As I was in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf Reception, I realized that I was the only person my age. This got me thinking of the journey I have been through and the journey ahead. I come from an interesting woman line: my grandmother did not get past the 8th grade, my mother never finished college, my oldest sister dropped out of high school and my other sister got kicked out of high school. Needless to say, I am the woman in my family that has gone the farthest in education at my age.
It is kind of funny to say that me and all my sisters, who are forty and thirty, are all in different paths of our college education at the same time. I have come to realize that I am blessed with my intelligence and willingness to overcome. My mother has always told me to study hard so I do not have to go through what she went through, but seeing her raise me and my sisters with no education inspires me. Every time I have a rough time with school I think of her. I always say that I do things to make my mother cry; that sounds horrible, but let me explain: my mother cries out of happiness every time I make her proud.
Now thinking of the future; I am a sophomore Marketing and Entrepreneurship major at the University of Dayton, a little far away from my hometown in Puerto Rico. I have no idea what I am going to do when I graduate, whether I’m staying in the United States or going back to Puerto Rico. However, I do have set goals for my life. Whatever I end up doing, I promise myself that I am going to be the best at it. I want to find a husband and start a family, I also want six kids. I have two mottos in my life. The first one is “You need to make mistakes to learn from them," and this is what I’m doing right now in college. The second one is “Live in such a way that you will have stories for you grandchildren." This is especially important to me because I am very family oriented, and that is why I want a huge family. I crave that Thanksgiving holiday where we have more than 20 people ranging from babies to old people and everyone is screaming, throwing jokes, bickering, but having a good time. That is the one thing that I miss about being home, so wherever I end up, I want to create my own version of it. And on my last moments, I want people to have to fight over who stands next to me, because that is how many people are there. Also, the other ultimate goal that I have is to change someone’s life. However, I still don’t know how I am doing that yet haha.
For now I don’t know what I’m doing, but I am making it up as I go along. All I know is that I’ve done a decent job at educating myself and taking advantage of the various opportunities that are offered to me at this university. Hopefully in a couple of years I will look back and tell this story to my children and grandchildren.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf blog
February 21 to February 23, 2012
The excitement of wearing the scarf started the week before, when a co-worker was wearing it. The beauty of it and the total meaning of wearing it was and still is very important to me to show my support for the mission of equality.
February 21:
I was very fortunate to meet and have lunch with Yaimarie (Yo Yo) to exchange the scarf. She is from Puerto Rico and she is so interesting to talk to. I wore the scarf the rest of the day and because I work at the front desk of the library I was ask many times about the scarf and the meaning of the scarf. It was a big learning experience for me and it made me think more of our community at UD and in my community that I live in.
February 22:
Unfortunately I was not feeling well on this day and did not have the opportunity to wear it.
February 23:
This was the day that I had to give it up and pass it to the next lucky member of the UD family. The next person on the list was Ginger from Kettering Labs. It was a short visit so I look forward into seeing her on campus wearing the scarf. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Scarf Wearer Jennica
I decided to join the sisterhood this year to meet people on campus. I have worked at UD for six months and have been looking to start making connections. When I met with Maureen to get the scarf, we sat and chatted for a bit, talking a bit about ourselves and things to do in the area. It was great to get to know her a bit. Since taking the scarf, I have been reflecting on how something so simple (though pretty and sparkly, too!) could aid in forging a connection with others. I realized that I often do not take time to connect with colleagues or friends in meaningful and enriching ways. It made me wonder how many others share my experience. It seems easy to get lost in daily routines if you’re not paying attention to it happening. Wearing the scarf gave me a new appreciation for feeling connected and doing something different. I hope to continue paying more attention to who’s around me, so I miss fewer chances to feel a part of something.
--
Jennica Karpinski, Psy.D.
Psychology Resident, Staff Therapist
University of Dayton Counseling Center
--
Jennica Karpinski, Psy.D.
Psychology Resident, Staff Therapist
University of Dayton Counseling Center
February 23, 2012-February 27, 2012 By Eileen Maloney
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf
February 23, 2012-February 27, 2012
By Eileen Maloney
Thursday
I was sad that I could not meet with the person delivering the scarf to me. We missed our time slot, and so it was left on my chair. But soon, I removed the jacket I had worn and draped the scarf across my shoulder (front to back and secured with my stretchy belt). I was wearing what I call my uniform, black slacks white blouse and a jacket. The rest of the day people commented on the scarf. When I explained that it was the “traveling scarf” conversations flowed freely.
Friday – Coffee and the Scottish Pirate!
I found a festive nail polish that I would normally only wear during the holidays – it was glittery and matched my scarf perfectly. I decided to use the holiday polish today (and not wait until next year). Both the polish and the scarf started several interactions. Early Friday, I stopped at my neighborhood coffee shop. I saw a woman whom I see occasionally. While we know each other as familiar faces, and avid walkers, we don’t know each other by name. She had commented on the lovely scarf (this time across my body like a sash and down the back, again secured with a belt.) When I said the scarf made me paint my otherwise bare nails, the woman said you have to live each day to its fullest. I am a firm believer in that too. She continued to tell me that she had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a leukemia-type cancer) 2 years ago, and has fought it well. It seems the scarf empowered her to talk freely with me – and I knew about this same cancer as my father had it too. And now, I know her name!
When I got to the office to begin my first duties of the day (make coffee for the staff), I was met by my peers in the suite next door. I had tucked my slacks into my boots, as I felt they were too short for these shoes. My peers wanted to hear stories and I shared them. Then one person said I was wearing the scarf like a Scott. Someone else in the room said they thought I was going for the pirate theme. Before I left the suite, I was dubbed the Scottish Pirate.
Saturday and Sunday
Since the person I pass the scarf to was out of town until Monday, I continued to escort the scarf with me. I am in a running club (who drinks coffee after we get our miles in). I took the scarf in for coffee and the mixed group of men and women all seemed interested in what is it, why would I bring it to running, and where does it go next. I told them that the scarf would go with me to Columbus to attend a Ceili. Ceili {kay lee] is a Gaelic (Irish) word that means party; specifically one with live musicians, dancing, or general merriment.. In this instance, a dance school was hosting the event as a fund raiser. At the table with siblings and cousins, the story continued. I was thrilled to share the story and to see my cousin and niece dance for fun instead of competing.
Monday
I passed the scarf on to the next participant, who graciously let me take her photo. I hope it opens conversations with more people and places. Thanks for adapting this program to increase diversity and peace at work and in the world.
February 23, 2012-February 27, 2012
By Eileen Maloney
Thursday
I was sad that I could not meet with the person delivering the scarf to me. We missed our time slot, and so it was left on my chair. But soon, I removed the jacket I had worn and draped the scarf across my shoulder (front to back and secured with my stretchy belt). I was wearing what I call my uniform, black slacks white blouse and a jacket. The rest of the day people commented on the scarf. When I explained that it was the “traveling scarf” conversations flowed freely.
Friday – Coffee and the Scottish Pirate!
I found a festive nail polish that I would normally only wear during the holidays – it was glittery and matched my scarf perfectly. I decided to use the holiday polish today (and not wait until next year). Both the polish and the scarf started several interactions. Early Friday, I stopped at my neighborhood coffee shop. I saw a woman whom I see occasionally. While we know each other as familiar faces, and avid walkers, we don’t know each other by name. She had commented on the lovely scarf (this time across my body like a sash and down the back, again secured with a belt.) When I said the scarf made me paint my otherwise bare nails, the woman said you have to live each day to its fullest. I am a firm believer in that too. She continued to tell me that she had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a leukemia-type cancer) 2 years ago, and has fought it well. It seems the scarf empowered her to talk freely with me – and I knew about this same cancer as my father had it too. And now, I know her name!
When I got to the office to begin my first duties of the day (make coffee for the staff), I was met by my peers in the suite next door. I had tucked my slacks into my boots, as I felt they were too short for these shoes. My peers wanted to hear stories and I shared them. Then one person said I was wearing the scarf like a Scott. Someone else in the room said they thought I was going for the pirate theme. Before I left the suite, I was dubbed the Scottish Pirate.
Saturday and Sunday
Since the person I pass the scarf to was out of town until Monday, I continued to escort the scarf with me. I am in a running club (who drinks coffee after we get our miles in). I took the scarf in for coffee and the mixed group of men and women all seemed interested in what is it, why would I bring it to running, and where does it go next. I told them that the scarf would go with me to Columbus to attend a Ceili. Ceili {kay lee] is a Gaelic (Irish) word that means party; specifically one with live musicians, dancing, or general merriment.. In this instance, a dance school was hosting the event as a fund raiser. At the table with siblings and cousins, the story continued. I was thrilled to share the story and to see my cousin and niece dance for fun instead of competing.
Monday
I passed the scarf on to the next participant, who graciously let me take her photo. I hope it opens conversations with more people and places. Thanks for adapting this program to increase diversity and peace at work and in the world.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sisterhood of the traveling scarf - blog entry
Below is my entry for the online journal blog. If I need to post this entry in the blogspot, please let me know.
Thank you for the experience. This was a great event..
Patricia Meinking
Thank you for the experience. This was a great event..
02-14-12: I received the scarf from Maria. Beautiful! The colors and design look Turkish. I ask myself if the scarf reflects where I came from. My background is a homogeneous community in Ohio – far away from Turkey. I left my home town after graduating from UD to work in Cincinnati. Living in the city and working in the market research field as well as traveling outside the U.S. helped to open my eyes to a diversity of opinions and cultural practices.
02-15-12: Came to work seeing the scarf draped around my chair. "Time to put me on!" the scarf seem to exclaim. I wrap the scarf around my shoulders over my purple jacket. The colors blend perfectly. I think about the other sisters that have worn the scarf before me. I do believe one single piece of clothing can break down invisible barriers that prevent forming a connection with others.
02-16-12: Met Yaimane over lunch to give her the scarf. This single piece of clothing did introduce me to a new person. And, what a fantastic person to meet! I could have talked with Yaimane the rest of the afternoon. Thanks Traveling Scarf for opening a door to a new connection.
Patricia Meinking
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Traveling scarf
I felt honored to be able to help the scarf begin its travels by wearing it around the Libraries yesterday. My family was the first to notice the scarf, as I do wear scarves quite often. My daughter thought I had bought a new one. When I explained that I was participating in a traveling scarf event, she had mixed feelings about sharing the scarf with others. I believe lice was her biggest concern, but then again, she is only 8.
I had a few meetings yesterday and also visited several people on different floors of the Libraries for my current project. I was surprised that only one person commented on the scarf the entire day, which happened to be one of my student workers. I did take the time to explain The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf, but she just nodded her head and smiled, returning to her work. I guess I did not have the impact on my surroundings that I had hoped, but I was still proud to wear the scarf and happy to be a part of a wonderful group of women. I look forward to reading the blog entries of the scarf's travels and the women who will wear it.
--
Nichole Rustad
Digital Projects and Graphic Design Specialist
Roesch Library
Friday, February 10, 2012
GREETINGS TO THE 2012 Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf Sisters
We look forward to our kickoff reception today in OMA at 3:00pm.
See you there!
See you there!
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