Pushing Through: From the Hospital to the Photoshoot

 Life has a funny way of slowing you down just when you least expect it. Since Saturday night, I’ve been stuck at home with a nasty sickness that landed me in the hospital due to an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. The reaction left me covered in a rash from head to toe—definitely not the look I was going for! But I wasn’t alone in my misery. My friend Rachel was also sick, and as unfortunate as that was, we kept each other company from our respective beds, chatting back and forth for the past three days. Misery loves company, right? But I feel so bad that Rachel is having to suffer as well, and I hope we can both start feeling better soon and get back to the things we were supposed to finish over the weekend.

Despite the rough few days, I’m still riding the high from Saturday’s photoshoot. Honestly, on the day of the photoshoot, I was so sick, but I pushed through so we could see the vision come to life. I was so lucky because my friends and team were so thoughtful about me resting and taking the time I needed, so I didn’t overdo it, and they have reached out to check on me as well. I love my tribe and am so grateful for the friendships I’m making. I just could not miss out. I did all of the florals for the 'Romantasy Illustrated' magazine and will be featured there, so stay tuned for more information! I cannot wait to see how the images turn out! Everyone looked absolutely stunning, and I was so impressed with how everything came together. It was one of those moments where all the hard work and planning truly paid off.

In my last blog, I mentioned my transition to Capella University, and I’m happy to report that it’s going great so far! Being stuck in bed gave me nothing better to do than focus on school, and I’ve already completed a class. Just 19 more to go until graduation! My goal is to walk the stage at the commencement in September. I wish it could be sooner, but that’s the next available ceremony. On the bright side, it gives me enough time to apply for my Master’s degree and take a short break before diving into another 18 months of schooling.

I can’t even put into words how proud I am of myself for pushing forward. For the past seven months, school has been my entire world, and what’s wild is that I actually love it. In the past, I might have dreaded this kind of workload, but since I’m studying something I truly enjoy, I find myself looking forward to it. I used to get good grades in high school, but as an adult, I’ve exceeded even my own expectations.

Now, it’s time to start prepping for Italy! With only 15 weeks to go, I need to get my passport and start gathering everything I need for the trip. This year has already been incredible, and I can’t help but feel like all my dreams and goals are unfolding right in front of me. 2025 is shaping up to be the best year yet!