Where in the World Have I Been?

Hey guys!

Welcome back after my four-week hiatus. It was a much-needed break as life still refuses to slow down while the semester moves forward. I still haven't gotten into the swing of things this semester and so a break from the blog and a few of my other projects was the best temporary answer.

My sweet baby Darla, who keeps me sane on the tough days!
I wanted to come back from this unplanned break with some extensive message about all I've learned from this series of unfortunate events that has been happening this past month or so. But the truth is, a lot of the times I fell flat on my face were the resulting consequences of my own actions. Nonetheless, old lessons were reiterated and the messages were heard loud and clear.

For the sake of giving off good vibes and productive energy, I'll spare you most of the details of the rut I've been in. Instead, I'll fill you in and mainly focus on the highlight reel that social media usually consists of.

(Side note- when people hear I've been having a hard time, they hit me with the "I didn't even know!" or they'll roll their eyes and think, yeah okay, your Instagram looks like you've been real "sad" ... but honestly who shares their difficulties in a daily status update? Who posts selfies on Instagram of a face of defeat, exhaustion, and crazy busy schedules? Certainly not anyone who gets positive feedback.) Let's carry on.

So what have I been up to on top of my full class schedule, job as a travel nurse, and job as managing editor of my university's newspaper?

  • Schedule permitting, I have been trying to attend all of the home games as our football team is 7-1 and I get to see Christopher on the field each time! (See sappy appreciation post on my facebook here

  • Christopher accepted a position as Baseball Operations Intern in Casper, WY this summer. We will be making the 3-month move in early May and will return to Atlanta in August to finish our last year of undergrad together. (Yes, my graduation got pushed back for the fourth time)

  • I took my first freelance gig for the Marietta Daily Journal and simultaneously dipped my toes into the world of photojournalism. I photographed and wrote about a big event on campus for KSU's Coles College of Business and it was very exciting to capture and share those moments. You can see my article and photography here
  • I started the early stages of some very cool research, in my opinion, involving cancer. I hope this blossoms into something greater than I am currently imagining and my goal is to present it at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research this upcoming spring.

  • Of course, my mama and I decorated our house for Halloween on our down time!!! 



  • We (all) witnessed the rise and fall of the Brewers' post-season. I have never been so excited and sad in my life. Well, maybe that's extreme but it was heart-breaking to miss the opportunity to go home to Wisconsin this weekend and see a World Series game with Christopher in the stadium that held our very first date almost a decade ago.

  • Christopher and I found a free day to go "apple picking" in northern Georgia. I put that in quotes because there were no more apples on the trees, but we still took the trip up there, went to a fall festival, and bought some apples & pumpkins!

  • Christopher and I also went to Owl-O-Ween, a Halloween celebration held at our school's football stadium each year with various vendors, food, entertainment and hot air balloons!


  • Last but not least, Darla Jean won second place at a Halloween Costume Contest!


So that was my past month in a glimpse of the good. Each defeat made all of the above highlights worth it and appreciated. Through each exhausting day, I have learned new lessons, and through all of the crazy schedules, I have persevered. I am happy to be writing again for the blog and I have a more creative piece for you next week that I'm looking forward to sharing. 

I hope you all have had a nice October, and as always...

Take care of yourselves, 

Abi

How We Raised Over $300 in One Week for Cancer Awareness

It is officially the halfway mark of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! What have you done for yourself or others in spreading awareness an...