In addition to taking Mythology and Folklore, I am also enrolled in the Microbiology Capstone course (along with a lab) as well as Physiology of Microorganisms. I have luckily accrued enough hours throughout my time here, that I am able to take a much easier load of only 9 hours. After graduation, I plan on applying to physician's assistant graduate school to become a certified PA. I would love to attend school somewhere in the Texas/Oklahoma area, and perhaps start a career further down the line in either location as well.
Although I don't get to do it as often as I would like to, traveling is one of my favorite activities. I have had the incredible opportunity to travel to around 12-15 states, and I'm hoping to eventually make to each one at some point in my life time. I also had the opportunity to participate on a mission trip a few summers ago (July 2010) to Haiti, and it was the most humbling experience of my life. This last summer (July 2014), I was able to study abroad at OU's campus in Arezzo, Italy. While I was there, I traveled to multiple places in throughout Italy, and I fell completely in love with Italy, its culture, and Europe in general. I hope one day I have the opportunity to travel to Europe again.
Well, that's just a little bit about me! I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you throughout the semester!
(Image: personal photo taken at the Leaning Tower of Pisa; July 2014)
(Image: personal photo of my sister and I in New Braunfels; December 2014)
I'm impressed with your major of microbiology. You probably here that a lot, but it is true. There are very few people that I know who are able to get through a major like that. Becoming a PA is a great career field. I used to want to become a physical therapist so that career field was a common decision amongst my anatomy and physiology friends.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know where New Braunfels is, MaKenzi - I went there many years ago to attend a wedding! And I've been to Arezzo also: that is so great that you got to take advantage of that wonderful OU opportunity. Are you thinking of doing an Italian project for this class??? Storytelling can be kind of like traveling in the land of the imagination... including imaginary Italy. It's not the real thing (alas...), but it can be an adventure of its own! :-)
ReplyDeleteNew Braunfels makes me think of Northern Europe or something! From the looks of the stream in the photo you've included in your introduction, it looks like a really cool place. I enjoy traveling, too! What's your favorite state? Mine is Maine but it's a bit cold most of the time. Where did you travel in Haiti? One of my friend's brothers is from Port au Prince. Hopefully, you'll be able to return some time! Good luck in your applications to PA school!
ReplyDeleteNew Braunfels is a German town, so it definitely has some European features to it! It's a very fun and inviting little town; that picture was taken in front of the Guadalupe River, one of two rivers that flow right through the middle of the town. I visited Cape Haitian, which was just outside of Port au Prince. And to answer your question, hmm..I would have to say my favorite state that I've personally been to would have to be Washington. Seattle is such a beautiful city, if you can of course look past all of the rain!
DeleteHey Makenzi. I'm also a senior and graduate in May too. Good luck applying to grad schools and your mission to becoming a PA. I have two friends that are doing that also. It is really interesting that you did mission work in Haiti. I'm sure that was an awesome experience! I have never been to Europe and think that would also be a great opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHey MaKenzi (very cool spelling of the name btw)! I hope your senior year is going well and you're enjoying every second of it! My roommate is a microbiology major so I know how hard you must have worked to have such an easy workload this semester. I think your love for traveling is awesome! I got to study abroad last year as well in London and Paris and I loved it! I hope to visit Italy one day too. Thanks for the short bio!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being so close to graduating! A Microbiology degree is an amazing accomplishment. Good luck with choosing a physician's assistant graduate school.That's so great that you know what you want your career to be and have a clear path of how to get there! I'm also a Texan and would also love to continue living in the TX/OK area in the future. That's great that you love to and have been able to travel. It is such a great experience to see places that are different from the U.S., especially when you can make a difference like I'm sure you did on your mission trip.
ReplyDeleteMicrobiology is so interestingly! I took fundamentals last summer and had a great time. PA is a smart choice. If I could start over, I would probably do that. I'm going to dental school this fall. Four more years just seems so long! A friend of mine has been working as a PA for the past couple of years now. He works for a neurosurgeon here in OKC. He loves it and has a ridiculous salary. If you ever need any words of wisdom, I'm sure he would love to talk to you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi MaKenzi,
ReplyDeleteI actually have heard of New Braunfels before! I'm not exactly sure where I know it from, but I have heard of it. Congrats on your final semester! Microbiology sounds like such an interesting, but very difficult major. I can't imagine how difficult college level microbiology courses get. I know the pain of taking a capstone this semester too. I can only assume it is very time consuming as well. I am jealous that you studied abroad! I heard the Arezzo is amazing.
I have heard of New Braunfels. My sister went to the Schlitterbahn there. I did not get to go but they said that it was fun. Congratulations on being so close to graduating. That is exciting. I still have one more semester after this and it feels like it is taking forever. It will be nice when I am able to say that I am that close to. Good luck on the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteMaKenzie, you write just like a blogger because your personality bleeds through the screen! I have never been to Schlitterbahn, but I have definitely heard of the water park. One of my roommates from last semester is applying to be a PA as well. She is thinking about going somewhere in North Carolina though.
ReplyDeleteI went to Haiti on a mission trip a few years ago too! Traveling is wonderful, especially when there is a bigger purpose involved.
Hey, MaKenzi! As I am from Pennsylvania and not Oklahoma or Texas, I have never heard of your hometown, but if it’s near a waterpark it can’t be too bad, haha. Congrats on your (almost) graduation! I’m glad that OU worked out even though you went out on a limb—I can totally relate! Also, I am currently at OUA (woooo! Haha) so I definitely know what you mean when you say you fell in love with Italy—I, too, am in love with Italy and Europe and all the traveling I am getting to do. I actually just saw Pisa like a week ago and took a picture eerily similar to yours, haha. Can’t wait to read more of your blog this semester!
ReplyDeleteHey MaKenzi! I like the way your name is spelled. It is different. I have always wanted to go to Schlitterbahn. I need to make time to do that. Congrats on graduation. I have realized that there are a lot of people that are graduating this semester in this class. That is such an awesome accomplishment. I have not had the opportunity to study abroad because of other opportunities and obligations. Visiting each state in America is on my list! I really want to go to the Hershey Spa in Hershey, PA. That just sounds so yummy and relaxing. Keep up the good work. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi MaKenzi- I have not heard of New Braunfels but I have heard of Schlitterban. I am a senior as well! I cannot wait for graduation. Unluckily I am taking fifteen hours this semester (I have to, to retain one of my scholarship). I have had several friends who have studied in Arezzo. They loved it! It’s great that you were able to go.
ReplyDeleteHey MaKenzi! It is nice to meet you. I also love to travel! That is so exciting that you got to go to Haiti and Italy. Both of those places have vastly different cultures and I think it is great that got to experience them both. Congratulations on graduating in May. I’m sure you have worked very hard (and are still are) to get there.
ReplyDeleteHey Kenzi! It's so so great to meet you!! I just can't believe how much we have in common! It's like we are secret sisters or something. I too am from Texas and am also a senior Microbiology major graduating in May. Don't you just love microbiology? I think it is so fun to study and learn about. It is just so cool! I also was in Arezzo this summer studying abroad!! Coincidence? I think not. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Makenzi! It's so great that you graduate in May! Good luck to applying for graduate school! I'm so jealous that you got to study abroad!! That would be an amazing opportunity! I've also been bitten by the travel bug. I just want to take a gap year and travel haha. I love that you went on a mission trip to Haiti. I was supposed to go on one a couple years ago, but it got cancelled. Good luck with the rest of your semester and your future!!
ReplyDeleteHi MaKenzi!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you are from New Braunfels. I grew up in Fort Worth, TX and I have been there many times to go to the waterpark. It has to be the best water park I have ever been to. We used to go there a lot with my church youth group, as well as a family vacation. Congrats on graduating in May! I do not graduate until December and I am honestly jealous that you are almost finished. I am also envious that you were able to study abroad because I won't have the chance to do that. Good luck with the rest of the semester and applying for graduate school!
Hi MaKenzi, it is nice to meet you. I really like how you spell your name, it is very unique. I am similar but a little opposite from you. I have step siblings as well. However, I have one step brother and three step sisters. 9 hours is a much easier load, but it seems like you are still in difficult classes. Good luck with PA school!
ReplyDeleteHello, MaKenzi! Congratulations on almost being done with school! Microbiology sounds like a difficult major, so it's awesome that you've enjoyed it and will be getting your degree! I have to say, I'm pretty jealous that you've gotten to study abroad, and in Italy, of all places! Your pictures are great, especially the one of you in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Good luck with the rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi MaKenzi! I actually have a friend named Ryan Thiessen who spent the first 6 years of his life in New Braunfels before moving to Edmond. He's a huge Spurs fan because of it. I also love traveling. Have you been able to travel much in Europe besides Italy? I spent this past summer in Spain and got to travel to countries like Greece and Switzerland - it was incredible. Something I definitely realized from it though is how few sites in the U.S. I've gotten to see so I'm definitely jealous you've seen so many states!
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