Camping this weekend at the lake

So here I am at work doing nothing. It's not that I have nothing to do, I am just incredibly lazy right now and really don't want to be here.

On a more positive note, I had a great weekend and am looking forward to this upcoming weekend when I will get the chance to hang out with my girlfriends at the lake. We will have all the time in the world (and hopefully all the sun in the world) on Saturday as we camp out on the shores of Boyd Lake. I was really hoping to go with some co-workers to Mt. Bierstadt on Sunday, as they are traveling 1/2 the way up and then coming down (there are some that won't be able to make it to the summit), but alas, I cannot do everything.

This last weekend was a ton of fun! My BF Michael was best man to his brother Bobby. Bobby married his girlfriend of about 2 years on Saturday. They are just so happy together! They were married at a small church in Fountain, a town just south of Colorado Springs. They had a small wedding (only about 80-100 people) and had their reception at the VFW.

I am now at the age when everyone and their brother is getting married, and despite the frequency (I go to a wedding about every 4-6 months now), I love weddings and everything about them. Sometimes I think about wedding planning as a potential carreer path! I think I would be a pretty good wedding planner or assistant to the planner as long as I have learned a thing or two about what it takes to plan things like that.

I will get my shot someday (to plan my own wedding) but for now, I will focus in on helping my cousin Megan, as I am her maid of honor for her wedding next summer. I have paid close attention to the various things she is eyeing such as the kinds of flowers she wants to have in her bouquet, her bridesmaids bouquets, in the centerpieces, etc. She is also still trying to chose the colors of her wedding. I have accompanied her to one dress fitting session, and plan on accompanying her more to these types of events.

I myself need to loose some weight! I really don't want the pictures from my cousin's wedding to show me flabby and out of shape! I think this might just be the semester to accomplish that goal. I want to do it not only to feel better about myself, but to FEEL better physically. Lately, I have been feeling a bit slow. It takes me longer to go up a flight of stairs, and I get winded! Kinda scary. I am 26 years old. I need to start taking care of myself physically.

Anyway, yeah yeah yeah, weddings are my thing- and hanging out with my girls. What's better than roasting marshmellows in an open fire in the heat of the summer night? Sounds like a perfect weekend just ahead!

-E

Thank the Lord

Throughout my life, I have not been an extremely religious person. I was raised Catholic, but was encouraged to educate myself about other beliefs and religions. Today I am comfortable calling myself a Christian. I am happy to have a personal relationship with my lord and savior Jesus Christ. He (I know it sounds cliche) truly is My Rock.

Lately, I have thought a lot about the different things in my life that I have... A great boyfriend, a dog that absolutely loves the crap out of me, a loving and supportive family, a progressing education, and a good job. Oh! I also have some of the most amazing friends a girl could ever ask for. I treasure my life and the lives of others around me tremendously. And it's not until one of those things is almost taken away from you when you begin to realize how lucky you really are for having it in your life.

On Tuesday of this week, I received a voice mail from my boyfriend of almost 3 years. Michael had called and told me he had been in a bad car accident. As I listened to his voice mail, I felt my stomach begin to churn. He had hit a guy that ran a red light. He said he was okay, but knowing my BF, I knew that it could be way worse (he tends to downplay some scenarios, which I think is pretty typical of most men).

I was in class (my new Social Networks class) when I received the call on our lunch break. My class is in session Tuesdays only from 8:30am-4"ish"pm. Knowing that each hour is essentially a whole class period, I knew I could not leave. I would just have to walk back into the room to finish class for the rest of the day and do my best to keep my mind off of the accident.

I really didn't know much from briefly talking to him that afternoon. He told me he was okay and that he only got 1st and 2nd degree chemical burns on his left forearm from the airbag deploying. Still, I was worried. Luckily, the topics we cover in class are really interesting to me, and it was easier than I thought to keep my focus on my academics for the day.

Class let out early. I hurried up to my bike, which was parked in the computer lab in the adjacent building at school. I knew Michael would be home as he said the only thing he had to do after the accident was go to the Auraria Campus Medical Center to have his arm checked out. So, I petaled my little heart out heading home. When I walked in the door, I was (as always) almost knocked down by Otis, my psycho Australian Cattle dog/Rottweiler mix.

I called for Michael to see if he was home. As I set down my bike, Michael appeared from around the corner. He had tears in his eyes. He said he had just gotten home from the Medical Center, and just took Otis out for a walk. I could tell that now he was home, the significance of the event had finally hit him. At that moment, we held each other knowing the accident could have been much much worse than it was.

Often, it's events like these (accidents, etc.) that remind us of how precious life really is. I have been in several car accidents in my life, and have developed a true appreciation for rescue workers and emergency responders. They are really heroes. I am always touched at their ability to calm victims down and speak to them in a way that reassures them and lets them know they will be okay. I know Michael was greeted by these kinds of people just after he crashed... They were there for him when he was scared and shocked.

I have prayed a lot in the last couple of days... Not only for a swift recovery for Michael, but for all those people out there who have been in bad car accidents and may not have been so lucky. I pray that God may comfort them in their time of despair and need, and that they may find solitude in His love, peace and warmth.

...Today I am thankful for the emergency responders of my boyfriends accident, and to God for not taking home just yet... Thank you!

E

New Social Networks Class

Okay, so here goes! I have not blogged since the Apprentice Challenge earlier this year! After an extremely busy Spring semester, I decided to take it easy for a while. I have been obsessed with maintaining my MySpace (I know, I know, some of you may think I have no life, but I promise I am on it mainly in the summer when I have nothing to do at work) and reading a couple books.

I have discovered this about myself in the last few years... I am kinda one of those people who doesn't know how much work is too much, and when to say no! For example, I planned a kinda chill fall semester, but somehow I have already set myself up for volunteering at the Denver Dumb Friends League, interning, completing my math requirement (this is big for me... I am MATH RETARDED) and maintaining my position as president of a student organization here on campus! UGH! Why do I do this to myself? Maybe it's because I take after my father who seems to have the same problem! He is a land development consultant and has a well-established business of his own. My mom says it is easy for him to take on too much at once because he is somewhat of a "specialist" in his industry.

Anyway, I am getting off subject here. For those of you in my social networks class, I just wanted to make an announcement: The Apprentice Challenge will be starting up again this year! They will start recruiting for it in the fall, and will begin the second "Go-around" in Spring of 2009! For those of you who do not know what the heck I am talking about here, The Apprentice Challenge is an AMAZING new program here at Metro State created by the Alumni Association and the staff members of the Metro State Alumni Office (located in 9th street Park). The program has Metro State students participating in community projects that involve helping local businesses achieve short and long-term goals! Essentially, it is "the Apprentice" (TV Show) for academics! No one gets eliminated (they may have different rules this next year though) and everyone works together in groups to complete challenges/projects. It was one of the most valuable things I could have done here at Metro and it truly will help me in the future! I have already noticed how I have benefited from it from doing my volunteer work this summer... I am a better listener, and understand the importance of communicating with teammates. I also made a lot of connections (something we are talking about in class)

Regarding Social Networks class... I am soooo excited about this class! I can't believe how interesting it is already! I have to say, the book ain't bad either... A pretty easy read. I think studying the social networking websites we have chosen will provide us with a new perspective on the topic as well. I am really only familiar with MySpace and Facebook and had no idea how many others there were!

I am looking forward to meeting everyone in the class... I am one of those people who likes to skip around to various seats in class. I have never been the type to really sit in only one spot the whole semester... I enjoy getting to know everyone in the class!

Until next time,

Erin

Be part of THE BOARDROOM and
VOTE for ME!
The 2008 Apprentice!
May 1, 2008~Tivoli Turnhalle~7pm
Purchase tickets at
www.mscd.edu/apprenticechallenge

"THE APPRENTICE" will be named THIS THURSDAY NIGHT!!!

Wow! What an amazing trip this has been. I am so happy with the way things have turned out this semester. I worked hard, kept my head up, and never gave up. I am really proud of myself. I have learned so much too. I have learned that you have to be patient with the process that comes with taking on a lot in your life. You have to have faith that things will get done and that they will work out in time. I am still learning the value of putting forth positive energy and thoughts towards things. I am beginning to see how powerful the human mind really is. It IS TRUE that when you put your mind to it, anything can be accomplished!

I am looking forward to Thursday night. My family and friends will be there to cheer me on... which is more than anyone could ask for. I have the most amazing supporters- everyone including those I work with to those in my classes have encouraged me along the way by asking how things are progressing and letting me know there is a light to the end of the tunnel!
For that, I THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Thank you to Karen Krupar... As my academic mentor, you have inspired me to keep my head up no matter what and to put my best foot forward.

Thank you Wendy Petersen for helping me with school assignments this semester and your words of encouragement... Our conversations have meant a lot to me!

Thank you Dad and Mom for giving me insight when it was most needed and for helping me stay grounded. Thank you for reminding me that life is more than just school. You have taught me to keep in mind the entire picture... to remember that everyone makes an impact in the lives of others no matter how big or small you think you are! You have reminded me of how much I have grown and that I AM a good role model for others. You are the most amazing parents anyone could ask for... I love you soo much!

Thanks to Meg, Pattie and Brynn for giving me "free moments" (those moments when we can just be girls... When our conversation provides laughter and smiles and takes me away from the everyday stress of school and other forms of work) Those"girl" moments have helped me through... They remind me that life is not all work, that it is smiles and fun too!

Most importantly, Thank you Michael. You are the love of my life and my companion. You are my best friend and have been so much more than a shoulder to cry on this semester. You have encouraged me, reassured me, and comforted me the most. Your positive attitude has rubbed off on me. I am so honored to be the girlfriend of one of the bravest, strongest, biggest-hearted veteran on the planet! You ROCK! I love you babe!

I am happy and sad that things are coming to an end. On one hand, I can see how much I will miss our Apprentice Challenge projects, and on the other I will be happy to just have work this summer and just one class!

This program has given me insight into my future. I can now truly see myself working as a professional ...on a team with others who love working together to get things done AND working independently. I can see myself accomplishing great things throughout the rest of school and after graduation. I never imagined the amount of confidence this program has given me. I will take this experience with me forever, and will always be PROUD to be a Metro State ROADRUNNER!

~E~

Will miss Winter, but lookin forward to WARM WEATHER!!!!

So I haven't blogged in a while... I have been working on school projects and getting ready to move. This weekend we (Michael and I) were pretty productive with getting things cleared out and hauled to Goodwill. It's really amazing how much stuff accumulates over about a year or two.
SOOOO...







I AM SELLING MY SKIIS AND BINDINGS(size:180), SKI BOOTS (size: 8 or 8.5) and LARGE WHITE COLUMBIA SNOW PANTS!!! I am keeping my ski poles because I still use them for snowshoeing. If anyone wants these, let me know! The ski pants are going for $20 (I got them last year, they are in great condition, as they have only been used once). The skiis are Elan brand skiis and are about 4 years old... need to be waxed and sharpened. BINDINGS ARE SOLOMAN. Boots, bindings and skiis are going for $50. If anyone is interested, please email me at ekasch@mscd.edu. Thanks!

Anyway, I am selling this stuff because I have used them enough to know that I do not skii on a 180 ski. When I bought them, I thought a 180 would be right, but as it turns out, I ski best on 155's. Plus, I do not get up into the mountains near enough anymore. I only get up there to skii every once in a while, so I would rather rent.

Anyway, speaking of skiing, I had such a blast at Winter Park with my teammates. The ski train was awesome! Ill have to remember that for next year! Poor Noah... He hit his head hard that day several times... I was kinda worried about him. My parents are great skiiers and have told me lots of stories of people needing to be hauled off the mountain from their days of being ski instructors at Breckenridge. I thought Noah was gonna be one of those peeps! I think it was a combination of being dehydrated, hitting his head from falling, and just having tired muscles from learning how to snowboard.

Thats why I skiied at Winter Park rather than learn how to snowboard. I wanted to be able to walk the next day! I give my teammates props though for learning. They all did a great job! Michael also skiied with me that day. We had fun in the morning. While Kaleigh was teaching the group how to snowboard, Michael and I got several runs in all over the regular mountain. I didn't ski Mary Jane in the afternoon because I got separated from Kaleigh and Michael.

As much as I am going to miss the winter, I am really happy it is finally spring! There are flowers blooming all over campus. Every day that it is nice out, I am having an increasingly hard time being indoors to work or do schoolwork. Later this week, my spring fever will really kick in because I am getting my hair done! I am putting a ton of blonde in it! Yay! I am soooo excited! I have never had a whole lot of blonde in my hair... I have had highlights before, but not the whole top of my head. I am planning on leaving brown underneath, and only putting blonde on top! I am kinda nervous about it... but I know it will be a good change! Gotta love those tax returns!

Anyway, I should really get back to my reading. I have a lot of it for my various papers and projects.

Signing off!

E

Start of our 4th and Final project...

Well, well well. We have finally made it to the fourth and final project. (sigh) What a trip it has been! This program has really been more of a challenge than I ever thought. But now that we are almost through, I have realized I am capable of a whole lot in my life.

We had our assignment day just this last Friday. We will be working with the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and the Green Heart Institute to conduct an "Eco Audit". This project will have us working with a local restaurant to evaluate thier impact on the environment. We will also work on proposing ways for them to minimize thier impact using the Eco Audit.

I am learning a lot about sustainability and what it means to "be green". I have to say, I have not really put much thought into being green, but now that I am, I am noticing everyday how much more I want to conserve. For example, I am now paying attention to turning out the lights in my house when I am not using them. I also want to start buying energy-saving light bulbs. I have talked with my boyfriend Michael about the whole thing... He is pretty excited because a lot of what we are doing is right up his alley. Michael is an environmental science major at Metro State. His is a sophomore and is really passionate about helping people and the environment. I have enjoyed our talks about "vertical farms" and what a "carbon footprint" is.

I really feel as though I have grown through this whole process. I have learned that I tend stress about all the little things A LOT! Through out this program, I have learned that there is only so much you can do in a day. The best thing to do is make a "map" of all the things that need to be done in a given day, and then do your best to get JUST THOSE THINGS done. Thats all you can do. I have learned that I am only human, and that there is only one Erin Kasch. I do my best... and that is all I can ask of myself. There is no reason to freak out and stress about things that will get done at a later time.

I read Benjamin's most recent blog today. I think he makes a really good point. Have FUN! Enjoy life. I think sometimes I take things too seriously. I have figured out that I do that because I have already been through a time in my life when I didn't care at all. About 6 years ago, I didn't take anything seriously. Life was just a big party. I was the biggest partier ever, and had absolutely NO DIRECTION in my life. Since then I have developed this "seriousness" I think because I am afraid of what I might be like if I am not serious. I am a naturally free spirit, and have the tendancy to be a crazy scatterbrain from time to time, so lately I tend to be a litte more "unaproachable" or "serious" because I want so badly to make something of myself. I now want to be proud of myself and my accomplishments.

Now I am happy with where I am. I have come so far! I remember when I first decided I wanted to come back to school to finish my bachelors degree. I had about 54 credits that I had transferred into Metro from UNC in Greeley. I remember my first visit to Karen Krupar's office (my advisor and mentor). My first thought after our meeting was "I have a long road ahead of me and it's gonna take forever to get through school". Now I am almost a senior! UGH! Amazing! Time just flies.

I am a proud Metro Student. I have a tremendous love for my school because I have had the most amazing professors and mentors to talk to. There is also something different about the school's environment. Sure, sure, it IS a commuter campus and it can (sometimes) be difficult to get students "plugged in" to the school and all it has to offer but in reality, the campus is the most diverse place in Denver! I enjoy days when I can just sit outside near the flagpole to "people watch". Fashion is the first thing I notice about the students when I sit and watch. So many young people on this campus express themselves through their clothing choices. I like it. I always think to myself "What would this world be like if we didn't have diversity?" ...My dad always said that when I was little, which has taught me to value diversity of all kinds.

Ugh, I am starting to ramble. I should wrap it up!

We have new teams now! Me, Ben, David, Noah and Heidi are a team, while Giedre, Kaleigh, Ashley, Cindy and Chris are a team. We were all suprised to see during project 4 assignment day that they (alumni staff) were going to have us choose our duties and our team randomly out of a hat. We were randomly placed in new teams. With that said, I would like to say "Welcome" to Ben. It is good to have you on the team!

This switch up may be a good change. I know Ben will bring new ideas to the table, which will help us develop new strategies. I usually have a very open mind with regards to change, which is why I think it might be a good thing.

On the other hand, it may not be such a good thing because if we loose this one, Ben will be the only one out of all ten of us that didn't win a single project. If we win project 4, then Kaleigh, Ashley, Chris and Cindy will have lost 4 projects. =( Thinking about this has me thinking it may not be fair the way it ended up. It may have been better to keep us all in our original teams not only because of this, but also because both teams have learned a lot from each other so far. Both teams have developed a trust and cohesiveness with each other regardless of wins and losses.

Oh, well, it is what it is now. We are all moving forward in this last project. I am excited to see my teammates tomorrow. We are meeting up at a new place instead of the typical Starbucks across the street from campus. It will be refreshing to meet somewhere new.

I will end with that. I think spring is beginning to take effect. A new team, new meeting place, new project. Oh! And soon I will have a new house! My boyfriend and I are moving to the fifth floor (east side) of our apartment building in Capitol Hill. Things are changing and evolving all the time... and that change is certainly a good thing!

E

The month of March has just flown by...

Wow! Here we are at the end of another month. In a way I am happy. Things are moving right along (as they should) and there are plenty of changes occurring. On the other hand, I am freaking out! I only have about a month to complete some very big projects for my classes- yikes!

For me, this month began with the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. Lance and I dated for a short time our freshman year of high school, and since then have remained close. He met Kristin shortly after we dated, and they have been together ever since! I think that makes 7-8 years. They are the cutest couple and I couldn't be happier for them. I loved dancing with my dad at the reception. I think thats where I get my dance skills- My mom was also burnin' up the floor (more than I had ever seen) ...to the bee gees of course!

My boyfriend Michael, my mom and dad attended both the wedding and the reception which had a black, white and red theme. The night was such a good little getaway. Throughout the years, I have realized weddings tend to do that- take your mind of anything and everything. The only thing that seems to be is the bride and the groom in all their happiness!

The second week of the month was pretty hectic as usual. I forgot to do my payroll (in IT we have to do our own payroll... I know, you're thinking, "Do your own payroll?" ...I agree- strange concept... I won't get started on this) so I was pretty broke this month. I have worked for MSCD IT for over a year now and still do not understand why each employee has to do their own payroll. I have never had a job like that. Every other job I have had you simply must clock in, and you will receive a paycheck. It's that simple! UGH Whatever.

So anyway, back to this month. St. Patricks Day was really nice. Michael, myself, my baby sister Brynn, her man Zach, my cousin Megan and her fiance Chris went over to my sister Pattie's house. Since we are on the topic of sisters, I'll just clear this up here and now. I have a total of four sisters... Yes that's right folks, my mom had five girls! Now, as you can imagine, this put my dad in an interesting position. I jokingly say to others when the topic comes up that even all the dogs in the house were female from time to time... This of course significantly contributes to the level of tolerance, understanding and patience my dad now has for not just women, but all the bitching, whining, crying, sassing, smart-mouthing things in the world.

Of course, we are all his angels, and if he reads this post he will say we (my sisters and I) are the love of his life and are not... to put it frankly... a royal pain in the rear anymore. What I am talking about here is the significant chunk of time we were in our pre-teen and teenage years- that is enough bitching, whining, crying, sassing and smart-mouthing (from 3 all at once) to really change a person... Its no wonder he really loves our significant others now... The give him an "out" so-to-speak. From time to time my dad will call up Michael and want to know if he would like to go with him to catch some jazz at Dazzle or get a beer at the local pub close to our house.

Easter was also really nice. Michael and I attended church at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception close to our house and then traveled out to southeast Aurora to have dinner with my family. We had baked potatoes and honey baked ham. MMMM... So good. I love my family. I am so happy we are so close in proximity to each other. Even my oldest sister and her family who live in Ft. Collins will be moving to Denver soon, which will put us all within a 30-40 mile radius of each other.

Though that might change when I graduate. I still have this desire to see what another city and state is like. I think the Pacific Northwest is beautiful. If I was offered a job there, I might take it and live there for a few years. Ultimately though, when it comes time to have kids, Michael and I have agreed that wherever we are, we would move back to Colorado to be close not only to my family, but to his as well (Michael's brother and mom live in Colorado Springs and his sister lives in Ft. Collins).

All of this talk about moving reminds me that another very cool thing happened this month. Our apartment building management staff called us up to let us know that a 5th floor apartment on the east side will be opening up. The people who live there currently will be out of their apartment by the end of April and we will be able to move in come early May! I was soooo excited! We have been on the waiting list to get up to floors 5-9 since September of last year. We currently live on the 2nd floor of our building and face the west side. We have a view of the alley and the brick sides of rowhomes directly to the west. We can also see the pool in the back, which is nice, but our apartment is not high enough to get enough light.

My cousin Meg and her fiance Chris moved to the 4th floor early summer of last year. They painted their apartment and get so much more light than ours currently does because they are higher. It really helps their place look so much "homier". My cousin and I are really into plants.
We found from our growing season last year that plants grow better on the east side because they get intense sun in the morning and then subtle, indirect light in the afternoon. I am so excited to move... I know this will help me feel better, as I am the kind of person that needs lots of natural light in a living space.

This week was spring break. It is already Saturday of break and we only have Sunday until we return to school. Even break has gone by fast! I thought break would be a nice long week of relaxation and rejuvenation... Not the case. I think spring break went by so fast this year not only because we (the 5280 Closers) were working through it to complete project #2, but also because my boyfriend Michael's good friend Sheila was visiting us from Ohio. Sheila was Michael's pen pal when he was serving our country in Afghanistan. She participated in the "Adopt-a-Soldier" program and began writing Michael about 3 months into his tour. They have remained close since then and has now become Michael's "2nd Mom". She is a wonderful woman.

Wednesday of this week I decided to get away with Sheila and Michael and the three of us went to Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bill's Grave Site. We also had lunch in Georgetown. It was so nice to just enjoy each other and to be in the mountains. I really wish I could get up into the mountains more, as that is where I am happiest.

This month I was also able to go to my cousin Meg's wedding dress fitting. I am her maid of honor, and was happy to go with her and Chris's mom Laura to the bridal shop where she bought her dress. Meg wants to keep the dress a secret from as many people as possible so it is a surprise the day she walks down the aisle- which I think is really smart. We were also able to go pick out some potential brides maids dresses. I tried a couple on at David's Bridal, and have figured out I really need to loose some weight. I know I am not fat by any means, but I felt a little frumpy in such nice dresses. It is something I have been meaning to do for a while, but school, work and other activities have filled up my schedule so much that I truly don't have enough time to get on a regular schedule of working out. Hopefully I will have that time available this summer.

This summer I plan on only taking one class and working about 30 hours a week for IT. I wanted to complete my internship this summer, but might not have the time to get it set up this semester. I am thinking spring of 2009 will be a good time for that simply because if I graduate in spring, I might be able to stay on with whichever organization I choose to intern with. Many of the PR firms work their internships this way. They want someone who will be graduating so they can keep you and move you up into a permanent position.

Anyway, now that I have written a book I will sign off. I have enjoyed the month of March tremendously. So many changes, so many events... I am glad my life is moving right along. I feel I am growing and learning so much right now. I thank God every day for my life and they way things are progressing!

E

Winning is just so great!

Ahhh, winning. What a feeling. It really is nice to compete and end up at the top. It is such a re-assurance to me to know that our team's hard work is recognized and that all five of us work well together. We have an amazing team charisma and way of remaining honest with each other. We also have a great way of holding each other accountable. I have never been a part of a team like this to be honest! I am proud to be a "closer".

Our reward this Tuesday was so cool. I had never experienced a sports event from such a view. Box seats ROCK! I have always been a hockey fan, but have not had enough money to be able to enjoy the sport live, which in my opinion, is the only way to enjoy it. We had access to free food, drink and dessert. When I told Michael we could bring a guest and that I wanted him to come (This was on Friday after we presented) he was so excited. I think he was more excited than I was since it was his first Avs game! I was glad to be able to take him.

The tour of Altitude Sports was really interesting. Not many people get to go where we went unless you work for the Pepsi Center or Altitude. We got to see the cameramen as they were working, the sound guys and basically the whole production crew as they were producing a TV program! I'll remember that for a long time! I think my favorite thing to see was the camera guys that follow the puck throughout the game. They have the most fun- Its almost like playing a video game... They have joysticks and can zoom in and out for a better picture!

When I returned from my tour, Ginny suprised us again. With excitement in her voice, she announced, "At the end of the game, we have VIP passes for you all to meet the players and get thier autographs!" Oh, MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!! COOOLLLL!!!!!!! I really flipped out this time! I immediatly thought of getting Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakics signatures. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I almost had tears in my eyes at the thought- I know, I know, its a little much and it sounds like I am being a little dramatic, but you have to understand that as a native who loves her Stanley-Cup winning team, I was thrilled!

The game was great- The Avalance won against Vancouver 2 to 1. It was also Peter Forsbergs' first night back to the Avs in three or four years from playing on other NHL teams. There was magic in the air. As the massive crowd of Avalanche fans began to leave the Pepsi Center, we slowly made our way through to the east entrance. We waited there for our beloved players. Although we didn't get pics with the "big shots" of the team, we did get about 10 signatures from other players on the team including Cody McCleod and Kurt Sauer!

The night was amazing. Ironically, as Michael and I left the Pepsi Center hand in hand, we passed a Denver's Road Home collection meter. As I put some change into the meter, I couldn't help but feel warm inside. Our team did a good thing for a good organization. The Disability Center for Independent Living helps those who are less fortunate stay off the Denver streets by providing an array of transitional services for personal independence and sustainability. Our team helped them reach a few short-term goals, and gave them a good head-start for a few long term goals. As I deposited the money into the meter, I knew that our team's help toward the big picture (helping to overcome the city-wide problem of homelessness) ...mattered.

-E

Project #2 Presentation

Last Friday my team (5280 Closers) and I presented to the judges all that we did in Project #2- The UMB Homeless Challenge! As before, we were given instructions from our friends at the alumni house regarding what were were to do that day. We were instructed to go to UMB Bank Downtown Denver to the third floor at 9:00 a.m. where the main bank headquarters are. I woke up somewhat rested, and was glad to live in close proximity to several coffee shops in the Capitol Hill area, as I was able to stop and get a life-saving cup of joe to start my morning.

I must say, I had never been in such a corporate environment before (UMB Bank Downtown). I got lost in the parking garage! I couldn't tell which level I was on or where the elevators were. As I attempted to find the elevator that would take me to the main lobby, I thought to myself that it would be nice to see how people dress and act in such a professional environment. When I got to the lobby, everyone I passed smelled of fresh perfume or cologne. The lobby itself was as clean and ready for the day as the professionals who walked through it.

Initially I didn't see anyone I recognized from the Apprentice Program, so I just got on an elevator. Little did I know the elevator I got on only went to floors 30-40 (or something like that). I realized this after the doors had closed and I was already sandwiched between two guys who were busy discussing their upcoming weekend trip to the slopes and another very well-dressed and poised blonde woman. I waited until everyone got off my elevator to return to the main lobby. I didn't panic, as I had left early in the day already preparing for some kind of usual morning disaster. I got off the wrong elevator and proceeded toward the Apprentice Challenge sign I had already seen in the lobby.

At this point I realized that UMB Bank had thier own set of elevators just for the first set of floors they were at. In the UMB elevators and then on the way to the room where I would meet up with my teammates, I couldn't help but think "Wow... I could soon be working in this kind of place- Lots of men and women dressed in suits, ties and heels." The thought excited me and gave me encouragement for the day.

Our team met in a small room on the 2nd floor, away from the other team. As I entered the room, I could sense the exhaustion from my teammates. "Did everyone get some coffee this morning?" ...The answer was a very unenthusiastic "No". I thought to myself "This is not good". I asked my teammates what time they finished our power point the night before. I'll just say it was a very, very late night for everyone. I had stayed at Noah's house with my team until 2 a.m. to help out- some of them were out longer. As we sat and reviewed our presentation slides, we waited to be called into the boardroom.

Soon the time came for us to go upstairs to meet up with the judges and the opposing team. I started to get a little nervous. I wondered how this presentation will differ from our last. Our SmartMeal Presentation was great! We were all enthusiastic going into the room and confident we were going to win. But this time things felt different for some reason. I couldn't really put my finger on it- perhaps it was the stress of the week and the stress of the project itself. As we entered the boardroom and sat at our designated seats along a very long rectangular table, I could sense the nerves in the room. Chris had come over from the A Team and shook our hands. "Good luck you guys" he said. I thought that was such a nice gesture- What a good sport! I wanted to do the same to the rest of his team, but everyone was already finding their seats and getting ready for introductions.

Soon after Josh from Alumni Relations introduced the judges and other officials in the room, we flipped a coin to see who would present first. The A-Team lost the toss up, and so our team decided to present second. We were told each team could choose two members who could "sit in" and watch the opposing team's presentation. I volunteered to watch along with my teammate Heidi. Our team left the room and soon, the A Team began their presentation. I was impressed with the work they did for their organization. The A Team worked with a non-profit called El Centro Humanitario (The Center for the Workers). They raised awareness in the Auraria Campus community through a Tool Drive. They spent their $500 well- They bought tools for the center that are usually not donated such as table saws, drills and other large equipment. I thought the work the A-Team put into the tool collection was amazing. They did such a great job organizing things! At the end of the presentation I was nervous. I had almost wished I hadn't watched their presentation because I knew we had to do better to win.

After watching their presentation, I thought for sure, they had the win. As we approached the front of the room though, I saw Heidi smile. "We got this... Don't worry" she said... I think she sensed I was nervous. Her warm smile and reassurance made me feel good. As our fearless leader Giedre stood up and introduced our team to the room, I began to feel a little bit better. After our presentation, I felt sooo relieved. I think I actually felt the pressure in my blood vessels release as we walked out of the boardroom. I took a big breath and smiled. We all knew we had done our best as a team and that if we were the winners, it would show in our question and answer session as well.

After a short break, we had our questions and answer session and spoke even more confidently than we had in our presentation. I have learned to love the question and answer session. It is a really great opportunity for the judges to ask us about why we did things a certain way. They can see throughout the session some of our team personality and uniqueness. I think a lot of our team cohesiveness comes out in the way we deliver our answers to the judges.

After the judges deliberated, the winner was announced. The President of UMB Bank announced the winner happily. "The winner of the UMB Homeless Challenge is..." I held my breath and crossed my fingers. "The 5280 Closers!" My eyes got big and I looked to my right at Noah. The look on his face was priceless! His eyes were big and he also looked amazed. We had won! YEAH!!!!! I was so happy ...and surprised. I thought both teams put the same amount of work in and it was hard to know the outcome. I now know that a surprise win feels so great and that I should never underestimate the power of my team to come together! My face lit up as I turned to look at my teammates on my left. We were all so happy.

Geri soon revealed our reward. We were all given Avalanche t-shirts and Altitude Sports ball caps. "Team 5280 Closers, on Tuesday night of next week, you will each get to invite a guest to join you to box seats for an Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center!" She said. Geri continued with "You will also receive a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of Altitude Sports media bus inside the Pepsi Center!" I flipped out! What a great reward! The last time I had been to an Avs game was about 8 or 9 years ago when the Avs were still playing in McNichols Sports arena. I had only been to the Pepsi Center for some Disney on Ice shows for the little ones in my family (actually, my dad wanted to go to Aladdin on ICE!~ lol... J/K!) Anyway, I was psyched! I couldn't wait to get home so I could tell Michael about our win and to tell him he was soon going with me to his first Avs game ever!

-E

Things are heating up!

We are now coming down the home stretch with project #2! We will be presenting this Friday and are excited to win again! My team is doing... (Pause) Oh, wait... Did I just say we were going to win? YES YES YES I DID!.... And to some people out there who don't know the elevation of Denver and think we are 2580 feet above sea level-Shame on you! Ugh... I guess not everyone is a true Colorado native!

Where was I- Oh yes, my team is doing a great job of wrapping up all we have done in the last two weeks for the Disability Center for Independent Living. I won't give away all our secrets just yet, but I can say we have done a lot for this grassroots organization.

(Sigh) Yes, its a dog-eat-dog world out there. Nothing is easy in this world... Just when you think you got the best idea out there, someone comes and pulls the rug out from underneath ya and always manages to do it better. If this challenge doesn't give everyone a crash course in business competition the way it is in the real world, I really don't know what will!

All I have to say for now is A Team, you better brace for impact- You're not gonna know what hit ya come FRIDAY! HA HA HA (smiling with an evil eye)

E

How things are going...

This week (although extremely busy) has been actually pretty good. I have been pretty productive. I have been working on homework, making contacts, holding meetings, making appointments, and writing lots of emails. I have made time for things this week.

I talked to my mentor for the first time on Monday. Wendy is such a great gal. She reminds me of my best friend Angela. Angela is a little older than me and I consider her one of my closest friends and mentors. She has a way of talking that just makes you feel comfortable whether it is over the phone, face-to-face or in an email. That's kinda how Wendy is! I noticed that although she is really busy, she will take the time out to REALLY listen to me talk about anything. The only thing I have to watch is how much I end up talking as compared to her! I can sometimes get carried away and forget to ask questions of the person I am talking to.

I am even getting into Goodyear this week to get my tires changed on my car! Thats a miracle! I thought for sure that would be something that would be put off until spring break. I tend to suprise myself everyday I think. I went in to talk to Janell (Apprentice Program Coordinator) the other day and was suprised at how good I felt when I came out of our meeting. I was just so comfortable during the meeting. I think it's her office~ She's got some good Feng Shui goin on in there!

Ahhh, yes... I love the Feng Shui! I am so in touch with spaces that feel comfortable and "homey". Take for example my house... We (Michael and I) have a fish tank, several plants, and warm colors we use for decoration. The fish tank is a 20-gallon tank that trickles lightly in the background and is located in the main room. Ahhh, just thinking of home makes me wanna get away from these flourescent lights at school and into my PJ's. Janells office always has nice lighting (incandescent), quiet music and is painted the most lovely green color (a soothing, natural color).

Ok, ok, so Im getting carried away here- But you get the picture- I have made time this week for things to get done, and time for relaxation and rejuvenation! Life is good!
Anyway, Ill sign off. I have an hour before I can close up the lab and get home to my comfy couches and tail-wagging boyfr... I mean dog!

E

I wish I could live like my dog...

Ok, so here I am again pouring my heart out to a machine. I feel as a student and a labtech in IT that I face the monitor of a computer more that I do the face of an actual person. So I have decided to "get real" with this whole blogging thing. I am not going to pretend that everything in my life right now is "peachy". Things are beginning to pick up and I am really starting to feel the stress... REALLY starting to feel it!

I am glad that I have so many people in my life right now that are supporting me. I am learning that this whole process of learning how to balance one's schedule is (at times) not so easy. I have never in my life been this busy. Sometimes I ask myself why I put myself through such "torture". I think the answer is because I come from a family who has always worked extremely hard.

My whole family has incredible work ethic. Take for example my dad. As a child, I remember my dad coming home from a full day's work just to cook dinner, help all three of his girls with homework, bathe us (when we were little), and get us all to bed. This does not mean my mom didn't do any work! She worked just at hard as my dad! When I was born, my parents were living in a trailer in Breckenridge and both worked 2-3 jobs just to pay the bills. Then, when my parents moved to Denver, she became a full-time, stay-at home mom! She worked to make sure us girls were fed, safe and cared for. That is a lot to do just one person and three girls all day long. Its a good thing school days lasted as long as they did to help her out a bit.

My mom was also a Girl Scout leader and helped out at our families church. I remember days when we would go with her to church to play in an open area while she helped decorate, wash windows, vacuum, etc. All the work she did was volunteer work. I look up to her for that... Now that we are working with a non-profit organization, I can see the value in volunteer work.

My grandpa, Norman Kasch was an architect. He graduated from Denver University, met my grandma, fell in love and had four kids! They too worked hard to ensure their family was safe, happy and well cared for. My grandma, like my mother was also a Girl Scout leader and a full-time mom. She takes such pride in the fact that she raised four kids and was active in helping them with their social development.

I know that is where I get it from... My hard-working family. I understand that nothing in this world is free, and if you want luxuries, you better be prepared to work for them! That doesn't mean that when times are tough and I am totally stressed out that I don't feel like totally shutting down. Lately, I have been experiencing strange thoughts... I find myself wishing I was my dog or a kid again. My dog Otis sleeps almost all day, gets to go to the dog park on the weekends, gets lots of love and attention from his humans, gets to play with his friend Oliver (who lives on the fourth floor) and he receives the occasional bacon treat from mom. Ahh, the life of a dog! So simple! To be a kid again would be even better! No responsibilities, summers last super long, yada yada yada.

OK, so there's my little "gripe session!" Be prepared to hear more (not too many more) as I wish to portray the good times (stress-less) and the not-so-good (stressful) times. Thats life right?

Peace,
E

A Life-Changing Job

We were just assigned our second project this last Friday, and we are so excited (You'll be able to tell from Noah's blog of course)! We will be working for an organization called The Disability Center for Independent Living. The center provides assistance to the disabled community who are transitioning into a self-sustaining lifestyle. Many of these men and women have been in places like nursing homes or jail and have nowhere to go once they are released from them. The center helps them with counseling, housing assistance, job placement and other services to prevent them from being homeless.

This next project means a lot to me. About 3 years ago, I found myself lost and unsure of what I was going to do with my life. I got myself into a lot of trouble and had a terrible semester at school. My dad told me I needed to work full-time to clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do with myself for the next couple of years. He encouraged to look at what I was good at and find a job that aligned with those talents. As a Christian, I prayed that God would help me find a job where my work was meaningful. I was led to a job in personal care.

I filled out an application for full-time work at an organization in Ft. Collins called Mosaic. Mosaic houses and provides care for adults with disabilities. When I first started working for Mosaic I was completely intimidated by the kind of work I was going to be doing. Looking back now, I can see that I was probably experiencing a bit of culture shock. Prior to working in the various group homes they had, I worked as an activity assistant at Ft. Collins Healthcare Center. I had become familiar with the nursing and personal care environment, but didn't have any idea what it was like to be a care provider (as an activities assistant, you don't really care for patients- you just do activities with them like Bingo!)

As I began my work at Mosaic, I realized I was gonna need to ask a lot of questions. Some of the behaviors of the clients I was working with were actually scary and made me feel afraid to approach them. Having no childhood exposure to the mentally and physically disabled community, I found I was lost and didn't even know where to start with my work (the adults we worked with in the group homes had a variety of disabilities ranging from mental retardation to bi-polar and schizophrenia). As time went on, I became more comfortable with my clients, and realized that although they are disabled, they can still love, laugh, be sad and afraid like me.

It was a life-changing experience to work with disabled adults. I became a more compassionate person from the work I did with them. I learned to have fun and laugh with people who are at times part of a population that can be ostracized and ignored. I also found out that I am a stronger person for my ability to see them for who they really are and my ability to handle tough, emergency situations. I created relationships with my clients and co-workers that changed my life forever.

The Disability Center for Independent Living- an organization whose mission is to provide aid to those who need it most- disabled adults who are either in jail or have come from nursing care and are transitioning into a self-sustaining life! What a great organization! I am so excited to be doing such humanitarian work! It makes me feel good that I can help others- I have that kind of personality. I am compassionate, loving and understanding. I have the gift of being a good listener and friend. I see the potential in people and strive to help them realize that potential (thus the reason I am the "Cheerleader" of the group).

One of my favorite populations to work with is children just because my personal qualities (I mostly provide encouragement and inspiration) help them realize their own potential. Four or five years ago I volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters and became a mentor. I worked with a beautiful young lady named Leah. Our relationship as mentor and mentee was what made me realize my gifts along with my work as a personal care provider.

All this talk brings me to my next point... This encouragement quality, ability to listen to the needs of others, and passion to make a difference will really help this organization! I only wish we had more time! I think my studies in Public Relations and Communications will really help this organization. I am excited to put my education to work and begin networking with people who have the same passion that I do -Helping their fellow man!

Blah, Blah, Blah- This was a really long one! Bear with me readers- I think I am beginning to really like this blogging stuff! Its a good thing I know how to type! I can see that blogging will soon become an essential part of this program. It will certainly help me get through things. I am one of those people who loves to talk, and when I don't have anyone to talk to, then I write. I am thankful for this semester- I am rapidly realizing that I have just enough time to write, read, do my homework, keep in touch with my family and friends (I saw my family this weekend) and work on Apprentice Team projects. I am budgeting my time better than I thought!

Thats it for tonight. As usual, I have reading to do and must do a quick sweep of the labs (I am at work). Until next time,

Erin

Thinking like an Olympian

Here I am at work again. GO MSCD IT! Reading, writing emails, and thinking about things. Its nice and quiet where I work, which allows me to get alot of schoolwork done and catch my breath from my busy mornings of working out, getting to class on time, walking the dog, grabbing a quick bite to eat here and there and doing other miscellaneous errands.

One of my teammates sent me some pictures of our trip to the Olympic Training Facility in Colorado Springs. Our tour guide, Modern Pentathalon Competitor Eli Bremer shared with our team what it means to be an olympic athlete. We had the chance to ask him many questions like "what do you do in your free time when you are not training?" We asked him this because he described his average day to us and we were amazed. He said an olympic competitor must train in every part of their lives. The recovery (sleeping) is just as important as the training part of his day because it allows his body to stay in a regular "rhythm" that is needed to compete. It also helps him stay focused. He said in his free time (usually on the weekends), he enjoys watching movies with his wife and just relaxing at home.

I asked him if he ever regrets not taking time out of his week to do other things, and he replied with "Hummm... not really. I train hard for the gold. It is my biggest life goal. Nothing is better to an athlete than the gold medal." It was amazing to see his determination and how much he and other athletes who train at the complex are supported. They have so many different kinds of people who help the athletes train physically, mentally and emotionally for the second that really matters in their life. The moment they might become an Olympic Gold Medalist!

Eli mentioned how training takes up a full 24 hours. Something he said really made me think about how I spend my day. He said that an athlete training for the Olympics must stay focused every day. They cannot afford to get off schedule even a little bit... 10 minutes of a morning spent doing nothing (say sleeping in) added to 20 minutes in the middle of your day doing nothing (reading a magazine for leisure) plus another 30 minutes watching T.V. adds up to an hour that could have been spent training. He said every 24 hours is spent training his body, resting, eating right, getting massages (he said they hurt), and then training again. It is a full-time job getting ready for the most important seconds of his life.

It kinda inspired me and made me think about how much I whine about things. I whine about almost everything. Not being able to sleep in enough. Not being able to spend more time with my friends. Not having more money. And the list goes on folks! Eli said the friends the athletes make there at the complex are the other athletes. They are their family. It also made me want to live healthier. When we went "behind the scenes" to the area of the dining hall where they prepare the food for all of the athletes (this was a really unique experience, as many do not get to go into the athletes sleeping and eating quarters) I saw how important food consumption really is in thier lives. It has really made me want to start cooking quality meals for myself and my boyfriend. It made me proud to be a part of the Smart Meal Seal program and promoting health awareness at Denver restaraunts!

To sum it all up, the experience was life-changing. I want to be more like the olympians who are so focused on their goals. I want to be an inspiration to myself and others and to work hard (harder than I have in the past) to reach my life goals. I will not let anything in the world stop me. I will train every day like the olympians- for my own personal "gold medals."

Well, gotta sign off for now... I have some reading to do. I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for our next assignment day!

E

Reading others blogs...

Well, I can see that a couple participants have started blogging! Yay! I just read Noah's post- He is just too creative! I don't know if I can take it! =)

Anyway, school and other extra-curricular activities are going well this week. Tomorrow I will be meeting with my mentor Wendy. The Apprentice Program is so amazing for so many reasons ...This being one of them. Each competitor has been assigned mentors to help us through the program and to be there for us for support. It is all part of this great thing the program naturally promotes called "networking".

As a communication major, I am thrilled to be able to do this because I have very few connections to the world of working professionals. I still have to do my internship for my public relations minor and foresee professional relationships developing because of that, but only a few. This program is opening up so many doors for us to not only grow, but for us to promote ourselves.

Getting back to Noah- That guy just makes me laugh. I think the rest of my team would agree. I wish more people could have seen him at his finest just before we were going to present our PowerPoint for the SmartMeal Challenge. We were all pretty nervous (but excited) and were reviewing our notes before entering a room full of judges. Noah kept us all laughing and in great spirits so all we had was great energy as we presented our ideas.

All I have to say is "skiddly doo!"... Little inside joke there.

All of my teammates are so great. Heidi has this thing with work. I really don't know how she does it. She works all night long, and then sleeps during the day. She is on a strict schedule. I really look up to her for being such a committed student, participant of the program, and employee.
Giedre. She is my high-heels lady! Whew, I don't know how she walks all over the place in those stilleto heels- I would DIE! She also is so talented- she speaks so many languages. Just plain cool.
And David. Ahh, David is also a hoot! Like Noah (both of them are such gentlemen), he has a refreshing sense of humor and keeps our team on track. I have enjoyed working with him so far because of his lightheartedness and ability to stay positive.

Really, we make the best team. We all have something to offer, and bring varying perspectives to the floor. What do I bring? The sassiness of course! Every team has just gotta have some spunk. I like to think of myself as the "cheerleader" of the group.

So yeah, there's my little "dedication to my teammates" post! I am just honored to be working with such amazing people throughout this process!

E

Let the blogging begin!

Wow! We are now blogging! This is great. I have to say, as a writer I have really been looking forward to this because I enjoy good, old-fashioned writing (journaling), but have no experience with this blogging stuff.

Well, lets see... what can I say about the competition so far? Oh! First and foremost, the 5280 Closers ROCK! I am so pleased to see that our team has come together so well after a difficult first project. The Smart Meal Challenge threw a couple curve balls at us for sure, but throughout the process, we were able to communicate well, stay focused and "closed" three deals.

I am really enjoying this break from the projects right now. Although I am looking forward to project #2, I am getting ahead with my reading for school, getting into the gym and am able to spend more time with my family (mostly my dog and my boyfriend) this week. Next Friday we will be assigned our next project. We will be working on projects that will help organizations who assist the homeless population in Colorado. I am looking forward to this next project because I have absolutely no experience working with the homeless and have no clue what kinds of things an organization that helps this population might need.

I'll end with that for my first post. I have some reading to do (discourses/research approaches- Ya know, the typical 4000-level stuff). Go Comm Majors!

Erin

My Bio

Erin Kasch

Name: Erin

Hometown: Aurora

Major: Speech Communication (Emphasis: Organizational Communication)

Major: Public Relations

Favorite class: Oral Interpretation

Background:
I was born in Colorado and have enjoyed living here my whole life. I am proud to be native to such a unique and beautiful state, and take a lot of pride in my background as a “mountain baby”. I was born at Swedish Hospital here in Denver in the snowy month of January 1982. The very next day my proud parents drove me back to my mountain home of Breckenridge. Once home, I was greeted by family and friends and was named “Ullr Baby”, because I was born during Ullr Fest—one of Breckenridge’s most popular events. The purpose of Ullr Fest is to pay homage to Ullr (pronounced Ooh-ler), the Norse god of winter, and to encourage Ullr to bless the valley with lots of snow.

I graduated from Eaglecrest High School in 2000 and attended the University of Northern Colorado from 2000-03. While at UNC, I became a member of Alpha Omicron Pi national sorority. In 2003, I decided to take a break from school and began working as an activities assistant at a Ft. Collins nursing home, and also worked with disabled adults. I continued to work as a personal care assistant for two years, and then received my certification as a nursing assistant. Soon after my certification, I worked at a Northglenn nursing home in the Alzheimer’s unit. At that time, I enjoyed the challenge of the unit and learned a lot about myself. After working there for about a year, I decided to finish my studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver. I am now a junior, and have been a student at Metro State for a year… and have loved every minute of it!

Today, I reside in the eclectic Capitol Hill neighborhood with my boyfriend and our dog. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, outdoor activities, performing arts events and animals.

Favorite quote:
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and perfectly preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out and loudly screaming “Whoo hoo! What a ride!"
– Peter Sage

Why I’m excited about being part of “The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State”:
I am excited about this program because I know it will enhance my overall college experience here at Metro. I will be working with people who are creative, ambitious and love the challenge of group projects. I am also looking forward to creating relationships with the other candidates and our sponsors. I truly can’t wait to begin networking and interacting with professionals who enjoy their field of work and who have a desire to give back to their community through educational programs such as The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State. One thing that I think will be interesting to see throughout the program is how varying personalities work together toward a common goal. As an organizational communication major, I am fascinated with the process of planning, organizing and presenting ideas as a group. Ultimately, I am excited about the program because I believe it will enhance my group communication skills and give me a clear understanding of what is required to accomplish real-world professional tasks.

Why I should win “The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State”:
I believe I should win because, unlike other periods in my life, I am now enjoying an amazing period of personal, professional and academic growth. After taking some time out to work, I have become excited about the learning process again. I am happy to be in school, and happy to be transitioning into the professional world with the support of mentors and my teachers.

I believe my personal characteristics will positively contribute to the program. I know I am a good listener and I am dedicated and creative. I have always been a very passionate person. When I am inspired by something, I welcome the creative process and become dedicated to the end result. I have learned that making mistakes is not always bad—that is how we grow!

I have the ability to articulate ideas and paint a clear picture with words in causal conversation and when working in groups. I do not hesitate to ask questions and am very perceptive. I consider myself to be well-rounded, sincere and optimistic. I believe all of these are qualities of a leader, which is exactly what I am ready to be!