Well, the moment I have been counting down to is finally here. I have finished the most intense and stressful year and a half of my life. I've finished all the classes, and tests, and assignments. I've completed the coursework for my graduate school career. All that is left is practicum, application of the skills I've learned along the way. Honing my talents, learning new tips and tricks. This next semester I'm sure will fly by. And while I'm so excited about being "finished" at this point, it comes with bittersweet feelings.
I'm leaving the nest so to speak. I'll be without the protection of supervisors who've known me for years. I'll be without those girls with whom I've formed bonds with and leaned on for support over these past 15 months.
While I will miss having that nest to come back to, I know that I'll be fine. More than fine actually. These past months of school have taught me much more than assessment and treatment of various disorders. I've learned just as much about myself. About integrity, and self confidence, and independence. About the importance of "me" time. About separating work and home life and being able to really appreciate relationships and experiences and digging deeper into those things. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that while independence is important, I cannot always do everything on my own.
I'm excited to welcome this new period of my life and I know that I'm prepared.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
My Comprehensive exams are a week from tomorrow. Really, that's giving too much credit, they're more like a week and 12 hours from right now.
I'm incredibly scared.
You see. These exams are the "make it or break it" period. They cover everything I have ever learned about speech language pathology.
For those of you who don't really know what that means, it's a lot. Let this be an educational moment...cue after-school-special music.
Speech Language Pathology is the study of speech and language.
Also, swallowing.
Also, cognition.
Also, reading.
See-well, except for swallowing-cognition and reading are heavily language based areas.
Speech and Language themselves are not easy areas to learn. Or teach. Or re-teach as it were. I've had to learn development-I'm talking from sperm+egg=baby up through dementia and death. I've had to learn about the brain, what it does, how it does it (if we even know), and why. I've had to learn anatomy from the pelvis up. I've had to learn about other cultures-their take on speech. on language. on folk-lore. I've learned slightly more than basic psychology. Not to mention counseling skills. I've learned how to write a social story, make a picture exchange system, operate a multi-thousand dollar communication device, how to teach a /r/, reading skills (for kids and adults), problem solving skills, social skills, and how to look at someone's vocal folds through endoscopy.
I've taken classes on brain injury, aphasia, dementia, school-age language (that's a large span y'all!), neurology, articulation and phonology (the sounds of speech), cleft palate, syndromes, alternative and augmentative communication, motor speech, dysphagia (swallowing-serious stuff...it'll kill you if we do it wrong!), stuttering, voice, research, and professional issues.
All of this I will be tested on in a week and 12 hours.
I've been studying, and I have a lot more to go. And I'm feeling okay.
No one has technically ever flunked out--though we do get 3 chances, and people have used all 3!
However; it is still weighing heavily on my heart. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and quite frankly I'm a bit grumpy (just ask David).
And the thing is, and this is the kicker, after these 2 DAYS of testing. I still have to take more tests for the classes I'm in now. And write 2 papers. And take finals! All of this (3 tests, 2 papers, and 3 finals) occurs just 4 weeks after comps (and Thanksgiving is supposed to happen in there at some point too)!!!
This is all in addition to clinic (and the paperwork that goes with it) of course.
I'm pretty sure this is there attempt to kill us!
Really.
All that said. Please pray (in that "without ceasing" sort of way if you don't mind too much).
Many thanks.
I'm incredibly scared.
You see. These exams are the "make it or break it" period. They cover everything I have ever learned about speech language pathology.
For those of you who don't really know what that means, it's a lot. Let this be an educational moment...cue after-school-special music.
Speech Language Pathology is the study of speech and language.
Also, swallowing.
Also, cognition.
Also, reading.
See-well, except for swallowing-cognition and reading are heavily language based areas.
Speech and Language themselves are not easy areas to learn. Or teach. Or re-teach as it were. I've had to learn development-I'm talking from sperm+egg=baby up through dementia and death. I've had to learn about the brain, what it does, how it does it (if we even know), and why. I've had to learn anatomy from the pelvis up. I've had to learn about other cultures-their take on speech. on language. on folk-lore. I've learned slightly more than basic psychology. Not to mention counseling skills. I've learned how to write a social story, make a picture exchange system, operate a multi-thousand dollar communication device, how to teach a /r/, reading skills (for kids and adults), problem solving skills, social skills, and how to look at someone's vocal folds through endoscopy.
I've taken classes on brain injury, aphasia, dementia, school-age language (that's a large span y'all!), neurology, articulation and phonology (the sounds of speech), cleft palate, syndromes, alternative and augmentative communication, motor speech, dysphagia (swallowing-serious stuff...it'll kill you if we do it wrong!), stuttering, voice, research, and professional issues.
All of this I will be tested on in a week and 12 hours.
I've been studying, and I have a lot more to go. And I'm feeling okay.
No one has technically ever flunked out--though we do get 3 chances, and people have used all 3!
However; it is still weighing heavily on my heart. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and quite frankly I'm a bit grumpy (just ask David).
And the thing is, and this is the kicker, after these 2 DAYS of testing. I still have to take more tests for the classes I'm in now. And write 2 papers. And take finals! All of this (3 tests, 2 papers, and 3 finals) occurs just 4 weeks after comps (and Thanksgiving is supposed to happen in there at some point too)!!!
This is all in addition to clinic (and the paperwork that goes with it) of course.
I'm pretty sure this is there attempt to kill us!
Really.
All that said. Please pray (in that "without ceasing" sort of way if you don't mind too much).
Many thanks.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
count your blessings child
So, It's nearly 3:00 in the morning and I can't seem to sleep.
I blame it on the steroid shot I got this afternoon due to my diagnosis of bronchitis OR walking pneumonia (we're just not super sure, so we're treating both).
Anyway. David and I went to bed about 1 and I tossed and turned while he was happily dreaming as soon as his head hit the pillow.
I decided after multiple pillow adjustments, roll overs and blanket fidgets that maybe I should count my blessings. I typically find this more fulfilling than counting sheep and in the search for my blessings and the words for why I'm thankful (because I like to give a description of exactly WHY I'm thankful)my eyes will get heavy and my heart will become full.(Anyone can be thankful for their large closet. But I'm thankful for my large closet because it holds all of my stuff-which I'm also thankful for-in such an organized way when I bother to hang things up. For example, I can always find that great purple shirt that I wore to Mobil and took those pictures of Mom in and I had really good hair and so did she and we were all wind blown and pretty. Yeah. I'm thankful for those things.)
I'd gone through the house, the cars, my wonderful husband, his family, my parents, sisters, niece, brother and sister in law, dogs, and was getting to my Grandma Sue when decided that I just really needed to commit to writing why I was so thankful for her.
I realize that she won't be around forever, but I pray that she'll at least be around long enough to hold my babies. And for them to know her, even if it's just in the way that children do.
My Grandmother and I have special bond. This is my mom's mom and the apron strings in this line of women are so twisted you couldn't cut them with a chainsaw. We are bonded to each other in a way that makes Steal Magnolias look like child's play.
The bond between Grandma and myself began when, as she says, I decided to eat her face as an infant the first time she held me.
We've lived with her a few times throughout my life. And I've always had a room at her place regardless of the miles between our hearts.
I've learned so many things from her. Things I'm thankful for. I've decided the share just a few-the highlights if you will:
I learned Southern Charm. I learned it by watching her, and imitating her, and saying the things that she said.-I'm probably the only 3 year old who had a doll named "I'll Be"
Along those lines, I learned how to say SHIT. And not just to say it, but to say it in a way that oozes passion and a southern drawl that almost makes it sound innocent.
I learned that while you can love many men, when you're 72, you might just contemplate on the fact that you "never took a black man as a lover"
I learned nursery rhymes. And that while I might be a monkey, you look like one.
I learned that auto tech is good for girls to take...you never want a mechanic pulling the wool over your eyes. It's also a good way to meet young men.
I've learned that a little lipstick will go a long way, as will sucking your stomach in.
I've learned that decisions you make in your life, are yours, and yours alone.
I've learned that because I am me. And because God created me. I should ALWAYS hold my head high.
I learned that dignity comes from facing hardship. Facing it with courage, with grace, and yes, sometimes and little anger.
I've learned that a shipment from QVC will make your day a little brighter.
I've learned that doing something for someone, even if it seems silly like watching your granddaughter walk the 25 yards between your house and hers in the dark, will go a long way in showing your love.
You're never too old for kiss.
Or a spanking with the wooden spoon.
I learned how to make chicken n' dumplins
And that strawberries are great. So is that cream cheese and marshmallow dip.
And I've learned, that laughter, especially with the ones you love, will take you back 20 years.
I've learned from the best.
I blame it on the steroid shot I got this afternoon due to my diagnosis of bronchitis OR walking pneumonia (we're just not super sure, so we're treating both).
Anyway. David and I went to bed about 1 and I tossed and turned while he was happily dreaming as soon as his head hit the pillow.
I decided after multiple pillow adjustments, roll overs and blanket fidgets that maybe I should count my blessings. I typically find this more fulfilling than counting sheep and in the search for my blessings and the words for why I'm thankful (because I like to give a description of exactly WHY I'm thankful)my eyes will get heavy and my heart will become full.(Anyone can be thankful for their large closet. But I'm thankful for my large closet because it holds all of my stuff-which I'm also thankful for-in such an organized way when I bother to hang things up. For example, I can always find that great purple shirt that I wore to Mobil and took those pictures of Mom in and I had really good hair and so did she and we were all wind blown and pretty. Yeah. I'm thankful for those things.)
I'd gone through the house, the cars, my wonderful husband, his family, my parents, sisters, niece, brother and sister in law, dogs, and was getting to my Grandma Sue when decided that I just really needed to commit to writing why I was so thankful for her.
I realize that she won't be around forever, but I pray that she'll at least be around long enough to hold my babies. And for them to know her, even if it's just in the way that children do.
My Grandmother and I have special bond. This is my mom's mom and the apron strings in this line of women are so twisted you couldn't cut them with a chainsaw. We are bonded to each other in a way that makes Steal Magnolias look like child's play.
The bond between Grandma and myself began when, as she says, I decided to eat her face as an infant the first time she held me.
We've lived with her a few times throughout my life. And I've always had a room at her place regardless of the miles between our hearts.
I've learned so many things from her. Things I'm thankful for. I've decided the share just a few-the highlights if you will:
I learned Southern Charm. I learned it by watching her, and imitating her, and saying the things that she said.-I'm probably the only 3 year old who had a doll named "I'll Be"
Along those lines, I learned how to say SHIT. And not just to say it, but to say it in a way that oozes passion and a southern drawl that almost makes it sound innocent.
I learned that while you can love many men, when you're 72, you might just contemplate on the fact that you "never took a black man as a lover"
I learned nursery rhymes. And that while I might be a monkey, you look like one.
I learned that auto tech is good for girls to take...you never want a mechanic pulling the wool over your eyes. It's also a good way to meet young men.
I've learned that a little lipstick will go a long way, as will sucking your stomach in.
I've learned that decisions you make in your life, are yours, and yours alone.
I've learned that because I am me. And because God created me. I should ALWAYS hold my head high.
I learned that dignity comes from facing hardship. Facing it with courage, with grace, and yes, sometimes and little anger.
I've learned that a shipment from QVC will make your day a little brighter.
I've learned that doing something for someone, even if it seems silly like watching your granddaughter walk the 25 yards between your house and hers in the dark, will go a long way in showing your love.
You're never too old for kiss.
Or a spanking with the wooden spoon.
I learned how to make chicken n' dumplins
And that strawberries are great. So is that cream cheese and marshmallow dip.
And I've learned, that laughter, especially with the ones you love, will take you back 20 years.
I've learned from the best.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Twice in one week! kinda...
Wow! I haven't blogged twice in a 7 day period in a long time. I'm enjoying this "having downtime" concept this weekend.
I've been spending a lot of my time recently avoiding studying. Honestly. I would love to say that I've been spending a lot of time studying, but mostly I try to avoid it. I cook dinner. I clean the kitchen. I do laundry with our fancy new washer and dryer. I stare blankly at the computer screen, fingers on the home keys.
Filling up my time in this way typically leaves me scrambling before something is due, which in turn leads to tears. I find that I can go about two weeks before the tears come, but then I remind myself I only have about 2 1/2 months left of the whole school thing. (Hey! That's only 3 more breakdowns where I cry and David is left feeling helpless!)
I like to imagine what life will be like once I'm not subject to reading articles at the stove while I'm cooking (just like the movie Mona Lesa Smile-you know, where she writes that article about being a married student). I wonder what new hobbies I'll take up in the evenings? Maybe I'll start back on some old ones...
I used to knit. I made this really great bag one time. And hats, buddy, I could make a hat in all of about an hour and a half. And scarves! I made about 12 for Christmas one year. My dad has already requested a sweater for his new puppy in time for their living history event in Feb.
I bet, with no homework I could finish that sweater and the hat I started for him a year ago in about a week. Yeah, that would be nice...
Or maybe I'll take up something else, like painting, or woodwork, or something really random, like decoupage. I think that would make Martha Stewart proud...
I've been spending a lot of my time recently avoiding studying. Honestly. I would love to say that I've been spending a lot of time studying, but mostly I try to avoid it. I cook dinner. I clean the kitchen. I do laundry with our fancy new washer and dryer. I stare blankly at the computer screen, fingers on the home keys.
Filling up my time in this way typically leaves me scrambling before something is due, which in turn leads to tears. I find that I can go about two weeks before the tears come, but then I remind myself I only have about 2 1/2 months left of the whole school thing. (Hey! That's only 3 more breakdowns where I cry and David is left feeling helpless!)
I like to imagine what life will be like once I'm not subject to reading articles at the stove while I'm cooking (just like the movie Mona Lesa Smile-you know, where she writes that article about being a married student). I wonder what new hobbies I'll take up in the evenings? Maybe I'll start back on some old ones...
I used to knit. I made this really great bag one time. And hats, buddy, I could make a hat in all of about an hour and a half. And scarves! I made about 12 for Christmas one year. My dad has already requested a sweater for his new puppy in time for their living history event in Feb.
I bet, with no homework I could finish that sweater and the hat I started for him a year ago in about a week. Yeah, that would be nice...
Or maybe I'll take up something else, like painting, or woodwork, or something really random, like decoupage. I think that would make Martha Stewart proud...
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I was just sitting here thinking of how I haven't blogged in a zillion years.
Here are a few updates:
1. David and I moved to Hoover a few weeks ago. We love it. We're in a two bedroom apartment in the middle of everything, yet it is still strangely quiet.
2. I started my fall off-campus clinic. I'm at Hand-in-Hand working with the Early Intervention. HIH is the children's program of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham. The Greater Birmingham area's EI program is also housed there. I travel around the Birmingham area on Monday and Wednesday with my supervisor visiting children under 3 with communication delays/disorders in their homes or preschools. It is absolutely amazing and would love nothing more than to do just that for 40 hours a week!
3. David is loving the job! It is such a blessing for me to hear him say that! There are times that he gets stressed out, but overall, he enjoys it!
4. My graduate school Comprehensive Exams (comps) are just a few weeks away. These exams cover everything I've learned in grad school from day one. There are two tests, a 200 question multiple choice test and an essay test covering 3 essays. We have 4 hours for the multiple choice test and 6 for the essay test. Please keep that in your prayer, especially the second week of November.
5. We made our first, really grown-up purchase! We bought a washer and dryer! It's so nice to actually do our laundry in our own house now!
And what I think is one of the most amazing updates.....
I BOUGHT THE RED BOOTS!!!! They are everything I was looking for and worth every penny I saved up to buy them with. The are knee length, deep red, flat heeled, riding boots. And they make me feel the say way those original red ropers did. Which is exactly what I need during this stressful time of year.
I think that basically covers things up to this point. Little things have happened along the way, but all in all, this pretty much sums things up!
Thanks for reading...
Here are a few updates:
1. David and I moved to Hoover a few weeks ago. We love it. We're in a two bedroom apartment in the middle of everything, yet it is still strangely quiet.
2. I started my fall off-campus clinic. I'm at Hand-in-Hand working with the Early Intervention. HIH is the children's program of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham. The Greater Birmingham area's EI program is also housed there. I travel around the Birmingham area on Monday and Wednesday with my supervisor visiting children under 3 with communication delays/disorders in their homes or preschools. It is absolutely amazing and would love nothing more than to do just that for 40 hours a week!
3. David is loving the job! It is such a blessing for me to hear him say that! There are times that he gets stressed out, but overall, he enjoys it!
4. My graduate school Comprehensive Exams (comps) are just a few weeks away. These exams cover everything I've learned in grad school from day one. There are two tests, a 200 question multiple choice test and an essay test covering 3 essays. We have 4 hours for the multiple choice test and 6 for the essay test. Please keep that in your prayer, especially the second week of November.
5. We made our first, really grown-up purchase! We bought a washer and dryer! It's so nice to actually do our laundry in our own house now!
And what I think is one of the most amazing updates.....
I BOUGHT THE RED BOOTS!!!! They are everything I was looking for and worth every penny I saved up to buy them with. The are knee length, deep red, flat heeled, riding boots. And they make me feel the say way those original red ropers did. Which is exactly what I need during this stressful time of year.
I think that basically covers things up to this point. Little things have happened along the way, but all in all, this pretty much sums things up!
Thanks for reading...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Growing Pains
I feel like, of all the classes you take in school, there really should be a class on how to be an adult. Someone along the line should really sit you down and give you a text book titled "So you decided to grow up..."
Really.
A few weeks ago David started working. Before he started the job he got a packet in the mail of information we needed to fill out. Insurance information. Life, health, vision, dental. Insurance for dismemberment? He's working on computers! How will he be dismembered? And my favorite line, insurance won't pay for dismemberment or death in the event that David participates in a riot or mob...crazy stuff.
And that's just one thing. All at once we had to figure out how much our lives are worth. And who gets that money. And when they get that money. It was overwhelming to say the least. Putting a price on your own head so to speak. Or our health. How much vision insurance do we need? Dental? Who knows! I've never know the headache that went into this. Then there were the things like spending accounts and reimbursement policies.
But it did have it's rewards...besides the obvious, being insured, there are others. I think since we got married I haven't really "felt" married. I mean, yeah, we're married, and we're living in a camper all by ourselves, but we still had our parent's there a simple call away. When those insurance cards came in the mail, for the first REAL time in my life, I felt like an adult. A real adult. Not a teenager saying "I'm an adult" but a real honest to goodness one. A grown up. Who's married.
Weird...
Really.
A few weeks ago David started working. Before he started the job he got a packet in the mail of information we needed to fill out. Insurance information. Life, health, vision, dental. Insurance for dismemberment? He's working on computers! How will he be dismembered? And my favorite line, insurance won't pay for dismemberment or death in the event that David participates in a riot or mob...crazy stuff.
And that's just one thing. All at once we had to figure out how much our lives are worth. And who gets that money. And when they get that money. It was overwhelming to say the least. Putting a price on your own head so to speak. Or our health. How much vision insurance do we need? Dental? Who knows! I've never know the headache that went into this. Then there were the things like spending accounts and reimbursement policies.
But it did have it's rewards...besides the obvious, being insured, there are others. I think since we got married I haven't really "felt" married. I mean, yeah, we're married, and we're living in a camper all by ourselves, but we still had our parent's there a simple call away. When those insurance cards came in the mail, for the first REAL time in my life, I felt like an adult. A real adult. Not a teenager saying "I'm an adult" but a real honest to goodness one. A grown up. Who's married.
Weird...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Shoes Shoes
I was decked out in a set of scrubs today, working with my group of little ones. Now, normally I like to wear my Tom's with my scrubs. They're lightweight, comfortable, and don't cause the hem of the pants to stick under the tongue of the shoe (cause there isn't one), which is really annoying. Well, last Thursday, I wore my Toms and they were soaking wet by the end of the session due to the children's favorite activity...the water table. Now, having wet shoes wasn't really a problem for the shoes. They were fine. It's just that having my feet get wet unintentionally is one of my top three least favorite things in the world.
So I wore my cute pink Puma's today. I bought these shoes on a whim one day and they have proven to be really useful, except that they have a rather "pokey-outy" tongue. So, naturally, the hem of my pants gets stuck behind it when I sit down and I'm left fiddling with it all day long. The other slight annoyance about these shoes is that they squeak when I walk. I don't know if other people hear it, but I most certainly do. I try to walk softly so the squeaking is minimal, but to no avail. I'm pretty sure they even squeak on carpet!
While I was walking behind one of my fellow clinicians admiring how silent her shoes were, I had a memory pop into my head and make me smile.
...*enter dreamland*...
I was about 6 years old and we lived in Ft. Benning GA. It was winter time and it would get chilly in the bathroom upstairs. Mom, being the wonderful mother that she is, put a small space heater in the bathroom for us so that we wouldn't freeze to death when we would take our baths. Well, one night, after strict instructions not to leave ANYTHING in front of the space heater, my mom ran my bathwater and left the bathroom for a hot second. Being 6, I of course did not heed her careful instruction and threw my clothes about the bathroom haphazardly.(Now don't get worried, nothing catches fire.) My mom came in to check on me a few minutes into my bath and as soon as she walked into the bathroom she exclaimed "What's burning!?" I'm pretty sure my reaction was something along the lines of "huh?" So she rushed over to the space heater and low and behold...there lay my right tennis shoe. It wasn't burning, but the sole of the shoe had melted quite a bit and was a good deal "thicker" on the right side than the left. Mom informed me (after some form of discipline I'm sure) that I was just going to have to wear them like that until we could get me some more shoes.
The next day, Justin and I walked to school as usual, except I was dragging my right foot behind me trying to wear down the unevenness of the melted shoe. This seemed like perfect logic to the two of us, after all, you can scrape a lot of things with concrete, knees for example.
The trek to school and back, as well as recess, was spent scraping the shoe and it did absolutely nothing (except give some onlooker a laugh I'm sure) and I was forced to wear the melted shoe for what felt like an eternity.Turns out, and eternity to a 6 year old probably like 2 days in reality.
Needless to say, I was very careful not to place things in front of the space heater ever again.
...
I wonder; would dragging my feet on the asphalt in our clinic parking lot help to lessen the squeaking???
So I wore my cute pink Puma's today. I bought these shoes on a whim one day and they have proven to be really useful, except that they have a rather "pokey-outy" tongue. So, naturally, the hem of my pants gets stuck behind it when I sit down and I'm left fiddling with it all day long. The other slight annoyance about these shoes is that they squeak when I walk. I don't know if other people hear it, but I most certainly do. I try to walk softly so the squeaking is minimal, but to no avail. I'm pretty sure they even squeak on carpet!
While I was walking behind one of my fellow clinicians admiring how silent her shoes were, I had a memory pop into my head and make me smile.
...*enter dreamland*...
I was about 6 years old and we lived in Ft. Benning GA. It was winter time and it would get chilly in the bathroom upstairs. Mom, being the wonderful mother that she is, put a small space heater in the bathroom for us so that we wouldn't freeze to death when we would take our baths. Well, one night, after strict instructions not to leave ANYTHING in front of the space heater, my mom ran my bathwater and left the bathroom for a hot second. Being 6, I of course did not heed her careful instruction and threw my clothes about the bathroom haphazardly.(Now don't get worried, nothing catches fire.) My mom came in to check on me a few minutes into my bath and as soon as she walked into the bathroom she exclaimed "What's burning!?" I'm pretty sure my reaction was something along the lines of "huh?" So she rushed over to the space heater and low and behold...there lay my right tennis shoe. It wasn't burning, but the sole of the shoe had melted quite a bit and was a good deal "thicker" on the right side than the left. Mom informed me (after some form of discipline I'm sure) that I was just going to have to wear them like that until we could get me some more shoes.
The next day, Justin and I walked to school as usual, except I was dragging my right foot behind me trying to wear down the unevenness of the melted shoe. This seemed like perfect logic to the two of us, after all, you can scrape a lot of things with concrete, knees for example.
The trek to school and back, as well as recess, was spent scraping the shoe and it did absolutely nothing (except give some onlooker a laugh I'm sure) and I was forced to wear the melted shoe for what felt like an eternity.Turns out, and eternity to a 6 year old probably like 2 days in reality.
Needless to say, I was very careful not to place things in front of the space heater ever again.
...
I wonder; would dragging my feet on the asphalt in our clinic parking lot help to lessen the squeaking???
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Boots
I've given up on the search for knee length, flat sole, red boots. So, I've decided to go back to my roots, and after a good deal of searching (while I should have been doing some homework I'm sure) I've found and decided that, I want these...
http://www.sheplers.com/womens/snip_toe_boots/045c65.html?Source=Froogle
They are a more grown up version of what I wore so often growing up. And I feel sure, that when I slip them on, those feelings will return.
Who knows, maybe they'll be my new luck boots, and will get me through the rest of grad school?
http://www.sheplers.com/womens/snip_toe_boots/045c65.html?Source=Froogle
They are a more grown up version of what I wore so often growing up. And I feel sure, that when I slip them on, those feelings will return.
Who knows, maybe they'll be my new luck boots, and will get me through the rest of grad school?
Friday, June 18, 2010
It's a Fiesta!
David and I have had some form of Tex/Mex every day this week since Monday. I think it's pretty clear what our favorite type of food is...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Married Life
I've been a married woman for a little over a week now, and wedding related things still plague me! Mostly it's just the mess I left in my room at home, and the billion and one thank you cards David and I still have to write and mail out, but nonetheless, I caught myself waking up last night thinking about it, but quickly feel back asleep after telling myself that no one is expecting a thank you card right this second ;).
David and I have settled into our very mobile home. We have all the cabinets filled to the brim thanks to our parents, and my Grandma and Randall. I hate to say it, but I think that we might have too much food! Our cloths take up another chunk of our storage space, along with some, well, things of Grandma's. David did an amazing job getting things organized, sorted out, and packed away. All I really did was the bathroom and food. David even went to town to get quarters for us to do some laundry today. He really is an amazing man and I couldn't be happier to be his wife. Our little camper is really starting to feel like our little home.
I started school today, and am feeling a lot less panic-y than I normally feel at this point in the semester. I have diagnostics this semester, which results in me not having any clients, but having 1 evaluation session per week. This will give me a lot more free time than I usually have, so I should be able to stay on top of homework and assignments pretty well...as soon as I buy books!
The job hunt is still on for David. He got an email about a phone interview while we were still on the honeymoon, and he's emailed and called them back a couple of times now, but we still haven't heard anything. He went on a job hunt today, driving all over Calera and Alabaster. Prayers for this area of our life would be appreciated. I know that David is feeling disappointed and disheartened about all of this.
We've spent the past couple of evenings playing the Wii and eating popcorn together. It's been relaxing, and we've really enjoyed spending time with each other, getting to know the new, married versions of ourselves.
David and I have settled into our very mobile home. We have all the cabinets filled to the brim thanks to our parents, and my Grandma and Randall. I hate to say it, but I think that we might have too much food! Our cloths take up another chunk of our storage space, along with some, well, things of Grandma's. David did an amazing job getting things organized, sorted out, and packed away. All I really did was the bathroom and food. David even went to town to get quarters for us to do some laundry today. He really is an amazing man and I couldn't be happier to be his wife. Our little camper is really starting to feel like our little home.
I started school today, and am feeling a lot less panic-y than I normally feel at this point in the semester. I have diagnostics this semester, which results in me not having any clients, but having 1 evaluation session per week. This will give me a lot more free time than I usually have, so I should be able to stay on top of homework and assignments pretty well...as soon as I buy books!
The job hunt is still on for David. He got an email about a phone interview while we were still on the honeymoon, and he's emailed and called them back a couple of times now, but we still haven't heard anything. He went on a job hunt today, driving all over Calera and Alabaster. Prayers for this area of our life would be appreciated. I know that David is feeling disappointed and disheartened about all of this.
We've spent the past couple of evenings playing the Wii and eating popcorn together. It's been relaxing, and we've really enjoyed spending time with each other, getting to know the new, married versions of ourselves.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Stop lights
When I was little, and I would ride somewhere with my Daddy, we would play this game at stoplights. We would take turns shouting the "magic" word (which was just a random word that a 4 year old would come up with!) that would make the light turn green. Sometimes, he would say a word and the light would change right away...like magic. And I would think that he was the most amazing man in the world, because his words changed the light! And sometimes, he would tell me a word to say, and I would shout it, and the light would change almost immediately, and he would tell me how incredible I was, because I made the light change.
Knowing what I know now, about looking at the other lights and seeing when they turn yellow, I know that these weren't "magic" words, but I still play that game in my head when I'm at a stoplight. And sometimes I peak, and say a word just as the light is turning green, and even though I peaked, I still feel pretty incredible.
Knowing what I know now, about looking at the other lights and seeing when they turn yellow, I know that these weren't "magic" words, but I still play that game in my head when I'm at a stoplight. And sometimes I peak, and say a word just as the light is turning green, and even though I peaked, I still feel pretty incredible.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A story for your day...
I originally decided to write a blog to write down the "stories" that I have a tendency to tell my friends. It seems though, that since I began this blog, I haven't really had many stories to share...
This isn't really a story really, just a reoccurring dream I've been having that I though I'd share.
The details vary a little, but in general it goes like this:
It's the day of the wedding. Everyone looks beautiful and is going according to plan. I'm running a tad late, so they all leave to go to the church before me. I get there about 5 minutes after everyone, and we're getting ready to take pictures when I realize that I don't have my shoes! I can't remember where I put them to tell someone else, so I say that I'll go back to the house to get them. I get to the house, and I'm locked out, so I have to walk to a neighbor's to get a spare key. During the walk I am forced to walk across some sort of painful something... a brier patch, broken glass, or really hot asphalt. Once I get next door (there are always chickens btw) I get the key, and have to walk BACK across whatever hurt my feet to begin with. I finally get into the house, grab my shoes and drive super fast to the church. I always get pulled over for speeding, but get out of the ticket. I show up at the church at least 20 minutes after the ceremony was supposed to begin, only I have dirty, bloody feet that are too swollen to fit in my shoes! So I decide to just walk down the isle barefoot, only I walk past a mirror right before the doors open, and realize that I have dripping wet hair! I decide that I'll just have to send someone to "entertain" for a bit while I go get ready instead of walking down the isle looking like a hot mess. David gets SO irritated by this, and everyone is fidgeting in their seats, and hate the "entertainment" I picked, so I end up just having my mom braid my hair and rinsing my feet off in the sink in the bathroom and covering them with band-aids.
It's at this point that I wake up...terrified, and exhausted.
I'm sure that some people would interpret this to mean something, but I like to think it's just nerves and knowing I still have a lot to do until we're "ready" for the big day.
Besides, all that chaos does make me laugh to think about later...
This isn't really a story really, just a reoccurring dream I've been having that I though I'd share.
The details vary a little, but in general it goes like this:
It's the day of the wedding. Everyone looks beautiful and is going according to plan. I'm running a tad late, so they all leave to go to the church before me. I get there about 5 minutes after everyone, and we're getting ready to take pictures when I realize that I don't have my shoes! I can't remember where I put them to tell someone else, so I say that I'll go back to the house to get them. I get to the house, and I'm locked out, so I have to walk to a neighbor's to get a spare key. During the walk I am forced to walk across some sort of painful something... a brier patch, broken glass, or really hot asphalt. Once I get next door (there are always chickens btw) I get the key, and have to walk BACK across whatever hurt my feet to begin with. I finally get into the house, grab my shoes and drive super fast to the church. I always get pulled over for speeding, but get out of the ticket. I show up at the church at least 20 minutes after the ceremony was supposed to begin, only I have dirty, bloody feet that are too swollen to fit in my shoes! So I decide to just walk down the isle barefoot, only I walk past a mirror right before the doors open, and realize that I have dripping wet hair! I decide that I'll just have to send someone to "entertain" for a bit while I go get ready instead of walking down the isle looking like a hot mess. David gets SO irritated by this, and everyone is fidgeting in their seats, and hate the "entertainment" I picked, so I end up just having my mom braid my hair and rinsing my feet off in the sink in the bathroom and covering them with band-aids.
It's at this point that I wake up...terrified, and exhausted.
I'm sure that some people would interpret this to mean something, but I like to think it's just nerves and knowing I still have a lot to do until we're "ready" for the big day.
Besides, all that chaos does make me laugh to think about later...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Anything can happen child, anything can be...
One of my professors hugged me today. She's not a hugger...she'd also caused me to cry, which is what elicited the hug. I don't cry in front of professors.
Had a strangely easy test from a professor who prides herself in the difficulty of her tests.
I went to dinner with my "little" and then bought new summer accessories.
I texted an old friend multiple times this week, we even talked once.
This has been the 1/2 week of absurdities.
Cant wait to see what tomorrow holds.
Had a strangely easy test from a professor who prides herself in the difficulty of her tests.
I went to dinner with my "little" and then bought new summer accessories.
I texted an old friend multiple times this week, we even talked once.
This has been the 1/2 week of absurdities.
Cant wait to see what tomorrow holds.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Month to Month
Apparently my new blogging habit is to only blog once a month. As to be expected, my life as been hectic. School pretty much runs things, with wedding details taking a close second. The silver lining to all of this stress is that I really know how to appreciate some down time! I have my little rules I follow (no homework after 9 p.m, Mexican food for Tuesday night dinner) and those little joys help me along the way.
I've been thinking about the wedding a lot lately (a little over a month away now). But even more than that, I've been thinking about the marriage that I want David and I to share. We talk often about the children we would like to have one day, and how we would raise them, and the things we would do the same or different than what we have experienced and seen. We talk about dreams that we have for the future, our castles in the sky (Little Women reference), about traveling, and living in different places, and renovating a historic home, and taking trips to Napa Valley for wine tasting train rides.
It seems that so much time is spent looking to the future. Anticipating what will come next. I hope that in all of our dreaming, we don't forget to linger in the day to day moments. Sure,living in a camper for the first few months isn't everything that we dreamed of; but cherishing that time we have together, just the two of us and our very mobile home is something I hope we don't forget to do.
We have been blessed with examples of wonderful marriages. Our parents have each been married for more than 25 years. They alone have been such a great example of working as a team, a single unit. But there are other marriages too, young marriages of the people we worship with and of our siblings. Marriages in stages that are so much more like what we will be facing. Marriages that have lasted decades, even more than half a century.
There is one marriage in particular that I view with awe. For those who know me well, you've heard me talk about it. It's the marriage of Mrs. Dorris and Mr. Millard Herring. Mr. Millard is 99 years old. The oldest member of the church David and I will exchange vows at. Mrs. Dorris is several years younger than him, I think maybe 5 or 6. They were married at that same church when Mrs. Dorris was 16. They hadn't known each other long (less than a year), but knew that they would spend their lives together.
I'm sure that there were times throughout their lives when they faced hardship and heartache. I'm sure that every single day wasn't full of sunshine and roses. But when you talk to them about their life together, they only mention the happiness. When you ask them about memories of beginning their lives together, they share such joy and tell tale with tears from laughter staining their cheeks. Mrs. Dorris's face still lights up like that of a 16 year old girl when she talks about their wedding day, or raising their children, or grandchildren, or celebrating their 50th or 75th anniversary.
I hope that David and I will experience a marriage like that. I pray that God will be a part of our marriage and our home and that he will bless our lives like he has blessed theirs.
I hope to be 94 one day, still holding my true love's hand.
I've been thinking about the wedding a lot lately (a little over a month away now). But even more than that, I've been thinking about the marriage that I want David and I to share. We talk often about the children we would like to have one day, and how we would raise them, and the things we would do the same or different than what we have experienced and seen. We talk about dreams that we have for the future, our castles in the sky (Little Women reference), about traveling, and living in different places, and renovating a historic home, and taking trips to Napa Valley for wine tasting train rides.
It seems that so much time is spent looking to the future. Anticipating what will come next. I hope that in all of our dreaming, we don't forget to linger in the day to day moments. Sure,living in a camper for the first few months isn't everything that we dreamed of; but cherishing that time we have together, just the two of us and our very mobile home is something I hope we don't forget to do.
We have been blessed with examples of wonderful marriages. Our parents have each been married for more than 25 years. They alone have been such a great example of working as a team, a single unit. But there are other marriages too, young marriages of the people we worship with and of our siblings. Marriages in stages that are so much more like what we will be facing. Marriages that have lasted decades, even more than half a century.
There is one marriage in particular that I view with awe. For those who know me well, you've heard me talk about it. It's the marriage of Mrs. Dorris and Mr. Millard Herring. Mr. Millard is 99 years old. The oldest member of the church David and I will exchange vows at. Mrs. Dorris is several years younger than him, I think maybe 5 or 6. They were married at that same church when Mrs. Dorris was 16. They hadn't known each other long (less than a year), but knew that they would spend their lives together.
I'm sure that there were times throughout their lives when they faced hardship and heartache. I'm sure that every single day wasn't full of sunshine and roses. But when you talk to them about their life together, they only mention the happiness. When you ask them about memories of beginning their lives together, they share such joy and tell tale with tears from laughter staining their cheeks. Mrs. Dorris's face still lights up like that of a 16 year old girl when she talks about their wedding day, or raising their children, or grandchildren, or celebrating their 50th or 75th anniversary.
I hope that David and I will experience a marriage like that. I pray that God will be a part of our marriage and our home and that he will bless our lives like he has blessed theirs.
I hope to be 94 one day, still holding my true love's hand.
Monday, March 1, 2010
because knowing is half the battle...
So. It's been a while since I've done this blogging thing. The last one was a bulleted update of life as I know it. I suppose that I'll go a little deeper this time.
Things have been kinda stressful in my neck of the woods lately. I've been juggling a lot of emotions. School has been highly stressful. I'm not really sure why that is. A friend and I were talking today about how "burnt out" we're feeling. We were discussing that we had a restful break over the Christmas holidays, which would normally mean that we would be ready to hit the ground running for the new semester. Instead, it feels more like I was thrown from a moving vehicle and hit the ground hard and rolled into a pile of garbage. This battered and bruised feeling (not to mention covered in grime) is how I've felt most of the semester. It's a constant feeling of being behind in work. A constant struggle to keep up with classes, clinic, homework, and projects. When you throw balancing a relationship with my fiance, my roommate, my parents and my other friends into the mix, well, something is bound to be dropped.
I learned last semester how important it is to keep the "sand in my cup" so that I am able to fill all the other "cups" that represent my relationships and obligations. I struggle with this concept, trying to keep myself fulfilled, but doing everything else at the same time. I've seen the strain that it is taking on relationships, but the relationship I see the most strain with is my relationship with God. In all of the chaos, I seem to push him to the back the most. And the thing is, I'm surrounded by reminders of the preciousness of our relationship. I'm surrounded by people who are reminders to me of what it means to have a closeness with God.
I think that really, this is my real struggle. Maybe this is why I feel like I'm treading water in a storm. My body is taken care of, my school work is taken care of, my relationships are being nurtured. My soul is tired. I haven't rested in God. I think that for the first time in my life, I understand what that means, and I long for it....
Things have been kinda stressful in my neck of the woods lately. I've been juggling a lot of emotions. School has been highly stressful. I'm not really sure why that is. A friend and I were talking today about how "burnt out" we're feeling. We were discussing that we had a restful break over the Christmas holidays, which would normally mean that we would be ready to hit the ground running for the new semester. Instead, it feels more like I was thrown from a moving vehicle and hit the ground hard and rolled into a pile of garbage. This battered and bruised feeling (not to mention covered in grime) is how I've felt most of the semester. It's a constant feeling of being behind in work. A constant struggle to keep up with classes, clinic, homework, and projects. When you throw balancing a relationship with my fiance, my roommate, my parents and my other friends into the mix, well, something is bound to be dropped.
I learned last semester how important it is to keep the "sand in my cup" so that I am able to fill all the other "cups" that represent my relationships and obligations. I struggle with this concept, trying to keep myself fulfilled, but doing everything else at the same time. I've seen the strain that it is taking on relationships, but the relationship I see the most strain with is my relationship with God. In all of the chaos, I seem to push him to the back the most. And the thing is, I'm surrounded by reminders of the preciousness of our relationship. I'm surrounded by people who are reminders to me of what it means to have a closeness with God.
I think that really, this is my real struggle. Maybe this is why I feel like I'm treading water in a storm. My body is taken care of, my school work is taken care of, my relationships are being nurtured. My soul is tired. I haven't rested in God. I think that for the first time in my life, I understand what that means, and I long for it....
Thursday, February 11, 2010
It's been a while (ha, now that song is in your head)
Since it's been so long, here's an update...
1.) I have walking pneumonia (first time I've spelled that right all day!), and therefore had to cancel my clinic for today.
2.) On the clinic note, I just finished my third week. I have an elderly man this semester and I absolutely love him!
3.) Wedding planning is going along nicely, we even worked on vows this week!
4.) College night is here and Mom and David have come up. I'm excited for David to experience this for the first time, and to spend the weekend with them.
5.) That's about it really. I stay busy doing homework and planning clinic and the wedding.
1.) I have walking pneumonia (first time I've spelled that right all day!), and therefore had to cancel my clinic for today.
2.) On the clinic note, I just finished my third week. I have an elderly man this semester and I absolutely love him!
3.) Wedding planning is going along nicely, we even worked on vows this week!
4.) College night is here and Mom and David have come up. I'm excited for David to experience this for the first time, and to spend the weekend with them.
5.) That's about it really. I stay busy doing homework and planning clinic and the wedding.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sunday Pizza
David came up to visit me for the weekend. I always enjoy the time we get to spend together when he comes up. It seems a little more fulfilling when we aren't always running from my parent's house to his. Not that I don't love our parents and spending time with him. Weekends like this are just so much more relaxing.
This weekend has somehow been able to be what I imagine things will be like when we get married. I had a friend's birthday party to go to, and for the first time, David was able to go to something like that with me. The friend was from school, and the guests at the party were also from school. David had never met most of them before. It was fun having him there with me, and I think he enjoyed being able to put faces with the names he hears so often.
Now, we're sitting on the couch. He's playing a video game, and I'm writing the abstracts to a few research articles (well, I'm taking a little break right now). We just ordered a pizza for dinner. I feel like this is the window for me to see what weekend nights might be like in a few months.
Apart from the homework, I like it.
This weekend has somehow been able to be what I imagine things will be like when we get married. I had a friend's birthday party to go to, and for the first time, David was able to go to something like that with me. The friend was from school, and the guests at the party were also from school. David had never met most of them before. It was fun having him there with me, and I think he enjoyed being able to put faces with the names he hears so often.
Now, we're sitting on the couch. He's playing a video game, and I'm writing the abstracts to a few research articles (well, I'm taking a little break right now). We just ordered a pizza for dinner. I feel like this is the window for me to see what weekend nights might be like in a few months.
Apart from the homework, I like it.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Walk through the fire
I grew up watching movies like “Last of the Mohicans” and “Dances with Wolves” with my dad. There are many more movies like this that I’ve seen countless times. Often times in these movies about Native Americans someone has to run a gauntlet. I remember asking my Dad what a it was to “run a gauntlet.” He explained to me that running a gauntlet was a type of punishment or, an initiation into a group of people.
I think that running a gauntlet is a good analogy for the semester that I’m about to begin. I’ve yet to decide if it’s punishment or initation.
Last semester, as I was beginning my graduate school journey, I was scared that I wasn’t smart enough to be in grad school. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to balance school, clients, and a personal life. I learned a lot last semester; about the brain, about language development, about research, and about myself. I learned last year that it’s okay to take time for myself. It’s okay if I don’t make an A in every class. I learned that in times of stress, I should reach out to my loved ones instead of retreating into myself. I don’t have to give 100% of myself to everything. I can’t give 100% of myself to everything.
As I look at this next semester looming before me (it’s the hardest one they say), I’m clinging to those things I learned last semester. Some of those things are easier to do than others.
This situation reminds me of a song my Ginny Owens. Even though the song is talking about life trials, I feel like it relates to my time in school.
“If You Want Me To”
Ginny Owens
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
I think that running a gauntlet is a good analogy for the semester that I’m about to begin. I’ve yet to decide if it’s punishment or initation.
Last semester, as I was beginning my graduate school journey, I was scared that I wasn’t smart enough to be in grad school. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to balance school, clients, and a personal life. I learned a lot last semester; about the brain, about language development, about research, and about myself. I learned last year that it’s okay to take time for myself. It’s okay if I don’t make an A in every class. I learned that in times of stress, I should reach out to my loved ones instead of retreating into myself. I don’t have to give 100% of myself to everything. I can’t give 100% of myself to everything.
As I look at this next semester looming before me (it’s the hardest one they say), I’m clinging to those things I learned last semester. Some of those things are easier to do than others.
This situation reminds me of a song my Ginny Owens. Even though the song is talking about life trials, I feel like it relates to my time in school.
“If You Want Me To”
Ginny Owens
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)