On to the Next One

I haven't blogged in a while, which means - I have a lot of catching up to do.

Since my last blog, many things have happened in my life - both positive and negative. This includes:

• The Steelers made it to the Superbowl!!
• They lost :(
• I went to Jamaica for Spring Break with one of my Best Friends Jacki Debb and her wonderful family. It was a wonderful way to get away from the daily grind.
• I found out my placement for Deere for post-graduation. DES MOINES!! My number 1 choice :) (For those who don't know, I accepted a job in John Deere's entry-level accounting program called the FDP. For three to four years, I will be rotating between three different jobs at different locations in the US. The third rotation is in interna\l audit. During this rotation, I have the opportunity to travel worldwide.) So I will spend the 12-14 months following graduation at John Deere Financial in Johnston.
• I found out TODAY I will be having my wisdom teeth removed in a week. I absolutely hate needles and every type of surgery...needless to say - I am NOT looking forward to this.
• Graduation is less than 2 months away. I purchased my graduation cap and gown. So excited for the next step in my life.

The last bullet really touches on what this blog is really about. As I get closer to graduation, and entering the "real world," there is a lot of excitement, as well as many fears. Taking that step from something you are used to and know very well to something completely new and strange takes a lot of courage and strength. It is easy to not to take that step, but that is also known as failure. I hope that the Class of 2011 excels beyond all expectations. I challenge the Class of 2011 to enter this crappy economy and dismal job market with confidence and perseverance. We are the next generation. We are the future!


Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown - George Shinn

Remain Steadfast, and as always, stay on the brightside

One, Two, or Three Big Happy Families

I was once told, "The best kind of family is the one you make for yourself." Now, I love my God-given family very much, so I was extremely confused by this statement until I took a deeper look into the meaning. Making a family for yourself, well this could mean many things. First, I guess it could mean steal a family for yourself. However, I have heard that identity theft is somewhat illegal in our Judaical system; and so is stealing someone else's family. That just doesn't seem right.

But when I came to college, I finally understood what this meant.

"Women don't go to college to find their husbands, they go to find their bridesmaids." During a person's 4, maybe 5, years in college, they become extremely close with a select group of people. These people start out as acquaintances, the friends, then possibly roommates, ending in family. I can say that my college experience was no different. Now, of course on the way, you lose some friends due to different circumstances, but all in all, a person's tight-knit group remains the same. This made up family can help a person through the roughest of times. I know that mine has. Whether it be finals, a rough break-up or anything in-between, your "college" family is there for you during your darkest days. However, they are also there for the brightside. Your 21st birthday, acing an exam, getting accepting into graduate school, or landing that full-time job; your DIY college family has seen it all.

However, beyond the friends and roommates, there is another kind of family a person can create. I did just that through my business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. When I joined Alpha Kappa Psi my first semester at college, I didn't expect to gain much of a family. Yes, I was given pledge parents, and became very close with my pledge class, but that was about it. I never felt that bond of brotherhood, well not yet. It wasn't until my first semester of my sophomore year that I really felt the connection of brotherhood. I had my first pledge children that semester, the beginning of my grand adventure into parenthood. All I could think of was, "Oh God, what have I gotten myself into." Just the idea of someone younger than me, looking to me for advance and guidance, what a hell of a job. Needless to say, I was scared shitless. However, life went on, and semester by semester I started accumulating children. After 5 semesters as a pledge parent, I had taken six pledge kids. And mighty pledge kids at that. Of course they have gone on and had pledge kids of their own, and then some and then some. Let's just say my "family" has grown larger than I had ever expected. Of course I had some help along the way ("married" to Austin for 4 semesters, Allison for 1), but this is a family I have created for myself. This is my AKPsi family, and I am very proud to say that.

Now, whether these families are better than my biological familia, I think not. I love my God-given family with all my heart, and I would never replace them for anything. But there are times when your original family cannot be there for you, that's when your created family steps up to the plate. They are there when no one else can be.
So next time you think you are alone in the world, look to your close friends who live with or near you, look to people in the same organizations as you, look to professors, mentors, bosses, etc. The list goes on and on. You are never alone.

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." - George Bernard Shaw

Remain blissful, and as always, stay on the brightside.

Thank you Mister Groundhog...

Well there is a brightside to having a bitterly cold groundhog day: If its too cold for the groundhog to come out of his home...how can he see his shadow? In Des Moines, we have been enjoying beautiful weather all week! Now, I understand that the first day of Spring is still a month away, but how can I not be hopeful with the thought of high temps all week. So I bring to you my list: My favorite things about SPRING!
1. The END of Winter. Now, I know I have stated my favorite things about the winter, but my list of things I like about the warmer months is much longer. I think we all can agree that although the snow is pretty and there are so many activities one can do in the winter, the blizzards and ice storms which accompany are not as fun. I love the end of walking through snow to get to class and the weird numb feeling in my ears and nose. I would much rather have the feeling of the warm sun.
2. The Smell of Spring. Spring showers bring May flowers...and the wonderful "just rained" smell. You know what I am talking about, that warm rain in the middle of the day, followed by afternoon sun...that is the best smell in the entire world. And if you have no idea what  I am talking about, wait until April after an afternoon rain. Go outside and smell the freshness of the air. You might die.
3. Speaking of the rain...Flowers! Actually just greenness in general. We have gone through about 5 months of dreary gray skies, bare trees, and muddy snowy ground. Give me something with color! I cannot wait to see buds on trees and small green stems sprouting out from the ground. That is the true sign that spring has sprung.
4. RELAYS... Now I am a bit bias on this one, but because I attend Drake, I understand that Spring semester revolves around one thing...Drake Relays. However, this is also a time of heat, sunshine, alumni and huge party tents behind each of Drake staple bars. I mean it wouldn't be Relays without the Peggy's Relays tent taking up the entire back parking lot. It especially wouldn't be Relays without that tent being filled to capacity. When Relays time rolls around, there is just a sense of being outside in wonderful weather.
5. 3 months until my favorite season: SUMMER! The beginning of Spring means we are all one step closer to swimsuit season. Although Spring is nice and all,  I really appreciate Summer for the blistering heat waves and humidity. But like my Mom always says, "You never have to shovel the heat."

So, next time you are hating on you current situation, think of what is to come...you are just one step closer to something better.

The Brightside of a Blizzard

While still on my spree of happiness, I have decided to look at Des Moines' current blizzard warning in a positive light. While snowstorms are bitterly cold and blustery, I have decided to compile a list of the wonderful things about the snow. Now, many people out there hate the snow with a passion, my mother included, but life in Iowa is not complete without an unpredictable winter. Now to my list:
The Top Five Things I Love about the Snow
1. It is just downright pretty.  The way it falls from the sky on a windless day...it looks like God is spread snow from a saltshaker. It is like living in a snow globe. It lightly dusts tree branches and rooftops in the most beautiful of ways. No man could ever throw snow a gracefully. Definitely one of the most dazzling wonders of life.
2. Snowmen. The only type of man a girl needs in her life is made of snow. Not only will he never break your heart, you can mold him to be the perfect snowman. But on a more serious note, who doesn't love building a good snowman? Most children live for the day when there is just enough snow to build the first snowman of the season. The possibilities are endless as to the detail a child could put into his/her snowman. From the most basic to the most elaborate, building a snowman is a great way to enjoy the winter months.
3. Going Sledding. On the topic of being outside during the coldest time of the year, sledding (or any other outdoor physical activity) is a great way to stay warm. What is there not to love about slide down a huge hill, spinning around, and crashing at the bottom? I dare you to think of something, because there isn't. AND you can never be too old to go sledding. I will never forget the time my Dad took my brother and me to go sledding. My brother and I were young, but my Dad was not. We had been sledding for a good bit of time, when my Dad decided it was his turn. So, he hopped on my sled and I pushed him down. Now, if you have ever seen a car accident in an action film, you probably can guess what happened next. Dad crashed, and he crashed hard. I laughed, until I realized he has shattered my sled. I was devastated. Although he promptly purchased me a replacement, I have never been able to forget the time my Dad forgot he was an adult.
4. That warm feeling you get after you come in from outside in the winter, curling up with a good book and hot cocoa, and just relaxing. It might just be the best feeling in the world.
5. SNOWDAYS. What every single person in the Midwest dreams of. Without snow, there would be no snowdays. Period.

Well, I hope this has you thinking about snow in a different light. And the next time you hear of a big blizzard on the way, don't dread it, embrace it
Be warm and, as always, stay on the bright side : )

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

Where to begin? I ask this to myself almost every morning. Usually, it doesn't lead to much, but I think this time could be different. Blogging is a great way to express yourself, even if you think no one is listening. AND being a senior in my last semester of college, I figure why not start now! So here we go!

I named my blog "Thoughts from the Bright Side" for many reasons. Firstly, I believe that there is too much talk out there which involves negative or depressing news. So I can promise you I will try to make this blog the most uplifting piece of work I can (key word: TRY...but I will try to warn the world if I'm on a rampage.) I just feel like there is not enough happiness being shared in the world today, so I will try to contribute as much as I can.

Before I get to the happiness, I should share a little bit about my life. I am a senior at Drake University in Des Moines, majoring in accounting. After graduation, I will join John Deere's accounting team. I feel very blessed to have a job in this economy. I have lived in Iowa all of my life, and have learned to love harsh winters; Des Moines is getting hammered with snow as we speak. I really enjoy reading, as well as watching movies and relaxing at home with my friends. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and group friends. They are my support group, and I would not be where I am today without them. I am sure I will be able to share more with you as time goes on. But that is all I have for you tonight!

Be blessed and, as always, stay on the bright side   : )