Challenge Week 6: Answers

Anonymous: What are you most worried about for the future? This sounds a little depressing but we all have certain worries about the future & its uncertainty. Let's make up for it by asking a fun question, what's your favorite color? :D

My Answer: One of my worst fears is actually being lonely. I would hate to graduate college and have nothing to come home to. In the next 2 years, I expect I'll have a secure job, a Master's degree, and my own place somewhere. I have family and friends, but sometimes that knowledge alone isn't enough. So I think I'll invest in a dog :) And my favorite color is...part of the rainbow ;)

Anonymous: Why are you staying in DC this summer?

My Answer: Aside from loving the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area, I'm working in DC this summer. Well, I don't have a solid job right now but I hope to soon so I can start working right after finals. I need a change of scenery from NJ. 

Anonymous: As this school year comes to an end, what was the best moment that happened to you? 

My Answer: If I absolutely had to choose one moment in particular, it would probably be my Senior Intern offer from a hospital in DC. Next year I'll be interning there for my last year of my undergrad degree. I'll be working in the Nursing & Rehab Center of the hospital with the elderly residents. Since I'm going into Social Work, I've decided to dedicate my life to working with a specific population - which most don't do until their later years, usually during/after they've earned their Masters. But I already know that I want to work with those on the end of life spectrum - the chronically ill and elderly. I couldn't have been happier when I read the email stating that the hospital wanted me to intern there as a Senior Intern to work one-on-one with the residents. I was so excited I was dancing around my room and screaming! It's such a little thing to claim is my "best moment" of the semester, but you really don't know what it means to have your dream handed to you until it happens.

Anonymous: What's your origin story? The moment in your life when something inside you woke up and you knew exactly the kind of person you wanted to become or what you wanted to do with your life.

My Answer: This comes with a heavy answer. I always knew I wanted to be a good person. Thanks to the kids I grew up with in school, I learned exactly what I DIDN'T want to do in life. As I grew up and got to high school, I realized that I was way too shy but I wasn't bold enough to stand out from the crowd. So I was a shy, little girl. My grandpa passed away before I graduated high school. While I was taking care of my grandma and watching my grandpa attempt to fight for his life and slowly slip away, it all hit me - I wanted to have a strong and loving relationship like the one between my grandparents (which was 67 years when my grandpa passed away), I wanted to have a great education, and I wanted to do something important! But I wasn't sure where any of that was or how to get it.

When I got to college, I became a little bolder. I made new friends that supported me and filtered out the rest. I grew up - emotionally, physically, mentally. I went into college thinking being a veterinarian was my calling, when in reality my grandpa's death was actually my wake up call. A few weeks into my freshman year, a close friend in her mid-50s died of breast cancer. I spent time reflecting on the death of these two amazing people in my life. Though I was significantly closer to one over the other, they both played important roles in my life. I realized that working with chronically ill and elderly populations was my calling, and that I could do so much to help these people in need.

In the end, I think I'm a good person. I'm not perfect, I certainly have my flaws. I have a Jersey temper and a confrontational attitude, but I would do anything to help someone and I'm definitely someone you want in your corner. Pursuing my career in Social Work matured me by years. So yes, I might be 20 - and look a lot younger (or older - whatever). But getting my hands dirty and feeling accomplished with what I've done at the end of the day is the best achievement. I'm not afraid of getting dirty or helping others deal with cancer or death or aging. It's just what I do. I'm the best person in the worst situations because I've been there and I know how to get through them. And I can't wait to graduate, get a job, and be able to be HAPPY - truly happy - doing what I love every day. I don't care how much or how little money I make. That's not what Social Work is about. I want to specialize in Gerontology/Geriatrics and, while I might not make a lot of money, I'll be helping so many people in so many different ways. That's the kind of person I want to be. I can only hope to live up to my goals and continue to learn. And of course, hope that God is behind me every step of the way!

Anonymous: Is it bad if someone keeps bringing up times with their ex? I know they don't care for them anymore, but it still bothers me a bit that they have them on their mind so much.

My Answer: This depends on your relationship with this person - whether you're just friends with this person or if you're currently dating or whatever the relationship is between you two. If you're just friends, you need to tell this person to knock it off and get over it. Yeah, I'm sure there were good times but someone doesn't just bring up moments with an ex unless they care about them. If this person is comfortable to bring it up and joke about it, then that seems more normal. If you're currently dating or planning to date this person, he/she probably cares about the ex. Either way, bring up the fact that this person has been talking way too much about their ex. He/she could be blaming themselves for why it ended, or maybe there was no closure, etc. Bring it up, talk it out, and move on.

Anonymous: Every girl I've ever been with has told me they loved me. Each of them also broke up with me. So what is love and do you think it can fade away?

My Answer: What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me no more...but really. This isn't about you. I don't know what love is though I've definitely told guys I've loved them. I only really know what I'd like to see in someone. And I do think that love is something that isn't meant to be understood...ever. No matter how old you get, I still don't think anyone has a definite grasp about love. But I've absolutely seen love in action between couples. I certainly think love can fade away if that passion isn't savored.

Here's my take on love: it's special and it's unique. If you say you "love" someone, or in this case vice versa, it isn't TRUE love. You can't just walk around saying "I love you" to each person you date. That's when that lovely phrase Actions speak louder than words comes in to play. If it's true love, you'll just know. They'll fight for you - not leave you. I think love is when someone will do everything to keep from losing you & she'll make you her one and only. But even if you finally meet that person and marry them, you still have to keep fighting for them - from cheating, from divorce. You still have to love, protect, and cherish each other. 

When the time is right, you'll meet the right girl.