I thought I would end 2017 with a blog with all the exciting highlights of the year! This year has been stressful, fun, and chaotic at times but it taught me so much!
1. I was able to go on new adventures this year! I was able to go to several hiking trails in NC, CT, and NY, Alabama, the Outer Banks, Vermont, and different parts of CT (Kent, New Milford, Danbury - perks of working at a summer camp)
2. I discovered I do have a passion for research, especially for mosquitoes and the illnesses they carry, biodiversity, etc. I learned I enjoyed presenting research and teaching others about mosquitoes and will hopefully get to do that in the upcoming year for my master's degree. This was also reiterated when I was asked to come on permanently as a freelancer for Pollution Detectives and got to do data analysis, research, and editing.
3. I graduated from college in May!!!! 4.5 years of hard work, supportive professors and friends, and different experiences. Definitely grateful for the opportunity to attend Catawba :)
4. Moved to CT!
5. Was able to visit my graduate school of choice and find a potential graduate advisor interested in me :) - then was asked about working on a grant - stay tuned in 2018 for news on acceptance
6. I learned to make decisions for myself! I spent so long trying to pursue what others wanted for me I lost sight on choosing what makes me truly happy. Spent so many times where I was so worn down from trying to do well, do things to appease other people, and manage my time. 2017 - was the year I decided to make changes; which included moving to a new state, finding a school, and taking numerous chances.
7. Lastly, changes in my lifestyle, health, and fitness. This past year I was told I had moderate asthma - and I am learning to manage it and will continue to learn more about it as time goes on. I learned some yoga (thank you A/Dr. A.H for inviting me to yoga while still as a student). I learned to be more mindful of my body and emotions- which sometimes help reduce stress... and I have also made some feats with my fitness! I did learn yoga and had improved flexibility (not in a while but did see changes), am able to walk long distances, running (THIS IS HUGE!!! ESP BECAUSE OF ASTHMA) - I was able to set PR for myself - starting at 15, then 20 - 21 min, eventually 25 - 30 minutes, to the last time being able to run for 33 minutes without stopping - I have been running on and off since August and recently had some set backs with the weather/bronchitis & asthma/holidays but will be back at it in 2018! I also learned more about weight training this past year.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
2017 Reflections
2017
This has been quite the year - so many things have happened and I have grown a lot as a person in so many ways. Some things have been great, others not so much but I have had support along the way.
Last year at this time, I was finishing the most challenging semester of my life - excited to have barely gotten a B in one of the most difficult undergraduate courses (neuroscience) and still had another semester tacked on in order to get all my credits to graduate. I did learn in that semester that sometimes things that are most rewarding won't come without a fight - very applicable to life outside of academia and definitely was a huge lesson for me.
A bit of a recap of early 2017: In the beginning of the year I started a pro-bono, for experience internship learning about nonprofits and environmental health for Pollution Detectives (I have had quite the experience with Dr. Koster). I was also learned early in the year, I have moderate asthma and I have to take care of myself, take daily meds to prevent symptoms, and learn about asthma itself. However, having it properly treated has made my life easier... I got the chance to study biodiversity of mosquitoes (spun of my summer internship) and I learned I did actually enjoy seeing environmental science, biology, and public health come together. Also, I went to Alabama to present in late March/early April.
Graduation: so the spring semester went smoothly minus my persistent worry over painting class (which still is ironic since I draw well but painting eluded my capabilities) and biochemistry was rough... I also made the decision to move to CT in the works as of late last December/early January and that was a transition and a half... But I am still glad I made the move. Then after graduation... there was a trip to the Outer Banks (my first time yet lived in NC since I was 3) and the opportunity to work at a camp in Kent, CT.
Camp - as time passes on - I realize how much Camp Kenmont/Kenwood had on me - directly and indirectly. While I was there - I realized I lacked confidence and the ability to speak up despite having a good work ethic and a passion for kids. If I do go back to work at Kenmont/Kenwood I will definitely come back with more confidence. However, I did learn about different people and cultures, interacted with many people from outside the States, and got to be outside a LOT- which is my favorite thing. I lived with strangers for two months who grew to be like family and I learned how to figure out things without always needing to ask someone for advice (I did a LOT of laundry by hand because of the camps broken dryer :O)
After camp ended, life became a lull and I had to go and search fervently for jobs. Thankfully, I was able to work at Subway and was offered a remote freelance position (although I do data analysis not necessarily writing/editing as much - but still paid nonetheless) while I attempted to find something full time. That changed in October when I went for an interview at Faneuil, which is a place that holds Access Health CT and Connecticare health insurance. I started with CTcare on November 3rd, with several weeks of training and have worked in the actual call center for 2 weeks now. It is definitely a different job than I expected - and also my 7th one of the year. But I do have steady work, I am on the books for Subway still, and do get to do work for Pollution Detectives still.
In addition to going to a new church, I have also recently gotten the opportunity a couple of times to be a one to one for a nonverbal boy at church... He is on the spectrum and definitely has a hard time communicating so I thought it was cool when I was able to make a connection with him and teach my friend E about ASD and sensory processing. I might also be able to help with figuring out a way to make sure childrens church can help include those with special needs and how to help them feel at home at church - which is exciting to re-explore the topic and help teach others about neurodiversity - and thankfully there is a special needs teacher who is in charge of Sunday School - which is pretty exciting to collaborate or even get ideas to make sure H is comfortable while able to still be a kid.
Lastly - driving. This is a topic that is very personal and brings out my vulnerability in all the ways I would rather avoid. For those who don't know, I have had driving lessons in the past with an instructor who made me feel anxious and at the time - I had astigmatisms that worsened that affected my eye sight, leading to eyestrain. I did have a friend, J, who was the one who encouraged me to drive and taught me basics a couple of years back. She was (at the time one of the few) who encouraged me to drive). HOWEVER... I heard a lot of things when the driving instructor didn't work out and pretty much said I should never drive - and it was brought up how it was because I have ADHD (and to clarify - I am predominantly hyperactive - I actually pay attention well and have decent executive functions - or fine motor skills (this one gets me because I am able to draw well and have good dexterity - except for I use my left hand better with certain tasks).... With that being said, my parents brought me driving lessons and education course for graduation. I had confidence when I was driving with my stepmom even though I still needed to learn mechanics behind things and had weaknesses... However, in early October I got into an accident where I over turned the wheel when turning right and went through the fence and hit a standstill car. Everything was okay - me and my stepmom were pretty shaken. This unfortunately set me back ALOT in my confidence after building my confidence up from the previously being told I should never drive. However, I have a very patient and caring driving instructor, R.C. who during the second lesson figured out it was anxiety driven (both performance and hanging onto what people have said). I still have a LOT of work to do to get back the confidence I HAD and to go forward with driving but I have supportive parents, friends, and instructor - oh and a LOT of determination - even if it means low key sweating so much from nerves! So that saga will continue in 2018... which all goes back to PATIENCE :O!
This has been quite the year - so many things have happened and I have grown a lot as a person in so many ways. Some things have been great, others not so much but I have had support along the way.
Last year at this time, I was finishing the most challenging semester of my life - excited to have barely gotten a B in one of the most difficult undergraduate courses (neuroscience) and still had another semester tacked on in order to get all my credits to graduate. I did learn in that semester that sometimes things that are most rewarding won't come without a fight - very applicable to life outside of academia and definitely was a huge lesson for me.
A bit of a recap of early 2017: In the beginning of the year I started a pro-bono, for experience internship learning about nonprofits and environmental health for Pollution Detectives (I have had quite the experience with Dr. Koster). I was also learned early in the year, I have moderate asthma and I have to take care of myself, take daily meds to prevent symptoms, and learn about asthma itself. However, having it properly treated has made my life easier... I got the chance to study biodiversity of mosquitoes (spun of my summer internship) and I learned I did actually enjoy seeing environmental science, biology, and public health come together. Also, I went to Alabama to present in late March/early April.
Graduation: so the spring semester went smoothly minus my persistent worry over painting class (which still is ironic since I draw well but painting eluded my capabilities) and biochemistry was rough... I also made the decision to move to CT in the works as of late last December/early January and that was a transition and a half... But I am still glad I made the move. Then after graduation... there was a trip to the Outer Banks (my first time yet lived in NC since I was 3) and the opportunity to work at a camp in Kent, CT.
Camp - as time passes on - I realize how much Camp Kenmont/Kenwood had on me - directly and indirectly. While I was there - I realized I lacked confidence and the ability to speak up despite having a good work ethic and a passion for kids. If I do go back to work at Kenmont/Kenwood I will definitely come back with more confidence. However, I did learn about different people and cultures, interacted with many people from outside the States, and got to be outside a LOT- which is my favorite thing. I lived with strangers for two months who grew to be like family and I learned how to figure out things without always needing to ask someone for advice (I did a LOT of laundry by hand because of the camps broken dryer :O)
After camp ended, life became a lull and I had to go and search fervently for jobs. Thankfully, I was able to work at Subway and was offered a remote freelance position (although I do data analysis not necessarily writing/editing as much - but still paid nonetheless) while I attempted to find something full time. That changed in October when I went for an interview at Faneuil, which is a place that holds Access Health CT and Connecticare health insurance. I started with CTcare on November 3rd, with several weeks of training and have worked in the actual call center for 2 weeks now. It is definitely a different job than I expected - and also my 7th one of the year. But I do have steady work, I am on the books for Subway still, and do get to do work for Pollution Detectives still.
In addition to going to a new church, I have also recently gotten the opportunity a couple of times to be a one to one for a nonverbal boy at church... He is on the spectrum and definitely has a hard time communicating so I thought it was cool when I was able to make a connection with him and teach my friend E about ASD and sensory processing. I might also be able to help with figuring out a way to make sure childrens church can help include those with special needs and how to help them feel at home at church - which is exciting to re-explore the topic and help teach others about neurodiversity - and thankfully there is a special needs teacher who is in charge of Sunday School - which is pretty exciting to collaborate or even get ideas to make sure H is comfortable while able to still be a kid.
Lastly - driving. This is a topic that is very personal and brings out my vulnerability in all the ways I would rather avoid. For those who don't know, I have had driving lessons in the past with an instructor who made me feel anxious and at the time - I had astigmatisms that worsened that affected my eye sight, leading to eyestrain. I did have a friend, J, who was the one who encouraged me to drive and taught me basics a couple of years back. She was (at the time one of the few) who encouraged me to drive). HOWEVER... I heard a lot of things when the driving instructor didn't work out and pretty much said I should never drive - and it was brought up how it was because I have ADHD (and to clarify - I am predominantly hyperactive - I actually pay attention well and have decent executive functions - or fine motor skills (this one gets me because I am able to draw well and have good dexterity - except for I use my left hand better with certain tasks).... With that being said, my parents brought me driving lessons and education course for graduation. I had confidence when I was driving with my stepmom even though I still needed to learn mechanics behind things and had weaknesses... However, in early October I got into an accident where I over turned the wheel when turning right and went through the fence and hit a standstill car. Everything was okay - me and my stepmom were pretty shaken. This unfortunately set me back ALOT in my confidence after building my confidence up from the previously being told I should never drive. However, I have a very patient and caring driving instructor, R.C. who during the second lesson figured out it was anxiety driven (both performance and hanging onto what people have said). I still have a LOT of work to do to get back the confidence I HAD and to go forward with driving but I have supportive parents, friends, and instructor - oh and a LOT of determination - even if it means low key sweating so much from nerves! So that saga will continue in 2018... which all goes back to PATIENCE :O!
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