School's Out

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUugQoxS8_o

Anyways, school has been out for about two weeks now which means that after studying hundreds of years of history for 19 Latin American countries, learning how to teach math, understanding the dictatorship of Francisco Franco in Spain, and so much more, I am finally free. I am free from research papers, tedious assignments, professors, frustrating classmates, and basically all other responsibilities I have as a student.

However, in my new found freedom, I am faced with a problem: what do I do with all my free time? Naturally, my heart is telling me to go find adventure and feed my desire to be reckless. There are definitely no mountains to be climbed in Eau Claire nor are there many opportunities to hang out with llamas... Though, I've been finding adventure in other ways. Adventures that allow me to wedge myself in a creepy elevator between a cement wall and dumpster in an empty residence hall during hide n' seek. Adventures that turn supposed friends into enemies when running around campus (murder in the dark). Adventures that are basically the greatest.

My most recent escapade involved lots of quality family time in Hayward over this past weekend. It was such a great weekend that was much needed with everyone on mom's side of the family. Mom and Dad came to Eau Claire Friday night and stayed with  me and then the three of us headed up to Hayward Saturday morning where we met everyone for breakfast. Later that day, we went out on the boat and caught tons of turtles in the bay and played night games across the whole resort. Sunday Joey and Zoya and I decided to take the paddle boat out to the same bay to catch some more turtles. On this trip, we ended up catching the Godzilla of all turtles. It was one of the biggest snapping turtles I have ever seen. It barely fit in our net. It's neck was almost as wide as my wrist, it had claws the length of my thumbs, and had beady little eyes. It was something fierce. Joey sat in the back with the netted beast while Zoya and I paddled. Let's just say that Godzilla added a lot of extra weight to our trip. About halfway back, he had clawed through the net and escaped. I think that Joey was actually relieved because Godzilla made him feel like a meal. When we got back, Dad, Mom, and I went fishing and it was also my first time driving a boat. I just want a boat now. That weekend, I gained 13 mosquito bites (one on my butt), sun burn that faded to tan, and lots of memories!

Stay posted for my future adventures!

- A

The Adventure Continues...to Alaska

Well, once again, I should probably be in bed and dreaming happy things. However, I am choosing to fight my heavy eye lids and provide an update in my life. I am approaching a week from hell. Which you may know as finals week. It will probably be the worst. But as Gloria Gaynor once said, "I will survive...I know I will stay alive".

For those of you who may not know, I'll be spending all of next year in Alaska, thousands of miles away from my home(s) here in Wisconsin. I know it will be absolutely incredible on so many levels, as well as challenging, but I'm starting to freak out. Just a little bit. I think that I am starting to realize how much I have taken for granted this year: my friendships, my staff, Campus Ambassadors, my classes, Target, etc. When I should have been enjoying every single moment of everything I am passionate about, I chose to be an angsty teen. I haven't been the happiest being here--a part of me feels stuck and I just want to be back conquering the world. But in reality, I'm the only thing keeping me stuck. I chose to be sulky when I could have been enthusiastic about all the opportunities I've had this year. Granted, I'll have a year left when I get back from AK and upon my return, I absolutely 100% intend on being optimistic and passionate about everything I do and not being a walking rain cloud. To clarify: I haven't been that sulky but I definitely get into these funks where I shut everything out and binge watch Parks and Recreation on Netflix while eating my weight in popcorn...

On a more positive note, I am so thrilled for my next adventure. I just registered for my classes a few weeks ago. I have a few more things to do (like buy my plane ticket) but mentally and emotionally, I think I'm ready. Okay, except for the saying good-bye part. I feel as if I'm graduating, except that I'm not.

fall class schedule--and yeah, i'm taking sea kayaking. 

Here are a few more exciting things:

- A few weeks ago, I got to see one of my favorite bands, Farewell Milwaukee, with one of my best friends. We're kind of obsessed with them and were maybe stalking them all night long...

- My hair can almost fit into a ponytail. I will welcome the day when I don't have to use an infinite amount of bobby pins to keep it in. 

-Oh, and the university has a new ad campaign, the power of [and] and I maybe was on several posters throughout campus and am still on TV screens... someone also told me I look like the girl in the poster. 

- This past weekend I was home, which was so incredible and much needed. Very stress free, except for the thought of final projects and tests before finals week clouded my mind... also, Putter and Mulligan think they're humans: 

-And lastly, I am so thankful to be a part of an organization like Campus Ambassadors. I have learned how to turn my weaknesses into strengths and am constantly surrounded by support and love from everyone. Our last meeting was tonight and saying goodbye to so many graduating students was difficult. I don't think we ever realize how much certain people in our lives mean to us until it's time to say goodbye. 

My biggest lesson learned so far: don't take anything for granted. Find passion in the things you surround yourself with and love every single moment. 

- Al