mounting the trail

To start off, play this YouTube video to listen to the soundtrack of our hike yesterday as you read.  We decided to make this our theme song for the day, as the chorus says "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and K92 kept playing this...literally, we heard it 3 times in our brief trip.

 

 Yesterday I had the chance to do one of my most favorite things ever--hiking-- with some of my most favorite people ever--OL12 (Orientation Leaders 2012).  We decided to hike McAfee's Knob on a beautiful Friday morning.  Only three people in our group of 7 had hiked this mountain before, so we were excited to show everyone what it's all about.

I couldn't have asked for better hiking companions.  The hike up, while tiring, was extremely entertaining.  We debated making a commercial promoting Diet Coke- "What you drink on your way to the top"- and compared hiking sticks.  My favorite part was when Meg decided to carry a legitimate log as her stick with the simple exclamation "I need to find things to whack!"

almost there....

with Meg enjoying the view

the whole group at the top

OLs & OAs

the fabulous orientation leaders

stole this from Kyle because I thought it was so cool

 “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

This quote is such a wonderful explanation for what I have learned from my experiences with New Student Programs at Tech.  I have met some of the most incredible people who encourage me to try new things, even if it makes me a little uncomfortable.  In the end, I know that I am always growing and learning, and I am so excited to see where the rest of the semester and summer takes this new OL12 group.  And I'm already looking forward to our next hiking trip... :)

a look at last week

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole. Travel. Meet many people. Go down some dead ends and explore dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life."

- Lawrence K. Fish

I am such a "quote person." I love having little reminders and insights of inspiration. Last week in itself was a glimpse of what a great year this is going to be.

I started the week off by doing something that has been on my bucket list for quite some time now...giving blood. It has always scared me because I am a bit squirmish when it comes to needles, but with the support of friends and the knowledge that "I make a difference," I did it. While I almost fainted in the process, I was so proud after.

By the middle of the week, my group for my Buyer-Seller Relationships class was in full force to work on our presentation. Our professor met with the department head for the marketing department, and we are now set to pitch our ideas and research to them later on this semester. We have a lot of work cut out for us, but we are all so excited and motivated to make this an awesome presentation.

The week ended with a trip to The Cascades out past Pembroke, VA with my family. I hadn't been to the Cascades since my freshman year, and I was excited to show my brother and parents what awesome things are practically in my backyard here at school. I, of course, had a great time capturing the trip with Instagram pictures.

Here's to another great week ahead.