Sitting here tonight in my hotel room, the last night in Seattle, I started thinking about how we spent our nights during the conference. Every single night we drank alcohol!
Towards the end of my college career (and a little after), I spent a lot of time enjoying smaller parties with alcoholic beverages. However, around the time I turned 25 I stopped drinking as much. Sure, I would have a drink here or there, but I really didn't drink much at all. But, when I started working in Admissions, I noticed that every time there is a conference going all, they serve LOTS of alcohol and it's like I'm in college again!
It all started last year when I attended the WACAC Conference in San Diego. We stayed out to the wee hours of the night hanging out in the gas lamp and having everything we wanted from the bar... for free. Then, I went to the Summer Institute at UC Santa Cruz and our nights were spent like new college freshman... playing drinking games. Then I went to NACAC in Austin, Texas and every night we had a party to attend that served free alcohol! That was just last year!
This year we had the WACAC Legislative Conference in Sacramento, WACAC in Las Vegas, User Group Conference in Portland, Maine and then NACAC in Seattle... it was a repeat of last year, but in new locations!
I really do attend all of these conferences for professional development. And, I believe that the majority of others do as well. But, why do they serve us unlimited amounts of alcohol for free? It's crazy! Haha... I can't wait until I find out the bill for the California Suite Party that a bunch of California universities threw here in Seattle (and every year)... I had never seen so much alcohol consumed... and by High School Counselors and Admission Counselors.
Just my thoughts - we're supposed to be learning, but a lot of alcohol is consumed during these conferences.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I Love Seattle
Who would have ever thought that I would love a city that is known for it's rain?
I had never been to Seattle without rain, and this trip has been a great introduction to sunny weather in Seattle. I know it doesn't happen very often, but it was wonderful! But, that got me thinking... even when it was pouring rain, I still loved this city!
I can't describe why I like it, but I do. It's a great city - it reminds me of San Francisco, but much cleaner! It's a nice city with new things around every corner. There are seasons here, which means that you get to see all of the colors of the leaves. And, from what I've experienced, the people here are really nice.
I don't think I would mind moving to this area. I don't know if that would ever happen, but I don't think I would mind.
I had never been to Seattle without rain, and this trip has been a great introduction to sunny weather in Seattle. I know it doesn't happen very often, but it was wonderful! But, that got me thinking... even when it was pouring rain, I still loved this city!
I can't describe why I like it, but I do. It's a great city - it reminds me of San Francisco, but much cleaner! It's a nice city with new things around every corner. There are seasons here, which means that you get to see all of the colors of the leaves. And, from what I've experienced, the people here are really nice.I don't think I would mind moving to this area. I don't know if that would ever happen, but I don't think I would mind.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
I'm Exhausted!
I am exhausted!!!
I have been in Seattle, Washington for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference since Wednesday. I have only been here three days, it's been exhausting!
During the days we're getting up to go to sessions and hear speakers on many issues regarding College Admission and Counseling. Then, at night we've had parties and socials to attend to network with others in the profession. So, last night I got back to the hotel room at around 2:30am and was in my first session this morning at 8am! I'm exhausted! I have a few hours of freedom right now, but then it's on to the next party at the Experience Music Project.
Don't get me wrong... this conference is great and I have a great time every time. The sessions are great and I totally see myself taking all of these things that I've learned back to the office. And the parties are great because everything is free and I get to meet so many great people. But... I can't wait until I can go back to normal life and have my regular 8-5 job because right now I'm exhausted!
I have been in Seattle, Washington for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference since Wednesday. I have only been here three days, it's been exhausting!
During the days we're getting up to go to sessions and hear speakers on many issues regarding College Admission and Counseling. Then, at night we've had parties and socials to attend to network with others in the profession. So, last night I got back to the hotel room at around 2:30am and was in my first session this morning at 8am! I'm exhausted! I have a few hours of freedom right now, but then it's on to the next party at the Experience Music Project.
Don't get me wrong... this conference is great and I have a great time every time. The sessions are great and I totally see myself taking all of these things that I've learned back to the office. And the parties are great because everything is free and I get to meet so many great people. But... I can't wait until I can go back to normal life and have my regular 8-5 job because right now I'm exhausted!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Two Weeks in One Suitcase!
Today I left for Seattle and won't be back home until Sunday, October 5! That's the longest I've been away from home. And, what makes it worse is that I am not traveling with anyone for most of this time. No Maverick :-( I'm with a few co-workers, but only for a few days while we are attending a conference. Then, they all leave Saturday/Sunday and I still have a week by myself!
Have you ever packed for 2 weeks? and tried to fit it in only one suitcase? That's right, I had to pack two weeks worth of clothing in one suitcase because the other suitcase that I still had to pay extra for was already reserved to hold my materials for college fairs (viewbooks, inquiry cards, etc.) That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do because I had to pack for professional dress and colder weather. That's right... it's currently raining in Seattle. I thought I would finally get to experience this great city with sun, but unfortunately I was wrong. But that's okay... I still love this city, even during the gloomy times.
So, back to packing for two weeks. It's hard! All of my clothing is now very wrinkled. And the thing that makes this even harder is that there are two times during this trip that I have to pack up those dirty clothes because I have to get on another plan to go to another city. On Tuesday I fly to Spokane, Washington and then on Thursday I fly to Portland, Oregon. And then finally I get to fly home on Sunday, October 5.
I'm sure I'm going to have fun during this trip, but right now I'm exhausted and I can't wait to go home!
Have you ever packed for 2 weeks? and tried to fit it in only one suitcase? That's right, I had to pack two weeks worth of clothing in one suitcase because the other suitcase that I still had to pay extra for was already reserved to hold my materials for college fairs (viewbooks, inquiry cards, etc.) That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do because I had to pack for professional dress and colder weather. That's right... it's currently raining in Seattle. I thought I would finally get to experience this great city with sun, but unfortunately I was wrong. But that's okay... I still love this city, even during the gloomy times.
So, back to packing for two weeks. It's hard! All of my clothing is now very wrinkled. And the thing that makes this even harder is that there are two times during this trip that I have to pack up those dirty clothes because I have to get on another plan to go to another city. On Tuesday I fly to Spokane, Washington and then on Thursday I fly to Portland, Oregon. And then finally I get to fly home on Sunday, October 5.
I'm sure I'm going to have fun during this trip, but right now I'm exhausted and I can't wait to go home!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Police and Tickets
I'm a big fan of The Adam Carolla Show that is on 97.1 Free FM here in Southern California. He is also syndicated all over the country. So, for example, last week when I was in the Central Valley, I was still able to listen to Adam Carolla, Teresa Strasser and Bald Brian.
If you have never heard the show, I will tell you that Adam rants about everything. He can find a reason to complain about everything and I find it hilarious. One of the things that he rants about is "cops giving out chicken "s" tickets." He has talked about this subject so many times, but it finally got me thinking... it's true. I know that there are great police officers out there that really try to save us from crime, but how come there are so many that spend their time trying to give out tickets?
Here's an example. I live on a street that gets a lot of people driving down it, with a speed limit of 30 mph. Just a few houses down there is a small cross street with a 4-way stop. Almost every day a cop hangs out in different locations giving out tickets to people that don't stop long enough. I've been lucky and have not been given a ticket here, mainly because I know this is a place cops like to give out tickets. My parents have been witness to this too when a cop parked behind their car while visiting and that's where he was hiding to catch people. Maverick and I were walking my parents out saying our good byes and we see the cop parked behind their car with the air conditioner on. All of a sudden he peels out, does a u-turn and starts going something like 50 mph to catch up to a car that didn't stop long enough at the stop sign! That cop was so much more dangerous than someone not stopping long enough!
I'm complaining or ranting about this because when I come home from work every day, I see at least 3 Sheriff or Highway Patrol Cars "hiding" so that they can give out stupid tickets. I see these police officers just in the short time it takes me to get off the freeway and drive home (less than 5 miles). Is it because I live in a nice neighborhood that doesn't see much crime, so this is what they have to do? Giving out tickets to the good people driving home from work or the mom's picking up their kids from school?
I've experienced this "stupid ticket" phenomenon last year and it infuriated me. I turned at a right light, and there was a small sign that said "No Turn On Red" that I never saw. The car in front of me turned on the red light first, but I got a ticket. Was it because I was nice looking and the Sheriff woman knew that I wouldn't fight her or give her a hard time? The guy that turned before me looked like a gangster... did she not pull him over because he looked "scary." That was a $391 ticket! Luckily I took it to court and won the fight and got my money back!
It just really irritates me that so many police officers have to sit around giving out tickets for stupid reasons like this. If you're going to waste your time hiding to give out tickets, why can you sit on the freeways and catch the people that are going 90+ mph weaving in and out of traffic. I see so many of these people everyday on my way to and from work and I have never seen a CHP. I just know that every day when I see these people driving dangerously, I ask, "Where is a cop when you need them?"
Okay, that's my rant of the day =D
If you have never heard the show, I will tell you that Adam rants about everything. He can find a reason to complain about everything and I find it hilarious. One of the things that he rants about is "cops giving out chicken "s" tickets." He has talked about this subject so many times, but it finally got me thinking... it's true. I know that there are great police officers out there that really try to save us from crime, but how come there are so many that spend their time trying to give out tickets?
Here's an example. I live on a street that gets a lot of people driving down it, with a speed limit of 30 mph. Just a few houses down there is a small cross street with a 4-way stop. Almost every day a cop hangs out in different locations giving out tickets to people that don't stop long enough. I've been lucky and have not been given a ticket here, mainly because I know this is a place cops like to give out tickets. My parents have been witness to this too when a cop parked behind their car while visiting and that's where he was hiding to catch people. Maverick and I were walking my parents out saying our good byes and we see the cop parked behind their car with the air conditioner on. All of a sudden he peels out, does a u-turn and starts going something like 50 mph to catch up to a car that didn't stop long enough at the stop sign! That cop was so much more dangerous than someone not stopping long enough!
I'm complaining or ranting about this because when I come home from work every day, I see at least 3 Sheriff or Highway Patrol Cars "hiding" so that they can give out stupid tickets. I see these police officers just in the short time it takes me to get off the freeway and drive home (less than 5 miles). Is it because I live in a nice neighborhood that doesn't see much crime, so this is what they have to do? Giving out tickets to the good people driving home from work or the mom's picking up their kids from school?
I've experienced this "stupid ticket" phenomenon last year and it infuriated me. I turned at a right light, and there was a small sign that said "No Turn On Red" that I never saw. The car in front of me turned on the red light first, but I got a ticket. Was it because I was nice looking and the Sheriff woman knew that I wouldn't fight her or give her a hard time? The guy that turned before me looked like a gangster... did she not pull him over because he looked "scary." That was a $391 ticket! Luckily I took it to court and won the fight and got my money back!
It just really irritates me that so many police officers have to sit around giving out tickets for stupid reasons like this. If you're going to waste your time hiding to give out tickets, why can you sit on the freeways and catch the people that are going 90+ mph weaving in and out of traffic. I see so many of these people everyday on my way to and from work and I have never seen a CHP. I just know that every day when I see these people driving dangerously, I ask, "Where is a cop when you need them?"
Okay, that's my rant of the day =D
Monday, September 15, 2008
Craziness after travel
Today was my first day back to the office after being away for just five business day. All I can say is that it is crazy coming back to work after just a few days. I had over 20 voicemails to return, new projects to take care of and still more intern training and paperwork! It's a good thing that I was checking email while I was out of town because if not, I would have had over a hundred emails to response to as well!
I love getting out of the office and visiting students... but I never look forward to going back to work. Don't get me wrong... I really like being with my co-workers, but it seems as though the make-up work never ends after I'm out of the office.
I think I'm going to do a little work tonight from home and hopefully I'll be all caught up before I go on my next trip to the Pacific Northwest next week... and this time I'm going to be gone for almost two weeks!!
I love getting out of the office and visiting students... but I never look forward to going back to work. Don't get me wrong... I really like being with my co-workers, but it seems as though the make-up work never ends after I'm out of the office.
I think I'm going to do a little work tonight from home and hopefully I'll be all caught up before I go on my next trip to the Pacific Northwest next week... and this time I'm going to be gone for almost two weeks!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Annual Clean-Up Day
It is times like this that I realize how much of an adult I am now. Today was our trash company's annual clean-up day and they took away EVERYTHING we didn't want for free! So, last night Maverick and I cleaned out our garage and got rid of a couch, a few chairs, a reclining chair and some e-waste. We've been wanting to clean out our garage for a while, but we just haven't had time... plus, how were we going to get rid of the junk? This annual clean-up day is great and I'm going to look forward to it every year. haha... I am such an adult.
But hey... the garage now has space and I can almost park my car in the garage. We got rid of the things we didn't want last night, but I didn't say we organized. Maybe today...
But hey... the garage now has space and I can almost park my car in the garage. We got rid of the things we didn't want last night, but I didn't say we organized. Maybe today...
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