Inhale, Exhale

Alright folks here we have it. 25 days until I officially end my first year of college. I have to take a deep breathe in first... it's insane how fast time has gone since I started my first semester. I remember how I felt my first day... I was nervous but excited at the same time. I was ready to start a new chapter of my life. Now it being almost end I feel that I have conquered something. I came here (to Tampa) to learn and I did just that. I really have learned a lot. I learned to live with two other people who I had never met before, and believe me, it was not easy. I learned how to put up with others around me, those who might have not had the same beliefs or come from the same background as me. I learned how to manage my time efficiently. I learned from my mistakes. Believe me we all have our fair share in college. I learned that even though things might not go your way you should still keep an open mind and learn how to continually improve yourself. I learned more about what I want to do in the future career wise. And most importantly, keeping in mind that today is Easter, that friends may come and go but family is forever.

This morning I was in mid text to my mom with a pretty generic Easter greeting. I had also made the promise that I would call her later but then she called me. It was nice to hear her voice and I find the circumstances to be peculiar. Obviously at that same moment in time we were thinking about each other and realizing that we missed each other. I was also able to talk to the rest of my family who seemed pretty ecstatic for my return home. I also received an email from my cousin that made my day. She had attached two pictures of her kids that brought a smile to my face. Congrats Kelly & Ben I can't wait to go home and meet my new little cousin Bergen!

Finishing off this post I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and post some pictures of my college experience. If you are like me and not with your family I hope that you have a very blessed day. Mom, Dad, Lia, and Brinks I love and miss you all and I cannot wait to see you in May!!

The Reality of a Tough Life

Whoever said college was easy definitely didn't go to college. It's been a little over a month since my last blog post (and the beginning of the semester) and I've been hard at work. My classes are a lot more challenging and the work that is assigned for me to do outside of them is very time demanding. Being a psych major I realize the amount of schooling that it takes beyond a 4 year undergraduate degree to become successful. I'm willing to put in my 110% to succeed.

fun fact: i don't usually get this surprised at the library.

thumbs up: i love the library and studying.

Recently I began a tutoring position at PCAT (Parents and Children Advance Together). This organization is one that focuses on helping young children, who come from underprivileged backgrounds, to read. Its mission is one of great importance to me. I love working with kids and have always enjoyed reading from a young age so I knew this would be the perfect job. Being able to strengthen a young child's reading level helps me realize the importance of education at such a young age. It makes me wonder the numbers of those children in the world who are never taught how to read beyond a first or second grade level. Being able to be a positive influence/role model for these children makes me feel great inside. When I finish tutoring I say my goodbyes yet also feel a tinge of sadness inside. These kids come from areas with a heavy levels of poverty and high crime rates. If you were to ask one of these kids what they wanted to be when the grow up they might tell you they don't know. For children who come very little it's hard to see a future. They are in school from 7 a.m. up until 6 in the evening. They lead a life that I have never experienced. Through all of the hardship they endure they still manage to remain excited about learning and come to tutoring with a smile on their face. And for that, I admire them.

On another note I have begun to pursue interest in the search for my birth mother. Throughout my life I have never really thought about the prospect of meeting her until now. It wasn't until the middle of January when I realized that it was something I needed to do, not only for me, but for her. For 19 years I have gone knowing very little about my familial background. I realize the many outcomes of this search. With such little information to go on I might not find her at all, she could be dead, or she won't want to meet with me (it isn't uncommon for birth mother's to hide the fact that they gave up their baby in order to protect themselves if they now have a husband/family). Then again in birth mother searches you should also expect the unexpected. I'm hoping for only the best and that there is some kind of closure that I can come to.

With spring break on the horizon (5 days) I am super excited to venture to New York City! I have family and friends that reside in the city. In all honesty I am more than ready to leave Tampa for a much needed break!! My next blog will revolve around my adventure to the big apple and all of the shenanigans that I get myself into. Stay tuned!

Finally, I wanted to finish off this post with some pictures (mostly so my parents know I'm still alive/doing well). If you know me, you know I love to take pictures, and have plenty to show off of my college career so far. Enjoy!

fun fact: we're all basically making the same face.

fun fact: i love these kids.

fun fact: i never make this pose in pictures... ever.

fun fact: i'm friends with Lauren Conrad.

fun fact: we're all from Minnesota.

New Semester, New Outlook

After a one month break at home I was ready to go back to college. I mean it was nice to be able to work, see my family/friends, and experience the "cold weather" (actually kidding on the last one). But truth be told I was BORED. Working can only keep you so occupied for a certain period of time.

School wise my classes this semester promised to be more interesting and more oriented towards my major so I was definitely ready to get back into the swing of things. My new years resolution was to work harder this semester so I'm personally holding myself to that. I'm most excited for my child psychology class. The class itself is focused more on the developmental (mental, emotional, and physical) aspect of children. What I really love about the course is that I'm given the opportunity to work with kids. In the future I want to have a career as a child psychologist so this class is the one that is perfect for me.

Most importantly i missed my friends. I'm posting these pics so you can see how much fun I had over break and that I'm having second semester and you can be jealous of the fact that I go to school in Florida... kidding. But not really.

Returning from Blog Hibernation

Nearing the end of my first semester of college I am feeling a wide range of emotions. It has been a crazy 4 months and a completely beneficial experience. I have met so many people, people who have been a great support system, and who are some of the most interesting characters on this planet. Without these people I probably wouldn't have survived my first semester of college, literally.

I am dedicating this blog to all of the amazing people and new memories that I've made at University of Tampa. Truth be told I had my doubts when I first came to this school. I was so far away from home and I didn't no one single person. It was scary. I wasn't too sure if I would end up staying because this was something so new to me. But eventually I got into the swing of things (it took over a month) and now here I am today being as brutally honest as I possibly can be. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME. I really cannot stop saying this. Without your constant support I wouldn't be feeling the way I am today. Instead of feeling timid and scared I finally found the niche that I belong in.

I decided to make this photo collage that sums up my first semester. Enjoy!