I see each semester as a mile race. After running many miles in my day, I find it an appropriate parallel. Okay undergrads, we are embarking on the bell lap, the final 400 meters of the semester.
If you are anything like me, by now you have hit the brick wall. Your quads and hammies are chock-full of lactic acid (aka. your brain would rather stare blankly into the infinite abyss than process anymore information). Ah, but you see, this is the most important lap. To give up now would be to sacrifice all of your effort in the previous three. It's time to turn on the jets and high tail it to the finish line, where hard work translates to endless glory (a great transcript). Starting to see the analogy?
There is good news. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Finals conclude in just three weeks time. Three weeks of dedicated hard work and we are home for the holidays. With the end in sight, I say, let your goals pull you forward. Let your dreams put wings on your ankles.
During your victory lap, make sure you sing "Celebrate Me Home." ;)
“No story is the same to us after a lapse of time; or rather we who read it are no longer the same interpreters.” ―George Eliot Life has a way of giving us perspective. It teaches us through time, through change, through what remains. And what remains? You. Everywhere you go, there you are. It seems so simple. But upon deeper contemplation, I hope you find the same comfort that I found. There is one thing that remains constant in the turmoil of life- you always have you. We continue to grow and change with each sunrise, with each breath. We look back and realize that not long ago, we viewed the world through different eyes. One thing is clear. Stories of the past mark important moments of our lives. But the second hand never stops, its rhythm is constant. And just as time moves forward, so do we. Keep an eye on the future, keep focus on the present, and enjoy the wisdom that develops from lessons of yesterday. But yesterday is yesterday, and we are not who we were yesterday. So be who you are today with who is here today.
The culmination of the presidential race is upon us- this coming Tuesday is election day.
Are you worried by your prospects (or shall I say lack thereof) for a stable job post college graduation? Are you concerned about how you will afford health insurance once you are kicked off your parent's plan? Under the Affordable Care Act, by the way, you have until you are 26 to figure that out. Are you concerned about financing your college education? Or perhaps, are you now faced with the challenge of working yourself out of debt accrued from years of sky high tuition?
Me too.
Fortunately, you have a choice on Tuesday. The outcome of this race will directly affect you, and you have a say in the matter! Each vote counts the same as the next and each vote adds to the total. The only voice that goes unheard is the vote not cast. Get to your polling place November 6th and make your voice heard.
That being said, for your voice to reflect your thoughts on the questions posed above, work must be put into your decision prior to election day. Contemplate your stance on these pivotal issues and research parallels between your thoughts and the platforms of each presidential candidate. I challenge you to search further than the super PAC ads constantly run on television. Pick up a newspaper, research reputable online sites, tune into news programs... engage in political debate with others! When you honestly open your ears to opposite viewpoints, you'll be surprised what you can learn about your own. Whether you switch sides on a debate or reinforce your own views, you will gain perspective on the extensive, divisive issues currently facing our nation.
As I walked into the giant lecture hall housing my physics class Monday afternoon, the real meaning of the school year finally sunk in. The beginning of school is exciting: friends, football games, parties. But we mustn't forget why we're here. It is the hard work behind closed doors, the endless nights of studying, the textbooks scoured time and time again, that will secure our respective degrees and propel us in our desired career paths.
At a school like Pitt, it can be very difficult to stand out. With over 26,000 students, how do YOU carve a unique place for yourself and make your way in the world as an individual? I walked into a similar giant lecture hall housing my Biology 1 class as a freshman feeling absolutely invisible. Shy and not knowing anyone, I was just another ant processing in trying to find an empty seat that had not been saved for gaggles of friends.
Three years later, I walk into my physics class, head held high, still knowing no one. Why did I not feel a wave of insecurity and panic of where to sit? As a senior here, I have carved my niche and feel comfortable within my own skin. It is an elusive topic, but how do you make yourself stand out in a crowd? One to be reckoned with, so to say?
1. Wake up everyday and treat yourself like a queen (king for the men out there). People innately follow your lead. If you put yourself down, don't value your own thoughts, or silence them for fear of ridicule, others will follow suit. Conversely, a confident and competent image will project outward reserving a sense of respect and value from peers.
2. Find one professor that you work well with and build a relationship. You do not have to go to office hours for every class and try to forge a relationship with every teacher. One sustained relationship can provide you with guidance, honest feedback, and help in more facets than the class at hand.
3. Do something for you, one thing that has little relation to your projected career path. We often get boxed into a certain dogma of thinking. This will open up your mind, fuse principles from multiple facets of education, and ultimately add a unique dimension to your skill set. For example, I chose to work with the oral communication department mentoring peers with public speaking anxiety. I do believe it was my best choice in college.
4. Somehow link this unique activity to your professional goals. For example, most physicians are extensively trained in the hard sciences. How many can communicate effectively and compassionately with patients to put them at ease and ultimately make a better diagnosis? This is how I will set myself apart in the field.
5. Dress well, test well. What is your mindset when you throw on a pair of sweatpants? Probably the same as mine: "I just need to get through fifty minutes of class then I can get back in bed." Is that any mindset to learn? To properly process and encode information, we must be in a mental state ready to soak in the information like a sponge. Sweatpants do not convey that attitude. Not to mention the first impression it can give others. Instead, take pride in how you present yourself.
6. A few close friendships can make this daunting period in our lives much easier to tackle. Find a few people that you trust and love, and open up. This can be a scary time, but you needn't go it alone. To achieve tips 1-5, we all need a support system. Family and friends are absolutely essential, rely on them. Trust me, if they are the friends they say they are, they won't mind. They might just surprise you with wisdom they have to share.
Are you ready to take on the world? Well maybe we'll start small. Are you ready to take on the next week of classes and make a place for unique, intelligent you?? GOOD! For the week ahead, I will sign off with a song that always pumps me up and gives me the confidence to take on the world. :)
Kidding! I actually love the start of school. It marks many new beginnings and offers promise for the semester to come. With school approaching in less than a week, I've decided to blog about a few ways to make this semester your very best yet.
So are you with me? Let's raise our virtual glasses to a fabulous school year. Afterall, this gal is graduating in the spring. Hello, senior year.
It is not unusual to find me cooking in the kitchen with unidentifiable items that may or may not appear edible. While originally skeptical and slightly concerned, my roommates have now become intrigued by my "culinary adventures" as we call them. My cooking is always quite the spectacle. It is not exactly traditional...
Today I set out with some odd looking vegetables... chiefly, celeriac and kohlrabi. Little did I know, I was in for a workout. As it turns out, chopping raw root veggies is quite the upper body work out. With olympic table tennis on in the background, I channeled my inner Olympic athlete and pressed on. After peeling and dicing sweet potatoes, celeriac, parsnips, and kohlrabi, I felt I deserved a gold medal. Instead, I was rewarded with delicious roasted vegetables over a bed of quinoa with a side of plums on the dinner table an hour later.
I have come a long way in the past year. The girl who couldn't cook a pot of rice is now making delicious, involved meals. I must add a disclaimer here: Delicious is in the eye of the beholder and I hope the beholder has an adventurous taste palette.... Nonetheless, I have come to enjoy my uninhibited time in the kitchen. Since I never follow recipes, each meal is a little experiment. I love creating something that will fuel my mind and body, allowing me to feel and perform at my best. It's merely a nice bonus when they turn out tasty!
If I ever offer to make dinner for you, I hope this post doesn't scare you out of it. If it turns out bad, I will call in pizza. :)
One of the pitfalls of living in Pitt (pun intended) is the utter lack of familiarity. Being the adventurous soul that I am, I chose to attend a school where I knew no one. Indeed, I had no family or friends in the area when I moved here (that is before I made new ones in my home away from home!). Tonight I was blessed to see some dear family friends for dinner. There is something irreplaceable and invaluable about being with the ones who have seen you grow up. In my case, the one who believed in my voice and even the one who baptized me!
We had a delicious dinner. I ordered a warm goat cheese and beet salad topped with wild caught atlantic char... amazing, to say the least. However, the best item I got tonight wasn't on the menu.... I was given a slice of home. Sometimes, the most beautiful moments in life are indeed in uncharted territory- new experiences, new places- but with long time loved ones. Ones who share a familiar smile, loving embrace, and truly caring thoughts and advice. I am a lucky girl.
After a long day at work, I am unwinding on the couch watching the Pirates game. I have only been to one game at PNC park and didn't make it to the bottom of the ninth (friends left early). A remaining question mark in my mind... why do people leave sports events early? I digress... There are so many events unique to Pittsburgh that I would like to partake in before I graduate.
Yesterday, I got to cross a few items off my bucket list as I adventured in Squirrel Hill. Get ready, this is epic and life changing. Brace yourself. Are you sitting? Because you should be.. I found an independent coffee shop that makes pretty designs with cream in their coffee. The venue: Commonplace Coffee Company. The website: http://www.commonplacecoffee.com/. I highly recommend this coffee shop to every coffee lover out there. Come study time during the school year, you can find me set up camp in this coffee shop with endless supplies of espressos and lattes.
The second item crossed off my bucket list- I went to see To Rome with Love at the Manor Theatre in Squirrel Hill. The few independent movies on display are sure to please. They are charming both in plot and cinematography. This particular movie was enchanting with its combination of dry humor, character development, and imagery. I will keep my review brief for anyone who has not yet seen it! If you're searching for the perfect date night or an activity with friends, look no further. Sink into the giant leather seats and escape the world outside for a few hours.
There are a few more items I would like to cross of my Pittsburgh Bucket List before I graduate and move on from the city I have come to love. Here are a few:
Go to the Pittsburgh Zoo!
Run the Great Race
Ride the incline and have a picnic atop Mount Washington
Spend the day at Kennywood or Sandcastle (or both?) :)
See a Pirates game, Steelers game, and Pens game. I cannot leave the city without this one.
Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at Light Up Night
Kayak or take a boat out on the rivers.
Watch the sun set at the Point
That's all I've got for now. For all you Pittsburghers out there, any items that I should add? Until next time, I sign off with a picture of my newly discovered pretty coffee- one of the keys to my heart.
Per request from a certain daddy of mine, I have returned to the blogging world. Here I like to recount adventures, life, and life lessons in the smallest big city in the world- Pittsburgh. It just happens to be my favorite part of the day: early morning. I am lounging in bed, sipping my coffee (mmm), basking in the light flooding into my open windows. I am most certainly a morning person who derives great pleasure from living life while the rest of the world is sleeping.
Yesterday, the crazy morning girl that I am, I awoke at 8 am to go for my run. Running on about 5 hours of sleep, I set out to run more miles than hours I had slept. Running has always been my gift to myself. I am not an indulgent individual. I truly cherish the few moments I take for myself: coffee in bed and my runs. Eight miles later, I had run along the rivers, taken in the most gorgeous skyline I have ever witnessed, skipped through sprinklers, gotten lost, thankfully gotten found, and seen the Grand Prix car show! Of course, it was a brief sighting and set in motion.
I am never sure how long I will be out when I lace up my running shoes. I can say, with certainty, that I always return with a newfound sense of happiness and balance. Thank you, endorphins. If I'm lucky, from those who know me, I'll even get a "Run Forest, run!" yelled hanging out the window of a moving vehicle. Yes, I was blessed with the name Jenny from a certain motion picture. It gives me a good laugh every time.
In the few quiet moments you get to yourself, contemplate what part of your day you always look forward to. Maybe it's a phone call from home, the big game, or just your daily walk to work. Acknowledge and cherish the little things. Looking back, they are the big things.
We've all made mistakes. We've all followed paths that we wish had taken us in a different direction. It's easy to see clearly in hindsight. What takes a bit more discipline is learning to accept and move on. And better yet, it takes strength to see the positives in darker moments. Every experience has a powerful place in our lives, slowly molding us into a masterpiece.
Rather than looking back with regret, wouldn't it be more fun to look forward with a more rounded perspective? Life is full of choices. Regret doesn't serve us well. On the other hand, growth and learning parallel forward motion. Life is full of choices.
A few days ago, I was let in on a secret. A wise woman, here at Pitt, verbally expressed something we all know. Our peers, professors, family, friends, and strangers have the ability to perceive us however they see fit. These perceptions can be based in reality or have no basis at all. We came to a common conclusion. Is it fair to us that each person passing by can judge us without knowing our inner soul? Better yet, is it fair that we often are held captive by others' perceptions of us?
I don't think so. Neither did she. She proposed that we take control and define ourselves. In essence, we look inward, determine who we truly are, and project it outward. This way, there is no discrepancy between who we are and who we appear to be. The real secret in this message, however, lies in the self discovery. No matter how we conduct our lives, others will always have the power to perceive us however they choose. The magic lies in the fact that once you honestly know and love yourself, it doesn't matter. Others' opinions fade. You are left with your own impression of yourself, the only one that matters.
My proposal today is to take a few moments to look inward. See yourself for who you are, rather than someone else's definition of you. Discover the shadows, the light, the contradiction, the beauty, and love yourself. With this, may you feel the relief of not needing to look to others for acceptance. Your perception is the only one that matters.
Today on my run, I allowed myself to feel a multitude of emotions. I allowed my settings to soak into my skin. How often do we run through our days without taking time to just feel? Take a few moments each day to let the sun kiss your skin and breathe in the fresh, crisp spring air. Sometimes, when we take a few moments to let our mind wander, we find a beautiful thing. We find where our mind ends up.
I found a playground during my run. Happy as a clam, I hopped on the swings and gazed at the majestic cathedral as I pumped my legs. Laughing, I relived one of my favorite things to do as a kid. I jumped off the swing and saw how far I could jump and still land on my feet. Funny how this relates to life. We have that moment of uncertainty as we fly through the air, mid-jump. Will I fall? Then somehow, we land on our feet.
We are never too old to be a kid again. Let yourself enjoy that part of life too. Who knows, you might just learn something while you're at it.
As a speaking coach at Pitt's Oral Communication Lab, I help fellow students master the anxiety associated with public speaking. Once anxiety is recognized and proactively addressed, many can take control of their speaking skills to improve their public speaking. All of this comes back to an important trait: confidence. Confidence must take root in your message and yourself. We all are unique, gifted, and have special messages to share.
Today, I worked with research students to aid in poster presentation skills. Each student shared their findings in their respective field and subject area. While I was able to help them master their speaking skills, I too was learning from them. I enjoy listening to each person and gaining a glimpse into current research through their specific interest areas.
We are all on a quest for knowledge, a quest that, hopefully, never ends. It is important to recognize your special talents and share them with others. Have confidence in yourself and your gift. At the same time, we are always learning and have room to grow. Try not to let pride impede your quest to learn. When we can recognize the strengths in others and allow them to teach us, we strengthen ourselves. In this light, we may equate growth with collaboration, confidence in ourselves and our peers, and a persistent quest.
In honor of going home today, I am taking time to think about my growing years that shaped me into who I am. Some truly amazing people have stepped into my life throughout the years. I am so excited to take a short reprieve from the bustling city to enjoy time in the countryside. Memories flood back to me there. It is nice to think of our past because it reminds us of all that we have to take with us on our journey.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing spring break!
Today marks the 225th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh's foundation. I am filled with pride to be attending this honored university. The alumni who precede us have changed the course of history, earning Pitt's reputation as a premier learning institution. After three years at Pitt, I truly believe in the potential our students have to make our predecessors proud. There is no doubt that difficulties may lie ahead, but Pitt has cultivated in us the ability to think critically toward solutions.
Pitt will be giving back to its community through 225 acts of service throughout 2012. I encourage all students to get involved and have fun giving back to the community that has helped shape us as individuals. The following link contains the calender of service events in which we can participate: http://www.commrel.pitt.edu/ActsofCaringProjectsl.html. Check back frequently as it will be updated throughout the year!
This morning, I woke up early to attend my first hot yoga class at Yoga Flow in Shadyside. Vinyasa yoga is based in fluent poses with high heat to maximize movement. I must admit, I was nervous to try this advanced style of yoga! Working out in a room just under 100 degrees intimidated me.
As I walked into the room, I felt my body loosen as the heat warmed my joints. Beginning with meditation and a series of vinyasas allowed us to slowly assimilate to the heat. The poses grew more challenging, and the studio, increasingly sweaty. Just as I thought my body could not lose any more water through perspiration, the class drew to a close, just as calmly as it began.
What an experience. I loved it! However, words for the wise: hydrate before and after class!! Also, do not make plans after your class. I guarantee you will want (and need) to go home to shower following your experience.
Tomorrow is Monday and the work week begins again. Need a little pep in your step to start the week off on the right foot? Here is a video for your listening and viewing pleasure. In no time, you'll be dancing too. :) Enjoy!
Today, I was humbled to be in the presence of inspirational leaders from around the world. The 2012 Panther Leadership Summit kicked off with nine distinguished speakers, each of whom shared keys to successful leadership in diverse situations. Following the presentations, students participated in a networking lunch and further investigated topics of interest via breakout sessions. The conference was planned and executed impeccably. My sincere gratitude goes out to all those involved in making this summit a success.
Certain themes resounded throughout the day. I would like to pass on a few of these wise messages so kindly shared with us.
Maintain your hunger for truth and knowledge
Listen. Choose to empower those around you
Allow your passion and anger to inspire you, observe what ignites your internal fire
Be an agent of change, challenge the status quo
Be attentive to your own credibility, lead through example
Be inclusive. Involve, inspire, and motivate your teammates
Radiate positive energy
Students gathered to the summit from universities across Western Pennsylvania. As today's and tomorrow's leaders sat down to the same table, a tangible excitement spread throughout the ballroom. Leaders shared their wisdom and insight while listening and responding to the thoughts and concerns of fellow students. The summit cast light on a very elusive topic- How can you be a successful leader?
So, what advice brought home this elusive message to me? Discover and actively pursue your passions, all the while, inspiring and empowering those around you- the combination can bring this world positive change.
I have decided to start a blog as I go through daily life at the University of Pittsburgh. Here I will share my tips, thoughts, and ideas as a reminder that we have the power to make each day worthwhile. Take a moment to look around, wherever you are, and count your blessings. Acknowledge the positives in your life and let the happiness they bring surround you.
Todays thought: Happiness is a choice, not a result. Take control of your own happiness and life today!
