angiepants [one pocket at a time]
I carry my sony camera around in its leather pouch with me 96% of the time.
Posts tagged me
On why I need to make room for Dance in my schedule
- A patient took a ‘father figure’ role to me when I told him I used to dance. He then told me to take it back up while emphasizing “you should never lose a gift of the arts if you have it”
- My Resident Hall is empty because of Memorial Day weekend and I just used our Skylounge as my ‘Dance Studio’. It’s on the 11th floor viewing the Philly skyscape, so refreshing
- I need to get back in cardiovasular shape. Not the boring running kind I’m trying lately.
- I tend to go nuts at the Bar dancing, even when I’m not hammered, (it’s usually well received by friends, it justs make the bouncers cautious of me) because I only go out on a Blue Moon.
The up and down changing schedule of school makes consistent dance classes almost impossble. I will make time for it more often when I find a chance. It’s a promise.
On things I will miss of RA-dom
- Residents who meaningful reach out to me for help and advice
- Residents who invite me to their own floor events, dinners and club events
- Having my name known by people I have no idea who THEY are (both a blessing and a curse)
- Full freedom over floor/hall decorations
- The abilitiy to knock on doors for random hellos and catch-ups
- An older sister care and concern instinct on high level
- Baking really high quantity (and for free) for college students who will always think you’re Betty Crocker God.
On Odds & Ends that I should probably say ”okay” to
Is it weird if I don’t love the pristine, all newly renovated and electronic stocked apartments? Usually they’re higher on my budget but they’re definitely manageable so I can’t really use my frugal excuse.
I think I like quirks. I don’t want to move in somewhere that is perfect and I don’t need to add a bit of my touch. That said, I don’t want walls peeling or holes in walls, but I think part of the fun of decorating is seeing potential then diving into work. Quirks are fun. Growing up I lived in a Victorian Farmhouse that had narrow stairs, a creepy small basement and something always left unfinished (the house is over 150 years old!). I loved it and have fun stories of it. It was more homey and welcoming.
Maybe it’s the creative side of me that I haven’t been able to let loose in a while because of being in graduate classes and an RA. I don’t want something that is already created for me. I want something I can work on and really feel comfortable making my own.
On last minute movings
A lot of people have been asking “how’s the apartment searching going?” or “find one yet?” And I can completely see why-it’s been on my mind and come out in stressed spurts of my speech for months. With my planner personality, I wanted to find a place over Spring Break (last week of March), have it over with, settled and not get in the way my school and job. That didn’t even get close to fruition.
There are a lot of pieces to put together for housing, especially when you’re a student. Not everybody wants you, not everything fits your needs, it a long matchmaking process while living your life.
I’m still ‘shopping’ after my midterms end this week. Having 1 month and 15 days to find a place scares the hell out of me. But finding the right place, price and people is worth the organization, stress (though quite major sometimes) and dedication.
Things that made me smile today
- After a long discussion, my mom saying “You’re going to miss being an RA. As much work as it is, you’re good at it”
- Declining the CandyShop Apartment I really loved. It was a month too early that I had to be realistic about not being able to pay rent for. But, I had a really nice “I decline but honestly loved the place/roommates” conversation with the guy.
- Sippin’ on Muddled Lemonade :)
On constant calling, fitting into school schedules, and checking costs.
AKA:Apartment Searching
I’m not apologizng for starting to fill my page with apartment things. Actually, I’ve spent less time here and spent it almost glued to Craigslist and Padmapper. Those are actualy semi-addicting and I’ve learned itsnothealthy to check them every morning.
Its great to getbetterat apartment searching. The first one is terrifying (at least for me, when going alone, it was!), the next handful are frustrating, but the last ones just start to become more fitting. I now love knowing what questions to ask, showing the photos to my mom and close friends, and the idea of having a space I really, truly enjoy living in and making my own (at this point, most likely with ‘strangers’ I’d of course become friends with! Plus, its so much cheaper that way!).
Wherever I land-friends, you are welcome for dinner anytime!
Even though I’m two states away, everyone in my hometown knew it was my birthday…
My Mom works as one of the editors for a paper, I wonder if she gets the ad perks or pays for it. Either way, she cracks me up.
Maybe I’m just going nuts. That would be a nice, simple answer to it all, wouldn’t it?
I forced myself to study outside today (lasted 20 minutes) and winded up thinking about 1. Missing walking my dogs in the suburbs, 2. Calling my cousin for a catch up call, 3. The 5 finals and 3 praticals I have this week, 4. The floor meeting I’m having at 9:30 tonight because somebody stole money, 5. How everybody else around me gets to sit on the lawn and relax, 6. Wanting to go Sunday Shopping, 7. Wanting to just keep fitting in my clothes from last year
All of this happened while I stared at a cherry blossom tree across the street.
I’m sick of nestling with note cards, scheduling a schedule, and hanging out with homework rather than just enjoying company of real life friends and the environment around me. This is where I blow out a big breath and sigh.
On Breaking (bone) Borders
One of my professors is a honestly the most active and adorable older man I’ve met (If I could adopt him as my grandfather, I would). I’m the only student in my DPT class he knows by name (“Angie”) so far because I had him in undergrad. The man is one of the most intelligent minds I know. He lectured on Metabolic Bone Diseases today so I took a step to ask about a subject closer to the core, Osteopenia. Mostly, I want to know if I should personally get a DEXA to rule in or rule out any concern.
Decisions to come.
On finagling the future
Future Seeker. Optimist. Creative. I don’t know which of those I think fits me best or if they all play equal roles. I tend to love planning, decorating, organizing and just plain thinking about what’s wanted for the ‘future.’ In the past, that’s been a somewhat degenerative way of working for me.
Currently, I think it’s okay. I’m in school and constantly spend weekends dedicated to my studies while trying to remain a good, cheerful and reliable person to my friends and residents. I don’t have crazy weekend stories to boast over or accomplishments to show (only being consistent with school).
So right now I’m okay allowing my mind to drift off and think about future kids names, what culinary adventures I’ll have when I have a full kitchen to work, or patients I can’t wait to work closely with. My fast and early brought on school load is not the normal 21 year old route (which I chose myself!), but I’m dedicated and a hopeful at heart.
On sometimes feeling numb
Stress happens. Duh. But I’m getting bored out of being stressed and doing the same good, hard, reliable work. I can’t seem to fully enjoy certain things because I self-manage everything.
I know I have a caring and bubbly personality, but at this time of my life I feel unable to use those traits to their full potential-with my friends, networking, and my own damn sanity. I’m 21 and go up and down a roller coaster of motivation, but the majority of the ride is spent in construction, working endlessly while waiting for the exciting release into air that never seems to happen.
Amazing
[An old scholarship essay I was really proud of when I handed it in a year ago to Seventeen Magazine]
According to Dictionary.com, ‘amazing’ is an adjective that means “causing wonder or astonishment: amazing feats.” Personally, I have an aversion to praising myself as a person with such words, but rather have an easier time describing that last bit, my “feats”. I believe my achievements are a prime example of ‘amazing’ when seen in total; therefore, those actions speak louder about me than any boasting.
Hello, my name is Angela Link and I’ve been accepted into a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program before I’ve turned 21. I came to my current studies, at Drexel University, for an accelerated Physical Therapy program. What’s amazing? I will be done with undergraduate school in three years and be awarded the title of ‘Dr. Link’ three years shortly after. However as amazing this sounds, it hasn’t been a cake walk. An average of 20-21 credits per semester has become the norm, as well as frequent visits with an Academic Advisor and Professors who I’m on a more personal basis with. I’ve even somehow managed to get six months of experience as a Physical Therapy Aide at a rehabilitation hospital, a place I’m already considering as a future stable employer after Graduate school is complete.
But GPA? Isn’t that what a Dean Scholarship is geared for? Grades and schooling are impressive but they aren’t the overall “feats,” a plural. Let’s get reintroduced. Hello, my name is Angela Link and I’m from the hometown of Sayville, New York, “America’s Friendliest Town’ with a graduating suburban class of 280 students. What’s notable? I’ve spun a full 180 and currently go to Drexel University with 11,517 full-time undergraduate students and live in Philadelphia, an urban city environment full of crisscrossing subway lines, diverse subcultures, and numerous neighborhoods. My favorite achievement? Figuring out public transportation. With my commuter pass in hand, I’m able to transfer from one subway line to a trolley route to bus lines. People actually ask me for directions. This is a far reach from somebody who grew up in suburban Long Island. But even more interesting? I’ve come to live within Philly, not simply as a college student. Philly has become a part of my life — I am a frequent shopper of local spots like Reading Terminal Market, a visitor to secret city gems including restaurants, museums, parks, and free tours. I read city papers and brochures to attend and promote events, festivals, and organizations of my bustling city.
Haven’t people lived in cities since the beginning of time? Sure. But what about sharing both university and city life? Being from such a tight knit family and small community, moving out to a new environment was a difficult process. After my freshman year of independence, I’ll admit, I was ready to transfer out. I had multiple crying conversations with family about how I “didn’t fit in”. Without getting into details, I was at an unhealthy low weight and almost wasn’t physically allowed to return to college by my concerned parents and doctors. My most amazing personal feat? Realizing I needed to recoup as a person before redigging my feet into college. I invested time as a Drexel Transfer Assistant to meet new people with a similar ‘starting over’ mindset to myself. I joined a sorority and I became Secretary for Drexel’s Pre-Physical Therapy Club. I tried things I always wanted to try, the Equestrian team, Stage Managing for the Theatre Department. And no, I don’t still commit to all this organizations. But I enjoyed exploring, and my feat was finding things that stuck so that both my weight and sanity wouldn’t shed.
Every teen at sometime hits some realization point. But my most major and established connection? Being a Resident Assistant. I’ve been trained heavily in campus resources and building management all for good reason: caring for 45 assigned residents. Now, I don’t even consider these people ‘residents’ but many my friends, my ‘assigned children’ that I truly have the best intentions for. Unfortunately, there was a recent suicide within Residential Housing. My first response was to reach out to my floor of residents and address that I’m always available for them and that I chose the RA lifestyle because it’s something I truly love despite the heavy responsibility of being on call, duty nights, and event planning. I have invested time and care into people, into a job I can be proud of everyday. Amazing is being able to take all the hats an RA simply wears and still put forth true effort around the clock
Each college campus has RAs, the validity of them may vary, but can they all say they’ve made the best sundaes on earth? Interestingly enough, I’ve had seven months employment at an old fashioned soda fountain, premised around a vintage 1910 turn of the century theme. One step in and you’ll see servers in white bowties, soda jerk hats or a long black skirt and knitted snoot (yes, a hairnet). With time and dedication I’ve learned how indulgence the best and right way, sodas with syrup and mixed with soda fountain water, sundaes with homemade hot fudge cooked directly by the pastry chef, phosphates made with bitters for that extra fizz, or milkshakes on a vintage blender and malt powder for that extra perfection. How many people in their twenties can say they can make a New York Egg Cream, or even say they know what it is? (Hint: It’s similar to ‘fizzy milk’ meant to be drunk like a beer for enjoyment of the foam. The classic ‘Brooklyn’ is without egg and the “Philadelphia’ version is actually with a raw egg). A feat is also scooping rock solid homemade ice cream with one arm while bent over freezers and still giving honest service with a smile, something that says how much I love my job at this sweet shop, The Franklin Fountain.
Amazing isn’t a lone standing adjective, but rather something stronger. It is best used to describe those cumulative feats. Amazing is taking all aspects, having courage and stamina to do them all, do them well, and with a smile in the end. It’s balance between work, play, lows and highs. It includes appreciating the many amazing people around you that allow you to continue at that pace. Amazing is a sum of multiple feats, and unfortunately it can be overlooked in a world as widespread as ours. I’m far from perfect, but I do occasionally look back at my feats and think ‘wow, that’s amazing’, before heading off to conquer my next feat.
Today I got through talking and being completely honest about it
I told the whole story, even with some of the most embarassing facts, to 12 pairs of genuinely listening ears. Legs shook and voice got wavery, but in the end I finised with a joke, steady hands, and a strong voice ready to ask sincere questions.
Its still uncomfortable release, but a release none the less.
On things you collect but never know 100%
You know what’s wild? How much you don’t know about most people. Yes, you gather tidbits of their history, their likes, their manners through conversations here and there, but how much total to do you really know about them?
Go through the majority of your good friends and even your family. It’s usually a game of catch up with a friend and you might not even realize you don’t know everything about your parents.
Just a couple of years ago, I found out one of my grandfather’s was an alcoholic. That put a huge perspective change of my mother, my nanny, and the family dynamic she had to go through growing up (That grandfather has passed away when I was 10 so I have difficulty picturing him as anything other than Good Ole’ “Tickly grandpa”).
Or just the past couple of years I’ve gotten closer to some friends while trying to jump around between the old. It’s embarrassing when you realize you don’t know what their plans for after graduating are, what the status is with their siblings. It’s only through shared time and stories that you really have history and friendship.
It’s easy to be interested in so many things and intrigued by so many people during your walk of life, but it’s key to add and grow onto those connections you’ve already made. In a society that faults for wanting more, let’s not crave more food, more gizmos and gadgets, more money, but let’s crave more out of the people we surround ourselves with. Get those stories from when they grew up, their high school experience, what they struggled with, what things they find most important in life. Discovering and uncovering more about those you care about is the best gift imaginable.
