See ya Irene

Hello Friends,

Just an update, clearly, if I'm blogging I am in fact alive and ok. Irene knocked us around a bit last night but overall everything is ok. I'm currently without power at my apartment but luckily the beautiful Adrienne Strain has let me stay with her last night and bath/hang out today before work so all is ok. We had to reschedule our comedians for this weekend, Frangela, However, we will be showing free movies tonight to give the students, who were stuck in their halls all night and half of today something free and fun to do.

Overall, move-in and welcome have gone beautifully. I could not be prouder of my board this year who kicked off welcome with an outdoor showing of The Incredibles and followed it up with a concert  featuring Sleeper Agent and fireworks. We will continue on tonight and throughout the week.

All of this craziness of course makes me excited to be in VB next week with my family and friends. It's hard to believe we're almost a month away from the Best wedding, which, means song and speech writing need to begin. Suggestions for Angela and I will be entertained, however, I can tell you, we only get better with time. :)

Today is one of my favorite people in the entire world's birthday, Mr. James Michael Vincent Oliverie aka Jimmy O. He is turning 25 today and is avoiding all hurricane craziness in his new home, St. Paul, MN. As many of you know Jimmy is one of my best friends from JMU and I have been lucky to have him in my life since my first week of graduate school where we became instant friends. I am sending him lots of love today. He is truly one of the kindest, funniest, smartest and greatest people I know. I am lucky to call him my best friend and know those of you who know him would have to agree :)

This week will be another crazy one. As many of you know I've started teaching a freshman seminar this semester in one of our learning communities here at UNCW. I had a great first day of a class and can tell my class is going to be awesome already. I am sure I'll have so many stories to share with you. I assigned my first homework assignment and half the class has already submitted it (it's due on Monday). I spent last night reading and leaving comments on these initial journals. My biggest observation is that I need to help these students find better restaurants. I ask each of them their favorite place to eat and things like Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesdays come up quite often. Luckily, Wilmington is filled with several amazing local chains that I am happy to introduce them to.

Ok! I think that is all for now. Stay safe 757 and the rest of the North East, I'm sorry I couldn't keep Irene away from you longer.

Always,

Stefanie Jo

Sassy Second Year

Hello friends...

Back to blogging after a summer off! It's been a busy past couple of months filled with visitors, moving, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, work turn over and much more!

LK, Klake and I at a Bachelor Charity Auction

my favorite LU turned Wilmington friend

Happy 4th of July!

At the Yeatman wedding

Bachelorette party for my BEST friend :)


It has been quite the eventful summer, it is no wonder it has flown by! The most exciting news of the week is of course, my new car :) 

 I was going to take a picture in my bathing suit on the hood but Sarah was sick and couldn't take the picture ;)

Tomorrow is freshman move in, where did a year go? It seems like just yesterday that I was gearing up for my first move in day smiling with my fellow first years KTK and AStrain. Now we are beginning what we are lovingly calling our "sassy second year"

Move-in day is an awesome tradition at UNCW. This year there are over 1800 volunteers for 2000 freshman. Everyone comes together to make for an amazing day and experience for the first year. While I am not excited about my 5am alarm I am always reminded of what an awesome job I have when I get to help proud parents check-in their nervous but won't admit it first year students. I of course also enjoy watching the girls who have over packed, the too cool guys, the over anxious parents, the soon-to-be long distance couples that can't stop holding hands and of course the super goober, over achieving freshman like Lauren Kennedy will tell you I was. :)

I am excited for a second year full of new friends, a great ACE executive board, getting to teach a UNI class, present at a professional conference, and overall learn from the mistakes and victories of my first year and make an amazing second year :)

Hope life is treating all of you fine blog readers well :)

Love Always,

Stefanie Jo