Sometimes dreams are hard.

One thing we were told as children is that we can do anything we want to do, be anything we want to be. We as human beings were raised to dream at a young age. We all have dreams, though they may have changed through our lifetime. As children, we wanted to be astronauts, professional athletes, famous singers, actors, actresses, firefighters, doctors, etc. As we grew up, our dreams changed. We wanted to graduate high school, date the perfect person, dreams that seemed more attainable. Other dreams included finding a perfect prom dress, having a memorable summer with friends.

As we continued to live, some dreams we accomplished, some dreams fell short, new dreams were made. We continue to achieve dreams we've had for a day or for years. We continue to make new dreams. We continue strive for something bigger than what we are at this moment.

It can be too easy to give up on these dreams whenever things get hard, get complicated, get stressful. It seems to be too much, and to take the easy road out seems most sensible. But that's what makes accomplishing dreams so fantastic, the joy you feel from meeting a goal, getting one step closer to making your dream a reality.

Isn't that what life is about? Making dreams come true? Regardless how small or large these dreams are, whether you have to tweak an original dream to make it happen, or even "failing", making a dream come true is a magical feeling that only you can take away. Even by failing, one dream may close, but some many possible dreams can come from it.

No matter how frustrated you feel, how disappointed you may be, don't ever be afraid to dream.

"All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"Dream and give yourself permission to envision a "you" that you choose to be." - Joy Page

What are your dreams you are pursuing? Have you achieved any dreams? How big do you dream? When did you become a dreamer?

Keep dreaming, dreamers. It's those dreams that make each person special, and those dreams that encourage and inspire others.

Don't Tread on Me.

You might not know this about me, but I LOVE soccer. Seeing as I don't have Fox Soccer Network, and my ESPN3 doesn't work at the house, the only times I can watch soccer is at a bar (which is always a nice excuse to get out and about) or when it's on ESPN (which is rare, since right now it's basketball + NFL season). I'm probably also a very weird soccer fan, in the fact that I really don't have a favorite European team that I cheer for. I tend to cheer for the Americans that are playing overseas. Don't get me wrong, I'm just like everyone else when it comes to catching the Man U, Chelsea, Barca, Real Madrid, etc. games. It is soccer at the highest level. However, there is something about watching the US Men's National Team (and WNT for that matter). You can't help but get excited watching these professionals represent our country in a sport that we, as a country, are just starting to support. 

That lack of support comes from a couple of places. 1) Why would anyone watch soccer when you have football (American), basketball, baseball, (all which we excel at, and people from different countries would jump at the chance to play here) and there is a team that you can cheer for in your regional area? 2) Expanding from the 1st point, having these popular sports, that's what kids watch, and they grow up wanting to play those sports instead of soccer. 3) Most people truly do not understand soccer. I don't know how many people I've watched a game with that said after the final whistle, "How do you watch this? It's so boring! No one even scored!" 

Soccer is such a complex sport. One where the best play may not start by moving the ball forward. A back pass opens the field up for more opportunities for spacing, runs, etc. Every pass has to have the correct placement and force on it, or that play will be broken up. Most people talk about quarterbacks throwing the ball in such a small pocket, and how the pass has to be perfect for a receiver to have a chance to catch it. Same thing with soccer, except EVERY player has to be like a quarterback AND be a receiver. Each pass, each shot has to be placed perfectly, and each touch has to be good, otherwise the play is changed. The possession: that is what MAKES soccer the sport it is. Seeing how players shift on the field, when they don't even have the ball; the crisp one-touch passes; waiting for the precise moment to strike... that is what soccer is all about.

I can't get enough of the USMNT, I really can't. I watch highlights, interviews with the players, games, etc. I get goosebumps watching an amazing goal being scored, or a keeper make an incredible save. Most of all, I remember what it feels like to be out on the field, playing with people that you have to trust so fully, that they will give you their all in return for your hustle. Having that competitive nature, trying to win every 50/50 ball... there's nothing in the world like playing soccer.

It is that feeling from soccer that I am so grateful for. You have to work so hard to be successful, and if you don't give it your all every day, you might not make it. But if you do, regardless of bumps that come along the way, you will get what you really need (and usually it's what you want as well). You listen to professional soccer players say how they are always training, always giving the best they can, always trying to improve. Because they love what they do, and they want to be the best they possibly can. They want to have the chance to represent the team they're playing for, and maybe even a chance to represent their country.

That feeling, of working hard, being the best you can, it can be expanded into any facet of life. I've been frustrated the past few weeks, feeling a bit overwhelmed with the workload this quarter (only about 7 more weeks... thank god.). Putting it into perspective with soccer, you can make correlations with it. You work hard to get where you need to go (aka where you are at this moment), but you can't revel in the fact that you made it. You have to continue to achieve things that you may not thought to be possible. You represent your university where you study, where you research, where you make new discoveries. You represent your country with what you do, whether you think about it that way or not. Don't think of it as pressure, think of it as motivation. You want to be the best you can, because at the end of the day, you are representing yourself.

I can find motivation in small things, whether it is role models and their work ethic, or it's a dream I want to accomplish. I've gotten this far, why not go as far as I can?

And on the days that seem too dreary, seem to just take the wind out of your sails, just remove yourself from the situation for a minute. Think of what you want to achieve, and what it will be like once you do. Then get back in there, get training, get motivated. The opportunity is yours for the taking: just do it.

What has motivated you to get to where you are today? What continues to motivate you? Where do you get your competitive nature? What drives you to be better than you were yesterday?

Live a life you're proud of and if you need to, have the strength to start all over again.

After a mini hiatus, hibernation, etc., it's back to the grind. Christmas time is always a fantastic time of the year (minus the cold weather); there's plenty of family and friends to get in touch with, a season full of music all about love and remembering the good of people and events, and it's great for reflection of the past year that we've experienced. I had a great Christmas holidays from school, so much so that I almost didn't want to come back. (I did, obviously, because we can't be in vacation mode all the time, as nice as it would be) I hope everyone else had a blessed holiday season as well.

And now somehow it turned into 2012, a whole new year! A new year to redefine yourself, change your view, or to dig deep and continue on with the path you are on. There are very subtle choices that we make at the start of each new year, resolutions that we make with the best intentions. (Whether we actually do them or not is another subject in itself lol) Even if we don't make resolutions, there are those choices that we make, unknowningly or not. Like, how will I begin to make this year great? Or, what is a goal I want to set for this year to complete? Might sound like resolutions, but I don't like making them, because I almost always give up by mid-January. But I do like goals.

These small choices that we make at the beginning of this year made me think of the lives we choose to live. The way life plays out is based on choices that we make, small or big. While there may be a curveball thrown in every once in a while, life is what you make it. How you deal with those curveballs gives you the life you're going to live. Is it the one that you want to live? Is your life one that you are proud of living? You might not have to work to cure cancer, or be a CEO of a company, or something that defines you as "successful" by society's standards to be proud of your life. Or do you? What makes you proud of the life you're living? Is it based on money, success in your career, material "toys" that show off how well off you're doing? Or is it more than that? Is it the family and friends and people that are in your life that makes you proud? Do you continue to find joy in the small things in life, or is it always about the bigger picture? Is there any way to balance?

Everyone is different in the way they conduct themselves. So wouldn't it make the most sense to find out what you want out of life, and then go for it, regardless if it fits with society's view, or if it's what you are being pushed toward by family, friends, etc.? The people close to you should support you regardless of what you do, as long as you are happy with it and the decisions you have made to get there. But if you find yourself unhappy, change the way you do things. I know it's much easier said than done, but no one said life was easy. The people that seem to have it made and have an easy life most likely worked ridiculously hard to get to where they are. They made tough choices somewhere along the road, and are happy with the choices they made.

That's what I love most about the coming of a new year: looking to the future, while reflecting on the past to learn from mistakes we have made. No one likes to make mistakes, but we all make them. But dwelling on them, it seems to me to be a short term solution. Those past actions happened, and there's nothing you can do to go back and change them. But you can learn from them, and make changes for the future. With a new year ahead of us, there is so much that we can do, learn, experience. So many opportunities we didn't have last year to take advantage of. With our busy lives, that's something that is easy to forget. I know that I definitely need to take my own advice and take advantage of opportunities that come my way (and get me out of my lab once in a while).

Enough with the reflection time... now onto some positive talk. (After all, everyone loves to look at the positive things in life) It's a new year, so let's make the most of it! I know it's hard to take advantage of the beautiful places we're in while it is a bit chilly, but as it starts to get warmer, get outside! Go for a walk, listen to nature's soundtrack, try something you've never done before. Go check out that new restaurant you've been meaning to try. Take a spontaneous roadtrip (whether it's to the next town or states away). A new year means new opportunities! GO DO THEM! Don't just let life slip through your fingers; it is, after all, what you make it.

Everything happens for a reason, and let's make sure we find the positive in every event that takes place. For every dark spot, there is a light side to it as well. Might be hard to see, but it's up to you to find it.

And that's it for me. Sorry if this is a bit disjointed. I've just been in a reflecting mood a bit. Trying to find myself a little bit again. There are so many choices I've had to make already, and it's only been a week into 2012. A bit unnerving, but nothing I can't handle. Off to enjoy the day and night on this January 7th. Hope you can do the same!!! Kisses.

Kiwi at heart, New Zealand always on my mind.

Still thinking of Ross Herman and his family and friends. It's amazing how much the Centre community really gets around and is everywhere. I'm so glad I am a part of it and hope that we, as a community, continue to support those in it and close to it.

Speaking of the Centre community, I've been so lucky to have the friends I do, whether they are in Cincinnati, Louisville, the tri-state area of Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio, somewhere in the US or even abroad. I've been visiting friends close to Cincinnati, and have found some other alumni that are living in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. It's nice to get a break from the "stress" of chemistry and grad school by getting together with some good ol' Centre kids. We all understand each other, regardless of year or major or what we choose to do with our lives, and we all support each other in our endeavors. I couldn't ask to be a part of a better group of individuals.

With Centre on my brain, another place/memory that always pops up is my trip to New Zealand. It's that time of the year again where CentreTerm is coming up, and luckily the New Zealand trip is going again this year. I had a person going on this years trip ask for suggestions on where to travel to in the South Island, and I was just transported back to the most beautiful place on Earth. I know it sounds very subjective, but I don't care. I found myself again there. I figured out what I wanted out of life, and that is the place and the beginning of me and positive thinking. There is NOTHING better than hiking a huge mountain/volcano and getting to the peak and just looking out for miles at wilderness. It's so peaceful, and a great to really think, meditate, etc. I know that it sounds corny, but sometimes the best place to find yourself is in a place that you have no idea about. To find yourself, you have to first lose yourself. And what better place to lose yourself than in one of such beauty?

 Don't believe me? Here are some photos to try to get you to believe me:

View of Auckland from Devonport.

Rangitoto (a shield type volcano)

Muriwai Beach. Known for being one of the only homes to gannet colonies.

Murawai

Can't remember... somewhere on the North Island?

On top of Rainbow Mountain (yes, that's its real name)

On the climb up to the Mount

On top of the Mount.

White Island, a still active volcanic island.

Huka Falls.

Looking across Lake Taupo at Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.

At the Tongariro National Park.

Ngauruhoe and Tonagriro

Mt. Doom, if you will.

Part of the Tongariro Crossing.

Emerald Lakes.

Franz Josef glacier.

Lake Hawea in the South Island on the way to Queenstown.

Lake in Queenstown.

Milford sound and the Fiordland

Nature cruise through Milford Sound.

If that doesn't make you want to go visit, I don't know what will. It's been almost 2 years since I've been to New Zealand, and while I have forgotten some of the smaller names of places we went, I remember the important places, and I remember the feelings I had there, and what I learned from the islands across the Pacific.

Does this mean that I'm condoning a trip across the world to "find yourself"? If you can, go (doesn't even have to be New Zealand). If it's not possible, just lose yourself in nature. It may be a little cold to do that now, but once it warms up, go on a hike. Look at the trees, the paths, the animals around you. Disconnect your mind from the world of work and stress, and just connect to the beauty around you. Each step you take gives you a different view of the path you are on.

Yes, I know I sound like a nature-loving hippie getting all transcendental, which is completely the opposite of what I do in my normal day-to-day life. But it's good for everyone to take a break from who you are. Reload, refresh, get re-energized. Then get back to what it is that you do. But there is nothing wrong with taking a break and looking at how beautiful this world is, one that we tend to take too much for granted.

New Zealand, I promised you when I left that I'd be back. I'm going to keep that promise. It might be 10, 20, 30 years down the road, but I will get back to you. There is so much nostalgia to just up and forget you. I hope that you continue to awe and inspire all the people that visit you. You definitely stole my heart, and I am a Kiwi for life.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas season. Let's just remember what it's all about :) Happy Holidays!

Gone too soon, but never forgotten. R.I.P. Ross.

I'm sure mostly everyone in the Centre community has heard about Ross Herman by now. It is a tragedy that someone with so much potential was taken from this Earth at such a young age. My heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to Ross's family and close friends.

Treasure those people in your life that you hold dearest. Tell people you love them. Hug them. Call them. Keep in touch with them. Show them that you care about them. 

I can't help but think that Ross is in a good place right now in heaven. There's no other place a great young man could be.

Finals Time Positive Message

Good luck to everyone taking finals this week (or in the upcoming weeks). As a motivational tool, at least you have this guy on your side...

And then after finals comes freedom!!!!!!

Study hard, eat well, get some sleep. Everything is going to be alright. :) Just don't do what little kitten is doing LOL.

I be on that chem grind, all day, every day.

How in the world did it get to be December? I know everyone is thinking it... 2011 is almost over, and 2012 is almost here? Where has the time gone? Don't get me wrong, 2011 has been a good year, but it's just crazy to think about how quickly time passes when you don't realize it. It just seems like yesterday that I graduated from Centre, got a job, quit my job and started grad school. But those events were a year and a half, a year and 3 months, 4 months, and 3 months ago, respectively. Nuts, right? But even though it's hard to think about time passing, I think it's good to reflect on what has happened in the past, and be appreciative of the future time we will have.

While time keeps flying by, it seems like FOREVER until I'm finished with my first quarter of grad school. Why? Because we're coming up on the dreaded finals week... dun dun dun. Actually, I don't think finals will be TOO bad this year. After taking 9 semesters worth of finals (post grad class last spring is #9), by the 10th try, I should know how to prepare for these, right? (At least that's what I keep telling myself) But it's been a good time getting back to the chemistry grind, and releasing my inner nerd.

Besides just studying chemistry, I've also been tutoring some undergrads this quarter in general chemistry. It's amazing how everything that is learned in general chemistry seems so random, and doesn't make sense when you take it the first time, but having ALL the other chemistry classes, you begin to see how the things that were so random make sense. I've enjoyed tutoring again this quarter, and it's always great to see the lightbulb go off in these kids' heads. It's an even bigger honor whenever someone asks you if you can tutor them the next quarter. It makes me feel like I'm doing a good job, and that this is where I'm supposed to be, and I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to.

So while I want finals to be over, and to get a MUCH NEEDED break from chemistry, there's no doubt in my mind that chemistry is for me. Sure it may be challenging (more often than not), but I get the most satisfaction in completing something that I find extremely difficult. (Maybe I'm weird, but I already knew that)

Time is a funny thing. Sometimes we want it to speed up, sometimes we want it to slow down, or stop completely. But it tends to go at the exact pace we need; it just takes us some time to realize it. We need to remember to look around and experience life as it happens, otherwise it'll pass us by. I know I need to remember to do that, because it's such a great place we live it.

Some countdowns (to keep me sane):

• 9 days until finals are over
• 10 days until some of my girls come visit
• 11 days until I'm home (for a bit, back to Cincy on the 13th, and then back home again the 18th)
• 12 days until sushi date with my partner in crime
• 14 days until Columbus trip
• 16 days until bestie night out in Cincy (pt. 2)
• 21 days until I see my best friend (that I haven't seen in about a year and 4 months)
• 22 days until ugly sweater/karaoke night
• 24 days until Christmas
• 29 days until my bestie's birthday
• 30 days until New Years

While I'm counting down (especially to the end of finals), I'm excited to live everyday to the fullest. What are some things you are looking forward to this month (and for 2012)?

I'll leave you with a nice chemistry picture. After all, everyone enjoys chemistry just as much as I do, right?

Separations at its finest!