Confession: When I moved to Columbia I was miserable. I missed Virginia, I missed my friends, I missed my family, I missed Virginia Tech -- I missed the comforts of home, of what I knew. I wasn't open to this place, I didn't want to make a new home for myself, I thought of it as a temporary placeholder where I would go to school and work for two years. I had no intention of forming community here.
Last month I went home for the wedding of one of my sweet childhood friends. It was wonderful to be back in the Old Dominion and enjoy a packed weekend of meeting up with Megan in D.C., the wedding, spending a night in Williamsburg, and getting to see my best friend Beth. I didn't want to leave. My Dad dropped me off at the airport and I was a mess. I sat on my bedroom floor at home and confessed to my Mom how all I wanted to do was to be back in Virginia with my friends. I must have said the words, "I hate Columbia" about twenty times that weekend.
I was scared. It was a new place, new people, new experiences -- I didn't know how to deal with that. Now, the semester is almost over -- but the past few weeks have been so wonderful. I am finally settling in. I am enjoying it here, and I am letting myself be open to the idea of finding comfort in another home. My little apartment has become my new home. I'm learning how to navigate the city and finding short cuts to avoid traffic (thanks to some helpful hints from friends), getting into a groove during the week, and exploring new areas by myself. It's empowering. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone.
It is easier to just go about your day and not make an effort, but now I'm trying. I'm really trying, and it is paying off. It's just like any new life experience, it takes a little bit of time getting used to it, but once you're there, it starts to make sense.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
grad school vs. undergrad
Month three. Getting more and more used to my apartment, a somewhat normal schedule, and figuring out work/school/play.
Big differences between my life six months ago, and my life today...
1. Today I am going to bed around 10:30 p.m. because I need to wake up at 5:45 to study/shower/go get coffee/get to work early before a 4-hour meeting. Six months ago I stayed at the Empo until 1:30 am, slept, woke up at 7, and functioned completely fine.
2. I drink coffee. This is a big step for me. I have always loved iced coffee, but hot coffee has never really been my thing. I don't even have a coffee maker/machine/whatever you call it in my apartment if that tells you anything. I might need to invest in one. Six months ago I would occasionally drink a vanilla latte, cool.
3. Six months ago I had a boatload of friends I could could call/text to meet up and grab dinner with. Today I ate tortellini on my couch and watched The Big Bang Theory while taking a study break in preparation for our Healthcare Accounting midterm.
4. Yesterday (because I didn't go to campus today) I saw, what felt like, 300 undergrads on campus, who looked so young. I mean, I'm not some outdated student by any means, and yet I felt like I needed a big sign on my forehead that said, "No, I am not dressed up to walk around campus for fun, I am a graduate student and I just came from work. I will show you my official badge if you really want." Six months ago, I was that undergrad. Maybe students at VT look older? I don't know. It all feels like it happened 10 years ago.
5. Today, no dining halls. Six months ago, West End london broil with vegetables and an oven-roasted tomato. YUM.
6. Six months ago, norts and a tee, complete with my rainbows. Today, it takes more effort. And sometimes high heels.
7. Yesterday I worked from 8:30-3:30, ran errands, was on campus by 4:45, studied, took at midterm at 5:30, was at the gym by 6:15, got home by 8, made dinner, studied, in bed around 11. Six months ago...class here and there, SGA office for majority of my day, a little studying, regular Empo nights, Cookout break with normally Megan or Lester, back to the Empo, bed. What a hard life it was.
8. Yesterday I got lost driving to Target. Six months ago, I could drive to Roanoke without a map (that's a big deal).
9. Six months ago, home was only 4.5 hours away. Today it is 7 hours, and not as easy to make a quick weekend trip.
10. Today I feel a great deal more independent and knowledgeable than I did six months ago.
11. Today I am working towards tangible goals that I know I can accomplish.
12. Today I am learning something new because I have been given an amazing opportunity that I could not be more thankful for.
There are definitely pros and cons. It's difficult, it really is. But then I remember why I'm here, and who made it possible for me to be here. I do it for him. I work hard because he knew I was meant to be here -- and that makes every day worth it.
Big differences between my life six months ago, and my life today...
1. Today I am going to bed around 10:30 p.m. because I need to wake up at 5:45 to study/shower/go get coffee/get to work early before a 4-hour meeting. Six months ago I stayed at the Empo until 1:30 am, slept, woke up at 7, and functioned completely fine.
2. I drink coffee. This is a big step for me. I have always loved iced coffee, but hot coffee has never really been my thing. I don't even have a coffee maker/machine/whatever you call it in my apartment if that tells you anything. I might need to invest in one. Six months ago I would occasionally drink a vanilla latte, cool.
3. Six months ago I had a boatload of friends I could could call/text to meet up and grab dinner with. Today I ate tortellini on my couch and watched The Big Bang Theory while taking a study break in preparation for our Healthcare Accounting midterm.
4. Yesterday (because I didn't go to campus today) I saw, what felt like, 300 undergrads on campus, who looked so young. I mean, I'm not some outdated student by any means, and yet I felt like I needed a big sign on my forehead that said, "No, I am not dressed up to walk around campus for fun, I am a graduate student and I just came from work. I will show you my official badge if you really want." Six months ago, I was that undergrad. Maybe students at VT look older? I don't know. It all feels like it happened 10 years ago.
5. Today, no dining halls. Six months ago, West End london broil with vegetables and an oven-roasted tomato. YUM.
6. Six months ago, norts and a tee, complete with my rainbows. Today, it takes more effort. And sometimes high heels.
7. Yesterday I worked from 8:30-3:30, ran errands, was on campus by 4:45, studied, took at midterm at 5:30, was at the gym by 6:15, got home by 8, made dinner, studied, in bed around 11. Six months ago...class here and there, SGA office for majority of my day, a little studying, regular Empo nights, Cookout break with normally Megan or Lester, back to the Empo, bed. What a hard life it was.
8. Yesterday I got lost driving to Target. Six months ago, I could drive to Roanoke without a map (that's a big deal).
9. Six months ago, home was only 4.5 hours away. Today it is 7 hours, and not as easy to make a quick weekend trip.
10. Today I feel a great deal more independent and knowledgeable than I did six months ago.
11. Today I am working towards tangible goals that I know I can accomplish.
12. Today I am learning something new because I have been given an amazing opportunity that I could not be more thankful for.
There are definitely pros and cons. It's difficult, it really is. But then I remember why I'm here, and who made it possible for me to be here. I do it for him. I work hard because he knew I was meant to be here -- and that makes every day worth it.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
did I make the right decision?
How do you know if you've made the right decision about anything? I guess you don't really have a concrete way of knowing if you have or not about certain events.
If you would have asked me at this time last year where I thought I would be in a year, I would have said the following: Living and attending classes at a small, private liberal arts school in Boston studying Professional Communication. This was what I wanted, or so I thought. If you had asked me last June where I saw myself in a year, I would have said this: Living and working in Washington D.C. at a public relations firm, commuting in on the metro everyday, thriving in the hustle and bustle that is D.C.
Isn't it funny how time changes everything? Now, here I am in South Carolina, one place I thought I would never be. I never wanted to go south, going north was my dream. For a while, going to school in Arkansas was my plan (where that came from I have no idea), but the fact is: we change. We make decisions/have events happen in our lives that lead us to unexpected places.
I thought about this as I was sitting and reading one of my books for healthcare accounting, wondering if I made the right decision to choose this program, to choose this path to go down, to choose this place I am in right now. I am not unhappy by any means, I am just completely unsure. I can't hold an educated conversation about healthcare; one a scale of 1-10 I have a 1.5 knowledge about Excel spreadsheets; I have never taken an economics class. These are all things that are present in my life at the moment: foreign concepts.
I chose to be here. Fate led me here. To be honest, my grandfather led me here, so in knowing that, I know peace. I know I'm here for the right reasons, but it's a learning process. It's life. That's what it's all about. Just taking life day by day and discovering where you're meant to be, and where you're meant to go.
If you would have asked me at this time last year where I thought I would be in a year, I would have said the following: Living and attending classes at a small, private liberal arts school in Boston studying Professional Communication. This was what I wanted, or so I thought. If you had asked me last June where I saw myself in a year, I would have said this: Living and working in Washington D.C. at a public relations firm, commuting in on the metro everyday, thriving in the hustle and bustle that is D.C.
Isn't it funny how time changes everything? Now, here I am in South Carolina, one place I thought I would never be. I never wanted to go south, going north was my dream. For a while, going to school in Arkansas was my plan (where that came from I have no idea), but the fact is: we change. We make decisions/have events happen in our lives that lead us to unexpected places.
I thought about this as I was sitting and reading one of my books for healthcare accounting, wondering if I made the right decision to choose this program, to choose this path to go down, to choose this place I am in right now. I am not unhappy by any means, I am just completely unsure. I can't hold an educated conversation about healthcare; one a scale of 1-10 I have a 1.5 knowledge about Excel spreadsheets; I have never taken an economics class. These are all things that are present in my life at the moment: foreign concepts.
I chose to be here. Fate led me here. To be honest, my grandfather led me here, so in knowing that, I know peace. I know I'm here for the right reasons, but it's a learning process. It's life. That's what it's all about. Just taking life day by day and discovering where you're meant to be, and where you're meant to go.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Hello, Columbia!
I've taken Columbia by storm, and I've only been here two weeks! Okay, not really. If anything, it's taken me by storm and I keep getting lost, but you know what I mean.
South Carolina is a wonderful place. The saying "southern hospitality" is alive and well. It is rare to go somewhere without someone (usually a nice southern boy) holding the door open for you, or hearing yes ma'am, or someone saying "Hi Y'all" when you walk into the grocery store. It's a nice little state -- other than getting lost a lot.
For those who have ever been in a car with me, I am directionally challenged. Very directionally challenged. So driving around a new city has been an adventure to say the least. For the first few days I still couldn't figure out how to get to any of the main roads, or the highway, or anywhere. But thanks to my handy iPhone and GPS, I figured out to get to most of the places I needed to be. Parking in a city is difficult, and I am slowly but surely learning how to parallel park (a new adventure in itself), as well as making sure I always have quarters on hand. With that combination, parking/driving it getting easier. But that's just a small look at my current life.
Cooking. Another new part of my life. I have my "go to" recipes, such as chicken parmesan, grilled cheese, spaghetti, veggie stir fry, and some other concoctions I can come up with. I can follow a recipe, almost anyone can, but finding the time to look for recipes, go get all of the ingredients and cook everything is very time consuming. I've been eating a lot of salads, grilled cheese, cereal, fruit, and have learned to appreciate the luxury, and necessity, of always having a rotisserie chicken on hand. Time will tell how that goes, but for now, it's going as well as it could be!
As far as grad school classes go, so far there is nothing I didn't expect. The most challenging concept I've discovered is attempting to understand Excel spreadsheets and formula cells (something I know nothing of), but other than that, classes are interesting and I know will prove useful as time goes on and concepts build. Right now I am waiting to figure out my graduate assistantship, probably the best part of the program. I will be working between 10 and 20 hours a week in some sort of position to help me grow and understand more about the healthcare field, but as of right now, I have no idea where that will be. What I do know, is that I don't despise reading my textbooks, something that has never been the case. My books are interesting, the information is important, relevant, and thought-provoking -- and I love that.
Something else that's wonderful are the people in my program. Although we all are very new friends, thrown into this little world called grad school together, we seem to be bonding very well. Last weekend we had a BBQ, went downtown for drinks, and got to know each other. Tomorrow is Carolina's first football game of the season, and after our class, that gets out around 8 p.m., we are heading to one of classmate's houses to watch the game together. I still don't understand football, nor particularly care for it (so sue me), but I'm excited to see how games are in Carolina in the upcoming weeks. Apparently if you don't own a garnet and black dress here, something is wrong with you. Guess I know what I'll be keeping my eyes out for!
But that's Columbia so far. A thriving new adventure for a 21-year old recent college grad trying to find her way to the nearest grocery store, parallel parking spot, and mall (something I still haven't discovered). Keep tuned for more stories to come!
South Carolina is a wonderful place. The saying "southern hospitality" is alive and well. It is rare to go somewhere without someone (usually a nice southern boy) holding the door open for you, or hearing yes ma'am, or someone saying "Hi Y'all" when you walk into the grocery store. It's a nice little state -- other than getting lost a lot.
For those who have ever been in a car with me, I am directionally challenged. Very directionally challenged. So driving around a new city has been an adventure to say the least. For the first few days I still couldn't figure out how to get to any of the main roads, or the highway, or anywhere. But thanks to my handy iPhone and GPS, I figured out to get to most of the places I needed to be. Parking in a city is difficult, and I am slowly but surely learning how to parallel park (a new adventure in itself), as well as making sure I always have quarters on hand. With that combination, parking/driving it getting easier. But that's just a small look at my current life.
Cooking. Another new part of my life. I have my "go to" recipes, such as chicken parmesan, grilled cheese, spaghetti, veggie stir fry, and some other concoctions I can come up with. I can follow a recipe, almost anyone can, but finding the time to look for recipes, go get all of the ingredients and cook everything is very time consuming. I've been eating a lot of salads, grilled cheese, cereal, fruit, and have learned to appreciate the luxury, and necessity, of always having a rotisserie chicken on hand. Time will tell how that goes, but for now, it's going as well as it could be!
As far as grad school classes go, so far there is nothing I didn't expect. The most challenging concept I've discovered is attempting to understand Excel spreadsheets and formula cells (something I know nothing of), but other than that, classes are interesting and I know will prove useful as time goes on and concepts build. Right now I am waiting to figure out my graduate assistantship, probably the best part of the program. I will be working between 10 and 20 hours a week in some sort of position to help me grow and understand more about the healthcare field, but as of right now, I have no idea where that will be. What I do know, is that I don't despise reading my textbooks, something that has never been the case. My books are interesting, the information is important, relevant, and thought-provoking -- and I love that.
Something else that's wonderful are the people in my program. Although we all are very new friends, thrown into this little world called grad school together, we seem to be bonding very well. Last weekend we had a BBQ, went downtown for drinks, and got to know each other. Tomorrow is Carolina's first football game of the season, and after our class, that gets out around 8 p.m., we are heading to one of classmate's houses to watch the game together. I still don't understand football, nor particularly care for it (so sue me), but I'm excited to see how games are in Carolina in the upcoming weeks. Apparently if you don't own a garnet and black dress here, something is wrong with you. Guess I know what I'll be keeping my eyes out for!
But that's Columbia so far. A thriving new adventure for a 21-year old recent college grad trying to find her way to the nearest grocery store, parallel parking spot, and mall (something I still haven't discovered). Keep tuned for more stories to come!
Monday, August 20, 2012
what's your secret?
We all have them. Those little pieces of information you keep wholeheartedly to yourself, or maybe you share with one person, or maybe you try to forget your secret - wishing it away completely.
Why do we keep secrets? Are we ashamed, are we scared, are we nervous, are we too proud to let the world in on our imperfection? -- there are a multitude of reasons. Secrets are in our lives for a reason. Maybe we keep them locked away so we remember how it feels to be cheated on by the love of your life, or how it felt knowing that you hurt someone you cared so much for, or that you wanted to keep that 'A' you earned on your biology test even though you had the answer key before hand. We are human beings. We are not perfect, we are flawed. That is what makes us who we are, and I do not believe we should be ashamed of that.
I started to dig through my secrets and I compiled a mental list of the top five most embarrassing/outrageous/idiotic secrets I have. I won't share them, because then they wouldn't be my secrets anymore -- the safe ties to my memories about why I created them in the first place would be set free for all to know, but I will tell you this: I have learned why I lie. It's a combination of embarrassment, insecurity, and self-doubt about myself. I think that is why everyone lies -- to save themselves from something; to make themselves look better to others; to push the truth as far away as possible.
Instead of my five secrets that are embarrassing/outrageous and idiotic, I will tell you two truths and one lie, and you can decide for yourself.
-I cry everytime my parents and I say goodbye after they have traveled to see me.
-I am afraid to love others as much as I know I can because I don't feel worthy for reciprocation.
-I hate cats.
What can you admit to yourself? You will learn a lot if you dig a little deeper and pull out some of those reasons for why you chose to keep something so close to your heart. Maybe it will make you think a little more about how you live your life -- it did so for me.
Why do we keep secrets? Are we ashamed, are we scared, are we nervous, are we too proud to let the world in on our imperfection? -- there are a multitude of reasons. Secrets are in our lives for a reason. Maybe we keep them locked away so we remember how it feels to be cheated on by the love of your life, or how it felt knowing that you hurt someone you cared so much for, or that you wanted to keep that 'A' you earned on your biology test even though you had the answer key before hand. We are human beings. We are not perfect, we are flawed. That is what makes us who we are, and I do not believe we should be ashamed of that.
I started to dig through my secrets and I compiled a mental list of the top five most embarrassing/outrageous/idiotic secrets I have. I won't share them, because then they wouldn't be my secrets anymore -- the safe ties to my memories about why I created them in the first place would be set free for all to know, but I will tell you this: I have learned why I lie. It's a combination of embarrassment, insecurity, and self-doubt about myself. I think that is why everyone lies -- to save themselves from something; to make themselves look better to others; to push the truth as far away as possible.
Instead of my five secrets that are embarrassing/outrageous and idiotic, I will tell you two truths and one lie, and you can decide for yourself.
-I cry everytime my parents and I say goodbye after they have traveled to see me.
-I am afraid to love others as much as I know I can because I don't feel worthy for reciprocation.
-I hate cats.
What can you admit to yourself? You will learn a lot if you dig a little deeper and pull out some of those reasons for why you chose to keep something so close to your heart. Maybe it will make you think a little more about how you live your life -- it did so for me.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
What Waitressing Taught Me
Back in October when I was deciding what to do this summer between graduating from Tech and starting Grad school in the fall, I narrowed my choices to two potential jobs: retail, and working in a restaurant. I quickly decided against retail because I knew I would not have enough self-control to save money (I mean I wanted to work at J.Crew or Ann Taylor Loft - hello, money would be gone in an instant), so I decided that I wanted to be a waitress.
I have a strong belief that everyone should experience certain things in life, such as: witnessing a double rainbow, finding a hobby that you love, and understanding what it takes to be a food server. I decided that this summer was my time to waitress, because after grad school the work grind starts and I will not have the opportunity to do so again.
Everyone goes out to eat, and most of the time we acknowledge our server with little to no interest in them except that they bring our foods/drinks out correctly and quickly. Most people, unless they have been a server before or are just very kind, take little time to ask their server questions or find a deeper interest in them except as a face of the restaurant who interacts with them just a few times over the period of an hour or so during their dining experience. I wanted to appreciate the service. I wanted to understand just what it takes to be a good server, and good employee/co-worker at a restaurant - so I applied for a job, and I am so glad that I did, and here is the good, the bad, the lessons learned from my summer.
The Good:
- Can now carry up to 12 full glasses on a tray balanced on my left hand
- Learned the basics of how a restaurant is managed and successfully run
- Learned how to work as a team to accomplish every little thing that needs to happen throughout the night
- The smallest gestures can go the furthest
- Servers do not just deal with getting drinks and bringing out food
- I never dropped a full tray of food (miracle...)
- I met some awesome people
The Bad:
- Things will break, they just will, and it's okay
- You will burn your fingers on something
- You will get overwhelmed at some point and may have a breakdown (or two...)
- You will get hot, and sweat, and may look disgusting by the end of the day
Lessons I Learned and Will Forever Remember:
- Some people are rude. It just happens. But others are great, and be thankful
- Be patient, we are doing all that we can for you
- Do not ever leave a bad tip. If you do you're wasting their time.
- They can't make your food/drinks/whatever come out any faster
- 99% of the time, any mistakes are not their fault
- People come from all walks of life, appreciate and accept that
It's been a wonderful learning experience and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I wanted to serve because I thought it would make me a more well-rounded person, and it definitely has.
Have you ever wanted to do anything to make yourself learn/understand/appreciate something more?
I have a strong belief that everyone should experience certain things in life, such as: witnessing a double rainbow, finding a hobby that you love, and understanding what it takes to be a food server. I decided that this summer was my time to waitress, because after grad school the work grind starts and I will not have the opportunity to do so again.
Everyone goes out to eat, and most of the time we acknowledge our server with little to no interest in them except that they bring our foods/drinks out correctly and quickly. Most people, unless they have been a server before or are just very kind, take little time to ask their server questions or find a deeper interest in them except as a face of the restaurant who interacts with them just a few times over the period of an hour or so during their dining experience. I wanted to appreciate the service. I wanted to understand just what it takes to be a good server, and good employee/co-worker at a restaurant - so I applied for a job, and I am so glad that I did, and here is the good, the bad, the lessons learned from my summer.
The Good:
- Can now carry up to 12 full glasses on a tray balanced on my left hand
- Learned the basics of how a restaurant is managed and successfully run
- Learned how to work as a team to accomplish every little thing that needs to happen throughout the night
- The smallest gestures can go the furthest
- Servers do not just deal with getting drinks and bringing out food
- I never dropped a full tray of food (miracle...)
- I met some awesome people
The Bad:
- Things will break, they just will, and it's okay
- You will burn your fingers on something
- You will get overwhelmed at some point and may have a breakdown (or two...)
- You will get hot, and sweat, and may look disgusting by the end of the day
Lessons I Learned and Will Forever Remember:
- Some people are rude. It just happens. But others are great, and be thankful
- Be patient, we are doing all that we can for you
- Do not ever leave a bad tip. If you do you're wasting their time.
- They can't make your food/drinks/whatever come out any faster
- 99% of the time, any mistakes are not their fault
- People come from all walks of life, appreciate and accept that
It's been a wonderful learning experience and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I wanted to serve because I thought it would make me a more well-rounded person, and it definitely has.
Have you ever wanted to do anything to make yourself learn/understand/appreciate something more?
Sunday, July 15, 2012
the journey through life
I started this blog over two and a half years ago during the winter break of my sophomore year -- I thought I had it all together. I was finally coming into my own at Tech, finding the friends who mattered, deciding what I wanted to do with my major and my future career -- it all made sense, or so I thought.
Now here I am, a college graduate headed to grad school trying to figure out what the next two years have in store for me. Everything has changed. I act, think, and feel nothing like how I did during winter break of my sophomore year. I wanted to be a journalist, I thought I was in love, I thought I understood what it took to work hard, I thought I knew -- myself. That is the wonderful, beautiful event that we live everyday though isn't it? We embark on a journey the minute we step out of bed in the morning, into this world we call 'life' -- to try and understand what purpose we serve and how to be a better person than we were the day before. Every person on this planet is different, but there are, I believe, a few things we all have in common: we want to love, we want to be loved, we want to succeed, and we want to be the best "me" possible.
It's not enough that we go through the motions of life, what matters is that every step is a journey. That's why I titled my blog the way that I did, because I wanted to journal my journey and see where I would end up and how I would evolve over time. At this very moment, 9:18 p.m. on July 15, 2012, I feel this way: I am getting more and more anxious about moving 7 hours away from home in just three weeks; I feel that I am currently living in the best and healthiest body I have had in many, many years; I laugh without judgment; I try to live without overanalyzing people/situations/events; I am learning how to handle my stress.
I feel like I ramble on about change a lot when I write about how I have changed and etc etc but I think that is the point I am at in my life right now where things seem to keep getting better and are constantly changing to show me different vantage points on a daily basis -- end rant.
In two months my life will be somewhere along these lines:
5:30 a.m. - Wake up
6:00 a.m. - Gym
8:00 a.m. - Graduate assistantship at a local hospital or doctor's office in SC
3:00 p.m. - Finish assistantship for the day
4:15 pm. - Class
8:30 p.m. - Finish Class
9:00 p.m. - Dinner and Homework
11:00 p.m. - Bed
The journey through life continues, and it only becomes more exciting and unknown as we go.
Now here I am, a college graduate headed to grad school trying to figure out what the next two years have in store for me. Everything has changed. I act, think, and feel nothing like how I did during winter break of my sophomore year. I wanted to be a journalist, I thought I was in love, I thought I understood what it took to work hard, I thought I knew -- myself. That is the wonderful, beautiful event that we live everyday though isn't it? We embark on a journey the minute we step out of bed in the morning, into this world we call 'life' -- to try and understand what purpose we serve and how to be a better person than we were the day before. Every person on this planet is different, but there are, I believe, a few things we all have in common: we want to love, we want to be loved, we want to succeed, and we want to be the best "me" possible.
It's not enough that we go through the motions of life, what matters is that every step is a journey. That's why I titled my blog the way that I did, because I wanted to journal my journey and see where I would end up and how I would evolve over time. At this very moment, 9:18 p.m. on July 15, 2012, I feel this way: I am getting more and more anxious about moving 7 hours away from home in just three weeks; I feel that I am currently living in the best and healthiest body I have had in many, many years; I laugh without judgment; I try to live without overanalyzing people/situations/events; I am learning how to handle my stress.
I feel like I ramble on about change a lot when I write about how I have changed and etc etc but I think that is the point I am at in my life right now where things seem to keep getting better and are constantly changing to show me different vantage points on a daily basis -- end rant.
In two months my life will be somewhere along these lines:
5:30 a.m. - Wake up
6:00 a.m. - Gym
8:00 a.m. - Graduate assistantship at a local hospital or doctor's office in SC
3:00 p.m. - Finish assistantship for the day
4:15 pm. - Class
8:30 p.m. - Finish Class
9:00 p.m. - Dinner and Homework
11:00 p.m. - Bed
The journey through life continues, and it only becomes more exciting and unknown as we go.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
moments everyone needs more of
This summer I have become a Thought Catalog addict. Everyone has their normal routine when they casually open their laptop/desktop and go online. Mine, for the past several months has been: Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, Scholar (Virginia Tech's version of Blackboard) and some Pinterest thrown in there. In early May of this year, I saw a post on Twitter about Thought Catalog and decided to check it out, and I could not have been more glad that I did. As an English major, I enjoy lighthearted essays/short stories about everyday events (i.e., blogs, features articles, etc) and Thought Catalog is basically that.
One of the first posts I stumbled across on the website was one entitled "Moments Everyone Needs More Of," which detailed moments that would seemingly make everyone's lives better if these were to happen on any given day in a person's life. I liked the idea. I liked what the post had to say, and I agreed with it to an extent. Now, I have decided to make my own list of "Moments Everyone Needs More Of" that I believe would make for a pleasant surprise in our everyday world of hustle and bustle.
1. Go on a spur of the moment road trip for your own sanity.
2. Put down the windows and drive not worrying about how your hair will look or how hot it is outside.
3. Surprise yourself.
4. Do something that makes you feel like a carefree kid.
5. Eat a popsicle, outside, in July and enjoy every sugary ounce dripping down the back of your hand.
6. Take a bubble bath.
7. Sing at the top of your lungs while you drive.
8. Prove to yourself that you can get what you want.
9. Treat yourself to some superfluous purchase.
10. Let someone make you feel worthy of being loved.
All of these things take you out of the commotion-filled world that we are surrounded by everyday.
The best moments are usually the underrated ones, the ones that are cloaked in the quiet. In the end, these are the kind of things that you’ll remember — the things that made you feel human.
One of the first posts I stumbled across on the website was one entitled "Moments Everyone Needs More Of," which detailed moments that would seemingly make everyone's lives better if these were to happen on any given day in a person's life. I liked the idea. I liked what the post had to say, and I agreed with it to an extent. Now, I have decided to make my own list of "Moments Everyone Needs More Of" that I believe would make for a pleasant surprise in our everyday world of hustle and bustle.
1. Go on a spur of the moment road trip for your own sanity.
2. Put down the windows and drive not worrying about how your hair will look or how hot it is outside.
3. Surprise yourself.
4. Do something that makes you feel like a carefree kid.
5. Eat a popsicle, outside, in July and enjoy every sugary ounce dripping down the back of your hand.
6. Take a bubble bath.
7. Sing at the top of your lungs while you drive.
8. Prove to yourself that you can get what you want.
9. Treat yourself to some superfluous purchase.
10. Let someone make you feel worthy of being loved.
All of these things take you out of the commotion-filled world that we are surrounded by everyday.
The best moments are usually the underrated ones, the ones that are cloaked in the quiet. In the end, these are the kind of things that you’ll remember — the things that made you feel human.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Dobie: One Year.
On June 21, 2011, I wrote this:
I think my Grandpa is the best thing since sliced bread.
It is still one of the truest statements I have ever written, and I believe it every time I think about my grandfather who I called "Dobie." (Side note -- I've been calling him Dobie since I could speak, circa 1992, so I think JK Rowling might need to give me credit - ha!) Dobie always called me his "sack of potatoes."
It's been a little less than a year since Dobie passed away. July 14 will be one year to be exact. Before Dobie, I had been fortunate that I had not lost anyone close to me that I had known at an older age.
The entire scene played out in a time span of a short three days...
July 11: My parents and I were flying home from a friend's wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. My parents flew into Richmond, while I was flying into Lynchburg since I spent the summer at Tech. It was my first experience flying by myself, and although I had no fear of flying, I was nervous about getting to my gate(s) on time and making sure I could find my way around. From Boston I flew into Charlotte, NC, where my carry on was taken with the rest of the larger baggage due to lack of overhead space -- sure, fine, no problem -- but as soon as I got on the plane I had a feeling my bag hadn't been put on the plane. When I landed in Lynchburg, my assumption turned out to be correct. At this point it is 6:30 p.m., the day before Freshman Orientation at Virginia Tech, where I am scheduled to work at 7:30 a.m. at the SGA Hokie Effect booth to promote the shirts and SGA as a whole. With my bag still in Charlotte, my phone at 5% battery (charger in my bag in Charlotte) and being the ONLY passenger in the tiny Lynchburg airport, for some reason my emotions got the best of me and I literally sat down in the middle of the floor and started crying because I didn't know what to do. The people who worked at the airline were very kind and helpful, but I still wouldn't get my bag back for another two hours. What was I supposed to do for two hours? I was tired, hungry, and just a little pissed off. Well, since I was in Lynchburg, I called one of my most trusted sisters, Ellen, and she immediately told me to drive to her house and that we were going out to dinner. I showed up, and so did two of my other sorority sisters (who accepted me at a nice dinner even though I was clad in an oversized Tech shirt and running shorts, hair in a messy bun). Dinner made everything better.
I got back to the airport after they called me to tell me that my bag had safely arrived, and I picked it up and was on my way to school, my phone still about to die. My parents called to make sure everything was going smoothly, told them I was on my way home and that my phone was about to die so I would call when I got back to Blacksburg. I eventually got back to school, around 11 p.m., charged my phone a little, called my parents, and immediately received a verbal smackdown for not calling sooner. I explained the phone situation, but no matter what I said I was still in the wrong. I knew something wasn't right, this wasn't like my parents. I ended up angrily hanging up on my Mom, giving both of us a few needed minutes to calm down. Ten minutes later she called back, told me to sit down, and that she needed to tell me something...I sat down, and prepared myself for whatever she had to say. Today, Didi (my grandma) and Dobie were on their porch having wine, just line any other night after dinner, and Dobie asked Didi if she would like another glass, she said 'That would be nice Kit, thank you,' so he went inside to get her one, my Mom said. He was taking a while, so she started thinking 'What the heck is taking him so long the wine is right on the counter,' so Didi went inside to see what Dobie was doing, and she found him laying unconscious on the kitchen floor... My heart sank. I didn't even know what to say to my Mom on the phone. "Didi tried to give him CPR, she yelled for the neighbors, she called 911...my mom begins to cry...they rushed him to the hospital and he is in ICU on life support right now.... My Dad gets on the phone...Kels, listen, Dobie's strong, don't worry, go to bed you've had a long day, we will talk in the morning and figure out if you need to come home. We love you, goodnight.
I couldn't even say anything, I just hung up. I sat in my bed and didn't even know what to think, I didn't cry. It takes a lot for me to cry, and just thinking about the future and what could happen and Dobie in the hospital, I lost it. I called my parents at 1:30 a.m., my Mom groggily answering the phone, and all I could say was He can't die yet, he can't die yet. I wasn't coherent, I couldn't say anything else, my body and mind wouldn't let me. My Mom replied with, I know, Kels, I know...Her voice gave it all away. We were all feeling the same way, we all knew what was going to happen, we just couldn't come to terms with it yet.
July 12: Orientation Day 1. I woke up early and arrived at Squires around 7 a.m. to set up for the day. My mind was with my grandfather; my eyes were glazed over, I was barely talking. I wasn't myself at all. I made it through the morning, then decided to get my oil changed (why that took precedence I have no idea) and while at the mechanic I got a call from my Mom. Hi Kels, umm, I...(the tears begin)...you need to come home. Pack a bag, leave now, come home. And that's what I did. That was what I did. I called my Little on the way home, she kindly came over and packed for me because I couldn't seem to form thoughts or words, I filled up my car, and I was on my way home. I don't remember driving four and a half hours, all I remember is getting home and getting in the car with my Dad to drive to VA Beach.
We arrived at the hospital around 4 p.m. I was the last one to arrive, and as the elevator doors opened, my entire family was in the waiting room. Friends of my family -- everyone was there. Mom and my Aunt took me back to see Dobie. He opened his eyes for me, looked right at me, I squeezed his hand. We had about four seconds of eye contact, and that was it. He didn't open his eyes ever again. He waited for me, his "sack of potatoes," to get there.
From there, everything is a blur of two days. He passed away that Wednesday, July 14, when all of us had left his room. So many details encompassed those next two days and they are all present in my mind, but make no sense at all. Driving home from the funeral was surreal, and my Mom and I witnessed several sights that I still can't believe were real; signs from Dobie to let us know he is now okay.
I want to say thank you for those of you who were there for me this summer through everything: Bitty, Jaime, Corbin, Emily, Stevie, and the rest of you, you know who you are. I couldn't have done it without you all. And here's to Dobie, one of the greatest men I have ever known.
I think my Grandpa is the best thing since sliced bread.
It is still one of the truest statements I have ever written, and I believe it every time I think about my grandfather who I called "Dobie." (Side note -- I've been calling him Dobie since I could speak, circa 1992, so I think JK Rowling might need to give me credit - ha!) Dobie always called me his "sack of potatoes."
It's been a little less than a year since Dobie passed away. July 14 will be one year to be exact. Before Dobie, I had been fortunate that I had not lost anyone close to me that I had known at an older age.
The entire scene played out in a time span of a short three days...
July 11: My parents and I were flying home from a friend's wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. My parents flew into Richmond, while I was flying into Lynchburg since I spent the summer at Tech. It was my first experience flying by myself, and although I had no fear of flying, I was nervous about getting to my gate(s) on time and making sure I could find my way around. From Boston I flew into Charlotte, NC, where my carry on was taken with the rest of the larger baggage due to lack of overhead space -- sure, fine, no problem -- but as soon as I got on the plane I had a feeling my bag hadn't been put on the plane. When I landed in Lynchburg, my assumption turned out to be correct. At this point it is 6:30 p.m., the day before Freshman Orientation at Virginia Tech, where I am scheduled to work at 7:30 a.m. at the SGA Hokie Effect booth to promote the shirts and SGA as a whole. With my bag still in Charlotte, my phone at 5% battery (charger in my bag in Charlotte) and being the ONLY passenger in the tiny Lynchburg airport, for some reason my emotions got the best of me and I literally sat down in the middle of the floor and started crying because I didn't know what to do. The people who worked at the airline were very kind and helpful, but I still wouldn't get my bag back for another two hours. What was I supposed to do for two hours? I was tired, hungry, and just a little pissed off. Well, since I was in Lynchburg, I called one of my most trusted sisters, Ellen, and she immediately told me to drive to her house and that we were going out to dinner. I showed up, and so did two of my other sorority sisters (who accepted me at a nice dinner even though I was clad in an oversized Tech shirt and running shorts, hair in a messy bun). Dinner made everything better.
I got back to the airport after they called me to tell me that my bag had safely arrived, and I picked it up and was on my way to school, my phone still about to die. My parents called to make sure everything was going smoothly, told them I was on my way home and that my phone was about to die so I would call when I got back to Blacksburg. I eventually got back to school, around 11 p.m., charged my phone a little, called my parents, and immediately received a verbal smackdown for not calling sooner. I explained the phone situation, but no matter what I said I was still in the wrong. I knew something wasn't right, this wasn't like my parents. I ended up angrily hanging up on my Mom, giving both of us a few needed minutes to calm down. Ten minutes later she called back, told me to sit down, and that she needed to tell me something...I sat down, and prepared myself for whatever she had to say. Today, Didi (my grandma) and Dobie were on their porch having wine, just line any other night after dinner, and Dobie asked Didi if she would like another glass, she said 'That would be nice Kit, thank you,' so he went inside to get her one, my Mom said. He was taking a while, so she started thinking 'What the heck is taking him so long the wine is right on the counter,' so Didi went inside to see what Dobie was doing, and she found him laying unconscious on the kitchen floor... My heart sank. I didn't even know what to say to my Mom on the phone. "Didi tried to give him CPR, she yelled for the neighbors, she called 911...my mom begins to cry...they rushed him to the hospital and he is in ICU on life support right now.... My Dad gets on the phone...Kels, listen, Dobie's strong, don't worry, go to bed you've had a long day, we will talk in the morning and figure out if you need to come home. We love you, goodnight.
I couldn't even say anything, I just hung up. I sat in my bed and didn't even know what to think, I didn't cry. It takes a lot for me to cry, and just thinking about the future and what could happen and Dobie in the hospital, I lost it. I called my parents at 1:30 a.m., my Mom groggily answering the phone, and all I could say was He can't die yet, he can't die yet. I wasn't coherent, I couldn't say anything else, my body and mind wouldn't let me. My Mom replied with, I know, Kels, I know...Her voice gave it all away. We were all feeling the same way, we all knew what was going to happen, we just couldn't come to terms with it yet.
July 12: Orientation Day 1. I woke up early and arrived at Squires around 7 a.m. to set up for the day. My mind was with my grandfather; my eyes were glazed over, I was barely talking. I wasn't myself at all. I made it through the morning, then decided to get my oil changed (why that took precedence I have no idea) and while at the mechanic I got a call from my Mom. Hi Kels, umm, I...(the tears begin)...you need to come home. Pack a bag, leave now, come home. And that's what I did. That was what I did. I called my Little on the way home, she kindly came over and packed for me because I couldn't seem to form thoughts or words, I filled up my car, and I was on my way home. I don't remember driving four and a half hours, all I remember is getting home and getting in the car with my Dad to drive to VA Beach.
We arrived at the hospital around 4 p.m. I was the last one to arrive, and as the elevator doors opened, my entire family was in the waiting room. Friends of my family -- everyone was there. Mom and my Aunt took me back to see Dobie. He opened his eyes for me, looked right at me, I squeezed his hand. We had about four seconds of eye contact, and that was it. He didn't open his eyes ever again. He waited for me, his "sack of potatoes," to get there.
From there, everything is a blur of two days. He passed away that Wednesday, July 14, when all of us had left his room. So many details encompassed those next two days and they are all present in my mind, but make no sense at all. Driving home from the funeral was surreal, and my Mom and I witnessed several sights that I still can't believe were real; signs from Dobie to let us know he is now okay.
I want to say thank you for those of you who were there for me this summer through everything: Bitty, Jaime, Corbin, Emily, Stevie, and the rest of you, you know who you are. I couldn't have done it without you all. And here's to Dobie, one of the greatest men I have ever known.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Lessons I Learned as an Undergrad
Four years at Virginia Tech taught me many lessons. I learned that I absolutely, 100 percent, must have my alone time during the day; that sisters make the best of friends; and that Friday nights are best spent laughing and dancing hilariously in the car on your way to Cookout at midnight. I loved undergrad. I would have done many things differently, treated many relationships differently -- but that's behind me, no going back now. Four years taught me a lot, and one thing is for sure, I would not do it again. Why try to change the four years that changed you? Everything happened the way that it should have at the time it was supposed to, and I would not want to taint that.
Just for fun, here is a list of a few important lessons that I learned during undergrad:
1. Make time for some good, old fashioned fun. Now, you might be thinking, "College is PACKED full of fun, what a dumb lesson you learned..." but riddle me this: We all get caught up in our own little world -- that ten-page paper is due in two days, it's TOTS Tuesday, you want to drink. Downtown is fun, we all love a good time downtown. But sometimes you need to take a break from homework, from the downtown life, to engage in a little old, fashioned fun. Next you might be thinking, "What do you mean by 'old-fashioned fun'?" Here is what I mean: laughing until you can't breathe, watching Disney movies until 3 a.m., sleepovers at your friends' apartment, singing your heart out to "Call Me Maybe" as you drive down Main Street. The fun that is innocent, small, but means the world to you and your friends in the moment. Take some time for good, old fashioned fun.
2. Take advantage of your surrounding opportunities. For those of you who the know me well, or who known the "Virginia Tech Kelsey Heiter," you know that I defined myself by my activities in college. Whether this was a good or bad decision is not for you to decide, it is what I did and I don't regret it in the least. Running from meeting to meeting, then off to the Empo to finish homework before going to bed at 2 a.m. -- I loved it, I thrived off of it; it made me who I am today. My motive? I wanted to do everything that I possibly could because I knew I would never be able to do it again. When are we ever again going to have over 700 clubs and extra curricular activities at our fingertips, with over 25,000 people to engage with, as well as a community that welcomes us with open arms for the majority of the year? For most of us, the answer is never again. During college we live in a fun little bubble; a bubble of friends, opportunities; everything that we need, for the most part, surrounds us in this very place. I wanted to soak in every chance I had to make a difference, make an impact, or leave my mark at Virginia Tech. These activities defined my life for the past four years, introduced me to some of the most amazing individuals I have ever met, and made me realize how blessed we are to have these opportunities at our disposal. Take advantage of what is around you, do not pass any significant opportunity for some extra sleep or a half off pitcher at the Cellar.
3. Learn something new, and own it. We come to college to learn. Learn about mechanical engineering, or the history behind the French language -- whatever it is, we can safely say we learn at least something new in each class. I learned lots of new ideas/concepts/thoughts/people/opinions/etc. at Tech -- we all did. Luckily, several important people showed me how to take what I learned and enhance it one step further by owning it. For example, I learned in leadership class freshman year, what it takes to be a good leader. From these few classes, I look those skills, and with the help of my peers and advisers, took those skills, crafted them, applied them to my life, and owned them. And I mean really owned them. I made these skills my own, put my own twist on them, and applied them to my life, as well as others. Your education is what you make of it. If you leave college knowing something new, great, but you have to do something to make it have an impact on the world, to make it important. Learn that and you will not be sorry.
4. Spend time with those who matter the most to you. The summer before my senior year I lost my grandfather. He was one of the very most important people in my life, and I miss him all the time. I was fortunate enough to spend great amounts of time with him over the years, forming a deep, special bond that I will never forget. Spend time with your grandparents, great-grandparents if you're so lucky. These individuals have much to teach us, and can offer you love, wisdom, and insight that you will never learn from a textbook or on a college campus. They have experienced life, and have something to show for it. Every time I see my grandmother, I get her to tell me another story from her life -- something small that makes her smile, or the story of how she met my grandfather, or the first time she taught my Mom to ride a bike. We never know what the next day will bring, so take the time to let those special people in your life know how much they mean to you. Your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers -- we are only on this Earth for a short while and I think sometimes we forget that.
5. Don't be afraid to show your emotions and express your opinions. We try so hard to please people through the way we dress, act, say, do, dance, laugh, cry, etc. At 21 years old I finally feel comfortable enough to laugh loud enough that I snort, or politely disagree with someone, or even cry when I feel the need. Don't hide how you feel for the sake of feeling rejected, or looked down on, by others. This is your life, why would you let your fear of not pleasing others stop you from living the way you want? Please don't. We are all made and put on this Earth because we have something unique and special to offer -- show that to the world.
College taught me about life. Sure, I learned something about communication and English, but what I really learned was why I am passionate for the things I enjoy, and how to apply that to my life to formulate some sort of career. I may be overstepping my boundaries because I am going to graduate school, so I still have two more years to fine tune my skills, but these lessons have transformed and molded me into the person I am today -- and take it or leave it, this is what you get.
Just for fun, here is a list of a few important lessons that I learned during undergrad:
1. Make time for some good, old fashioned fun. Now, you might be thinking, "College is PACKED full of fun, what a dumb lesson you learned..." but riddle me this: We all get caught up in our own little world -- that ten-page paper is due in two days, it's TOTS Tuesday, you want to drink. Downtown is fun, we all love a good time downtown. But sometimes you need to take a break from homework, from the downtown life, to engage in a little old, fashioned fun. Next you might be thinking, "What do you mean by 'old-fashioned fun'?" Here is what I mean: laughing until you can't breathe, watching Disney movies until 3 a.m., sleepovers at your friends' apartment, singing your heart out to "Call Me Maybe" as you drive down Main Street. The fun that is innocent, small, but means the world to you and your friends in the moment. Take some time for good, old fashioned fun.
2. Take advantage of your surrounding opportunities. For those of you who the know me well, or who known the "Virginia Tech Kelsey Heiter," you know that I defined myself by my activities in college. Whether this was a good or bad decision is not for you to decide, it is what I did and I don't regret it in the least. Running from meeting to meeting, then off to the Empo to finish homework before going to bed at 2 a.m. -- I loved it, I thrived off of it; it made me who I am today. My motive? I wanted to do everything that I possibly could because I knew I would never be able to do it again. When are we ever again going to have over 700 clubs and extra curricular activities at our fingertips, with over 25,000 people to engage with, as well as a community that welcomes us with open arms for the majority of the year? For most of us, the answer is never again. During college we live in a fun little bubble; a bubble of friends, opportunities; everything that we need, for the most part, surrounds us in this very place. I wanted to soak in every chance I had to make a difference, make an impact, or leave my mark at Virginia Tech. These activities defined my life for the past four years, introduced me to some of the most amazing individuals I have ever met, and made me realize how blessed we are to have these opportunities at our disposal. Take advantage of what is around you, do not pass any significant opportunity for some extra sleep or a half off pitcher at the Cellar.
3. Learn something new, and own it. We come to college to learn. Learn about mechanical engineering, or the history behind the French language -- whatever it is, we can safely say we learn at least something new in each class. I learned lots of new ideas/concepts/thoughts/people/opinions/etc. at Tech -- we all did. Luckily, several important people showed me how to take what I learned and enhance it one step further by owning it. For example, I learned in leadership class freshman year, what it takes to be a good leader. From these few classes, I look those skills, and with the help of my peers and advisers, took those skills, crafted them, applied them to my life, and owned them. And I mean really owned them. I made these skills my own, put my own twist on them, and applied them to my life, as well as others. Your education is what you make of it. If you leave college knowing something new, great, but you have to do something to make it have an impact on the world, to make it important. Learn that and you will not be sorry.
4. Spend time with those who matter the most to you. The summer before my senior year I lost my grandfather. He was one of the very most important people in my life, and I miss him all the time. I was fortunate enough to spend great amounts of time with him over the years, forming a deep, special bond that I will never forget. Spend time with your grandparents, great-grandparents if you're so lucky. These individuals have much to teach us, and can offer you love, wisdom, and insight that you will never learn from a textbook or on a college campus. They have experienced life, and have something to show for it. Every time I see my grandmother, I get her to tell me another story from her life -- something small that makes her smile, or the story of how she met my grandfather, or the first time she taught my Mom to ride a bike. We never know what the next day will bring, so take the time to let those special people in your life know how much they mean to you. Your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers -- we are only on this Earth for a short while and I think sometimes we forget that.
5. Don't be afraid to show your emotions and express your opinions. We try so hard to please people through the way we dress, act, say, do, dance, laugh, cry, etc. At 21 years old I finally feel comfortable enough to laugh loud enough that I snort, or politely disagree with someone, or even cry when I feel the need. Don't hide how you feel for the sake of feeling rejected, or looked down on, by others. This is your life, why would you let your fear of not pleasing others stop you from living the way you want? Please don't. We are all made and put on this Earth because we have something unique and special to offer -- show that to the world.
College taught me about life. Sure, I learned something about communication and English, but what I really learned was why I am passionate for the things I enjoy, and how to apply that to my life to formulate some sort of career. I may be overstepping my boundaries because I am going to graduate school, so I still have two more years to fine tune my skills, but these lessons have transformed and molded me into the person I am today -- and take it or leave it, this is what you get.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
and I'm back...and a college graduate.
It's time to hop back on the blogging train, friends. Here is an update on my life from the past month:
1. I turned 21 - FINALLY. With two weeks left in college, I attempted to soak up the moments of downtown with my friends to finish out senior year.
2. I graduated from Virginia Tech. A wonderful few days with family and friends was exactly the way to finish off my undergraduate career. It's been a roller coaster (but I will leave that for another post).
3. I moved back home (for the summer). I love being home, I love the town where I grew up - it's peaceful, it's relaxing, it's home. It's been great spending time with my parents (and Benny too) and my best friend and baby sister.
4. I am a waitress for the summer. So far, it's been quite the experience. Again, more on that later.
5. I am taking Accounting at community college. I will say this: I am in the minority in several ways...you can take that as you like.
And there is my update. Look out for the following:
a) How I feel about graduating/what I learned in college
b) Summer as a waitress
c) Community college adventures
d) How I feel about the journey in graduate school ahead
Here's to the future.
1. I turned 21 - FINALLY. With two weeks left in college, I attempted to soak up the moments of downtown with my friends to finish out senior year.
2. I graduated from Virginia Tech. A wonderful few days with family and friends was exactly the way to finish off my undergraduate career. It's been a roller coaster (but I will leave that for another post).
3. I moved back home (for the summer). I love being home, I love the town where I grew up - it's peaceful, it's relaxing, it's home. It's been great spending time with my parents (and Benny too) and my best friend and baby sister.
4. I am a waitress for the summer. So far, it's been quite the experience. Again, more on that later.
5. I am taking Accounting at community college. I will say this: I am in the minority in several ways...you can take that as you like.
And there is my update. Look out for the following:
a) How I feel about graduating/what I learned in college
b) Summer as a waitress
c) Community college adventures
d) How I feel about the journey in graduate school ahead
Here's to the future.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
thoughts on a thursday.
I am currently sitting in Owens by myself, at a table, eating lunch, and doing homework. It is strangely satisfying. I feel independent, and not insecure. Four years ago you wouldn't catch me dead sitting at a table by myself eating, let alone by myself in any way. I look around and see several familiar faces, but for the most part I see who I assume are freshman and sophomores trudging in from their residence halls at 11:20 am on a Thursday to grab lunch before their 12:30 class.
It's times like this where I look around and realize how far I've come since August 2008, day 1 of college. I remember moving in, knowing only one person in my dorm, but more than ready to meet as many people as possible to create my new web of friends. Each year I grew more sure of who I was becoming, excited to see where my future would lead me. Now it's here. I graduate in 29 days - it is something I cannot believe is actually here. I have been SO ready for months. Ready to leave the bubble of Blacksburg, to find out what is coming next and take life - a real life, not college life. I have cultivated amazing friendships, gained a group of sisters I could not be more thankful for, and experienced four years that have made me into the person I am today. Of course it's college and there have been high points and low points, but I have had an amazing experience and I could not be more thankful for what I have been exposed to in college, both good and bad.
Just a few thoughts on a Thursday morning. Happy April!
It's times like this where I look around and realize how far I've come since August 2008, day 1 of college. I remember moving in, knowing only one person in my dorm, but more than ready to meet as many people as possible to create my new web of friends. Each year I grew more sure of who I was becoming, excited to see where my future would lead me. Now it's here. I graduate in 29 days - it is something I cannot believe is actually here. I have been SO ready for months. Ready to leave the bubble of Blacksburg, to find out what is coming next and take life - a real life, not college life. I have cultivated amazing friendships, gained a group of sisters I could not be more thankful for, and experienced four years that have made me into the person I am today. Of course it's college and there have been high points and low points, but I have had an amazing experience and I could not be more thankful for what I have been exposed to in college, both good and bad.
Just a few thoughts on a Thursday morning. Happy April!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
decisions. graduation. 21. the future.
There are lots of exciting things happening in the next few months.
Here are updates:
1. I am going to be a Gamecock! I will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall to get my Masters in Healthcare Administration. It's exciting, and scary, but I am ready, more than ready actually, and cannot wait.
2. I found an apartment in Columbia. New city, new people, new experiences.
3. I turn 21 in fourteen days...thank.good.ness.
4. I graduate in exactly 30 days from today. How the day is approaching so quickly I do not understand.
I am currently feeling this way about these events:
Excited
Happy
Nervous
Scared
Sad
Confused
Everyday my feelings change. Sometimes I am ready to begin my future right now, and other times I never, ever want to leave Tech and my best friends. We are on a new path. I somehow thought the day would never come but it is here - all I can do is soak up the next month in Blacksburg and see what is to come.
Here are updates:
1. I am going to be a Gamecock! I will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall to get my Masters in Healthcare Administration. It's exciting, and scary, but I am ready, more than ready actually, and cannot wait.
2. I found an apartment in Columbia. New city, new people, new experiences.
3. I turn 21 in fourteen days...thank.good.ness.
4. I graduate in exactly 30 days from today. How the day is approaching so quickly I do not understand.
I am currently feeling this way about these events:
Excited
Happy
Nervous
Scared
Sad
Confused
Everyday my feelings change. Sometimes I am ready to begin my future right now, and other times I never, ever want to leave Tech and my best friends. We are on a new path. I somehow thought the day would never come but it is here - all I can do is soak up the next month in Blacksburg and see what is to come.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
university of kentucky
ACCEPTED.
I am ecstatic. Today I can breathe, relax, and know that I got into graduate school, University of Kentucky to be exact. Now comes the hard part, waiting to find out from the other schools, and making a pros and cons list for all of them (obviously, type A over here).
Here is what happened today: Yesterday I called all of my grad school programs (and forgot it was President's day and that's why no one answered any of my calls), left voicemails, etc. This morning I had a voicemail from UK with an answer about something I had inquired about (GRE scores) so I decided to call them back and thank you for getting back to me and also ask them another question: do they know when I will hear back on an acceptance or not? I quickly called back the kind lady who left me the voicemail, we chatted for a second, and then I asked her..."I don't want to seem too eager, but do you have any idea when I might hear back from the admissions office?" "Well, they actually reviewed your application yesterday, I'm looking at it right here." "Really?" "Yes, and well, I will just go ahead and tell you because that wouldn't be fair of me not too...you are offered admission! Congratulations, you got accepted!" "You're joking? Really? Oh my goodness you're sure?" "Yes! They made the decision yesterday and sent your letter in the mail, so you should be receiving the acceptance in the mail in about three days, and then an email to follow as well!" "You just made my week, thank you SO much!"
What a good day. Nothing can get me down today. And, BONUS, I will be hearing back from two other schools by next week. Life is so good.
I am ecstatic. Today I can breathe, relax, and know that I got into graduate school, University of Kentucky to be exact. Now comes the hard part, waiting to find out from the other schools, and making a pros and cons list for all of them (obviously, type A over here).
Here is what happened today: Yesterday I called all of my grad school programs (and forgot it was President's day and that's why no one answered any of my calls), left voicemails, etc. This morning I had a voicemail from UK with an answer about something I had inquired about (GRE scores) so I decided to call them back and thank you for getting back to me and also ask them another question: do they know when I will hear back on an acceptance or not? I quickly called back the kind lady who left me the voicemail, we chatted for a second, and then I asked her..."I don't want to seem too eager, but do you have any idea when I might hear back from the admissions office?" "Well, they actually reviewed your application yesterday, I'm looking at it right here." "Really?" "Yes, and well, I will just go ahead and tell you because that wouldn't be fair of me not too...you are offered admission! Congratulations, you got accepted!" "You're joking? Really? Oh my goodness you're sure?" "Yes! They made the decision yesterday and sent your letter in the mail, so you should be receiving the acceptance in the mail in about three days, and then an email to follow as well!" "You just made my week, thank you SO much!"
What a good day. Nothing can get me down today. And, BONUS, I will be hearing back from two other schools by next week. Life is so good.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
the power of a phone call
Every Monday and Wednesday between 3:45 and 4:00 p.m., I call my grandma (Didi, as I call her) on the phone to chat and hear updates about her life and give her the same about mine. This summer my grandpa passed away, the grandpa who was one of the best influences in my life and who I called Dobie, and who, in my book, was the best thing since sliced bread. Didi has had a really hard time since July and has been really sick for a few months so I want to make sure I talk to her as often as possible because I honestly don't know how long I will be able to treasure my time with her.
The point of this is to make you think. Who in your life do you wish you spoke to more? Would it make your day better to talk to your uncle on the phone for five minutes twice a week, or your best friend who is ten hours away from you? I think sometimes we don't take the time out of our day to think about this. I have the same family members I call on a daily/weekly basis, including: my mom, dad, Didi and Grandma Heiter. It's nice to hear a comforting voice when you're caught up in a busy day or week consisting of school work, meetings, a job, and tons of friends.
I treasure the 15 minute phone call I have with Didi twice a week. That phone call has the power to propel me through the rest of my week no matter what stressful situations, school work or meetings I have coming up. On Monday we talked about the zoo and what our favorite animals at the zoo are - pointless. Absolutely pointless. But who cares. I'm enjoying a carefree conversation with Didi, who loves me and puts a smile on my face for a straight 15 minutes, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
The point of this is to make you think. Who in your life do you wish you spoke to more? Would it make your day better to talk to your uncle on the phone for five minutes twice a week, or your best friend who is ten hours away from you? I think sometimes we don't take the time out of our day to think about this. I have the same family members I call on a daily/weekly basis, including: my mom, dad, Didi and Grandma Heiter. It's nice to hear a comforting voice when you're caught up in a busy day or week consisting of school work, meetings, a job, and tons of friends.
I treasure the 15 minute phone call I have with Didi twice a week. That phone call has the power to propel me through the rest of my week no matter what stressful situations, school work or meetings I have coming up. On Monday we talked about the zoo and what our favorite animals at the zoo are - pointless. Absolutely pointless. But who cares. I'm enjoying a carefree conversation with Didi, who loves me and puts a smile on my face for a straight 15 minutes, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
Monday, February 13, 2012
the day of love
Valentine's day. Some people love it, some people despise it. We've all been there. Every year my parents are my Valentines, and honestly I have no problem with that, because they love me and I love them - and isn't that what Valentines day is all about?
Tomorrow I will enjoy dinner with two of my favorite sorority sisters followed by a rigorous night at the Empo to finish two papers due at the end of this week. And I think there is nothing wrong with that. I don't know what all the hubbub about "Singles Awareness Day" is all about, there is no reason to think that way. Sure you may not have a current significant other, but someone loves you, and that's what matters. Don't go around like a sad Eeyore all day, instead, let those who you love know just that, that they are loved and should feel special. That's my take on it anyway.
My only Valentines day story is from 5th grade. His name was Josh. He came to my house in a tuxedo with two dozen roses and rang my doorbell. I opened the door, saw him, cried, and shut the door in his face. I have no idea why I did that or what scared me so much about the situation. My parents soon made me open the door, accept the flowers and thank him (keep in mind his Mom is sitting outside in my driveway in her minivan...). The next day at school he didn't even look at me, and he had all right to, but we became friends again after only two days (it's fifth grade, no one holds grudges) - and that is my exciting Valentines day story.
It's funny how our stories change over time. From 5th grade where tuxes and roses were scary and new, to college where an expensive dinner and flowers or chocolate seem to be expected, it seems like our views on Valentines have been shaped by the market and media to become this corporate holiday. It's about love, and I hope everyone remembers that.
Take time out of your day to call your parents, your grandparents or your best friend at a different school and let them know how much you appreciate them and love them. It's about the love y'all. I know I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I hope you are too.
Tomorrow I will enjoy dinner with two of my favorite sorority sisters followed by a rigorous night at the Empo to finish two papers due at the end of this week. And I think there is nothing wrong with that. I don't know what all the hubbub about "Singles Awareness Day" is all about, there is no reason to think that way. Sure you may not have a current significant other, but someone loves you, and that's what matters. Don't go around like a sad Eeyore all day, instead, let those who you love know just that, that they are loved and should feel special. That's my take on it anyway.
My only Valentines day story is from 5th grade. His name was Josh. He came to my house in a tuxedo with two dozen roses and rang my doorbell. I opened the door, saw him, cried, and shut the door in his face. I have no idea why I did that or what scared me so much about the situation. My parents soon made me open the door, accept the flowers and thank him (keep in mind his Mom is sitting outside in my driveway in her minivan...). The next day at school he didn't even look at me, and he had all right to, but we became friends again after only two days (it's fifth grade, no one holds grudges) - and that is my exciting Valentines day story.
It's funny how our stories change over time. From 5th grade where tuxes and roses were scary and new, to college where an expensive dinner and flowers or chocolate seem to be expected, it seems like our views on Valentines have been shaped by the market and media to become this corporate holiday. It's about love, and I hope everyone remembers that.
Take time out of your day to call your parents, your grandparents or your best friend at a different school and let them know how much you appreciate them and love them. It's about the love y'all. I know I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I hope you are too.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
a little bit of inspiration
One of my Kappa sisters shared this with all of us this morning and I wanted to share it with all of you:
The Life Less Bullshit Manifesto
Stop comparing yourself to everyone else and start being more you.
Find what inspires you, and mainline it. Find what moves you, and move. Find what keeps you up all night, and stay up all night. Get worked into the frenzy of being who you really are.
Decide what’s of ultimate importance, and ignore everything else. Only do work that you believe is great work. If you feel lost, join something bigger than yourself. Appreciate being a part of something, instead of stressing to be all of anything.
When you don’t know where to start, just start. If you don’t know where the beginning is, start in the middle, or start at the end. Just start, and keep going. Take the biggest risk you can think of. Take another. And another. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have enough time, or enough money. What’s “enough,” anyway? Forget about the big picture and let yourself wander aimlessly among the details. You don’t need a plan or a treasure map or a neon street sign, and you certainly don’t need to be the best. All you need to do is start, and then make one good decision after another. Being the best never comes right away.
Pay attention to the moments in which you feel pure joy. Express gratitude, out loud and often. Stop checking your email in bed; there are better ways to start the day. Read memoirs. Read fiction. Read poetry. Never stop reading. Go outside, even in bad weather. Buy yourself a present, even without an occasion. Wear pink shoes, even if they don’t match. You never need a reason to do what you truly feel like doing.
Stretch your mind, and your body, and your soul. Move and bend and jump and push; be faster and stronger and healthier than you were yesterday. Pursue growth. Listen to all the reasons you shouldn’t go, and then go anyway. Let yourself fall into the hole – there’s always a way out. Let other people help you out.
Choose a personal anthem and give yourself a lapdance. Make up words, and use them. Identify what you need to say, and say it. Be loud about the things that matter.
Set healthy boundaries. Work with people you respect. Value your time and your work and your creative energy. Put a price on what you create, and charge it. Show up more often. Ask interesting questions. Share more than you’re comfortable sharing. Write down your core beliefs and read them every day.
Find your people, the ones who make you feel good and beautiful and whole. Treat them like they matter, because they do. Treat yourself like you matter, because you do. Don’t be afraid to let people see that you are messy and flawed. We’re all messy and flawed.
Stop wanting what you don’t want. Define life for yourself. Decide what it means to you to be happy and dedicated and alive. Live by your own definitions. Pick something to perfect, and perfect it. Pick something to stop caring about, and refuse to give a shit. Don’t waste your energy on things just because other people do. Spend less time obsessing and more time actually doing. Forget about yesterday. Stop over-planning for tomorrow. Yesterday and tomorrow are just romanticized versions of today.
Choose today.
The Life Less Bullshit Manifesto
Stop comparing yourself to everyone else and start being more you.
Find what inspires you, and mainline it. Find what moves you, and move. Find what keeps you up all night, and stay up all night. Get worked into the frenzy of being who you really are.
Decide what’s of ultimate importance, and ignore everything else. Only do work that you believe is great work. If you feel lost, join something bigger than yourself. Appreciate being a part of something, instead of stressing to be all of anything.
When you don’t know where to start, just start. If you don’t know where the beginning is, start in the middle, or start at the end. Just start, and keep going. Take the biggest risk you can think of. Take another. And another. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have enough time, or enough money. What’s “enough,” anyway? Forget about the big picture and let yourself wander aimlessly among the details. You don’t need a plan or a treasure map or a neon street sign, and you certainly don’t need to be the best. All you need to do is start, and then make one good decision after another. Being the best never comes right away.
Pay attention to the moments in which you feel pure joy. Express gratitude, out loud and often. Stop checking your email in bed; there are better ways to start the day. Read memoirs. Read fiction. Read poetry. Never stop reading. Go outside, even in bad weather. Buy yourself a present, even without an occasion. Wear pink shoes, even if they don’t match. You never need a reason to do what you truly feel like doing.
Stretch your mind, and your body, and your soul. Move and bend and jump and push; be faster and stronger and healthier than you were yesterday. Pursue growth. Listen to all the reasons you shouldn’t go, and then go anyway. Let yourself fall into the hole – there’s always a way out. Let other people help you out.
Choose a personal anthem and give yourself a lapdance. Make up words, and use them. Identify what you need to say, and say it. Be loud about the things that matter.
Set healthy boundaries. Work with people you respect. Value your time and your work and your creative energy. Put a price on what you create, and charge it. Show up more often. Ask interesting questions. Share more than you’re comfortable sharing. Write down your core beliefs and read them every day.
Find your people, the ones who make you feel good and beautiful and whole. Treat them like they matter, because they do. Treat yourself like you matter, because you do. Don’t be afraid to let people see that you are messy and flawed. We’re all messy and flawed.
Stop wanting what you don’t want. Define life for yourself. Decide what it means to you to be happy and dedicated and alive. Live by your own definitions. Pick something to perfect, and perfect it. Pick something to stop caring about, and refuse to give a shit. Don’t waste your energy on things just because other people do. Spend less time obsessing and more time actually doing. Forget about yesterday. Stop over-planning for tomorrow. Yesterday and tomorrow are just romanticized versions of today.
Choose today.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
you never know.
You never know what you're missing until you can't have it anymore.
This has been a topic on my mind for the past few months, and for a variety of reasons. I have been thinking about graduation since this past October. I didn't think I was ready to graduate, I never wanted to leave Tech and my friends, but then that feeling disappeared. I had never been so ready to leave when winter break rolled around. There isn't one reason, there aren't even multiple reasons, it's a feeling that I can't fight. I am being called somewhere else, to a different state, a different program, to a new portion of my life; and ever since I have become so enthralled with this feeling and wrapped up in it, my mind hasn't been focused on anything else.
I want to spend more time at home with my parents, I want to visit my grandma, I want to make impromptu trips to see my best friend, I want to drive away, far away from Virginia Tech and move on. Now, that is not supposed to sound like I am unhappy at this school or place I am in, that is definitely not the case. It's just that I have seen what is before me, where my future lies, and all I want to do now is run after it, faster and faster until I reach it. That was until a few days ago. It's always nice to take a little trip away from school, even if it's with friends from school. Just being in a new place for a day or two gives you the breath of fresh air that you have been looking for. That trip made me realize a lot. Not only that Blacksburg has played such an important rule in my life, but that the people here have changed me.
The future is blurry and I am trusting and believing that situations will work out in the way they are supposed to. But I know that I will miss Virginia Tech, I truly will. This school has changed me, I have discovered who I am, what I believe in, and what really matters in life. There will always be a little piece of Blacksburg in my heart, and it will never leave, and that's what we all have to remember. I realize that I truly will miss sitting on top of War Memorial Chapel at 3 a.m. laughing and talking until the sun rises, or that the Kappa house is just a short drive away, or that my best friends and I can drive around without a worry in our minds because we are together and that's all that matters. But graduation is 3 months and 4 days away - and soon enough Blacksburg will become another memory to add to my life, one that I will never, ever forget.
But it's not scary, it's exciting. You come to that moment in your life when you know it's time for something new. I'm being patient, I am waiting, but I know that in a few short weeks I will, God willing, have an acceptance letter in my hand from one of my top choice graduate school programs and I will be ready. Ready to explore, learn, and, fingers crossed, live 17 hours away from home in a new, unknown place.
This has been a topic on my mind for the past few months, and for a variety of reasons. I have been thinking about graduation since this past October. I didn't think I was ready to graduate, I never wanted to leave Tech and my friends, but then that feeling disappeared. I had never been so ready to leave when winter break rolled around. There isn't one reason, there aren't even multiple reasons, it's a feeling that I can't fight. I am being called somewhere else, to a different state, a different program, to a new portion of my life; and ever since I have become so enthralled with this feeling and wrapped up in it, my mind hasn't been focused on anything else.
I want to spend more time at home with my parents, I want to visit my grandma, I want to make impromptu trips to see my best friend, I want to drive away, far away from Virginia Tech and move on. Now, that is not supposed to sound like I am unhappy at this school or place I am in, that is definitely not the case. It's just that I have seen what is before me, where my future lies, and all I want to do now is run after it, faster and faster until I reach it. That was until a few days ago. It's always nice to take a little trip away from school, even if it's with friends from school. Just being in a new place for a day or two gives you the breath of fresh air that you have been looking for. That trip made me realize a lot. Not only that Blacksburg has played such an important rule in my life, but that the people here have changed me.
The future is blurry and I am trusting and believing that situations will work out in the way they are supposed to. But I know that I will miss Virginia Tech, I truly will. This school has changed me, I have discovered who I am, what I believe in, and what really matters in life. There will always be a little piece of Blacksburg in my heart, and it will never leave, and that's what we all have to remember. I realize that I truly will miss sitting on top of War Memorial Chapel at 3 a.m. laughing and talking until the sun rises, or that the Kappa house is just a short drive away, or that my best friends and I can drive around without a worry in our minds because we are together and that's all that matters. But graduation is 3 months and 4 days away - and soon enough Blacksburg will become another memory to add to my life, one that I will never, ever forget.
But it's not scary, it's exciting. You come to that moment in your life when you know it's time for something new. I'm being patient, I am waiting, but I know that in a few short weeks I will, God willing, have an acceptance letter in my hand from one of my top choice graduate school programs and I will be ready. Ready to explore, learn, and, fingers crossed, live 17 hours away from home in a new, unknown place.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
last first week of classes.
This is a year of firsts and lasts. It's exciting, scary, but I am ready for these new beginnings.
Lasts:
-Last time I will buy books for an undergraduate class
-Last time I will step foot into the Empo
-Last time I will be an active Kappa sister
-Last time I will take the bus on campus
-Last time I will be an undergraduate
-Last time I will be on Tech's campus as an undergrad
-Last time spending hours in the CT and SGA offices
Firsts:
-First time moving out of the state all by myself
-First grad school classes
-First time waitressing for the summer
-First time being all by myself in a new state
-First time taking classes that directly relate to my intended career and degree
I cannot even say how ready I am to begin this new chapter. Now I just need to patiently wait for those acceptance letters to roll in!
Lasts:
-Last time I will buy books for an undergraduate class
-Last time I will step foot into the Empo
-Last time I will be an active Kappa sister
-Last time I will take the bus on campus
-Last time I will be an undergraduate
-Last time I will be on Tech's campus as an undergrad
-Last time spending hours in the CT and SGA offices
Firsts:
-First time moving out of the state all by myself
-First grad school classes
-First time waitressing for the summer
-First time being all by myself in a new state
-First time taking classes that directly relate to my intended career and degree
I cannot even say how ready I am to begin this new chapter. Now I just need to patiently wait for those acceptance letters to roll in!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
one last hurrah.
On Monday I leave home to go back for my last semester at Virginia Tech. Lots of emotions come to mind when I think about this...frustrated (last semester = sad/frustrated, not knowing where I am going to grad school = frustrated), nervous, anxious, complacent, excited. Most of those are not feelings of excitement per say, but here is what is happening this semester.
1. I will be a nervous wreck until I find out where I am accepted to graduate school. I honestly don't think I have ever been more nervous or unsure about anything in my entire life. My hands start shaking and my heartbeat rapidly increases when I go to check my applications online...that's how bad it is. BUT - at the same time, this is what I am most excited about this semester. I am ready for a change, I am ready to start a new journey, and these decision letters hold the key.
2. I turn 21. Finally. Thank goodness. All I want to do is go downtown with my friends and socialize, is that really that much to ask?
3. The Empo. I got a stellar GPA this fall semester from all of the time I spent at the Empo - success! And I plan on doing that again this semester - gotta go out with a bang.
4. Kappa = My favorite people. End of story.
So as of right now, I graduate in four months and three days. Not that I'm counting - so let's do this right spring 2012.
1. I will be a nervous wreck until I find out where I am accepted to graduate school. I honestly don't think I have ever been more nervous or unsure about anything in my entire life. My hands start shaking and my heartbeat rapidly increases when I go to check my applications online...that's how bad it is. BUT - at the same time, this is what I am most excited about this semester. I am ready for a change, I am ready to start a new journey, and these decision letters hold the key.
2. I turn 21. Finally. Thank goodness. All I want to do is go downtown with my friends and socialize, is that really that much to ask?
3. The Empo. I got a stellar GPA this fall semester from all of the time I spent at the Empo - success! And I plan on doing that again this semester - gotta go out with a bang.
4. Kappa = My favorite people. End of story.
So as of right now, I graduate in four months and three days. Not that I'm counting - so let's do this right spring 2012.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
jan 1, 2012
Well, 2012 has finally arrived. This is a year of beginnings for me and I could not be MORE excited!
In store for 2012:
1. April 25 - I finally turn 21 (I just want to go downtown and socialize, is that too much to ask for?)
2. May 11 - I graduate from Virginia Tech. I wasn't sure how I would feel saying these words, until about this past November, and I knew I was ready for something bigger, something better. Virginia Tech has been amazing, and the experiences I've had, education I've received, and people I met have certainly changed my life -- but I cannot even say how ready I am to graduate and go to grad school this fall.
3. August - I move out of this state to attend grad school. Now, that's a scary thought. Out of the bubble of VA to (as of right now) an unknown location in the United States. This is what I am most excited for -- to start a new chapter. Moving to a state where I will most likely know no one (or very minimal people at that) and I have to start over. I love starting over. This is what moving around every two years of my life has prepared me for -- the thrill of the unknown. Bring it on.
So, with these three significant events in 2012, I decided I would make five new years resolutions that I know I can accomplish and keep.
1. With every negative thought, think two positives. I was very guilty of this in 2011, and honestly so I had all the reason to be with several significant events that influenced my life, but I don't want to be stuck in a rut of negatives this year.
2. Embrace the unknown. I am a planner, type A to a tee, and not scared to admit it. On a typical Monday night you can find me arriving at the Empo around 9 p.m. (after finishing meetings at 8:30 p.m.), sitting down to my Erin Condren life planner to see what the night ahead will bring as far as: emails, papers, group projects, assignments, more emails, lists to be made, etc. I want to plan every facet of my life within my power. Now, I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with this, I just know that I need to change the amount of planning I think I can do. I can't plan what is going to happen tomorrow, or next week, or even two hours from now. But what I can do is prepare -- prepare for what is in store and embrace the obstacles that come my way, so that is what I will do.
3. Put Him before me. This summer I lost one of the most influential people in my life, and since then my faith has changed -- for the better. I want to continue this uphill climb in 2012.
4. Blog/Read/Write/Journal/Remember more. I have always been fascinated by time capsules. When I was in kindergarten my class made time capsules and were told that when we were graduating high school, we could come back to our kindergarten school and be given permission to dig up our capsule. I like to remember my experiences, so writing/journaling, etc. will give me a new time capsule that I can look back on years from now.
5. Open my heart. To life, friends, love, sorrow, fear, denial, excitement -- to everything. Not only let myself open my heart, but also let my heart BE open to what is to come this year, because it really is going to change my life.
And with that, I hope your January 1, 2012 has set the tone for the experiences that are to come this year -- happy new year!
In store for 2012:
1. April 25 - I finally turn 21 (I just want to go downtown and socialize, is that too much to ask for?)
2. May 11 - I graduate from Virginia Tech. I wasn't sure how I would feel saying these words, until about this past November, and I knew I was ready for something bigger, something better. Virginia Tech has been amazing, and the experiences I've had, education I've received, and people I met have certainly changed my life -- but I cannot even say how ready I am to graduate and go to grad school this fall.
3. August - I move out of this state to attend grad school. Now, that's a scary thought. Out of the bubble of VA to (as of right now) an unknown location in the United States. This is what I am most excited for -- to start a new chapter. Moving to a state where I will most likely know no one (or very minimal people at that) and I have to start over. I love starting over. This is what moving around every two years of my life has prepared me for -- the thrill of the unknown. Bring it on.
So, with these three significant events in 2012, I decided I would make five new years resolutions that I know I can accomplish and keep.
1. With every negative thought, think two positives. I was very guilty of this in 2011, and honestly so I had all the reason to be with several significant events that influenced my life, but I don't want to be stuck in a rut of negatives this year.
2. Embrace the unknown. I am a planner, type A to a tee, and not scared to admit it. On a typical Monday night you can find me arriving at the Empo around 9 p.m. (after finishing meetings at 8:30 p.m.), sitting down to my Erin Condren life planner to see what the night ahead will bring as far as: emails, papers, group projects, assignments, more emails, lists to be made, etc. I want to plan every facet of my life within my power. Now, I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with this, I just know that I need to change the amount of planning I think I can do. I can't plan what is going to happen tomorrow, or next week, or even two hours from now. But what I can do is prepare -- prepare for what is in store and embrace the obstacles that come my way, so that is what I will do.
3. Put Him before me. This summer I lost one of the most influential people in my life, and since then my faith has changed -- for the better. I want to continue this uphill climb in 2012.
4. Blog/Read/Write/Journal/Remember more. I have always been fascinated by time capsules. When I was in kindergarten my class made time capsules and were told that when we were graduating high school, we could come back to our kindergarten school and be given permission to dig up our capsule. I like to remember my experiences, so writing/journaling, etc. will give me a new time capsule that I can look back on years from now.
5. Open my heart. To life, friends, love, sorrow, fear, denial, excitement -- to everything. Not only let myself open my heart, but also let my heart BE open to what is to come this year, because it really is going to change my life.
And with that, I hope your January 1, 2012 has set the tone for the experiences that are to come this year -- happy new year!
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