Introduction to My Life
Hi, my name is Nicole, I'm a senior here at the University of Oklahoma from Dallas, Texas. I am majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Non-Profit. A big part of my college years has been being a part of Hillel at the University of Oklahoma. Hillel is the hub for Jewish life on OU's campus. I started my freshman year by helping lead Friday night services, Shabbat, by playing my guitar. I have been PR and engagement intern as well as a student representative on the Board of Directors. I have recently been promoted to staff as the Operations Associate. I basically do everything and everything, I'm super excited to start this semester in this position, even though it will be an unknown and crazy one. The other job I have had is at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. I went from hostess, to takeout to server. I loved serving, has much hell as it was some nights, I liked my managers, coworkers and made pretty good money, then COVID hit. I got 'furloughed' in March then brought back in May but it was very different, a new type of hell. It sucked to say the least and the tips were even worse then before. So it kind of all worked out that I got an opportunity to work at Hillel, it was a perfect time to leave BJ's on a good note.
When I'm not working or doing school, I love to cuddle with my puppy Callie and going four-wheeling at the river. Four-wheeling is such a thrill and a time to relax and just have fun which I could not cherish more during this crazy time. I also love going to the lake but it's a little harder to do that when you don't have a boat. My mom recently got a lake house down near Tyler, TX, she has a jetski but it's hard for me to get down often but also another place that is quite and I can relax to get away from my crazy life. I love being busy but also love being able to spend quality time with my friends and family.
Callie
Oh, how great that you are involved at Hillel, Nicole! And maybe you will be interested in doing a project about Jewish folktales and legends for this class; you'll see a unit early on in the UnTextbook that you might enjoy -- Jewish Fairy Tales: link -- and of course that is just a tiny sample of the vast world of Jewish storytelling; there are also two units there with materials from Louis Ginzberg's AMAZING multivolume book, Legends of the Jews: link. AND yay for the absolutely adorable Callie: maybe she can be a character in a story that you write this semester... because there can never be too many animal stories IMO! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie, I hope you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteYour involvement at Hillel is super cool! I have actually never known that OU had a Jewish life hub so that was really cool to learn about. I am so sorry to hear about your furlough and completely understand your feelings through that as I was laid off in March when people started to crackdown and understand a bit more about Covid. BUT I am so glad that you are able to work at Hillel and be more involved, yay!
p.s. Callie is adorable :)
- Keana (can't figure out how to add my account lol)
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI think your involvement in Hillel is amazing, I too did not know OU had a Jewish hub like that. Maybe some of your writing will reflect Jewish folklore or mythology! I am sorry to hear about your troubles through covid, though hopefully this semester will be a huge rebound! I look forward to reading your work throughout the semester and wish you the best!
Hi, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the job at Hillel. I was unaware that OU had a hub for its Jewish students, but I'm glad we do. I, personally, went from having almost zero knowledge of Judaism to being fascinated by it as a non-religious person this summer. I spent my summer working at a kosher restaurant/bakery in Dallas. I mostly made challah and received lessons on Judaism. If you've never been to The Market, you should visit the next time you're in Dallas.
Sorry that your job with BJ's turned so sour. At least you were able to flip into something positive because of the new opportunities on campus. Before I moved to Dallas, I lived in a small country town and one of the things I miss most about it is riding four-wheelers. Be sure to cherish it even more for me, because I could not be more jealous.
Hi Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that there's a community for Jewish students here at the university! I wasn't aware of it prior to reading your post so I'm very glad to hear that you love it and are also getting involved. One of my roommates is from Tyler, Tx and her family used to go to that lake all the time. PS your dog is precious and I'm so jealous you get to hang out with yours all the time- mine is back at home :(
Hi Natalie! Your dog is the cutest - I have three back home, and miss them when I am in Norman!! Also, congrats on your job at the Hillel. Is that part of what you think you want to do going forward with your PR and Non-Profit backgrounds? I'm sorry about your BJ's experience, but it sounded like you enjoyed parts of it, so that's good!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteLove the dog! I have two dogs myself, one of them I got last week! Also I noticed you worked at BJ's and I found that to be very interesting. I applied to work there a while ago but ended up working at chuys tex mex instead. I love BJ's and hate that you had a tough time there after covid. I am glad you are working somewhere that you enjoy now!
Hey Nicole! First of all, your dog is absolutely precious! Also, I just got my first job working in a restaurant and lemme tell ya, I couldn't imagine going through all of that during COVID. I'm glad that you were able to find a new job and place to spend your time where you'll actually enjoy it! I hope you have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI always do love it when I read someone's introduction and they include a picture of their adorable pets, and yours is no exception! I'm also a senior here at the University of Oklahoma and I've never heard of Hillel before! I guess that shows how much I've actually been out and about within the years that I've been here. Reading more from your introduction, one of the things that fascinated me was your affinity for four-wheeling. I would literally do anything to have that experience, but unfortunately, i haven't had the opportunity to! It sounds like a complete thrill. Anyways, I look forward to reading more from you!
Hi Nicole!
ReplyDeleteI am also a public relations major and love it! I think that is awesome how involved you are with the major and are constantly interning with it. im sorry your job got messed up with covid but it is good that you're back in the restaurant working again. Also your dog is adorable. I love seeing pet pictures because my pets are so important in my life.
Hey Nicole! Non-profit seems like it would be a really neat minor to have. It sounds like you are incredibly busy! I am impressed with how organized you seem--you will clearly handle it just fine. BJ's sounds like a fun but stressful job. My friend worked there and mentioned how it could be a zoo on gamedays. Your dog looks really cute! I hope to read more of your stories in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteYour experiences are really cool! You mentioned that you choose to work at many different place in your post, I would say that is a good choice for you! All those jobs would give your more benefits than others in the future. I have heard many people choose the public relations as their major, is the area interesting?