Start of Something New

The world is always in movement.

- V. S. Naipaul 

Something about being in Boone makes the above statement even more true. I feel like ever since I have arrived in Boone my life has always been stuck in this constant fluidity of change.  Learning a new job. Meeting new people. Adjusting to this hippie culture. Trying to figure what it exactly means to be a Mountaineer. And now, even though it's technically "summer" here at App State, I feel that I have been experiencing more changes now than ever before. While some of these changes are great and better than what I expected. Some take time to adjust to and I'm not always so thrilled about them when I first become aware of them. Some make me smile and maybe even blush a little! ;) Yet, others have brought me to tears and left me completely confused and frustrated. But no matter what, whether I am happy about the change or not, I strive to see the good. I have to look for the thing that keeps me going and the ways that I could possibly become a better person because of this new adventure in my life. No matter what I do to stop the curve balls from coming, they always seem to show up when I least expect. Might as well make the best out of it and enjoy the ride!

Grad School: Year One

To Do List

Write 4 Reflection Papers

Finish Transition Report

Complete First Yr of Grad School

Laundry

Well folks, completing my first year of graduate school has been crossed off the To-Do list. I am now a 2nd year! And I have no idea where that first year went. It has been nothing short of a whirl wind year, but it has meet and exceeded so many expectations. I don't even know if there is a possible way to fully describe this first year of grad school to you. I feel that I could bombard you with adjectives such as amazing, wonderful, challenging, fantastic, exciting, thrilling, empowering, stressful, exhausting, exhilarating, refreshing, etc. But I'm not sure words such as those would do this year justice. 

I think I can look back on this first year as a success due to many contributing factors. But the most important one is family. Family had a HUGE part to play in this adventure. First off, my parents and siblings have been so supportive of this journey I am on. I can always count on them even though I am over 20 hours away from home. This year I was fortunate to have a staff that have blessed me in ways I am not deserving of and I am so thankful to call them my family. I love you guys!! I was also blessed by being adopted into the Carruth family here in Boone. Andrew just graduated from my program, and He and his AMAZING wife Leigh and their daughter welcomed me into their lives and home. I could not have made it through this year without them. On top of all that, I have my CSD family, my housing family, and the ASU family in general. I work alongside some incredible people. I have met and interacted with some of the most amazing students. Students who inspire me, challenge me, and support me and  I could only hope to be as cool as they are one day!

All of the experiences I have had throughout this past year, both good and bad, have been tremendous growth opportunities and I wouldn't trade them for the world. And the great part about it all, I still have another year left! I want to offer my congratulations to all the 2nd years who graduated this weekend! I am so proud of all of you! Thank you for being such great mentors and showing us the way!

Now it's time to bring in the new first years and show them what App is all about!