I'm Running for VU Student Body President!

Yes, it is true...I am officially running for VU Student Body President, and I'm absolutely thrilled! This wasn't something that has been in the works for years, or even months for that matter. The encouragement and confidence of others has brought me to where I am. For this reason, I feel that I am in a great place to serve as the leader here on campus. Since I'm linking to this post in the Facebook group, so graciously created by Rachel, this will serve as a somewhat informal introduction into who I am and what I've done here at VU.

Well...my name is Courtney Heitkamp and I hail from the great city of Sioux Falls in the great state of South Dakota. I am currently a junior political science (emphasis on public policy and public administration) and humanities double major, with a minor in political communication....and I'm also in Christ College...holler! Looking to my involvement in student organizations at Valpo, I have held numerous leadership positions.

First, looking to Student Senate itself, I started as a Residence Hall senator in April of 2008 and served as a secretary for the Committee on Residence and was also a member of the Discretionary Funds Committee (in which we allocated 100K of rollover funds). I then decided to run as a Junior Class Senator for the 2008-2009 academic year and I have been honored to serve on the Finance Committee as secretary and also as the Chair for the MBAR Revision Committee. These two positions, in particular, have enabled me to come into closer communication and cooperation with student organizations of all sizes. Especially turning towards MBAR, this committee did a great job of revitalizing the senate financial system to make it work for student organizations. And to me, that's the purpose of senate. Through these experiences, I have garnered a repetuation of being able to answer and research questions proposed by both senators and students, as a whole, and also demonstrated that I'm willing to work hard for the betterment of the student body. I am still working on a project with the Career Center in helping students, especially juniors, prepare themselves with the graduate school/prof school application process...which will hopefully be implemented in the Fall of 2009!

But enough about Senate.

I've been heavily involved in College Republicans, and am currently serving as Co-President of this organization. My tenure will be coming to an end, however, in a couple of weeks, in order to ensure more efficient transition between leadership so that this group maintains a strong presence on campus. Also, I'm involved with Student Alumni Association, Intramural Advisory Council, the Christ College Steering Committee, Pi Sigma Alpha, Mortar Board, University Council, and the Conversations Project.

In the past, I've also been involved with Kantorei and Campus Crusade (just so you know!).

So yes, I'm involved...yet not overly involved. I've been incredibly careful not to extend myself too far, because my greatest fear is not being able to complete any task or fulfill my obligations to an organization to the best of my ability. With this said, I feel that I have successfully placed myself, and my mind, in the right place to run, and win, the SB presidency.

I offer the student body open partnerships. VU has the unique ability to grant organizations a high degree of autonomy and I know that I am capable of fostering and assisting all student organizations to the best of my ability. I am no longer willing to accept that Senate is incapable of working with student organizations. I lobbied for MBAR for this reason...in order for anything to move in a more positive direction of cooperation between all groups, all parties involved need to come to the table with level heads and clear hearts. I'm fully prepared to do this.

I'm not in it for the stipend. I don't even care about the $2,001 that I will potentially earn. I wish I could do away with it. I'm not even sure if words can convey how willing I am to serve in this capacity and serve as the liason between students and the administration. I want to be a presence, a go-to voice, for this campus, and I feel that I have already proven myself capable of being such a person for VU.

I love this school, I love what it stands for....so together, lets make it better.

Spread the word like wildfire, lets make it happen folks.



All my best...

I Can't Commit...I finally admit it....

Once again, I have failed to regularly post on my own blog. Ugh. And I knew this was actually going to happen too, I was just hoping to prolong the inevitable. Because of this, let me update you on my life (in a nutshell):

1. I'm currently back home in Sioux Falls enjoying my 15 day spring break (I return to VU a week from today). Went to Monk's for the first time and enjoyed some imported German beer with Charli (she also graduated from WHS with me and also goes to Valpo!) and her awesome boyfriend Drew...I've also been hanging out with the family. Went to the midnight show of Watchmen with CFields. Probably the most interesting crowd of people I have ever seen in my entire life. I actually didn't fall asleep and did enjoy the movie, for the most part.

2. I've been working out on a more consistent basis lately, resulting in an incredibly sore back...and sore shoulders...and sore thighs...and sore abs. Ugh.

3. Before leaving for break, I was responsible for heading a committee to re-vamp, re-format, re-do, uphaul the current Student Senate financial system. Ugh. This resulted in a 5-page motion to Senate (the longest in Senate history btw) which I will have to read out loud to Senate the day we get back from break. Nothing like giving a boring, 30-minute speech.

4. My roommate turned 21 over break. Should be an interesting rest of the semester.

5. Went to Sigma Phi Epsilon's semi-formal, aka the Speakeasy, with Luke :) It was easily one of the best nights I have ever had at Valpo!
6. I am currently writing my honors' thesis for Christ College this semester for ProfHoff's seminar entitled "The Perplexities of Personal Love." I figured that because I am such an expert in the field, I might as well write a thesis............
I'm looking at developing tragic love and the western fascination of it...but that's to be conquered within these final days of break.

7. I saw Jon McLaughlin in concert at the House of Blues. Amazing.

8. I've become involved in the choir at Bethel Church and I've absolutely loved it! I've also been thinking and praying about playing piano and singing for the Worship Team, but due to complications from me being gone or busy with school, it's kind of up-in-the-air right now...but it's ultimately in God's hands!

9. Speaking of Bethel, I am so thankful to have found a church that I truly love...and a church that honestly challenges me. I don't want to be comfortable during a sermon...I need the challenge...and this is what I get from Bethel. I'm terrified to have to leave Bethel after graduation, but I know that, once again, it's all in His hands!

10. I'm really excited for Kelly Clarkson's new cd...yeah, yeah...mock me if you want. You can listen to it at vh1.com!

11. I love my family...they are the greatest.

12. As for this summer, I will be coming back to SFSD...either working at Old Navy or doing an internship with a certain hospital in their certain lobbying arena...or a combination of both! But I'm really excited to come back to SD so I can make my cousin's wedding (eeek!) and spend time with her baby when he arrives (eeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!). However, I am not excited about working at Old Navy...don't even talk to me about it. Ha.

13. Myself and my two future roommates have officially agreed on an apartment for next year...well, it's actually a townhouse located off of Vale Park (Williamsburg on the Lake...except it's more of a retention pond, but ssshh don't tell anybody). And since I pretty much just gave out my future address, feel free to stalk.

14. I'm still single...woo.

15. I really can't think of anything else.

16. I really like numbered lists...they work well for me.




mmmmk, peace/love

And the walls come tumbling down.....on me....

So I think this is one of those moments in life where you just start to lose it. I am losing it. I am more lonely, more confused, and more frustrated than ever before. I am finally beginning to feel actual pressure about my future and I finally realize that I don't have any answers. In saying this, I am not asking, wanting, nor requesting any sympathy or pity, for that matter. These are my feelings and I'm not going to lie about it in fear of people realizing that I too, struggle.

I'm not homesick. I'm not doing bad in school. I'm not making bad decisions (well, I sin, but you know what I mean). I'm not having troubles with friends. Or anything like that.

I am wanting answers. I am wanting to see the light that is supposedly there. I am wanting to trust God with all of this. I want to have the faith that God will see me through this unknown. I want to persevere. But I feel that I might not be strong enough. Why now? Why tonight? Why this week? Or why ever?

I am in the middle of filling out the remaining portion of my Truman application (due on the 3rd...holy crunch time) and after I answer each question, my confidence fades and fades. I'm not good enough for this. I don't think I have what it takes. I can't even figure out what I want to do for the summer, so how am I supposed to answer a question about where I see myself five to seven years after I complete grad school? This frustration with the unknown makes me want to sit in my room, alone, until I figure it out. I know that's not my personality, but it's what I'm feeling right now. I wish I could drive/fly far away, figure out my life, come back, and then enjoy. I don't want people to see me struggle.

At this point last year, I had job opportunities on the table while everyone else was fishing for ideas. Although I am incredibly happy and grateful that my friends have received excellent and exciting internship and research positions, I'm just flat out jealous. For as often as people tell me I have it all together, I'm really feeling like I don't.

I don't know where to begin and I don't know how to fix it. And as I hastily type this at 2AM, tears are building and I'm not going to stop them. I feel like I've failed and I can't give a reason why, or to whom I've let down. If it's you, I'm sorry and you deserve better. If it's not, well, sorry for the emotional rant. I hate going to bed because I feel that each hour I spend sleeping is one hour I should be spending thinking and figuring out my unknowns. I feel guilty for sleeping. What is wrong with me?!

I could keep going...but I think I'll spare all of you the pain and I think it's time for me to turn the light off so my lovely, smart, intelligent roommate can get some well-deserved rest.

Home again...

So I'm back home in good 'ol Sioux Falls after the most stressful three weeks I've ever experienced (in relation to school and other things). All in all, I wrote over 100 pages in papers, 4 presentations, and still had to endure finals week on top of that. Additionally, the stupid allocated organization budget failed the first time around (after I spent the day prior in a 7 hour meeting making the budget), so I spent over 30 hours working on Student Senate stuff. If I made it to bed before 4AM, it was a good night. With all of this being said, Christmas Break is really really really needed.

This break will be filled with.....not much of anything. And that's for a reason. I need a mental vacation. I will be working on filling out my Truman application (VU is really pushing me to do this) and hopefully reading a book or two to clear my head. But I'm mostly planning on working out, working on my relationship with God, hanging out with good friends, and probably drinking. I probably shouldn't mention God and drinking in the same sentence...

I've made some pretty shady decisions over the past month and I'm not sure how I feel about it. So, goal #1 for break is to figure out why I chose to do such unmentioned things and figure how I'm going to change things for the future. This is why I love starting new semesters. This is my chance to start over. Three semesters left. Woo!

Goal #2 is to figure out a roundabout way to answer the question: "So where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?" I hate that question, because I DON'T KNOW. What's so wrong with not knowing? But for the sake of my parents, advisors, and the deans at VU...I'm working on it.

Goal #3...work out tons. I'm not going to elaborate on the usual 21-year-old female tirade of "I'm too fat," because that's not what I think....I just feel better when I'm on a more consistent work out schedule. And a good tone-up every now and then is good for a person.

Goal #4...figure out my summer plans. I have no job offers, but I haven't started looking yet either. I don't even know what I see myself doing for the summer. Ugh.

Goal #5...enjoy every minute of Christmas.

Goal #6...get drunk and go tubing at Great Bear with great friends.


With that...I'm off.


...




*on the first day of christmas break, my hometown sent to me...a blizzard and frigid temperatures.*

Tradition, Tradition!

First and foremost, I'd like to wish everybody a very Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday has never been particularly large in my family by any means, but it's something special nonetheless.

I have a somewhat-severe Type A personality, so I like traditions. I can appreciate change, but if something's working the way it is, I like to keep it that way. That being said, holidays often bring about the most profound, and odd, traditions in my life. Here's the run-down of my Thanksgiving holiday and please share some of your favorite traditions!

My immediate family has never hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner, and for good reason...we hate cooking large meals. And when I say we, it would be more correct to say my mother. It's a rare occasion when the five of us are home at the same time just to have a weekly dinner at our house so we don't get too excited about Thanksgiving dinner. However, we do make our way to my dad's parents (Grandpa and Grandma Heitkamp) for some food. Grandma is amazing, has the purest of hearts, but is slowly losing the magic touch in the kitchen. The strangest part is that Grandpa is a MUCH better cook, yet Grandma feels the need to take charge on Thanksgiving. I absolutely cannot stand stuffing that includes the turkey parts, but she cooks it every year and I promise it tastes worse with each passing holiday. She also makes homemade coleslaw, which is generally delectable, but sometimes, the seasoning can be quite potent. I'm crossing my fingers for this year... But apart from the food, the table talk is the best part of the day. I love hearing stories from my dad's childhood and all the stupid things him and his brother used to do. It's so great to have a family that you can laugh with and truly enjoy each others' company. Along with watching the Lions lose, or watching the Vikings when they play, a card game is usually thrown in there and then we bust out the pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is the key to my heart...that stuff is delicious. My grandpa still lets me lick the spoon used for serving up the Cool Whip :)

As for my mother's side, we always spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving at their house in Rushmore, MN (about 40 minutes from SF) and instead of turkey, we opt for soups. Chicken tortilla is usually my preference, but I occasionally switch it up for a good bowl of chili or broccoli cheddar. This is the one holiday meal I can walk away from and not feel obligated to call Jenny Craig...for this, I am incredibly grateful. This Thanksgiving will be different than all the rest because it will be the first that we spend without both of my great-grandparents (Grandma died in August 2007 and Grandpa in May 2008). They were incredible people in my life and it's times like these when those who are left behind are reminded of the loved ones who have gone to a better place. So that will be somewhat difficult for me. However, my cousin Sara (who is my only older cousin...and she's 3 months older than me) is planning on announcing the gender of the baby that she and her boyfriend, Cody, are expecting! This is somewhat out of the ordinary in our family because of the conservative, Baptist/Christian Reformed tradition, but hey, God has a plan and I'm not going to be the one to question it.

Apart from family get-togethers, Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season in my life. I will bust out the Christmas music on iTunes, sync it to my iPod (all 2.5 GB of it...) and turn on XM Holly. Also, I will now allow myself to have a peppermint mocha from Starbucks (my BFF Missy also has this tradition). I also spend about an hour of the day contemplating whether or not I want to brave the crazy shoppers on Black Friday in order to begin my Christmas shopping. I went last year, armed with my iPod in hand, and managed to get some pretty good buys...so apparently it pays off with patience! The two years prior to last, I actually worked at Old Navy on Black Friday and never before had I so seriously contemplated suicide. I hope and pray I will never have to torture myself like that again.

Well this is definitely a longer post, but I love traditions and I love holidays and I hope you feel the same way. Even if you're not a fan of tradition, I hope you can find some time tomorrow to honestly think about what you're thankful for. So enjoy the time with family and friends...and if you want to go running with me on Friday to burn off the calories, give me a holler or meet me at McKennan Fitness!



Happy Holidays my friends :)





My name is Courtney and I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my entire family, friends, the USofA, Valparaiso University for giving me a much needed 10-day break, and YOU! :)

Happy Holidays from Rachel and Courtney :)

Here you go!! Enjoy :) And please comment and let me know which one is your favorite!

#1...

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#8...


My good friend Amanda (the photographer) uploaded 20 pictures from our photo shoot onto Facebook so I just picked out a few of my favorites so far. Well, minus the one of me, but I threw that in just for good humor.

As for me...I need to stop procrastinating on the blogosphere and get back to Constitutional Law...or something like that. Have a fabulous Tuesday before Thanksgiving Thursday :)

peace, love, and every happiness...
Courtney

On the road again!

Well tomorrow is the last day of classes before the 10-day Thanksgiving Break and it couldn't have come at a better time. The two weeks before finals are going to be actual hell. Three presentations (one of which is a 75-min one) the first week and three papers the second week. It's a good thing I'm unemployed because I will be doing homework like it's my job...or at least, that's my goal.

But when I'm not doing homework, I'm really looking forward to catching up with my best friends...shout out here to my girl Missy and our partner in crime, Katie.



**Missy and I this summer in downtown Minneapolis**

I haven't seen this girl since mid-August, but I'm incredibly grateful for the fact that our friendship is the type where we can talk every once in awhile, but we understand that we have busy lives at school. Plus, I suck at answering my phone and I'm bad at talking on the phone (usually) for more than 20 minutes at a time. We both love the Minnesota Twins...



...and she's just the best friend I could ever ask for. We met at Patrick Henry Middle School, but didn't become good friends until sophomore year at Washington. We were both looking for something greater in our friendships and we found each other. Wow, kind of sounds like we're in love...but you know what I mean. Both of our families were struggling with church difficulties and our friends were giving into temptations that we chose to not partake in. I needed that support system and I thank God everyday that I found it in her. Not only is Missy fantastic, but her entire family has been incredibly supportive of every decision I have made and our parents have become great friends. People always say that friends from high school won't last, but I beg to differ. My friends from high school know me; they know who I was, they know who I am, and they know who I want to be. People here at Valpo just can't relate to that. I always forget that Missy almost came to Valpo and I often find myself wondering what it would have been like to have my best friend here with me. As many great times as we would have probably had, I know Northwestern was a great fit for Missy and the distance has only made our appreciation, respect, and love for each other grow.

Ahh...the joys of friendship. Makes life a lot more fun.

I'm also really excited to spend time with my family, because I also haven't had the chance to spend much time with them since I left for school (well besides the 12 hours over Election Week). I miss my brothers and it's amazing to see how much they've matured this year. Nick is actually in college and I can't believe it. Josh is getting scholarship offers right and left...and was state cross country champion! My parents are amazing and I wouldn't trade them for the world.



I'm really not sure what the purpose of this post was...I guess I've just felt that my life has been somewhat lackluster lately...just going through the motions, nothing too exciting. But, I just try to remind myself of all of the amazing people in my life (in which there are many...you're probably one of them...I don't like non-amazing people) and I realize that I am truly blessed. I am blessed to be excited to go home.

So...if you're reading this...I'm coming home...tomorrow...departing Valparaiso, IN around 1PM and hopefully arriving in Sioux Falls before midnight. So please, call/text/keep me occupied...and if you're free sometime within this next week, lets get lunch/dinner/drinks/coffee!

Yay for Thanksgiving...oh my gosh, I love mashed potatoes...