A Semester in Review

As the year comes to a close, I thought I'd take the opportunity to catch up on my blog and let everyone know what I've been up to. A lot has gone on since I last checked in! Here's it all, both the good and the bad:

August
It was the week before I was set to leave for college, and I decided to go in for one last mapping so I could go off hearing well. I left hearing great, but on the way home another car ran a red light and hit me. It was a pretty frightening experience. My car was totaled, but luckily multiple witnesses stopped and gave me their contact information to verify my story. Unfortunately, I did hit my head and experienced a series of issues with my left (re)implant. The issues with static/crackling and cutting out started up again, but now they finally seem to be getting under control.

The following week I moved into my dorm and officially began my freshman year at Rice University. I absolutely love it and could not be happier. The campus is beautiful, my friends are amazing, my classes are interesting, and my roommate is incredible. I'm still in the whole self-discovery phase, trying to figure out what I want to major in and do with my life. Right now I'm considering majoring either psychology and/or sociology and minoring in neuroscience. As for my future plans, I'm still an open book. I'm considering becoming a nurse practitioner or perhaps getting a PhD in neuropsychology.

There have definitely been quite a few adventures and ups and downs (I'll spare you the details, but it ranged from technical difficulties with accommodations to a lice scare in my dorm), but I'm loving every minute of it. I've gotten involved on campus and volunteer each week in a program mentoring refugee children to help them acclimate to life in the US. I've made a diverse group of friends who are all so incredibly caring and supportive. While I'm happy to be home for the break, I also miss college!

Here's a picture my parents took when they came to visit me on campus

September

I turned 19!

October

My oldest sister, Lauren, gave birth to my sweet nephew, Eli Parker, on October 12th. Luckily, I had a couple of days off of school and was in town when he was born!

November

I came home for Thanksgiving and found out that Zach, my beloved dog of thirteen years, had been put down. We grew up together, so it was hard not having him around anymore, but I know it was for the best. Here's a few of my favorite pictures of him through the years. The first is my sister Carly and I with him when he was  a puppy, the next was when I was probably around 8 and he would have been 2, and the last was taken this year.

Meanwhile, Eli has been growing fast. Here he is over Thanksgiving, at 6 weeks old!

December

My roommate and I are both pretty festive, so we decorated our room for Christmas and Hanukkah. It's not exactly a major event, but I thought I'd show it off :)

Stay tuned for some exciting CI related news for the new year. Until then, Happy Holidays and a joyous new year, from my family to yours :)