It's been awhile.

Six months in, and still going strong!

I can't believe it, my year of service with AmeriCorps*VISTA is halfway complete. It truly is amazing how much you can feel like you've changed in such a short period of time. I feel like an entirely different person than who I was when I started my journey here at Cedar Crest. I've made new friends, become comfortable in a completely new environment, and I've learned so much about myself in the process.

Upon starting my service at Cedar Crest, I was fresh out of college with little to no idea of what to expect. In college, I dedicated so much of my time and energy to my athletics, only to realize later that those memories would soon start becoming foggy and would even feel like they belonged in a previous life. While the experiences I had in college will stay with me and I will always look back on them fondly, I have grown to realize that those things show no sign of resurfacing. I have no future in rowing, but expect to continue challenging myself with new athletic endeavors and hope to be able to encourage others to make healthy choices in their lives. If I learned anything from my athletic experiences, it's that I am very mentally strong and I can handle anything that is thrown at me, which I am eternally grateful for.

Now that I have learned these things about myself, I know for a fact that I never want to end up working an office job indefinitely. I have been blessed with good health and I feel like I am wasting my capabilities sitting at a desk all day long. If there is one thing I know for sure, it's that I want to make a difference in this world, and not by sitting at a computer. While I appreciate what my current position stands for and have total respect for the people who continue to pursue this kind of career, I'd rather be out there doing instead of monitoring and organizing. I want to actually be there to help others, and I plan to take all necessary steps possible to get there. While I realize my GPA in college was not always my biggest concern, to say I am regretting that now would be a complete understatement. I want to prove that I have been enlightened, and that I deserve to be able to pursue my next goals in life... the main one being that I would like to become a teacher. I want to inspire others to be great in the same way that my teachers and coaches have inspired me, and I don't plan on giving up easily.

Finally, I want to send out a HUGE "thank you" to the people I work alongside with every day here in the Allen House. Because of all of you, I hold myself to a higher caliber and have learned what it takes to contribute to something much greater than myself. I'd also like to say "thank you" to my fellow VISTAs throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Your words of encouragement have gotten me through some of my less than desirable days, and I am so proud to be able to call you my colleagues. The lessons I have learned from all of you will stick with me throughout the rest of my professional career.

Six months down, six months to go. Where I'll end up after this, no one knows... not even me! I am confident my life will work out for the best, and I hope someone out there sees me for the genuine and honest person I am! Next stop: Finishing my year of service with finesse, and eventually, BECOMING A TEACHER. :)