Food for thought

A good friend of mine from college recently reconnected with me. They challenged me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I take this recent encounter as a lesson to live by. When life seems to put up obstacles or want to keep you away from something, sometimes it is worth the fight. Showing effort and passion is necessary every once in a while especially when you are standing up for something you strongly believe. This may sound vague, but if there is a cause that strikes you keep trying and fight for it. Maybe it is a job that you really want, do everything possible to try and connect and make progress. What I am trying to share, is a lesson that keeps repeating itself throughout life and that is never give up. Never give up even when it might appear to be over. If everyone always gave up so easily, where would we be in the world today? I strongly believe that the individuals who are resilient and truly want something are the ones who should receive whatever they may seek. Those are the worthy ones. 

Revamped

Welcome back! I have revamped my blog to better fit my new out of college lifestyle.I hope to share what I am up to whether I am cooking a delicious meal or starting a Do It Yourself project. I love having projects and making things to add to my little apartment.

This summer has been a blast and has been flying by so fast. I went to India right after graduation as part as a service trip through the school. After my world wind of a trip, I came back recovered from poison Ivy and culture shock and jumped into being a camp counselor again! What's better then working outside in Vermont in the summer with an awesome staff and some hilarious kids? The camp is run through Petra Cliffs a rock climbing gym in Burlington. My job has allowed me to relax and start thinking what I want to do with the rest of my life! I will keep you updated about the answer to that ever long looming question. Vermont's weather has been exceptional providing endless warm sunny weather and some exciting summer storms. Just yesterday I went out on a friends boat and we blasted Grace Potter and swam around before a storm rolled in! Get ready for my new blog and what I have to share!

Life is a Journey

Happy Monday! I cannot believe all the time that has passed. Just yesterday Orientation leaders were emptying  my Uhaul trailer carrying all my stuff to Joyce 458. In a few weeks I will move out of SMC for the final time. It's a bitter sweet time for me as I take in all the little moments before the g-word occurs (graduation). I gave my last tour today and taught them all about the g-word and how much I have loved my time at SMC. My favorite question on tours is why did I come to SMC. A very short answer to that is it felt like home and quickly became my new home. I'm ready to move on, but am still sad to leave such a wonderful place.

As I prepare for what is to come next, I am also blessed to be taking part in a school trip to Calcutta, India. Graduation now seems like a small hurdle that I cross before my big adventure to India. I have gotten to know some wonderful students and faculty whom I cannot wait to share this experience. I know it's going to be a life changing trip.

I have concrete summer plans, but come fall we shall see where the road takes me. Here is a great quote that inspires me for my journey. “All of life is a journey which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there.” Bob Moawad.

In my last few weeks, as I begin to prepare for the next chapter in my life, I'd like to thank all my friends, family, and faculty at SMC for helping me grow and develop over these four years into the person I am. I couldn't have picked a better place to flourish and grow.

Giving a tour this past Saturday to accepted students! Compliments of Gabbi Hall

Stowe local for the week

This spring break I wasn't going on a service trip and decided to spend the week with my sister! My sister, Megan, lives in Stowe and works at the Mountain. Stowe is about an hour from campus so Friday I cruised down to her house unsure what the week would hold.

Meg had to work all week but we were still able to hang out a lot which we don't always do as much any more. While Meg went to work I took Penny Lane (her adorable dog) on adventures! Penny and I walked around town, walked the Notch Road and went on a few mini drives. At night I got to hang out with my sisters friends and experience being a Stowe local and the laid back atmosphere when hanging out after work in ski pants. It was such a refreshing change to hang out in Stowe and get to know her friends and what life is like in Stowe. I even got to attend girls night which was so much fun!

Vacation was much needed and I really enjoyed getting to spend time with Megan and Penny Lane. I feel recharged and ready to tackle the rest of the semester and then the 'real world'. Coming back to campus temperatures have been on the rise reaching the seventies...hello Springtime!!

Hero's even in college

I was joking the other day with my good friend Alyssa and wanting to grow up and be like a Professor on campus. This got me thinking in the fact that since coming to college I tend to look towards my Professors as good examples of what I could do in the future or what I want to be like (when I grow up). This has made me think back to my childhood and when was the last time I had a hero or really looked up to someone other then my parents. In a world full of celebrities hero's or people to look up to are not generally very common.

 In my time at SMC I have loved learning and getting to know about my Professors lives and what they have done. Being invited into their homes has been a great way to see how they live and what their families are like. Even in college its important to have good role models and people to aspire to be like. The professors at SMC are  great individuals to inspire students.It is easy to forget how often we look to others in life and try to aspire to something. Thinking about all my favorite Professors at SMC I have used them as someone I have trusted and gone to when I needed advice or thinking what I want to be like. The Professors are wonderful here and looking back I see how influential they have been to me.

My Signora from abroad who I looked up to and admired 

Powder day!

Vermont like most of the country has been waiting for some more snow to come this winter. Last weekend our dreams came true. Friday night, it began to slowly start and just didn't give up. I woke up at 6:30 am because I knew that it was going to be a powder day and that everyone would be at the mountain.

Once I began driving up the mountain road I realized that it had never stopped snowing on Mount Mansfield and wouldn't stop either until later that night. I quickly geared up for a very windy yet snowy day! My first run I was skiing knee deep powder and couldn't believe it. I ended up having the best time skiing and talking to people on the lift. With the wind and the constant snow dumping I wasn't able to get any great photos, but I did find some on Stowe and Smugg's blogs so check it out!

We are supposed to get more snow tonight and I plan on skiing at Stowe this Friday to celebrate my birthday! So keep an eye out for an update and photos from that!

This is my excited we have powder face!

Snow Shoe Festival

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity as a wilderness leader to help out at the Green Mountain Club Snow Shoe festival in Waterbury. I along with three other leaders were extra trip leaders at the festival. Talk about getting to go outside on one of the most beautiful days this winter. The sky was a crisp blue and warm making it perfect snow shoe weather.

Checking out the map!

The four of us took out four adults on the trail called Bingham Falls in Stowe. The trail was nice beginner hike that let us look at the falls at the end which were pretty cool. Leading trips for Saint Mike's students and volunteering in the community at events like this is part of the many things wilderness leaders get to do! I love the feeling of knowing I got up early on a Saturday and did something fun outside instead of just sleeping in all the time. This winter has been abnormal, but despite lacking snow fall and warmer weather I've still been getting outside at least once every week to ski,snow shoe, or frolic around!

My group of friends at Smugglers Notch!

Skiing in the morning and interning in the afternoon

Hello everyone!

In my last post I promised to tell you a little bit more about my crazy awesome schedule and new internship. I wanted to begin by telling you how I generally spend my Mondays. Being a senior I have been able to set up a sweet schedule that allows me time to ski around my classes, internship, and job. Monday's are my skiing morning and a way for me to begin the week well. Today, I skied some fresh pow pow....or powder! We finally got some more accumulation at the mountain so I skied until noon enjoying my mountain nature time.

My afternoons for two days out of the week are dedicated to interning at the Vermont Workers Center.The VWC seeks  The organization stands for justice in all different kinds of ways. From seeking an "economically just and democratic Vermont in which all residents have living wages, healthcare, childcare, housing, and transportation." They are such a wonderful organization that does great things for the community and the state and is already teaching me so much. .

http://www.workerscenter.org/

My role as an intern is mostly helping the media committee through social media expansion, distribution through public access television, radio, video, and documenting events VWC is a part of. I guess you can say that I'm helping people of Vermont and VWC members share their stories. I'm taking my blogging & social media skills I have learned and helping apply it to benefit the VWC. Here is our latest video we have made that were beginning to share and distribute! I'm excited to share all of this with you! Feel free to ask me any questions about it!

How was it for you coming in as a freshman to college?

I was really nervous and excited when I came to SMC. I was nervous to be far from home (I live in TN) and I was nervous about making friends. My roommate and I got along very well and to this day I'm still friends with the majority of girls who were on my floor freshmen year. I have met my closest friends here and now call it home. I also found things I love to do and people I love! The best advice I can give to incoming students is try things, find your niche, keep your door open so you can meet lots of people, don't sweat the small things, and think of college as an adventure.Great question!

Ask me anything

So many things, where do I begin?

Hello! Happy second semester and congratulations to any recently accepted students to SMC!!! I have heard some awesome questions from a few accepted students, but if ya'll think of more don't hesitate to ask me!!

This semester has begun so fast and as I write this I'm thinking how it's my last semester here at SMC which is too sad to spend any more time thinking about. I am taking some awesome classes and thought maybe I would share them. So, I'm taking a class on Refugees, Social Deviance and Norms, Dance Jazz class, and my new internship with Vermont Workers Center. The best part is I have an awesome schedule and am getting to do and study things I love. (The perks of being a Senior). I promise to share in a later post all about the Workers Center and what I am doing with them.

For my Refugee class I'm excited about one of our requirements which is mentoring or volunteering with refugees in the community. I have been paired with a first grader named Taha who is adorable and so much fun to play with. I am loving this component of class as I get to learn about his country while also sharing things I love to do. A lot of classes at SMC have a service component and I believe that it truly helps connect what's being talked about in the classroom to something more tangible and relateable.

Stay tuned for more updates on my awesome and busy semester and what else I am doing! Thanks for reading!

Beth

can you apply to be an o leader if you are studying abroad in the spring of the same year you apply?

Yes, because training begins right before school starts in the fall. Also, interviews and applications are completed in the fall and people find out in January so you could totally apply! Good luck!

Ask me anything

365 days in photos

The start of a new year always brings up goals, resolutions, and hopes for a fresh start. During the break I came across someone who took a picture everyday last year making up 365 pictures to represent the year. I thought about this and finally committed at the last minute. I decided that since I have a smart phone I can easily take a picture during my day and email it to myself. I will be able to look back on this year and remember small moments/specific days along with where and what I was doing. I have created a photo album  and would love to share with others the things and people that are important to me in my life. As you can see I really love my two dogs Molly and Rory! Enjoy and be inspired!

how was your internship? can you talk about what you did?

Hey! Well my internship at Volunteers For Peace turned out to be such a valuable experience. I gained great relationships and skills by interning with this non profit. In my last month at VFP I really focused on helping increase VFP's influence through social media on Twitter, Facebook, and through other sources. I helped them increase their followers and taught my supervisors how to use these pages to help VFP reach out to people and past volunteers. I used what I have learned through blogging at SMC and what I have also taught myself to help promote the organization. Prior to focusing on VFP's social media I worked on inquiries, helped out with organizing an event and learned a lot about different aspects of the organization.

VFP is such a great organization and they asked me frequently if I had questions or if I wanted to be working on anything specific. Using my blogging skills helped them tremendously. This coming semester I will be interning at Vermont Workers Center and can't wait to share the work I will be doing with them around the campaign Healthcare is a Human Right. I haven't officially started at VWC but will update you once the semester is under way!

Ask me anything

Sweet tea and lots of R&R

This Christmas break has been very relaxing for me. I came home with about a week before Christmas and have spent a lot of my time relaxing with my family. Most of you know that my family lives in Tennessee so I'm soaking up sunshine and some warmer temperatures this break. I have also been making sure to get enough sweet tea to keep me going until I come back south again. Its really nice to take time off from a busy semester and get back to the basics doing things I enjoy.

This break I have started some new hobbies that I have always wanted to try. What better time to get crafty and try new things! I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and finally after a little instruction from my Mom and some books I'm crocheting like crazy. I am currently working on a scarf and maybe next year I will try knitting. I also have created terrariums! These are so easy to make and take minimal care to keep them going. My Mom saved me a handful of different glass containers from Mason Jars to spaghetti jars and I googled how to make them. I was inspired after thinking how nice some plants in my room at school would be especially as we get into the winter months.  I have also been beading making glass beaded bracelets and necklaces. I sold some of them at the SMC MOVE International market in December which helped contribute money towards my trip. All of these crafty hobbies of mine can be done on a small budget and when I'm back at school.

are there workout classes available to students? such as spin classes or yoga?

Yes! Each semester our athletics department runs yoga, Zumba, kickboxing, and other exercising classes to students. They are really fun to take with friends and are a great way to stay in shape!

Ask me anything

10 things I wish I did at Saint Mike's

I am a senior at Saint Mike's and looking back on my years at school I have come up with a list of things I wish I did earlier on.I hope I can inspire some to maybe think about doing some of these things!


1. Been a core member with the MOVE program~ MOVE runs some amazing programs from cooking food for shelters to walking rescued grey hounds. I wish I got more involved with the Lund program and had tried to become a team member. The Lund Center Provides "services for young women who are pregnant and parenting, families with young children and adoptive families."  Senior year I finally signed up to volunteer through MOVE with Lund and realized how much I liked going. 


2.  Joined Rescue ~ By the time I returned from abroad I finally decided that I might want to be an EMT and run rescue at SMC. I figured this out a little too late for our program and now am trying to join a local rescue squad in the area for next year. 


3. Taken a Gender Studies course ~ We have some amazing professors who teach gender studies courses that range in topics. I wish I would have taken at least one course earlier on and then maybe considered it as a minor. 


4. Started going to Career Development sooner ~ Career development is such a helpful place on campus and I wish I started taking advantage of all there services sooner. For example, starting my resume and graduate school plan earlier. 


5. Taken a Business class ~ Even though I'm not a business major I think it would have been interesting to learn about the basics of business. Part of a liberal arts degree is getting to diversify your self and having experience in different subjects. Who knows maybe one day I'll own my own business.


6. Done research with a Professor ~ Many Professors conduct research whether it's in the summer or during the school year. I would have loved to gain extra experience with conducting research especially around my major, Anthropology. 


7. Gone abroad again ~ I loved my semester in Florence and would go again in a heartbeat. I wish sometimes I went again because SMC has such an amazing program and there are still so many places in the world I would love to see. If I went again I think I would go to either Brasil or Costa Rica. 


8. Been an RA ~ Being an RA is challenging and rewarding job. It's a great way to gain leadership skills, meet some new & awesome people living in your building, and get paid. 


9. Intern before Senior year ~ We have a great internship office that has connections with various organizations, companies, and alumni. I wish I began doing internships before my senior year because they are such a great way to gain skills while making connections. 


10. Gone to a play on campus ~ I'm a little embarrassed  to say that I have never gone to see a play on campus put on by our theatre program. They put on wonderful productions and have a play once a semester I just for some reason have never gone to one.  






These are just things I look back and wish I had done. It's hard to do everything in four years and I am happy for all my experiences I have had at SMC. I couldn't have asked for a better 4 years. It's really easy to look back and see things clearer, but I always like to believe that 'everything happens for a reason'. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Well, that's a great question I'll get back to you on that............We'll if your like me and all other students that's a tricky question that's not very simple. Luckily, there is a magical place at St. Mike's called the Career Development that can help you figure out, plan, and prepare for....the real world!!! ( Along with many other things).

In September, I began going to resume writing workshops, graduate school information sessions, and began meeting with a career counselor. All of these things are free to students and they are so helpful whether your a senior like me or a freshmen! They also offer practice interviews, ways to make connections with Alumni in your field of interest, and can help you find a job. This building also houses our internship coordinator and study abroad office which I highly suggest taking advantage of. I am currently about to start my second internship for credit and have had such a positive experience and have made great connections.

All these helpful tools that often get forgotten about or pushed to the very end (senior year) can be accessed much earlier in your time at SMC. I really am glad I've been taking advantage of all that they have to offer and thought I would share with you one way my life has become a little bit easier because of this magical place on campus!

Career Development & other offices in Klein !

Surviving the cold weather

I get asked all the time on my tours what I think about the weather here and Vermont. Most people when they hear Vermont think "Ohh it's cold up there and so close to Canada". Yes, we are about an hour from the Canadian border and yes it can get cold here. I personally am a warm temperature loving person. I'd rather be hot than cold. So, why am I going to school in Vermont? Well, I really love Saint Mike's , but I also have learned to handle the snow. ( I still can be a whimp sometimes). I have various jackets for all kinds of temperatures and am never afraid to start layering it up early on in the season.

I also make sure I don't stop moving and getting outside in the winter. I learned how to ski freshmen year at Smugglers Notch because of our awesome ski pass and now try making it to the mountain twice a week. I also usually step up my gym going in the winter and begin hitting our indoor track more so I get some endorphins in me. This can be a challenge sometimes to get the motivation do go, but I have to keep reminding myself it's going to make me feel better and warm me up! Being a wilderness leader doesn't hurt either because I lead snow shoe trips in the winter and get to see some beautiful snow covered woods and mountains on trips. Who would of thought from all that, that I don't particularly enjoy the cold. These are just some ways I get through winters in Vermont and why I love this area in every season.

Prezi in the Classroom

I learned about Prezi presentations about a year or two ago and recently in the past few months I have been using it for all sorts of things. Now, you're probably scratching your head going what's a prezi. If your not then kudos! Prezi is a website that let's you create presentations in a whole new way. They're fresh and professional and have impressed my boss and my Professor. The program lets you zoom in and out and pan a screen effortlessly. It helps captivate your audience and make your presentation a little more interesting.

I started using it to present new ideas and goals at my internship on social media and recently just created one on my findings from a research project. One of the reasons I have been so drawn to it was that I didn't have power point on my computer. If you don't have access to Power point, but have access to the Internet than I challenge you to try making a Prezi!

We're Back.......

Half time competition 

This past Saturday orientation leaders got summoned by the lovely Grace Kelly and our team spirit club to pump up students and get freshmen to come out to the men's and women's basketball games against Stonehill College. This was really fun to all reunite in our purple O-leader shirts and you can't forgot our favorite accessory...... our whistles!!!! Yup, we were those loud kids running around the quad making noise and blasting music! We also all got Santa hats to accompany our ensemble. 

At the game we sat in the bleachers and cheered on the purple knights through both games. The dance team which preforms at half time even let us have fifteen seconds of fame to shake it to the song 'Space Jam' ! I loved getting to act silly and cheer on our basketball teams! This is one of the perks of having great team spirit! Both the men and women's team played hard, but got defeated. This is just the beginning of there season and I'm looking forward to more games!

Women's team warming up!