My 2011 Recap

With 2011 coming to a close, it's an undeniable reality that this year has been cray cray. It has been filled with great memories, lots of laughter and lots of growth! So much has happened, so much has changed and yet so much feels the same!

Here's a highlight reel of my year:

Played dodgeball in a giant room full of trampolines!

Countless nights were spent in The Office: Late Night!

I survived the smell of my apartment after cooking nearly 70lbs of bacon for RA Training!

Visited the City of Brotherly Love!

Reconnected with mentors!

Celebrated St. Patty's Day with the Irish!

Went to my very first birthday part at Taco Bell and roasted J.Arthur in the same night!

I was influenced by the amazing students I worked with!

   

Relay for Life: Team Gaga for Greek Life: 20 hours of walking!

Earned my M.A. Education Administration and Leadership!

Celebrated two years of hard work with the best cohort anyone could ask for!

                                                                          


Left all that I had known for 24 years!

Moved to Chicago to be a Resident Director at Loyola University!

Ran my first official 5k!

I learned what it meant to have friends go the distance for me!

I prepared for my first real non-California winter!

There's so much more to list and to say but at the end of the day, 2011 taught me what it means to cherish those I value while making rooms for new friends and new experiences!

Here's to making 2012 just as memorable!

Giving Thanks

Well, well, well....

It's been a while since I've blogged, or better yet, it's been a while since I've had time to blog. So today, there will be no sass or witty humor, but rather just truth. 

There is so much that has happened over the last month or so that it's felt like running on a treadmill without any ability to control the speed. I've had LOTS of visitors from family, to best friends, to catching up with friends to making new ones! I've explored the city, explored some of the "burbs" and have been challenged personally and professionally. 

 What I've realized is that I simply haven't taken a moment for everything to click and to really settle in. I find myself frequently having moments where I pause and catch myself thinking, "Wait! Do I really live in Chicago? Is Chicago really that far from California? Do I really have to wait to see the people I care about?" These moments may sound silly or surreal, but they are moments of reality that catch me off guard in way that I never thought imaginable. 

 Savor the people that mean the most because they may not always be at your fingertips. During this holiday season it's very easy for minds and our hearts to be consumed by the "things" we think we need. Let us not occupy ourselves with the fleeting but instead take-in and savor every precious moment with those around you. 

So today, on this day of thanks, I remind you all to be thankful and grateful for the blessings in life not just on Thanksgiving but everyday!

My Run-Spiration

Ladies & Gentleman, this is Jake!

Jake is not only best friend from grad school but he is my friend soulmate! Jake has taught me a lot about life from deepening my appreciation of a good "cardi" and fashion scarf, the do's and don'ts of hosting a birthday party at Taco Bell,  to how to really be who I am, say what I want and do what I want for me.  Jake reaffirmed confidence in the midst of doubt and always knew how to use little bit of passive aggressive sass to liven any situation. However, what Jake has guided me through the most is how to overcome the mental hurdles I set for myself. 

Little does Jake know but he's my Run-Spiration :) 

For several years I've wanted to become a "runner" but never thought I could. In grad school running was very much the "in" thing to do. Everyone around me was all a buzz about running, training, signing up for races and blah blah blah!  Now despite rigorous 6:00am workouts 5 days a week, I have never had any running endurance. I would try and get into a routine and it just never worked out. However, in February of 2011 I decided that I needed to make it happen and couldn't take no for an answer. Jake always said, "you just have to push yourself-it's all mental-you can do it". While this sounds reassuring and quite fitting for the committed Student Affairs professional that Jake is, I never really believed it. 

So there I was, Super Bowl Sunday to be exact, I got to the gym, hopped on the treadmill with my iPod in hand and I knew that I was just going to run until I couldn't move anymore. That day something happened! The stars aligned, my auto-shuffle playlist was in sync with my desires and I ran almost 4 miles without stopping. While this may not seem like a giant feat, it was for me! I would typically call it quits after a mile and hop on the elliptical, but not this time. This time I ran, I enjoyed it and I wanted to do it again! So I did :) 

I started training for half marathon that April and was running up to 5.5 miles with ease! Sounds great, right? Then life happened, and as Jake would say, life handed me a "slapping" between Masters Comps, NASPA, job search, graduation, lack of job, continued job search, moving to Chicago, training and BAM! 

Here I am.....out of my routine and aching to go back! I feel gross, insecure and physically not in the shape that worked so hard to be in over the last year. It's not fun folks :(

As Jake would say, "I'm on the precipice" and need to get back to the routine of not just working out, not just running but taking time out for myself...making me a priority. I need to get back into gear for both my mental, physical and emotional well-being. The last few months have been rough because I've deviated from the very routine that not only brought me endorphins and an after workout glow but the self confidence and assurance that I was on my game in all aspects of my life. It doesn't matter if people tell you that you look good, because if you don't feel good then it simply doesn't matter.

Jake is sadly not here in Chicago to remind me, to push me and to threaten to turn up the speed on my machine if I didn't run fast enough. The motivation now comes from within! It doesn't matter what others are doing around you if you don't take the initiative to do it for yourself.  The goal setting comes from within and that is what is going to happen:

Action Plan:

•      -October 15th-Pumpkin Run 5k in Chicago
•      - Another two 5Ks by January (probably something not in the Chicago snow)
•      - Half Marathon by the end of the 2011-2012 school year

Paging Dr. McDreamy.....Stat!

About a week ago, in the midst of training/move-in/life madness,  I started breaking out because I was a little stressed out...no biggie! I went to bed one night looking fine and woke up the next morning with half of my face swollen, blotchy and really hard! It looked gross and I tried to keep it covered up with make up which didn't help the healing process.  I hadn't yet been to a doctor in Chicago and was new to the whole "pick your own doctor" process with Blue Cross so I resorted to what I know best: television!

Television is where all true knowledge comes from, right? Want to learn how to solve a homicide? Easy: CSI. Want to learn how to survive in the outdoors? Easy: Jeff Irwin (Ooooh, too soon?)

For the last seven seasons I've prided myself on being an avid Grey's Anatomy follower. Not only have I learned about navigating hospital romance, why not to cut an LVAD cord and how to perform open heart surgery, but I've also learned the in's and out's of successfully negotiating a hospital merger. However, what Grey's didn't teach me was how to pick a doctor with a PPO (oh, how I miss Kaiser) and what to actually do to get help!

As if Grey's Anatomy were not enough to validate my expert medical opinions, I consulted with my personal medical assistants: WebMD  and Youtube. Now, repeat the following phrase with me: NEVER AGAIN. I learned way too much inaccurate information, freaked myself out and am never allowed to self diagnose again.


To make a long story short, saw a bad doctor, got some antibiotics and was referred to a hospital for "facial drainage".  Yay!


In true Sophie fashion,  I was totally freaking out the entire day before my procedure.  Not only have I never been put under anesthesia, but I've watched way too many shows on TLC like, "Anesthesia Gone Wrong," or "Lies Your Doctor Told You" to be at ease with a medical procedure. (Disclaimer: These show's aren't actually aired on television, and I'm too young to be sued by TLC).  I also really just wanted to be home with my family because they always make everything feel better! But any who, I learned that I'm lucky to work with people who care just as much as family! My supervisors went to the hospital, stayed the whole time and have continued to check up on me.


But back to the fun parts.......

My day began at 6:00am:


Yes, I got dressed in the whole hospital get up: form fitting, one size fits all gown, hair net and stylish feet booties. Now, let me throw out this fun fact for you. Little did you know that when you go in for surgery they ask you to remove any nail polish that you may have on so that they can monitor the color of your skin pigmentation under your nails. Sounds great, right? Well, I found the loop hole! If you ask once, just once, "do I really?" you will immediately be asked if you just got a manicure and pedicure because if the answer is "yes" then "you'll be fine". Great! I'd hate for my $60 mani/pedi to be money wasted in order to SAVE MY LIFE :)

I had a lot of time to contemplate the mixed messages associated with the health care system and their care for my mani/pedi while waiting for my doctor who was running 2 hours late. No big deal! Not like I was freaking out, or had been fasting or was generally in a bad mood or anything.

When it was finally time to get wheeled away, I was a HOT MESS!!! Cried my eyes out and I'm pretty sure the nurses knew that I was going to need much more than a sticker and a lollipop at the end of all of this.  I remember being wheeled away, moved on to the operating bed in the frigid cold meat locker of a surgery room and the nurse telling me she was going to start anesthe....zzzz. Yep, it happened that fast! I don't remember a thing other than waking up in the recovery room 35 minutes later, looking up at the nurse and saying, "So tell me how the general clinic here works-Can I schedule just a check up or do you not do that?". Yes, I over analyze even in my anesthesia induced sleep!

I got some lovely takeaways from the hospital including a follow-up appointment next week, antibiotics, pain medications and this lovely bandage on my face which my supervisor offered to bedazzle. Yes, they know me ALL TOO WELL :)

The Windy City Whirlwind

Well, it has certainly been a while since my last post!

My transition to the Windy City has been a whirlwind to say the least! Little did I know that when everyone said, "right fit at the right time" they'd be right! I'm so lucky to be where I am and couldn't imagine being anywhere else but that doesn't mean that it hasn't had its ups and its downs. With a five day turnaround from my job offer to moving and starting training I haven't even had a chance to catch my breath or really even let it settle in that I'm here in Chicago for a while. I keep thinking that I'm away at summer camp and will be going home soon. It still has yet to hit that this is "home" for the next period of time. I suppose that's why they say, "home is where the heart is".

I can't believe that just about two and a half months ago I was on Pacific's campus freaking out about what was going to happen next. A lot has happened over the last seven or so weeks and it even really hit me that I've moved to Chicago and that the people I love and look up to are no longer a walk across campus away or even a short drive home. This has really been the first time that I've stepped out of my comfort zone, out of my Pacific "bubble" and have had to make an effort to show those who matter in my life how much they really mean regardless of distance or time zone. It's been an interesting transition not having those I care about most around me. It's the first time I haven't been handed a cohort of friends and have learned that in the "real world" you have to find ways to met people.There are luckily a lot of new people at Loyola and several from California, so I'm hoping that we can tough out the winter together....or at least start a support group!

Now lets get to Loyola-I LOVE IT!!! There is so much "newness" in the department and division that it really allows for the creation of new programs, services and the revisiting of current policy, procedure and practice. With so much newness, Loyola truly embodies the phrase, "work hard, play hard". Although an unimaginable amount of hours spent working have been docked over the last few weeks, this is a truly a place that values staff fun, rewarding hard work and providing the tools necessary to best develop personally and professionally while serving our students.

Now enough of the fluff and back to reality! Here's a quick 30 second recap of life since my last post:

• I haven't had a day off in about 30ish days
• I've been a part of a human swag machine (thanks to my RAs)
• I've rapped in public.....Eminem watch out!
• I've been to two comedy shows at The Second City
• I have learned about my STRENGTHS (again)
• I have an amazing RA staff that can turn any frown upside down
• I'm now an expert at mulching trees
• I have a custom mug that I painted at a pottery store
• I painted over 150 lockers at a local elementary school
• I've been on two different city scavenger hunts
• I've been on 2 retreats at the Loyola retreat center
• I've found myself literally caught in the middle of 3 major storms
• I've had some great laughs with great friends and colleagues
• I've "successfully" navigated retirement plans and benefit packages
• I've mastered the art of "fake it 'til you make it"
• I have found a love for organized trivia nights

Stay tuned for what happens next for Sophie and the City!

What I Love & "Love" About Chicago

In honor of my three week anniversary in the Windy City I've decided that it would only be appropriate to reflect on the things that I love about Chicago:

1. I love that the public transportation system is so well developed! I've learned to navigate it fairly well and love not having to worry about gas or parking! Plus, every adventure using CTA is guaranteed to be an adventure and you never know who you're going to meet.

2. I "love" that I can't find toilet seat covers in any public restrooms. While I'm glad that the city is being green and saving paper, I don't understand why toilet seat covers are a "no go". I mean lets be real here-sanitary practices should not be sacrificed for sustainability. I've resorted to making toilet seat covers out of toilet paper which is not an easy task mind you, given that it slips off the seat before I have a chance to sit down. Thus, I'm fairly certain that the cities environmental efforts have been single handedly destroyed by yours truly.

3. I love that the people of Chicago are so friendly! I feel like everywhere I go I meet new people who for the 30 seconds to a minute that we interact are as pleasant as can be! From the willingness to answer questions, provide directions or simply say good morning, the people of Chicago are precious! I think Chicago should be the city of brotherly love!

4. I "love" that the flushing mechanism on most toilets here is about 2 feet higher than the actual toilet. While this may not seem like a big deal to most, those of us who prefer to flush with our foot are outraged! (Yes, it has been discussed with others). Every attempt is like an acrobatic feat where a full leg lift is absolutely necessary-just make sure to not pull a muscle!

5. I love that the night life is electric! People are out in the streets, walking around, eating and being merry! Most places don't even close until 4am on the weekends which is astounding! It's a total culture shock from Stockton where people don't walk in the streets or stay out past 1:30am.

6. I "love" the humidity! There's absolutely nothing better than walking outside and feeling like you're entering a cloud of moist air. In fact, my favorite thing is that I can't straighten my hair and you know how much I hate doing that :(

7. I love that I can go to the beach at the drop of a hat! Whether it's to lay out or just for a casual walk it's something that I love having the luxury of being able to do.

8. I "love" that I never know what to wear. Mother Nature is especially deceptive in Chicago. While it may appear cloudy or rainy one must not be fooled because despite the massive thunderstorms it's still about 95 degrees.

9A. I love that so many people here run! It's so inspirational and makes me want to get back into the habit once my gym membership is up and running (no pun intended....maybe just a little). Everyone seems really fit and health conscious so maybe I'll even join a runners club?!

9B. I "love" that so many people here run! It's such a reminder of how I need to get into shape. I don't know why but for some reason there's something I just don't enjoy about people around me running outside in the heat when I can barely walk 5 steps without feeling like I'm going to keel over from heat exhaustion.

10. I love how many bougie food places there are here from elaborate cupcake bakeries to gourmet grilled cheese sandwich restaurants or even chocolate shops with unusual mixtures. There's truly a taste for everyone!

11. I "love" how many people here have dogs! Everywhere I go I see people walking their dogs. In fact, I'm convinced that most younger twenty-something guys only have dogs to hit on people. But I've seriously never seen so many dogs in one place. It's like a daily adventure where I ask myself, "will my biggest fear attack me today?" Luckily I've survived three weeks without being eaten alive so I think my chances of survival are looking good.

To end on a serious note with all sarcasm and wittiness aside-I really do love Chicago! There's so much to see and do and I can't wait to discover more of the city!

4 Lessons Learned in Wrigleyville

Sophie's 4 Lesson's Learned in Wriggleyville:

This past weekend I had my first Wriggleyville adventure and it was quite the adventure! It felt like a college town with lot of fun people, energy and some who have just never grown up. If I could summarize the area into one word, it would be "bro". Wriggleyvile is definitely bro! It's fun, exciting and full of life and life lessons:

1. Cubs fans LOVE the Cubs!

They are beyond devoted even if their team hasn't seen a victory in the last zillion years. With that being said, no Sox colors or else you may not make it out alive.

2. EVERYONE wear's boat shoes!

It's a fashion staple as prominent as the red, white and blue that everyone wears with them. I don't think that I've ever seen more pairs in one place at a time. I would never think to wear them out to a club but apparently it's the thing to do here!

3. Messenger bags are all the rage!

They are a must have for going out if your a girl. No need to worry about holding on to a purse or being attached to wristlet or clutch. Throw your hands up in the air, celebrate and live your life and don't worry about baggage.

4. Strangers are friendly!

All I had to do was ask for someone's glow stick bracelet and BAM it was mine :) I'm also pretty sure that the rest of this guys 80's outfit didn't suffer as he had neon shorts and a cut off to compensate!

Life Updates

I have to admit that I have not been the best at maintaining this blog and it's only been 2 weeks but rest assured, I will get better :)

The last two weeks have been both the longest and shortest weeks of my life. Chicago is a great city! It is one of the most diverse cities I have ever lived in and I cannot wait to experience everything it has to offer! There's so much to do and so much to see that I'm glad I have some time. With that being said, it still hasn't settled in that I actually live here. It feels like a temporary vacation but I think it's because it just hasn't settled in yet.

Since living in the city I've enjoyed many walks on the beach, trips to downtown and I've even learned to navigate the CTA system, run errands without a car and managed to figure out some hip new lingo. I've learned that Lake Michigan is "the lake," soda is "pop," and the train stops are "stops," not to be confused with exits!

Moreover, I've moved into my apartment, have even decorated a bit and enjoy waking up to the sunrise on the lake! Campus is absolutely gorgeous mixing brick exteriors with modern design while combining scenic views with the city's surrounding culture.

Last but not least, I love my job! Everyone I work with is fabulous and the students that I have met so far are great! I cannot wait to meet my staff!We just finished RD training and are welcoming our graduate students this weekend. I am really excited to be in a place that is SO passionate about the student development that is happening while still developing the professional staff as well! During RD training we went on a staff scavenger hunt, did community service and have really begun to connect as a staff both personally and professionally!

In Just A Year

So much can change in life in just one year!

A year ago today I was finished with my first year of graduate school and experiencing my first internship. Today, I have my masters degree and I'm about to experience my first professional job.

A year ago today I never dreamed of being a Residence Director again. Today, I can't wait to start!

A year ago today I was living in Los Angeles for the summer. Today, I'm living in Chicago for who knows how long.

A year ago today I was Loyola Marymount University. Today, I'm at Loyola University-Chicago. (Maybe there's a theme, lol).

A year ago today I was at Venice Beach. Today, I'm at Loyola Beach.

A year ago today, I was "figuring it all out". Today, I'm deciding if I did or not.

A year ago today, I thought Southern California was as far away as outer space. Today, a short plane ride doesn't seem so far.

Who knows where I will be in a year from today!

Chicago Bucket List

Chicago is impressive to say the least! There's so much to do and so much to see that I don't even know where to begin! While I may not know how long I'll be here, I am certain that I want to experience everything the city has to offer. With that being said, I've made a list of things that I want to do while I am here:

1. Go to a Cubs game

2. Go to a Sox game

3. Go to a Bulls game

4. Go to a Bears game

5. Ride the ferris wheel at Navy Pier

6. Watch a movie in the park

7. Experience Taste of Chicago

8. Run a half marathon

9. Go out on a boat on Lake Michigan

10. Attend a concert at Soldier Field

11. Visit the Shedd Aquarium

12. Build a snowman (yes, I'm a California girl)

13. See the Chicago Symphony.....again

14. Little Italy

15. Lincoln Park Zoo

16. Picnic on the beach at sunset

17. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago

18. Deep dish pizza from Gino's East AND write on the wall with chalk

19. Listen to a concert in Millenium Park

20. Play in Buckingham Fountain

21. Visit DePaul University

22. John Hancock Observatory at sunset

23. Go to the top of the Sears Tower

MORE to come!

My list is not complete and I am sure that I will be adding on to it as I learn/see/do more!

Windy City I'm Gonna Blow YOU Away :)

It's time to start another chapter in my life which naturally means another blog!

Today I accepted a Resident Director position at Loyola University Chicago! I cannot wait for a new experience, a new city, and new opportunities. I loved everyone and everything about LUC when I visited last week and am really excited to be part of the team!

The next few days are going to be a whirlwind! It's Monday, my flight is booked for Saturday and I start work on Tuesday! There's definitely so much to do in what feels like so little time. There are so many "see you soon's" that I know my emotions will be a jumble of happiness, sadness, anxiety and maybe even a little stress.

Stay tuned to keep up with my adventures in the Windy City!