Tales Through Instagram: A's Visit to the Bay State

I had planned on posting this earlier, but the start of semester has gotten the best of me. Anyways, A made his way up for a visit to the Bay State during my winter break, and we had the most wonderful time. We toured breweries, ice skated, and did a whirlwind tour of Cape Cod, just to name a few things.  It was nice to finally spend more than two days together, and I'm really excited to spend a good amount of time with him again in March. I've also reached the point where I see a faint light at the end of this long distance tunnel; come July I'll be in AZ starting my grad program, my assistantship, and continuing to cultivate my relationship with A. Honestly, I could ramble on and on about what a super time we both had, but I'll let these photos speak for themselves:

Be Prepared...

Next Wednesday, I begin the final semester of my undergraduate career and I couldn't be more excited. I have a lot to look forward to and I'm ready for what's next.

More exciting things will be showing up on the blog in the next few months, including:

• Highs and lows from the relocation process. I'm moving to Arizona this summer to begin my graduate studies in either central or southern AZ. 
• Snippets from the grad assistantship interview process. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow night I'll pick up A from the airport, and spend eight days with him. It's the second "in-person" visit of our LDR. You might be saying "what only you're second visit?!" Yes..it's true. But this upcoming semester, we'll be seeing a whole lot more of each which is exciting....in fact, there will only be a short two week span between two of our visits (crazy how things work that way).

Everyday, I'm more grateful for A and our relationship. I'll be happy for the day when we make it out of this distance thing and move towards something a tad more proximal...

One Word 2013: Venture

Instead of making of laundry list of sometimes very unsuccessful goals and "resolutions," I have begun to focus on one word to guide my focus throughout the year.

My OneWord  for 2012 was "choose." I wanted to make a more concerted effort to be more cognizant of the choices I have and more intentional with the decisions I make. I made a lot of big decisions that I'm proud of and am excited to see them take shape over the next few months..and maybe even years. 

For 2013, the word I chose is venture. As I set myself to graduate from college in May and enjoy my last few months of undergrad, I'm excited for what's to come. I'm venturing into the next chapter of my life which includes moving to Grand Canyon state, starting my graduate program in Higher Education, and a myriad other exciting things.

This year, I resolving to venture wholeheartedly into my next chapter; to live and love fearlessly and openly.

Instagram Updates: Road Trips, Connections, End of the Semester + More

As usual, Instagram photos speak louder than words. 

UVM | UVM Davis Center | UCONN SU | UCONN

BSU | Chowder Fridays | Tent City | Pumpkin Froyo!

ThinkFast! | Special trip for VP | Thrifted Camel Skirt | Lists...

Tea | Greenhouse by night | Logo planning | FNL

Wrapping | Thoughtful gifts from friends + A | New glasses

GSC V Part I: To Kayla, Love University of Arizona

Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain), Tucson, AZ Credit

Yesterday at 4:03pm, I received the best Christmas present ever: an acceptance letter email to the University of Arizona's Masters of Higher Education program. It was overwhelming and exciting at the same time. This has been, by far, the best experience throughout this whole process. Sure, it's awesome to finally apply to schools and then anxiously wait for a decision, but it's different when you finally hear back.

My acceptance to U of A was the best Christmas gift for a few reasons. It's real now. After a year of planning and applying, I'm no longer in this weird limbo period waiting for an admittance decision. I know that even if I don't get the response I want from ASU or any other position I applied to, I'll be moving to Arizona in the summertime regardless. I'll be living out my dream, going to grad school, and starting the next chapter of my life. Another bonus is that A and I only have a few more months left of being in a long distance relationship. Even though there's still more hurdles to cross in terms of securing an assistantship and a place to live; I'm confident it will all work out in the end.


By the way, isn't U of A pretty?

Credit

Credit

So thanks, U of A, for making this the best Christmas ever! 

Seeking the Support and Approval of Others

I have a bad habit of constantly seeking approval and support from others. I grew up in a very supportive home and my mother always taught me to brave and set high goals for myself. However, in my formative years, not everyone who I cared deeply about were supportive or approving of what I wanted out of life or what I sought to do. As a result, I subconsciously began making sure that everyone I ever encountered approved of what I did. This led me down the destructive path of always second guessing myself and being really insecure.

Then one day I woke up and realized that a life of second-guessing wasn't what I wanted. I read Donald Miller's A Million Miles In A Thousand Years, which is all about living out your purpose and making the story that God wrote for you come to life. One of the passages in the book hit me particularly hard:

"Fear isn't only a guide to keep us safe; it's also a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life."

When I was 17, I was living a boring life because I was always afraid of what others would think and if I would get the significant amount of approval and support for my psyche. I knew that there was a bigger purpose for my life and I shouldn't be fearful of taking the risks necessary to live out my purpose because what is best for me might not be the best for someone else.

Even though sometimes, I slip back in the "seeking out approval" abyss; I'm more cognizant of it now and take the steps to change my thinking. I make strides the necessary to make sure I accomplish all of the goals I have for right (AZ here, I come!).

Take risks. Find ways to get to "yes." Turn dreams into plans. Ultimately, it's more important to live out my purpose than running around seeking approval from others.