New Year Resolutions?

Now, I can barely remember to water the dead plants on the porch, let alone remember a new years resolution. But normally, I don't usually do new years resolutions. I mean not really, should I?

I often times take the time to reflect on the year as a whole though and think about what important things happened in my life. Last year I remember doing that and thinking about being at Mount Hermon, my job as an RA, and also going into emergency surgery. That was all quite a year. Now thinking back on this year, it was a lot calmer, but I think that was a good thing.

Thinking back to January, I was starting a new year and I was ovarian cyst free as well as RA free too. At the time I was so sad that I had to leave Muir. It was hard leaving all my "kids" that I had grown to love so much. And yet, looking back on it now, I see things that I had not seen before. Ask any of my close friends and they'll tell you, fall quarter took a lot out of me last year and I struggled balancing work and school. (Forget about my social life, that was non existent). Come January, I was ready for a break and I needed to focus on "Whitney." So winter quarter was about me and about school. I focused on doing well in school and I focused on my health. And as the quarter went on I started to see the hidden blessing in no longer being an RA.

The rest of Junior year was so great because I did well in school, I was healthy, and I actually got to spend time with friends. Everything happens for a reason and I truly believe God gives us all specific experiences that help us to learn and grow. The great thing about my opportunity in being an RA was that I still saw my residents on campus a lot and also went to visit them in Muir. I still had relationships with them minus all the work and being on call!

This summer I visited one of my favorite places on earth, Whitefish, Montana. Not only did I get to spend quality time with my grandparents, but I also was able to nanny for the most awesome family in the world on Flathead Lake! What an amazing week of fun we had! And what a blessing it was for me to meet such a loving family.

Fall quarter this year was a little nuts with keeping up with all my classes, but I'll tell ya, there was so much JOY through it all. I've been thinking about graduation more and more lately and about leaving SLO and my beautiful friends. With that in mind I have tried to make the most out of all my experiences and spending time with the people I love.

There is beauty in so much of this world and especially in the day to day things. I think about the "future" talks that Katie and I often have and how scary life seems at times but at the same time how beautiful it is when you think about the endless opportunities that the world offers. I think about laughter and how I thought I was legitimately going to die during finals week but how at the same time you just get to this point where you just have to laugh. Because life is FUNNY. People are FUNNY. And when your ring goes flying across the room in the library and you're on your hands and knees looking for it , you know that 11 hours at the library straight is just a little too long. That's FUNNY. (Well I think it was!)

And I'll tell ya when you are waiting and waiting and waiting to find out what you got on your LAST math grade of your life and it finally pops up on your portal and it's really not even that great, but it's passing, the neighbors probably thought that we had won the lottery or something. THIS GIRL WAS SO JOYFUL.

Because we need that. We need laughter and joy and happiness in our life. There is too much sadness, negativity, and despair that life can bring that we forget to CELEBRATE. And I mean it, really CELEBRATE! My way of celebrating at school sometimes is with starbucks. If I don't do well on something my mom will tell me to get starbucks. And when I do well on something, my mom tells me to go get starbucks. It's my way of celebrating in all circumstances ;)

Looking back from last New Years to this one, I am so thankful to be HEALTHY, since that was not the case last year. And I am so thankful for my family and to have a house that is truly is a HOME. I am thankful for the blessings I call my friends and how much I have grown in the past year.

At this time next year I wonder where I will be typing this blog and even though I do not know the answer to that yet, I know God does and I know it will be wonderful. Because life is wonderful.

Remember to giggle folks, it makes the hard times easier and the good times funnier. :)

xoxo,
Whiteroo

22 Terrific things about being 22 OR just about being ALIVE!

I read a blog post tonight titled "22 Great things about being 22"  and realized I have been 22 for almost eight months and have yet to make my own list. Therefore, since I turn 23 in four months (I can't even think about it or I freak out) I better write my own before that happens. And mind you, there are probably some things on my list that do not portray to most 22 year olds...

1. No one can deny you the right in playing TSwiffle.  

God bless my roommates. In April, when I turned 22, my roommates probably listened to that song a couple hundred times that day. There was one moment where Sami came downstairs and the song was blasting and Danelle was reading a book. She was laughing and gave Danelle this look like "how can you actually stand this?" Danelle looked up, shrugged, and went back to reading. Of course I was singing and paying no attention to Sami. Roommates come in all sorts of blessings and especially when you turn 22 ;)

2.  Toole and sparkles has become an essential item in your closet. 

AKA it's fun to make tutu's. (I warned you I'm not a normal 22 year old).

3. It's okay to spend two hours in target when you need a study break. 

You probably don't have a husband yet and no kids, so take the time now. Browse around, try on the Christmas sweater, buy the 14/16 child's large tights because they fit (opps did I just say that?), and spend time finding the perfect Thanksgiving card to send Grandma. Because Grandma's around now, the tights are cheap, and the sweater's warm. Maybe you don't have all the time in the world because of midterms, but make the time to browse.

4. Coffee dates 

They're important. You're graduating soon. Say what you need to say NOW. Talk. Hug. Buy the coffee on your treat. Tell them you love them.

5.  You can babysit for your boss or friend or coworker or classmate.

They are probably exhausted and could use a little break. Don't wait for them to ask, offer. And take three hours of baby therapy. And if you really can't do babies. Than dog sit or house sit. Water someone's plants. Whatever. Just offer :)

6. Eat chocolate 

This goes for any age. 

7. Giggles 

Another thing that can be done for all ages, but it can be related to 22 year old experiences. Like school. Sometimes when nothing makes sense and you're really sleep deprived, a friend can make you giggle to where you just need to let it out. And anytime you can let it out by giggling instead of crying or freaking or having a melt down, is a GREAT thing. 

8. You actually do have more time for exercise (probably)

Do it. It makes you feel good. 

9. Have FUN 

You're a senior now (most likely) so you know how to have a good time and you also know your limits. Be smart. Make wise choices. But also enjoy the fact that it's your last year and make the most out of the FUN that you can have. This relates to all kinds of fun. Meaning wearing flowers on your head all day for a Juliet monologue or taking care of a giggling baby or dressing up for a night out on town. Just have fun. 

10.  You can actually go to the doctor 

I mean technically we're all suppose to be on our parents' health insurance until we're 26 now. Take advantage of that. If you think something actually might be wrong, check it out, don't ignore it. I mean seriously, we actually do only live once. 

11. Pack your bags 

Whether it be a road trip to see Grandma, disneyworld to see Mickey, or Spain to teach English. Get out. Go places. See the world. That could mean on a break from school or after graduation, but do it. Somehow it will work out. Make it happen. 

12. Drink that applemartini 

When you're pregnant, there will be none of that. 

13. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you're beautiful (or handsome)

This is another one of those any age ones. But seriously. We don't do it enough. Wake up in the morning, go to that mirror, look at those curly hairs flying everywhere and say, "Whit (you) your curly q's are beautiful and you are going to have a GREAT day!" I'll tell ya, when we truly love ourselves and hold our heads high, everything changes. 

14. Remember to sleep (I should be right now). 

Later in life (cough cough when you have triplets) (it could happen) you are not going to be sleeping as much. Do it now. You deserve it. It will make you feel healthier too. 

15. BUY scantrons. 

I'm serious. You're going to look back on college and maybe your boss got mad, or the baby kept you up all night, or the neighbors were being rude, and it might be one of those crying moments and you're going to think to back to college and say out loud "I just wish I could buy a scantron right now." Okay, maybe it won't happen exactly like that, but you get my point. (Hopefully). 

16. SMILE at new classmates. 

17. TALK to new classmates. 

18. Eat the kettle corn. 

19. Buy fruit and vegies at the farmers market. 

20. And actually eat it. 

21. Don't ever be afraid to cry. 

22. LOVE others ALWAYS. 

Show people you care. Prove to them how much you love them. 

Even if you couldn't get through all of that and you just scrolled down to the end. If anything just take the last two. Those are probably the most dear to my own heart. Never be ashamed for your emotions whether happy or sad. And just remember we're all human and all deserve love. 

Whitney Roses 

That's a wrap, folks!

And like that Fall quarter is over! I can't believe I only have two more quarters left at Cal Poly. Where has the time gone? I feel like it was yesterday my RA's were reminding me not to run up the stairs in Trinity and now I am a senior and still run up my stairs! It's hard to believe that there are only two quarters left.

The past three weeks were insane and I am so glad to finally done with my last final, math at that! It's funny, even if I don't get fabulous grades, I am just so thankful to be done. Sometimes you're just over it, 19 units later and I sure was!

Lately, more and more I have been thinking about graduation and leaving SLO. It's such a weird concept for me. I can't imagine not going to school here anymore. I always thought I would get my credential here which would give me more time. But that's not happening anymore! The more that time passes, the more that I have been thinking about the students at Cal Poly that I have come to know. It may be my best friend or that kid I only had a few classes with. But they sure are on my mind.

I sure am going to miss these people. 

I don't understand how you go to school with people for such a long time and then all of sudden, it's just over. Maybe I'm slightly dramatic, but it's scary. I love these people. I don't want to leave them. You could say the same thing happened in high school. Maybe back then it was dramatic for me graduating high school, but it's no comparison to this. Being in college, you start to realize who you are and what you believe in. You learn a lot in four years being away at school. 

And I think about all the little things. The little things that make the most difference. I do not think I giggled as much in the past week as I did yesterday when I saw Katie after not seeing her for a week! How stressed I was last week and the last thing I was doing was giggling, and yet as soon as I was with her again yesterday I laughed and laughed and laughed. 

But that's the thing, when will I laugh again with Katie after graduation? I don't know! And I know I am making this sound really depressing, but in a way, I am writing it to make myself THINK. Thinking about this concept helps me to realize how truly BLESSED I am for all of the relationships I have made at school. 

I think about how many people I constantly say hi to while I am on campus and how I can pinpoint how I know them and you know that makes me happy. I am so thankful to have known so many great people and to know how much I have learned from a lot of these people. 

And so when I think about graduation in the spring, I am reminding myself to stop while on campus and give that person a hug, take the time to write a love letter to someone who needs it, and to tell people I love them as much as I can. Because you know, people liked to know that they are loved and I love telling people I love them. 

Yes, in reality, it will be a very interesting change when we graduate, are out of school, and not running into people everyday, but in every transition God brings JOY, He brings LOVE, He brings BEAUTY, and He brings FRIENDSHIP. And so, it will be okay. It will always be okay. 

And there will always be love. Because there may be distance, but there is always love. It might come in a letter, it might come in a visit, it might come in a snap chat, or it might come in a boutique of flowers, but there will always be love. 

So, you, beautiful person reading this, if I haven't told you I love you in a while, know that I do. Really. 

Whitney Rose