Week #53: FINALLY SUMMER! (04.28.14 - 05.02.14)

Finally Monday! The last Monday of the semester! The last day I'll be in Tampa and the last day of my freshman year! It's been a journey all right, I've done so many things I never would have expected like skydiving, going to the beach, meeting people I can trust, and getting along with my suite mates. I had my last and only two finals and I know I did good on the economics final, I'm not so sure about physics though. It's been the hottest day this year! I was sweating from just walking around campus. I finished packing and cleaned up my room, went to the storage container for a second time and finally stored all my stuff. I stopped by Target to drop some clothes at the Goodwill bin and also to buy some food for dinner because I wasn't craving anything junky so I bought a bag of cut apples, three bananas and a Naked juice :) And now the waiting begins... Until 4 am when the shuttle comes for me, actually 4:15 am. What I'm most excited about Panama besides seeing my friends and family, is to finally be able to go to the grocery store and buy everything I want! Because I have a full size fridge and freezer, a blender, a toaster, everything :D It's so sad that that is what's making me excited.

I had a rough morning, Tuesday morning. Didn't sleep at all because the room was so cold and I had absolutely zero blankets. Sam inspected my room and I didn't get charged for the chipped paint! Or maybe she didn't see it because she was inspecting with a flashlight because Kaitlyn was asleep. I got to the airport, and the guy in the counter that checked me in last time checked me in today too and he recognized me! I had a flatbread pocket for breakfast along with an OJ. I was asked if I wanted to move up to row five because it was available and I said yes because the guy said there was no one sitting in the middle of that row. When I was about to enter the plane the crew members thought I was underage... What's new? And they were treating me like a baby, and asking for my passport, and I was like "I'm 19..." before they could ask anything else. I slept the whole flight and didn't even bother to breakfast. When I got here I had some KFC and did some grocery shopping :) At 6:30 I went on a date night with Rod to our usual, T.G.I. Friday's, and something funny happened. Rod ordered a salad and I ordered some Jack Daniel's ribs, and when the waitress set the food on the table she gave me the salad and Rod the ribs hahaha.

I woke up early on Wednesday, that is at 9 am, and had the green juice I prepared last night for breakfast. I drove to Parque Omar to run, and I hated it. I just hate the amount of hills that trail has... and to worsen it, the blazing sun on my face. I felt pretty tired and ran less than 5k! Next time I'll go run somewhere else, somewhere with no hills. After my run I went to my grandpa's house to visit them since they are flying to Dallas on Friday and I had a nice little chat with Apo until Acun came back, we hung out for like an hour and then I left because I was starving. I had mac and cheese with chicken tenders for lunch, what's new, right? I went to Rod's and we played some video games and ping pong :) Then I came back and finally finished my globalization essay! That means I'm officially over with college for now :) I also got my final grade for physics, and I got a B-!

Happy Labor Day! Isn't it weird that I get to have two labor days a year? Haha, because USA's is on September and PTY's is today. Anyway, I woke up early and went for swim to do some cross training today, I intended to swim for an hour straight but that is actually really hard and unrealistic so I only did half an hour. Jose David came to pick me up for lunch and we went to a place called Mama Rosa, a pizzeria around Condado, and it was really good! I ate a whole pizza by myself, something I'm not really proud of but I had a light dinner to balance it all. After lunch Jose came to my house and we watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince :) It's always nice to have a Potter Head as a friend. I was planning on hanging out with Brandon but he has finals to study for, then I got a call from Patty (the Debutants and the grown ups are practicing for the Friendship Festival) to go down to show her and Izabel the video of her Quinceaños so I went down and had to say hi to every uncle and aunt down there. It was nice because I hung out with Austin and Enrique :)

I woke up at 9 am on Friday and went to Ciudad del Saber for a run, I'm not very fond of the many hills at El Parque Omar, so I wanted to try something new. The trail at the park in Ciudad del Saber is pretty neat, the only thing though, is that there's no shade at all. I ran 8k! And I finally made a training plan, I was going to go with no plan at all but with enough research I came to the conclusion that a plan is much needed. For dinner me and my mom went to Ruby Tuesday's and they had the yummiest pretzel burger I've ever tasted, and I'm not a fan of burgers so that's something. When we got out there was like a commotion going on and a part of the mall was closed, we didn't know what was going on and when we were driving home we saw an ambulance; Vivianne then texted in the group that there was a shooting at the mall :O and I was meters away! Ooh and I also bought a Garmin Forerunner 10 watch :3

CHANGING MAJORS

I'm a very undecided person, and when it comes to choosing my major I think that was the most important thing I had to choose. However, I was biased. Biased by the amount of people studying engineering, by the expectations people had about me (specially because I had a silver medal from physics olympics), pressure from both my mom and dad wanting me to pursue a career in a strong field. Now that I've finally cracked under the pressure and my mom has finally left me off the hook I have the freedom to choose whatever I want, and I had around a week and a half to choose due to my registration date. I looked into the college of architecture but it looks as they only offer a Master's program in USF. USF also doesn't have a graphic design major in tampa or industrial design, and I feel trapped because I have to stay here because of the good price. So I had to find the major I liked within the list USF has. I thought about Industrial Engineering, a little doubtful because it's kind of similar to Mechanical Engineering. But I really don't see myself doing the stuff an Industrial Engineering does. I know they have such a broad field of work at their disposal but I really don't like any of it. I started eyeing all the other engineerings; I liked the curriculum for Civil Engineering a lot, but I really don't see myself inspecting blue prints and stuff... So, I stumbled upon Computer Engineering. I never thought about being a computer engineering because I didn't consider myself a wiz at tech stuff, but a computer engineer doesn't only have to do with the hardware of a computer but also with the software. And I remember being good at programing in computer class at high school and I really liked it. So I decided to give it a try with computer engineering. Plus, computer engineering is the engineering with the highest rate of available jobs; yup, not industrial but computer engineering. And I would love to work at Apple, or Google, or work on a fun app or something. 

So that's all for now, wish me luck in my new major. Although I still need to declare it. 

And another note: It's okay to change majors if you don't feel comfortable doing what you do now, because what you study will be your area of expertise in the future and basically what you'll do your whole life from the minute you graduate. Just know that you need not worry about people's thoughts and opinions about you. You need not worry about people doubting you will make it in the field you choose. You need only worry about your happiness, and stability because that's what's really important. 

And here's a duck in the rain because it's raining right now ;)

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNITL... YOU ARE IN COLLEGE

I miss the sunny days where the sun rays came through my window and woke me up, then my mom knocking on the door thinking I overslept and me telling her that I'm almost done. Pulling my purse from my BFF and LOL rack I've got hanging on my closes and grabbing my keys with the donkey keychain my mom got me from Greece. 
I come out running in the dark hallway, and meet my mom at the door. She's all ready waiting for me and asks me if I have my keys, wallet, and license. I say yes without even checking and my mom hugs me and waits until the elevator doors open to close our main door. 

That was morning routine with my mother, and although I sometimes thought it was awkward and too-much-mommy-like, I miss that. The thing I miss the most about studying abroad is my family. We are very close, we have lunch at least twice a week and never run out of topics in conversation. My grandpa always has this new project he's working on and my mom and aunt help him giving him opinions. My grandma listens quietly while keeping an eye on my great-grandmother since she's a little lost. Me and my cousins talk about what's trending right now, either be music, movies, or a new app or gadget. 

I miss those little lunch dates I had with my family, the impromptu family dinners when we all are craving something fancy. But I mostly miss my mom. She knows when I'm sad, she senses it and it breaks my heart that I break her heart. She's willing to swim every ocean to get to me if I'm feeling down (and I'm not kidding, she offered to fly out to Tampa when I told her how sad and miserable I was). 

I miss my comfy food, my bed, MY BATHROOM, the smell of my house, my friends, my TV, even my desk. The change of desks makes a huge difference in my studying routine. 

Anyway, I miss loads of things; but what I miss the most is my mom. She's my rock and although I never saw her that way when I was younger I do now. And I never miss the chance to tell her that I love her too and to text her or send her a silly picture because she keeps me ground and sane. 

You never know what you have until you go away to college, just be smart and don't let it go while abroad. Keep a tight hold on things and love ones and don't let go, ever. 

Week #47: MILEY CYRUS CONCERT! (03.17.14 - 03.21.14)

Monday was said to be rainy all day and it was the moment I got out of my economics class. So far so good with my eating habits, I had fruit and whole grain crackers for lunch. I'm stressed though, because I have a calculus II test and I tried to study yesterday but couldn't. I understand the new concepts, what's hard is the integration itself :S thumbs up for all you college of engineering students struggling as I am. Honestly, I don't imagine myself studying anything else; business bores the crap out of me, I'm not that good at designing (I have the ideas but not the skills), and everything else I just don't like it. When I got done with the test all my hopes were down, I feel so depressed and sad :( 

On Tuesday I had my usual. I can't stress enough how much I love my leadership class, it's not the class, it's the group of people seating at my table. I just love them, they are so funny and good sports. I kind of feel bad because after class I ate ramen, not one but two! I went for a run and ran a little over 5 km, which was good. I felt the run wasn't that good but compared to my last run I ran further and faster! While running I saw a cute little grandpa riding his bike with a orange flag and a fluorescent vest so as to warn drivers he's riding a bike. And to top it off he was carrying things to recycle which I saw him pour into the recycling bins! So cute :3 I just have a weird love for old people.

Wednesday, was boring while at economics class because Ricardo didn't go. Armando is as usual guessing the answers as if he knew what was going on... And Victoria was playing Minesweeper on her phone. The funny thing is that Victoria knew what to exactly do for the class activity. I really need someone to talk to in that class... Otherwise I equal the quality of human characteristics as somebody who is dead. So after the first five minutes at economics class my day was practically dull. I went for a run at the track in the gym, and went for dinner afterwards at Champion's Choice. I kinda feel bad because I ate past and two slices of pizza (and a cookie too but shh), but hey... I'm getting into my period so I have an excuse. I got an email from INTO USF, the place I applied for a job and had a group interview the week before spring break, and they want to have a second interview! Then it came calculus and I got my test back :( I got 32.5... But I can better it up to a 50 so that kind of makes me feel better. I know I can pass this class but I'm seriously thinking about changing majors :( I'm at the library right now, studying the material we saw today, I want to get an A on the next and last test! I was also texting with Jose David while at the library because he was helping me with math and congratulated him at midnight because it was his birthday! I stayed at the library until 12:30 am, which is the latest I've stayed ever. I also Facetimed with my mom, because I was down because of my test grade and she always encourages me not to change majors.

I woke up early on Thursday, tired as hell because I stayed up last night watching Pokemon on Netflix. I went to the Study Abroad Orientation session, which was kind of informative but pretty obvious stuff. Then I went to my second job interview at INTO USF *crossing fingers. After that I had an advisor appointment to release the holds I had for registration. Finally I went to the Health Insurance office to release that hold as well. It's been a very busy day so far dare I say. And at last! It was time for THE MILEY CYRUS CONCERT! I met up with Sam and her best friend Juan, who turned out to be super awesome at Fresh Food to have a bite before heeding out. We then met with Grace and drove downtown to Tampa Bay Times Forum. When we got there we took some pictures and Grace and I bought Miley Cyrus concert shirts (the less obscene they had of course). The concert was amazing, the props where perfect, her entrance is the best entrance I've ever seen, and the concert was not just a concert; IT WAS A PARTY. I danced, sang, and had fun like ever before. The closing was spectacular, ending with We Can't Stop, Wrecking Ball and Party in the USA. And after a long day I had a late bite at Fresh Foods with Sam and Grace and then headed to bed. 

On Friday I woke up to go do some physics homework with Courtney and we nailed it! I got over a 100% on the homework and randomly decided to go see Divergent since it came out that same day. We went to see Divergent and were almost late to the theater! The movie was awesome, and OMG, the thought of Tobias just melts me <3 I had an awesome time with Courtney as always :3 She's a really good friend. 

Week #43: DISNEY ESCAPADE (02.17.14 - 02.23.14)

I had a rough night Sunday night, I woke up when the sky was still dark and when I grid to go go to sleep Kaitlyn started snoring and that happened about three times throughout the night, and to top it off on Monday morning she made the loudest noises when getting ready accompanied by my other roommate's noises. I finished the physics homework all on my own, and I feel so proud. I skipped physics to go to an advisor meeting for the calculus II paper and since I told him I liked roller coasters he assigned me a roller coaster calculus based problem. I had Pollo Tropical for lunch and then headed for a run on the trail. This is week #3 of my "from couch to 5k" and I'm really feeling the difference you know. Every time I run a little further and I'm also using the CharityMiles app to donate for every mile I walk/run, and I donated 7 meals in this run which is 4.5 km. I Penny boarded to calculus class and let me tell you, I'm so fucking proud of myself! I skated the whole time, not only on downhills and didn't fall at all, I also understood today's calculus section which is a plus squared! Today was a good Monday, they are rare, so it's important to write that down.

On Tuesday I had an appointment with my advisor and I asked him about the possibility of a leadership minor to which he said to decided that upon if I felt too packed the next semester since I'm taking a whole bunch of science classes. Today's leadership class was a little boring because the Ethics in Leadership professor came to cover up for Stacy at the middle of the class, it was a bit interesting because we had to move around the room but it felt endless. I went for a run and halfway through I felt a piercing pain in on right, I finished the run but I feel like I could have done ten times better if I wasn't in pain. I also got done all of my physics homework in one sitting which is a miracle, and a blessing because that means I don't have to work on it this weekend. And I'm not ashamed at all that I used Google to finish 80% of this homework haha that stuff was hard!

On Wednesday I had a fun time with Ricardo on Engineering Economics class, we started drawing silly things and making up stories about it, Ricardo kept firing missiles on my stuff :( We also had a competition about who could draw the best Harry Potter stuff XD I'm so ready for Orlando! I just finished packing and I also skipped calculus class because jeez, that class kills me to death. Just bought some headphones that are meant for running and don't fall off your ears because the ones I use keep falling, these are called Yurbuds and it had awesome reviews, I also fell into the monogram trend and bought myself a 20 oz. mason jar with my monogram, I've been looking for mason jars just to put my green smoothie on but the ones I have are kind of small, so this 20 oz. should make a big difference. Since I bought the Harry Potter book series I decided to start reading it, so I began with the Chamber of Secrets.

Finally Thursday! My fun weekend finally begins, I woke up at 9 am and got ready, went to Fresh Foods to eat some breakfast and used my camera lens cup for the first time for this morning's tea. Tio Ricky pulled over exactly where I was waiting for him and we went to Busch Gardens! I finally got to experience how was it like to skip line with Rafa's handicap, yet the park was kind of vacant so we didn't do any lines at all. It was super fun! It was so awkward though when it was lunch time because I don't want him to pay for my food, yet he did. For dinner we went to Red Lobster and I had a Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, we had fun and talked lots over dinner time. At almost midnight we got home and their home was really cozy and simple, I had my own room next to Rafa and I had a TV. 

On Friday morning Tia Betty made me biscuits with ham for breakfast, using the biscuits we took out from Red Lobster the night before which were to die for. We went to Hollywood Studios! We went to the Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast, and I finally got to go to the new Toy Story ride which is similar to the Buzz Lightyear one in Magic Kingdom; we rode Toy Story three times! Using Rafa's handicap and it was amazing! I love that attraction! The first two round Tio Ricky beat me 127,000 - 133,000 and 136,000 - 161,600 but the third round I beat him 161,600 - 132,000!! I got overly excited about that haha and we had fun with it. I also had my much needed Frozen Banana covered in Chocolate and we had Turkey Legs for lunch. I got to see Fantasmic which was the main reason I wanted to come here and it was amazing, I obviously knew what was going to happen but every time I'm mesmerized by Mickey's awesomeness. Before coming on this trip I was really nervous with Rafa because I didn't know how to be with him you know, but I got to know him and felt really comfortable with him, he's awesome. He kept saying 'mardigras' haha, Tia Betty said he got that stuck in his head when they went to Universal Studios. For dinner we went to a Chinese buffet, I wasn't surprised by the food but oh well, it was a buffet. As long as it's all-you-can-eat I eat it. 

Saturday was my last full day with the Kam's and we went to Animal Kingdom. It as been so long since I have come here and there was not much to see plus it was raining on and off so the day was not as enjoyable. We went to Everest twice and I sat next to Rafa. I was kind of happy my aunt and uncle trusted me to sit next him because we have to remind him to put his head back and to assure he's buckled up. Everest was far off better than I remembered. We also went to Dinosaur, the safari in which we saw plenty of animals! I kid you not when I say the lion was 20 meters from us looking directly at us. We also went to the Nemo Musical and the Bugs show. We left early because of the rain and I accompanied my aunt and uncle to Costco so they could run some errands. I went to mass with them and I was amazed by the church; the seats where soft, we each had a booklet with the year's lectures, and it was all so pretty and big. For dinner we went to IHOP and I had a strawberry and banana pancake which was delicious. 

And the last day of my vacation arrived, we woke up extra early so my uncle could drop me off at the Bus Station. I slept most of the ride back to Tampa and then I hopped onto a HART bus to get to USF.  It was a super awesome weekend, and Tio Ricky and Tia Betty are the greatest host. Cheers to my first trip with them. I only wish Richie and Raul could've come.