My Fortune Cookie Said...

'The balding man asked his barber: "Why you charge me full price?"'

Job Dynamics...

I knew when I got the job to be an RA that I was going to love every minute of it and that's true.  I love being an RA.  There were a few dynamics that I didn't consider that have made the job interesting.  

1. Being an RA, you are always surrounded by people.  Constantly.  I leave for class even earlier than I used to just because I now know so many people who always want to stop and chat.  That being said, being an RA is a really lonely job.  You are the authority on the floor, so while everyone likes you, no one necessarily wants to be too close a friend.  I'm okay with that though.
2. Going along those lines, RAs like to be with other RAs, probably because of the aforementioned reason.  Every meal the RAs go together.  It's a small network of instant best friends because they are the only ones who truly understand what this job is like.
3. RAs are extreme.  When they need to be serious, as a group they are very serious and get the job done.  If something bad happens, they deal with it as an efficient team as though they've done this all their lives together, even if it's the first time.  On the other hand, RAs are crazier than anyone else I know. They go all out in the wildness department and are some of the most fun people to be with.  The cool thing?  RAs can switch from crazy to serious and back in the blink of an eye.  Insane to watch.
4. I knew I would come to care for my residents, but I never suspected just how much.  They mean the world to me!  I don't know what I would do if something happened to one of them.
5. RAs keep their residents safe, happy and having fun.  Hall Directors do the same for the RAs.  I have the coolest HD ever.  I've observed all the other HDs, but few care like Brandon.  He takes care of his RAs like I take care of my residents. I'm very glad he's my HD!

Soiree!

Soiree is a huge event put on by the guys of the CHRISTian groups here at CSM. Here is how the evening went.  All the girls put on their formal dresses, did nails and hair and such.  At a designated time, a guy in a tuxedo (Ryan in my case) picked us up, bowing as he opened the car door.  Ryan drove us to Arvada Covenant Church, where guys were waiting to escort each girl inside.  As soon as I came in, one of my residents, Will, took me aside to interview with with the video camera.  The question? Who did I like better, Raoul or the Phantom?  The theme was Phantom of the Opera, complete with a chandelier crashed in the center of the room.  The guys cooked and served a four course dinner, both delicious and impressive.  After dinner the guys put on two hours of skits from the Phantom singing, to a poem called "I am a Manly Man", Hamlet, Men in White Tees, a fashion show, an original piano piece called "Midnight Rain" and even beatboxing "Amazing Grace", just to name a few.  I have video!  Afterward, the guy in charge got up and explained the purpose of Soiree.  The end of the night was one massive dance and then the guys drove us home.  

Walking the Runway...

There is something about being an RA.  You often find yourself doing things that you wouldn't normally.  Tonight I not only stood hosted a runway show and listened to pickup lines, but also put on a long black satin dress and volunteered to be the first one down the runway with my arms linked to two guys in three piece suits.  After each of the girls had been escorted down the walkway, the guys had a pickup line competition.  The guys took turns and addressed each girl.  There were some hysterical lines.  The girls then chose a winner who won a remote controlled pickup truck.  Total blast!