I should write tomorrow, but I've been itching to write for weeks and tonight as I plopped down on my couch at 11:45pm after another long day of orientation, I realized that the processor in me wouldn't let me sleep until I could write out my thoughts.
We are in full swing orienting the class of 2016 to Belmont University (and maybe some c/o '15 and '14 in there too)! We have 8 iterations of orientation throughout the month of June and these past two weeks we have completed 5 of them (if you count tomorrow in that). I am officially flying solo and putting that hard earned M.S.E. to work!
While I have yet to spend a weekend in Nashville (wedding season, Birmingham and Evansville editions), I have managed to acquire a bookshelf, bed, couch, table, chairs, entertainment center, TV, and a bike.
In my running world, I started marathon training at the beginnng of last week (Chicago!).
Kelsey booked a flight to come to Nashville! And while all this is enough of an update, today was something of a historic day for me.
Like I said I'm flying solo leading the Orientation Council and our days begin early. This week was our longest week and, being Thursday, we were all feeling it. This morning we began at 6:45am. We circle up to check in, update one another, pray, and head out. (That feels like days ago at this point!) We registered 200 students and their guests and put on programs and presentations all day long. At lunch I spent time with a family from Southern Florida. At the parent reception? Folks from Arizona and Northern Indiana. I learned more in depth backgrounds of my student staff and managed to give warm smiles and patient directions to countless new students (where does that energy come from? God is good). I led a campus clues presentation after dinner, watched students form their own music circle on the quad after advising sessions, and helped put on a late night food and music mixer. Devon came by to show his sweet support and our staff, while tired, still put on an excellent dance show.
Days like these (the full ones) are so wonderful and so exhausting. I rode my new bike to and from work and spent so many steps around campus reflecting on this day but also all the days that led to this one.
My own Belmont experience seems so long ago, but so meaningful. Somewhere between the hugs, connections, directions, explanations, walks, talks, problem solving, and communicating, I realized that I do what I do because I LOVE this time of life. I love that four years in college can change someone far more than four years normally do. I love that transition is so hard and so rewarding. I love the potential and excitement that new students exude. I love being able to be in a place that fosters exploration and growth for my career. What a day, what a week... What a special month this is.
