In the tapestry of life, there are moments that test our resilience, challenge our spirit, and ultimately shape the course of our journey. For many, navigating the aftermath of an abusive relationship is a daunting and transformative experience. One that demands courage, strength, and a steadfast belief in the possibility of a brighter future. In the midst of darkness, my journey stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. A testament to the power of resilience and the transformative potential of new beginnings.

Our time in Dublin was short. We arrived Saturday morning and met with our guide Tom who took us around Dublin and showed us various areas of Dublin. One of the restaurants he noted during our walk around Dublin was Gallagher’s Boxty House. So I decided to give it a try for lunch. I had their vegan boxty dumplings and for dessert, I had a white chocolate tiramisu. After lunch, we regrouped and continued with our tour.

Back in October, I learned about a study abroad program that my school MSU Denver would be offering during the summer, which allowed students to learn about healthcare in London and Dublin. At first, I wasn’t sure about going. I had never been to a foreign country, didn’t have a passport and the trip was a lot of money. I brought it up to my parents, who thought it would be a great opportunity. The more I thought about it the more I realized it was a great opportunity to learn more about healthcare and experience a culture outside my own. So in January, I registered for the trip and applied for a passport. By April my passport had arrived and my trip was paid for. Thanks to a generous donation from Eaton Senior Living Community and Kris Gerken. Some financial responsibility was alleviated, which allowed me to have extra spending money for food and souvenirs.

Spring semester is nearing the end and I only have a few more weeks left of school. Back in March, I had a chance to take a break and spend some time in New Orleans for my spring break. It was a short trip but fun nonetheless and a nice break away from schoolwork.

With a new year comes a new set of goals for the year. One of my goals for the new year was to travel more, so I kicked off the new year with a trip to Las Vegas for the weekend. I’ve never been to Vegas before, but I was looking for cheap flights Vegas popped up. Then I found a round-trip plane ticket for under $200 and decided to spend part of my winter break in Vegas. I stayed for a total of 3 nights in Vegas. I felt it was enough time to explore Vegas and cross some items off my to-do list. My stay in Vegas was fun and I  was able to do everything on my list. So here’s how I spent my time in Vegas.