A Year In Review

Nearly one year ago, Errol and I embarked on a big step in our relationship: moving in together. We knew it would be temporary, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't imagine the day when we would have to finally have to be apart. 

On July 23, 2011, a Chrysler Sebring, a Nissan Sentra S-ER, and a Lexus RX300 traveled from Gainesville, FL to Chapel Hill, NC. My family came to help move us in and get settled. Each of our cars was filled to the rim, with none of us having visual from the rearview mirrors. It was the first (and only, I hope) time where I had to make that drive all by myself. 

The apartment was a small, one bed/one bath apartment on the second floor. The first month wiped out my savings, where I had to buy things for the living room, bedroom, and apartment. We didn't split costs because I would be keeping all of it once Errol moved. Slowly but surely we purchased items off Craigslist to make the apartment a home. 

School started for me, and it became very difficult for me to find a balance with high-volume coursework, meeting new people, being as involved as possible in school opportunities, and of course, being a girlfriend. At the same time I was starting school, Errol was working on medical school applications, job applications, and dealing with overall stress and loneliness of being with a busy girlfriend.

Errol began working at CVS, at the same store as me, as a full-time pharmacy technician. There, he began to have something to fill his time, and a place to make friends. Luckily, the other technicians are generally around our same age.

The year went on, and the days remained the same. I studied, went to meetings, volunteered in the community. He worked, worked, and worked. Our scheduled rarely matched and most days I would be up at 7AM and not see him until 9PM or later. But we tried our hardest to do things together, like cook special meals, eat at nice restaurants, and explore other places.

Errol quit CVS at the end of May, and I finished my introductory hospital rotation then too. That left all of June for Errol to say goodbye to North Carolina, and to everyone else.

The final week of June was jam-packed with moving. Moved from our old place to my new place, then Errol down to Orlando. I was able to put that into one sentence, but I can’t think of anything that will really capture the magnitude of labor that occurred there. And we made the most of every free moment, checking one thing after another off of our bucket lists.  

 Now the countdown begins for July 20 when we will be reunited once more. 

Saying goodbye at the airport

Eleven things of 2011 (A Year in Review)

2011 was a year of many changes, and many exciting events.

In no particular order (except maybe somewhat chronological?), my top eleven moments of 2011!

1) Interview at my dream school, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy


My first time flying, renting a car, and checking into a hotel all by myself. The trip was extremely stressful, but it was wonderful having the chance to visit the pharmacy school on the top of my list. Even though my interview was in January, I didn't hear until March while I was in Waynesville for Spring Break. It was definitely worth the wait!

Outside of one of the ESoP buildings.

2) Spring break in Waynesville, NC 


First road trip with friends was to a quaint mountain cabin in Waynesville. It was a wonderful trip filled with snow, nature trails, fireplaces, and time with friends. Even though spring break is normally spent on the beach, the trip was truly one to be remembered.

Our friend's log cabin

3) Dance Marathon at UF 


After an exhausting year with my partner, Megan, Phi Sigma Pi raised $14,000 for Children's Miracle Network at Shands Hospital. Brothers and friends stood on their feet for 26.2 hours in honor of the Miracle Children and University of Florida raised a university-record of over $700,000. It was an amazing experience filled with teamwork, inspiration, and many successes.

I miss being a part of the DM fun, but understand that my time has passed and I know that PSP DM flourishes without me :)

The 2011 PSP dancers, plus 2 guests! 

UF Dance Marathon 2011 grand total 

4) Became a Phi Sigma Pi Alumna


Six semesters of tears and laughter, and finally came senior meeting and Banquet. The drama associated with PSP is enough to have its own TV show, but we truly do great things when we work together towards one goal.

And I finally got a paddle :)

DM chairs of 2011 :) 

Opening my very own beautiful paddle 

5) Graduation from UF 

Four years of many ups and downs, good grades and bad, new friends and old friends, and memories that will last a lifetime. I got to graduate with my boyfriend and with family and best friend watching in the stands of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. It was a beautiful day filled with lots of joy!

Family at graduation. So glad they sported the orange and blue! 

6) Family trip to Vegas 

One of my mom's cousins lives in Las Vegas, and we have visited them a number of times, but this was my first trip being over 21. Vegas is great for all ages (despite what people think), but DEFINITELY a ton more fun when of legal drinking/gambling age. Lucky for me, their daughter was 21 and showed me the party side of Sin City. Also played lots of Blackjack with my dad :)

We also took a little side trip to Zion National Park and saw beautiful sites! I also attended my first Food Truck Festival... YUM.

One of the yummy food trucks! 

Cactus flower 

7) Summer trip to Atlanta, GA


Errol and I attended our first wedding together in Alpharetta, GA. It was a beautiful ceremony and fun reception. We also went to the Aquarium! Highly recommended :)

Wedding couple 

Whale shark at the aquarium 

8) Moved to Chapel Hill, NC 

Last summer in Gainesville was HOT, and spent lots of time working and letting my brain recharge. Got to say goodbye to great friends and experience all of my favorite spots one last time. Finally, the day came to say au revoir to the Swamp, and hello Tarheels. The packing took FOREVER and the drive sucked (not nearly enough sleep and had to do it all alone... separate cars), but we made it alive. We made a stop in Savannah, GA for lunch and got to see Paula Dean's store!

My new roommate is my boyfriend of almost 4 years; a temporary move for him during his year off. The big step in our relationship was rocky at first because I was spending a lot of time making new friends and he didn't have a job yet. But once he started working, he started making his own friends at work too! Now it's better than ever, and I am going to be very sad when he leaves next summer.

Car packed to the rim. 

Outside Paula Dean's restaurant

First breakfast at the new apartment with makeshift tables 

9) Started pharmacy school


It's been quite an adjustment, and I've never been more busy than I am now, but I'm loving every minute of it. I take everything I learn from school and try to apply it when I'm at work; hopefully that helps things stick! I got to conferences all over the state and region, and learned a lot. I've put myself out there and met a lot of great people! The environment is great, and I can't wait to see what is in store for the next few years.

First Dose of Franklin at The Library 

10) Trip to Asheville, NC

My very first fall, Errol and I took a trip to one of the best places to see the leaves: Asheville! Went to the Biltmore, where we made it just in time to see the Christmas decorations. Also did my first wine tasting, and confirmed my preference to rose and white wine, and distaste for red wine. Went to an apple orchard and had some apple cider doughnuts and fed apples to some beautiful horses.

North Carolina fall is definitely something I could get used to :)

At the apple orchard! I wanted to buy everything in there 

Outside the Biltmore Estate 

My first wine tasting at Biltmore 

11) First drive back home from NC

The long drive is infinitely better when split with someone. Errol and I drove home for the first time since July, and it was so short but very sweet. I got to see my newly remodeled house and spend the Christmas with my wonderful family! Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend New Year's with them (first time EVER... stupid work), but I'll at least be with Errol.

Brand new kitchen! Next on the list: update appliances... 

Family and Godparents 

What were your top moments of 2011? 

I hope that everyone's 2012 is great! 

One Decade Ago

I was sitting in Ms. Woodbury's class an hour before school started along with a childhood friend. (Yes, I consider 8th grade still to be childhood)

We were working on articles for the school newsletter and layouts for the yearbook.

All of a sudden, there was an announcement over the intercom from the Principal saying to turn to the news (the clock was on TV in the classrooms, so they were all normally on the same channel).

We quickly changed the channel and saw the smoke coming out of the North Tower. I must admit that being so young, I wasn't quite sure what exactly was going on, and I would learn very quickly what the impact would be.

A few minutes later, we witnessed the next tower hit... then during one of my classes... the first tower fell... and then the New York City skyline was changed forever.

I heard word of the Pentagon being hit as well. One of my mom's best friend's husbands was actually inside the building when it happened, however he was thankfully on the other side of the enormous place.

And of course, we cannot forget those who lost their lives on Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA.

I feel lucky that I was not personally affected by the tragedies on September 11, 2001.

But that doesn't mean I don't feel a deep sadness from all that happened.

Every 9/11, this wonderful country is reminded of a day where we have never been so proud to be an American.