Job Update!

May 23, 20142 Comments

Friends,

I am extremely excited to share with you that I have officially accepted a full-time position as an Academic Advisor for the School of Business at Indiana University- Southeast. I have gone through some significant positive changes in the past two years of my life, and have met the most amazing and compassionate people. I would be remise to say that I won’t miss my colleagues at the University of Louisville and the University of South Carolina, but I know those friendships will continue to grow. I am grateful to all my supporters and mentors, and couldn’t be more appreciative of those that continually believe in me and have patience with me. Thank you.

As I reflect on all that has happened over the past two years, I am so humbled by God’s love and ability to intentionally bring people and opportunities into your life. You are foolish in thinking for even a moment that you have any control on the outcome of your life. God has already predestined you to encounter the things you’ve encountered, struggle with the things you’ve struggled with, and meet the people and opportunities that have molded you into the person you are today. My faith in God and His unconditional love and grace has been the one constant and strength in my life. He is a merciful and powerful God.

In closing, I just want to thank all my family, friends, colleagues, and mentors for your support, encouragement, and patience. I am excited about this new personal and professional opportunity, and can’t wait for the new relationships, mentorships, and life lessons to be had.

-Court

We’ll go forth to love and praise thee!

May 22, 2014Leave a comment

Just reminiscing on my college days at the Tampa U. Two years ago, I graduated from the beautiful Univeristy of Tampa, and am forever grateful for the mentors, professors, friends, and colleaugues that molded me into the person that I am today. So much of my “growing up” happened at UT, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss being on campus. 🙂

The University of Tampa

Steadfast and true, sing we thy praise, Alma Mater free. Proud beat our hearts, and all our days We’ll raise songs to thee. We’ll go forth to love and praise thee and be ever true. Hail our glorious Alma Mater, Hail our Tampa U.

A rather boring update on my life.

April 8, 20141 Comment

Sad to say I haven’t taken the time to write since New Year’s Day. However, a lot of positive changes have happened in my life in the past few months, and I feel the need to share an update with my fellow readers. For those that don’t already know, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky just before Christmas to start a graduate assistantship with Housing and Residence Life at the University of Louisville, but most importantly to be with the love of my life. I am still graduating from the University of South Carolina with my master’s in higher education and student affairs, but am just finishing my last two elective courses at the University of Louisville. I made a rather non-traditional decision within my program to leave early, but I don’t regret it for a single moment. I have truly enjoyed my assistantship experience this past semester, and have appreciated the time away from chaos to do a little soul searching and job exploration in the city.

In February, my birthday weekend to be exact, I took my master’s degree comprehensive exam! Sure am happy to share that I passed, but that was one heck of a stressful birthday celebration. Now that I have passed my comprehensive exam, I have hit a serious road block in academic productivity. In case you were curious, senioritis is a true epidemic. Haha. Anyways, I’ve been trying to muster up the motivation and energy to finish out these last two courses. I have also been pretty heavy into my job search. I would love to continue working with Housing and Residence Life at the University of Louisville, but the job openings are looking pretty slim. Either way, the job search has been a true test of my faith. Fortunately, I know in my heart that God has a very special plan for me and my entry-level job, so I just need to be patient and trust that He will see me through.

Although school and work keep me pretty busy, I’ve been trying to establish a social life in the wee hours of my weekdays and weekends. I have met some pretty awesome people so far, and am truly enjoying the friendships I’ve developed with colleagues. I am also trying to sell my beloved first car, LOVABLE. She’s gotten me through the best of the best and the worst of the worst, but am ready for an upgrade after our seven year driving affair. It’s been a bitter sweet process. I practically broke down last night over trying to get her sold and trying to find a good deal on a new vehicle. Those that enjoy car shopping, there is something truly special about your brain because I have not enjoyed this process in the slightest. Anyways, if you’re interested in a new car, my beloved beauty is a winner.

I had the pleasure of experiencing my very first Kentucky horserace this past weekend at Kenneland with some great friends. It was an absolutely beuatiful day, and the races were epic! Pretty cool experience if you’ve never been. Not to mention, the Lexington, Kentucky area is some of the most beautiful countryside you’ll ever see. Not to change the subject, but to change the subject… Benjamin and I are officially furniture owners! I am not talking hand-me-down furniture; I am talking brand new furniture owners! Pretty exciting stuff- minus the money we spent. However, proud to say we stayed within budget. To change the subject again, my good friend, Kelsey, and I got to present at a national conference for our profession this past week. It was an honor to have been nominated to present! Such a cool experience.

In other really freaking exciting news, my best friends from home got engaged at the beginning of March! HUGE SHOUT OUT to my best friends Sarah Graf and Kyle Sipos for getting engaged and being an amazing role model for true love and happiness. I am truly honored to be standing next to my best friend as her Maid of Honor, and am super freaking excited to be part of this new journey with them.

Well, friends, I think that’s all I have for now. Hopefully, if I can remember, I will share another update early this summer- pending Courtney Carol Tipton becomes a full-time employee at a bad ass school or company. (Job prayers are very much needed and appreciated right now! Haha.)

With hopes of being a better blogger,

Court

Some pics to add for the new year!

January 3, 2014January 3, 2014Leave a comment

The beginning of a new year always feels like a clean slate! Hope y’all take advantage of this new year to keep doing what you do, or change up your same old same old.

Taking in the new year with my best friend, the Sarah Graf! 🙂

My apologies for the cheesiness of this pic… but enjoying a big ‘ol smooch from this kid. Haha.

A new journey…

January 3, 2014January 5, 2014Leave a comment

Hello friends,

It has been way too long since I last wrote; August to be exact. Need I remind you, this is January of a new year. I am absolutely ridiculous!

Anyways, I figured I would share what’s new and exciting in my life because a lot has changed over the course of a semester. Since I last wrote in August, I have completed my second to last semester of graduate school at the University of South Carolina, managed to land myself a 4.0 for the semester, established some pretty awesome friendships, presented at a regional conference with one of my best friends, ran two 5Ks, ran one 10K, got talked into registering for a half marathon, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky. Whewwww. It has been one long, stressful, and anxious semester, but going into the best holiday of the year (Christmas) so many prayers were answered. I couldn’t be more humbled, grateful, and appreciative.

Now, allow me to break down my list a bit. I have ONE semester left of graduate school. For those that don’t already know, I am in the Higher Education and Student Affairs master’s program at the University of South Carolina. Anyone considering higher education as a profession should seriously consider the HESA program at USC. I have absolutely loved my experience, and have met the most amazing people and established the greatest friendships. Anyways, I only have two elective courses and a comprehensive exam standing between me and graduation! I see the finish line, but it’s safe to say I have a pretty bad cramp in my side hindering my motivation to run any faster. Regardless, here’s to hoping this semester will be as good as others!

The second point about having a 4.0 doesn’t really need any elaboration. I was mostly just excited that I pulled it off because I was certain a 4.0 wasn’t in my future when I submitted my last research paper. Haha.

Friendships. Friends play an enormous role in my life. I have learned so many life lessons from my friendships. I made some amazing friends at the University of Tampa while I was an undergrad. Shout out to all my Spartans! Sorry for not keeping in touch the way a good friend would, but please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers always! My friends in HESA are some of my closest… shout out to all my Gamecocks! A very very special shout out to JB, KJ, CBall, Phillip, Asian, Ry, Laura, Andrew, Kate, LoCo, Jackilla, and Hayley. Another big shout out to Romey, Carlier, Beggs, Katie, Jewels, Samurai, Humphrey, Denny, and Gilly. I know I am missing people… no hard feelings please. I am just so unbelievably blessed by the friendships listed and not listed. Taking it back a bit, I am so grateful that my friendships from high school are still flourishing. Through the weird days as teenagers, high school graduation, going away to college, college graduation, the summers in between, the parties in Cincinnati, and the always memorable riding parties- we’ve been through it all together friends! I love you all so much. Last, I am so excited for the friendships to come with colleagues, neighbors, classmates, and friends of friends here in Louisville.

I promise I’m trying to keep this short and sweet… well, drop the short and keep the sweet. 🙂 Moving on to the next bullet point on my list of updates: running. Oh, running! Running and I have a love hate relationship. I absolutely hate it while I’m doing it, but the feeling after a long run is so exhilarating. Anyways, one of my dear friends (Amanda) talked me into running a half marathon. I am so glad she talked me into it because I’ve always wanted to run a marathon… so this will be a GREAT pre-cursor. Haha. With a gallant effort to get in shape and start running more, I completed two 5 Ks and a 10K this past semester. I ran all three races straight through (minus a short walk to during the 10K). For me, it was a huge accomplishment, and I am super excited for the half in April. Wish me luck!

Last, but certainly not least, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky two weeks before Christmas! I applied for a full-time position working with Housing and Residence Life at the University of Louisville, but unfortunately did not get the position. However, the Director of Housing decided to offer me a graduate assistantship working directly with her and the leadership team for the spring semester. My goal was to be job searching in the Louisville area, so the opportunity was perfect! I am extremely excited to have been offered the graduate assistantship position. I am finishing my last two electives at the University of Louisville while I work as a graduate assistant for Housing and Residence Life.

I have a feeling 2014 is going to be another great year! But then again, it’s all in our attitude, right?! If you keep up the positivity, do what you need to make a change, and commit to making yourself and others happy- then 2014 will be your year, too! Praying that God answers your prayers, and wishing you all the happiest this new year.

With love,

Court

2013 in review

January 2, 2014Leave a comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,200 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 20 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Louisville On My Mind

August 13, 2013August 13, 2013Leave a comment

Louisville, Kentucky

A summer of love, friendships, and learning opportunities in the city that stole my heart.

Oh, Louisville. What have you done to my heart? I arrive to your city with just a couple of suitcases to get me through the summer, and now I find myself perplexed as to why I ever had to leave. Who would have thought two and half months would change my life forever?

But you, Louisville….you did.

Every morning since my return to Carolina, I wake up wishing I could walk along your river’s edge. My mind always floats back to the memories of strolling along your pedestrian bridge, or walking along Main Street and soaking up the glory and culture of your city and its love. I long for the friendships and people that I met within the walls of your fortress. You created a safe haven for me to discover the old me that has been buried deep inside for far too long. Your welcoming skyline is in my dreams each night. And on my worst days, I go back to those unforgettable moments driving through your countryside; the place I wish to someday call home. And when I just can’t take the pain of missing you any longer, I smile… because in that moment, your smell, your noise, your looks, your touch, and your taste all come rushing back to me. They wash over me and flood my heart with nothing but love, appreciation, and comfort for all that your city has instilled in my heart.

You’re on my mind and in my heart sweet Louisville. I just sure hope I’m on yours.

Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you?

July 19, 2013July 19, 20133 Comments

Well, we are officially six days from celebrating Christmas in July! In case you were wondering.

Here are my thoughts:

1) I don’t know who came up with the bright idea to celebrate the mid-point til Christmas, but it’s really the most frustrating tease. For those that don’t know, Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and I really don’t appreciate that people in this lovely society like to dangle it like bait in my Christmas loving fish face!

2) Celebrating Christmas in July serves as an unfortunate reminder that your summer is practically over. Therefore, enjoy your last sweet summer week in July because August is going to come crashing in on you before you know it. (For those in education, you know what I mean about August.)

3) The other obnoxious thing about Christmas in July is that I am now thinking about the LONG and GRUESOME six months until Christmas actually gets here…. (five long months until it’s socially acceptable to start listening to Christmas music.)

4) Don’t mind me and my cynicism. I will just sit here and pout as we approach the mid-point til the best day of the entire year.

Start Something That Matters

June 20, 2013June 20, 2013Leave a comment

Hello fellow bloggers and readers,

I wanted to take the time to share with you a great book recommendation before the summer comes to an unfortunate end- even though it’s only June. I am sure everyone’s reading lists have grown exponentially with it being the summer reading season, but I promise this book will be well worth the three to four day read. I took a beautiful Instagram picture of the book below (I will take compliments on my fabulous photography skills later). 😛

Anyways, the book is called Start Something That Matters, and it’s written by the founder of TOMS Shoes. It’s an in depth story of how TOMS Shoes got started, the challenges Blake faced starting the business, and the life lessons he’s learned along the way. If you’re into books that are sincerely inspirational and insightful, I would take the to check-out, rent, buy, or borrow this book. It’s a quick read, but leaves you thinking critically about the difference you can make.

Courtney C. T. Zeigler (Tipton)

Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.

A rather boring update on my life.

Some pics to add for the new year!

2013 in review

Louisville On My Mind

Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you?

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