Week 18/19: Cara Parten

Cara Parten is perhaps one of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. This past week, filled with finals and exhaustion, and then coming home, Cara Parten was there for me when it seemed like no one else could be. 

When Cara and I were in high school we went on the trip of a lifetime to Dublin, Ireland, and for a week we lived and traveled together, seizing every moment we could and making for one of the greatest adventures of my life.  From waking up an hour early because of the time difference, to getting our picture taken with a leprechaun, to frolicking down the streets of Dublin, I realized that it was in those moments that we became true best friends, and I’m so grateful that I was lucky enough to spend that week with you, Cara.

See, the thing is, that Cara is magical.  And not like Harry Potter magical. But the kind that in this life is real. The kind that can open your mind and heart to so many possibilities and has the power to leave you in awe.  Cara, you bring this sense of full-ness to all of the people around you, and it’s through your childlike demeanor and your sometimes hidden wisdom, that you have the power to keep me in check more than anyone else.

Because Cara, while some people have goals that they tell to others, just so they have someone to “keep them in line,” I’ve realized recently, that with you, it doesn’t matter what my goals are. It doesn’t matter whether I want a 4.0, or to be the Queen of England, because no matter what my goals are you’re going to encourage me. And more than that, you’re always going to have the right words to say to get me back on my feet when I’m feeling down, and get me back determined to get where I need to go.

In the past 7 years of our friendship, I learned more about myself and the person I want to be than I could ever have imagined. You taught me that I don't always have to live up to other people's expectations and that sometimes it's okay to be different. You taught me how to accept differences, love unconditionally, and how to take a bad situation and make it into a fun adventure. 

Cara, believe me when I say that I am so indebted to you. I find a new reason every week to remember how completely lucky I am to have someone in my life like you. Someone who knows me so well, and someone who I can count on, through thick and thin.

I believe that everything with us has been give and take. And perhaps that’s why we make such good friends, and I want you to know that you can count on me, just as much as I depend on you. 

So thank you, Cara. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being such a strong and incredible role model for me.  And Please, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are less important than you are. You have so much potential. And you’re gunna change the world one day. And I’m so excited to watch.

Quote of the Week: “To be nobody-but-yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” –E.E. Cummings

Other Cool Things That Happened: Finals Week Bingo with my Hall; Studied for Finals; Finished Semester 3 of the College Experience; Returned to Dearborn; Celebrated Christmas Early with Mi Familia; Spent a lot of time doing puzzles, hanging out with my family, and just relaxing!

Week 17: A Week of Heros

Alright Guys. Here it is. Sorry it’s so long.

Monday

Kim, for a really great one on one. Thank you for everything you've taught me, and continue to teach me. 

Ellen, Sophie, and Walter, I'm really grateful for our lunches in DHH. 

Audrey, thanks for always listening to me rant. 

Amanda, thank you for skipping class to work on Abstract. You really took one for the team :)

Fabrizio Zanello. Thank you for making me go to the board. I hated it, but I in doing so, I concurred a fear. 

Catie, Thanks for the encouraging text!

Andrew, Thanks for giving me Chocolate after my Presentation. :)

Katelyn, You are My Sunshine.

Sarah, Amanda, Holly and Various Residents, thanks for the food and laughs while doing Abstract.

Sophie, thanks for being there when I came back to brush our teeth. 

Tuesday

Sophie, Thanks for getting me breakfast when I overslept

Amanda, Thanks for bringing me my coat when I forgot it

Mom, Thanks for bribing me with coffee. Long live 8 AM Classes

Vasudev, Thanks for a great last IGTAAP session and thanks for the invitation for Indian Food! I'm truly excited!

Fang, Thanks also for another Great session, I hope you have great success and I'm sad to see you go back to China.

Walter, Thanks for staying to eat with me, and thanks for the ride offer to the SDC.

Amanda, Thanks for encouraging me to go to the Res. Life Info Sessions.

Bonnie Gorman, Thanks, for reading my email, and taking the time to watch the TED Talks. 

Gillyland, you impressed me with your courage today. Thank you for encouraging me without knowing it. 

Audrey, thanks for needing to go to lab. And thanks for playing in the snow with me. Your strength never ceases to amaze me. 

Sophie, Thanks for thinking of making cookies. And saying the words I'm sometimes too frustrated to say on my own. 

Girl in Kitchenette, Thanks for laughing with us. 

Wednesday

Tutor Michelle, Thanks for always helping. 

Daryl, Thanks for waving. 

Cameron, Thanks for staying to eat with me. 

Andrew and Felicia, Thanks for an interesting conversation. 

Audrey, thanks for always listening to me rant (again).

Catie, Thanks for that random text. 

Random Guy, Thanks for waiting and holding the door open for me. 

Ross, and interested Students, Thanks for helping me remember why I truly love my job. 

Ellen, Thanks for letting me distract you. 

Stefan, I'm truly going to miss you.  

Catie, Ben, Myder, and Jim, Thank you for making me smile (and taking me to McDonalds). You turned this bad day, into a very great one :) 

Thursday

Emily, Thanks for taking my mind off of school and going back down memory lane in class.

Marissa, Thanks for reminding me to smile :)

Jin and Vikrant, Thanks for really great last IGTAAP sessions this semester.

Dr. Wang, Thank you for all your help on Calculus.

Dining Hall, for a yummy special dinner.

Catie, Thank you for letting me borrow your very painful shoes.

LC Staff and Kim, Thanks for a great night at the Library

Mom, Thanks for the cake

Armada, Thanks for eating the cake and hanging out after. 

Kim, Thank you for always supporting me. 

Friday

Brandon, Thanks for a really great last IGTAAP Prep

IGTAAP Coaches, Thanks for a good last meeting of the year. I’m always grateful for our great conversations.

Sophie, Thanks for playing Ukulele and singing with me.

Ellen, Nicole and Sophie, Thanks for all the fun times at Cyberia. I look forward to playing “Shampoo” with you again.

Ellen and Ben, Thanks for everything. You guys are wise beyond your years.

Sophie, Thanks for being there for me. Even when you don’t have to be.

Saturday

Catie, Thanks for always having an open door. And Thanks Sophie, for being Gross with us.

Ben, Thank you for checking in on me.

Mont Ripley, Thank you for giving me something beautiful to look at and dream about while studying.

Daryl, Trevor, Sophie, and Catie, Thanks for letting me play Euchre with you.

Cara, Thanks for always being an inspiration to me.

Sophie and Audrey, Thanks for a great dance party.

Liz, Thank you. For a great Skype session, and for accepting me even at my worst.

Caleb, Thank you, for working hard with me to pull off a pretty great Program.

Armada, Thanks for coming to hang out. Especially to Jon and Sean for being honorary Armada members.

Ellen, Thank you for always being so great. I miss having you as a roommate.

Daryl, Trevor, and Holly, Thank you for letting me crash your movie night. 

Baba, Thank you for another great conversation. As always.

Sunday,

Sophie, Thank you for being twinsies with me today. From matching, to eating Jimmy Johns, to studying, and watching Glee. Today was great.

Liz, Thanks for Freaking out about Josh Groban with me Today.

Emily and Nick, Thanks for being my Combinatorics Buddies. Rawr!

Audrey, Thank you for letting me listen to you rant. ;)

Armada, Thanks for jumping on board with Finals Week Bingo!

This is possibly one of the coolest and most humbling things I’ve ever done. I hope you guys enjoy it too.

Quote of the Week: "Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." –Arthur Ashe

Week 14/15/16: Forgetting Why I Began...And Starting Over

Soo, it’s kinda been a while since I posted one of these, and if it’s any consolation, it’s not for lack of thought on the matter.  For a long time I struggled with who would be my “Hero.” Would it be some member of my family, for the wonderful break I had? Would it be Liz, for all the Skype bonding we did over break? Would it be Amanda, for catching up after way too long? Or would it be any of my friends at school, who made coming back to Tech feel like coming home all over again? Or maybe, maybe it would be the girl who made a mistake, but handled herself with such poise and dignity, that sometimes I’m still in awe.

I couldn’t decide.

And it took me way too long to realize that the reason none of these people were standing out to me, was because I had grown used to them.  Used to their caring nature, their patient ears, their helpful hands, and their strength and courage.

Realizing this was both cool, and kind of sad.

It was cool because I realized just how lucky I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people. And how much I truly love my life, if only for the people I get to spend it with.

On the other hand, it was sad because I realized that it only took 12 weeks for me to lose sight of my initial mission.

The point of this blog was to recognize the little things people did for me that made me grateful to have them in my life. From holding the door open, or telling me a lame joke just when I needed it, or even to those who trusted me enough to let me into their world.  Those are the people I’m most thankful for.

So, as much as I’d like to say I’m going to sit down and reenact the past three weeks of my life so that I don’t forget a single person or action that made my day just a little easier, I can’t do that. I don’t have that strong of a memory.

But what I will say, is that this coming week, I hope to keep a list of every little itty bitty thing that happens that I’m grateful for. The true “Lollipop Moments” in my life.

So, get ready, 7 days from now, you will have a list in front of you. Some names might be repeated. Some might not. Some things might not have a name attached to them, because it might be a random person on the street, and some might have more than one name.

I’m excited for this task, and if you are too, join me. Send me your list. Post it on the web. Share your joy.

Other Cool Things that Have Happened: Girls Night with Armada; Hockey Game with Armada; Hockey Game with Res. Life in the Box; Thanksgiving Break with My Family; Ellen’s Birthday Surprise at Joey’s Seafood; Champed my Calc test after studying for over 5 hours straight; Did legit PA work; Skipped Class and Napped/Watched 500 Days of Summer with Sophie; Saw (more than one) beautiful night sky; Watched my Friends in Coffeehouse; Watched my Friends get ready and go to Dining Out; Enjoyed the First Snows of Houghton; Built the Best Gingerbread Boat, ever.

Quote of the Week: “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” -Leonardo da Vinci 

Week 12/13: Amanda Stenzelbarton

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write this Hero of the Week. Maybe it’s because I had food poisoning, maybe it was because I was stressing over my Abstract Algebra Exam, or maybe it was because break was around the corner and I just stopped caring about any commitments.  I think, more likely though, it’s because I knew I wouldn’t be able to find the words that would give due justice to Amanda Stenzelbarton, this week’s Hero.

Amanda is great. Really, really great. And if you don’t believe me, you should meet her, because she is one of the coolest ladies I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know.

Last year I knew Amanda from a distance. I thought she was just like every other Pep Band Member that was different from me, and I didn’t give myself the chance to get to know her. After getting to know Amanda this year by studying for Abstract Algebra, and dealing with Res. Life Craziness, I can honestly say that I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about someone.

If that’s not reason enough for someone to by my “Hero of the Week,” the reason I chose Amanda for these particular weeks is because of the hours we spent hanging out with Casve the Cat, on Election day Tuesday, just lounging around, bonding, and watching TV Shows.  Those few hours were some of the most relaxing I’ve had all year. And more importantly than that, I feel that is the moment Amanda and I stopped being merely “study buddies” and started being real friends.

Beyond that, I am eternally grateful for her help studying for Abstract Algebra. After I missed the Exam because I was sick, I knew it would be a lot for me to ask Amanda for help on something she was able to put behind her two days prior.  But Amanda, being the awesome person she is, came over, no questions asked, and sat with me going through the entire practice exam and other questions, until I felt confident for the exam.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again and again: Amanda Stenzelbarton is great.

Thank you.

Other Cool things that have happened:

Smoothie Making and Miracle with Armada; Got Food Poisoning; Went to Kaleva Café with some of my favorite people; Came home for Thanksgiving Break; Saw the Bertrands; Had Breakfast with my dad nd Tata at Golden Bakery; Beat my mom twice in Cribbage; Went to see “Perks of Being a Wallflower” with Audrey and Margaret;  Visited Kyle, Allie, and Camille at U of M; Watchin’ the 40^th American Music Awards

Quote of the Week: “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” –Perks of Being a Wallflower

Week 10/11: Falling Behind/Going Home/Tata

Dear Friends,

I’m deeply sorry for not putting up a Hero of the Week for the past couple weeks.  School has been crazy, and this past weekend (November 1-4) I had to opportunity to go home to Dearborn for the weekend and surprise my family with my presence.

It was really great to get away, and I had a lot of fun…A lot of fun that definitely paid its dues in my busy-ness levels today. But it was worth it.

I hadn’t realized how much I had missed my family until I was getting ready to see them and then they were right in front of me.

As such, it only makes sense that these past two weeks go out to Tata-my Grandma (on my dad’s side).

Nimati Allan is perhaps the strongest, most beautiful women I’ve ever met.

In recent years my grandma has faced a downfall…with her Alzheimer’s worsening, causing her to lose some of her communication skills, every day I spend with her I realize more and more, how between me and her the only language we really need is love and patience.

The look on my Grandma’s face when I walked in was enough to make the entire trip worth it. She was so happy to see me, and the pure joy and love I felt just by looking at her is always inspiring.

I can barely speak Arabic. And the only word my grandma knows in English is “no”. But that doesn’t matter…When my grandma talks to me, I can always tell that what she’s saying is really important and wise.  And even though I can’t understand every word, I find comfort and happiness in my ability to decode some of her words, and understand most of what she says…even if I’m not able to respond.

When I was little, I was scared of my grandma.  She was so big. So tall. And she didn’t speak my language. But for some reason my parents expected me to want to hug her. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand her. And I didn’t understand why I was named after her.

Looking back, I feel silly. Foolish, really.

My grandma is by far the strongest women I’ve ever met. She is pure, brute force. And most days I hope I turn out just like her.  I feel so blessed just knowing that I am even in the same blood line as someone as incredible as her.

These days, I’m so proud and so honored to carry her name. And I’m so grateful that I’ve been given the chance to know such a strong woman.

Other Cool things that have happened:

Careers in Student Affairs Dinner; HuskyLead Session; Roni Sanlo Queer History Presentation; Made my Chuck Norris Bulletin Board; Watched a Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with Audrey and Trevor; My 19^th Birthday; IGTAAP Halloween Party; Armada Halloween Party; Went Home for a Long Weekend; Voted Absentee

Quote of the Week: “I don’t care how poor a man is; if he has family, he’s rich.” –Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford

Week 9: The Girl at Cyberia Café

Now, I’m sure many of you are thinking “huh, that’s strange and nondescript…” But please, let me explain to you my Friday Night…

This Friday at around 6:45, I got it in me that I should go for a walk.  I didn't really plan out how long it would be (and I can prove that by my choice of shoes—clogs), and I wasn't even really sure which direction I would go in.  But I started at the same place I start all of my walks, which is at the Great Lakes Research Center.  It’s a newly built campus building that is right on the edge of the Portage.  

When I got to the base of the Research Center (literally the shore of the water), I started walking west.  I didn't really know what was west of there exactly, but it turned out to be Facility Type Buildings and Campus Vehicles, and dirt roads.  It was interesting to me that this whole part of campus is blocked off and not really visible from Main Campus, so I kept going west.  Eventually I hit the end of that trail/dirt parking lot, and had to move back up towards real road.  This road ended up being the Bike Trail/Snow Mobile Trail.

From there, I walked.

And walked.

And just kept walking west.

When the Trail turned, I turned with it.

Until I got just 200 feet away from the Houghton-Hancock Lift Bridge.

Then I turned around. 

But rather than just return the same way I came, I went up even higher, to the streets of Downtown Houghton.

And this is where the real magic happens.

I was walking back, when I saw Cyberia Café.  And I thought to myself, “Hey, Jinan. You should get something from there. It’s getting chilly out, and why not?”

SO, I went inside, I placed my order, took my debit card out, and the barista was about to start making my “Leprechaun Latte” when she said “actually, we don’t have a card-swiper here, and I dunno what bank you use, but there’s a Wells Fargo ATM down the street.” And feeling a little defeated, I said “You know, it’s okay, I actually don’t use Wells Fargo, so it’s probably not gunna happen.” And as I turned to walk away, she (amazingly) responded with “well, if you want, we could probably just use the Honor System (as she continues to make my drink), and you can just come back sometime later this week and pay for it then…” I stopped in my tracks. I couldn’t believe it. And all I could think was “What? Only in Houghton would something like this happen.”

So I took her up on it.

And I enjoyed that Leprechaun Latte all the way home.

And then when I got home, I sat in my comfy chair, with my warm(ish) drink, and read.

It was really great.

And more important from a “free” latte, and the beautiful sights I saw while on my walk, I learned something very valuable. I learned that it’s okay to do things alone. And as Nicole later said: “Being alone, doesn't have to mean being lonely.”

Later that night I got an early Birthday Cupcake from Myder, and I went to a Country Music (Katie Armiger) Concert with friends, where I swing danced, and had a great time.

I also saw a shooting star that night

.

This week was great. At times it was almost boring. But truly, this week was great.

Other Cool Things that Happened This Week: Saw Ted in Fisher; Watched Presidential Debate #2, and Bonded with Amanda; Went to “the Dating Doctor”; Went to Cyberia to repay my debts with Sophie, and played with a puppy; Life Chats with Audrey and Catie; Went to the HuskyLEAD Seminar on Robert’s Rules of Order; and Skyped Liz for 2 Hours.

Week 8: Homecoming Week/Trevor Birr

To be a leader means to step up when you’re not asked.  To step up even when you don’t want too. And to do good even when no one is watching.

This week that’s exactly what Trevor did.  I’ve known Trevor for over a year now, and we’ve had a lot of really great times together.  From going to dairy queen, to building a Christmas Gingerbread Trailer Park with other Hallmates, to watching Bones, and to just having Breakfast together, Trevor has impressed me many times.  But this week, I was impressed more than I can properly express.  

As it was Homecoming Week, this week held a lot of hurdles that I, as a PA, had to overcome.  And it was having Trevor there behind me that helped make it manageable. Cardboard boat was destined to be a failure. Though people said they wanted to do it, no one was stepping up.  The week prior, Ellen got people to sign up, but no one was actually attempting to make the boat.  And it was difficult to know if I was supposed to take the initiative and force them to make it, or if I was just supposed to let it slide, and not make a boat this year. 

Fortunately, on Wednesday, Trevor stepped up.  I went with him to pick up cardboard, and to buy duct tape, and even though we faced difficulties, by the end of the night we had the base of a boat done! I went to bed that night grateful.  Grateful things were working out, and grateful for Trevor, who I knew didn’t really want to head up cardboard boat, but was still willing to because it needed to be done.

From there, things just started getting better.  We finished our boat.  Trevor drove it down to the park in his truck.  We had a big barbecue at Chutes and Ladders.  And when it came down to it, we totally lost in the race.  Like, didn’t even make it off the starting line, lost. 

It was great.

I was so proud, not only of Trevor, but of my entire house.  People came together, and worked as a team.  For a moment, differences were put aside. 

And I believe that none of that would have happened if Trevor hadn’t stepped up.

This week a lot of really great things happened:

I found out I got the 4^th highest grade on my first Combinatorics Exam.

I champed my Calc 3 Exam.

I didn’t completely fail my Abstract Algebra Exam

I hung out with Nicole, who I hadn’t spent time with in Forever

I saw 'Brave' in Fisher

I saw 'Pitch Perfect' at the Houghton Cinema (a Classy establishment)

I saw my good friends Jade and Sophie perform at Coffeehouse

I watched the Vice Presidential Debate with my House

And We lost Cardboard Boat…and I couldn’t be more proud.

Quote of the Week: “Ninety percent of life is just showing up” – Woody Allen