Wow. It has been over a month since my last blog post! There has been so much happening lately that it seems the month of April completely passed me by. Professionally, I have been staying busy and working hard as always, for which I am incredibly thankful. But aside from that, I have been busy setting goals for myself in every facet of my life--ones that I hope to accomplish before the summer is over.
June 1st will mark the completion of my first full year living on the Upper East Side of New York City {& living with Nick}. It's incredible how many personal changes have come in these twelve months. I have developed a confidence that I didn't think I would find. New York women walk with a sophistication and elegance that only this city can give you. Living in the city means something different to everyone, but to me it means strength. I can do so much in one day because I have access to anything--whether it be food, fashion or culture. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I feel overwhelmed and stressed with crowded sidewalks, delayed subway trains and unexpected rainstorms. But I am always quick to stop, reflect and give thanks for having this amazing opportunity that I have. This time in my life is so precious to me and I appreciate every bit of it.
Now back to my goals...
After graduating from Fordham University, I was uncertain about which direction I was headed. Law school seemed like the path to embark upon, so I applied, got wait-listed and ultimately rejected in a matter of a few short months. That period of my life was such an emotional roller coaster of anxiety, sadness and a little relief. As the old adage goes: "everything happens for a reason". In my heart, I truly believe I would not have been happy with my life had I gone down that road. I can recognize that today. It has taken my current job in the healthcare field and the support of my loving boyfriend to help me realize that my passion lies in nutrition and dietetics. Going down this path never seemed like a tangible option for me until now. I love working with people and helping to change their lives for the better. It's such a cheesy way to describe it, but I believe this quote by Donald Trump says it better than I could: "Ultimately, if you're not doing what you love, you're not going to be fulfilled. Sure, to make money, you have to be tough, you have to have some smarts and a little luck would help, but the bottom line is: You have to love what you do". This is truly the path that God meant for me to take. Clarity is a beautiful thing, so all I can do is be thankful and make him proud.
Summer Goals of 2010:
Study for the GRE:
I scheduled my Graduate Record Exam for August, giving myself just the right amount of time to formulate and stick to a rigorous study schedule. Wish me luck!
Volunteer:
May 26th will mark the beginning of my commitment to giving back to my community through an organization called City Harvest. I have always been in awe of the work they do to help those who go hungry in New York City. I will be working to assist both dietitians and low-income families through City Harvest's Nutrition Education program. I will be helping others and gaining knowledge at the same time. I cannot wait!
Challenge myself:
On a weekly basis, I commit myself to exercise at least 5 days a week. I have developed a love for Pilates and I am lucky enough to be able to attend classes 2-3 times per week at my gym. With that said, I have always wanted to develop a love for running. It has not been easy and to be honest, I have not tried as hard as I could. This summer, I want to incorporate running into my weekly workout regimen. We'll see how that goes.
Develop new friendships:
This is a goal that I have set for myself beyond the summer. I want to build new friendships and strengthen my current ones. I can do this by giving more of myself to these relationships, something I have always been hesitant to do. I guess we are all a work-in-progress.
