The joys of adulthood

I've been MIA in blogging, I know. I mean, HARDCORE MIA in blogging. As in, I don't remember the last time I made a post.

There have been plenty of things that have come up that I could have posted on... But haven't. It seems I'm to that lovely point of adulthood where I work 40-50+ hours a week... And then I sleep.
DH even jokes about my routine. I get up, have a bowl of cereal, go to work, come home, sometimes take a nap, sometimes read... Go to sleep. Add a shower in there somewhere, maybe add in a run - which is lovely for someone who has a number of long-distance runs coming up in the next 7 months, I know.

Nobody tells you that growing up means working a lot and sleeping instead of having a life, do they? (yes, I just rolled my eyes)

Let's see... I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm kind of lacking pictures at the moment.

• Just over a month ago (on May 4th) I graduated with my M.S. in Community Counseling :D
• On May... 12th I completed the Runway Run. I was either 5th or 6th from the end, but I did it! Other than the Princess Half Marathon, THAT was the event that got me interested in running :D 7 miles in 1:29:06... I admit to being a little miffed that it was 3 second slower than I thought, but I beat my goal of 1:30:00! :D
• On May 29th, the hubs and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
• Two days later my hubs celebrated his birthday. No clue why I married him so close to his birthday. Shopping for gifts was a pain! :P
• Two days later was our 6-year dating anniversary. See above, but this time no gifts.
• Aaaaaaaand, good ol' June! On the 6th I apparently was issued my PLMHP (Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner). Got it in the mail on the 7th, started supervision this week to work toward a license that DOESN'T say "provisional"!
• Lacking running motivation. I think part of it is related to the heat.
• What I lack in running motivation, I make up for doing three walks a week with my clients at work to improve physical (and hopefully mental!) health. Nothing like getting out and getting moving!
• Speaking of which (see also: reminder to self) I've got clients who often pace due to not being able to sit in a group/class for 45 minutes... I need to invite them on the walks
• Today... I realized that I have walked and run at least 280 miles this year. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I'd hoped to have achieved at this point, but let's face it... I'm doing better at this than I ever have. I may not reach my Moon Jogger goal of 2,013 miles this year (and I still have 6.5 months to go!!!), but I'm doing so much better than I EVER thought I would have done as far as running, walking, and overall exercise.
• Speaking of which, my ILs and DH got me registered for the Dopey Challenge as a graduation present!! SO excited. NEVER would I have thought I'd be doing a marathon. But in 7 months time, I will be sticking it out there and trying my best - and doing it. I won't be the first to finish, but it'll be a first for me. And I'm excited.

Random blurb, that I may have mentioned before: After the Boston Marathon events, I had a friend text me to make sure I wasn't there.

Let's face it, there's no way I'm getting a BQ - at least, not any time soon, not without a whole lot more effort and all.

But, HELLO, love and support. I know she doesn't know a person has to qualify, but the feeling was "She thinks I can BQ!" Add that to the other supportive people in my life, and it's all golden.

So, being an adult is busier than I thought, considering I have pretty similar hours the ones I kept in high school - only difference is I'm in bed by 11 usually. Or at 9:30 I'm asleep on the bed until DH pokes me and tells me to get ready for bed. LOL.

Oh, the joys of being an adult.

And yes, I am surprised that it's just barely 9. I thought I was 22, not 222! haha

Words of Wisdom (Teeth)

I had my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. Something I could've lived without, but nothing like the horror stories people kept feeding me with horrible nurses, oral surgeons not listening to people that novocaine won't work on them, that kind of mess.

Although I will say it was kinda weird and creepy because they had wrist clamps for heart rate/pulse monitors, and the cords attached to them (so yay, no sticky stuff!). I was hanging out around 68 or so, and then the oral surgeon walked in and it jumped to about 78.

Nervous much?

I found it rather... Humorous, for lack of a better word, that they told me to come in wearing short sleeves or something that could easily be rolled up past the elbow (for IV sedation)... Yeah, they stuck it in my hand.
The oral surgeon told me that in about two minutes the room would spin.
I only got as far as thinking "Man, my hand feels a little numb..." and then I woke up.

Yeah, I don't know what "room spinning" he was talking about.

I love my MIL. My husband has a bad habit of volunteering her for things and not telling her until a day or two before (or, you know, being "nice" and "volunteering" me for things... We gotta work on his communication! lol??), and she ended up taking me to the dentist AND staying in the waiting room for an hour and a half - all while being on a teleconference that she'd had scheduled.
Not to mention the fact that they actually showed me a video on how to care for my mouth AS I was waking up.

Totally slept through most of it.

And on top of everything else, she changed my bloody gauze, and even made me try to have some milkshake before she made me take my painkiller (nevermind that I didn't need or want the painkiller, she followed instructions and wouldn't let me take it on an empty stomach - and she wiped my coat when I spilled shake and dripped blood on myself).
With a mouth full of clean gauze, I told her I loved her. And that I'd never felt so attractive in my life (sarcasm, of course).

My last run was two nights ago, and ended in enough time that I had a small dish of frozen yogurt, some orange juice... I think I also had my water and vitamins, or something like that... All right before the cutoff of when they told me to not eat before the surgery.
And then waking up around 8, about an hour before the surgery... Needless to say, I was crabby because I was hungry - AND I wasn't allowed to have water or anything.

The more recent dilemma has been deciding what I can and can't do. I woke up at 7, despite having the day off... And I wanted to go for a run.
Of course, I've been pretty clear-headed since the surgery (although a bit groggy yesterday, but still pretty lucid), but I know good and well that DH and the ILs would've been all "NO! NO YOU MAY NOT!!!"
And soI didn't.
I paid credit card bills. I looked up shoes for graduation for about an hour. I spent just over an hour on the phone with my FIL (and yes, the "NO YOU MAY NOT!" was confirmed). And then I was so bored (and maybe a little tired?? But mostly bored) that I slept from just after 11 until about 2, pausing for random phone calls, of course.
I was so bored I was tempted to go into work. Of course, I'm going in at about 5 anyway for an evening training.

And here I am, awake. Very minimal pain, maybe a hint of discomfort here and there... And I've been living on Ensure shakes and pudding - the kind of pudding that has to be refrigerated! (How weird is that??). And a little bit of applesauce.
Which is tasty and all, but it blows because I would go for a burger or a spicy chicken sandwich or something if I could, but I should probably avoid that for the next couple days.

On the subject of nutrition, I've been trying to figure out exactly how to take care of myself post-run for the next week while my mouth heals. I already have a hard time with GI issues post-run, and now it seems like I'm going to be on applesauce, Ensure, pudding (cold pudding! ick), and water for ages.
I feel a bit like an old person with hardcore dietary restrictions or something.

I tried looking it up, and I found all sorts of posts from people who ran a great distance the next day, or couldn't run the next day, who felt fine or had a horrible experience, and I'm just thinking "Well, I could be out and moving around instead of laying here like a lump because I'm not in pain..."

Even better, the experience I got from my other job... They called me yesterday afternoon with an open shift on Saturday - I'd already told one person I wouldn't be able to do Saturday (the day of the NCE), but that I wouldn't be able to come in to fill out the paperwork because I work during the hours the office is open. She told me it was ok.
My phone was on silent yesterday and I dozed through the call. When I saw they'd called I was going to make DH call and let them know I was unavailable for a shift - of course he didn't do that. So I sent them an email.
I called them this morning to make sure they got the message, and was told that when "something like this happens" (meaning my wisdom teeth getting taken out) I need to call and let them know I can't work.
Uh... That's not why I can't work Saturday. I'd already spoken to someone about it - I'm not working Saturday because I paid $300 to take a licensure exam. I feel perfectly fine, and I'm not available for them during the week anyway! I don't know what wisdom teeth Wednesday have to do with work Saturday - AND I was lucid enough to send an email that was grammatically correct and had no spelling errors.

Head, meet wall.

I love them, but I'm waiting to get a call to work graduation day this time around, too. I took the day off when I graduated with my bachelor's, and ended up working an overnight :-/

Which reminds me, if you all didn't notice... I'm graduating! May 4 :)
I rewrote my career counseling essay for my written exam, and I will be graduating! As in, diploma and everything! Now to find the right shoes for graduation. MIL and I will be going after the NCE on Saturday to see what we can find.

That is all. For now ;)

Marching away!

Yes, yes, that was my cheesy way of incorporating into the blog that it is now MARCH of 2013. And what an exciting month it has been so far! It's almost absurd how much excitement has been happening.

Also, as a heads up... My brain is working in bullet points in order to sort everything out. So it's all wrapped up in a nice, neat package... That is hardcore sealed with tape in every opening for security (and a little bit for fun, to watch people try to find a place to pry it open... Yes, I am THAT person at Christmas and on birthdays. No paper is left in tact when I'm around! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ok, random maniacal rant over)

• On March 1st (a week ago today) I took the written portion of the test that I need to pass in order to graduate with my Master's in May. I felt SO much better about that portion than I did about the CPCE (160 multiple choice questions). The sections I got were: Careers, Groups, Consulting, and Multicultural. Pretty much everyone I've talked to feels much better about their 4 essays than they did about the CPCE.
• I believe the scores you can receive are: high pass, pass, low pass, and no pass. You're only allowed one "no pass" for an essay, and if you get one then you have to redo that essay immediately. If you get more than one "no pass", well, you have to retake the entire written portion the next time it's offered - and in this case, that's in the fall. Which would delay graduation until December, if that were to happen. But I'm fairly confident in my essays, the only exception being Careers. Seriously, they talk to us about theories in the majority of our classes, but theories specific to Career Counseling?? They were only in that class. Go figure... But hopefully I'll find out soon!
• On March 4th I met with my internship supervisor and my instructor. It's always great to get compliments; my supervisor occasionally remarks that I'm probably the most prepared intern he's ever had.
• On that same token, one of my goals to work on (and one of my biggest insecurities regarding counseling) is theories. More specifically, working to identify my theoretical orientation, and learning more about it. I have a basic idea of the theory I mesh with best (CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) but often I find it hard to put into words. That and I barely got out of Theories with a B-. Originally I had a C+, but I emailed the professor and he bumped me up. If you get two C's in this program then you get put on academic probation. If you get three C's, you're out of the program. You can appeal your grades and all, but even without emailing my professor, I wasn't feeling especially confident in that particular class.
• On March 5th... Well, I went to class. And I spent time talking with one of the girls who works at my internship about possibly applying for the open position at my internship. She told me to think over it that night, but basically have my decision made the next day, because it's a vacant position they need filled and, while they like me, it'll probably get filled fast.
• That day I also went to our apartment complex office about a 2-bedroom apartment. No, nothing like a baby or anything, so don't get to freaking out! Just more space. A girl can only have so many bookshelves in a 1-bedroom apartment without tripping over stuff, right? And then I went and worked out, and I met someone in the fitness room! It was weird, he was nice AND he actually talked to me! Not usually something I get while in the fitness room, that's for certain.
• March 6th... I spoke to my site supervisor about the open position. She told me to get on the paperwork. I forget what else happened.
• March 7th (this being yesterday) my site supervisor gave me a copy of the application, and told me I basically already had the job but that I still had to fill out the paperwork. And shortly thereafter I had a staff member tell me "welcome aboard". Which reminds me, we have a new staff member on my team. She's beyond nice, and she was excited to hear that I was taking the open position.
• Even better! I got home, saw that there was mail from the department at school... The hubs had to open the letter for me, I was so nervous... But I passed the CPCE! Which means that assuming that the essays turn how how I'd like them to, I'm graduating May 4!!!!!
• Oh, and to top it all off, a book I've been waiting on finally came out. It was 2.5 months past the original deadline, due to author illness, but I'm so excited for it. I finished it tonight, and I'm looking forward to when the final book in the trilogy comes out in April or May.
• If I haven't mentioned... I'm a sucker for romance novels. The book I've been waiting on is called Armando Returns, and it's by Reeni Austin.
• Aaaaaaand today, March 8... I turned in my application for the position, as well as a copy of my resume. AT about 10:15 this morning, less than two hours after I turned everything in, I got a call from HR confirming my acceptance of the position, some super basic information, and that my official start date is Monday! See also: I'm going to be getting PAID to do what I've been doing the last few months. Also, more responsibilities, but no big. Bring it on!
• Unfortunately this means that I'll be switching teams and will be working with different consumers than I've been working with the last 4.5 months. That is, I'll be working with the same people, but less intimately with some and more intimately with others. It's disappointing, but I'll look at it as an opportunity for growth. And I know the new staff on my (original) team loves the team, and that she'll be great.

I have my first full-time job! I feel like such a big girl now! ☺

And that's the previous week of my life in a nutshell, basically. Also, tomorrow I'll (hopefully) be attending a counseling conference on campus. I'm excited, they JUST started offering it free to students. I was going to try to go before they announced that, but now I'll definitely be trying to go.

Comps and more comps

Today is my first day back in the "real world". It's been kind of nice getting back into the swing of things. I woke up a little earlier than usual - probably still used to getting up freakishly early for races??
Then I dozed back off. Of course.
Getting back to internship... It was nice. I'd already known that I was tired and everything, but walking back in and looking at everything with a clear mind and a far more positive attitude... It made me realize just how much I really needed those days off, even if they were full of running events.

Running events that I enjoyed *immensely*. Wouldn't change it all for the world.

Now to get back on track. I've got comps on Friday. Written comps, that is. I'm not particularly worried about passing those. I really feel like I'm going to do well on them, especially if I know my stuff really well for one-to-two sections and can use those sections to expand on everything else. I have four hours for four four sections, in which I have to write one essay for each section.

It's a huge difference from the CPCE. That multiple choice section... It was 160 questions, I prepared as best as I could... And I'm pretty sure I bombed it. I'm really afraid that I didn't pass. I know that people usually feel like they really failed it... But I REALLY feel like I failed it... If I have to retake it, then I can't graduate until I pass it - and the next time it's offered is in the fall. Ugh.
I can tell which sections I didn't really study as much as others. All the same, I've heard people saying that they thought the Encyclopedia of Counseling (AKA this HUGE book most all of us bought to study from) was a waste. A good book, but not the least bit helpful when it came to the CPCE...
But I am SO GLAD that I spent as much time as I could on Theories and Careers. Theories was a beast to take, and it's something that I still struggle with a bit. I lucked out with my grade; I emailed my professor because my grade was coming out to a C+ (2 C's and you're on academic probation, 3 C's and you're kicked out of the program). He bumped me up to a B-, which is the lowest grade I've gotten this whole program. I really lucked out.

Oh, and even better... I found out yesterday that I didn't get accepted into a doctoral program in Human Sciences with a specialization in Child, Youth and Family Studies (yes, without a second comma). Talk about a downer. Came back from this amazing weekend, only to discover that I didn't make it into the program... And it was my last outstanding doctoral application, which means that unless I'm magically accepted into something some time soon, I'm not going on for my doctorate in the fall.
I wouldn't even know what else to apply for. And the whole thing really does suck.

On that note... I got to see Bunheads yesterday? I think it was the season 2 finale. Yay for ending on a positive note. It was a good episode.

One down, two to go

Yesterday I got back a letter on the status of my application to a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology.

"Dear Victoria,
Blah blah-blah blah-blah... While we found your application to be very strong, the pool of applicants was highly competitive. Thus, we have judged that we are not able to offer you admission into our doctoral program at this time. However, due to the strength of your file, we would like to consider you for admission to our master's program in counseling..."

I posted about that on Facebook, and on of the comments I got was basically asking if they even LOOKED at my application. Because, let's be honest... In less than four months, I'm going to HAVE a master's degree in counseling. Why would I need a second one??
The only real difference I saw in the course work is that they've got a couple classes dealing with adolescents, while I haven't had any on that particular subject during my master's program. And the difference is really only six credit hours in the end. The equivalent of two classes. I'm thinking I'm not going to pursue that.
While I would LOVE to have a doctorate in Counseling Psych, part of me is pretty offended by the suggestion that my current schooling isn't good enough. ESPECIALLY when that school pairs with mine for some distance education, and it's the same school system and all.

If I'd just applied to one program, the next step wouldn't be so hard. But I'm waiting on two more application decisions.

Long story short, I have a job opportunity at my internship. As in, I've been told that they would love to have me and there's a position open.
Here's the catch: It's a full-time position, and the doctoral programs I applied to? Their classes are at any and all times of the day. It just wouldn't work out for me. So one way or another I'm going to have to say "goodbye" to something. Goodbye to the job opportunity in order to pursue a full-time doctoral program. Goodby to a doctoral program in order to make money.

Or, and here's what I'm really afraid of, goodbye to both because they're already interviewing prospective candidates so I may miss out on the job AND not get accepted into either of the remaining doctoral programs that have a current status that has yet to read "under review".

It's like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Except both seem equally immovable at this time. I never expected to miss out on opportunities due to wanting to further my education. Or rather, I expected to miss some things, for instance missing hanging out with friends because I have a ridiculous homework assignment due the next day. But it just always seems to surprise me when I realize that wanting to further my education can be a barrier, because I wouldn't be able to dedicate 100+% of my time to it, despite being able to do the job and do it well.

What to do?
Decisions, decisions...

On that note, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!

Last first day of class!

As far as we know ;)
Tonight is the first night of my Human Development class.

I have a confession to make: I'm that weirdo who has not only printed out the syllabus already (in my program it's not TOO weird! haha) but I've already read it, highlighted some parts, and I've already planned out what my two "additional" projects will be.
The class has a total of three projects/papers, as far as I'm aware. One is a 4-5 page paper on a topic related to life-span development. I'm still contemplating what the subject of this one will be. For example, subjects from the past have included middle age and cosmetic surgery, pros and cons of breastfeeding, and expansion of adolescence into the 20s.
The closest idea I have for a topic at this time is something related to the drinking age. Real original, I know.
The other two projects, which I've already started, involve a 2-3 page summary of our experience, gathering information on a couple topics our professor has put on a list. From there we'll be doing a 15-minute (max) presentation. The plan is that I'll be doing one on the changes newlyweds have experienced since being married. I'll be combining two other topics, since they're so closely related, about the changes that parents have experienced since having a new baby, and what the birthing experience was like. I'll also be including people who have already had kids but now have a new baby, and what kind of adjustment has been taking place.

I really am excited for this. I reach out to my Facebook friends, as I know a lot of them are married/newly married/new parents. So far I've had 8 new parents (specifically new moms) agreeing to participate, 3 moms with new babies (maybe 4, I'm not quite sure), and 7 newlyweds.

What I'm really looking forward to is seeing what questions they'll answer. That is, I know some of them will have more than one section apply to them (newlywed with a new baby, that kind of thing). I'm looking forward to seeing what they consider maybe being a "new" baby or being a "newlywed".
I know that from personal experience I stopped feeling like a newlywed not too long after we got married, mostly because it was back to "real life" - no honeymoon, lots of work to be done, husband taking summer classes, etc. It's like there really wasn't downtime. But we've been married just over a year and a half, and some people would still consider that being "newlyweds" because it's been less than two years.

Apparently there's a show called The Newlywed Game, and the cutoff for eligibility is if you've been married more than 2 years.

Well, we're now up one newlywed and one new mom (or... new baby, already has kids... I'll figure that bit out later)! :D
I almost didn't expect it to come together so quickly/nicely, but I should also know from experience that a lot of women like talking about/remembering their weddings, talking about their birth experiences, etc.

What's especially funny about this whole thing is that I'm not doing a thesis. And getting such enjoyment out of people willing to participate in research makes me wonder just why the heck I'm not doing it! And then I remember that I'd be cranking out a thesis in under 4 months. Not impossible, but I would probably run screaming by the end of it if I procrastinated on it, and I would have to gather a committee, first!

The last first day of my program!

I'm gonna be completely honest, I hope wasn't my last first day of a semester in my education ever. I think I mentioned a while ago that I'm currently waiting on a decision from three doctoral programs... I'd forgotten what it was like to just... Wait. I've been checking on my applications for over a month now, and the status shown online still says the same thing:

Submitted.

It's a relief to see that word when you're concerned about whether or not a test or homework assignment got turned in, but not when you would like it to say "Under Review". I'm hoping to find out something (positive) soon.

Today (that is, Monday, not Tuesday, since it's after midnight) was my first day back at school this semester. And my last first day for my current school program!

The day as a whole started off pretty nicely. Got to my internship, did our morning meeting, ran my group... Then I started on paperwork and I thought I was going to die.

Ok, not that bad, but long story short? Cramps + IUD don't mix. I kinda felt like I was being crushed from the inside.

I should clarify, now that I have the IUD my menstrual cramps don't feel like the usual menstrual cramps. Hell, if I have them I don't notice them. All I notice is THE SQUEEZING FEELING. Yes, all bolded, larger font, and in caps is a start at being sufficient enough to describe it. Note that I said "a start".

I ended up heading home before lunch to hopefully find some food I could stomach so I could take 800 mg of ibuprofen (yes, you read that correctly: 800 mg), and get some sleep with the hope that I wouldn't oversleep my first class back. Or, you know, vomit.

I have to say, nothing makes me feel quite as... Pathetic. Yes, pathetic. Nothing makes me feel quite as pathetic as knowing that not only did I bail early because I had cramps, but that I had to take a doctor-approved dose of a pain reliever (a pain reliever that often isn't recommended for runners, unless I'm mistaken - I've heard both ways) so that I would quit feeling like my uterus was about to be sucked out of me. Which already sounds forceful and gross and agonizing and all that other (not-so-) fun crap.

On the plus side, I restarted a book I'd read (and loved) previously. Any romance novel fans, Jennifer Crusie fans, or... I don't know how to define what Bob Mayer writes, but Bob Mayer fans... If you haven't checked out Agnes and the Hitman, I HIGHLY recommend it. Especially if you've got a good sense of humor. Southern mob, a hot hitman, good food, a dog named Rhett (yes, Rhett, as in Gone With the Wind Rhett), and swingin' frying pans!

Then I got my nap, and all was well.

As far as classes go, I'm really looking forward to this semester. Not just because it's my last semester before I graduate with my M.S. (knock on wood! Comps are next month!), but because so far classes are looking good! Granted, I've only got two classes this semester, and I've only had one. But the benefit to being so far along in my program is that my internship class? There are only 8 of us, if you include our (pretty cool) instructor. My Human Growth class is on Tuesday evenings, so I have yet to experience it, but I hear it'll be pretty easy. Mostly writing. And I took a Human Growth course in undergrad, so here's hoping that helps.

It's interesting, though: There's no required book for this class. The Blackboard shell isn't even online, so I don't know who is in my class, although with some hunting I can figure out how large the class is... It looks like there are 24 people (including myself) in the class.

My internship may very well end up leading to a job. I'm unsure of how I feel about it. On the one hand, I spend 30+ hours a week there, and it would be lovely to be paid for it. On the other hand, I know good and well that not only am I waiting on doctoral decisions, but that if I get accepted I may not be able to work there. Or if I do, it will have to be part-time - which I suppose isn't horrible. Let's be honest, that's not bad at all.

Now on to running!

What, you didn't think I could make it a whole post without talking about this journey, did you? ;)

Ok, ok, I thought I could, but we're getting down to crunch time with the countdown, and I'm just excited to be going to Disney next month! Everything is just under 45 days away. About 44 days and 23.25 hours, actually - according to the runDisney website, of course!

I didn't get a run in tonight like I'd planned. Too easily distracted by the fact that I'm making our running tutus. And they. Will. Be. AMAZING! I'm going to post pictures and everything when I finish them, because the ideas I've got are so exciting!

Another reason I *may* have put off running, in addition to a lack of time and all that fun jazz when compared to everything else going on right now, is probably nerves surrounding my lovely running fuel. Since Friday's awful post-run episode of GI distress, I've gotten a couple other types of running fuel to try. I've long since established that Gatorade is not my friend. I'm adding GU to that list, although I don't know if that includes the GU Chomps, which I'd already purchased. I've bought Hammer Nutrition gels (one in Apple-Cinnamon flavor, one in Tropical), and some Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem Solids in Strawberry-Vanilla, which I don't have to worry about mixing into a drink.

And excitement of excitement, Jelly Belly makes sport jelly beans! Now THOSE I'm excited to try!

There are some other brands of fuel I was looking to try. I've heard from lots of people that Honey Stingers is good, and that Nuun has really been nice for people with sensitive stomachs.

Speaking of supplements, I picked up some Calcium Magnesium Zinc, which my dermatologist suggested when I talked with him about the half a few months ago. He didn't tell me that they'd be so large!

(That's what she said)

Although I don't know what I was expecting. But it certainly wasn't to take 3 a day.

Before I go, I think I've decided on a new name for this blog. I'm thinking it's going to go from "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" to "A Runner in the Making". But it's been over a year so naturally I've grown attached to the current title of this blog, even though I don't dance even half as much as I used to. Not even close. I'm lucky if I'm gettin' down in front of the bathroom mirror nowadays.

Well, I've rambled on quite enough for the night. It's bedtime. Toodles!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

A belated Happy New Year to everyone :)
Not too much is going on here in my neck of the woods. Just the usual life of a Master's candidate hell-bent on being a successful runner. Who wants to go to Disney.

Speaking of school, typing that made me realize that I graduate this year! Four months from Friday, if I'm not mistaken. But at this point in time it really doesn't feel like it's all that close.
I'm halfway done with my second internship, and I basically have until the end of April to get it taken care of. With any luck it won't be particularly difficult, seeing as it seems that I practically live here.
School starts on Monday. It seems so weird to say that. With any luck this won't be my last semester in school. I'm still waiting on my doctoral applications to be reviewed. Hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer.

Regarding the running, DH and I officially kicked off our part of the Ultimate Moon Joggers challenge last night. We didn't get as much distance as we would've liked (he got 2 miles, I believe, and I got 3.33 - for the Ultimate we each need 5.5+ miles per day) but it was a start and we're going to work together to get in our miles. If we each only get 1000 miles this year instead of 2013 miles it won't be the end of the world, but we're gonna go hard because sometimes going home isn't the answer.

Last night I did my fastest 5K in 36-37 minutes. The exact time I couldn't say, since my shoe pod is a bit off, but I won't worry about specifics for now. The fact of the matter is that it's an improvement.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend is officially next month. Yes, you read that right. NEXT month. I'm... Unsure of how to feel about it.
On the one hand, I'm super excited. I know I can finish it, even if it ends up being a run-walk combination. I'm pretty psyched because I think I can get under the 3-hour mark if I keep this up. At least that's my hope. I've got 7.5 weeks to make it happen.
On the other hand, my brain is going "... You're kidding me, right? 13.1 miles? What the heck is wrong with you??????" And the nerves want to start.

Then I remind myself of the pin on Pinterest that says something to the effect of "That little voice that tells you you can't... Is a dirty lying whore." Or, you know, something to that effect ;)

On a more positive note, I booked all of our trip stuff with the exception of flights, which will be booked sometime within the next week - probably within the next few days, actually.
Disney level of readiness? Probably about 65%. Book flights, finish room and food reservation-type stuff, keep running, keep excitement up.
I'm running with a camera, if I can. And we're going to get so many pictures on and off the courses! And a few hours after the race were going to have lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table!

Not gonna lie, I think it's some funny mess. Cinderella is now a princess and she's going to be serving us our appetizer. Never mind that it's one that "she picked especially for us", the fact is she's going to be our server for a short time.

I hope I'll get that laugh out of my system before we get there.

Not much else is going on. Just running, school, and internship.
DH and I have been discussing the possibility of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. I would love to get the Coast to Coast medal for doing at least two halves in one year, one at each resort. We'll just have to wait and see, no?

Know thyself

Never have two words been uttered so often.

"Know thyself."

I'm pretty sure they're engraved on my brain at this point in my life. I'd heard them many times throughout undergrad and I occasionally hear them in grad school.

"Know thyself."

But what does it really mean?

For years I've been encouraged to become aware and maintain awareness of my strengths and weaknesses. To know my limitations, to test my boundaries... To increase my awareness of who I am as an individual.

And never has it been more apparent to me, and also more confusing.

"Know thyself."

Ok, maybe not as confusing as identifying myself as a teenager. Somewhat.
...
Ok, maybe it is a bit more confusing. It seems that I'm far more aware of who I am and what I want in my life.

But now I'm also more aware of the boundaries that I have to heed.
Life isn't infinite.
It's important to not burn your bridges unless you're for sure done with them. And even then... I'm learning more to hold my tongue and smile even when displeased with someone or something. And let's face it, I'm getting better at being cordial to someone's face... Without feeling like I'm going to be massacred in the process. Being able to receive some genuine enjoyment out of the interaction, appreciating it for what it is.
I have to pay bills. What a damn shame.
I can't do everything. Well, I can, but now I have to be more cognizant of the rules and limits surrounding what I want to do. That is, I always did, but as an adult sometimes I have to rely on myself to bail me out. Haha?

Although there is no limit on how old you can be before you stop enjoying Disney movies. Thankfully :D
DH and I just finished watching Hercules, and I'm tamping down the urge to sing along. We'll see how long that lasts.

"Know thyself."

Even though it can be a major pain in the tuchus (hello, paying bills? Or HF&Ds, or hellfire and damnation, as my father so eloquently refers to them), the process of growing up has been enjoyable. More so after high school, and the continuation of my growing and maturing (and the occasional backslides into immaturity. Everyone needs one now and then!).
I'm realizing the boundaries and limitations of some things (for example, needing a tax ID to start my own photography business, and needing to enhance any skills first!), but I'm also realizing things that I truly enjoy.

I joked about becoming a counselor at first.
Hello, why not get paid to have people tell you their problems when they do it anyway?
I've grown to realize that not only is it something that calls to me, I absolutely love it. I'll be the first to tell you that I'm highly introverted, and that being in crowded situations or with people I don't know or whatever can make me swear like nobody's business (which... I guess you probably didn't want to know and it probably ISN'T your business! Yay?), but interacting with clients is really wonderful.

What I'm getting at is that although there are things I have learned, I've still got a ways to go.
But I'm really enjoying discovering who I am as an individual, both personally and professionally.

"Know thyself."

Well, I'm kind of along for the ride, aren't I?

"We built this city on rock and roll!"

I must say, the last 24 hours have been extraordinarily good to me. I've been rocking out to Rock of Ages since I did my hair last night, hence the post title.

I relaxed my hair last night... Got it all nice for the hubs's graduation tomorrow! Now I can comb my hair without wanting to cry!! And I managed to come away with only one burn that doesn't really bother me, which is always nice when compared to the alternative. And it's easy to not realize just how long my hair has gotten, especially since last September it was chin-length(ish) in the front and a bit shorter in the back.
(See the picture included. My hair does not normally look that nice... This is easily the best relaxer I've ever given myself.)

Today was just all sorts of full of positive surprises.
At my internship I lead one of the (mental health) Relapse Prevention groups and... It went over SO much smoother than I'd thought it would. It's to the point where we're going over a lot of the same things each time, but it really depends on how you manage to spice it up. We spent a lot of time talking about triggers and how things can snowball from little problems to huge problems. Complete with a bad dry erase board drawing illustrating things snowballing, and verbal descriptions of what was going on throughout the day to encourage said snowball effect.
We were having grilled cheese for lunch (or rather, grilled ham and cheese), and I used that as one of the examples. Everyone in my group likes grilled cheese (as far as I'm aware. But who doesn't? Haha) and so one of the examples was "You get to lunch... And they've just run out! So now you're in an even worse mood."

And then, yes, lunch was grilled ham and cheese. It was wonderful. They also had vegetable beef soup, and one of the staff members has a box of the mini Premium-brand saltine crackers, and she shared :)

The exciting part to lunch (other than the sandwich, of course!) is that I'm learning names. There are about 300 consumers at our location, and I'm on a team to work with about a third of them... But it's important to know every consumer. And I was pretty on the ball with names. There are still some that I don't know, but it was really good. Better than a month ago, that's for sure.

In my recreational therapy group... I actually had people! It was right after lunch, so usually a lot of the people have headed home or are getting started with clean-up or something. One time I had only ONE person show up for the first 5-10 minutes.
That one's a hard one to navigate because I have TONS of activities to do, but I have to pay super close attention to how many people are in the group to determine what we can do. But today I had about ten people! The activity we did was just a fun 12-item survey about Christmas, which encouraged reminiscing. After we filled out our answers we talked and laughed, learning who's been hit in the face with a snowball, if anyone's ever seen a partridge in a pear tree, and who was ever afraid they would die when sledding. It was a great conversation piece.

Afterward I made my outreach calls and did my documentation, and now I have over 1/4 of the hours I need for my internship... By graduation time in MAY! I'm feeling good about this, and I didn't hear people griping at each other about who said what (ok, I did hear it, but I'm in such a good mood it's easy to forget, and there wasn't much of it anyway).

Then I learned how to lock up, even though the intern has no building keys (lol?), and bought me and my husband some of McDonald's Peppermint Hot Chocolate on my way home... Now if only he'd get here to drink his, because mine's almost gone and I'm not going to take his! I just love this stuff.
(And... A picture! Lol)

And to top it off, my husband's bringing me dinner. Nice, huh?

Oh, and my fudge and peanut brittle from two days ago that I fixed last night? Turned out wonderfully. Set just the way I wanted them to. I probably heated the peanut brittle a little too much, as there's somewhat of a smoky hint to it now... And maybe I should've lined the fudge pans with foul... But they're pretty good, so I'm not complaining!
(And... Yet another picture!)

Well, that's all, folks! Just another day in the life :)

I feel like a kid on Christmas!

That fudge I made last night? (That is, the night of the 12th)

Yeah, one batch didn't set well at all and the other was only PARTLY the way I wanted it to be, but not hard enough at all.

So fabulousness of all fabulousness, I just decided to stick both pans in the oven!
No, I haven't burned them. Yet ;) They seem to be coming along fairly well, as far as I've checked, so I've got pretty high hopes that they'll set just the way I want them to after this round :)

...
I also had to do the same thing with my surviving peanut brittle. It turned out perfectly except for one eensie weensie little detail: as soon as I got it out of the cold and into a comfortable room temperature, the stuff took that as a cue to melt all on itself. And I'd already had it broken apart.
So what did I do? Shove the (microwave-safe) bowl the pieces were in into the microwave. So far, so good. I've already laid it out onto a baking sheet and stuck it in the fridge. We'll see how it goes when the next hour or so has passed.

Alright, time to check on the fudge.

Note: Fudge and peanut brittle are two things that should NOT be made during finals week, especially during the same night. They require absurd amounts of attention, and apparently far more heat and stirring than the recipes specify. Seriously, "stir constantly"? That only tells me so much.

(Also, I'm DONE with school for the semester! YAAAAAY! Although I would've loved it if these desserts would've been available for my classmates to eat at that time, but, uh... I wouldn't feed anybody food I was embarrassed of. lol?? And my wonderful husband graduates from college TOMORROW, as it is after midnight on Friday here!)

Ok, for real this time. I'm going to check on the fudge. Here's hope that A) it's doing amazingly and B) I haven't burnt the bajeezus out of it. Cross your fingers! :)

Sweet, sweet finals week

How nice of you to notice my terrible pun!
Because let's face it: there's nothing sweet about finals week.

Well, unless you want to count being closer to being done with the semester. And being closer to graduation, whenever that may come.

Speaking of graduation, my husband graduates from college on Saturday! THIS Saturday! I'm so proud of him that it's pretty ridiculous. I really do think I'm more excited about it than he is.

And two other things that are sweet about finals week: two batches of peanut brittle, and two batches (six pounds) of fudge made.
Although, since we're talking about how finals week isn't sweet, let me rephrase that: Of the two batches of peanut brittle I made, I effed one up. As in, I had to throw it in the trash. Wax paper doesn't work on everything, so it seems, especially when the peanut brittle is ridiculously hot. And I burned myself while making the fudge. Minor burns, but still. And the kitchen is a little more of a wreck than it was before, considering all of the dishes I used for this... DH is on campus finishing some programs for one of his classes, and when he gets home I have a feeling he's just going to look at the kitchen and wonder what the heck I've been doing, seeing as there's chocolate/marshmallow cream mix on the stove and a stack of dirty dishes that, I admit, I have no intention of doing tonight. Nope. Not at all.

I would take pictures of said fudge and peanut brittle, but I don't think I should be showing my dirty kitchen off to the world. It just... Wouldn't be right.

Oh! Lesson for today: If you're going to make two batches of fudge at one, do NOT let the ingredients fool you. USE. A. REALLY. BIG. POT. As in, take the "large" pot that you usually get in a set (the giant thing that can fit spaghetti noodles comfortably without being too big)... And then get one larger. That marshmallow cream was no joke!

On a non-food-related note, I took my last "final" final today.
On a semi-food-related, I have a final in the form of a paper that's due tomorrow, and I put off completing it so I could make, you guessed it, a ridiculous amount of peanut brittle (which isn't so ridiculous, now that over half of it's in the trash) and a FAR more ridiculous amount of fudge.

Well, DH just got home and he must be used to me making a mess in the kitchen or doesn't think it's a big deal or something, because he just shrugged it off.
And now we're back to homework.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to procrastinate some more.

Ah, the life of being a (grad) student.

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting out the door

I feel good right now.
I feel kinda tired, a bit pumped, definitely in need of a shower... But I feel pretty damn good.

I just got back from doing a run on the treadmill... The first structured run I've done since the day before Halloween. Which means that while I was definitely doing some moving around with Zumba Fitness Core on the Wii and some of the "Advanced Run" on Wii Fit Plus, I haven't really put myself out there.

I can't even pretend today's run was easy. The first fifteen minutes or so was gratifying. It really was. I ran for a total of about 25 minutes, walked more than I would consider ideal when I'm 75 days, 6 hours, and... 6-ish-minutes-by-the-time-this-is-posted away from running my first half marathon.
It was disappointing to only see about 2.5 miles shining up at me from the treadmill (or 2.81 miles, according to my watch... Yeah...) when I used to doing 4+, and have gotten up to 6+. But it makes me realize I've got to step it up.

I've got to put into it what I want to get out of it, and I refuse to be transported to that finish line on anything except for my own two legs.

But for real, I feel good right now. For the last month the hardest part for me has just been getting back into it. The day of that " Halloween Fun Run" in an October was a huge emotional blow (for a pretty big variety of reasons), and since then I've been working my butt off for my education.
But finally, FINALLY finals are next week. And I'm looking to do some self-care.

Which, let's face it: self-care is about more than taking care of your body. It's about taking care of your mind. Finding the necessary balance.
Dead Week was far more stressful than I would have liked for it to be. Getting in a huge paper, awaiting a presentation grade, giving a presentation, and just trying to get enough sleep.

And so we go back to focusing on balance (and maybe a hint of time management skills. Let's be honest, sometimes I just suck at that).

Alright, first step in the self-care bit?
I'm going to hop my happy hind-part into the shower.

Ranting & Raving.

I'm so glad this week is over.

Heads up, this is long. Kudos to anyone who makes it through.

It's been one stressful day after the next... I just need to take a moment to get it off my chest.

I've been doing in-home senior care for just under 2.5 years now. I've had the same client for just over two years.
While on a break between school portrait retakes and a group photo on Wednesday I got a call saying that there was a bit of a change and to call back the office when I got a chance.
Turns out my client is moving and my last day is to be Sunday - THIS Sunday. As in tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I'm roaming around the school grounds, gathering ideas for the perfect class picture. I had a bunch of ideas. On the school sign, on different areas of the playground...
Get outside with the kids, and the teacher just axes all of my awesome ideas because "maybe with another group, you understand."

Uh, no, not really. Could you explain? Because I waited an hour and a half between MAYBE 10 retakes and being able to take a group picture, just to get everybody in this one spot.
But... I didn't say that. I just smiled and nodded like I got it.

At least I have some ideas for some playground shots to look for at other playgrounds.

Then Thursday... Oh, Thursday was a PAIN. I was trying to finish up my stuff for a big presentation later that day. I got a phone call saying that instead of Sunday, my last day with this client will be SATURDAY. As in, today. The day I'm typing this. This is my last day with my client :(

I finish my part of the presentation, meet with my classmate and the professor we're presenting with. We merge everything and iron it out, and give a pretty good presentation.
Afterward, this professor from another school comes up to me about how I offended her and she thought about getting up and leaving but she decided to stay and let me know, and she talks to me about her experience and how there are resources out in a certain area (I didn't say there WEREN'T, just a lack of resources in comparison to the MUCH larger area we're in) and how she KNOWS where all of her students are interning (um, no shit. If you're worth half your salt as a professor heading the internships, you BETTER know where your students are! DUH).

After she left I just cried.

I know, I know, thin skin.
I would've appreciated a frank conversation more than just getting reamed.

It was a relief to know how many people had my back, though. My professor told me how inappropriate her comments were and that he'd be calling her since she was nice enough to leave me both of her phone numbers.
The other girl I presented with later told me this lady's behavior was inappropriate because she couldn't even be bothered to wait until we were alone. She just came right up to me, pulled me away about two feet, and started going at it. Everyone else there acknowledged that we were a couple of students, not hardcore seasoned professionals.
And my internship professor, while empathetic and understanding, told me it's something I'll continue experiencing if I present in front of people, and even people at the top of the food chain get rude mess like that. She even mentioned one of her experiences.

Then by Friday (yesterday)... I was just done with this week. Instead of being upset about that lady, I'm just irritated. Annoyed.
I was running late to my internship (on top of other things there was a spider in my car... Ew...) but I never miss anything and as an intern there's only so much I can do anyway due to the fact that I'm not employed there. I had a doctor appointment that afternoon, and tried to figure out who I'd be on outreach with so I could iron it out with them. Well, I couldn't find the person I was looking for, so I explained the situation to the next person I could find (about why I was looking for her) and then to my supervisor, who was ok with it.

I finally found this person, explained it to her, and when I said I'd be leaving a few minutes earlier to try to get in earlier to get back sooner she told me to make sure I cleared it with the supervisor (which I had) and then had the nerve to turn away from me and mutter "I wish I could work like you do."

I stood there for a moment before walking away so I didn't ream her for that rude-ass comment. Because there are more than a few things to get straight:
- as an intern, I am unpaid.
- as an intern, there are limitations on what I can and cannot do.
- as an intern, I have busted my ass asking questions, trying to get things sorted out, doing what I can.
- my supervisors and I have had any number of discussions to figure out things so everybody benefits and I get my hours.
- as an intern, sometimes all I can do is sit at my desk and read my book for internship because there's nothing else I CAN so. One of the guys working in the department was in one of my classes and did his internship at the same agency, in a BUSIER department. Even HE acknowledges that sometimes being an intern is boring.
- I have NEVER missed anything on the days I'm there (going on outreach, etc.) and I do what I can to offer help despite my limited knowledge... But I'm also trying to stay out of people's way!
- I don't know what she does in her spare time, but I work two fucking jobs AND I'm a full-time graduate student, have NEVER been LESS than full-time AND I'm still getting in to my internship 2 days a week and any extra days I can, I just finished a major presentation and have two more major ones coming up, I have a half marathon to train for, AND I'm trying to make time for myself, my husband, and my friends so I don't go nuts. THAT is "[working] like [I] do".

Tonight, I think I'm going to take a moment to enjoy a glass of wine. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy some time with my husband, possibly with a friend, maybe hit up the zoo and/or botanical gardens, and I'm going running.

Until then, I'm going to enjoy the last 4.5 hours I've got with my client, and we're gonna have a grand ol' time.

Nothing quite like working just like I do.

Dreaming

Isn't it funny how, when you feel that you've almost given up on a dream, or you think that maybe you have, something happens to make you realize that not only are you still dreaming, but it's within reach! It may take a while, but it's still within reach.

For example, I never thought I'd get anywhere with my dream of being a photographer. Ever. Other than bring a blah enthusiast. But right now I'm at a school... I do school portraits. It's not the event/on-location/studio photography I was hoping for, but it's pretty special. And it's not always easy. But it's great.
For example, I'm at a (mild-to-moderate) special needs school of preschoolers... The last picture of a student that I took this morning? I almost had it earlier, then we had to come back to him because he got fussy. So we came back to him, and he was crying and was having none of it. Then the teacher who was holding him started playing around with him, (carefully) swinging/dipping him in her arms, and getting him to smile. I had her lean out of the way a bit and Voila!! Great picture :) I was afraid we would get it, but I'm nothing if not determined - determined to get a shot his family will be happy with, and determined to keep upbeat and assure the teachers that it's ok if some kids need more time than others, that it's not a problem.
I still have quite a way to go with getting the technical aspects down, and I certainly don't own a DSLR yet, but it really makes me want to do more than just school portraits!
(That and this Thursday I have to be at work at 4:15. Yes, 4:15. In the MORNING! I could live without that) ;)

As for the running... I never even dared to dream that I could do what I'm doing now, that I would ever even WANT to go more than a mile, that I would want to go 5k and 10k and 13.1 miles (21k/half marathon)... If I dream big enough and work hard at it, maybe I'll even want to do a marathon some day!
And I'm so excited, not just for Disney's Princess Half Marathon (and the 5k the day before, and just being at Disney World! HELLO, DISNEY WORKD!!!!) but one of the races this year is in the town my great-grandmother lives in. I'm really hoping that they'll have it again next year. My great-grandma is in her 90s, and my grandparents are in their 70s, and I'd just love to see them. It would be great to see them, and maybe even have my grandma watch me compete.
Mind you, this race is 1000+ miles away.

I don't dream in half-measures, you know ;)

I'm also thinking about doing a thesis to get a Master of Arts instead of a Master of Science. I won't spill my topic idea just yet :) I'd thought about doing one before, but the topic I had just didn't feel right... But now this topic? It really speaks to me. I only have a semester to get it done - although common sense says to start getting it together NOW so I can get it cranked out.

Around January I'll also be finding out if I get accepted into a doctoral program...
And depending on how my internship goes, in January I may be starting at a different place - or just having TWO internships so that I can finally be provisionally licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor.

As I said, I definitely don't dream small. But I know that each of these dreams? I can do them. I'm so excited to do them. I WILL do them.

I am... Working to Achieve Balance

Has anybody noticed that the blog looks a little different? :)

It's been an interesting week.
It's been an interesting couple of months, actually, but definitely an interesting week. Starting my second-to-last semester of grad school has gone a whole lot smoother than I initially expected it to. Classes aren't super crazy (or crazy at all, for that matter). My only concern has been making sure that I have time for me.

Right now I'm doing my first internship with an agency's homeless program, and I definitely don't regret my decision. I've learned so much in the last 3-4 weeks, even though I'm definitely still a newbie. Working with the homeless population has certainly been an eye-opener. In February I was doing desk work at a university's GED program, an a number of people would come in and give me the same phone number... Eventually I realized it was the number to a homeless shelter not far from there. Even so, I never knew where it was. I'd heard of a few shelters in the area, but I'd never been in them. Heck, I'd never even seen them or really knew where they were! So it's been a great experience. At least so far.

I'm still trying to find my place with the agency as an intern, though. My direct hours (far more important than my indirect, in part because that means I'll have to communicate with clients and in part because they're MUCH harder to come by) aren't coming as easily as I thought. What I was initially (not talking in sessions) didn't work for obtaining hours. But talking in session didn't work because the doctors didn't like it! But instead of telling me they told someone else to tell me... It's like "Gee, thanks a lot...".
I'm afraid I may have to do some program hopping to get my hours in... At the same time, I really hope I do. They've got classes there to teach the clients different things, from mental illness and stress management to healthy cooking, exercise, and movies. I would love the opportunity to be part of that. It would be amazing to have the chance to lead a class.

With two jobs, an internship, and three classes (one of which is for my internship) I'm learning the importance of being able to balance and prioritize. And taking my vitamins. My very first week at my internship site I was getting over a cold. It was pretty miserable, especially with the sneezing and nose running. I definitely want to take precautions against that, because being sick isn't exactly fun.

So my plans/goals did balancing my life right now?
- take my dang vitamins
- hand sanitizer is a wonderful thing
- don't sell myself short on sleep. 4-5 hours just doesn't cut it. At all.
- stick with the running. It may take time, but it's good for me when done appropriately :) and it's a pretty good self-esteem boost when I do better than I ever have.
- definitely have my homework done before class. Nothing like spacing on homework to add stress to life, huh?

Sounds like a plan to me! I started working on it a while ago, but let Operation Balance continue!

I want to be the best me that I can be.

Two more days, two more days!!!!!

I'm psyched because after today, I only have TWO more days left of the semester. Two two two two TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I've got one final to email a professor, one I've already turned in, and two in-class finals to take - one on tomorrow and one on Tuesday.

And after that? I will have survived my first full year as a grad student!
You know, excepting the summer classes I'll be taking in a couple weeks, but no big deal.

On Thursday the husband and I are going to a scholarship dinner. I feel just a bit goofy about it because I know that I'm supposed to dress up. I took the opportunity to go shopping.

Perfect timing for that shopping trip, too. Apparently the post-prom season is the perfect time to go shopping for dressed. And even better?
I took my father-in-law and my younger brother-in-law with me to go shopping for said dress.

Yes, you read that correctly. My father-in-law and younger brother-in-law.
Believe it or not, we actually found a really nice dress.

I'd forgotten what it was like to be in the hordes of people looking at prom dresses. I tell you, DEB was so neon bright it was scary. And Younkers, where I found my dress, had PACKED dressing rooms.
With reason, apparently. The hubs and I went to Olive Garden last night and there were apparently still people going to prom. I figured at the end of April they'd be done, but I guess not.

I have to say... I'm pleased with the dress I bought. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of embarrassing my husband.

(Psst... My mentality was somewhere between "Look like the awesome wife that I am" and "OWN THE ROOM!!!" hahahahaha... I'm just a little on the arrogant side about looking good with my husband) ;)

Before I forget... To the hubs and I have been married for 11 months :) and just one more month until our first anniversary!

Forrest Gump is on right now, so in Forrest style I say...
"And that's all I have to say about that."

:)

Almost there!

I'm so close to being done with the semester that it's not even funny!
Actually, now that I think about it... I only have two weeks left!
And two take-home finals, a giant paper, two in-class finals to go.
It's more than a little overwhelming when I add the paper into the mix. I'm thinking of doing a thesis, and said thesis would be spun out of this paper. I know I can do it, but there are moments where I just feel like hitting my head on something.

I feel very accomplished today. Since I got up (and lazed around for the first half hour) I've: eaten breakfast, did some muscle stretches, did W4D3 of my 10K Runner app (basically C25K, but aiming for longer distances), put my gym clothes in the wash, showered, went to the doctor, put gas in my car, and now the gym clothes are in the dryer.
And that was all between about 9 and 2.

Now I'm just being a bum ;)

I started my PLADC hours, and had to terminate that relationship because my supervisor had a petition for disciplinary action on her license :-/ but I've got an interview on Monday for another place, so I've got high hopes!

And in just over a month, DH and I will be going to my cousin's wedding, and then celebrating our first anniversary!
You know, with the finals and the end of the semester and summer classes and work and what not all in there somewhere. Oh goodness.

One day at a time.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying running.
But let's be honest, I wasn't enjoying it this morning. I'm definitely a bit dire, but not as sore as I was immediately after I finished running.

When I ran on Sunday night (on the treadmill) I finished that particular night's program... And then went a few extra minutes that I needed to hit the 5k distance! It was pretty awesome.

The 5k for Fertility is in less than 2 weeks! DH and I are just walking it, but I'm so excited!
The Runway Run on base is 2 weeks after that. I would love beyond LOVE to do that, but I don't know if I'll be able to crank out 7 miles just yet - and if I can, what about the hills and everything? I do little to no incline on the treadmill. I'm just not to that point yet :-/

But I have high hopes. We'll see.

It certainly has been a while

There really isn't much exciting going on with me.

Let's see:
I survived my first semester in grad school.

I started my second semester in grad school (no duh! Haha).

One of my teachers grades ridiculously. How I can have 3 A's and one C despite studying my butt off is pretty ridiculous. And I'm not the only one in the class who feels that way. I think I may start making voice recordings of me going over my notes and then listening to them in my sleep.

Yes, I'm serious about that last bit.

The whole job thing has been on and off. I've started on my hours to get my provisional license for alcohol and drug counseling. It's been nerve-wracking and very intimidating...

And speaking of alcohol, I think I've discovered an allergy to vodka. Fortunately I'm a very VERY mild and infrequent drinker, so it's not like I'm actually coming into contact with it very often. Which is also unfortunate because if I don't encounter it very often then how can I be sure?? It's not like I have any allergies that I'm aware of, so I don't really know the signs. Of an allergy - or if what I'm feeling is normal for those new to drinking. But from what I can tell, it is unusual.

And I'm contemplating adding a thesis to my program at school for a Master of Arts.
That said, I'll still be out in May 2013 :)

Also, DH and I have been talking about buying a house next year. We'll see how that goes.

OH! And something else!
Well, for starters, I'm NOT pregnant!! ::happy dance::
I'm trying to get into running/working out more often. DH and I are going to look into doing the 5k for Fertility at the end of the month. He's looking forward to being able to walk it, but I definitely want to try running at least part of it. I'm excited at the prospect of actually being able to complete a 5k :)

That's all for now, I believe. :)

I'm getting really sick of RSVPs...

And our RSVP date isn't for 2.5 weeks!

But for real... I've got one bridesmaid telling me she may bring two guests, but isn't sure. Finally I said something along the lines of I don't know if both of them would be able to come, if it was just one then i would be more understanding but if the two of them would be ok not coming.

HELLO, I ONLY INVITED YOU!!!!

You don't just TELL me you're bringing a guest! And it took a while for her to even tell me WHY. If she'd just said "Hey, these two people will be tag-team driving me back because I can't drive and need a way to get to the wedding, can they come to the wedding or is that not ok?" then that's different! And apparently recently she's gotten into the bad habit of telling people stuff that she really needs to ask permission for to begin with, like bringing these two people to a margarita night after the wedding, a night that another roommate's mom is doing for her daughter's CLOSE FRIENDS after the wedding (see also: mom is doing it for that bridesmaid, the roommate - her daughter and also a bridesmaid-, another roommate/bridesmaid, and an usher/close friend) AND she said something along the lines of "We could just leave afterward" - which implies drunk driving, AND which makes that friend AND her mom liable, on top of the drunk driving issue.

Furthermore, I don't know one of your "guests," the one who doesn't know ANYBODY coming to the wedding except like two people, I'm not too fond of her anyway from what I have heard (and I've heard a lot, especially because I LIVE with this bridesmaid and they're ALWAYS on the phone - and this girl is LOUD on the phone, so I hear it all). And for all i know this girl might decide to bring her weed with her! Best part is that I'm not joking...
And I'm not too fond of your other "guest," because even though she's nice, she brings too much drama to the damn bedroom we share! I'm sorry, but a 10'x10' bedroom is barely big enough for the both of us WITHOUT you moving in someone else's SHIT "because her parents might take it" - HOW OLD IS SHE???? AND I'M SICK OF HER CRYING EVERY TIME!

Our program attendant said she might bring her mom as a guest. Ok, I'm more understanding with this one, because while I didn't give her a "guest" option (we only gave 2 people a "guest" option, because one practically demanded it and the other wouldn't know many people), she also doesn't know the area very well, and would probably be more comfortable navigating the area with her mom there.
I told her that if it comes down to it then she can always stay the night before the wedding at our apartment and we could figure it out from there. Which means she has the option of not bringing her mom and hot having to stay alone.


(This next girl I'm not mad at, just frustrated that we're trying to plan things and we don't really know what to plan)
Now I've got another bridesmaid who I talked about before who may have to bring her mom and her mom's friend with her - but she told me they probably weren't attending the wedding. They'd just be coming because she's never even been to this state before, let alone this far north.
Ok, whatever. I can understand that, because she's a couple months older than me (she'll be 21 a couple weeks before the wedding), and while my dad probably wouldn't demand to come with me if I was in a situation like this, he would be on the phone with me every morning, every night, checking in and seeing how things are going.
THEN she told me that instead she was bringing a friend (which I'd said ok to AGES ago) so she and the friend were driving up.

NOW she's telling me that her mom has decided they're flying, AND her mom and her mom's friend may come - and they "probably" aren't coming to the wedding.
I know it's not her fault, but I can't help her find a hotel to stay in if they don't know exactly when they'll be coming.

Ok, LOOK NOW. I only invited one person. ONE. If there's only one name on the invitation, then that's the only person invited!!!!!
Inviting ONE doesn't mean everybody can come.
And "probably" doesn't tell me anything. Probably means there's still a chance that we're paying for extra people.

By "we," I mean my dad, because he said he'd take care of the food. But I promised my dad that I would do everything I can to keep the costs down.
Yeah, $13/person isn't the end of the world, but when you get to about 200 people coming, and most of it's family, then YES, that's a LOT of money!
We don't have all the space in the world! Not everybody can show up just because they feel like it!

GIVE ME AN ANSWER AND BE DONE WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!

Let me clarify: I'm not against people bringing guests. If they want one that badly then they can at least ASK me nicely (and the last bridesmaid I mentioned has done that), but I'm so sick of people saying they don't know if they'll be bringing guests.
Money doesn't grow on trees! (actually, isn't it made of cotton or something???)

THEN you get the people with their "I didn't get my invite yet!"
I'm sorry, but WHAT? Ok, if you didn't get your invite yet, and you said this to me, and I haven't said anything about "Oh, maybe it got lost in the mail" or "Sorry, I haven't gotten to it yet," then chances are YOU'RE NOT INVITED!
ESPECIALLY because the person that had the nerve to say this to me is a person that gave me her address "for her invite," and I TOLD her that based on space because of the number of family being invited, I didn't know whether or not I would be able to invite her.
Which is true, but also having her there would just be too much damn drama. I had enough of it when I lived with her for a semester of school, and then whenever she stopped going to school but still came crying about every little detail. My roommates and I all blocked seeing her Facebook statuses because they were all manic-depressive with either "Loving my life" or "WHY DOES MY LIFE SUCK SO BADLY?" And most of them were negative, because she kept blowing it up to be something massive. She got engaged, broke it off, complained, and then got engaged to another guy, and broke THAT one off, too - within the span of two months!

And then other people with their "Well, mark me down as coming!"
Um, can I PLEASE get back an RSVP first? Not only because I stuck the damn stamp on the envelope, but because it'd be nice to have a HARD copy of everyone coming. With 100+ invites out, there's no guarantee that I'm going to remember every single person coming if they tell me, I don't care HOW we're related!
Oh, AND they haven't bought their plane tickets yet, so there's really no guarantee there anyway! I understand they're going to TRY (one of these people is an aunt helpiing pay for the wedding cake as a gift), but EVERY SINGLE TIME they make some headway on finding plane tickets, something comes up (usually it being her reading the thing wrong and thinking things are cheaper than they actually are).

I just want to be like PLEASE send me back the RSVPs. PLEASE.
But knowing my luck i would say someone's NOT attending because they didn't bother with the freaking paper, and then they'd show up anyone and THEN where would we be, other than probably facing fees for extra people not included in the head count.

And all through this I keep reminding myself that not breathing is for dead people.

Oh, and my advisor OR the department chair of the program I'm starting next year for grad school won't pick up their phones (yes, I've sent an email and I've gotten to the "I'm calling you every five minutes or else!" phase), so i can't sign up for classes since my advisor gave me the INCORRECT information, so I'm already kinda irritated.