DONE?!

It's strange to think it, but I'm finished with all the work of my undergrad, and will be crossing that stage into the next chapter of my life in TWO DAYS! Agh where did this year go? It's insane to actually sit and try to think of all the memories made this year, because while it felt like it was flying by way too fast, it's still jam-packed with more memories than imaginable. That's actually how all of this college experience feels to me at the moment. I mean didn't I just move in to my freshman dorm? Didn't I just run for senate for the first time? And went to my first PUB Live show? And wasn't last summer my first experience at the field station? And my first summer away from home? Agh so strange how quickly it all passed by. I know now that I have changed and grown so much in the last four years but I never recognized it at the time. You never notice it while it's happening, but then all of a sudden you have those moments where you realize how much has changed right before your very eyes without you even realizing it. I started this experience hellbent on becoming a traveling nurse, and now in two days I'll be graduating with a psych degree, and four months of experience living in Europe. Of course some parts of us stay the same: I've always craved new experiences, I still love to sing, I still want to make a living by helping others, etc. But it's a certainty that I've settled more into my skin now. After four years at Coe, I now excitedly look forward to entering into the world as a confident, able-bodied individual who can take whatever life throws at her.

The next big adventure for me will be moving to Denver, CO in October. I have been accepted into the NCCC branch of Americorps, and so they'll be sending me out there for a year of service with their volunteer branch. For a year I'll be working in a team of ten to complete a handful of community service projects: They'll range anywhere from disaster relief to tutoring kids to city beautification, wherever the need is heaviest. As a team we'll live together, eat together, do everything together, and live essentially at the poverty level for the year. Americorps covers our accommodation, our uniforms, and our transportation, and also provides us with a biweekly stipend for groceries. And when I'm done, I'll get money for grad school! Agh it's going to be a blast; this is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to do when I graduated. It's just that year where I can take a break from school, figure out what I want to go to grad school for, and then continue on after for higher levels of education. So wish me luck :)

My immediate plans are somewhat flimsy. I actually leave for Sicily in a week for a May term class, and then when I get back on May 31st I literally have no idea where I'll be working. I'm waiting to hear back from a few places, and am supposed to call a few more once I get back to the States, but this ambiguity is not fun for me. Haha I'm trying to not worry about it and just focus on the moment, but I can't say it's easy. Oh well, I guess there'll always be something coming up next to occupy your thoughts. 

Well I think I'll wrap this up here, but it's been a fun journey with you all! I hope my insights shed a little light on what it is to be a Kohawk. :)

Katie