Friday, January 13, 2017

Ridicule and Reason

      Well friends, I'm here to say, I get it. Way back (Ok, it's not that far back, but stick with me here) when I was still in high school, my two best friends headed off to college pursuing majors of their interests. Isn't that the goal? To do what you love? Well, that is what one may think... or should think. Despite what I saw to be correct, one of my best friends was, and probably still is to some degree, ridiculed for her choice of majors. She chose to double major in English and Alto Saxophone Performance, something that I supported years ago and still support today. Again, is that not what friends do, support one another? Yet she often got comments from her "friends" such as "Well, what are you going to do with that?" or "There aren't many jobs in music" as if these were ideas that hadn't already crossed her mind. I always remember her response being "I don't know exactly where I'll go, but I want to do what I love." 
     Recently, I've found myself in a similar case. As college students compare majors and minors, it is common for Nursing Majors to minor in Psychology or for Biology Majors to get a degree in Education as well. For those who do not know, my major is Diagnostic Medical Sonography (I know it's a mouthful). The goal is to eventually specialize and end up working in Cardiology. Now, whether I end up there or if I end up somewhere completely different I know I have the support of my family and close friends. Shortly into my freshman year, I decided to pick up a Leadership Minor. It was a minor that was attainable for me and allowed me to comfortably spread out the classes my major required. I've had experience with leadership roles and studying it and learning more about how to be an effective leader sounded surprisingly fun... for me! So I did it, I declared my minor, tacked on an extra year of school, and carried on with life. 
      Since declaring my minor in Leadership Studies I have been questioned multiple ways and in many forms. I have gotten comments such as, "I just don't get what you're going to do with that" or "Why are you wasting another year?" Because I can, and because it interests me. I don't need any other reason. My major is a competitive field and what if my minor is why a job hires me before another individual. Some say employers don't look at your minor. No, they don't a lot of times, but that doesn't stop me from telling them in an interview. I love learning about Leadership and as crazy as it may seem, even if my minor doesn't help me get into a clinical experience, a job, or elsewhere, I believe that it will have made a better person. 
     Argue with me if you must, but know that I won't fight back. I don't have to have a concrete reason and I will take the ridicule in hopes that someday, I'll be able to make it worth it. 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Wherever that may be for YOU! 

A.B

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Take Risks and Live a Life You're Proud Of!

        As many of my immediate friends have already heard, I am indeed traveling to Ireland this Spring. Those who know me also know that this is a HUGE risk for me and is something that nobody ever thought I would actually do. Needless to say, I saw a poster attended an informative meeting and felt compelled and called that this was a chance worth taking. After many hours of debate, long conversations with people who have traveled to Ireland, and a study abroad application, I made my final decision and was accepted to study abroad. 
       Sitting in this chair right now, I'm already nervous. I have NO idea what I'm getting myself into, but the last time I felt like this was when I first joined my high school theatre program, that was a great experience so I'm sure this will be to! How would I know if I didn't try? My life has changed a ton in the past year. New friends, new outlook, new me. Maybe that is why I suddenly feel the need to do something I have never done before, or maybe it is because I feel that my time is running out, and if I do not do it now, I might not ever have the chance. 
       I think I'm crazy for doing it, but I also believe I'd be even more crazy if I let the opportunity drift by. I debated not going because one of my really good friends would die to travel to Ireland and I did not want to make her feel bad, but I realized something... I cannot let that stop me, after all she was the one who was pushing me most to challenge myself and go. To face my biggest fear and get on a plane (yes, I said a plane.) for almost 8 hours, four times the amount of time I'm used to. Now, I have not quite figured out how I'm going to survive the plane ride, but I know it will involve earbuds, my ipad, a blanket, and probably my coloring book. Maybe, I will challenge myself to finish a small coloring book or something, who knows. 
       I will do my best to keep my blog updated if I can or at least keep a journal while I'm traveling. Some sort of record of my experience, but I guess the point I'm getting at is when you feel that time is running out for you. Find one more thing, just one more thing that you never imagined yourself doing and just do it, because if you don't, you just might regret it. 


Keep Calm and Visit Somewhere New! 
Wherever that may be for YOU! 

A.B

Thursday, July 7, 2016

A Summer of Change and Determination

Hello again! 
     Here we start with the typical "I haven't blogged in forever line" that begins more than half of the posts on this page. I hope for that to change very soon. My goal? To eventually have weekly blog posts. My friend has a daily blog that she is constantly keeping up on. Hers specifically targets "Everything Disney," literally. Her URL is everydaydisney.blogspot.com and please feel free to check out her blog and support her as she shares the Disney magic! Now, although I don't know what my posts will all be targeted toward, I do know that a DAILY blog is a bit out of reach for the time being, so once college begins and I have a bit more focus, I will attempt to do this. Hopefully. 
    Moving on. 
This summer has been. Crazy. Fun. Hectic. Busy. Stressful. And truly life-changing. I have lost and gained a lot, but I'd rather not make this blog post a pity party. Long story short, I've learned how to stand on my own two feet and I have come to realize who my true friends are very very quickly. I briefly would like to thank Lizzie, Megan, and Kelsey all for standing by my side even as I made some very interesting life decisions that didn't necessarily work out long-term. Thank you for being true friends and sticking around through thick and thin like you always promised you would. 
    I have traveled, started a new job, and experienced reality a ton this summer and I am happy to say that I have loved every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has been in the back of my mind for years, but has recently crept up on me and my friends more often that we may not all be in small town Seymour, Wisconsin for very much longer. One of my closest friends plans to move to California in what could potentially be as little as a years worth of time. Although this can be somewhat shocking and the jokes of whether or not the rest of us can survive without her will continue to run on, I refuse to let time pass by without making some amazing memories that include all of us here in Wisconsin. Although I know these won't be the final memories, they will always be unique. Thinking about such large events and changes coming in the future has really brought a realization to me and should be an eye opener to us all to live everyday as our last and live everyday with happiness and joy because after all, sometimes we must choose to be Joy. Referencing my friends blog once more, what makes her happy is Disney. It always has and as far as I'm concerned, it always will. In a different sense her blog could be considered her way of finding "Everyday Happiness" something that some people might struggle with on the average day. 
    I guess the point of all of this rambling is to come to the realization that sometimes although it may be downright devastating, change can be good. Change can bring us joy that we have never felt before, but most importantly, spend the happiest of days with people you love because you never know what the future has in store. 

Keep Calm and Visit Happiness, Whatever or Wherever that may be for you! 
A.B

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Songs of a Lifetime

           In a constantly evolving, busy, world we all are constantly in a comfortable struggle to understand one another. This is easier said than done. The common cliche is that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and in many ways this is completely true; however, there is another way that tugs at my heart strings a little more. Music. Music has been and always will be a grand part of my life, but due to a recent Facebook post that is being shared across the globe, it has been brought to my attention that songs can help us understand each other. If you think hard enough, we all have a song that hits home for us or that makes us think of a special someone when we hear the lyrics; regardless, this could be the very way to better understand your best friend. 
           I was one of those people who shared the Facebook post and I did get a few comments of songs that people requested I listen to to better understand them. Aside from these comments, one of my best friends texted me asking about these songs. Honestly, it took me quite a bit of thought. I had multiple titles, people, and lyrics flash through my mind, but in order to sort through these thoughts I broke it down into three categories for this specific example (other people and other categories still run through my mind as I type this). My three categories were: My song (the song that hits home for me), my song for Kelsey (my college bestie), and a song for a best friend back home (this one is quite personal so it won't be elaborated in this post). 
           My song for Kelsey took quite a bit of thought. To fill part of it in, Kelsey and I met on Twitter and have become best friends at college. I couldn't ask for someone better to experience the great thrills that occur away from small town Seymour, Wisconsin. I searched my YouTube and Spotify and still couldn't find the one I was looking for. I was puzzled, but I was far from willing to give up. I went to my songs that are on my iTunes and after scrolling through hundreds of lyrics and albums I found the perfect one... "Home" by Phillip Phillips. It starts out saying "Hold on to me we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road" this hit it right on the head as Kelsey and I are both headed down paths pursuing a career and degree in our areas of passion. Neither one of us have the slightest clue as to where we are headed in our futures, but what we do know is that "home" will always be when we are together whether that be in person or over FaceTime, because lets face it (no pun intended) she will just keep calling until I answer anyway. 
          If I was thinking that Kelsey's song took a lot of thought I never considered finding a song for myself. After much listening and thinking I found a song that I very commonly listen to, "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten. After discovering this title, I made my decision to send this off to my friend and claim this as my song that hits home to me and she informed my that I had indeed made the correct deicision. 
         I guess the point I'm getting at with this post is that music impacts people world wide and can sometimes be the definition of an individual and can help express the parts of us that words can't quite get at. They tug the heart strings that aren't often noticed and they express the great love for who we are. 

Keep Calm and Listen to a song, no matter what that may be for you! 

A.B

Monday, December 28, 2015

New Adventures Galore!

         As always, it has been a great while since I have blogged! Well, welcome back! A lot has happened since my last post which was about my birthday celebration before I headed off to college! To fill you in, I've now completed my first semester in college, made some amazing friends while still managing to stay in contact with the old ones, planned a Disney vacation that will be launching in less than two weeks, saw the new Star Wars movie, maintained a part time job, and have been busier than ever! As I fast forward through the past four months of my life, understand that I will miss important parts as a lot has happened in my life recently!
           College isn't as scary as people make it seem. I mean, it can be I guess and the first week was the most difficult thing I've ever experienced in my entire life, but you make it work! I remember telling myself as I moved into my room on day one, do not let yourself be anyone but you. I love Disney, Olaf, Star Wars, and I miss my parents back home every day of my life when I'm on campus, but I can't hide that because that is me. It's who I am and I should be nothing but proud! I went through a phase in the first few days of being at Marian when I didn't think there was a place for me. I was absolutely convinced that nobody else was going to accept the girl from Seymour, Wisconsin who loved Disney and had passions that could very easily be labeled as "childish," but it was only a matter of time before I found my spot. People claim that the internet is a very dangerous place full of scary people and in some cases this is true, but for me, I had a totally different experience that took a lot of faith and trust. A lot of trust. Extra trust. I met my best friend at college on Twitter long before I started packing my bags and heading off to campus. Kelsey and I have become besties and that will never change. We annoy the living crap out of each other sometimes, but that is the best part. I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes you have to put yourself out there because you might just be looking at the person who is going to accept you for the raw person of who you are. I know with my friends I never ever have to pretend to be someone I'm not. I never have to hide my emotions.. and I never have to be anyone but myself! 
           Staying in contact with my old friends has been interesting... It works. We make it work because of how much we care. Every weekend I come home to visit family and to work and every weekend my friends find a way to give me a hug and well wishes for the week to come. It's like an incentive. I know, I should be a big girl and be able to do it on my own, and I can. I do not doubt that, but why should I force myself to be uncomfortable when an encouraging hug can make the week a bit brighter?! It gets hard at times as my friends back home and I now lead very different lives, but we have pretty much for the most part found our "new normal." Sometimes the road gets a bit rocky, but we never give up and that is what is important. Each semester of college is going to require a new normal back home. For example, second semester my classes are at different times, classes are harder, my friends in Seymour start musical rehearsal which takes more of their time, but through all of this, life goes on and I have faith that no matter what things will work out for the better. 
           As Lizzie and I call it "Operation Dole Whip" (aka our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World) is now less than two weeks out which is kind of scary to think about. There is a lot to be done in very little time, but I am excited for a trip with just us ladies (in case you haven't caught on, I'm going with my friend and her mom and we are leaving her brother and dad home). Kelsey is leaving to go to Missouri the same morning we leave for WDW so it is most certainly great to have someone to share the excitement and nerves with! My packing list is almost complete, but there are absolutely no signs of a suit case or vacation yet on my end, but I suppose I have some time. New to this trip, my friend Jonathan (who is staying home) is making a challenge list for Lizzie and I. I will get Lizzie's list and she will get mine and when we get there we will exchange the lists. Provided Jonathan actually finishes the lists on time, it should be a pretty fun adventure. Also, we are going to play a Disney Parks Edition of Hide and Seek and also make a ways to annoy Jonathan at WDW video! I'll try to keep you posted on this trip of a lifetime! 
           As finals week rounded to a close my friends back home got me tickets to go see the new Star Wars film with them! This section will be short because I do not want to say any spoilers, but to fill everyone in... THE MOVIE IS AWESOME! As a matter of fact, I just went last night to see it for a second time! In my opinion, it is my favorite Star Wars film... even though I may have cried like three times. 
           In case you haven't caught on, these past four months have been kind of crazy, but they are also a huge part of me! Thanks to my friends who are always there for me, I have made it through the first semester of college and I can only imagine the adventures that are to come! If you have a topic you want me to write about or have any suggestions for upcoming blog posts, let me know in the comments below! Thanks for listening to a lengthy rant of my life and I hope that you were able to find some enjoyment in taking a break from your own busy life to read this post! 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Where ever that may be for YOU! 

A.B

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Birthday Celebration Weekend!

     After my best friends headed on a spectacular 10 day vacation to Disneyland, we were most certainly due for a get together when they returned! Conveniently, my birthday occurred while they were on vacation and my friend Jonathan (who was in Cali) had his birthday the day they returned! Due to a few of us in our group heading to college (including myself) this week, Jonathan and I quickly realized we weren't going to have enough time to have two separate birthday celebrations, but because we are all so close we were able to combined birthday parties and make things happen. We didn't just make things happen though, we made the most spectacular, enjoyable, fun, and amazing weekend before college happen. Seriously though, I could never have asked for better! 
    It started Friday evening with Jonathan having a get together with just "the guys" and Lizzie, Megan, and I getting together for what amounted to be a movie/pajama party. There were certainly points when these two events combined and we all came together to eat and open presents and such shenanigans so it turned out to be a successful Friday evening. Because we all know the guys don't like to sleep, we planned a splash of fun Saturday afternoon at my house by taking the time to relax in the pool (which was kind of cold for my taste, but they managed anyhow) and the hot tub! We then had some ice cream cake and taxied back over to Jonny's for yet another great evening of adventure! Once we all got settled we headed out for a bonfire and a couple of fireworks that Jonny decided to throw in the fire... oh, and don't forget the can of bug spray... don't ask. Just.. no questions please! 
Anyway, this too was a fantastic day overall for everyone and from what I know everyone enjoyed themselves. I can't even begin to thank EVERYONE who made it possible... Lizzie, Megan, Jonny, Logan, Tanner, Jacob, Trena, Nikki, the parents, and anyone I might be forgetting, it was truly a weekend to remember! 

Thanks for the fun everyone and remember to visit home! 
Wherever that may be for YOU! 

A.B 

Saturday, August 15, 2015

A New Chapter...

           It seems like every blog post of mine starts out with something along the lines of "Well, I haven't blogged in like forever and my life is totally different now so...." and as much as I hate to say it, it's difficult for me not to start this one the same exact way. A lot has changed, and when I say a lot, I'm not kidding. In a little less than two weeks I will be exploring the big blue world (literally because Marian's main color is blue) by heading off to college for the very first time. This summer has been filled with great adventures, I am now going to be headed to Walt Disney World for the third time January (that tripped was jokingly planned and then brought to life thanks to my best friend and her family)... I found out who my roommate is going to be (S.O to the best roomie ever-- that's you Molly!)... I took a trip to Minnesota with my high school band, celebrated my 18th birthday and I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton! Anyway, I gladly hope to be getting back to blogging more frequently even though I'm sure it won't happen everyday. 
          This post is a short one as I don't have the time right now to sit and explain every detail of my life most recently, but stay tuned as I'm sure more posts will be coming soon! 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B