7/25/11

Senior Year!? Wha!?

It is hard to believe that summer is already half over. What is even more difficult to believe is that three years ago I was stepping into the University summer orientation pumped and ready to move in, and now, my last year here has arrived. Time has flown since being at Ashland University, and so many wonderful things have happened along the way. Let's re-cap my top 3 moments from years 1-3:
3) Traveling!
I have been so blessed in the area of traveling in these three years. For Spring break Sophomore year we headed to Myrtle Beach (the picture above). During Junior year I was able to attend a conference in Orlando, Florida and in Michigan, both sponsored by the University. 
2) O-Team!
 Orientation Team has been one of my all time favorite experiences. It has helped me break out of the "shy" shell and really meet some wonderful people along the way. Not only has it provided me with many a nights of laughter and hilarity, but practical teaching experience as well.
1) Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi has been my favorite memory. These women have given me a home away from home, and I feel so blessed that I can call all of them my sisters. It has given me opportunities in leadership positions, decorating fabulous events, and so much more. aoe.
~*~
With my senior year just around the corner, I cannot be more excited for the future. I know this coming year will provide struggles and test me as an individual, but it will allow me to grow into the adult I was destined to be. I have so many hopes and dreams for the future and thanks to the organizations and opportunities I have been given while at school, I can cross my fingers and pray that one day they will indeed come true.

7/20/11

An Apartment of Dreams

       Time. It is a concept that frightens even the strongest men. There is nothing we as humans can do to slow it down, as we are continually moving forward. It is a concept that I have begun to realize more than ever as Senior year at Ashland University comes closer. With the end so close, I have begun to think more and more about the future and where time will take me. There are hopes and dreams I hope to achieve, and when it comes to my career, I have a very good understanding of where I want to be. 
       In the Spring of 2012, my student career will take a large step forward as I begin to student teach. The ultimate goal for this path is to spend six weeks in the Celebration district in Celebration, Florida and pray that my efforts earn at least an interview, or an offer, for an English teacher position. It has always been my dream to live outside the state of Ohio, but with the salary of a beginning teacher I began to question whether or not it was possible.
       As time races onward it was important for me to begin planning far in advanced. For weeks I had been looking on realtors webpages searching for available apartments outside the state of Ohio, but none of them met my standards; until now. Thanks to Vacancy.com I had the opportunity to search for the most attractive and affordable apartments that I had yet to find. My perfect match was a 2 bedroom 2 bath located at the Fountains At Millenia apartment complex. 
       Everything about this apartment is perfect for me after graduation. I wanted a two bedroom apartment so that anytime someone wanted to visit, there was a room for them to sleep in. I also figured having this available room would allow me to have more storage space, use as a workout room, or for many other purposes. Not only does it have 2 beds and 2 baths, but there is a walk-in closet, perfect for accommodating large shoe collections. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, and instead of sharing a laundry room with all of my neighbors at the local dry cleaners, the apartment has hookups for a washer and dryer of my own. 
       What else is perfect about this apartment? Location, amenities, community and so much more! It is a secure gated community with a beach entry pool, green by the pool, fitness center and wi-fi. Not only that, but the location is sheer perfection when it comes to imagining a home in Florida. Just down the street is Universal Studios Resort, where a world of adventure and fun is waiting to be had! Universal also equals City Walk, a place where the night life is just waiting to get started. If that is not good enough, just head 20 minutes down the road to Disney. There is everything you can imagine from their theme parks, to Pleasure Island and much more! What else is 20 minutes down the road? The school district I hope to be teaching in. Talk about perfect location.
       Not only does this apartment have the perfect location and available space, but it puts all of my fears about affording a nice place to rest. I have seen the apartments around my town, and for the price one gets the bare minimum. This apartment is completely affordable for being in the Orlando area. It shows me that the perfect place does not have to be expensive, it is out there if you look. Now I know that even on a beginning teachers salary, I can afford a fabulous apartment. 
       Thanks to Vacancy.com, I have found a place that I can only dream to live in. It is the perfect apartment with day and night life for a future college graduate. It is close to entertainment all around and close to work, with the perks of a pool, fitness center, and appliances all included in one. Here is to hoping that I land that interview for student teaching down south. Here is to praying that I land a job in Celebration school districts in Celebration, Florida, so I can have the apartment of my dreams!
Click below to check out the apartment of my dreams!

7/11/11

A Decade of Memories

This week marks the end of an era. The end is marked by the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I have come to love the Harry Potter series over the years, more recently than before. That's why this weeks blog is dedicated to the series and the decade of memories it has brought not only to me, but to many many others along the way. Be sure to check out the Video of the Week which is dedicated to the new movie release as well.


For those of you who have not heard, or we have not met, this summer marked my first time of reading the Harry Potter books. It is shocking yes, considering it is my generation that has grown up with Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint as the movie series grew in a new fandom for Harry Potter. I was never allowed as a kid to be a part of this. Churches across the nation were confused and overwhelmed with the thoughts of black magic, wizardry, and "evil". My father was among one of those critics, and he forbade me to read and or watch anything Harry Potter related. Although I found it too difficult to smuggle books past my parents, I found myself retreating to friends houses on the weekends to re-watch the movies. 


As the years passed on, many people turned to realize that the books were not bad at all. My parents included. They are excited for the final movie, they even recorded two of the movies during ABC Family's Harry Potter Weekend. To them, it's an adventure, it is something unlike any other movie franchise. Children, teenagers, and adults everywhere have literally spent a decade following Harry. And to those like my parents and I, the movies were the only source we had waiting to see what would happen next. 


Then there are the truly dedicated fans. You fans are the ones who make the experience worth while. To those who have created things such as Muggle Net , Muggle Cast , The Wizarding World in Orlando, and The International Quidditch Association, we thank you! It is because of these fans that the world of Harry Potter has exploded, creating a pop culture sensation that will be so difficult to beat for decades to come. The last thing that J.K. Rowling has left her fans with is Pottermore, a website with so many new details to explore. 

So here is to a decade (or more!) full of adventure and memories. From those who changed their views, to those who were obsessed from the beginning. It all ends on Friday as the clock chimes midnight. But it is as J.K. Rowling said herself at the UK Premiere of Deathly Hallows Part 2 : "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." Go ahead fans and followers of Harry Potter. Now's your chance to remember a decade of memories, and for my generation, now's your chance to remember who we grew up with.