Cafe Victoria

Whatever you are doing, take a moment to pause for this historic week. For the first time in American history, a man of African descent has been awarded the Democratic nomination.  I’ve been watching the speeches all week. Michelle is so inspirational. Hillary simply rocked and Joe Biden was real. Tonight, Miss is coming over with pizza to watch Obama’s speech.  It’s pretty awesome to see history in the making.  I trust that Obama has good intentions and  will impress us all.

With enrollment being up 23% for us, and most of the new students being 18 to 21 years, I started thinking about the similarities and differences to going to college today compared to 10 years ago. The main difference is the cost. More and more students have to work while going to school. The hardest part for a student affairs professional working at a community college is I want these students to experience campus life, enjoy their classes and transfer some day. Right now, they pay $60.00 for a class. In two to three years, they are going to be paying triple that amount at the four-year level. If these students are struggling to stay in school now, how are they going to pull if off down the road? They are going to pull if off thanks to the support and guidance from all the Financial Aid departments out there.

I have to give a huge hand for I Can Afford College.com campaign and Napa Valley College’s own Financial Aid department. Many of our students are making it to class because Financial Aid made it happen.

If you are a college student either attending a Two-Year or Four-Year college and you are not receiving Financial Aid, I encourage you to visit your Financial Aid office today. Even if you qualify for $1.00, its one less dollar you do not have to work for.

• Watching Season One of “Spaced” the awesome British comedy from the late 90’s. It’s by the same guys who made “Shawn of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”.

• Discovered a new love for Bath and Body Works. Try “Wild Honeysuckle Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soup with Green Tea Extract and Shea Butter”. Love it!

• Shoes!! They even have heels :>)

• Lots of new students! The fall semester started on Monday. The best part is our enrollment is up by 23%. Go Outreach!!

• Marta is now living in the San Francisco. I can now say I’ve got a friend in the city!

Tonight, I gave a presentation to the College’s Board of Trustees about Student Life. I shared my annual report from the previous school year and talked about what I thought was the backbone to making ASB so successful at Napa Valley College. One of the board members asked me what was one or two things I have learned while being in this job for the last 6 years. I answered with “I learned that I am a great leader and I know how to build teams. In the future, I think I would make a great Vice President of Student Services. . .”

As I was driving home, I thought about what I said. Did I step out too far? Was I too honest? Is that what I really want to do or did I say that because I felt confidence and powerful in my outfit? But then I read something in this month’s Oprah Magazine about how there are many us out there who constantly keep looking for more. That for some crazy reason what we have already achieved is not enough. The author called this behavior as “Self-Deprecator” The author recommended self-deprecators to write down “100 things you’ve accomplished that are valuable to you. Not anyone else. Just you”

For today, how about 10

1.    Confronting a co-worker who was frustrated with me
2.    Calling my parents every week
3.    Have a strong relationship with my sister
4.    Making time to be with my husband
5.    Being there for my students when they needed me the most
6.    Taking care of my health
7.    Taking care of my car, and paying the bills on time
8.    Staying in touch with friends
9.    Starting and finishing my education
10.    Co-Creating NVC Day at Napa Valley College

There are lots I want to do in my life time. But for my life right now, it feels great to WANT to do something more than feeling I NEED to do something more. I want to focus on owning a home and starting a family.
I know that if I wanted to go after the job of Vice President of Student Services some day, I would be pretty good at.

The summer games are officially here and so is China. Wow, the opening ceremony blew me away. I loved learning about the history of China and how harmony became a huge part of their culture and survival. Bravo. However, it also reminded Matthias and I that we better start learning some Chinese if we’re going to keep up with China. Did you see the number of drummers? Wow!

We’ve h4×0red ur blog, Victoria!

Now that I have finished my masters, I feel like the world is an open door. However, I keep asking myself when will be the right time to use it and the right door to walk through? Should I use it towards a new job or let it come out naturally in my life right now?  Yesterday morning, I was reading from a daily devotional book, that my good friend Jenn recommended to me, and I found this particular reading answering my question. I wanted to share it you.

“When you are unsure which course to take, totally submit your own judgment to that of the Spirit of God, asking him to shut every door except the right one. But meanwhile keep moving ahead and consider the absence of a direct indication from God to be the evidence of His will that you are on His path. And as you continue down the long road, you will find that He has gone before you, locking doors you otherwise would have been inclined to enter. Yet you can be sure that somewhere beyond the locked doors it one He has left unlocked. And when you open it and walk through, you will find yourself face to face with a turn in the river of opportunity–one that is broader and deeper than anything you ever dared to imagine, even in your wildest dreams. So set sail on it, because it flows to the open sea.”

–Horace Bushnell, July 31 in “Streams in the Desert – 366 Daily Devotional Readings”