A long journey and giveaway time!

Well, I was suppose to be guest posting on another blog today. I guess that is no longer happening. I understand that things happen in life, and some we can control, but some we cannot, but that sort of irks me. I spent a good amount of time working on that post and really didn't have much energy for it.


Yesterday was the first day I didn't have anything to do. Literally, nothing. I haven't experienced that in a few years. I went to the grocery store. That's it. Graduate school is officially over. In 4 days I will walk across the stage in my Hogwarts-like cap and gown and have my name read as earning a Master of Arts in School Counseling. If you had asked me when I graduated high school if I was going to get a Masters degree, I would have looked at you and said "huh?" I went to Florida State with the intention of becoming a high school English teacher. In high school, I earned my high school diploma as well as an International Baccalaureate diploma. The IB programme was a rigorous college prep program and when I earned that diploma, it helped me begin my freshman year of college with 30 credits. So, on day one of college, I was really starting out as a sophomore.

High school graduation - May 2006

By the end of freshman year, and then almost classified as a junior, I had no idea what I wanted to do. But, with almost 60 credits at that point, I was accepted into the College of Education. Funny enough, the only time I ever stepped foot in that building was to chat with my advisor about changing my major. I didn't officially make that change until right before my junior year began. Sophomore year is what I refer to as the "dark days." I was really depressed. I saw a counselor. I wanted to move home. I wanted to quit going to school. Thank goodness my Mom encouraged me to keep going. I registered for a lesser number of classes and kept with it. My GPA was terrible. Embarrassing, even. I never earned below a C- though. The summer before my 3rd year at FSU something finally clicked. I went into my junior year with my head held high. I switched my major to Family and Child Sciences. I started studying and caring about school. I worked my butt off. I credit this change a little to myself but a lot to my best friend J who was working her butt off in school. I realized if I worked hard, I could do well.

Me and J

In my junior and senior years of college, I only earned one C, in an 8 a.m. class of course. During my senior year, I made it on the Dean's list. I was really proud of myself. I became more involved in extracurricular activities and joined RENEW, a peer counseling group that worked closely with the University Counseling Center. I did one-on-one peer counseling and gave presentations to student groups. I put in over 100 hours of community service in my senior year alone. All while making (almost) straight A's. I earned a B that year in public speaking which was my least favorite class. I graduated with my best friend which was something I had not expected a couple of years before.

During my last semester I began applying to graduate programs. I really wanted to stay in Tallahassee, but unfortunately FSU had done away with their School Counseling program. I applied to their Mental Health Counseling program anyway, but was not accepted. So I looked at the university back in my hometown: FGCU. When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to move as far away as possible, while still remaining in Florida. After 4 years of being away from my family, I was ready to come back home. I applied for the School Counseling program, had a phone interview, and was accepted to begin in the Fall of 2010.

It's so hard to believe that the picture above was taken exactly 3 years ago. So much has changed in my life. I can't wait to see what the next 3 years bring.


Now, for the giveaway! This giveaway is brought to you by Natalie, blogger of At Home With the Hinkleys. I have loved working with her this month. She has a Meet and Greet post on her blog today. Be sure to go check it out! And now, enter away!



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