Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour #waytowell

As a public health geek professional, or whatever you want to call it, I am always interested in local initiatives and opportunities. Especially things that are easy, free, and available to everyone.

I found out about the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour through AARP, a community outreach program going on in the Cleveland area 7.12 through 7.30.

The Way to Well Health Tour will be providing free health tests, educational materials and consultations to anyone who wants to walk in the door.  The main focus is on prevention and early detection of the leading diseases of today: heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and something we should all take very seriously.  Diabetes is obviously a growing issue, overall, and something that is easily detected and treated.  Cancer, well, cancer sucks and whatever we can do to educate/protect/manage our health and our risk factors along with regular, preventative care, can help us all mitigate the Scary that comes with cancer.

Free health tests (valued at over $100) that will be provided include:

• Cholesterol
• Glucose
• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index
• Body Composition
• Skeletal Muscle
• Resting Metabolism
• Visceral Fat
• Real Body Age

The process will take about 20  minutes to complete and anyone 18 and older is encouraged to visit the tour – no appointment or insurance is necessary.  So stop in, pick up some popsicles & sunscreen and participate in the Way to Well tour.

you will get to talk to someone really happy and nice, like the girl in this picture!

Interested in the Way to Well campaign but can't make it out to visit the tour? You can still contribute to this community outreach campaign by purchasing Walgreens brand health and wellness products!  1¢ from the purchase of each product, up to $3 million annually, will support bringing preventative wellness services to local communities, like Cleveland, through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund®.

If you have never used Walgreens brand products, you are missing out.  They are comparable to the name brand products in quality, but not price, which is the best part!  And now that you know a portion of each product is going to support the Way to Well Fund, what better motivation to try them out?

Take a look, find out where the Way to Well tour can be found near your neck of the woods, and stop in this week.  You won’t be sorry you did.

 

**I was compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed here are my own.**

Friday Night Leftovers–on Saturday

I missed yesterday. Oops. Make sure you go over and visit Danifred though, and wish her a happy birthday too!

• Tomorrow is graduation. Very official and while I kind of dread going, I am also looking forward to it. I worked hard for this, after all.
• My twin sister graduates this semester too. I am so proud of her!
• I have a Keurig (which I adore) but some days just require more than 1 cup of coffee for which I am thankful to have my regular old $20 coffee machine!
• On the Keurig note – do you have a favorite k-cup? I need more!
• I love to do things for other people and I have a few, what I think are really nice, surprises up my sleeves. I’m excited about it.
• Sort of on that same note, if you have followed the story of my good friend, Jen – please be sure to check back here later this week. Some awesome ladies and I are in the process of putting together a blog-raiser (I couldn’t think of a better word) – a way for people who are interested to come together and provide some support for them.
• I planted some flowers today. Holy shit did we take REALLY bad care of our flower beds last year. Hoping to get some curb appeal going on this summer!
• And my mom planted me a little herb garden. It’s so cute!
• The student loan monster is about to be unleashed and I am shitting my pants over it. For real. That money has been “pretend” for so long, that the thought of it makes me want to vomit.
• I’ll figure out a way to make it all work, right?
• My little Premier Designs jewelry business is growing before my very eyes and it’s pretty awesome. So proud of my girls!
• I know He has plans for me, and I need to embrace this. But I am having a really hard time with it.

what’s next?

So you have successfully completed your Master’s program – what are you going to do next?
I’m going to Disney World!!!
Okay, yes, I AM going to Disney World (OMG! 28 days!)
But what DOES come next?
Other than cleaning my neglected, dirty house. Getting ready for Disney & taking a minute to just breathe, I have no idea.
I am in a really…weird? different? unexpected… place in my life. I lost my job, and that totally sucked. Until I realized what a GIFT it was – a gift to be home with my daughter every day, to start a new business, to focus and rock the socks off of this Master’s program, to explore the world of academia a little bit more.
But then there is the not-such-a-gift part of the whole thing – stressing about money, health insurance and doing what I can to make these things NOT stressful.
My thought processes after losing my job was – do what you need to do, apply for every job you can and SOMETHING good has to happen. Only it didn’t. So my next though processes was – focus on your degree and wait it out, when you officially have a Master’s degree, SOMEONE will want you.
I am thankful for thought process B, it was just what I needed. 
And now? I can not imagine going back to work full-time. I can not imagine leaving my girl every day again.  But something has to change financially and I didn’t work my big old ass off earning this degree not to use it in some way.  I just don’t know what way that I want to use it.
I guess I am just stuck. I love being home with G and I love being able to write, teach and sell jewelry. It’s not the most financially smart choice, but mentally, it just might be.  If I could find another adjunct position or a work from home position – that would be ideal.  
And then there is that part of me that wants to move forward with a phd…..
Clearly, I have no clue what I want to be when I grow up.

Wordless Wednesday

Ninja + Thesis defense success = graduation regalia!

Today

Today I:

• Finished my thesis presentation & practiced it 2 times
• Went to the post office, gas station, bank & Target. Treated myself to a Starbucks.
• Got flowers from my sister
• Had the first picnic of the “season” with my favorite girl and my sister
• Played outside.
• Worked some more of thesis requirements
• Noticed a quite toddler in the corner of my office. Writing on her arm with permanent marker….
• Went for a long walk with Gianna, held hands & talked about all the things we saw outside. And really just wanted to cry from the awesomeness of the whole thing. She makes my heart burst with love.
• Played outside some more and made small talk with our slightly…unique… neighbors
• Made and ate dinner with my family
• Gave Gianna a bath
• Finished up thesis requirements, notes and jump drive transfers
• Ate an ice cream cookie

Tomorrow – I will defend my thesis, pick up my graduation stuff and go on a date with my supportive (and neglected) husband.  And let out the biggest sigh of relief, because holy crap. I did it!

Friday Night Leftovers

• First – Happy Easter!
• Second – it doesn’t feel like easter… not that I am sure what that feels like, but it doesn’t feel like a holiday to me. Probably something to do with all the crazy that’s going on right now.
• A true holiday will be on Wed when I am DONE with school.
• Also? Can it be warm yet? Please?
• Last week I got a Keurig as a gift from a really awesome friend – tell me your favorite coffee! I know for sure I want to try one of the iced vanilla coffee’s but I need options people!
• The Chocolate Glazed Donut variety k-cup is very delish.
• Gianna is full of hilarious these days, I need to remember to write down the funny things she says.
• I  made our meal plan for next week. I will only be “cooking” (meal plan says: chicken nuggets? salad?) one day because things are so busy and G will be at my Mom’s like 3/5 nights for dinner.
• They asked me to teach again next semester, so yay to that.
• I applied for another teaching position at a bigger college…..
• And I need to work on my presentation for next week.
• Also next week, I will be participating in a Twitter party!

KidsGO Twitter Party #ClevelandKidsGo (@KidsGoExpo)
Tuesday, April 26nd from 9p-10p. 
 
We will be giving away some more gift certificates to the Step2Store and Chick-fil-A, plus tickets to the KidsGO Expo!

• But first – Happy 2nd Birthday to Zach – my BFF’s son – I remember her calling me early in the morning, because she knew I was up already, saying “so, I’m in the hospital and it’s a BOY! Oh, and I did it without drugs, it wasn’t that bad” love ya, S!

come see what all the other FNL’s have to say over @ Danifred’s

Order of Operations

I am pretty sure I said I was going to write this post well over a month ago.  Better late than never?!

Here is the thing. I am a planner – shocking I know – and I work so much better on a timeline. Deadlines. Whatever.

In my mind – the things that are going to occur in the next 6 months should go something like this. (I am certain nothing will go as I planned, but still, starting point?)

((and the “plan” will be sprinkled with jewelry, writing & teaching…you know, things I get paid to do!))

1. Defend thesis/graduate (May 8th!)
2. Buy a potty chair for Gianna…. no intention of actually USING it yet.
3. Have Mirena taken out. (holy shit…..)
4. Turn 26
5. Go to Disney!!!!! (May 31st)
6. Think about maybe seeing if potty training might work out?
7. Build my business even more. (Designer! Yes!)
8. Go to Texas (July 12th)
9. Think about maybe seeing if Gianna would like to sleep in a big-girl bed
10. Start seriously looking at/applying for PhD programs (right? probably? OMG)
11. Hope Gianna is actually potty trained…..
12. Go to Italy (October)

It all seems rather…. boring excitingly normal? compared to the past few months. I am sure I will find a way to spice things up a bit, I can’t sit still for long. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to a slow-down in the action just in time for pool-season!

Friday Night Leftovers: 12 more days edition

• 12 more days until my thesis is defended.
• 12 more days of busting my ass to get the paper and presentation finished.
• And Gianna has decided she doesn’t need a nap today. Naturally.
• She has been all about imagination lately and it is pretty cool.
• She is also all about dresses. And must get dressed immediately upon waking up. And must wear a “fancy dress” or a “pretty dress”.
• In the next 12 days I will have at least: finished a 30 minute presentation & paper on my thesis topic, written a meaningless essay, taken a test, participated in 2 online discussion sessions, taught another week of class but prepared 2 weeks worth of lectures, pretended to be the Easter bunny & participated in 2 Easter related activities, held 2 jewelry shows, started a poster to present my research at a conference, participated in at least one conference call and one meeting revolving around jewelry, played with my 2 year old, hopefully showered regularly and drank an undetermined amount of coffee and wine.
• I need to get my game-plan prepared in order for all that shit to get done.
• On a different note – what are you favorite outdoor toys for toddlers? We have a play house, water table and jungle-gym thingie.
• What is going in the next 12 days around your house?

Friday Night Leftovers

• I needs some bullet-point therapy today, thankful to Danifred for providing it to me! Feel free to join her (check back if she hasn’t posted her linky yet) for some FNL therapy yourself!
• This is my last weekend with a 1 year old. Holy crap. Emotions are running WILD.
• Thanks for all the new haircut love! You guys made my week. Especially Esperanza for her comment – you made me laugh out loud, mostly because I have those kinds of “new hairs” too – totally sexay.
• Things are crazy around here. I know I say that about every week – but no, for real this time. Today I have to: get some work done, shower, pack Gianna an overnight bag, go to the party store & target, have lunch with my sister (send Gianna with her for a sleepover!), come home work some more, meeting @ 4, meeting @ 4:30 to leave for an overnighter – meeting @ 6:30, dinner, sleep. Tomorrow: training until 4, birthday party for Gianna’s friends at 5:30, come home and bake cupcakes and cake. Sunday: lose my everloving mind, finish party prep, shower (I hope!) Gianna’s 2 yr pictures and then PARTY!
• Add approximately 1,938 small things that need done between all of the big stuff and is it next weekend yet?
• Final countdown to thesis defense. Scary to know what all still needs accomplished.
• Sending big prayers and powerful thoughts into the universe for some friends today – one itty bitty rockstar baby needs them.
• Gianna is HILARIOUS lately. the things she says, OMG I die from the cute. Some winners this week: reciting lines from her favorite movies at random like “I a diamond in the ruff” in the bathtub (ala Aladdin) or “I not a waitress, I a princess” (ala Princess & the Frog). She also told me she was “just habbin’ a tweat” as she broke into the easter candy stash – eating a mini reese cup, wrapper and all.
• Have a great weekend my bloggie loves

counting down

8 days until Gianna’s birthday party. All of the crafty stuff is done, the menu is finally determined-ish and if people would just freaking RSVP we would be good to go. I am excited with the way things turned out, the weekend is going to be NUTS but I am going to do my best to enjoy the party.

9 days until my baby turns 2. Very emotional over this. Clearly.

11 days until Gianna’s 2 year well check. I wonder how big she is and how much flack I am going to catch because she won’t drink milk….

25 days until my thesis defense. 25 more days of my own personal spreadsheet/statistic/powerpoint/paper writing hell. The project really isn’t bad, I am just over it and pretty annoyed by some of the BS that has come up recently. And I want to do this all.over.again for a PhD? Definitely have lost my mind somewhere along the way.

36 days until I actually graduate. Master of Public Health! Now if only I actually knew what day I graduated and what I have to do before hand…. Or what would help me get a job in my field…..

42 – ? days - the official OMG WE ARE GOING TO TTC FOR BABY #2 day. I have no idea what my cycles will look like when I get my Mirena removed soonish, so rough estimate.

58 days until Disney. The vacay was paid in full today (CASH!) ((okay, GIFT CARDS I BOUGHT WITH CASH!)) and honestly, it can’t get here soon enough. I am trying to figure out how to adapt an eidetic memory before then because I am sure I am not going to want to forget one second of this trip.

referring back to my post from a few weeks ago I still owe you -

• a local giveaway [fun stuff for kids to do!]
• a non-local giveaway [fun thing for kids to have!] *as soon as I get my shit together, this will be going on!*
• the order of operations I promised I don’t know, weeks ago?
• more pictures
• birthday party stuff
• a letter to my daughter (birthday post) ((holy shit, her birthday is coming SOOOOON)) (((cue a ridiculous amount of emotion)))
• a new confessions of a….post (bloghop-style so you can play too) ((supermom is what I am thinking.. or superwoman… or whatever))
• whatever else I can manage to coherently write – there is a lot of shit going on in my brain right now.

We’re getting there…. pictures soon.

Friday Night Leftovers….on Saturday

• I got on my computer 54957271 yesterday with the intention of posting a FNL post. And forgot every.single.time.
• My brain has taken a vacation, clearly it has had enough of the snow and cold.
• Speaking of vacation… we are taking G to Disney World in May! I am totally pumped about it. Of course, we are still trying to figure out the logistics, but still, we are going!
• In order to justify this vacation consider it a celebration of G’s birthday, my birthday and my graduation.
• She is going to FAHREAK OUT when she sees Mickey, Minnie and the princesses. EEP!!!
• My thesis project? Taking over my life. It is seriously a good thing I lost my job, because otherwise I would not be graduating this semester.
• I have been marveling in the way my plan for my life has been playing out. As in, not at all like I expected, but not in a bad way. Just MUCH MUCH MUCH different.
• My giveaway ended yesterday, who can tell me what I did wrong? Only 16 comments? I don’t get it….
• My child talks in sentences. Full sentences. It blows my mind. She also sings all the time. Such a fun age.
• Going to see a friend in a musical tonight – pretty excited that the ticket includes a glass of wine!
• I have saved a good chunk of money using coupons lately, but still I am OVERWHELMED by this process. It is worth the money saved, but OMG there has to be a more organized way to do this…
• Lacrosse starts the end of this month. I rarely see my husband as it is with our crazy ass schedules, but things are going to be even crazier until we go on vacation in May!
• Groupon rocks.
• Join Danifred and all the other FNLers!

Friday Night Leftovers

• Another Friday where I am thankful for Danifred and the leftovers. Lots of random going on in my head lately.
• Today I set up a timeline to complete my thesis. I will be presenting it on April 27th. Holy shit batman, it is going to be a crazy ride.
• I am glad, however, to have everything on the calendar. Deadlines set. Etc. Etc. It honestly makes my head hurt a little less knowing what is coming next.
• Disney “sin-aaaa-longs'” have taken over. Cute, but not. At least she dances to them.
• Speaking of dancing, we are going to do a dance party “theme” for her birthday! Need to figure out what that means exactly aside from there being music and balloons.
• Some sort of sickness has been going through our house, G and I are both sick enough to be slightly miserable yet still functional. I would prefer one extreme or the other.
• I have really enjoyed reading your comments from yesterdays post. Keep ‘um coming.
• This weekend going into next week is going to be crazy. But I am ready for it.
• I must start our taxes soon. They are going to be a bitch do do this year and I should really stop putting it off.
• I know I promised there was exciting news and such coming the other day – it is probably only exciting to me, but I am building my own little team of jewelry lady’s and it is very fun! That’s all. Not hit the lottery exciting, but a small step.
• The freelance company I work for has had shit to write. It sort of pisses me off, but not, because I have enough work (although non-paying work) to keep me busy at the moment. But still, frustrating.
• My shoe rack, the one that holds over 50 pairs of shoes, broke today. Not sure what I am going to do (besides buy a new shoe rack that is more durable) about it, but Gianna is in HEAVEN. HEAVEN I tell you – the way her face lit up when she saw all of those shoes on the floor you would have thought Cinderella herself was standing in front her her. She spent a good 15 minutes (until I drug her upstairs) trying on different shoes saying “ta da”. Hilarious for sure.
• Please keep my friend JJ (and her hubs Mook!) in your thoughts – their little man, O, is in the hospital with RSV and a bacterial blood infection. All thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
• I am going to be drinking some wine tonight, I hear it helps sore throats. Or at least lets you forget you have a sore throat….

Friday Night Leftovers: back in the game

• I have missed Danifred’s awesome FNL’s the past few weeks. But I am back. You are welcome.
• I wish I could bullet point all my posts.
• Maybe I will.
• Yesterday we went to a toddler dance party at the library(my kid is the one inappropriately trying to make out with the orange balloon…why did they pick the strangest thing she has ever done to put online?).
• We had a play date today also. Same friends from yesterday plus Jen & Olivia. (or really, Jen & Olivia plus all of us since we crashed their house!)  It was really fun, but WOW 4 busy toddlers can make a girl tired. (G has been napping for 2 hours and counting).
• Story time starts on Monday again.  I am really glad, it will give us something to do!
• We need to get back on a schedule from the holidays.
• Jewelry business is picking up! Yay! If you want info, let me know.
• Speaking of jewelry business, I am going to a rally (like a convention?) next weekend, it should be pretty fun.
• Other business? I hate applying for jobs and NEVER HEARING BACK.  Just tell me I am too awesome to work for you (or that you hate me, whatev) or SOMETHING.  I WANT to work, you wouldn’t think this would be such an ordeal.
• I like meal planning. I do not like being the only one to eat dinner. 
• In my email today was information about graduation. This is my last semester of school! Woot! (now, if I could get my ass in gear to get this research finished we would be in business….)
• It’s snowing again. 

What’s Next?

I am sure there are going to be a million and two I’m-so-thankful-for-this-year and/or twentyten-can-bite-my-ass posts in the blog-world this week.

2010 wasn’t the most awesome year in the entire world, but it certainly wasn’t the worst year I have ever had.  I mean shit, I lost my job and health insurance so that sucked.  My husband and I had a tough year, but we’re good now.  I took my family on an awesome beach vacation, am one semester away from having my Master’s degree and have started my own business. And bought my first house.  Not to mention the everyday fun stuff that happened. So overall, I suppose the year was a success.

I am most concerned with what comes  next, though.  I am in a very uncertain place right now.  Sure, I have my family and house and a few things going at least marginally my way, but I feel unsettled.  Like there is so much I don’t know, can’t control and am just generally unsure about.

What will 2011 (twenty-eleven, in my book) bring?

How will we grow as a family?

How will I grow professionally? When will I get a job? What kind of job will it be?

What awesome things will Gianna teach me?

What kind of excitement/disappointment/unexpected surprises will come our way?

We have one super awesome thing to look forward too in 2011 – a big fat italian family vacation!  In October my whole family, all 11 people, are going to Italy, on a Mediterranean cruise. 

TOTALLY RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME!!!

Sometime this spring/summer we are going to seriously visit the idea of  TTC for baby 2.0, which is an awesomely scary idea. 

I am certain 2011 will be a-okay.  There are at least a few things to look forward to.

I just can’t wait to find out what comes next…..

 

Right after I wrote this post, I found out that my dear friend Jen lost one of her twin girls at 32 weeks. Please pray for her, Mark, Olivia, sweet Evelyn watching from heaven and for Ainsley as she gets strong enough to come home to her family.  Jen, we are wrapping you all in huge hugs, prayers, strength and whatever else you need, for as long as you need it. xoxo

Friday Night Leftovers

• I am late on this today, but turns out it gave me more things to say.
• G is still sick. She plays and acts fine, but she gets worn out easily. And holy shit does she get cranky.  Her poor nose/face is all red and chapped from incessant nose wiping.
• Honestly, where DOES all that snot/mucous come from? Her head is only so big….
• I know I am not “working” per say right now, but good LORD am I busy.  Turns out my master’s work is much more time consuming than originally anticipated.
• It has been snowing, literally, all week. ick.
• Peppermint mocha coffee creamer = heaven.
• Why do people insist on actually BAKING cookies? Cookie dough is totally good enough for me…..
• I need new tires on my car.
• Our house is christmas-ified, but it turns out that a) we don’t have all that much christmas décor and b) I wish we had bright colored decorations like these:  to go with our turqoise walls! Come on after-christmas sales.
• Gianna says “ooo woook, CHRISTMAS” whenever she sees the tree. It’s freaking adorable.
• Gianna also told me “you’re gorg-us” today.
• She said “say shrimp boat” yesterday, thanks to her Aunt Krissy and the silly things she tells the girl to say.
• Why do I always feel like I need a nap around 2p (I never actually TAKE one) but yet I stay up until at least 11 every night?  I will never learn....
• Turns out my dad is in the ICU.  I have already expressed my feelings on this person, I won’t be visiting.  I would never wish harm on anyone, not even him, but that doesn’t mean I feel any tugs on my heartstrings over it.
• I can’t wait for my christmas cards to come!!

Join Danifred and Co. to see what everyone else has leftover this week!

Friday Night Leftovers: turkey hangover edition

• Had a great day yesterday with the family – we had 4 kinds of potatoes and lots of dishes filled with cheese. that is my kind of food!
• I get to eat cheese-y potato leftovers tonight and that makes me super happy.
• Only had to spend about an hour at the in-laws, it was tolerable.  I guess.  The crazy just gets me every time.
• First ever black Friday shopping attempt today – I mean, if you count going to the stores at 11 black Friday shopping.
• Scored a sweet deal on a new xmas tree. Since we threw ours away when we moved and forgot about it until this week – good thing I found something on sale or we would have turned a coat rack into a tree before I spent $100 on one!  I do wish I would have gotten to Gap before 10am for the 50% off sale though, oh well.
• I NEED to be done shopping for G. But I keep getting things at awesome prices. And saying she only needs one more thing…. But really, she does only need one more thing…..
• I NEED to figure out what the heck to get the rest of the family members! Adults are hard creatures to shop for sometimes.
• there is a big pile of research, a paper and some phone calls waiting for me to pay attention to them…. I really really don’t want too.
• We are going to a local christmas tree festival tomorrow and hopefully to a christmas parade.  I mean, the parade will be going on regardless, but if it rains, we are out!
• Also tomorrow- is Beat Michigan Day!  Hoping to be able to catch the game after the trees.  I wish it started at 1:30 instead of noon, that would have been much more conducive to my schedule.
• It is cold here today. And Mike is working a college football game.  I bet he has frozen fingers….  I’ll drink some coffee for him because I am so sweet and thoughtful.
• GOOOO Buckeyes!

as always, share your leftovers with Danifred and the rest of us!

The future makes me nervous

 I know I talked a little while ago about how I never imagined that I would be where I am today.
The other part of that story?  I am having trouble imagining the future.

Maybe that is a good thing, since we all know that life is never as we planned or imagined.

Except I am a planner. You should see my google calendar and all it’s glorious colorful organization.  It may or may not run my life.

I want to know exactly where I am going to be as far as having a new job. Buying a bigger house one day. Because I will have many more babies to fill it. And honestly people, these thoughts are overwhelming sometimes.
First step to the future? Graduation in May. That is under control and on track. And holy crap I might actually be finished being a student (for now).

Second step to the future? Finding not just a new job but a position that satisfies me professionally and intellectually. This is HARD.  I am in the process of contacting a recruiter on the matter because I don’t know where else to begin.  I know what I am looking for, I know what I am willing to bend on and what I am not in a new position. My fingers are crossed tightly that I can find someplace that meets my needs and appreciates what I have to offer.

Third step in the future? Work on making more babies. I said in my friday night leftovers that I am not physically ready. I am not. I want to get my body in a little better shape. I am there “weight” wise but flabby extra jiggle wise – no where near. Also? It took us close to a year to conceive Gianna.  While we didn’t require medical intervention, I feel that the steps we did take while TTC (while who knows if they did or did not make a difference) puts us somewhere on the line that she talks about @ Lovely Lady Bump.  I am scared to death that it will take as long or longer for #2.  Or it might not. That part of the unknown makes us nervous.  Also? having to wait for steps 1 and 2 to fall into place frustrates me because mentally and as a family – we are READY to expand. To share the love we have.  And that part is frustrating.  6 months seems like a long time to wait to even start this journey. But, it’s only 6 more months, right?

Fourth step in the future? Be a supportive wife to my husband in all that he does and in the venture he would like to undertake. It could be very good but we have a lot of research to do.  He has always been supportive of me through my educational journey and it’s time to focus on him for awhile. 

The future seems very promising yet very daunting and a little bit scary right now.  I KNOW it will all be fine, because it always is in whatever way I define “fine” at that moment. But just for a second can I have a crystal ball so I can see WHEN and HOW these things will play out?!!

school supply junkie

It’s the end of August and that only means one thing to me.

Time for school. Again.

I had my first Saturday of classes yesterday. Should be okay. This is my last semester of Saturday School so that alone is exciting!

As I was buying (half.com) and renting (chegg.com) my books for the semester today it dawned on me, my school-supply-junkie-self did not buy ANY supplies this year.

I don’t actually NEED anything. 

I guess that happens when you have been in some form of higher education or another for a long fucking time 7 years…. 

I have my binders.  My legal pads. Pens worthy of my pen-snobbieness: 

And a shit-ton of post-it’s in all varieties.

And, I have all of these things in abundance at the moment. So i was kind of sad to walk through the back-to-school displays and not have to buy any. (my wallet, however, smiled at that thought). Even though I am sure to buy some post-it’s soon because I can’t resist their sticky-organizational beauty.

So. I am as ready as I can possibly be to get moving with this semester so that i can graduate in the next one! 

Light at the end of the tunnel – I am coming for you!

Not Convinced

If you have been reading for awhile, you might know that I used to be in medical school.  And that a little over a year ago I officially withdrew from medical school.

This was a freaking hard decision to make. 

I spent most of my time in school convincing myself that that is where i wanted to be and that I really DID want to be a doctor.

I have spent most of my time after school convincing myself that I do NOT want to be a doctor and that I made the right decision.

I KNOW that I made the right decision, but sometimes, when I talk with my friends or feel really frustrated in my current position (professionally & financially) I think about how right now I should be practicing medicine.  I could have been a pediatrician.  I am afraid that I will be haunted by this decision forever, especially when things get tough in life. 

Then I think about how miserable I was those years.  How frustrated I was.  How I didn’t feel connected to that job.  If I was in that position, I would not get to see my baby (or maybe, I wouldn’t even have her) much, or my husband.  I would probably be just as frustrated with life, just for different reasons.

My current job? Is not at all where I want to be professionally.  I am currently on the hunt for something more.  Something that will allow me to be more involved in medicine, more involved with people, more engaged intellectually and more challenged.  I have considered using a recruiter to help with this but know nothing about how to go about it.  Especially because I have no idea where I want to go with my professional life.  The only positive about where I work, they are very flexible with my schedule which lets me be home more.  My cons list grows daily. 

No one wants to spend their work day hating their job.  If I am going to spend all that time away from my child(ren), I want to feel like I am DOING something.  I want to enjoy it.  I want to feel accomplished. 

::Sigh::

I heard the Kenny Chesney song “Never Wanted Nothing More” on the way home the other night and it made me tear up because I made the decision not to continue in medicine because I was unhappy.  And my current work situation is making me unhappy. But my family? My life in general? It is good.  I need to say these lyrics to myself every morning. Because they are true.

Well I'm what I am and I'm what I'm not
I'm sure happy with what I've got
I live to love and laugh a lot
And thats all I need

Catch up and breathe

here is my typical bulleted post because this is all I am able to wrap my brain around at this very instant

• I turned in my last paper for the semester. 1 narrated powerpoint, 1 SWOT analysis, 1 more discussion/response and I am done for 3 weeks. Dear lord is it next Thursday yet?
• Speaking of school, on my three weeks “off” I will frantically be figuring out what practicum to take for 2 credit hours, completing and getting the paperwork approved. Not really looking forward to this part.
• Someone in our neighborhood has a dirt bike. that he rides all.the.fucking.time.  It is loud and obnoxious.
• the weather, in my opinion, has been blissful. I love the sun. the heat. all of it. I just need more time to enjoy it.
• Gianna is bursting at the seams with new words. We live with a pintsized chatty-kathy.
• Gianna is also on a water and fruit diet. and cheese puffs. It’s swell.
• I need to get like 2398476 pictures printed. I really really do.  My walls are bare and I dislike it.
• But I did catch up on my google reader so I am ready for ICLW to start this week.
• You guys. I am freaking exhausted. All I want to do is sleep. It kind of sucks, actually, to feel so crappy. Any tips to boost my energy? Or hours you would like to offer me so that I can still get all this crap done AND sleep?
• My husband must really love me. I have been crabby mcbitchy lately (hello, I am not handling the stress of my life well) and he just keeps on chugging. keeps on trying. keeps on being his sweet self.  and making me coffee in the mornings.