New year, new changes

I took my time writing this post because I wanted to think through its content thoroughly. I apologize for not posting sooner since I received the necklace, but I had a serious case of sickness and then an out of the blue allergy issue that has really slowed me down. But here goes.
This time last year, I was working on my application for the Archer Center. I had no idea whether or not I would be accepted, could afford it, or should leave my life behind for 10 weeks. It was a big decision, and I had a husband to consult, bills to consider, and other summer opportunities to weigh. 
But look at what a year can bring. I now know a new city (as do you, my sisters). I have new life-long friends with whom I am so grateful to have shared experiences. I have a complete experience that this time last year I was unsure I would even really be a contender for.
 So what will this year bring? I believe for all of us it means completing our graduate degrees and beginning our new careers (or furthering our careers). It means new faces, new experiences, and new frontiers.
 It also means leaving some things behind. Academia can be a comfortable place to settle sometimes, even when it feels like a prison built out of homework. Settling into a new community to make a home can be exciting as well and absolutely terrifying. And who knows what people we will lose touch with over time.
 Seeing the changes this last year has made in my life and in the people I know and call friends, I look forward to the new year and seeing what comes of it. In the scale of this year, I definitely think the good of meeting you wonderful ladies (and the other Archers and colleagues) and the myriad of new experiences (summer in D.C. and beyond) outweigh the challenges and less than ideal moments.
 So here is to our new year. I know I am a couple of days late, but it is sincere. I hope we can have a reunion soon and wish you all the luck and wonder that the year can have

Every day is a new day

I got to keep the necklace for this month of November 2014. As soon as the necklace arrived, it brought back sweet memories along with it. I tried to follow the rules and did something that I have never done before. Since I am the Vice President of the student organization "MavsGoGreen" on campus, we got an opportunity to weigh the food wasted from our cafeteria services. Collecting the food waste and educating the students on the same was such a fulfilling experience.

My reflection on life based on my experiences with the traveling necklace . Here it goes..

Every day is a new day

Learn from struggles

Accept new challenges

Mold yourself

Like a butterfly emerging out of a cocoon

Revive from the ashes

Like the Phoenix rising from the dead

For

You are the vast sky

No fist is big enough to hide you

You are the waterfall

No rock is huge enough to block your path

You are the sun

Darkness slips away at the sprint of your shine

You are the World

For everything begins and ends in YOU.

With lots of love,
Tharani Devi Krishnakumar 

Friends are like Bras..

Close to your heart and there for support! 

My friends, miss you a ton! Just wanted to leave some love for you, and let you know that I miss our long, stimulating, conversations. Sigh. I was going through some pics and found these! :)

Our last day in DC! 

Definitely a unique experience in NYC!

Love you girlies! 

XOXO

Blanca

Strong but soft; Tough but kind

The necklace has finally made its way to me. It will accompany me in my life's journey for the exciting month of October. Blogs you read will be very casual, updating what is new with Blanca. Thoughts, reflections or simply comments will be shared with much love.

It has been about 2 months after our amazing summer experience in DC, and I still feel I am transitioning into my life in Brownsville. Life has been coming at me quickly and I don't know if to panic or be excited, or maybe even both. As a result,  I've had several moments of true solitude to reflect on life. Precious moments to take a good look at myself, inside and out: who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. This task has been incredibly difficult, but necessary to take the next steps in my life. Another birthday has passed. More dreams to fulfill and goals to create. I will strive to make this year as great as the last. However, missing my Archer family on my birthday was hard...our sisterly love, our friendship. I don't have sisters, which might explain why friends in my life normally turn into family.

The first week, after I received the necklace, was busy and also an emotional roller coaster. Wearing the necklace, I started the week off with a second job, found out I will be graduating in May and not December, and ending the week off with some jazz was very interesting. To begin with, I am an emotional person, some might say dramatic, but I will stick to emotional. Feelings ranged from excitement and confidence, to disappointment and sadness, to resignation, acceptance, and happiness. I was definitely in for the ride! One of these days, I had a long moment of solitude. I was still. Gave myself time and carried on.

I love wearing the necklace! It is golden, simple, and beautiful. Reminds me of the amazing people I spent the summer with. I am amazed at everything I learned from the Archers! I will take my sister's strength but softness; toughness but kindness wherever I go. Don't think for a second I will just forget about you.

XOXO
Blanca

The "Good" in Goodbye

UPS says "Your package has shipped. Expected delivery Saturday." Next stop: Blanca Davila's residence.

As I say goodbye to the necklace I can't help but be excited for Blanca and her adventures with the necklace!

My last day with the Necklace

“Somewhere I read …how important it is in life not to necessarily be strong ...but to feel strong.”

I am currently enrolled in a course called Man’s Impact on the Environment. As a part of our participation, we have to discuss articles relevant to the topic of studying that week. This week happens to be Environmental Toxicology. A classmate of mine posted a really interesting article regarding the death of Christopher McCandless as depicted in the book and film, Into the Wild. The article challenged the idea that Christopher died from “apparent starvation” and instead suggested that Christopher died because he ingested large quantities of seeds from wild potatoes (which no one knew was potentially toxic until recently). This idea got me thinking back to Christopher’s journal entries, and how strong he had to have been going through the excitement and challenges of living in the wild.

Earlier today I taught my first class for the Women’s Fund this morning. Today’s lesson was on positive thinking and self-confidence. The 15 ten year old girls in the room loved the lesson and the activity. They had their own pink journal. They wrote about their triumphs and struggles too.

Coincidence or not, I think it was a reminder to acknowledge other people’s struggles and to appreciate our own. I think it is really a skill that we must learn and continually practice to think positively and remain resilient through life’s up’s and downs. The girls in class today are off to a fantastic start. They will have many more times to practice “accepting their mistakes and the mistakes of others” and to “focus on the happy things.” And while Christopher’s death is sad, he realized the importance of this skill as well.

I think the uncertainty of life events, the roller coaster of highs and lows, keeps us all looking forward to each day. Variety is the spice of life, right? And it is not possible to have light without darkness. We attempt to control life. Plan every day and plan each trip. And plan, plan, plan. Goals are important but sometimes I think it’s great to let go of that control. You can’t really control most of what happens to you any way. You can only control how you react to the things that happen (and even then it can be difficult because if something is deeply rooted you might respond with emotions/actions from the primitive brain).  In my opinion, our energy should be spent taking control of our emotions and reactions, training ourselves to find the positive in every negative situation, and re-framing our thinking around situations out of our control which may not be in our favor.

I think Christopher McCandless has it right; it’s not as important to be strong as it is to think and feel strong. So today, regardless if you are having a great day or a terrible day, know that it is just one day. Tomorrow will be different. And  feel strong and be strong.

Birthday part duex! Happy Amy Day!

Not to be forgotten, today is Amy's birthday! September gives us back-to-back birthday wonderfulness. Happy birthday, Amy! I have officially decided that next September we need to try and get together to celebrate the two of you and your wonderful presence in the world. 

Make a wish and may your dreams come true!