed with 6 other girls from England who were studying abroad in the United States of America.  They came to Nashville to see Paul McCartney perform and said adorable phrases like "Oh! That's mad!"  I would highly suggest staying in the hostel because it's two blocks off Broadway, extremely clean and safe!  We both think for the next trip we go on hopefully we'll have a bit more of disposable income so we can upgrade to a hotel room. 

Doesn't it look like we were at camp?
Seriously, the hostel provided clean sheets and you could "rent" a clean towel for $1.
The bathrooms were clean and there were even private suites you could use.

 

Thursday: Our first night in Nashville, my friend from undergrad met up with Carey and I.  It was SO nice to see a familiar face.  Josh played baseball at Aquinas and I played basketball, but we had some classes together.  He went to Vanderbilt for grad school and is now a CPA for pWc down in Nashville (the same accounting firm Carey will be working for)!  Everywhere we went had live music.  Josh informed us that the bands/performers get better as you go up levels in the bars.  He guided us to a few of the establishments we had to hit up on our first night. Unfortunately he had to work the next day, so he went home early. Need not to worry, Carey and I still lived up our first night on Honkey Tonk Row! I wish I had photos and videos of the performers because they.were.all.amazing.

Carey and I on our first night in Nashville.
#CCxNashville
Don't we look pretty?!

 

We may or may not have arm wrestled some guys...
Per the rules, we were allowed to use two hands.
Pictured above is the referee of the competition declaring my victory!

Friday: Carey and I woke up super early (not by choice... one of our English friends was experiencing a bit of the "brown bottle flu") so we decided to put on our walking shoes and head towards Vanderbilt to get some breakfast (read: find an establishment that served bloody Mary's).  We had a delicious meal at West End Café before we continued on to campus. I just had to see Vanderbilt's baseball stadium since they are a perennial powerhouse.  At first, I did not think much of it because I'm used to Comerica Park and now TD Ameritrade. But wow... if only Aquinas had a baseball stadium like Vandy's!

 

We checked out the Parthenon and truly just enjoyed one's company on our walk.  We stopped in at Tootsie's on our way back for a nice cold one and to listen to the live music before hitting the showers before everyone else in the hostel did to get ready for Friday night.  Well, go figure that Carey's cousin and one of my dear friends, Sarah, was in Nashville with her roommates! Like what were the chances?! Sarah realized that from my SNAPCHAT story! 

The Parthenon!

Carey and I met up with Sarah and her roommates for a bit before we went our separate ways around dinner.  From there, Carey and I sat down with two Nashville business men at a happy hour and had quite an enjoyable conversation, received a few "touristy" tips and even made business connections. Maybe a move to Nashville in the future is a possibility! Ha!

Sarah, Carey and I couldn't resist getting a touristy photo of
the "Bang This" twins.

Friday night was truly just a whirlwind, but I was fortunate enough to run into a former foe on the basketball court (again, what are the chances?!). The music was great everywhere we went on Broadway. 

Former Macomb Area Conference basketball foes!
Birthday twins, too!

Saturday:  Carey and I woke up on the wrong side of the bed Saturday morning, but we quickly realized to suck up the exhaustion (yes Mom, exhaustion, not dehydration). We headed for a walk north of downtown to check out the area and find a "hole in the wall diner" for a bite to eat before we met up with my friend, Eddie! I swear, the power of social media is unreal! Eddie saw one of my INSTAGRAMS and reached out to me letting me know that'd he was headed to Nashville with his friends. Eddie went to U of D Jesuit and ran for my Uncle Bell.  We someone developed a friendship and have kept in touch ever since.  (Side note, Eddie sent me the BEST Valentine when I was a freshman in college, which consisted of a CD of 19 romantic country songs. When I told Eddie I still had it, he did not believe me... I do, I sent him a photo of it just this past weekend).

Eddie and I.  This photo depicts our friendship perfectly.

I'm so happy we met up with Eddie and his friends because one of the guys' sister lives in Nashville with her friend. Needless to say, Carey and I made two BFF's, Gina and Kristin, and spent the day bouncing around downtown Nashville with them!  For dinner, we headed up to "midtown" where we met back up with Eddie and his gang. I would highly suggest heading towards midtown one night if you're in Nashville and hit up the Red Door Saloon, Rebar, etc.

After some Mexican food (and tequila), and bouncing around the establishments in midtown, we headed back down to Broadway.  Boy oh boy was it packed!  We went to the The Stage Thursday night and headed back on Saturday and I was confident that I had never been there because it looked so different and was packed.  I'm not sure if I've conveyed how happy I was to be in Nashville... but Saturday night and the music at The Stage alone made the whole trip worth it.

Honkey Tonk Row

Meeting Gina and Kristin (sister of Eddie's friend) was a highlight of the trip.  Truth be told, I could see Carey and I meeting up with Gina and Kristin not only in Detroit when they're home for a holiday, but also inviting them to join on our next adventure.

Sunday: Carey and I were craving bloody Mary's, again so we headed back to what we already knew...

My friend Josh met up with us for breakfast.  Gina joined us just in time to take us to another establishment and insisted Carey and I get a "bushwacker." Basically, it's a really strong milkshake. We were able to take in some of the Detroit Lions football game before we were antsy to keep exploring on our last day.

Gina, Josh, Carey and I all headed to the Bluebird Café to take a touristy photo in front.  I am so sad we did not get tickets to see a live show, but in fairness, they sell out in ten minutes on Monday morning.

Josh and I outside the Bluebird Café. Isn't' he a studly looking man? 

I'm glad we were able to take so much of the city in, but I'm sad we did not get to venture outside of it much.  Next time I go, I'll definitely rent a car and take in the historical aspects of Nashville, not just the music scene. Also, I would check out who is playing a big show and get tickets to it. Once I heard Kip Moore was playing Friday night, I cried inside because Carey and I did not have tickets to see him perform. 

Nashville, thank you for an amazing weekend.  Thank you for lighting the travel bug inside me.  Carey, thanks for being the best travel companion I could ever imagine.  Here's to trip #1 of ___ together.

"Well, I like my loving done country style.

And this little girl would walk

a country mile to find her a good 'ol

slow talking country boy" - Loretta Lynn

 

xx - Conway Twitty

Inspriations

I am so thankful for my MBA program at Creighton, specifically my Business, Ethics & Society class.  We have had guest speakers from the Omaha business area and WOW, are these professionals rock stars!  We also have had the opportunity to interview professionals who are BBB Integrity Award Winners or Omaha Business Hall of Fame Inductees.

Following one PR expert's presentation, I followed-up and met with my now mentor, Joyce. (Go figure we hit it off, her middle name is Clare, without an "i"). She was gracious enough to have me over for a cup of coffee and just talk.  She gave me great advice about "figuring out" my future, which was to come up what I'm good at, what I like to do and what my bottom lines are.

Example:
What I'm good at: Working under pressure (Doesn't necessarily mean I like to work under pressure, but I am good at it... "never let them see you sweat"...).
What I like to do: Events (I love planning... such as the St. Clare Golf Outing..., going to, hosting and I even don't mind cleaning up events).
What my bottom (lines) are: Location (Omaha, NE)

Do you have any "what I'm good at" or "what I like to do" bullets I should add to my list?

While interviewing a Hall of Fame Inductee, Aldo Tesi, CEO and Chairman of Election Systems & Software, I was yet again inspired about my future.  Aldo is a phenomenal man, lives a life "above the line," and is so passionate and vibrant about work.  One of the biggest take-a-ways I had during this interview was not necessarily the ethical questions I asked, but rather a reminder to add to my daily to-do's to never become jaded.

I would be remiss to note that Aldo took THREE hours out of his day to meet with my partner and I.  He gave us a tour of the office, Quality Assurance test rooms, put election hardware to work and treated my partner and I to lunch. Oh! He even gave us The Oz Principle book to read... If you're into leadership and learning about organizational structure, this is a must read for you. Below is a photo of the DS850 vote scanner and tabulator machine.  

Needless to say, I fell in love with Election Systems & Software I am so thankful for the opportunities I've had thus far. Inspiration is all around!

live about the line

xx

HOMAHA!

Have you ever taken a risk? One where people raise an eyebrow and tilt their head when they hear of what you are about to do? Well, my decision to move to a city I never visited, where I knew no one and attend Creighton University's Heider College of Business to obtain my MBA has done just that with everyone I tell (except my BFF Carey).

It all came about in the dark, depressing months of the unforgiving winter we experienced in Detroit where I realized I needed to "get out."  I needed to leave, spread my wings, fly and become my own person, on my own.

The reason I am able to leave home and take such a risk is because of the confidence my parents have instilled in me my whole life; the education, in and outside the classroom, I received from Aquinas College; the Dixie Chick's song "Wide Open Spaces" (I blast this song on repeat 24/7); knowing that if I fail I can always go back to Michigan and lastly because I need to challenge myself on a whole other level.

I've been in Omaha for a month already and I couldn't be happier. My classes are challenging (I've already had to put the PRO into procrastination for an assignment...), the companies and corporations are phenomenal, the men are beautiful, the city is vibrant and the bar scene is just my style.

#DowntownOmaha

One of these nights, I'll get up on stage and do a treble jig.

74 days until I return to Detroit...

Until then, peace and blessings from Mr. Buffett's town

xx

Finally, Vacation!

In college, we “studied” so hard for finals that they would grant us three to four weeks off of school! Where did the corporate world go wrong? Where did the United States go wrong? I look around at lunch and I see tired people. I look around at the gym and I see folks who are barely making it through a game of squash because they don’t have the time to stay in shape. I get upset when I hear my co-workers talk about how they can’t make their kid’s basketball game because they have to stay late at work. Hmm… maybe I was born in the wrong generation, or maybe I have always gone 100 mph and accomplished everything on my daily to-do lists that I’ve always been able to “do it all.” 

Pause.

Wait, have I ever been able to “do it all?” I’m always being pulled in 5,000 different directions. I look in the mirror and I see bags under my eyes. I see the intensity of my workouts slipping and I find myself turning my phone to airplane mode more often than ever before just to get some peace and quiet. Staying in on a Saturday night watching tear provoking romantic comedies? That has been happening way too often, especially for me, being the socialite-diva that I am. (Insert diva emoji here).

Although my personal Christmas break in college was on average 6 days, it was still 6 days away from “work,” away from the “grind.”

After working for 8 (almost 9!) months, I’ve realized I need a break. That is why my 6.5 day vacation beginning on Tuesday at 12:00 pm is fitting. I am headed to Boise, Idaho for my cousin Molly’s wedding and I am so tempted to keep my phone off the whole time… Okay, maybe just during the wedding celebrations…

Heading on a plane to Boise, to see family while being able to check out a new city and just live up the New Year is something I am SO excited to do. My vacation is coming at the perfect time, as I am a bit worn down from work. Why am I so worn down? I really think it’s because I haven’t had my 6 days away from work, away from the “grind.”

Rest is necessary, and I know now that utilizing my vacation time around the Christmas holiday from here on out is a must. 

Boise, Idaho… HERE I COME! Oh, and God Bless my cousin Molly with her soon to be husband Sean!

xx

"going to the chapel and we're gonna get married..."

6 Months

It has been six months since I started working in the real world. WOW. 

This week more than ever I really started to reevaluate my life, in large part because I was studying to take the GMAT exam to be used for my entrance into graduate school. I've always been extremely goal oriented (how could I not playing sports) and I've always had some sort of "life plan" written out. 

Studying at Starbucks...
Grande Non-Fat Vanilla Latte please

I'm not joking. When I was in 8th grade I wrote out a year by year plan for my life. It had details like when I was going to get married, how many kids I'd have, where I was going to work, where I was going to travel, when I was going to retire, and so on. When I last saw my grade school track coach, he asked me if I still wanted to be President of the WNBA. I could not help but smile because I remember writing a life plan and being so excited I finally figured out what I wanted to be, at the impressive age of 13. I had planned to go to Law School after playing basketball at a small college. I was going to work my way up through the Detroit Shock organization and into the WNBA's front office. I remember having a photo of not only Swin Cash hanging up in my room, but also Donna Orender, the President of the WNBA. 

Here I am almost 10 years later not working for the Detroit Shock (that would be impossible...) and not going to Law School. Rather, I am applying to graduate schools to further my education and receive a Masters in Business Administration. 

After six months of working in the real world I know that obtaining a masters degree is not something I should do, but something I need/want/must do. I cannot wait to head back to school. I want to continue to learn each and everyday at work and take everything I've learned, everything I am learning and all of the work experiences I am gaining off to my graduate classes with me in the fall. 

All afternoon I was browsing MBA programs and I am so excited. Not only will I be going for my masters degree, but I will be able to study concentrations of a topic (or maybe two!) that I am interested in, on top of business. These concentrations include accounting, information technology, leadership, healthcare, etc. I just hope somebody wants me to come study at their institution! 

So, what are my short term goals? What is my updated life plan? 

Six Month Short Term Goals:

Be admitted into graduate school

Enroll at graduate school

Continue to grow and learn at work

See Creighton & Doug McDermott play basketball

Spend a weekend unplugged

Get a passport

Finish my college scrapbook

Utilize my DAC membership 4x a week

Life Plan:

Travel

Smile more

Make a difference

Never stop learning

Pray everyday

Always own a pair of basketball shoes

... be President of the WNBA ;)

August Recap

The month of August was filled with high's and low's, lots of travel and "goodbyes" to my friends as they head back for their senior year of college. 

August kicked off with "HEDIS Week" at work, which is Health Effectiveness Data and Information Set Week. During this week at work the company's main focus is to educate the workers about HEDIS, the HEDIS measures and how to make our services that we provide to our members better and more innovative. HEDIS Week was so much fun because each day had a different theme to it and there were so many free goodies given away. 

From there, preseason football finally started. I went to the first Detroit Lions preseason game with two of my friends. We actually stayed for a fair amount of time, until we all looked at one another and didn't recognize any of the players out on the field in the 3rd quarter. It was at this game where I reconnected with a friend from St. Clare of Montefalco who I don't think I had actually hung out with since 8th grade. All of us went out and about after the Lions game in downtown Detroit. So, yes, this night was a huge high because I was  having fun in my city!! 

#OnePride 

Water is the hub of life. 

I went and visited my best guy friend's family (without him) in Brooklyn, Michigan. Wow. Their house is right on the water and it is oh so perfect. I loved spending time with my two sisters and Mr. & Mrs. Miller. I don't know where I would be without my friend's families because not only do my friends mean the world to me, but so do their families. 

When my main girl Carey left for school, I think I hit an all time low. It was a BIG wake-up  call because I didn't realize how much time I truly spent with her all summer, and how I would no longer have her to go golf with, or go shopping with, or go on a walk with. Literally, as soon as Carey left for school, I was tempted to put out an advertisement in the newspaper for "Friend Wanted." Rather, I just resorted to sending out a tweet - but no one took it seriously. "Calling any outgoing, single, athletic, funny, well-dressed, young professional females, ages 22-26 who are looking for friends. I'm it!!" OK, but seriously, with the month of September here, I'm focusing on making new friends. It's getting really old going out to eat with my parents, and out to drinks after dinner with them, and then coming home before I'd normally go out... 

I made a quick trip to Grand Rapids on my way to Chicago to see a few of my housemates from last year. It seriously doesn't even seem like I left Aquinas - until of course I meet new   freshman and they're way too uncomfortable and quiet around me. I loved being back though. Aquinas will always have a piece of my heart.

...But onto what I've been looking forward to for a few months now... CHICAGO.

The highest of the highs came on Saturday night- when I finally got to see my idol live and in person playing basketball. I was seriously on cloud 9, and I might still be, about being able to see her in play again! I went to see Swin Cash play and had a front row seat. The game was to clinch the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference and was a very good ball game until the Chicago Sky pulled away. Was it worth it going all the way to Chicago for a WNBA game? ABSOLUTELY. It's not crazy, it's sports. 

Front row. I was a little kid in a candy shop. Someone pinch me...

Oh, and while I was in Chicago, I spent some quality time with Carey, so that was the perfect ending to my first summer as a graduate. We went to this amazing place for breakfast on Sunday and I think I gained 4 lbs. just off of the cinnamon rolls they served there. So of course, I can't wait to go back. 

Well, football is back, the MLB is gearing up for playoffs and it's finally time I say goodbye to my Lilly dresses until the spring. 

Here's to another undefeated football season at Aquinas College!

xx

A Few State Championships Later

Always try and keep your promises, especially when they're to someone who means the world to you. 

My father missed the 2002 Little League State Championship game, coaching for Grosse Pointe Farms-City Little League, to take me to my first Detroit Shock game to see (and meet!!) my idol play against her former college roommate and teammate for the first time. 

I'm really not sure what other memory I have with my Dad that tops this one. My dad stayed true to his word no matter how conflicted he was. Thank goodness he was coaching with a great man, Mr. Getz, who told him to take me to the game. 

Getting to meet Swin Cash and Sue Bird, getting autographs and seeing them play each other in their rookie season, was better than anything I've ever received on Christmas morning. 

Everything seems to be coming full circle, because on Saturday, I'm seeing my idol play in person, eleven years later, for probably the last time. Chicago, here I come. Conway's seeing Cash one last time! 

Oh yeah, the Farms-City boys won that state tournament :)

xx #32

The last Detroit Shock game I ever attended!

(Another great memory I have of my Father was when he had his 2001 Little League State Runner-Up team come to a swim meet of mine to cheer me on. I was the 10-year old little sister who never missed a game of my brother's. Now, I swam like the 3rd event, the 17th event and the 37th event. My father just asked them to see me swim my first event, but the boys stayed for the WHOLE meet and cheered me on like I was racing for an Olympic Gold. Looking back, I probably should have lived up my popularity a bit more, but hey, I was just so excited they were there to support me. I'll never forget that.)

July Recap

The month of July could quite possibly be my favorite month of the year, even if it is when I somehow always get 3rd degree sunburns. Although it's so busy and just flies by, it is filled with so many perfect events, nights and weekends with my favorite people.

It all started with my company's summer work party which was held in downtown Detroit at the unbelievable and beautiful Campus Martius Park. I had a friend accompany me and I definitely met a lot of new co-workers, strengthened the relationships I had previously developed and took advantage of everything the party had to offer - especially the photo booth. Seriously, NEVER throw a big party without a photo booth...

Over the 4th of July, I had a "staycation," which was much needed after go-go-going since I started my position on May 13th. Finally finishing an overdue library book, doing loads and loads of laundry, hanging out with Granmo, organizing my room and watching season 1 of The Newsroom was how I spent 48 stress free hours. 

Then I spent two PERFECT weekends in a row up at Pointe Aux Barques with my best friend. Her cottage, #Cottage35, treated us to a much needed escape from our 8-5 jobs. 

I did not take this photo, but it is the best photo I've ever
seen that attempts to represent how beautiful PAB truly is.

My best friend and I on Thumbnail...
Literally, the very tip of the thumb of the Michigan mitten!
(I love when I get friends to represent Aquinas... Go Saints!)

My second weekend up at PAB was "The Best Weekend of the Year," which is also known as July Dance Weekend. This year, my best friend invited her college golf teammates up for the weekend, and most of them came (even her teammate from Indonesia...!!) I can't even begin to describe how perfect July Dance Weekend always is. Saturday night is my favorite part of the weekend because all the girls dress up in Lilly Pulitzer dresses, Jack Rogers and their grandmother's pearls. The guys sport different colored pants, their best Brooks Brothers bow ties/ties and sport coats. We take an absurd amount of photos before, during and after dinner, which is oh so annoying at the time, but oh so awesome come Sunday morning. The dance itself features a live band and dancers from the ages of 16 all the way up to 80+. From Sweet Caroline to Shout, it's always a night that will go down in the history books. 

The preppiest group you have ever seen, in front of #Cottage35

It's hard to follow a weekend at PAB, but fortunately the St. Clare Golf Outing gets that pleasure. The St. Clare Golf Outing Committee and Athletic Committee started working on this outing over Memorial day, and our recap meeting is tomorrow night (read: Finally, the golf outing is over! Wait, it's over??!) It truly is the only golf outing I've ever been apart of where I enjoy every second of it, regardless of the stress it brings. This year, everyone's hard work, planning, sales, marketing and donations made it the most successful outing yet! My best friend golfed with me, along with two of my friends from St. Clare (one just so happens to be my best guy friend). Although I arrived at the course at 9:45 am to set up, and did not get to bed until 2:30 am, the fact it was so much fun trumped my lack of sleep (and lack of coffee in my bloodstream). The golf outing was such a success that we ran out of open spots for golfers & golf carts at the course. At the after party, we even ran out of beer, food, utensils and plates!! Thank goodness they were quickly replenished by our awesome volunteers! :)

"Once a Falcon... Always a Falcon"

Even with all of the craziness the month of July brought, I was still able to volunteer a bit for the AAU Junior Olympics, coach basketball and give back to some young athletes, pass my 60 day evaluation at work (phewf) and do a bit of exploring in Detroit! 

"If you want to learn what someone fears losing,

watch what the photograph"

xx

Friends who become Family

It's amazing what people can mean to you, even when they're not "family." One of my little sisters is heading off to college tomorrow and it's so weird. This is the same girl who's basketball games I would attend when she was in 8th grade. (Side note, she was a premier basketball player, but she blew her knee out in an AAU tournament in 8th grade. During rehab, she began to row, and the rest is history... still in the making!) 

It seems like just yesterday I was losing my voice rooting for her 8th grade basketball team. Now, I'm trying to give her advice, courage and confidence as she heads to Charlottesville to experience the best four years of her life. Through tough work and perseverance, Janey has garnered a scholarship to college and will be on the Crew team. Knowing that Janey will be a part of a team is SO reassuring to me because I don't know what I would have done without my teammates during college. Teammates are your family at college.

This past week, Jane and I went out to dinner at Detroit's Green Dots Stable (which was delicious). Afterwards, we bought lotto tickets as it was on my 101 list to do in 1001 days. After I lost a whopping $4 on my lotto tickets, we went back to Janey's house. I did not leave Janey's house until 10:30 -  Janey left at 10:00. Seriously, it's amazing how friends turn into family, and how their families turn into friends, family, mentors, role models, etc. 

I come from a small family, but I've always gravitated towards friends with larger families, or at least families who have the same type of "doors always open" mantra. I guess I've always gravitated towards teams that have a lot of participants too! Every Sunday my mom cooks Sunday Night Dinner for our family and for my brother's God-Father, who has turned into our Uncle Bell. Every Sunday I extend the invite to friends, coaches from St. Clare, Bell's former students, etc. I want nothing more in life than to be happy, and I do this by surrounding myself with families and friends who are good people, great role models and full of love. 

The support Janey's family has given me is remarkable, but I just hope I can give their daughter (I mean my sister) a percentage of that same support in return. 

Here's to you, Jane, the world is your oyster. 

xx

P.S. Janey isn't my only "sister"... :)

Real World

I start work tomorrow. WOW. They say on average it takes someone 6 months to find a job after college, and I'm starting my  job a week after I graduated! This is where the hashtags come in... #blessed #thankful #hardworkpaysoff

Be confident and take action when a job opportunity comes around. Don't be afraid to negotiate and counteroffer. This being my first job that I've taken, I was unsure if I should negotiate pay. However, after talking to mentors, family, researching negotiation (Thank you, Levo League) and researching the position, I realized it could not hurt. In the end, I received an increase in my pay. 

Once I told my family and friends about the result and me getting a job, they were more excited about me for "asking for more." In the end, I would have been remiss to not make a counteroffer. 

My advisor in college said that she's never seen me nervous. Well, I guess I am a good actress, because I was sweating making the phone call! 

This college grad is off to work tomorrow! 

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! 

xx

The End is Near

It's bizarre to think that a Conway has been at Aquinas for the past six years, because it seems like only yesterday that I was sticking my tongue out to my brother as he was heading off to a campus far, far away. Little did I know, two years later, that I'd be following in his footsteps, to attend the same far, far away college. 

A pre-graduation photo taken of me in my dress & cap! 

 Senior awards are tomorrow night. Graduation is Saturday. It's all coming to an end. It's the end of an era. 

A lacrosse teammate's mother made this sign
for Liza and I on Senior Day for basketball.
#AQFamily

As I look back on my four years here at Aquinas, I can hesitantly say that I've left my mark. I'm going to miss watching my friend Michael steal second base, standing up, at baseball games, but not nearly as much as I'll miss getting to talk to his parents. I'm going to miss my coach and the Fab 4. I'm going to miss Yesterdog, Schnitz's, my Starbuck's in East Grand Rapids and the friendly bank tellers at Bank of America. Aquinas is a special place. It's going to be weird going a week without seeing Sr. Aquinas, Sr. Ann or Sr. Rosemary. Everyone always complains about Campus Safety ticketing their car, but after four years, I've only ever received one ticket, and I have parked where I'm not supposed to park on too many occasions... so thanks for looking out for the Fusion, Campus Safety. I'm going to miss Wege brunches, the beautiful flowers that bloom every spring on campus, the college stories that never cease to amaze, Homecoming, Regina Hall, the library that's always too hot, the Moosters, the baseball boys, my lacrosse babes, my best friends and my schoolmates. 

Aquinas College Homecoming -  Go Saints!

Aquinas, thank you for an unbelievable four years. Without the education I received here, I would not be able to write a "cold-call" networking email, or get up in front of two hundred people and confidently deliver a speech. We don't give Aquinas the praise it deserves. So, leaving my mark here at Aquinas is one thing, but I can without hesitation say that Aquinas has left it's mark on me, and my entire family.

xx The Graduate

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