3 years into blogging: My graduation and the start of a new stage

A few notes before I start this post:

• I started blogging 3 years ago! Can you believe it? (I most certainly can’t ) As I have told you before, I did not expect to be blogging for so long… but here I am. 🙂 I am sure 18/19 year old Nat wouldn’t imagine how nicely life is treating me right now… I’m happy. ❤

• I’m currently on a Twitter hiatus! This is why you have probably not seen me around for a while. I’m trying to concentrate on my studies and Twitter is literally a black hole I could stay in for hours. *shrugs* 

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Hello, everyone that is still somehow following me! I am still alive after my first few weeks in pharmacy school! That is an accomplishment, right? This post will probably be full of pictures… Are you ready for it? (Yes, I’m writing this post while listening to the new Taylor single. I’m a Swiftie. Keep up!)

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Let’s see… Some huge events in my life that should get their own post, but since I’m short in time, here we are!

• I finally  graduated! Somehow I survived everything… And even though graduations are supposed to be boring with protocol and such, it was so much fun (even though my best friends did not attend *narrows eyes*)

• Literally as soon as I graduated, I went directly to the apartment where I’m staying while I’m studying, so I did not have much time to think. The day after my graduation, I went to my first day of orientations at my new uni. That was both cool and scary.
• That first week, I had my white coat ceremony. Simply getting to wear that coat for the first time as a student pharmacist is a moment I will always cherish. (And the fact that my best friend was there to see it all made it all worth it. ❤ )

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A few notes on my experiences in pharmacy school so far:

• I have not taken any exams (yet), but they’re getting closer, and I have been studying along with my roommates so I can survive. (My first exam’s from biochemistry, so I’m crossing my fingers!)
• My professors are from different parts of the world and I’m loving that… even though understanding their accents was hard at first. (Still working on some of them… I will succeed at understanding them all! You’ll see!
• I love my class. Everyone just wants to help each other pass and have fun along the way. I really hope we become really close. ❤

• As for my experience staying away from home, it has definitely been better than expected. I love my roommates and our dynamic. ❤ (Even though… uh… our bathroom roof (plaster?) fell last week. And that same day there was a blackout. That’s life, I guess *shrugs*)
• As for my reading, I’m around 25% done with Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab and I’m loving it. ❤

These: the good, the fun, the bad, the ugly, are experiences that I will never forget. I sincerely love this stage of my life, and the people I’m sharing it with.

Somehow, I’m back. *waves*

 

When was the last time I posted? *checks*

Uh-oh. I can’t believe you’re still following me after my inactivity these past months! Still- I’m back! And I even changed my About page a bit *winks along with the hint*

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The possible strike I mentioned in this post? Yep, it happened. And that’s why I took my last final last week. In JULY. Writing July on my class notes and exams was a surreal experience to say the least 🤗 but we survived… and my last grades were worth it. Even though I didn’t have to finish my degree to start classes in August.

It’s also why I’m graduating(!!!) in August instead of June, when we were still taking classes to catch up. My graduation is also the night before my orientations start at my new uni- so watch me try not to fall asleep the next day. I’ll try and keep you informed. 😂

I didn’t do much but read and watch TV shows during those 2 months I was at home -I even caught up with my Goodreads challenge… only to lose my winning streak when Uni started again. *shrugs* Let’s see if I can at least catch up during the next 3 weeks :3 I guess I should have caught up with my blogging as well, but it was my procrastinating self’s (read: my) fault.

I also decided on an apartment to live in for the next year while I study and met my two roommates. I have high hopes, people! I think it will be an Experience… even though I am honestly scared to death. I’ll really try to keep in touch the next months as I get used to the place and to being in a graduate school, living away from home… and to being called a student pharmacist. (eeeep!)

Stress… interviews and BEST VALENTINE’S DAY EVER

Hello, everyone! It has been a while (I always say this, but it’s true.)

Well, this post will be (kinda) long and divided into several parts. It was a long period of time since I posted, and I do want to catch up with everything that happened (Or at least some of it!)

(I do have awesome news at the end of the post )

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January: The month when I kind of realized I’m graduating.

January passed without major events in my life. Uni started quite late, so I don’t have much to tell about it, except for the fact that…

I. Started. My. Last. Semester. As. An. UNDERGRAD. aka I’m GRADUATING THIS JUNE.

**The actual date for graduation might vary because of strikes and stuff, but… it’s happening 🙂

I still can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I applied for graduation! (I won’t be able to believe it even when I graduate!)

Okay, apart from this, January was uneventful. I spent the month quite anxious because I finished my Pharmcas application in December and I was waiting for an answer. Or at least the link for my supplemental application. The link arrived with January, and that was that! I told myself I was not expecting anything, I was just trying for the sake of trying. (I still checked my email everyday even when my phone got push notifications for every email) The end of January arrived along with news that one of my friends got an interview for the school I had applied to (Yes, school. As in ONE pharm school) and, even though I knew for a fact that he had applied at least a month before I did… I started losing hope (the small amount of hope I had allowed myself to feel).

February: “Whoa, is this really happening?”

February, the month of love, and valentines and the full expression of capitalism 🤣  arrived… and I tried to stop thinking about grad school. I am only taking three classes this semester and I had to at least try to make it count! Six days along, I was minding my own business… and I got it. An email for an interview.

**My reaction went along somewhat like this.**

Still. The interview was three days after… and I was not prepared at all.

I went to the mall, bought an outfit, read A LOT about interviews for college and how they went (along with info about my specific program) and I was as ready as I could be! So, fast forward three days later… I was on my way to my (hopefully) future university with my mom and my phone’s GPS.

We got there 2. Hours. Earlier, expecting to be able to park close to the building and wait. That was not possible… So the guard let me enter the building and I got to the office. (They were really nice but I was dreading the long wait). When I entered the office, there were two girls (women? Do I start saying women on this case? I still don’t feel like a woman O.o) . The point is… they looked professional. Ready to be interviewed and being successful in the future. I did NOT feel like that, so I just prayed that my interviewers were nice enough to a person who did not feel as qualified.

The secretaries told a group of Pharmacy students to give me a tour, and I went along with them and asked them the questions I did not dared to ask during the Open House last June. (“Do I really have to buy an iPad?” Yes. “Do I have to wear a professional outfit all the time?” No, scrubs will do.) They were so nice (probably because they needed the points for a class they were taking, but they helped calm my stress so I appreciate it a lot). In the end they simply told me to go with the flow of the interview and that I would be fine. I went back to the office, met with the women who were going to be interviewed, and waited to be called. The secretary checked my transcripts and my data, told me everything was clear, and that was that.

The time of my interview finally arrived. To be honest, those 45 minutes were mostly a blur. I do remember them asking about my motivations (tricky question), about what defined me as a person and what frustrated people about me. (That one was particularly hard to answer.) They said to wait 3-4 weeks for a decision… and that was that. I got out, not entirely confident about what I had said, but really happy that they had been so nice and had listened to everything I said. My mom told me that even if buy any chance they didn’t accept me, I had a good experience. I would go through everything again. I felt comfortable, even after that stressful experience. 🙂

My friend had told me he received an answer days after his interview. I did not expect my situation to be the same. He does have better credentials (and GPA) than I do. I was willing to wait three weeks, after which I would probably start the process again. (And probably taking other exams to up my probabilites)

I woke up in Valentine’s Day particularly happy, for some reason. A lot of people asked me why I was so perky, and I really did not know. I mean… I was as single as the rest of the year. Perhaps it was the possibility of getting chocolate?

I spent the day with my friends, had lots of fun (and candy. Lots of candy.) And my Physics class arrived along with the news that we would take a home test. (That was reason enough to be happy, right?)

And then I got it. THE email. I literally got out of my classroom with my phone, ran and tried to call my parents. They. Did. Not. Answer. I was literally shaking and almost cried. I told my friend… I was out of the classroom for about 15 minutes while I calmed down. I probably won’t ever forget Valentine’s Day. It will be impossible to forget the day when my life changed.

Well… these are the news I have for you. Somehow, I am enough. And I still don’t believe it. (And I probably won’t until I get there.) I will try to keep you informed of all the steps I have to take from now on.

I’m proud to officially announce I’m in the NSU College of Pharmacy, Class of 2021. GO SHARKS!

Bye bye, 2016.

2016, a year for the books, right? I’ve been thinking a lot about what to write… and now that we’re two hours away from saying goodbye (here in Puerto Rico, as I’m writing this), I guess it’s time to think about what happened to me during this… eventful year. Shall we?

This will be sort of a numbered post since I don’t have much time… 😀

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1. First sleepover: Some of you will roll your eyes to the back of your head with this… but this was a milestone for me. Being invited let alone the fact that I was allowed to go? That was huge for me. That was one of the best nights of my life. I’m so glad it happened.
2. PCAT: I took it. I survived. And I’m currently waiting after I submitted an application to a pharmacy school. Is this scary or what? That was also the time of my second sleepover. Will there be a time where I stop counting them?
3. Time to get my GPA up! And it did. It totally did and now I’m finally competitive enough for at least a chance. I’m so happy… even though might not be enough, I’m still up for a fight.
4. Turning 21: It was not as exciting as how many people experience. Probably because I don’t drink? But it was still a milestone. And what made it a happy day for me was that my friends actually remembered and made it special.
5. And as for the sad part, more death in my family. I still have no clue why this all keeps happening… but it did. Again. And the distance between my extended family and I feels kind of unsurmountable right now. Let’s hope for new beginnings next year? 
6. (NOT) finishing my goal amount of books? I accepted some months ago that I wouldn’t make it this year. These past semesters were kind of brutal… I am lucky I could finish SOME books… I’m hoping this perpetual slump could end ANY minute now…
7. Becoming obsessed with k-Dramas. It was bound to happen. *shrugs* I can’t imagine myself without them now.
8. Speaking of obsessions…

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I wanted to say something else, too, before the year ends. I missed lots of things, things I could have blogged about… and I did not. I could say I did my best for my blog, but I didn’t. I am not going to promise to post more. It would be pointless… But I’m still going to try. I deserve it, and you deserve it too. 2017 is so important, you see. I FINALLY graduate during next year! And whatever happens… I want to share this next stage with you all. Like I said, I’m going to try. Let’s see how it goes.

Signing off for the year;

Nat.

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P.S. 2016 IS FINALLY OVER, BITCHES!!!

Sleepovers, Scares and Staying at a Hotel

Well, people, it’s been a while…

 

I’m blogging from my study cave. (Yes, you read me right. Studying. In July… but don’t be sad for me, I literally started studying today. I’m okay, and procrastinating healthily while blogging) The time has come to prepare myself for the PCAT… a test that will probably define my whole future, but no big deal! *laughs nervously*

Being an adult is scary. I’m not even kidding, I haven’t been more nervous than the night I applied to take the PCAT. It’s not that bad, though. I don’t exactly have to get up early, which means I can work with my schedule, and I plan on studying with my friends. My vacations haven’t exactly been uneventful. I got really scared for a week or two while I didn’t know if I would have to get surgery… If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know that it was, thankfully, a false alarm, and I got off with a December appointment and an order to exercise and eat better… (bye bye, pizza weekends!) … Right after I got that order I went to an hotel and basically broke that rule for two whole days, but I was saying goodbye! Don’t judge! 😀

 

(Yes, that’s my hair. Yes, that’s Graceling, AKA my favorite book in the whole world) I posted most of my pictures/videos on Snapchat (fearlesslynat, like the blog, just in case you were wondering :D)

These past days were amazing… And they weren’t the only thing I’ve done this summer! I finally had my first sleepover at María‘s on her birthday, and it was fairly one of the best days ever 🙂

 

 

 

Now that I told you about everything that has happened, more or less, I guess I can also tell you about movies/books/tv shows, right?

A month ago I told you I was watching Les Interpretes, right? It had a kind of disappointing ending, to be honest. It had such a promising beginning, and it had to end like that… *groans*. I wasn’t expecting more of the other one I was watching, which was good, because the ending wasn’t good, either. That’s why I ended up watching Descendants of the Sun… twice. Now I’m watching Beautiful Mind, Doctors and Lucky Romance… which are good… so far. I am up to date with Game of Thrones as well, which means I can read Pat‘s posts without fear of spoilers. Life is good, really.

I’ve also tried to catch up with my reading… but I only read Lady Midnight (I finished it!!) and started Graceling. I’m waiting for my friend to give A Court of Mist and Fury to me… I’m really excited about it because (1) Sarah J. Maas, duh. and (2) IT’S SIGNED! Which is basically a dream come true… although I still want to meet her someday.

Anyway, I think this was a nice update, and hopefully I’ll meet you again soon while I try to distract myself from Biology and *shudders* organic chemistry… *waves*

“I’m Alive!”-Sia

*runs towards all of you, screaming “I am NOT GONE yet!”*

Hello! Long time, no see… (Since Valentine’s Day! Whoa…) *wonders if people are still interested in my posts*

This semester was draining… but good results came from it, so that’s great! *smiles at my brand new GPA*

Summer has now arrived (finally, after finals were postponed a week because of my uni’s strike…*), and with it a sense of happiness and peace I hadn’t felt since forever. Incredibly, I have not finished any books (apart from one I read during finals but that one didn’t count), so if you have any suggestions as to what in the world I can do to get rid of this horrible reading slump, they are mostly welcome. A little more than a month ago I tweeted a poll (see below)

What should I read next?

— natalie. (@AelinsFireheart) April 24, 2016

and I still have to keep my word. I’ll keep you posted on if I like Lady Midnight. I’ve been trying to listen to the audiobook… (trying being the main word. Perhaps it will work when I start working out this summer? Only time will tell)

Since I can’t read much because of the slump, I’ve been watching Korean dramas. My mother basically passed on her addiction to me. I’ve been also watching Les Interprètes, a Chinese drama, which is SO GOOD (and extremely addicting, so please do NOT do as I did and watch it slowly. Do not binge on 14 episodes in one day. It’s not healthy and you’ll run out of episodes soon.) I did not think I would enjoy something like this so much, but I love how it involves both languages in such a natural way!

A lot of things have also happened. My dad came here for 2 weeks… during which I was on my finals so I did not get to spend as much time as I wanted with him (boo…) BUT he did promise he would try to come here more often. I was not able to go to my brother’s graduation (Thanks, Developmental biology) BUT I did get a good grade on the class so it was (kind of) worth it.

In other words, I’m free, like Dobby (for the next 2 months, anyway), even though I plan on studying for the PCAT. *crosses fingers* I also have other plans for this summer… I hope I can do it all… (And keep this blog more updated, hopefully.)

*I guess that would have been a good topic for a blog post… but I did tweet about a lot of my thoughts… xD

P.S. Do you all like my new blog layout? I’m trying some things out. 🙂

 

 

New y- semester, new me!

Greetings, Earthlings (I’ve officially ran out of ways to greet you, guys. I need to brainstorm)

I haven’t seen you all since… my birthday, isn’t it?

The truth is… that not much has happened since then. This Christmas was bound to be kind of hard because of all the things that happened last year, but life goes on! *shrugs*. I did spend my whole break at home watching Netflix (I finished Buffy! That’s something! I’m still behind on House of Cards and Merlin, so shh with the spoilers!) and movies (like Star Wars. I still have to watch the original trilogy, Episodes VI and VII. I need TIME!). I didn’t read much, except for rereading the Shatter Me trilogy and the Throne of Glass books… I did go out with my friends on a hike. It was fun, but my legs hurt like crazy for the next week or so. Exercising this year is a MUST!

(When did WordPress create this collage thing, anyway? It is so cool!)

I guess the thing that changed the most was the fact that I decided to change my study (and general) habits for the better. I know, I know, I always say this. There’s always a start, and this is mine. I won’t take Physics this semester, but I’ll take Developmental Biology… which apparently is kind of hard? I’m hoping I can survive and live to tell the tale, like I always end up doing with you all, my dear followers. Hopefully I’ll get to blog more as I keep getting used to how life is happening.

Anyway, I have to go. Uni starts tomorrow, even though I’m in this huge denial pit.

*hugs*

Nat

Things I *insert heart emoji*

Reading posts like this always make me happy, as sometimes it is nice to be reminded of the things that we enjoy in life. I love going through the words knowing that the person is really excited about what they are writing. It’s one of the things I love the most about Tumblr, for example, or at least the fandom side of it -until they start fighting about things that don’t make any sense…- but I’m rambling now.

My second assignment for Writing101 is to make a list -of things I love, of things I have learned, or things that I wish. I planned on writing a post of things I wished I had told my younger self, but I decided on keeping it simple for today. I also wrote a post like this last September, so it’s nice to revisit it! This one is way shorter, but I have been busy… and I am already a day late on this assignment, so here it goes! *goes back to the study cave after this*

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1. How books make me feel. It might seem like a cliché, but it is true. For some hours, I can become someone else, learn new things and just immerse myself in new things. (Or even better, to reread a book I have loved for years. I could list some books like Graceling and Harry Potter in this category). This is  why I hate reading slumps so much -they take a really important thing from me, for months, sometimes.
2. How awesome my family actually is. Kudos to them for helping me become the person that I am. My parents have always wanted me to make my own choices, and if they didn’t agree or I just couldn’t do it they talked to me and helped me understand. Plus, my love for the natural sciences and reading is mostly due to my mom. My dad has always worked for us to have a good life, and I will always be grateful for that. Last but not least is my “little”, annoying brother. Sometimes I just can’t stand him… but he has always wanted the best for us. He has the best intentions. Oh, well. xD
3. My friends, however few they actually are: Seriously, these are people that can actually stand me in my good and not so good days, AND there’s no blood relation between us (unless we’re talking about that one blood oath… but shhh xD). But really, it’s impressive, and I appreciate those people, even if I don’t deserve them. AT ALL.
4. College (And I’m not even kidding here). It’s hard as hell and sometimes frustrating, but it’s one of the most satisfying things I have ever done. And I’m not halfway done with what I want to do, so I hope I can keep on feeling like this for however long I stay.
5. This blog: Lately I don’t post as much as I used to, but this course is definitely sending me on the right path. SB&ST has helped me through some hard times, and there are people who I know will always be there for me. I also consider those part of #3 on my list!

An update… and a promise.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ran out of thoughts and feelings to share with you all. I know this is definitely not true, but I feel like I am repeating myself over and over. That’s one of the many reasons I haven’t blogged a lot during the last 2 –or more- months. I’ve probably reached somewhat of a writing slump, and I found myself just writing about my life, and that wasn’t very interesting. Besides, I started doing it like it was a chore. I didn’t want to feel like that. Still, that doesn’t mean I’ll give up on this. Blogging is one of my favorite pastimes.

Science, Books and Silly Things is one of the things I love doing the most. *hugs you all*

 

Some news I want to share:

• My blog will be one year old in less than a month. I’m hoping to have the time to do something special. If you want to help or have some ideas, please comment/email/Tweet me. I would appreciate it a lot.
• I’m starting my junior (!!!!!) year this Tuesday. My college years have gone so fast! I can’t believe I only have 2 years left of my bachelor’s degree… These have been some of the best years of my life, and I think the best is yet to come. I believe this could be a great year academically speaking, if I work on my organization skills. *grins*. I made a tentative study schedule. If I keep it up, this year might work out. I’m about to take Physics (wish me luck!!)…… and Human Genetics. I’m actually really excited about the last one, but terrified about Physics. May the Doctor be with me. HA!

• This year I am going to actively participate in my college associations’ activities. I also hope to blog about them! ❤

I solemly swear I’ll blog more during the semester. I might be able to work it out on my schedule. (Need to schedule some posts these next 3-4 days just to be sure!)

I hope to hear back from all of you. 🙂

I’m DONE with college! (for a week)

Summer is here!!

(At least for my classmates.) I am going to take a summer class (Immunology, I’m so excited!) in about a week, but I’m planning on enjoying my freedom until then.

I finished my sophomore year yesterday, which basically means I am halfway done with my bachelor’s degree. I cannot believe I’ve been doing this for two years now. It feels like my high school graduation was just yesterday! A lot happened during this year, and some things are still happening, but everything is falling into place somehow.

Yesterday was particularly good for me. Remember how I said one of my birthday resolutions was to get my GPA up? I’m on it! I still have a long way to go, but I am doing great. You should have seen my happy dance when I saw my chemistry grade.

*whispers* I am done with Organic Chemistry, and I do not have to repeat it! I am basically bursting with happiness, as it is one of the most important prerequisites to become a pharmacist, which is my current goal.

I must admit, that class was hard as hell, but I learned a lot, and I do not regret taking it with that particular professor. Even if she’s the most demanding one, she supported me until the end. Even my lab went great…! (I thought it would be hell, as I thought my lab professor hated me. I guess she realized I was doing my best :3) I’m also done with Human Biology. I will actually miss that class, even if it was demanding. I learned lots about the human body and how it works. It made me realize I’m on the right track!

Next year, I’ll be sure to slay Physics… ooh, and Human Genetics! Let’s hope it goes as nicely as it this one went. And that it is way more quiet… in a good way.

Well, this week I plan on binge watching Game of Thrones and Once Upon a Time… before I go back to the classroom next Tuesday. I plan on blogging way more now that I have more time. 😉