I Planned an Event During COVID-19

COVID-19 has transformed the ways that events are held. Unfortunately, my Senior year social calendar was taken over by Zoom. At the same time though, I got to enjoy some in-person events, including one event that I got to plan myself with some of my Meredith friends and Tri-Chairs Maggie and Miranda. The event was socially distanced and followed all of the safety measures put in place, in order to protect ourselves from COVID-19. Through it all, getting to plan an event during the pandemic was such a bittersweet and fun experience.

Meredith College is notorious for their Traditions also known as events that are put on each year for with specific one’s for each class based on their year. The Tradition that I got to help plan was Class Day. Class Day is a Tradition held for Sophomores and Seniors each year where the Sophomore Class honors the Senior Class who is their Big Sis class on graduating and reflecting on their four years at Meredith. The Sophomore (Lil Sis Class) creates a daisy chain in the shape of the numerals of their graduating Big Sis Class. It is such a sentimental event for both classes and it was super fun to plan!

In terms of COVID-19, Class Day obviously looked a bit different. Usually, Class Day is held in the courtyard at Meredith; however, due to COVID-19, my Tri-Chairs and I decided to hold it in our amphitheater, in order to accommodate more people who maintaining a social distance. Usually, the daisy chain is presented in the form of a processional, instead, we had the Lil’s procession out themselves without the daisy chain. And, obviously, everyone was seated 6 feet apart and no guests were allowed. Lastly, we held the event at 3 different time slots, which people could sign up for via SignUp Genius. The time slots were much shorter than the traditional 1-2 hour long event as they were 30 minutes each and everyone had to leave right after the event. Although Class Day did not look the way that it had in years past, my Tri-Chairs and I still made it look very beautiful and made it special for our classmates and ourselves.

In a typical year, most Class Day meetings are held in-person. This year, they were held over Zoom. After having an entire year of Zoom meetings, I still found them to be just as productive as in-person meetings if not even more. I was able to better multitask on Zoom than in-person and be able to snack better rather than not being able to while wearing a mask. It was also nice because I could meet from wherever, too!

My main duty for Class Day was to coordinate the fundraiser. As the Class of 2021 Fundraising Chair, I had coordinated several fundraisers throughout this past year before and knew how to successfully execute one yet again. Since the Class of 2020 and Class of 2022 missed out on their Class Day fundraiser due to the pandemic last year, I decided to hold the Class Day fundraiser to include the Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. I had a friend of mine in my Lil Sis Class (Class of 2023) share with me an amazing shirt design in February that my Tri-Chairs and I loved it so much that we decided to use it. In the past, we have sold and designed a Class Day towel to sell as the Sophomores carry out the daisy chain. But, since the daisy chain could not be safely carried out with social distancing considered, we decided to sell a mask instead. One of my Tri-Chairs also made a mask design with a daisy on it. So, we sold both a mask and a shirt.

Throughout the entire planning process, there were many meetings, emails, and times to even meet up in-person. I cannot tell you how many email chains I have been apart of in the past 6 weeks! Some of the email chains were super fun to read, too. Although we had to make several changes to Class Day this year as compared to years past, it was still a super special event and I am glad I got to be apart of planning it. Moreover, there were many changes that my Tri-Chairs and I actually enjoyed that the staff members who advise the planning process with us all liked and want to keep as apart of Class Day moving forward. It was great to be able to make some changes that are going to be in place for years to come.

Overall, I am oh so blessed that I was able to be apart of planning an amazing Tradition, such as Class Day. Class Day is a bittersweet event for both the Sophomore and Senior classes. I was happy I could be a major part of making it happen, even during COVID-19!

XOXO – Katie <3

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It’s Been 13 Months Since COVID-19 Began

It’s early March 2020 and I am driving up to the Washington, DC area with my friend Lexie. We are visiting the city for our Spring Break. My biggest worry is not hitting the Washington, DC traffic – one of the worst traffic areas in the country. At that time, life appeared to be carefree, fun, and filled with things that were ordinary in our pre-pandemic world. Flash forward to April 2021 and we are 13 months into the coronavirus pandemic and the precautions that come with living in it. Life has become much more uncertain than we thought we could ever imagine and many of us have learned to cope with it. At the same time, life has been filled with grief and sadness over missing things that we enjoyed and could easily do in the pre-pandemic world. Most importantly, we have come together and united to support one another, as we all are going through the same things during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have discovered the silver linings and the good that has come out of the pandemic rather than focusing on the bad. We miss our pre-pandemic world, yet there is hope on the horizons and it will come again before we know it.

On March 11, 2020, I remember being on my Spring Break and flying from Washington, DC to Johnson City, Tennessee. I had a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina. I boarded a packed flight from Washington, DC to Charlotte and brought my wipes out of worry but didn’t wear a mask *it feels so weird at this point not to wear a mask in public especially on a plane*. I was nervous, but I knew I would be fine. As I boarded a much smaller yet still packed flight from Charlotte to Johnson City, I remember reading on the news that the coronavirus was declared as a pandemic and having to Google the word “pandemic”. As I sat on the flight, I did my typical plane ride activity of napping as I admire the airplane views of the Appalachian Mountains from up above. When I woke up, I heard the woman in front of me emphasize the importance of staying at home and not leaving the house – that was the first time that I had ever heard of that concept. I was going on vacation to visit a friend and hit Tennessee for the first-time ever. There was no way that I was even thinking of the idea of practically staying at home for an unforeseeable future.

As I got to Tennessee, I remember hearing that all of the colleges around me in North Carolina were closing for the next 2 weeks. NC State University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and East Carolina University were some of the many schools that were canceling classes for the coming weeks. As someone who had had a not so great semester that Spring 2020 semester, I was hoping that Meredith College would, too. I was so nervous hoping that Meredith would yet they did not. However, the next day it was announced that we were getting an extended Spring Break. Even though there was so much worry about COVID-19, I was still going about my days and enjoying my Tennessee adventure with my friend and her family. Many others were doing the same thing.

With the number of days that I was spending in Tennessee increasing, the number of coronavirus fears and precautions that we would take soon were also coming into play. Social distancing was becoming a growingly popular term along with the idea of simply staying at home. I still enjoyed my Tennessee trip mask-less and without maintaining social distance, but my worries were beginning to grow. It was, then, decided that my parents would come get me from Tennessee a few days later and I would be driving back home with them to Virginia. We made a pit stop at Meredith College to grab some of my things. I remember my mind being filled with a huge cloud full of sadness and worry. While I was hoping I would come back by the end of the Spring 2020 semester, I knew that there was a strong possibility that I would not.

When I made it home, I went INSANE. I wanted to know how long this new and temporary normal would last. I immediately disliked the idea of staying at home 24/7 – it was stressful and it kept me restless. With the growing number of stay at home orders across the United States, I began to be filled with anger at the idea of missing out on things due to the pandemic. I hated the idea of social distancing – I am a very social person – and not being able to go anywhere and have fun like I used to. But, COVID-19 had its ways. During this time, events at Meredith College for the coming Fall 2020 semester were being moved to an all virtual format. As a Club President for an organization on my college campus, I was asked along with other Club Presidents to move all of our events and meetings to an all virtual platform for the Fall 2020 semester. My anger and frustrations only began to worsen. Overtime, I learned to adapt to the changes of the pandemic and not let my sadness and grief and anger define my days. My focus changed and I started to thrive, even during the pandemic and stay at home orders.

As the summer months approached, I started to see others again and do things which made me happy. I started to go out to eat again with friends and family, take trips to the beach, and go on hikes. I got to explore a lot of my local area and it super great to be able to do so. The summer months allowed us all to do things and feel some sort of normalcy again despite COVID-19. I was happy and I enjoyed feeling even a small dose of normalcy in these crazy times.

August 2020 was the month that I moved back to Meredith College to finish up my Senior year. Although my Senior year has looked very different than all of my other college years, I am still very grateful to be able to have 3.5 great years filled with memories and great moments in what is known as the “typical college experience”. When I got back to Meredith, I was simply just happy to be there again. It had been a good 5 months since I was living there and it was really nice to be back. I did not realize how much I missed my apartment, campus, cooking my own meals, and the simple life of living in Raleigh at Meredith until I was there again.

Classes have looked very different since COVID-19 began. Everyone is required to wear a mask and the classrooms are laid out to allow for us all to maintain our social distance. With Senior year looking so different, it has been sad. I have also felt grateful that I am still able to simply be there at Meredith and in Raleigh, rather than at home. Even though I do not see as many people on a given day as I used to thanks to Zoom classes and safety precautions, I am still extremely grateful to see those that I get to see, whether in passing, chatting, or in the classroom. Consequentially, I have felt sad about missing out on the social aspect of my Senior year of college. I have missed being able to simply go to a restaurant without any worries and the same goes for pretty much every social event. My classmates have too. It has been hard for us all – we have all grieved a ton and have felt all the feels. But, we have done it together, in-person and in-spirit.

While times have been tough due to COVID-19, I have appreciated the bond that I share with others through this time. Every other college student has had to spend 13 months of their college career on Zoom for the majority of it – not just myself. In fact, my friends in the Class of 2020 had to graduate through Zoom. Although Meredith College is hosting an in-person graduation for the Class of 2020, I know many other schools that are not, which breaks my heart for them. Everyone has had to loss a lot from the coronavirus pandemic, whether or not we realize it. For myself, it has been the 21st Birthday of my dreams with a massive dinner and party which had to be done over Zoom along with the remainder of my “typical college experience”. Even though it is sad to lose a lot from COVID-19, we all have and we can all go through the grief of it all together.

There are so many silver linings with the pandemic. I feel that we are able to come together like never before. Even though Zoom really sucks at times, it has been a great benefit in many ways. If I am sick, I can Zoom into class or work and not stress about missing it, if I want to watch a speaker who lives in a city that is different than my own then I can from the comfort of my own couch, and I have access to virtual networks via social media to connect with people from practically everywhere. If it was not for COVID-19, I would not have been able to connect with others like I have been.

Most importantly, I feel very lucky compared to many others over the past 13 months. I have a family that has been able to maintain financial stability throughout this time frame. I have been able to have access to an education and had it financed. I am also going into a career field that is growing, despite many industries that are not. I have also not gotten sick during this time. I have been vaccinated, too. So many others have not had all of that. It is important to remember the blessings that we have and be thankful for them.

Since boarding a flight to Tennessee, my life has flipped upside down and been spun around quite a few times. However, my life would not have been the same if it wasn’t. I have consistently wondered what my life would have been like if COVID-19 did not transform our world like it has. Would we have the networks in place that we already have? Would we be on a path to bridging a more diverse and inclusive society in our beautiful world? Would I have worked on myself as much as I did and do now? Would we grow in the ways that we have since March 2020? Would we be the people that we are today and will be the people that we are to be tomorrow? Who knows.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Fall 2020 Semester Reflections

Fall 2020 will be a semester for the books, not just because of Covid-19’s occurrence but because of the great memories that I made. Yes, this sentence that I just said may sound like a joke. However, it is all very very true. Fall 2020 was one of my best semesters at Meredith. Despite everything that has all happened and been cancelled this semester and year, I am still very grateful for the experiences that I have had and the opportunities that have and are to come. Fall 2020 may have “sucked” in some regards, but it is what it is and as humans we have to continuously adapt and make it work for us.

Flashback to Spring 2020. I was anxious, sad, angry, and mourning the loss of my remaining “normal” college semester. When I say “normal,” I mean a semester that is filled with all of the typical things that college students do, such as outings with friends, large scale gatherings, and in-person classes on a regular basis. I thrived off of the social aspect of college as well as the academic aspect – they went hand in hand with my successes at Meredith. I became depressed and spent my days looking at old pictures and wishing for the happy memories that I had had in early 2020 and before to come back again. I wanted to make more memories just the way they were before. In fact, I majorly desired for it to occur.

As we all know, life is meant to change – it is our only consistency. With the changes that come with the coronavirus pandemic come adaptation. And adaptation takes time – it is not an overnight thing. Nothing happens overnight, especially coping with and dealing with change. Summer 2020 was a summer filled with self growth, knowing my self worth, and making the best of all of the harsh changes since March 2020. At the same time, I used my platform here on The Pink Chickadee to connect with others who are also fellow preppy fashion and Lilly Pulitzer lovers. The network that I have made has since grown into such a great blessing in my life. The Pink Chickadee truly helped me break out of my shell and adapt to the continuing changes in our world that have occurred throughout 2020 along with discovering to love my own self.

As I got into my Fall 2020 semester, I was nervous for what was to come. Nothing was going to look the same at the sweet college that I call my second home – Meredith. Meredith College is filled with a ton of large scale events known as Traditions that are unique to it. Each of these Traditions is super special to me and to my classmates. To watch the social aspect of Meredith that I saw before March 2020 disappear before my eyes made me sad and sometimes even cry.

Although I love the Traditions that truly make Meredith College Meredith College, my shift and energy has changed on what Meredith College means to me. With the current Black Lives Matter movement and momentum for inclusion of everyone, the ways that Meredith has run pre-Covid have not been the most inclusive for students of all races, sexualities, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. While I love Meredith Traditions and the memories that they have brought me, they have hurt so many of my classmates in the past. Knowing this information now helps me to realize that while I loved Traditions, they are not the best thing to have right now and that is okay. Currently, I am working to help my Class as Fundraising Chair, my Math and Computer Science Department as Canaday Math & Computer Science Club (CMCS) President, and Angels for Disability Advocacy (ADA) Vice President by providing all students with inclusive virtual opportunities to be present and involved on campus.

This semester, I have really been able to shine inside and outside of the classroom. The Pink Chickadee has not only flourished, but it has grown in ways like never before this semester. If I had been uber engaged in Meredith College social life, then I would not have had time to progress on my platform as much as I did. At the same time, I have truly been able to succeed inside the classroom. My interests within my Data Science, Statistics, and Website Development courses have ignited and shined now more than ever before. I am also working on my Honors Thesis this year and really enjoying working on my own research project independently while applying my skillset from within the classroom to grow as a future Data Scientist even more. At the same time, I also made the Dean’s List – a symbol of all of my hardwork and passion this semester from the classroom and The Pink Chickadee.

The biggest consistency in my Fall 2020 semester life, before, and after it has been my friends. Each of my friends and I have all gone through the same things this year and, while none of us like it, we are all in this together. My friends are the people that I can count on to be safe and for me to do the same for them. We truly have had each others’ backs since before the coronavirus pandemic hit and during. They have truly been such a blessing in my life, and the bond that I have with each of my friends is something that I will never ever take for granted.

Although Fall 2020 looked nothing like I had envisioned it to, I am still oh so grateful and blessed for the memories and bonds that I have made. Without this semester, I would not have been able to genuinely grow my platform on The Pink Chickadee and as a human being in the ways that I have. Here’s to a great but very different semester and one left to come!

XOXO – Katie <3

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20 Things I’m Thankful for in 2020

Thankful, grateful, and extremely blessed. 2020 has been a tough year for us all, but, just like any other year, there is still so so much that we can be thankful for. Surprisingly enough, 2020 was one of my better years – I started my platform here on The Pink Chickadee, maintained and restored connections with both family and friends, accomplished a lot within my academic and extracurricular lives at school, and worked on growing and loving myself more than ever before. While many things stunk about 2020, one thing that remains the same is the outlook that we have: it’s transformative. Today, I am sharing 20 of the many things that I am thankful for in 2020.

  1. Technology – Whether it be Zoom, social media platforms, Google, softwares, or texting/email, technology has allowed us to stay connected and keep going with our lives in ways like never before. As Covid-19 has kept us all at home, technology has been the one consistent thing that has remained in allowing our lives to go on when essentially it feels like the world has stopped.
  2. Community – I have discovered in 2020 more so than ever before how much of a community that I have and am apart of. Throughout the course of the pandemic, I have reconnected with friends both old and new as well as family members. At the same time, I have joined communities of other influencers, Lilly Pulitzer lovers, and bloggers and friends via The Pink Chickadee. Most importantly, all of us are going through the same thing amidst Covid-19. The community of us all sticking together is extraordinary.
  3. Good Health – Fortunately, I have been able to remain in good health this year. Not only have I been able to maintain my good health, but others around me such as family members and friends along with others have been too.
  4. Compassion – There is and has been so much hate and negativity in this world, especially in 2020. At the same time, I have witnessed an enormous amount of compassion and love from others. People have come together to give back, learn from, and provide to those that can and are struggling. Compassion is what will keep our world moving even more forward than years prior.
  5. Food to Eat (and to Choose What I Eat) – The ability to even have the choice to eat what I want to eat is a privilege. It is a privilege that many of us take for granted, but it is something to be grateful for. Food is what fuels us all to move forward and stay healthy and even keep going in this beautiful world. That is a blessing.
  6. Connections – Through having a community, I am able to make connections with other people. Having these connections has allowed me to bond with others which is such a blessing. Even in the craziness of 2020, I am and have been able to connect with others and establish relationships like never before.
  7. A Closet Full of Clothes – Like being able to have food to eat and choose what I eat, having a closet full of clothes is the same ordeal. I love love love fashion. Clothes have been a major part of my life and have kept me going through the trials that come with life, specifically in 2020.
  8. The Ability to Travel – Travel is a privilege. It is a privilege that I really truly enjoy, even if I am traveling to somewhere close to home. I love getting to explore brand-new places along with places that I am revisiting, essentially. Travel is a gift that I have grown evermore passionate for. Even if 2020 has limited those travels, it is still a gift that I am super grateful to have and be able to enjoy doing.
  9. Family – My family is what keeps me going. I love them so so so much. They have been there for me through thick and thin, especially during this pandemic and everything going on in 2020. Even beyond 2020, my family is everything and will be my everything moving forward. They are a great consistency in my life and will be moving forward. That is such a great thing to give thanks for.
  10. A Roof Over My Head – Having a home or apartment to live in is a blessing. I have been oh so grateful to have somewhere to live and have shelter. So many people have lost their homes and places that they have lived this year. I cannot imagine the fear and insecurity that these people have gone through. Knowing what others have gone through makes me so grateful, but also have the compassion to give and provide for others.
  11. Access to an Education – Several people in several countries are not even able to have an education. In fact, women in so many countries cannot even get an education in their own countries. Education is the way out of poverty and to be able to afford things in life such as food, shelter, and clothing. I am so thankful that I do have an education and have had an education practically my entire life.
  12. Friendship – Besides my family, my friends are pretty much my everything, too. They are, in fact, the family that I have that are not my blood relatives. It is a blessing to be able to have them and to make many many memories with them now and into the future.
  13. Animals (especially MY DOG!!!) – 2020 has been rough, y’all, but animals make it so much better. I am in several animal-oriented Facebook Groups as well as follow numerous accounts of people who have pets as well. Most importantly, my dog aka my Yorkie Butters has been such a big part in my life. Butters is my bestie dog, and he has been there for me through thick and thin for the past 12 years. Having him in my life is something that I am extremely thankful for.
  14. Good Safety – Being able to stay and remain safe on a regular basis and for the majority of my time is something that I do not take for granted. Feeling safe is a basic right, but unfortunately, not for everybody. That is something that I am very thankful for.
  15. My Platform on The Pink Chickadee and Ever-growing Network – My blog and platform on The Pink Chickadee has made me super happy this past year. I have been able to work towards helping others and helping myself. Not only have I grown my platform, but I have grown my network and connections and platform. I am oh so grateful for all of this that The Pink Chickadee has given me!!!!
  16. Passion – Passion is what drives our world. This world goes round and round and round with others like myself having our own individual passions. While I have passions for fashion, travel, and data science, others have their own various passions that make themselves happy. Seeing others happy makes me happy.
  17. Electricity – Getting to be able to live in a place with electricity is such a blessing. Not only is it a blessing, but it is a privilege that I and many of us can take for granted. Having a heated home, chargers for our devices, and lights when it is dark outside is something that should not ever be taken for granted.
  18. Holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year’s, etc.) – Even in the midst of Covid-19, having holiday’s is something that I love. Holiday’s bring others together and I love that – it is such a treat. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, OH MY!!!! Let’s celebrate!!!
  19. Togetherness – Whether virtually or in-person, being together with others is such a blessing. 2020 has taught me that I can and will continue to get together with others on a virtual format. That feeling of togetherness, even if it is virtual, is such a grateful thing to have.
  20. Access to Running Water – Several people in this world do not have access to running water. I feel really really really lucky that I live in a home with running water. Running water keeps all of us healthy and that access right then and there in our homes is a privilege that we should all be thankful for.

2020 was not easy, but there are so many blessings that we can still count like never before. This year has taught me to look at the simple things in life – the things that simply keep us going on a daily basis. Remember to count your blessings today and everyday and in 2020 and beyond.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Halloween Goodie Bags for Under $10

Will you accept this rose? Aka a quote that all of us Bachelor/Bachelorette fans LOVE to use! Last Tuesday night was the premiere of Claire Crowley’s season of the Bachelorette. Unlike any other season, Crowley’s season was filmed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic tucked away at a private resort in Palm Springs, California. If we were living in a non-coronavirus world at the moment, I would have had a massive viewing party with snacks and goody bags. However, Covid-19 is still with us and my plans have shifted. So, in lieu of a party and in order to keep our social distance, I decided to make my own Bachelorette premiere goody bags!

Since I could not invite all of my friends over to my apartment, I decided to essentially make an RSVP list for those who wanted to receive a goody bag. That way, I could make a precise number and personalize them accordingly. Just as if we were having a party!

As for the goody bags, I tried to keep them consistent yet personalized. Inside each goody bag, I gave everyone a tiny slice of pumpkin bread. The pumpkin bread is an AMAZING box recipe which is super easy to bake that I got while at Trader Joe’s. As for the look of the bag, I purchased a pack of 20 clear goody bags from Target along with pipe cleaners in various colors. In order to customize everyone’s goodies, I typed up and printed out a little note with each person’s name asking them whether or not they would accept “this rose”. *Bachelor Nation fans rejoice!!!*

Although I could not have an actual Bachelorette celebration this year, I am still grateful that I got to do something with friends to celebrate it as we each socially distanced to watch the season premiere. One of the most important things about this pandemic is that is has allowed for us all to become creative and still make our own fun. As my Aunt Sherri always says, “there is always room for laughter.” Indeed, My Aunt Sherri is not wrong!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My First Month of College During Covid-19

To think that I would ever be going to classes while wearing a face mask or through Zoom is truly above me. At this moment, I feel extremely fortunate that Meredith College has not moved all classes permanently online for the Fall semester like many of the other colleges around me. While I feel really lucky to still be on campus a month in, it is still pretty tough to be taking on Senior year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, I am sharing my one month reflection of being at college during Covid-19.

It is most definitely weird to be back on campus without the social aspect that my professors, classmates, and I really cherish. At Meredith, social events play an extremely vital role in the college experience, just like at pretty much every other college. To say that I miss that part of being at college would be an understatement, as I am a social person by nature – actually very very very social. Pre-pandemic, I was definitely that girl who hosted parties and gatherings of all kinds in her apartment. Not to mention the several activities that I did with others off campus as well. At the same time, I do know that in-person social events are put on hold right now and for good reason. That being said, I have strived to make it work for the time being, with getting together with friends both a virtual and/or social distanced environment. While it most definitely is not the same for me this semester

In terms of classes, I have had a mixture of in-person and online – 3 in-person and four online. Over the first few weeks of classes, I decided to switch two of my in-person classes to all online. Oddly enough, I have really enjoyed the online environment for classes during the pandemic. Although it was forced, I really like having the flexibility and honestly not having to leave my apartment or even bedroom for that matter to accomplish what I need to. At the moment, I have one in-person class and I chose to keep it in-person, as I have a bond with my classmates and professors in it. This class is also a favorite of mine, so it really worked out to keep it in-person.

Since I do have a lot more free time on my hands, I have been using it in many different ways. First, I have truly been able to invest in my platform here on The Pink Chickadee. Having the ability to be able to share what I do with y’all has truly been a blessing during this entire pandemic! At the same time, I have been able to invest in looking towards the future, through making connections at potential graduate schools and with potential employers. I have been conducting a ton of informational interviews with graduate school students at programs that I am interested in as well as people at companies that peak my interest. In my free time, I usually spend it crafting, which has become a new favorite hobby of mine! To be able to invest in myself so much more than before has really been a blessing even while in classes during this pandemic.

Looking back on my first month of classes of my Senior year, there have been many ups and downs, but one thing that remains for sure is the friends that I made, the family that I have, and the degree that I am attaining. Senior year, Coronavirus edition, was definitely not in my plan for my four years of college. However, like many things in life, plans can and will change and we have to be OKAY with that. Even though there is SO MUCH uncertainty at the moment, I do know that things will always work out in ways that we could have never even imagined. Simply hopping along for the ride and knowing that everyone around me, even if it is virtually, is going through similar things is extremely comforting and the way to go!

XOXO – Katie <3

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6 Blessings of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Whoever thought that the Covid-19 pandemic would last this long?! I surely did not! Today marks around 6 months that we have all been living in and through the coronavirus pandemic. Other plans were in store for us all as we embarked on the year 2020, and that is OKAY. While 2020 is definitely not the year that any of us expected, especially given the fact that Covid-19 literally put a halt to it all, it does not mean that there weren’t any blessings in disguise. With us being 6 months into a pandemic, I wanted to share 6 of these blessings that have come about during Covid-19.

1 – Self Growth

Little did I know that a pandemic would be the push that I truly needed to grow into the person that I am today. Before Covid-19, I really struggled with my mental health and extremely high expectations. However, once Covid-19 hit, I was truly able to take all of the time that I had to myself to look from within and truly reevaluate my priorities and truly focus on me. In doing so, I genuinely saw a difference in myself towards who I wanted to be before the pandemic to who I truly am meant to be in this world. If it were not for the coronavirus pandemic, I probably would not have had the time to focus on myself as much as I did in these past six months.

2 – Growing The Pink Chickadee‘s Platforms

When I started The Pink Chickadee, I never knew how much my platforms would grow into how they are today. I did not have the skillset to re-code my blog into the site that I wanted it to be until this summer. To be completely honest, I did not feel good about my site until I re-coded it into my own, which was the serious motivation behind me achieving my blog dreams. I spent SO much time over the summer to plan out posts, re-launch and re-code my site, and plan out content on my social media platforms, and all of those countless hours that I put in have only brought me with utter joy and excitement. Through it all, I have made The Pink Chickadee into my creative outlet, especially as a women in STEM, and it has become my backbone through it all. The support that y’all have provided me with along with the consistent joy I get from sharing content that I am passionate about with y’all is such a blessing. Given that there was not a pandemic, then maybe I never would have put in as much time and energy into The Pink Chickadee. Hence, you wouldn’t be reading this post at this second!

3 – Time To Breath

Let’s get this straight: life is and can be CRAZY! I know that mine surely is at times! Before the pandemic hit, I recall always being on the go. Even though I pretty much live for the hustle and bustle, especially as a proud Enneagram Type 3, it is really nice to just have time to stop and smell the roses. I never truly had the time to admire the things right in my own backyard and to just enjoy what was right in front of me. It sure is nice to just take a deep breath and take everything in! It surely will not be something that I ever take for granted again, even if it is at a plenty in these moments!!

4 – Extra Needed Time with Family

Being a 4 and a half hour drive away from my family when I am at college, it can be difficult to be away from them all for months at a time. Although I love having my own independence and definitely prefer living on my own to living at home, family time is always a blessing and for sure something that I crave. When Covid-19 hit, I felt very lucky to come home and get A TON of extra much-needed time with my family. My mother said that we probably would never have a time like the pandemic where we could all be at home with one another before going on our own paths, and she is certainly right. As a college Senior, it’s crazy to think that at this time next year, I will be on my own as a college graduate and potentially living in my own apartment and starting out. While the coronavirus definitely brought me home for some extended time, it was a true blessing to get to spend it with my dear family.

5 – Establishing Hobbies

I recall complaining to one of my good friends about how I had nothing better to do to keep me sane during this time of social distancing. I would complain to this friend numerous times, as we both do about various aspects of our lives, being the true friends that we are. In the midst of my complaints about not knowing what to do with my life during a pandemic, she told me to find some hobbies. As some who is ALWAYS on the go, I never really had any hobbies besides planning social gatherings and watching reality television as apart of a social gathering in my apartment with homemade popcorn. To my friend’s advice, I did find some hobbies which happen to be crafting – this has become a BIG one of mine and I’m SO excited to share many more of my creations with y’all SO SOON! Another one of my hobbies is cooking as well as taking walks and hiking. Each of these hobbies gets me off of my devices and truly allows me to put my all into something that makes me feel accomplished and is also good for the soul. As cheesy as it sounds, my hobbies have surely become my best friends during the pandemic!

6 – Self Love

Through it all, I have truly found a sense of peace in my journey to self love and acceptance. While none of us are truly perfect, it is important to accept all of our flaws for who we truly are. Our imperfections are what make us who we are and they are a beautiful thing. I see a lot of myself in my mother – and others have told me that they do too – who I love so dearly and who helped guide me in my self love journey. My mother is someone that I really admire and look up to; she has shaped me into the woman that I am today. I would be lucky if I am even half the mother and wife that she is to me, my brother, and step-father. Seeing my mother and watching her has helped me to love myself and embrace the beautiful and best Katie that I am. If it were not for Covid-19, I probably would not have the confidence, ambition, and inner peace that I have today.

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic did not bring about ideal changes to our 2020 year, it did bring many blessings. There are so many things right in our own backyard to love and embrace, whether it be time with family, establishing new hobbies, or working on our selves. Whatever it may be, the slowdown that came with the coronavirus definitely allowed me to take some time for ME and only ME. That way, when the coronavirus is at bay, I’ll be better ready to take on the world and live my best life to the fullest and even fuller than I can at this moment!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Social Distanced Daiquiri Party!

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted all of our lives drastically, especially the social aspect. Being the social being that I am, I have had to find new and different ways to interact with others and have my social fix. The other day, two of my good friends and I had strawberry daiquiris on her screened porch with Taco Bell/Chick Fil-a takeout. That way, we could all get together while still maintaining our social distance! The moral of the story is that you can still have a BALL while being safe, especially as a college student in her early 20’s.

Long story short: wear a mask, maintain a 6 foot distance, and make smart decisions. You CAN still have fun while social distancing – it simply takes a lot of creativity and care! Cheers!!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Adjusting to College Life During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Back in early March, all of our lives were transformed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Myself included, many of us assumed that we would be back to our pre-pandemic lives by the time the next school year starts. However, college life during the Fall 2020 semester and potentially the Spring 2021 semester will look completely different than we ever envisioned. As somebody who is about to start her Senior year of college in the middle of a pandemic, it is HARD to know that my college experience will be extremely different my last year than I ever thought it could. Since I have been back at college for almost two weeks now, I know that the adjustment into college life amid a pandemic will not be an easy one but it is an important one for us all to do.

It’s OKAY To Grief

During this pandemic, we have ALL lost something one way or another. There are several engaged couples who have had to cancel or postpone their wedding days, many people of all ages have had to cancel or postpone trips, celebrations, concerts, events of all kinds, and all of the above. Similarly, we college students are losing a lot during Covid-19. We are losing the many moments that we thought we would have this semester – everything from parties, socials, hangouts, retreats, meetings, and simply going to class in-person. Whatever we may be losing, know that it is OKAY to grief and feel the pain. In fact, ALL OF US are feeling it. The biggest piece of advice that my mother gave me is to feel the pain and sadness, as it will help one process it better. The same thing goes for a college semester that does not look anything like the one we had anticipated. If you feel that you need to talk to somebody about your grief about this new and different semester, then reach out to a friend, family member, or even a counselor on or off your college campus. Many people are willing to help, as we’re all in this together!

Use The Slowdown as an Opportunity

It most definitely sucks that the coronavirus has taken over practically every aspect of our lives. However, it should not be something that takes over your life. Although it is normal and okay to grief, it should not necessarily take over your life and the joy out of what is right in front of you. Personally, I had a really hard time adjusting to life during quarantine and the slow down. I am one who is such a social butterfly – I host people ALLL the time if I am not out and about. The slow down is HARD and I get it 100000%. We have all lost something, but it should not deter us from enjoying what is right in front of us. Use this time to do the things that you have always wanted to do. If it were not for the slow down, it would not have been able to recode and relaunch The Pink Chickadee. My platform on The Pink Chickadee has been such a blessing in my life, and I have to thank the Covid-19 pandemic for it. At the same time, I have also decided to focus on my own self growth and self love. I have really taken the initiative to take care of myself before anyone else, which has been a golden thing in my life that I sadly never put in the time to do before the pandemic hit. As for yourselves, use this time to do the same thing: think of something’s that you have always wanted to do yet never did and JUST DO IT. In the long run, you have nothing to lose!!!

Be Creative

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, I have gotten real creative with ways to meet my social needs yet still maintain my social distance. Zoom has become my best friend, despite the severe Zoom fatigue that I feel regularly. 2020 is most definitely the year for all-things virtual and let’s definitely try to make the best of it. The possibilities are ENDLESS!!! If you need any ideas, check out my blog posts How To Get Involved in College During the Coronavirus Pandemic, 11 Social Distancing-Approved Gatherings, and Fun Ideas To Spice Up Your Next Picnic for more inspiration!

The Bonds We Create

All of us current college students each have one thing in common: we are college students at college during the coronavirus pandemic. We have all seen our lives transform in the blink of an eye, especially at our social college age. Our lively lives have shifted to anything but the liveliness that we saw before March 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is going to bring us all many more struggles than we have previously seen since it started. We have all faced several obstacles during this time and have been tested way beyond our limits. But, remember, every college student at the moment is in the same boat as yourself, whether or not you realize it. Make the most of your time with your classmates and bridge those connections with others. Most of us are struggling during this time, so why not struggle together?!

Reach Out to Others

Life during Covid-19 is HARD! It’s hard for all of us. That does not mean that you have to go through all of the challenges of our new coronavirus world alone though. There are SO many people out there to help you during this time. Below, I have listed some of the many resources that are available to you:

The struggle is most definitely real when adjusting to college life during the coronavirus pandemic. Though it may be hard to adjust to this new and different world, the most important thing is that you DO still have access to an education during these trying times. Whether or not you are on your college campus this semester, strive to make the best of any situation that may pop up. Be sure to keep your connections with others going strong during this time and beyond – we all need one another now more than ever. This too shall pass, but we are ALL in this together. While a pandemic was in none of our plans for the Fall 2020 semester, it is now and we will have one another to connect with during these trying times.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Social Distanced 21st Belated Birthday Outing

A special thanks to my great friend Cassie for making my 21st Birthday sign! Love you always girl <3

It’s rare that we hear the words birthday outing and social distancing in the SAME sentence. For most of us, we think that it is practically impossible to have a birthday or celebration outing of any kind without keeping the social distancing protocols in mind. As someone who is strictly following the current social distancing protocols that still wanted to get out and have some fun with my girls, I got creative and decided to have a belated 21st Birthday outing with some of my best girls when I came back to Raleigh. By getting together with my girls for a good time while still maintaining our social distance helped us to still have a great time while being safe.

Part 1 – The Vineyard!

To begin our outing we went to none other than a vineyard aka one of my FAVORITE places to social distance!!! We went to Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, North Carolina which is one of the few vineyards in the Raleigh area that makes their own wine there. It is also family-run, which I LOVE as someone whose always down to support local businesses. The staff at Cloer Family Vineyards were also really good about keeping up with the current social distancing standards, as each table had a sheet on it that was both green and red. A green sheet on a table meant that it was clean, while a red sheet on a table meant that it was not. In order to maintain our social distance and stay safe, we decided to enjoy our bottle of the house Chardonnay outside. As of right now, most of my activities with others are outside, as I can better keep my social distance. At the vineyard, there were only four of us including myself which was real nice to both promote social distancing and keep it intimate!

Part 2 – Dinner in Our Trunks!

As previously mentioned about 1000+ times in this post, I am very strict when it comes to social distancing. Initially, I wanted to go to a hibachi restaurant. However, after quite a bit of thinking I decided that I wanted to play it safe and order from a local sushi favorite of mine and eat it from the trunks of our cars instead. The great part about ordering takeout was that we could all order from the restaurant of our choice! For the dinner portion, I had two more friends join that were not at the vineyard outing. I still had a small group, which made it intimate and special, but also perfect for celebration during this era of social distancing.

Social distancing or not, making memories with friends and family, especially for celebration is always a blessing. When we get together with others we can make memories that can and will last a lifetime. Through having my belated 21st Birthday celebration both social distanced AND an amazing celebration, I truly had it the best of both worlds.

XOXO – Katie <3

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