Wow...I haven't posted anything in a super long time. I haven't been slacking, I promise! I have actually been super busy. School, work, nap...repeat. I feel like that is my life at the moment. I do occasionally throw some food into the mix just to keep me on my toes.
School...for most it's a dreaded word and sometimes for me it is too. I just love learning though so a lot of the time it is happy word for me, especially when I graduate in approximately 116 days. The journey in school has been a long one and for awhile one that I thought I wouldn't continue. I started off with this goal of going to Arizona State University. It was the only school I applied to in high school. That is how much I wanted to go to that school. School is expensive...especially if you are an out of state student. When money got tight, I found myself heading back to Illinois. It was hard. I felt defeated but at least I tried, right? I lost a close friend while I was home during that time and at first things just didn't work for me. I didn't handle it well. I didn't understand why this person was taken away. I had a conversation with my friend's mother. This conversation changed my life. The mother had told me how much her daughter looked up to me and admired me. I had inspired my friend to want more from life, to have goals and pursue those goals. I didn't realize I had that much of an impact on her. Something switched in my head and I felt like I had a purpose: inspiring and helping others. I was getting ready to embark on a new adventure. While I was home I started to think about what I could do for others, and in particular, kids. I became a Big Sister! I knew I could be a positive and encouraging person in my Little's life. I had the best time with my Little. She is a very sweet and funny girl and I hope she realizes the potential she has! During my time with my Little, I decided I needed to complete my first goal...graduate from ASU. With the help of my family and friends, I reapplied and got in and will be graduating in May. I am going to have to say that this past year and a half has probably been the best year and a half of my life.
Work...I cannot say enough good things about the Boys and Girls Club and what they offer their members. I have met so many brilliant people, kids and co-workers, alike. They make my job fun and it's something I look forward to every day. My time at the club, though, is coming to an end. It is something that breaks my heart every time I think about it. Saying goodbye is never easy and this time will be no different. I have enjoyed being a part of their lives and I hope that I can still be apart of their lives after I leave. Which leads me into my next spiel...Peace Corps!
So any day now, I could be receiving my invitation to serve in an African community. Having a hard time saying goodbye to the kids motivated me to create a potential project that will allow me to take the Boys and Girls Club with me to my potential community and also bring the new culture to the Boys and Girls Club. I am working with a variety of different people in hopes to making this happen. I have sent rough drafts to a variety of family members, co-workers, as well as my Peace Corps recruiter and Placement Officer. Fingers are crossed, toes are crossed, eyes are crossed...everything is crossed. I have never felt so strongly about something in my life. I KNOW I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOME ONE'S LIFE. I have so many ideas and projects that I can bring with me to my prospective community and I can't wait to do it.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
