Wrapping Up Sophomore Year

May 9, 2021

I NEED to write right now.

I felt the kind of happy today that your mom comments on, when she says, “you seem like a new person.”

I was walking back to the last dorm room that I’ll ever live in at my college. It’s my last week here and it’s been pouring rain. The past three weeks, rain has been romantically heartbreaking to me. I’ve caught myself in it, time and time again, and it just leaves me missing people and feeling like me by myself is not enough.

Tonight however, I almost started crying in the rain- for the exact opposite reason. The romantic nature of it and just the romantic nature of Ithaca lately has just made me feel nostalgic for the moment in life that I’m in right now. And I know I’m basically speaking in clichés but hear me out:

I’m in my sophomore year of college. My first semester was spent at home and from January to now (May), I’ve been living back in Ithaca, studying journalism, photography, Spanish and a mosh posh of other things. I’ve spent my last ten weekends hiking, walking downtown, partying with friends, watching sunsets, driving on little road trips, going to the Farmer’s Market, spending time on Cayuga lake, drinking out of waterfalls LOL, playing tennis, taking photos and videos (and actually getting better at it), meeting new people, making new best friends, getting closer and closer with other friends, running, interviewing for jobs, networking also LOL, planning for the future, (just to throw in one last cliché) and freaking enjoying right now.

It’s been absolutely unreal though.

Today, the hike I went on, my favorite hike in Ithaca, was everything and more. I went with my friend Jack- my running buddy if you recognize his name from the last blog post- and Jack is totally the type of dude to really take things all in and appreciate them, and totally slow down when it's time to breathe, all that. So, he was super fun to do this hike with.

We tried a different trail than I normally go on, but it was perfect, varied terrain- lots of hills, stairs, and flat portions. My favorite part, however, was that this trail still led to this INSANE magnificent overlook. This overlook, I have proclaimed to be the best view I have seen on this Earth to this day.

And we sat there for a few and just took it in. I could literally hear the different portions of the water falling from the top of the waterfall. And the whole time at this overlook, you’re just like in this incredible natural dome. It is so darn unreal.

That moment, sitting there, was the peak of life right now, but also the epitome of how things are going. Just that incredible level of introspection and connection and serenity that I feel within myself lately.

I am so darn grateful for the people in my life right now and the point I’m at. And for what I’m learning and for how I can feel myself growing. And I know life is not always like this because life comes in seasons. And I feel like learning that and accepting it and getting in touch with my higher self that I know I’m capable of being, I think has SERIOUSLY contributed to enjoying and accepting and loving each season.

I wish everyone could have that same feeling. I think it’s just about bringing together the things you admire about yourself and the things you admire about what’s around you and becoming whole. And trust me, I know I’ve still got ways to go in life and a lot to learn, but I’m just so proud of myself to see where I’ve brought myself and I’m so appreciative for my home, meaning Ithaca, but also this home of support that I’ve got around me, meaning my mom, my dad, my brothers, my family, my friends, myself, and the world around me in every sense.

So, I guess if I could leave you with anything right now, it would be acknowledge your passions. Acknowledge the stuff that lights you up and makes you want to get out of bed in the morning, whether that’s your runs, your photography class, your plans for the weekend, or the joy you feel when you complete your to-do list, or your routine, or the energy at work, or anything at all. But I really encourage you to find that motivation and love and passion within yourself because then every day, you're waking up for you and there’s nothing more fulfilling in the world than that. Plus, it’ll make you the best possible you, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need in order to be the best you with other people.

Thank you guys so much for reading, I seriously seriously appreciate it. And please comment, dm, text me, call me, anything, with any of your thoughts.