Year in Review 2022-2023
In May of 2022, I began a new chapter in my life. I moved out of Ohio for the first time! During the spring semester, I accepted a co-op offer with SnackCrate out in Denver, Colorado. The decision to take this job has proven time and time again to have been a great choice and fit for me. Not only do I enjoy the work that I do, but I love where I live. I am on my second rotation working for them for spring 2023! Being so close to my favorite national park, Rocky Mountain NP, has been so incredible. I love the mountains and the various species that inhabit them. Colorado is truly such a breathtaking state, and I feel so lucky to have accepted this job and forced myself out of my comfort zone by moving out here. I have been able to travel throughout Colorado during my two semesters here, and it’s been so lovely to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park as well as RMNP.
After the summer semester wrapped up, I took off to Ohio. A seventeen-hour drive seems like nothing to me now. I’m fortunate enough that my mom was able to fly out and do the drive back with me, as well as driving out to Colorado with me both times I moved. Getting to spend so much time with her after a long semester apart was much needed, and her and my dad were two of the biggest reasons I was nervous to leave Ohio in the first place. It was hard to leave them and all my friends behind. I’m glad my movement is only temporary, for now.
Anyways, the fall semester began and I quickly realized that I was going to struggle this semester. I did tons of work that I am extremely proud of, but it was so much to juggle while it was happening. The curriculum in place for the semester meant that in every single one of my DAAP classes, I was working on a group project. I value group work and enjoyed working with each of my teams, but scheduling time to work together across three different teams of people proved to be the biggest challenge and made the semester a lot more stressful than it would have been had I been doing more individual work. I started my first in-person semester of being a NEXT Innovation Scholar, which meant I had even more obligations outside of my coursework. This fall semester taught me a lot about myself and my ability to plan, prioritize, and organize my life. I had to be communicative with all of my groups and keep myself to a rather set schedule. It was hard to find time to eat, to socialize, and to exercise because of how hectic everything was. But at the end of the day, I came out of the semester with great work, stronger relationships, a greater appreciation for myself, and the idea that I have to let myself rest more.
Anyways, the fall semester began and I quickly realized that I was going to struggle this semester. I did tons of work that I am extremely proud of, but it was so much to juggle while it was happening. The curriculum in place for the semester meant that in every single one of my DAAP classes, I was working on a group project. I value group work and enjoyed working with each of my teams, but scheduling time to work together across three different teams of people proved to be the biggest challenge and made the semester a lot more stressful than it would have been had I been doing more individual work. I started my first in-person semester of being a NEXT Innovation Scholar, which meant I had even more obligations outside of my coursework. This fall semester taught me a lot about myself and my ability to plan, prioritize, and organize my life. I had to be communicative with all of my groups and keep myself to a rather set schedule. It was hard to find time to eat, to socialize, and to exercise because of how hectic everything was. But at the end of the day, I came out of the semester with great work, stronger relationships, a greater appreciation for myself, and the idea that I have to let myself rest more.
In the spring, I wrapped up another great co-op semester with SnackCrate, and had a great time exploring Denver in the winter. In late April, me and my roommate, Katie, took a weekend trip to Utah to visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. They were both breathtaking and I’m bummed I didn’t have more time to explore Utah. I’ll be back for sure!
At the end of the spring semester, I had yet another drive back to Ohio. Except this time, my best friend was able to fly out to drive back with me. I put together an itinerary for us because to us, this is more than just a drive back. It’s a road trip, baby! So we set off north to South Dakota to visit Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park. We spent the first night just outside of Badlands so that we could visit the park the following morning. Upon departing Badlands, we stopped along the way to visit various landmarks and spent our second night in Omaha, Nebraska.
On our way to Omaha, we were treated with the best surprise of my life. I got word via Twitter (and later my mother) that there was a geomagnetic storm this night, which meant that certain parts of the contiguous United States were able to see the aurora borealis! We just so happened to be in the corner of Iowa nearby South Dakota and Nebraska when it was getting dark, so we pulled off the highway, away from towns and lights, and got out. I’m thrilled to report that we were able to see the aurora! It was so spectacular and truly a highlight of my year so far, though I’m not sure much else can top it. I had my tripod accessible and was able to take some beautiful long exposure photos that really brought out the true colors of the aurora.
From Omaha, it was on to St. Louis, Missouri, where we stopped to visit Gateway Arch National Park! I’ve driven past it many times but have never been able to stop and ride to the top, and I’m thrilled that it’s an experience I got to have with her by my side. Her and I spent every single day of the Covid-19 quarantine together, so being cooped up in a car for four days straight is light work for us.
After I got settled back in Cincinnati, myself and three of my closest friends took a trip to North Carolina for some much needed R&R. We stopped in West Virginia at New River Gorge National Park and it’s safe to say we all fell in love with Appalachia. We want to go back so badly! The beach in North Carolina was wonderful, though we all got painfully sunburnt. This trip was a nice welcome back to the East and rejuvenated me for the summer semester. This trip to New River Gorge NP puts my total National Park count at 12! I’m thrilled to have experienced so many in my short 22 years of life, and I can’t wait to keep growing that number.
On our way to Omaha, we were treated with the best surprise of my life. I got word via Twitter (and later my mother) that there was a geomagnetic storm this night, which meant that certain parts of the contiguous United States were able to see the aurora borealis! We just so happened to be in the corner of Iowa nearby South Dakota and Nebraska when it was getting dark, so we pulled off the highway, away from towns and lights, and got out. I’m thrilled to report that we were able to see the aurora! It was so spectacular and truly a highlight of my year so far, though I’m not sure much else can top it. I had my tripod accessible and was able to take some beautiful long exposure photos that really brought out the true colors of the aurora.
From Omaha, it was on to St. Louis, Missouri, where we stopped to visit Gateway Arch National Park! I’ve driven past it many times but have never been able to stop and ride to the top, and I’m thrilled that it’s an experience I got to have with her by my side. Her and I spent every single day of the Covid-19 quarantine together, so being cooped up in a car for four days straight is light work for us.
After I got settled back in Cincinnati, myself and three of my closest friends took a trip to North Carolina for some much needed R&R. We stopped in West Virginia at New River Gorge National Park and it’s safe to say we all fell in love with Appalachia. We want to go back so badly! The beach in North Carolina was wonderful, though we all got painfully sunburnt. This trip was a nice welcome back to the East and rejuvenated me for the summer semester. This trip to New River Gorge NP puts my total National Park count at 12! I’m thrilled to have experienced so many in my short 22 years of life, and I can’t wait to keep growing that number.