Thank God the Holidays are slowly (but surely) closing in on me… I need a very relaxing break, and I need the happiness the Holidays usually bring to me.  I’ve been too stressed over school – with looking at medical schools, what type of medicine I want to go into (allopathic, osteopathic, naturopathic), what track, etc etc.  I am ahead of my classes, so my senior year of undergrad should be easy and let me focus on my research.

All in all, life has been beyond fair to me.  I am very happy with where I am in life.  My long-distance relationship is going very well, and it’s blossoming more and more each day – being away from someone you love hurts, but it truly goes to show how much two people care about each other.  This relationship has showed me I was missing something very important in my past – communication.  When the only way you can communicate with the person you love is through the phone or through email, text, and IM, it is very important to write sincerely and honestly, but it’s equally important to be descriptive.  It’s very, very easy to write something and have your lover take it the wrong way.  This has definitely helped me communicate a lot better than I ever have, but I still have a long way to go. 

In a little more than two weeks, I will be 21 years old.  Reflecting over my life the past couple of years, I am truly impressed at the maturing I did into a woman.  No doubt in a year and a half when I graduate I will end up where I am supposed to be.  As Desiderata states: “Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

For my 21st birthday, my boyfriend and I are going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which I know will be awesome, since I saw them live last year as well and really enjoyed it.  Then he also ‘surprised’ me with Adirondack Phantoms tickets, which is the AHL team of the Philadelphia Flyers, my favorite sports team ever (which, by the way, have been doing great)!  I am really pumped mostly though to just spend a romantic weekend with the love of my life – watching movies, going out, and spending time together = priceless.  This has been the most anticipated Holiday season ever for me… I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.

I know it is super-early, but I am also excited about Christmas – I have nearly planned what I am getting or making my loved ones this season.  I am mostly sticking to all-natural/organic products or homemade, specifically to products found on Etsy.com, which has been my new obsession.  I love it to death, mostly because I believe in supporting people, not companies which reap the benefits of someone else’s labor, and places low-quality products on the shelves.  I’m really excited about the gifts I have chosen for my family and friends.  This Christmas is also the 1st-year-Anniversary of my lover and I, so I am more than excited to spend that day with him as well.  We haven’t decided yet what we are going to do for vacation, so adds to more of the excitement!

I’m just looking forward to cuddling, hot chocolate, warm blankets, and a Philadelphia Flyers victory this Winter Classic!  No to mention the holiday get-together’s and family-time, lover-time, and just everyone smiling and generally being happy.  I can’t wait. 

I really can not be any happier. What a change I am thankful for.  I have been going to Boston a lot, and having a blast.

College is over; I did really well this semester.  I am now a Mathmatics minor, with a major in Biological Science/Pre-Medicine.  I’m really starting to study everything, and even went out and bought a few MCAT study books, since I will be taking the test not-so-long into the future.  It is both scary and exciting, but I am sure whatever is thrown my way I can handle with a great boyfriend and a great family by my side.

I am honestly a new, carefree person.  I have never been so calm in my life.  Regardless of the happenings throughout the day, I go to bed realizing I am so much more myself now.  I have really matured a lot recently (having an older boyfriend will do that to you, I suppose).

This year I am going to be starting my undergraduate research at my college, so I am really excited about that.  As of right now I am doing a lot of volunteering, relaxing, spending time with my grandparents, and visiting my boyfriend.  On Saturday I went to the New York Mets vs. New York Yankees game, which of course my team lost.  Shem is a Yankees fan though, so he had a good time.  It was our six-month anniversary this past Thursday, so I thought that would be a great present

The best thing is, there is still so much fun to be experienced this summer, and I can not wait!

… life is always changing. Sometimes it comes and goes in waves, like the beat of the ocean.  Or sometimes it has an odd beat, like a heart muscle palpitating in the thoracic cavity.  Sometimes it varies day by day just like the days of the four seasons vary.  Regardless, it always changes – the question is, do you change with it,  or do you get lost within it?

I have changed a lot since my last last post here on this domain.  I have grown and matured in ways I can’t even begin to describe.  I have met a wonderful man, and I am happy.  I have stopped biting my nails because I have felt stress-free.  I have been doing good in my classes, and am starting to even do my own undergraduate science research on phthalates.  I have also been looking into student groups, professional groups, medical schools, and so forth.  I have really been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life and what makes me happy the most.  I am blessed that I love science and everything to do with science, so my possibilities are endless.

My faith and spirituality has been renewed the past few months.  The power of prayer is truly amazing, and what a gift it truly is.  Many of my prayers have been answered through the delivery of my boyfriend to me.  I know that is so cliche to say, but I always speak the truth.  I was always convinced good things happen to good people, so I have always tried and will always try to be the best person I could be every day I am given the greatest gift of all – another breath, another second, another chance.  There is someone out there that won’t receive that precious gift come tomorrow… so if it is me, I am glad that I lived today to the best of my ability.

Our story is quite an amazing one, we actually first came into contact with each other on a political forum, and then actually physically met at this huge political rally in DC.  It’s great to know he has the same political ideologies as I do.  He is a true American patriot, and I find that amazing.  Our quest to bring back the Constitution is better together, no doubt, but I am a bit biased.  There’s only one tiny thing about this man that is going to take a while to get used to… he is a New York Yankees fan.  And what team does Nikki despise with every bone in her body?  The Yankees.  Who is the Yankees rival team in the greatest city in the world, New York City?  The New York Mets.  What is my favorite baseball team?  The Mets.  This is going to be pretty interesting, no doubt.  But in the end; the Mets will be victorious this year and all will be good.

Life has just been amazing.  I’ve never been happier.