As mentioned in my previous post, part of my self-reflection journey this summer is defining home. I thought about it constantly while I was in North Carolina and realized the answers to these complicated questions can sometimes be as simple as we think they are.
What makes home is the connection.
It is an answer so simple, yet complicated.
I had a meeting with the Dean of Students at UNC Asheville and told her of trying to figure out the definition of home and her answer was as simple as that: it's the connection.
Now that I have a better understanding of what made North Carolina feel like home, it weird to think of it in regards to my future.
North Carolina felt like home for many reasons: the people, the staff, the community. It was just my type of lifestyle. I can't help but to think the lifestyle there is the way life is meant to be lived. It is calm and peaceful. People aren't in a rush all the time and they actually enjoy their lives on a daily basis--not just for a day or so, but just...it's a lifestyle.
It makes me rethink a lot of things...where I want to live, the type of school I want to work in, etc.
Finding home has been one of my biggest challenges during my grad school journey and I think it's a challenge I am going to continue to face for a few more years. There are three places in my head right now: North Carolina, New Jersey, and Miami. It is difficult to sort out, but North Carolina was my home this summer. As for Miami, I struggled a lot (and still do) with finding that connection. And, Jersey, well, that connection is becoming less and less.
I'm somewhat optimistic about returning to Miami in a few weeks. I am starting my second year of grad school and I am living in a new place. It is a new chance to me to find that connection. At the same time, I remember the loneliness and homesickness I felt my first year there. Yet, I go back to Miami with a new perspective. A perspective of what home is and how I have the power to make it. I have done a lot of self-reflection and have personally grown a lot this summer.
A new adventure starts in a few weeks.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
This Jersey Girl is in North Carolina!
It's been a little while since my last post, but it's been a solid five weeks here in North Carolina. My journey has taken me here during my summer internship and it's been an amazing experience so far!
There is a saying that goes, "Everything happens for a reason" and I believe me being here has been more than just an internship. It's been an amazing life experience.
I remember looking through piles of schools to apply to and looking at UNC Asheville. It was completely different than what I was used to with me always being in a large school and in a city. I remember sitting with one of my RAs and talking to her about there was just something...different...about the school and I so I applied. From the first conversation I had with everyone in the office, I was hooked. I felt an immediate connection that made me realize this "fit" people always seem to talk about. Luckily, I was offered the position and the experience has been perfect. It's everything I wanted out of this internship and more. I had the ability to work with an amazing group of people and supervise 15 amazing orientation leaders. I get to work with my co-grad who has introduced me to North Carolina and been able to work with our head orientation leader who is pretty much the most amazing student leader I've ever met in my life. No biggie. hahaha
In moments like these, I'm thankful for my mentors because they not only helped me to prep for this experience, but always guide me through self-reflection. Taking on this experience has been more than just an internship for me. It's been a way for me to pay it forward.
Ever since I was a Peer Leader, I always looked up to our graduate interns (we called them GIs). They were people who supported me during my first year as a Peer Leader and helped me to come out of my shell. They were people who challenged me in overcoming my self-doubt and they were people who were ultimately the strongest role models for me going into my grad school program. Even years later, I still continue to keep in touch with a few of them and they continue to support me on my journey.
I was actually skimming through my past posts a little while ago and I kept writing about Liz. Liz was one of my GIs when I was Peer Leader Coordinator my last year in the Peer Leadership Program. There were many challenges that year, but Liz always made sure to give me extra support when I was feeling stressed out and always had such a positive attitude that made me realize what it meant to be a great leader. It is because of people like Liz that I wanted to take on this role as an intern--to provide that support, but also challenge my students to help them to grow.
While the OLs were only here for three weeks, I feel like I was able to fulfill that role. I don't know how to describe it, but they were able to come up to me and make me laugh or tell me about their day or help them with concerns they had and it was amazing. I just think it's the biggest honor to be able to work with and help students. It's what makes me want my mentor's job time and time again. We looked up to her and respected her so much and just loved spending time with her and I couldn't help but to feel that--hopefully--my OLs felt that way about me too.
As the summer has gone on, I have come to realize that within the matter of two months, I will have lived in three states. It's crazy. This grad school thing really is a journey. I have come to love North Carolina. It's only been a few weeks, but it already feels like home, which is something I sometimes struggle with when I'm in Miami (and sometimes even in Jersey). Everyday, I think about what makes "home." Is it the people? Is it the culture? Is it food? Is it the weather?
There's just so much to factor in. Sometimes, I don't know where to start. I guess...it's just part of the journey.
There is a saying that goes, "Everything happens for a reason" and I believe me being here has been more than just an internship. It's been an amazing life experience.
I remember looking through piles of schools to apply to and looking at UNC Asheville. It was completely different than what I was used to with me always being in a large school and in a city. I remember sitting with one of my RAs and talking to her about there was just something...different...about the school and I so I applied. From the first conversation I had with everyone in the office, I was hooked. I felt an immediate connection that made me realize this "fit" people always seem to talk about. Luckily, I was offered the position and the experience has been perfect. It's everything I wanted out of this internship and more. I had the ability to work with an amazing group of people and supervise 15 amazing orientation leaders. I get to work with my co-grad who has introduced me to North Carolina and been able to work with our head orientation leader who is pretty much the most amazing student leader I've ever met in my life. No biggie. hahaha
In moments like these, I'm thankful for my mentors because they not only helped me to prep for this experience, but always guide me through self-reflection. Taking on this experience has been more than just an internship for me. It's been a way for me to pay it forward.
Ever since I was a Peer Leader, I always looked up to our graduate interns (we called them GIs). They were people who supported me during my first year as a Peer Leader and helped me to come out of my shell. They were people who challenged me in overcoming my self-doubt and they were people who were ultimately the strongest role models for me going into my grad school program. Even years later, I still continue to keep in touch with a few of them and they continue to support me on my journey.
I was actually skimming through my past posts a little while ago and I kept writing about Liz. Liz was one of my GIs when I was Peer Leader Coordinator my last year in the Peer Leadership Program. There were many challenges that year, but Liz always made sure to give me extra support when I was feeling stressed out and always had such a positive attitude that made me realize what it meant to be a great leader. It is because of people like Liz that I wanted to take on this role as an intern--to provide that support, but also challenge my students to help them to grow.
While the OLs were only here for three weeks, I feel like I was able to fulfill that role. I don't know how to describe it, but they were able to come up to me and make me laugh or tell me about their day or help them with concerns they had and it was amazing. I just think it's the biggest honor to be able to work with and help students. It's what makes me want my mentor's job time and time again. We looked up to her and respected her so much and just loved spending time with her and I couldn't help but to feel that--hopefully--my OLs felt that way about me too.
As the summer has gone on, I have come to realize that within the matter of two months, I will have lived in three states. It's crazy. This grad school thing really is a journey. I have come to love North Carolina. It's only been a few weeks, but it already feels like home, which is something I sometimes struggle with when I'm in Miami (and sometimes even in Jersey). Everyday, I think about what makes "home." Is it the people? Is it the culture? Is it food? Is it the weather?
There's just so much to factor in. Sometimes, I don't know where to start. I guess...it's just part of the journey.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
"It Goes On..."
Coming back home after being away for eight months has been a little more challenging than I thought it would be. While in grad school, I thought about home everyday and missed it a lot. I would tell my students about the wonders of the great state of New Jersey and how there were just some things that were missing from Florida.
Besides things like food, the thing I missed the most were the people: my best friend, family, and mentors were the people I missed the most. What I think has to change for the future is learning to manage relationships from a far. I had a conversation with my mentor the other day about coming home. Yes, I miss people and I am trying to visit as many people as I can, but--at the end of the day--people have their own lives.
There is this famous quote by Robert Frost which ends with the following:
In three words I can sum up everything
I've learned about life: it goes on.
These are a few words that continue to play in my head during my journey. It reminds me that my life is changing as well as other people's lives as changing as well--and it is changing for the better. Yes, it is a struggle at times to not be next to my best friend of to not be able to give my parents a hug, but I think it is part of this whole thing called life. I am at a point in my life where I have worked hard for years and have been given the opportunity to go beyond my home to pursue my dreams. I am starting my own life and now it's just up to me to build the life I envision for myself.
Besides things like food, the thing I missed the most were the people: my best friend, family, and mentors were the people I missed the most. What I think has to change for the future is learning to manage relationships from a far. I had a conversation with my mentor the other day about coming home. Yes, I miss people and I am trying to visit as many people as I can, but--at the end of the day--people have their own lives.
There is this famous quote by Robert Frost which ends with the following:
In three words I can sum up everything
I've learned about life: it goes on.
These are a few words that continue to play in my head during my journey. It reminds me that my life is changing as well as other people's lives as changing as well--and it is changing for the better. Yes, it is a struggle at times to not be next to my best friend of to not be able to give my parents a hug, but I think it is part of this whole thing called life. I am at a point in my life where I have worked hard for years and have been given the opportunity to go beyond my home to pursue my dreams. I am starting my own life and now it's just up to me to build the life I envision for myself.
One Year Later!
It's been almost a whole year since my last post! I completed my first year of grad school and it has been an amazing experience so far! It's been a while since I've written for fun/reflective purposes, but it is now something I want to start up again.
Here I am on the summer after the first year of grad school.
It's time for some hardcore self-reflection.
Here I am on the summer after the first year of grad school.
It's time for some hardcore self-reflection.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
It's Been A While..
It's definitely been a while and a lot has changed. I have picked my grad school and am super excited to started. As I recently graduated, I started to clean my room today and started to take down all the certificates and started gathering all the things I've been given during my time at MSU. I had to stop a few times to just think about how much I have grown and how incredibly grateful I am for all the love and support I have been given.
Sure, I might have graduated, but I definitely would not have been the person I am today if it were not for my mentors. They all support me and really do take care of me when I need it. At the same time, they push me and challenge me and--that--is what I am most grateful for.
One my mentors recently accepted a new position and it was definitely weird to see her go. It hasn't been that long and I already miss her. Going away for grad school, the thing I'm not looking forward is missing people. I have established such strong connections which so many people. It's not that they'll go away--the just change. Change is good, but it's weird too. I can no longer bop into my mentor's office everyday for our morning chats and there's a little part of me that gets sad when I remember that. Thinking about that, I start to think about everyone else: my family, my best friend, my other mentors and how all our relationships will change.
As a graduation present, my mentor, Yosayra, gave me a copy of Oh, the Places You'll Go. I sat on my bed yesterday and read it. As I read it, I couldn't help to think that this is the perfect book for her to have given me. It's real. It talked about how there's good and bad stuff that happen, but you got to push through and believe in yourself and you'll be successful--and that's the message she always gives me.
Here's a text copy I found online:http://denuccio.net/ohplaces.html
Change is coming, but change is good...and cool. ...And I'll be okay.
Sure, I might have graduated, but I definitely would not have been the person I am today if it were not for my mentors. They all support me and really do take care of me when I need it. At the same time, they push me and challenge me and--that--is what I am most grateful for.
One my mentors recently accepted a new position and it was definitely weird to see her go. It hasn't been that long and I already miss her. Going away for grad school, the thing I'm not looking forward is missing people. I have established such strong connections which so many people. It's not that they'll go away--the just change. Change is good, but it's weird too. I can no longer bop into my mentor's office everyday for our morning chats and there's a little part of me that gets sad when I remember that. Thinking about that, I start to think about everyone else: my family, my best friend, my other mentors and how all our relationships will change.
As a graduation present, my mentor, Yosayra, gave me a copy of Oh, the Places You'll Go. I sat on my bed yesterday and read it. As I read it, I couldn't help to think that this is the perfect book for her to have given me. It's real. It talked about how there's good and bad stuff that happen, but you got to push through and believe in yourself and you'll be successful--and that's the message she always gives me.
Here's a text copy I found online:http://denuccio.net/ohplaces.html
Change is coming, but change is good...and cool. ...And I'll be okay.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Leadership Development Plan
As the capstone of my leadership minor, I'm taking the final course in Leadership Development. While my brain is on overflow with theories and competencies and such, I'm wrapping everything up in my Leadership Development Plan.
Reflecting on my past semester, I've definitely learned a lot about leadership, students, and myself. I'm one question away from finishing and I came across this question: What help do you need or want as you begin this journey? Who can provide it? What can you do to make sure you get it?
The first person that came to mind was my mentor. Thinking about everything has made me realize how much of an impact she has had on me in my journey. And this is what I wrote as my response: In achieving my vision, the person I look up to the most is my mentor. What I have found that helps me to succeed is the encouragement that she gives me. As my time at MSU is coming to an end, my mentor is very set on making me more independent and confident in the decisions I decide to pursue. At the end of the day, she has taught me that I need to find these things in myself. I have to be confident in my abilities and in the decisions I make in order for me to become the type of leader I want to be.
Through everything, I learned that, yeah, having people support you helps along the way, but in order for me to really make some change and achieve my vision, I've gotta believe in myself.
There's a little piece of me that's starting to realize my last semester is approaching. Last week, Yosayra gave me a Christmas card telling me how she's gonna miss me and my sassiness and it made me sad.
*sigh*
Reflecting on my past semester, I've definitely learned a lot about leadership, students, and myself. I'm one question away from finishing and I came across this question: What help do you need or want as you begin this journey? Who can provide it? What can you do to make sure you get it?
The first person that came to mind was my mentor. Thinking about everything has made me realize how much of an impact she has had on me in my journey. And this is what I wrote as my response: In achieving my vision, the person I look up to the most is my mentor. What I have found that helps me to succeed is the encouragement that she gives me. As my time at MSU is coming to an end, my mentor is very set on making me more independent and confident in the decisions I decide to pursue. At the end of the day, she has taught me that I need to find these things in myself. I have to be confident in my abilities and in the decisions I make in order for me to become the type of leader I want to be.
Through everything, I learned that, yeah, having people support you helps along the way, but in order for me to really make some change and achieve my vision, I've gotta believe in myself.
There's a little piece of me that's starting to realize my last semester is approaching. Last week, Yosayra gave me a Christmas card telling me how she's gonna miss me and my sassiness and it made me sad.
*sigh*
Saturday, November 24, 2012
It's Thanksgiving Break!
Yes! It's Thanksgiving break and I have five papers and three presentations due by Wednesday. I'm actually moving through them pretty swiftly, but it's still a lot to do. I officially submitted my first grad school application last week and will be submitting my next one on Monday. Submitting my first app was definitely a huge weight off my shoulders and I've been feeling a lot less overwhelmed since then.
Before Winter Break, I want to have everything submitted so I can fully embrace my break. It is a well-deserved one. This semester has been insane with work and everything else in the mix. I definitely have a better idea of how to work things out for next semester...
Things have been going well. I just wanted to update because it's been a while. Apps are being submitted, things aren't too bad. I've learned to take it a little easy with things and not get crazy about things, but it's a learning process. *sigh* The process continues!
Before Winter Break, I want to have everything submitted so I can fully embrace my break. It is a well-deserved one. This semester has been insane with work and everything else in the mix. I definitely have a better idea of how to work things out for next semester...
Things have been going well. I just wanted to update because it's been a while. Apps are being submitted, things aren't too bad. I've learned to take it a little easy with things and not get crazy about things, but it's a learning process. *sigh* The process continues!
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