22 Things I've done in my first 2 Weeks of Grad School

I've officially completed 2 weeks of grad school! It seems more like 2 months and it's taken a while to adjust to the life of being a student again. Here's a list of 22 things I've done so far:

I HAVE.....

1. read a lot
2. made 3 new friends (there are only 4 people in my cohort, including myself-all women)
3. gotten lost on campus and acted like I KNEW exactly where I was going (like a boss)

4. gotten a $25 parking ticket

5. attended 8 classes, 1 seminar, and 2 lab meetings
6. never been late to class (even parked illegally so I could get to class on time...see #4)
7. read a lot
8. looked like this during Stats class 

9. taken Tylenol to ease the headaches I incurred after Stats class
10. gone running almost every morning (great stress relief from Stats class)
11. read a lot
12. questioned my decision to go to Grad school

13. reassured myself that I made the right decision

14. re-read the same sentence or paragraph 27 times (and still didn't understand)

15. made this face during Stats class

16. taken 6 quizzes (yes, already)
17. read a lot
18. spent hours reading in coffee shops & cafes (shout outs to Starbucks and Panera Bread!)

19. read a lot
20. Called on JESUS...before class, during class, after class, and especially while reading for Stats class

21. learned about an exciting project that I will work on in my lab later this year!

22. perfected the art of skimming, highlighting, and extracting meaningful points upon which to expound when the professor says "What did you think about that article?" 

Conclusion: Graduate school requires lots of reading and Statistics is the devil. But, if you call on Jesus, everything will be okay. Lol...I'm in for a bumpy ride, which is fine because I'm ready...i think........ Jesus?

LIfe is a Daring Adventure

Currently on a plane back to Atlanta.

I know it was a heaping 2 months, but it seemed like my summer vacation just flew by before my very eyes. This was the first summer, in a long time, that I didn't work....AT ALL! I don't regret a single minute of it. I truly had a blast in NYC, China, & California. One of the best summer vacations I've ever had.

When people ask me why I went to China (solo), in my mind, my immediate response is 

"Why not?"

I'm young and curious and I'm not going to take that for granted. I never want to wake up one day and say "I wish I would have...." or "I should have....."

I absolutely LOVE this quote.  Might be my new personal philosophy. It's so unforgiving. So unapologetic. Adventurous experiences can shape a person. It gives you new perspectives. It changes you for the better. So...I'll continue to grab life by the horns and you can continue to stay tuned. Or join in. Your call.

On another note, I start my PhD program at Georgia State in 2 weeks. I'm excited, nervous, a little anxious, but definitely ready to embark on this new chapter in my life.

PS: I'll be posting more pictures from China....as soon as I find the cord that connects the camera to my laptop. 

New York, California, China, OH MY!

AHH! I've been M.I.A for a while. I just got back to Georgia from a much-needed trip to The Big Apple. I must say, I had the time of my LIFE. New York was really fun - so much so that I completely forgot to blog while there. I was also having so much fun that I forgot to take lots of pictures. I'll share the few that I have though.

This VS store in Times Square is HUGE. If you know ME, you know I was IN HEAVEN when I saw this!

Went for a run through Central Park and used my
Nike + Running app (an awesome app, btw)

One of the views from my run in Central Park

Such a happy coincidence that a few of my friends were in New York
at the same time I was (unplanned). We HAD to go out and have some FUN!

But it wasn't ALL play. I took care of some business too. I went to the Consulate General of China to get my VISA! I am now officially allowed to enter the People's Republic of China.

After I was accepted to Georgia State to pursue a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology (a 5 year program starting in August), I made a vow to ENJOY my SUMMER. I planned to go to New York (DONE), California, and China. My summer is off to a great start and I am excited about all the wonderful experiences I am going to have!

STAY TUNED! I can't wait to share. 

China Here I Come! 中国，我来了！

#9  on my 25 before 25 bucket list is to travel outside of the country. I've officially made plans to spend a month in BEIJING!  AAAHHHH! I can't wait.

Questions I've gotten after announcing my upcoming trip:

Do you know anyone in China? NO

Are you going with anyone?  NO

Do you speak any Mandarin? NO

Giirrrl, Are you crazy? YES...wait, what?

I LOVE to travel. Furthermore, I LOVE a good challenge. Being in a place where I don't know the language or too much about the culture will definitely be challenging. But the experience will be worthwhile. As always, I'm going in with an open-mind and a free spirit. No expectations- except to have fun and learn something new. 

All this China talk reminds me of Chris Brown's AWESOME performance of his new song, Fine China at the Billboard Awards....lookin like a young MJ!  I LOVE this song!