2014 Reflections.. 2015 Resolutions!

The 31st of December is famous to countless, "New Year... New me!" posts, resolutions which sadly hardly ever last past the month of January, the easy resolutions such as "order more pizza", flipagrams and collages, and commercials advertising some killer gym membership deals. And yes, I too posted some "easy resolutions" and a photo collage. Perhaps this is not a bad thing, but a way to reflect on the memories from the past year and some goals for the new year.

Without looking at the past, it is hard to learn from the obstacles, relationships, challenges, and amazing moments which occurred. Without looking towards the future, we lose an opportunity to create goals which would better not just ourselves but those we surround ourselves with. So make the cheesy flipagrams and collages (personally I love them!), promise to order yourself more pizza deliveries (we only live once, right?), and make some resolutions (if anyone could stick to that goal, it would be you!)

For me, I love reflecting on my last semester of high school where I raised and showed my last goat as an FFA member, was crowned as Miss May Day, retired from my last FFA officer position, graduated from high school, and walked across the stage at Loftin Stadium. A whole lot of lasts happened during the first half of this year, but they are memories that will last a lifetime.

But this year was not just home to a bunch of lasts. A whole lot of firsts happened this second half of the year. From spending six weeks of my summer at Kansas State University, moving to Kansas, living on my own, meeting so many new people who have become really close friends, joining Sigma Alpha, being selected as a Student Governing Association Intern, and being slated the 2015 Ag Ed Club Public Relations Officer, there is so much to be proud of and reflect on.

It is these memories that remind us who we are, what we live for, and where we will devote our time and passions. It is also these memories which help us decide where we would like to improve within the next year. So I only find it fitting to post my top 5 resolutions for the new year as well:

1. Hear my alarm.
   1a. Wake up when the alarm goes off (my roommate will appreciate this one!)
   1b. Do not press snooze (consciously or subconsciously)
2. Continue to step out of my comfort zone, that is where the great stuff happens! (thank you to my K-State orientation leader for giving us that quote!)
3. Have coffee or hang out with someone I do not normally hang out with at least once a month... new friendships have so much to offer :)
4. Keep in touch with older friends... mail more letters, post happy birthdays, the occasional text or phone call. Old friends are important too!
5. Write 2-3 blog posts each month.

So post your resolutions and your reflections for everyone to see! Create, share, and encourage! Our resolutions do not have to turn into duds and our reflections hold some of our greatest memories.

Happy New Year!!! :)


Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis

Don't Blink...

Today I completed my very first semester at Kansas State University, and I am not quite sure how that is possible. These 15 weeks have flown by faster than what seems like just 15 days is supposed to. Although I guess I should not be too surprised, as the old saying does go something like, "Time flies when you are having fun!" I cannot remember the last time I had considered school "fun" before K-State, but I am so glad I can call it fun now!

This semester I have made the best friends I could have ever asked for, joined amazing organizations full of people with the same passions as I, lived halfway across the county experiencing a whole different way of life, took classes I am truly interested in, and was really truly happy the entire time. They say in college that you are going to meet people who walk though life the same way as you, and  I can confirm that this could not be more true. The friends I have made here are already people who you would think I have known forever, and for that I am truly blessed. We came from completely different backgrounds and states, but together we are one in the same.

Celebrated my 19th birthday with the "bestest"friends ever!

LOVE YOU ROSES!!!

My first winter in the Little Apple was not complete without carriage rides! :)

This month I was also installed as the 2015 Public Relations Coordinator for the Kansas State University Agricultural Education Club. I am so excited to be a part of this organization with a leadership role, and cannot wait to work with this team full of passionate AgEd majors!

AgEd Leadership Team 2015

And as if this month wasn't crazy enough, I also flew back home for a short 4 day trip back to Los Banos to serve as Miss May Day in our annual Christmas Parade! Serving as Miss May Day is such an honor, and I could not be more proud to participate in a parade near and dear to our communities heart. It was also so great to be reunited with family back home, and I am so excited to be able to spend a month back home now that I remember what it is like to live in complete craziness! ;)

      

 

After this crazy month, I came back to campus to finish off my finals. A couple exams, several papers, and a few projects made for a "fun" finish!


So yes, I guess you can say if I learned one thing this semester, and this month in particular, it would be to blink as little as possible... because you might just miss a life changing opportunity.


Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis 

My Great Big Purple K-State Family!

        When going through the admissions process at K-State, there were two factors that really stood out to me. The first, as I am sure you can guess, was the purple pride. From purple handwritten notes all the way to purple K-State luggage tags and postcards mailed to me, I was overwhelmed with purple (in a good way of course!). It wasn’t long before I too began to think purple, love purple, bleed purple, and look for every product possible in purple. In fact, even as I am typing this, I am using my laptop with a purple case, a purple keyboard cover, and a purple cord connecting to my phone to keep everything nice and charged. Purple has become a way of life for me, so much that anytime I post a picture related to K-State and purple I use the hashtag, “#mylifeinpurple”. So feel free to check those pictures out on Instagram, and purple can become your favorite color too! I also cannot fail to mention that I am now just about able to wash a full load of laundry with only purple clothes! And I don’t know about you, but I think that is pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

       But my decision to K-State was not just based on the color purple alone (I’m not that crazy, I promise!). One of the largest reasons I chose to make K-State my home was the K-State Family everyone talks about. And I am so happy to announce that this is just not a campaign to recruit students, but it is a real thing that I am so fortunate to be a part of. The K-State Family is truly remarkable. From the student section at sporting events, the agricultural students and faculty, the advisors, my friends, and everything else in between, I have truly felt like a member of a huuuuuge family where everyone treats each other like you are their very favorite cousin, or sister, or aunt, or really whatever member of the family you would like to be. 

        Need some help with homework? Someone is there to study with you. Can’t figure out how to work your air conditioner or heater in drastic Kansas weather? Yep, someone down the hall is more than willing to help you. Dehydrated at a football game and need water immediately or you are going to faint (yes, this happened to me.. not a fun experience by the way)? Someone is there to take you to a water fountain and make sure you are okay even though kick-off is about to start. And most recently… need a home for Thanksgiving break because you can’t fly back to California that week? Yep, you guessed it, the K-State Family and an amazing friend opened up her home and family to me! 

Lizzie (my friend and sorority sister who so generously allowed me to live with her for nine whole days in Missouri with her family), is by far a prime example of why I am so glad I made the move to K-State. Without even having to ask, she opened up her home and family to me so I would not have to stay in the dorms that week. The experience was truly one of a kind, and I am so grateful to have such an awesome friend who would allow me to spend break with her! From the road trip to and from K-State, baking cookies, two delicious Thanksgiving meals, The Grumpy Cat movie, shopping, and lots of hanging out in between, my fall break was everything I ever could have hoped for and more all thanks to an exceptional member of my great big purple K-State Family.
       K-State has been so much more than just school to me. K-State has become my other home, my second family, and my daily dose of purple! 

Cookie baking! Love homemade goods! 

Car rides 

Sigma Alpha love on Thanksgiving

Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis