So, you mean... it's *really* coming to an 'end', then?!

Earlier today, at the noon-time Mass right here on-campus at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, I articulated my final reading as a member of Campus Ministry. 

I have been involved with Campus Ministry as a Reader-of-the-Word ever since I returned to school in Fall2011. So, you can imagine how bittersweet today's mass was! 

From the age I was able to get involved with my church back home (2nd-grade), I immediately became an altar-server.
As soon as I could, I signed-up to be a reader, and have loved it ever since. Just to be able to combine two things I am so passionate about - public-speaking & my faith - has been so fulfilling, in so many different aspects. 

Today, on Mother's Day, I cannot even articulate just much of an integral role my "Mama~Bear" plays in my life. She is my best friend - my #1 supporter - my everything! 

Abraham Lincoln articulated it best when he said:
"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

An Emotionally-Charged Final-Day!

Yesterday, with a wide variety of sentiments, I worked my >final-shift< at Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley. What began the first week of classes back on a bitter-cold day in January, culminated on a warm(ish) Friday here in this fifth month of the year. 

I have been fortunate enough to work with, get to know, and become close to so many wonderful people through my internship. It should be of no surprise to you all that I became closest with the wonderful woman of *THE WOLF*, 

Beth Christy. She and I bonded right away, not only because of my affinity for country-music, but also because we just simply connected. 

Beth even remembered, from way back on that first day, when I had entered her office and, upon seeing ^-that-^ little guy, asked her if there were any others, so that I might be able to take one as a "souvenir", commemorating my internship! Now, this lovely lady isn't just the voice of the wolf; she is also the written-word. 

A humbling, moving article ~ about me! =]

Final Intern-Project ~ PODCAST

I cannot believe I just completed my final-project for my Internship. Wasn't I JUST completing our first assignment?! 

Well, here it is... the Podcast I created, consisting of talk-breaks and music-sweeps! 

I hope you all enjoy!!! =)       --->PODCAST!<---

So it's all ~WiNDiNG-DOWN~ ...

And yet... everything seems to all be ~WiNDiNG-UP~ at the same time!!! 

Last Sunday, Mrs. Dennis Murray hosted her annual Senior-Tea for the ladies of the Class of 2014. To say it was "lovely" would be an understatement! Not only was I finally able to meet Mrs. Murray, but I also had the wonderful opportunity to tell her a little bit of my story of survival, along with my plans for the future. 

Along with conversing with Mrs. Murray,
I chit-chatted with the other senior-girls.
Ariana [below] & I have been in the same Production classes for our majors since I first returned to school in the Fall of 2011. We obviously had to pose for a picture! =] <3 =] 

Now, this lovely lady is Lisa Boyes (whom I refer to as "Mama~Lisa") !
She has been instrumental in terms of my academic progress, along with being so helpful and kind to my family. A genuinely wonderful woman! <3  

OVERCOMER!!!

1,460… That’s quite a LARGE, >daunting< number, isn’t it? 

That quantity represents the amount of days it has been since I almost lost my life. FOUR-YEARS to the day [April 18, 2010]. The past four years have been filled with some of the hardest, most frustrating situations I could ever imagine.

Yet, amidst the annoyance, anger, and sadness,
I have also discovered 

self-actualization, pride, and joy.

I have been afforded the opportunity to, in the words of Robin Roberts, “make my MESS my MESSAGE” through my work with the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts’ Think-A-Head Program as a Survivor Speaker. I have met and become incredibly close with individuals whom I never would’ve had the pleasure of being acquainted with if I had never sustained the invisible injury that is TBI.

Is my life different than it was before my injury?
Yes, of course it is. 

But would I change the path I’m now on as a result of my injury? NO-WAY!

I AM AN *OVERCOMER*

Small step toward a big dream . . .

The other day, I had the pleasure of attending "How to Navigate the Federal Job Application Process".  Taking place at the beautiful FDR visitor’s center, this seminar opened my eyes to and broadened my knowledge of the various career opportunities in the federal landscape. A miniscule step toward my ultimate career, it was a day of gathering information, listening to and interacting with different keynote speakers and fellow coeds.  Although positions such as those presented today are not necessarily my “dream job”, they could serve as valuable stepping stones toward.  You never know where an opportunity might lead – it’s important to keep all doors open and not to pigeon-hole yourself into one specific category!  

MAKIN' MY *DEBUT* !!!

Last night, I was lucky enough to be a featured guest on *MCTV:LIVE*!!!

It was fabulous, to say the least. This was my first time being a guest on the show, and what an incredible experience it was. Not only did I get to share a little piece of my story, but I also was able to witness, first-hand, what a live taping looks, sounds, and most importantly, feels like! 

So, without further adieu... here's the link!!!

~READY~ for my >CLOSE-UP<