Friday, December 29, 2006
Happy New Year!
Ohio down... Florida and the Western Carribean to go... I so lucky!
Ohio was a GREAT time! It wasn't a white Christmas as we had hoped but we still had a fun time. Emma is the GREATEST! She is so cute walking around and is a very busy girl playing with many toys and charming all those who cross her path. James was taken with her and she with him. It was very peaceful and relaxing time. James liked Ohio and was amazed at the no crowds on our visit to Target the Saturday before Christmas. The shock came when we went to Target in West Covina on a Thursday during the day and it was crowded. We both had a little adjustment to do. All in all is was a great time and we are hoping to go back in March for Emma's 1st birthday party. I can't believe it coming on a year that this little sweetness arrived in the world. We saw my mom's house from the outside. She is going to move in the middle of January. She'll be coming out the end of January/beginning of February to get her stuff out of storage in Escondido. I'm excited to see her then!
James and I spoiled each other in our first Christmas together... I was doubly... well infinity spoiled with a beautiful white gold and diamond necklace. It has three diamonds and a swirl shaped setting. I can't really describe it to do it justice but all I can say is that both my sister and my friend Jessica said they wanted on. Enough said! It was accompanied with a beautiful poem. I am lucky girl to have a man who cherishes me and loves me so much. He is so good to me and would walk to the moon and back if I asked him too. I am still in shock that I received something so beautiful from a man who loves me. I think it is all still sinking in. You imagine and hope things like this happen one day and it does...and it just is simply amazing.
So, tonight we get on a plane to Florida. We are going to be with James' aunt and her family. Then all of us, including James' mom, are going on a cruise to the Western Carribean. Woohoo! Call it a family reunion via a cruise. We leave tonight and will arrive in Tampa early tomorrow morning and visit a few days (including ringing in 2007) in Plant City, FL at his aunt's house and then Wednesday, January 3rd we are on a ship! Yipee!! Our ports are Belize, Panama and Costa Rica! I am SUPER excited...especially as the time draws near. I've never been on a cruise so I am doubly excited to experience something new. Pictures and stories to come!
Happy New Year! Hope the start of 2007 is fabulous!
Ohio was a GREAT time! It wasn't a white Christmas as we had hoped but we still had a fun time. Emma is the GREATEST! She is so cute walking around and is a very busy girl playing with many toys and charming all those who cross her path. James was taken with her and she with him. It was very peaceful and relaxing time. James liked Ohio and was amazed at the no crowds on our visit to Target the Saturday before Christmas. The shock came when we went to Target in West Covina on a Thursday during the day and it was crowded. We both had a little adjustment to do. All in all is was a great time and we are hoping to go back in March for Emma's 1st birthday party. I can't believe it coming on a year that this little sweetness arrived in the world. We saw my mom's house from the outside. She is going to move in the middle of January. She'll be coming out the end of January/beginning of February to get her stuff out of storage in Escondido. I'm excited to see her then!
James and I spoiled each other in our first Christmas together... I was doubly... well infinity spoiled with a beautiful white gold and diamond necklace. It has three diamonds and a swirl shaped setting. I can't really describe it to do it justice but all I can say is that both my sister and my friend Jessica said they wanted on. Enough said! It was accompanied with a beautiful poem. I am lucky girl to have a man who cherishes me and loves me so much. He is so good to me and would walk to the moon and back if I asked him too. I am still in shock that I received something so beautiful from a man who loves me. I think it is all still sinking in. You imagine and hope things like this happen one day and it does...and it just is simply amazing.
So, tonight we get on a plane to Florida. We are going to be with James' aunt and her family. Then all of us, including James' mom, are going on a cruise to the Western Carribean. Woohoo! Call it a family reunion via a cruise. We leave tonight and will arrive in Tampa early tomorrow morning and visit a few days (including ringing in 2007) in Plant City, FL at his aunt's house and then Wednesday, January 3rd we are on a ship! Yipee!! Our ports are Belize, Panama and Costa Rica! I am SUPER excited...especially as the time draws near. I've never been on a cruise so I am doubly excited to experience something new. Pictures and stories to come!
Happy New Year! Hope the start of 2007 is fabulous!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
yep, she's walking...
my little 9 1/2 month old niece is walking... and i get to see her on friday! YIPEE!!
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
finals week
This week is finals week. It's been a little bit of the crazy and I've got a ways to go. Oh well! It's one thing at a time.
Other than that... life is good. James is good. We are both looking forward to spending time with family this holiday season. We're going to Ohio for Christmas and Florida for the New Year and then jumping on a cruise with his mom's side of the family. Yipee! We both need the vacation and I'll be ready to get back and jump into the madness of the winter quarter. I miss my family and look forward to seeing them in a little over two weeks.
I work. I go to school. I see my boyfriend. I play phone tag and chat online with friends and family. I sleep. I'd like to add: I workout. I eat well. I'm working on those right now.
That's me in a nutshell.
Other than that... life is good. James is good. We are both looking forward to spending time with family this holiday season. We're going to Ohio for Christmas and Florida for the New Year and then jumping on a cruise with his mom's side of the family. Yipee! We both need the vacation and I'll be ready to get back and jump into the madness of the winter quarter. I miss my family and look forward to seeing them in a little over two weeks.
I work. I go to school. I see my boyfriend. I play phone tag and chat online with friends and family. I sleep. I'd like to add: I workout. I eat well. I'm working on those right now.
That's me in a nutshell.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
brief update
my blog concious didn't even have to remind me of my need to post. i am posting on my own free will. my blog concious will be very happy to hear of such growth in the blog-o-sphere.
this is the end of week 8 of my 10 week quarter. i have to make a push to get to the end with many a final (three to be exact that loom out there larger than life) and a huge paper (freud and his influence on the american church!). every quarter it seems like something short of a miracle to get it done. this too will be the same experience. but it will take a miracle rather large in size and really no life for the next three weekends. what's three weekends really. such a short amount of time.
i registered for classes for next quarter. i paid alot of money and when thinking about the loans that covered 3/4 of my tuition i realize i will be paying that much more for the classes for next quarter. it's a good thing i am excited beyond belief. psychopathology. psychopharmacology. marital therapy. clinical foundations. i've already bought the books. i am a nerd. but that's me. i'm always in the future. current moments usually escape me. i am sure in my psychopathology class i'll understand that about myself. i am sure in my psychopharmacology class i might discover a medication that will help. i am sure in my marital therapy class i'll realize how that might not be good for a marriage relationship. in clinical foundations, i can't use it as a "fake" role play because i would really be looking for answers from a fellow student who knows no more than i do which is really not a lot. anyway, my very own copy of the DSM is on its way to me. i think i will have to have someone hold it for me until i need it so i don't diagnose myself to insanity.
i've been reading (skimming really) this book called "on being a therapist". it basically is trying to scare the shit out of you and deter you from being a therapist. it's a refreshing book in the sense that it lays it out on the line. but really i can't read it word for word at least not right now. it's not stuff i don't already know about being in the helping profession. i learned a lot of those lessons in the school of hard knocks. the question, why am i signing up for that again? who knows. i think my optimism, idealism and hopefulness really should go away so that i can come to terms with the 10% of therapy that might see someone change. oh maybe my optimism is turning to pessimism as we speak. i shared with the class that if i didn't think i was expressly disobeying the will of God that i may reconsider. granted i don't hold much water for God having a specific will for anyone but this therapy road i know i have to go down... even if in the end i really do burn out in five years... and still have the remaining 5 or 15 to pay off the student loans. i have decided to scratch the itch. no regrets.
this is no longer a brief update. i think it's turned into self-therapy.
my mom bought a house in ohio this past week. she'll move after the holidays. beautiful house, almost two acres of land and really i think it cost $2. i'm happy for her. she's really come a long way in the last year. she's my inspiration. well she always has been. she's a rock. a rock that has been smoothed out by the hardships of life. but still a beautiful rock. i miss my mom. i can't wait to be with her for the christmas holiday.
emma is eating cheerios on her own. truly amazing. i miss that little girl too. she's yapping it up, crawling up a storm, and pulling herself up on everything. she is a joy to mom, dad, grammy, grandpa and grams. she's a delight.
james is amazing. we grow closer every day and sometimes that is via supporting each other through the hard stuff of life. it's weird how it happens that way but it does. he put on a magic show at my 30th birthday party. i smiled from ear to ear and poeople really enjoyed him. he made a paper rose float and then upon lighting it up it turned into a real rose. that's 25 red roses to date and a bunch of other flowers that i can't count. (i think i am bragging... yep, i am) gasp, aahs, and wows were heard all around. it was very fun and i was glad to show him off. we are both therapist of sorts. he is the "let me bring you amazement, joy and a chance to connect with laughter you need and child in you" therapist by way of his magic and entertainment. i'm the "let me give you a safe space to confront your pain, loss, etc. but also let me piss you off by challenging you to a better way of being" therapist. i think i'd like to be the magician therapist. he makes more an hour than i will. he makes people laugh. people instantly think good of him. i don't know that i'd make a horrible magician but i would always want to refer people to the best (read james) at making others laugh and be entertained. i'd put myself out of business. i think i might have to stick to my plan.
i think i might stop now. i think i obviously need to do this a bit more.
this is the end of week 8 of my 10 week quarter. i have to make a push to get to the end with many a final (three to be exact that loom out there larger than life) and a huge paper (freud and his influence on the american church!). every quarter it seems like something short of a miracle to get it done. this too will be the same experience. but it will take a miracle rather large in size and really no life for the next three weekends. what's three weekends really. such a short amount of time.
i registered for classes for next quarter. i paid alot of money and when thinking about the loans that covered 3/4 of my tuition i realize i will be paying that much more for the classes for next quarter. it's a good thing i am excited beyond belief. psychopathology. psychopharmacology. marital therapy. clinical foundations. i've already bought the books. i am a nerd. but that's me. i'm always in the future. current moments usually escape me. i am sure in my psychopathology class i'll understand that about myself. i am sure in my psychopharmacology class i might discover a medication that will help. i am sure in my marital therapy class i'll realize how that might not be good for a marriage relationship. in clinical foundations, i can't use it as a "fake" role play because i would really be looking for answers from a fellow student who knows no more than i do which is really not a lot. anyway, my very own copy of the DSM is on its way to me. i think i will have to have someone hold it for me until i need it so i don't diagnose myself to insanity.
i've been reading (skimming really) this book called "on being a therapist". it basically is trying to scare the shit out of you and deter you from being a therapist. it's a refreshing book in the sense that it lays it out on the line. but really i can't read it word for word at least not right now. it's not stuff i don't already know about being in the helping profession. i learned a lot of those lessons in the school of hard knocks. the question, why am i signing up for that again? who knows. i think my optimism, idealism and hopefulness really should go away so that i can come to terms with the 10% of therapy that might see someone change. oh maybe my optimism is turning to pessimism as we speak. i shared with the class that if i didn't think i was expressly disobeying the will of God that i may reconsider. granted i don't hold much water for God having a specific will for anyone but this therapy road i know i have to go down... even if in the end i really do burn out in five years... and still have the remaining 5 or 15 to pay off the student loans. i have decided to scratch the itch. no regrets.
this is no longer a brief update. i think it's turned into self-therapy.
my mom bought a house in ohio this past week. she'll move after the holidays. beautiful house, almost two acres of land and really i think it cost $2. i'm happy for her. she's really come a long way in the last year. she's my inspiration. well she always has been. she's a rock. a rock that has been smoothed out by the hardships of life. but still a beautiful rock. i miss my mom. i can't wait to be with her for the christmas holiday.
emma is eating cheerios on her own. truly amazing. i miss that little girl too. she's yapping it up, crawling up a storm, and pulling herself up on everything. she is a joy to mom, dad, grammy, grandpa and grams. she's a delight.
james is amazing. we grow closer every day and sometimes that is via supporting each other through the hard stuff of life. it's weird how it happens that way but it does. he put on a magic show at my 30th birthday party. i smiled from ear to ear and poeople really enjoyed him. he made a paper rose float and then upon lighting it up it turned into a real rose. that's 25 red roses to date and a bunch of other flowers that i can't count. (i think i am bragging... yep, i am) gasp, aahs, and wows were heard all around. it was very fun and i was glad to show him off. we are both therapist of sorts. he is the "let me bring you amazement, joy and a chance to connect with laughter you need and child in you" therapist by way of his magic and entertainment. i'm the "let me give you a safe space to confront your pain, loss, etc. but also let me piss you off by challenging you to a better way of being" therapist. i think i'd like to be the magician therapist. he makes more an hour than i will. he makes people laugh. people instantly think good of him. i don't know that i'd make a horrible magician but i would always want to refer people to the best (read james) at making others laugh and be entertained. i'd put myself out of business. i think i might have to stick to my plan.
i think i might stop now. i think i obviously need to do this a bit more.
Monday, November 6, 2006
Friday, November 3, 2006
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
To my blog conscience
Dear Blog Conscience,
Hello. How are you? Thank you for my recent prodding. I have felt for quite sometime the need to blog and yet because of a recent surge of busyness have neglected such this very important obligation. Yet with your urging and frankly because I can't sleep a wink this evening, I am posting. Thank you every so much for your blogging encouragement. I was actually wondering why you hadn't prodded earlier. (Much laughter.)
Week 6 of my ten week quarter is about to come to a close. My slackerness is catching up with me and I've found myself scrambling to get things done. My weekends of fun and fanfare have come to an end. Well not entirely but I can no longer take the whole weekend for such frivolity. This is exacerbated by staring a new job this last week. I am now the Assistant to the Associate Provost (well the interim Associate Provost). I've been through much training for the last week and look forward to getting into the groove. I am wiped out by the end of the day. I am in class or working from 8-5 everyday. Must find room for studying! Yes, I am crazy with such a load. What is new and it's about high time I resume the hectic life I once was accustomed too. Anyway, the job is a great opportunity at some things I am already good at. It feels good to be a part of the working world again. The pay is good and much needed!! They work around my school schedule and it's right on campus. I feel very fortunate.
The boyfriend of now 3 months is great. We are great. I find myself more in love each day. Our friendship and communication continues to grow. We make each other laugh. We cry together. He's my study buddy and helps keep me on task and reminds me that school is number one. It is very cool. I feel very blessed to have him in my life. He had a show on my 30th birthday in which I attended and much to my surprise he brought me up on stage and had everyone sing me happy birthday and then gave me two dozen red roses. It was amazing. He comes by his charm honestly. He's great and makes me feel like a very special, beautiful and amazing girl. I like that I have my biggest fan in him. He's going to do a magic show at my birthday party this weekend. I requested it and I know all will enjoy but even if no one does expect me to be sitting right in front smiling from ear to ear. I can't get enough of him and really I can't get enough of the smiles and laughter he brings through his entertainment. It's magic, baby. No, really it is!
The 30th birthday was great. My sister joined me all the way from Ohio to help me celebrate! It was great. I had some great friends help my birthday weekend be a fabulous one! I feel officially welcomed to the 30's and happy to be there. I look forward to more celebrating this weekend.
Muscle pull I'd say is pretty healed. Overuse makes it a bit sore but I've been back to exercising and might even try the beloved TKB tomorrow.
Mom moved to Ohio and is doing good. She's looking into housing options and adjusting to life in the OH. I've booked my ticket for Christmas which I am thankful to mom for picking up the tab. I'll be spending Thanksgiving in the CA with James and his posse. I wish he was going with me for Christmas but with work being so bah-humbug he says he's bah-humbug too since we'll be spending it apart. Not to worry as we'll be ringing in the New Year together. I look forward to seeing the Emster in the OH as she'll be nearly 10 months old. She's a tyrant (the cutest, sweetest tyrant) as she pulls herself up on everything and scares the dog with the speed in which she can crawl after it.
Anyway, that is the update on me. Again, my regrets. I am going to try my hardest to get back into the blogging swing of things. Thanks for my prod, my blogging conscience. I think I might be seeing you around... this weekend!?
With my love and a bucket of blessings sent your way,
life girl
Hello. How are you? Thank you for my recent prodding. I have felt for quite sometime the need to blog and yet because of a recent surge of busyness have neglected such this very important obligation. Yet with your urging and frankly because I can't sleep a wink this evening, I am posting. Thank you every so much for your blogging encouragement. I was actually wondering why you hadn't prodded earlier. (Much laughter.)
Week 6 of my ten week quarter is about to come to a close. My slackerness is catching up with me and I've found myself scrambling to get things done. My weekends of fun and fanfare have come to an end. Well not entirely but I can no longer take the whole weekend for such frivolity. This is exacerbated by staring a new job this last week. I am now the Assistant to the Associate Provost (well the interim Associate Provost). I've been through much training for the last week and look forward to getting into the groove. I am wiped out by the end of the day. I am in class or working from 8-5 everyday. Must find room for studying! Yes, I am crazy with such a load. What is new and it's about high time I resume the hectic life I once was accustomed too. Anyway, the job is a great opportunity at some things I am already good at. It feels good to be a part of the working world again. The pay is good and much needed!! They work around my school schedule and it's right on campus. I feel very fortunate.
The boyfriend of now 3 months is great. We are great. I find myself more in love each day. Our friendship and communication continues to grow. We make each other laugh. We cry together. He's my study buddy and helps keep me on task and reminds me that school is number one. It is very cool. I feel very blessed to have him in my life. He had a show on my 30th birthday in which I attended and much to my surprise he brought me up on stage and had everyone sing me happy birthday and then gave me two dozen red roses. It was amazing. He comes by his charm honestly. He's great and makes me feel like a very special, beautiful and amazing girl. I like that I have my biggest fan in him. He's going to do a magic show at my birthday party this weekend. I requested it and I know all will enjoy but even if no one does expect me to be sitting right in front smiling from ear to ear. I can't get enough of him and really I can't get enough of the smiles and laughter he brings through his entertainment. It's magic, baby. No, really it is!
The 30th birthday was great. My sister joined me all the way from Ohio to help me celebrate! It was great. I had some great friends help my birthday weekend be a fabulous one! I feel officially welcomed to the 30's and happy to be there. I look forward to more celebrating this weekend.
Muscle pull I'd say is pretty healed. Overuse makes it a bit sore but I've been back to exercising and might even try the beloved TKB tomorrow.
Mom moved to Ohio and is doing good. She's looking into housing options and adjusting to life in the OH. I've booked my ticket for Christmas which I am thankful to mom for picking up the tab. I'll be spending Thanksgiving in the CA with James and his posse. I wish he was going with me for Christmas but with work being so bah-humbug he says he's bah-humbug too since we'll be spending it apart. Not to worry as we'll be ringing in the New Year together. I look forward to seeing the Emster in the OH as she'll be nearly 10 months old. She's a tyrant (the cutest, sweetest tyrant) as she pulls herself up on everything and scares the dog with the speed in which she can crawl after it.
Anyway, that is the update on me. Again, my regrets. I am going to try my hardest to get back into the blogging swing of things. Thanks for my prod, my blogging conscience. I think I might be seeing you around... this weekend!?
With my love and a bucket of blessings sent your way,
life girl
Monday, October 16, 2006
SWB Monday: muscle pull and 30 years
the desolation:
I pulled a muscle last Tuesday morning in a step aerobics class. I was eagerly doing my routine in the back of the class when suddenly I felt like someone punched my left calf or threw something at it. I looked behind to find nothing and then realized that that punch came internally. The thought that came into my head: Get out of gym. Call James. I nearly passed out two times limping to my car. I called him and cried. I was so scared. I made it to the doctor although had to have a medical assistant pick me up at my car because at that time I could no longer walk. James met me at the doctor. Motrin, Vicodin and Flexerall... lots of resting and icing and it turned from a ton of pain and no walking to the subtle limp and occasionaly burst of pain. I am not a good patient. I'm over it! Looking back, I realize how irrational I was... should have stayed at gym where surrounded by people and trainers... Nope, all I could think of was calling James. I never had that boy to call to come and be my hero. I'd take no muscle pull for sure but having him to depend on was something different and good for me.
the consolation:
I'm turning 30 on Friday! Yipee!! Granted for most of my 29th year, I dreaded the reality that I was going to turn 30 but now I really look forward to Friday marking another phase of life which is to come. I've often heard that your 20s are crap and most of it is spent figuring out who you are as a person via making stupid mistakes, etc. I'd have to agree with that. I'd say the last five years specifically have really been the hit bottom and crawl back up to a new and better way of being. Life isn't so black and white as I turn 30. I pick my battles. I don't get as easily angered or frustrated. I have an insatiable curiousity but am focused on only a few things that I feel like are my part in making a mark in this world and in the kingdom of God. I enjoy the simple things of life and appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. I'm not as quite in a hurry as I used to be. I'm less judgmental of people but maybe a little less optimistic as well and I've finally realized that I can't change anyone. I'm not as thin as I hoped to be but realize that eating right and exercising isn't all about being skinny. I don't talk as much as I used to and I'm more content to listen. I have more opinions and feel assured of what I want or don't want but feel less of a need to assert the majority of them. I was a door mat before but now I say no a lot more often. I've resigned my costumes of super woman and the messiah. I don't have to please everyone or anyone for that matter. I'll just be a marriage and family therapist and love on the family and friends God has given me. I'm okay with the fact that that's all I can handle and want to handle in life. So, happy birthday to me! Thank God for the last 30 years and here's to the next 30 years being the best ever...I hope!
I pulled a muscle last Tuesday morning in a step aerobics class. I was eagerly doing my routine in the back of the class when suddenly I felt like someone punched my left calf or threw something at it. I looked behind to find nothing and then realized that that punch came internally. The thought that came into my head: Get out of gym. Call James. I nearly passed out two times limping to my car. I called him and cried. I was so scared. I made it to the doctor although had to have a medical assistant pick me up at my car because at that time I could no longer walk. James met me at the doctor. Motrin, Vicodin and Flexerall... lots of resting and icing and it turned from a ton of pain and no walking to the subtle limp and occasionaly burst of pain. I am not a good patient. I'm over it! Looking back, I realize how irrational I was... should have stayed at gym where surrounded by people and trainers... Nope, all I could think of was calling James. I never had that boy to call to come and be my hero. I'd take no muscle pull for sure but having him to depend on was something different and good for me.
the consolation:
I'm turning 30 on Friday! Yipee!! Granted for most of my 29th year, I dreaded the reality that I was going to turn 30 but now I really look forward to Friday marking another phase of life which is to come. I've often heard that your 20s are crap and most of it is spent figuring out who you are as a person via making stupid mistakes, etc. I'd have to agree with that. I'd say the last five years specifically have really been the hit bottom and crawl back up to a new and better way of being. Life isn't so black and white as I turn 30. I pick my battles. I don't get as easily angered or frustrated. I have an insatiable curiousity but am focused on only a few things that I feel like are my part in making a mark in this world and in the kingdom of God. I enjoy the simple things of life and appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. I'm not as quite in a hurry as I used to be. I'm less judgmental of people but maybe a little less optimistic as well and I've finally realized that I can't change anyone. I'm not as thin as I hoped to be but realize that eating right and exercising isn't all about being skinny. I don't talk as much as I used to and I'm more content to listen. I have more opinions and feel assured of what I want or don't want but feel less of a need to assert the majority of them. I was a door mat before but now I say no a lot more often. I've resigned my costumes of super woman and the messiah. I don't have to please everyone or anyone for that matter. I'll just be a marriage and family therapist and love on the family and friends God has given me. I'm okay with the fact that that's all I can handle and want to handle in life. So, happy birthday to me! Thank God for the last 30 years and here's to the next 30 years being the best ever...I hope!
Thursday, October 5, 2006
three things thursday
1. I love TKB (turbo kick boxing). I've been twice this week and hope to go again tonight. I learned new coreography on Tuesday and had it nearly memorized on Wednesday night. I'm a nut.
2. I'm turning into a history nut. Never in a million years. I finally get why history is so important to the everyday folk. I've been so ignorant.
3. 15 days to my 30th birthday. Woo-hoo!
2. I'm turning into a history nut. Never in a million years. I finally get why history is so important to the everyday folk. I've been so ignorant.
3. 15 days to my 30th birthday. Woo-hoo!
Monday, October 2, 2006
all these years
I didn't pay much attention in the obligatory history classes of my high school or college days. I used to think it just wasn't my thing and largely I don't think it is my thing but welcome the two church history classes I've had with Dr. Feldmeth and I think history is just delightful and most necessary. It's changed the way I've thought about faith and really just opened my eyes to see the power of a few decisions through the thoughts and actions of people continue to shape our lives today. It is fascinating.
The little tid bit that really isn't profound but one of those ignorances that is now disspelled in my head. Pilgrims were just a part of the population of people who came over to New England. They were a specific group of Puritans among other groups of Puritans. Pilgrims were seperatist congregationalist who settled at Plymouth. They took off from Plymouth, England and founded Plymouth, New England. Them be all the Pilgrims in America.
With the miraculous defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, England picked up the notion that it was a chosen people much like the Old Testament people of Israel. There was no possible way they could have defeated the Spanish army and so it was only by the reality that there were a chosen people of God that they were saved. Fast foward to the Puritans coming to America and this notion came with them. The Puritans were a remnant of this new chosen people and thus America was founded with that type of idealism and notion of God's blessing. Politicians who weren't even religious used expessions of God's blessing on America, etc. I don't think much has changed in that regard. I don't think it was good then and I don't think it is good now. Okay, I'll stop. :) Anyway, love this history stuff. My worldview is opened and I realize how ignorant I've been.
The little tid bit that really isn't profound but one of those ignorances that is now disspelled in my head. Pilgrims were just a part of the population of people who came over to New England. They were a specific group of Puritans among other groups of Puritans. Pilgrims were seperatist congregationalist who settled at Plymouth. They took off from Plymouth, England and founded Plymouth, New England. Them be all the Pilgrims in America.
With the miraculous defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, England picked up the notion that it was a chosen people much like the Old Testament people of Israel. There was no possible way they could have defeated the Spanish army and so it was only by the reality that there were a chosen people of God that they were saved. Fast foward to the Puritans coming to America and this notion came with them. The Puritans were a remnant of this new chosen people and thus America was founded with that type of idealism and notion of God's blessing. Politicians who weren't even religious used expessions of God's blessing on America, etc. I don't think much has changed in that regard. I don't think it was good then and I don't think it is good now. Okay, I'll stop. :) Anyway, love this history stuff. My worldview is opened and I realize how ignorant I've been.
knott's scary farm 2006
Knott's Scary Farm was a hoot! I had never been before which is kinda of unbelievable but for sure worth the wait. This is James and I at the "Pre-Scare" dinner.
The highlights:
- The monsters who are "sliders". They have knee and special gloves with metal on them. They hide in the corner and at the perfect time "slide" into the crowd to give a good scare. It was brilliant.
- Hearing other people scream.
- James and I were sitting on a bench taking it all in. James was checking his voice mail and I noticed that people were looking at us funny. I looked at James and noticed that above his head a monster was ready to scare him. It was at that point that James looked up and subsequently got scared out of his mind. The voice mail waited and for the rest of the evening James was always watching his back. I died laughing and even relating this event now is making me laugh out loud. Hee, hee!
- Walking into clouds of fog in the pitch black of the night and not knowing what the heck is in front of you!
- The artwork that went into some of the mazes. I stood behind James is every single one. He buffered the experience for me...thank goodness!! It was scary. The Asylum maze and the maze based upon the Grudge 2... scary, bloody and scary. The vampire maze was cool. It was different eras of vampires. Very cool. They also had a maze that reminded me of Tower of Terror at D-land. That was fun. I felt like a deer caught in headlights at the wonder of it all.
- The show called "The Hanging" which is basically a big spoof an all that has happened in pop culture with celebrities, politicians, etc. It was fun to reflect and realize how absurd our world is sometimes. It was great fun.
- Lastly, James complained of a nervous stomach and went to the bathroom and of course, I took opportunity as well. I finished and waited outside. I waited for awhile feeling sorry for the boyfriend whose belly was bothering him. Then in pops James through the entrance of the restuarant (where we'd stopped for our restroom break) looking winded. I was like, "What?" Well, that sweet man staged all that to try and win me this big (I mean BIG) stuffed puppy dog (I had mentioned to him how I wanted one and he said he was no good at those types of things) and one of the carnival type stands they had. He played four times and $10 later and even an offer to pay for the dog outright, he decided to come back to get me knowing I was probably starting to worry. The dog would have been fun but the effort he went to try to surprise me was the best of all. Sweet man.
sleeping with bread monday: just plain scared
the good: Knott's Scary Farm was a FUN, FUN time. I felt like a kid again. I was wide-eyed as I took in the wonder and spook of the mazes, haunted rides and shows. I had never been before and it was good for the soul to enjoy the fun of the Halloween season as well as tune into the wonder that the kid in me needs very much. I am truly thankful for James who one, plans such fun things for us to enjoy together and two, helps the inner child in me have a good time (that's some good psychobabble for you.) :)
the not so good (but really is good): Saturday was help mom move her big stuff into storage day. We got it done (thanks to James and Uncle Stephen) and had a nice dinner at La Tapatia in downtown Escondido. It is sad. I am SOOOO HAPPY for my mom. I am really proud of her for doing what she wants to do with her life in moving to Ohio. I am beyond estatic and yet it is an end of an era for me. It is sad and I am grieving it too. Happy and sad. I am glad I am finally okay with experiencing mixed emotions and just being in them for awhile. I had tears well up behind my eyes. I know a big cry is coming on. I am so glad I am okay with the big crys now.
the not so good (but really is good): Saturday was help mom move her big stuff into storage day. We got it done (thanks to James and Uncle Stephen) and had a nice dinner at La Tapatia in downtown Escondido. It is sad. I am SOOOO HAPPY for my mom. I am really proud of her for doing what she wants to do with her life in moving to Ohio. I am beyond estatic and yet it is an end of an era for me. It is sad and I am grieving it too. Happy and sad. I am glad I am finally okay with experiencing mixed emotions and just being in them for awhile. I had tears well up behind my eyes. I know a big cry is coming on. I am so glad I am okay with the big crys now.
Friday, September 29, 2006
favorite foto friday
Emma is a few months older than this picture and the binky (pacifier) no longer looks like it takes up half her face but this still remains one of my favorite pictures of my favorite niece. I love you little Emma Z!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
three things thursday
1. As we speak, I am getting DirecTV with DVR. Woohoo! Now, I'll have a bunch of TV recorded that I'll never have time to watch. :)
2. Tomorrow is the 2-month anniversary of the love of James and Zoey. Happy Anniversary to us!
3. It's Knott's Scary Farm tomorrow night. I think I'll be scared but I'm prepared to not react, squeeze James' hand and if needed, yell back! I love the fall. I will mark my love and celebration of the fall with our venture to Knott's Scary Farm!
2. Tomorrow is the 2-month anniversary of the love of James and Zoey. Happy Anniversary to us!
3. It's Knott's Scary Farm tomorrow night. I think I'll be scared but I'm prepared to not react, squeeze James' hand and if needed, yell back! I love the fall. I will mark my love and celebration of the fall with our venture to Knott's Scary Farm!
attending behavior
We learned about and practiced attending behavior in my Clinical Foundations class and lab this week. Attending behavior is what you do as a therapist to encourage talking and sometimes not encourage talking on say issues that are destructive or nonproductive. The categories of attending behavior are visual/eye contact, vocal qualities, verbal tracking and attentive/authentic body language. In my triad of role playing, I was observer, therapist and client. We first practiced bad attending behavior which was quite hilarious them moved onto the good stuff. Jill, Rachel and I were even observed by our Clinical Foundations TA and we all did quite well! I really can't wait to learn more good therapist "behaviors" and see clients. I love that I have no hesistancy in pursuing this career. It's a great feeling.
I also had Legal & Ethical Issues in MFT. We didn't get into too much content with the obligatory syllabus review, etc. but my reading has been good. It talked about we cannot be unbiased in our therapy. We come with values and our clients comes with values and the differing of those is the obstacle to overcome in a therapeutic relationship where if you go unchecked you could putting your values on another, etc. I've also dived into a chapter on some of the codes and ethics in the broad field of psychology from social worker to psychologist. Fun, fun!
So far I am enjoying it all! Throw in a little American Church History where we are all about the Puritans and their journey to the New World and I feel like a new woman!! I love learning and I love this career I'm headed toward! Yipee!!
I also had Legal & Ethical Issues in MFT. We didn't get into too much content with the obligatory syllabus review, etc. but my reading has been good. It talked about we cannot be unbiased in our therapy. We come with values and our clients comes with values and the differing of those is the obstacle to overcome in a therapeutic relationship where if you go unchecked you could putting your values on another, etc. I've also dived into a chapter on some of the codes and ethics in the broad field of psychology from social worker to psychologist. Fun, fun!
So far I am enjoying it all! Throw in a little American Church History where we are all about the Puritans and their journey to the New World and I feel like a new woman!! I love learning and I love this career I'm headed toward! Yipee!!
Monday, September 25, 2006
First day of school...
Today was the first day of the fall quarter. I had one class today and it was American Church History. I loved it. We reviewed the highlights of the Reformation. The cool part is that I remember what I learned in Medieval and Reformation Church History and enjoyed again journeying back to that part of history. This is a tough class with much reading, two big exams and a 15 page research paper with a thesis and all but the professor is amazing and I find that I am throughly engaged in the class. I'm no good at history but have found this class to be one of the most intriguing classes I've had to date in my graduate career. Let me tell you... weird!
Tomorrow I have two of my MFT classes. So excited! Clinical Foundations and Legal and Ethical Issues in MFT. It should scare the be-gibbers out of me for sure. I got the syllabus for Legal and Ethical Issues. It looks challenging and yet very rewarding. I am SOOO excited. Did I mention I am excited? I will post tomorrow on how excited or not excited I end up being!
Ciao!
Tomorrow I have two of my MFT classes. So excited! Clinical Foundations and Legal and Ethical Issues in MFT. It should scare the be-gibbers out of me for sure. I got the syllabus for Legal and Ethical Issues. It looks challenging and yet very rewarding. I am SOOO excited. Did I mention I am excited? I will post tomorrow on how excited or not excited I end up being!
Ciao!
Sleeping with Bread Monday: Moving and Magic
DESOLATION
My mom has been anticipating moving to Ohio for much of this past year. I'm very excited for and in a matter of a few weeks she will be a resident of Ohio with a job looking for a house. I am very proud of her for making this major life transition. I am very proud of her. At the same time, my grandfather is moving back to the OC and now the place where I grew up will become a memory instead of a destination to visit my family. So although I am excited, I am sad that my mom will be much further away. It's one of those mixed emotion times when you feel happy and sad in the same moment.
CONSOLATION
I went with James to his high school reunion on Saturday night. He was asked to do a 20 minute magic show. It was the first time I saw him perform. He was GREAT and such a natural. That didn't surprise me but it was fun to see him in action. It was very cool to see the smiles and wonder he brought to people's faces. It felt like just for a moment they were transported back to the time in our lives when we are amazed and awed and for those moments you forget the sometimes hard, cold reality of our modern life. I won't let him tell me the secrets of his magic. I want to be amazed as long as I can. I need amazement in my life especially going into the field of therapy. That is just one of the many reasons why I cherish him in my life. He is a joy to others and especially a joy to me.
My mom has been anticipating moving to Ohio for much of this past year. I'm very excited for and in a matter of a few weeks she will be a resident of Ohio with a job looking for a house. I am very proud of her for making this major life transition. I am very proud of her. At the same time, my grandfather is moving back to the OC and now the place where I grew up will become a memory instead of a destination to visit my family. So although I am excited, I am sad that my mom will be much further away. It's one of those mixed emotion times when you feel happy and sad in the same moment.
CONSOLATION
I went with James to his high school reunion on Saturday night. He was asked to do a 20 minute magic show. It was the first time I saw him perform. He was GREAT and such a natural. That didn't surprise me but it was fun to see him in action. It was very cool to see the smiles and wonder he brought to people's faces. It felt like just for a moment they were transported back to the time in our lives when we are amazed and awed and for those moments you forget the sometimes hard, cold reality of our modern life. I won't let him tell me the secrets of his magic. I want to be amazed as long as I can. I need amazement in my life especially going into the field of therapy. That is just one of the many reasons why I cherish him in my life. He is a joy to others and especially a joy to me.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
three things thursday
(In attempt to blog more reguarly, I am borrowing certain blogging patterns from other blogs that I have been reading.)
1) I have a hard time relaxing and not feeling guilty about it.
2) I think I am an adrenaline junkie. If I don't have a lot going on, I feel unmotivated to do anything.
3) I am thankful for my boyfriend who brings out the lighter side of me and helps me counter the above mentioned extreme thinking. I am extremely thankful for him.
1) I have a hard time relaxing and not feeling guilty about it.
2) I think I am an adrenaline junkie. If I don't have a lot going on, I feel unmotivated to do anything.
3) I am thankful for my boyfriend who brings out the lighter side of me and helps me counter the above mentioned extreme thinking. I am extremely thankful for him.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
what's kept me so busy
Today is the third day of Welcome Week. It's kinda of weird to be a part of Welcome Week for a school that I've been at for over a year and a half. Now I am "officially" a marriage and family therapist student and I'm getting acquainted with my new cohort and a new program. Today I am especially excited to attend sessions more specifically to my program. Tomorrow night will be a dinner specific for the marriage and family department and that will be a great time to get to know faculty and other students in my program. I attended a curriculum session yesterday and was a little overwhelmed at the requirements for practicum in terms of hours and what types of client contact equaled what types of hours towards graduation. I decided that it would make sense later on especially when we had our first official orientation to practicum, etc. I'll reserve my confusion for that time. Classes begin next week, Monday, September 25th. Woohoo!
I came back from Ohio a week ago today. James picked me up from the airport with pink flowers in hand. It was sooo good to see him. So good. We then went to the LA County Fair. It's been years since I've been to the fair. We had fun going in and out of shopping buildings, seeing the farm animals (in which he learned that I am still a little scared of them bigs animals!), and ate and ate yummy fair food. I think I was going to turn into a fried girl after all that fried food. It is a weird sensation to crave fruits and vegetables and water but I did after that eating frenzy.
Thursday was Disneyland day. That was a blast. I did pretty good from being sooo tired from flying, etc. We got there when the park opened at 10am and left as it closed at 8pm. The highlights were eating Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes, riding with the captain in the wheel house of the Mark Twain and getting on nearly every ride in California Adventure and Disneyland before we left. It was good too to have more time with James after being away for so long. We had sushi on the way home. That was yummy too.
Saturday was USC game day. That was fun to see my team beat Nebraska! Go boys!
Sunday was church, breakfast and to the cemetery to visit the grave of James' dad. Then we were off to a wonderful date. We got all dolled up. I wish I had a picture to post of us. We both were all in black and just looked good! We had lovely and fancy dinner at a Wolfgang Puck restuarant, attended "It's Magic" at the Kodak Theatre, where all of the world's top magicians come and show off their stuff, and then went to a party at the Magic Castle which is a club in Hollywood. It was very, very fun. The magicians were amazing and seeing many of the reasons why James loves magic so much was very special. It was a world I had only heard about from James. It was fascinating to see the variety of people attracted to magic. Siegfred was at the show and at the afterparty and we also saw Neil Patrick Harris from Doogie Howser who is a magician as well. There are actually many celebrities who dabble in the world of magic. I won't let James tell me any of the secrets of his tricks but I am catching on to a few and it was cool to see people swap magic secrets. Anyway, it was a very cool night. It was good to be with James and very fun to see a huge part of his life. I am a very fortunate, blessed and thankful to have him as a part of my life. He is a special, special man. He sees life as an adventure and brings out the lighter side of me.
It was all perfect fun. Now it's back to the day-to-day stuff but that stuff is fun too as I "officially" enter a chapter in my life that I've waited for a long time. The weekend holds an amateur wrestling match and James' high school reunion. More fun.
That's it for now...
I came back from Ohio a week ago today. James picked me up from the airport with pink flowers in hand. It was sooo good to see him. So good. We then went to the LA County Fair. It's been years since I've been to the fair. We had fun going in and out of shopping buildings, seeing the farm animals (in which he learned that I am still a little scared of them bigs animals!), and ate and ate yummy fair food. I think I was going to turn into a fried girl after all that fried food. It is a weird sensation to crave fruits and vegetables and water but I did after that eating frenzy.
Thursday was Disneyland day. That was a blast. I did pretty good from being sooo tired from flying, etc. We got there when the park opened at 10am and left as it closed at 8pm. The highlights were eating Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes, riding with the captain in the wheel house of the Mark Twain and getting on nearly every ride in California Adventure and Disneyland before we left. It was good too to have more time with James after being away for so long. We had sushi on the way home. That was yummy too.
Saturday was USC game day. That was fun to see my team beat Nebraska! Go boys!
Sunday was church, breakfast and to the cemetery to visit the grave of James' dad. Then we were off to a wonderful date. We got all dolled up. I wish I had a picture to post of us. We both were all in black and just looked good! We had lovely and fancy dinner at a Wolfgang Puck restuarant, attended "It's Magic" at the Kodak Theatre, where all of the world's top magicians come and show off their stuff, and then went to a party at the Magic Castle which is a club in Hollywood. It was very, very fun. The magicians were amazing and seeing many of the reasons why James loves magic so much was very special. It was a world I had only heard about from James. It was fascinating to see the variety of people attracted to magic. Siegfred was at the show and at the afterparty and we also saw Neil Patrick Harris from Doogie Howser who is a magician as well. There are actually many celebrities who dabble in the world of magic. I won't let James tell me any of the secrets of his tricks but I am catching on to a few and it was cool to see people swap magic secrets. Anyway, it was a very cool night. It was good to be with James and very fun to see a huge part of his life. I am a very fortunate, blessed and thankful to have him as a part of my life. He is a special, special man. He sees life as an adventure and brings out the lighter side of me.
It was all perfect fun. Now it's back to the day-to-day stuff but that stuff is fun too as I "officially" enter a chapter in my life that I've waited for a long time. The weekend holds an amateur wrestling match and James' high school reunion. More fun.
That's it for now...
Monday, September 4, 2006
been here 8 and 8 to go
Happy Labor Day! Weird phenomena in Ohio...everything closes early! 5pm. This would not happen in California.
It's been a full trip so far in the OH. Every day seems to fly by. Carrie and I went to take Step class today at the gym which was delightful. Emma Z took another long nap much to the delight of her parents. The girl doesn't sleep the way she should for her age. She doesn't want to miss anything. Sounds like someone else I know! ;) We ran a bunch of random errands and had an early dinner at the Chiptole. Carrie and I also played a few games of Phase 10. We've also been watching the US Open like you wouldn't believe. It sounds like a rather simple trip and it is and yet it feels very full. It is just right. I do look forward to going home because I do miss my bf a ton. Yep, I do. A lot. A lot.
It's been a full trip so far in the OH. Every day seems to fly by. Carrie and I went to take Step class today at the gym which was delightful. Emma Z took another long nap much to the delight of her parents. The girl doesn't sleep the way she should for her age. She doesn't want to miss anything. Sounds like someone else I know! ;) We ran a bunch of random errands and had an early dinner at the Chiptole. Carrie and I also played a few games of Phase 10. We've also been watching the US Open like you wouldn't believe. It sounds like a rather simple trip and it is and yet it feels very full. It is just right. I do look forward to going home because I do miss my bf a ton. Yep, I do. A lot. A lot.
Friday, September 1, 2006
the OH
I arrived Tuesday to the OH for a 2 week and one day trip. It is now the eve of day 4 and we are preparing to go to a Steely Dan & Michael McDonald concert. This at the influence of my brother-in-law who loves the smooth jazz. I had to buy a hoodie at the Target and pants at the Old Navy for the event because of course I forget that it is not SoCal everywhere!
We've been watching the US Open. John and I both stayed up until 1am to watch the Andre Agassi match. It was phenomenal. It was a piece of tennis history and it brought back memories of my days playing tennis in high school and ooh-ing and aah-ing over the much younger Andre. It was sweet. We've also hit the gym. Yet most of the time has been occupied loving on little Emma Z. She is just the sweetest girl ever. She makes the day fly by. It's been a good time with sister as well. She appreciates having an adult human to help and interact with throughout the day!
Tomorrow night is the first game for USC this season. 7:45pm. ESPN. TiVo. Carrie and John will be going out for a date night to a fav dining spot. Emma and I will watch the team coming out running and show the world we mean business. Oh, then she'll go to bed and I'll pick up where I left off. It should be golden!
Lastly, I miss the boyfriend (herein referred to as bf) very much. We talk, text message and everyday I've read on a little strip of paper the things he loves about me. He'll be getting little fun things in the mail in return. Yet it's just not the same without being with him. Absence does make the heart grow fonder and I look forward very much to seeing him when I get back. :) He is simply the best.
Until the next time...
We've been watching the US Open. John and I both stayed up until 1am to watch the Andre Agassi match. It was phenomenal. It was a piece of tennis history and it brought back memories of my days playing tennis in high school and ooh-ing and aah-ing over the much younger Andre. It was sweet. We've also hit the gym. Yet most of the time has been occupied loving on little Emma Z. She is just the sweetest girl ever. She makes the day fly by. It's been a good time with sister as well. She appreciates having an adult human to help and interact with throughout the day!
Tomorrow night is the first game for USC this season. 7:45pm. ESPN. TiVo. Carrie and John will be going out for a date night to a fav dining spot. Emma and I will watch the team coming out running and show the world we mean business. Oh, then she'll go to bed and I'll pick up where I left off. It should be golden!
Lastly, I miss the boyfriend (herein referred to as bf) very much. We talk, text message and everyday I've read on a little strip of paper the things he loves about me. He'll be getting little fun things in the mail in return. Yet it's just not the same without being with him. Absence does make the heart grow fonder and I look forward very much to seeing him when I get back. :) He is simply the best.
Until the next time...
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
call him "magic jimmy h"
he has stolen my heart. i put up a good fight but in the end i just didn't want to fight anymore. i'm in. his name is james.
so, yep, i got a boyfriend. he's pretty amazing. and i feel like a queen. he's so good to me.
the story. i've taken on the wide world of internet dating in this past year. a girl's gotta put herself out there. i had a few dates to the consistent dating relationship. after my more consistent dating relationship basically ended, i put myself out there yet again. i wanted to swear off dating until i finished school. i didn't. then one day i got winked at. a wink from a match.com boy. now i had been on this particular site for awhile but did nothing due to several reasons. mostly because i was winked at by 45 year old jewish men from the east coast whose profiles was in all caps. i mean no problem with that but just not my type. yet i was intrigued by this gent. we started emailing back and forth. from the first email that said he was up for anything except eating brussel sprouts to the end of our first phone call (the one the lastest about an hour and a half) where he said if he didn't get to bed he'd turn into a pumpkin. i HATE brussel sprouts and the rest of my family LOVES them. i thought i was the only one who said they'd turn into a pumpkin if they didn't get to bed. those were just the first things that made the fight to not be swept off my feet even harder.
our first date rolled around. i was all dolled up. he arrived promptly... with flowers! PINK flowers. first time boy has ever brought me flowers. PINK flowers. in one of our email conversations he asked me my favorites flowers and we talked about colors. he actually tried to get my favorite flowers for me. out of season. second best. lovely flowers that were PINK. fight. hard to get. slow. come on zoey. then we went to zankou chicken. local 'dena favorite. yum. and we just talked and talked. then we headed to the city of alhambra where we watched a beatles cover band called the fab four. it was a street festival kind of thing. it was great. i got a lovely pink bracelet. the band was great. very fun. we ran into someone i knew from school. oh, james is a magician. a very good magician. he's already amazed and wowed several of my friends and my family... oh, and me... anyway, this friend that we ran into was a magician as well. they exchanged magic stories, etc. it was fun. it was great to see james interact with people. amazing listener. very nice. genuine love and interest in people. polite, respectful, etc. after the concert, we stopped at a local starbuck's for coffee. talked some more. laughed.
thus began the whirlwind of trying not to fall head over heels and yet doing just that in the end. afterall it has happened so fast. it was in the heels of ending another relationship. yet i couldn't help how i felt. i couldn't get away from the things of who he was as a person, how easy it was to talk, how he was able to articulate what he liked about me, how he views life as a big playground... a big kid at heart... he brings out the lighter side of me... i just love it... and yet responsible, determined, motivated, a great work ethic... how he makes me laugh... amazingly honest and self-aware... how he cares for his family and those he loves... that he is crazy about me... that he shows it in so many ways... that i am crazy about him... that i could stare into his eyes and look upon his face forever... i love just being with him... in spite of our differences and the challenge that life is... it just WAS and IS...
i really did try to fight it. instances where i knew i was done for. he had been sending me an email around 8:30. the wednesday after our first date i didn't get an email. it was surprisingly sad. darn it! we had a date to meet up in the OC for downtown disney. that is all i thought of that day and i just couldn't get there fast enough. crap! package in the mail while he was out of town. poem, music cd filled with amazing songs. this man knows how to woo a girl. ok, fine, i'll stop fighting it.
anyway, i could go on. more flowers. cards. personalized magic trick just for me. bear. long, long talks. wee hours of the night. all that romance should be. i'll take it because well i can't get him off my mind.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
the update on me
Here's the quick update on what is going on with me:
* I 'm finishing up my MA in Theology this year and will be conferred the degree in Spring 2007. Wow!
* I officially start my MS in Marriage & Family Therapy this fall and will finish it Spring 2008. I will be doing the bulk of my course work in the next three quarters and starting practicum as early as Spring 2007. The last year of my program will be a light course load with continued practicum hours. Then I'll graudate, look for an internship where I'll finish up my hours and hopefully sit for my MFT license within a few years. It's a long road but right now nothing else makes sense for me to do. All the MFT courses I've sat in so far have confirmed to me that I love this stuff. It'll be great to get to practicum to see what will happen when the rubber meets the road in an actual client relationship.
*I quit my job on campus. I'm pursuing my floral business to support me. I am hoping to work on the foundation and infrastructure of my business this summer and in the fall in the hopes of really seeing a lot of floral jobs come my way next year. The flexibility that being a florist for special events and weddings will offer will be great with meeting my education/career goals. So, keep me in mind if you or anyone else has floral needs for a wedding or special event!
*My family is doing great. My niece is a little over 4 months old and pretty precious. Her mom and dad are enamored with her as is the rest of the family. She has a sweet disposition and just laughs and smiles. My mom is working on moving to be closer to her granddaughter and just enjoying the mid-west lifestyle. That'll be weird for me but I think it'll be a great move for her.
Other than that life is pretty good. It's been a transition of sorts to be a full-time student. I am enjoying my education but look forward to its end result. I turn 30 in a couple of months and welcome that as a big milestone that appreciates all that the 20's has been but looks to the 30s with eager anticipation.
That's it!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
a pretty exciting week
Today is Wednesday. It has already been a pretty exciting week.
I started a class this week called, Narrative & Family Life. I believe that Narrative Therapy will pretty much determine my approach to therapy. It will at the very least be my base. It fits who I am as a person and it makes sense to me. It ebbs of humility and keeping the person a person in the therapeutic relationship. I love that it doesn't pass judgement on people or dissect them and their problems into a million pieces but stands in humility to them, in partnership with them and challenges us to be curious and care enough to step inside their story and understand their past, present and future from their perspective. It keeps them whole. I will have to blog more on it another time and my education in this approach continues and as I let it settle into my mind.
I met with my MFT (that's Marriage and Family Therapy) advisor. He gave me a rough sketch into the courses I will be taking this next year. Yah, I was pretty much on cloud 9 after that. I am just so thankful that the "meat" of my program is within sight, smell and touch distance. It is providing me the extra push I need to get through a heavy academic load this quarter.
I met with my SOT (School of Theology) advisor for the last time today. I actually applied for graduation for my MA in Theology. THAT was so weird and unexpected. I will have my MAT Spring 2007. Crazy!
Tonight I finish up my Pentateuch class. It's be a five-week intensive. It's been a GREAT class. Biblical studies are always challenging for me but I really learned alot in studying the first five books of the Bible. I learned how much I had been missing in not only understanding my faith through an accurate understanding of its history but also how I've approached my faith in terms of only viewing the New Testament and maybe Psalms and Proverbs as important to faith. THAT is so wrong. We have much as evangelicals to learn from the Old Testament. In the weeks to come, and specifically as I do my two papers for this class, I am sure the application will become more and more clear. Another post?
It's been a GREAT week and although I have a TON, TON, TON of work to do...it's all coming together. GOD is faithful to me.
I started a class this week called, Narrative & Family Life. I believe that Narrative Therapy will pretty much determine my approach to therapy. It will at the very least be my base. It fits who I am as a person and it makes sense to me. It ebbs of humility and keeping the person a person in the therapeutic relationship. I love that it doesn't pass judgement on people or dissect them and their problems into a million pieces but stands in humility to them, in partnership with them and challenges us to be curious and care enough to step inside their story and understand their past, present and future from their perspective. It keeps them whole. I will have to blog more on it another time and my education in this approach continues and as I let it settle into my mind.
I met with my MFT (that's Marriage and Family Therapy) advisor. He gave me a rough sketch into the courses I will be taking this next year. Yah, I was pretty much on cloud 9 after that. I am just so thankful that the "meat" of my program is within sight, smell and touch distance. It is providing me the extra push I need to get through a heavy academic load this quarter.
I met with my SOT (School of Theology) advisor for the last time today. I actually applied for graduation for my MA in Theology. THAT was so weird and unexpected. I will have my MAT Spring 2007. Crazy!
Tonight I finish up my Pentateuch class. It's be a five-week intensive. It's been a GREAT class. Biblical studies are always challenging for me but I really learned alot in studying the first five books of the Bible. I learned how much I had been missing in not only understanding my faith through an accurate understanding of its history but also how I've approached my faith in terms of only viewing the New Testament and maybe Psalms and Proverbs as important to faith. THAT is so wrong. We have much as evangelicals to learn from the Old Testament. In the weeks to come, and specifically as I do my two papers for this class, I am sure the application will become more and more clear. Another post?
It's been a GREAT week and although I have a TON, TON, TON of work to do...it's all coming together. GOD is faithful to me.
Thursday, July 6, 2006
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