Freshman Year of Grad School: CHECK!

Hello friends, family, and strangers! I'm way behind on my blog posts, so I will start by catching up on the fall semester. I completed my first semester of graduate school, aka "Freshman Year"in December. Hard to believe I'm over 25% done! Times flies when you're busy gettin' educated! A lot happened in November and December, so I'll give you a photo summary of the highlights.

Helping photograph an event at Williams-Brice Stadium. Going up to the press box was very cool.

First USC football game!

Halloween event #1: The Incredibles 

Halloween event #2: Good ol' Iowa cow (with trusty sidekick Pikachu!)

Adventures at the zoo! It was wild. 

Beautiful day at the zoo with friends.

 

I had a terrific friendsgiving at the end of November with HESA friends. 

Thanksgiving dinner with friends. :)

 



My dear friend Lydia moved back to New York, so we had a going away party for her. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to Columbia and I will always consider her a sister!

 

Friends from church at Lydia's going away party.

 

 

I was fortunate enough to assist with a trip to the Biltmore Estate.

http://www.biltmore.com/

The Biltmore is the largest home in the United States, and was stunningly decorated for the holiday season. This photo is with Sarah and Kasha, two very rad HESA friends.

Christmastime is here! Even Sebastian got in the spirit of the season!

My "HESA family" had an awesome holiday party with secret santa, white elephant, and lots of great food and fun. :) 

My secret santa, Hayley, made me only the coolest wine glasses ever known to man! This is literally my life in wine glasses. They're amazing.

 

And with that, my fellow Iowan friend Katie and I made our way back home for the holidays!

 

 

All in all, last fall semester was a fast-rolling rollercoaster ride. It was full of new friendships, laughter, tears, uncertainty, lack of sleep, support, an abundance of personal growth, and learning on learning on learning! Never in a million years did I imagine I would be able to learn and grow so much in such a short period of time. I guess that's what grad school is all about- pushing yourself to learn and experience things you otherwise never would. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I had in 2012, and look forward to see what the new year has in store. Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and loved me (especially through the difficult times). I am definitely blessed beyond what I deserve. Much love to you and yours.