Viera

This is a tahnk you from my heart to every person in my life that has helped me get to where I'm at today. Sometimes it feels like we can only depend on ourselves as we go through academia, especially university. I know my own journey through education has felt isolated at times, both in and out of the classroom. The world of universities is competitive, fast paced, there's always somewhere to go or something to do. However, there's been multiple people that stand out when I think about who to turn to for support, letters of recommendation, advice, or a friendly face to start the day. Nobody makes it alone. I am lucky enough to know exactly which professors and mentors to turn to when I need any help. I have a long path to go still, but I'm no longer scared or feel like I'm not ready. There will be people to help me and advice me. So thank you for helping me get here. Teachers, professors, and mentors especially. 

Sometimes it can feel like the season of life we are in will last forever, especially when we finally feel like we got the hang of things. We know what to expect, how to plan for it, and have a general idea of what the year will look like.

I picked up "What the River Knows" by Isabel Ibanez at my local library during the middle of Hispanic Heritage month. I didn't realize it was Hispanic Heritage month or that the librarians had set out books relating to that, but I made the connection when I realized there was some Spanish in the first chapter. The Spanish was minimum, just a little tiny bit here or there, so don't let that stop you from reading if you are not a Spanish speaker.  

I am back in classes for the fall semester! There's something about the feeling of walking my university campus in the fall. It can be hard to get back in routine after a lengthy summer break, but after the first week back everything fell into place. This year I am being exposed to experiences I wouldn't have had if I hadn't made the decision last year to pick up a certain new skill. I can confidently say that I am looking forward to what this year holds and where it will take me. I'm deeply grateful for being able to attend college, and for the professors that have made an impact on my life. Sometimes I feel unsure of the major I chose, and scared of change after graduation, but I can't now what the future holds. All I know is that so far, every year I've kept on learning and growing, and I've adjusted. I can guarantee that I feel like I've found more of myself and who I am as I grow, and I'm excited to see who I become.  

I came across this book at my part time job this summer. I read it during my lunch breaks, and I enjoyed it well enough. I had never read a book quite like this one before. The main character falls into her favorite book series, and meets a stranger that she doesn't remember from the books. The story follows her journey in getting over her ex-fiancé, and finding herself again. I loved the setting the story took place in, for majority of the book she stays in the town of her favorite book series. It's a perfect little town, everyone knows each other, and she quickly makes friends with everyone. I felt that the main character did not get as much development as she should have because she spends most of the time in the book fawning over the characters she meets. She gets involved in their relationship troubles quite a bit. The only other thing that keeps me from putting this book on my list of favorite reads is the complicated relationship the main character and the handsome stranger have. They are both hung up on their exes, and I can't help but feel that those issues should have been solved long before forming a connection with a new partner. I love romance books and love stories, but I prefer the issues the couple face to not be indecision about each other. I want the lovers to be completely and utterly in love with each other. But overall, the book was an interesting read and it kept me hooked for a couple of my work shifts. 

As I write this entry, I find myself midway through summer break. It has been a surprisingly cool summer, the anticipated (and slightly dreaded) heat has yet to arrive. I have spent all of May, June, and July thus far enjoying my time home and without any due dates or deadlines to meet. I guess I took the time to relax, which is why I haven't posted in a while. I spent time with my family, at parks, painting, taking music and dance lessons, along with reading. Summer is a time to savor and make the most of each day. I've regularly been making lemonade and baking, and being present. I will always say that autumn is my favorite season, but summer has a special place in my heart as well. My mother has always made them cozy, bringing all of us together. I could live in an eternal summer and never remember there were other seasons at all. I also updated my wardrobe and added some cute skirts and dresses, including a cherry themed outfit complete with a red hair bow. Some series I've watched are "My Life with the Walter Boys" and "All the Light We Cannot See". I just ordered the complete "Anne of Green Gables" series, for the first time I will have my own Anne Shirley books! It's a series that I've read every summer since I think sophomore year of high school. The little things, like the walks I take with my family, the games I play with my family, and the music I learn are what the true essence of summer is all about. Life at its core is about relationship, and that is what this summer has been about. Waking up and knowing I have all day at home is an incredible feeling. I hope that you experience this for yourself this summer :)