February 2025

Being a little late for my posting, this one is going to be about our steps forward. School still charges on, and email was sent from the Dean of the University, congratulating me on being on the Dean’s list for this semester.

This really hit home as there was only one other time, in the 5th grade, this has happened to me. Remembering how my parents continuously insisted Honor Rolls and a Dean’s List was never going to be in my future, there was about an hour of going over grades with Mr. Schmidt, my teacher, who showed me how many points there needed to be made up. Brainstorming to figure out what could be done, a report on Hamster’s was decided, but there had to be a title and reference page, at least 3 references, double spaced and a cover. This was to be official and there was only a single week to do it. Grinding for a solid week, searching through Encyclopedia’s for any information, pet care books that were stashed around the house, anything and everything was searched through. To make the report a little better, my decision was to take everything being learned and apply it to my actual Hamster and his home. After turning in the report, there was a feeling of satisfaction that maybe, there was enough work done to make the Honor Roll, but that the most important part was that there was a little stronger bond between me and my Hamster.

The announcement eventually came and my name was called to receive my Honor Roll certificate. The excitement was overwhelming and to this day it has been something just out of reach at all times. This notification from the University comes as a complete surprise, especially at this level in education. Always being told I’m not cut out for anything great, it turns out I can still do a lifetime of great things. This just brings it back around though that I can do it.

With just a few weeks left, I’m not sure if this opportunity will ever come again for me, so this is something that must be put to the front of my priorities. To those of you who are reading this and have been fully supporting me in my “adventures” over the past couple years or if you’re new to this, Thank You. It is also my hope that you will understand if I step back from my online life to keep this little spark alive, maybe finish this semester and be on the Dean’s list again and perhaps every other semester following until my degree is finished. It has been a dream to finish what I’ve always been told I can’t do but now I have an opportunity to put a cherry on top.

Obviously, this website will stay up, the Discord, everything, however my presence will be mostly isolated to Discord only. I’d like more time to put into my studies and less distractions, so that in the end, I can put my best foot forward in continuing to chase another dream.

There have been many times where giving up has seemed like the easiest option. Turns out, life has its dark places and bad people everywhere, but it’s not about these places or people, it’s about fighting for a dream. Mark Wahlberg said it best in the movie, Lone Survivor; “There’s a storm inside of us, a burning river, a drive. You push yourself further than anyone could think possible. You are never out of the fight.”