A Quiet week with some thinking ahead: prepareing for finals – Week 32

This week has been nothing special—I’m not even going to lie. I haven’t taken a single picture, so there’s not much to show. Monday through Friday were just standard school days. A few classes were canceled since finals are getting closer, which honestly made the week feel even slower.

On the training side, I’ve been picking things up again, both in the pool and in the gym. I feel like I’m finally getting somewhere, but there’s still a lingering anxiety. Nationals back home are getting closer, and I can’t help but worry that I’m not swimming enough to be fully prepared. It’s weighing on my mind more than I expected.

Outside of school and swim, I’ve found myself missing the feeling of working on something that’s mine—some kind of side project or creative outlet. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to use my free time better. School, swimming, and hanging out with friends only take up so many hours, and I’m definitely craving something more productive. I haven’t landed on what that’ll be yet, but hopefully inspiration strikes soon.

Saturday brought a bit of excitement, though. We had team practice with one of our new recruits—he seems like a knowledgeable and easygoing guy. I'm excited to see how he’ll fit into the team. After practice, we went out to El Paso for dinner with the team and the new recruit. It was great to just unwind and share a good meal together. Simple moments, but appreciated.

Looking ahead, I’ve got my RA interview next week, and I’m really looking forward to it. At the same time, there’s this ongoing question in the back of my head: Is this the final chapter of my journey here, or am I coming back? I don’t have the answer yet, but for now, I’m just taking things one week at a time.