Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

Here's to New Beginnings

Korrin B.

June 13, 2009 - 11:45 PM

As I reflect back on this school year, I see so much. It is always amazing to stop and think of where you were one year ago, who you were one year ago. Every year is a journey, but this one has been truly epic.

One year ago today I had just finished my study abroad program in Greece and was preparing to move to a new part of the island of Kefalonia to start my work as a receptionist at the 9 Muses Hotel. I bid my study abroad classmates and my self-doubts aside and dove into the adventure of it all.

Eventually, the dreamlike reality brought me back to Eugene. Unable to fully explain the depth of my experience to anyone, it was a rocky start. I took on the challenge of Ancient Greek, moved into a new house, and forced myself into a state of being over-involved in order to not think about how much I missed the me I had become in Greece. I immediately went from hiding from the reality of being home to being super busy in an attempt to create a new reality.

The winter was dark and the workload was large this year. I jumbled work with homework and social life with the need to spend time self-reflecting. I let the unrealistic monotony of a day hide the beauty of time from me. I failed to see the little things that made each day special and full of color. I wrongly assumed I could not be the strength that I had found in me while studying abroad.

However, the year went on, and look at me now. Not only have I recovered the strength I learned abroad, but I feel as though it has gained in power and blossomed with beauty. Through the struggles of a college junior, I've gained an insight to life that is worth an expanse of gratitude. I truly believe that the college years are not just for cramming one's mind with facts, writing styles, and endless textbook reading, but also for learning the power of self and the great opportunity that lies ahead.

I have met amazing women this year and I have learned the importance of maintaining strong relationships with them. I have ridden the waves of emotions with my girls - from dealing with people who try to dim our beauty to issues of self-doubt, from laughs that make every muscle in our bodies sore to those fuzzy moments of extreme love and devotion. It is infinitely important for women to foster strength within each other and to create strong senses of self-love and trust. We are all beautiful and we deserve the world.

I have done inspiring work with children all year in the ACE after school program at Meadowlark Elementary School. I have seen the honesty and growth of a community. I have done this all while writing long research papers, finding an immense amount of joy within kickboxing classes, and exploring new parts of Oregon with family and friends.

I reflect back on a hard year and I look to the future and despite the rain clouds that have come and gone, I only see brightness. My junior year was all it was meant to be.

It is just about midnight right now and as I sit in my home in California, next to my loving kitty, all wrapped up in a cozy blanket, I can't help but smile. On Monday, I board a plane in San Francisco on my way to New York. Am I scared? Yes. But mostly, I am starting to see the life-changing beauty that will come from working with the children in the Fresh Air Fund camp. I am starting to see an incredible journey where I will meet new friends from all over the world. I am starting to see the great courage of my travels and the extent of what I am capable of doing. I am starting to see my future, a future that has grown out of my education at the University of Oregon and within the Eugene community. I can't wait to see what this summer and the rest of my life bring.

Here's to new beginnings! May they always shape us into an ever changing, eye-opening, gorgeous being.