Highlights From My 23rd Year

Seeing as my birthday was this past Monday, eleven hours of traveling this Sunday allowed me ample time to reflect on the 11 highlights of my 23rd year. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University

In May, I graduated with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish from Northeastern University. I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment. The fastest and most amazing five years of my life thus far.

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2. I trained for and completed the 2014 Boston Marathon

After witnessing the devastating events that took place at the 2013 Boston Marathon, Boston united and has since then become even stronger. Having lived in Boston for five years, I love Boston and consider the city my home. Being granted the honor and ability to train for and run the 2014 Boston Marathon is an experience I am eternally grateful for. The journey made me a stronger person in so many more ways than I ever imagined. #BOSTONSTRONG

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3. More importantly, I raised over $7,000 dollars for Tufts Medical Center

Not only was I able to finish the 2014 Boston Marathon, I surpassed my fundraising goals with the generosity of my family, friends, coworkers, and MOST generously, MY PARENTS FRIENDS. Fundraising became a full time job and dare I say, was even more difficult than training for a marathon during the bitter Boston winter.

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4. I prepared for and took the MCAT

Although I did not achieve the score I was aiming for, I am proud of the dedication and commitment I put in this year to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test. Despite the difficulty and challenge this exam presented me, I somehow motivated myself to practice everyday (okay, almost every day). 

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5. I visited five countries and countless cities across the US and Europe

Some of the highlights of my travels this year include the adventures I have gone on with my family, my oldest friends, and a few new friends.This part requires a few subcategories.

A much needed Miami vacation filled with sunshine and old friends

A Maine adventure with my middle school friends

A Mexican retreat with my family

A snowy ski weekend in New Hampshire

A city escape in Duxbury with my college friends

A true “Eurotrip” around Germany and Belgium with my best friend

A multitude of Spanish cities with two new amazing roomies

And traveling around Spain with my sister for the first time!

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6. My family moved out of the most amazing home into an even more amazing home

Leaving East Hill Drive has been difficult to accept. I won’t miss racing past the killer wood boring bees on my way through the gate to the pool, or the sounds of toilet water running at the kitchen table. But everything else, I will miss greatly. My room that had been decorated with the same Angel figures, flowered wallpaper, and American Girl doll display since the fifth grade, my incredibly large and activity filled basement complete with a craft room, pool table, and dance floor, and most importantly, our beautiful backyard with the Mimosa tree that mom can’t stand and the 12 foot deep pool that leaks every other year. 

You will be missed, East Hill Drive, but I am so excited for the good memories to come in Jamestown. And after all, you are not so new to me anyways.

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7. My abstract was accepted as a poster at ACR

I wrote my first scientific article and it was accepted to be presented as a poster at the 2014 American College of Rheumatology conference in Boston, MA. Thanks Tufts Medical Center for giving me this opportunity.

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8. I lost my Angel

I lost my first true animal pal. Angel was a Christmas gift (hence the name) to my sister and I (mostly my sister, seeing as I asked for a dog for five years leading up to that Christmas, when Dakota only asked once and POOF! We get a kitten, but besides the point…) 12 years ago. She was the smallest kitten. So cute, so playful, and even in her later years, always requiring attention at the worst times. Always stepping on my computer when I was typing an essay or laying on my books at the kitchen table when I was trying to study. I will miss seeing her fluffy head in the mornings when she was begging for one of those delicious cans of meat or jumping on the kitchen table when the family was trying to eat something she would much prefer. <3

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9. I made three new roommates and three new best friends

When one of my best friends and long time roomies graduated early and moved to Wyoming I was so nervous and disappointed that my new roomie was going to suck. After heavy Facebook stalking, I decided she seemed alright and that I would give it my best shot. Turns out, she was great! She has become one of my closest friends and my last semester of college would not have been complete without her.

Likewise, upon moving to Spain I was anxious.. I did not want to live alone and my fingers were crossed that someone else would be living in this teeny weeny pueblo. Luckily, an ignored Facebook message and an incredibly awkward dinner meeting led me to my two roomies. I couldn’t be happier, and am so grateful for my new friends!

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10. I moved 3,600 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to teach English in Spain

Moving across the world is something that many people questioned and some envied. I heard a lot of negativity and misunderstanding.  Everything from, “Why would you do that!”, “What are you going to do there?”, “Do you even speak Spanish?”, “That’s such a long time!”, “That has nothing to do with medicine…”, and “It’s not safe there” to “Wow, I wish I could do that”, “That sounds amazing”, “I could never do that”, and “You won’t regret it”. I’m thrilled I ignored the negativity and listened to the optimists. This year has been incredible!

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11. And of course… I started a blog

Something I have always wanted to do but have never had the courage or time to commit to. I am enjoying blogging and hope to continue for a long time to come!