If you don't tell your story, someone else will.

This morning started like any other. I got to work, painfully made my way to our office Keurig to get a cup of coffee (since I slept through my alarm and didn't have time to make any at home) and then slowly made my way back to my desk. I pulled up my email, replied to a few work inquiries and then, naturally, hit new tab and typed in Facebook.com to see what the latest buzz was. (For the record, I manage my company's social media and am expected to post on recent events so this is totally a work requirement..... ). 

Within seconds, I see my alma mater, Old Dominion University, as the very first "Trending" topic. Normally, I would be surprised. Yes, ODU is a decent size, public university here in Virginia, but most people outside of the state have no idea who we are. Okay, let's be honest... not even everyone in Virginia knows who we are. My sister, an avid Hokie fan/alumni, is going to laugh at me for saying this... but we're no Virginia Tech in the eyes of the greater American public.

(p.s. Jen, spellcheck definitely just told me that Hokie is not a word so...)

Today though, I was not surprised in the slightest to see ODU trending, considering the events that have transposed in the last 72 hours. 

The One I've Been Waiting 23 Years to Write.

"Most of our lives are a series of images, they pass us by like towns

on a highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens

and we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image.

We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever."

Lucas Scott, One Tree Hill

Two weeks ago, I had one of those moments.

I was sitting at my desk, mind-numbingly editing a 64.1mb Adobe Illustrator file... Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my job, but this particular project required me to edit a very detailed map illustration of the entire Southeastern Virginia region. Remember those old Rand McNally road maps your parents kept in the car? You know, before Google Maps and iPhones? Yeah, that detailed from Gates County NC to Richmond, VA... every single street (most with street names...) state park, airport, school, military installment... Yeah, you get the point.

I was practically counting the minutes to 5:00pm because my vision was start to blur and because I was suppose to go to an afterwork event that included free food/alcohol (which is always a great idea). Just a few minutes to go and my phone began buzzing. When I looked down, I saw the all too familiar 953- prefix that is the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. I'll admit, normally I screen these calls because it's always an appointment reminder, and I can't stand that automated robot women telling me what time I'm suppose to be at the hospital. But this call was different. This call I was expecting.

This call, this moment, was going to change my life.

I'm picking up good vibrations.

Say hello to my new best friend, my Animas Vibe insulin pump with built in Dexcom G4 CGM.

For those of you that don't know, I am an insulin dependent diabetic. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD) shortly after my fifteenth birthday and I got my first insulin pump just before I turned eighteen. 

CFRD is a direct result of my cystic fibrosis ...hence the "CF related" part. Approximately 30-40% of individuals with CF will develop diabetes, most during adolescent or young adult years. CFRD is a rather peculiar disease. Doctors aren't 100% positive why it develops or what causes it to happen in some but not all patients, but the general idea is that it develops after years of pancreatic scarring. Some believe that genetics, outside of the those that cause CF to occur, can influence the outset of CFRD but who knows? 

Often, when someone says "I'm diabetic," people will ask are you type 1 or type 2? Let me just say, you get some really funny looks when you reply "Neither." Neither? How is that possible? Allow me to explain...

UPDATE: I'm a big kid now.

Or something like that.

Per usual, it's been forever and a day since I updated this thing so here's the run down....

On May 8th, 2015, I received my Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a major in Communications and double minors in Graphic Design and Public Service.

On May 13th, I interviewed and was hired for my first, full-time job as a Marketing and Social Media Intern with the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, which I started on June 8th.

And finally, on June 22nd, I purchased my first pair of Christian Louboutin Heels. Which is, of course, the ultimate tell that I am finally a real grown up... Kidding. But really.

In all seriousness though, it's been a busy six months since I last blogged. My last semester of college was one for the record books. A few highlights included but are not limited to...

• Getting to spend a week in Honolulu and a week in Colorado Springs for Christmas break, then a week in Portland, Oregon for spring break
• Having my last semester schedule consist of just one, once a week night plus two online electives
• Receiving an academic scholarship from the Boomer Esiason Foundation and later being interviewed and featured on their website and having my graduation photo on their national Facebook profile
• Serving as Membership Vice President for my sorority and having the chance to mentor and welcome ten of the sweetest young ladies into our chapter, including my absolutely perfect and adorable little
• Being hired as Director of Public Relations for ODU's Student Government Association and getting to be involved with my university on a level I never knew existed, and in turn, meeting and creating friendships with some of the most driven young adults on our campus
• Standing next to my best friend on her wedding day and then making basically the entire room cry, myself included, when I gave my awesome maid of honor speech
• Getting to attend a 1500 person fundraiser as part of my internship, an event that I'd be helping plan since August
• Applying for and being selected as a finalist for the Kaufman Award, one of the most prestigious awards given by ODU to graduating seniors that demonstrated exemplary service and leadership
• Being selected as the Outstanding Student of 2015 for my major by the dean of the College of Arts & Letters
• Having all of my siblings be able to attend my graduation, the first time all six of us were in the same place since 2012

All in all, I'd say I pretty much had it made. It was definitely the best, and fastest, 16 weeks of my life. I am incredibly thankful for all the opportunities I've had so far this year. And for all the love and support that made it possible. I feel like I'm on top of the world right now and so very excited to start this next chapter of my life, as a real grown up.

Understandably so, I've been thinking about that phrase a lot lately and what exactly it means. Wondering at what point in our lives do we just snap our fingers and say "whoomp, there it is...I'm an adult now!" I've joked a lot lately about "having to be a grown up" and mostly, it's just that, joking. But there's also a hint of truth because for me, graduating college is definitely a turning point. A catalyst, shall we say, to all that is to come.

...sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

I started to write this as a Facebook status, and then realized it's not something I can talk about in a matter of sentences. So I'm going to write a blog for the first time in forever because well, I can and because I need a reason to procrastinate on studying for my midterm.

On August 29th, I was admitted to the hospital for a tune up. This wasn't planned and definitely not expected or wanted. My lung function and my weight were down. My PFTs didn't respond to oral IVs and steroids. I was starting a new semester and a new job. Flu season was approaching. Too many things going wrong and not enough going right, so I agreed to be admitted. My doctor didn't want to take a risk of me getting sicker and needing a longer, more serious admission later in semester.

This was my first admission to the adult ward at Portsmouth Navy and goodness, was it an experience. My last 19 admissions were to Pediatrics, with nurses that know me and love me. Not to say that adult nurses don't care about their patients, but when you're 15 years old and admitted to the same ward 3-4 times a year, people notice and people care. They watch you grow up. They go out of their way to make sure you get not only what you need, but what you want. They become your friends. When I was at the hospital for an appointment, I would go upstairs to the ward just to say hello. I make cookies as a thank you after every admission. As messed up at this is going to sound, one of the safest places in the world for me was on that ward. Some of the worst days of my life have been sitting in one of those hospital beds, but the people have been nothing short of amazing through each and every one of them.

Moving to a new ward with new doctors, new nurses, new corpsmen.. I was terrified. I didn't know what to expect. I also didn't even know I was being moved until I got to the hospital to check in, so I felt blindsided and unprepared. Unfortunately, my first experience was rough.

Happy Spring!

Hello blog world,

So first things first, I really do suck at blogging. I have a New Years' Resolution post that I starting writing almost three months ago still saved as a draft... pretty bad, I know. But my mom has been bugging, I mean.. sweetly encouraging me to get back into it (mostly because she keeps telling her grad school classmates about my blog, and then remembers I don't write on it... ha), so I told her I would give it a shot. Fortunately for her, I have a great topic to start things off! 

Every year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation host a national fundraiser called Great Strides. Since starting as an intern with them in 2011, I have been active with fundraising as well as working at the walk. Below is my fundraising letter for this year, which coincidentally, also functions as school project.

Happy New Years!

So, I think it's become perfectly obvious over the last six months that I am pretty terrible at this blogging thing. Definitely on my "let's do better in 2014" list, a.k.a, new years resolution I probably won't follow through with... which I will officially write in the coming week.

But until then, I found this little 2013 "Recollections" survey. Thought this would be a fun way to start off the new year, while letting y'all know of some of the highlights I failed to blog about since June. Enjoy!

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Legally drank alcohol. Finished my first year at Old Dominion University. Saw Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 (plus a dozen openers) all live in concert. Became a YoungLife leader. Had 5 hospital admissions in one year.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any, actually. And yes, I'm going to try something new this year. See next blog post.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! One of my oldest and dearest friends from high school had a babygirl in May. Cutest pseudo-niece I've ever had!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not particularly close. I knew a few CFers that passed away. And right before Christmas, my friend died in a car accident, We weren't super close, but he was one of the corpsman from my hospital and a really fantastic guy. Breaks my heart that we didn't have the time to become good friends.

5. What places did you visit?
Hm, Washington DC, North Carolina... woo, I'm so exciting.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Honestly, I wouldn't mind being in a relationship again. Been almost three years since I actually had a "boyfriend." Kind of miss it, but we will see.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I can't think of any specific dates except December 12, when I found out that Tory had died, because it was recent and my dad's birthday, so I'll probably always remember that one.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Probably maintaining a 4.0 gpa at ODU, or being one of seven students out of 24,000 to be selected for the pilot semester of a scholars/leadership program.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hm, that's a good question. Most of my failures are little daily things I should know/do better, I can't really think of any BIG things? Applied for a job and didn't get it?

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
You mean, besides the multiple chronic illnesses I already have? Haha. Broke my toe over the summer, otherwise nothing in particular. I don't have many injuries. And illness is a relative term when it comes to cystic fibrosis.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Country Megaticket, definitely. Or a pair of Manolo Bhlaniks for $5 at the thrift store.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
There were a lot of things and a lot of people to be celebrated in 2013.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few people come to mind, but it's not worth naming names or dwelling on. It's in the past now.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. It's always food.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Big brother coming home from deployment and summer concerts.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Haha.. Wrecking Ball, for the fall semester at least.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? Happier :)
b) thinner or fatter? Basically the same, maybe a few lbs less.
c) Richer or poorer? Richer. I have a job, and students loans now. Which actually probably means I'm poorer... oops.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Taking my medicines. Blogging. Traveling.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Drinking soda. Cutting my hair.

20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
At the house, with mom and the brothers and most of their plus ones.

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
No.

22. How was work?
Great! I started as an after school nanny for two adorable kids. Good money, good hours. Not too difficult for my health.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Nashville and Pretty Little Liars are the only current shows I watch and are pretty much tied. Criminal Minds and Friends as far as reruns go. And One Tree Hill on Netflix for sure.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2013?
Blame it on the al al al al alcohol! Haha, I turned 21. So I purchased alcohol and drank it. And made it to my 9am class the next day ;)

25. What was the best book you read?
The Fault in Our Stars, without question.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Chase Rice.

27. What did you want and get?
Like a material item? A MacBook pro.

28. What did you want and not get?
A winning lottery ticket.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
We're The Millers, maybe? I don't feel like I watched that many new films.

30. Did you make some new friends this year?
Yes, a lot! Some of the best through YoungLife.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Err.. less health problems?

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I should really just quit school and become a personal shopper.

33. What kept you sane?
My mother, country music, ice cold Dr. Pepper, my best friends and my baby brother's sense of humor.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think gay marriage, legalizing marijuana and the ACA were pretty much top on everyone's list.

35. What political issue stirred you the least?
I'm going to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to my local elections at all.

36. Best sports moment?

Does volunteering at the Color Me Rad 5k count?

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Tory Krueger.

38. Burn any bridges?
I try not to do that.

39. Best new restaurant you went to?
Chow! On Colley Ave. So good, oh my gosh.

40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Let go and let God. More than anything, He knows where you're suppose to be in life, and He will make sure you get there.

Oh, and don't jump into the Atlantic Ocean at 1am in skinny jeans.