Done with College Life-Final Goodbyes

Have my car packed up, almost forgot my bike... again... and am parked at school while finishing up my last tutoring session here at RIT. One kid was super upset when I told him that this was my last day forever. He was like "What! You're not gonna be here this winter?!?! I wish you were here everyday! You're the best tutor they have!" Well that made me feel better :) Hopefully I can use some of my sweet tutoring skills someday. The future, not immediate future preferably.

Well on my walk into school I caught these three boys up in a tree. I snagged a quick picture if you look closely you can see their dangling legs. I'm pretty sure they were enjoying some reefer, I'm glad they were able to heighten their experience up there.

AND Today I finally got my ASLPI results! (American Sign Language Proficiency Interview) I got a score of Advanced!! No way! I was expecting so much lower, like an intermediate level, meaning I would have to retake it before I was able to start teaching somewhere, but NOPE! I proved my skills finally! Wooooo HOOOOOOOO :)

p.s. yes, I have changed my name to Anne. NOT. I am going to get that mishap fixed immediately following my tutoring.

Last 4 hour class

4 hours for one class is way to long. Totally ridiculous with most of the teachers I have, but luckily my teacher this quarter rules and always lets us out an hour early. Its a beautiful day in Rochester (strange I know) and I wish I was outside enjoying it. Instead I finished my capstone by writing my abstract and am now submitting it to the program director!!! Woooo hooooo!! Its a great feeling to be done. Hasn't totally hit me yet, but sorta did yesterday when I woke up and had absolutely nothing to do or worry about. So in that case I created things to worry about like stressing about packing up my stuff and all the things I have to do over the next few days. Seems like I can't just enjoy some piece of mind ever. Also, I'm pretty sure I have totally F*cked up my wrist because I can barely use my left hand for anything. It hurts to type right now, and hurts A LOT when I am signing. Started last Wednesday, so if it still hurts I'll get it checked out when I get home... maybe... I really hate going to the doctor though

Almost done with college life - Saying Goodbye

I don't really want to write anything about this, because it just makes me sad... But I had to say good bye to one of the coolest most awesome people today, who I wouldn't have even met if I hadn't decided to take a pilates class!!! My teacher Michelle is super inspirational, caring, and one of the most flexible people I have ever met!!! She definitely made my RIT experience so much better. She always asked me how classes were going and seemed like she genuinely cared, which is much different from most people that you will meet in your life. And then today,,,, She made me cookies!!!!! Wish I coulda had one more pilates class with her, but I think I have officially hurt my wrist too bad for that :( I guess I will just have to do Skype pilates on the beach!!!

Almost Done With College Life - Hangovers

Its almost 9 at night and I am still hungover from yesterdays shaninigns. Little ridiculous if I say so myself. (Dan just gave me a kiss) He wanted me to throw that in there. Last night was my last Saturday in Rochester, FOREVER!!!! Totally unbelievable how fast time is flying. Katina and her friends came up from Long Island, so I went with them to Brockport and Dan and I had a really nice walk along the canal. We finally came back to my apartment and got ready to go out for the night. I was hammered, super dooper hammered really early. It was a fun night out, Ali, Val, Ashley, Melissa, Katina, Dan, Brad, Jeff, so many of my really fun friends came out and it was awesome. I love my friends!!!

It was great especially because I didn't have a phone on me and I din't have to worry about anything or anyone interrupting my good time. More importantly I didn't have to worry about losing my phone!!!! I'll post a picture after I get one off my camera tomorrow. Yay for hangovers....

Almost done with college life - Final Presentations

There's a picture of Ali playing on the Smart Board which was a part of my presentation/work shop today. I woke up at 6 because I was nervous out of my mind, my whole body shook until my workshop started at noon, and I almost threw up a few times too. But I did it!!! Woohoooo for getting that huge part of my program finished!

Now Katina is here and we are going to have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Almost done with college life - The Library

That's Ali over there snoozing on the super comfortable couch. Today marks my FINAL visit to the Library. I have spent a good amount of my time at RIT snuggling up with my laptop and books in this large research filled facility. Its a pretty nice place with really good coffee. They have big tables too, so I can spread my stuff out all over the place :) I guess you're wondering why its so cool. I should probably mention that I haven't been in the ACTUAL library really at all. I'm in the cafe that just so happens to be in the same building:)

I've been here all this week and am SO CLOSE to having my Unit Plan finished (final project for my one class) and recently finished my capstone (final project for my program!) So now all I have left to do is perform my bad ass workshop tomorrow at noon and then party my face off this weekend. Oh! and I need to find a text book for one lesson of my unit plan. I am doing it on Pythagorean Theorem and simplifying radicals. Pretty sure its 9th grade algebra :) Good thing I'm so close to the real books!

I'm kinda sad that I wont be able to check out super good looking nerdy guys anymore though :( There is quite a varied selection here, both Deaf and hearing!

Almost done with college life - Counseling

So I have tried various methods of counseling in the past, including music, friends, family, long walks, and counselors. I went at Brockport and talked to this awesome guy who looked like Santa, but he couldn't really figure me out, or why i was feeling the way I do. I just finished my last counseling session here at RIT with this awesome lady. She knows whats up, and basically told me that all my feelings, all my emotions, and everything else I feel or think about is OK. And totally natural. Sick. Now that I feel a little bit more normal here in this world I'm ready to take on a whole lot more. She never felt sorry for me, or told me my life sucks, she basically told me to take a deep breath and deal with it. I can't change other people and only have the power to look at it from a better point of view. My anger? Totally fine! Let it boil on up, but try to release it with out hitting/hurting anyone. She even suggested I put on super loud music and dance it off. How did she know!@!!!!@#$@! I'm sad that today was my last appointment, but then again its natural to feel sad too :)

My picture for today??? The good old days when we were all so cute and innocent. When I had no idea what was about to happen and what I would have to deal with for years to come.

Almost done with college life - Reading

Read Read Read Read WHY do college professors think its a good idea to make us read so much?!?!?!?! 90% of the time it goes in one ear and out the other. For example, reading research articles. Honestly, I DONT CARE about your research! Like its all good and awesome that you put some poor helpless defenseless kids through a long and boring test and questionnaire, but I don't want to read about all your outcomes! So most of the kids in school right now can read at about a 3rd grade reading level, BIG DEAL! that's not my fault! My kids are gonna be reading at college level by the time they are in third grade, just like Akiva and Asher will...
Back to the point. So what is the deal with so much reading? Spending my whole life savings on text books that I sell back for 1/5 of the cost was not what I envisioned for my degree. I really just love when teachers realize that teaching me does not include giving me 6 chapters to read. I can do 20 pages, but 100 is out of line.

Cheers to the library for your grand attempt at keeping me sane!

Almost done with college life - Food

Now it has been over 6 long years of college food. I went from eating at the dining hall gaining 20 pounds super quick, to attempting to make my own food, to actually being able to cook. The sad thing is I am totally broke now, so it is like I have pushed the rewind button back to junior year of college and am eating the basics again. This is no good for my hard work out life. I had 2 eggs for breakfast (no toast because I don't have any) two packets of oatmeal for lunch (I convinced the coffee shop people to give me half a cup of hot water for free - at least its high fiber!) and now this for dinner. I'm surprised that I'm not wasting away!

On a better note: I just had my first ever trick or treaters come to the door :) I threw the five free pieces of candy that I had gotten from my Pilates teacher into a bowl. It was a very happy and satisfying feeling! Thanks Michelle for helping me be able to do that!

Unicorns in Your Dreams

Clearly this is not how we dress everyday (even though Arin may want to) or not even how we dressed for Halloween. Arin's bachelorette party was a night of Unicorn madness, which turned out to be especially excellent when I would repeatedly go up to the bar to order more water. Arin was quickly able to spot me in the crowd to know I wasn't stolen or off gallivanting with some dude.

The night started off with an excellent dinner of Chinese that was placed on an awesome lazy suzanne in the middle of the table, so the food was constantly being rotated closer to you. I drank way to much wine, and was already feeling excellent by time we left there to go to the bar. We had a private Karaoke room, best idea ever, and so everyone was able to dance and sing their hearts out. Arin and I did an awesome rendition to Katy Perry's Firework, where Arin sang and I signed. It was super fun.

I boot and rallied successfully without anyone knowing until the next day, and even managed to stay on my feet for almost the whole night. Definitely an awesome bachelorette party. Can't wait to have one for my friends in the near future since we all know I'm not getting married anytime soon!

Friends from Old Places

So last night was Arin's wedding shower. It was super fun. Of course awkward at first because I had no idea who to talk to and what the appropriate things would be to say, but after a while I met some familiar facebook faces and started talking to some more people. I am super excited for the wedding in less than two weeks now!

Working on plans for the wedding in Mark's shop at Mandell Theater.

From Rochester to Philly

Just got back from Arin's wedding shower and am tucked in bed in her spare bedroom which is the third floor of her house. Can't wait to pass out, its been a long day. I left Rochester at 12:30 ish, stopped at Wegman's for a sub, and then cruised on some highways. It was supposed to take me over 6 hours to get here, more with Friday rush hour traffic, but I got here in about 5 1/2. Didn't even get lost once! The best part about long boring car rides is being able to talk to good friends on the phone for a while with limited distractions, other than the road of course. I saw some snow passing through Oswego County, and enjoyed the views. I'll post about Arin's shower tomorrow :)

Donations

To me, a donation could be something that someone does for you, or something that you do for them. Either way, someone is donating a chunk of their time to do something to make someone else's life better. Last night when I got home from school at about 10:30, Dan was waiting there for me. Not only with dinner, but with a big sunflower. So perfect :) Trying to make up for being so lazy on our walk yesterday I suppose.

I decided to help out the world a little bit too and donated my A+ blood :) It hurt for the first time ever, which is so strange cause I've donated lots of times before! They had to test my iron levels twice cause the first time I came up short. Luckily my right arm had more iron than my left :)

Moral of the story is "Donate as much as possible: Time, money, love, hugs, happiness, and joy." You'll be surprised how many people will appreciate your time <3

Morning Walks

Yes, I already missed a day. I'm gonna try not to do that. It would be easier if I had an i-phone I think. Yesterday morning the sun was shining and it was totally beautiful outside. I decided to get my butt out of bed and go for a walk. I texted Dan to see if he would come and told him I would wait ten minutes so he could join me. I only wanted to walk to the bridge over the canal where it intersects with the Genesee river. Not that far. He complained the whole walk there! I had even made coffee for us, and put it in travel mugs, thinking it would be a nice thing to do. The walk went from being a happy good morning to us fighting. Ugh. There were some nice stops on the way though. So to appreciate the morning anyway, and try to spend some extra time with my man, we sat on a bench watching them dredge the river. I even got to school on time:)

Share A little of Yourself

I was talking with Heather today and we were trying to figure out how we could stay in touch better and keep up on each others lives. It is going to be my goal for the next year to post a picture or comment everyday. I'm starting my next adventure in life, and I think it will be great to look back on this someday and remember what it was like to be 24 and turn 25.
I guess I could start with who I am. I'm spontaneous, obnoxious, and emotional. I'm a yogi, biker, runner, and surfer. I love talking to people and helping others, but sometimes I am way to bossy. I bring the 'crazy' to the party, will dance on any occasion, and somehow manage to work hard too. I'm not average in any aspect of the word. I love to be loved

This year should include my transition from Rochester to Hawaii to New York to Colorado. Well at least that is the plan right now!

I'm not sure if you can tell, but in the picture there is a huge flock of birds flying across the river. I felt at the time, and even still now that they are calling me to go with them. Move on with my busy, moment searching, never stopping to take a deep breath, life of college and try something new. See the big picture of life, not only what is bugging me now. The here and now are very and important, yes, but where are they taking you? What have you made of yourself?
This picture was taken at Letchworth State park on October 22 with Dan, who is currently my "man". I call him my man because we aren't technically dating... sorta. Well we should be, because I feel this amazingly strong connection with him and we click just right, but I am leaving in two weeks and two days to start a new journey in my life. I guess we happened to grow together at the wrong time. He says he wants to stay close and start up again when I get back to New York. Only time will tell.
I am graduating with my masters and then leaving Rochester. Forever.
Its going to be great. I'll have 4 certifications and 2 degrees, and a one way flight to Hawaii to live with my sister. I am somehow bilingual and love every second of American Sign Language. I just want to get out in the world and have my own classroom, but I am going to take a break first.
Over the next few weeks I am not sure anyone will see the better parts of me. Before I leave to a new place I tend to get in this emotional depressed state. I KNOW I am moving to Paradise, but that doesn't mean that I wont miss what I have here.