¡Hola y bienvenidos al verano, todos! Winter – including
several feet of snow in April and early May – has given way to summer (we sort
of skipped spring I think) here in Fort Collins, and both my work schedule and
summer plans have changed almost as much as the weather. In the last six weeks I have become a
certified barista, taken a quick trip to DC for an interview, played in my
roommate’s sister’s wedding in Omaha, and been blessed with some unexpected
surprises that have reminded me how important it is to chase opportunities when
they arise.
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| Going-away dinner for Sabrina (right), who is rocking the volunteer work in Peru this summer. |
Life in Colorado has been fun, hectic, and filled with new
friends and experiences. Work has been keeping me busy and I am learning new
things each day. I am feeling really comfortable at the homeless shelter now
and rarely need to look at the cheat sheet I made for myself to help keep
things on track for the daily schedule. I have also had some great
opportunities to use my Spanish with one of my coworkers and some of the
clients.
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| Kelsey, Jenna and I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon in late April. So many hills...but amazing friends. |
I am officially a certified barista at Starbucks as of early
April! It is so nice to be able to walk in to work and not have to wonder “how
many pumps of mocha does that drink get?” when someone orders a drink. I have
become really close with my team and love going into work each day --- even
though sometimes that means waking up before 4 AM for the opening shift…
As I mentioned earlier, the last few weeks have brought a
lot of change and surprises. I am embracing each one as it comes, even though
it means regularly changing my plans for the rest of my year off. I faced the
most daunting part of the process last week: I gave my two-week notice at work.
This was harder than I thought it would have been when I started in February,
mostly because of the relationships I have built with my co-workers and
managers. My time working in Fort Collins has been an amazing journey and has helped
me become more open-minded, developed my ability to be present in each moment,
and taught me how to give more effective feedback. I am also really good at
remembering names and faces (and people’s favorite lattes) now. J
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| I got to fly home for a day when I was in Omaha this weekend. Wine, grilling, beautiful weather and family made for a perfect 24 hours. |
The next few weeks promise to be a bit of a whirlwind, and
although I am a little overwhelmed I couldn’t be more excited. With reunions, a
marathon, hot air ballooning, an audition and skydiving all thrown in the mix, it should be
anything but boring. I am also getting ready for one last big hoorah before school
starts up in August: El Camino. I’ll be walking the 500-mile-long pilgrimage
across northern Spain with a great friend from undergrad and am thrilled for
the six-week trip that I’ll be leaving on in mid-June. If anyone has done it
before and has some tips, send ‘em my way!
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| On my flight home this weekend...one of my favorite air shots. |
With so many changes coming my way in the next few weeks
(and months), I have been spending a lot of time thinking about relationships:
the strong ones I treasure with my family and close friends, some more
transitive ones I have formed in Fort Collins, and the new ones I am going to
be establishing on El Camino and in DC. I have learned a lot of things in the
past five years, but I think the most important realization I have come to is
the importance of people and continually working toward developing and maintaining meaningful relationships. It has been
exactly one year since I graduated from Creighton, and the road has been a
tough one sometimes. Relationships are what have gotten me through, and I could
not be more thankful for them…for you. Thank you for joining me on this
journey, whether it be through following the blog, making a phone/Skype call or
two, or sending thoughts and prayers. Here’s to the next two months and all of
the challenges and opportunities they hold – and to telling those people we
love that we appreciate them.
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| Georgetown: my new home for the next five years as I work toward an MD/MBA dual-degree. Couldn't be more thrilled! |
I’m hoping to post again before heading out to Spain,
otherwise I will talk to you from El Camino! Un abrazo fuerte para ti.
Paz,
Nico
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