Fall: Royalty Among Seasons

Most people know that fall is my favorite season. My love for the season is not a secret. I figured I would post a blog specifically dedicated to fall. Here are a few reasons why fall is the greatest time of the year:

*Changing colors

*Cool days

*Colder nights

*Perfect running weather

*Beer festivals

*Apple cider

*Hot chocolate

*Great hiking

*Halloween

*Thanksgiving

*Pumpkin patches

*Apple orchards

*Scary movies

*Haunted houses

*Fall jackets

*New season of The Amazing Race

*Baking

*Rainy days

Excited to be spending a fall in Blacksburg, VA. Wilmington and Stillwater were not able to quench my thirst for this time of year. Expect a lot of fall pictures in the next few months. :)

Hokie Blindside

Today was an interesting day, to say the least. It was the first time in a few weeks in which the professional staff had the opportunity to branch out and take some much-needed time off from work. Needless to say, Jenny and I ventured out and spent some time together... for good or for worse.

In the afternoon, we decided to go to Target on Move-In weekend. It is like we were amateurs at this whole "moving to college" thing. Luckily, we found a parking spot or two and continued our journey to stock up on some necessities. You know you have been cooped up when you are excited to purchase a new toothbrush.

Once we got back, we planned to meet in 30 minutes to attend this Hokie Hi Picnic thing. Apparently, it is a big thing at Virginia Tech to attend this picnic. All of the dining halls close during this time to prep for the students, staff, friends, and families who attend this event. Strategically, we came an hour after it started to ensure there was no line for the food. When Jenny and I arrived, we were confused upon the entrance to this little shindig. There was a split entrance with band members going to the left and what appeared to be the general public going to the right. Luckily for us, this fine volunteer pointed us in the direction of the band...

Continuing down the walkway, we were greeted by about 10 other volunteers. They were super pumped about giving some hi-fives. Jenny and I were super confused. As we continued down the tunnel, we began to realize we were the only ones who were heading into the football player entrance to Lane Stadium. And we were surrounded by about 50 people waiting to cheer us on. Where was everyone else?!

Let me tell you... they were happily sitting in their seats watching this fiasco unfold. Apparently, we were corralled into the entrance for first-year students who wanted to rush the field. We looked less-than-thrilled. It wasn't until we got our food and our seats that we realized there was another entrance and that we were the only individuals within the past 30 minutes to make an entrance. And we also realized that this was truly not a picnic... #HokieFail

This image is to represent our entrance into Lane Stadium. McKayla is not impressed...

Why I RLC

The Peddrew-Yates area at Virginia Tech has organized a blog to allow individuals the opportunity to share their stories. This is why I am where I am today. Thanks to all who made a difference. :)

Hello, all!

My name is Scott Busiel, and I am one of two Residential Learning Coordinators (RLC) in Pritchard Hall this year. I'm excited to join the Hokie Family as this is my first year within the role. Recently, I obtained my Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma State University... Go Pokes!

I didn't expect to end up where I currently am. I began my education planning on being a marine biologist. And no, I did not want to be a dolphin trainer with the degree. That is a common misconception of marine biology majors, as many individuals don't end up working with marine mammals. I will save that story for another time. I did end up where I am due to my role as the Night Director for a marine biology summer camp. While I got the chance to teach about the sciences, it was the interpersonal relationships I built with the students in the camp that allowed me to reflect on who I was meant to be. I worked with students through familial issues, mental health issues, and served as the confidant they needed. It changed my life, and I realized I was able to change theirs.

From this point on, I knew I wanted to work with students and serve as their teacher, their mentor, and their support. I am passionate about helping individuals reach their potential, even if they don't realize it in the present tense. Even with the long days, longer nights, and countless hours of helping others, I could not imagine doing anything else. That is why I RLC.

Choose Your... Coffee?

Have you ever heard of the phrase "choose your attitude?" Chances are the answer is an overwhelming "YES!" Your supervisor or peers may hammer this idea into your head on a regular basis. Over the past 3 weeks, we have been in Administrative Faculty training within our department at Virginia Tech. It has been great, and I am learning new processes and ways of carrying out my job. What I haven't mentioned is that there are another 4 weeks of training before residents begin to arrive. Talk about a lot of information, right?

During some of the longer sessions, I have noticed myself spacing out; 30% of this is due to the information and the other 70% is due to my admitted short attention span. Sitting for more than 1 hour in the same place is more than enough time for me to begin losing focus. Yesterday was my favorite day during training, and that is me not being facetious. This can probably be attributed to the fact that we were actively involved in creating our schedules for when the staff arrive and finalizing our Community Learning Plans.

Something that I have noticed about myself during these past few weeks: If I do not get coffee in the morning, I turn into grumpy Gus extraordinaire. Yesterday I met with my supervisor at 8:00 AM (yes, it was Friday), grabbed coffee (many, many cups) and breakfast, and that really transformed my day and my attitude. The day was also accomplished, as I was able to complete a number of items on my personal and professional "to do" lists.

So, you are reading this and are probably trying to figure out the moral of the story. Well, let me tell you without further delay. The moral is to find that one thing that will boost your morale no matter what. For me, the slightly bitter, yet smooth taste of this liquid nicotine is what carries me during these long and unavoidable days. I plan on conducting a study on how other perceive my attitudes on days when I drink coffee versus days I do not drink coffee. Results to come.

Always know, I choose my attitude by choosing coffee.

3 Unpredictable Weeks

It has been awhile since I have posted anything on here. 60% of that is due to the move. The other 40% is due to the fact that I was lazy and needed to take a break. I'm glad to be back, and I hope this post doesn't disappoint. Let's rewind to the last week in June where we last left off.

The end of June was full of ups, downs, and everywhere in between. I was busy packing to head out to Virginia and finishing my thesis, which was a full-time job within itself. The week was a difficult one emotionally, as I was leaving some really close friends behind who I have grown to know and love during my time at Oklahoma State. Hope you all are doing well with the onset of training. :)

I left for Blacksburg at 6:00 AM on Friday, June 29th. Everything was going smoothly during the beginning portion of the trip. I stopped in Siloam to have breakfast with Carter. It was good to catch up for a bit before I left for a few months. Arkansas was not a terrible drive in the morning. It was cool, I was surrounded by mountains, and this was energizing me for the remaining 12 hours in the car. I made it past Little Rock, and that it when disaster struck: Traffic! My car doesn't have A/C, and the temperature was quickly rising into the 110's. An hour of sweating, cursing, and waiting, I was finally through the traffic and was ready to continue ahead. The 16-hour drive ended up taking 19 hours, due to other random stops along the way. I ended up getting into Blacksburg around 2:30 AM.

During the first week of July, I drove down to Charlottesville to visit some old friends. Denise came back from Georgia (the country) and was recently employed! The 3rd was an incredible night with some incredible people. I vow to never play "Survivor" with these people again. The second game was a mistake.

The following week, we began training. I'm thankful for having worked in ResLife prior to this week, as the information was not as heavy for me as it could have been. I also defended my thesis and ended up passing. All of the paperwork was turned in (which was a sigh of relief if you know of the situation), and I have officially graduated with my Masters. Better late than never, yeah?

Looking ahead to this week, I am excited to work and develop plans for Pritchard's in-hall training. I'm thrilled to work specifically with the building and to get to know the nooks and crannies that is the Pritchard Maze. Now is the time the HRL staff will know what they got themselves into by hiring me. This will be a productive few days!

What's a Vacation Without _____ ?

This past weekend, a group of us went to Fayetteville, Arkansas to check out Jen's new home and to take Kathryn to state #7, since she has lived a relatively sheltered life. I can honestly say that this is one of the most memorable trips I have ever made, in a number of ways. So, here is a rundown of the weekend:

Jen and Seth arrive in Fayetteville on Friday to grab keys and to get acclimated to the city. I was busy out at the pool in Stillwater during their little adventures, so I was (of course) unable to make it. Work called. It was a good day. On Saturday at 7:00 AM, Kathryn and I departed for Fayetteville with Annie, Kyle's hyperactive (and mostly ridiculous) dog. What Kyle forgot to mention was that he had packed half a car's worth of belongings for his beloved pooch. I was shipping 3 large boxes of clothing to Virginia Tech during this trip, and these extra items made for a full car. This could only mean that Kathryn would get the opportunity to hold and comfort our fuzzy friend. She was not happy about this, as Annie is notorious for drooling and shaking during long car rides. Needless to say, Kathryn's zebra-printed purse was nearly ruined after this 3-hour trip.

Once Kathryn and I arrived, we met up with Seth and Jen, unpacked, and settled down for a bit. The four of us went to eat a nice lunch, in which I got stiffed of some change. Keep track: This is the first time this happened. Following lunch, we went back. I decided that 3:00 PM was a nice time for a run. For those of you unfamiliar with this area during the summer, it gets to 100 degrees. And Fayetteville has many, many hills. 

Did I mention there were hills?

We all met up for dinner with some friends and got stiffed of some change (we are 2/2), and I continued to catch up at a nice little coffee shop following the consumption of these good eats. I received all of my change at the coffee shop. Our waitress was also a bit water-obsessed. We only needed to take a drink before she darted from across the room to refill our glasses. It was a fun sight to see. The coffee was delicious and the conversations were great.

Sleep.

The next morning, we met Carter for lunch at the same place we ate at for lunch on Saturday. The place offers a brunch menu on Sundays. I asked for egg substitute in my omelet. The waiter didn't know such a thing existed. I then asked for an egg white omelet. Apparently, that is frowned upon and not possible at this kind of establishment. I ended up getting waffles after this conversation, where I only lost my pride and dignity. AND some change. Fayetteville went 3/4 in this little change fiasco. Good job water-crazed, coffee shop lady! And this isn't the best part...

On the trip home, Kathryn and I rode in my car. My car doesn't have A/C, and it was 100 degrees again. We stopped at a QT in Tulsa to get some drinks and to fill up our tanks. During this exchange, it appeared as if someone took Jen's car keys. We were stranded in Tulsa for 45 minutes before we ended up contacting Seth's family to take Jen and Kathryn back to Stillwater, grab the spare key, and return the key to us at the QT. This was such an inspiring act of kindness, and I am glad to have been a part of this experience. By 9:00 PM, Seth and I were able to hit the road back to Stilly. Of course, we enjoyed the sunset and a picnic in the parking lot. It was pretty romantic, if I do say so myself.

You know what? This was one of the best vacations... Period. Everything was weird. Some things were crazy. There was no structure or making sense of some of the series of events. But I wouldn't trade this vacation for the world. Thanks to those who made my last weekend in the southwest a memorable one. :)

When Change is Good!

If you haven't checked out the blog in the past day, you may not have noticed the construction! For one, the background went through some changes to make the posts pop. And the font has become more legible. How come no one told me everything was so difficult to read?!

Underneath the title, I have added a few sections: One for healthy, cheap, and odd dinner recipes created by your's truly and another for healthy desserts (as we all like to splurge sometimes... or a lot). I will continue to post new recipes and pictures as I make new, inventive meals. Last summer, I made a lot of unique, delicious, and "healthy" desserts, so I will continue to add pictures and posts to make up for my lack of experience in working with Blogger.

One of my passions is cooking healthy and cooking for individuals on a budget, as I have lived my entire life having to watch how much money I am spending. These recipes reflect these two things. Unfortunately, there are some foods you will never see me cook:

*Red meat (haven't eaten in 6 years)
*Deep-fried foods (try to avoid when at all possible & they aren't healthy)
*Seafood (I just don't like it!)

At the bottom of the dinner posts, you will find a breakdown in prices for the various ingredients. Feel free to substitute veggies, meats, spices, or sauces and comment. Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to food.

I hope you all enjoy the new additions! :)

New Home - Fall 2012 Edition

Hello, Loyal Fans!

I have some great news for you all. As you know, I have been packing, mentally prepping, and really preparing for my big move to Virginia Tech over the past couple of weeks... Well, let's be honest. I have really been doing it since the end of April! Yesterday, I received some good news on where I will be working this upcoming fall, and I could not be more thrilled. Lucky for you, I am going to give you some of the specs on this little (well, it is rather big) gem.

I have the opportunity to co-supervise in the largest hall at Virginia Tech: Pritchard! There are:

*1,100 first year students, living in a co-ed, traditional environment. Hope these students are ready for some high-energy!
*27 RAs.
*2 Senior RAs. Hope these staff members are ready for some high-energy!
*The SERVE (Students Engaging and Responding through Volunteer Experiences) living-learning community. For those of you who know me, this is a perfect fit. I worked in a service and leadership office for three years during my undergraduate days. AND I may be a bit crazy for some LLCs!
*The Thrive LLC, focused around positive psychology and StrengthsQuest. It is a brand new First Year Experience program. My Zink-Allen Staff will be happy to know that I will probably be continuing with the exercises we did this past spring.

There is a lot to be excited for. I'm excited to work with another RLC to continue building and refining who I am as a leader. (Is it too soon to call ourselves the Dynamic Duo? I don't think so...) I'm excited to work with a supervisor who I know will care about me as a person and professional. I'm excited for my new co-workers and friends. And I'm excited to move back east!

In addition to this news yesterday, I continued planning our adventure to Fayetteville. This is going to be an incredible last mini-vacation with some good people. We will see if I can manage the car ride out there with a spastic animal in the back seat.

Well, that is all for today. Enjoy the last few days of the week. You know I will be enjoying my 4-day weekend. :)

S

T-Minus 20 Days

Sorry for the delay in the posting, loyal fans. It has been a crazy few weeks of packing, finishing my thesis, and getting everything organized for the big cross-country journey. Here is an update on life:

*Thesis is finished! Still establishing a date and time to defend the beasty before I leave. For everyone who has done this, you can relate that this has been one of the biggest stressors. Communication is key, and not having successful communication has made this a difficult process. For those of you who have kept up with me over the past few weeks, you understand what this means.

*I have spent the past few days packing, and I have a lot more stuff than I first thought. I have packed 3 boxes of clothes and blankets to ship out in a few weeks, 3 boxes of books to take, and I have 2 boxes of clothes to donate. Thank you hard work, eating healthy, and working out. I will not miss those large and extra large shirts and baggy pants and shorts. In addition, I have been able to relive my time in Stillwater with the help of some of the notes, agendas, and the "little things" that have made these past few years great. I actually found some of the recruiting materials that brought me back to the few days when 20 of us were vying for a few jobs at OSU. #stressful

So, I only have around 20 days-ish left in Oklahoma. This will be one of the last times I return to the state, and it has been bittersweet experience since my last post. Over the past few weeks, I have really bonded with some of my co-workers/friends through completing online ROCs, going to yoga, heading to the pool, seeing some good and ridiculous movies, and just going to lunch in the middle of the day. More than ever, I have taken in those moments that will mean something to me for the new few weeks, months, or even the next year. Snow White & the Huntsman with Michael - Terrible movie. Some incredible quotes. "Hasn't she been dead for at least two days. Gross!" "Snow White got more action dead than she did when she was alive." And it was also really cool to help a fellow Hokie transition to OSU.

Next week, some of my closest friends will be heading out on their new adventures. I am finally getting excited (and have lost that sense of nervousness) when it comes to moving out to Virginia. I have done some research on things that are actually out in that area, in addition to speaking with some formal locals (thanks Aaricka)! Unlike Stillwater, Blacksburg has a whole foods store, some decent music venues, and mountains. I will be getting that guitar and will probably be stopping by Teavana to get some great brews.

In a few weeks, I will take my last adventure with my Stillwater friends. A few of us will be traveling to Fayetteville to help Jen in her transition. I'm not a big history buff, so I'm going for the farmer's market and coffee shops (and overall experience, I guess). Others are excited about seeing Clinton's House. Eh... What's $5.00? Let's hope for some good weather.

Alright, friends. That is it for this post. It has already gotten lengthy, but we needed to catch up on the past few weeks. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Hit me up on FB, Twitter (@srbusiel), or Instagram now (srbusiel). Having an iPhone changes everything! :)

S

Quarter Life Crisis

Over the past few weeks, I have been going through some big changes. People have been leaving Stillwater one-by-one for a brighter future as full-time professionals in student affairs. I have a job, pending a background check. And I know it won't pull up any deep, dark past events or secrets. I have completed interviewing all individuals for my thesis and am in the process of finishing my last transcription and the general analysis of the data. And our department has transitioned into summer work, which means 20-hours a week of filling out online ROCs and completing flyers, graphic designs, and tasks for the Recognition Committee, taking off Thursdays and Fridays throughout June, and laying at the pool. It sounds like I'm living the difficult life.

This weekend, I decided it was time to spend some money, making me think that I'm experiencing my "Quarter Life Crisis." I'm not sure if this term really exists, but it sounds like a logical explanation for these recent events. On Sunday, I spent the day in Oklahoma City with Hanah. She was a good friend and helped me pick out new sunglasses, a new book, and a new phone. I'm not a materialistic person, which makes me think that there are some outside forces pushing me to do these crazy and erratic things. Or it may be due to the fact that I'm an "orange" based on True Colors... Who knows?!

It wasn't until yesterday that I was able to pick up my new iPhone. Even though I have been pretty independent financially and personally throughout college and graduate school, I feel like this was the first time that I am really beginning on my own. I changed my number, began my own plan, and am beginning  on a crazy journey as an adult.

Some of you may be reading this and thinking that this isn't too bad. Where are the big purchases? Let me tell you. They will take place next month and once I make my move to Virginia. I have it all mapped out, which is strange to me as I tend not to be much of a life planner. Before leaving Oklahoma, I plan on getting a tattoo to represent my time here. For those of you who don't know, I already have one to represent my time in North Carolina. It is a wave and is located on my forearm. I spent four years on the beach and was passionate about my studies in marine biology, so it seemed like the perfect fit, and I was able to design it myself. Within the next month, I am looking to get a barcode to wrap around my arm, directly below my elbow. I'm getting this to represent the growth I have undergone in understanding who I am as an individual (hence the barcode). Tattoos are not cheap, for those of you who have not gotten one.

Following my move, I am also hoping to get a guitar. Music is a passion of mine and is my life. And I have always wanted the opportunity to write my own songs, so it seems like the purchase of a lifetime. While these things may not be like buying a car or renting an apartment or purchasing a new home, they are a big deal. I'm finally moving on and starting anew! Plus, I'm frugal, so these purchases are going beyond what I have been comfortable spending. Let's hope these spontaneous decisions were for the best.

Happy Tuesday!

Be Your Own Chauffeur

I'm sure many of you have heard this before, but I feel like it is an important life lesson that we often take for granted. Maya Angelou said, "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Sound familiar? Even if you haven't heard this quote before, I'm sure your mentors, supervisors, friends, or people within your circle of acquaintances have talked about this general concept. This will be the focus through the rest of my piece.

In my opinion, graduate students and interns often get the short end of the stick when it comes to responsibilities and assignments. If a full-time professional does not want to take something on, they often pass it on to a graduate assistant or intern as part of the "other duties as assigned" portion of the job description. You know what? That's completely alright. You've also probably heard of the quote: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." As a Residence Director, I have done my fair share of complaining, griping, and doing what I could to impose change. Just because I didn't like something, I felt a need to change it. The most growth comes from these negative, and often challenging, experiences. I'm telling myself (and you, as a reader) to accept the pieces of your job that you can't change and to make the changes when they are only truly needed.

The title of this blog is "Be Your Own Chauffeur." Have you figured out the connection yet? It is important for us to be the driving forces in our own lives and to control the things we have the power to control. The greatest area in which many people and professionals in student affairs have direct influence is their own personal attitude. Yes, I have met many individuals in the profession who have terrible attitudes. Fortunately, this is our biggest area of self-influence.

This past week, I have been completing online Room Occupancy Checks (ROCs) through our StarRez system. It is not the most glamorous or most exciting job, and I will be the first to admit that. Have I been the most positive of influences to those around me? I would be lying if I said I was. Hopefully by writing this, I will be able to hold myself better accountable for my attitude and spheres of influence. What I am trying to get at is that it is important to make the most out of the worst of situations. That is how your friends, peers, other co-workers, and supervisors will remember you by. Attitude is a defining feature and is often the "make" or "break" when it comes to one candidate getting a job over another.

As you go through life, I hope you remember that you are a major influence in whether you are having a great day or a terrible one. Even in the most critical and negative of transitions, your attitude reflects who you are as a person and professional, in many cases. How do YOU want to be remembered? Make those changes and be the driving force in your life.

Oklahoma Bucket List

Last night kind of marked the beginning of the end for my cohort's time at Oklahoma State. Tomorrow is the day when individuals begin to leave Stillwater for home or greener pastures (or new jobs). It was probably the last time we will all be in the same place at once. Due to these upcoming farewells, I have decided to start an Oklahoma Bucket List for my last 40 days here:

1. New tattoo to represent my time in Oklahoma. And yes, I have finally figured out what it will be. There will be no tornadoes or pictures of Pistol Pete on my body, so I'm sorry to disappoint those who were thinking that a viable option.

2. Trip to Dallas and Six Flags in Arlington, TX. Austin - you better be ready for this one!

3. Picnic by this nice little pond off of Western.

4. Go to a Casino, as I have never been to one before. I may watch Michael and others gamble, but I will be the moral support.

5. Spend an entire day at Aspen Coffee, listening to music and not feeling bad about it. I'll save this one for one of the Thursdays or Fridays I have off in June. :) (May 26, 2012)

6. Run 13.1 miles below 1 hour and 45 minutes.

7. Say what I mean and act on how I feel.

8. Float the Illinois River at least once. Was supposed to do this 2 summers back, but Oklahoma was in a drought (no one is surprised here).

9. Say "see you soon" to everyone who made this experience a great one! (May 23, 2012)

10. Play midnight bocce somewhere other than behind the Griffith Center. I'm flexible with this one. (May 17, 2012)

11. Spend an evening looking at the stars without any disturbances.

12. Go golfing a few times this summer. (May 19, 2012)

13. Learn how to shoot with a bow and arrow.

14. (Maybe) Get my nose pierced. This one depends on the money.

I feel as if this list is pretty reasonable. More will be added as I continue to think about things that I need to experience while I am still in Stillwater.

The Summer Season

It is no secret that summer is one of my favorite seasons. If we could keep both summer and fall and get rid of the other two, I would be content 24/7. So, I was thinking about what makes summer unique and special. I actually think I have worked more during the summer than I regularly do throughout the year. My first summer at Oklahoma State, I had the privilege of staying on-campus and working with New Student Orientation. Last summer, I got to travel back out east and work with some incredible friends and professionals at the University of South Carolina. With all of this work, why do I love summer so much? I know that is the question you are asking yourself, right? I will tell you everything that makes this season incredible (to me):

*Cool mornings
*Warm days
*Summer drives
*Loud music
*Windows down
*Eating watermelon
*Drinking lemonade
*Picnics at the lake
*The 4th of July
*Lounging at the pool
*White t-shirts
*Bright colors
*Summerfest
*Concerts
*Walking barefoot
*Wearing sandals
*Evening thunderstorms
*Afternoon rain showers
*Big sunglasses
*Cold beer
*Slushies
*Summer movies (this summer is a bit of a letdown...)
*Traveling
*Tennis
*Water parks
*Roller coasters
*Sleeping in
*Hiking and camping
*The beach
*Food Network programming
*Reading outside
*Running around Boomer
*Exploring
*Campfires
*Smores
*Stargazing
*Walking dogs
*Sand volleyball
*Everyone's nicer (not proven, but I'm sure it's true)

This is a condensed list. I'm sure there are more. Feel free to add your own, whether it is a comment to this page, on FB, or through Twitter. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the start to your summer season!

Cut... That's a Wrap

Most of you probably recognize this image on my profile. These incredible people (and Kyle Moore and Becca Morgan who are not pictured) have really pushed me in my work. This is the North Monroe Area professional staff at Oklahoma State, led by Delton Gordon (guy in orange). This semester, our area agreed that we would meet every morning for around 45 minutes to an hour. I loved this progressive idea and immediately jumped onboard. I know others were more hesitant and reluctant to the changes. BUT I can honestly say that despite the struggles with organizing my time, these were some of the best moments of the year. Thank you (from left to right) Michael DuPont, Eric Garrison, Kathryn Shore, Bryan Hinnen, Kendra Fringer, Kali Bell, Heather Wright, Delton Gordon, and Kyle and Becca for everything. This has been, by far, my favorite group of people in which I had the opportunity to work. Every morning was a new experience, and I can say that I have laughed more with this group of people than any other on campus. I will miss you all next year!

This goofy group is the Zink-Allen 2011-2012 staff. In my not-so-humble opinion, this was the best staff on campus this year. I am proud of everything this group has accomplished and am proud of you all as individuals in your growth this year. I am going to take some time to brag about these great student leaders (and soon-to-be professionals). We will start with the left and move to the right.

Kiara Walton - Keeping the group organized was always something you did so well. I am really proud of you in getting that photo editor position with the paper and am excited to continue hearing about your successes. You have a bright future. See you this summer, as I will probably be at Olive Garden every other day.

Robyn Latham - What haven't you accomplished this year? You represented OSU as the Student Staff Member of the Year for the region. And you were inducted into the Student Staff Hall of Fame! I'm excited for you, as you begin your graduate school journey at OSU this fall. You will make a huge difference in the world; I already know it.

Sage Kerr - You are one of the most mature and reflective individuals I know. And you are also one of the least likely individuals to be recognized for your hard work and accomplishments. I know you will be valued as the leader on staff next year. Thank you for our long discussions and chats. I hope they continue.

Esther Johnson - I've told you before: I don't know how you manage everything you are involved in! People see you as a leader, whether you are working with Housing or working on engineering projects. Congrats on your 2nd place finish in the Concrete Canoe Competition and on your Housing scholarship! Make sure to keep Austin in line next year. :)

Dylan West - I would say that we ended up with a tie in our overall racquetball score. And we never did end up playing tennis this semester! You have been one of the most creative staff members I had the chance in which to work. Your bulletin boards are OUTSTANDING. Make sure to keep up that drive and ideation with the staff next year.

Jess Thompson - The past two years have been quite the journey. I am glad you made your way over to Zink-Allen from the Bennett bunch one year back. I am also proud of you for your work developing community and in putting on the Leadership Program of the Year: RAs Exposed. Continue to rock it out next year as a ZA returner!

Melissa Gleason (the one hiding) - You are one of the most brilliant people I know. Congratulations on everything you have accomplished this year: National RA of the Month for July, Housing scholarship, and on getting into PA school! I am really proud of your balance and dedication to your goals. Keep up with those finals study sheets you are so fond at making.

Sean Morrison - The newest Zink-Allen staff member and I could not have asked for a better person to join the team. It was tough, as you didn't get the training you may have needed when you made the transition in February. Your determination, effort, and drive has been unmatchable. That is probably why you won the Parachute Award this year. Congrats! You deserved it more than anyone I know.

Amy Gipson - My experience at OSU would not have been the same without you. We have both grown so much since we first started, and you were the most incredible Programming Assistant I know. You were the Advisor of the Semester, inducted into the Student Staff Hall of Fame, and were an incredible role model and leader. I'm proud of you and am excited to continue our conversations as you move to China this summer. Keep on making a difference.

Thank you all for making this year fun, entertaining, and incredible. You all kept me motivated to be a better person and professional, even when I didn't feel that motivation from others in the department. I will miss you all! And while I may not have cried (as some of you noted) when you all left over the past few days, I know it will hit me soon. Remember: It is a staff expectation to not thieve and to keep in touch.

As I finish up my thesis and officially graduate, I am grateful for all of the people I have met over the years. I am excited to keep up with Lena Kavaliauskas (shown above), as she starts her Ph.D. adventure at the University of Maryland. I am also thrilled for others, as they also make the move to the east coast. This will definitely ease this terrifying transition. And while it may not always seem like it, orange will forever be my favorite color and OSU will always hold a special place in my heart. I will always Live Orange!

And as we officially make the move to the summer months, I will leave you all with some incredible tunes. This is my Summer Sound 2012 playlist. I will continue to update it as new songs show up on my radar. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy; I am willing to mail you so you can share my experiences with me. Music is my life, and I love the linkage of music to the past and present. Share my summer with me as we all move on, in some shape and way.

Peace, love, and rock and roll.

A Year in 1 Post

I know I have been pretty terrible about keeping up with this blog. I may get better, I may not. Only time will tell, right?

To start, thank you for taking the time to read this. Chances are, you found this because you are a friend, professional connection, or a combination of the two. Whatever the relationship, you should know that you are important to me. Most of you know that I am terrible about keeping up (hell, it has been 11 months since I have updated this blog). Someone told me that you are only able to process 150 +/- 10 relationships at a time. This is my attempt to keep up with the 700+ people in my life. And I digressed...

So, this has been a year full of surprises, hardships, and reflection. I don't think I would be the same person or professional I am right now without everything that has happened, both good and bad. The theme of the past 11 months is this: Life is filled with learning. You can find success anywhere, as long as you are open to this idea of change. I have made my fair-share of mistakes this year, as a person and as a Residence Director. And through these mistakes, I have probably made even more mistakes. There were points in the past few months when I upheld the traits I hated most in others. There were points when I was treated with the utmost disrespect. There were points when I saw others treated in the same regard. I have developed my values through these experiences: The times I have seen myself at my best and at my worst through self-reflection and the observation of others and their actions.

At this point, you are probably asking yourself why I am writing about this. My first blog in 11 months, and I am standing on a soapbox. Well, I'm doing it to give perspective. What makes society both good and bad is its influence on us as people. Sure, it is important to take in the thoughts, ideas, and perspectives of others. It helps us grow. Don't let the negative influences and behaviors of others adversely impact you as an individual. Take these experiences and rise up to be the better person... the better professional. Stand up for the wrongs of the world. Be strategic in taking these risks.

I have done my share of complaining this year. What I didn't understand until recently was that I have learned from everything in which I have undertaken. I have met some of the most incredible friends and colleagues over the past few months, and I have a lot to be thankful for. Within a two-week period, I met nearly 100 professionals and made some significant connections in student affairs. I have graduated with a Masters (well, almost) and have a job with an institution that values who I am. Virginia Tech was a great fit, and I think they need me as much as I need them over the next 3 years. I have a family who loves me and friends who care about me. Most of all, I have changed. I am more confident in who I am, and I think I have this whole life thing figured out. I am outgoing. I am sarcastic. I am a scientist. I am an educator. I am a hippie. I am go-with-the-flow. I am brilliant. I am an advocate. I am a health nut. I am an athlete. I am a lover of music. I am addicted to Facebook and Twitter. I am listening to "Superman" by Joe Brooks on repeat while writing this. Love me or hate me, I am Scott Busiel.

And there you go! Welcome back to my blog. :)