My mother always told me, "when one door closes, another one opens." And as I close one chapter of my life, I turn the page to a new chapter that's yet to be written. Today marks the beginning of that new chapter as I road trip 32 hours across the country from my home of 22years in Chicago to Napa Valley, California. About two weeks ago I officially accepted my position with AmeriCorps working for CALServes as a Volunteer Infrastructure Program (VIP) Fellow for Napa County Department of Education's Safe Routs to School program. I have no idea what my future may hold (I don't even have a place to live yet) but my excitement is inexplicable. I cannot wait for all that that is to come, and to embark on the next part of my journey. I openly accept any an all possibility or opportunity that may arise along the way, and acknowledge every experience as a lesson to be learned. I can't wait to learn more about myself and see what growth this experience will bring! Thank you to everyone that has been apart of my journey, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all those experiences big and small, and I have some of the most amazing memories, and people, that I will forever hold near and dear to my heart. So here's to life! ✌🙌🤘 (at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)