My Job

SO. I have not really said much...well about anything...BUT especially about my new job. I returned to the world of BYU Housing as a Hall Advisor, something I have wanted to do, but didn't really think it was going to happen. While I was on my mission, and people kept asking me what I was doing afterwards, the thought came to me to find out about being a HA. I found out, and applied, and miracle of miracles, I got the job!
I started on August 13, just in time for RA training! That week was pretty overwhelming because I had NO idea what was going on, and they kept saying, "just ask your Hall Advisor". I am sure I had a deer in the headlights look for most of the week. I have been blessed with amazing co-workers and awesome managers who are helping me and supporting me. It surprised me how many people I actually know who are still with Housing. I feel like I am coming home.
I supervise 3 RAs...2 women and 1 young man. They are absolutely amazing and so much fun to work with everyday. I am trying to get to know the residents in all 3 halls. I was stressing out about it, and then I realized that I needed to relax. As soon as that happened, names and faces became actual people. Granted, I still have A LOT of people to learn, but it is coming along, for sure.
It is interesting to be the HA, and let the RAs do their jobs. Not that I think they are not doing them, but to take on that leadership/mentoring role. I had some great examples while I was an RA (shout out!), and I only hope that I can be that positive influence on their lives. I have come to realize that I need to be helping people, guiding them, and as I do that, I feel more purpose and direction in my own life. I saw it in my teaching, my mission, and I see it now again, which gives me that extra confidence that I am doing what is best right now. I am grateful for that knowledge.
*PLUS...some of the residents have started calling me "mama k", which I LOVE!*

Memory Flashbacks

So, the other day "Becoming Jane" was on TV, and I got sucked in to watching the last chunk of the movie, which reminded me of the first time I watched the movie. It was the summer of 2007, and I was living in Branbury with DeAnna and Jessica, and next door to the girls. We all went to see the movie, and I thought all knowing about Jane Austen's life. However, just before the end of the movie, Alissa starts getting really upset and said that if she doesn't end up with THE guy, she is leaving. Well, as we know, Jane Austen never got married, and Alissa stomped out, possibly cursing as she went, refusing to watch it end.
I hadn't thought about this in SO long, but as soon as the movie was on, my mind flipped to that memory almost immediately.

I think it is so amazing how you can not think about something for the longest time, and then have a small trigger and then it all comes back to you? Now, I realize I have already blogged about this (in 2008) but I just had to share it again. Our minds are absolutely amazing and have an enormous capacity. James M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan said, "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December". I fully agree with that. It is a way that His tender mercies are given to us; as we remember these random times, we have little signals that He is aware of us, and wants us to be happy and have rich, memory-filled lives. What a blessing!