My Time is Up...

The year is nearly over. With this being the last day in April I sit in contemplation and reflection of the years gone by.

Last night I attended my last Residence Hall Association meeting as one who has speaking and voting rights. On Tuesday I attended my last Thomas Jefferson Hall Association meeting, period. Also on Tuesday I attended my last Residential Life "Banquet".

Five years ago, I knew I'd be involved. I knew that what I was beginning as an over-eager freshman would not leave me soon. I knew that I was happy and that I'd grow in whatever I endeavored. I knew that there would be times of great triumph and that my legacy was ever forming.

I did not know that I'd continue to carry on and care for the residents best interests. I did not know that I would many times feel like giving up due to lack of respect or appreciation when it really mattered. I did not know that I would invest so much sweat, patience, tears, conversation and yes, sometimes blood into those that took the time to get to know me in the five years to come.

At times now, I think back at what I've done and wonder how I'll be remembered. Will those that dislike me now take a step back and see my true intentions? Will those that like me now continue to do so? Will those bonds of friendship and family be severed due to petty arguments? Will I be able to maintain and continue into my chosen field of Residential Life at another university's campus? Have I taught anybody about servant leadership, or does it all chalk up to irony?

On the verge of the completion of my Residential Life tenure at Missouri S&T, I do not know the answers to the questions I seek. I do know that I've a summer and a semester left.

This summer I'm to be the Student Union Board Secretary, live off-campus in my new apartment, and seek Fall employment. In the Fall I'm to complete the courses required for graduation, serve as the President of the Beta Nu Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi and serve as the Director for the Student Union Board's Performing and Diversity Arts Committee. Who knows, I might still be involved in the National Residence Hall Honorary and may attend a couple RHAs.

In closing, I'd like to make amends to those that may have been wronged by my doings in my constant search for growth and development. No one's perfect and I certainly have my flaws.

Suppose only time will tell.

Pakh out

Spring is in the Air

Good day,

With the hum of a vacuum and a fresh scent in the air I'm left wondering. Wondering what life will be like in my near future. You see, a lot has happened to me since the last post; as could be expected. Here's a run-down:

Academics:
Organizational Psychology = A (this is with two tests, a homework assignment and part. pts.)
Group Dynamics = B (once the semester ends this will replace a former "F")
Statistics = B (will more than likely have a B at the end of the semester)

I'm all registered for 16 hours in my last semester here at S&T (The last day of classes for the Fall is my 24th birthday)

Since I filed my taxes and filled the FAFSA out on time, I finally have a financial aide package for the first time in 4 years. Also, since I've only one semester left until graduation my aide package is all for the Fall 2009; when normally it would be split between two semesters.

Job:
Working 19 hours per week and saving much more money than I thought I ever would

Didn't get an ACUHO-I internship

Didn't get a position as a Summer Camp Counselor

Looking at a potential job for this summer

Extracurricular:
NRHH President - Doing what I can to make sure we follow our purpose and tenants, also attempting to help with fund raising; though all in all, I don't think I've done anything great in this position. We're inducting four new members into the organization and I already have ideas for who I want to award Bronze Pins to.

TJHA Vice-President - I'm attempting similar actions as NRHH Pres., though I've found that I've a much more difficult advisor. Elections for the E-board are still on-going and I'm afraid the advisor believes us to be failures. Goody

SUB - I've decided to apply for one of two summer positions within the organization and also for a BOD position for the Fall (Performing and Diversity Arts). Interviews are the 21st and 28th. Fun times, wish me luck.

DLP - We went to the Central Regional Conference a few weekends ago and met so many new Brothers. We were also awarded as the host Chapter for the Spring CRC for 2010. I'm on yet another conference staff. I was also just recently elected as the new President.

Apartment:
I'm moving off-campus in May and have lodging in an apartment. I also have in the works to be one of the coolest room-mates. Res. Life has treated me well, and I've benefitted a lot from the teachings, programs, hard-lessons and more. But my time here is done. I've faced too much burnout and resiliency to warrant any more. The way I figure is I'm giving myself a semester off before I commit myself to at least 4 more semesters on after graduation.

Friends:
There are new friends coming at me everyday; however, I find myself desiring some of my "older" friends. There's one in particular that I wish I could just talk to and share, much like we did the summer prior to his departure from Rolla. There are others from Festus that I've discovered a stronger bond, and then some still in Rolla that if only given the opportunity to listen and share could...

Lots of new and exciting things are coming my way as I prepare to say good-bye to some of my most familiar goings and doings. It's scary on one hand, but then encouraging and curious on the other.

My life is shaping up and moving in a new direction. I've not felt as much contentment in uncertainty as this before. While some things are uncertain, others are most definitely not and those that aren't are not in a great way.

Time for me to retire this post and go explore the world that's opening up to me; no matter how weird or unfamiliar a way as it is.