As I'm wrapping up junior year with my last final two exams next week, I thought it was a good idea to look back at what I've learned, seen, and did in a year. Most people have asked me if I've been enjoying junior year and each time, I've given multiple answers. Some good, some bad... definitely depended on the day, that's for sure.
I'm a firm believer that every moment is an experience leading to the next point in our lives. They all serve as lessons to better us for difficult tasks ahead in our future and to prepare us for what's to come. It isn't just our actions, but also our attitude towards a situation that shows us the person we are.
My experience living in a house full of girls was tough. I'm not going to sugarcoat it.
We've all had our ups and downs, but together we've grown and learned a lot from each other and about each other. I'm grateful to be surrounded with people that get me, love me, care about me, and want to be a part of my life.
{ 1. Halloween on Franklin St. }
Always an interesting night. I've mentioned time and time again that Halloween on Franklin Street is always a big deal here at Carolina. Hundreds and hundreds of people walk the streets, the police block off Franklin St. for the night, everyone celebrates, shows off their costumes, takes photos, and it's just always a fun time to be surrounded by your closest friends.
{ 2. Swoozie's event in Charlotte, NC }
Natalie and I attended the Swoozie's event in Charlotte. Natalie and I have roadtripped together quite frequently this year. I love that these events and trips have allowed us to bond more and grow closer together. She's always been someone I can confide in and supports me every step of the way. I've learned a lot of things by being with Natalie and I just know that having someone who influences you and motivates you is the best kind of friendship.
{ 3. Myrtle Beach trip with the family }
My family and I like to travel for winter vacation. With the whole 'it's the most wonderful time of the year' mantra, we like to spend the season together in a place to catch up on life and just enjoy each other's company. We're very close as a family and I couldn't be more blessed. This year, we went to Myrtle Beach, SC. Even though I've been to Myrtle Beach several times before, it was the idea that I was able to spend several days with my family. We sure did make the most of it.
{ 4. Asheville Glamping Hub travel trip with Natalie }
Natalie and I had the pleasure of partnering with Glamping Hub for a bestie mountain weekend experience. I had never been to Asheville before, so it was quite the experience for me. As a stickler for a schedule, I learned to handle situations that were out of my control. Natalie influenced me to handle them well, and looking back... I don't know if I'll ever find a better travel partner.
You can read all about it here + here + here.
{ 5. Snow Day }
I love snow days for many reasons.
For starters, I love the cold. Secondly, I'm lucky enough to always be living with my best friends and to enjoy the day off with them. Last year it was a week off and it really did hurt our academic calendar. Not complaining though.
This year, my housemates and I trekked to Franklin Street, ate at Sup Dogs, and "played in the snow ice."
{ 6. LuLu*s Valentine's Day shoot }
Every year, I try to incorporate something fun and festive for the holidays.
This year, I teamed up with LuLu*s for a fun Valentine's (or what I like to call Galentine's) Day photo-shoot with my best friends. We had an awesome photographer, who goes to UNC, and had our living room set up like a studio. There was sangria involved and lots and lots of confetti... which, by the way, takes forever to clean up.
What did I learn? NOT to use confetti ever again. Hah.
I say that now...
{ 7. Turning 21 }
Turning. 21. Probably the most anticipated event of the year. My friends threw me a 21st birthday party at my house and let's just say... it was quite a night.
Natalie took me out for dinner in Raleigh where I ordered my first apple cinnamon sangria. Swoozie's provided me with 21st birthday goodies and I made champagne jell-O shots.
The day of my birthday, there was also a tornado watch, a power outage, and a UNC basketball game, so I had to quickly learn that there will always be something that doesn't go according to plan. And it's okay. I realized that I was surrounded by people who cared about me and I changed my perspective on the situation.
{ 8. Spring Break in California }
I traveled to California for Spring Break to finally meet my blogger bestie
Ashley in real life.
She was an incredible hostess and really showed me the best of LA. For someone who's been set on living in NYC after graduation, she opened my eyes to possibilities in LA. I could actually see myself living there, which made me realize to always keep my options open. Plans change, your perspective can change, and people can change. It was an eye-opening experience that I would relive in a heartbeat.
{ 9. UNC Basketball season }
Nothing gives me more anxiety and stress than Carolina basketball. Seriously.
If you follow me on Snapchat and my other social media platforms, you've probably seen my excessive love for Carolina basketball. It's quite possibly one of the top reasons why I chose to come to UNC-Chapel Hill... not even kidding. But for those who know, we made it all the way to the National Championship only to be left with an 'in-the-moment' buzzer beater that left me (and the entire UNC population) heartbroken. This was an incredible team that deserved the National title and so much more, but the team players handled it very well, and I think that's what was so inspiring to me.
I admire people who choose to shine even after all the storms they've been through.
{ 10. NYC }
Looking back at my trip to NYC for interviews and meetings, all I can think about is my stress level, which was an all-time high. I stress about stress before there's even stress to stress about. You know that quote? Yeah, story of my life. But that week in NYC gave me a sneak preview of my life in NYC for summer, and I wanted it so bad. It made me excited, nervous, and grateful to have the opportunity to stay in the City doing what I love. I don't think most people ever experience that in their lifetime, and to say that I will be doing that this summer is incredible. This situation served as a reminder that God works in mysterious ways, and to never doubt His plans for you.
Post here.
As for L D O C . . .
April is always the toughest month of the spring semester. It's the month of finals and the realization that I still have a couple of semesters until graduation. But this year, I felt different about it. I am about to finish my junior year and become a senior. Which means only two more semesters until I graduate. It didn't hit me until I was walking around campus watching seniors take graduation pictures in their caps and gowns, and reading all my graduating friends post nostalgic photos and memories from their time spent at Carolina.
This is probably the cheesiest thing I could ever say, but I'm actually in love with this place.
Carolina has been home for four years, I've grown, messed up countless times, met incredible friends, and experienced memories that I'll probably never experience again.
It's been quite the journey. And it's sad to think my time is almost up here, but it's not over just yet.
If there's one thing that I've learned this year, it's not stress the small things.
Which... by the way, I do. Constantly. It's hard distinguishing the small things from the big things because to me, everything is important. I'm the type of person who wants to do it all. And I want to do it perfectly to the point where it exceeds all limitations. Well. Unfortunately, that's always a struggle because we are not perfect. So I've learned to handle myself and realize that nothing is going to go according to plan, and that's perfectly okay. It'll be okay. Life will go on. And maybe it took lots of instances and difficulties to go through to finally realize that.
What's kind of tough about writing these points is that I'm writing them through a tough time right now: finals.
But the thing is, none of those sleepless nights where you drank too much coffee, cried because you're tired and sleep-deprived is going to matter. More importantly how you handled yourself in the situation, your response to it, and the end result is what you'll remember out of it. And I think keeping that in mind has allowed me to move forward and push myself harder.
All of it will be worth it in the end.
Thank you for reading.
