Throwback Thursday ~ Barcelona Travels

Currently my sister is spending the semester abroad in Copenhagen and as she ventures off on her adventures, it got me reminiscing about the time I spent in Spain.  I can’t believe it’s been over three years since I spent three and a half months in Barcelona but sometimes it feels like just last year.

This little gem happened to be my first attempt at blogging.  It’s safe to say I fell in love with it.  Sometimes I go back to my old posts and scroll through the thoughts and pictures, amazed at how much has and hasn’t changed over the years.   Good times and some more stressful times of course, but it was one helluva growth opportunity.  Sure, every 21 year old says that about the time they spent in Europe 😉 But really, there’s way too much to say about that time so I’ll just leave it in the best way I know how – pictures.

>> our “familia” w/ Marie Carmen, one of our primos, me, liz, conchita <<

>> mnac <<
museu nacional d’art de catalunya

>> tapas for dayssssss <<

>> our school (IES) running club <<

>> one of Gaudi’s creations in the parc de la ciutadella <<

>> This may be where a majority of my savings went…I convinced myself that having gelato in Europe was a once in a lifetime opportunity (or you know, maybe 20-30 times in Europe) <<

>> peace.love.cava <<

>> I think that I love living in New York because it reminds me of Barcelona in a way.  The endless routes to walk across the city, the tall(ish) buildings, something new and surprising to see around every corner, and oh, the walking.  What can I say, I love to be active <<

>> race everything <<

>> Montjuïc Castle <<

>> cheering on our barça boys at Camp Nou <<

“In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take” – unknown

In Solidarity

By now I’m sure you are familiar with the events that occurred late Friday night in the area north of Santa Barbara. The horrific event at Isla Vista, a place where my best friends called home for four years, will forever haunt me. I didn’t know the area well, but I had been there multiple times. My friends may have graduated but we still knew students on campus. How could something so near to our hearts become a crime scene?

What shocks me the most is the sad reality that people still do not feel loved enough. It’s tough to realize that while we all compare our lives to those portrayed in the media or social media, others feel the need to react instead of realize that each and every one of us is different and unique. It upsets that this event can happen to anyone and should not happen to anyone.

I may not have attended UCSB but I know many people that did and have a long history with the city. Please say a few prayers for everyone affected in this tragedy and any other tragedy that has occurred.

Farewell to An Inspirational Professor

On most Fridays I try to keep it light and share some of my favorites from the week.  However, last night I was informed by one of my close friends from Santa Clara University, that one of our favorite professors past away last weekend.  This was unexpected as he was not that old and seemed perfectly happy during our time in the bay.  I wanted to take the time to remember him and all that he did for his students, his colleagues, and anyone else blessed to have crossed his path.

“The main thing is to care. Care very hard, even if it is only a game you are playing.” – Billie Jean King

For Professor Steve Corio, it was never an act.  The passion he had for his job, the sales industry, and his students shown through on a daily basis.  Maybe it was the fact that he graduated from Santa Clara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics as well as his MBA.  Maybe it was the fact that he had been teaching at the Leavey School of Business since 1998.  Maybe it was the success he had during his time at IBM that reaffirmed his passion for life and teaching.  He shared his wisdom with both undergraduate students such as myself, as well as MBA students in the evenings and weekends.  He covered countless subjects, most notably sales management, competitive marketing strategies, and marketing analysis and decision-making.

As with many of our professors, there was much we never knew about Professor Corio.  Before joining the SCU faculty, he had a successful 30-year career, mostly at IBM, in management in accounting, finance, marketing, and sales. He created Corio Consulting, a provider of consulting services for business development, resource planning and sales management. Furthermore, he founded the Advanced Sales Skills Institute to provide individual and enterprise-wide sales training.  He was formerly VP of Sales for SecureALL and a member of the Texas Real Estate Brokers’ Association. 

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein

Going into school, I was pretty sure I wanted to study business.  I wasn’t positive about which major, but once I entered Professor Steve Corio’s “Intro to Marketing” course, it was settled.  There were about 18 or 20 of us, lucky to be in the honors section and beyond lucky to learn from Steve.  He made sure that each class was filled with passion and excitement.  He was able to pull us into the material by relating basic terms and theories with his time from IBM.  When it came time to select our marketing elective courses, I made sure to pick the sales management, which was taught by Steve himself.  He made sure to ask questions, push us to work hard, and help us understand sales and marketing on a deeper level. To some, it may have seemed like just another marketing elective.  But how many people can say they were taught by such an influential individual?

It’s astonishing how fragile life is.  I’ve been blessed to have been surrounded by happy, healthy, and supportive family and friends.  Yet, as time goes on, I realize that nothing ever stays the same.  I’ve realized how relationships can change with a simple conversation or argument.  Take a moment to thank those around you, thank your teachers, mentors, and even friends for the wisdom and support.  You may never realize how important someone is in your life until they are gone.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

Santa Clara, It’s Been Real

I’d say I’m sorry for so many posts about Santa Clara, but then again, that would be a lie.  Santa Clara was a huge part of my life and I think college is the perfect time to learn about one’s self and grow.  The past few days have certainly been crazy – between packing, graduating, celebrating, driving home, and unpacking.  I’ll be back in action soon with some tips on the best places to explore, tips for making the most of summer, and even some delectable recipes.

Graduation as a whole was a complete SUCCESS!  There were honors ceremonies scattered throughout the day on Friday, along with one last liturgy.  Remember, we are a Jesuit university.

 

The weather was gorgeous, around 75, not too bad for the viewers or those of us decked out in all-black attire.  Apparently last year, the temperature was up to the 100s at 8:30!

To start the morning off, I met my dad at the local bar, the Hut, along with hundreds of other grads for the annual “Dads & Grads.”  Now, I’m not much of a drinker, especially morning/day drinking, but hey, the experience had to happen and certainly something to put in the books.

As you can see, people are packed inside.  A few were trying to leave their lasting legacy at the Hut, by placing dollar bills with their names on the ceiling.  Apparently it’s tradition to also put your first business card up there.

My dollar was quite thematic, don’t you think?

From there, I met the rest of my friends at our cafeteria – Benson.  Sort of neat to start one’s freshman experience in the cafeteria, wondering who to sit with and then finish it off with one final meal there.  I actually skipped out on the food as the line was out the door and my stomach was churning from the nerves and excitement.

My friends and I (along with most of the senior class) ignored the rule to sit in numerical order and instead decided to sit next to one another.  I’d say it was a smart choice 🙂 Anyways, we had cards with our names printed phonetically so that the reader could announce our name correctly as we crossed the stage.  For all they know, I could have walked with Arts, Engineering, or Arts & Sciences.  Hey, I could have walked with all four schools, given they didn’t catch me walking up multiple times 🙂

Pulling a “Lochte” moment with my business honors medal.
It was only necessary to take an honorary Theta picture with my grandma Nance, who is my Theta sister.  She’s lucky I didn’t make her throw up the Theta kite. 😉

And of course one with the family…the one’s who made this all possible 🙂

I’ll be taking a break for the next couple weeks to celebrate the end of my undergraduate career.  We’ll be exploring the United Kingdom (London + Scotland) and so I’ll have lots to share when I return.  For now, keep it classy and enjoy the summer!

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

WIAW #43 – Graduation Celebration Eats

Today’s edition of WIAW, hosted by the wonderful Jenn at Peas & Crayons will be a tad different.  Instead of showing you one day’s eats, I’m including a wide variety of celebratory foods and happenings from my last few days of college.  Enjoy 🙂 I know I did.

My Time in Santa Clara