Holy cow I can’t believe how fast this semester has gone. I am finally done with all 3 finals and never have to go to Calc 3 again. I’m more than a little excited about this in case you couldn’t tell. This summer is setting out to be the best and busiest one yet. I’m going skydiving later today, vacationing in Florida sometime in May, and working at a Food Chemistry plant. I can’t begin to describe how much I am looking forward to it all. I will also have some free time to work on my thesis and hopefully complete it as well as do some serious research.

I’ve been doing some soul searching lately and, although I’m still deciding, I am at least looking at graduate programs. I think I might want to get my PhD in Biophysics. With all my senior friends graduating tomorrow, it’s got me thinking I should have some sort of plan. Either way, I know WMU has prepared me very well for whatever I decided to do.

Anyway, that’s all the new news I have for now. I’ll be sure to let you know how my summer ends up going

Man, I have been even busier than I thought possible. I don’t think anything that big even happened, but as we are winding down this semester, things are picking up and my stress levels are rising. I’m working on planning Spotlight (which if you are a junior, you should attend), while also trying to balance school, my other jobs, and whatever life outside school I pretend to have. Let me tell you, I have just about reached my breaking point a huge number of times these past few days. Luckily, the weather is so lovely and I have treated myself to going out to dinner and taking walks around campus. I absolutely love the Kalamazoo area, especially now that being outside is such a pleasant experience. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see Kalamazoo, I highly recommend it.

Anyway, I don’t know if I mentioned this or not, but I am all registered for my fall semester classes. I wish I could say it was my last fall semester, but I will have one more after that. Still, I have got to figure out what comes next pretty soon. It’s nice to have such great advisors here to help out with all that though. My sister went to see the same advisor I do today. I highly recommend her.

My next goal is to make a trip out to South Haven. I need to go to the beach soon. I can’t wait. Just get in my car and drive, watch the sunset, and feel the sand between my toes. It’s great that the beach is so close!

Anyway, I don’t have much else that’s new. Until Next time.

So we just got back from spring break. I went to New York for the first time ever and it was fantastic! I really needed the time off. However, now that I’m back, I’m kicking it into full gear until the end of the year. It’s quite stressful as I have research papers, tests, work, research, and studying to balance. That’s not even taking my sleeping and social life schedules into account. Let’s just say that those will be put on the back-burner until I can finally finish up this seemingly never-ending semester.

Don’t get me wrong, this semester is great. I’m really enjoying my classes, labs, and work. It’s just a lot. Especially with teaching and everything. I honestly can’t wait for the summer (but who can’t?). Unfortunately I will have to take Physics II during the summer II semester, but I think I’ll get over it if the weather is this beautiful out and I still get to spend time outside.

I am fully scheduled for next semester. Fall 2013 here I come. I already know it will be hard. I’ll be in Physical Chemistry (YUCK!), Biochemistry I with the 4 hour lab, and Calc 4. Good thing I like Chemistry right? Haha. I’m not looking forward to it. We’ll see though because I know a lot of people who will be in the classes with me and it should be decent at the very least.

Anyway, that’s all that’s really new right now, so, until next time.

So I had this long post written out and it got deleted. I’m going to try my very best to replicate it, but no promises. Anyway, I had an advising appointment this morning and I first need to say that Tammi in the advising office of the College of Arts and Sciences is simply fantastic. I cannot tell you how many times I leave her office feeling refreshed and like I know what’s going on in terms of my classes and future. I’ve been feeling a little lost lately just in that I know I want to travel and write a book, but the rest of my life is just up in the air. It’s not that I don’t like it that way because I believe that even if I make detailed plans and figure everything out, something is going to come along and change all that anyway so I might as well let things pan out how they will. However, it’s a bit frustrating when everyone has questions about what I’m doing with my life and after college. I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. I’m still looking at MD/PhD programs, but what happens if that doesn’t work out? I guess I’ll find out when it happens, but it’s nerve-wracking when you don’t know. I hope that makes sense.

Anyway, one thing is for sure, my mother will be receiving a frantic phone call tonight detailing my crazy life and how I don’t know what’s going on. Sometime in between her frustration at not being able to help and my stress of it all, I’m hoping an epiphany will ensue. Another thing I am very thankful for is that here at WMU I don’t have to worry too much about not being able to do what I want. There are so many wonderful opportunities and people waiting to make them possible for you. I cannot tell you the number of times people have gone out of their way to help me sometimes even before I knew to ask for it.

I will say that I am very much looking forward to my thesis. I think I mentioned that I changed it to be something about the medical experimentations during the Holocaust, which is something that has always sparked my interest. I’m also looking forward to my research. My project is going to change so hopefully I can come up with tangible results and maybe even be published. We’ll see I guess.

I’m making more of an effort to run this semester as I did last semester. I forget how good I feel after a long run and workout session. It just gets hard with how busy life gets. At least I am enjoying everything I’m doing. All my jobs are going well and for that I am thankful.

I think that’s about all for right now. I’d say it’s pretty comparable to my deleted post so I got lucky. I’ll be sure to let you know all about any updates in the near future.

Alright so I got to workout yesterday for the first time in a while. It felt so good to be able to run again. I love that the rec is open and available for me to stop in and run a few miles. I should really get there more often because it is such a stress relief for me.

This weekend was fantastic, by the way. I cleaned my room for the first time in what seems like ages. It really needed it and I love that I can see the floor again. Hahaha. I also made a trip out to Barns and Noble, Chocolatea, and World Market. Some of my favorite stores. It’s great how close they are! Basically it was a productive and relaxing weekend. I really needed it.

I might be changing my research topic and start getting paid for it. I’m not sure how all that’s going to work out, but I’m looking forward to finding out. I’m not sure I can handle 4 jobs, especially because I have to split my time up so much to devote everything to each of them, it’s quite difficult, but I’m sure it will all work out. Right now I have to focus on my summer plans and what I’m going to do to help boost my resume and such. I’d prefer to travel, but we’ll see what happens.

Anyway, that’ about all that’s new for now. Hope you have a lovely week (and a good Valentine’s Day).

Hey everyone! Yesterday was day 3 of my new job at the medical school. I have my ow cubicle, desk, computer, chair, and even name plate! How cool is that?! I actually learned quite a bit about the process of accreditation and how much work is being put into the school and all that. It’s super exciting and I’m very proud to be a bronco because of it.

My classes are going quite well. I’m trying to stay on top of all the work, which incidentally with only 3 classes isn’t too bad. It’s quite the balancing act with work and research though. I’ve decided to change the topic of my thesis to something dealing with the Holocaust. I’m not sure exactly what yet, but that’s a topic I’m definitely interested in.

I went to a hockey game last week. It was a ton of fun and quite spirited. I’m sure any dedicated fan will tell you the same thing, but even as someone who doesn’t go to every game, I sure had a lot of fun.

Lastly, I’ll just say this. There’s a Gold Pride Reception on Grand Rapids tonight and if you are in the area, you should go. It’s best to visit campus personally, but even to just get the information you need/want can be helpful in making a decision about which college to attend. It’s a challenge, but it’s supposed to be and the better informed you are, the more likely you are to make the right choice. Good luck!

Alright, I cannot tell you how insanely busy this semester is turning out to be! I have been working in the Student Ambassador Office more than I ever have trying to get ready for Medallion which was the past 2 Saturdays. Luckily, the event went wonderfully and I’m so glad it did! Now, I’m trying to catch up on all the things I didn’t focus on while working and it’s proving to be a difficult balancing act.

I am a Chemistry TA for organic chemistry 2 this semester and I just got a job at the Medical School Western is working on creating. Three jobs and 14 credits is not the best idea I have ever had, but I am loving life and my time here at WMU.

It’s funny, but I don’t spend as much time in the library this semester now. I’m studying more with my roommate in Wood Hall (it helps having swipe card access). She is a senior and just found out yesterday that she got into her first grad school! I’m very happy for her, but at the same time nervous for what I’m going to do when I graduate and sad that I won’t see her as often as I do now next year.

I got my sister a job at the Student Ambassador Office where I work and it’s been really nice getting to see her. I haven’t been able to run as much this semester so instead of going to the Rec Center with her, I get to pick on her in front of our co-workers and make her help me with work that needs to be done.

That’s about all that’s new for this semester. I’ll be sure to let you know if anything else comes up!

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven’t posted that much this semester. It’s been quite busy (not that it isn’t always). I must say, this has been one of my favorite semesters here at WMU thus far. I am still doing research in the Organic Chemistry lab, I love my job at the Student Ambassador Office, and I’ve recently taken to going to the student recreation center almost everyday to run. Who would have thought that running could help you de-stress so much. I’ve decided to start training for a half marathon so I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes. The most I have ever run so far is 6 miles which I’d say is pretty darn good for never having really ran before.

I think my favorite part of this year is that my younger sister is at WMU this year. I love getting to show her around and see her grow so much in such a short period of time. It’s great to have her to fall back on and to take out to dinner or cook for (although if you ask her, she does all the cooking in my apartment).

My classes, although almost over, have been going quite well. I have genetics, critical reasoning, calculus 2, and quantitative analysis. For the most part, I’m actually interested in all of the subject matter and have learned so much so far. Not to sound cheesy, but I’d also say that I have learned more about myself this semester than ever before as well.

All in all, I’d say life is going very well here. I couldn’t have asked for a better semester and I’m so happy I got to spend it with so many wonderful people. Here’s to hoping exams go well for me.

Well I’ve been in classes for a full month now and I just have to say that although I really miss Spain and my host family, I am doing quite well. My trip back home was uneventful and I basically hit the ground running once I got home. I started work right away and classes right after that. It’s a good thing I love my job and all that, or I just might be insanely worn out right about now.

All my classes are going really well thus far. I am taking Genetics, Critical Reasoning, Quantitative Analysis, and Calc 2. It’s definitely challenging because I haven’t taken math since high school, but for some reason, I am really enjoying it. I passed my basic skills test the first time around and I didn’t realize just how much I missed sitting around doing math homework as opposed to writing a paper, for example. It’s a lot of work, that’s for sure, but it’s college so when is it ever easy?

It’s Homecoming week this week and I’m really excited that I know so many people on court. It will be really difficult when it comes time to vote, but that’s alright because the people on court are really nice. Campus is really pretty this time of year now that the leaves are changing and the landscaping isn’t gone yet by the winters snow.

That’s about all I have for right now, but stay tuned, I will make sure to update as new things arise.

I have to say that time completely flies by here. In general, I think it does once you get into a routine, but honestly, it feels like I just got here. I remember my first day arriving at the bus station and getting picked up by my host brother. It was strange to think that I had all the time in the world to do everything I could possibly want to while in Spain, and now I’m trying to fit it all in (and fit everything back into my suitcase). I feel like I’ve learned so much while here and grown as a person in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I’m going to have the hardest time saying goodbye to my host family and all the wonderful things I’ve done here!

A few days ago my host brother took me and a friend on a hike toward the lighthouse that shines in my window every night. It was quite the walk, but honestly it was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen, and most definitely the best here. I felt completely at peace and spoke Spanish for the longest stretch of time since arriving. It was a lot of fun and my only regret is that I found out about it during the last week here and not the first. I would have loved to spend more time walking around and staring out at the ocean. It’s a great place to do some thinking, that’s for sure.

We have also been spending some time at an international fair that’s here until we leave. There are a lot of festivals in general in Spain (they celebrate a lot I guess), and this one has to do with bringing all the nations together. Some of the booths were quite accurate. After visiting Peru this past winter break, I can say that the stuff for sale here in Spain, is actually authentic. It was strange to see a sweater I bought in Peru here. However, the booth for the US would have many of you laughing. The food wasn’t anything we would have back home and the people working it were dressed up as cowboys and indians. Typical right? It made me laugh. Then again, before coming to Spain I thought it was all flamenco and bull fights. I guess we all have views of certain countries and most of the time they turn out to be stereotypes. That’s why I think everyone should take the time to travel. Emurse yourself in a culture and learn as much as you can. Your view of the world, and quite possibly yourself, is bound to change. It’s a humbling experience.

Anyway, I’ve spent many of my days here on the beach, and just taking in as much of the country as I can.Thus far, I haven’t regretted any part of this trip, but I have enjoyed some experience more than others. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned or not that I found my favorite city in all of Spain. It’s San Sebastian and I absolutely plan on returning some day. We had a perfect day on the  beach and walking around. The views were gorgeous.

I will say that I’m starting to feel the stress creeping back into my life with school approaching so quickly. I have to worry about buying books, starting classes, and moving into my apartment. It’s all very hectic. For being such a worrier in general, it’s amazing it’s taken me this long to start freaking out. I keep pushing it out of my mind to enjoy my time here, but it is difficult. I really don’t want to leave at all. I’d prefer to continue traveling all around Europe as opposed to starting fall classes, but that might be a bad idea for my future plans and career choice. For now, I’m going to focus as much as I can on enjoying my last few days here.