Final Countown!

Well, folks, here I am after many blog-less months. I've missed this lovely blog of mine, but can't say I've quite found the time to fit it in with everything else going on. Even now I have to be quick, as my bed is calling my name, reminding me that tomorrow is another fun--er work-filled day! I think the easiest way for me to update you all now is to create a lovely little list (and boy do I love lists!), and hopefully one day very soon I will be able to expand upon my little list and fill you in about all the details going on in my life!

Here goes...

1. I am graduating with my Master's in 18 days. Can you believe it?! That lovely day, May 22nd, also happens to be my 24th birthday. What a lovely birthday present that will be! Ooh, and I get to wear a hood! How cool is that?!
2. I am FINISHED with all that is grad school in just NINE days! One class, two take-home finals, and one in-class final to go. Beyond ready!
3. I HAVE A JOB!!!! I will be a counselor in Counseling Services at Muskingum University next year! I am beyond excited to have landed the job of my dreams straight out of school and am really looking forward to what that will mean for my future career. Seriously, feeling so blessed right now!
4. I don't start at Muskingum until August. I desperately need some sort of summer job so I can have somewhat of a life this summer.
5. I get to go see my sister's new apartment in DC next weekend! What a way to celebrate the end of my degree! Road trip with Sue and Chip--woot! Going to visit again over Memorial Day with Christopher. Is that Georgetown Cupcake I hear calling my name? 

Well, that's all for now. I really am going to do a better job of posting once I have a life again! Until then, keep on keepin' on!

It's Been Awhile!

Well my friends, it has definitely been awhile since my last post! Much has been going on and is continuing to happen in this crazy life I call reality!

As far as my goal to watch all 10 Best Picture nominated films before the Oscars, I am 70% there! We have "Winter's Bone" at my apartment waiting to be viewed, I am planning on seeing "Black Swan" tomorrow, and then I'll just have to see "True Grit" before the 27th. I'm excited that the completion of this task is actually happening!

As you all know, yesterday was Valentine's Day, and many of you also know that I am quite the sap. Therefore, I love Valentine's Day and all of the romance that comes along with it. While I did not get to celebrate with my wonderful Valentine yesterday due to work and school, we had an amazing time celebrating this weekend! Saturday was our personal Valentine's Day and we went out for a nice dinner to Wild Mango in North Olmsted. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the prices were very reasonable. We are already talking about going back! We then went to South Park Mall because Chris needed to return a pair of jeans (obviously the romantic part of our date! lol) and we ended up meeting my parents for dessert at Houlihan's. It was such a nice surprise that it worked out for us to meet up with them. We caught up, enjoyed some food, and then headed our separate ways.

On Sunday I had to go to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting as a requirement for my Chemical Dependency Counseling class, and my friend picked me up at Chris' apartment since the meeting was in Elyria. The meeting was fine, but the better part was coming back to Chris' apartment to find flowers, a sweet card, and the cutest elephant stuffed animal (they're my favorite!). He had already bought me my Valentine's Day gift a few weeks prior, but this was such a thoughtful surprise. He truly is the best!

 

 My surprises

Heading out to dinner

So now that Valentine's Day is over, I am faced with the reality that my life is absolutely crazy right now! My client load at my internship is picking up, which is definitely a good thing, but is also pretty stressful at the same time as it keeps me busy most hours I am at work. On top of that, I have many projects and papers that I should be starting for school to get ahead. I also registered to take the dreaded NCE licensure exam over my Spring Break, so that has me stressed out/frantically studying as well. I will definitely be relieved to get it over with (and hopefully pass) so I can focus more on applying for jobs and completing all of the paperwork that needs to be done for the end of my internship/graduation. The last day of finals is exactly three months from today...the countdown begins!

Hope all of you are doing well and had a lovely Valentine's Day! I'm off to study =\

Becoming A Movie Buff

Okay, so I'm not really becoming a movie buff, but for some reason this year I am a lot more interested in seeing the films that are nominated for Oscars before finding out which ones win. Maybe it's because I'd actually like to guess what is going to win based on my opinions of the movies. Who knows. Anyway, here are all of the movies nominated for  Best Picture:
(Italicized titles are films I have seen. The rest I have not)

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• The King's Speech
• 127 Hours
• The Social Network
• Toy Story 3
• True Grit
• Winter's Bone

Of the films that I have seen, I can't think of one that I didn't really enjoy. It's going to be a tough race, and that's without the other five that I have yet to see. I am still anxious to see "Black Swan." I have heard that it's not a "feel-good" movie, but I desperately want to see it. "The Social Network" I will hopefully be seeing soon, thanks to Netflix, and "The King's Speech" is another that I'd like to see. I need to do more research on "Winter's Bone," as I don't know much about it, and I can't say I'm all that interested in seeing "True Grit." I also saw "Blue Valentine" which is nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Williams).

I have not watched the Oscars in awhile just because I haven't been super interested, but I can tell this year I will for sure since I actually know what I'm talking about. Anyone have any guesses as to what will win?

Refreshed, Renewed, Restored

It's been awhile since I've update. School, work, life get in the way. However, last weekend something happened to me and I have to write about it! My dear friend Biz invited me to a Women's Retreat through her church this past Saturday. I was looking forward to it, unsure of what to expect, but went into it with an open mind. I am so glad I did!

Let me back up a little bit to Friday night. Because the retreat took place at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake (quite a drive for me), I had a sleepover at Biz's the night before. If I didn't know it before, this evening affirmed for me how truly blessed I am to know this incredible family. I was welcomed with open arms to Biz's dad's birthday dinner and was treated like family the rest of the evening. I am certain that this family was put on Earth to brighten the lives of those they encounter, and they are dutifully fulfilling their calling in life. I know without a doubt that God has a very special place for this family in Heaven.

On Saturday morning Biz's sister-in-law, Maria, picked us up to head to the retreat which consisted of worship, a speaker (Sharon Jaynes), small groups, and a break (time for us women to be women and socialize!). Sharon was wonderful and spoke of forgiveness, our thoughts, and our words. I was especially struck by her words on forgiveness. There were things from my past that I had not forgiven and that my heart was dying to let go of. Her words served as motivation for me to truly let go and forgive. It was such a liberating experience. My small group was led by Biz's older sister, Cat, and again it was an amazing experience. Biz's other sister-in-law, Beth, was also there and it was wonderful to share with her, as well.

Honestly, words cannot describe how I feel about this day. It was exactly what I needed--a day away from the world to focus on me and my relationship with God. No worries about school, work, life in general. Exactly what the doctor ordered. Now I feel refreshed, renewed, and restored (thus the title of my blog!) and ready to take on whatever life throws at me. It is my goal to allow myself time each day to do what I did on Saturday because I don't want to go back to the way I felt before. It is also my goal to be baptized by the end of 2011 =)

For the Ladies

Saw this while doing research for a client and thought it was too good not to post:

you were born a daughter.

you looked up to your mother.

you looked up to your father.

you looked up to everyone...

you wanted to be a princess.

you wanted to own a horse.

you wanted to wear pink.

you never wanted to wear pink.

you wanted to be a veterinarian.

you wanted to be president.

you wanted to be the president's beterinarian.

you were picked last for the team.

you were the best one on the team.

you refused to be on the team.

you wanted to do well in algebra.

you hid during algebra.

you wanted boys to notice you.

you were afraid the boys would notice you.

you started to get acne.

you started to get breasts.

you started to get acne that was bigger than your breasts.

you wouldn't wear a bra.

you couldn't wait to wear a bra.

you couldn't fit into a bra.

you didn't like the way you looked.

you didn't like the way your parents looked.

you didn't want to grow up.

you had your first best friend.

you had your first date.

you spent hours on the telephone.

you got kissed.

you got to kiss back.

you went to the prom.

you didn't go to the prom.

you went to the prom with the wrong person.

you spent hours on the telephone.

you fell in love.

you fell in love.

you fell in love.

you lost your best friend.

you lost your other best friend.

you really fell in love.

you became a steady girlfriend.

you became a significant other.

you became significant to yourself.

sooner or later, you started to take yourself seriously.

you know when you need a break.

you know when you need a rest.

you know what to get worked up about, and what to get rid of.

and you know when it's time to take care of yourself, for yourself.

to do something that makes you stronger, faster, more complete.

because you know it's never too late to live life.

and never too late to change one.

-Anonymous

Oldie but Goodie!

I'll Always Be Right There by Michelle Branch

When you're all alone,
and you need a light,
someone to guide you through the night,
just remember that I am here,
to hold you close and dry your tears.

And just when you thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there.

When you're all alone,
and you need a friend,
someone to help you to the end,
when you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.

Cause just when you thought you were losing,
but you know I'll always be right there.

And I'll be there through the good times,
and the bad,
and we'll be there for each other,
cause you're the best friend I've ever had.

And just when you thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there.
Oh, whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.

Saturday, January 15, 2011


Delicious Georgetown Cupcakes!


Sunday, January 16, 2011


Menu from the restaurant we ate at near the
Smithsonian--obviously I loved it!