So... I'm Totally Copying Jill on this One...

It's kind of weird to think about. Even though I'm having the time of my life out on the east coast, I guess you never realize what you have until it's gone. Yeah, yeah... I know that sounds completely cliche. I'm talking about friends; you know the people who keep you sane when everything is insane around you? I've met some really great people out here this summer, and I plan to visit some of my old friends from the area in the next few months, but I miss the people from Oklahoma. I don't want to say that I took them for granted when I was in the area, but I think I have a better understanding of how important they have been in my life now that I'm away for a few months.

Here are just a few things that I miss:
* Random lunches at Chili's with Jill and Bryan
* Going to Mexico Joe's and ordering some margaritas with Jill and company
* Hanging out with Bryan in his office when I should have been working
* Playing Settlers or Cosmic Encounters with Ray, Joel, Bryan, Rob, Sarah, and Michael

* Hanging out in the Bennett office with Eric and Kendra
* MY STUDENTS! There are too many of you to name
* Just Dance 2 competitions, where I was a champion!
* Sardines with the staff when all of the students had left
* Birthday trip to Tulsa with Carter, Becca, and Jon
* Bubble Tubes and Baltimore with Bryan, Jen, Heather, Lena, Kell, Alex, Tom, Michael, Lesley, and Brian
* Sexy Poncho time at football games!

I'm sure there have been plenty of other things that I didn't think about. I just picked a few pictures, so sorry if I didn't include anyone in any of them. You are still missed!

And if you haven't, you should definitely add me to Skype and have a good, ole fashioned convo with me sometime soon. Add scott.busiel, and you will be set to go! I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer so far.

There will be more to come.
SRB

Finally in the South... Again...

Last week I finally reached Columbia, SC after 16 hours in the car. I definitely would not have been able to do it if it weren't for the music and my friends who kept me on the phone for the duration of the drive. Let me tell you, Columbia is not an easy city to navigate when you have been living in a small town like Stillwater, OK for the past two years. I got lost at least twice, and the coordinator who was supposed to check me in must have thought I was incompetent after having to call him a few times for directions. BUT I made it, and that is the important thing.

This has been such an amazing experience, and I am really loving my supervisors and colleagues. Everyone here has welcomed me into the department, and I can see myself working at a place like this after I graduate next year. I've been able to get students interested in our Common Courses Program (linked course program) and register them for a few of their classes. The department also has me working on a brand new concept: the Associate Learning Community Proposal. Starting this fall, students are able to create their own living-learning community. It needs to be academically-based and have the support from professionals and other interested students. I am working on creating the theme and webpage for this new concept. I am also looking at ways to promote this new program to students and staff members at the university. So far, I have gotten some really great experiences, and the people who work at the university have been great. I don't know if I could say the people in the city are as great, though.

I cannot tell you how many times I have almost been hit by another car. These people cannot drive to save their lives! When I lived in Wilmington, I always thought, "These people are terrible drivers." When I got to Stillwater, I thought, "These people are worse drivers than the people in Wilmington." The drivers in Columbia take the cake for CrAzY! Some of them drive 10 mph under the speed limit, some cut you off while making left-hand turns, and others decide it is alright to blow through red lights. Needless to say, I have not been driving too much since I made it out here.

In other news, Columbia has some amazing farmers markets! They also have a Target and some pretty amazing local and chain restaurants. I am in heaven right now... I'll have to make sure that I get my fix in before I have to travel back out west for another year. Well... it is 12:30 AM, and I have to be at work early. Signing off for the night!

SRB