The Past Few Weeks

I've been gone for a while again.

So, let me recap the past few weeks:

On Saturday, December 18th, I participated in a pinning ceremony at UWM.  The ceremony was for graduates of the criminal justice or social work department.  Being from the social work department, I thought it would be fun to get pinned by the Dean of the college.

Sunday, December 19th was my graduation day.  Finally...after four semesters, I am done with Graduate School!  :)  All the hard work paid off.  I ended up just shy of a 3.9 GPA.  Not too shabby!  I'm so so so thankful that it is done.  Granted, at some point in my life, I'm sure I will miss school, but I'm ready to leave my future work at work and enjoy some much needed free time.

In addition to graduation, the Outreach Center has asked me to join their staff full-time.  They are currently working to approve my salary and are deciding exactly what my position will look like.  I feel so blessed to be in the position I am currently (out of school, employed, living at home, and ready for the future).

Okay, so back to the past few weeks...

On Monday, December 20th (at 5:30am mind you), I went to West Allis Memorial Hospital to have my tonsillectomy.  It was my first surgery EVER and I was definitely anxious the day of.  The anesthesiologist, who put in my IV, had to try to get the vein twice (which was a bit traumatizing for me...with a fear of needles and all).  But after that, all I remember is waking up in the recovery room and then eating some popsicles afterward.

Days 1 through 6 were the worst.  I was able to eat soft foods (mashed potatoes, soggy cereal, popsicles, pudding, hard-boiled eggs) and drink lots of fluids, but my ears, tongue, and throat were in pain.  My tongue swelled up to about twice its size.  It is still a bit numb and sore, but is definitely getting better.  My throat is finally feeling only mildly uncomfortable.  No more pain meds for me.

I go to see the doctor tomorrow for my post-op appointment, and I'm hoping I get good news to start back on a general diet.  I did have a "normal" meal tonight, which went well.  Here's to feeling completely back to normal.

Since I did practically nothing for the past two weeks (or so), I still feel a bit loopy and out of sorts (hence my not writing in this blog).

December 25th was Christmas.  Merry (late) Christmas blog readers!  It was a wonderful time with family.  Other than having to cut my food into TINY pieces, Christmas was great this year.  :)

December 26th was my graduation party.  This was another great time with friends and family.  I was so fortunate to get generous gifts that allowed me to send in my social work certification application and fees!  Now, it's just a waiting game to see if I'm approved to take my State and National exams to become an APSW (Advanced Practice Social Worker).

So, that's my update.  I'll be sure to post more as the new year comes.

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Almost...

I am almost done with school FOREVER!

I have about three papers left to write to finish off grad school.  

I couldn't be happier that soon I will be done with:

homework

reading for class

essay writing

sitting through 3-hour classes

homework

filling out professor evaluations

driving to campus and paying for parking

homework

Did I mention that I can't wait to be done doing homework?!

For anyone still in school...or just about to finish...good luck ending the semester strong!  :)  Yes, I am looking forward to graduating soon, but I also appreciate the time I have had in college.  Don't take it for granted!  It really will be over before you know it.

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End of November

It is now the end of November and I have barely written in my blog.  

Yes, I had midterms, and finals, and papers, but I have neglected the blog yet again.

And so much has happened since the last time I wrote.

On the job front, God has perfectly coordinated my employment from graduation until I find another position.  I can be hired on full-time at the Outreach Center (at least temporarily).  Being a non-profit, funding is always first priority, so we'll see where we are after six months (if I am still there).

Besides the Outreach Center, a position at my "dream job" was offered to me.  I didn't even apply for the position.  But it is perfect and exactly what I was praying about.  God certainly surprises us when we least expect it.  :)

On a different note, I am scheduled for a tonsillectomy on December 20th (the day after graduation).  I was sick earlier this semester and my tonsils were bugging me then.  After seeing a specialist and talking with my parents, I decided to have the surgery to remove my tonsils altogether.  If I left them alone, I would have the same issues the rest of my life (per my doctor's expertise).  

I'm a bit anxious about the surgery.  This is the first time I'm ever having surgery and an IV.  I never had my wisdom teeth out (I have all four in at the moment).  So, I'm a bit nervous, but I'm pretty sure it will be fine.  A tonsillectomy is such a routine procedure, but I think there is always a bit of apprehension with surgery in general, no matter the type.

So, I think that about catches you up for the moment.  Job news.  And surgery news.  

I'm still plugging along until graduation.  I got my cap, gown, and hood in the mail the other day.  I'm excited for December 19th to come...no more schoolwork for the rest of my life (I hope!).  P.S.  In case you noticed, my surgery is THE DAY AFTER my graduation.  I have to be at the hospital at 5:15am.  No celebrating of graduation on the night of the 19th for me!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll try to post again sooner than last time.  :)

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Sunday afternoon

I am really mastering this art of procrastination.

In fact, I'm doing it right now.

I should be reading about program evaluation and doing my assignments.

But instead, I'm writing about how I shouldn't be procrastinating.

I'm really ready to be done with school.

I have 77 days left until graduation.

Things I am looking forward to post-graduation (again):
-  Not having homework
-  Being able to leave work and actually have some free time
-  Reading for fun
-  Spending time with friends and family instead of books and papers
-  Moving into my own apartment (at some point after graduation)
-  Having my Master's degree
-  Being able to call myself a 'social worker' after I get my licensure

So, the countdown continues.

And I hope that I am able to get all my homework/reading done that I need to this week.

So far I haven't been too far behind.  :)

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Last First Day

Today is my last first day of school...ever!
Well, unless I am blessed with children and take them to their first days.
Or if I become a professor and have a first day of school-teaching.

But, I am still very excited about the prospect of graduating and starting my life as a social worker!  All the hard work, time reading, working on papers, interning at various social service agencies, and time stressing out will pay off in December when I will get my Master's Degree.

To start off my last-first-day-of-school morning, I made myself an egg-white omelet with ham, one piece of bacon, a small amount of cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes.  I also ate a banana and had a small glass of apple-cranberry juice.

This morning meal was created with the help of Bethenny Frankel's book "Naturally Thin".  This recipe idea wasn't in the book exactly, but Bethenny does talk about your "diet bank account".  This bank account, much like one you have to manage your finances, also manages what you eat each day.  So, if I eat a healthy breakfast and a small lunch, I can have a larger dinner and more sweets later.  It's all about checks and balances.  I like this concept a lot.  So, in an effort to live out a "Naturally Thin Lifestyle", I attempted to eat a (mostly) healthy breakfast and have nutritious snacks throughout the day so I don't feel guilty when I eat a piece of cake later.  :)  I'll keep you posted on my journey through Bethenny's book-afterall, this is the first day I'm trying out this "diet bank account" concept.

Now, I'm off to make my healthy lunch/snack pack for the rest of the day.  I have class from noon until 8pm (plus driving home), so I have a long day ahead of me.  I hope your day is absolutely fantastic!

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Graduation weekend!

I feel awful for not blogging in a while, but I have been out of town for my little brother's graduation.  My brother went to school in Columbus, OH at Columbus College of Art and Design.  He graduated on Saturday, May 15th, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography.  I'm so proud of him!  And I can't believe he's already done with college.  Granted, we were always just a year apart in school, but it's still hard to imagine that he's "all grown up" now!  Columbus, OH is a wonderful place to visit.  There are beautiful trees, flowers, buildings, homes, and really neat places to eat.  I will post some pictures below of our trip.  But I thought it would be neat for you to see the restaurants and shops that we visited on the trip.  

On Thursday, our family went to Hound Dogs Pizza.  It is a cool pizza place attached to a bar.  There is graffiti on the wall and the decor is definitely unique.  The pizza is amazing.  My brother and I had a cheese pizza with pepperoni, black olives, and green pepper on their naturally rising crust with garlic/olive oil drizzled on it.  It was delicious!

On Friday, our family went to Katzinger's Deli for lunch.  They have really wonderful, unique sandwiches.  My mom and I shared a #16, which had on it: oven roasted turkey breast, Swiss cheese, creamy coleslaw, Russian dressing and was on grilled rye bread.  It was so good I could have eaten the whole sandwich by myself.  :)

For dinner, our family went to Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Restaurant for dinner.  This restaurant has authentic German food (and of course is found in German Village of Columbus, OH).  The food here was also delicious and very filling.  If you can't tell, we ate really well on our trip.

Then, on Saturday, after the graduation, we went to Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace for gourmet hot dogs.  Last time I went there, I had a typical Chicago Dog and only a bite of Amy's Big Boston Dog (which consists of a hot dog, Boston baked beans, fresh onions, and sharp cheddar).  Both hot dogs were delicious, but I decided to try something different this time.  I went with the Lara's Pittsburgh Princess, which has a hot dog, cole slaw, fresh cut fries, and malt vinegar.  All of their hot dogs are fantastic and I was not disappointed either time I went there.

Then, for my brother's graduation dinner, we ate at Latitude 41, which was the restaurant in the hotel we stayed in.  As if I need to keep saying it, the food was amazing as expected.  I had a wonderful green salad, speckled hen with grilled Radicchio, green beans, and pommes frites, and then some beignets for dessert with a chocolate cream cup.  Again, I was completely satisfied after dinner.  To top the night off, I went swimming on the rooftop deck and soaked in the hot tub outdoors.  It was a wonderful day from start to finish.

Finally, for shopping, we frequent Columbus Ohio's Short North District.  There are so many places to shop and browse.  There are also many good restaurants in this area.  The last time we were in Columbus, my mom and I fell in love with Bink Davies: a specialty store with really neat collectible items and room decor.  Of course, we went there again this trip.  I purchased things like a coin purse and kitchen towels--which I am quite excited about.  

The trip to Columbus was great as always.  Luckily, my brother is still staying there for now, so hopefully I can visit him again the near(ish) future and go to all my favorite places. I would most definitely consider moving there in the future if I felt a calling and an opportunity opened up.  If you haven't been there, I would recommend it.  It's beautiful this time of year.

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