SMC Wedding!

I attended an SMC wedding this past weekend - what a wonderful affair! Em is one of my very best friends from SMC, despite being a year older. She married her high school sweetheart and fellow SMC grad, Andy. Both Em and Andy are Resident Directors at St. Mike's - they are just the best couple!

It was so much fun to reconnect with Em, Andy, their families and other SMC friends at the beautiful event. Enjoy the photos!

The beaufitul bride and her dad - I didn't take this picture - I was too welled up with tears!
The happy couple!

SURPRISE!!

Yes faithful blog readers, I'm the newest SMC Admissions Counselor!

I'm still finishing up my VISTA year down in Middlebury but when my service ends I'll be moving back up to Burlington to work for the Saint Michael's College Office of Admission, traveling, meeting with prospective students, reading applications and so much more that I can't even begin to guess. I am PUMPED.

So, fear not, I have not disappeared - just moved on to bigger and better things!!

Giving Back...

Every Tuesday I go over to the local nursing home to spend time with a few of the residents - I had initially wanted to crochet with an elderly resident who might like to have some company, but I've become more like the visitor of the day, going around and visiting various ladies, talking about crochet projects, nursing home happenings, my life and wheeling them from place to place. I love being able to spend a little time during my work day with a totally different population than I am used to.

Today was BINGO day for the residents - boy did they all get excited about that! The activities lady wheeled out a little cart of prizes and drew about 20 of the elderly residents. It was so much fun to sit with them as they played - they were all so happy and excited!

As you know, St. Mike's is where I really started with my passion for service, but oddly enough, the movie UP was one of my motivations for wanting to volunteer at this nursing home. When I watched the movie I cried my eyes out when thinking of the poor old man without his wife, so I was motivated to try to make a difference in an elderly person's life. I hope I am succeeding!

Farmer's Market!

One of the things that I love about Burlington in the summer is the weekly Burlington Farmer's Market, held in City Hall Park.

The famer's market is so Burlington - very eclectic, friendly, fun, local and fresh. Today, I bought a loaf of delicious 3-grain bread, some local cheese and a root beer float with locally made ice cream and locally made root beer. I also met another crocheter who was selling her adorable creations, eyed a beautiful handcrafted ring, and had samples galore!

In addition to the farmer's market, this weekend is the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, with events taking place all over Burlington. There was some awesome music as we perused the farmer's market, and there are many more events throughout the week.

Burlington is great during the summer - I hope you have a chance to come visit and experience it for yourself!

Congratulations SMC Class of 2010!

Happy Graduation Day SMC Class of 2010!

One of the things that I love about SMC is how connected everyone remains to the school. My newsfeed on facebook was filled with well wishes for the class of 2010 in so many other people's statuses. Graduation day is one that unites everyone who is a part of the SMC community.

I'm pumped for all of my friends from the class of 2010 for everything that lies ahead for them - welcome to the life of an SMC alum!

23 Big Ones

Yes blog readers, it's true. I'm officially 23 years old. How did I grow up so fast??

23 is definitely another age where I felt like I should feel much older on my birthday. I clearly remember turning 10 and expecting to feel some sort of impact of the double digits. Same with 18, and again with 21. 23 also seems important to me because it is the first "post-college and into the real world" age.

23 has treated me well so far - my co-workers got me beautiful boquet of purple tulips, my parents and Emily got me a lovely vase of Gerbera daisies and mums and my roommate, Rachel, got me a potted daffodil. Spring has to be on its way with all of these flowers brightening up my desk at work and table at home!

LEAP lovin'

Open Up the Sky!

LEAP - March 2010

As I mentioned in my last post, I was on team for LEAP this past weekend. It was great to get back into the SMC community through LEAP, which is something that truly defined my experience at St. Mike's. I gave the mission talk on the weekend, which is the last talk on Sunday and acts as a closing of the weekend and an encouragement for the future. I was very pleased with how my talk went and how it was received. My fellow blogger, Christine, was a candidate on the weekend and wrote a wonderful blog about it - check it out!!

One really great thing about the weekend is that it is very filled with song - and on Sunday, everyone gets a copy of the "LEAP CD," which includes all of the songs used on the weekend. Our theme song was called "Open Up the Sky" by FFH and my own song that I chose for my talk was called "Free to be Me" by Francesca Battistelli. I have been listening to the CD a lot since coming back from the weekend...it's a wonderful reminder of this great experience!

I'm back at work this week, but I was able to head up to a meeting in Montpelier, VT yesterday, which was great. After the meeting was over I was able to browse through town a little (and find a yarn shop of course!) before making my way back to Middlebury. I really enjoy the part of my job that allows me to visit different colleges througout the state for meetings - it's a great way to see my home state and learn about the diverse institutions in it!