Halfway

It’s hard to believe that I’m home already – it’s only the first week of May!  You see, this time a year ago, I was packing up to head to Europe for two weeks.  So I wasn’t truly home for summer until the end of May.  This is a first for me!

Leaving school yesterday was full of “last times.”  It was the last time I would be in DeHority as a resident; the last time I will ever have an actual roommate; the last time I’ll be living on campus; the last time I’ll have to spend a meal in the dining halls; and more.

My cousin, Allison, graduated this year - I met up
with her during my Jr. Marshal duties at Commencement 2012

I spent most of the day Saturday volunteering as a Junior Marshal for the commencement festivities.  First, I worked with the main university commencement bright and early, helping to set up, pass out programs, and make sure graduates got where they needed to be.  Then, I moved to the Miller College of Business ceremony at noon.  This time, I was actually assigned to work with a faculty member and a department (mine was Accounting).  It was more fun to do the business ceremony, because I actually knew several of the graduates.  Of course, I couldn’t help but think about how that will be me in just two years!

Two years…gosh, that means I’m halfway through my college career already.  The last two years have literally changed my life.  I am nowhere near the same person I was when I graduated high school.  But I suppose that’s one of the greatest parts of college:  not only do you learn and receive higher education, you also learn and grow as a person too.

Just this year, I’ve accomplished so much.  Take a look back through my blog posts and you’ll read about how BSU beat IU at Lucas Oil Stadium, how I finally went to the Learning Center for help with Stats and ended up with a job (and an A!), how I attended a luncheon with the CEO of Pepsi, how I felt like an honored guest at the Alumni Awards Dinner, how I’ve spent my time on Immersive Learning projects this year, and how I danced in, not one, but two ballroom competitions.

I am so happy to be where I am today.  I’ve truly been blessed with a wonderful university, an incredible boyfriend, beautiful friends, and a great family.  For what more could I ask?  It’s been an incredible year and I’m so glad I got to share it all with you!

For those of you wondering, I’ll be in my hometown this summer, working and saving up some money.  Next year, I’ll be returning to Ball State and living in an apartment with three of my best girls.  I’m beyond excited to begin my junior year and get started in more classes within my major!

Even though I won’t be returning as a blogger for Ball State next year, I’ll still be keeping a blog – you can follow it here:

http://nicole-dancingthroughlife.blogspot.com

For those of you still finishing up school, good luck!  Thank you so much for keeping up with me the past couple years; it’s been a pleasure to share my experiences with you.  Have a wonderful summer!!

When A Door Closes

Believe it or not, this week marks the end of an amazing summer. It's gone by so quickly. With my jobs, dance, and new friends, this summer is probably one of the best I've ever had.

It feels like so much is coming to an end so quickly. My last dance classes were Wednesday evening; I am going to miss my little (and big!) dancers so much.  It came as a surprise when my summer dance team suddenly disbanded a couple weeks ago. It’s strange to me that we've already had our last practice, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to dance with those girls!

This weekend was also the end of my summer job, for a couple months anyway. It may sound strange, but I actually liked my job. It's been exciting to learn something new each day and to interact with customers and other associates.  I have really enjoyed it!

I’ve had so many great opportunities this summer that I hadn’t thought would be possible, like traveling to Europe for instance.  Watching those doors close is a bit overwhelming…

But my light at the end of the tunnel is going back to Ball State. It feels just as much like home to me as my real home. I'm most excited to see my friends I've missed so much this summer. I'm ready to go back to CRU, ballroom dancing, MCOB activities, and football games. I'm even looking forward to dorm rooms, dining halls, and new classes (only a little).  Plus, there are so many new experiences awaiting me that I don’t even know about yet!

So you see, as disheartening as the end of summer can be, there is still so much to look forward to in the fall.  You know, they say when a door closes, a window is opened somewhere else.  Things are changing, but in the most exciting ways!  Don't worry though, I'll still be Dancing Through Life. You can count on that!

Less Than A Month

For most college students, school starts in less than a month. We will all be heading to our respective universities in a flurry of packing, moving, and unpacking. There will be some tears and much celebration. One life gets left behind, while another is just beginning.

Many of you are excitedly preparing for your first year of college. And if you’re not excited, you should be! I won’t waste time telling you how awesome that first year is, because you can read the rest of my blog for that. But I will share a story with you…

Last night, a friend of mine texted me with a question about buying textbooks for school. She has a friend coming to Ball State for their first year and wanted advice about getting books. There are SO many options; it takes awhile to figure out what works best for you.

My first semester, I made the mistake of buying all my books from the school bookstore – if you want to spend more money than you have to, do it that way. Honestly, it was much easier, but not really worth the expense. The next time around, I took the time to research the best price, saving myself around $200. Finding used books or rentals is really the best way to go. Unless you plan to keep your books, RENT THEM! My personal preferences are Chegg.com and Amazon, and the BSU bookstore when necessary.

Of course, those are just my thoughts on the matter. Maybe some upperclassmen readers can give us their advice? Ultimately though, you just have to figure out what works best for YOU.

Learn Something New

Every day. That’s how often I’ve learned something this summer. No, it’s not like the learning I do on campus, but it’s learning nonetheless. It’s also just as important. I feel like everything I take part in and everyone I meet teaches me something. I’ve never had such a desire to learn as I do this summer!

Studying abroad taught me so much about Europe because I was actually experiencing it. Then the process of creating my class project showed me more of what I want from my future. This trip is likely what jumpstarted my desire to learn for the rest of the summer.

The tiny dancers I’ve taught at the studio reveal to me why I love teaching dance. The young men and women I met during Faith’s wedding have shown me what strength in your faith can do. I’m learning new dance routines through the team I joined and soon will be teaching classes again. Every day I work, I learn something new – there is so much to learn there!

I learn from my mother, who reveals life lessons to me and her secrets for finding medical solutions. I learn from my father, especially when he’s explaining to me how to noodle a snapping turtle. My sister will always be able to teach me something because of her spirit and passion for life.

My friends from my Bible study are spending their summers working for the Lord and, at the same time, encouraging me on my walk with Him. Especially the sweet girl I’ve been communicating with this summer, also from my B’stud; her heart and excitement is so encouraging to me!

The young man I met at work inspires me with his positive attitude and radiant joy. Every day we work together, I walk away in awe of the spirit I see in him. Each week at church, I learn something and every day during my quiet time, I learn something.

Sometimes the things I learn break my heart for the world around me and sometimes they bring me joy. No matter what I’m learning, though, I’ve realized that there is always something new to discover. Someone will always know a little bit more than you, no matter how much you think you’ve got it together.

This summer has already been one of the best I’ve ever had. It seems there is something to learn everywhere I look. They always say, “Learn something new every day.” What will I learn today? What will YOU learn today?

Happy.

Tonight, my sister was teasing me about how giggly I’ve been lately (and sometimes, down in the dumps on rainy days). She insists it’s because of a boy that I may or may not have a crush on, but what she doesn’t realize is that, these days, my entire life makes me happy.

My new job is going swimmingly – I love it! Next week, I have been ensured more hours since I have a mediocre 8 this week. I am honestly disappointed in my lack of hours this week, because I actually like working. Sometimes I feel like a little girl having too much fun on the cash registers, because I love it so much. It’s great, and I can’t wait to spend more time working next week.

Another highlight of my life at the moment is the fact that I will (finally) be finishing up my study abroad project this week! Hooray!! It is coming together quite well, just so you know. I have a feeling I will be very proud of the finished product. I am still amazed that it has now been a month since we returned from Europe; most days, it still feels like a dream.

This past weekend, my best friend from high school got married, and the happy couple is celebrating on their honeymoon as we speak. I am so happy for her, because she has truly found the right guy for her. Plus, it was a beautiful wedding and reception. I am honored to have been part of the wedding party and to have made some awesome new friends!

This summer also finds me dancing again! I’ve realized that dance is an inescapable part of me and that resistance is futile. So I have joined a local dance team that performs at semi-pro football games during the summer. The girls are fantastic dancers and were kind enough to let me join them. Practice feels so good, even if I am super sore the next day. Who knows, maybe I’ll get back in shape this summer!

Summer is also allowing me the opportunity to grow in ways I never could have imagined. Last year, I experienced the greatest form of forgiveness and consequently realized there are many people in my life to whom I owe forgiveness. Holding on to those grudges has only led to misery; letting go of that pain is a rush of freedom. Facing those memories again isn’t an easy task, but opening my heart up to forgiveness (on both sides) allows healing.

It feels like this summer is a time for me to start fresh. There are new people in my life, and this time, I want to do things differently. Already these relationships are founded in something more unyielding, longer lasting. I am growing in my spirituality and feel a renewed strength in my faith each day. This summer has been so refreshing for me – I feel more like myself than ever.

So, that is why I am so happy.


A beautiful bride and her bridesmaids (minus one) on her wedding day!

Days Since Europe

After one of my most productive days all summer, I feel super inspired to write a blog. The problem is, I really have nothing significant to write about, except what I’ve been doing in the days since Europe. You see, now that I’ve been to Europe, it’s all I can think about. How incredible my trip was, when I can (hopefully) go back, how soon I can print pictures… Besides that, having been to Europe suddenly gives you something in common with a LOT more people in the world. It’s been incredible. All I have to do is mention my trip and off they go: where they went in Europe, how long they were gone, what they saw, and what they wished they had seen. It’s not like I am annoyed by it, really; actually, I find it quite interesting. Who would have thought that something like a similar vacation (or study abroad) spot would yield so many conversations?

What I’ve been up to since Europe revolves around two things: my best friend from high school’s wedding and the studio’s dance recital. As soon as I got home, I was sucked into bridal shower planning, which is awesome because I have met so many incredible young women through this process. Seriously, by the time vows are said at this wedding, these girls and I will be forever friends.

I was also immediately recruited to help with dance recital, mainly because I want to teach classes at the studio this summer. What I wasn’t planning on was being drafted into three numbers of the performance! So I quickly choreographed a dance, learned another, and pulled a third from my long-term memory. This week has been full of rehearsals, since the recital is this weekend. Honestly, I am looking forward to it, since I’ve missed spending time with the little ones and dancing with them. And guess who’s teaching this summer? That’s right, this girl has a clogging and tap class PLUS a ballroom and swing class! Yes!

My productivity today started off right when I received a job offer first thing this morning – finally! Then I had a successful shopping trip for last-minute recital costumes. My evening has been spent working on my individual project for our study abroad class (told you Europe has completely consumed me!). It is coming along quite nicely, though I am looking forward to having it all done.

Tomorrow, my sister finishes middle school with an 8th grade Graduation ceremony. It’s hard to believe she will be going to high school in the fall. I am so very proud of her though. They say you follow in the footsteps of your siblings, but Jessica has far surpassed me already! Her intelligence, leadership skills, and initiative never cease to amaze me.

The process of writing out my busy schedule has shown me how much this summer already holds for me. Add Europe to the mix and the mystery of the next two months, and I have a feeling this will truly be a summer to remember…

Finally

My roommate, Becca, got a calendar for me at Christmas that has the Eiffel Tower on it. The French script on the cover reads “Nous irons dimanche,” which translates to “We will go Sunday.” Every day it gets closer and closer to Sunday, May 8th I cannot stop thinking,
“Nous irons dimanche…”

For those of you who don’t already know, this Sunday I will be leaving for Europe on a two-week field study. Yes, Europe. FINALLY!!!!! I’ll be going with the Miller College of Business from Ball State. We will spend the two weeks travelling between Rome, London, and Paris. I have a feeling this is going to be the most amazing two weeks of my life.

It’s not all fun and games though. We each have individual projects to work on while we are there, because we are getting course credit for the trip. Our group has been meeting all semester (a mostly great group of honors business students, I’ll have you know) in preparation for the trip. We are also going to be visiting local businesses in each city, which is an excellent opportunity to observe international business.

For me, though, it is mostly fun – even with my project. My idea is to focus on entrepreneurship in Europe, specifically dance studios in London. This is so interesting to me, because it is so relevant to my major and plans for my future. I’m especially excited to be immersed in my major so early; I can’t wait to share my final project with you!

Also, I’ve officially finished my freshman year of college! My last finals and move out were on Wednesday. It’s nice to be home, if only for a few days before jetting off to Europe. Be on the lookout for new posts the next couple weeks. Yours truly has been asked to continue blogging this summer and next year, as well! I am looking forward to continue sharing my college experience with you!!