a look back

It's hard to believe how fast this year went. I know I've said it before, but I think time just goes faster when you're older. You wait so long to finally be on your own... to be an adult. And now that you are, there never seems to be enough time. I'd be lying if I said I didn't thrive in that environment. I've never been one to be patient, to sit still doing one thing for a long period of time. Even as a student, I feel more productive when I'm overly busy than when I have no agenda. So, with this in mind, I'm slowing down a little bit to take a look back at 2007... and am shocked at what has been accomplished. How did all of this possibly get done? Hm. Perhaps I should take more time to sit and just be.

* bought our first house. and within the first two weeks of moving in, began renovations. ha! just shows you how young and stupid we are.

* got married. finally get to check that off the list of "things to do" after a two-year engagement

* adopted another pug. Henry. he's a momma's boy. i love him. i would adopt another in a second. interested in saving a life in the missouri/illinois area? go to www.midwestpugrescue.com

* was in a friend's wedding two weeks after my own.

* went to Jamaica. our first vacation together ever. my first vacation in over 6 years. very much needed. really made me wish our country would adopt the "no worries, mon!" attitude.

* welcomed in our second niece, Ava Noel Little. born December 29th.

* began grad school.... the supposedly almost-unobtainable goal for every undergrad speech pathology student. it's not that hard to get in with hard work and good grades. oh, and connections. and lots of activities. and good writing skills for the personal statements. and many sleepless nights worried. and some money for fed ex bills to make sure applications actually don't get lost. and perhaps a few anxiety attacks. but look. i'm here now. sweet.

I'm sure much more happened. But it's all a blur. After all, it is a year in review. So, let's say goodbye to 2007 and welcome in a new year with new adventures and new memories that will probably be lost in the shuffle of a busy life. Drink up. And Happy New Year :)

happy holidays to you

so, I'll be spending some time with family this holiday season, so I thought I'd write a few of my favorite memories of holidays past. here goes....

* the anticipation of Christmas morning when I was a child... waking up and rushing to the stairs, just to be halted at the top until Dad got the video camera on it's tripod, focused, and running efficiently

* the food... oh my! it's sad, but food has been such a part of life as a child.... the cookies that Mom would make were endless.

* the minimim of ten strands of lights on the tree... Mom likes lights.

* driving around old-money neighborhoods and checking out the Christmas lights and decorations

* having a huge breakfast after all the gifts had been unwrapped and stockings sifted through

* going through each of my toys and playing with each one for a short time on Christmas day before the family went to visit relatives Christmas night

hope all has a wonderful holiday season filled with one's own good memories! be back soon...

best things in life are free

The library. It's my favorite new thing. And it's free. Amazing. I've acquainted myself with the library's online request system, and it's definately been fun. So far, I've breezed through a handful of books ranging from cookbooks to craft project ideas. I know I'm going to get spoiled because the second school starts up again, my time for library trips will decrease. But, I'm enjoying the free time now. Here are some of the books that I've enjoyed thus far:

* The Trial of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln by Homer Croy

* Stitching for Beginners and Beyond by Anna Scott

* For One More Day by Mitch Albom (for my husband and I to read at night)

* Manor House - pbs program (thanks, Lyss) http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/

It's just the beginning for me and the library....

ugh...

You know what I hate right now? (sorry to be a complainer, but it must be said)

My $56 cable bill. That's what I hate. How is it that I have the extended basic cable package, and I'm paying THAT much??? I might watch 10 out of the 50 channels we get. I'm seriously considering just cancelling the whole damn thing. It's such a waste of almost $60. Think of all I could get for $60....

* 2+ tanks of gas
* 2-hour massage (yep, down here it's $30 for one hour!)
* one week's worth of groceries
* 2 tickets to a musical
* a savings of $720 a year!

Hm. Just a thought....

a break

I couldn't help myself with the topic of this post: a break from school. Currently, this blog is serving as a not-so-deserving break away from studying for finals. I've just begun to study for my neuroanatomy & physiology class. But, I can't complain. My first semester of grad school has not roughed me up too much. Yes, I've never been busier, and it's no cake walk. But, I've made it through the first semester of grad school. That's an accomplishment in itself. And, I've really tried not to let being a grad student define me as a person, but I think I've failed at that. It really does determine my mood, my emotions, my life. Sad.

There are times that I joke with a fellow SLP grad student about other career paths I should have pursued. Photographer, graphic designer, pastry chef, editor, wedding coordinator, movie critic, an entrepreneur... the list grows. Then, my friend and I both know there is a piece of seriousness to my desire to do something different. Ha. Thinking of changing my "major" now? No.

There are pieces of my "job" I love. I love the counseling aspect of therapy... the exposure to the families dealing with whatever they may dealing with. It's amazing how clients' families look to you for answers to their vast questions, as if you are the expert. In my mind, I'm thinking "Don't they know I'm only twenty-three? Don't they know I'm only a student?" as I'm pulling from every corner of my brain that's packed with random lists and tidbits of knowledge that may or may not answer their questions. And then, they look at me as if I have done a satisfactory job at putting their mind at ease, at least for the moment. Wow. Maybe I do know more than I thought. Okay, I can do this.

So, I suppose I'll stick with it (likeihaveachoice). I guess I'm trying to say that I don't know anyone who is entirely happy with their career. Actually, I know more people who hate their career than like it. But, if we keep going through life not knowing what we want to do, I suppose we'll never get anywhere. Not being good at anything, really. I've begun this thought process primarily due to my husband. He has no idea what he wants to do with his life... he just knows he doesn't want to do what he is currently doing. So, at what point do we settle into a career and decide that yes, the career is not ideal, but it is something that can bring us to be successful and at least content? I guess my practical and realistic side tells me that I will finish grad school, become certified and licensed, and be a speech pathologist. And, yes, there will be aspects of the job I hate. But, it will help me to create a lifestyle that will be comfortable and probably make me happy.

So, I continue on. After the holiday break.

a new place to be

I feel like I've been out of the loop. It took my older sister to get me into myspace.... then came facebook and xanga. I've gotten over the obsession of looking up old friends, boyfriends and such. And, just as I am finding how theraputic blogging can be, my problem, however, is deciding where to do my blogging. Again, my sister (Waiting for Cider) has introduced me to this place. And it seems like a nice place. So, here I am. Ready to blog. And ready to read blogs. It's a nice way to get away from reality for a while... or at least reflect on reality. Hm. So, welcome fellow bloggers and blog readers... however many or few there may be.