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The first time I had really experienced significant loss (2008).

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My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 job-related lung cancer (he's a firefighter). I was 17 and the news scared me. I was confused and had no idea how to process my dad having cancer because he seemed healthy. He always reassured his family to trust in the Lord's plan. God is good always.

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My sister earned a scholarship playing soccer and began to emphasize the importance of health and fitness. She would drag me to the gym before the sun was up. In doing so, she helped begin to create healthier habits and a more structured/productive routine that I still stick to for the most part.

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I had been raised in a Christian home and gone to church my whole life, but at twenty years old, I opened my bible to this verse. It's well-known, but it really found me in a time that I felt so heartbroken and hopeless. I was reminded that God is all-knowing and all-powerful.

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Getting Hired at Karl Strauss Brewing Company (2013)

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Getting Hired at Karl Strauss Brewing Company (2013)

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I firmly believe everybody has that one job that helps shape their path and develop them into the person they are meant to be. Karl Strauss was that job for me. This job pushed me personally and professionally. It was in an interview to be promoted to a Lead Server and Trainer that I was asked, "What's the difference between a manager and a trainer?" My general manager, the one interviewing me at the time, replied with the answer, "Keys to the building. Is this a career path you want to pursue?" He didn't ask me that to discredit restaurant management but he wanted to push me beyond what I thought I was capable of. In that moment, I saw the opportunities training could provide. I loved to be around people, I love socializing and offering the tools I had to other people in hopes of them achieving their own success, but I didn't see myself as a restaurant manager. That's when I decided to go back to school and commit to a career of teaching English. That's only example of the wonderful life experiences Strauss gave me.

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I landed my first boyfriend. We were really close friends for a few years and after having a crush on him for what seemed like forever, things finally worked out in my favor. We're still together haha!

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I enrolled in an Adolescent Literature course at MSJC because it was one of the only available English classes, but it opened my eyes to the power of literature. Reading and writing involves so much self-discovery. I felt like I learned to question things I thought I knew and research or investigate things I wanted to know more about.

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From 2010-2016 I took classes inconsistently and had no idea what I wanted to do. Unlike my twin sister, I didn't have it my future mapped out. I always felt behind on the "timeline" of life, so I still didn't feel accomplished with an AA but looking back, I'm proud of myself because it was the first big step I took toward my future--the first time I saw value in my efforts and product in my work.

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This is my god-daughter Brynn Marie. She's about a year old in these photos, but I was blessed and honored to be asked to be her god mama. She is sassy and so full of personality. Definitely has taught me patience, but also not to take things too seriously! She is my best friend's daughter and I actually ended up moving in with them, so now she's my roommate.

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This was my first significant, financial commitment.

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and tore every tendon at the annual Karl Strauss softball tournament (2019). I was devastated and in a funk. Something as simple as showering became so difficult as I couldn't put any weight on my leg for nearly 7 months. Being in a tough place physically also put me in a tough place mentally and emotionally, so I had to learn how navigate those struggles.

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My dad lost his battle with cancer. I had to call my twin sister (she lives in FL) to break the news and I've never had to do anything that difficult. I've never been more heartbroken and am still learning how to rebuild.

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Graduated with My B.A. in Literature & Writing (2020)

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Graduated with My B.A. in Literature & Writing (2020)

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I always felt behind because it took me ten years to receive a Bachelor's degree, but I also was so proud of myself for sticking to the commitment I made to myself for my future. I felt like I was seeing my path carved for me and it didn't seem like just some "dream" anymore.

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This was my horse Texas (he thought his name was "Handsome" though). He's been apart of our family since I was two years old, so he had a lot of life in him for a horse, but right after losing my dad, this one hit hard. We had a special bond.

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Still working toward the bigger picture and taking the next step to become a high school English teacher. I'm learning to push myself and discovering more of my weaknesses/areas of improvement throughout the process. I'm experiencing some serious challenges with distant learning but am learning to adapt, pray about it, and be flexible.