Out with the old. In with the new.

I can't believe that my first year of college is already coming to an end. Today was the beginning of the last week of classes and then I have finals next Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to the summer, but the end of the year makes me realize how time really does fly by fast. Half the time, I still think I'm a senior in high school. It's so crazy.

This year started off pretty rocky and I was very unhappy and discouraged the first month here. However, I knew that if I didn't do something to change that, then this all would just be a waste of money. Now, I think I've done a pretty decent job with becoming involved and making the most of my first year in college. I served as an on-campus senator for SGA, joined Special Olympics, went back and forth in my head about being an education major (and stuck with administration of justice), and found a close group of friends. I got to see the Boston Celtics play in our gym. I saw the Blue Man Group perform. I spent sunny days at the beach and rainy days jumping in puddles around campus. I surpassed my expectations academically my first semester and earned a high GPA. This semester is a different story (refer to previous post), but c'est la vie. None of this would have been possible if I didn't choose my path through my first year here. Despite the setbacks and the pessimism that I had, I'm glad and relieved that I decided to have a positive outlook on things.

Next year will be better in some ways. First, I was recently elected as the secretary for the executive board on SGA. I'm certainly looking forward to this and many people have told me that it's a great accomplishment for a sophomore. I am also going to be serving as a student mentor in the fall and I'm excited for this too! We have a great group of student mentors and I can already tell that we are going to be close to one another. Finally, I will be living here with three of my friends next year...

We're very excited to be living here with each other... especially when it comes to decorating our room!

However, all the new changes will mean that I will have to say goodbye to the things and people that I have gotten accustomed to this year. I have been very fortunate to have met a wonderful group of seniors at school and they have had a great impact on my first year here.

The president, vice-president, and secretary of the current SGA e-board have made me feel welcome since day one when I joined SGA. They were there to help me overcome my fear of heights, encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone and try new things, and acted as role models throughout the year. Also, another senior here has absolutely gone out of her way to take me under her wing and show me the ropes of what Salve is all about. She has made me feel comfortable when I wanted to leave, kept me sane when I was about to go crazy, and convinced me that this school isn't really all that bad. She is so involved with this school and I only hope that I can accomplish half of the things that she has done in the past four years that she has been here! I have been blessed to have gotten so close with her over this past year and a piece of my heart will certainly be missing when she graduates in a few short weeks! Love you forever, RER :) You're the best!

But regardless of all of this, I know change is inevitable and I will welcome it when the time comes. Next year will be different, but I am hoping to make the most of it, as I always do. :)

“We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."

-- Charles R. Swindoll

"It takes some fears to make you trust. It takes those tears to make it rust. It takes the dust to have it polished." - Jason Mraz

"That night we talked about life, about our times together.
Maybe we weren't the same two kids we had once been.
But some things never change.
Some things last.
And even though I didn't know what was going to happen to us,
or where we were going...
I just knew I couldn't let [him] out of my life."
- Wonder Years

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Nothing actually happens on this date, but the significance behind the date makes it oh so special for me. Around this time every year, I get to reassess everything and realize how lucky I have been.

Three years ago, my best friend and I were having a lot of complications in our relationship. We were never on the same page and we rarely talked. When we did talk, we would always fight and make up, only to have the same thing happen again the next month. After a few months of this frustrating never-ending cycle, we ended up having to take a "break" from each other. I know this sounds weird, because what kind of friends take breaks from each other? Well, we did, and we went almost a whole month of no communication. That month was a difficult time in my life; there wasn't anyone who I could really turn to, because the only person that I would turn to was the one who initiated this separation. I went on day after day, wondering when I was going to get my best friend back, and it was especially hard when we had some of the same classes together.

However, three years ago on this date, my best friend simply said "I'm sorry for everything", and those four words ended up changing my world around. After weeks of not talking, we finally teared down the walls that kept us apart for so long. We ended up talking for hours about our relationship. It was one of the most heartfelt conversations I have ever had with another person, and I turned out to be the first person my best friend has ever said "I love you" to and actually meant it.

"And it takes no time to fall in love,
But it takes you years to know what love is.
It takes some fears to make you trust.
It takes those tears to make it rust.
It takes the dust to have it polished.
Life is wonderful."
- Jason Mraz

Ever since then, we both have worked really hard to maintain the strong bond that we have together. Sure, we have fallen down the wrong path a couple of times after this but we never forgot about that conversation and that kept us together. That is why every February 22nd after that, I look back and think about all the wonderful memories that we have created since then. The big events included Disney World, concerts, and New York City, and the little moments made it what it's worth. Taking night trips to Dairy Queen, cheering on each other at our sporting events, random hang out sessions, sharing new music, school events, etc. But the one moment I hold most dear was being able to walk with my best friend at graduation. Having my best friend there with me at the biggest milestone of my life to date, after putting up with me through the past three years and sticking by all my decisions, regardless of whether they were good or bad, was so amazing.

"Well I'll never be something I'm not.
Please don't throw away what we've got.
'Cause we've been together for way too long,
I was playing around but I'm coming home.
You know that I love you.
There's no one above you.
I said it the last time, but this is the last time.
Don't make me over, 'cause I can be faithful.
You're my number one."
- John Legend

"At the end of the day, when it comes down to it,

"It seems the wars will never end, but we'll make it home again, back where we belong again" - John Legend

A friend that I literally grew up with is leaving for basic training for the Air Force tomorrow, and it saddens me to know that I won't be there to see him off.

I was there in the hospital when he was born (we're six months apart) and ever since, we have spent countless occasions together with our families. Apple picking, amusement parks, vacations, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc. You name it, we've most likely done it. There was a point in our lives when we literally saw each other every single weekend. This year has certainly ended that since I was working this summer and left for college. It was surreal the first time a friend of mine left for the Army, but this is even more surreal that a person who is actually like a blood brother to me is leaving.

I wish him the very best in this new journey of his and I hope he stays safe, happy, and healthy.

(one of our last pictures together on January 16th)

siblings, friends, cousins = FAMILY

<3

2000 points in 2 nights!

As an avid Green Wave Super Fan and former Green Wave athlete, I have traveled near and far to my hometown's sporting events, especially football and baseball. Yet in my high school career, there was no better sporting event to attend than a boys' basketball game. Following the boys wherever they went (and basically getting kicked out of an away game once), I made sure that I was there in the sea of green across from the bench, cheering on my best friends.

The past season was absolutely ridiculous, as the boys made it to the state semi-finals where they got to play at the Boston Garden. It was surreal being in the seats, watching the team on the court AND on the Jumbotron. It was one of the biggest highlights of my high school career!

(on Tuesday, March 10, 2009)

front row, watching my friends warm up

the FRH (taken by myFoxboston)

FRH again (taken by myFOXboston)

This article was posted today on the Boston Globe's website and after reading it, I could not be any prouder of two of my friends. I was fortunate enough that I was home on the weekend of January 29th to go to their game and see my very good friend RWC score his 1,000 career point. When this moment happened (on his signature 3-pointer), the game completely stopped and the entire gymnasium was on their feet, jumping up and down and yelling his name. My heart was racing, my hands were bright red from clapping so much, and my throat killed from screaming so loud. I honestly had been waiting three years for that moment and I was so happy I got to witness one of the best moments of his life (I didn't get to go the second game on Saturday, but my other friend KTL scored his 1,000 career point also).

I have known them both since the day they started playing basketball together(in the travel leagues and the AAU league) and I am so proud of them for accomplishing this incredible feat!

(on Friday, January 29, 2010)

RWC and his parents after scoring his 1,000th point!

the 1,000 sign!

Congratulations, RWC (143 224!) & KTL!

"Fall is gone... winter is here" - Chase Coy

Thanksgiving break was simply wonderful... and too short! I did a lot of reuniting with friends & family... and a lot of shopping. This was the first year that my mom and I did not wake up early to go shopping on Black Friday. In fact, we didn't even buy a lot this year, but it was still great to continue our tradition. I got to pick out my Christmas present... and my mom even bought me a new pair of Uggs for my belated birthday (I ended up returning the Vera bag that I received. I decided the colors were overwhelming and am currently waiting for the new prints to come out in a couple of months!).

Classic short Uggs in gray

Christmas present!! -- Return to Tiffany bead bracelet
(The charm matches my earrings that I received for graduation
and my necklace that I received last Christmas)

Friday night, I attended a party with all my co-workers. It was very fun to catch up, especially since I haven't seen most of them since the end of the summer!! I also got to hang out with my best friends from home a few times. It was like nothing has changed, even if we were separated for a few months. I could tell the parents loved seeing us together again, and of course we loved seeing the parents too!

Now backtracking a little... on Thanksgiving morning, I attended the football game in Abington against Whitman-Hanson. It was the 99th annual game between the two teams! Of course (sorry RER :)) we won, 20-0. At halftime, the baseball team received their state championship rings and they look awesome! It was really great to see everyone together. Later that afternoon, we had our Thanksgiving dinner. This year, my parents hosted the holiday dinner and we ended up having 25 people in our dining room, each with his or her own chinaware and utensils (my mom likes to go all out for these occasions). Good thing we renovated a few years ago! Thanksgiving dinner was so delicious, comprised of not one but two turkeys, ham, homemade mashed and roasted potatoes, and the usual... completed by a homemade cheesecake with berries on top. YUMMY.

And although I had such a wonderful break, there are no words to describe how excited I am that it is finally December! The Christmas decorations are up, the iTunes is blaring the Christmas playlist (on repeat), and the Secret Santa plans are underway! Tonight is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza.


YES!

"Sometimes our only way is jumping. I hope you're not afraid of heights" - Gavin DeGraw

Wow, this post is three weeks overdue, but better late than never, right? Here's a recap of what has happened since October began...

The Celtics scrimmage (3rd) was excellent, even if it was only for 30 minutes. It was great to see all my favorite players and literally be yards away from them!

My 19th birthday (7th)! My birthday was during "fifth-week evaluation" so I had many, many tests to study for but thankfully, I was still able to enjoy my birthday and pass my tests with flying colors! That night, my friends and I went to Panera Bread (my favorite!) and we came back and had ice cream cake from Coldstone (also another favorite). Looooove my friends.

My parents sent down a birthday package for me and inside that package were:

Ralph Lauren perfume

a "Morgan" Vera Bradley bag -- the print is Symphony in Hue

a matching Euro wallet... and

three Sephora lip glosses

The best present, however, was that both of my classes were canceled on Friday, which meant I got to go home one day earlier than everyone else! I came home on Thursday (8th) afternoon and my mom took me to the Derby Street shoppes (which is like my second home). Friday, I went to the high school football game where I got to meet up with all my friends, especially those who went off to schools far away. It was so great to be reunited with everyone.

Saturday (10th), I went out to lunch with my PCC loves for my birthday. I had an excellent time with them all! :) That night, with a few of my very favorite co-workers, I attended a little reunion that they like to call "The Shootout". I have heard stories about these "shootouts" for the past three years, and I was glad to have been invited to my first one. Conveniently, it was at UNH this year so we got there in no time. My first time at UNH was fantastic and I absolutely loved the fact that I had a fun PCC-filled day. Nothing can go wrong when you're having a PCC day! :)

Nate is 6'6"... enough said.

PCC!

Last Saturday (17th), I went to a retreat for Salve SGA at the Y and it was so much fun! We had to do a ropes course and I (kind of, sort of, maybe) overcame my fear of heights! First, I was hooked onto a harness and had to climb up a 60-ft "telephone pole" (with staples, of course). Another telephone pole was connected, lying horizontally in the air, and I had to walk across it like a plank. I was terrified and shaking like crazy, but I successfully made it across! Once I had two feet safely planted on the ground, I looked back on my experience and realized how much fun it was. I would probably do it again, but it honestly was so scary! The next course was a "vertical playpen". Yeah, I kindly declined...

This is the vertical playpen... and you can see the obstacle that I did in the background

...so even though October is already halfway over, it can only mean that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I cannot wait at all!!