As graduation is nearing I am finding myself more busy than ever!  For that reason, this will be a quick post.  I briefly wanted to point out that Stephens alums are truly amazing women!  This evening I met with Renee, a 2003 graduate of Stephens, who has started a non profit in Columbia.  She found my blog on the site and reached out to offer me some networking leads and a possible partnership.

We met downtown this evening at a favorite local spot - the Artisan - and a business meeting turned into a wonderful time (almost three hours!) of sharing dreams, visions for future projects, and personal triumphs.  Perhaps I have experienced the beginning of a long-lasting friendship as well as partnership.  The incredible alum network is one of the things that persuaded my decision that Stephens was right for me.  I am happy to see that network fall into place even before graduation.

I am not quite sure what lies ahead for this connection, but I am grateful that we made it and I know that wonderful things await in the future!

I leave you with words Renee left me on a previous blog comment: “May I wish you all the best, as you pursue your life purpose.”  I think that is a simple wish we would all appreciate.

Until Next Time…

Hello All,

As usual, it has been quite some time since my last post; your patience is so greatly appreciated.   I can’t believe that graduation is so close.  It is approaching almost too quickly now as I find myself bogged down with papers to finish, finals to start thinking about, and a HUGE senior project to wrap up!

My senior project is going considerably well.  The actual execution part is finished.  We had our gallery of artwork before Spring Break and it was wonderful.  It was so sad to have to tear it down after we finished, but I am hoping that my short film and photos will still manage to capture the essence of creativity that was displayed.  I am so grateful to Stephens for giving me the opportunity to turn the (sometimes crazy-sounding) ideas in my head into such a rewarding reality.  And, I must say, I am so grateful for their patience as I am still continuing to learn what my limits are as to the amount of work I can take on at once!  

As I get closer and closer to getting thrown out in the “real world,” I am reflecting more and more on who I am, who I am becoming, and who I aspire to be.  I have learned so much about myself since my first year here at Stephens and am beginning to realize that just may be a life-long process.

Most of all, I hope that my sudden thrust into the supposedly “cut-throat” life outside of college doesn’t cause me to become jaded and loose sight of my dreams for myself and for a greater impact to those around me.  I think one of the greatest lessons that I am continuing to learn is to take things one-step at a time, never losing hope and clinging tight to faith. 

Until next time…

Boy, time sure flies when you’re having fun. I can’t believe that there is only four and a half weeks left until summer vacation. Those four and a half weeks are going to be filled with quizzes, homework, reading, and finishing final projects. I also have one more lesson plan to perform.

Spring Break was a great time to catch up on papers, projects and some reading. I also really enjoyed spending time with my family and my best friend who goes to a different college here in Missouri.

My roommate Alyssa and I have already started packing up are room. Together we have six car loads of personal belongings in one room! Even though it will be easier taking it down five flights of stairs instead of bringing it up five flights we just want to get a head start. My advice to incoming students would be to PACK LIGHT! I definitely over-packed and hopefully I won’t pack so much next year!

My ten week practicum is almost over. I have only one week left and I am sure going to miss the kids in my class. I have gotten to know each of them and it’s going to be hard to leave them. I really enjoyed this experience and it truly has taught me so much.

It has been so long since I have had a chance to sit down and blog. School has been very busy. It hardly seems possible that Spring Break is less than two weeks away. I am looking forward to spending Spring Break with my family, catching up on some reading and scrapbooking and Easter egg hunting with my cousin Ryan.

I have started working at the Audrey Webb Children’s school during the kid’s lunch to give the teachers a break and let them have a chance to eat. I really like getting the hands on experience with my major here at Stephens. I am so glad that I am exposed to all the processes of being a teacher. In my Health Class one of our assignments was to write a lesson plan and perform it in the classrooms with the children. My lesson plan was over the importance of healthy eating. The kids seemed to really enjoy the lesson. I read one of my favorite books called The Very Hungry Caterpillar By: Eric Carle. My next lesson is over the importance of brushing your teeth. I look forward to seeing how this lesson plan goes because it involves 19 pre-kindergartners and white paint. ; )

During the little free time that we get my roommate and I have started attending an aerobics class at the Health Connection located here at Stephens. The class is always fun and we never seem to be able to leave without laughing hysterically at each other. Hope you have a safe Spring Break!

It is finally beginning to look like spring time here on campus! I take for granted the beauty of the quad and landscape here at Stephens College. Although we are surrounded by the busy city streets and buildings of Columbia, I feel like our campus is a peaceful getaway in its own little way! Spring break is coming up, which is always exciting! My plans are to spend some time at home with my family and friends and take a nice break!

My classes are going really well! I am pleased with my grades and am learning a lot about the education department and what it takes to become an effective educator. My practicum at one of the local day cares is almost over. I never thought that spending thirty hours around infants and children would allow me to become so attached to them! I have learned a lot about the individual infants that I interact with and want to continue observing how they grow and develop! For one of my education classes, I get the opportunity to teach two lesson plans to preschoolers at the Audrey Webb School here on campus. This will be my first little taste of what teaching will be like. I am excited and nervous at the same time!

That is what is going on in my life here at Stephens. I am anxious to see what else is in store for the rest of the school year. It seems as if this second semester of my freshman year is flying by. Juggling the homework, classes, and fun times with my friends keeps my schedule busy. However, I always find some downtime to relax and take in the sights and smells of spring that has sprung at Stephens College!

It is midnight and I simply cannot fall asleep.

As part of an initiative for the American Humanics Student Association and my global ethics final project, I have been researching global slavery. AHSA is partnering with the Not For Sale Campaign to end global slavery in our lifetime.

27 million people are enslaved TODAY. And not just in “developing countries” - within our own borders as well. My heart is so burdened for the young children and the men and women who have no control over their lives. They do not have the comfort and security of family and loved ones, let alone the priveledge of opportunity and choice.

These statistic and realities are not foriegn to me. But, I think there was something about seeing the very faces living this reality that affected my core. These are people… not statistics. As researching and educating myself has put my own life into perspective, perhaps you would welcome the opportunity to do the same.

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org
The campaign to end global slavery
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=28367362
Teaser/Trailer for “Concert to End Slavery”
http://www.concerttoendslavery.com
http://www.callandresponsemovie.com
Official “Concert to End Slavery” Trailer

All I can do is quote the video:
“27 million people enslaved world wide are calling for help. 12 artists respond. What will your response be?”

Well hello again all,

As you can see, it has been some time since I have written and I have been extremely busy.  I simply cannot believe that I am graduating in less than three months!  I feel like I have so much to accomplish before then.

I have a meeting at 5:30, so this will be a quick post. 

 Over the break, I attended the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI) with fellow senior and theatre major Chelsey.  We had a great time and did some major networking!  We were asked to create an arts program for the YMCA’s of Greater Kansas City.  (that is what I am working on at 5:30) We are a little bit overwhelmed at the thought of this very large and quite “real-life” opportunity in the middle of our busy and final semester.  But, all in all, we are excited and grateful for the opportunity. 

We will be designing and implemented a five-day workshop incorporating theatre arts, dance, and perhaps some art and music in there for k-8th graders.  On the fifth day, they will perform what they have learned.  We will spend two to three weeks in Kansas City running the workshops.  It should be great fun!

 Since returning, we have been busy getting the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA) started.  It is the student chapter of the national organization which certifies undergraduates in nonprofit management and leadership.  You should totally check it out!  I will be getting my certification in May (when I graduate).

 We have the kick off for that organization on Thursday.  I am SO excited about what we will be doing.  I’ll let you know more about that later.

 Also, my senior project FINALLY started on Saturday!!! It went so well and I had a lot of fun.  We decorated creativity notebooks.  We only had three participants show up due to a bunch of random reasons other people couldn’t make it.  But, hopefully next week we will have a bigger group…. more updates on that later too

Other than those two major things, I am busy just trying to keep up with all my classes and assignments.  I have my first anatomy test tomorrow.  This is the first science class I have taken in three years, so it should be interesting

 Anyhow, enjoy the week!
Until Next Time…

My 2nd semester has arrived! My break was very relaxing and filled with good times with my family and friends back home. I had to come back a little earlier than normal because of Stephens’ basketball team duties. We had to prepare for four upcoming games. After a week of preparation, the team headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for two games. It was really fun! Not only did our hard work during the week pay off and help us to win both games, but we got to visit the Milwaukee Brewers baseball stadium, known as Miller Park. Our team got to tour the entire park including behind the scene places like the dugout, press box, and even the team locker room! It was really great team bonding. The nine hour drive home was very satisfying with two more wins and a closer team!
Soon enough girls began moving their luggage back into the dorms and things started to return to normal. I was glad to see my roommate and all of the girls that I hadn’t seen for a whole month! Classes have started and I am pleased with my schedule for this spring semester. My classes seem interesting and I am ready to take on new challenges and get the most out of all of my courses! Now that I am an education major, I am taking a child development course that requires me to spend 30 hours helping in a local child care center. This opportunity will give me the experience and interaction I need with children that I want to work with.
All in all, this semester is off to a great start! My 19th birthday is in the beginning of February and Valentine’s Day is on its way! The month of love and a birthday, what can get better than this? I am anxious to see what great memories I will make at Stephens in the New Year!

Almost a year ago I submitted a business idea to our local magazine, Inside Columbia. Inside Columbia Magazine and UMB Bank were co-sponsoring a build-a-business challenge for Columbia, MO residents. At the time, I was finishing up my second to last semester at Stephens College and I knew I wanted to own my own business. I have the type of drive and personality that prefers to work on my own terms and under my own creativity. I submitted my idea for Bath Cocktails a few days before the deadline and I didn’t hear from Inside Columbia or UMB Bank all summer. I began to give up hope, but at the end of the summer I got a call from Inside Columbia announcing that I was chosen as a finalist. I had a week to prepare for a presentation on Bath Cocktails to the big wigs of UMB Bank. I made a few sample products, put together a powerpoint presentation, and dressed in my best cocktail dress. When I arrived at the bank, I noticed I was going to be presenting to about 7 men and only one woman. I was worried that my home business idea for custom bath products wouldn’t appeal to the male-dominated crowd. But, ever the Stephens Woman, I put on a confident smile, tried to add some humor to my presentation and gave it my all. The very next day UMB Bank called to congratulate me on becoming one of three winners! Each winner received $1,000 from UMB Bank and PR for a year from Inside Columbia.

Since then, I’ve been featured in Inside Columbia twice (once in October and once in December) and I will be featured again in March. My products have appeared at the Bridal Spectacular show in Jefferson City in conjunction with Victoria’s Bridal and Formal Wear Boutique. Stephens College featured me in their Alum E-newsletter and I’m starting to see my dreams come to reality. As a winner of the challenge, I was offered classes through Mizzou Extention called FastTrac NewVenture, a course on business plan development. I completed the class in December 2007 and presented the first draft of my business plan to the class and several industry professionals. I received alot of great feedback and Bath Cocktails is really beginning to develop. I can hardly keep up with orders and I’m having the time of my life.

Sarah, Crumbaugh, a Kappa Delta senior Marketing, PR, and Advertising major at Stephens College has agreed to complete a marketing plan for me as her senior project and another Kappa Delta member majoring in Interior Design at Stephens created a store design for my growth plan. Bath Cocktails is just in the beginning stages but the support of my friends, family, the Stephens alum network, and a few of my Kappa Delta sisters, keep me working hard to develop this business.

You can check out my business at www.bathcocktails.blogspot.com.

Ashley

Hello Friends!

I have found myself back in CoMo after nearly one month of vacation.  This semester is definitely going to be a busy one.  I am taking a full load of classes and working on my - quite ambitious - senior project.  Things are always a little bit stressful at the beginning of the semester.  Books to buy, class enrollments to finalize, and of course there is the looming date of graduation-something so inviting, yet so intimidating at the same time.

Over the past two years I have laughed casually at my friends who have graduated-talking about the “quarter-life” crisis that they were going through.  I wonder, did the quarter-life crisis even exist ten, maybe fifteen years ago?  I sometimes long for a more laid back easy-go easy-come life style.  But then, I realize that such a thing is quite improbable these days.  I am hoping to find an in between when I graduate: busy enough to feel like I am fulfilling a purpose, yet still allowing myself time to grow and build lasting friendships and relationships with people.

So, as I anticipate my  quickly approaching quarter-life crisis, forgive me if I become  overly inquisitive and  philosophical about things.  After all, in five short months, I will be thrown into the “real world” involving loans to be paid and jobs to be found.

I have never really been one to make “resolutions” per say.  But, I am definitely looking forward to a year of great personal growth and “learning experiences.”  I hope that I can learn to manage my time and my money a little bit better.  I am really hoping that this busy semester will once and for all teach me not to bite off more than I can chew, or barely manage to swallow.  And finally, I just really look forward to building greater friendships and growing into the woman I was born to become.

Until Next Time…