"Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder"

     If there is anything I have learned in the past month or so of my life, it is that a long distance relationship can tell you more than you could imagine about the things you want in life. Really, there are two options: 1) this person means so much to you, and distance only makes the heart grow fonder and want to be where they are, or 2) the timing is off and you are just not ready for what is happening. Each of these options are perfectly fine conclusions to come to, but it is amazing how fast they can come about and what else comes with them.
     My long distance relationship has, to my surprise, already brought me to one of these conclusions. I have found distance between my boyfriend and I to make me become so much more appreciative of what I have with him. There is another thing that I did not expect, though. Although there is nothing more that I want right now than to be with him, in a sense I am happy to be on my own. I feel like I am getting to know myself all over again, and I am finding passions in life that I perhaps forgot about because it is so easy to get totally consumed with your relationship. I feel that now, discovering myself all over again, I can imagine not just a fantasy of our relationship but I can also imagine him fitting into my passions and dreams like never before. I know this sounds cheesy, and maybe doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but it is almost as if I can imagine real life with my relationship because I have to work on myself and my goals while working on maintaining my relationship. This is, after all, what it comes down to in the end: work. I guess that is the best way I can describe it.
     Maybe I am not making a whole lot of sense because I do not fully understand it myself. All I can say is that I have learned so much about what I want in life in just a little over a month of a long distance relationship. It is so interesting too because so many people say that these relationships are doomed from the start, but I do not believe them anymore. I think that if something is worthwhile and meant to be, it will be. I try to live by that these days, and my relationship in a way feels better than ever so far. For me, distance truly does make the heart grow fonder. 

Fundraising for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

     I recently signed up for NAMIWalk Washington 2012 in order to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. This cause is extremely important because so many people with a mental illness do not receive help due to stigma about going to therapy or receiving medication. Reducing this stigma could save so many lives and make our world a better place!!
     Leading up to the 5K walk, all registered walkers work to raise money in their communities for NAMI. I post this here because I ask all of you out there to be please donate if you can, anything helps! I will post the link to my fundraising page below as well as a link to NAMI's homepage in case you want more information about them. Thank you!!

My Fundraising Site
namiwalks.nami.org/rebeccascheurich

NAMI's Homepage
nami.org

Appreciation

     It is truly amazing how having something for a long time changes your perspective and appreciation for that thing. For me, that has been where I live. I have always dreamed of what it would be like to live in a bigger city on the east coast, with a completely different culture from the northwest. I never realized how lucky I am to live in Washington until now, though. Since my boyfriend just moved to New York City, I feel like I get a little bit of perspective every single day. I am constantly reminded that hardly anyone gets to enjoy nature the way I do, and I'm sure not too many people are able to drive downtown and take a run down to the waterfront. I am so lucky that every day I can wake up to the gorgeous trees that surround this area, and in a few short minutes by car I can be either at the bay or at a lake. And you can say hi to any person you see and get a friendly wave back. I am realizing that I need to take a step back and realize that what I have is incredibly special, and I need to savor every moment I have. I intend to do that from now on!

Just a few photos I want to share as well so you know what I am talking about...

Reflection

     I have been experiencing a lot of change in my life these days. Just about two weeks ago, my boyfriend of almost two years left for graduate studies in New York City. I am also coming to a point in my education where I need to begin thinking about my own plans for graduate studies. With all of this change, I find now to be a good time to reflect on myself.
     The biggest thing I have learned, and this has been really hard for me, is to take life one day at a time. When you spend so much time absorbed in the future, which I am definitely guilty of sometimes, you lose sight of the importance of the present moment. In life, you never know what could happen, and the last thing I would want is to have regrets because I could not keep myself focused on what is happening now. I am trying my hardest to focus on enjoying the journey rather than fantasizing about the destination.
     Another thing I have learned is that I need to let go and allow myself to do things that scare me. Often times, this is when I have the most exciting and enlightening adventure. I have also realized through trying this that a lot of things will scare me. Everything in life is a risk, but when you allow yourself to take that risk you are also allowing yourself to receive an even better reward. This started for me I think when I decided that I needed to pursue my two passions, neuroscience and music, without sacrificing either. It scared me to think of what it could mean, where it would take me, and just how difficult my journey will be. However, I have found that the things I am most scared of are those that motivate me to become better than I could have possibly imagined.
     Lastly, I have learned that there must be a balance between being sure you are living for yourself while still being conscientious of others. Of course, what you do in life must be first and foremost for your own satisfaction and happiness. However, when you lose sight of those people you love most in your life, whatever you do for yourself becomes much less meaningful. When you succeed with others, you have the world. It really does not matter how successful you are if you do not have anyone to share it with. 
    

I'm supposed to be sleeping...

     ... and yet here I am! My first time posting in a while yet again, and I choose to do it at midnight the day before finals week officially begins (although I guess technically, it IS finals week!). As bad as it is, I must say this seems fitting with the whole procrastination theme I've been seeing all over the internet tonight. Anyway, you don't need to hear me talk on forever about that, I'll save it for another day.
     Tonight more than anything I am having a moment of gratitude. My boyfriend got home from being in New York auditioning at graduate schools about a week ago, and since he has been back I feel even more grateful to have him in my life. I value my time with him even more because I know that soon he will be leaving for a longer period of time than these short trips, and I want to make every moment count. Of course I am sad that he will be leaving, but I also feel so incredibly lucky that we have been able to be together for as long as we have, and am so excited for the amazing opportunities that lie ahead of him in his career. He is one of the most talented people I know, and I cannot wait to see him grow into the amazing concert pianist I know he will become.  The other qualities about him that astound me are his intense humility and unending support for my goals. I have never met someone so talented beyond his peers who continually says, "Anyone can become extremely good at music as long as they practice hard. Talent is overrated." And he supports me every step of the way in my musical and other endeavors without making me feel at all stupid for being confused or scared about some of the things I am going through that he has already dealt with. These are the qualities I could have only hoped to find, but I managed to find that and so much more. If it seems as though I am rambling about these cheesy feelings, well, I am. But when you find someone who treats you how you feel you could only dream of, you start to feel pretty lucky considering a lot of people don't find that.  
     I also feel very lucky to just in general have people in my life who love and support me no matter what happens. I feel like lately I call my parents every day with a different plan for how I want my life to play out. No matter what they are always supportive and they remind me that what is most important is that I am pursuing a career that I will be passionate about. My friends have also helped me in this regard. Those who know me best remind me constantly how I light up like a Christmas tree whenever I talk about neuroscience, and that they can see that is where my true passion lies. For me, not hearing a bunch of disappointed sighs about me not completely pursuing music like I intended and rather feeling love and support from my peers was the best response I could possibly imagine. This is how I know I have true friends, because they care more than anything about my happiness and well-being. This is one of the best feelings you could hope to have.
     And now I sit back and reflect on life since starting college. It has only been about two years but still so much has happened! Even through all of the good and the bad, my life has absolutely changed for the better. I have a man in my life who treats me with the chivalry everyone thinks has died, and a group of friends who are even more incredible than what I could have hoped for. Although I came to college to further my education, I have done so much more than that by filling my life with more people that I know I can count on for a long time to come. 

Just Another Day

     So I don't really have much on my mind today, but I figured I would post something since work is relatively calm right now and I don't get done until 9 tonight. It's actually kind of unfortunate because today has been probably the most beautiful day of the year, but at least I was able to enjoy it for a little bit this morning. I am also very fortunate to be employed and be able to choose my hours to work around my school schedule, many people cannot find that and I feel very grateful because of that.
     Anyway, I guess what I want to post about today is something that I have been thinking a little bit about for the past few days. I am a music student at a university, and this can be very difficult sometimes. It can be a very stressful major and sometimes I wonder if I should even still be in the program. However, as I think this, I can't help but laugh to myself because the one thing that we all enjoy so much (music, of course!) is also the thing that is causing the most stress in our lives! It's so interesting how something that causes us so much joy could also cause so much distress. Although I guess this is how it goes with many things in life. In order to get anywhere with any major or profession, no matter how much you love it, you will have to go through some extremely difficult trials. I suppose that this is what it means to grow up. You finally have the maturity and discipline to acknowledge something you love to do, and to stick with it even when it gets hard. I also suppose that this is what makes life so fulfilling. When you can be proud to say that you pushed through and know that it only made you stronger. All of this that I have described is my biggest challenge with music right now. I am trying to have the courage to put myself out there and accomplish my goal of getting a bachelors degree in music, but sometimes I find myself tempted with the easy way out of just stopping with a minor. So, I'm going to challenge myself this week to stick with my promises to myself to practice. Even though I know it will be difficult to get started, I also know that the personal rewards I feel from getting the task done will completely outweigh any challenges.

One of Those Days...

     As you have probably already figured out, today is definitely one of those days. It seems as though nothing is going according to plan. I was supposed to go out to Leavenworth tomorrow morning for a piano festival, but the weather is not cooperating. I also am unable to practice (flute at least) because my instrument will be in the shop until Tuesday. And yet again, I am at work with spotty internet reception, no phone reception, and hardly anyone coming in. On these kinds of days I find it very difficult to think of much that really makes me happy. Although I guess the best way to start is to remind yourself of what you are grateful for, and the things that you may be overreacting about.

Things I am grateful for:
1. That I even HAVE a job.
2. When my instrument comes back, it will be in great playing condition.
3. I can still practice piccolo and practice by listening what I am playing this quarter.
4. I have family, friends, and a boyfriend that love and support me.

Things I am probably overreacting about:
1. The weather. Although I probably will not be able to go to the piano festival, it is not the end of the world.
2. Assuming people don't call because they don't want to talk, not because they are busy with something important.
3. Again, work. Many people wish they had down time like I do. It is a blessing in disguise.