Resolutions

Contrary to what my blog shows, I am an avid and loyal reader to everyone that I follow. I love reading about people's college lives, wedding plans, baby stories, DIY projects, fashion and beauty tips, and fitness goals. I enjoy entering giveaways, hoping that I will be able to win one day. However, I never seem to have any motivation to come up with my own blog entries. It makes me frustrated, disappointed, and actually discouraged to keep up with my blog... but with a new year comes a new mentality.

So here we go, 2012. You won't stop me from doing what I want to do.

• Keep up with my blog? Sure, I can do it.
  (I can't promise that they'll be short or sweet or even worth reading, but I'll try)

• Run 400 miles this year? Yup, you got it.

• Get into the master's program at school? Consider it done.

• Drive on the highway? Wellllll let's not get carried away... haha, just kidding.

They say the world is going to end in eleven months. I might as well make them count.

(and if you can come up with any topics that I can write about, please feel free to share!)

Girl-friend ≠ Girlfriend

I've spent the last six or seven years of my life with the best friends I could ever ask for. The problem is that they're all guys. Now, I've always been closer to guys than girls - I don't know if it's because I'm more easygoing than most girls or the fact that I can play Ultimate Frisbee better than most girls... - and I've never had a problem with that. In fact, I spent a lot of my high school weekends with my guy friends than my girl friends -- at first my mom was concerned, but then she realized that they were all way smarter than me and that I could end up marrying one of these guys My Best Friend's Wedding style.

The other day, I went out to lunch with two of my guy friends: Georgetown and Syracuse. I've known Georgetown since kindergarten and spent a good portion of my early elementary school days pining over him while he thought I had cooties. On the other hand, Syracuse and I became friends in sixth grade and the rest is history. They both have girlfriends and during our lunch, Syracuse said he asked me how much I usually spend on a haircut. I replied "No more than $40" (I keep my hair natural, so usually a wash, cut, & blowdry/straighten will do it) and he said that his girlfriend spends over $100 and he doesn't understand why. I thoroughly explained to him that girls usually get their hair cut and colored/highlighted on a trip to the salon and that I just happened to not be one of those girls. Then, Georgetown asked me if I ever get my "eyebrows done" (he clearly did not know what that meant) and I said no, I usually do it myself and it ends up fine. He then asked me what "getting my eyebrows done actually meant" and I explained it to him, and he said that his girlfriend usually gets hers done and he didn't understand why either. We then somehow began talking about our views on Valentine's Day and if Syracuse should visit his girlfriend at school, despite the fact that 1) it's on a Monday and 2) his girlfriend previously told him that he didn't have to. I gave him an answer and apologized for being biased (I personally am one of those who do not believe in Valentine's Day, sorry to all you hopeless romantics) and he said that he'd rather hear my opinion than anyone else.

After I got home, I reflected on that conversation and just chuckled to myself... but then I realized something: I have become that girl-friend, the one that all the guys turn to for advice on their own girlfriends. I suddenly became vulnerable and wondered if their girlfriends were jealous of me for being so close to their boys, but let's be real, that feeling only lasted about a second.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with being the girl-friend. I've been the girl-friend for seven years and I am perfectly content with my role in their lives. I just can't help but wonder... when is it going to be MY turn? I'm all about being patient and waiting for the right one to come, but when I see other people my age going through relationships like they go through cell phones to keep up with the latest one, I just wish that I could be them... even if it only seems like a moment.

Is that too much of an unreasonable request? I know I'm smart enough to know the answer to that question, I just don't want to face it.

Peace out 2010, Hollla atcha girl 2011!

Happy 2011, everyone! I honestly am a bit skeptical as to how incredible this year is going to be, simply because I thought 2010 was absolutely amazing. It was truly a year full of the good things (happiness, luck, family, and new friends) and none of the bad, which I obviously cannot complain about!

In 2010, I... skated on Frog Pond with all my friends, went to see the Blue Man Group, ran for an exec. board position in SGA and won (!!), earned a 3.64 GPA for the year, said goodbye to one of my best friends from school who was going to transfer to USF, had my wisdom teeth removed, went to see the Backstreet Boys, traveled to Washington D.C. with my family, went to see Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum, had the most amazing summer at PCC, welcomed back said friend who returned to school for good :), became a college sophomore, was a student mentor for the freshmen, had lunch with Salve's board of trustees, attended the National Student Government Conference in Washington D.C. (again), saw the President's motorcade and stepped foot inside the Oval Office (still not over it), visited George Mason University, visited Georgetown University, went zip-lining, met new friends who will become my roommates next year, won a scholarship for my major, and earned a 3.718 GPA for the first semester.

The events in my life may not seem... well, for a lack of a better word, eventful... but there's nothing else that I would want. I can't recall any major setbacks or negatives and I am truly grateful for that.

As cliché as it may sound, the most important thing I learned this year was to finally appreciate what I have in the present and not to dwell on what I could or should have. I have been given so many wonderful opportunities that I really shouldn't have any time to think about the what if's.

2011, this is the year for three things:
1) goal-setting and accomplishments
2) less stress (we all need that in our lives!)
and most importantly,
3) having all sorts of fun!

'Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for.

I swear that after my trip, it is like I became a completely new person. To be honest, I am slightly shocked to see what a different person I have transformed into. When I look back and see how unbelievably homesick I was, it makes me sad, yet slightly optimistic as I tell myself that I should never become that girl again.

I am certainly much more positive about everything that is currently going on in my life. I no longer feel the need to cry after talking to my parents on the phone every night. I choose something to look forward to every single day to make the day much more enjoyable. I am more confident and more outgoing. To justify this, I went on a zip-line yesterday morning at a high ropes course. Yes, you read that right. I. Went. Zip-lining. I even volunteered to go first, but had to wait to go after two other people. This is coming from the girl who is so terrified of heights, but I reminded myself that it was not an opportunity that comes every day so I decided to toss that fear aside and just go with it. It was exhilarating and nerve-wracking at the same time, but I obviously do not regret it one bit.

At the end of the day, I smiled as I congratulated myself for being brave and more importantly, for allowing myself to actually have fun. That, I believe, is one of the best feelings ever.

So take a good look around... I'm gonna miss this.

I apologize for the lack of blog posts and for not finishing the 30-Day Challenge! Maybe one of these days, I will finally get around to it.

Since my last post, I have done two major things. The first was my summer program, in which I had the best time of my life (I know I said that last summer, but I mean it this time). I just can't describe the sense of happiness that I feel whenever I think about the summer and all the good memories and bonds that I created. This may be a future post, we'll see.

The second thing was returning to school as a sophomore. It is safe to say that for the entire month of September, I was living in mis-town. I didn't want to be here and I cried every time I talked to my mom on the phone. It has been a rough month as I dealt with this internal conflict of mine. There were days when I didn't think I was going to last another day here; however, there were also days where I realized that I had to make some changes in my attitude. I never really got around to it, until last Thursday (yup, the last day of the month).

I recently came home from a weekend trip to Washington D.C. with the executive board of our student government. We were there from Thursday to Sunday morning for the National Student Government Summit. I am almost certain that this trip could not have occurred at a better time for me. It was exactly what I needed to get over that homesickness/miserable phase of mine. To get away from school and to bond with a small group of people -- ironic, I know, but I definitely think it worked!

This trip to Washington D.C. was one of the best, if not the best, trips I have ever gone on. I had an unbelievable amount of fun, saw some amazing sights that I will never get to see again -- Oval Office, anyone? -- and grew close with some of the most wonderful people ever. I am still in denial that I won't be back there with the e-board this weekend, or ever, but I will certainly keep the memories close to my heart.

(A real detailed description with pictures of the trip will soon follow this post.)

I am overjoyed with the fact that I am part of such a wonderful executive board. To be an underclassman and hold a prestigious title such as mine is a great privilege, and to hold that title with amazing upperclassmen is an even greater privilege. Although I still have some doubts as to whether I like it here enough to stay for the next two years, I am now more comfortable with the idea of staying to keep our president's legacy going. A few weeks ago, he introduced me to someone as his "protegee" and later told me that he would love for me to run for president my senior year. I consider that in itself such a honor already, because the president is exactly the type of person that I strive to be. One who is dedicated, ambitious, and involved in everything. I don't think there is enough time in the day or enough space in a blog to fully describe this person and how I aspire to become half the person that he is.

It completely breaks my heart to know that our president, vice president, and public relations coordinator will all be graduating in a few months, but I now know that I must cherish every second that I have with them, whether it's our weekly senate meetings on Tuesdays, a quick meal together, or just a simple hug with one of them. I realize that I cannot dwell on being homesick anymore, but rather appreciate the time that I have here at school with the people that I have gotten to know.

To quote Trace Adkins, I know I am going to miss this and I am going to want this back. So I know that I just need to put a smile on my face and believe that everything will soon fall into place for me, because this year is going to go by before I know it and I am never going to get these seconds back.

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back." -- Harvey MacKay

We Interrupt This Program...

...for a Bachelorette update!

1) I LOVE ALI FEDETOWSKY. Obviously she was my favorite other than Tenley Molzahn -- I still believe, to this day, that Jake should've picked her. (I clearly need a reality check)

2) I'm so happy that I'll be home for at least a month so I can catch some episodes during this season because it looks like it's filled with lots of drama... I love it.

3) Here are the guys that I am rooting for. Hopefully Ali won't let me down!

Jesse - 24 - general contractor from Missouri

Kasey - 27 - advertising account executive from Cali

Roberto - 26 - insurance agent from Florida

I'm excited to see what this season will bring!

Day Eleven: A Photo Taken of Me Recently

One of my future roomies & me at the bottom of the Forty Steps on the Cliff Walk!

(taken in April 2010 after a beach day)

Day Ten: A Photo Taken Over Ten Years Ago

I only had baby pictures on my computer, so here you go :)

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

AWESOME!

I read this blog, "1000 Awesome Things" every few days. It's a great blog to read when you're feeling down, because the things that the blogger mentions are truly awesome.

Well, I stumbled across Awesome Thing #625 and knew I had to refer to it immediately.

Although some of it isn't exactly true. I haven't been turned away from a roller coaster yet (not like I would go on most of them in the first place -- exception being any roller coaster at Disney World). I've been to 7 concerts and I could see just fine. I also plan on receiving my master's degree, and possibly doctorate's degree, thus making me MORE educated, thank you very much!

So what if I won't look like the next Taylor Swift (6'1")... at least I can look NOT UP, but straight in the eyes to powerful women like Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson's character on Grey's) and Shawn Johnson.

:)