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.

Read more...

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.  :)

Read more...

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.  :)

Read more...

Overload

Yet another week of school has come and gone.  I feel a bit overwhelmed already.  I'm taking 10 Graduate school credits (which is probably equivalent to 18+ undergraduate credits).  Full-time for grad school is only 8 credits, afterall.  

This semester does mark the end of my grad school career (I graduate in December!), so I was willing to take on a bit more than normal.  I am praying for God's continued faithfulness and strength throughout this semester as I attack my classes, work, Bible studies, other church involvement, try to have a social life, and continue to put God 1st in my life.  This will be interesting to see how this all unfolds....

That being said, I'm so excited to dive into my last semester, learn more, be challenged, and hope to appreciate my time in school.  This will be my last time in school until:  a) I have children and they attend school, b) I decide to go on for my PhD.- which I don't see happening, or c) I decide to teach a college-level class in social work- which I can do with my Master's.

For now, I relax a bit and rest before taking on my homework assignments later this weekend.  :)

Read more...

Profound Thought?

My professor from my Death and Dying class today said something that I took as somewhat profound.  Describing grief and love, he said, "The tax on love is grief.  The depth to which we love is often reflected in the depth to which we grieve."

Maybe that's nothing novel or interesting to you, but I took that as being somewhat profound, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Sweet dreams, I'm off to bed after my long day of classes.

Read more...

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!

Read more...