2011 Thus Far

   Well, where to start. 2011 has not been the best year so far. Life just seems to be throwing punches continuously, each of them being worse than the previous one. I sometimes think to myself, why is this happening to me? How much more can I take? Is it almost over? 


   I started off my Freshman year of college stoked, energized, and ready to begin my life. I had a job, was going to school with my best friend, and had the best support from my family and friends from Redding. I did not know that this would essentially be the beginning of my life crumbling around me. I was not prepared for what would become of my life as my Freshman year went along.


   My first quarter consisted of a lot of stress and sadness. Kmart was working me 35+ hours a week, on top of my already full-time schedule at school. I was exhausted beyond explanation and had a tendency to bottle my worries and pains up. I was decaying at my very core. I lost some friends, and gained some friends. Though, losing friends always seems to leave the heart lonely and cold for a while. I felt, and somewhat to this day still feel, empty and lost. I didn't know who I was, and I knew that wasn't a good thing. Christmas Break came around and I was so ready for a break. 


   After a hectic Christmas break, it was time to return to beautiful Santa Barbara to begin my second quarter. We were told at the beginning that Chemistry this quarter was a "beast" which made every conscious student cringe. Returning to Kmart was a bittersweet time. I got to see all my dear friends that I missed, but, I also had to see the other dear ones that I did not miss. Life seemed to be going well until January 21st arrived. I felt like it was a normal day until I arrived at work and learned that I was being terminated. After two and a half years of dedicated work to the Sears Holdings Corporation, they decided to terminate me over a simple mistake that transpired. After numerous calls to my parents and old bosses, I decided to issue an Ethics Case. The case is still ongoing but it is looking optimistic. I won my unemployment case against them, another tell-tale sign that something was fishy with this company. Although this whole situation wasn't ideal, I do believe it was in God's plan to get me out of that stressful, unhealthy environment. I miss my friends dearly and I wish I was still working and having fun with them, but, my new job at the Kuris Laboratory is a giant leap in the  right direction.


   My life is different now than it was in 2010. I believe I am a stronger person because of it. I thank God everyday for my parents. They have supported me through thick and thin, and without them, I don't think I would be the person I am today. They are loving, encouraging, optimistic, supporting, and most of all, the best parents anyone could ask for. As I go through my last quarter as a freshman, I am going to make the most out of it. I haven't been able to enjoy this beautiful city. I haven't been able to breathe in the salty ocean air. I haven't been able become involved. But not now. I am going to live my life. Not everyone gets the opportunity that I have so I am not going to waste it being miserable. It's time for me to grow up and do something that I enjoy and love doing. Hopefully I prosper and make it through this crazy ride called life.

But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31