yes, it is almost december

YES! mark and gina in boston this weekend!!

overwhelmed is an understatement...as the end of my first semester in grad school is nearing, I'm realizing how different grad school is from my college experience in pittsburgh. although my major as an undergrad was grueling in its own ways, dedicating my LIFE to final papers, projects, and exams leaves me feeling like i'm running at a million miles a minute-but i'm getting through it...I mean what can I do? hide from it? not a chance.

coming off of an incredible thanksgiving break, I can't help but wish I was still in the comfort of suburbia and my parents home, but like always, time moves on. It's quite mind boggling how in 2 days the month of december will begin and how the holiday season is in full force. I know it isn't always healthy to compare, but I find myself comparing where I was last year at this time to where I am now...exactly 1 year ago I was wrapping up my first month in Kenya and getting ready to head to France to meet Mark and Gina for my birthday celebrations. I have had multiple conversations recently about how a lot of things that have happened in my life feel like a dream...it is almost as if they aren't real.

Last years birthday!

I saw a lot of old high school friends over Thanksgiving that I hadn't seen in years, and the most common question I got was: "wow, so how is/was EVERYTHING?" implying they have heard about my adventures, and to be honest, I don't even know how to respond to this. My initial response would be: it was great, but it doesn't feel real anymore?...life is full of twists, turns, ups and downs and at the end of the day I still am who I am. I sometimes wonder if the person asking the question expects some profound answer that I just don't have...I guess I'd like to say that my experiences have shaped who I have become but I am still the same person in a lot of ways. A lot of people would say I am a very different person than I used to be, one of my best friends might go as far as to say that she used to be scared of me in high school-i believe I've heard her say, "I thought Krissy was a bitch in high school" in a joking tone of course...but what does even mean? I would hope everyone has changed since high school, and preferably for the better...nobody wants to be that 17 year old forever-thank goodness I'm not at least (and I'm sure my parents would agree).

The encounters I have with past characters from my life force me to look back to a part of my life that no longer feels "real" to me either...5 years ago, if you had told me I'd be in grad school for International Health and that I would travel the world, I'd probably write you off (in a bitchy way), argue that you're full of shit, and go talk about boys and shopping with my friends. But here I am, living the grad school life (procrastinating writing this blog) and looking into moving somewhere international for an extended period of time...I guess the jokes on me. Life is such a process-whether or not we have a structured plan for it, its going to happen one way or another. 


I recently read through my personal journal and couldn't believe what I wrote...stories of people I had met, places I had been, and things that happened to me all feel surreal at this point. I chalk it up to the fact that I am living a very different life and those experiences are so far from where I am now. But yes, they are there, documented through my writings and photographs...one thing I will never regret is starting this blog and keeping a journal-it provides a lot of content for the book I'm slowly compiling...


I am pretty sure that a few years from now, my time in Boston will feel similar to what I just wrote about-just a memory, almost unreal...but wow, this city is so beautiful and I've really been trying to take it all in. In the 6 days that I was home for thanksgiving, the city underwent a transformation and is now in full fledged holiday mode. The streets are lined with trees wrapped with lights, holiday decorations, and is absolutely picturesque. It is officially a different season now; winter is among us and I am excited. My parents are coming into town this weekend to chime in year 24 with me and I cannot wait. 23 was an incredible year for me, so I can only hope that 24 brings something similar. A year full of adventure, spontaneity, surprises, new people, inspiration and unexpected twists is all I can ask for-a year of cleansing and learning as I slowly (emphasis on slowly) transition into being an adult.

Ending on that note and getting back to my school work, I am committing to fully embracing finals and the holiday season, and at the same time anxiously looking forward to a new year. Before we know it, 2012 will be here and to be honest, I cannot wait to see what it brings...life is good

family photo from the wine tour we did over break! so much fun!

And yes, I was this close to a giraffe at one point...NOT REAL!!