A Netflix show I love centers around my favorite holiday. What is that you may ask? Christmas, the best time of the year. Netflix's "Dash and Lily" is a beautiful romantic comedy mini-series that spans throughout the prep for Christmas through New Year's. Whenever I watch it I can't help but feel joy and comfort. The show gives off a great feel-good vibe that anyone will enjoy any time of the year. I watch it throughout the whole year regardless of it not being the holiday season. "Dash and Lily" is a binge-worthy show because of its unique premise, the atmosphere of the setting, and the themes throughout the show. The show focuses on two character's storylines that are intertwined with each other. Christmas-hating solitaire Dash, and the exact opposite full of wonder Lily who loves all things Christmas and is determined to make new connections. The two meet not in person but, by communicating via a red notebook from a bookshop. They then begin challenging each other to dares while slowly falling for each other through their writing. As they each leave the book for the other to find, that love grows more. I love this take on a romance story, because of the idea of only getting to know someone through a notebook. Their sole personalities and their personal stories are what make the two develop feelings for one another. Factors like physical appearance play no role in the storyline. Instead, it's just a warm-hearted tale. "Dash and Lily" takes place in the best place to have a Christmas show, New York City. The festive atmosphere can't help but make you smile and, the show highlights some of the great places to visit during the season. Popular landmarks like Macy's with Santa Land and the holiday markets are scattered throughout the whole city. As well as some lesser-known know, including a beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn where the whole street is decorated. The glowing lights and snowy weather make great comfort as you curl up with a blanket enjoying all the scenery of the show. The themes of the show are what make it truly special though. It shares about self-discovery and stepping out of your comfort zone. Both Dash and Lily through their dares get the other to try something new. Lily learns to not be so afraid of life, she learns how to have fun by attending a club and not letting the judgment of others get in the way. Even though she is afraid she perserveres and ends up dancing the night away. While Dash starts to find joy in Christmas as Lily sends him to "The Nutcracker House" in Brooklyn. Seeing lights and happiness in people has him rethink his holiday doubts. I love how this film isn't like every other rom-com you find. It is full of love, friendship, and holiday spirit. It's charming characters, beautiful scenery, and the lessons you take from it are what make it so special to me. It has one of the sweetest movie endings and will cure anyone's Christmas blues during the season.

@sabrina_ann_k

When we think of Disney, we may think of a character, we may think of a movie. For myself though I think of Disney World. I love Disney World because it truly is the most magical place. I was lucky enough to have an annual pass and would spend almost every Friday taking some much-needed time to myself to go out exploring the parks or trying to find the latest Disney secret I learned about in a blog post. Overall, Disney World is important to me because it is a place that has given me treasured memories, where I can let my worries fade and, be myself. My family and I spent many summers traveling to Disney World and, I have been lucky to create such special memories there. My little brother is autistic, and one of his favorite rides is "It's a Small World" I always will remember seeing the joy light up his face when we would enter the room with the music playing and seeing all the dolls. Another memory I loved was riding "The Tower of Terror" for the first time. I have never been a big fan of intense rides, let alone one that was a free-fall drop tower. However, my family convinced me to try it. I was terrified throughout the whole ride but, I have a hilarious picture of me petrified that we all laugh at to this day. Disney World is a place where as you step through those gates you no longer have anything to worry about. This is especially true for me. On weeks when college got too much or I just needed an escape, I would run to Disney World. When I am there I can fully immerse myself into the fantasy of the park. I can interact with my favorite characters or feel the awe and joy of stepping into a movie like "Avatar" or "Star Wars." I can have some much-needed retail therapy checking out all the shops on the main street when the newest spirit jersey dropped or, even have some comfort food by partaking in one of my favorite dolewhip floats. I greatly consider myself a Disney adult and, one of the great things is I can let that aspect of my personality shine when I am at the parks. I can be fully confident in myself when posing for a photo or showing off my latest Disney bound. I can take my friends to the park and show off all my Disney knowledge and the hidden secrets I know about. It truly is my place where I can be in my own skin. In conclusion, Disney World holds a very special place in my heart. It is the place where I have created memories, let my worries fade, and be myself. My love and passion for the parks is something that will never disappear. I look forward to more days spent at Disney World in the future.

I have never been good with change. If you asked me what scares me the most I would probably respond with change. A year ago I made the biggest change of my life, I decided to move fourteen hours away from my hometown to attend university. I was petrified and I wanted to go home before I was even willing to give the experience a change. However, sticking it out taught me a lot about myself that I didn't know. I learned how to be on my own, my confidence in myself grew, and I became even more passionate about the career I was going into. Being my own company was something I also struggled with. I disliked attending any sort of event without having a person I knew. When I moved and became the "new kid" as a transfer student I overcame that. Meeting new people and friends was challenging so I decided to become my own. I took myself out to school events and engaged in the activities on my own. I even attended two concerts by myself. Doing these experiences on my own even became some of my most treasured memories. There are moments I have when I feel alone and isolated. I remember what I learned though, how even if you are alone physically, you never truly are. You can find comfort and friendship in yourself. As I have stated I had many fears and anxieties I have grown from thanks to this move. One, in particular, was driving. I have had my license since I was seventeen years old however, it did not mean that I was confident in my skills. I was terrified at the idea of driving on a highway. It stopped me from doing things I wanted to do. When I moved to my college town I had to overcome that. Driving highways was the main requirement to get to destinations. This was the push to grow beyond my fear. I told myself I could do it. Once I got into that mindset it changed me. I became more confident driving. Now a year later, roads do not faze me at all. This newfound confidence has not only been applied to driving but to other life experiences as well. I am studying speech pathology at my university. Making this choice was hard for me I went back and forth through numerous career choices. I thought maybe I want to be a teacher, maybe I want to be a nurse. I was so lost though. I decided on speech and since the move to university, I couldn't be more sure it is the right choice for me. Becoming engaged on campus with the community and learning more about what I am pursuing is exciting. I have even had opportunities to volunteer in clinics. My professors are very inspiring and I am so grateful I chose my university. While I have grown some things have remained the same. I have moved so far that I miss my home often. I miss seeing my family and pets. Days get tough for me. There are moments I want to pack up and leave. Some moments I doubt my decisions. However when I look at all my growth. I remember I could not have done it without this move. It is all the more reason to keep going and keep discovering more about me.

School can already be stressful time of year. Maybe your somewhere new, maybe your classes got harder, maybe your navigating school for the first time by yourself. Regardless something I wish I knew prior is to really spend time making connections with your classmates. You're in this together so don't be afraid on the first day to ask them to become a study group. Designate a place that you are going to study and the time and dates. For myself it is either our campus library, where we can book a private room or the quiet areas of my student center. Once there use the resources like TVs, whiteboards, and more. In school you need to study but, you need to socialize as well. Meet new people and establish relationships. So, why not have the best of both worlds. @sabrina_ann_k

When I was 4 my brother was diagnosed with autism. Being so young at the time I didn't understand what this was. However, as I grew I quickly realized that my brother was different. Being the sibling of an autistic brother, I became very involved in the community. I was part of clubs that interacted with those on the spectrum. I also bowled every Friday with my brother's bowling team as they competed in Special Olympics. I really enjoyed getting to know these kids and adults over the years while working with them. I got to see their outstanding personalities. They all are so loving and enjoy spending time together. We shared many great memories of playing games and having fun with one another. I am grateful I got to build such a great relationship and always looked forward to getting to see them. I often tell my family I don't think I would be who I am today without my brother. After all, he is the reason I was able to get connected to such a great community. Not only that though but, he taught me that while others may be different. We should not think of them any less than ourselves, I have watched these individuals accomplish so much. It is beautiful and I am excited to see what lies in the future for them all.

Moving to a new town fourteen hours away from your home life is never easy. For me it took a toll on me quite a bit and, I began to neglect myself. My cousin growing up always emphasized the importance of self-care. With my struggles, she told me how vital I needed it at this time. Taking this advice I ran with it to both mentally help myself and cope with the change. I began by taking myself out on what I call a "me date." A time that I take to enjoy my own company to get myself out and do something fun. I would go to our local boba shop where I discovered how much I loved boba but, got to see what lay beyond campus. I'd also go out just for some retail therapy, taking a drive to our mall to go to a bookstore. Where I'd for hours browse the books, get a coffee, and just enjoyed some time out in one of my favorite places. It wasn't always going out though, other times I would just sit out on the patio of my apartment at night. We had beautiful light strung around and, I would curl up with a good book. Self-care has been the most helpful for me being in this massive change. When I was finding myself being stressed or burnt out. I would turn to my self-care to decompress. Not only would this relax me but, this would allow me to be more productive in my work. Without any worries getting in the way. It has also made me mentally happier and, helped me to be more positive when meeting new people and connections.

I have never been good with change. Since I was very young anytime things in my life went a new way. I faced nothing but horrible anxiety about what was going to come from it. I never liked stepping out of my comfort zone I strived for the security of the known. When I graduated high school it was decided going to community college would be best for me financially. While I was initially upset about the situation being eighteen years old and wanting to see what's out there, like most of my high school peers were. I quickly realized deep down I didn't want to go I wanted to stay in the security of my hometown with my family and where I best knew myself. Flash forward to two years of community college and a year of covid. I made a big decision I moved fourteen hours away from my old life. To pursue the speech program at my current university, I had heard such great things about what they offered there. It wasn't soon before I had felt this was the worst choice I had made. I was far from the familiarity of what I knew without my parents and friends from home. I became scared of this new life not wanting to leave my apartment beyond the class in my first few weeks. I had never liked going out on my own to do things unless I had someone with me. The stress of the new life took a toll on me and, I thought staying inside myself would be the best way to cope. When the time had moved on I decided I couldn't just continue down the path I was on. I decided to get myself out there. I began pushing myself to attend my university's weekly events just on my own. I started to enjoy just having myself as company. Beyond those events, I got the courage to do fun things on my own. I attended my first concert where I created some of the most amazing memories. As well as just exploring the area of the town my school was in. Learning how to be my own companion, also gave me the confidence to talk to new people. I have since made connections and feel less shy in social situations. I always believed change was scary and, staying with what I know. Was my safest option for myself. However, I now know I would have never grown and learned how to be independent on my own had it now been for this experience I have gone through.