2kwl4vwls

What is the first impression people get of you??  Ever really thought about it?  Examined it?  Care about it?  I do.  And let me tell you, after this, you just might. This is really about perceptions.  One of my closest friends this term, almost never even talked to me!  I thought she was rude and completely stuck up, she thought I was shy and too introspective.  What changed?  I began to notice on my walks to class, from class, on tours, from tours that I saw her everywhere.  She was in the computer lab when I was.  I finally took it upon my self to say, “Hi”.  ”Hey.”  That was it.  That Hi-Hey Relationship lasted about a week.  I went into a writing lab about a month ago, and I saw mystery chick in there…yet again!  Rather than thinking she was stuck up, I got some guts, went up to her and I finally said, “Well, so I’m Klyn and I see you everywhere.”  ”OMG! I know!  I didn’t want to say Hi to you because I was afraid you wouldn’t recognize me.”  Think about that… both of us afraid to stick our necks out to make a friend because we weren’t sure what the other person thought of us, or what we really thought of them.  How many people, do you suppose this type of thinking prevents us from meeting?  When we are out in the real world, how many people have our dream job that we may have met in college- that we   were too intimidated by to simply say, “Hi.”?  I am guessing, that it is more common than we realize.  In my life, once I get an idea, I typically share it with most everybody I feel it is relevant to.   I was telling this theory of, you just never know who you see every day, to my dad when he said something rather intriguing:”Klyn, describe yourself to me. Describe yourself as a friend would.  Describe yourself as an enemy would.  Are you the person you want to be?”  So I did.  I answered that question.  I challenge you this week before finals, to really stick yourself out there.  Say “Hi” to that person you see all the time that you don’t know yet.  You may be shocked at just how similar your lives really are.  Lastly, describe yourself those 3 ways.  And then study for finals.  P.S.  Emily, I like iced coffee too!     

Let’s get real honest real quick.  The ONLY way you will get the effectiveness of this literature is to humor me, better yourself and grab a pen and paper and scribble some things down.   What are your strengths?  Think about that.  Write it down.  Seriously.  Just do it.  Now, what are your weaknesses??  Think about that, write it down.   Just one or two is fine.  Look back at your weaknesses.  How many of your friends have your weakness as their strength?  How many of your friends have the same strengths you do?  You will probably find that you know a LOT of people that are better at your weaknesses then are better at your strengths.  What is my point?  Glad you asked.   I am sitting here, after an amazing week.  I traveled down to Kansas City, (skipped 3 classes), to tour the Federal Reserve and attend a day long conference on money.  Truly one of the most exciting times of my life.  I got goose bumps during some presentations, especially the one by Kelly Edmiston detailing his research on the greater Kansas City housing market.  When it hit me.  I could one day do this if I can capitalize on what attributes I have.  

Still not sure on if you should venture into the realm of a fabulous community college?  Yikes!  What is there left to be unsure of? 

_____
Tuesday night there was quite the talent show brought on by the Student Activities Committee.  There were some rather atrocious acts coupled with actual talent.  My favorite was the rather artsy dance put on by the 3 sisters.  Their turns were absolutely flawless in my opinion and it was a performance that required quite a bit of precision and expertise. 

Congrats girls on your performance- hopefully it got you a well deserved top-spot. 

____

On another rather random note, it is open registration week.  Translation:  Long lines in the admissions office and eager freshmen ready to start their college experience.  Why not join them ?  

Here is the top 3 reasons why you (sitting at home debating on college) should just sign up for at least 1 measly class. 

1.  We are AFFORDABLE!  It is common fact that tuition is going up all across the nation.  No matter what your income level, we have a multitude of scholarships and a dedicated financial aid department who wants to prove to you that your education will be the best purchase you can make.

2.  We know what we are doing.  We have been around since 1966.  That means thousands of students, just like you, with the same worries have been through our door and started a new life chapter.  If they can, you can.

3.  I go here.  (Major advantage point). 

So put those worries down, register, meet me at orientation and look forward to a fun and amazing freshman year. 

I walked into my office today.  There was a stack of papers on it, updated policies, and new information I needed to sort through.  I knew that I had to thoroughly prepare myself for the appointment I had in an hour.  With everything going on in the economy, I was one of the people everybody turned to for answers.  ”Mrs., sorry to interrupt but line 1 wants to ask you some questions on why the reserve ratio changed.”  The secretary then handed me the paper and left.    The Wall Street Journal would have to wait. I reached for the phone, answered a few questions and politely explained that anything further would need to be addressed at a different time. I flipped open my computer to see a dozen emails.  Only 8 am. Chances are, my boss sent me something important that I needed to know before the conference.  I flipped through them all, learning little tidbits of information I could use within the hour.  I love my job working for the Fed.  ~   All of my career opportunities started this semester when I sat in Mr. Hedrick’s economy course learning about the Federal Reserve Banks and feeling somehow, that someday, I could  be there.  I find it ironic, I came here to be a teacher and I am going to be leaving in less than a year fully motivated to head in the direction of the Fed.  The basics of his course are teaching me the basics of how the world works.  I know that when I transfer to Florida in less than a year now, I will reapply these same principles.It had occurred to me the other day, just how precious our time here at college really is. 

Hello world,So I just so happen to get to be able to help with New Student Orientations in the fall and let me tell you- I am totally excited.I met with the other NSO group members a variety of times this past week, and we are already a very tight knit group.  We have so many good ideas to bring to campus.  We all are required to go to a certain amount of activities per semester, so be ready to see us all wherever you kids may wind up.  For example, there is a comedian, Eric O’Shea coming to town this Tuesday night at the Arts Center at 7 p.m. Everybody should check it out!  If you are hesitant on going because you don’t know anybody to go with yet, join all of us!  Wednesday night then, we all have a meeting to learn the technical stuff of the job- but seriously, I am so excited I don’t even see how that can be difficult!  Yea, I am a total dork.Moral of the story- GET INVOLVED.  Iowa Western is the absolute most amazing place to be if you just throw yourself into activities.  I never would of thought all these great opportunities would come to me, or that I would be able to break out of my shell long enough to meet such great people!  Get involved.