Author Archives: Merrick

About Merrick

Junior

Aerospace Engineering

Minor: Arabic
Year: Junior
Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia
Campus Involvement: AFROTC, Honors Program, Women in Aviation, O-Team, Resident Advisor
Why I chose Embry-Riddle: I chose Embry-Riddle for the passionate and studious campus atmosphere. Everyone seemed so motivated and friendly! I immediately wanted to contribute to that positive environment.

Graduation & Commissioning

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Happy May everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida – for the last time! I have spent the past five years at ERAU-Daytona Beach working towards a Bachelors of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering on an Aeronautics track and I’ve finally reached the finish line! The feeling of submitting your final undergraduate course level assignments and finishing your last final exam is exhilarating and SO motivating! Thinking back to my freshman year, I never could have imagined the experiences, opportunities, lessons, and all the incredible people I’ve met during my college experience.

My final Academic Advising Report though the Campus Solutions Student Homepage on Ernie!

I finished out my final semester with all As, and an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.552 which I am so proud of! Additionally, I am graduating with Minors in Arabic Studies and Military Science, and will be commissioning into the U.S. Air Force post-grad! I spent the past 5 years not only as a student, but as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Truthfully my time in AFROTC was one of my favorite aspects of my collegiate experience overall! AFROTC introduced me to some of my lifelong best friends, my (hopefully lifelong) love of working out, and helped me find out that I am passionate about languages through my participation in Project Global Officer (Arabic in particular)! My Air Force family is one that I will truly never forget and the leadership, time management, and organization skills I’ve learned as a result of completing 5 years in the program are invaluable.

Post-Beach PT with one of my best friends I met through AFROTC!

Upon graduation I will be pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio. I hope to be able to further integrate my love of aviation and Arabic into my career in the future. As they say – if there’s a will, there’s a way! While I do not know where my life or my military career will take me, I do know that while everyone may feel a bit exhilarated at graduation, I feel extremely prepared (and VERY excited) to take on the ‘real world’!

Throughout my time at ERAU one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a tip for success was utilizing my resources! There are so many different offices on campus with the sole purpose to help students. For example, the Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships, Office of Undergraduate Advising, Career Services, the Fitness Center, Health and Wellness Services, ERNIE Central, the Academic Advancement Center (A^2) and so many others! If you are dedicated enough to success, reach out to your professors for help, and study, Study, STUDY… anything is possible! Thank you to all the amazing professors, faculty, staff, friends, and family that have helped and supported me along the way. I am so grateful and so excited for my future. Keep on keeping on folks – signing off!

Finals & Graduation Season

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Happy almost Finals week everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida, the Spring 2022 semester is coming to a close, and we’re so close to finishing up! My life lately has mostly consisted of homework, projects, class, studying, working out, and ROTC. With only one week of school left, two weeks until my commissioning PT test, and three weeks until graduation and commissioning… life is moving so fast! Towards the end of the semester I’ve found I am usually the busiest, most stressed, and running on the most caffeine (with less and less sleep). However, I am looking forward to graduation and catching up on rest and relaxation so soon!

Final push until the end of the semester! Post-workout at the ERAU Fitness Center!

I’ve been reminiscing on the past years a lot lately. Will I miss college life? What does the real world look like? Am I prepared for what comes next? My time at ERAU has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve taken part in thus far. Looking back at myself from freshman year to now, I’m a completely different person! I’ve grown so much, become so much more confident, and have learned so much not only academically, but about myself as a person too.

College gives you the freedom to make your own schedule, study, eat, and sleep whenever you want! College also gives you the opportunity to learn the importance of balance, time management, and self care – especially during particularly stressful or busy portions of the semester (shoutout Finals Week). Nonetheless, I am so grateful for everything I’ve had the chance to experience in my time as a Resident Advisor, Orientation Team Ambassador, on SGA Student Court, as a University 101 Peer Mentor, working on campus as a Undergraduate Student Researcher at the Eagle Flight Research Center, and in Air Force ROTC.

One of the (many) early mornings before sunrise on the way to ROTC training!

Advice I was given as a freshman was – try everything! Then cut back as you figure out what you like the most and prioritize what you can make time for. Going into my final semester, I’ve cut back the most on almost all extracurricular involvement to focus primarily on academics and ROTC – aka graduation and commissioning. I’ve learned there will never be enough time in the day to accomplish everything, but it’s extremely important to learn yourself well enough to know when you need sleep over staying up to finish a homework assignment. My ERAU experience has been academically rigorous, stressful, busy, and at the same time fun, I’ve made some life long friends and memories I will never forget, and I am a stronger and better person than I was when I started. I look forward to concluding finals in the beginning of May and will be signing out with one more blog post to follow! Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!

April & Audiobooks

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Happy April everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida prepping to graduate and relocate to Dayton, Ohio post graduation pursuing my Master’s degree in Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology. I am VERY much looking forward to commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force! With only a few weeks left until my undergraduate journey comes to an end, the only thing that’s been on my mind is the finish line… i.e. the starting line to my career and the rest of my life! With my family and friends finalizing travel plans to come to FL for the graduation ceremony and festivities I can’t help but be more excited every day.

A common theme for my life currently is focusing on ‘the grind’. Thus, I am putting all my energy into school, working out, prioritizing sleep, rest, and mentally recharging to stay in a consistent routine. Something new I’ve been interested in that’s helping me unwind, other than different workouts, is leisure reading!

Post workout at the ERAU Fitness Center!

While I don’t always have time to read physical books, I’m trying out my newest literature pick via a few different platforms. What I mean by that is, I’m trying out a new method of the “picking up where you left off” concept. Hence, I now have The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien in digital pdf format to read on my phone during short breaks throughout the day or while walking on the treadmill. Additionally, I’ve checked out my *first* leisure read from the ERAU Hunt Library for a physical copy of the book to read in my room, lounging on the hammocks around campus, or as a fun beach day copy! My third and final version of The Hobbit is… drum roll please… an audiobook! Spotify Premium for students is only $5 a month, and comes with a free Hulu and SHOWTIME subscription! In addition to music, which I use Spotify for everyday, Spotify also has podcasts, and a plethora of audiobooks. This digital library includes most classics like Harry Potter (my latest audiobook listen) AND The Hobbit (my newest listen)! I typically enjoy audiobooks while walking to class on campus, cleaning my room, doing laundry, or as a way to relax before bed!

Newest book I recently borrowed from the ERAU Hunt Library!

Highlights I’ve been enjoying lately in addition to homework, term papers, technical reports, presentations, and my new book endeavor include: consistency in my gym routine, the sunshine and weather warming up as summer in FL approaches, watching Season 2 of Bridgerton on Netflix, and the new season on The Kardashians coming out April 14 on Hulu! Keep on keeping on folks, good things to come, will report back soon!

Gators & Great Location

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Happy April everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, FL and it is officially my LAST month of undergraduate classes before Final Exams in May, Graduation, and Commissioning! I am so excited for the semester to be over and my 5-year college journey coming to a close. When I graduate I will have a B.S. Aerospace Engineering with an Aeronautics Area of Concentration, in addition to Minors in Arabic Studies and Military Science. It’s been a challenging, yet rewarding journey and I’m in the final push to the finish line!

I’ve been preparing for the semester to end by focusing on my studies, while trying to combat burnout. Thus, I’ve been exploring! I recently took a short weekend trip to Gainesville, Florida, about two hours from Daytona Beach to go to Trader Joe’s, see some old friends, and look at alligators! While I was visiting Gainesville, only a day trip away from ERAU, I stopped at Sweetwater Wetlands Park – a nature preserve with walking trails and thriving wildlife. While getting some sunshine and walking around the park I saw a total of 17 alligators! Yes, SEVENTEEN! Other than when I visited the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, it was the most alligators I had seen in one place, and wild alligators at that! Although I have heard that all waterways in Florida have the potential to contain alligators, I have never actually seen any alligators in the wild or in captivity in Daytona Beach. Florida’s State Reptile is the American Alligator so I sought out the wildlife park in Gainesville to fulfill my ‘before graduation’ bucket list of seeing wild alligators, and it did not disappoint!

Gator in Gainesville – only a short distance away from ERAU!

The alligators I saw ranged from baby gators around 1-2 feet long, to medium sized teenage gators, to adult alligators. I also saw a plethora of various birds, fish, and even rabbits!

Another alligator spotted from the hiking path at Sweetwater!

One of the best aspects of Daytona Beach is that it is close to many major cities. I highly recommend day-trips to St. Augustine, Orlando, Gainesville, and the Space Coast. Kennedy Space Center is only about an hour south of the university! While most launches from Kennedy Space Center can be viewed even from campus, taking the journey to watch them up close is a truly special and remarkable experience I recommend partaking in – at least once while studying at Riddle! Additional fun activities to check out throughout your time in FL include Universal Studios, Walt Disney Disney, or SeaWorld! My personal favorite is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but I’ve also heard great things about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival at the EPCOT theme park at Walt Disney World! There is so much to do so close to ERAU, the possibilities are endless. Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!

Schedule Shifts & WW Classes

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Happy (almost) April everyone! I’m currently blogging from sunny Daytona Beach, Florida with temperatures recently around mid to upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is turning absolutely beautiful, sunny, and warm and there is only one month of the spring semester left before finals and graduation!

I am so excited to graduate and I am hoping April flies by! My schedule has been shifting a lot lately as I am finishing up some of my obligations and will hopefully have more time to spend working out and putting more energy towards my senior design class. More free time means more gym days, ROTC events, and study time! Major shifts in my schedule have been due to my ERAU Worldwide (WW) class finishing up! Not many people are aware, but you are able to take both in-person and Worldwide classes at the same time. This past semester was my first experience both learning about this opportunity, and taking a solely online course through ERAU-WW. Experiencing an intentional online course, voice my limited experience with courses that transitioned to online and hybrid versions during the pandemic, went very well! Be sure to check with your advisor if you choose to take WW courses.

Some recent Air Force ROTC patches I picked up!

WW classes typically require the same amount of coursework as normal classes, and have a greater emphasis on various papers, essays, and Discussion Posts via Canvas, the online platform all classes at ERAU use to facilitate syllabi and assignment deadlines. My first WW class was a 3-credit hour course I opted to take as an upper level humanities elective, SOCI-300 Marriage and Family. I was surprised how well the course was facilitated virtually and the communication with the professor was more accessible, clear, and frequent than some of my experiences with in-person teachers! A ‘pro’ or general positive aspect of WW classes is that the semester length varies slightly from the regular in-person semester schedule. Thus, my WW class has officially concluded and my grade is finalized and ready for my end of semester grade report!

In my free time you will usually find me on the StairMaster machine at the gym, it’s my current favorite and I’m looking forward to the NEW fitness center being built as well!

Another aspect of my schedule changing mid-semester, that is enabling me to have more free time, is my Peer Mentor workload in University 101 winding down! Typically the busiest time of the year for both UNIV 101 students and Peer Mentors is during the preparation of Academic Study Plans. However, since those assignments have been turned-in, my Office Hours time commitment has greatly decreased and the entire UNIV 101 class will be finishing up completely in one week! I am so grateful my schedule is opening up just in time for final projects and lab reports to pick up their pace. I am eagerly awaiting the end of the semester! Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!

Beach Days & Service Dress

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Happy almost April everyone! I’m currently blogging post Spring Break and ready for the end of the semester! We’re  approximately a month away!

One of the main reasons the culture at ERAU is so unique is because of the fairly small student population (relative to larger state schools) and the work ethic culture! For example, it’s the Monday post Spring Break and classes were back in full swing today! On my way to my early morning classes the atriums of the the college buildings were full of students studying, doing homework, and last minute preparing (aka cramming) for various tests, quizzes, and presentations.

If I hadn’t taken a break for a week I almost wouldn’t have thought no classes had occurred the past week! Even the gym was back in full swing! It was almost as if campus had literally pressed Pause, then Play like a movie, everything completely picked back up where it left off, even teachers and classes! I was surprised to say the least that there was not more of an easing back into the grind and business of everyday life. I suppose rigor is expected in senior level Aerospace Engineering classes, but mentally I was still on weekend mode this Monday morning.

Nevertheless, my staycation Spring Break was exactly what I needed. I spent most days catching up on homework, lab reports, papers, and studying, and even had the opportunity to get in a few beach days!

Relaxing beach day over Spring Break!

Thankfully the fitness center was also fairly empty, so I leisurely enjoyed waking up without an alarm and taking my time during workouts! It was truly a restful and well needed break and I am excited for the final push towards finals!

Post-StairMaster workout at the fitness center over the break!

Additionally, I had another exciting life event happen over Spring Break! I got the chance to zoom up to Patrick Space Force Base to buy my Service Dress uniforms for my commissioning ceremony. Commissioning occurs after graduation and officially marks the transition from Cadet life in Air Force ROTC to life as an Active Duty Officer in the U.S. Air Force. While I can definitely say after 5 years of working towards my undergraduate degree I am ready to graduate, I am 1000x more excited to commission and start my career serving my country. My post-graduation plans include a masters degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio. I’m ready to spring into the next chapter of my education career, and my adult life. Keep on keeping on folks! Will report back soon with life updates and more!

Semester Burnout & Spring Break

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Happy March everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, we’re right around the half way mark of the Spring 2022 semester, and burnout is real! Maybe it’s a case of the ‘senior-itis’ talking, the same challenging, busy, yet monotonous routine, or literal fatigue, but I’m tired and in need of a break – Spring Break!

Due to many current world events, including COVID-19 travel restrictions, additional quarantine rules and regulations, and the current state of affairs in the Ukraine, traveling out of country was not an option for me this year. In the past my ‘normal’ spring breaks included Paris, France, Playa el Tunco, El Salvador, and Key West, Florida, but this year we’re trying on the concept of a stay-cation! Sans for Spring 2021 where Spring Break was canceled due to the pandemic, I’ve loved enjoying traveling for my breaks. However, as this is my last year as an undergraduate student, and my last ERAU semester before graduation, I’m spending my break in a typical rigorous student fashion – working Resident Advisor (RA) duty days, studying, doing homework, working out, and trying to make it to the beach as much as possible.

Thus, I am here to provide my top 3 tips to avoid burnout, even on a ‘staycation’ version of spring break!

My staycation includes visits from frog visitors on the window!

Tip #1: Do nothing! As someone who is dedicated to a routine and daily schedule, with an avid calendar and list addiction, I am actively planning to schedule in time to do nothing! This may seem counter-intuitive, but I am highly influenced by the ‘work culture’ of a college engineering lifestyle, thus scheduling time to do nothing is absolutely necessary. Your version of ‘nothing time’ could include, laying on a beach, napping, watching Netflix, doing a puzzle, or going for a walk.

Tip #2: Self care! Catch up on sleep, hydrate, check up on your mental health, get sunshine, moisturize! My favorite day-off self care includes a slow morning waking up without an alarm, doing yoga, making coffee, and eating a delicious breakfast. Depending on the weather, a beach day for me is ideal-self care.

Recent self-care blue sky beach day!

Tip #3: (MOST IMPORTANT) Recharge! Often as a student, particularly in engineering but truly applicable to any rigorous major, our brains are constantly ‘on’. Analyzing mathematics, physics, complex conceptual problems, studying, doing homework, or even actively paying attention in class all require brain power. Your brain actively functions just like your muscles do, hence – it also requires rest! Many of you have heard of ‘mind-numbing’ TV shows, in a similar fashion I recommend doing any activity that rests your brain. One of my go-to activities for rest is sleep, but I also love meditation, reading, or listening to music while doing chores such as laundry, cleaning my room, or doing dishes.

I hope these simple, yet effective tips help you as much as they help me! Scheduling time to rest is an underrated event! I hope everyone enjoys their Spring Break, keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!

PT Test & Post-Undergrad Plans

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Hi everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida, pre-spring break and almost half way through the semester! Recent life updates: I had my first PT test of the semester! A tell-tale sign of giving it your all on the 1 minute of push-ups, 1 minute of sit-ups, and 1.5 mile run is muscle fatigue, ergo being tired or sore after! I did fairly well on my PT test and I have about a month until my commissioning qualifying PT test, where I hope to hit a personal record for pushups, max sit-ups, and PR on my run as well. March is grind time! Amping up cardio and continuing lifting at the gym, in addition to more sustainable ‘active’ rest activities such as yoga and walking! Furthermore, my love of the stair master machine is continuing.

Current post-stairmaster workout pic at the on campus gym!

In addition to focusing on my physical health in preparation for my final PT test before graduating and commissioning at the end of the semester, I’m also trying to ramp up my rest! Over spring break I ended up having RA duty, so I will unfortunately not be able to leave campus on those days, and thus the general Daytona Beach area. However, I am hoping to continue working out, focusing in the gym on lifting and indoor cardio on the various machines including the stairmaster, treadmill, elliptical, bike machine, or the assault bike. Additionally as the weather improves for spring (early summer) in Florida, I’m looking forward to more outdoor workouts too! I am trying to make it to the beach at least once weekly for an hour or two to surf, read, and catch some sun rays. I am also trying to prioritize daily stretching and I have a goal to catch up on sleep over spring break too!

Most recent beach excursion and beach read!

In other news, I’ve (conditionally) solidified my future! I’ve officially been categorized as academically eligible (granted that I get above a 3.0 GPA this semester and stay on track to graduate in May 2022) for the Operations Research Master of Science degree program at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). While I am excited about the opportunity to get my masters degree out of the way early in my career, I am not thrilled about the location in Dayton, Ohio, especially compared to the sunshine and good weather of Daytona Beach, FL. However, the program is only 1.5 years and I will hopefully be able to explore different job opportunities at other Air Force bases post-masters degree graduation. 

I do not currently know a lot about my career field, despite many deep-dive Google research. Upon graduation I will be classified as a 15A – Operations Research Analyst. From my current understanding Operations Research Analysts mostly focus on how to make the Air Force more efficient, potentially looking at resource allocation, big picture planning, or more specific projects, using data analysis to back up recommendations. Regardless of what the elusive future holds for my career, I am excited – as well as excited to graduate. Almost half way through the semester folks, keep on keeping on! Will report back soon!

Restaurants & Grocery Best List!

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Happy late February everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, FL, the weather is getting hotter and there’s only eleven weeks until graduation!

I am hoping this week I will find out my base assignment and my estimated arrival date for when I am supposed to go to my base post graduation and commissioning. In the mean time, however, I’ve been reflecting on all my favorite spots in Daytona that I’ve come to know and appreciate over the years. Since it is my last semester, it’s time to go over my Best List for must see/do/experience food related while at ERAU-Daytona Beach!

First on the list is Tia Cori’s Tacos! A must visit if you like Mexican food! Chips and salsa is probably one of my favorite meals (does that count as a meal?), and Tia Cori’s is the best quality for the lowest price.

Next on the list is Smoothie King for their $5 medium smoothies on Fridays! Friday is typically my run day, and my favorite post-run activity, especially when the weather is hot as it usually is in Florida spring, is to get a cold smoothie! I love smoothies, and they’re so refreshing and for $5 you can’t beat it!

Another budget friendly idea for a group of friends is lunch at Sushi King! Sushi King has daily lunch specials and all you can eat sushi! I recommend going with a large group so you are able to order a lot and try different rolls without the pressure to eat them all yourself. A favorite if you’re particularly hungry, a bonus is that the sushi arrangements are always very pretty too!

Up next is my favorite pho place! Phở Saigon is located right across the bridge if you’re heading towards the beach, and their soup and fresh spring rolls are so yummy! If I’m ever feeling a bit under the weather I always order take-out. Pho broth is super nutritious! Soup is also my favorite go-to for rainy days or cozy evenings.

In terms of yummy lunch/dinner options another fun spot to try is Evolve Modern Vegan Kitchen on Seabreeze. Evolve is the ultimate vegan comfort food and is one of my favorite post-PT test indulgences! If you’re looking for a healthier vegan option though – Kale Cafe is delicious, vegan, and great post beach day-vibes.

Local favorites would not be complete without breakfast/brunch and coffee at Cinnamon Tree Cafe! Cinnamon Tree serves a variety of sweet and savory crepes, giant pancakes (the cinnamon roll one is the best to share with friends), and my personal favorite – croissant breakfast sandwiches! They also have amazing iced coffee. If you’re in the mood for something savory be sure to order their homemade blueberry hot sauce on the side too, you won’t be disappointed!

A breakfast classic of Daytona Beach is Steve’s Diner. Steve’s is your typical, super budget friendly, home style diner, and has the best diner coffee in town. Breakfast is my favorite meal, and Steve’s is a consistent classic that never disappoints!

My top grocery store picks are as follows:

Perrine’s Produce – They offer the best priced, freshest, and local fruits and veggies! They also have an ‘ugly’ produce section for cheaper prices! Additionally, Perrine’s sells bulk nuts, seeds, and dried fruits and veggies. Their coffee section, and spices are the way to go too!

Love Whole Foods Cafe & Market – While Love’s is an amazing, amazing place, they are a bit on the pricier side. I highly recommend visiting for the experience though and checking out their super delicious chocolate section. They also offer a wide variety of fresh mushrooms that are gorgeous! Love’s is the fresh, Whole Foods, earthy crunchy vibe that I love, and visiting always puts me in a good mood! They have the best vibe, particularly if you’re wanting a treat yourself experience. Love’s is my recently discovered local favorite!

Yummy chocolate from Love’s!

Publix – sale items, general packaged grocery items, and all else that you wouldn’t typically buy specialty. My grocery shopping usually includes Perrine’s for fresh produce, Love’s for specialty items, and Publix for all else. Publix also has fresh ground nut butters which are great, and $5 fresh made sushi rolls on Wednesdays!

Recent sale buy from Publix for a fun snack option during the week!

I hope this list helped give you some local breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas, along with fun grocery shopping experiences to try out! Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!

February & First Beach PT of the Semester

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Happy February everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, and it’s been very cold and rainy the past two weeks! While other parts of the country are experiencing extreme cold fronts and snow, Florida gets – you guess it… rain! Despite it being very chilly lately I am excited about February. So excited, that I have officially changed my background on my laptop home screen for the second time this month. My go-to selection for background images (that feels almost like making your bed, but digitally) is TheEveryGirl Tech Backgrounds. The little things in life truly make the biggest difference in helping me feel excited and energized throughout my days, no matter how busy.

Additionally, Air Force ROTC had it’s first beach Physical Training (PT) session of the semester! Pre-COVID era, beach PT events were very common, and were my personal favorite as they are a lot of fun! Getting salty, sandy, and sweaty while the sun rises with your Air Force family never gets old. Plus, running on the beach is such a challenge and a great workout!

A particularly stunning beach PT sunrise with Venus visible!

In other news, AFROTC Leadership Laboratories (LLABs) and PT sessions have been going well, and despite the copious amounts of afternoon rain, the sunrises on campus lately have been stunning too!

Sunrise over AFROTC LLAB circa Spring 2022.

In other news, I’ve been keeping up with my new StairMaster routine lately too! I’ve finished watching Luca and have started Happy Feet on Disney+. The Disney animated movies are so happy and adorable, definitely my favorite films to watch when decompressing!

Keeping up with my StairMaster progress at the Eagle Fitness Center!

While I do enjoy cold rainy days every once in a while. I tend to feel more energized and productive when the usual Florida sunshine is vibrant and bright. I hope hot weather comes back soon! Hopefully I will find some free time to go surfing in the upcoming weeks! Will keep you posted, keep on keeping on folks, report back soon!