End of the Year Reflections

It's the end of the year, and I'm almost done being a freshman-Thank GOD. But seriously, it's been a whole year? When did that happen? When did I grow up and suddenly finish my first year of college?

There were many times during the year that I thought I might die: when my bike was stolen and I had to run a half hour to south campus for a mandatory meeting. Or when I was studying for my Biology final and thought there was no way I would remember all of this about monocots and eudicots. Or any of the countless other stressful moments when I would spiral out of control in fear that I would fail. I was afraid that I couldn't make it on my own.

But I did! I did make it, and I came out kicking! Now that I reflect back on the school year, it was possibly one of the roughest of my life, and I realized how much I've learned.

My grandma Irene passed away during the first week of my college career. It wasn't sudden or unexpected, but that didn't make it any less hard. I missed a few days of my first week to go to her funeral, and the stress of losing someone so important only added to the stress of the first week. Then, about a month later, I lost one of my friends from high school. She was a beautiful girl, and going to the funeral of a 19 year old is never something I want to have to experience again. Added onto that, my grandpa and my puppy of 13 years both passed away within a week of each other in December, during finals week of my first semester. All of this happened within 4 months, and I wasn't sure how I was going to make it out of there. It pushed me to a breaking point, but now that I looked back on it, while all of these events were sad, they helped me to grow.

I loved my grandma, and my grandpa, and my puppy, and my friend. There are so many relationships we make every day, and we don't even realize how important they are to us until they are gone. I learned things from these people (and this dog) that I'm not sure they even knew they were passing on to me.

From my grandma: Spirituality and Peace. Beauty and God. Love and Family.

From my grandpa: Hard work and Perseverance. "Enjoy" and Simplicity. Priorities and Family.

From my puppy: Loyalty and Love.

From my friend: Smiles and Hope. Laughter and Unselfishness. Unity and Friendship.

It is sad to think that these people aren't here anymore, but they've left their mark on me. And that's something that will never pass away.

After struggling my way through the first semester, I still managed to pass with flying colors. And despite all of the losses, I still enjoyed a holiday season with my friends and family. I was prepared for the second semester, which was significantly easier than the first.

And now I'm done completely with my first year, and I am going to miss my friends and roommate so much. Thank you for putting up with me and letting me be your friend, all of you. A special shout out goes to The Ladies: Hanna, Emily, and Kelsi. Another special mention for my Thursday lunch buds and future roomie: Nat and Nick. Kara, I never would've gotten through Comm without you. Brittany, you were the first friend I ever made here, and as such you will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for accepting me. Melissa, you are truly and sincerely the best roommate I could've asked for to show me the ropes of MSU, and the best Red Cedar River diving partner. Thank you.

My last mention will go to my sister, Mary. You are graduating this year, and moving onto the big kid world. I know you will do great things and make a significant difference in each of the lives you touch. I'm so glad we could've had this year together, and thank you for all of the things you have done for me. You've taught me the ways of college (at least somewhat). You took care of me when I was sick. You went on crazy adventures with me, watching the meteor shower at 1:30 on a Tuesday morning. You showed me how to ride a freaking bike when I was 8, and you haven't stopped teaching me since. I know you are only a 3 hour drive away, but it feels like it will be so much farther than that. This will be the first time in the 19 years of my life that I won't be able to see you all of the time, and that I won't expect you to be in your room or on the couch downstairs watching TV or in your apartment. It's strange, that you are so grown up. It's an odd concept to me that you are an adult now, but I'm excited for you all the same. I will miss you and I love you!

Now that I've said my due to the people who have influenced me the most this year, I would like to add the groups and the experiences that stand out in my memory as the most influential. These have all changed me over the course of this year, and it never ceases to amaze me all of the things I've accomplished in 8 months.

My ASB people and my trip are at the top of the list. This experience truly changed my direction in life, showing me what work I find meaningful and what I would find satisfying doing for the rest of my life. And the people I met are all people I will remember forever as being a part of it. Next is Writer's Bloc. It has shown me even more about my major than I thought I would ever know, and it, along with my work at the CE, has been my best professional development work yet. My work at the Gallery has been quite a ride, with the promotion only heightening my love for what I do there. And finally, to MSU, my new home. I've still got 3 years here: let's hope that they will only grow in greatness.

That's it. So much has happened in one academic year. I don't even know how to phrase it correctly. It's over, and it's time for a new beginning, this time with a bit more knowledge, and a LOT more confidence. Love you, MSU, I'll be back in August!

Have a great summer, everybody!

Reflection on the Bombing

I found myself standing there, looking out at the vast expanse of buildings and chilly blue waters of Lake Michigan, wondering how in the world I became so blessed, and so fortunate. Good health, good family and friends, and the advantages of being raised in a middle-waged family.

I went to visit my friend Taylor in Chicago this past weekend, and of course I enjoyed myself. The scenes were awe-inspiring, the pizza was like a gift from God, the shopping was fabulous. And I had every intention of blogging about it as soon as I got back. Then the bombings in Boston happened, and I realized how silly and petty it would be of me to post something about my vacation when there is such suffering going on right now. So instead, I would like to take a moment to pray for those affected by the bombings: friends, family, and strangers alike. Tragedies such as these never go unnoticed.

When things like this happen, I realize that I could die any day. Life is such a short, fragile being, and my life isn't any more important than anyone else's in the eyes of a killer. It's very sobering for me to think about how blessed I have been in my life up to this point, and how fortunate I am to have the opportunities I have been given. Not everyone else has these chances, not everyone else is going to make it.

It isn't fair that people think they have the right or the power to take another's life. Nobody on Earth has that right. All life is precious and it is a shame that so many people are oblivious to that fact. But I don't like being the Debby Downer, especially in times like this. I like looking forward to the future, yet enjoying the present and fondly reflecting on the past. All time is sacred, because we are only given so much time. So don't spend this time complaining about how bad the world is unless you are going to try and change it.

Remember that there are always and will always be good people here; people who love you and will take care of you and help you when you are in need. They don't even have to be somebody that you know. After the bombings, tons of strangers came together to help each other and get everyone the medical attention they needed. This is what I like to take away from tragedies: people do care, and are more than willing to help. I just wish it didn't take a tragedy or a killing for this instinct to come into play.

Imagine what it would be like if everyone acted like this all of the time: if everyone genuinely cared. We don't need an excuse to do kind things, but we do seem to need motivation. So here's some motivation: you can make a difference in anyone's life by doing even the smallest of things. You are a great person, and you are capable of great things. Let's make changes that help the greater good. Let's be like the strangers at the Boston Bombing.

Enjoy the rest of your day. Keep smiling!

I'm Lazy

Ah yes, late on a Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. What an opportune time to post something! (since I haven't been keeping up on that lately... 

Here are some videos that I quite like and think you should take a gander at: 

A Video About Bullying

An Inspirational Adventure

Check them out and tell me what you think, since I'm too lazy to write my own post today anyway.

Thank you, as usual!