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pancake fun!
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If only...
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Between Merida and Cancun, Mexico
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Salmon BLT Sliders with Chipotle Mayo by howsweeteats #Salmon #Bacon #Chipotle #Sliders #howsweeteats
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Lamb Sliders with Tzatziki by fotocuisine #Lamb #Sliders #fotocuisine
School Days
Things I learned from my first two days back at school
• week days are 50 times more busy than Fridays (where did all these kids come from?)
• parking and traffic are super stinky on and near campus
• today was the last time I drive to school ($5.50 to park for 3 hours!)
• curious how light rail is going to work into my schedule
• nighttime classes are much longer than I remember, especially with a full day at the office first
• school supply shopping loses its magic when you have to go to 3 different stores to get everything
(seriously, is there a shortage on Vis-à-vis wet erase markers?!)
• my ADD is going to be the death of me during Wednesday classes (focus focus focus… wait, what?)
• and my Thursday class is right up my alley (we even have a speaker coming in that just might end up being my idol!)
• overall I am ready, terrified and excited for that has yet to come this semester! Information sponge – here I come!
Another Year Older
“We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves” – May Lamberton Becker
So much has happened over the past month and I haven’t had a chance to share! Pardon this post but it is going to read a little scattered for trying to get everything in. As previously posted, I have been busy with school. This semester I registered really late for classes and could only take online classes. I had no idea what I was in for! Online classes are MORE time consuming then regular classes, where I am spending somewhere around 20 hours a week on school. I am really struggling but I refuse to fail. Hopefully I will succeed but only time will tell.
Back to the fun stuff! I attended my high school reunion at the end of August and reconnected with my old best friend, Catie. We had known of each other since middle school, but somehow bonded our sophomore year of high school. Whether it was our mutual love for dance or preferring to ditch class for Burger King breakfast, we became inseparable. We did everything together; we could act silly and weird and have conversations through just movements and gestures without saying a word. But as we got older, and started to branch into our own relationships with men, we had a falling out. While it was sad to lose a friend, our friendship had taken its course at that time. With the reunion approaching and not speaking for many years, I reached out prior so as not to have any tension or awkward moments. So to make a LONG story a little shorter, we have picked up where we left off and it’s like we never stopped! I have always loved her and I am glad that we were able to flourish on our own which I believe allowed us to become friends again.
The reason I bring this reconnection up is my birthday is on the horizon, in fact in 3 days. And this year I decided to do something big! I am going to LAS VEGAS! I figured, why not. It has been 3 years since my last vacation (which was technically my engagement trip) and I don’t count my trips between Denver and Chicago to be “relaxing” by any means. I don’t think I have ever done something this big for a birthday before. I invited a ton of people but it will only be 3 of us going. (Random thought: what is up with all the 3’s in this paragraph?) Luisa, Catie and me! This birthday getaway is going to be a lot of firsts. First time to Vegas, first trip with friends, first time gambling, first time….well you get the idea. Maybe I can get some more of my life list checked off?
That’s about it for my quick update as I got to get back to my school work before work tonight (oh I started bartending again to help out a friend, so yes job #1 Monday-Thursday, job #2 Friday-Sunday and school every day!) With this busy schedule, I am so ready for this much deserved break! I promise to post pictures and stories from Vegas because “what happens there” isn’t going to stay there! *smiles* 5 days and counting until I check into the Bellagio! Eeek! So excited!
If you are wondering about the quote on top, I happen to stumble upon it and couldn’t think of any way to describe my life right now. I may not have a partner in life to love, but I have something better; I have fallen in love with my own life. Ever since 2008 after going through cognitive therapy along with all that has happened over the course of these two years; whether it was moving, school, new jobs, new friends and old friends, I finally feel comfortable in my own skin. I may make mistakes and fall down but I am at last participating in my life and can pick myself up again. I am not trying to be anyone but me and I love every minute of learning who that person is.
Cheers to another birthday! I embrace thee… and look forward to the others yet to come!
September/School Update
Hey everyone! I just wanted to apologize for not posting recently. I have been face first in school books because I’ve been so far behind. Hopefully will have a few posts this weekend after I have caught up! School comes first!
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
Cha cha cha changes…
So much has happened in the past six weeks I just don’t know where to start! I guess we will start in chronological order.
I moved out of my parent’s house into my own apartment. I originally planned on buying a condo when I moved back to Colorado, but I didn’t find one that I liked AND could afford. Then I ended up with the bartending job which could barely pay the bills that I currently had but since I had never been to school before, I didn’t know how school was going to go and luckily that job allowed flexibility with my schedule.
In April, my brother moved back from Japan (he was working over there for the school year) and as much as I love my family, we are all old enough to know that we shouldn’t be living within the same home as adults. That would definitely be a FULL HOUSE! So, since I was unable to buy a place, I decided to rent. Oh… I love and hate shopping for an apartment. I am so particular when it comes to where I will be living. I have specific things that I need (my mother laughs at this all the time)
- High ceilings
- A big kitchen with lots of cabinets (I have so much kitchen stuff, let’s put it this way, I currently have 4 ovens in my kitchen…yep)
- Windows that let in natural light
- Space! At least 700 sq ft
That is pretty much for my needs. As for wants, it would be hard wood floors, not a 1970’s style kitchen, balcony and gas stove top are just an example. One of my BIGGEST rules is NEVER pay more than $1 per square foot! Well after looking for over a month, I think I got to point where I didn’t want to look any more. I settled on a place a little farther east of the city then I wanted, as I was looking for more of a neighborhood feel, but I fell in love with this…
A kitchen with enough cabinets! The island even has cabinets and I have filled every single one! There are things that I am not fond of but I think that come with every apartment. Unless you have the money, you have to be willing to compromise. And the thing you need to remember is that I can always move in a year, just like I used to do in the past. It is just nice to have my own space and independence that I haven’t had in almost 3 years when I first moved into my parent’s house to save money for a wedding. Dinner at my house? Yes!
I guess this brings me to my other recent change. In order to afford this new apartment, I also needed to get a new job…which I did! I found a fantastic job working as a Financial Aid Advisor for an online college. The job provides me with enough income plus benefits! I am truly lucky! It is something that I have never done before and it is my first job that is not food and beverage related but I think it will work perfectly with school. You see, it is challenging during the day to keep my mind stimulated…extreme multitasking. But when the day is over, it’s over. I can’t take this job home, mentally or physically! I have only been there one week but I really enjoy the people that I work with and looking forward to getting to know more about them in the future. I will miss my bar “family”, but whenever I feel that way, I can always go and visit them!
And the last change is I have completed my first year of college! I still can’t believe I did it. Now it seems like such a silly thing but I am proud of myself. I decided to take the summer off though to get settled into my job, but am looking forward to registering for the fall semester!
I think that brings everyone up to date for the most part. I still haven’t found a swimsuit (this one below I loved but it was discontinued) and have another two weeks left on my vegan diet.
On a similar note… I wanted to wish my good friend Luisa a big CONGRATULATIONS! She recently made a change in her life too (but I can’t say here because I don’t have her permission) and I am SO happy for her!
CONGRATULATIONS LUISA!!!!
An old one of Luisa and me
Busy-busy-busy
Oh my, has time passed me by…I can’t believe how the last three weeks have flown by! (In fact it took me two days to finally get this posted!)
Two weeks ago I was up in Aspen for the 2010 Winter XGames. I had such a blast hanging out with my friends and enjoyed reuniting with an old high school friend. Rachel was AMAZING! Love that girl! She lives up in Aspen and works at a sushi house. Boy did she take care of me and my friends. It wasn’t just her great hospitality; it was seeing her after 10 years and being able to pick up where we last left off and seeing how far we have come. Her company was truly a joy! To add to the mix I had another high school friend that showed up randomly, but what was even more random was that he lives in California and I have run into him on more occasions in the past year since he moved out to CA than in the 10 years since graduation. There is something that feels so comfortable about being able to just pop back into a conversation and it being so comfortable, that is hard to find. I was only up there for one night, but it was so worth it! I got to meet Sean White (snowboarder), hang with some old friends, and dance my butt off (with the help of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones & an awesome DJ) with some of my very good friends.
What else has happened in the past few weeks? School is gong really well! I don’t think I could have better classes than I do right now, especially with them all coordinating perfectly with each other. I am taking Psychology 102, Sociology, and Human Sexuality. The three classes combined are really helping me find out what I would like to do in the long run whether it is psychology, sex education or sex therapy. I am only in the first month but I think that I will be a little sad once these classes are over.
Work is steady, can’t really complain there except for the lack of money but baseball season is just around the corner so things should be changing soon. I still debate whether to stay in the F&B business or if I should get back into the admin side. I think that is something I will have to face after the summer, I know that the money would be better in an office position but would my brain be able to handle both a desk job and school at the same time?
I think the only thing that isn’t going well is my friendship with some people. Since time has been passing me by so quickly I have been struggling with finding time to get together with them. Our schedules never seem to match up properly. I wish I could spend more time with them or find a way to actually get together, it’s a nice thought but unfortunately, I think it will be remaining as just that….a thought…
I’m back!
So here it is 2010. So much has happened since the last time I actually blogged. And don’t worry, I would like to get back into the habit of posting much more than I used to. I will forewarn you that this post is long, so before you start to read, understand that it is going to be a lengthy one.
In July I moved back to the beautiful state of Colorado, away from the depressing gray skies of Chicago. Since then I have decided to go back to school full time. When I was 17, I attended college for about a semester and then never returned. Now 10 years later I am attending college as a 27 year old freshman.
While going to school doesn’t seem like an amazing feat for anyone, it is a giant step that I never thought I would be able to take. I spent too much time fearing school due to lack of money or social anxiety but now with a new found sense of self, I am able to start the long process of actually getting a degree in something that I want to do. I started in the field of psychology due to my natural ability to “life coach” and since then I have embarked on a new adventure within school. While I don’t know what I will end up doing in the end, as long as it has something to do with helping people and using my natural ability to solve people’s problems, I think I will enjoy myself.
My most recent struggle within myself is since I am going back to school, I have traded in my salaried job for a bartender position at a local pub in downtown Denver and now feel as though I am now living out my 19 year old life as a 27 year old.
I have to admit that it has been hard to let my ego go. I have been a salaried employee and usually a member of management since I can remember and now that I am working for tips and praying that you make enough money that night in order to pay the bills it is a totally different experience.
I remember a similar time, before I found a job in Illinois, were I was wondering where and if I could afford my next meal. At that time I had completely maxed out my credit cards and any money that I had in savings was going toward bills. It is kind of like that now, except that I bring in some money to pay the bills but never enough to get over the hump of actually being able to pay off the debt that I have accrued.
Which brings me to another dilemma; I am now living with my parents. If you remember, I moved in with my parents back in 2007 when I was originally supposed to get married. When I didn’t follow through with that, I moved into my cousin’s house in between the cornfields of Illinois. I have now been constantly living with someone for almost 3 years. While I am truly thankful I am also very sad that I haven’t had my own place to live for so many years. I originally intended to purchase a condo when I moved back to Denver, however my guaranteed source of income fell through. Now I have pigeon holed myself into living with my parents until I can find a balance of school and work. While I would love to find an administrative job somewhere I know that my brain would not be able to handle the stress of a computer job along with having to type multiple page papers for school.
I enjoy having a “peon” job, one where I am told what to do and never have a conflict arise or a problem to solve. I miss the mind stimulation part of having a more complicated job but I know that it is best for me right now.
I struggle with keeping the goal in mind. That even though I am not bringing in a ton of money, that I am surviving and when it comes down to it, it is all that matters. While I may not seem like an individual that has accomplished a lot, I know that the end result is going to be worth it. I am lucky to have friends and family in my life to keep me going. They continue to boast about how proud of me they are and remind me of the future.
I am sure that it will pass by quickly, but starting off as a freshman makes me feel like was late for the race and found the starting line about 8 years too late. While I will continue to find my way along the path the time will accumulate and at some point I will see the finish line in the distance.
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Wheeww… that’s a lot to get through! Since this is such a big one, I decided to break up my other “bringing you up to date” posts into smaller ones to save you some time. Those will be hitting the internet with in the next week so stay tuned!