Got to love him!

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.-Antoine De Saint-Expuery

Each day with Josh just gets better. Last night I took 10 of my freshmen from my course that I am teaching at Elon to the NC State fair. What a great time. Almost all of them are from up north so the experience was just that...."an experience". Josh was able to join us and meet "my kids" as I so often call them and see why I love going to class every Tuesday. They had a great time and needless to say...they had a lot to talk about on the van ride home on their night at the North Carolina State Fair!

While the kids were exploring the fairgrounds, Josh and I had the chance to spend some quality time together. Since our relationship is a long distance one, we cherish every moment we get...even if it is spent amongst the smell of hay, horse poo and screaming kids. We will take what we can get! We wandered around the grounds admiring all of the great food (and yes...we did partake, but did not over indulge) and all of the unique people. The state fair is by far one of the best people watching places in the world.

At one point in the evening Josh and I sat down to rest and nibble on a 'corn on a stick' and delicious funnel cake. Of all times and places we stumbled into a deep conversation about life, our future and where we our opinions stood on some very important issues. It amazed me that the world was spinning around us and here we were just talking away like no one existed. Josh and I have seen eye to eye on all major issues and we continue to do. Last night's conversation was just another confirmation that when times get tough (and I know they will) that he is the one that I want by my side to go through them with. He is open, honest and clearly communicates what he is feeling. Amazing.....if only all men were like this. But you know what? He is the only man that I need to be like that.

So as we approach month number eight in two weeks, I continue to enjoy every minute I get to spend with Josh. I know that life is not always perfect, we are not always perfect but I know for sure, that we are perfect for each other!

JAR

33

“It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things.”

-Donald Miller



So I celebrated my 33rd birthday last week. I rang it in like I do all the others...with a lot of noise and ruckus. I made sure I let everyone know (for weeks...heck months) that is was coming and I even convinced myself that it was going to be bigger and better than all of the others. I think it's my way of disguising the fact that I am just getting older. In the midst of all the hoopla I never once stopped to think that I was actually turning a year older until the night of my birthday. When everything calmed down I stopped dead in my tracks to realize....."OH CRAP...I AM 33!".

Yeah, so I am a year older. So what. So I have a few more wrinkles, I walk/run a little slower. I can't drink as many beers as I used too and I sure as heck can't fit into my favorite pair of jeans like I did when I was in college. And there are the little things that annoy me (especially working on a college campus) on a daily basis. Like the fact that kids today have to play their music so loud. And everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere. And clothes aren't made they way they used to be made (good quality). Nobody wants to take the time work for something....they want it now and I mean RIGHT now. I guess I am getting old.

But as I am a year older, I have discovered that I have noticed that I enjoy parts of life that I never used to. I actually stop to smell flowers now. Literally. I still drive fast.....but at least I use my turn signal and I am polite when I pass someone (if that is possible). I try to take the time to do one thing each week that is different for me (see a play, read a book, try a new food). I try not to judge as much or should I say...I try to give someone the benefit of the doubt more. I have mellowed quite a bit.

I laugh more, cry less. I argue less and listen more passionately. I still fall and tumble often, but I have learned that scraping your knees are ok and you just learn to pick yourself up and go. I have learned over the years that a broken heart is not hopeless. Love endures. I have watched death come and take those I love so dearly. I have seen the struggle of the world and the freedoms of many and challenge my own role in society.

It's funny sometimes. If someone were to tell me at 33 I would be analyzing the role of where I am and I what I feel at this point in my life thus far, I would have laughed. I never saw myself as such a person. But you can't help but put life in perspective at times.

Friends and family give me one heck of a time each year when my birthday rolls around because I make such a big deal about it. I guess in the end I make a deal because it's my way of bringing closure (or a celebration) to one great year and preparing for another.We never know how many of these "years" we have left.....so I like to think that rejoicing in each one is not such a bad idea.

Besides...you usually get great gifts and a yummy cake to go along with it!

JAR

The Pink Ribbon

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts - it's what you do with what you have left." ~Hubert Humphrey

Grandma Ruggieri was 38 years old when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. That was 1962. At that time the world of medicine did not know how to handle the diagnosis of breast cancer...if anything they may not of understood cancer all together. So at that time, my grandmother did what she had to do to survive and had a mastectomy. And it was gruesome. With that procedure came no counseling, no follow-up and no rehabilitation back into the world in which she had to function...life with three children and a husband. So my grandmother did they only thing she knew how to do, she survived.

I have been told that through the next few years of my grandmother's life, she was in and out of the hospital for "nervous breakdowns" and various mental issues. As my father describes, it was a tough time in the house. I can only imagine that if no one around you had ever heard of what you had been through and then on top of that you physically could not recognize your body anymore...I would have had mental issues too. Today, those mental issues are called depression. Forty-five years ago, with the proper counseling and medication, my grandmother could have had a much healthier transition back to her life as she once knew it.

On October 30, 2002 my grandmother lost her 40-year battle with breast cancer. Although to many she may have succumbed to the disease that caused her such angst, I feel she was a survivor for so many reasons more. The day she died I could not help to think that it was a coincidence that her death occurred in a month that would signify a movement that has now transcending a nation..... finding a cure for Breast Cancer.

I had "heard" there was this thing called Breast Cancer Awareness...but I had not educated myself enough to fully understand the movement. However, on the day of Grandma's wake and funeral, the entire family wore the pink ribbon for the first time. And the entire congregation wore them as well. Many people did not know of the pink ribbon or what it meant either (unless we explained it to them) but it was powerful to have such grand yet silent form of support.

From that moment on I knew that Grandma's life and what she had endured would have more meaning and her survival should continue on. Since 2002 I have worn the pink ribbon every day during the month of October, but I have also taken the message of finding a cure for breast cancer as a personal philanthropy. Whether it's walking in the Race for the Cure every year or having a birthday themed party or even just advocating for more research dollars with my local representatives....I have made it a personal cause.

I was always close to all of my grandparents and I was there with my grandmother the last few months of her life. I made it a point to do the little things that she could not; paint her nails, do her hair, help her bathe and talk to her about funny stories. One of the strongest memories I have of Grandma Ruggieri was about two months before she passed away. I had slept in her bed one night because she was having trouble sleeping. She got up in the middle in of the night and was sitting on the edge of the bed. I asked her what was wrong. She said she was afraid that no one would remember her or no one would come and visit her (at her grave). I assured I would do both. She then asked, would I remember to bring her pink roses. I said I would.

I can't get to New Jersey often and when I do I always bring her pink roses. But for all the days I cannot....I wear the pink ribbon.

JAR

To find out the great things that are happening with Breast Cancer Awareness, please check out the Susan G. Komen Foundation

Ken

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain

So I was traveling this week to Syracuse for a recruiting trip and I had the opportunity to fly for the first time in close to two years. When I fly I tend to be quite the social butterfly. I love to talk to complete strangers and learn about lives...not characteristic of me at all. I don't know why I am like that, but I am. Call it my "other personality". Ha!

So I had a unique encounter this trip. I met a driver from the hotel who picked me up from the airport early in the morning. Ken was your typical New Yorker who agreed to let me ride in the front seat...only if I promised not to tell the hotel. Agreed. Of course that only meant that I had the floor to ask him tons of questions about Syracuse. Of course I asked him all of the basics (how was the weather, did he like living there, did he ever see Paulis from Duke, etc.) and then some. When I asked him if he had lived there all his life, he said that he had not only because he was a retired marine and served 19 years for our country. Like many who served our country, he had a story to tell....and I listened. He went off to the military at a young age and served in the marines and picked up a trade. He loved his country and loved serving his country as well. Never regretted his decision. We spoke a long time about his life now with his wife and kids and the nightmares he still has. He reminded me that there are so many events that occurred to him over his time in the military that he will never forget.

Ken works three jobs. He has a paper route in the morning, he works for the hotel doing every little odd and end during the day and runs his cleaning business during the night. Up until a year ago he held a corporate job with Carrier until it folded after 15 years. When I asked him how he felt about juggling three jobs, he said "you do what you have to do. I am not too proud to work to make ends meet. I know times our tough and I know they will get better. If you told me two years ago that I would be doing this I would have never believed you....but life changes and you have to go with it."

Ken epitomizes to me what the human spirit is and what the American spirit is. Not only has he given so much to this country but he is asking for so little in return. When so many are walking around with their hands out right now without willing to do anything for it...here is a guy that we should help...but yet is willing to serve himself. Amazing.

It just goes to show you that there are still good, honest people out there willing to work and earn a living the right way. God bless America!

JAR

A whole a lot of compromise

"In a relationship, when does the art of compromise become compromising?" - Sarah Jessica Parker




Well folks. It is hard to believe, but Josh and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary last week. And for those of you who have been following us on our journey.....it seems hard to believe that time has passed so quickly. We have had a great time these past few months and we have done more in this short period of time then most probably do in years of dating. Amazing.

However. As in every relationship....there comes a point where you hit a crossroads and we have hit ours. Some people stumble upon religion, some become heated on money or family. Ours ......COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Yep. Never in my right mind would I think that I would wait 32 (almost 33) years of my life for the man of my dreams to have "the talk" over our future over football. OK, now maybe I am maybe overreacting a little bit, but you get my point.

Here is the gist of the story. Josh is a die hard NC State fan. I am a die hard ASU fan. We are both season ticket holders. Not a huge deal....we are working through both schedules OK this season. I am trying to make it to some of his games as he is mine. The caveat? I am not a NC State fan. I am a Carolina fan. I BLEED Carolina blue. Problem. Huge problem.

So when I tried to explain this to Josh...he didn't see the issue. I tried to make him see that it was like going against the enemy (more like my whole family). I just could not do it. What made it worst was when I went to Raleigh one weekend and he surprised me by buying an ASU hat to show how he was committed to "compromising". Dang it. Now I really had to go all out. There was no way I could where red. I don't even own anything red in my wardrobe. I was devastated.

So the week of the first NC State home game I called my mother in near tears with panic. What do I do? How do I cope? She said, in the most motherly way she does, "Just tell people you had two uncles who went there." And.... "the UNC basketball team is better then State's....but the football team is probably better than UNC's." Yep. That did it.

And when I went to buy a t-shirt that night....I kept the receipt just in case. Compromise.

JAR

Mountaineer Football Season is BACK

"Today I give my all to Appalachian"

Like the other 95,000 ASU alumni around the country, I have been waiting the last 10 months to see the mountaineer football team take the field. Ending last season with a lost to Richmond (the eventual National Champions) was bitter. After having ended the previous three seasons with a National Championship ourselves....going home a loser was no fun. Plus the anticipation of what this season would bring was even more agonizing. Sure, we have Armanti Edwards for another year; yes, we have a sparkling new facility and we have enough enthusiastic tailgaters to fill five stadiums. But will it be enough?

Will it be enough to carry us to Chattanooga? For those of you who don't know, Chattanooga is the host city for the Division I National Championship Game. The date is December 18th. I have every intention of being there....so much so that my hotel room is already booked and the work day is already been granted off. One small caveat....will my football team be there?

If last week's game against East Carolina is any indicator, we have our work cut out for us. The game itself was not a factor....we don't need it for playoff contention. If anything it was merely a "bragging" rights type of game. The only thing I hate about losing those types of games is the lip you get from instate fans. Uggh. Nevertheless......the game showed that we have a lot of work ahead of us. We had a poor first half and a tremendous second. Unfortunately....in the long run you can't win football games that way. This is a trend I saw a lot of last year....and my fear is that it is creeping it's way back into this season as well. Consistency has GOT to find it's way into the program. Fast.

So if Armanti can find his groove and can stay healthy (and not by mowing the grass I might add)...and if others mature into their positions, then maybe I just might be given an early Christmas present after all.

Go Apps!

JAR

Professor Jenny?

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”- William Arthur Ward

Yes it has been awhile since I have blogged....but for good reason. The world around me has been a little hectic. My work environment has officially begun it's open season (aka: the academic year is upon us). This past Friday I welcomed nearly 13oo freshmen to Elon University. Although I don't recruit for the undergraduate program directly, they directly effect all of our jobs indirectly if we don't fill the seats. My colleagues were a great support of me last month when my new group of Interactive Media and Law students arrived so it was only necessary and right to return the favor. We are all in this together!

This year will be unique for me though. I will for the first time, be teaching a class. I am teaching a Freshmen transition course entitled "Elon 101". I have 15 students for the entire semester that I will meet with every Tuesday for one hour. They have been given a detailed syllabus by me that includes topics ranging from time/stress management to having a full orientation of the library. Each week provides topics and areas that will help ease any anxieties that typically most encounter in the first semester. On top of teaching the class, I will also serve as the students' academic advisor. We will work together to design a schedule that fits their desired intentions for a major and help augment their independence into college life.

I have already had a great experience with this class. I have a great TA who has made the teaching transition a smooth one for me. I love my students and they seem (so far) to be receptive to my dorky personality. I try to go back to all of the feelings and concerns that I had 14 years ago and apply that to what they could be feeling as well. I keep the class light, open and most of all honest. I want them to always feel that my class is the one place they can go to ask anything and feel comfortable asking it.

As the semester moves on...I will keep you posted on my students and my progress as an Instructor. I have so much to learn.

JAR

p.s. Want to know how old you are and how young the class of 2013 is? Check out the Beloit College Mindset List. This is sent out every year to let us see what the class that is currently enrolling has been exposed to since their birth. Scary.