Reflection

It’s the last day of 2014….did you do all that you wanted? 

Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s the last of the year! Man, I can’t believe it. My year has been filled with joy, sadness, and a new way of living. Let’s recap just a little bit. So, I was living in Charlotte, NC and moved back home to Delaware in Sept of 2013. I was depressed. I didn’t want to come back home feeling like a failure. I had just graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing. The plan of leaving home was to never come back–at least to live. Working  at Rite-Aid as a Shift Supervisor making only $9 an hour and I was on the schedule for 2 days a week. My other job had closed for the year. So, I had to do what any grown adult dreads, move back home. I moved in with my father and was now confined to a bedroom. No more of my own kitchen, bathroom, and privacy, I was now sharing a house. I said to myself, ” Ok, Krystol, either you make the best of it or be depressed about it. I chose to be depressed just a little more. I stayed in my room and blogged daily. Poor subscribers you must have thought I was on the verge of suicide. I was exhausted mentally. Applying for job after job, to go on interviews and not get anything. Life has a way of bringing out the best and worst in you at the same time. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with my life. Here I was 29, single, no children, jobless, and felt so disconnected from the world it wasn’t funny. This is when I decided to go to school for my PhD while still job hunting. I got in to one of the best Ivy league colleges, Walden University. I decided to take General Research Psychology. I applied, wrote my essay, and twiddled my thumbs for a week to see if I’d get in. At this point, I felt like I was 18 years old waiting to see if I had gotten into school. I got in! Thank God and I had an interview three weeks later for an Account Manager position.  I got the job. Fulltime with benefits! The pay isn’t what I’m worth, but hey, it will pay my rent every month. Yes, I moved out of my dad’s house and got my own place! I’m so excited. Check it out.

My fireplace in my bedroom.

I’m loving my new bed!!

My PhD Journey….Residency 1 2014

I can’t tell you how glad I am to be on this journey of getting a PhD! Don’t get me wrong, the work is very intense, but it’s so rewarding none the less. I’m learning so much about myself. This past week I went to my first residency ( four altogether) and I met the faculty of my school. I even made new friends and networked. It was an amazing experience! It was in National Harbor, Maryland. The experience was so inspiring that it has motivated me in my life overall, not just to get my PhD. I have met so many people in my discipline and specialization. You know I networked my behind off! But, there was one person who bought it all home for me, that’s the keynote speaker, Dr. Yvonne Thornton. Dr. Thornton told her the story of her father who worked 3 jobs to make sure that all 6 of his daughters became doctors. 5 out of 6 did become doctors, but not all medical doctors. While she was in college during the 70’s Dr. Thornton, battled prejudice and racism. But, she didn’t let that stop her. She was featured on Oprah and has met the 1st family the Obama’s.

Dr. Yvonne Thornton and I.

My co-hort Sandra and I.

My new PhD friends! We had a great time!

My friend Allison and I with Fionna.

End of the year advice

Let me tell you, no matter where life takes you whether it’s up or down, don’t give up. Who knew that I would be a PhD student? Life is a journey  and enjoy it as you make it to every destination throughout your life. Don’t let the new year make you want to change, but hey, if that’s what it takes, then go for it. Do something now. Make that bucket list and achieve it! Network and make those great connections, no matter if you are a student or not. No one will stop you from your dreams,but you! Keep moving, because life stops for no one. We only have one life to live, live it to the fullest. And always, always, keep smiling!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!