I have lived in Iowa for 18 years now. My family moved to Sioux City when I was 5 from Miami, Fl. I'll never forget standing outside my cousin's house pouting and wishing we weren't leaving. Now, due to my semi-insane and sometimes ambivalent love for winter, I am SO glad we didn't stay in the sunshine (aka so humid I could die) state--no offense cousins!
When my parents moved to Lee's Summit, MO (outside KC) shortly after dropping me off in Ames, I couldn't help but be slightly thrilled. After 13 years in the same city and same house and same boring state, I was so ready to move to the bigger city I'd always envisioned myself in. I was by no means a "country girl", and just knew I was destined to move to New York City after graduation and live รก la Carrie Bradshaw.
Sometimes I think that there should be a limit to how many times your parents can say "I told you so." It seems that the older that I get, however, the limit does not exist--cue Mean Girls GIF. So mother, as you sit there on your horizon-broadening-throne, I hope--and know you'll prove me wrong--that this is one of the last times I'll have to say this, "you were right." And yes, that's as loudly as I can say that without hurting my pride.
You see, every time I expressed my desire to be far away from home living the ultimate single girl life in some fabulous city, my mother reminded me that a time will come that I won't feel that way, and that that dream most likely won't happen. And sure enough, now that I've graduated, I'm not "the ultimate single girl", and I'm moving closer to home. 45 minutes away to be exact. And you want to know the irony of this whole situation? I'm SAD! I'm truly completely 100% upset that I'm leaving Iowa. (My 17 year old self is sitting here saying "ummm...excuhUSE me?? What is wrong with you?")
As my best friend Tabitha and I drove through the northern part of Ames this past weekend looking at houses we determined brain surgeons live in, I couldn't help but gaze longingly at the beautifully flat fields we passed by. The closer I get to leaving Iowa, the more I secretely wish my boyfriend was a farmer and not an Aero E major telling me "there are no good jobs in Iowa for what I want to do". (Sorry Austin! :) ). But it's true! I long to be a country girl. I so desperately want to be surrounded by never-ending corn fields and blue skies. I crave the idea of a house in the country surrounded by nothing but family and animals and God's good earth.
I could go on about the beauty of Iowa that it seems only true Iowans will really appreciate, but it's not just the land that amazes me, it's the people too. See, growing up in Iowa shaped my character in a way I'll never forget. Iowans are hard working and truly value this land that God gave us. They're so very friendly and down to earth. Compassionate. Patient (though maybe I'll need to live here another 20 years to fully develop that trait ;) ). And maybe I'm generalizing, and I'm surely not saying other places don't have people like this either, but I'm just proud of where I'm from.
It's too bad that it takes leaving a place to truly appreciate it. It's hard to believe I have 3.5 weeks left in a place I've known almost all my life. And it's not so hard to believe I can't write a post without getting all emotional, so I'll leave it with a quote from a Raygun shirt I should've purchased when I had the chance. "Iowans: the few, the proud, the extremely attractive."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
"Iowa State Admissions..."
So this post required hardcore digging and creeping...on my own Facebook page of course! For the past 2.5 years, I spent about 20 hours a week answering the phone with the classic "Iowa State Admissions". Over time, I've acquired more than just a love for admissions and customer service, I got some pretty good stories as well! :)
From wishing we had a "reject" button, getting responses of "Hello Iowa State Admissions" or "extension _____", and the glorious moments we spent talking to that one British guy asking for the director, our small but mighty group of 9 had the most exciting job on campus, though the parking division may claim otherwise.
Now before I get all emotional in my ongoing attempt to "hang up the phone" (punny?) on this amazing job, I'll leave you all with this conglomeration of the best calls/moments I can remember. While there are many other great stories from my fellow coworkers, these I got to experience firsthand.
Lady: Yeah I'm from Arkansas, is that considered "out-of-state"?
Me: Yes, anything that's not Iowa is out-of-state.
Incoming freshmen called today to verify the admissions address and pronounced "Ames" as "Ah-mes": two syllables, sounds like amen.
Me: Iowa State Admissions
(random jumbling and scrambling)
Me: Hello?
Guy: Hello?
Me: Hi
Guy: Who is this?
Me: This is Iowa State Admissions.
Guy: Oh hi.
Me: Hi
Guy: Did you call me or did I call you?
Me: No you called me.
Guy: Oh oops must've pocket dialed you. Sorry. *Click*
A mother just spelled an email with "n" as in "knife" over the phone today...Oh how I love my job!
Guy: Hi how do you get admission?
Me: to the university?
Guy: This is a university?
Me: Yes this is Iowa State University
Guy: Oh. Yeah how do you get admission?
Me: Well you have to fill out an application first.
Guy: Oh you have to apply.
Me: Yes, will you be coming from high school or a different college?
Guy: Uhhh...hold on...(talking to someone in background)...Nevermind. Just nevermind. I had my facts wrong. Nevermind. *Click*
Guy: Yes we're sending our daughter to school there next year and I was wondering where you're located.
Me: We're in Ames, Iowa.
Guy: Iowa? That's over by Montana right?
Me: No, it's actually ........(proceed to give geographical explanation)
Lady: Hi we're flying into Ames, I mean Des Moines, since that's where flights come in now, to see the school and go to a football game so I'm wondering what time the game starts so we can book the flights.
Me: Okay what weekend?
Lady: Nov. 3. The website says "to be announced" for the game but we need to know what time it is 'cause our flight depends on it.
Me: Okay well they typically don't schedule the times for the games until a couple weeks before each one....(this was at least 2 months out)
Lady: Yeah but we're flying in so we need to know now so we know what time to fly.
Me: Alright well I'd talk to the football or ticket office then and see if they know.
Lady: Okay can you send me to the ticket office then?
Guy: Hello I applied a few weeks ago and wanted to check the status.
Me: Okay can you spell your name please?
(Proceed to try to look him up, multiple times, respelling and triple checking name to no avail.)
Me: Sir I'm really sorry I can't find you in any of our systems. How did you apply?
Guy: Hmmm, are there other schools in Iowa?
Me: Yes, there's the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.
Guy: And what cities are those in?
Me: Well the U of Iowa is Iowa City and U of Northern Iowa is Cedar Falls.
Guy: I think it was the Iowa City one. Can you give me their number?
Elderly lady: Yes ma'am, you probably haven't ever gotten a call like this, but I'm from New York and my grandson is attending Ohio State in the fall and I'm gonna make him an afghan and wanted to know what your colors are.
Me: I'm sorry this is actually Iowa State, not Ohio State.
Lady: Oh yeah that's what I meant! Iowa State.
Me: Okay well our colors are cardinal and gold.
Lady: Cardinal? Is that like bright red?
Me: Umm, it's not too bright, but not dark either. Like in the middle red.
Lady: Not like maroon right?
Me: No more like classic red.
Lady: And gold? Like yellow?
Me: Yes cardinal and gold.
Lady: Okay thank you!
Me: Iowa State Admissions
Guy: Yes does Iowa State have a college?
Me: Yes this is Iowa State University.
Guy: Well does the university have a college?
Me: Well we have 6 academic colleges within our university.
Guy: Well what are the requirements to come to the college?
Me: You need to meet our general admissions requirements for the university and then you can pick whatever major you want within the colleges.
Guy: So if I didn't get into the university I can't come to the college?
Me: Right, you'd have to meet our university requirements to be able to attend school here.
Guy: Oh...well I didn't get in. So nevermind then."
And finally, saving the best for last, except maybe Austin being my last call ever. This is coincidentally the most recent as well.
Me: Iowa State Admissions
Lady: Yes is this the University of Iowa?
Me: No, this is Iowa State University.
Lady: Oh, is that the same as the University of Illinois?
Me: No, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Illinois are three different colleges.
Lady: Oh, can you help me with the number for the University of Illinois please?
Me: I'm sorry I don't have that number, you may have to Google it.
Hope this makes you smile or laugh, and if you're ever feeling deprived of a good story or status update from me then you can find them here! :)
From wishing we had a "reject" button, getting responses of "Hello Iowa State Admissions" or "extension _____", and the glorious moments we spent talking to that one British guy asking for the director, our small but mighty group of 9 had the most exciting job on campus, though the parking division may claim otherwise.
Now before I get all emotional in my ongoing attempt to "hang up the phone" (punny?) on this amazing job, I'll leave you all with this conglomeration of the best calls/moments I can remember. While there are many other great stories from my fellow coworkers, these I got to experience firsthand.
Just had someone calling to ask for the extension office 'cause he wants to find an aquifer. I call horticulture and say that I have someone who wants to get an aquifer and didn't know where to go. Apparently, an aquifer is an underground source of water contained by rock.
Lady: Yeah I'm from Arkansas, is that considered "out-of-state"?
Me: Yes, anything that's not Iowa is out-of-state.
Incoming freshmen called today to verify the admissions address and pronounced "Ames" as "Ah-mes": two syllables, sounds like amen.
Me: Iowa State Admissions
(random jumbling and scrambling)
Me: Hello?
Guy: Hello?
Me: Hi
Guy: Who is this?
Me: This is Iowa State Admissions.
Guy: Oh hi.
Me: Hi
Guy: Did you call me or did I call you?
Me: No you called me.
Guy: Oh oops must've pocket dialed you. Sorry. *Click*
A mother just spelled an email with "n" as in "knife" over the phone today...Oh how I love my job!
Guy: Hi how do you get admission?
Me: to the university?
Guy: This is a university?
Me: Yes this is Iowa State University
Guy: Oh. Yeah how do you get admission?
Me: Well you have to fill out an application first.
Guy: Oh you have to apply.
Me: Yes, will you be coming from high school or a different college?
Guy: Uhhh...hold on...(talking to someone in background)...Nevermind. Just nevermind. I had my facts wrong. Nevermind. *Click*
Guy: Yes we're sending our daughter to school there next year and I was wondering where you're located.
Me: We're in Ames, Iowa.
Guy: Iowa? That's over by Montana right?
Me: No, it's actually ........(proceed to give geographical explanation)
Lady: Hi we're flying into Ames, I mean Des Moines, since that's where flights come in now, to see the school and go to a football game so I'm wondering what time the game starts so we can book the flights.
Me: Okay what weekend?
Lady: Nov. 3. The website says "to be announced" for the game but we need to know what time it is 'cause our flight depends on it.
Me: Okay well they typically don't schedule the times for the games until a couple weeks before each one....(this was at least 2 months out)
Lady: Yeah but we're flying in so we need to know now so we know what time to fly.
Me: Alright well I'd talk to the football or ticket office then and see if they know.
Lady: Okay can you send me to the ticket office then?
Guy: Hello I applied a few weeks ago and wanted to check the status.
Me: Okay can you spell your name please?
(Proceed to try to look him up, multiple times, respelling and triple checking name to no avail.)
Me: Sir I'm really sorry I can't find you in any of our systems. How did you apply?
Guy: Hmmm, are there other schools in Iowa?
Me: Yes, there's the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.
Guy: And what cities are those in?
Me: Well the U of Iowa is Iowa City and U of Northern Iowa is Cedar Falls.
Guy: I think it was the Iowa City one. Can you give me their number?
Elderly lady: Yes ma'am, you probably haven't ever gotten a call like this, but I'm from New York and my grandson is attending Ohio State in the fall and I'm gonna make him an afghan and wanted to know what your colors are.
Me: I'm sorry this is actually Iowa State, not Ohio State.
Lady: Oh yeah that's what I meant! Iowa State.
Me: Okay well our colors are cardinal and gold.
Lady: Cardinal? Is that like bright red?
Me: Umm, it's not too bright, but not dark either. Like in the middle red.
Lady: Not like maroon right?
Me: No more like classic red.
Lady: And gold? Like yellow?
Me: Yes cardinal and gold.
Lady: Okay thank you!
Me: Iowa State Admissions
Guy: Yes does Iowa State have a college?
Me: Yes this is Iowa State University.
Guy: Well does the university have a college?
Me: Well we have 6 academic colleges within our university.
Guy: Well what are the requirements to come to the college?
Me: You need to meet our general admissions requirements for the university and then you can pick whatever major you want within the colleges.
Guy: So if I didn't get into the university I can't come to the college?
Me: Right, you'd have to meet our university requirements to be able to attend school here.
Guy: Oh...well I didn't get in. So nevermind then."
And finally, saving the best for last, except maybe Austin being my last call ever. This is coincidentally the most recent as well.
Me: Iowa State Admissions
Lady: Yes is this the University of Iowa?
Me: No, this is Iowa State University.
Lady: Oh, is that the same as the University of Illinois?
Me: No, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Illinois are three different colleges.
Lady: Oh, can you help me with the number for the University of Illinois please?
Me: I'm sorry I don't have that number, you may have to Google it.
Hope this makes you smile or laugh, and if you're ever feeling deprived of a good story or status update from me then you can find them here! :)
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