When Dreams Become Reality

Starting a blog has been a dream of mine for several years now, but for some reason, I always find it difficult to maintain. I think it's because I have trouble prioritizing blog writing over other matters that seem more pressing at the time. But the truth is, documenting your life experiences is just as important as any other task, and it's a great way to inspire personal reflection, connect with others, and eternalize your memories. Each and every time something exciting or monumental happens in my life, I am always drawn back to the idea of writing a blog so that I can remember those moments for years to come. However, I need to remember that the little moments in life are just as important and can create some of the most vivid memories. Going forward, I hope to document both the significant and the simple moments so that I can better appreciate the balancing act that we call "life."

Looking back at the blog post I wrote just under a year ago when the idea for "Embrace the Chase" was first born, I am amazed at how far I've come since then. At that time, I was a recent college graduate trying to navigate the transition into the "real world." I was living at home with my parents, working a minimum wage job, and not at all sure where my future would lead me. A year later, I am now living in a new city, 500 miles away from my family and friends, and have taken a huge step towards establishing my independence. Not only that, but I have discovered what I believe is my true purpose in life - I have transformed my love for science and my passion for helping both animals and people into a career that will truly allow me to make a difference in the world. And this past week, I learned that my dream of becoming a veterinarian is finally going to become a reality, as I have been accepted into veterinary school for the Class of 2019!

The next few months of my life are going to be a whirlwind of monumental decisions as I prepare for starting veterinary school in the fall. I have to decide which school I want to attend (multiple acceptances are both a blessing and a curse!), find housing and roommates, figure out my finances, and more. But although my to-do list seems a bit daunting right now, I couldn't be more excited to make all these decisions and take my first major steps toward becoming a veterinarian! And even though I know I have a difficult four years of school ahead, I feel well-prepared for the challenge. For the first time in my life, I will be fully immersed in a field that I'm passionate about, and I can't wait to dive in, head first!