A few of my favorite hobbies include hiking, weightlifting, painting, reading and paddleboarding. I have always lived an active lifestyle, and even as I have gotten older, many of my interests have remained the same despite having a busy schedule. I make it a priority to find time for the things I enjoy, even if that means waking up early to catch the sunrise and go paddleboarding at Sewell before work. On my days off, you can often find me relaxing outdoors with a good book. One of my favorite authors is Colleen Hoover, and I enjoy spending quiet afternoons reading her novels. One of my greatest passions, however, is weightlifting. I love challenging myself in the gym and pushing my limits with each workout. To stay active outside of lifting, I also make walking a part of my daily routine, often covering five to six miles each day as a form of cardio. Some people may think that sounds like a lot, but these activities help me stay healthy, motivated and balanced. They are more than just hobbies—they are an important part of who I am and how I enjoy spending my time.
One thing I am especially passionate about is animals. I have somewhat of a bad habit of wanting to save them all whenever I can. Over the past few years, animals have played a significant role in my life and have given me some of my most meaningful experiences. During my freshman year of college, I attended ACC to complete my basics. Around that time, I helped a friend who needed to rehome a dog that had been rescued from the countryside. I ended up adopting him and naming him Oso. He is a beautiful Australian Shepherd and has since become my lifelong best friend. During my sophomore year, I found a feral stray cat in need of a home. I named him Bean, and he quickly became another beloved member of my family. A few months later, I came across a baby kitten that had been left in a box outside a gas station with a sign that read, “Please take.” I fostered the kitten for several weeks, helping her regain her strength before finding her a loving forever home. Then there was Thor, a gentle giant whose story has always stayed with me. My family helped save him from being euthanized because of severe joint problems. At the time, people believed he would not live beyond two years. Today, Thor is thriving on a ranch where he enjoys a slower pace of life and the love of his forever family. These experiences have been a major part of my life during the past three years in San Marcos while attending Texas State University. Between school, work and caring for animals, life has certainly stayed busy. However, I would not have it any other way. There is never a dull day, and each animal has taught me something valuable about compassion, patience and unconditional love.