Week 4 and 5 Blog Post

Sooooooo....after much technical difficulties with my blog and not being able to sign in to my account, I am back! p.s. i doubt anyone has a problem with signing into their account, but i can help you if you cant! I had to go to the library tech guys to help me, but now i know! OKAY, moving on.

Week 5: Personal Tensions

The Setup - For some background information, i began dating my boyfriend, Dylan, sophomore year of high school when he was a senior in high school. He went off to play volleyball at NYU, but we stayed together and did the long distance thing. When it came for me to choose where i wanted to go to college, I was really stuck on where i wanted to go. Originally i wanted to attend UT Austin but got denied so that was not an option. However i got into an even better school, NYU. First of all, OMG. I got into NYU, with my academics, not through sports. So the question was raised, do I go to NYU and be with my boyfriend, or go to a school that I would want to go to (without him being an influence). 

The What - After being devastated by being denied to UT Austin, and then with the dilemma NYU vs, college of my choice. My worries with going to NYU was i didn't want to be the girl who followed her boyfriend to college. My worries with going to a school that wasn't NYU was the thought of: Am i making a mistake? Should i not care about what people think of me going to NYU? However, after visiting Santa Clara University during April, it was the love at first sight. i walked onto the campus and was like: This is where I am going to college. 

The So What - Looking at the internal conflict, i was worried about what people would think of me if i followed my boyfriend to college. Additionally, it was also do i want to go to a college and be my own self, start a new chapter in my life, and be independent? I felt like my college decision was different than others, because i felt like i had to decide between continuing my life or starting fresh. What did i want? 

The Now What - This really was an important experience, because i felt like it was a milestone in my life. I knew i had to focus on myself and go somewhere new where i could do that. I didn't want to follow Dylan's dreams, I wanted to follow my dreams. I really learned about myself and how strong i really am. Making that decision was so difficult, but i know i made the right one. I was still committed to my boyfriend, but i felt even more committed to myself and my happiness. College is a time to find out who you really are. And being here at Santa Clara for me, is the best place to do that. In these past 5 months, i have learned more about myself, than i have in a year. Sometimes, you just need to think what is best for you. 

Week 4: Values and Congruence. 

I chose a video about family values. If you don't know Rihanna, she has a strong family bond and really values them. 

This really rings to me because growing up, my parents were divorced and my family was not very close. I always admired my friends' families who had family dinners every night and were very close-knit. It is always something i've wanted. When it comes to family, it is all about love, loyalty, and trust. With Rihanna, although she has become a famous celebrity, she does not forget her roots, takes care of her family, is there for her family (no matter how busy she is). And they are there for her and treat her just as Rihanna, and not a world-wide known singer. Hence, with these family values, i apply them to my friends and relationships i have. I am very loyal and trustworthy. And i value those who are loyal and trustworthy to me. These values inspire me to be a better person overall, and i never lose sight of them.