14 Memories from the Summer of 2014

            At the end of every summer I make a list of the highlights that happened so I can remember years down the road what I did in what year. I didn’t do this at the end of my summer break, as I was very busy right up until I moved back to Marshall. However, it is technically summer until this Tuesday, so why not now? I am going to start from the day after my last final up until the first day of classes for fall semester. 

1.     Instead of packing up my apartment like I should have been, my first day of summer was spent with my friends at SMSU. 

2.     As I was crabbily packing up my apartment, my sister called with the best news; she's engaged!!! Her and Shawn are getting married June 27^th, 2015 and I could not be more excited for them and to officially call Shawn my brother. :)
http://christybode.com/

3. Attended a close family friend’s wedding. It became a reunion of the ‘Maple Street Clan’  (The people I grew up with on the same street).  

4.    Watched my brother play baseball in the North Subsection tournament. He pitched the game of his career against defending state champion BOLD. He gave up just one run on five hits, walked three batters and struck out 13.

5. Went to a painting class with my Mom through a company called Creative Spirits. You show up, they guide you through the step by step process to create a piece of art. You can also bring wine or other drinks to enjoy as you paint . It was a great time spent with my Mom and several other fun ladies. I recommend going as they travel to several areas to teach: https://www.creativespiritsokoboji.com/

6.     Spent a lot of time with my Mom in her garden. I love learning about all the flowers she plants and eating breakfast outside to enjoy the garden. 

7.Ran Kaylie and Tyler’s 5K Color Run. Last summer my friend Tyler’s sister, Kaylie died of an epileptic seizure. 9 months later Tyler died in a car accident along with friends, Payton, John, and Caleb. The 5K was in honor and memory of all five incredible people who lost their lives. The day was filled with love, family, friends, community, and faith that we will all someday join Kaylie, Tyler, Payton, John, and Caleb in heaven with God.  

Video of the event: 
http://properstudios.com/portfolio/kaylie-tylers-5k/

8.     Made three appearances on behalf of the Minneapolis Aquatennial. I was so excited to be back with both of my Aquatennial Captains and to spend time with their families, who I love so much.  (If you have no clue what I am talking about, go back and read my blog post on March 25^th)

 9. Went to Okoboji, Iowa with my friend Rachel and her family. We just spent the night but we packed in the fun by going to Arnolds Park, the drive in movie theatre (1^st time!), and spent an entire day on the lake. 

10.  Volunteered for the Minneapolis Aquatennial.  I spent the week with my fellow 2013 ambassadors Carly and Leah. We were in charge of stocking the candidate hospitality room with food and anything the chaperones needed. Besides volunteering our time we attended a number of the Aquatennial events throughout the week: Candidate Welcome Reception (emceed), Past Princess Boat Cruise, Meet the Candidates (emceed), Torchlight Parade, Gala Dinner, Commodores Party, Coronation, (presented scholarships to ambassadors) and the Target Fireworks . It was a great week spent in the city I love. 
http://www.aquatennial.com/
http://www.aquatennialambassadors.com/

11. Celebrated my Aunt Mary's 50th birthday. The entire Surprenant side of the family was there except one cousin.

12.     I worked my 7th summer at the Sleepy Eye Aquatic Center as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

13.  Moved into a house of 4 girls I didn’t know very well. This has turned out to be such a blessing. We all get along so well and enjoy each other’s company.

14.     Was an orientation leader for Gold Rush Days 2014. This is honestly the best job anyone can have. I worked with a great group of people and welcomed the SMSU class of 2018 to campus. 

Relationships Matter

“Today we are faced with the pre-eminent fact that, if civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this in 1945, yet I think it is still relevant 69 years later, today. Being a communications major myself, you would think I would have a good understanding of how relationships and interpersonal communication work... wait, anyone could understand this right? After all, the communication field is supposedly the laughingstock of the academic community. (Don't get me started on this, it can wait for another day.) I have always been fascinated with interpersonal communication and the effects relationships have on us. When it comes to understanding these, it is sometimes so much of a no brainer that we don't realize it. The past week I had one of the those "no brainer" moments so I have to share.

This past month I have been offered two different jobs on my college campus and I accepted both of them. This means that it is time to be done with my lifeguarding job at the Marshall YMCA. Being a lifeguard for 7 years and working at the Y for 1.5 of those you would think I would be thrilled to be done lifeguarding, but oddly I haven't been feeling that way. When I realized that I needed to put my 2 weeks notice in at the Y, I was hesitant to. I was confused by my own feelings until the "no brainer" moment hit me when I was supposed to be telling my boss that I am not going to work there anymore, instead I told her that I can't be scheduled anymore but I would still like to sub. I could decide to hate working at the Y from sitting on a chair for hours on end, or having to discipline kids in swimming lessons, but I don't. I love my job because of the great relationships I have with my co-workers and boss. They are the reason I go to work everyday.

Compared to jobs I have had in the past, the Y is a place that I have felt welcome and a part of since my first day on staff. My boss is a huge reason for this. She has created a collaborative, fun, and professional environment for us lifeguards, which makes it easy for us to get to know one another. I know for a fact that if it wasn't for the relationships I have with my co-workers and boss I would have left, just like I did at a job I had before working at the Y.

I like to think of my "no brainer" moments as a reminder to reflect on what I just realized. So this week I have decided to be more mindful of the importance of relationships. More importantly I am going to decide what relationships have a positive impact on me and to strengthen those, as well as decide what ones that are negative and to work to make those better or to let them go.

A Happy Ending to 7 Summers

      Everyone had that first paying job when they turned 14 or 15; as a 21 year old I still have that job. For the past 7 summers I have spent approximately 1,000 hours at the Sleepy Eye Family Aquatic Center  (SEFAC) working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Why have I been working there that long? Great question. There have been many ups and downs from working there but that comes with every job. As I reflect on the last 7 summers I reminded of fun memories with some incredible people who made coming there everyday worthwhile.  Today is my last day of work and I could not be more excited. 

Fun memories from 7 summers at the SEFAC:

1. Swimming Lessons: I taught approximately 200 kids ages 4-12. Some of my favorite students were:

            -A boy who told me over and over that he has a "titty", he was trying to say "kitty"

            -A girl who had a song she had to sing for every stroke we practiced in level 3

            -My most recent level 4 class that did synchronized diving and talked in British accents 

Other memories from swimming lessons:

Breakfast Club: A group of us swim instructors would meet at Hardees for breakfast before lessons.

Teaching level 2 with my sister

Underwater photography with Shelby and Nick

2. Working with both of my siblings...okay, David worked only 2 days but it was fun! However, I did work with Amy for 6 years. I don't think many people can say that they worked at the same place with a sibling for that long. We have many shared memories from that place. 

3. Cleaning up accidents in the pool or bathroom. It is all part of the job! This may seem odd to have on my list but it was hilarious...after the fact of course, or if you were the one that didn't have to clean it up. I remember Mitch and Jacan had to go in the pool to grab all the chunks of pizza and hotdog that someone threw up. Another time, George had to scrub a spot on the bottom of the pool in the deep end. Also, a LaffyTaffy box makes a great scooper. ;) 

4. Even when I was in a crabby mood or didn't want to be at work, there were 2 little girls (sisters) that could always brighten my day. They liked to show me their cheerleading cheers they know or dance to Gangnam style. 

5. My fellow lifeguards are crazy, funny, and are awesome people to work with. They always find a way to make the day go a little faster. 

       -Mark likes to sing for everyone. He sang the National Anthem on our first chair the other day.

       -One day Lexie started a children's church song sing-along.

       - When Ellen and George are around, the pool is a happy place. Seriously, these two are the
           best! I think everyone on staff would agree.    

      -Talking 'Harry Potter' with George and Ellen and singing "Weasley is our King". 

It has been quite the ride working at the SEFAC. I am incredibly thankful to have had this job because I could always count on having it when I was done with school for the summer. I will always remember the great times I had these past 7 summers. Onto a "big girl" job! 

The clean up crew. 

The Harry Potter nerds.