Hey there,

It's been awhile. I was busy trying to focus on my last semester of college. It paid off!!! I am now officially a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines (which I learned recently took the number 1 spot for engineering school in the USA)! I am now the holder of a Bachelor's degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. I still can't believe how far I have come in my life. Being a young mom and all the stressful moments we as a family had to push through so that I could get here. The hard and stressful all nighters to the stress it put on my relationships with my family, fiance and friends all led up to this point and I couldn't be happier!

I was very lucky to have an amazing support system. I was able to surround myself with the type of people who wanted more in life and believed that I could be more than just a teenage mom statistic. From the time I found out that I was pregnant I have done everything in my power to succeed in something that would allow me to take care of my family. I never let people tell me how my life should play out...even though they tried and I hope that you never let anyone dictate your life either. I take things one day at a time (not to say that I don't PLAN because I am totally a planner) and have figured out along the way that life is really what YOU make it. Your biggest enemy is yourself. You decide what is too hard or too easy or too stupid. YOU decide whether or not you will live your dream or not. Unfortunately I had no financial help from my parents, but I didn't let that stop me. I received grants (financial aid) and took out loans in order to pay for my education, but I didn't let it go to waste. I cannot wait to start work as an engineer. I have always been a problem solver, someone who could look at a problem in a different light and figure out how to make things work. Solving problems is what I love and when you do something you love, all the stress and money in the world couldn't prevent you from doing it.

In closing I just want to say thank you to every single person who has told me that I can do this, I can make it and who has supported me through it all. I also want to say that you can do anything you put your heart and mind into. Follow your dreams and do something that makes you HAPPY it is well worth it.

<3 Crystal

I Passed the Semester!

Today in the life,
I finished the fall semester of senior year last week and today found out that I had passed all my classes! YAY me! I am very proud to say that the spring 2015 semester will be my last before graduation. Now of course it feels like time has swooped on by but time is relative. It will have taken me 6 years to graduate but at least I will be able to sat I did it, I graduated from one of the most respected engineering schools in the country. That fuels me to keep going. About 5 more months to go! Eeeek.

**My advice for those of you going through college is to surround yourself with as many driven and positive people you can. They will not only keep you company but will support you and push you to be better. They will also make for some amazing connections once you are in the workforce. So keep that in mind.**

Anyways, to be honest this "break" is driving me nuts and it has only been a week. I am the type of person who strives on stress and constantly doing something, "anything" lol. Maybe I will get back to the gym and working out again.... we shall see. Until next time.

“Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” - Unknown

<3 Crystal

Inspiration

Today in the life,
I found inspiration from myself.  I wasn't quite sure what to post today until I looked back at my older posts and found "inspiration."

I have finally listened to my own advice lately which is... that the only person or thing holding you back from what you really want...is yourself. 

My younger sister wanted to get her first job and asked for advice,  so I helped her create a resume and told her the types of questions you get asked. Anyway, she applied to places but didn't get any responses. I advised her to follow up on her applications and to speak to the manager and ensure that they knew she was definitely interested. Well she was nervous and I can't blame her because I am the same way. Well I told her that the worst thing that could happen is that they say they have filled the position or are uninterested because of your lack of experience. All they can do is say NO and you will be in the exact same place that you are now, BUT you will know where you stand with that company and can move on. Sure your ego could hurt a little but know that you are a great catch and can do anything you put your mind to. Just don't give up.

If you don't put yourself out there and start making connections, you can't go any further than you are now.

So today I was thinking back at this moment with my sister and how I needed to take my own advice and put myself out there. The engineering jobs I am looking for are not going to just knock on my door, I have to be confident, apply, and realize that the worse thing they could do to me...is say no and I need to just keep pushing forward. Things always work out the way they should. I firmly believe in that.

So get out there and put your fears aside. A great man in my family once told me that all you can do is your best in this life, if you do your best, you will never feel bad about it. So get out there and be true to yourself. Do your best and make yourself proud and in turn you will make others proud of you along the way.

Have an amazing week!

                             ♡Crystal