this is it. this is my last blog as a student voice for the college of mount st. joseph. i've been thinking about what i wanted to say here for quite some time and then it hit me - advice. yea, its cliche but i've taken a different spin on it. i've chosen to walk around the dorm building with a notepad and pen at hand and ask some of the students to share some advice. i had given them some background for my reasoning and then stated that it could include quotes, lyrics, inside jokes and more and could revolve around academics, college life, relationships, and humor. the statements i received revolve around a wide spectrum of these topics:

Honesty is the best image.

Be prepared for shattered expectations. It doesn’t always mean broken. It can be a growing experience.

Don’t let your schoolwork get in your way of a good education.

Think with your head, not your heart.

If the ocean were whiskey and I were a duck I’d float to the bottom and stay there.

It’s true what people say; patience is a virtue. But without taking risks you are not guaranteed rewards. If you see something worth fighting for, NEVER turn down that opportunity… you gotta live to learn. You gotta crash and burn. You gotta make some stances, and take some chances. You gotta live and love and take all life has to give. You gotta live and learn so you can learn to live.

Don’t let somebody be a priority in your life if you’re only an option in theirs.

A life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

I’m not afraid to be who I am.

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day. And I believe in miracles.

I have learned that your college friends become a kind of family: you eat together, laugh and cry and do absolutely nothing together – until you can’t remember how you ever survived without them.

Tough times don’t last but tough girls do.

Even a broken clock is correct two times a day.

Success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Regret nothing that once made you smile.

To coxify: to complicate simple matters.

When you see the light at the end of the tunnel get off the tracks.

Talking in a British accent while intoxicated makes your time worthwhile.

Being different is being normal.

Its something unpredictable but in the end its right, I hope you had the time of your life.

I hope you dance.

Live life for those you love. When you get the chance, do it for someone else.

Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service.

Dance as though no one is watching you, Sing as though no one can hear you, love as though you have never been hurt before, live as though heaven is on earth

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.

Be still and know that I am God

Let go and Let God

The hardest thing is loving someone and then having the courage to let them love you back.

In life never stop dreaming... for in dreams, we never stop living.

Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and call it love.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return.

God only brings on this challenge in our lives because he knows we’re strong enough to handle it.

Live your day with no regrets. A year from now, are you going to look back on today and be proud of the decisions you made and be happy with the memories of your actions?

No matter how bad a person is, there is something good about them so be like the humming bird and pick the sweetness of virtues.

I am more than happy to be leaving on this note. Constant encouragement to succeed and be the best you can be is the strongest love and that will go on forever.i wish nothing but absolute success in all of your endeavors and will part with the pride that I have earned a degree from the mount and that the education i've been rewarded extends so far past the classes. thank you, everyone, for your time and interest.

 Class Dismissed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIVyRjAI0pI&feature=related

Every year within the last couple weeks of school, Project EXCEL will put together a Graduation Gala to honor the graduates of the year and recognize their accomplishments in the admirable program. This time last year I had been recognized as a junior to receive one of the three Project EXCEL Merit Scholarships. I had hoped, very much, for my parents to be present at that ceremony because it truly was an announcement of honor in my life. It was the first scholarship I have ever received, or even felt reason of earning.

Today was a whirlwind.

I was getting ready for the Excel Graduation Gala around lunch time and I got a phone call saying that I had to pick up a package at the door. I have never received a package at the front desk in the four years that I have been here so I really didn’t know what it was… perhaps flowers, a balloon, edible arrangement… I didn’t know

But I had a really big hope.

[[ In these last few weeks of school I had hoped someone in my family would surprise me because of the senior thesis reception and choir concerts that I’ve been working so hard for. ]]

Well when I got to the front desk I told the officer on duty that I was there to pick up a package. He looked around for something like it was dropped off in a weird place and then said I had to walk around the corner to pick it up. [[I knew someone was here.]] As soon as I saw my parents sitting down I began crying. I couldn’t believe they were here. One of the first things I said was ‘this isn’t a dream, is it??

My parents got to see my thesis today and were the amazing guests to sit with two of my best friends and boyfriend as I was recognized for my accomplishments. My parents got to see their last child in one of her most glorifying college moments.

More importantly I got to see them. I feel that I’ve seen more of my parents this past school year more than the last few but today was definitely the most important [[next to graduation of course in a couple of weeks]].

I got to see two of the most influential people in my life today, and they surprised me. I wouldn’t be the person I am without them. Even in the most difficult of times, these two extraordinary people were there to support me because they had faith that I would pull through. I wouldn’t have made it through college without their constant reminders of how much they love me and care for me. They always told me they wanted to see me succeed and never, ever, not once, told me that I wouldn’t make it. Never did they tell me that I wouldn’t graduate college. They told me that I’d succeed and that they would support me no matter what because they wanted me to be happy and successful. I couldn’t be more honored to be their daughter and couldn’t imagine loving them more than I already do.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for granting me the life I’ve had and for loving me.

I’m human again.

ANDOHMYGOSHIWANTTOSCREAMITFEELSSOGOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I’m done with thesis. So yes, I’m human again. Thesis has taken over my life for some countless months now and as of 5:30pm on Thursday April 22^nd, 2010 I have been free.

As friends and family have asked about my completed thesis I’ve stated that I am human again because I can actually stop and breathe. I’m not staying up till 3 or 4 in the morning dry-mounting or editing the photos anymore. I’m not bending my arms in unnatural ways anymore to capture the photo I need for the alphabet. That kind of disagrees with my statement of ‘live simply so others may simply live’ but that’s okay. WHY? Because it’s done.

So what happens after thesis is done? Well the formal celebration follows about 24 hours later. Every year as the seniors complete their art thesis at the Mount they are recognized for their work and a reception is held in their honor. So on April 23^rd I dressed myself up all pretty to stand proudly for three hours by my final product and really address the accomplishment I made this year.

As my friends and peers came to see my thesis I held this inkling that my parents would come and surprise me from around the corner. That didn’t happen. I was still happy though because I knew they’d see it for my graduation.

well i heard a little something on facebook today that its national procrastination day. i'm really not so sure about this. because i'm suprising myself with the amount of work that i'm really getting done today. well to be honest, its all work that should have been figured out by now, BUT ITS NOT LATE! but either way, i'm actually being productive today. on the day where i should be celebrating excuses i'm actually progressing and doing some really good work. yikes - does this mean i've actually grown up. do i have to actually be REAL adult now. okay okay okay, i know. i'm already an adult. i'm graduating from college in 23 days and it is pretty dang nerve-wrecking. this past weekend when i was home for my sister's wedding i had talked to sooooo many family members and friends of family members and friends of friends, and neighbors, and people that i haven't seen in 20 years. what did we talk about? well i'm sure this will sound familiar: so what are you doing when you graduate? ..... guess what - i have no idea. sure i've thought about my options with teaching, and volunteer work, and continuing school, and hospital jobs, and whatnot, but will i actually do? i don't have a license to teach or a masters to even substitute. i don't have a psychology title in my degree. i don't want to go back to school right away. its all a mystery right now. the biggest issue on my mind at the time is thesis. i have one week to get this thing posted on the wall and then its done. my senior thesis to graduate college with a bachelor's in art will be done.

what's so cool is that when it is done - i'll be free to make the choices i want to make with the freedom of time and enjoyment of a college degree!!!

Alright. Last night was really THAT good. After watching the bucket list i've officially decided to make my own bucket list. I've got a very unpredictable road in front of me as i'm going in to my first summer as a college graduate. So what can i do with this spare time other than look for a job that will hopefully fulfill my career goals? I need to have some kind of a plan! So here it is. I'm making myself a list to keep myself productive and active.

 Host a prom reunion (i love playing hostess and i would really like to relive prom with some of my favorites)

 Find my life's passion

 Learn how to swim (yea i can barely doggy paddle)

Swim with a dolphin (they're my favorite animal)

Learn how to surf (my boyfriend keeps nagging me)

 Live out Dr. Seuss’ 'oh the places you'll go' (well why wouldn't I?)

Write a song (i've secrety been trying to write my own song since the 7th grade)

Learn to dance (i have ZERO rhyth)

Understand politics (i know what i know but its not much at all)

Write a children’s book

Keep my orchids alive (it's my favorite flower and i've had three. i've kept one alive so far)

Get married at old St. Pat’s in Chicago (it is GORGEOUS)

Attend TED (www.ted.com      see for yourself - its more than worth it!)

Heal my past

Have a fondue meal

Start a journal and actually write in it every day (i've started many but haven't got far in any)

Do something every day to be proud of (for my Grandpa)

Do something every day for someone else

Start my book making business (stay in tune to a future blog to learn more of this one)

[[maybe it won't all happen this summer. i'll be adding more as it comes ]]

no, i'm not talking about the vampire movie, even though i did have that new moon midnight release experience this past weekend. i'm referring to a 15-minute reflection that is held every monday night through campus ministry. it is a brief, insightful, relaxing meeting of students with our campus minister to simply reflect on the past day and look forward to the next week. i find myself on most nights laying down on the floor and counting my breathing as i listen to the thoughtful words of the night. it is not a time of speaking to each other but rather listening to the campus minister guide us in meditation.

well last night's reflection was a PERFECT end to my day. you know that kind of day when you wake up and know its going to be a good day. well that was yesterday for me. i started out with breakfast (hardly ever happens) and moved on through the day successfully with classes, meetings, homework, being with friends, and more. there wasn't a single moment of negativity yesterday and it felt fantastic. as the night progressed after dinner i was watching the bucket list and felt that much better about my life, especially for the 46 days left i have of my college career. it left me in a great mood about life and it ended at 10:59. so at 11:00 i headed up to the 6th floor chapel for the most influential twilight experience i've had. the night's reflection focused on life lessons and learning to open our eyes and see whats in front of us.

what did you encounter today?

what will you encounter this week?

more importantly, what will you learn from it?

 well so far i'm doing pretty well for myself in 2o1o. i'm trying to give myself more of a guideline to live by so that i don't dissapoint myself come may 8th, 2010. it'll be the end of my last semester of college and i'm hoping for some GREAT things. here is a little piece of inspiration i found to build my own guideline.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy.. So, be happy.

this is a problem that i've had since 8th grade. i save EVERYTHING. really. i'm the typical packrat who can't throw away a short story i wrote when i was in the 2nd grade because i won 'outstanding creativity' for it. and its still bad because even this year alone as i'm about to graduate college i'm saving post-it notes because someone wrote something funny on it. i have issues. i swear i do. when i was home last i tried to go through my old closet to throw away junk that i didn't 'need' anymore. well majority of closet is stuff that i don't 'NEED'. so what did i do? i threw away about a fourth of the stuff in that closet. the question is more about the stuff in my dorm room here. i have binders from freshman year with doodles all over it and training pamphlets from jobs that i no longer have. now i'm trying to challenge myself: don't bring anything home that i don't NEED. of course i'm going to bring home my tv and fridge even though i don't NEED them but there is plenty of other things in my room that i need to go! PLUS: i have a bag full of clothes i'm donating that has been sitting in here and taking space since i think october... YIKES! it also needs to go! wish me luck!

Well the fort building, unfortunately, was an epic fail. Whether it be the rare opportunity in the middle of the week or during your weekend, free time is something that any college student enjoys. The majority of this semester has been constant work, including the weekends, so what have I decided to do this Friday night? Clean!! It is extremely beneficial not just to finally find your floor but it’s a stress reliever like no other. I find it my own way of Feng Shui. I love reorganizing my room and moving furniture but just cleaning alone helps me to organize my life. The thought process of being alone in your room and going through everything helps me BREATHE!