southern ramblings

OK, in my last post I said I would try to be more diligent about posting - obviously that didn't happen. I have successfully completed another semester in school and the end is in sight. I will hopefully only go to school one more year before I qualify for my alternative license which will allow me to work as a school counselor while I complete my final internship requirements. That's what I'm hoping and praying will happen.
In the personal realm, I'm in the midst of birthday celebrations, which are always fun! I've recently returned to the singles group at church and love it. The new format (geographically divided small groups) is awesome. I haven't done much pleasure reading lately, but I'm about to order several books for my one month hiatus from school. I start class again in June, but it is with the same professor I had this semester and should be excellent. I'm a little floored that all I seem to be able to talk about is school today. I guess that is just where my brain is at the moment. I'll try to update more regularly - please notice I said try....

So, I've been dealing with too many things to go into details about - but one day maybe I'll elaborate. Here is the highlight real for the last six or so weeks:

1. Taking one graduate class this semester has been amazing. I love the freedom to live life and complete work and school, too.
2. Aforementioned freedom, allows me time to think and process alone - a very dangerous thing for me.
3. I having someone tell me I was missed, may have been one of the sweetest things anyone ever said to me.
4. Suprise flowers delivered to my desk were both AMAZING! I have never before been sent flowers (my sis sent me a plant in college), and it absolutely melted my heart.
5. Said flowers came with an unsigned card and a messege that read "Just beacuase you are loved." I have ideas of who they are from, but I'm oddly content not knowing the final answer.
6. The realization that it has taken me nearly two years to be ok with crying at church and I'm still not great at it.
7. I am a hopeless romantic which makes things hard sometimes, but wonderful all at the same time.

I promise I'm not dead. I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I will try to be more forthcoming with information in the future. Thanks for hanging with me until I could resurface. Have a great day

I survived New Year's Eve, although I didn't do anything, partly becuase of my knee injury which prevented me from being able to dress up in fancy clothes (even I like to do that now and again), but more becuase I'm just in a really funky place. I really thought I'd be able to climb out of it by now, but here we are closing the second week of 2007 and I'm still in the funk. I don't have any logical reason to be here (which aggrevaites the snot out of me - although I'm very greatful for not having a reason), I just can't seem to kick these feelings to the curb. It's almost as if I have convinced myself that I don't deserve to be happy, but why?? There is no reason for me not to be happy and there is no reason for me to think I shouldn't be.

I ask that my friends pray for me and please have patience as I try to conquer these ugly thoughts that seem to be winning the emotional battle right now.

Ok - for those who haven't known me very long, I played soccer for many years, therefore my knees are way, way older than I am. That being said, I have been very fortunate and not had to deal with any knee surgery thus far, I'm afraid my success has just ended. I found out yesterday that I will most likely have to have knee surgery for my munisicus (I realize that isn't spelled correctly). I'm doing 4 weeks of physical therapy in an effort to avoid surgery, but if that doesn't work - I'll have to go under the knife. Oh well - I'll try to just take it in stride. The good news is that I can still walk (sort of) and that all of my tendons are intact.
On a much happier note - I finished school on Wednseday and have approximately four weeks break before I start again. I can see the end in sight and I'm very, very excited.

Just wanted to keep everyone updated. Hope all is going well for each of you.

Well, after a long semester (which still isn't quite finished) and some long overdue sleep. I was finally able to visit some friends and family yesterday. I feel very blessed to have old friends and family in my life that support my hopes and dreams and are very understanding about my long absences. It was shocked and ashamed to see how much I had missed. I couldn't believe some of the changes and major life stuff I had missed because my head was buried in school books and projects. THIS CAN'T GO ON!!!
As Thanksgiving approaches this coming week, I have been blessed to have wonderful opportunities, blessings, and supporting people in my life, for which I am very grateful. I received an email from a friend listing all the things she was thankful for - everything from wool socks to good friends and right on up to a God who loves her. It really made me think about how important the little things in life are - especially little moments.
So in honor of my dear friend, I will include a small list of things I am thankful for: Family, friends, favorite candle scent, the smell of Christmas trees, Mission trip friendships, new possibilities, the end of the semester, fireplaces, blankets, Ma's quilts, and advice from my parents. These are just a few of the things I'm grateful for - what are you grateful for?

Hey guys,

I don't have very long, but wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and surviving school. Life has been interesting as always. Love me new job and am holding my own against the mountain of assignments from school. My sis is pregnant so that should be interesting, but exciting all at the sametime. Other than that, things are just clipping right along.

I'm really trying to take time to appreciate the life I have now and not always be looking into the future - it's not working out for me so far, but I'm trying.

Catch ya'll later -

I realize that I haven't posted in a while. My apologies. School has started again, so I'm back to the grind of study, work, study, work, etc. I started my new job almost a month ago this week, and I really like it. It is more challenging, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. I really enjoy working at my own desk, etc. I've got another huge paper due this semester - something to research, I've narrowed down my choices. I'm torn between two topics 1) Adolescent Fatherhood or 2) How aggressive adolescent girls can be to one another. Any suggestions - I can't promise to take them, but any input will be appreciated and considered.

I hope that all is well with all of you - I'm sorry this update is so short, but school is calling.

So, I stepped out on the wild side (read redneck side) of life this weekend and went to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. It fulfilled one of my dreams to hear "Sweet Home Alabama" live. Don't worry, those of you who are life long Skynyrd fans, I know the real Skynyrd is dead, but the show was still amazing. And I'll hopefully have pics soon to post, my sister has an amazing digital camera.

On a more professional note, I start my new job tomorrow. Prayers for a good start, great attitude and ability to pay attention would be greatly appreciated. I'll keep ya'll posted as I move through training.

Just returned from Atlanta with some friends. Great weekend. It was so nice to get out of the city and really only spend gas and food money (college buddies who let you crash are the best). I again had the pleasure of shopping at IKEA - the best furniture store ever. Imagine my disappointment when the table I have watched for months was "temporarily oversold." BOO HISS!!! That's all I have to say. Anyway, ate some amazing food and had a great time. Sometimes getting a little break from day-to-day life w/ a few close friends is just what we all need.

Yeah for good friends and good travels and new adventures!

Well, another class down and a few more to go. I squeaked by yet again, so I'm currently still in Grad School and will survive hopefully yet another semester. So life has been kinda crazy yet again. I've got major thoughts, ideas, etc. running through my head - almost faster than I can commit to any of them. I've really been toying w/ the idea of a small group bible study. I'm not sure how well that would fly in my church group, but I may branch out and see. I figure the worst that will happen is it will flop - I've been there and done that before, so I'll survive if it doese. Any thoughts??