Count Your Blessings ❤️

November 26

2015 has been quite a year...

To begin with, I am thankful for the Lord for blessing me with such a great year. As I reflect on 2015, I cannot remember anything else but endless memories that have helped shape me into the person I am today.

"reflect" -- get it? hehe.

I'm not sure how to write this post because there are so many people and so many things that I am sincerely grateful for. My life is blessed beyond measure and I cannot thank the Lord enough for giving me a life with family and friends who helped me grow everyday.

I am thankful that I managed to graduate high school, got into a college, and attend a university as a nursing major. I am thankful that I am surviving and that I can see a future after serving my four years. Many take their education for granted because they do not see anything beyond the homework and exams that they must do; however, education is more than that. Going to university isn't purely based on what grades you get (although it feels like that sometimes), it's about self-discovery and personal development. I have seen myself grow throughout high school and even just in my first semester of college. I am thankful that I have an access to education because many children out there do not have the opportunity to go to school and learn.

I am thankful to have a home and to have a family who has been there for me through thick and thin. This year has been quite something else for us... my older sister got married, my older brother is in graduate school, I started university, and my little sister is learning how to drive. Yet through all these changes, my parents still give us their unconditional support and my siblings and I do not feel as if we are really ever apart. I am thankful because God blessed me with a family that also loves Him and a family that cherishes the meaning of family. I am blessed because I know that no matter what I do, no matter where I go, I will always have a family that will welcome me with open arms (and several jokes questioning my existence since I rarely call them anymore).

 I am thankful for my friends -- the ones from church and the ones from school. My friends have impacted my life in ways I couldn't imagine. If you know me, you know that I have a lot of friends and each and every one has played a huge role in my life. They give me happiness, support, love, care and confidence that I lack. It's easy to be friends with someone when they are happy because you can celebrate them, but it's hard when they're sad because then they are a burden. However, I can proudly say that I know my friends will happily carry my burdens for me and help me as I go through a hard time. Growing up, it was hard to make friends... but now I know that sometimes that's actually good because you wouldn't want random people into your life. You want those who will unconditionally support you and sincerely love you and accept you for who you are as an individual. I am thankful because I have found friends who share my humor, support my career path, slap me when I'm wrong, and keep me going in the right path. God has blessed me with friends who care for me, and I am eternally thankful for that.

elaina & lauree ❤️

my Big and G

Omicron

Bestfwend

Bry ❤️

Nursing Trio

JJAM

OG +++

I am thankful for those who have tried to break me down over the years. There hasn't been many, since my life mostly consists of positivity. However, I am thankful for those who have been mean to me and to those who have broken my heart. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to grow and discover my strengths and weaknesses as an individual. I wouldn't have been able to know where to improve on and how to handle a bad situation.

Lastly, I am thankful for all the experiences I have had. There are so many stories that could be told from 2015 alone... from fun trips, hang outs, jokes, many tears that have been shed, broken ankles, broken backs, all nighters... yet the most important thing is that all those stories are what make my life amazing. The experiences that I have had, from graduating high school to joining a service fraternity in college, are the backbone to my life's purpose. I am thankful for every moment, every second, every minute, every hour, and for every memory that the Lord has blessed me with in 2015.

pledge historian

phebotomy experience

as their momma in ROTC

President in AVID

learned how to ride a bike

many years of science olympiad

fun with fellow nursing majors

my peanut butter

APO & nursing trio

all my memories with them ❤️

If you're reading this, I am most likely thankful for you as well. Give thanks to those who have made your life as it is today, whether it be good or bad. The people we encounter, even just for second, plays a huge role in our lives. We may not see the reason now, but someday we will look back to that one little second and think, "Oh... that's why that happened."

Don't only focus on the delicious food you will be eating today, but truly reflect upon everything you are thankful for.

Try to count your blessings -- it is nearly impossible.

Gobble up and I love you all. ❤️



Much sun,

Annika. :)

Just Another Beginning

November 18th

Instead of doing everything I must do tonight, I have decided to procrastinate for a little bit. 

There is one quote that perfectly explains my last eight weeks here in San Diego State: "The best things in life appear when you least expect them." 

Alpha Phi Omega - this stressful, time-consuming, national service fraternity is the best thing that has happened to me in college. I have had my ups and downs, but it has provided me a family away from my home. Every time I fall, someone picks me up. Every time I fail, someone encourages me to do better. My pledge brothers expect the best from me and motivate me to give beyond my limits. I have been forced to learn my strengths and weaknesses, and use them to grow as an individual.  

Initially, all I expected was to get through the pledging process, do a couple services, attend long night general body meetings, and that's it. I stayed because my nursing friends stayed. However, now that we're TWO DAYS away from crossing, it's hit me. I cannot imagine my first semester in college without APO. Sure, I could have had more time to study. Yes, maybe I could have spent more time with my suite-mates. And, yes, okay, maybe I could have been more involved with other organizations. However, the time I have put into APO and getting to know everyone in APO has been worth every single thing I could have done. 

I cannot imagine my life right now without the 37 pledge brothers, the pledge committee, and pledge moms that I have. I don't know who would have picked me up when I was at my lowest low, who could have given me multiple hugs when I needed it the most, who could have laughed with me at my highest point and who could have been my own personal models for a weekend. The Omicron pledge class has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. ❤️ // i can just imagine them yelling "SIMP" right now. 

Fall Fellowship '15 - some of Omicron Pledge Class

Along with my pledge class, I have been given a family (s/o Omega). I have been given a Big (❤️❤️❤️), a G, and a G2 that I love oh-so-very much. Even though I don't see them a lot due to all of our busy schedules (and the fact that my G2 is an alumni), I could not be any happier whenever I see or talk to them. I brag about how awesome my line is all the time. My Big is AH-MAZING, my G is madame president of the fraternity and my G2 is the best dork anyone could ever get Denny's with. My line is the reason I want to get involved as an active next semester. 

BAMF Line

Also, a huge shout out to everyone also in APO from other schools. The inter-chapter events have been such a huge part of my pledging process -- so much love and fun and memories shared with the actives and pledges from different chapters (especially Phi Delta, Lambda Mu, Rho Rho & Rho Pi!). One of the things that made me the happiest during my pledge process was getting to know other chapters and all of the brothers involved in this fraternity.

my fave from UCSD Rho Pi

I don't really know what else to say about this fraternity other than thank you. Even though I'll be spending endless hours editing a video for the banquet on Friday, I know it's all worth it because I'll be able to see your beautiful faces even when I'm not with you. You have all provided me with brotherhood I did not expect from joining in the beginning. I could not have loved, laughed, cried and danced more without you all. 

Now that the pledging process is over, my focus is 20000% back to academics. However, I know that I'll be that one stubborn child who will give my best to stay involved (and maybe even be on board someday??) despite the stress of being a nursing major. It's okay to be a little insane if you're doing it for the right people. ❤️ 

I just need to survive tonight and live through tomorrow and Friday. Then I'll be heading home for Thanksgiving break. Although I won't be able to see my mother who is currently abroad, I cannot wait to see the rest of my family and friends in Orange County. No matter how awesome San Diego may be, there is still no place like home. 

I am thankful for ALL of you. 




Much sun (although it's been cold lately),
 Annika. :)