So This One Time I Graduated College

Well after six years I have a college degree from Westminster College. It took so long but at least I did it. I'm gonna miss finding easy parking spots, swimming in a 5ft deep pool and being the loudest person on campus.  But now I can have some new adventures: a job, a few fun vacations, masters degree, husband, a P.hD, and kids. Who knows what will happen but at least I know I can figure it out!

Weekend Warrior: I did a Triathlon!

Swim, Bike, Run.  Never though I'd be able to pull something like this off but I did. Here's how it started: I signed up for the Griffin Dash n' Splash Triathlon at Westminster College.  I was a little nervous because I have NEVER done a Tri before in my life.  I figured I was in well enough shape so why not?

Swim:
The swim was about 300 yards in the pool.  I was in the 3rd wave with a bunch of old people and beginners. Not too bad.  Except my fly sucked really bad and the wetsuit felt too tight. But I had to share a lane and that was why.  My final time: 5:16. Sweet.
Bike: 
Cycling was 10 miles. I did it on a stationary bike and my cycling shoes didn't clip in right.  So I'm cycling like crazy at 100-150 reps per minute thinking,"Showing the haters your a boss." Results: 22 minutes.  I gotta step up my game on this one!
Run:
 Running was 2.5 miles. I HATE it. I'm not a runner. My parents even told me that.  I was outside running around Westminster in my wetsuit feeling the wind push me like an airplane.  I kept having to say the Trisigion prayer in my head to keep me going. I thought I was gonna die even though it was a small amount of miles.  Final: 20 minutes flat.  Not bad but I gotta cut it in half somehow.

I think I should just stick with open water swims or swimming competitions but I'd do another one of these again.

I NEED a Time Machine!

            So the countdown begins til I graduate college in June.  June. That's right. Unfortunately, instead of working in May or getting a start on the Masters Swim Team once again I'll still be in school for May Term. Not excited about that. For those of you who think that a degree is 4 years, WAKE UP!!! Getting a Bachelor's degree DOES NOT take that long. In fact, it takes a lot longer. People change their minds about what they want to major in, they have life changing events, or sometimes they just don't feel its necessary to go to college right away, which I'm finding out now.
     All I can say is that I wish I had a time machine or the Tardis to flash forward to graduation so I can get out into the real world and actually do something with my life instead of studying.

Photo: Doctor Who, BBC

It Does Exist!!!

No more Rachel Berry rants for now regarding who I look like.  As of Sunday I found the OFFICIAL Dorothann clone: Ivy Morris from Upstairs Downstairs. See the resemblance?

So I Graduate This Year.

I've been in college since fall 2007.  Flashforward six years later and I'm DONE.   I just barely received my graduation evaluation last week. A graduation evaluation is when the registrars office sends you a letter saying what else you need to complete your degree.  I graduate from Westminster College May 2013 with a B.A. in Communication.   After six long years of hard work I can finally do what I want. WHATEVER I WANT.  I remember someone told me once,"Do what makes you happy." Well, finally that will happen and school won't be in the way of it.
Laters,
-D

                  I thought this Mickey Mouse pic would express more of how I'm feeling at the moment.

5 Years Later...

Dorothann 2007

I've been out of high school since 2007. I'm old.  I admit with what I've done the past 5 years I had to push myself.  It wasn't easy.  In fact it was REALLY hard.  Its called growing up. Change.  I don't plan on attending high school reunion at Olympus. Its not important.  Why brag about my accomplishments? Why put myself in a situation where I will still be judged for being me?  Its not worth it.
 I don't mean to justify but in the past 5 years I:
    Went to college even though it was very hard sometimes...
    Had some self-realization moments, which were not easy to accept...
    Started dating...
    Accepted having a learning disability...
    Accepted that it would take longer for things to happen for me and forcing stuff wouldn't work...
    Traveled outside the U.S. twice...
    Started exercising and got a six-pack...
    Ate healthier...
    Did something selfless...
    Realized what remorsefulness truly was...
    Finally got what I wanted...
    Did the things that I wanted to do...
    Worked in a grocery store until I couldn't handle it anymore...
    Got help when I wasn't doing too well...
    Became a power player in student government and on campus...
    Stood my ground and said "No"...
    Made new friends...
    Learned being impulsive backfires...
    Learned to be a leader...
    Tried something I never did before...
    Believed in myself...
    Stopped saying a man would never want me...

 

Dorothann 2012

The list goes on and on.

Lululemon, Zumba, Hott Lifeguards, CRUSH Camp Summer Camp, Oh My!

          The only two things I planned on doing this summer was my internship and going on a good ol' U.S. of A adventure someplace fun.  Boy, was I wrong.  I don't really like to brag via social networks on how much I exercise. I'm afraid it'll backfire. But hopefully this time it won't.  A few weeks ago I signed up for a boot camp workout at my school called CRUSH Camp. I call it CRUSH Camp Summer Camp.  I go and workout til I pass out in the wee hours of the morning outside on the astroturf field on Mondays and Wednesdays.  So this is why I'm still at Westminster? I have a MAJOR excuse to get a six-pack and eat better.  All in the name of Dorothann going out on the weekends to meet guys and hangout with friends, wearing cute clothes, or ending up in Greece or in the Caribbean next year with a B.A. in Communication looking for a prospective boyfriend/husband/fiancee or whatever.
            I can also wear fancy workout clothes too.
       For those of you who don't know I'm a total Lululemon girl.  The workout clothes are comfy and they look good on me.  Plus I really don't mind getting compliments like, "Ohhh I love your Lulu outfit Dorothann!"   The place is a godsend when it comes to workout clothes besides Nike, UnderArmour, or AlbionFit. Even though the place is kinda pricey. I accidentally found the store in Canada when I was in Whistler. I've loved the clothing ever since. Plus their manifesto is FABULOUS!
The clothes work for anything exercise or just going around town. 

                                                   One of my Lululemon workout ensembles...sooo cute! 

      There's this new exercise that my friends got me into called Zumba. I've done it before but when I go with my friends its super fun.  I don't know if its because of them or because the teacher is really good considering she's also a Jazz Dancer and my friends hit on her even though she's married.  Zumba's a party without the alcohol. A lot of dancing, hot and heavy sweating, and Pitbull songs. I guess when I go to the clubs with my friends I can use some of the moves I learned. Ha!
     So fun.
 Since March I've been back on the dating market. I dumped a guy I was dating for 3 months. The  funny thing is it gave me an excuse to hit on guys OR get hit on by them. So anyways there's this guy who I kinda hung out with summer 2010.  I thought he was here for the right reasons but I was wrong by about April 2011.  He's single now.  A few days ago I was with my friends and we saw him at the pool lifeguarding. The guy is super GORGEOUS but he's really quiet.  I think quiet guys are hiding something but in this case I think change is possible.  I asked my friends if I should go hit on him. They encouraged it.  So I returned to my high school giggly girl mode only more confident and used a few pickup lines that my friends gave me. Result: the guy was SPEECHLESS! I guess maybe by the end of the summer if I keep this up I might have a boyfriend again.
    
 

Smeghead, Jong, What the hell does that mean?

          I decided I never want to grow up.  Since I'm still in college I'm with people younger than me. I don't mind it at all.  It gives me a golden opportunity to learn new stuff that fortunately isn't part  of school.  I'll get to my point.  I like the BBC. I like going out on the weekend with friends and partying when I get the chance.  There's this awesome show called Red Dwarf that a guy I was dating for three months introduced me to besides the TV show Doctor Who, his favorite. They use these funny words like Smeghead, Smeg, and make all these funny insults to each other.  For the record Smeg means the F-word in Red Dwarf terminology.  In my dictionary it can mean anything! 
       Now for part 2: I hang with snowbros.  I have a group of friends I go to school with who love snowboarding.  They use these really funny words like Jong, Jongbag, Gerb, words like that.  One day I looked up the word "Jong" on Urban Dictionary. The definition was a person who thinks they're really good at snowboarding or skiing but they're not.  I asked my friend what Jong is and he said,"Jong is anything you want it to be." My reply was,"Well Smeghead or Smeg is anything you want too even though it means the f-word in Red Dwarf terms."
    However, when I use these words around my parents they nearly drop their cups of coffee on the floor. Its devastating.  Considering they were around when the Red Dwarf series began in 1988 its kind of sad that they hate me using those words.  Its like when I was younger and they would freak out when I had a worse potty mouth than I do now.  My parents ask,"Where are you getting these words from? What do they mean?"  Hey, I'm not 9 years old and using words that are considered derogatory today. I'm just trying to expand my vocabulary.

www.reddwarf.co.uk

10 Month Certificate for Leadership? After I Graduate? No Dice Mom!

So today I was hanging with my mom at my house.  For as much as I love my parents they're really pushing it with the whole education deal. As of late my mom has this idea: A 10 month leadership certificate program at Westminster after I get my Bachelors degree. My response, a head shake. She asks,"You like leadership don't you, you took a few classes in it so why not?"
    I like leadership.
I'm good at telling people what to do, problem-solving and feeling like I'm worthy of being a leader. Its something I pursued when I got to college.
     I'm burned out. 
I don't really want to think about MORE SCHOOLING after I graduate next year hopefully.  I just want a break. Ideally,  this consists of a good job, paying off my student loans, and a cruise to the Caribbean or a trip to Greece. (Greece is my mom's idea) Taking a year off. Doing the things I want.  Not having college in the way.  Graduate school will always be there for me. Whether I go in a year or 10 years. Right now I need some space. College is so wonderful I can't stand it any longer!

Dear College, Go away and let me do whatever I want!

As of late I realized something. I HATE school. For the past 5 years, not 4 for all you folks smarter than me,  I have been in the higher education slave trade at Westminster College.  It has gotten to the point where I was hospitalized because of all the anxiety I had over school and personal finances as of late. I graduate next year: 2013. Another year of trying not to lose it.  So basically here's a top 12 list of why school is boring me:
 1. Professors who have the exact same personality as my dad.
 2.  Not being able to get enough sleep for WEEKS because of anxiety over papers and stupid senate meetings that went until midnight.
 3. Associated Students of Westminster College (ASWC) being so inclusive that I have to retire.
 4. I'm struggling with having a credit card for the first time.
 5. I can't ditch class to go on a vacation even though I want to and everyone else does including my own brother .
 6.  Everyone yelling at me on the school newspaper.
 7.  Getting busted by my parents for partying, raging and regulating then nearly having a panic attack.
 8.  The question of what the hell am I going to f***ing do with a comm degree?
 9.  Realizing I'm impulsive.
10.  My dad still giving me crap for not going into science.
11. Going out with a guy for three months who was a hick farmboy with ZERO life experience.
12.  Avoiding stuff that was bothering me and letting it spiral outta control.

Well looks like SOMEONE needs to re-evaluate some things...Ha!

City Creek: The next SLC shopping adventure...for ME!

I admit like everyone else in Salt Lake I have gone completely insane over City Creek Centers. I recently went there THE DAY BEFORE IT OPENED for a media tour. That's right folks I. am. that. awesome. I was really impressed with what I saw.

The place totally caters to my style: Classic and sophisticated. My favorite stores there are Disney Store, Brooks Brothers and of course the usual suspects Ann Taylor, Loft and as of late Banana Republic. Tiffany's felt too small and confined. However, I did find my dream job: the Tiffany girl. I wouldn't mind wearing a Tiffany blue dress, white shawl and Tiffany jewelry. (Sigh) one day.

I liked the Disney Store mostly because it reminds me of all my Disneyland and DisneyWorld adventures. In fact as I walked in I remembered my first trip to Florida getting off the plane after high school graduation with a big smile on my face. The Disney Store has these AWESOME interactive exhibits for kids and even adults.

Brooks Brothers is a fancy top-of-the-line store for the preppy corporate types. I really liked the interior design. It reminded me of the Ralph Lauren section at Macy's, Dillards and Nordstroms. So classy!

Besides stores I really liked the ZCMI facade. It made me think of when my mom told me about how she used to dress up when she went downtown with her Yia Yia and Papou as a kid. I wonder if that will happen with City Creek?

City Creek is awesome. Don't take my word for it! Check the place out!

Lifeguard Certification: What the hell am I thinking?!

Photo: google images wendy_sandlotlifeguard

As of late my swimming adventures have lead me to the wonderful world of lifegarding. I decided to get certified for an internship even though it is not required. In a few days a pre-test given by the American Red Cross will determine whether I'm worthy or not of responding to aquatic emergencies. The hard part: swimming with the brick.
One of the requirements is to swim to a brick, retrieve it and swim back with it in under 50 seconds. 50 SECONDS!!! My time as of today: 1 minute. I'm a pretty good swimmer but this task is HARD.
The catch is the ARC changed the requirements. The old time for the brick swim was 1:50.


At least if any middle or high school boys try to pull any sandlot jokes on me I can just ban them from the pool all summer.

Butterfly Stroke: Bring it!

Swimming has basically been MY LIFE besides academia and student government since 2008. Recently I've had a little love/hate relationship with it because of how crazy my schedule has been. I think that all changed when FOUR things happened:
1. Bob: He might have the same name as Michael Phelps coach but he's actually a science professor at my school. Whenever I'm at the fitness center on campus aka HWAC he always says, "Dorothann time to get in the pool its swimming day!" This happens even when its NOT EVEN SWIMMING DAY and I'm just there for other activities. Talk about motivation: telling me to get my ass into the pool and swim like I was in the Olympics or running away from sharks in the Aegean Sea!
2. Being recruited for the U.S. Masters Swim team: Although I did swim masters at Steiner Aquatics center in 2010 recently I was recruited to swim at the Sports Mall on their team. I guess come summer 2013 after I'm outta Westminster I'll be swimming with old people again.
3. My internship: I never really thought I'd be teaching little kids to swim. A few months ago I secured an internship at this place called SwimKids. Besides graphic design work and advertising I'm learning a top secret way to teach kids how to swim by a person who's done it for 20 years.

4. Lifeguard Certification: Olympus was 5 YEARS AGO!!!! I'm getting lifeguard certified for my internship even though its not required. I only thought high schoolers got lifeguard certified to get people to get a date with them but I guess not. So as of March I'll be learning techniques on how to respond to aquatic emergencies and fend off guys who ATTEMPT to pull off the "sandlot" facade. P.S. all you single guys out there I'll gladly take your flirtatious attempts at taking a chance with a gorgeous girl like myself but for right now I'm going out with someone else.

I guess for all these reasons I should probably get back into the pool more often like a boss.

Relative look alikes...Generation Clash or Genetic Lottery?

I was getting a haircut from my cousin Desi the other day. At one point our conversation we were having led to a discussion about my Yia Yia (grandma) Dorothy, our namesake hence my name and my cousin's name. I told her that we look EXACTLY like her in terms of facial structure: eyes, nose, mouth, face shape, you name it! Desi was very surprised because she had never seen the pictures of them. Even the ones from when they had graduated from high school!
Although my Yia Yia has been deceased since 1982 and I have never met her, from the stories I have heard it seems like we've had similar life experiences: we grew up in the city, worked in a deli at a grocery store, had a car accident, dated a farm boy, etc. But there are a few differences too: I am finishing my college degree, I've been out of the U.S. twice, and I'm of a different generation along with other things too. I think that its crazy yet awesome at the same time how I have similar life experiences with people in my family I never met. It feels like there is a connection of some sort which makes me the person I am today.

International Adventure Part 2: Greece

Γεια σας everyone! Sorry this took so long but I was in Greece back in June. All I can say is GREECE IS THE BEST PLACE EVER. Beautiful beaches, nice people, wonderfully delicious food and amazing historical sight and my relatives are some of the most wonderful genuine people I have met in a long time. (I'm Greek duh!) Here's what I did:

10 hour flight: The airport in Atlanta is not a fun place. Everyone was being a charge hog and my iPod was out of batteries. I flew from Atlanta to Athens. The food on Delta is good for international flights. I never had pasta on an airplane before and I spoke to my grandpa a lot since he was sitting next to me the whole time. I slept a little but not too much. Also, when the pilot was talking over the announcement system he spoke Greek besides English. Fantastic!

Athens: Crazy place. Lots of crowds and there were strikes going on. The Acropolis and the Parthenon were awesome though. The Parthenon is HUGE! They also had really good food. My personal favorite on the mainland: Octopus. Sadly, it turns out I speak very little Greek. But I did the best I could to communicate. I took ships from Pireaus to Aegina and Crete after 3 days here.
The ships are pretty nice. I liked looking over the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea and getting to wander around a little bit. There was a lot of graffiti in Greece besides strikes and no one seems to care. My mom thought it was heartbreaking and I thought it was disgusting. Apparently they're in worse trouble than the States are. The only parts I liked about Athens were the food and the Acropolis.


Aegina: One of the best islands to visit. I took a ship from Athens to this wonderful place. Aegina is known for pistachios and St. Nectarios in the Orthodox Church. St. Nectarios is the saint of healing sickness. He died in 1920. When I was at his monastery I saw these prayer cards of arms legs and people in general that were put near his icons throughout the monastery and cathedral. Seeing this brought back some memories of when I was in high school and I didn't get asked to homecoming dance or my drivers license my junior year and recently not graduating from college in 4 years. It was scary for me to see this at first but I realized that there are people in this world who are in far off worse situations than I thought I was in. I need to be grateful for what I have and not complain or internalize problems that can be solved. I got upset because I was remorseful about my behavior. Lately I have had dizziness and anxiety issues because of school and after I left Aegina, miraculously, my dizziness went away. The water in Aegina is really blue and sort of looks like a swimming pool. I was eating at a beach side restaurant and I was tempted to swim in the water but I didn't. It reminded me of Florida. Aegina is Heaven on earth.



Chania, Agia Marina, Crete: Another fantastic island. I stayed in a hotel by the beach and I met my relatives on my mom's side. They are sooo wonderful. They make really good food and do some of the things I do. My cousins swim and dive in the sea even when really cold outside. Some of them also shoot machine guns as a hobby. I found this out when I went to the village where my Grandpa's side of the family is from: Aroni. The funny thing about that is my uncle said,"Maybe they're waiting for the Turks to come." Ironically my dad's family is from Turkey. I also went to Theriso where my great-grandma Elpiniche is from. Its in the mountains and it felt like I was in Colorado or Whistler again. I figured out that in Greek families, including mine, everyone is named after their grandparents. I spent a lot of time at the beach and I got really tan. Even though I already blended in pretty well despite the language barrier I came back to the states looking more Greek than I already am. I learned a lot about my mom's side of the family when I went to the villages where they are from. Going to Vreses, which is where my great grandpa was from taught me about never losing sight of who I am. It was humbling to see where he grew up because the village looked like a third world country. But the people were nice and the food was amazing! I also saw some pictures of my late grandma Dorothy, who I'm named after. The funny part is my relatives would tell me stories about one of my uncles who used to go there a lot. Some of them made me laugh. I met some guys in Crete and in Athens but even though I like Greek men I think the ones who are from Greece smoke too much. Again, the food was amazing. My favorite food in Crete was the food I ate in the village and some of the alcohol I drank. We went to a beach called Falasarna and the water is as blue as it was in Aegina. But when I came back to my hotel the power was out due to a strike! So I ended up sitting by the poolbar drinking because it was so hot in my room. What a relief. In Chania everyone lives in apartments. Including my relatives. Generally, parents live on one floor and their children live below them. The system seems fishy to me. I'd rather have my parents live down the street or be my next door neighbor than in such close space! Speaking of fishy, when I'd go to the beach there were fish that came right up to me and I got to hold a sea urchin! Crete was amazing.


Heraklion, Crete: I was in this city on the last day. I went to Knossos. Knossos is an archaelogical site that existed during the Minoan Civilization. I don't find Minoan Civilization interesting but I liked the layout of Knossos palace. It was cool.
















International travel is one of the best things to ever happen to me. It was a life changing experience. I learned a lot about myself and my family. The trip wasn't easy but I had a lot of fun and I look forward to another adventure like this one!

Swimming shenanigans!

As of Tuesday, thank you Kuhn and company, I was able to swim 100m flipturns and all! For those of you who aren't swimmers, the 100m is the equivalency of 2 laps. It was one of my goals for the summer to actually pull it off in case I ever go back to USA Masters Swimming, which is a swim team for old people. (Sorry Michael Phelps, you'll have to wait til 2012 to join!) Considering I'm sore outta my mind and STILL figuring stuff out about Greece it was awesome that I was able to give myself a chance. The good part was I wasn't forced into doing it. In fact, I have been working up to 100m for the past few weeks. I guess whoever said practice makes perfect was right about this one!

Self Realization Moment: I CAN Relate to Rachel Berry

As of late I would like to acknowledge my friends and family who made those comments comparing me to Rachel Berry from Glee," You are right I am like her." Even though I think I don't think we look alike physically I can relate to what she was going through with her guy situation. When I was growing up anytime I said I liked a boy in high school his friends would always crowd around him like a pack of wolverines, and I don't mean University of Michigan Wolverines who swim like its nobody's business or make it to the NCAA Big Dance in 2009. I mean people who are willing to make someone feel bad over an infatuation. Having that happen to me on several occasions was intimidating. Even when I was told I would never,"have my first kiss" or "no guy would want you Dorothann," were some of the worst things anyone has said to me in terms of romance. Now boyfriends and dating is secondary to me. Its more important that I get really good at swimming, get educated, find a job and then capture the heart of Mr. Right.
However, on Rachel Berry's end she did EVERYTHING she could to get Finn and it didn't work out for her either. Talk about rejection. When Quinn started on her about what she was doing I felt sorry for Rachel. It made me realize that she is just as vulnerable as any other girl, including myself. Who cares about being in the spotlight, especially when someone decides to resort to cruelty as. a way that will cause you to feel bad.
I had one of those teary-eyed self realization moments as I heard the song "Get it Right" on the episode Original Song. I made this comment to my mom "I can relate to her situation." There's this one line in the song that says," My best intentions keep making a mess of things," which is totally how I felt when I was 15 or 16 years old and I didn't get asked to a dance or rejected by a guy.
But now, I've gotten into the mindset of "your worthy of a man who will love you to death and think some gorgeous Greek princess D," because I've made myself happy with who I am before I find Prince Charming. Its much easier to be happy, confident, healthy and smart rather than be miserable and stupid in terms of relationships. If I could say something like that to Rachel Berry I think she would feel better about her situation.
My philosophy is "make yourself happy before making anyone else happy." I know it seems somewhat selfish but it works. If your not happy no one will be happy. People don't want to be around others that are miserable.
Here's a collage of words that describe my world of happiness. Enjoy!

International Adventures Part 2: Family Heritage Completion Trip to Greece

Γεια σας fools! (that's Greek for "hello" or "goodbye"). I am officially going international AGAIN!!! Where will Dorothann's adventures take her this time? Your answer is on the flag: Greece and Crete. My family is Greek for those of you who did not know that about me. This is my opportunity to finish my research project on my mom's side of the family by going to Chania, Crete, specifically Agia Marina and Aroni, where my mom's family is from. Not only will I be doing this but I will also be swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, visiting monuments, taking ships from Pireaus, possibly meeting HOT Greek boys, and going to Athens to see the Parthenon and hopefully, some Olympic venues.

Butterfly stroke: No Pain No Gain

I am a swimmer...I've been doing this since 2008. Recently I have started to attend a swim workout class at Westminster along with helping start a swim club on campus. Even though its fun lately its been insane. I've recently learned that my dolphin kick isn't exactly perfect. Reason: rolling my body underwater. It sounds simply to do but unless your Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin its actually really hard. So just like learning to do flip turns and practicing those I am now attempting to learn how to do butterfly stroke. The fly isn't easy because your only allowed two kicks per stroke, you have to roll your body underwater and there's a certain tempo/rhythm that's used. Today when I went swimming I told one of my friends, " Whoever invented the butterfly stroke should have thought twice before they decided to integrate it in swimming!" But really swimming is good exercise and its low impact. I never really thought about why I use swimming as part of exercising but it seems to work for me. Now if only I can do a perfect 100m fly!

Adobe...What a wonderful invention

I think I'm in love with InDesign and Photoshop...I discovered how wonderful these programs are in my Layout and Design class as of late. You can do anything from editing pictures to creating awesome magazine layouts.