The 10th Week of Accomplishments!!!

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Because you never know where life is gonna take you

 and you can't change where you've been. 

But today, I have the opportunity to choose.

~India Arie

I am quite the busy bee, but last week was truly magical. Monday (September 23) was the first day of Autumn, my new favorite season. The leaves are falling and the air is crisp (until it rains). I woke up, and my dorm had slightly more light than usual. Eating breakfast during weekday mornings has become my favorite habit. Yes, it’s cool enough to wear sweaters and warm enough to enjoy your time outside. Naturally, I took this time to enjoy myself. Here are five ways that I used my positive boost in mood to make the mid-semester more enjoyable.

1. Phone Unboxing in Voho Lobby

I am not a brave woman. I’m not sure why my friends think I am, but I know the truth. I’ve been missing my friends, a lot, and I finally had the perfect opportunity to get my fix when my mom decided to buy me a new phone. My old phone hasn’t worked since May, and it was at the point where it wouldn’t even charge anymore. The battery was dead. I decided to be brave and ask my closest friends to come and watch me unbox my brand-new, working device. I asked about nine people, and four of them showed up. My goal was two people (not including myself) and we beat this by 200%. I was so nervous because I’ve never done anything like this before. I wish I took photos of everyone sitting there. It was such a great sight since I had us sit on the couches right by the window.

2. Career Center Catch Up

I worked in McCabe over the summer with the Advancement Office. I hadn’t been back in weeks. The career fair was coming up and I wanted to be prepared so I could make a good impression on potential employers. Now I have business cards I can hand out. They’re not the fanciest, but one day I’ll have some with my own design and maybe a QR code that connect to my social media. I know that I can talk to everyone there about my life, academics, and career plans. Stop over there when you get the chance. It’s never too early (or too late) to get started on your career.

3. Nemesis and Animal Farm

Picking up my banned book during the library’s Banned Book Week (The Color Purple) inspired me to find more books to read this semester. The summer was a great time to read, even though I was busy, I listened to audiobooks. Now’s the time to stop making excuses for myself. I need to hold myself accountable for my choices and for setting my reading goals. I picked up two new library books: Nemesis and Animal Farm. I loved Agatha Christie growing up, and was never able to find a copy of Nemesis anywhere. It was always checked out. Once I finish Animal Farm, I’ll delve into Ms. Marple’s most iconic mystery. Everyone read Animal Farm in grade school or high school except for me. Now, I’m reading the 50th anniversary edition with rather disturbing illustrations. I thought I’d be done with it by now, but I haven’t made enough time to get through it. I’ll have to read it as a pastime, instead of watching YouTube videos.

4. Sisterhood Apple Picking

It was so amazing to feel the wind blow and explore the acres of trees with my sisters. Eating a freshly baked apple turnover has become a tradition for me, and with a working phone - with a great camera - I was able to capture the moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I won’t go into too much detail, though I could if you want me to, and will just say, I love Iowa. Being out in those fields, picking flowers, gazing at pumpkin patches, and seeing the bright gray sky (it was overcast) really make a girl feel at peace with herself. I’ve already written about why I prefer CR over Chicago, but this was outer Iowa City, even less populated, and it felt like home. It was muddy, so I was right to wear rain boots, and there were a lot more people than last year. When we went to the gift shop, I was glad to find that no one had taken the sweatshirt I wanted to buy. Gray looks good on me, and I already called dibs on it. Eventually we had to leave… I can’t wait to go back next fall.

5. Iowa City Visit

I needed a case for this new phone of mine, and I was tired of scouring the internet for one. The fact is, Target was sure to have one that I’d like. We headed out to Iowa City first, to look at the campus and fun businesses surrounding it. I can say with fair certainty that I’m glad I chose Coe. Who knows how I’d be living with thousands of other college students. True, it’s a real college town and I could buy a lot more yellow clothing there, but there’s just too many people for undergrad. The fraternity and sorority houses that we managed to find (they’re hidden) were literally mansions. For some people they’d be small mansions or extremely large houses, but they were definitely mansions. I think I’m satisfied with Coe housing; there’s no way I could afford those housing costs. 

The Target in suburban Iowa City was pretty ridiculous. First of all, the mall was gigantic. I thought I was in the Chicago ‘burbs. Second of all, there were aisles of iPhone cases, but we had to leave the phone case section to find the Android cases. Fortunately, the case I wanted was available (casemate, #brandloyalty). This visit helped widen my perspective to the kind of life I could have depending on the decisions I make. I don’t think I’ll ever want to live in suburbia, but I want to be driving distance from the mall (100%).

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I’m trying to have realistic expectations for the rest of the semester. All the advice I’ve been given by alumni, faculty, and staff tells me to take away the pressure I place on myself and allow myself time to enjoy myself while I’m here at Coe. I feel that the college environment, especially ours which places an emphasis on developing the skills we need before graduation feeds both our ambitions and fears. I choose to take hold of my dreams and do what I know is best for me. No one ever knows what their life will be like in five years, but to set a basic timeline and plan the goals we want to reach is something we can all do, and something I’m working on. I hope autumn is going well for you. College is hard, but it can be truly amazing when we’re able to enjoy ourselves. Try to take time for yourself to recharge and gather your thoughts. Things will get better. They always do.

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I Choose: India Arie Lyrics