Happy 2016

Here's to a successful first semester at the College Experience Program. For the first time in a long time I took tests. I am happy to say that I passed all of my classes and feel super proud of how much I have learned so far. I am finally "bus certified", which means I can take any bus in Albany - without staff - Free at last, without the staff!! The spring semester I will be taking new and challenging classes. I am especially excited to begin my Public Speaking Class. I have set new personal goals for the new year. I am going to try to keep up the great work while improving where I need to. Time and money are beginning to (slowly) make some sense to me. I am excited about the idea of food shopping without staff, so that is a goal I will be working towards.

I was looking soooooo forward to my holiday break and was counting down the days to come home because I desperately needed just to relax and not be on such a busy schedule. Well, its been about two weeks and I have to admit that now, after all the holiday hustle and bustle is over, I am ready to go back. I am actually bored. I have no social life at home and miss my friends ( and that crazy busy schedule of mine).

The most awesome part of my break was when someone from Albany that I have been talking to - and kind of dating accepted my invitation to celebrate New Years Eve with me and my family. His name is Chris. I couldn't believe it when he told me he was coming! I know, pretty awesome, right? That's not the best part. Right at midnight he asked me to be his girlfriend in front of everyone! Of course I said yes! Now I really can't wait to go back to Albany. Chris offered to help me with my money skills! He actually went online to research about my genetic disorder, to understand me better. He read how difficult math can be for some people with 22q11 and knows I am one of those people. How great is that?

As a personal goal I would like to work on not worrying so much about "what's going to happen" and try to enjoy myself more. I am going to try to do things on my own BEFORE asking for help.

2015 was a crazy year for me. I went away to school, had some pretty traumatic "firsts" living on my own. Had much success, some failures and loss. Near the end of the year I lost my grandma. I was extremely close to her. I miss our talks and how when everyone else was sick and tired of hearing me complain about different things she would listen and always offer up the best advice or just know what to say to make me feel better. She actually came with me when I had my meeting with the Dean at Saint Rose - the last hurdle to get into the program. I am thankful that she got to see the school and she eventually came to visit and got to see my apartment. I am sad that she will not get to see me graduate from the program. I feel like I have to keep on being positive to make her proud.

I am looking forward to all the new and exciting things that are possible for 2016!