Mini School and Life Update

Hey Everyone!

I know its been awhile and I haven’t been checking my emails, but there has been a lot going on with school stuff, family stuff, health stuff and world stuff. I am going to share some updates here as well as some of my favorite things about 2025 so far to keep things positive.

School Update:

School is actually going pretty well for me. As you may know if you have seen my other posts, I am in graduate school for a master’s in social and public policy with a specialization in community advocacy. I am on my second modules for all three of my classes (three classes is considered full time for grad students), and so far I’ve gotten grades back from the first module for two of my classes. In my research methods class I got a 95 on my first module, and in my community advocacy at the state and local level I got a 100. I am still waiting on the grade for my policy implementation class. So far the workload is high, but I’ve found ways to make it manageable, mainly through strategic reading and using a block schedule to balance school and other obligations. I just need to do less scrolling online and more blogging on my blogs in my free time to maximize productivity. Also I am in the school book club and I joined the e-sports team, but I don’t know how active I’ll be able to be in the esports team until I get updated game systems. That is all for school though.

Family Update:

I’m not going to go to far into detail here, because it is private family stuff, but there is always something stressful going on somewhere and with someones in my family. I suppose its like most families. That being said, we all have a strong amount of love for each other, and an understanding that we will always be there for anyone of us in need. Also, my German shepherd is doing great as usual. she loves playing in the snow and going outside even though it’s so bitter cold where we are. today it was -9 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t worry, we weren’t out too long. There is also exciting things happening in my family, like my nephew and one of my brothers are having their birthdays this month and in April, I’m supposed to be visiting my brother for his and his youngest baby’s birthday which is on the same day. Other than that, there is not that much I can tell you other than my grandma and great-grandma are doing way better since Christmas time when they were in the hospital.

Health Update:

Ok, so one thing I have to come clean about is, that I haven’t been doing the best health wise. school is great, my family is mixed between great some times and struggling others, but my health has really not been the best. I guess I started putting my health on the backburner, not watching what I was eating anymore, not getting good sleep anymore, not doing what I’m supposed to to manage health conditions like taking meds on time every time, and now I have been feeling sick the past week, and have had a major headache that will not go away. I do have type 2 diabetes and the not eating right has caused me to gain more weight when I was in the process of getting down to a healthy weight for my body and for my specific needs (everyone’s healthy body is different and the ideal weight for one person may not be the same for another). Always listen to your doctors before starting any kind of weight loss journey and know that the issues I am struggling with due to my diabetes is not the same for everyone and the way to heal for me may not work for others. That being said, this past week has been a real wakeup call, especially after talking to my cousin who knows way more about diabetes than I do. As of right now I have started tracking my food and water intake and exercise output in a food journal, getting more serious about tracking my blood sugar, and for the past two days reducing the amount of carbs I eat and making sure they come from unprocessed sources. I don’t know how well this will go, but I plan to continue with guidance from my health professionals.

World Update:

I don’t need to tell anyone what has been going on here in the U.S. with all of the drastic changes taking effect so quickly. but I will say all of this stuff I see on the news is making me the most afraid out of anything. Not only will these changes affect my loved ones and I, but they will affect so many of other innocent people around the nation, and around the world (at least with our allies). I have seen that some people are flourishing with all of the changes to the government, but a great many more are in fear for their lives. If that is you, then I advise you to utilize your support systems, your community resources that remain including 988 the toll free crisis line, and the crisis text number where you text HOME to 741741. If you find it helpful please go to my page of resources for all kinds of supportive services and hotlines, and please be kind to yourselves and your fellow human beings (animals too).

What I’ve enjoyed about 2025 so far:

• Getting started with my school program and finding out that I am cut out for master’s level work.
• connecting more with my family, staying connected with my friends, and making new connections with new people.
• Playing and laying with my dog in this cold winter weather and in our warm home.