This truly has been one of my favorite semesters at Gannon thus far. It really flew by and I have learned so much. I have learned a tremendous amount of information not only in my classes but about myself. I feel I have grown as a student and as a person this semester, getting ready to enter the real world as a nurse and a young adult.

I just went to NYC on the APB sponsored trip and it was a blast. We left on the bus on Saturday morning at 1:00 a.m. and got there around 9:30 a.m. From the bus we decided to go directly to the Statue of Liberty so we found a subway and rode down to Battery Park to catch the ferry. I was really amazed by the beauty of the national symbol. We couldn’t go inside because it is currently closed for renovations but just being there and being able to take pictures was really neat. 

After lunch, we headed towards Times Square to do some shopping and sightseeing. Once we finally got to Times Square we went to Forever 21, Gap, and some random shops in Times Square. I was able to get small Christmas presents for everyone in my family and buy a couple of things for myself. I was slightly shocked at the amount of people and how busy all of the stores were. A girl who works at one of the stores full time said that was a typical day for them. I couldn’t imagine working in retail and being that busy on a daily basis.

I absolutely love the city, but after my visit and some thinking I have kind of changed my outlook on living there. I think it is an amazing place but I think I would quickly get sick of living there with all of the hustle and bustle. I think visiting the city a couple times a year and doing different things would be enough for me.

Thanksgiving was this past week and it was so nice to be home with my family for a few days and celebrate the holiday. I generally take the holidays for granted and just go through the motions, but this Thanksgiving it was really bittersweet. I just savored that time being home with my family more than I have in a long time. I didn’t realize how much the traditions and family time really meant to me until this year. I helped with the cooking and spent as much time as possible with my family. I can’t wait to be home again in a few weeks for Christmas.

I have been considering my post-graduation options and making pro and con lists in my head. I have so many options available it is making my head spin! After some long consideration and conversations with various people I think that moving home after graduation could be a good idea. I would like to go back home for a year or so to save some money and be with my family. I thought I would never even consider this option after being away for four years but I find myself wanting to be closer to my family and still be able to get some good hospital experience right out of school.

This past month has really been a month of reflection and realization and has really been eye opening.  I am very excited for what the future has in store for me.

The next few weeks are going to be hectic with tests and finals. It’s the end of one chapter of my life and I am one step closer to completing a huge goal.

-Kim

Take a look at this picture taken on the NYC trip sponsored by APB!