June

June marks a whole lotta nuthin’ for me. It’s nice to have a month free of obligations and nothing pressing to get to, but there’s also a sense of sadness that all the fun stuff of 2011 is over and now it’s time to hit to job hunt hard. I think it’s imperative I find a job for everyone’s sake. You really don’t want me complaining for another two months now, do you?

My goals for May were simple and achievable:

1. Graduate from college: Big fat check-mark for this one! My commencement ceremony was one of the highlights of my life. I was in a bit of a fog as I walked across stage, mostly afraid I would trip or look stupid, but I just remember how happy I was that night. Happy that this part of my life was over and happy that I had finally achieved this monster goal. The fact that I’m not preparing for classes or trying to figure out how to coincide my work schedule with my school schedule makes me insanely joyful. No more school - ever! (Unless I decide to go to graduate school, which is still a decision I have yet to make.)

2. Enjoy my cruise. Oh, yes. I most definitely did. My mantra for the cruise was to enjoy the moment. I didn’t want to think about leaving the ship or going back to work or anything but what was happening at that moment. It was the best vacation I’ve ever gone on and I think I’m hooked on cruises now!

3. Apply to 3 jobs a day. Ehhh? I think I applied to somewhere around 15-20 jobs during the month of May, none yielding any positive results. Boo hiss. Discouragement is rampant but I’m also trying to settle myself down and just focus on applying my little heart out until the opportunity shows itself. While my current job isn’t ideal, it does give me some income and keeps me busy so I’m not sitting around like a bum. So there’s that.

4. Restart Project 365. Success! Even if I did start it on the first day of my cruise. I’m hoping to find it easier to just take pictures this go round, documenting the little areas of my life. I know that when I’m not seeking this goal, my camera gets thrown in a drawer and forgotten about so it’s a good way for me to keep snapping photos, no matter how lame they may be.

5. Take Dutch on two long walks a week. Let’s not even talk about this. Sorry, little guy.

As for my goals for June, it’s time to get back on the wagon! I want to keep applying for jobs daily and follow up on the ones I apply for when I can, get back to eating healthy, exercise 5-6 times a week, make the most of my weekends, and tidy up my blog.

Here’s to a rockin’ June! Who has fun plans for this upcoming month?

May, you were good to me. Let’s meet again soon.

How is it already May 30? I feel like I was just submitting my last school assignment and preparing for graduation.

May was an amazing month for me. One of the best I’ve ever had.

It started off with me sending off my last assignment, a take-home final exam, and then worrying myself silly that I would somehow fail a class. Although there was a mix-up regarding my final short story, it all worked out and my final grades were what I expected. (And I just received an official letter congratulating me on my diploma, but I still don’t think I will be fully relaxed until I have that diploma displayed on my wall.)

May was the month I went on my first interview, only to be sorely disappointed the job was for door-to-door sales. And as my job search has yielded no positive feedback, sometimes I let myself wonder if I should’ve tried harder to get that job. But I also know that it is a job I would’ve hated and I need to keep searching until I find a job that fits me better. I’m not idealistic in the sense that I have to find my dream job, but I’m also not going to accept a job doing something I don’t like.

Two big things happened in May: I graduated from college and went on a five-day Western Caribbean cruise.

My graduation was amazing. Simply fantastic. It was a culmination of 7 years of hard work and lots of stress. I went through a lot to obtain my degree, including being oh so close to graduating with my education degree. I think I made the right decision in switching, even though it probably threw a lot of people for a loop. It was exciting to be surrounded by the people I had seen throughout my 2.5 years as a journalism major because they all get it. There are times when I just think, I don’t have to be a student ever again if I don’t want to. But mostly, I think, hm, graduate school? Maybe someday.

And then there’s my cruise. It was one of the best experiences of my life and it’s all I can do not to click back onto the Carnival site to find another cruise. I’m officially a fan and I will find myself on another ship before 2011 is over. I have so many pictures to show you guys and so many stories to tell you about. From kissing sting rays in the Cayman Islands, touring Mayan ruins in Cozumel, and waking up each morning to an amazing view of the ocean, I’m very sad my vacation is over. (And so not excited to go back to work tomorrow after a lovely 10 days off!)

I’m not sure how June will ever live up to May. Perhaps if I’m offered a job?

How was your May? What stood out for you?

Guest Post -- My Jersey Shore by Cait from Finding My Balance

Today I wanted to bring you my final guest post of the week, even though I’m home and my cruise is over. Just go with it. Cait from Finding My Balance is a great friend of mine who seems to be my carbon copy in all things anxiety and health. (Although she’s tall and skinny. I’m...not. Whatever.) Her blog does not get the recognition it deserves so you need to check it out where she details her life dealing with anxiety, health problems, and life with E, her boyfriend. Even her mushy relationship posts make me smile, and mushy relationship posts generally don’t. First, enjoy her post and then visit her blog!

Right now, Stephany is off on a cruise doing ... cruise-y stuff. Truth is, I’ve never been on a cruise, so I don’t know what actually goes on. Whatever she’s up to, I’m sure she’s having the time of her life because vacations are simply awesome.

For me, the word ‘vacation’ is synonymous with ‘the beach’ ... or, as we say in New Jersey, ‘the shore.’ Yes, I am from the great garden state and  am only about an hour’s drive away from Seaside, the suddenly infamous birthplace of MTV’s Jersey Shore. While I won’t deny that the boardwalk is often crowded with people who spend their nights in clubs pumping their fists (it is Jersey tradition - we pump our fists, not our gas), I will say that there are several other beachy destinations in the state that are guido-free.

The best of these by far has to be my aunt and uncle’s shore house. It’s a two-hour drive, but is absolute heaven and worth the trip. As soon as you step out of the car, all of your stress melts away. Everything looks and feels light and airy, and with the bay only a block away, there’s always a cool breeze. It’s rarely ever too hot to spend the entire day outside, but even if it is, you can sit inside and the breeze rolls in through the open windows and doors.

They live on a block of absolutely wonderful and welcoming neighbors who will stroll in while you’re drinking your morning coffee and sit with you sipping wine late into the evening. Every weekend, so long as the weather prevails, everyone gets up and goes out on their boats, riding across the bay to a sandbar that becomes our own private beach. When the sun starts to set, we all haul ourselves home, shower, and every family cooks up a yummy dish or two for a potluck dinner.

Although these are weekly occurrences, there’s no pressure to participate if you’re not feeling social. On several occasions, we opted for a relaxing day at home instead, maybe cruising garage sales in the morning and spending the afternoon reading outside. When we were younger, we’d go swimming in the lagoon that’s right off the back deck; now we go for trips around the marsh in the small motor boat that my two cousins are both licensed to drive.

I’m so lucky to have a wonderful aunt and uncle who open up their shore house to me and the rest of our family. As long as they’re planning on being there, we can show up whenever we like, staying for one day or the entire weekend. It’s the perfect little summer retreat that allows me to have a weekend ‘vacation’ whenever I’d like. (Plus, no Snookie or MTV cameras in my face.)

Guest Post -- Krysten’s First Cruise

It’s Thursday, which is a sad day for me. My cruise has come to an end. Since I know today and tomorrow will be busy with recuperating, unpacking, and trying to get back to normal life, I decided to keep the guest blogs coming! Today you get to read about Krysten’s view on the amazingness that is cruising. Her post made me so flippin’ excited for my own cruise.

 

Hi all, I'm Krysten of After 'I Do' and Stephany asked me to drop by and look out for her blog today while she's away on her fabulous cruise (which I am ridiculously jealous about, by the way).

Today I'd love to tell you all about the first cruise that I went on with my family in January 2007.  I remember being a little iffy about cruising at the time.  You hear stories about people getting really seasick and those pesky murders at sea (I know you know what I'm talking about you Lifetime Network watchers).  However, I couldn't pass up a free vacation from my parents!

We did a Mexican Riviera cruise with Carnival Cruise lines and let me tell you, I was pretty impressed.  The boats themselves are kind of amazing - gorgeous dining rooms, a mall area, multiple pools and so much more.  The entertainment is not to be passed up and each night there are large shows (comedians, magic acts, dance routines to name a few) as well as several small shows, plus places to dance, do karaoke and a casino.

My family obsessed with a game at the casino

I think the neatest thing about cruises is being able to visit different ports.  If you aren't sure if you want to spend an entire vacation in a specific place a cruise can help you decide that.  Not sure if you'll like Jamaica?  Take a cruise that includes that as one of the ports.  Chances are you'll be able to figure out whether or not you like the place after spending the day there.  And if you don't like the port all you have to do is get back on the boat and spend the day at the pool!

 A beautiful Mexico day

And don't even get me started on food.  All day long there's an amazing buffet of every kind of food you can think of.  At night there's a dining room serving the best food you've ever had - and you can order as much as you want.  You like dessert?  Order one of everything off the dessert menu.  Just don't be mad when you come home weighing more than when you left!

 My dad and me at one of the formal dining nights

I never thought I'd have as much fun as I do when I'm cruising and I can promise you that Stephany is probably living it up right now!  If you haven't cruised before I very much encourage you to try it out.  And if you have, tell me, where did you go and what did you think?  Do you love cruising as much as I do?

Hope you're having fun Steph!

Guest Post -- Vacation Dreams by Lisa’s Yarns

Today is my last full day on the ship. (Cue tears.) It’s a “Fun Day at Sea” where I will be nothing more than sipping on fruity drinks, reading, and trying to soak in the last of this amazing vacation. For today, I bring to you someone who I adore with all my heart: Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns. I started reading her blog when she was training for the Portland Marathon with Amber and loved everything about her blog. She’s funny but introspective. And she is Super Aunt to four adorable nephews! Enjoy!

Good morning and hello, it’s Lisa of Lisa’s Yarns! While Stephany is gallivanting away on a much-deserved tropical getaway, she has asked me to fill in for her. Since she is on a fabulous vacation, it only seems fitting that I talk about some of the vacation destinations I am dreaming of these days.

So without further ado, here are 5 places I’m dreaming of visiting these days.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

This charming seaside city is a seaside port of the Adriatic Sea. Its Mediterranean climate would make it a perfect getaway! Besides basking in the sun, I’d also like to walk the ancient walls of the city, check out the Old Town, which is a World Heritage Site, and sail to some of the surrounding island.

2. Machu Picchu, Peru

This has been on my vacation dream list for years!! I hope to someday see these ancient Inca ruins. While you can take a train to the ruins, I would prefer to do the 4 day trek (which is known for being extremely physically challenging!). There are rumors that they may stop handing out permits to do this trek, so I should probably try to get there sometime in next couple of years!

3. Positano

Every since I saw the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, I have wanted to visit the seaside village of Positano. I think this cliffed city looks so charming! It’s located on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, close to other equally charming cities! I’d rent an apartment, visit the local markets, and feast upon fresh seafood.

4. Algarve, Portugal

Are you noticing a theme? This is the 3rd dream destination, located by the sea. This area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins such as Cabo do Sao Vicente, and quaint villages.

5. Paris, France

No travel list would be complete without Paris! Those who read my blog know that I am a total Francophile. I’ve visited Paris twice and can not wait to return. I can’t wait to rent another apartment (possibly in the Latin Quarter this time), shop at their local markets, stroll along the Seine, and eat lots of mussels, French fries, and gallettes! On my next trip, I’d like to try to stay for 2 weeks so I can check out another area, such as the Loire Valley or Provence.

So there you have it! Since I was just in France in February, I will have to settle for dreaming about these destinations for now. I have set a goal to pay down my student loans by a certain amount; once I reach that goal (which is an aggressive one), I will start to plan my next trip as a reward!

Where do you dream of vacationing to?

Guest Post -- The First Year After College

It’s Tuesday which means it’s shopping in Cozumel day! I asked someone I consider to be a close friend to guest post for me today. Amber is one of the busiest women I know and she has been a godsend for me during my years as a journalism student. She graduated a year ago with her journalism degree and has made her mark in the marketing field over the past year. Her blog is one of my must reads and I love how seamlessly she incorporates all facets of her life - from healthy living to career to her personal life. Enjoy her post and please check out her blog!

 

When Stephany asked me to guest post I really had no idea what I would write about. But then I thought about where Stephany is in her life right now – just
graduated college and heading on a fabulous trip! I was in the same place exactly one year ago and looking back now I can't believe how much my life sure has changed in the last year.

When I finished university I went on a 3-week backpacking trip around Europe with my then boyfriend (now fiance). I guess it was our 'last big haul' before entering the working world. I had a job (that I'd already been interning at for a year) waiting for me when I got back from my trip and I started as a full-time, salaried employee in the marketing and communications world on June 1, 2010.

My first year after college has been interesting to say the least! Here are a few of the things I've realized about living in the "real world" (when I was still in college I HATED it when people used that term. And, just for the record, I totally think college counts as the real world!):

1. Time

Sure, being in college/university is a busy time. So much stress over papers, homework, tests etc. But it's a different kind of time suck. A kind of time suck where you can decide what to do, when. Working full-time is not like that at all. You have to "punch in" and put in your time five days a week, and for most of the day. Luckily, I really love my job so I don't mind, but I definitely have a lot less free time than before.

2. Being Social

During my bratty teenage years I used to say super bratty things to my mom like "why are you SOOOOO tired anyways, all you do is sit at a desk all day" - let me just take a minute to go back and slap my 15-year-old self. Because sitting at a desk all day IS tiring. It's so mentally tiring. In my job I am busy for 8+ hours every single day. There are emails to be answered, phone calls to be made, and millions of to-do's to tackle. My brain is ON for all that time so by the end of a work day I am exhausted. In college I wouldn't even blink an eye about going out for dinner or drinks during the week. Now it's not as appealing as it once was. All I want to do after a long work day is curl up on the couch and watch TV with a glass of wine.

3. Money

I always joke that I don't have more money now that I'm done college - I just have more bills! My fiance and I recently bought our first house and while it was a monumental purchase and I'm so, so excited about it (and love it) it also means a lot of money is coming out of our accounts. Every single month. For the next 35 years. It's a bit of a scary thought when you put it that way!

***

Honestly though, despite all these things, I am still much happier with my life now than when I was in college and wouldn't trade it for the world. College is fun for awhile but after four years I was ready to be done with it! While the first year after college has been different, expensive and a bit challenging it's also been a blast and one of the best years ever. Can't wait to see what the next one brings!

What was your first year after college/university like?

Guest Post -- Samantha from A Change of Pace

Today is an exciting day for me! It is the first stop on my cruise and I’ll be snorkeling and swimming with sting rays in the Cayman Islands! I asked someone I consider to be one of my best friends to guest post for me and you are in for a treat. Sam and I began reading each other’s blogs a while back and a few months ago began e-mailing one another constantly. She is an amazing writer and you need to be reading her blog. She may not post frequently, but when she does, it is so worth the wait. Enjoy her post today! (Oh, and go wish her a happy anniversary! She celebrates 2 years with her husband today.)

 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation, either good or bad, that took you completely by surprise? A situation in which you never thought you would find yourself? Maybe you considered it fate and accepted it as the road you were meant to take, or perhaps you turned to your faith and attributed it to the work of God. Maybe you leapt for joy and considered it a stroke of pure luck, or perhaps you wallowed in frustration and wondered with self-pity, “Why did this happen to me?”

I’m no stranger to this type of situation, for life never fails to hurl me in directions I never anticipated. Sometimes, what I want falls into my lap with ease, but most often, circumstances beyond my control send my best-laid plans into disarray. Suddenly, something that I considered “a sure thing” doesn’t pan out and something that “wasn’t supposed to happen” happens. Rarely does life happen the way I imagined it would, but a recent look back on the past five years made me realize that the things I value the most came unexpectedly when I was busy focusing on other plans. All the little detours and “bumps in the road” that I’ve experienced – incidents that seemed dire and hopeless at the time – ended up steering me in new directions that brought amazing things to my life.

Five years ago, I was freshly graduated from college with a degree in journalism, back to living under the comfort of my parents’ roof, full of ambition at the prospect of beginning a career, and fully committed to a long distance relationship. From graduation day forward, I knew that life was no longer perfectly laid out, paid for, and planned for me, and as an avid planner, walking into the unknown was a little daunting. Yet, I was so proud of what I’d accomplished, and I was eager to begin turning my dreams into reality and my goals into achievements.

If I’d been asked on graduation day where I thought the next five years would take me, I would have babbled off a perfectly detailed plan in which my life would progress in a succinct, logical flow. I surely thought that within five years’ time, I’d have survived the turbulence of job searching, established a respectable career in the communications field, and be en route to climbing my way up the ladder of success. As a lifelong writer, I thought that I’d be an avid freelance writer in my spare time, with many articles and stories published and maybe a novel in the works. I also thought that my boyfriend Leo and I would have long figured out a way to put the distance to rest.

Instead, I was unleashed in the real world – a place where changes can sideswipe a girl when she’s not looking and well-thought plans don’t always go as intended.

Since graduation, I’ve held two full-time jobs, neither of which led to a full-fledged, rewarding career. I’ve struggled with my relationship with writing, drifting in and out of motivation and failing to find rewarding freelancing opportunities. After six grueling years of long distance, Leo was accepted into the Navy, providing us with the opportunity to marry and start a life together as a Sailor and a military spouse. We left our respective families and jobs, moved to our first duty station, and turned our first house into a home. Currently biding my time as a housewife, I’ve continued to contemplate various career paths, asking myself countless times, “What do I want to do? What am I meant to do?” in an effort to discern my purpose in life. After months of soul-searching that yielded no clear answer, God made a decision for me when I unexpectedly found myself pregnant with our first child. Starting a family was still a few years away in my mind, but after reality sunk in, I became over-the-moon excited to meet my little man. I have a feeling that my call to motherhood will prove to be the most rewarding job I’ll ever have.

There’s so much more to life (and so much more I want out of life) than I realized back when I was that ambitious, career-oriented girl on her graduation day. I’ll never give up the dream of one day seeing my name in print and finding a career that’s my perfect fit, but for now, my priority is my growing family and writing shall remain my beloved hobby. I never imagined that in five years’ time, I’d be a military spouse, a soon-to-be mother, and a bit directionless in regard to a career, but I honestly couldn’t be happier with the path my life has taken.

Where has life taken you in the past five years? Are you living the life you thought you would?

30DC: In Ten Years…

In 10 years, I will be 33 years old. There is a lot I want to accomplish in the next 10 years. When I think about where I was 10 years ago, at age 13, and where I am now, 23 and a college graduate, I know I have made some major changes. I have accomplished a lot.

In 10 years, I would like...

...to be a wife and a mother. Being a wife is something I know I was meant to do and I know my time will come some day. There’s no time limit on this but I would be lying if I said I would be content with singlehood for the next 10 years. Along with becoming a wife, I also desire motherhood. Pregnancy, babies, new life. As I watch how much work my brother and his fiancee put into their son, it exhausts me. Being a mother is more than a full-time job but I imagine they could never imagine their life without him. Fewer hours of sleep is worth it. Likewise, I could not imagine my life as a single woman, without a husband and children in my home.

...to be healthy. I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and consistent exercise routine over the next 10 years. Since this running thing is going pretty good so far, I’ll even venture to say I want to run more races and perhaps even a triathlon some day. (A sprint one...I’m not looking to do anything crazy just yet!) Mainly, though, I want to have conquered my bad eating habits and not be on an endless cycle of weight loss. I want to be at my happy weight and confident in my body. I want the healthy choices to be the easy ones and for exercise to be as much a part of me as my flip-flops.

...to be a published author. And to do this, I should get started on my novel, huh? In all honesty, I never knew the dedication and time it took into writing a novel. Writing my short story took everything out of me, made me doubt all my abilities, but also realize that this is what I want to do and I do have what it takes. I had some tough criticism to listen to but it didn’t crush me as I thought it would. It’s a tough world out there, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Who knows what could happen?

...to have a successful, fulfilling career. The job search has been on for a few weeks now with very little bites. Nothing substantial. A major goal of mine, though, is to have a career that makes me happy. Maybe not every single day and maybe it will take a while to find said job. But I do want a job where I feel happy and satisfied, putting out my best work and growing as an individual.

...to have traveled the world. Well, maybe not the world, but I do want to travel a lot more over the next 10 years than I did during these past 10 years. I want to visit Europe and Asia and Australia. I want to see more of the United States and Canada. I will probably want to go on more cruises. I want to visit blog friends and have girls weekends away. There is so much of this great world I have yet to see.

What is one big thing you want to have done in 10 years?

Two More Sleeps

Two days from now, I will board a ship that will take me to places I’ve never seen and experiences I’ve only heard about. My mom purchased an ocean-view room for the two of us as my graduation present months ago and the time has finally come. This past week, we have been busy little bees buying all those essentials for our cruise and making sure we have the perfect outfits for our every need. My thoughts are filled with cruise, cruise, cruise and it’s hard to get through a day of work because my excitement level is through the roof.

May 21st seemed so far away in February. And now it is two days away.

The cruise is a five-day one, stopping in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. And to further up the ante for this dream vacation, we’ve book two excursions for those stops.

In the Cayman Islands, we’re going snorkeling and swimming with sting rays! I’ll admit that I’m a bit more apprehensive now than I was when I signed up for this. I’m not a big risk-taker and this is a bit out of my comfort zone. But this is the chance of a lifetime! I’ll be in the Cayman Islands -- snorkeling! How amazing is that? I know I’ll completely enjoy this experience and have some incredible pictures/stories to share.

Cozumel is more of a low-key, but no less fun, excursion: a tour of the city, shopping, lunch, and the beach! Whew, that’s a lot! I’m really excited about this excursion because it’ll be fun to actually experience the city and do some shopping!

I think I’m most excited about getting away from it all and having the time of my life with my best friend. Forgetting the pressures of finding a job. Not stepping foot in my work for 10 days. Spending time in the sun, interacting with strangers, and eating some good, good food. Disconnecting from all things Internet. Reading romance novels with no literary value. Meeting the man of my dreams. (OK, so this last one may not happen. But a girl can dream!)

Over the next week, I have a slew of guest bloggers lined up, people I adore and love with all my heart. You guys are in for such a treat with their posts.

I am so ready for this cruise. I haven’t been on a vacation like this since I was twelve, when my mom took my brother and I (along with my grandparents and twin cousins) skiing in Virginia and West Virginia for a week. Weekend trips to Orlando do not count.

Two more sleeps.

Letters to My Future Husband: The Woman You’re Marrying

My future husband,

I can’t wait to meet you. Some days, I grow so impatient and lonely as the days stretch out before me without a partner by my side. Other days, I’m happy with where I am, happy to be single and to prepare the best me I can be before we meet.

But today, specifically, I want to talk about me. About this woman you’re going to marry. Because I’ve lived for most of my twenty-three years thinking I would never feel worthy of your love, thinking there would never be a guy out there who would deem me so incredible, that he would want to spend the rest of his life with me.

But gosh darnit, there is. You are him. My stomach releases a flurry of butterflies every time I think about you, about our wedding day, about our married life.

Today, as I write to you, I am 23 years old. I am a new college graduate and applying my little heart out to any and every job I can find. I am bursting at the seams to begin my life, to stop using my shyness, young looks, and penchant to be busy as an excuse to hide from the real world. I am establishing my independence in small ways that will lead to bigger change and I am days away from leaving United States soil for the very first time.

I love reading and it was reason for embarrassment growing up. Other girls liked having sleepovers and long chats on the phone. I liked curling up with a good book and using my Saturday mornings as my time to peruse the tall stacks of books at the library, selecting the best ones for me. I always thought my love for reading would diminish as I grew and developed other hobbies, but it hasn’t. Instead, this love burns the deepest in me and I don’t think it will ever be extinguished.

I’m most content when I am comfortable with myself: with what I’m wearing, with how I’m acting, with who I am with. I’m not the girl that needs to be dressed to the nines every single day, although it’s always nice to dress up when the occasion calls for it. And I’m not the girl who constantly needs to be surrounded by people. I’m the girl who will sit by your side during a football game, yelling and cheering at the top of my lungs. I’m the girl who loves food and eating, even if it does mean I’ll never be model-thin. I’m the girl who cherishes long talks and the silence. The girl who loves to laugh and uses sarcasm as a second language.

I’m non-confrontational and generally shy away from arguments. I’m working on it, because it means sometimes I let people walk all over me. I’m learning to stand up for myself and the people I love.

I’m still very shy when talking to the opposite sex, as evidenced by my “talks” with the man I labeled Cute Apartment Guy. It’s hard for me to open up to strangers and even harder when said stranger is cute. This means I have no idea how we’ll meet, what your first impression of me will be, and that I’m constantly worried I’m going to screw up our happy ending.

I know I have a lot of work to do on me. On not shutting down and remaining quiet when things bug me. On going after what I want, full speed ahead. On understanding where my passions lie. On repairing my relationship with God. On establishing independence. On tackling all those things I’ve set aside while trying to graduate. On becoming the best wife to you as I can possibly be.

At 23, I still have a lot of growth to do, a lot of life left to discover. Some days, I wish you were by my side and we were going through these things together. But ultimately, I know this is what is best. I’m content in my singleness for now, because I know it’s not forever.

I can’t wait to meet you.

Your Future Wife

Book Review: Redemption by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley

Title: Redemption
Author: Karen Kingsbury; Gary Smalley
Genre: Christian Fiction
Year: 2002
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my second time reading this book, my first time a year or two ago. I want to read the rest of the Baxter series, which is extensive and knew I needed to reread this book. The story was a heartbreaking one: Kari finds out her husband, whom she loves very much, is cheating on her. Soon after, she finds out that she’s pregnant with their first child. Her husband wants a divorce, Kari is committed to her husband and her marriage and wants to make it work.

One of the themes in this book was a line Kari continuously said: Love is a decision. It’s absolutely true. So many people feel like love is an emotion, love is about feeling good and being happy. It’s not. You have to make the decision to love people, through the ups and the downs. Through the cheating. While I think cheating is one of those absolutes, it’s inspiring (well, as inspiring as a fictional character can be!) to see how committed Kari was to her marriage and loving him, through this awful circumstance.

The story also introduced you to Ryan Taylor, who was Kari’s best friend and first boyfriend in high school. They had a strong connection (and still do) and he comes back into town around the moment Kari finds out about her husband. They are reunited and while Kari tries to deny any feelings she still has for him, she knows he is Ryan Taylor: her first love and the one she never stopped loving.

One of the biggest complaints people have against the book is that there is too much religion. And sure, it is a Christian book and more heavy on Christianity than most books out there but that’s what makes this book so great. So many Christian authors are trying to become too mainstream with their fiction where faith takes a backseat to the main story. In some books, it’s barely even addressed. So I like that Kingsbury inserted so much faith into this novel. It wasn’t preachy, but it was simple, solid, back to the basics faith.

While the story did seem to become clinical in some parts and felt more that the authors were reciting from a training manual than actually writing a fiction novel, it was still a very well-written book. It followed Kari’s journey of fighting for her marriage and holding tight to God even when she didn’t understand what was happening. And it followed the story of a man who has hit rock bottom, who strayed so far from the faith that was so true to him that he became a person he barely recognized.

It’s the story of redemption, and how God can take a situation that seems so heartbreaking and use it for good.

What are your thoughts on the phrase: Love is a decision?

Race Weekend (Of a Different Sort)

A few weeks ago, my mom texted me about two upcoming races the weekend before our cruise. Miles For Moffitt, benefiting cancer research, and the Inaugural Police Appreciation Run, which is in honor of the three St. Petersburg police officers who were killed in the line of duty earlier this year. There’s something special about running a race that’s benefiting something good so at first, I was all for it. Both races had 5K options so I was like, “Sure!”

But as I got to thinking about it, I decided against running in either race. While there is no doubt I could finish them, even if it meant walking, I just don’t feel like putting that pressure on myself anymore.

After the Iron Girl, I decided to take a big step back from running to re-evaluate why I’m trying so hard for something I don’t think I really like. Running has been something I’m too stubborn to give up completely. There’s this part of me that keeps getting out there, keeps trying, in the hopes that it will one day become easier and I will one day love it as much as other people do.

It still hasn’t happened.

But I’m still trying. I decided to start from the basics again. I think I took on too much, too soon and signing up for a half-marathon when I wasn’t even in 5K shape was a big mistake. Every run made me doubt my abilities and hate the sport more and more. When I dropped down to the 5K, I felt major relief and I know I want to be able to run 3 miles with ease. I’m not sure if I will ever run a half-marathon, but I still have this fighting need to be able to run at least 3 miles.

So I went back to my faithful friend, Mr. Couch to 5K. I’m not sure how many times I’ve used this program, but this is probably my fifth or sixth attempt. The problem is, I always have an upcoming race when I start the program and abandon it to just run so I can be ready come race day. This time, I am no longer signing up for races until I finish the program. In fact, I’m not looking to sign up for another race until November. I want to give myself enough time to get into shape and be able to run a successful 5K without having to stop for frequent walking breaks.

Back to this weekend. I decided against running in either race, instead came as my mom’s little cheerleading section as she conquered the Miles for Moffitt 5-Miler and the Inaugural Police Appreciation 10K Run. Since her marathon in January, the farthest my mom has run was four miles so she was a bit worried about how she’d do. She needn’t have worried because she kicked some major arse in both races, absolutely crushing her 10K PR by ten minutes. Have I mentioned lately that my mom is a rock star? Because she is.

And me? I got to enjoy these past two mornings with no pressure on myself. All I had to do was wake up early, don some sweatpants, grab my Kindle, and hit the road. While it certainly was inspirational to watch the runners, I didn’t feel that bite in my side that I should be out there. I felt calm and relaxed, knowing that if I so choose, I could one day be out there running with them.

But maybe not.

Because I’m finally learning that there is nothing wrong with hating to run. I have given the sport enough shots, enough chances, that if I make it through Couch to 5K and still hate running, I can walk away knowing I tried everything I could to like it. And it’s not the end of the world if I don’t.

30 Week Challenge: On My Season of Singleness

I’m borrowing this challenge from the fabulous Katy Widrick, who borrowed it from someone else, who borrowed it from someone else, and so on and so on. I love the idea of it so it shall be my new thing for Fridays.

Day (or week, in my case) one asks about my single life. I’ll admit it can be a touchy subject for me.

I’ve been single for a long time. And for the longest time, school was my biggest excuse for why I wasn’t dating. I’m just too busy to find time for a relationship, I constantly told myself. And while it is certainly true, I think I used this excuse as a crutch for why I didn’t put myself out there more. Why I shied away from attention and immediately deleted online dating profiles within days of setting them up.

I’m constantly changing my view on my singleness. Some days, I find it free and empowering. Other days, I find it lonely and empty. The fact is, I know I will one day have an amazing love story. I know it will be incredible, special, and mine. I just have to be patient, bide my time, make the best me I can be, and it will all fall into place.

But for the first time in my life, I finally feel ready. I feel ready to meet someone. I feel ready to make mistakes and explore the dating scene a little. I feel ready to fall completely in love. I feel ready to give my heart away, even if it’s returned to me in a million pieces. I’m so done with feeling like I don’t measure up and I’m not pretty or smart enough for someone to love. Because, damn it, I am. I am so freaking worthy of someone’s attention.

Who knows where the future leads. Right now, I want to learn to be content in my singleness. At the same time, I want to learn to open up more, take some risks when it comes to the opposite sex, and believe in myself. I know that if God gave me this desire for my own love story, He will be faithful to see it to completion.

The winner of the Jackpot Designs giveaway is Krysten! Krysten, shoot me an e-mail with what color and design type you want for your address labels!

“You know, a lot of people go to college for seven years...”

(If anyone knows where this quote is from, you are my BFF.)

I started this journey in 2004 with a letter from a brand-new charter school, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, telling all about their school and the opportunity to graduate with my A.A. degree and my high school diploma at the same time. I applied, not sure I would be accepted, and I was. For my last two years of high school, I spent at a new school located on the campus of a college. I met some of my best friends at that school and felt so lucky to be able to receive five semesters of college for free.

I graduated in May 2004 and was headed to the University of South Florida in August to work on my Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I quickly learned that dorm life wasn’t for me so I came back home after a year and became a commuter student. I loved everything about the education classes, but hated everything about the internships. It didn’t help that I had some real lemons for assisting teachers and when I failed my final internship, I decided to switch my major. I had been two months away from graduation at this point, but I knew I didn’t want to become a teacher.

So in December 2008, I became a journalism major. I found out that I had taken all the credits allowed to receive financial aid so that would be taken away from me, as well as my loans, and scholarship (that paid for 75% of my tuition). I took two classes during my first semester as a journalism student, since that’s all I could afford. And then I received fabulous news that my scholarship changed its requirements and I would start getting help in that area. It helped so much. Every semester, I ended up paying about $400-$600 for my classes (this doesn’t include textbooks) which was a lot more manageable, and meant I could take more classes. (The only problem being that it doesn’t pay for summer classes so those I had to pay full price for.)

It took me two and a half years to finish the journalism program. In that time, I realized I wanted absolutely nothing to do with journalism and news writing. I am a creative writer by nature and having to get interviews and sources and turn off my creative voice to write articles made me despise it. I had a blast designing my own magazine, working on a professional website, and interning for a theater company, which made the whole process so much more worthwhile. There were a few very crazy semesters where all I seemed to do was work, go to school, and complete projects. But I got through it. And I completed everything that was asked of me.

On Sunday, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies. It felt surreal. It felt amazing. It felt accomplished. Earning a degree is a big feat and to finally be able to say I have a Bachelor’s degree is a great feeling. I put so much work into this degree (into two degrees!) that to sit there in that theater with my cap and gown, surrounded by those I have come to know as friends, just felt amazing. There are no other words to describe it. To walk across the stage and know I am putting this era of my life behind me gave me a feeling of empowerment.

I am so ready to move on with my life and begin a new stage. I’m ready to seek out more opportunities to assert myself and become more independent. These past 7 years have been filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. I never imagined it would take me so long to earn a degree, never imagined I would switch majors a few months away from graduation. But everything happens for a reason and I know I’m in the right place at the right time.

I did it. I graduated. It took me a long time and there were billions of moments where I didn’t believe I would ever walk across that stage. There were so many odds stacked up against me, but I pushed through them all. And I know I couldn’t have done any of it without the love and support of my mother, who worked two jobs for 4 years to help support me, and who was always there to be my shoulder to cry on when the stress got too much and my biggest cheerleader whenever I needed it.

And now the future is mine. I’m applying to jobs like a madwoman, but also trying to enjoy this time in my life. I still have a job and I’m back to working 30+ hours a week, while having my afternoons free to do whatever I want. I’m trying not to get discouraged by the lack of responses to my resume but I worry every day that I will be stuck at my part-time job for a very long time.

May 8th, 2011. That date will forever be etched in my memory as the day I finally finished the biggest goal I have ever set for myself.

My giveaway for a set of 30 address labels ends tonight at 8:00 pm. You have a ton of ways to enter so go for it!

Ten on Tuesday: The Movie Edition

I promise a recap on my graduation tomorrow, but it will be epically long and full of pictures. I just didn’t have time to get around to it yesterday, so be prepared for the onslaught tomorrow. :) For now, enjoy my answers to Chelsea’s Ten on Tuesday, questions by the lovely Nora!

1. If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tough question. I’m not a fan of sad or dramatic movies, so I would probably choose something light and fun like Leap Year! I have yet to own this movie but I want it because it was such a sweet romantic comedy, without any crass humor. It’s the perfect movie for a pick-me-up!

2. Let’s say someone wrote a screenplay about you: what actor/actress would you choose to play you and why?

People tell me all the time that I look like Kellie Martin so maybe her? And then there are a bunch of actresses I just absolutely adore like Reese Witherspoon and Amy Adams. It would have to be someone good at being quiet and aloof, but also funny and silly. Hmm...

3. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in theaters?

I have no idea! Possibly The Lion King, which I fell asleep in halfway through.

4. Did you ever make out at the back of a movie theater in middle school/high school?

HA. HAHAHAHAHAHA.

5. Are you a Netflix-er, Blockbuster-er, or a Redbox-er? (Or none of the above?)

None of the above. I am a On Demand-er. The sad thing is, I rarely see movies. Every once in a while, I’ll venture out to the theater and my mom and I did just watch Life As We Know It a few weeks ago, but before that, it had been a while. Our DVR list is always so full, we just don’t have time!

6. Name one actor/actress who you would give anything to have a dinner date with?

Let’s see...either Shia LaBeouf because he’s so adorable (although his legal issues leave a lot to be desired!) or Reese Witherspoon because I have a monster girl crush on her. In both cases, I probably wouldn’t be able to say a thing, I would be so star-struck!

7. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

There have been a few. I hated Napoleon Dynamite and there was this awful movie called Stealing Harvard with Tom Green. I went with a bunch of friends in middle school to see it and had to pretend I thought it was good, like they did.

8. Do you sneak snacks into the theater when you go?

Usually, no. I always end up buying popcorn at the stand (I can’t resist!) and sometimes, I’ll buy their overpriced candy. I’m a sucker for that stuff.

9. Movie theater popcorn: love or hate it?

Love. Love, love, love, love, love, love. It’s so delicious, especially those first few handfuls coated in buttery goodness! Yum, yum!

10. What is the all-time best Disney movie, in your opinion?

I’m going to have to say Pocahontas, even though I know it’s not historically accurate. But, man, did I love that movie! I had Pocahontas bed sheets, the soundtrack (with a book to go along with it!), and I believe a Pocahontas Barbie doll. I can still sing every song from that movie, word for word, and I still think John Smith was a hottie. :)

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a set of 30 address labels or seals! Giveaways ends Thursday at 8:00 p.m.!

JackPot Designs Giveaway!

About a month ago, I (finally) ordered my graduation announcements and knew I wanted a fancier address label than what I have. (Which, um, is writing out my address longhand.)

So I searched out Etsy for some cheap, but nice, address labels and stumbled upon JackPot Designs. I loved the variety of her designs and especially loved that she was selling “Class of 2011” address labels. I had to grab them and she even customized them with my school colors! Love.

But what I loved most was Morgan’s prompt delivery and simply fantastic customer service. I ordered the labels on a Saturday afternoon and by that night, she had sent me a message, letting me she had completed my order and would put them in the mail on Monday. I received them on Wednesday and they arrived in cute packaging, with a nice coupon attached!

I was so impressed with her shop and the person behind the shop, that I asked about doing an interview and giveaway. She agreed to both and I’m excited to share her shop and inspirations with you today.

1. Why were you inspired to start JackpotDesigns?

I’ve always loved beautiful stationery and address labels in particular. I love getting a letter or package in the mail that is elegant and thoughtful—it is something we’re losing sight of these days. So, the idea for my Etsy shop grew out of wanting to help people make their invites and announcements that much more special. After all, the first thing anyone sees is the envelope.

As a side note, the name “Jackpot Designs” came about after my son, Jack, was born. He was a preemie, born 10 weeks early, and because he was lucky to have thrived so well, he acquired the nickname “Jackpot.” I thought it was a fitting name for my new business!

2. What is your favorite item from your shop (if you have one!)?

I have lots of favorites! But, I think my “most favorite” favorite is the “joyful” address labels and seals. I just love how elegant they look!

3. What has been the hardest part about owning an Etsy shop?

The hardest part has been juggling my shop, my family and my day job. By day, I am a Reference Librarian who orders books and does research for patrons. I am also a wife and mom to my 2 year old son, Jack, and 10 month old daughter, Claire. I run my Etsy shop early in the morning and late at night and sometimes the long hours are a struggle. Even so, I genuinely love my shop and my customers and that makes it all worthwhile!

4. What is the most rewarding part about owning an Etsy shop?

I have absolutely THE BEST customers! The most rewarding part for me is getting emails from happy customers going out of their way to thank me for making their special event just that much better. That’s why I love what I do and it humbles me to think that someone chose one of my designs to grace their wedding invitation, baby shower thank you note, or graduation announcement.

5. How do you see your shop growing in the next year?

I have already been so blessed by the success my shop has seen since I opened in January! I have no idea where it will go this year, but I’m along for the ride. I have lots of design ideas swirling around in my head and my goal is to get those done and up in my shop. Ideally, I’d like to have 200 designs for sale by the end of the year.

6. Do you have any advice for aspiring Etsy shop owners?

YES! First, have confidence. In yourself, in your abilities and in your product. Remember that your time is valuable and don’t short change yourself in an attempt to make every sale. Second, become part of the Etsy community. Read the forums and/or join a team. I have learned so much from the seasoned sellers who comment on the forums. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as many of them have encountered the same issues you are. Third, great customer service is vital! Great customer service means answering emails and convos as quickly as you can. It means sending a convo thanking customers for their purchase and letting them know when their item will ship. It means FAST shipping. It means having nice/pretty packaging with a little thank you note or freebie inside. The worst is when you order something, never hear from the seller and receive the item in a bland envelope with no personalization. Customers want a pleasant buying “experience” in addition to their product. That’s what makes Etsy so personal and, in my experience, that’s what turns customers into repeat customers.

And now for the fun part! Morgan has generously agreed to give away one of her address labels! You have the choice of either design in a variety of colors: black, brown, red, orange, teal, green, navy, pink, or purple.

 

Aren’t they adorable? Your choice between an address label or an address seal.

I’m giving you a ton of ways to enter!

1. Mandatory entry: Leave a comment, telling me which design and what color you would choose. (1 entry)

2. Tweet about the giveaway, using this tweet: “Psst! @stephanywrites is giving away a set of gorgeous address labels! Enter here: http://bit.ly/kMxcAE” (1 entry)

3. Hop on over to JackPot Designs and let me know your favorite item in her shop! (1 entry)

4. Follow my blog on Facebook. (1 entry)

5. Follow JackPot Designs on Facebook. (1 entry)

6. Add my brand-spankin-new button to your blog, found on my sidebar. (2 entries)

7. Blog about the giveaway. (3 entries)

You can leave a comment for each, or leave one comment but make sure to include all the ways you’ve entered!

The giveaway lasts until Thursday, May 12th at 8:00pm, winner announced on Friday, May 13th.

Wine & Love (V. 1)

Things that are making me reach for my wine glass (or...a pound of chocolate, in my case) this week...

...A bummer of a job interview. I really wanted this to be the company I worked for fresh out of college, but I guess I have more searching to do. But it’s much better than being stuck in a job I would hate.

...Getting totally off track in my eating/exercising for the past two weeks. It’s time to kick it into high gear for these next two weeks before I leave for my cruise.

...Not quite loving my new haircut. It’s the same style, but I’m getting a little tired of it. Go shorter, or grow it out? Ah, decisions, decisions.

Things that I am loving this week...

...My grandma’s PET scan coming back absolutely perfect. She’s been feeling wonderful and it’s so nice to have her back to health again. (And finding out the results on her birthday, no less!)

...Being completely done with school! It’s so great to go to work and come right home, not have to go to class or do homework. While I am trying to apply to jobs every day, I’m also enjoying the time off from being super busy. It’s a nice break.

...Shopping! My mom and I spent so much time at the mall this weekend, mostly shopping for the perfect second interview outfit. I bought two dresses from the Loft over the weekend and I’m completely in love. (Especially getting one dress for over 60% off, when I thought I would have to pay full price!)

...Selling back my textbooks, and getting some serious cash. I worked in the bookstore one semester, buying back used books so I know not to complain if a large book only nets me $10, but I really made out this semester! Enough to buy me a dress, two shirts, and lunch with my mom at Panera. Woo, woo!

Thanks to the lovely Nora for hosting this series!

On Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.’” Jeremiah 29:11

This verse was written on a “Plus One” (anyone remember them?) poster in my room when I was in middle school. It’s one of the more well-known verses and quoted frequently. And it’s one I’ve always loved, but never felt the impact of. Three words: prosper, hope, future. They speak life into me. They remind me that God already knows my future. As much worry and anxiety I place on job hunting, the reality is that I need to release it. Because God has my plans perfectly carved out.

I asked Him one thing: “God, if this isn’t the job you have for me, please shut the door firmly in my face. In fact, please make me hate the position so it’s not a devastating blow if I don’t get it.”

I’m here to tell you that God still answers prayers. Because he did turn this position I thought would be wonderful into something I would never in my life want to do. (Sales. Door-to-door selling. While some people will flourish in that role, like the girl I shadowed did, I know it’s not the place for me.)

What Monday taught me was what I want in a job. Other than the normal things like being challenged, job security, and feeling part of a team, I finally have some ideas of what kind of job I want. Lately, I’ve just been telling people, “Oh, whatever! I just need some job experience so whoever’s willing to hire me!”

Actually, there’s more to what I want from a job than that. I know twenty-somethings have gotten a bad rap lately about switching jobs so much and never quite being satisfied with where they are, but I’m not going to apologize for wanting to feel fulfilled in my job. I worked my butt off for my Bachelor’s degree and I want to use it! I want to feel challenged in what I do, but I don’t want to be miserable waking up every day.

While my job at the preschool isn’t ideal and there are things that drive me crazy about it, I don’t dread going to work. Of course, I don’t jump out of bed, saying, “YAY, WORK!” but who does? For right now, it’s a job that I (usually) enjoy. I want the same out of my future career.

While the first job I get will probably not be the place I’m at even 10 years from now, it will be the starting point of my professional life. I want a job where I will use this degree I put so much work into and constantly be pushed to do more. I want a job where I use my writing skills on a daily basis, because a job where I don’t write isn’t the place for me. I want a job where my skills with social media, branding, and customer service are showcased and fine-tuned. I want a job where I feel comfortable sharing my opinion. I want a job where people work hard and play hard. I want a job where I feel proud of the work I do.

It seems like a lot to ask for, doesn’t it? And sure, maybe I can’t have everything I want. But I do know what my strengths are and I want to build on those strengths.

While I was pretty lucky to score a second-round interview on only my fourth job application, I know it may take a while for me to actually find a job. But I also know I have a lot to offer a company and I’m going to keep applying to those job that fit me until I get that magical call. Because it’ll happen. Jeremiah 29:11 makes it so.

Yay, May!

 

I am so excited for May. It marks the first month post-college and I have so much to look forward to! Between my graduation, cruise, and hopeful big news to come, it’s going to be a fun month! I’m excited for life without the constant pressure of school (although the constant pressure of finding a job is no better). I expect a lot from May and I can’t wait to see what’s next for me!

Last month, I had some simple goals:

Complete the IronGirl 5K. This was an easily completed goal, and I even beat my previous PR! I hadn’t been running much beforehand so I wasn’t expecting a PR but I have one and I’m very happy with the way this race went for me.

Keep school the priority. Another big fat plus! I let blogging fall to the back burner in April as I worked on assignments and studied. I put in a lot of hours of homework and I’m just so happy with the way I focused myself. But I’m even happier that school is OVER FOR GOOD!

Clean up my resume and begin applying to jobs. Check! In April, I applied for four different jobs in four different fields. And most everyone knows I had an interview with a company I was really excited to work for last week, and my second interview yesterday. Well, the job was not what I was expecting. From 10:30 - 5:30 (with a one-hour break for lunch), we visited 39 companies to sell them a product. I do not do sales. At all. Not even a little bit. And especially not door-to-door sales. Needless to say, I was very honest on how this wasn’t the job I was expecting. I wasn’t hired for the job and I’m happy about it. Sort of. I am a little disappointed I didn’t get to turn down the job! ;)

Start meal planning and limit trips to the grocery store. Negative. Wow, I didn’t even attempt this goal. I did tell my mom that I will be taking over grocery shopping once I have a job, because I just want to get this under control!

Take Dutch on longer walks. So-so. I did well at the beginning of April, but fell off the wagon towards the end of the month. (Can I blame school for this?) Still, this kid used to be able to speed-walk 2 miles with no problems and he starts lagging after a mile. I need to get his endurance up again!

My goals for May are simple: graduate from college, enjoy my cruise, apply to 3 jobs a day, restart Project 365 (I totally fell off the wagon in April and I’m determined to be successful at this!), and to take Dutch on two long walks a week.

photo credit

So Long, April

April was a busy month for me. And it showed in the fact that I only posted six times. For me, that’s not a lot. My entire April seemed to be wrapped up in school and finishing up assignments that blogging fell by the wayside. It happens.

April was about school. It was crunch time to get all my assignments completed. I knew I had to complete my final draft of my short story, complete a bunch of quizzes and blogs for my online lit class, and take two Spanish exams. For my senior seminar course, I had a mock interview and a professional website to finish. It was going to be a busy month. And let’s just add on anxiety that I would fail a class or something would happen that would cause me not to graduate. It was a worrisome month.

But I got through it with hard work and determination. I set aside an entire weekend to fix my short story and make it a million times better than it had previously. (And my second read-through went a lot better, as well, with my classmates telling me how much they enjoyed this second version.) I set aside time daily to work on my website and make it look as professional and unique as I could, using a free template. I began studying a week in advance for my Spanish tests to make sure I knew the vocabulary and verb tenses backwards and forwards. Any extra time left over was used for my literature class.

I’m ending April on a good note. All of my work is done and I did the best job I could. Next Sunday, I will be walking across a stage to receive my diploma and it will all have been worth it.

April was also the month of the IronGirl race. It was the month I should have been able to declare myself a half-marathoner, but I ran the 5K instead. It was a great race and I had a blast. I ran my fastest 5K yet and it proved to me how strong and capable I can be when I put my mind to it.

Easter was made more special by seeing it through the eyes of my nephew, who is two-and-a-half. We dyed eggs with him and hunted for Easter eggs. Kids just make the holiday so much more fun and he was especially thrilled whenever he saw an “Eter Vony” (Easter Bunny). The day was pretty low-key, with dinner at my grandparent’s house and spending the night curled up on the couch, watching TV.

I started applying for jobs in April. And worked a lot on my resume. At the beginning, it was pretty awful and I had a sweet Twitter friend who helped me to make it sound and look better. I only applied to three jobs: two involving human resources and one involving marketing. I was called in for an interview for the marketing job and today, I am in the midst of the second round of interviews. This is big and I am desperately praying that God grants me this job. I mean, how awesome would it be to already have a job lined up before I graduate?

As for weight loss, it was a pretty stellar month for me as I lost 4 pounds this month. It puts me at 12 pounds total and I am finally beginning to see the difference. Some pants are fitting looser and my clothes are looking better on me. Seeing the results in the mirror is sometimes better than seeing the results on the scale. And while I’m not counting on May to be a big weight loss month (uh...I’m going to count it as a success if I only gain 5 pounds during my cruise...), I’m still hoping to stay on plan and keep a consistent exercise pattern.

May is going to be a busy month for me but I’m excited about it. It marks my graduation, cruise, and hopefully a job offer. I am so ready for May!

What exciting things are happening for you in May?