Reflection

It is hard to believe that graduation was just over a month ago and I am now the holder of two degrees, my masters and my bachelors.  It seems like just yesterday I started as a freshman at RIT and was living in the dorms.  It is amazing to think back on all that I accomplished and experienced.  My friends told me in high school that they believed I was destined for college, college was going to be my best experience to date and they were right.  College was so much better than high school for me at least but for others it is a different story and that is okay because everyone’s path is different. College for some people is an extension of high school, they don’t learn anything new in the sense of life experiences, they may pick up a few new math equations or understand new subjects but they don’t experience what college has to offer in the sense of growing up.  For me college was a time of coming into my own, figuring out who I was a person and who I wanted to be in the future. Now I am not saying I have all the answers but who really does.  During this month off, I have spent time reading by the pool and really relaxing.  Reading nothing of great importance in my life but just reading because I enjoy it.  My latest book that I finished in three sunny days by the pool was, I Just Graduated…Now What?” by Katherine Schwarzenegger and if you are like me a recently graduated student, I highly recommend reading it this summer.  I do not know if I would have picked it up had I not won it from Barnes and Noble in their end of term twitter contest but I am very glad I tweeted my piece of advice for college students because it allowed me the chance to realize I am not alone in how I am feeling post-graduation. My copy is signed by the author; however, she may never know who I am.  If by some chance she does happen to read this post I want her to know that we have a lot in common in the sense that we both strive to do good in the world, leave our own mark and break out of the shadows (her shadows may be more public than mine but none the less what I saw from reading her book is that a name does not get you everything – you have to work just as hard if not harder to prove your worth). Katherine, if you are reading this, I hope that one day I have the chance to meet with you, maybe collaborate on a project together or just pick your brain on different things.  As was stated in your book, you are young but can still have a voice.  You may not have all the answers but who really does? Growing up is about finding your path because every piece of the puzzle makes for the journey.  Hopefully one day our journeys will cross because your book was truly inspiring. Sorry to my readers for my slight tangent,  I Just Graduated…Now What?, is a compilation of interviews of famous people who have been down the road before the graduates of today.  Katherine interviews: athletes, actors, comedians, DJs, politicians, talk show hosts, entrepreneurs, rising chefs and many other public figures whom you may or may not know, who struggled with the What Now question.  Katherine tells her story of her recent graduation in the Spring of 2012 from USC along with many others in a youthful way that will keep you turning each page because it is extremely relatable.  Whether you read it to make yourself feel better about where you are at, to see that you are not alone or to be inspired to follow your dreams, this is a must read during the summer after you graduate! Going to college at Rochester Institute of Technology may not have been my dream school growing up; however, after a few weeks on campus, I knew it was meant to be.  It is hard to believe I almost crossed it off my list thanks to a terrible recruiting visit there during October of my Senior Year of High School.  Life is funny sometimes, at RIT the campus looks flat and boring at first sight, the bricks all look the same and there appears to be no character.  But when you take a closer look and join the RIT community, you realize like each student attending, the bricks are all unique.  The unique blend of cultures, majors, colleges, ethnicities, programs, clubs and teams at RIT – offers students a one of kind experience.  RIT is no longer just for the techies but I will say if you do not believe at least a little part of you is a nerd, RIT is not the school for you. Looking at RIT from a distance people may say, how did you go there for four years? Why stay?  Because RIT was my home, RIT was where I was supposed to be and RIT is a huge part of who I am today.  I believe that you define your own college experience, you choose your own level of involvement and you decide if you will be the type of student that embraces the opportunities given to them or sits in the back of the room and does not give anyone a chance to get to know them.  I was not the later of the two options if you can not tell.  I took every opportunity I could to become someone who was recognizable and not just because of athletics.  I made sure my professors knew me as the student so that when it was time to come looking for career advice, they were willing to help me. I was very fortunate to have some great professors in both my undergraduate programs and masters programs.  I would not have traded the experience for the world.  People have asked me, “If you could go back, knowing what you know now would you choose a different school?”  Without hesitation my answer is “no shot”!   The next question that tends to follow is, “Would you have gone back for your MBA right away if you could do it again?”  My answer may be more calculated but it is along the same lines, “Yes, I would because I had many loose ends left to tie up.  As an NCAA athlete you are given four seasons for your sport, just four.  Having only used three of them, I had my class, my seniors, my senior year, and my team to return too, they weren’t finished with me and I wasn’t finished with them.  I also had a lot of goals that were not accomplished yet and when I set goals, I plan to achieve them unless it is not physically possible. There are not a lot of people in the world who get to say they were a student-athlete let alone a four year student-athlete.  It takes commitment, sacrifice, desire and passion to play all four years because it is stressful but it can be done and I am proud to say I am a part of the four year student-athlete club.  I am the type of person who completes what I set out to accomplish and I had committed to four years of basketball at the division three level and I was not willing to walk away just yet from that promise simply because I was faster at school than the average student.   I believe that the commitment and loyalty shown in college is just as important to perspective employers as past work experience.  The lessons and work ethic learned on a team in college are life lessons I will carry through with me to the real world.  Plus, had I not gone back to RIT I wouldn’t have been able to redefine and grow the Tiger Den program and make all of the connections I did this year. But if I was asked had I not completed my undergraduate career in three years and done it in the traditional four, I can’t answer that question because I was not in that situation.” A masters was always in my future it was just the timing and for me, four years and two degrees later, I could not be happier.   Remember that everything you do, each step you take whether you feel like it is a step towards something or not, is a step on your path. My biggest advice is try to live your life with no regrets.  If you think it is something you could regret by not doing, just do it.  I knew that if I did not take my selfie crossing the stage during graduation then I would regret it.  What harm could come from me doing it? Well, the picture may not have come out perfect but seeing the look on the Mr. Saunders face, yes, E. Philip Saunders, the namesake of my college, was a look I will never forget.  He was cracking up and smiling and I hope will now remember me.  It may be something as little as that but those little things will add up to a lifetime of memories.  

High School Can End

Over the last month I have had time to look back on what happened over my school experience.  I have been able to actually relax for the first time in 4 years, go on vacation (blog post to come) and to go home to spend time with my family and friends.  Spending time at home allowed me to realize how lucky I was to grow up in the town I did.  Cortland may be small and definitely has gone down hill since my experience going through the school system; however, it was the sense of community that formed my experience.  I love my neighborhood and I will be sad when the day comes in the next few weeks when my mom calls me to let me know the house has officially sold.

But getting to spend time with my high school friends allowed me to reflect on how different my college experience was vs. my high school time.  Because of my busy schedule with basketball and school and co-oping in the summer, I wasn’t able to go home for more than a few days at a time during the four years so I hadn’t seen my friends more than a handful of times.  I realized how much I had missed them but I also realized that there were people in my town that hadn’t grown up since leaving high school…to put it simply, a lot of things were the same as if it were four years ago, only this time, I was different, along with a handful of others.  I am sure it is the same in a lot of other small towns but for me the only experience I have to go on is my own.

Catching up over drinks with some of the girls, I realized that my high school experience wasn’t as unique as I had thought in the sense that when I felt excluded, I wasn’t the only one.  High school was not my favorite time, I had my friends but I got used and walked all over just because I wanted to fit in.  High school is filled with “mean girls” or “popular people” that feel that they are better than others.  Sadly a lot of them don’t realize that they are the stereotypical mean person.  Now, I am not saying my school was like the movie, Mean Girls but I think every high school has their similarities.

I am very fortunate to have been able to go to a school like RIT because of its diverse nature, everyones willingness to except virtually everyone and how “real” most people are.  I think in high school everyone is trying so desperately to fit in and find their way or define who they are, they tend to just go with the crowd.

Now I am sure there are some that might read this and go, “what the hell is she talking about” because I appeared to have a really good high school experience and was friends with the “popular” people and don’t get me wrong, I did but it wasn’t my favorite time but I know I did not have it the worst, my situation could have been so much worse and I am sorry for those who were mistreated or victimized in high school by bullies, either mentally or physically.   I was never a victim of physical violence; however, I definitely had my fair share of mind games played on me.  Looking back on it, I think that high school was the way it was for me because I knew I had so much more in my future that was outside of this town so I just let it be and didn’t fight for something better.  By the end of my senior year I was sick of being taken advantage of, coming in second place for plans with people and ready for a change and ready to make my mark on the world at RIT and beyond.

So for those of you reading this, that felt like me in high school, the girl that didn’t want to go out and drink, who would rather watch a movie with her mom than be out trying to sneak into a bar, read a book on the weekend instead of hanging out at the mall, who put everything she could into getting better on the court for her team, or set a goal and did everything in her power to accomplished it, this post is for you.  Life is so much better when you are true to yourself, when you believe in yourself and know that you can accomplish anything you set your mind too.  Know that the mean girls in high school will probably still be stuck in high school (figuratively) in four years and know that if you allow yourself to get out of your town, you will be embraced for who you are.

I haven’t changed much since high school, though some would (and have) said I have changed.  But for those who believe I have changed, I have changed for the better.  I no longer allow people to walk all over me, I have grown up and believe in myself and try and better myself.  When I have a problem with someone I don’t spread gossip I confront that person nor do spread gossip that was shared with me.  However, in my opinion I am not far from that girl who choose to be home with her mom and sister watching a movie over sneaking into a bar. I would rather have a chill night with friends and some drinks than get hammered at a club.  I would still rather not waste hours at the mall and I continuously challenge myself in new ways mentally and athletically (though no longer for a team) and strive to reach every goal I set.

So to that girl in high school, who was just like me…I promise, life is so much better when you choose the way you want to live.

 

Relocation Planning

As I have just over three weeks before I start my new job, Brian and I have been searching for a new apartment.  My company provides great relocation assistance; however, I am a plan a head person and like to know things in advance I began working on the house hunting search.  I worked on reaching out to different apartments and then Brian would go and look at them after work since I couldn’t make the trip.

But what surprised me the most was finding our apartment with a website I never expected to use – CraigsList.  We searched around on the site looking for the features we hoped to have.   Having been “spoiled” at Park Point the last few years with a washer and dryer in-unit, electricity, water, heat, cable and internet included, a gym and pool to use; as well as, maintenance and security available when needed.

Brian was actually the one to come across this apartment and immediately sent it to me to look at.  I loved it!  It was a newly built townhouse that had been lived in by another couple for less than a year.  The landlord had bought the lot next to his home and built this home for his mother to come live near him and when those plans fell through he turned it into an income property.

Brian and I got very lucky.  So far Brian is the only one to see but I am pleased to say we have signed a lease that will begin on July 11th, 2014, just 3 days before my start date.  It is going to be a hectic couple of days moving in, going to see Jason Aldean in concert at Darien and starting work but I am excited because who would want to be living a dull life.

The apartment is perfect! Two bed, two bath, in-unit washer and dryer, fully updated high-end kitchen, walk-in closets, security system and two car garage! So here is to not having to ever brush off my car in the morning on the way to work! The apartment also comes with snow removal, landscaping and water included which is really convenient and nice.  We have the perks that come with living in an apartment building but have the benefits of living in a neighborhood.  I am really excited to be able to go running in the morning through the near-by park.

Changes are quickly approaching and I am excited to experience them all.

 

#MullerQuaker

Over the last year since having my own apartment I have been on a quest to try all the different brands of Greek Yogurt out there! Before I began this “journey” I was only buying Chobani.  I love the company and what they try to stand for.  I like helping out a “local” company from NY, even though now they have become a household name around the country.  I love that Greek Yogurt lasts longer than regular yogurt, has more protein and is so much creamier.  But who really does have the best flavor, texture, variety, etc of Greek Yogurt.  Everyone’s tastes are going to be different.  My boyfriend used to say he didn’t like Greek Yogurt; however, I have gotten him to like the Creamy Wegman’s Greek Yogurt.

Here is my top 2 brands of Greek Yogurt to date (in no particular order):

• Oikos
  • But not the Fruit on the Bottom Variety but that is because I don’t really like fruit on the bottom yogurt in general.
  • I love the Cafe Latte Flavor and the Lemon Meringue!
• Chobani
  • I use to not want to but the 2% but in the scheme of things that really doesn’t make a huge difference!
  • I love the blood orange and the chocolate chip flavors (only available in the chobani champions or the larger tub)!

As a special treat to myself because they are a little more expensive than I would like to spend on yogurt, I will buy:

• Yopa
• Powerful Yogurt
  • The option has extra protein on top of the extra protein Greek Yogurt already has in it!

I am not a huge fan of the following popular brands of yogurt:

• Fage
• Yoplait Greek 100 Calories
  • I just find it not as creamy as other brands and tastes almost watered down.

So when I received a coupon for Muller Quaker yogurt as part of my #GoVoxBox, naturally I was driven to try the Greek variety.  I have tried a few of the flavors of Muller Quaker before.  When Chobani released their version of the corner I had to compare.  But this time I went for the apricot variety in the greek corner.  The flavor is really called Honeyed Apricot Greek Corner.  I really liked it! I will be adding Muller to top three brands of Greek Yogurt and will be buying more in the future.

I want to add the only product that I did receive for testing was Muller Quaker, the other brands are not a part of this Vox Box that I received through Influenster. 

#GoProFoot

By playing college sports or sports in general it would be nearly impossible to say that you have perfect feet.  I did not see the point of getting regular pedicures during season because frankly on a student budget, even though I worked through school, I was not willing to ruin a perfectly good pedicure by shoving it into my basketball shoes for two hours+ of practice and workouts six times a week.  That did not make practical sense to me.  So I would get one pedicure to celebrate the beginning of season and then another to celebrate the end of the season.

My super high arches had also created an awkward wear in all of my shoes and led to me getting custom orthodics during my freshman year when my blisters had gotten so bad I couldn’t make it through simple drills and even walking normally to class.  My amazing trainer was there for me and my feet during all four years and I was also always looking out for new products that would work to reduce callouses, blisters, dry skin, etc.

So why am I telling this terrible tale about how bad my feet are? Well in my latest vox box from Influenster I received two new products to try out for my feet! As a newly appointed NARP (none athletic regular person) I am constantly discovering new ways to workout that do not relate to basketball.  I have dedicated basically my whole life to training for basketball and now I am able to workout and train on my terms but that also means without Missy’s help to watch my feet.  So, receiving new feet related products to try out is a big bonus to me….even bigger when they work!

The first product that I received was the Triad Orthodic.  Now as someone who only wears orthodics in my basketball shoes and only has custom orthodics for her high intensity workouts with a lot of agility movements (aka basketball workouts) I was a little hesitate to even try them out.  I have to say that they are really nice for walking around; however, I would never do a long workout in them because they are a 6-10 size (I wear a 10.5 in most of my athletic shoes) and they do not hit the balls of my feet correctly but they are nice as a backup for my shorter workout shoes just to add the extra support.  The orthodics also feel very nice on the heel but my high arches create an problem for off-the-shelf products.

The second product on the other hand is great! The pedi-rock may be like my new best friend.  It forms to your feet and works to scrap off that hard dead skin and make your feet nice and smooth.  The pedi-rock is a softer foam like material that forms to your feet so you can get the perfect feet.  I would highly recommend this type of product for anyone with callouses.  Just as a side not, remember do not try and scrap off blisters until they have drained and dried out – you could cause infection and worse problems for yourself. 

I love being pampered and getting pedicures every once in awhile but the pedi-rock may be a close second but I will definitely not stop getting regular pedis because I still like to have someone else work their magic on my athletic feet.  What girl doesn’t love to be pampered?  

Without Them I Would Not Be Me

We often forget to say thank you to the people that have helped us out along our paths in life.  I have had so many people who have helped me get where I am today over the past four years at RIT, during my time at Cortland High and well-before that.  From my family to my coaches, from my teachers to my professors, from my bosses to my co-workers, from peers and friends to those who I have coached.  There are so many people who have made and impact on my life.  I wouldn’t be standing here with out them and it would not be right if I let my thanks go unknown.

The first person I need to thank is my mom.  She not only my mom but has been my biggest supporter, my cheerleader, my guidance counselor, my voice of reason.  She has been there for me through good times and bad, surgeries and hospital visits.  She is the woman I most admire and the one I aspire to be.  She is stronger than anyone I know and I owe the majority of who I am to her.

My mom was my shoulder to cry on in high school, was my cheerleader at all my games throughout my playing career.  She played the role of driver for all the late night practices, driving all day to get to us to AAU games.   The number of times I turned to my mom for advice is countless.

My biggest fear in college was letting her down and came very close when I had to confess to her that I had drank my freshman year.  At the time, I thought this was would be the hardest conversation that I would ever have, turns out it wasn’t but when you are young letting the people down you respect the most is your scary.  Freshman year was a rough transition for both of us (I think) but when we made it through it, we were only stronger in our relationship.

The next person I have to thank is my sister.  She may not realize it but she is one of the closest people to me, she knows me better than most and is not afraid to call me out for anything.  She may make mistakes but she is not afraid to make those mistakes.  I was the person who felt that I had to be perfect and maybe because I felt like that, she felt she didn’t which I am glad for her.

People say we look almost like twins and she looks older which I know drives her crazy since she is three years younger.  We know we don’t but our personalities make us different.  Devon has always been the one who can make me laugh.  We can talk in code that no one else understands and then laugh non-stop for an hour.  Friends will always come and go but she will be always be my seester and always be a part of my life.

The next person I have to thank is the love of my life, Brian.  He always knows how to keep me grounded.  This year tested us with distance and not seeing each other everyday.  It may have been hard but it has only made us stronger.  He is my best friend, the one I love to enjoy new things with.  When I was over stressed, had a bad game or was just in a bad mood he knew just how to get me out of it. We are now finally in the home stretch of our time apart.  I am so excited to move to Buffalo and begin our lives together in the real world.  I am excited to make our house our own starting July 11th.

I love my dad and have learned a lot from him.  No one is perfect and as I have grown up and experienced more things I understand that more than I did as a younger child.  I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and my dad is one of those things.  I would not be me without my dad and am thankful for all he taught me.

I have the most supportive family anyone could ask for on both sides. I am one of the luckiest people to have both sets of grandparents to support me and guide me.  I am forever grateful and thankful for having them in my life. My whole family has always supported me through all of my dreams from coming to my games, to cheering me on at home while watching games on the live stream to supporting me in everything I dreamed of doing.  My family has watched me grow up and watched me become the person I am today but without them, I would never have become the woman I am today. 

Growing up, the ups and downs that my family went through have become the norm for childhoods around the United States.  I had an amazing childhood despite everything and I had so many people that helped me along the way.  It can take its toll on a kid but it can also make them stronger.  I had so many strong people around me growing up that I owe a lot to so many different people! A person can not be shaped by one person, they are shaped by many people involved in many different aspects of their life and I have to thank all of those people (I apologize for those who I forget)!

I have had so many coaches and trainers in my life and they have made such an impact on me as a person and me as a player.  I would not have been the player I am without all of them.  From winning Sectionals as a Senior in High School to my AAU days.  From Coach Harris to Coach Reed to Coach Finucane to Coach P to Coach Williams (2x) and all my coaches in between and from the younger years. Some of you taught me what not to do.  Some of you encouraged me to stay in the post and not move out to the three point line but what I found from being told what not to do was my own game and what I liked to do.  Shooting threes became one of my favorite things to do and you could not believe that you ever told me to stay inside. One coach taught me how not to treat my players before, during and after my playing career.

People value how you treat your players and I have had coaches who have lost the respect of their players, never earned it or earned and valued the player-coach relationship. I am so thankful to my coaches who have taught me so much about what I want to do in my life, how to act, how to time manage, how to prioritize.  I know somewhere down the line I will want to get into coaching I am thankful to have positive and negative experiences with coaches because I know how I want to treat my players and coach and how I definitely do not want to!!

I have had the opportunity to play on some amazing teams, work along side some amazing players and call some amazing girls my teammates.  From my AAU teammates to my high school teammates to my college teammates I have played on so many different teams and with so many girls it would be impossible to mention every single person.  But there are a few specific people I have to thank.

My senior class.  Mallory, Jess and Kayla will forever be my best friends.  We have been through more than most teammates (in my opinion).  We have had experiences that no one else will ever have, we stuck together through the good times and bad and had one hell of a ride on and off the court.  These girls are three of the most amazing people and together we make each other better people.  We could not have made it through the four years without each other.

My 2013-14 RIT Women’s Basketball team will be one of my favorite teams I ever played with.  I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and each one of those girls has a special place in my heart.  They made my last competitive season so special and I thank them for that.  Never have I been a part of women’s team that has had no drama within the team until this season.  I never wanted this season to end because of that.  It is a rare occurance that you can find that within women’s sports and we did. Sarah, Maria, Ash, Syd, Julia, Allie, Christina, and Bre….thank you for making this year so special.  I hope that over the rest of your time with the RIT Women’s Basketball program each season is just as special.  Remember that teammates are what make the experience, when you stick together you will never regret a moment of it.  Remember that coach didn’t make you love the game, you found your passion before you ever set foot on the RIT campus but your passion continues because you are playing with girls you love! There is so much to be said about playing all four years of your NCAA eligibility.  Standing there on senior night with Mal, Jess and Kayla, I hope that every one of those girls gets to experience that because that was what we worked for and showed our accomplishments and is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.  I wish RIT the best of luck in the upcoming season.

There are two other players I need to thank one is from high school and one is from college.  Shannon Finucane is the only player I have ever fully trusted.  If she said something I never questioned it, I just did it.  I played a season of AAU and two seasons of high school with her.  When I was just a freshman and she was a junior captain of the high school team she made a lasting impression the first time she spoke to me.  I walked into a preseason open gym wearing soccer shorts and she said to me, “Go buy longer shorts and come back next week wearing them.  I never want to see short-shorts in the gym again.”  As a young impressionable freshman in high school I did what the best player in the gym said.  As I got to know her and play with her, I came to respect her even more.  She went on to win a National Championship and made four consecutive final fours at Amherst College as the starting point guard during her college years.

The second player is one of my three year teammates at RIT, Leslie.  It was no secret that Leslie and I were competitors.  Leslie is one of the hardest workers I have ever played with and probably the best defender that I have ever called a teammate.  Les could pick your pocket and be off down the court before you realized the ball was gone.  My favorite memory with Les happened in our RPI game.  We needed a last second shot.  Les passed me the ball from the wing, I gave her the sign to come in for a hand off and I would screen off my girl and hers and she would take the lay-up.  The play worked, as it worked day-in and day-out in practice.  Regardless of how we competed or how Les and my friendship looked to anyone else, we knew when it came down to it, we were on the same side in the end.  Our opponent was our competition, not each other.  When it came down to the game we were playing against the other team and ready to win and would do whatever it took, even when it came down to doing what we felt was best not what the play demanded, which happened a lot more than one would expect.  Competition made us stronger, knowing each other were the best at our positions, realizing we weren’t competing against each other but only working to make the other better, helping each other reach our goals was something most would never understand based on how Les and I appeared to the typical on-looker but we knew better.  From making plays on the court, to finding out that jello-bowls are so much better than jello-shots, to taking crazy amounts of pictures that we have to make sepia or blank & white because we both have way to pink of cheeks, to playing bop-it like we were nine years old, our friendship may seem strange to some but we know better.

So to Shannon and Leslie, thank you both for making me a better player!

Being a student was something I valued and prided myself on and challenged myself to always do my best.  I had so many mentors that helped me along the way, especially at RIT.  Vic Perotti, Peggy Tirrell, Tom Traub, Bob Boehner, Mike Johansson and Sally Haigh are some of the people that I have been grateful to get to know over the last few years at RIT.   They have pushed me and have worked to get my best every time!  Thank you so much to all of you!

To anyone who I did not have the chance to thank in this post, thank you.  You know who you are and have helped shape me into the person I am today.  Life is going to be changing fast over the next few years.

#GoVoxBox

Finally it is here!  I was very excited to receive my #GoVoxBox from Influenster.  This was something that completely interested me because of its health related nature.  As I am about to start training for my half marathon I was excited to be picked to be a part of this program.  There were a lot of health products associated with the box which was really nice to see.  It was also crazy because it was like this box was made for me and my terrible athletic feet and love of baths and smoothies.

On a side note, when you sign up for Influenster you are allowed to pick five expert badges which are based on your interests.  You are limited with these because no one can be an expert at everything so Influenster wants to help you focus on what you actually know.  One of my expert badges is called the Six Pack Badge which has to do with health and wellness.  

Like the #UniVoxBox this box had the new Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Tampons.  This was awesome because as any girl knows, you can always use more tampons and when they are FREE….even better.  I love the Playtex Sport Brand so I was definitely excited to get another box of them.  You can see my post Play It On for more information regarding the Playtex brand.

The next product in the box was Blueberry Almonds by Blue Diamond!  I am a fan of almonds especially for snacking at work or in class.  The Blue Diamond brand has created a really awesome product.  Who would have thought almonds could be blueberry flavored?  These were really unique and I have never really tasted anything like it.  When you think of cocoa dusted almonds, this is a similar product just with a blueberry dusting.  I am excited to try the other varieties of this spinoff of cocoa almonds; however, as a girl and a chocolate lover, I think the cocoa dusted almonds may always been #1 in my heart.

Another awesome part about Influenster that I really enjoy and this was my first experience with it – is that not all products come in the box, some you have to go to the store and pick out yourself.  This was the case with Muller yogurt.  I like this concept because it means that products that could spoil are not ruled out from boxes.  When I went to the store there were several different kinds to try out.  I like to try all the different brand’s versions of Greek yogurt so I went with the Muller Greek Yogurt Corner.  I selected the Honeyed Apricot because it sounded unique.  It was delicious and creamy.  I think I like this version of apricot better than the Chobani version of apricot.

Two products in the box were from Profoot Care.  There was a set of orthodics and a pedicure rock.  The orthodics were a little small for my feet I found, but will work nicely as a back up set.  I have extremely high arches so I have worn custom orthodics in my basketball shoes all throughout college.  Obviously something that comes in a box is not going to be as customized to me but they are definitely a nice backup but I would not use them if I was to go run long distances or play basketball.

The second item, the pedi rock – is awesome!  My teammates used to joke that I had the grossest feet on the team!  Honestly I do because during season I am not worried about getting pedicures because they will get ruined after one practice, why waste the money. The rock would have been awesome to have after a long practice! I really enjoy it and am looking forward to my boyfriend not saying, “I have the best feet in the relationship”, because now I will.

This box was so full it was exciting to go through and find out what variety of the products you got.  When it came to Aqua Spa, I received the Lavender + Chamomile body lotion.  It smells amazing.  I like using it after a long post-workout showers or baths.  I think I will end up using the lotion in the evenings more because the scent tends to make me sleepy.

Finally the last company that was included in this Vox Box was Vitamin Shoppe.  They included 3 of their new meal replacement shakes and a shaker bottle to make them in.  So far I have only tried the chocolate version and found it very rich when prepared as the package directions say with water but found it much more enjoyable with soy milk.  Now I am not trying to use it as a weight loss tool so that helps me have more flexibility on how I prepare the shakes.  I really do like the shaker bottle.  It is really easy to clean and use and the lid does not stick shut like some blender bottles I have had.  When I try the next two shakes I plan to make one with soy milk and the other into a smoothie!

So I have been apart of Influenster since the very end of January and I have already received 3 boxes.  I can’t wait to receive another Vox Box from Influenster in the future because the last three have been so good! I do not know why anyone wouldn’t want to be a part of this awesome service.  Who wouldn’t want to sign-up, receive free products that are customized to them and then give the companies their feedback?  What is great is you feel like the companies are actually listening to you and you are helping them improve their products!

Play It On

So funny story, the day I received my #GoVoxBox from Influenster was Senior Night at RIT. As seniors we decided that we would have one last HooRAH around campus, attend the campus sponsored senior night with the activities like massages, bingo, raffles, food and giveaways and really just spend the last night together as a whole group.  Most of the people I was hanging around with were athletes.  My friends and I decided to stop in my apartment before heading out to go onto the next event.

One of my guy friends saw my Vox Box and started going through it.  This guy and I had a class with another friend that I had turned onto Influenster earlier in the semester and we always chatted about it during class.  She had just received the Sargento Vox Box when I received the notification that I would be getting the Go Vox Box.  Well he just had to go through it and see what all the fuss was about.  He happened to stumble upon the box of Playtex Sport Fresh Balance.  Of course, as a guy there are two gut reactions, throw the boss and say gross or open the box and examine.  He choose the second option.

Now before I go on, let me say, I really hate when people refer to tampons and pads as, feminine products.  It is such an out dated term.  If guys are embarrassed of the items that is really their problem, they don’t have to use them, they just have to dread the time of the month for the girls in the lives because emotions run higher then.  But really if you are going to use the word, call them what they are, tampons or pads, they aren’t dirty words.

Now carrying on with my story, after opening up the box pulling out one of the tampons, he proceeded to take off the cartridge and pull his best She’s the Man impression.

But after he had stuck the tampon up his nose, the first thing he had to say was, “this smells good”.  So from a guy’s perspective, the fresh balance tampons smell great and as a girl I will have to agree.  I like how the scent is not over powering but light.  I can’t speak from experience but my friend sure can, that when you put it near your nose (or in his case, in his nose) you can definitely smell the scent stronger).

As an active person, it is great to know whatever time of the month it is, you aren’t going to smell differently at the gym or really anywhere.  I mean at the gym, you better be sweating, because if you aren’t sweating, you definitely aren’t working hard enough.  But who wants to have to worry about their period at the same time? I know that I do not.

Just remember if you are working out with your period, you should definitely be extra careful that you are taking proper hygiene measures including showering after your workouts and changing your “feminine product”.

I wrote another blog about this product as well that can be seen here.

The Thing I Never Thought I Would Say

Following my collegiate basketball career, I pondered how I would stay in shape without the daily practices, “optional” workouts, pickup games, weight-training, pre-season and post-season workouts and summer training.  It was really the only workout life I had known.  I had always been training for something and at the end of the season it was a weird feeling to not have another season to train for and knowing I was never going to be tested again.

It has been 2 months since the end of the season and I have learned to adapt to a different pace because as my life changes and different things fill my time I need to accept the fact that any workout, no matter how long counts.  In season we would train for hours, be on the court for two hours a day or just play pickup because we could.   But in the real world, with everything life has to offer you don’t need to train for hours on end to stay healthy. Even a half an hour workout is better than nothing.

But lately I have started picking up a new habit, one I never saw coming.  Something my friends and family would never have believed if I had said it before.  I am becoming a runner.  I used to despise running.  The thought of even doing a mile made me cringe.  But what I have learned that with not having someone breathing down my neck, counting down the seconds before I have to run it again, there is something peaceful about working out for yourself.  I love waking up and starting my day with a workout.  The sense of accomplishment before your day has really started is awesome.

Now I am no marathon runner….yet…but I am enjoying running further each week.  I have found something that allows me to forget about the stress of the world and just be alone with my thoughts.  Running to a playlist of country music allows me to get lost in the stories of others for a little while.  My next goal will be to build up my mileage to run a half-marathon in under two-hours which is about a 9 minute mile on average.  Who knows, maybe someday I will work my way up to a full-marathon.

YES, I want to run a half marathon – you heard it here, I have set my next goal and something to work for.  I am planning on signing up for one at the end of August in Buffalo in the next few weeks.

Today I ran 4.38 miles which is a really nice loop.  That was the distance that I had a goal for on the day and in my head that was as much as my body was going to do.  Building my mileage slowly will allow me to prevent injuries.  I also have to build up my mental strength.  I do not think physically the distance would be as bad; however, for me mentally finding the strength to keep going is going to be the challenge.  My head tends to be my own worst enemy but I know if I work on it that I can build up the ability to run the distance without my brain shutting me down.  I have already seen a difference in my mental capacity because a 2 mile run is now a short run for me and a year ago I would never have said that!

I love the freedom that running allows.  The challenge and the ability to see how far you have gone.  There is something to be said about the fact that you are always moving forward in a run.

I am not following a program now but doing what feels comfortable to me and making sure that I am pushing myself farther each week.  I am pushing my speed on my mile and a half and making sure that I add in the strength training each week; as well as cross-training on bikes and ellipticals.

I think after college has wrapped up, graduation has happened and I go on my CRUISE (yes, thanks to the boyfriend) I will start a 12 week program to officially train my body for the half-marathon.  I think that will help me stay on track and make sure I build up my mileage in the right way.

Life after collegiate athletics is definitely different but if you are a true athlete, athletics and competition will never fully leave you.  The thrill of the challenge will always be with you – it is just a little different in stye.

My Final Planned Class

It is a surreal feeling.  I have officially had my last class of my academic career (that I have planned right now).  Who knows what down the road will hold for me since I love to learn but I am also very excited because I am ready to experience the real world (maybe not the bills).

These next eight days are going to be really hard because it means 3 finals and 1 presentation but I know that come Thursday afternoon next week it will be very exciting!

This semester was not my ideal semester.  It was stressful and boring at some points.  The classes I was excited about taking turned out to be total duds.  I was hoping to pick up a few more skills than some of the classes offered me.  I hate classes where professors simply read from the slides (why am I paying to be there if I could read them myself).  I also hate classes where professors do not seem to understand the material they are supposed to be teaching.  I am not knocking my school at all, the experience I have had at RIT has been amazing.  The professors we have are great people and have great real world experience.  When you get them in a one on one setting it is great to be to talk to them about career paths and future opportunities.  Sadly, when you mix senioritis with nice weather nearly any class can become hard to sit through.

Now that I am nearing the end of my time at RIT I have time to reflect.  It is not often that as a high school senior you make a plan and stick to it, but I did.  I said that I was going to complete my undergrad and MBA in four years while completing my NCAA eligibility and I did it.  I completed my four years as a member of the RIT Women’s Basketball Team and received my BA in New Media Marketing with minors in Mass Communications and Digital Business and as of next week will have my MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems.

Life is changing fast but if there is one thing I am sure of, when I set my mind to something I can accomplish anything!