Looking Back Fondly

And so…this is it.

As the semester starts to dwindle down, finally, two weeks to go until finals… it seems as though only yesterday we were all moving in, the hot August sun blazing down on us, (or in my case, the August rain pouring down on my parents and I as we pushed cart after cart of plastic bins to the second floor of Greenbrier.)

And now, its April, the flowers are finally blooming, the sun is FINALLY shining, the snow has finally stopped and excitement is in the air.

As the excitement starts to build for this school year to come to a close, I can’t help but reminisce of the excitement I had at the start of this year. As I look back on this, I realize that the excitement was well deserved because, although it came in some stressful forms from time to time, this school year was monumental for me. Not specifically because of awards, executive positions, or good grades, all of which I received, but because of my personal growth, and what I’ve achieved as an individual.

Now you may be laughing to yourself because this may sound rather cliché, corny, or just lame. But it’s true, and is a complete underestimation.

Throughout all of the ups and downs of the semester, I feel as though I have learned so much, not just from a textbook or a guest speaker.

"A new experience can be extremely pleasurable, or extremely irritating, or somewhere in between, and you never know until you try it out." –Lemony Snicket

Cody and I preforming the cup song at
the Mr. & Mrs. THON competition!

I've learned to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things. Forget being afraid of making a fool of yourself. I had always thought that, if I've never tried it before, I wouldn't be good at it... why try? But now, I've tried hard to branch out. I've preformed in front of my peers multiple times, and this is something that I convinced myself I would never do during my time at school. And yet, when the songs were finished, and I walked off the stage... I felt good. Accomplished. Proud.

“Don't be distracted by criticism.  Remember - the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." –Zig Ziglar

In life, people can be really mean. There are going to be people that really couldn’t care less about you, or worse, they care enough to bring your down. But you have to grin and bear it. Grow thick skin and wear it proudly. There are mean people, and then they seem to be counteracted with good people, ones that care about you, want you to succeed and give 100% every time. But then the confusing part is when you find someone that is incomprehensibly in the middle. In my experiences, you can’t do anything except just smile. Or just try to. Just remember, “Don’t let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden.”  (Unknown)  Ponder that for a little bit.

"Just remember... it doesn't matter how long you have known each other, all that matters is that he has kept you smiling from day one." –Unknown

All of the frames that I found at various
buildings and locations around campus!

This is something that I’ve found to be true, especially this year with the start of my relationship. In the beginning of September, fresh new school year, I was asked out in the most unique, creative, and caring way. I was led on a scavenger hunt all across the Penn State Berks campus to find picture frames, each with different clues on them.

When I finally got to the last clue, it was Cody himself holding the last frame, which read, “I can picture us together, can you?” Realizing a great photography pun when I see one, I started happy crying. I was happy beyond words.

Cody at the Labyrinth on campus,
with my last clue!

And on September 14, 2013 I said yes to date Cody. Best decision I’ve ever made. And I made it after knowing him for only about a month. Crazy right? Well it turns out that it wasn’t so crazy, and I wish I had met him sooner, because like the quote says, we have not stopped smiling since day one. And this has taught me that we all need to surround ourselves with non-toxic people, people that are going to support us and not bring us down. And Cody has been one of my number one fan, and number one supporter. He definitely brings out the best in me, and I like to think that I do the same for him.  I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be this year without him. I love you!

I mean... just look at that
sharp dressed man!

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not to mention my friends have been so fantastic in supporting me and helping keep me sane. I am so appreciative of that. Thank you all.

"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you." –Mary Tyler Moore

Abhar and I– posing for a picture but wishing we were watching friends...

Ali Cat and I, my suitemate next year!

Ryan and I at Semi formal–
you're the best Ry!

If there is one thing that I've learned from life that I want you to remember, it is this. There is a learning experience in everything. No matter what happens, good or bad, you need to take a straw, suck the knowledge out of it, and digest that knowledge until you can apply it to your life. We all go through things that stink. Like, really badly. But we also all go through fantastic experiences. So take the bad as learning experiences and make yourself a better person because of them. And then take the good, wonderful, fantastic, and amazing experiences for all that they are. Good, wonderful, fantastic and/or amazing!

So overall, I’ve really learned a lot about myself. Not to mention I’ve learned a lot of Communication Theories, the Geological Cycle, and writing a Radio Broadcast. My sophomore year was important for me, and I look forward to what my Junior year has in store for me.

But, let’s not forget summer that’s right around the corner… a summer that, hopefully, a lot of people are excited for.

SO, from me to you, have a fantastic summer, make good choices, have fun (but not TOO much!) and be yourselves, but that’s what is going to get you far in life.

Thank you.

-Katie