Unlikely Connections

Unlikely Connections

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Do you ever look back on seasons of your life and people you met there thinking "there is no way we would have ever met, gotten to know each other or have ever been friends if it hadn't been for ________" ? 

As an Introvert (not that I am making excuses, it is just a fact of my personality) it is often hard for us to make connections with other people, to get to know them, grow together in a common goal, and have healthy comradery. This is often the case because we don't willingly put ourselves in public or group situations that warrant us opening up, getting to know strangers with similar interests, and grow together with like minded people who all encourage each other. 

Throughout my life I have never stretched myself to be in settings with lots of people, mainly because I don't like large groups or new things....unless there is no getting out of something and it is required. When that is that case I might enter into the situation apprehensive, slightly negative minded, and might not think I will grow or come out better for it. However, sometimes life (and God) has a way of surprising me and showing me that there is more to who I am and more to people when I let myself get to know them and open up about something I am passionate about. 

As many of you know, I majored in Family and Consumer Science, but my minor was in Education (I am starting my first year of teaching in the fall). However, if you are not familiar with how many University Education programs work, you often go through a semester or more of education classes before starting your student teaching (at least that was the case at my University). 

Every university is different when it comes to how they present classes, but when I took all of my main education classes it was during the spring of 2017 and it was called Methods. During this time I took I think 3-4 different education classes taught by two teachers (one a doctor and one a professor) in a classroom at a high school (where we completed field experience) along with about 15 other education students. We met two days a week for 4 hours. That might not seem like much, but after you get to the High school at 7:00 am two days a week and have field experience until about 12:30 and then meet with 15 other people for 4 hours it's hard not to get close with those people. 

Going into Methods I had no clue what to expect, and I most certainly didn't know what to expect in regards to a classroom of strangers who wanted to become teachers. However, throughout those spring months we didn't just learn how to be amazing teachers, but we talked about what we saw in classrooms, our highs, our lows, our challenges, our dreams, taught lessons to our peers, worked on group projects, went to seminars, ate lunch together, you name it! 

I remember our two teachers (the Doctor and Professor, both of whom impacted me greatly themselves, as talked about here) telling us that the people around us (taking methods) were the only people who would know exactly what we were going through, and would go through in the future, therefore making them very important in our life. I can't tell you how that spring changed my perspective of Interpersonal Relationships and being open to getting to know new people. We shared many jokes and funny stories in that class, we celebrated with each other when great things happened, we carpooled places, met up for lunch, it was crazy (in my mind) but amazing! Getting to know the group of people in that classroom two days a week helped me grow as a person! I learned to be confident in myself around people, to start conversations, encourage others, get to know what made each of them unique, and look to them for advice, critique, and encouragement.

The crazy thing is that I think for the first time in my life I was in a situation where my "peers" noticed me.......I know that sounds weird, but so often I have a tendency to fade into the background, wishing to be invisible rather than seen (sometimes it is my doing and sometimes it is others), but in that class I was seen and people openly chose to get to know me as a person and future teacher. The funniest thing is that because the class was focused on something I was passionate about I was actually SUPER talkative and interactive (shocker, I know)!! One day one of the guys even looked at me and asked "are you doing okay today, because you seem quiet, not like the typical Madison." I had to laugh at his statement because most of the people in the class didn't know me as a quiet introvert, and I looked at him with a laugh and said "This is actually the typical Madison, you just don't see it in class often." 

Those group of fellow Education students and future teachers became so special to me during that spring semester, which was my next to last semester of college. The cool thing is that after our semester and class ended, because of the connections we made most of us stayed in contact. Many of us follow each other on Facebook, keeping up to date with each others lives, and even the next semester when we had to go to meetings and seminars for student teaching we would always make a point to grab lunch together (it was like a big family reunion). I never in my life thought I would meet a large group of people I could be comfortable with, get to know on a mature level, converse with, laugh at, eat lunch with, and know that they understood what you were going through because you had all been there and knew what the other experienced. We may not all be Best Friends, but that spring taught me that people have the capacity for being more than you think. We all have the ability to connect with strangers we never thought we had anything in common with and create bonds that could last forever. 

So I challenge you, whether it is willingly putting yourself into a situation that is new and maybe uncomfortable or entering into something that you don't have a choice about, going into it with an open mind because you never know how much you could grow, how much you could learn from others or the relationships and unlikely connections that could be created there. 

- Madison

I GRADUATED!!!!! Now What

I GRADUATED!!!!! Now What

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Is this real or is this a dream? I seriously can't believe this day is here! I feel like the last 3 years of my life have both crept by and flown furiously. (Oh, and if you are wondering why I say 3 years, it is because I went into college with a LOT of hours so I got to graduate early) But seriously, if you have kept up with my other posts about college or happen to have been following along with the adventures of Minnie Muse for 2-3 years you have probably heard a good bit about my college experience. 

It has been both the hardest and most rewarding 3 years but the payoff is worth it because today I am GRADUATING COLLEGE! That is still crazy to say:) 3 years ago I wouldn't have been able to comprehend that yet another chapter of my life would be ending as another awaits beyond the horizon, but yet here I stand, looking out over the valley that is my future!

So....now what? What is next for me? Well.....I majored in Family and Consumer Science (which is what most people know as Home Economics or as some jokingly call the true the "Mrs. Degree"). Apart from my major, I minored in Secondary Education which means (after I complete all my certification tests) I can teach Family and Consumer Science (which is what I did this semester during student teaching). While my degree is broad and there is definitely I LOT I could do with it, and much I am interested, my plan right now is to become a Family and Consumer Science teacher at the High School Level. However, I don't want to jump into getting a teaching job right away.

You see, the thing I have come to realize over this last semester is that everyone (mostly) always seems to be pushing you to dive right into a job or career or to get an actual teaching gig right away.....but you just spent the last 4 (or 3) years of your life in classes, studying and taking tests to get a degree....you need a moment to just be. To just be a person, not a college student......so I need a moment to just be Madison. Now, I am not saying this in a negative way. Many of the people I went through Methods and Student Teaching with have gotten jobs or plan to in the next month, and I am so happy for them, but I knew for me I needed time before I dive into teaching full time. With that being said, this doesn't mean I am going to sit around all day watching Netflix (only on Friday nights) but it does mean I can pursue the things I didn't have time to in college and also work a part time job. I get a moment to breathe and see what the world has to offer for a few months without the looming expanse of GRADUATION. 

Thus, my plan for the spring is to study and take my tests to get certified as a Family and Consumer Science teacher. Sub at various schools in the school district I eventually want to get a job at next fall, and also pick up my old part time job working at a local tea room. So I am not completely without a plan, and honestly no plan would probably stress me out, but there awaits a future of unknowns, possibilities, and infinite opportunities and I cannot wait to see what God has in store!

-Madison

Surviving College as an Introvert

Surviving College as an Introvert

Monday, November 27, 2017

Looking back on college I am constantly surprised that I survived in a sea of people! I knew college would be a stretch for me, but I don't think I knew quite how much of a stretch until I moved in and it all became a reality. The strange thing about my personality and college is that when I started I only knew I was a quiet and shy person, but I hadn't yet discovered what that really meant for me. I didn't yet know the expanse of what it meant to be an Introvert and that the word "Introvert" completely captured every emotion and feeling that went on in my head. 

Through being at college I not only learned so much about myself and what I was capable of, but I learned so much about my personality, specifically what it meant to be an Introvert (INFJ) in a heavily "peopled" place and how to survive in a sea of people. 

As an Introvert (if your are like me you can relate) we are people who thrive being alone, doing things by ourselves, dislike talking to people we don't know, and avoiding social events or large groups of people at all costs! So looking at a college campus from an Introverts perspective EVERYTHING basically goes against what we are feeling, thinking, and saying in our mind. Let's see, there are dinning halls with many students every day, you sit in class surrounded by 30-50 strangers, you are put in groups to work on projects with classmates you don't know, everyone around you is involved in clubs and organizations, the "thing to do" is go out on Thursday nights, football games are a common occurance for college students to be surrounded by fellow students yelling and cheering at the top of their lungs, tailgates are tradition, and on campus events draw crowds of students who are usually just there for the free food and Tshirts.......did I miss anything? College for an introvert is everything that makes us uncomfortable, anxious, stressed, and retreat into ourselves. 

So how does an Introvert survive? I think for me, the thing that helped me survive as an Introvert was discovering myself. I discovered who I was, learned about my personality, and came to realize that the way I was feeling was perfectly normal for 26%-50% of the population (and the 1% of us INFJ's). I learned that my need to be alone was normal and I accepted that as a part of myself. When I accepted who I was through my personality, it made me feel more at ease in a world that could be a bit overwhelming & crazy. Fore example, I remember taking a book with me to breakfast and lunch every day my first semester.....there isn't anything quite as nice as dissapearing into a book while surrounded by people, it gives you your own world to thrive in and I loved that. I even continued this book reading tradition into my other semesters and even started bringing a book with me to class and reading while I was waiting. 

Looking back at college, I am still dumbfounded at the things I did! Knowing so much about my personality now I always wonder if I were to go back, would I be as sucessful as I was? Sometime I think being so naive about my personality for so long helped me push myself beyond my comfort zone? Other times however, I think it was the recognizition of my personality that actually helped my push myself beyond my comfort zone to try new things (like become an RA). 

Whatever the case, I believe the one thing that helped me survive college as an Introvert was accepting who I was. Being in a world of people who were constantly doing things, constantly meeting new people, going places, and being involved with clubs an organizations, I learned to accept that I wasn't like everyone else. Sure, I eventually became an RA and got involved with my staff team as well as an on campus small group and Bible study, but beyond that I was just me. I didn't go and do all the "things" the "typical" college students did, but I was okay with that. 

I had discovered a few years before starting college that I was different than a lot of people my age, mainly because of how I dressed. However, as the years went by I discovered that wasn't my only difference from other college students. Not only were my views of relationships, fashion, modesty, language, actions, and hard work different, but my view's of "fun" were to.....it was confirmed (as I had already known) that I was VERY old fashioned! 

Call me a grandma, crazy cat lady, whatever you want, but for me those terms encompassed who I was and the way I spent my time outside of class (or in class)...LOL:) With that, I had one Best Friend in college who I met my first day (she was a blessing & God send) and she was also an Introvert so we did a lot of stuff together whenever we were not in class. Honestly I don't know what I would have done without her? I think we would both agree that we would have become hermits if we hadn't met, so it's a good thing we did. 

That's the second thing that helped me survive college as an Introvert, having someone that understood me. Not everyone understands Introverts, but fellow Introverts always understand (for the most part) and that helps you feel like you are not alone. Most days I was perfectly fine going back to my room after class to study, or staying in on Thursday nights with a movie and Icecream, or traveling home on the weekend, but when I was feeling like I should probably talk to another human, she was always the person I turned to. We had standing lunch dates during the week and always had a schedule we stuck to so we knew when we would see each other and when we both needed time alone....it was great! 

So here's my GRAND takeaway.........embrace who you are! You know the Dr. Seuss quote "why fit in when you were born to stand out!" that is 100% how you should approach college as an Introvert. If you spend your time trying to fit into the typical "college life" and "college routine" that everyone else falls into when they go to college you will find yourself lacking, feeling disconnected, loosing yourself, and probably having a severe case of anxiety or panic attacks, so don't do it to yourself! As an Introvert we view the world differently, and therefore college for us is a whole new world in itself, but it is a world we have the ability to thrive in and conquer. BE YOU! Embrace your quirks, habit, and nights in, because that is who you are! Find someone who understands you, you don't have to have a TON of friends, all you need is one and you will both be there for each other when you need it! 

While college was a HUGE STRETCH for me as a person and as a Introvert, I wouldn't change the experience because I learned so much about who I am. Because of my experiences in college, I know why I feel the way I do at parties with tons of people I don't know. I understand why staying at home in my room with my cats and a movie or a book is my favorite pastime. I can laugh and make fun of the fact that I only ever went to one football game in college and didn't live your typical college life. However, embracing me, embracing my introverted personality is one thing I am proud of and will forever make me a more confident person (as odd as that sounds).

Were you an Introvert in college?

What were your tips for surviving college as an Introvert?

-Madison 

My 20 Tips for college success

My 20 Tips for college success

Monday, November 20, 2017

1. Be PREPARED but be FLEXIBLE: As much as I would like it to be, life isn't perfect, and as much as I frugaly plan things ahead of time they don't always go according to plan. Being prepared and planning ahead helps me not to be stressed or get anxious, but I also realize that things don't always go according to plan so I have to be flexible when things dont work out or go my way. 
2. Your Planner is your best friend: Visualizing my daily schedule helps me stay on track and writing out my class schedule and events in my planner help me make mental notes and see what all is happening in my life. With everything you are cramming into your mind in college you barely have room to keep a mental schedule. 
3. Don't study past 10:00 pm: I think I am the only one who feels this way, but after 9:00pm my mind usually shuts down and no matter what I do I won't be able to focus, study or remember things. I would always try to get my work or studying done earliar in the day, and with this approach I was able to go to be earlier or could spend my evening relaxing or reading a book. 
4. Manage your time wisely: This goes back to making sure you know what is happening every day and planning extra activities around it. I knew so many people who would immediately agree to hang out with friends or go somewhere forgetting they had to study for a test, or thinking it wouldn't take that long. Studying should be first priority and taking extra time with friends or for outings should be second.....it's already in my nature and personality to say No when I have work to do, but there were times that I had to make a bigger effort. 
5. Take a break: This is VITAL to your sanity! If you are in the midst of a major study session and feeling totally overwhelmed take a break! This can be as simple as getting up to make a cup of coffee or listen to music, but it's even better to get up and go on a walk, jump up and down, do some yoga, or whatever else will help you refocus and relieve stress.  
6. Set an alarm and wake up every morning: I knew to many people who would sleep their life away at college. Okay, so yes, college is tiring and yes there will be some late nights, but if you manage your time you should be getting a decent amount of sleep, and I hate waking up late because I feel like I have lost so much of my day. Therefore, the best way to start your day off right is to actually set an alarm for a decent time (no later than 8:30) and faithfully wake up every day. This starts your morning off productive. 
7. Find what makes you confident and LIVE IT: College is a world full of stress, pressures, and overwhelming lifestyles, so in the midst of the craziness you still need the ability to feel confident. For me, my confidance came through my style, because my style is self expression of my personality. Maybe yours is something different? Whatever it is, find what make you confident and faithfully live it every day! 
8. Don't let yourself become someone else: I saw to many people change in college. I saw people become different people to fit into a certain friend group, I saw girls compromise their values and beliefs to make it into a group or organization, and I saw people easily let go of living their faith because it wasn't considered cool. 
9. Find a friend who supports you: Having someone who is there for you, who understands you and supports you is what will help you succeed and get through the hard times. I don't know what I would have done without my college roommate, because we both helped each other when times got tough. 
10. Get connected: I think this was the hardest part for me in college, but once I got connected with my staff team through being an RA and also joining an amazing small group college definitely felt different. I am definitely not someone who needs a place to belong, but it was great having people around you who understood what you were dealing with and who could support you. The best thing I ever did was start attending Chi Alpha which was a weekly worship night/Bible study that definitely helped me connect with God and other believers more. 
11. Pick a night each week to have fun: As an introvert I loved staying in my room with a pint of icecream and a good movie, but most nights you are busy studying so make sure to set aside one night each week to have fun. When I say have fun I don't mean go crazy (that was everyone else in my house and on campus) but I mean this in saying that when everyone else goes out dancing or goes to the bar on Thursday nights you stay in and have your own party, invite a friend over for a movie, paint your nails, do a craft, etc.....you need to take personal time for yourself! 
12. Have something to look forward to every day: for me this was a project, getting done with a test, making a bulletin board, creating door decks, or even just brewing a cup of coffee. 
13. Set reminders on your phones: YOU WILL THANK ME LATER!!!
14. Leave extra early for class: It might seem ridiculous, but trust me, if you leave early for class and then get there only to realize you forgot your calculator for the chemistry test you will still have plenty of time to run back to your room and won't be nearly as stressed as you would if you had left five minutes before class:) TRUST ME! 
15. Always bring a book with you: This is what I call my "Rory Gilmore moment" because she always brought a book with her everywhere and I loved that! In college I would always carry a book with me and read a few chapters as I was waiting for class to start. 
16. Set a weekly schedule: When I say set a schedule I mean know when your classes are and plan your life around them accordingly. My college bestie and I had a set schedule every week of always meeting on certain days for lunch, going to yoga on Tuesday nights, and attending Bible study on Thursdays.
17. Find your stress relief....yoga, running, reading, drinking tea, etc. 
18. Your room is your home, so make it homy! I had banners, an entire gallery wall, Christmas lights, rugs, flowers, you name it in my room and people always commented on how cute and cozy it was! That was my whole purpose in decorating it how I did, was to make it cheery and inviting since I spent so much time there:) 
19. Never say no to opportunities & believe in yourself! .....because you never know if the person you meet ends up being your best friend, or the job you apply for ends up being the best thing that happened to you or that you are able to accomplish more than you ever thought you would! 
20. Coffee is your best friend (at least for me and 95% of all other college students)! 

- Madison 

The Decision That Changed My College Experience Forever

The Decision That Changed My College Experience Forever

Monday, November 13, 2017

Shirt: c/o Four:Eight Shop

Skirt: The Skirtery 

Everyone goes into college with ideas of what it will be like. Sometimes those ideas are lofty and far reaching into great achievements, new friend groups, on campus organizations, and a boat load of fun. However, I was never one of those typical college bound girls....my ideas of what college would be like consisted of classes, studies, projects, surviving without my family, traveling home on the weekend, the uncertainty of new friends, and no real desire to get connected with on campus happenings or Thursday night shenanigans. Nevertheless, college proved to be so much more than I had imagined. Not so much in the way of it being to much to handle, but rather that God had another plan of what he wanted me to accomplish in an unfamiliar place and boy is he the craziest!

If you have been around here for awhile you probably can recall me mentioning that I was an RA (Resident Advisor) while at college. I got the job half way into my second semester and kept it up until my last semester of college (this fall) when I moved home for my student teaching. However, while that might not seem like that big of a deal to you, it was a HUGE deal to me because I never could have foreseen getting a job on campus, and much less being in charge of students who lived on campus.....the whole timeline and occurrence was truly ordained and destines by God to grow me in more ways than I could have known and put me in the midst of the biggest opportunity for witness I had ever experienced!

I still remember the day I received the email which said "We are pleased to offer you a Resident Advisor position beginning immediately!" And while getting the job wasn't all that much of a shock it was the process that was CRAZY! You see I randomly decided that I should apply for an RA position on campus (I think I just took a leap of faith and didn't even know what I was doing) which meant submitting an application and going through two rounds of interviews which included a panel interview with 3 people and a group interview for half a day (that in itself was not a typical Madison thing to do...talking to people I didn't know.....WHAT!). If that didn't push me out of my element enough, the fact that I immediately got one of the vacant mid semester openings a week later did.....oh, and did I mention that my RA placement was in a sorority house (insert wide eyed and shocked face emoji here)!

Here is the background on all of this:

1) I was (and still am) the person who didn't understand the need for sororities. I thought they were a waste of money, changed and conformed girls, sometimes put them in bad situations, and thought the idea of hand signs and chants was bit ridiculous. 

2) The RA positions I was interviewing for were for the next spring, but I was offered a position to start IMMEDIATELY which meant skipping all the training that new RA's typically go through to prepare them for the job and just being thrown into the midst of it! 

Now that you know a few facts, you can see how getting the job and then finding out where my job would be were all HUGE surprises and pure humor on God's part. So after completing my paperwork I started the job, which in itself had a lot of responsibilities, but responsibilities that nonetheless helped me grow:

RA Job Responsibilities:

1) Hold daily office hours.

2) Enforce the university rules and policies and make sure all resident follow them. If they fail to do so you are required to document and/or fine them based on the policies broken. 

3) Attend staff meeting ever week and all staff meetings once a month. 

4) Plan events with your staff team for all of the residents in your area. 

5) Complete rounds on your assigned night(s) with another RA. Rounds consist of walking through ever house in your area (our area had 8 houses....4 of them were sorority houses), both upstairs and downstairs. Rounds during your assigned shift were at 9:00pm and 12:00am. 

6) Respond to any calls on the duty phone while you were on call (this means 2:00 am phone calls about broken toilets).

7) While on call you must report any major policy violations (drugs or alcohol) or unsafe situations to the University Police, wait for them to arrive on scene, and stay close by to write a report. 

8) Handle roommate, suite mate, or resident complaints and disagreements. 

9) Complete safety and maintenance checks every month within your house. 

10) Hold floor meetings two times a semester for residents to go over policies and checkout procedures. 
11) Make fun and creative door decks with your residents name every month
12) Design and make a fun and creative bulletin board for your house every month. 
#11 & #12 were my personal favorite parts of being an RA :) 

Maybe you are still curious about how this decision changed my college experience forever? Here's the thing, getting the job as an RA put me in a place where I was daily outside of my comfort zone. I was no longer just the random college girl who lived two doors down, I was the RA of the house and knew all 25 girls who lived under my roof. I had to daily challenge myself to say hi to my resident, talk to my co-workers, and acknowledge the many faces I now knew.

Not only that, but I joined a staff team, surrounded by over 9 people that I didn't know, and for this introvert that was something I never had worked through before. I had to learn to work with new people, get to know them, plan events with them, back them up when they were on call, ask for help when need be, express my opinions, and at the same time be completely different than everyone else around me. I don't think I ever expected to know that many people at college, but after becoming an RA I not only knew people on my staff team, but I got to know other RA's who worked across campus.

I no longer walked to class seeing faces I didn't recognize or know, because I now actually knew people.....by name (I think my mom is still shocked by this). I knew my fellow staff members, my residents, and even my team members residents. I actually hung out with people other than my ONE friend at college because as an RA we would have "staff bonding" days, dinners, all staff events with all the RA's on campus, and random grocery store runs.

With all of that being said, I still today believe that this all happened for ONE reason! God ordained this to do something in me that I never would have allowed him to do otherwise. He ordained it to STRETCH my introvert self beyond my limits, instill the confidence in myself that I really could do hard things, gave me the courage and strength to talk to new people, the wisdom to deal with difficult and hard circumstances, and the boldness to share my faith. I think if anything he allowed me to become an RA to give be a platform to be a positive influence. He took me (Madison), this quiet and old fashioned, high value, strong moral girl and placed her in a Sorority house where I daily had contact with girls who lived much differently than me. He took me (Madison), this quiet and sometimes ridiculously nervous girl and placed me on a staff team of which there was only one person who shared my same faith (until another girl joined us two semesters in) and thus gave me the BIGGEST stage for witness......whether that witness was in sharing my faith with fellow staff members and my boss, praying with a resident, sharing my relationship views with the girls in my house, or even just living a different life in the choices I made and expressing my views on a few occasions. Through being an RA I learned BOLDNESS and I learned how different I was from the world and nearly every other college student on campus, but I also learned that as an Introvert I could still thrive in an environment filled with people.

If my decision to become an RA taught me anything, it taught me about the REAL MADISON. It showed me the courage, strength, and boldness I possessed that I didn't even know I had. It showed me that God can do the unimaginable in your life and grow you exponentially more than you could have ever foreseen. It showed me that by being yourself, people respect that as being a unique part of who you are and that being yourself is the best thing you can ever offer the world (or college for that matter)!

Sure, I was exposed to more "college life" than I had originally expected by becoming an RA (I will forever be able to bust people for smoking marijuana....yes, you read that right), but I also got to do a lot of cool stuff and use my creative skills as part of my job. And sure, there were times that I didn't make the most of the opportunities that I had, but in the midst of it all I know that the opportunities I did take were defining moments in my life that forever changed me and changed my college experience. I could seriously write an entire book on this topic (as you can tell from this long post) but I will end it here, because through it all God taught me to see the open doors of opportunity around me, muster the courage to walk through them, and trust that he would keep them open for more of his crazy plans.

I always believed God has had CRAZY plans for my life and college was just many of those plans rolled up into one that reminded me that when I think I have control over the future, it is never really me, but God who succeeds!

- Madison

Becoming a Teacher

Becoming a Teacher

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Dress: Vintage (Thrifted)
Shoes: Steve Madden (Marshall's)
Purse: c/o Gamiss
Glasses: Firmo
Necklace: Kendra Scott

Monday in class my professor had us write letters to our future selves that she will then mail to us in December before we graduate. I began to get very sentimental and emotional as I sat down to write my future self a letter, because while I know I will be graduation in December I don't know where exactly I will be in life, and thinking about the far away future that now seems even closer made me reflect back on my life over the past three years in college, and over this past semester and I began to pour out two pages of words to myself. 

When I was growing up I don't think I ever said that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, but being a teacher was always in my blood (both of my parents are teachers) and I grew up teaching and playing one room schoolhouse every day. Thus, as I entered college to minor in education it always just felt right. With that being said as my methods semester draws to a close and I look ahead towards student teaching in the fall and all the tests I need to take to get certified I am reminded of how much I have already learned through my process of becoming a teacher. 

Being a teacher is HARD and draining.....I'm not going to lie.....but it is also very rewarding and inspiring and exciting at the same time.....I have seen the good the bad and the ugly this semester and while I have had students tell me that I won't want to be a teacher because of the students (them) attitudes and behavior, their words and actions have actually made me want to become a teacher even more because I want to make a change. I want to make a change in the classroom in how it is run and I want to make a change in students attitudes towards learning. 

With that being said I await both the known (graduation & student teaching) and the unknown (student teaching placement and post-grad life) with anticipation and excitement for all that they have to offer. 

On a style note I do have to say this semester has really gotten me into the whole "teacher style" mindset and I always seemed to reach for something that said "teacher" when getting dressed. This look was one of my favorites! I found this vintage dress at Goodwill and absolutely fell in love with the color, style, polka dots, and perfect comfort of it. I think the dress is from the 70's but the style actually kind of reminds me of the 40's which is mainly why I got it and it is absolutely the PERFECT dress for teaching a room full of high school students. Pair it with oxfords for the classroom and an over sized grandpa teacher sweater (I do wear one in the classroom because it freezing....no joke) or a pair of summery sandals and accessories for an out of the classroom look. Of course if you really want to go all out with the teacher look and take props from Jessica Day than by all means you have to wear glasses too:)

-Madison

Being You is Always Enough

Being You is Always Enough

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Jeans: Thrifted (Nine West)

Shirt: Thrifted

Shoes: Thrifted Vintage

Purse: c/o Gamiss

Scarf: Vintage

Sunglasses: c/o Everly Oak

Along the way in life we often learn lessons we never set out to learn and never expected, but it is those lessons that make you take a look back on life and see your great accomplishments, even when you thought you were not doing anything special. With that being said, this semester I have learned something INCREDIBLE and definitely something I never set out to learn.

I learned that being you is ALWAYS ENOUGH! Okay....to be clear I truly have never been a person who tries to be someone else, I have always just been "me," but at times I think we struggle with asking ourselves "is being me enough?" Is being who I am enough to succeed in this class and get a good grade? Is being me enough to make my teacher or professor see my potential? Is being me enough to have others see the gifts and talents God has given me? Maybe you don't even ask yourself those questions......and if I am being perfectly honest I never really had asked myself those questions either until I realized the incredible lesson this semester has taught me. 

While I went into my Methods semester this spring knowing I would have some hard work and assignments, I was prepared to work hard and do my best. With that being said, setting out to do your best is the first step to answering the questions you might ask yourself, because if you set out to do your best and follow through you can have full confidence that you put the time and effort in and are totally 100% enough. The most important thing however, is not to set out and work hard to get peoples attention and to gain recognition. You should set out to work hard and do things well because that is who you are....not because it is what other people want you to do. 

With that being said, this semester I went into each of my assignments determined to put all of myself into every scope and sequence, every lesson plan, unit plan, rubric, etc. not caring what others thought. And you know what....I learned that even when I think my assignments are not amazing or that I didn't do as well as everyone else, as long as I put my heart and soul into what I was doing others actually will notice. You see, by just being me I won a scholarship that everyone else (including me) in my class had applied for and was praised for the work I had done on it, when all I really did was embrace my love for art and being creative. Furthermore, by just being who I am, my teacher saw something in me....she saw a girl who worked hard, was passionate about education and students, and always put forth her best effort on assignments. And somehow she took an interest in that. She took an interest in introducing me to her colleagues as one of her "star students" that semester, she invited me to a luncheon with professors at my college, she gave me a book on herb gardens (how she knew I loved herbs I will never know), and she even invited me and another student to a VIP reception for the National Book Awards where she bought us both the book to be signed by the authors (one of which happened to be a US Representative) and continued to introduce us as her star students and great future teachers. 

I was constantly flabbergasted because I didn't expect ANY of this!!! 

I didn't go into this semester expecting anything HUGE, but little did I know that by just being me my professor would see something special.....maybe even something I didn't yet see myself, and with that it encouraged me that being who I was would always be enough. I never tried to be the best or "star" student, I didn't try to sound like I knew everything, and I never tried to gain anyone's approval by manipulative means.....I was just always ME....Madison.....The girl who makes her own clothes, dresses like a teacher (I might take a little to much inspiration from Jessica Day), was confident in who and whose she was, and never tried to be anything but herself!!! 

So I hope you remember that BEING YOU IS ALWAYS ENOUGH!!!

___________________________________

Also....quick thoughts on this outfit:
1) You can never have to much pink :)
2) 60's meets casual and comfy oversized men's shirts is the best go to!
3) This look might be inspired by Audrey Hepburn and other fabulously stylish ladies.
4) My sister calls this look my grandma outfit...but it's probably 120% because of the shoes...LOL
5) Loving these sunglasses Everly Oak sent me...xoxo

Do you have any life stories similar to mine?

-Madison

"Friday Night In" Essentials

"Friday Night In" Essentials

Friday, September 9, 2016

Do you ever say to yourself "I need some ME time"? I find myself saying this ever so often. Sometimes amidst the chaos and business of life we need to take moments to clear our schedule, clear our mind, and just relax! To be honest, as an Introvert I spend so much time by myself, but even though I am by myself (just me myself and I) I am usually busy doing homework, running errands, or getting something accomplished that requires brain power. While I love being busy and doing things that are useful, there are so many times that I can get overwhelmed doing the daily chores of life that I need to take a step back and RELAX! 

How do I do this?

I have a party of ONE (uno.....just me), I call this my Friday Night In (which is basically every Friday)! For the most part I usually think of Friday nights being the day of the week that people get together and do things, go out to eat, go on dates, etc....For the average every day person that is usually the case, unless you go to college where I do and then Thursdays are the night everyone goes out (and then they all skip their Friday classes). However, I never go out on Thursday night, and typically I allot my Friday evening to be my own personal "me time." This entails a number of fabulous, pretty girly, and relaxing things that we all need to enjoy and take advantage of from time to time......

#1- Facemask
I would have to say that a Facemask is #1 on the list because you can't get any more girl or pampered than that! I typically use a face mask for more than just pampering, but to cleanse my pores. Recently I discovered the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask and I have to say that out of all the masks I have tried this one knocks it out of the park! It moisturizes your skin instead of stripping all of the natural oils from it and it is so light that it doesn't even feel like you have a face mask on. Plus, an added bonus is that it actually has helped my skin clear up. 

#2- Ice cream/Gelato
Seriously, what is a girls night or Friday night in without icecream???? Noticeably I like Gelato too (when I feel like splurging) but most days its just the simple ole ice cream pint that I go for in a flavor like chocolate, coffee, or mint chocolate chip. Full transparency.....pints are great because they fit in my freezer......that is until I am ready to eat it and then it is ALL gone in all one sitting! 

#3- Nail Polish
You have to EMBRACE the stereotypical act of painting your nails on a girls night in! Truly, painting your nails is so much fun, soothing, and girly (until you mess up a nail and smudge the paint and have to start all over again). I am totally in love with this Blush pink shade of polish from the Wet n Wild gel nail polish collection!

#4- Something To Watch
What is a Friday night in without a good movie or TV show? While my interests range from action, investigation, to period dramas, and chick flicks, I have to say that chick flicks (a good cheesy, predictable, and sappy one) always win the battle when trying to decide what to watch. I have compiled a list of my go to films for a Friday Night In.

• Letters To Juliet: Ugh....like such a good movie! Typical? Yes. Chick Flick? Yes. Basically your all around perfect girly movie complete with accents, delicious food, slight drama, Italian countrysides, true love, and happily ever afters. 
• Pride & Prejudice: Who hasn't seen this movie? Yes, I know there are some of you who don't like the 2 hour version, but to be honest it is perfect for a Friday night in. The soundtrack is TOO DIE FOR, Collin Firth plays Mr. Darcy, the characters truly are perfectly cast, and over all it is a classic love story that I will never get tired of. 
• Austenland: Ok, where are my Jane Austen fans? Did any of you memorize the first 3 chapters of Pride and Prejudice when you were 13? Well I have to say that this movie is one I will always come back to because not only does it have a wonderfully dramatic, funny, and typical plot, but it basically shows us how CRAZY our obsession with Jane Austen and period dramas can become and I am always left laughing at the sheer perfection and hilarity of the movie and characters. If you haven't see it (watch the trailer HERE) you definitely NEED to put it on the list for your next movie night. 
• Leap Year: I don't think any of us will raise a complaint at a movie based in Ireland, especially when it stars Matthew Goode and Amy Adams! Typical girl has a boyfriend, girl meets a guy, girl falls for guy, guy falls for girl, but girl goes back to boyfriend now turned fiance, realizes he is not the one, breaks off the engagement, goes back to other guy, proposes to him, then he proposes to her, they get married and live happily ever after! Irish accents and mishap travel plans, I would say that this movie is fantastic!
• Gilmore Girls: Definitely the best girly TV show of all times! Perfect to watch by yourself, with your bestie, or with your sister. I am actually working through it for a second time and it is just as good if not better the second time! Plus....I might watch it to feel better about my COFFEE OBSESSION (#shedrinksmorecoffeethanagilmore......not really)?!?!? If you haven't seen it, now is your chance to binge watch it all before November 25th when the FINAL season comes out!!! (who is counting down the days and planning a watch party complete with chinese takeout, pizza, twizzlers, and all the other good junk food???) 

#5- Cozy Blanket
Yes, I realize that it is the summer and sweltering hot outside in most places, but inside my room it is FREEZING half the time! Like, sweat pants, fuzzy socks, and sweaters kind of freezing! Therefore a cozy blanket is a definite essential for a Friday night spent in. Besides the fact that it will keep you warm and cozy, I also feel like a blanket triggers something in your brain that causes you to relax?

#6- Comfy Clothes (preferably pajamas & fuzzy socks)
Like I said above, my room is freezing, so I am always wearing fuzzy socks. Whenever I am in my room, typically though, I usually change straight into comfortable clothes. Therefore, when taking a Friday night in it is imperative that you pull out a cute pair of pajamas or even an old pair that is super comfortable, throw them on, an hop in bed or on the couch!

#7- Hot Tea when you want to relax or wind down, or just 
because :)
We already have ice cream, but sometimes you need a warm drink to set your body into a relaxed mode. There is truly nothing like tea that sooths you straight to the soul! My go to tea flavors  are a cup of peppermint tea with a spoonful of honey, plain chamomile, lavender chamomile, or a sleepy time tea.

Do you ever have a Friday Night In for a party of ONE?
What are your Friday Night Essentials?
Any fun plans for tonight?

-Madison

September Plans & Goals

September Plans & Goals

Thursday, September 1, 2016

September 2016 InStyle Magazine

Can you believe it is September already?!?!?!? That means I have already been back up at college for nearly a MONTH! I seriously can't wrap my mind around that, much less wrap my mind around the fact that the semester has started back and I have to get into FULL STUDENT MODE again......anyone else ready to be done with school??? I seriously feel like school has become my life (which it basically has) and I am so ready at times to get on with another chapter of my life besides waking up, going to class, drinking coffee every chance I get, doing homework, and taking tests, #readyforadultlife and yet also #notreadyforadultlife! However, there is one thing to look forward to this month and that is FALL or AUTUMN (as you know that is my favorite season), so bring on the cooler weather, colorful leaves, pumpkin EVERYTHING, sweaters, and cozy mornings!

If you didn't get a chance to catch my August Plans & Goals post than check that out HERE real quick, otherwise, lets get stated with my plans and goals for the month of September:

September Plans:

• The most OBVIOUS plan is that I will be drinking LOTS of pumpkin spice when it arrives at Starbucks sometime this month (hopefully), but in the meantime I am determined to discovering the best homemade version of that beloved drink! (stay tuned because it could come to the blog??)
• I think this is a FIRST in my history of blogging, but I actually have nearly every post for the rest of this month planned out with pictures! I honestly don't know how that happened, especially since I started back to college, but we shall see if I can keep that streak up. Keep an eye out for all the new post coming to the blog! 
• This semester had a TOTALLY DIFFERENT dynamic than other semesters! I am closer with all of my co-workers and as a result we do things together a lot, including staff bonding dinners and coming up within the next month I want to have a movie weekend with the 4 girls and show them the 5 hour Pride and Prejudice since none of them have seen that version. 
• Per my mothers request (with hidden motives) I will be attending the large College Bible  study every Thursday evening. To be honest I probably would have gone anyways this semester, since one of my co-workers is a part of it and has invited me before, and now that I have a few more friends who are up at Sam. However, full disclosure that my moms main reason for DESPERATELY wanting me to go to the college Bible study is so that I will hopefully"meet a guy"(LOL)......mind you that is not my reasoning for going (I promise) ! 
• Now that I am stuck up at college most weekends of the month, and considering I have a few friends who started going here this fall, I am planning on us grabbing breakfast a few Saturday's a month followed by a photo shoot!! (why not utilize them as your designated photographer on Saturday's...)
• As I will be up here at college on the weekends (hence the plan above) I am hoping to grab a group of friends and try out some different churches in the area to attend on Sunday mornings. 
• Per my recent realization that I have a number of my posts planned out for the beginning part of this month I am hoping to continue that organized schedule in my blog routine!
• In light of blogging, having content, and planning posts, I am trying to work out a good schedule for days that I can go and take pictures. In the past I would just wing it because I needed pictures for a post, but I would love to go take pictures to store for future posts instead of always having to go out the day before I want to post something...
• One of my college friends and I head up a small group called "Daughters of Righteousness" on campus. We are having to rebuild the organization from what it used to be and basically start from scratch, so we are in the midst of planning lessons and trying to get the word out to people. 

September GOALS:

• Recap on last month: I said I wanted to start and finish a book....well, I read one in a weekend (Lovely Bones) so #accomplishment! I also said I wanted to start drinking more water and I have, so I definitely want to keep that up! 
• Still have yet to film a second Stop Motion video so maybe I will do that one of these weekends I am stuck up at college for duty rounds? 
• Finger crossed that I will find the time to film a couple new tutorial videos! Leave a comment below with any ideas you have in mind!!
• I am still giving myself the goal to meet new people or at least start conversations with new people! I have been fortunate to have a number of newbie freshmen in my house this year so that has been nice getting to talk to them and ask them about life:)
• I started a second book on my Fall Reading List so if I keep up my pace I should finish that by the end of this month (or hopefully sooner) and can keep working through all of the titles I have set aside to read this semester!
• I am the absolute WORST at being motivated to work out!! Yes, I am taking a modern dance class 2 days a week and probably burn off all of the calories I eat every day with the speed at which I walk to class (up and down hills mind you) but I still want to go and run at least 2 days a week! That is my main goal for this month is to get into a workout routine and be motivated. 
• Oh gosh....I have a partially sewn dress sitting in the drawer of my desk! I definitely need to finish that dress this month and post it on the blog:)

What are some of your plans for September?

Do you have any goals you are working towards?
Any thoughts on new videos you would like to see on my blog/channel? 

-Madison

August Plans & Goals

August Plans & Goals

Monday, August 1, 2016

I think I am still in denial that it is already August! Partly because I don't want the summer to be over and partly because that means I am moving back to college in 6 days and start my Fall semester a week after that. This summer truly has been great, but it has FLOWN by way to quickly and I feel as though I missed the opportunity to do so many things because I was just sooooo busy. However, there is never any room for regrets in life and I wouldn't trade the things I have done this summer for anything. 

Nevertheless, with August already in full swing its time for my August Plans:

• I have one more week at home, which will be filled with packing, spending time with my family, and hopefully hanging out with a few friends before  I leave. 
• On the 8th I am moving back to college a week early for RA training.
• School starts a week an a half after the 8th (I am up at school 2 whole weeks before it starts) which means resident move in weekend, RA jobs in full swing, finding where all of my classes are, and getting back into a semester schedule.
• I filmed two new videos for my YouTube Channel and hope to share those with you all this month.......so excited! 
• Since I recently filmed 3 videos I am hoping to start filming more videos for the blog. 
• With my life going back to one of a full time college student, August will also focus on making a blog schedule and learning how to manage blogging and college again, especially since I have started posting more frequently. 
• As RA's we are required to plan 1 in house event per semester for our residents and I am hoping to plan and host a "Pinterest Night" for my girls up at school. 
• Since it is a new semester, that means new classes! This semester I will be taking a Quantity Food Production Class, Weather and Climate, Presentation Techniques, and Modern Dance.
• Since my schedule this semester is a little lighter and more free, I will finally be able to attend Kai Alpha, which is a large on campus college Bible Study. 
• DEFINITELY need to create fun weekend plans of things to do when I am stuck at school for the weekend, like hit up my favorite unique restaurants, get donuts and go to the park, explore new places, and go antique shopping in the square......OH, and I HAVE to check out the cupcake shop this semester!!

August Goals

• If I wanted to give myself a personal challenge/goal for this semester I would say that my goal is to meet new people (or at least talk to them), which if any of you have been following my blog for awhile you know that is not the easiest thing for me to do, but since my job at school kind of requires that I thought that I should probably work on it! 
• In light of my Modern Dance class I am also planning to get into a better workout routine (last semester was dreadful in regards to working out) and hope to go to the gym at least twice a week and do yoga in my room at least 3 times a week.....I need to stay accountable to this!!
• DRINK MORE WATER!!! This really needs to be part of my routine, and I have gotten into a better habit of doing it but I need to keep it up. 
• Film another Stop Motion video! Yes...you heard me right....I already filmed one and that will be coming to you in the next couple of weeks but I am TOTALLY IN LOVE with the process and hope to start doing more of them. 
• Start and finish a book! I want to try and at least read 1-2 books per month. 

What are some of your plans/goals for August?

-Madison

End Of Semester Recap

End Of Semester Recap

Friday, May 6, 2016

I thought I would take a post and share with you all a recap of my spring 2016 semester. I know there are a number of you who are in college as well as a number of you who are not in college, so wherever you are in life right now I hope this is slightly intriguing if not maybe even inspiring in relation to your life. 

This semester has honestly been the most intriguing of my three semesters (not including last summer) at college so far. While this semester was just like every other in many respects it differed quite drastically in one area and that was having a job at school. Last semester I applied and got a Resident Adviser position at college which basically means I live in a house/residence hall and have 28 residents whom I am in charge of making sure they follow the rules and be there if they need anything. To be honest living in a small house which only has 28 girls is different compared to others, although it is a whole other ballgame in itself due to it being a sorority house. However, being an RA means that I not only interact with the residents in my house every day, but I also have an entire staff team that I work along side. 

I have never been one to get to know new people. I never really felt a need to make new friends or get to know others around me in a new place because I was content being on my own (as are most introverts). However, this semester I have been challenged to step outside of my comfort zone and get to know new people (particularly those on my staff team) and talk to them on a daily basis. Quite honestly a year ago I don't think I would have seen myself being able to do something like this, but sometimes I can surprise myself at my ability to become a different person for 30 minutes or more as I become the person to start conversations, keep them going, and try to get to know someone or make them feel welcome! Maybe it is that I have always been the quiet person who people never really talk to, or never seem to be able to start conversations around, and therefore I have become quite skilled at starting and keeping conversations going which is very rewarding. 

While I might never have seem myself as a resident Adviser a year ago or an RA in a sorority house at that, I know that it was God's humorous way of placing me in a situation where I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone and grow in different areas. Even more so, I know that God placed me where he did to be a light and example to others even if I am not aware of the impact I have. 

However, I think the funniest part of my job (I still laugh when I think about it) is knowing that my boss thinks I am someone who likes to talk to new people and get to know them.......which is TOTALLY not me what so ever, but apparently I have done a good job of getting out of my shell enough when carrying out my duties and appear to be somewhat of a outgoing people person! So hurray for challenging myself to the ultimate brink and so far succeeding! 

Apart from life lived up at school and working a job on top of everything else, my classes this year were interesting. Well...interesting in the since that most of them were very enjoyable and in the case of my Biology class it was quite a God ordained experience to be in the class I was placed! Going into my Biology class this semester I would never have foreseen that at the end I would write up a long letter to my teacher about my faith and sharing with her the truth that I know.....but I did!! Trust me, I am not in the habit of writing my professors letters but this particular professor intrigued me with her passion for science and teaching and after finding out that she was an athiest God directed my heart to write her a letter. Writing my professor was one of those moments of just doing what I feel God had lead me towards without stopping to think about it lest I freak myself out and overthink!

Quite honestly, this entire semester has been full of moments where I was forced to jump off cliffs and trust that God would be there to catch me! This semester has opened my eyes in more ways than I can count and has shown me that I truly do have the courage, strength, and determination to do things I never saw myself doing and that is all because of God's presence in my life!

School/homework wise this semester was probably my easiest so far, but that might have also been because the main classes I had the most homework for were project oriented or writing driven which I enjoy. I took my first education class which was very exciting as well as an interior design class which was quite intriguing. My schedule was set in stone like most semesters and for the most part full, but now I know what its like to say "Oh, sorry I can't, I am on duty" #residentadvisorproblems! And contrary to popular belief and my mothers complete shock I somehow am able to stay up to date with multiple TV shows (probably because I have to stay up till 12am/1am for rounds) throughout the month/semester! Especially when my college bestie and I have a set in stone Agents of Shield new episode watching every Wednesday night after Bible Study (we LOVE that show way to much #Fitzsimmons). I have also developed a pretty good routine when it comes to blogging as I try to get at least 1-2 photo shoots done on the weekend and have photos backlogged when things get busy (lets hope I can keep that up).

All in all the semester was great even when there were stressful weekends, late nights, difficult situations to deal with and strangers to talk to, but it is always in the difficult situations of life, or trudging up the hills that you must climb, that you realize just what you are made of!

I hope that for those of you in college your semester went well and if you are about to start your finals best of luck...you got this!

In closing My Nuggets of Wisdom:
1) Coffee is life......seriously!
2) Don't be afraid to challenge yourself because you will be surprised at what you can handle.
3) Always smile at everyone you come into contact with.
4) When life gets crazy stop and enjoy the little things, like flowers and birds singing.
6) If you live near a donut shop, get donuts on the weekends (preferably chocolate and sprinkles)
5) Don't be ashamed to eat an entire pint of ice cream by yourself....we all do it! :)

Now I am off to pack up all of my "stuff" which could take all day so I will probably be playing/watching That Girl in the background or maybe finishing the last season of Gilmore Girls (decisions....decisions) or possibly even dancing around to music.

Have you ever been in situations that you had to step outside of your comfort zone? 
Was your semester crazy? 

-Madison