Today is the longest day of light. With the Summer Solstice, I often think about how after today the days will get darker. With darkness, comes light. The Summer Solstice reminds me to slow down, to reflect on what I bloomed in the spring and to think about what I will plant this fall.
As I leave APU for the last time, I reflect on how I learned the difference between qualitative and quantitative studies (the one with the “n” is using numbers in research). The difference between listening and attentive listening, and how to move your college students from feeling apathy to activism. But most important, I learned the importance of being there and encouraging each other along the grad school path.
I know I will miss this place. APU is a unique campus. It challenges you to believe in something, either Jesus, God or just yourself. Whatever you do, have faith.
This week’s high: finding Ani on YouTube. Miss, you inspired me to go looking for my favorite artist on YouTube. Here is Ani playing a beautiful song from her latest album. I am hoping to see Ani next month with Marta. If we make it to the show, it would be our 10th time together seeing Ani. If I had a soundtrack for my life, you would hear Ani DiFranco playing in the back ground since freshman year of college.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9VHpdmIrFM
Last Friday morning, after getting some great advise from Tira and support from Matthias, I contacted the course instructor, switched my plane ticket and I am now traveling to APU earlier for the Strengths Quest elective course. I feel at peace and excited about taking this course. I was a little stressed because I was trying to get into a counseling course at Sonoma State or SFSU to use as my elective for my program, but never heard back from them. Then I realized, it was not meant to happen.
Last summer, I took the instrument as part of another course and fell in love with the idea of focusing and finding ways to use your own and others strengths. I mention in my About section my top 5 strengths. Finding what you are good at is awesome. Finding out what you are really great at..fun and challenging. I look forward to reporting back on how this elective course will help me use my top 5 strengths “Responsibility, Significance, Maximizer, Arranger and Communication” and encourage others to do the same. My strengths motivate me and drive me nuts at the same time!
To my co-hort ladies! I’m looking forward to seeing all 7 of us strong, smart, sexy and natural at Student Affairs CSA summer track APU class of 2008. Yahoo! 3rd years!