What I Want My Blog To Be

I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want my blog to be.  What I want to write about.  Who I want to write to.  And what maybe I should not share.  
I am an open book.  Which is why I have a blog.  I love sharing what goes on in my life with others.  This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I want you to know the real me when you read what I write.  
Unfortunately this is not always received well by others.  Not everyone agrees with my approach.  Not everyone is as open as me or wants me to be as open as I am (especially when I am open about them, which I can understand).  So do I keep writing my way or take everyone into consideration? I'm not all too sure about this.
As I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, I have also been thinking about what kind of blog I want to have.  I'm not a fashion, food, or mom blogger.  I am in grad school, work 49067508 jobs, and I love Jesus.  
I think I may have come up with a list of what I want my blog to incorporate.
1. I want you to know what goes on in my heart, not just what I am up to everyday. 2. I want to share my faith with you.  I want you to know I love Jesus and the amazing things he does for me. 3. And lastly I want you to know that you can come to me with anything and there will be no judgement.  I will love on you and be there for you the best way I can.  When I love, I love fiercly!
I think those three points sum it all up pretty nicely.  So from now on when you stop by, those are going to be the foundation of every post.  Now I will still be my crazy stupid self, but when you come to meet me this is what you will get!

I Didn't Even Give Them A Chance

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  I just wanted to show off the cuteness that is Brutus and his cuddling.  He is the best cuddle bunny ever:)
If you remember this post or this post I talked about how I didn't think I was connecting or would connect with the people in grad school.  I did not "click" with them right away, more because of me than them.  And I almost gave up.
But I was SO wrong about them.  Guys they are amazing people that I am so thankful I get to spend time with.  We have really bonded as a group and I love that.  We have trust with each other and know we can share our lives with the group and no be judged.
Everyone is so welcoming and kind.  We laugh SO hard together all the time.  We have fun and we are enjoying getting to know each other even more.  
I am glad I have started letting my guard down around theses people.  I feel like they are getting to see the real me/ I am finding the real me again.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for each of us as individuals as well as the group!

A pretty awesome day

On Friday and today I subbed/am subbing for a PE teacher at an elementary school. I went on Friday with expectations of a long day outside with kids. Plus afterwards I had to head straight to my job at the gym until 9 that night. I was just praying it would go by quickly.

And then I got to the school and met everyone. And felt more loved and welcomed than I had in a long time. The teachers and staff at Lincoln Avenue Academy were beyond amazing to me! They all greeted me with a smile on their face and actually engaged me in conversation. 

Guys I had the best day. And I'm willing to bet I am having another amazing day today as well. I have been able to meet and give out my information for subbing to so many teachers. I will gladly welcome any job at the school. 

Then when I got to work at 3, I was praying for a quick easy shift. And that is what I got. It flew by and was good. I'm always thankful for those kind of nights at the gym. I didn't have a whole lot to do that night which was nice.  

Needless to say I started my weekend off right, even if I worked for 14 hours straight. 

True Life: My Hair Grows

A little while ago my Lauren started a series about how we bloggers are in real life.  It's called #truelife blogger.  And today I have some true life coming for you.

So this is how I show you my hair looks.  Always cute and put together.  It is almost always pinned back in some way (I hate hair in my eyes).

Well it does not always look that way.  In fact most mornings it takes a little work to get it cute.  Or maybe a lot of work...

This is no joke how my hair looks most mornings.  Sometimes it is a lot worse.  I get rats nests in my hair ALL THE TIME.  I swear my hair grows at night.

Most of the time I shower and wash it to tame it down before I go somewhere.  But if you ever see me with my hair up? That means I couldn't control it and didn't want to wash it.

Hope you all still love me with my crazy hair and all!

My Apartment: The After

Three weeks after moving in and sharing with you all the before pictures of my apartment, I am FINALLY ready to show you all the after pictures.  Now please keep in mind that it's always going to be a work in progress.  But here is what I have for now and I am very happy with it:)
Why don't we start with the kitchen.  I still love the size of my kitchen.  I just feel like it still needs some color in it.  Compared to my living and dining rooms it is REALLY white.

And then we have my dining room.  Yes I am missing a chair for my table.  It is in my bedroom being used as a desk chair currently.  I am looking to add a bookshelf in the corner near the window.  Other than that I love this room!

The living room is by far my most favorite room in the whole place.  I look at it now that it is more put together and I just fall in love.  I want to sit in there all day every day. PS mad props to my mom for recovering all of my couch cushions!

Also the wall with quotes on it is going to grow.  I just have to find some more prints that I am in love with.  For now this whole wall is done in thanks to Lauren.  All printables were made by her:) 

Here is a good view of the openness of the place.  I love how open everything is and how I can watch tv while I cook.  Oh and please excuse the trash by the door.  I was cleaning and getting everything put together yesterday when I took these pictures.

And then we have the bathroom aka Brutus's room.  He stays in here at night and when I am not home.  So you will find his food, bed, and litter box in here.  This is the one room I am not crazy about.  I just don't know what I want to do to change it.

My bedroom/office.  Again this room is not completely done.  I feel like it is a little bear and I need to add to it.  But I want to love it before I put it in there.  And your not seeing my amazingly huge closet because it is amazingly messy.  

Oh and excuse this mess at the desk.  I am in the process of writing a lovely paper.  

Well there she is friends.  I love it and cannot wait to keep making it my own place and a home.  

Life is Overwhelming

Lately I have been so overwhelmed with life.  I don't even know which way is up. Which has a lot to do with my lack of posting on here.  I have half written post so many times.  But never finish them.  Blogging is my last priority right now.  At the end of the day the last thing I want to do is sit down and write anything.  
So much has happened within in the 4 weeks.  I mean seriously my life has completely changed so quickly that I just don't hardly recognize myself anymore.  I can't find my true self and that is scary and not fun.  I need to slow down and find her again.  What has me going to crazy you ask?
I started 2 new jobs. I started grad school. I moved into a new apartment. I adopted a kitten.
Seriously what was I thinking doing all of these major life changes all at one time?  Its overwhelming and I am struggling.  I don't feel like I am giving any aspect of my life the amount of time it really needs to prosper.  My focus isn't 100% on grad school or work.  Two VERY important things.
I know I will get better at all of this.  I know I will be able to balance everything soon.  I am working hard on finding my routine.  I need some monotony in my life right now.  If I find that then I know I will find me again.
So friends bear with me while I go through this transition.  I have faith I will come out on the other side so much stronger and so much better.  I have amazing people in my life right now and with them I know I will look back on this and laugh:)

Some Questions for Moi

The other day Samantha from Life Style Love nominated me for the Liebster award.  And while I have been nominated for this before, I always find the questions to be fun so I thought I would answer them. Plus easy blog post!

1. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Go potty.  I always have to pee right when I wake up. 

2. What is your favorite part about the fall season?

Wearing scarves!! Seriously nothing makes an outfit better than a scarf.  I actually hate that I cannot wear them in the summer.

3. If you're feeling lazy or don't have anything planned, what is your go-to meal for dinner?

Mac n Cheese all the way.  It never fails to make me happy:)

4. Where is one place in the world you want to visit in your lifetime?

Greece.  I find it to be stunningly beautiful and I want to go so bad.  

source

5. What would your "perfect" day look like?

Sleep in till I am fully rested.

Coffee and reading blogs.

Curling up with a good beach and the sun at the beach.

Wine and great food to end the night.

Very simple but very me!

6. Sweet or salty? (Which is your weakness?)

Sweet all day every day.  Ice cream is my weakness.

7. What does your normal Saturday outfit look like?

Right now I work Saturdays so I have on yoga pants and a work shirt.  And thats pretty much what I wear when I am not at work and have no where to be.

8. What is your favorite accessory?

Hair bows/headbands.  I love them and they make me feel extra girly:)

9. What book, if any, are you currently reading?

The Husband Secret by Liane Moriarty

10. How long have you been blogging OR why did you start?

I have been blogging for two years.  I started the blog while I was in college so that my family and friends back home could keep track of my life:)

Weight loss/Running/ Health Update

It has been a while since I have not only posted a picture like this, but also since I have updated you all about my weight loss and running and such.  So what better day than today?  I am in need of this accountability so I think the time is perfect.
I have been hovering between 190-195 pounds for the past couple of months.  The picture above is from last night and I am right around 195.  And I hate it.  I don't feel good at this weight.  I know what 184 feels like and I want that back plus losing more.
The past few weeks with moving, starting grad school. and starting a new job has had me putting myself on the back burner.  I have not made running or working out of any kind a priority.  And I really want to.  
I have needed to settle into a schedule.  And I think I kinda have.  So I am vowing now to start running and to take my health back.  I really want to do Advocare's 24 day challenge. My sister is currently doing it and I think it is the kick start I may need.  Any tips/advice on that?!
I need to only buy the good healthy foods and really focus on my diet.  Eating something because it is quick and easy is no longer allowed.  I need to get into meal prep majorly since I work or have school every night.  Sunday's may need to become a major cooking day!
So this week I will run.  And I will eat right.  And I will take my health back!

Little Brutus

You know how people are either cat people or dog people? Well I am most definitely a cat person! It's not that I do not like dogs, I just do not want one of my own.  But I knew the moment I got my own place and could get a cat I wanted to.

I decided I wanted to get an orange cat.  And for it to be a male.  His name was to be Brutus!  Now just find the little man to fill my life...  I put off searching hoping my brother who works at a vet would get one in.  Plus I had to move into the new place first.

This weekend I was wanting my little Brutus pretty badly.  And when I went online to the SPCA and saw they had an orange and white male cat that was 2 months old...I just HAD to go.  And I did.  And I fell in love.  And I adopted him!!

Little Brutus is a pretty big hand full when he is not sleeping.  Within 30 minutes of getting home I had lost him.  He decided to hide in the back of the fridge.  And then late last night I lost him again.  He is was IN the couch.  Yes you read that right IN the couch.  I had to take off all the cushions to find him.

What he likes: pens, lanyards, and human food.  He hasn't even touched the toys I have bought him.  That little bugger!  I love him none the less.  He is also the best cuddler!!

And yes I am now that obnoxious cat mom who takes 9573459037 pictures of their pet:)

My Other Job

Last week I told you all about training for my new job working at the front desk at Gold's Gym South Lakeland.  And now I want to tell you all about my other new job.  I am a substitute teacher!! And I love it! I get to be in the classroom without all the responsibilities of lesson planning.

Yesterday I had my first day.  I went up to the middle school I went to and actually subbed for my 7th grade math teacher! Talk about a total turn around!  It was so cool to be back at the school and see how things have changed and how they have stayed the same.

They now play music when the bell rings in the morning.  Each grade has a specific color shirt they have to wear every day.  They don't have to tuck their shirts in anymore.  The teachers have to walk the kids to and from lunch. The floor tiles are blue now.  

Most of the time subs just have to show up, hand out a worksheet or play a movie, and then make sure the kids do not kill each other.  Not me.  I actually taught some lessons.  Unfortunately for those kiddos math and me do not get along.  So we all learned together.

The kids were pretty much great the whole day.  And I got lucky because I only had 3 classes and got to leave 2 hours early because of the teachers planning period.  I loved being up there at the school and being around kids again.  I got to eat lunch with old teachers which was fun too.

The only non fun part: One girl said I looked like I was 40.  Good thing all the other kids had my back and told her she was crazy town! 22 people. 22.

My Apartment: The Before Pictures

Last Thursday I moved into my first ever apartment!!! I have been waiting for this day for what seems like forever.  And from the moment I stepped into the place, I knew I was going to just love it!
I really wanted to take some good before pictures of the place without any furniture in it.  Unfortunately my moving guy had other plans.  So here are some not so great iPhone pictures of my new place!!
When you walk in you walk right into my kitchen. As in there is just enough room for the door to open without hitting my counter.  A little cramped, but honestly this is the only cramped space in the place!
My lovely kitchen has a dishwasher (a must have for me) and all nice new appliances!  And lots of cabinet space.  Not pictured is a closet to the left of my stove that will be used as a pantry.

As you make your way through the kitchen you find my laundry room.  The place came with the washer and dryer!

Off the kitchen is my dining and living room.  The dining room is where you see that oversized chair sitting.  I have sliding glass doors off the living room leading to a patio.  I love how open the space is.

You can enter the bathroom either from the living room or my bedroom.  The space is huge even if you cant really tell with the pictures!

And then you have my bedroom.  And my ginormous closet.  That would be my dresser in the back of my closet.  And that dresser is actually kinda really big. 

So there you have friends! My first ever place to call my own.  The more and more I get done decorating and setting it up the more I love it.  I cannot wait to show you all what I have done to the place! But that could be a while.  So I might show you some progression pictures as I finish things up!

First Days of Grad School

Monday September 2, 2013 I started Grad School.  Yes it was Labor day, and yes we still had class.  The first class for me was Foundations of Counseling.  It is on Monday nights from 6-10 for the next 8 weeks and I have a feeling we will always be there till 10.
The first night was...interesting.  I did kinda make some friends/actually talked to people!  The group I am with seems like they will be really great and I do look forward to getting to know each of them better.  
But I swear it was like the professors thought none of us had even been to college before.  I know I just graduated so I am a little more familiar with college classes, but I swear I was about to fall asleep in class.  No joke they read the ENTIRE syllabus to us and explained just about every single word in it.  It took two hours to do so.
I am not one who likes to be treated like a child.  And at 22 I should be able to be responsible to read my syllabus and know what to expect the class to be.  I get wanting to explain how the class will be run and all of the assignments, but reading the Learning Outcomes? Give me a break people.
Tuesday night was my second class.  I had Human Growth and Development which will go from 6-10 pm for the next 8 weeks as well.  And it went SO much better than Monday night.  You could tell everyone was starting to be less guarded and we had some fun.
I love love love the professor I have this class with.  She was fun and warm and didn't treat us like kids.  We actually got to learn some of the material.  Unfortunately for me I have taken this class at least 2 times already so I got bored super easy. I doodled liked no one has even doodled before...except my doodles are not all that great.
The one amazing highlight of Tuesday was I made my first grad school friend!!! You guys have no idea how much I needed this!  We even echanged numbers and plan to work on a presentation together.  I am super stoked to have met her and become friends!
Also funny story:  The profs from Monday night told us to watch how we use the interent and what we share on it....I guess this means I probs shouldn't have a blog? Oops.  Oh well...the less they know the better:)
Again I am sorry there are no fun pictures, but since I am moving into my new apartment today I just didn't have the time or energy to figure that out.  No worries my next posts will have tons...they will be of the new place:))

New Job Training

For the past week or so I have been training at one of my new jobs (I have two new ones).  I got hired by the same gym I have been working at the past two summers to work the front desk.  This was something I really wanted to do, and made it happen for myself.
I had about 4 days of training and to say it went smoothly is an understatement.  I was a little worried I would not catch on to how to do everything, but honestly I picked everything up in one day what the other people I trained with took 3 days to learn.
The hard part comes when I am by myself and I have to greet everyone, answer the phones, ring people up, and make shakes all at one time.  I have always had at least one other person with me, but this Friday night I will be by myself.
For the most part I love the people I work with and look forward to working the front desk.  I get to be social and talk to people which is a must in any job of mine.  This job will mostly be nights and weekends for me since my other job, substitute teaching, will take up my days.
Sorry for a lame short no pictures post, but life has been in the way majorly lately.  Between training for my job, starting classes, and moving into my apartment this week, I have been crazy busy.
Hopefully I will find sometime this week to tell you all about my first days of school!