Back To The Grind

Well, I am finally back at Tech after missing two weeks of classes and then Thanksgiving break. I was away from Tech for over three weeks and it was the worst three weeks of my life. After 6 days in the hospital and then two weeks stuck at home with zero energy I was ready to get my butt back to college. The drive back was definitely a long one. Usually it takes about 3 and a half hours to get here from my house, but this time it took us over 5 hours because 81 was stop and go traffic the majority of the time. It was killing me sitting in the car; I just wanted to unpack all of my stuff back into my dorm room and then go see everyone that I hadn't seen for practically a month. Being back was a weird feeling after being away for so long. I got into bed the first night back and felt like I was back to the first night after moving into the dorm in August. It felt like I wasn't suppose to be here because I was gone for so long. I was back to that feeling of being dropped off at college for the first time and I started missing home once again. However, once I fell into my normal routine on Monday it felt like home again. I got to see tons of people and go to classes again and it just felt great to finally be back to what I was normally doing before I got deathly sick. The only bad thing about missing so much school is making everything I missed up. Luckily, I am caught up in three of my five classes already. I took "incompletes" in two of my classes (bio and calc) which means that I have until the end of the spring semester to finish the class. It makes things a little less stressful but it is definitely not going to be easy. I am just ready for winter break already and just get all of this over with. I am not allowed to over stress out myself or my body which is difficult with all of the things I have to do between now and the end of the semester, but I have plenty of support and people to help me along the way. I will be back on my feet very soon. I am just so happy to be back in this beautiful place!!

Keeping Up

Well even though I shouldn't be doing any work at all I felt the need and I also wanted to blog so here it is.

You guys are probably wondering where I have been all week and not in class. Well I have been stuck in the hospital back in my home town since early saturday morning. There is no prediction of when I am going to be able to leave but I am getting tired of looking at the same boring walls, same poorly designed posters, and same TV that looks like if could break any minute. I have been hooked up to an IV ever since I have been here. I have also had 4 shots in my stomach and countless amounts of tubes of blood taken from my arm (22 just this morning). Right now all we know is that I have pneumonia in both of my lungs and some sort of virus that is attacking some of my organs. My liver isn't functioning correctly which is making the whole situation much worse. All I want to do is leave this place and at least go home and rest in my bed. I am craving coming back to Tech; it is honestly all I want right now. I told my mom that if they let me go back to Tech now that all I would do is study and that's it. I would just be happy to be back there. But for now I am stuck in the prison cell of a hospital room sleeping in a very uncomfortable bed. The food here is awful that I ask my parents to bring me in food from "the outside". I have had a lot of visitors which has definitely lifted my spirits and my dad and stepmom came to visit and my dad has stayed for the past 2 days and stayed the night with me. I just can't wait to get back to all of you guys soon and hopefully figure out in the next day or so what exactly is going inside my body. I am so scared to start making up all of my work because it will definitely stress me out and put me on work overload. I know I will push through though because I will be glad to be back at Tech!

Why Me?

So you'll never guess where I spent my night.... you got in the urgent care facility over in Christiansburg. On Sunday I started getting sick again with body aches, hot and cold flashes that were so bad I could barely function, swollen eyes, coughing, head ache, and more. My body can just never catch a break! This morning I woke up to my eyes barely being able to open. I walked into my suite mates rooms and asked her what I should do and she said you need to go somewhere now. I called my mom and she started to freak out and worry about me because I have constantly been sick since being at Tech and she was finally done with it. She left work, got into the car, and drove here to Blacksburg. She picked me up after english class and took me to the urgent care facility in Christiansburg where we spent the majority of the night. They ran a lot of tests on me like mono, pneumonia, strep, and took vials of my blood to see if I had any viral or bacterial infections. My temperature was up at 103 and I was getting very dilutional. The mono, pneumonia, and strep all came back negative and we are still waiting on the results for the viral or bacterial infection that will come in probably tomorrow morning or afternoon. All I want is to actually me healthy again and not have to always feel awful. From three spouts of Tonsillitis to now this, I just can't deal with my immune system anymore, it hates me and I hate it. I was really happy and grateful that my mom came here today because she comforted me and loved me while I was going through everything. It meant a lot that she took the time to drive 3 and a half hours to take me to the doctor and then sleep on my brothers couch at his apartment. I am so lucky to have a mom like her! Hopefully come tomorrow I will finally know what is wrong with me and I can finally start on the road to recovery. College literally hates me clearly and I can't wait to start beating its butt! I am so ready to be back to my normal self again! It is literally all I could ask for right now.

One Year Anniversary

      Today marks the one year anniversary of the day that Hurricane Sandy came and devastated the east coast, especially New Jersey and New York. This day also marks the day of how grateful I am that everyone and everything I love in Ocean City, NJ made it out safe and sound. Ocean City is considered an island right off the east coast so when it comes to sewage and drainage, well lets just say it isn't very affective. Minutes after the storm hit the island the streets were flooded and the surf was only getting higher. Ultimately the bay and the ocean met in the middle of the island and flooded everything completely. The ocean brought in mountains of sand that was taken away from the dunes protecting the island and dumped it all over the streets. Everything was underwater. Ocean City was never going to be the same after this.
      With me sitting in Richmond, VA watching this storm devastate the northern part of the east coast on TV I was flashing back to all of the memories that I have had in Ocean City growing up and thinking that I could possibly lose all of that because of this storm. This storm was an eye opener for so many people in that it is that easy for something you love to be taken away so quickly. Countless amounts of people were left homeless and hopeless after the storm. The storm didn't cause just structural damage but also emotional damage.
      A couple days after the storm my dad drove up the Ocean City to check out the damage of the island. What he reported was so heart breaking. Houses torn apart, mountains of sand everywhere, businesses and shops destroyed, debri all over. The little town of Ocean City was torn a part of its spirit and its family friendly environment. It was going to take a lot of work to get the island up and running again.
     Come summer time the island was practically back to its normal self. Shops and businesses were back up and running, houses were being rebuilt, streets were cleared, and the environment was in high spirits. We took what Sandy threw at us and threw it right back at her. We are Jersey strong and nothing can mess with that!

Color Me Rad

On Sunday me, my brother Alek, and his roommate Paul all ran the Color Me Rad 5k together. I am still recovering from my three spouts of Tonsillitis I have had in the last month so I didn't exactly know how running was going to go for me. We started the run and I felt fine until about a mile in when I started to have issues breathing. I didn't want to stop so I just slowed my pace but still tried to stay close to my brothers pace. I pushed through as much as I could until finally I saw the finish line. At that point I was feeling sick to my stomach and as gross as it sounds I was swallowing down tons of mucus. I know disgusting. Finally I ran through the last Color Checkpoint, which was where they throw purple cornstarch at you, and then I ran through the finish line. I was pretty proud and shocked in the fact that I actually finished the run. Running through the finish line you were handed a packet of color to throw up into the air with everyone in a huge crowd. So we all gathered together in a group in front of the stage they had set up and on a countdown from three we all threw out color packets into the air and got showered with colors from blue, green, yellow, orange, and purple. After the cloud of colors died down they put on music and we all had a huge dance party. The director came into the stage in one of the most ridiculous outfits I have ever seen and started pulling people up onto the stage to dance in front of the crowd. Of course my brother is behind me pointing at me to be brought on stage so what happens, I get pulled onto the stage. I had to dance with 5 other people on the stage for a song but then got to throw color packets at people in the crowd. All in all, it was a great experience and I am glad I get to finally check it off of my bucket list. I can't wait to run another color run when I am actually healthy!

My Favorite Person

My brother and I haven't always been close. We use to always butt heads when we were younger and constantly fight. Before he left for college I would think of how happy I would be with him out of the house. Of course I would always say that at irrational times like when we were in a fight. Once he left for college I realized how much I actually miss him and how I took the time I had with him for granted. While he was gone we grew closer to one another and became more than just brother and sister, more like best friends.Then it came to me to apply for college. My top choice of course was Virginia Tech. It wasn't my top choice because my brother was there but because I was in love with the campus, the atmosphere, the students, and the opportunities it had to offer me. Having my brother there was just icing on the cake. So when I found out that I got in he was so excited for me, probably more excited than I was. He would tell me all the stuff we were going to do like go to lunch together and study together and hang out as much as we could. It got me so excited to come to Virginia Tech. The transition to moving here and away from home was much easier because I had him here. Whenever I was home sick he would always come pick me up and take me back to him apartment and we would just hang out with his roommates. It made the college transition easy for me. I love having him here to show me the ropes and give me the support and guidance I need. It's also nice because he has a car, but I swear I don't take advantage of that at all! Having this last year together before he graduates and moves on to the real world is very bittersweet. It's like our last run before he officially leaves. Going to college together has been one of the best experiences of my life because it has made us even closer than before and we get to experience such a wonderful time of our lives together. My mom always tells us how jealous she is of us because we are in college and because we get to be in college together for a year. I love having him here and I wouldn't change a thing about our lives because it led our relationship to this point.

Home

     With being sick all last week the only thing I wanted to do was go home. So I did. Friday morning I got in the car with some friends and we headed back to Mechanicsville, VA for the weekend. When I walked through the door my dog came running to me jumping and going crazy. I was practically in tears because I missed her so much and it was the sense of relief of actually being home for the first time since moving to Tech. When I went into the living room I couldn't help but be observant and just soak everything in around me and feel the normality of it all. It felt so good to be home. I had been missing it for a long time. 

     Back in high school my mom would always come home from work to me in the living room listening to music, doing homework, napping, or watching TV. So, when I was home last friday I made sure I was on the couch when she got home from work because I knew she would know I would be there. She came through the door and immediately walked into the living room with a huge smile on her face. My dog, who was snuggled up with me, started going crazy again. Everything around me felt so normal to me like I never left in the first place. 

     Now, sleeping in my own bed again was such a luxury. I never wanted to leave it or get up in the morning just because I didn't want it to end. Just being home felt so strange because I am so use to my dorm room and now I am back in my home that I grew up in and know so well. 

     Sunday rolled around and I woke up feeling sad because I knew that I had to come back to Tech that day. I packed up and went to my friends house to load up the car and get on the road. We were all gathered around talking outside while loading up the car with mine and two other peoples stuff. I started to get teary eyed because it was my first time leaving home to go to Tech after moving in. Of course my mom sees me and loses it which makes me cry more. I just had to get in the car and leave. We all said our goodbyes and we were off. The beginning of the car ride was rough but once we got closer to Tech it got a little easier. I settled myself back into my dorm and my suite mates were in and out of my room talking to me and joking around. It made unpacking my bag that much easier. 

     I know that leaving home is never easy. I also know that it will start to get easier and easier as I grow up. I don't have my parents around anymore to nag me or love on me anymore, but I do have my friends and brother here to make it feel more like my new home.

Being Sick at College

So for the past 3ish weeks I have been battling a nasty cold. Finally this past week I was feeling better and like myself again. Then we stood in the cold rain for hours watching our football "win" and the next morning I felt like death. I woke up feeling like my cold was coming back again. I wasn't happy but I had to suck it up because I had three tests to worry about this week. As the day progressed I felt worse and worse. By 7 pm I was in my bed under tons of blankets and in sweats trying to stay warm while also trying to study biology. My body started to ache like I was getting the flu. I was thinking to myself that if I got the flu right now it would suck so much because then this week would just go down the drain. I decided to call it quits for the night around 9, took some NyQuil, and fell asleep by 9:30. That night was the most restless sleep I have ever had that I can remember. I think I woke up a total of 10 times either in pain, sweating, freezing, or coughing. I woke up the next morning in the worst mood not wanting to go to class. I got in the shower and felt like I was going to pass out and felt super dehydrated. I chugged some water and went to class. When I got back from class I decided it was time to go to the clinic to figure out what was wrong with me. I checked in and sit with all of the other sicklings in the waiting room waiting in anticipation for my name to be called. I was called back,  got weighed, blood pressure tested, and measured. I got put into an examination room and was left waiting for the doctor. It was a weird experience sitting in their alone because I'm so use to my mom taking me to the doctor when I was sick. I didn't like being there on my own. When the doctor came in I told him my story of what has been happening to me for the past couple of weeks and then he decided to take a look down my throat. He got out his handy dandy tools and told me to say "ahhhhh". The doctor took one look down my throat and gives me a surprised look. He told me my tonsils were inflamed and swollen to no end and were covered in this white gunky stuff. He told me I had Tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is when your tonsils are swollen and are restricting you from swallowing and breathing and if not treated could lead to many complications. He gave me some antibiotics and sent me on my way. Ever since being on the antibiotics I have improved drastically. I can finally eat solid foods again and I'm not in as much pain as I was on Sunday and Monday. I am so glad I went to the doctor because if I didn't I don't know what I would be like today.

Lesson of the day:
If you feel like you have a cold or more than a cold don't wait to go to the doctor! Go as soon as you can! It will definitely be worth it in the long run.

     One of my best friends, Caitlin, is 19 years old (almost 20). We met in Ocean City, NJ thirteen years ago on the beach. Growing up we would always talk about our weddings and how we will both be each others maid of honors and stand by each other on our special days. Well recently she got engaged to her one and only love of her life Scott. Now, you might be thinking that that is kind of young, but he is in the military and it will be easier on their relationship if they were to be married. So,
after a year and a half of dating he popped the question to her on the sunny beaches of California.

     A few weeks after the big question I got a package in the mail from her. I haven't seen Caitlin for a year since she lives in California now with Scott because he is stationed there for the military. It's always bittersweet when we get something from each other in the mail that can remind each other of one another. After I ripped open the package I laid the contents of it on my bed. It consisted of a  hand made scented doorknob fragrance thing (I don't know what to call it) and a picture frame that had a picture in it and a post it note that said open the frame up. So I opened the frame and on the back of the picture was a letter from her asking me to be her maid of honor. Of course I flipped out and called her immediately telling her that I would love more than anything to stand next to her on her wedding day. I just can't believe that I am a maid of honor at 18. I feel so young and innocent and I have a big job to fill. From dress shopping, bridal shower, bachelorette party, cake tastings, venue looking, and so much more. I have a lot to do for my best friend to make sure her special day is nothing but perfect. With her living so far away it is definitely going to be hard and a struggle to always be there for her and make a lot of the decisions for the wedding with and for her. I just hope that I can be the best maid of honor for her because she deserves this day more than anything.
     I know that she is going to be beautiful on her day standing next to the love of her life sharing their vows with one another. I am so honored to have been asked to stand right next to her and of course hold her dress up when she has to pee (I had to say it). I am going to do all that I can for her because I know he would and will do that same thing for me.

   

     Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to work in a surf shop. It was a local known name shop called Heritage Surf and Sport Shop. The stores main location is in Ocean City, NJ, but they also have three other locations off the island that aren't that far of a distance. I was able to work there all summer because my dad has a beach house there. Now, you might think that I am some stuck up rich girl who has a beach house. I mean how many people can say that. However, that isn't the case here. My family has been going to Ocean City, NJ for many years. I am the third generation to have "grown up" on the island. My grandparents have a house there, so that is how I was introduced to the island when I was 6 years old. My dad and stepmom, for a hobby, use to buy old, rundown houses and fix them or or flip them to then put them back on the market and sell them again. They decided that since we go to Ocean City so much that they should flip a house there. So, thats exactly what they did. They bought a house a few blocks down the road from my grandparents house and started fixing it from the ground up. It was a very strenuous process since the house was in such awful condition. When they were done with the house they put it on the market to be sold again. A few months after putting it on the market, of course, the market crashed. So, my dad and stepmom took the house off the market because they knew it was going to just sit there. They decided that for the time being they wanted to keep it and when the economy got a little better to put it mack on the market. Well, with keeping it for a couple of weeks, they decided to keep it for good. 

     So here we are 10 years later still in the same house every summer. Which leads me back to working at Heritage for the summer. I got to meet and work with some amazing people and get free surf lessons and get discounts on a bunch of name brand surf company clothes lines. Lets say that it was a job that people would die for. No dress code, flexible work hours, discounts on discounts, and so much more. It opened up many doors for me on the island. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime. 

     Ocean City is my safe haven and my second home. From the countless family and friends there and the many memories that have come from Morningside Beach, boardwalk, and endless summer nights. It is always hard to try to explain to people how we ended up in Ocean City, all of the family and friends we know there, and how important it is to my life. Yes, I might sound like some rich prissy girl, but that's not who I am. My family is far from being on the wealthy side of society. We were fortunate and lucky enough to practically be handed this house and handed this experience. To end, one of the best things to have come out of going to Ocean City all of these years is meeting one of my very best friends, Caitlin. I'll go more into our friendship later.... 

In picture: Zander (6), Kai (9), me, and Alek (21)

One Of Those Mornings

I don't want to start off my blog by telling you all about me and what I did growing up. I feel like you will gain a knowledge of me throughout this semester as you read my blog. Instead, I just want to tell you a story about what happened to me this morning... my first true college screw up.

The other night I was talking to some of my friends about how awful it would be to sleep through an alarm in order to wake up for class. I was laughing and joking around about how if that ever happened to me I would be a wreck. Well, this morning that is exactly what happened to me... I guess that's karma. 

I normally wake up at 8 o'clock in order to shower and get ready for my 9:05 am biology class in McBryde. This morning, however, I woke up at 8:57, looked at my clock, panicked, and started to wonder what I was going to do. I didn't think I was going to make it to my class on time. I also didn't want to start the school year off with an absence either. I was tied between trying to make it to class in 8 minutes or just screw it and go back to bed. I sat up in bed and yelled at my roommate asking her what I should do. Of course, she looks at me in the dark room and yelled "RUN!" I immediately jump out of my lofted bed (which wasn't an easy task) with my adrenaline pumping. I wear contacts so I knew I didn't have time to put them in so I threw my glasses on and went into my dirty laundry pile and grabbed the clothes I had on yesterday. I bolted out of the room with my back pack on, messy hair, no makeup, unbrushed teeth, and a mission to get to class on time. Now, you would think I would have sprinted to class. Well, you would be wrong. I walked as fast as I could trying to make it seem like it was totally natural to be walking this fast across the gigantic drill field. I finally made it into the building with no time to spare. I plopped myself down in the back row of the huge lecture hall, which is something that I never do. When I finally settled in and got my computer out to start taking notes I realized how gross and sweaty I was. I felt bad for the people around me because I didn't know what I smelled like or even how I looked for that matter. Lets just say that sitting through that class was not fun what so ever.

I learned this morning to always have two alarms because apparently you can turn alarms off in the morning without realizing it or remembering it. I definitely don't want to ever have to go through this experience again, especially once it starts getting very cold in the mornings!