That is just a small amount of the cards and gifts I received on my last day at my internship in my second/third grade class.  Although it was heart breaking to leave, I must say I am excited to have my own classroom and do things my way.  I learned so much from these students and my mentor teacher and have become a better educator through the experiences I had at Chatsworth.  I guess I never realized how much of an impact I made on these kids lives until their last day with me came and their were tears, and cards, and hugs, and yummy cookies.  I basically partied all day (lol).  I wish my students the best of luck next year.  And I thank the education program at Stevenson University for preparing me for my teaching career.  I am confident and as ready as ever to be a teacher

Tonight I attended the Phi Beta Lambda ULTIMATE Bingo!  What made it ULTIMATE you may ask?  Well, a – it was just awesome.  People, food, and bright doppers – yeah, great time. But b, they had a really great assortment of prizes.  I actually won a door prize (for the first time in my life).  It was just what I needed -  a Dunkin Donuts gift card.  However, I would have really liked to have won some Vera Bradley or even a 32 inch flat screen TV.  Either one would do really.  But their were many lucky gals and fellas who walked away with gift cards, Orioles tickets, a Kindle, and the big winner of the TV.  BINGO can’t be anything but ULTIMATE when it is this AWESOME.

It is even harder to believe that the young man standing beside me in the picture is going to be a second year RA and Junior at Stevenson.  This is E.Tyler.  He was my first resident my second year as an RA and was a driving force behind the Western Run staff this year as a first year RA.  I take much pride in my staff and to know that not one, but two of my RA’s this year were products of their first year experience with me is just mind blowing.

I truly have enjoyed the experience I have had as an RA as Stevenson and I am going to miss everything.  I am so excited to have Joanna Poole as the Senior RA in Western Run, a position I have had for 2 years, beginning this coming school year.  Western Run is my home and Reslife has become my large, odd family.

And the banquet took the time to celebrate our successes this year and to congratulate myself and the 20 other seniors graduating from Reslife.  And man was it a blast! We had a mocktail hour, great food, music, and a cool 50′s theme to make the night special.  Although it was overwhelming, I loved giving my staff the superlatives I made for them.  The one they gave me? “Most likely to have a class full of children to take over the world.” UHM HELLO _ DUH!  Do they know me or what? (lol).  Another shining moment for me was winning best Community Building event FOR THE THIRD YEAR STRAIGHT.  The Sober Party was my idea as a first year RA and three years later, is still a success.  I hope that the tradition carries on when I am gone next year. 

Overall, I have enjoyed my life in Reslife and wish my co-workers, friends, and family, the best in their journey.  I cannot believe in three weeks I will be a graduate of Stevenson University.  Ce la vie.

When diving into the SU Now Portal – I discovered Stevenson’s new comedy mini-series called The University.  Clearly, it is a spin off of The Office.  I must say that my favorite character thus far is Hope!  She is fabulous in every way and Hank Howard cracks me up with his inability to do ANYTHING.  Episodes 1 and 2 are now up and you should def check it out! You will not regret it!

To donate blood by Stevenson University’s National Residence Hall Honorary and Residence Halls during Red Cross Month!

Although I generally get very queezy while donating blood, I went out today around 3 PM and donated.  I may have had a mini panic attack but hey, I saved a life!  The blood drive went from 12 to 7pm today and had a wonderful turn out. 

If you missed it, check out redcrossblood.org to find out when your next opportunity to donate may be!

IN ROCKLAND!!!

Yes, today, all I had to do was walk over to the Rockland Banquet Room to shop until I came back to drop for a diet coke and my nap.

There were a ton of retailers selling everything from shoes, to jewelry, to chocolate! Yes, I bought chocolate lollipops and charms for my pandora bracelet.  There were a ton of women shopping.  From mom’s, to grandmother’s, to little girl’s, and yes, I saw some guys (lol).  This is an annual tradition on campus and it is a keeper!  I wish this were every saturday!

Next year, I am hoping to go as an alumni and see some more retailers.

Do you remember Sherlock Holmes?!  Well get ready, because Sherlock Holmes 2 is now playing at Stevenson University!  Tonight, I went and watched the action packed movie with a bunch of my residents (I saw them a lot this week).  The banquet room is always a great place to watch movies because they bring out the big projector screen and they have super comfy chairs!  I cannot wait for outside movies to begin again!

Have you ever considered working in the field of Non-profit?  You know, making a difference?

Although I am an Elementary Education major, I have a spoft spot in my heart for non-profit and charity work.  I think that people who volunteer make a difference. But what if you could get paid to do the work you love?  Like caring for animals, or rebuilding homes, or even planning cancer awareness events.

Career Services has put together a panel for students who are interested in non-profit work to attend.  The Panel will include various non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, U.S. Lacrosse, Maryland Zoo, YMCA, and more!  Lunch is provided to come hungry!  The panel will take place TOMORROW from 11:30 to 1pm in the Wooded Way Lounge.

Make a difference.  Choose non-profit.

Why not play on an intramural team?  Currently, open registration is available for dodgeball and soccer!  Registration ends on March 22nd so hurry!  I know you have free time on your hands.  So why not do something fun with it?!

Rules and other information regarding intramurals is posted on the Stevenson Athletics page.

LET’S HELP TURN FIGHTERS INTO SURVIVORS.

Tonight, the Western Run Staff decided to have a Launch Party for our Pie Your RA Event.  We gave residents free pizza and cookies just for coming out and supporting our efforts to raise money for Relay for Life.  Tonight, I went door to door in Western Run and Wooded Way and collected almost $50 from students to donate!!!  I truly believe that if the entire campus came together we could do something amazing for cancer.  Everyday I walk into my building and see our huge purple ribbon on the wall and it gives me hope that maybe one day the people I love and even myself won’t even know what cancer is.

If you haven’t done so already, make a donation in honor of someone you love who won or even lost their battle with cancer.  And join the Western Run staff on April 10th for PIE YOUR RA in the Suites Quad to watch me get pied in the face.