a new understanding of college

Looking back at myself over this last year, and the previous years of my life I've come to realize I've changed a great deal. Like a stunted butterfly I strived to transform into something beautiful, some unknown idea of perfection and self-worth, since before I can even begin to remember. No matter what direction I chose to take, I always felt lost - waiting for something new to attract my attention and guide me down a new path. Since starting college I've realized that all of these ideas, whether or not they were mine, were lacking true worth. Just this moment, I've begun to discover true happiness, beauty, determination, independence and the list goes on and on. None of these elements of life can truly be defined by anyone but yourself. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe much of what other people say, which is probably why I decided I had a passion for journalism such a long time ago. Journalism gives you the chance to discover every possible truth for yourself (selfishly), and also for others who are feeling lost and need some sense of direction, some guiding light. 

College has opened my eyes to such a new world. So many things that I thought I knew about certain kinds of people, the way the world works and even myself, all seem to have been wrong. I've always prided myself on being open-minded, but I don't think I ever really was until now. I've met so many different kinds of people and I've learned more than ever not to judge a book by it's cover or even it's reviews. The only way you can come to appreciate the book, and in this case, life, is to go out there and take it all in. Do all that you've dreamed of doing and what you never thought you could see yourself trying. Explore far beyond your comfort zone. Meet people who you wouldn't ordinarily approach. With it all comes the opportunity to rediscover the world around you, and redefine who you are in the process. This is why I've come to love college so much - it's the perfect opportunity to rediscover, redefine and just explore all that there is to see in this world. 

So get out there and just do it,

College Life

Hey everyone, it's been quite a while!
Yesterday marked the official third week of college, and I can't believe it's only been that long! It feels as if I've been here in Syracuse for months, and the amazing people I've met seem to be friends I've known all my life. It's impossible to describe just how fantastic this experience has been for me. I've loved every single moment of it, even having to do homework and read countless pages of semi-dull material - all because of my hilarious and always-entertaining group of friends.
Just a slight recap of what's been going on here in Syracuse since I moved in on August 22nd. For the first three days I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on campus.

We painted a Jewish Community Center, a recently foreclosed Habitat house and made/served lunch at a food pantry on the Near Westside, also known as the Salt District (an inspiring community which is currently under the process of rebuilding their image). During this experience I met so many amazing, kind-hearted people, most notably a woman named Mother Earth. This courageous and infinitely inspiring woman is the most loving person I've ever met in my entire life. Through countless heartbreaks and hardships, she continues to spread the message of "good" and "love" through the Syracuse community. Having met her and heard her story, I've been inspired to help those in not only the Near Westside community, but also in my own community - wherever that may be in the future. During my Habitat experience, I also met one of my closest friends, Hannah. She is always fun to be around, makes me laugh incessantly and is the perfect person to play a duet with on the ukulele.

Since Habitat, I've come to meet so many great people on my residence hall floor including Rosie "Ro Ro", Bryan "BChoo" and Lexi "Panda" - when we're all together, it's bound to be a good time. Also, my amazing roommate Stacie "Habeeb" is always around for a good laugh, a random Gilmore Girls moment, or just someone to talk to when you're getting stressed out. I feel infinitely blessed and lucky to have met such great people. I can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us.

Hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying life! Carpe diem!

Love,