Hello, Friends!
You have probably heard that “selfie” was proclaimed as Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year for 2013. That, combined with the fact that Ollie and I have news, made it seem fitting to attempt a Ollie and BOP iPhone selfie photo shoot yesterday in front of the Christmas tree. And do you know how hard it is to take a selfie with a lab? Try it sometime; and good luck. Here we are:
So, the news … I’m going back to work full time, and opening my own business {details, below}! And thus; Olliebop is going on a longterm sabbatical. I know that you regular readers aren’t surprised in the least, as posting has dwindled to a pitiful degree. The site will stay up, though, and I hope that we’ll still have visitors who will enjoy @ 150 past posts {start with the links on the righthand sidebar!}. This change is bittersweet, but I know that it’s time. I’m excited to focus on my professional life, as well as spending real, live time with my family. I can’t believe that 2014 will bring with it two teenagers; one of them driving!
The details… In Feburary, I will launch my private practice in college admissions consulting. I work with high school students and their families in their college admissions process. I’ve been consulting part time with students this past year, and I’m looking forward expand by business. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of matching students with colleges that are the best possible match for them.
I’m glad to be returning to my professional roots. I’ve worked intensively with college students, and I have a Master’s in Higher Ed/Student Affairs Administration. This past year, I was a student once again; working toward a certificate in College Admissions Counseling, attending conferences, connecting with colleagues, and becoming immersed in current trends in college admissions. It’s rewarding and engaging; and the ideal fit for my background, interests, and skills. I’m loving it!
Please email me at beth@collegeandcompany.com, if you’d like to be notified when my website and free college admissions newsletter go live. I am glad to serve as a helpful resource for high school students and their families, both locally and from afar.
In conclusion …
I have enjoyed blogging for fun over the past three + years, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining us! Olliebop has been a fantastic family scrapbook, which has helped keep my mind in a place to see the good. I’ve loved the creativity, photography, and seeing busy family life through a more optimistic lens. I would also like to thank Mr. BOP, Hudson, and Ella for cooperating with my photo documentation and musings. I hope that we captured some family moments that they will later treasure.
I think back to when I started this blog more than three years ago. I felt a bit lost, and unsure of what to do. The kids were off to school and growing so quickly — and I {with Ollie as sidekick} was left, saying “now what?” It’s a hard and funny time; this mid life. So much has changed, even in these past few years. There has been joy, tears, laughter, fear, success, happiness, sadness, adventure, hardship, and growth …. everything that that comes along with this crazy and often-wonderful time in life.
As I’m finishing up here, Ollie is on his bed — in the midst of a dream. He makes these little “whoop! whoop!” sounds, and his feet twitch. We always say that he’s chasing bunnies. I at least hope that he’s doing something in his dream that makes him happy. He’s a sweet boy, and he deserves to have sweet dreams. As do we all.
Thank you so much for reading my blog. I wish the best for you and your family — love, joy, adventure, and fun. It’s all there, amidst these fleeting lives that we lead. I’m just so grateful for all of it.
With love, BOP
