On students' stupidity, professional development and the goodness of my heart

What a day!

I broke up a party. No, that's not right. I walked in on the aftermath of a party. I was walking through the hall - knowing that a lot of partying and drinking would be going on today. On my first round, a few rooms stood out to me as rooms we should keep an eye on. I decided to walk through one of my male corridors again (their RA was out of town, so I figured the corridor may need a little more attention). That time, as I'm walking through, a student exits the room. He barely open the door, squeezed through and was clearly trying to block me from being able to look into the room. It couldn't have been any more obvious. He also reeked off alcohol.
After that, I just went into "ResLife routine" - asking him to open the door, getting the students' IDs, having them take out (and recycle!) the empty cans and bottles (there was over 50), asking them to dump out the rest of the alcohol (another 20 cans/bottles).
But here's the thing: for one of the students, this may be his third alcohol violation. We have a policy here that states that if you're found responsible for your third violation, you will be, at minimum, suspended for one semester.
I've worked in ResLife long enough to realize that I did what I had to do and that it was the student, who put himself into this situation. But that's what I just don't get. After you were found responsible for two violations and knowing what the policy is, WHY would you put yourself in that situation??? Especially on a weekend where you know more staff is around because there are traditionally more alcohol incidents. I mean, I realize that for some students alcohol is part of the college experience, but is it really worth risking your chance to continue going to college??? I mean, seriously, don't be stupid!!!

Another interesting aspect of my day was a conversation I had with a central staff member about professional development. I've been struggling with figuring out how I could continue working on my professional development. I am going to conferences regularly; I'm involved in some committees at my institution as well as through national organizations. But it feels like there's something missing. I don't feel like I'm doing enough to challenge myself, to continue learning. I've asked my supervisor for feedback, but didn't get much concrete suggestions on what I can work on. Everyone tells me I'm doing a good job. But there has to be more, right?
Maybe I just need to commit more time to reading articles and books on my own. I don't know. But there has to be something else that I can do.

Last but not least, let me tell you a story of what happens when you have these "great" ideas and decide to do things out of the "goodness of your heart." Last Fall, my staff and I talked about how "cool" it would be if we organized a service trip for residents in our building over Spring Break. Well, I'm the type of person, who - once we've come up with an idea - follows through and makes it happen. So I did. And now, in two days, I'm leaving on our trip.
I'm not ready. I haven't had time to think about things I need to buy and bring, packing, figuring out directions and other details, organizing evening events, and and and. And part of me wishes I could just spend the break sleeping in, reading, relaxing and doing nothing.
I know I'll have fun once we're on the road, but right now, I'm not all that thrilled about going and about all the things I still have to organize.

Talking about that, I should get going. Wish me luck!