It's been interesting and I am alive actually.

Cause we're the party people night and day, livin crazy that's the only way
So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life aint so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life aint so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

This is a reflection post but also a time for me to remember MJ. I loved this song alot and I feel like I'm living off the wall right now ( I accidentally stole someones basket at Target. I just thought that particular basket was mine since I had placed mine in the same area and was looking for a particular shirt and did not look down when I got back but just took the basket. I'm so off right now, it's not right). I think I made MJ proud with that lol. He will be missed and I will have a little spill at the end but first my life.

I have been suffering from acute sinusitis and still continued to work. I never knew allergies could get so whacked up but here in Austin, our mold, pollen and oak levels are so high, if you have asthma, go somewhere else. You won't make it. I have drugs falling out my bag right now.

Because of being sick, my work output slightly slowed but I was able to find some success along the way, the first being a project campaigning the need for a Campus Rec director. This is something I started working on the 2nd day I was here. I started doing research, benchmarks, and a proposal as to why the position is needed. The information was presented to the VP and then processed and researched further. I was a nervous wreck as we waited and hoped on rather a decision would be made but last Thursday the AD came to my desk. She was very excited and told me how our hard work had got what we wanted, a Campus Rec director. My goodness, I almost collapsed but you all have no idea how understaffed they are and still output top notch work and lead their conference in awards and academic achievement. It's amazing. This position will make life a little better. What I also took from this was that I had no idea how my efforts would affect this department. I don't want any accolades whatsoever, I just want to help and learn daily. Since I proved myself to the AD, she is letting me lead with the next steps of formulating this position, which requires another proposal and paperwork needed to be filled out. I will also get to work on the job posting that will occur on the NCAA's website, and get to deal with some correspondence and possibly sit on the committee for this hire. I just feel absolutely blessed and happy that I'm learning and someone will be able to get a job. That's what counts.

Another occurrence I have encountered is that as you know, I can be seen as distant, quiet, to my self, and not too deep into the party but what I have learned in athletics is that this doesn't work. Everyone is tight and close, so you have to show yourself friendly and not cocky. I'm certainly not cocky but I struggle with opening up to people I don't know. SO what I have done is placed a bowl of candy on my desk filled with whatever the candy of the week is that I want. I'll have to take a pic so you can understand but the way my desk is set up, it's at the front so everyone passes it and I have a countertop. Everyone stops by it, so I strike up conversations while people take candy, that way, I meet someone new and force myself to talk. It has worked! I know all the coaches, most players, parents, friends, campers, husbands and wives. I think I will have candy in my first office one day.

I wanted to update about the coaching vacancy committee that I have been able to sit in on. We are holding alot of phone interviews and it's interesting to view the process on the other end. I hate phone interviews but I left away with lots of dont's that's for sure. It was interesting to see how the committee reacts when an interviewee is talking. I swear their eyes would roll when you talked too Southern (thankfully I'm not that bad), did a count off with how many ummm and what nots, and sighed at long drawn out answers. What I learned from this is that I need to continue to practice and am so glad I am learning now about how to do better with interviews. I also noticed how every time a young candidate came up, it was like a strike was already against them. This made me nervous and I must say I left these interviews with doubts about my career. I worry if I'll have enough skills and have a school trust me enough to hire me. I am now literally a little unsure almost, since that's all I heard was they're too young, they need seasoning. Now of course this is coaching but then again, will this be the case for me? I don't really know but I didn't like how I felt after these sessions, and uncertainty has creeped into my brain. :(

On a slight brighter note, I did get to meet most of the staff of student life at our Welcome Week meeting. They are so nice, cordial and professional. Very refreshing to see from such an entity. I learned alot, made numerous contacts and can't wait to present our part of Welcome Week, which I will be working on. Oh snap I forgot to mention that. So since the intramural unit is in need of a welcome event, I came up with an 80's themed recess night, that will be hosted after SEU's soccer game. It will include Res Hall wars, student orgs. and just students who want to be apart of this event, no discrimination lol. I hate that I will put so much work into this project and not see it in action. If you know me, I LOVE THE 80's and it will be a great time for all. I'm working with alot of campus divisions and I pray that it goes off well. I just can't stand the fact that I won't be there to experience it or see my AD in 80's garb. More details of that in the future.

My MJ spill
It seems like yesterday, I was 4, thriller would come on and even though I freaked out every time MJ turned into a a werewolf, I still would watch. I was so afraid of that video and finally got over it when I was 10. I still get chills but I know he'll be human again, that's what I would always say. MJ was amazing!!! I have a song for the most random life events and loved when my dad would play all of his mj records in the summer. The windows would breathe a soft breeze and dirty diana or rock with you, live versions at that, would play throughout the house. There's something about vinyl records and how they could fill up your home and soul better than any cd. By the time the record would end, I was dreaming sweet dreams and loving the moment. I want those days back and I can only thank MJ's music for making life fun, expressive and unique. R.I.P.
How is MJ related to my reflection, well when I get overworked I think about his song "Working day and night" listed below.

You Got Me Workin' Day And Night (I Don't Understand It)
And I'll Be Workin'
From Sun Up To Midnight
You Got Me Workin' Workin' Day And Night
(Hold On)
You Got Me Workin' Workin' Day And Night
(I'm So Tired Tired Now)
You Got Me Workin' Workin' Day And Night

Great song. Till I speak again. Be good and be safe:)
Oh and Go USA Soccer. Makes me want to pull out my soccer cleats! Haven't played in over a year and that's not normal:(

Is there a cure for workaholicism...

Workaholicism is not a real word but it's something that I have made up in my mind as I daily work, work, work, work, work, work, but no time out, no nothing, just work and it's results are showing up and starting to catch up with me all ready but first let's talk about the good stuff.

Alright so this week was filled with a continuance of my duties, some listed from last week and also new additions. The best part about this week for me was sitting down with the AD and Associate AD/Compliance officer, Melinda, fresh from Cali. We began to go over everything I wanted from this experience this summer, so that we can finally send my stuff in to Dr. Bourke. What I loved about this meeting was the opportunity for me to talk about my wants, my needs and also get some expectations from them. One of my main priorities is to be evaluated and to have a voice and role in athletics. Well I opened my mouth and got what I wanted that’s for sure.

After some ideas were aligned, my boss spoke about me having an active role and that could begin with student athlete orientations and me doing presentations on numerous topics that would need to be presented to them before they started their year off. Also I will work on a curriculum and game plan that can be used in the leadership program that I would like to start for upperclassmen student athletes. Since a lot of coaches are extremely busy with camps, I have picked up some of their projects as well. I just can’t believe they trust me and so fast. I must say that no they are not dumping all their work on me, I’m just swooping in and letting them know that I want a thorough experience and I can’t learn without working. I guess I have proven myself for they have heard me and still trust me with so much, so fast. Kanye would say that’s amazing. One new project I have received is to basically come up with a design and information to be placed in the new academic planners for athletes. Alas my mentoring and tutoring skills come along. I don’t know how many times I beg my kiddos to bring those bad boys and now I’m making one myself, like this is so cool for me. Furthermore, since we have a head coach vacancy in basketball, I will get to work with the search committee and let’s just say it’s a tedious process and because of NCAA regulations, I can’t say much else. I will also have the opportunity to work with compliance, learn and use the compliance system software that advisors at big time programs use, do National Letters of Intent and also formulate contracts and financial aid packages. I don’t know if it’s me but I’m slowly but surely am gaining pivotal skills and I’m too pumped.

Along with other assignments, I won’t bore you about them lol, I had two great moments this week. One was meeting with some Student Life staff on how we can collaborate during Welcome week at the beginning of the next school year. What I have learned is that for some reason, smaller schools really know how to use their resources and work well with numerous campus entities. EVERYONE knows EVERYBODY. The staff members were extremely opened to my ideas of actually having some events that can include residential, student life, intramurals and athletics as a whole. They were so excited about this opportunity and I also picked up on a cool way of how to help freshman learn to get involve. They literally have an org eHarmony type of deal that actually matches students up to what they like to do after completing an online survey. That cracked me up but I was like how cool. Anywho that’s a new assignment I’ll be working on, while meeting new people and getting this project rolling. Also I may end up working with the main student athletics rally organization (Hillraisers) this summer so that we can have all the support needed to be a success in Welcome Week. I mean these people trust me lol.

Ok so the other moment came after our meeting where my boss just wanted to let me know how I had been doing. According to her, and yes I have played this in my mind a million times, that I was a breath of fresh air. She basically thought that after the time I’ve been here that I would for sure be a success and has never had an intern know what she was doing, had a masterplan and understood athletics as well as I have and be able to juggle so much with consistency. She basically said she would hire me right now if an opening was available and will definitely keep in contact with me of any future openings at SEU or anywhere else. I sat in silence, literally. I don’t take compliments well, ask any one, and when I hear these things, I really don’t know what to say or do. I was in shock. I mean I believe her I guess. I mean I’m just trying to do my job. Not sure how to take it but I trust her, she is the boss lady and all.

Oh and one more thing. So back to my workaholic issues. I am finally noticing that I have no thing called BALANCE! TADAAAAAA!!!!! I have put my family, friends and myself to the side in order to be successful this summer and everyone is not happy about that. I feel that I have to be overly committed and have no clue how to have a balancing act which is hard to admit since I try to be the best in all I do but I just can’t. I thought if I left my school atmosphere, I would straighten up but I haven’t and I’m working a lot but this is the territory I’m in. I’m so exhausted daily and I worry that I will be 50 years old, tired and working all day with nothing else but my degrees and that’s it. Why do I hear Kanye’s interlude on college dropout playing, sigh. Anyways this is my issue for the summer and I really don’t know what to do. I am noticing the void and it’s bothering me now but I can’t shake off my dreams either. Oh well enough of the soaps, I got work to do. See I can’t even end my blog without saying work, crap!!!!!

P.S. The pic up top is of the seal on campus near the main building and no one is allowed to walk on the seal. As shown in the pic, you walk around the seal. Of course I didn't know that when I was touring the campus over Spring Break and almost got clothes-lined by boss when my foot almost touch the edge. I know the deal, won't see me attempt to get stoned on campus.

I said I would update when I could...

Ok this is not internship related. So I got a text this morning to check the front page of huffington post. I'm like why? Well turns out my high school is on the front page. Seems like they're the number one public high school in America once again. Holler!!! I'm such a proud alumni. That school was hell on earth but the results have followed me throughout college and success continues!!! Good things do come out of dallas and I pray that the school continues to get funded decently.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160?from=rss

Internship Projects-Not all of them but some of the major ones to highlight..

Summer Projects to do list thus far.
The Athletics Director (AD) decided to get me in contact with numerous individuals and each led to proposal ideas and projects
1.Nick Cowell-Head Coach Women Soccer (Student Athlete Handbook)
This was a new spin for me and even though I am aware of the student handbook, I was a little shocked that my boss listened to every word I had to say about becoming further aware of the rules and regulations with D-II athletics. I was anxious for this meeting for I had no clue what was to happen and what was my task. First of all, Nick has the coolest accent ever with a hint of French and some England flair. I know, figure that one out. I also noticed his free spirit nature that he has. He’s very open to my experience and ideas and I love that. During our meeting I learned about the need of updating the student athlete handbook which is to focus on five commitments of being an athlete at SEU and to coordinate such with the Holy Cross ideas of service. I think I’m catholic now. I also will assist with updating the code of conduct. Say what? I had no idea I would be doing some Judicial Affairs work but after our conversation, I will be assisting him in this project, which is due in 4 weeks. I smell a lot of reading but I’m up for the challenge and looking forward to being a baby Alicia☺

Brian Perry-Student Life-Associate Director of Leadership Programs
Yes it is true; I am back with some leadership. The reason for meeting with Brian was to try to grasp how leadership development concepts are made at SEU and what numerous programs are done at SEU that involves SEU athletics. Furthermore, I wanted to throw out some ideas towards the opportunity of implementing a sophomore leadership program for student athletes. All freshman athletes must take a credited leadership course taught by Nick (cool accent). Debbie (AD) mentioned that this would be my major project this summer. She is looking for ways to keep athletes focused past their first year and ways to keep them even further involved and connected with being a leader cross campus wise. Athletes are held more accountable here than my past athletic experiences and both Brian and I agreed if the right program and curriculum is put into place with the right outcome in mind, it could be a success. You will hear more about this monster throughout the summer. I think Brian and I are too excited for the future of this occurrence.


Kim Morgal-Asst. Volleyball Coach and Intramural Coordinator
Intramurals has been apart of my high school and collegiate life, till grad school came, but I have a lot of experience from being a participant to actually working in the office. After doing research before hand of the intramural program at SEU, I can conclude that it needs HELP. First off Kim has no experience with intramurals, for volleyball is her expertise, which she has admitted and will make it tough for her to make this program a success but I believe☺. Furthermore, she’s a busy assistant and recruiter so her time is limited. This is not Kim’s fault for there should be an intramural coordinator that can focus specifically on intramurals but with low funding and not enough time, there’s no one that specifically can help the program get on its feet. Basically, with our meeting and my keen eye, an excel sheet was made of programs to keep, do away with, monetary factors, marketing ideas, prizes to give away, emails sent out to student life in hope of some cross campus contribution and much more. What I learned from this meeting is that I’m glad I’m getting a degree in student affairs. Throughout the whole meeting I was using a student affairs tone that kind of threw a loop at Kim but I explained thoroughly a plan we could do with adding student life into the picture, focusing on the specific student at SEU and ways to get students involved. I am thankful for my one-year background in Student Affairs that’s for sure. This project will take time as well but it will work out, cause I said so.

I have learned thus far from this experience is that your past can always jump back right into your face no matter how far you may have thought it was gone. Everything I’m working on this summer, I have experienced and worked with in more ways than one and for some reason, they’re all coming together and being blown in my face. My boss is always asking is it too much or am I ok, (I haven’t added half the stuff I’m doing, its kind of over the top, which is why I have no life) but I’m ok and I say it with a smile. It may seem that I’m all over the place but I’m not, I’m just making myself marketable. I can basically work in a D-I or deal with a D-II and know how to work numerous program areas in athletics. Basically I can be a two headed athletics and campus recreation monster in a good way. I’m thankful, grateful and enlightened by this challenge. I work for great people, a gorgeous campus (they call it the harry potter campus) and even though SEU is smaller, it’s actually better for me. This quiet, small, 3500 undergrad student campus is making me work harder than any 30-50000 campus has done thus far. That’s saying a lot. Also this will be a weekly blog. I have no time to do daily updates, plus I don’t have the luxury aka time to do so but if I see an opening for a quick check in before the week is up, I will so update this for sure. Enjoy the pics below of the campus. I heart this place and forget I’m at work. It’s so quiet here!

My head is spinning around, right round, and I’m tired now, really really tired now.

I have been MIA and for good reasons. Ever since my foot landed in Austin, I have been busy non-stop with not a second to breathe, call anyone, check any networking sites, barely respond to email or text you back unless I’m caught at a red light and you think you’re about to get mugged (inside joke). My schedule is no joke, which starts before dawn and ends with the sun setting or the moon around somewhere, very similar to my school life but I’m realizing that most individuals’ schedules in athletics work the same way or worse, so at least I’m getting trained for the inevitable. I have started my internship at St. Edward’s (SEU) Athletics department and have not looked back. I first think that it would be good to explain the setup of SEU Athletics and then proceed.

SEU athletics is listed under student life; ironically different than most D-I programs I am aware or have worked for. Athletics is not self-sufficient as a Texas or LSU, and is dependent on student fees and whatever funds are given to the department of student life, so you can only imagine how tight money is around here, it’s no joke. Furthermore, the athletics department also has campus rec listed under them, which includes the fitness center, intramurals and sports clubs, all entities that I have worked for. With so many entities being apart of one campus department, numerous programs are not given the correct amount of attention and priorities, thus leading to over-worked staff wearing 2-5 hats and lack luster programs. It’s not easy and I must say from my experience at SEU thus far, some schools do not know how good they have it and the next person at a D-I that complains about showing up to work on a Saturday, I may give them the finger and tell them to kick rocks. They just don’t know how tough it can get. Anywho with so much going on and SEU being understaffed and coaches basically coaching and being directors of numerous divisions, my help is sort of needed and accepted widely by them all, which will be highlighted in my tasks. I plan on helping them get a setup on certain things that need to get done this summer in particular areas and hope that it will be of a great help but on to my week first.

Day one started with a hectic day since the head secretary was going on vacation and saw it as an opportunity to show me all the ropes, important campus locations, numbers, references ect. ect. before she left. Before I could even catch my breath, Coach White (Head Women’s Basketball coach), called me out on my shirt. Ok I know, I love my longhorns and was only wearing it cause it was comfy, but she was like no way maam. I ended up doing a shirt switch with a nice SEU shirt. FYI, I adore coach White, she just rocks and I would do the same thing. Eventually I had my meeting with Athletics Director, Debbie Taylor and it went extremely well. First off I must admit that I’m so ecstatic to work for a department with a female head, oh joy to the world, hallelujah, there’s hope for all. Second, for some odd ball reason I was not nervous at all and was ready to go. As for the day, it went extremely well. I got straight to work, for Debbie had meetings lined up for me all week, project opportunities, and proposals to work on. Basically this internship is no joke and I feel like I’m on line again or something. I speak with Debbie daily and she has the reins to my schedule and basically helps steer me towards my goals that I outlined and spoke with her about. My week would continue to go well. I finally met the two student workers, one a theatre major who wears the best outfits ever and a student golfer, a cool mix. I also met head and assistant coaches and anyone else that flies in the office. Overall, I have a good feeling I may fit in here but we’ll see. All I know is that I’m glad that athletics gear is the business wear in the office. Daily I’m wearing Nike shorts or tights and that’s all good to me. Overall I couldn’t be more excited and extremely tired for the summer and am ready to keep it moving. On to Part 2.