Lessons Learned

A year ago around this time, I was preparing to graduate high school. Ironically enough, even though a year has gone by since graduation, in some ways it feels like just yesterday. But since that time much has happened: I moved to Colorado for a year, survived my first snow in, showed Texas pride, cried when my Texas Rangers lost the World Series, and completed my first year of college as a honors nursing major. Here are some things I learned my freshman year of college:

1.     Moving away from home for college is hard, but it can be done. I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to realize I never have to be afraid to leave home because I can always come back. 

2.     The “Freshmen 15” is real. When do you get it? When you come home from breaks.. What’s up non-cafeteria food?

3.     Sometimes you are going to come across some people you just don’t like. Okay, that’s fine. But you better treat them with respect because they are still people. 

4.     Free food. Free shirts. Free money. Free, the best word you’ll probably hear in college.

5.     Just because you enter into college does not mean people are mature young adults. So many people still have a lot of growing up to do, but keep your head up. People are who they are. Just remember to remain hopeful. 

6.     That country song that says “you find out who your friends are” could not have been more right.  You lose some friends from high school but grow much closer to the ones who really matter.

7.     Communal showers, shower shoes, and shower bucket, all works of the devil.

8.     When you come home for breaks, your family usually acts like they have not seen you in years. Don’t despair. It’s wonderful. Plus you get to eat wherever you want.

9.     If you are planning on being best friends with your roommate, take a step back. People are not always what they seem and living with someone in a prison cell doesn’t always bring out the best in everyone.

10. Not good at painting nails? By the second semester you will be an expert because Heaven knows you cannot afford to get your nails done.

11. If you don’t go to Target or a frozen yogurt place at least once a week you might want to reevaluate your sanity.

12. Your professors want you to succeed. Some of the people I respected the most on campus and went to when I thought I was going to have a mental break down were my professors.

13. You reap what you sow. I mean with both schoolwork and friendships.

14. When you can, study with others. If you can afford to do that at Starbucks that has comfy chairs, go for it.

15. Getting involved on campus is by far the best thing you can do. Well, that and become friends with upperclassmen. They are pretty cool.

16. easybib.com OH MY GOSH

17. Some times you just have to let go of people that do not make you the best person you can be.

18. If you are not happy, do something about it and make a change.

19.  Remember who you are and what you have come from.

20. Don’t wish for time to fly by. One day you’ll be moving in, starting a whole new life and before you know it you’ll be packing it all up, moving back home. 

Easter.

So, here we are, three days before Easter. Three days from the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No doubt, Easter is in the top five of my favorite holidays. Most of you will have a jam-packed service or mass and then spend the day with family and friends. For me, this Easter is unlike any other I have had. This Easter is the first one I will not be with my family. No worries, I was only depressed for about three days. Luckily, I am blessed enough to spend my Easter break with my friend Becca and her family. Her mom even got me an Easter basket! Are you judging me? Well, listen, there is nothing creepy about a very large bunny that comes into your house and hides eggs and baskets full of goodies while you sleep, which pretty much puts you in a sugar coma the next day. Oh wait.

One of the best memories of my childhood was an Easter egg hunt at my aunt’s and uncle’s home. I was probably 6 and there must have been over 200 hundred eggs in their backyard. And guess what? The eggs had money in them. Of course, at that age I probably wanted candy, but my siblings and I surely banked that day. OH I almost forgot that we all matched on the important holidays. You know, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter. Without a doubt, I am sure my sister and I were wearing floral puffy dresses that made it difficult to conquer the Easter egg hunt like a lady. As tradition would have it, my family and I walked to my aunt’s and uncle’s country club where we would have a Easter brunch. I am thankful for memories such as these.

When you are little it’s all about the candy, the bunny and the plastic pastel eggs when it comes to Easter. But as I am getting into my old age I am realizing that Easter isn’t about the chocolate bunnies or the three days we get off for school. It’s about spending time with family, being thankful that Jesus has risen. Along with this, it is the ending of the Lenten season. 40 days are over and now I can have Swedish Fish! Yes, yes let us all rejoice in the streets but not forget that every day we are able to focus on prayer and sacrifice.

Let us all remember the reason for our celebration this Sunday. I hope everyone has a blessed day especially to all my friends and family back home! Happy Easter y’all!

Angels on Flights

         So we all have little things in our lives that make us happy. For me, I have come to discover that flying makes me happy. I’m not talking that super woman status of flying, although I wish I could, but instead flying in an airplane. Going to school in Denver I am spending a lot more time in airports than I thought I would at this ripe age of 18. When at the airport I play this little game . . . with myself. At the gate I like to guess who will be sitting in first class. Of course it’s always the two 5 year olds, but that’s beside the point.
          When I am on the plane I always anxiously await who will sit by me. If we are being completely honest, I always hope that I get to sit by an army guy, specifically one that isn’t married. I’m human, what can I say? It has yet to happen, but I am not giving up hope quite yet. I have sat by countless business men who have no interest in speaking to me, a college student from CU, and a flight attendant from another airline (her remarks were quite funny, especially because we were flying American. SO many flaws, so little time). On one occasion I was even blessed enough to next to this precious French two year old. We played peekaboo for a solid 2 hours. I thought that was going to be my all time favorite passenger until I met a man of about 50 on my plane ride back to Denver.
          I was 27E and he was 27D. From the get go he struck up a conversation. My first thought was, I have SO much microbiology to study and if this guy thinks we are going to converse for the next two hours, he is nuts. I was shocked as this guy practically told me his life story. He had a 20 year old son and an 8 year old girl and worked for an oil rig company. His son went to LSU and evidently he is a nerd who wants to be pharmacist. He then told me that his wife battled with depression for the past 5 years and that at first he could not understand why she could not get over it, but he went to meetings, read books and worked with his wife to make her better. In case you wanted to know, his wife is a school teacher of 5th grade, and he told me he was happy she moved from 1st grade, because now she treats him like a 5th grader instead of a 1st grader. I also found out his nephew was the quarterback of LSU and will be going pro, but he won’t get any of that money. I found out all of this in a course of about five minutes. He was an open man to say the least. He then informed me that he was afraid of taking off, and I told him we could talk as long as need be.
          Well, when he was done with his life story he wanted to know more about me. I told him I was a nursing major at Regis University and I want to be a nurse practitioner. Now, what he told me after I informed him of my life goals first made me smile, and secondly I think made a difference in me. Ridiculous? Well, hold on before you pass judgment.
He told me that I seemed like a bright girl with a lot of potential. Let’s be honest, compliments from strangers are the best. Going off of this he told me that because of what I want to do with my life, when it comes to falling in love I deserve the very best and I should not settle. A direct quote: “You are going to be making good money. If he does not provide, if he does not know what he wants out of his life, kick him to the curb. You deserve the very best man.” He then went on to tell me that marriage is a beautiful thing and he used to think it was always going to be peachy keen, but with his wife having depression he discovered there is so much to fighting for the one you love.
          At this point I pretty much thought I was going to cry. I had had a really rough week and sometimes you just need someone to put things in perspective. He saw my microbio binder and said he wanted to tell me one more thing before he let me focus on studying. He said that he had been around the block a time or two and he wanted me to know that life is much too short to not enjoy every day and wake up happy and hopeful. He told me that if there are people in my life that do not make me the best person I can be, I needed to forget them because I am worth much more than that.
          He then put his headphones in and who knows where that man is now. I don’t subscribe to the idea that “everything happens for a reason,” but I know God put that man right next to me because he had some things I needed to hear.

Things My Mama Taught Me

        For the past 18 years of my life I have surely learned a lot. However, I did not learn it all on my own. I have been blessed with a mom who has such a huge place in my heart. Because of her, I am who I am today. Even though I went away for school we are closer than ever and I pray she knows I will always find a way to come back home to her. Here are a few of the things my mama  taught me:

1.     Always be honest and open.

2.     Believe in yourself.

3.     If you want something, work for it, not stopping till you get it.

4.     Never forget about your childhood. That love you had for Santa Clause can still exist today.

5.     Life is full of life lessons so go ahead and write them down in a book.

6.     You are strong. People will only bring you down because you allow them too.

7.     Be proud of who you have become, but do not be prideful when it comes to your actions.

8.     Having a bad day? Grab some Mod Podge, glitter, paper, ribbon and anything else you can imagine and create till you are happy.

9.     You deserve a man who makes you his priority. No games, no rollercoasters, just love that is real and true.

10. It’s okay to cry.

11. Forgiving and forgetting are too different things.

12. Inappropriate language is not becoming of you as a lady.

13. You are capable of getting through anything because God put certain people in your life for a reason.

14. Toms are the best traveling shoe.

15. You are loved because of who you are.

      My beautiful mom and me in front of naked statues in Spain. You know, the usual.

Life & Death

Today in Religion & the Human Quest my professor handed out this poem:

Reflection on Death-

Nothing can make up for the absence of someone we love,

And it would be wrong to try to find a substitute.

We must simply hold out and see it through.

That sounds very hard at first,

but at the same time it is a great consolation.

For the gap, as long as it remains unfilled,

Preserves the bond between us.

It is nonsense to say God fills the gap.

God does not fill it,

But on the contrary keeps it empty

            and so helps us to keep alive

            our former communion with each other

            even at the cost of pain.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I don’t know about you, but this poem certainly hit home for me. It has been 6 years since I tragically lost my Grandpa and for so long I wondered why God did not fill the gaps in my suffering heart. Now, it is not like this poem answers all my questions or makes me miss my grandpa any less. Instead, this poem allows me to look at missing someone who can no longer be with me in a more comforting light. We have all lost someone we have loved so dearly and wish were still here. Try to always remember that you are not alone.  For me, I go to my mom and grandma when I am missing my grandpa and we just laugh and smile about old memories and how things used to be. The pain is hard but reach out to others because most likely they are feeling the emptiness also.

I Love Us

Well here we are, the first day of February has finally arrived. Now, I know what you are thinking, “YES, the beginning of Black History Month!” Granted, I am more than stoked for a month like this but February is also known for that little thing called Valentine’s Day. There, I said it, so let’s all try to deal with it.

            Before Christmas was even over Valentine’s Day paraphernalia was attempting— and  yes, succeeding— at  haunting every female’s hopes and dreams. OH, you think that’s a little dramatic? Have you talked to a single girl, over the age of 16, on Valentine’s Day? No? Well don’t. Most likely she will claw your eyes out. In fact, some people have adopted a new name for the day supposed to be the most love-dovey of the whole year: S.A.D. or for those of you who are not caught up on such lingo, Single’s Awareness Day.

            But hold up, where did Valentine’s Day even come from? Doing some research I of course went to Wiki. Bother you? Okay, sounds like a personal problem. Like any other tradition there are many stories trying to explain why people do what they do. Evidently, there was once a Christian martyr named Saint Valentine. The Golden Legend has it that the night before Saint Valentine was to be executed for trying  to convert Roman Emperor Clausius II to Catholicism, he supposedly wrote the first “valentine” card himself. He addressed the valentine to a young girl, who may have been his beloved, and signed the note “From your Valentine.”

            So uh I have a question. . . If Valentine’s Day merely started by a note signed by a Saint named Valentine, then how in the world did we go from a man who really did exist to a chubby baby in a loincloth with a bow and arrow that causes people to fall in love? 

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with Valentine’s Day, but what if we are missing the point? Through my 18 long years of life I have come to discover many things, one of them being that if companies can make money off of something, trust me, they will. Pessimistic? Huh, no, I am just calling it like it is. Think about it: What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Valentine’s Day? I sincerely hope it is love, and then probably right after that, money. . . Ever tried to buy roses on Valentine’s Day? Ya, don’t. You will come to discover that you will have to take out a loan just to afford a dozen.  Here is what I think of when it comes to Valentine’s Day:

        Valentines, handmade or store bought: It’s the thought that counts, right? I still give Valentines because I refuse to believe I am not in elementary anymore. 

       Carnations: Every Valentine’s Day at my high school, every female received a flower to let them know they were loved. 

       Chocolates: Jay, if you are reading this think Godiva. Hehe, just kitten. . . but seriously. . .

       A ginormous teddy bear: Nothing says “I love you” like a teddy bear bigger than most children under the age of six. 

Hearts: I know, a classic. We are talking big hearts, little hearts, red hearts, pink hearts, shiny hearts, glittery hearts, smelly hearts. . . .Wait what?

PINK RED GLITTER AHHHHHHH EVERYWHERE

Okay, so that’s all the material things, but here is what I don’t quite understand: One day out of the whole year we pay ridiculous amounts of money to tell those special people in our lives that we love them. But wait, why do we need a specific day like Valentine’s Day to do that. Shouldn’t every day be the day to tell the people that you love that your life would not be the same without them and that you are so grateful to know them? Maybe I am too optimistic, but maybe it’s not that ridiculous of a thought.

So no matter if you are single, married, or in a relationship, take a moment today to go to the person you love most, whether it be a husband, a wife, a mom, a grandma, a brother, a best friend or maybe your neighbor (hey, weirder things have happened), and let them know you care about them.

            With all this being said, here we go folks. It’s the month of love, so let’s embrace it happy and grateful for all those people that we love most in our lives. Valentine’s Day is going to come and go, but the people that we would give the world to spend an endless number of Valentine’s Days together are what really matter, so take a moment on February 14^th or maybe even right now to say, “I love us.”  

College Sucks, Until it Doesn't.

“It’s the best time of your life.”
“OH MY GOSH college is so crazy.”

“Don’t worry about a thing, everyone else is in the same boat.”

“It’s all going to fly by.”

If you are in college at some point before heading off to school you have heard some of these lovely words of wisdom. So here we are back at school for another semester and I am reflecting on what I have been told. However, as I spend over 200 dollars on books, attempt to wake up before my 9 o’clock class (I know I complain when people have 8 AMS and I am so sorry), and try to just deal with the cafeteria food, I am unable to find the beauty in this whole “college thing.” I know, I know, Ms. Bitter Betty, but I hope you will hear me out.

When you first to get to college there is so much excitement, so much to discover and so many things to learn (I am on life lesson #756), but it’s all hard. It’s hard knowing who is genuine. It’s hard knowing how that first test is going to be in each of your classes. It’s hard knowing who you are meant to be. So ya, college sucks until it doesn’t. You start off with a whirl wind of emotions, running around trying to be friends with everyone and their mother. But then things calm down and textbooks beat you over the head. You come to discover who will be there for you when you get sick. You come to realize that late night pillow talk is something sacred. You come to realize, that the girls across the hall that you thought were rude, are the sweetest Colorado angels you have ever met. Everything you had worried about worked out as it was meant.

But now I am on my second semester and every time I come back from Texas I count down the days till I get to go back home. Now, no worries, I love it here in Denver, but there is something hopeful about knowing how many days till I get to be reunited with my family and friends, and of course the great state of Texas. I had promised myself this year that I would try my best to take one day at a time, but instead I am jumping ahead 41 days till Spring Break. Maybe it’s because here I get nosebleeds? Or maybe it's because when I walk around I feel like I need an oxygen tank? Whatever the case may be, I need to cut it out.

Here I am, hoping that I can fast-forward my college days and because of this I am missing the point. I am blessed to attend a college where I am cared for not just by my friends but also by my faculty and staff. A college that has some places around campus that look like Howgwarts. A college that offers me a Jesuit viewpoint of cura personalis. I have all this, yet I want to jump into the real world? Maybe it’s because sometimes I feel like have an old soul? Silly? Ya, maybe. However, this old soul still has a lot more heartache to experience and life lessons to learn. I can wish it would goby  faster but my 24 hour days are not going to speed up upon my request. I have hopes, wishes, and dreams but they are going to fall into place when it’s meant, not when I want them to.

Okay, so where do I go from here? Well, I am still going to look forward to going home but I am going to focus more on my blessings around me. Every morning I wake and say the Serenity Prayer:

“God grant me the serenity
     to accept the things I cannot change;
      courage to change the things I can;
     and wisdom to know the difference.”

            This prayer reminds me that you know what, college is what it is but I can also make a difference on how I want my experience to be: happy, fulfilled, content, and inspired. So to all you college students out there let’s try something. Let’s be content with where we are and make the most out of what we have all been given.