Personal Growth and Dreams

Coach gave an interesting talk to the guys last week at practice. He talked about self discipline and personal growth. There was a lot of emphasis on doing self evaluations every couple of weeks to make sure we are who we want to be and that we are doing what we want to. It made me really think.

I started writing this post immediately after practice, but I could not find the words to say. Last night, however, I was on the College Prepster's blog (I love reading Carly's posts so much. You should read them here) and she had written a post about a dream list. That really got me thinking. I wish back in August I had written down everything I wanted to accomplish in my first year of college. I sit back now and wonder what I would've put down. Good grades? Hopefully. Make lots of friends? I think it's safe to say I can check that one off regardless.

My plan is to finalize a list of dreams for the next year while I drive home from school. I'm not quite sure where I want to find myself in a year. I would've lived in Europe for four months, been in my second year of college, hopefully taken on more responsibilities with the baseball team. I'd like to think my GPA would be higher, my major and minor more solidified, that I would be living with my friends. That maybe I would be running for an officer position in Swing club and instructing one of the classes. There's so much I hope to happen over this year, it's unbelievable.

What's even worse is there are going to be things I don't have control over! Who knows what life will throw my way in this next year. All I know is that I'll have to face it and work with it. And that's truly exciting.

Crunch time!

This was a Koan in my Asian Studies class senior year of high school.
Still is in my brain since that day with Mrs. Davis!
Image from: http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/do-not-dwell-in-the-2.png

It's here! We are now in the final stretch of the school year. 3 weeks, 8 days of classes, and 3 days of finals and then I'll be on my way back to California for the summer!

Hard to believe I'm practically done with my freshman year of college! This year has flown by. I feel as if I moved in merely weeks ago, and yet I've lived on my own basically for 9 months basically. I was remarking to my roommate this weekend while we were at her house for Easter how old I felt. She laughed at me, remarking "Leah, you're 19 years old. How can you feel old?" It isn't that I feel ancient and worn down, but rather, I've been looking around and noticing how different I feel in comparison to my siblings, my cousins, and younger teenagers we were around.

For example, we found ourselves at Burger King in Lake Geneva for some french fries and ice cream (which they sadly did not have since their ice cream machine broke just before we got there). After we ordered a group of sixteen year olds meandered in and were being goofballs. I felt so much older in comparison. These kids were the same ages as K and SK (Special K). It was weird watching them goof off, when I, a couple years ago, probably was doing the same thing. So much has changed in such a little amount of time. It only makes me wonder what the future will be like.

Isn't this view pretty?

Anywho, this year has flown by! I finally broke down tonight and made my way to the library. I have only been in the library on campus a handful of times, simply to print out papers and power points. Tonight, however, I broke down. I packed up my backpack with all of my work and my laptop and went searching for a nice table next to a window.

Boy, have I been missing out on a prime studying place! The view is remarkable. I love looking at LeMans (even if the sky is all grey and cloudy because of the rain). I think this table and I will be good friends for now on. Mom and Dad will be so proud that I actually found the library and put it to use. No joke, I went home over Christmas Break and Spring Break and the running joke was "Saint Mary's has a library? Oh, I should go find that one day. That could be helpful". The library is seriously nice. I'm currently eyeing one of the rocking chairs and wondering if I would actually get some reading done or if I would fall asleep.


If anyone needs me in the upcoming 17 days, I'll be in the SMC Library (and hopefully awake!)

There's No Crying in Baseball

NCAA Baseball season is well under way. Notre Dame, as of today, is currently 9-17 overall with a record of 1-11 in the ACC. Ouch! Not a great start to our season, but I believe we will do better.

I spent all day Friday and Saturday working with the team, and I'm just starting to get the dynamic of it. This team works hard, and I'm not just talking about the players. I mean the entire team. Each coach, manager, trainer, and player puts in 100% effort and wants to make sure everyone succeeds. It's different to be apart of a team and not be the athlete, I'll tell you that.

I've learned a lot working under the Hoff-man and A-Dawg. They're two really great people to work under. Each is dedicated and works their ass off daily. I value what they have to say, as they challenge me daily at work. It isn't just, "Hey Leah, shag balls". Rather, more like "Hey Leah, do you want to order food for the opposing team and then go and set up the field for their practice with me?" When working with Hoff and A-Dawg, your year does not matter. They want you to work your hardest and show that you are committed. Saying you are a freshman and don't know how to or don't know any better is not an option. This isn't just a job. They demonstrate that as a manager, you are apart of this team and therefore, you HAVE to be fully committed.

I didn't think I would learn this much about work ethic and myself when I applied to be a manager. I expected myself to be working with other students, running errands for coaches, and just going with the flow. Working with baseball is the opposite. I have learned how to be independent at a job, how to take and order and execute it to my greatest ability, as quick as I can, while still being efficient. I've learned that you will work with people you don't get along with, and that sometimes you have to roll with the punches in order for things to work out again. I learn more and more about myself daily as the season goes on.

The boys's season has not been that great. Yet, if you watch practice, you wouldn't guess it was such from how dedicated everyone is and how hard to boys train. We'll see how this weekend against FSU goes. I have a good feeling about Florida.

Go Irish!