A Boulder Adventure

On Tuesday, Mackenzie and I were done with finals and done with high school. It's still slowly hitting us that we are done, but neither of us have really been able to comprehend it all.

Obviously, we had to go to Sonic to celebrate. We ate a gourmet lunch of popcorn chicken and tater tots, but felt the need to adventure. We couldn't just go home, we were DONE with high school!!! So, we kind of drove around until it hit me what to do- go to Boulder! We just wanted to explore our future home and embrace the spontaneity.

While we were up there, we found my dorm, walked the walk from my dorm to Mack's, bought bumper stickers, and got some Jamba Juice. It was just a ton of fun exploring and picturing ourselves up there in the fall. We also didn't tell our parents where we going until we were up there so that was also fun.

We took some pictures, of course, and made a video. Because nothing is truly an adventure without a video!

Smith Hall holla

We are too cute

#thirsty

I am so excited for the fall!

xo
Hannah

GRADUATION COUNTDOWN: 7 DAYS

Get on the List

At my school, every senior is required to complete something called a Senior Project. People always make it out to be far worse than it really is. Don't get me wrong, it's stressful and a little nerve-wracking, but in the end it was one of my favorite parts of high school.

So you start off designing a project. You can do anything really, organize a sports camp, learn a new skill, shadow a professional, there's a lot of options. Then you write a research paper that has to be connected (at least "loosely" connected;)), you make a portfolio, write a speech, have a product, it's just a glorified project. You see, if you choose something you're actually interested in, it's not that bad. And let me tell you, I loved my project.

I organized a bone marrow drive through the foundation Love Hope Strength, raising awareness in the need for bone marrow donors. I wrote my paper on the ethics of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and my final product was the drives alone.

I worked with the greatest lady, Katie, who is not only a manager at LHS, but a bone marrow transplant nurse. With her help, I was able to learn all about the procedure and how becoming a donor is one of the best decisions you could ever make.

So through lots of advertising and hard work, I organized two bone marrow drives and signed up 70 people to become donors throughout those two drives. While many people think signing up to be a bone marrow donor, it's easy and painless- just a swab of the cheek! For more information, check out my bone marrow blog here.

Senior poster

Portfolio that I sure am proud of!

Drive 1 - 56 people signed up!!

swab those cheeks! 

If you feel silly, you're doing it right!

S/O to these lovely volunteers!

Best decision of my life

My favorite little cancer fighter and survivor Miss Haven!

He's the best 

My fantastic mentor Katie!

My volunteers and mentor!

56 kits ready to be shipped off! 

Drive #2

 The day of boards, I was anxious to go. I talked a little faster than I should have but in the end, I passed and that's all that matters! Plus I had some really great judges who asked lots of great questions.


The day of boards (which is when you present your project to teachers and community members), I was anxious to go. I talked a little faster than I should have but in the end, I passed and that's all that matters! Plus I had some really great judges who asked lots of great questions. I signed up 5 more people that day and am now 25 people away from meeting my goal of signing up 100 people by the time I graduate! This is now a lifelong thing for me- I'm now able to sign up people at any given time to become a donor. This is so nice because there are several people who have never gotten the chance to go to a drive and sign up so I do it wherever they like! I'm planning on hosting two more drives at local schools in the next month, and having a little table at my graduation party. Hey, you never know, someone there could be a lifesaving match for someone!

Bone marrow transplants are often lifesaving and give someone that second chance at life, and isn't that the greatest gift of all? Sign up, swab your cheeks, and GET ON THE LIST!

WE DID IT! It's crazy to believe the two of us are here, I still remember meeting her the first day of high school!

Special thanks to my dad who took us out for celebratory milkshakes after boards 

Less than a month until we GRADUATE! TIME FLIES

and of course, Sonic :) and as an added bonus, both of our slushes cost only $0.42! Happy day!

This project was just another reminder for me as to why medicine is my calling and why I want to be a doctor so badly. It's not about the money, the title, or the cool white coat; it's about gaining compassion, empathy, perspective, building relationships, and doing more for others than yourself. And I am a firm believer in acts for others. I've got a long way to go and though things may change, I know what makes my heart overflow--helping others.

xo
Hannah

Applied, Accepted, Confirmed

I've never been good at making decisions, literally from the day I was born. I got stuck, and the doctors said that it was because I had started to come out and down, but then turned myself around to go back in and up. Senior year, however, has forced me to make a lot of decisions.

I remember my junior year. I watched as the seniors applied to college, got accepted, and made their decisions where to go. It was hard for me to comprehend that that would soon be me. I was still so caught up in high school that the future seemed far off. And then came the summer. I began making lists of where I wanted to go. It was so difficult to choose because everywhere had a little appeal to me. But eventually, I narrowed it down. Then came the application process, which I thought was the most awful thing in the world (little did I know how sucky scholarship applications would be). Once everything was in came the wait for responses. I'll never forget my first response (and acceptance!) - University of Oregon. Others trickled in over the course of two months. I thought I knew what I wanted but I really didn't. Time helped the decision process, along with a lot of talking and thinking and just believing that I would end up in the right place.

I eventually had it narrowed down to about three or four schools. When it came down to it, here's what my deciding factors were:

1. In state- At the start of this big college adventure, I didn't really care if I went out of state or I stayed in. I thought I wanted to go out for a while- I was craving some new adventure. Then I realized, wherever I went, a new journey would await. I'm also very close with my family and it would definitely be difficult to be very far. Four years is not very long, but at the same time it is. These next four years of my life are ones that could bring a lot of change, so it's nice to know my family will be right there. I know that I have so many years ahead of me to go out when I am more ready. Plus, medical school is possibly in my future, so I can go out then! Wherever I go, it will be something new and fun and different!

2. Had my major- Once I chose my major last summer, I fell in love and there was no going back. The problem, I also loved DU... but DU did not have it. I met with an admissions counselor to look at majoring in biology, and compared it to physiology courses. However, it just wasn't the same. Physiology was exactly what I wanted, and I felt like my major was something I just did not want to bend on.

3. Was it right for me?- I really hate following a pack and doing what everyone else does, just because everyone else does it. This probably caused me the most stress. I didn't want people to assume that I was just going to a school that was easy to get into, and that every other kid in Colorado went to. But I had to push away all those thoughts and do was right for me. These next four years of education were all about me, and what was best for my future.

I had made up my mind at the end of February, but I had to let it seep inside of me. A few months ago, I came up with an idea on how I was going to tell my parents and worked to make it perfect. I am so in love with how it turned out, and how much my parents loved it. Such a burden was lifted off my shoulders once I finally decided. There was lots of happy tears shed and I am overall so happy with my decision! College, I'm coming for you!

"Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come back home..."

xo
Hannah

1, 5, 10, 20

1, 5, 10, or 20 years, future Hannah, please remember to always let your awkwardness shine

I should probably be doing this post closer to the end of the school year, but I think I'm just going to be a hot mess of emotions then so why not do it now? It seems like since we were in 6th grade, at one point or another, we have to fill out a little worksheet of some sort that asks, "Where do you see yourself in a year from now? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years?"

One of my favorite bloggers ever, Bonnie, did a little post based on this infamous question. I loved that she was able to do a comparison of what she thought, and how it actually panned out. So one day I hope I can reference this post and do something similar :)

ONE YEAR

In one year, I'll be close to finishing my first year of college! (Oh and in case you were wondering, I finally decided where I will be off to next fall, but all you suckers are going to have to wait because that is going to get one heck of a special post!) I hope that I really love school but something deep down inside of me tells me that it's going to be the next best chapter I could have ever pictured. I will have made new friends, but will stay in touch my best friends through various ways. I really really really hope by then I will have had some actual interaction with boys because this girl can't be the president of the VLC forever.

FIVE YEARS

In five years, I will have finished undergrad! I hope to have studied abroad, somewhere in Europe specifcally. Maybe the Cork Islands or London or Glasgow!! I will be a first year medical student, where, I do not know. I will know that medicine, however, is my calling. There is no greater satisfaction than helping someone. I figure I will have had a boyfriend or two and have gotten to be as much of a relationship expert as a 23-year old can be. I will have my own little house or apartment- something small but quaint. Maybe I'll have a roommate that I can watch The Office and Grey's Anatomy with, or maybe I'll have a little wiener dog and my cat Jack (assuming he's still alive). I will have gone on fun little trips with friends (NYC and Chicago to name a few). OH! And I will have run a marathon! You better believe a 26.2 sticker is on the back of my car! I'm not sure where I'll live, but wherever it is- Colorado or Washington or who knows! I'll make wherever I am home, that is for sure.

TEN YEARS

In ten years, I will be married. I will have finally found the guy that swept me off my feet and made all those years as single lady worth it. I can imagine that most of my friends will have gotten married as well, so I will become an expert wedding guest. My husband and I will live in a cozy little home with white walls and dark floors full of pictures, and a chalkboard wall in my seafoam green kitchen. I imagine myself as a new mom, with one child... for now that is. Either Charlie Marvin or Ella Margaret will have my heart and given me the miracle of motherhood. I will have graduated from medical school, something I have always wanted to do. Dr. Hannah, healer of the hearts of the littles. I have no idea how I will balance motherhood and medicine, but that's something I will feel out as the time comes. For now, I dream of happy days.

TWENTY YEARS

I picture a life of laughter, spontaneity, and volume! I will be close to my 40s and happily married to my man. I picture a house full of footsteps and laughter and yes, some messes. I imagine that my days of having children will be close to over, and I will have six littles- Ella, Piper, Charlie, Charlotte, Mia, and Samson. While my life is loud and not always in my control, I will have grown to live by the motto, "Come what may and love it". I will live in my dream house, which is big enough for our large family but not overwhelmingly massive. I live for those warm Sunday mornings with all the sunlight flooding inside the house, as my husband and I are up early making breakfast and listening to old soul crooners, like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. My kids will know every lyric to ABBA songs and our days will end on the trampoline, as we have a family dance party. And as a mother, that is all I could wish for. Now, my MD days are still continuing, as I work at a fantastic practice where my hours are flexible and I can enjoy being a mom and a doctor. We are lucky enough to go on fun family vacations to Disney World and Hawaii, and are waiting until our youngest is six to go to Europe. It's not perfect- broken bones, broken hearts, and broken vases aren't out of the ordinary, but my life is ever more colorful and joyful then I could have ever pictured!

And now, I must wait. Who knows what will happen? But I know I can't wait for it all. I'll take in each moment for what it is, and savor it. Plus, if this all happened at once, I think I'd have a stomachache from all that sweetness! Here's to time and the future!

And to quote The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants...
                "Time is what keeps things from happening all at once."

xo
Hannah

Let's Play Catch Up

First of all... Merry Christmas Eve Eve! Can you believe that Christmas is in TWO days?! Because I know I sure can't. As usual, this past week has been insane. So over the next few days, let's play catch up :) Here's what life's been like lately. More in depth posts to come!

1. Ugly sweaters and Secret Santa.

2. Amazing Christmas decorations at school.

3. Enjoying break.

nothing beats christmas vacation

4. Late night party planning.

5. The best party you've ever seen.

6. Shopping with Marv.

7. The most precious cousins.

8. My most exciting college acceptance letter yet!

gonzaga!!!

xo
Hannah

Finals, College, Life as a Senior

Today was the first day of finals, oh what fun! But actually, I've had hardly any stress about finals this year. I only have four total finals but only one really mattered- my history final was just a practice AP exam, my APES final actually matters, I only need a 50% on my AP Calc test, and I have to sing a scale for choir. Easy peasy.

The best part about finals is definitely half days. Tests start at 8:45, and you're out by 11:45. Today, Mack and I did some party planning. I cannot believe our party is on FRIDAY! I am sooo excited! It's going to be amazing!

Anyways, it was a pretty low key day, getting ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! I cannot believe that Christmas is 9 days away! NINE! I remember when it was 90! Time flies for sure.

I plan on spending doing minimal studying, and watching lots of "Gossip Girl". Oh, and celebrating this:)

wooooohooooooo!

xo
Hannah

Giving Thanks 25/30

November 25// Today I am thankful for education. Growing up in middle-upper class suburbia, I definitely forgot how lucky I am to have such a great school with dedicated teachers and several educational opportunities.

I have always really, really loved school. Sure, I hate waking up early and I having a ton of homework, but I know that around the world, there are kids who would do anything to have an education. I work hard for good grades, and a self-proclaimed lifelong learner who believes in the commitment to education (haha I took that straight from my CU app)

I feel so lucky that college is an option for me- I now officially can go! I have been accepted to the University of Oregon, holla at your girl! I got the official acceptance letter today in the mail, but found out last Friday on the phone. I was trying to check my application status so I was on the phone with an assistant or whatever you want to call them, and as she was looking up my information, she nonchalantly said "Oh, and I just wanted to let you know that we admitted you for the fall 2014 term two days ago." I about started crying, I was caught so off guard! It was super exciting to call my parents and let them know:) I don't really know how badly I want to go to Oregon, but being a Duck is officially an option!

I cannot wait for more acceptance letters to roll in, and to see where I actually end up going! It's nice to see all the hard work of college applications and 12 years of school pay off!

xo
Hannah

Giving Thanks 23/30

November 23// I am thankful for babies. Holy shoot I am thankful for babies. Disclaimer to my mom and any of my friends mom reading this, I'm not having babies anytime soon, so don't freak out, but that doesn't mean I don't love the heck out of them.

Buuuutttttt, I can't wait to have babies;) and lots of them. I want a big family, with 4-6 children, more on the 6 side. (oh I'm sure I'm freaking my mom out right now) I think at this age, there's two types of girls- the ones who want to have babies now (me! and Mackenzie!) and the people who don't want to have babies, now or in the future, or never (you know who you are). If there's one thing I know that I will be good at it, it's being a mother, so having little sweet babies cannot come soon enough!

Let me just explain my thankfulness/love for babies.
1. They're cute.
2. They let you dress them in whatever you want!
3. They need you, and it's nice to be needed.
4. They're innocent, and that's a gift in itself.
5. They're cute. (you can't help but add that twice)

So let me share with you some of my favorite pictures of babies. Because you cannot deny a baby's cuteness.

via

one of my favorite pictures ever // via

sweet little yawn // via

you cannot help but love that gummy little grin // via

too darn cute // via

and this sort of sibling love. that is the best.

xo
Hannah