Leo will always be Jack Dawson to me...

Good Morning!

Can I start by saying, where has July gone? It seems I was just writing about the 4th and now we are approaching the last week of the month. For those of you in Student Affairs, you know what this means: the end of our summer. While this may seem sad to many of you who will continue your summers through labor day, remember that ours does begin early May. I could not be more excited about the opening of school, this may be the only year I feel this excited about it. However, I will not really feel as though I've started my job until I've done it through the hustle and bustle of the school year, especially August. 


This week has been a good one so far, lots of spending time with friends which has been great. I have been so lucky to meet some great people down here and I enjoy spending time with them when I can. Monday and Tuesday were spent with Jen, Sarah and Katie. We enjoyed the Bachellorette at Sarah's beautiful new apartment (literally, beautiful). I really am not ok with Frank and continue to love Chris L more and more every day. I think Frank's issues are the most real the show is so, perhaps it is best that the fantasy world has a taste of reality.  Tuesday night we saw Inception.

Yes, it is a great movie. I minimally interacted with the film (this is a big deal, as many of you who have seen films with me before know) mainly because I had to focus so much during the movie to understand. However, there is a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio and his wife in the movie where she says "don't let go" and it took EVERYTHING in me not to yell "NEVER LET GO JACK". I resisted as Jen and Sarah are new to seeing films with me and did not want them to feel mortified. Overall, a great movie and I wish Bill Hall could see it and explain it to me more (shout out to my Dukes who know and love Bill Hall). 


In other news, I am in the market for a new couch...after much drama with JCPenny, JoJo and I are giving back the original couch and instead getting one more to my liking, without the drama. :) So Wilmington folks, got any furniture store suggestions-hit me with them :) 


A Joann and Pat update. They are still rockin' :) I went over last week to help Joann with some e-mail issues. They are always good for a laugh and a life talk. Hopefully we can break bread together soon! 

I believe that is all for now!

Shout outs: 
Happy birthday to Keith Taylor today :)
LK is a little over a week shy of being on the east coast! 
Good luck to Miss Lori Corley as she begins her journey as an ADPi leadership consultant <>
Special thanks to Adrienne for a great couch talk last night, a great friend already!
Congrats to my fellow CSPA friend Mike for getting a sweet job last week! :) 


A parting Pearl Jam song lyric I just received from a friend to leave you with:

"I know I was born and I know that I will die
The in between is mine.." (I Am Mine, Pearl Jam)

Have a great day,
Stefanie Jo

I get by with a little help from my friends...and family :)

I think the Wonder Years was onto something in the late 80's when it started each show with the Beatles, "With a Little Help From My Friends".  The truth of the matter is, it's the only way to get by. As most of you know this week is a difficult one for my family and many of my friends. It is amazing to me that it has already been 6 years since we lost someone dear to us, my father, Peter A. Mancuso (Big Petey, if you will). In reflecting on this with JoJo and Petey I think we have realized how blessed we were to have such an incredible man in our life for as long as we did. What we have also started to take notice of is how lucky we have been to have the incredible support we have over the past 6 years from our amazing family and friends. The truth is, life can be difficult but if you let yourself be open to a network of amazing people who care and want to help you will do more than get by. I can say in full confidence that without this, we would not be the strong people and family we are. So on behalf of JoJo, Petey (and Spunky) I want to say thank you for the continued support and love we have been shown year after year since 2004. It is not only your thoughts and kind words this time of year but your constant love and support.

The lesson: Do not be afraid to lean on your friends and family when times are hard. I smile brighter and laugh harder because of each of them (well... you, if you're reading this blog). Just something to consider...

Overall there has not been too much excitement this week, for those of you who are Bachelorette watchers like myself, you know that the end is near and the rumors Ali picks no one makes me sad. I am a Chris fan (shocker, I know). Odds are I will punch the TV next week when Frank breaks her heart, jerk! Haha...it's really the only trash TV I watch so I allow myself to get into it, everyone has a guilty pleasure, right?

I am joining a book club with some of my favorite JMU girls :) A very fun/exciting way to keep in touch!

Ok, time for shout outs:

- Kelly Ann Shanley & Adam Best have a great time reuniting in GREECE! :)
- Big loss for the Yankees this week, shout out to George Steinbrenner 7/13-yes that is irony at its best!
-Another CSPA 2010 gets a job, Congrats Jane! (insert lasso!)

Tabrizi fo' Sheezy

Well, clearly the most important update is that Hoss and Carolyn were married yesterday, which resulted in a true DGSC weekend. For my new followers, DGSC or Dirty Girls Social Club is a name associated with 12 of my closest friends from high school. The namesake is attributed to a book by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez about a group of girlfriends and their lives. We took this name in 2003, the first year of what would become an annual dinner and a lifetime of friendship.

The first of this group of friends, Carolyn Fawcett tied the knot yesterday. She is now Mrs. Tabrizi and it was a great event. The weekend began with many of us coming into town (with a few boyfriends and fiances) on Friday and staying with the wonderful Angela Damiano (shout out to my favorite hostess!). We ate at one of my FAVORITE Mexican places in Alexandria and I was heart broken when I was unable to have a Cadilac Margarita, my favorite, because the machine was broken. Some how I survived. We spent the evening sharing funny stories, showing the guys some old videos and laughing so hard our faces hurt.

The wedding Saturday was fantastic! There were two beautiful ceremonies followed by a great reception full of sweet dance moves and lassos.

and in true dirty girl fashion, Angela and I prepared a song for the bride and groom. This is a tradition started a few years ago, Angela and I began by performing "Light my Candle" at a DGSC dinner one year. We then in years to come began writing our own songs to be performed at large get togethers. This wedding was no different, we composed a brief ditty for Carolyn and Hoss to the tune of Train, "Hey Soul Sister". The video is available for viewing on my facebook. I'm not sure how to post it on here, perhaps my dear friend Kelly Shanley will post it in the comment section?

Overall a great night, it was no shocker JoJo tore up the dance floor during the cupid shuffle, as I have shared with many of you, she loves a group dance! It was great to spend time with JoJo, Matt and the Shanley's as well. Nothing like a taste of family and home.

Overall a great weekend. Life in Wilmington is going well... last week went by fast with a 3 day work week but I am getting excited for the awesome programs and events that are coming up in a month. Dinner at Pat and Joann's was great. They prepared me a wonderful Italian dinner and I returned the favor by setting Joann up with a new more user friendly gmail accout. I continue to enjoy spending time with my amazing new friends here and look forward to introducing more of them to you via the Mancuso Monologues but until next time...

Stefanie Jo

Of course, some shout outs:

Congrats to the several couples that were wed this weekend:

Carolyn & Hoss         Kat & CJ           Mike & Christina

Also, welcome Brayden Roemmich, nephew of my little one Ashley Carlton.

Kelly Ann Shanley traveling to Greece next weekend...lucky girl!

Shout out to big Peter Mancuso, thinking about him this week <3

Wake up in the morning feeling like...Usher?

So, let me explain... no, I am not that big of a Kei$ha fan but this morning I woke up with Usher's "OMG" in my head. Not really sure why, perhaps I was thinking about my weekend...

Let me start by wishing everyone a happy belated 4th of July. While the 4th has never been my favorite holiday I should recognize here my love of America which I demonstrated at a young age by performing "God Bless America" and "Proud to Be An American" over and over again for well, anyone who would listen. I wish there was not video evidence of this but unfortunately there are several performances that Joann keeps close to her on family video. So, for that reason I must say I have a place in my heart for the 4th of July.

This weekend was great. It started Thursday night when a group of us went to Captain Bill's to support some UNCW folks on their volleyball team. We hit around a bit and I remembered why I played field hockey in college. We are trying to put a team together for the fall so I have a few months to get better. If only that Katelyn Grant was closer...she was an all-star in her day :)

Friday, after work I hit up the Keys Pool where my friend Pat was hanging out (he is the 74 year old man I friended a few weeks ago along with his wife, Jo Ann). They are from Long Island, NY so we talk about Italian food and he reminds me of my Grandfather. I have adopted them as my grandparents and they are having me over for dinner tomorrow night, apparently they've gotten me a surprise. I am so excited to see what it is. Dinner is at 5:30, I feel bad I'm making them eat late ;)

Later Friday I was able to meet up with the one and only Jermisha Dotson who was in town celebrating her birthday. This is where the Usher song comes into play, it was easily played three times while we were out at the bar and I believe it has become the anthem of the weekend...

Saturday was spent working out, running errands and some pool time. That night I had sushi (mmmm...) downtown with some friends and headed out downtown for another fun night :) The next morning I was up early to get things together for a beach day. Ironically, we weren't the only people who wanted to be at the beach of the 4th of July, who would have thought? Parking was an adventure, I will take Katie's version of the story (which I have taken from her blog... b/c she really is the one who experienced the worst part of it)

Here's the short story: Stefanie had found a spot where a car's meter was going to run out at noon (it was11:30 am at that point) and so I was waiting in the car to take the spot when the people returned while Stef walked some stuff down to the beach. Next thing I know, the family is coming back to their car, but a different woman is with them and waving her husband to come take the spot. I try to calmly explain that I've been waiting for that spot. To which the woman tells me "sorry, but he said I could have his spot" and then continues to stand in front of the car so I can't pull into the spot while her husband pulls into it. I was livid to say the least! So, then Stef and I took turns waiting in the car for another spot. It was my turn and there was a couple coming back to their car so I was excited. Next thing I know, someone else is coming over that way to take the spot. So, I calmly (or not so much) get out of the car and go to the man who is getting ready to get in his car and back out of the spot. I politely ask if he would mind backing out in a way in which I could then pull into the spot and block the other car. He tells me, "sure thing, sweetheart." I get back in the car, and pull into the spot while watching the woman in the other car get angry. Thank God she didn't slash the tires. - Katie K

After that drama, we still had a great time at the beach with friends, food and fireworks (what more could a person want?)

Today was a great day off...took a long walk with KTK as she is training for the Breast Cancer 3 day walk (sponsor her!), shopping, pedicure and pool time! Also, I got to watch Adrienne kick Corey's (another new friend here) butt in tennis. We finished up by watching the Bachelorette... (mmm Chris L I love you!)

So overall, a great little 4th of July weekend. Wilmington is shaping up to be a great place to live and I can not believe I have already crossed my 1 month mark of working here. Below is a picture of the ACE executive board at our retreat a few weeks ago. They are fantastic and it has been great getting to know them so far!

Of course I have to throw some shout outs to the following people:

Jen Stollery - starting her big girl job this week! Good luck momma :)
Joe Peltzar - moving into his new place this week
All of my new Wilmington friends... many of who have started to follow the blog... you all are great :)
Diane Moody - happy belated birthday :)
Carolyn Fawcett- a big week for you sister, turning 27 and getting married HOLLA!

Thats all for now... much love!

Stefanie Jo

The lasso has moved south...

Hello Friends...

I am up to 20 followers of the blog! How exciting. I know that people can read it without following it but it is so interesting when I talk to people who say they read my blog or know what is going on with me, I almost forget this exists, or assume people don't read it! So thanks :)

It is official after a night on the town Saturday night my favorite dance move of 2010, the lasso has officially moved to the Wilmington area. I had already shared it with my students on ACE but most recently shared it with a few of my new friends. I explained that the lasso is "like a good purse, it goes with anything". Several of us broke out the lasso at Level 5, a bar in town.

As many of you may know, Katie Kolkmeier, one of my best friends moved here on Friday and I am happy to have her here. I enjoyed time with the Kolkmeier family this weekend! Special shout out to Sue Kolkmeier who made me a sweet new blanket for my apartment. Overall this weekend (which started Thursday night) was very fun. I got to experience many new bars and places. My biggest accomplishment was successfully playing the ring and hook game for the first time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjp02QuRvpw . I stated that I thought it was impossible and then was successful on my 2nd try to both my and the guys I was with's surprise. Another accomplishment was staying out late but Thursday and Saturday. I am often a grandma when it comes to those types of things but was a champ.

I have made many new friends which is always great! Last night Katie and I hung out w/ Adrienne, the other "new girl" who is an RC with Katie and I have a feeling we will become friends quickly. She just graduated from USC and is a UNCW alum. I think we are all excited for what is ahead and are confident we are in the right place :) I have secured a bedroom in Katie's apartment should I need/want it which has caused some angst for some of the guys here who formally lived/hung out there. I took a picture on the bed last night to remind them. :)

Anyway...all is well! Glad everyone enjoyed the Ramsey story. They are great people!

Shout out to the EX chapter of ADPi for winning some great awards this weekend!

Also, shout out to Jimmy O who will present at a conference in Wilmington in October.

Good luck to KTK starting her job Thursday :)

What are people doing for the 4th of July?

Travis Ramsey

Hello Friends...

First of all, Congratulations to Ashley and Craig Carlton as they were married last weekend and included me as part of their big day. I could not be happier for them. The wedding was fabulous and we lassoed, did the tic-toc and cupid shuffled all night long (aka I was loving myself). Ashley woke us at 6:15 to start our day (she was "hungry" aka EXCITED) and the party continued all day long.

I also was able to celebrate fathers day with the one and only Wild Bill Shanley. The entire Shan-man clan (that's a lot of -ans) was able to celebrate together as Todd was home for a week. There was lots of food, cannon balls and beers for everyone :) I of course was thinking of my own dad on Sunday...the one and only Peter Mancuso and remembered how lucky I was to have a great dad for 18 years :) He continues to help me...this week it was in the form of a man named Travis Ramsey.

While driving back to Wilmington after a fantastic weekend on Sunday I was chatting w/ the one and only Lauren Shouldis when I pulled into a gas station/Blimpie to pee (you know I can't drink a whole diet coke and then hold it for more than an hour). I got out and saw a sign on the door that said back in 5 minutes (it was about 6:15 pm). I went back to my car and tried to start it and it would not start. I told Shouldis I would call her back and called roadside assistance (calmly may I add). The man...not helpful informed me I was far from Wilmington (no, really?). He was giving me less than helpful options and sharing stories about his father's car troubles...now I was frustrated so I was like ok maybe I need a jump. I go into the store (now re-opened) and asked a man for help jumping the car. He stated he wasn't sure how to jump a car (is that not a requirement of an adult man? Really any driver but particularly a man in his 30s...whatever). I schooled him on jumping a car and with little luck the man continued on his trip to Charlotte.

I called back roadside assistance and was connected to someone significantly LESS helpful...she told me that I could have the phone numbers of towing companies, I informed her that was why I (well, Joann) paid HER. I explained that I needed to be towed to Emporia (I decided that was the best option as I was about 12 miles away). Just when I was beginning to get upset a nice man around 60 years old walked up to me and asked if I needed help. I explained to him my situation (it has been about an hour at this point) and he tells he is a mechanic and asks me to pop the hood. I do as I'm told and he notices that it is the battery as well. He takes out his wallet shows me his ids and says "I'm Travis Ramsey and I live up the street. I can fix your car but my family is waiting to do birthday cake just up the street so if you feel up to it come with me and have some cake and I will get tools and come back" I look at his work id for the VA department of Corrections and figure ya know what the heck. I call my mom giving her his information and get in the car. We arrive at what seems to be a nice little house about a mile from where I was and I enter a room full of people waiting to eat birthday cake and ice cream! Travis introduces me to everyone in the family and I explain my situation. Their daughter graduated from Longwood in 2004 so we had that connection. After cake and ice cream, which I did not eat we went back to Travis and Lynn's house down the street so Travis could change. In his house I got to see his Native American artifact collection and chat with Lynn about her back surgery and she and Travis' life.

We then rode back to the gas station where Travis determined that it was not my alternator and using heavy duty jumper cables got my car to start (apparently water had drained out of my battery which in turn ruined it). We drove into Emporia (it is now after 9pm) and Travis and I turned my car off and tried to restart it. When it did not restart we went into Walmart where I bought a new battery (that Travis offered to help my buy) and he installed it in the parking lot. The couple offered for me to stay with them but I insisted that I drive home so I could atl east wake up and go to work in the morning even if I did go in late. They made me promise that I would call them when I got home and visit when I was driving through the area so I did. Travis called me every 30 minutes until I was home and Lynn called my mom when she got back to the house to assure her it was ok.

Lessons learned:

1. There are still good people in the world.

2. Dad is still there when I need him.

3. Allstate roadside assistance blows

4. When the battery in a Honda dies, the radio resets itself and requires a code that can be found in the owners manual to reset it (also a safety check if the radio is ever stolen).

So big shout out to Travis and Lynn Ramsey...wonderful people in Drewryville, VA :)

Also...KTK moves to Wilmington on FRIDAY :)

The Wilmington Swagger...

So I apologize for this update coming so much later than the past few but I had some uploading issues last week and forgot to come back to the blog.

I have started my job at UNCW and so far it has been fantastic! The people are outstanding, my students are awesome and in general the atmosphere is wonderful. I started on June 3 and dove right into orientation. My first day I worked a services fair for parents and though I knew little to nothing did my best to chat up strangers and convince them their child would love UNCW. I did well until someone asked me a question I had NO idea the answer to: "Where is the bathroom". Now, anyone that knows me well knows that this should never stump me because on average I spend more time walking to the bathroom than I do doing most things in a day. However, this fair was in a building I had not been in before and so I politely responded to the parent "I do not know". She looked terribly confused, how could she send her child to a school where people can't answer the simplest question. I of course asked my co-worker the question and showed the women the direction. Whew...tough day.

This past weekend I went on a retreat with my students (the ACE executive board). We traveled an hour up the road to a baptist camp on the water. It was beautiful and we had a GREAT time. My students are as smart as they are funny and I know that I've made the right choice. They kept me laughing all weekend but made serious goals for the year and I know they will reach them. I hope they learn half from me that I know I will learn from them.

In other news... the Keys (my apartment complex) is a sweet place. While it is beautiful, it houses a hodge podge of people who I have had the pleasure of people watching over the past few weeks. These people range from high class, overly tattooed, half drunk 40 year olds to young families with kids who without a doubt soak my book with their constant splashing. I have made several friends over 50, most of which are relocated from New York (only Yankee fans of course). There are also several young professionals like myself who also enjoy watching and interacting with the wide array of people who comprise our neighborhood.

Italy update: I have received an e-mail from Federico, my Italian boyfriend. I think we're engaged. :)

That's all for now. Next up: Ashley and Craig's wedding :)