Thursday, May 27, 2010

Maximum Poof

I'm definitely a little hyped up. For my sister's sake, I'll say 'I'm definitely exhibiting maximum poof!' That means basically, that I'm freaked out, frazzled, have my guards up, and am likely to be hiding under the bed by the end of the week. (Term originally used by a friend whose cat was startled by a thunderstorm and displaying the bushy tail/maximum poof. It's perfect!)

I'm feeling like I've reached my limit of how many things I can possibly have going on. My life is full all right, but it's almost so full that I'm afraid it'll spill at any moment! The funny thing is, everything that is in play is great! I am, however, noticing the toll this level of busyness is taking on my sanity. I feel worn out, even a little depressed at times. That is just from exhaustion. Funny how the body works though. All these awesome things and...I'm feeling a little down?! What the heck.

I got a call today from my clinical site that...they have a new client for me. I immediately went into fight or flight mode. My first client? Does this mean it's REAL? I was really emotional about it (just like, anxious and shaky, not crying-emotional). I'm so nervous. I feel like I'm blanking on everything I've learned so far. Ha!

Anyway, enough of that whining.

Tomorrow is Friday! YAY! Yesterday was my oldest sister's birthday. We had a good talk on the phone and a good laugh (H, where is that YouTube video you were going to make!? LOL). She has always been there for me and has been a wonderful influence and strong and steady source of love my entire life! I love her very much and can't imagine how different (and lacking!) my life would be without her. Somehow I got lucky; I was given TWO amazing sisters!

Bedtime. Have a happy Memorial Day weekend!

Monday, May 24, 2010

The First Day Of...


...my new, crazy schedule. I thought the past 6 months have been intense; I have a feeling I'll be one-upping them pretty soon.
I start my reduced work-hours schedule today (40 to 30) as well as my graduate assistantship for my program department at school (1o hours a week). Other things happening this week: orientation at my site (clinical training), babysitting for a couple of girls for a couple of hours, and some quality time with my sister's dog this holiday weekend. Oh yeah and a Memorial Day barbecue, of course! The next week begins my clinical training at school (one day a week) and then my summer class starts the week after that. By the time everything is under way, summer will be over, ha ha.

This past Saturday I met one of my college roommates' two-month old daughter! I rode up to MA with another of our roommates (sporting a new baby bump!) which was great. I opted to because my car is getting a bit old and cranky and I didn't want to drive 3 hours to find myself stranded. Other happening of this summer: probably purchasing a new car.
We spent the sunny afternoon on my friends porch, complete with new porch furniture! They even have one of those tables with the fire pit in it! Love those.Her three year old daughter played in the kiddie pool and on her new playground. It was a long trip there and back in one day (about four hours each way) but well worth it to meet the little munchkin and spend some quality time with friends.

Sunday started off with homework (preparing for a comprehensive exam that takes place in September), and then the afternoon was filled with a 10 mile bike ride through the more historic neighborhoods of my town. So beautiful out!

Bob and I also stopped by my dad's house to see him and my stepmom who had just driven back from North Carolina, where they spent the weekend for a family wedding (on my stepmom's side).

So anyway, at the end of this week I'll let you know how all of my new things went! I'm looking forward to spending time up at my sister's house this weekend, where I'll be dogsitting her chocolate lab. It's always nice to get away/change the scenery and her town is a great place to spend some time.

Happy Monday!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Weekend Recap (and it's not even over yet!)

This weekend is so busy, it's great! But where do I start with this blog?

Yesterday I went for the first 'run' in about two weeks. Eeek. And it was THAT run. The run. That sucks. I had been pretty excited about getting back into jogging about a month ago, and then went on vacation and fell off my little routine (though did get some great yoga in at Kripalu).

So bear with me while I just set up the day:

Yesterday morning my bf and I went to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Harlem for an Acolyte Festival! He's very active in his church, and this event was cool because it's set up to honor those who do the jobs other than Pastor, Deacon, etc. Kind of like...the techies of the church service, ha ha. The church is beautiful. HUGE. They had a welcome and then we could participate in various workshops or tours for a couple of hours. He and I went on the Vertical Tour - where you climb this little windy stone staircase up up up into the church. We stopped off at various 'levels' and were given a brief history and description by our very animated art history major tour guide. She was great. Finally, we landed at 'La Foret' which is the 'attic' of the church, basically - it's the structure above the ceiling of the church, that was built to protect the church itself from the elements. So neat. And then, we stepped onto the roof! What an experience!
The second workshop we went to was called 'Holy Smoke' - about how to incorporate the use of incense into your service. The technicalities of it and all that stuff. So interesting for me, because I don't know much about the details of a church service, i.e. what various objects are called or the meaning behind certain parts of the service. And finally, the churches that participated yesterday formed a procession that took them up onto the altar where we had a short service. It was so nice. All these people (kids too!) deserve to be recognized. I know my BF shows up when needed and is always ready to give a helping hand. Yesterday he and I went to the festival, along from the deacon of their church, and another churchgoer and her daughter and a friend. The two young girls (who are 11) are young acolytes and also participated in the procession. One awesome thing I learned about acolytes is that they've been serving the church for 1800 years!

After that, we came home and were so tired! Probably just from getting up early to be in the city early, but man! Bf napped and I threw on my running clothes. It was a beautiful day and I knew I had to get out there. I read on twentyonedayhabit.blogspot.com that when she feels like she doesn't want to run, she knows she really has to...so I took that with me. However, the couple of miles I've run around here start with one big long hill...so I had that in front of me, and my legs felt like two bricks! It was rough! I tried to just run through it but it was one of those runs where I just felt uncoordinated, tired, and slow. UGH. I walked a little bit here and there and then jogged home (which is downhill, ha ha. I know). I did, however, see that a school nearby seems to have a track or at least a path around the sports field; so I might head over there later and check it out. I also reminded myself that even if it was a crappy jog, at least I got out there and tried, and got some exercise, regardless!

This morning my Dad and I are headed to my sister's to watch her four kids while she and her husband head to brunch to celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary! Wow. I met her husband when I was 9 or 10. I'm 30 now. Isn't that crazy?

School is another story. I'll get into that later. I truly enjoyed our trip to MA and 'forgot' about work and school for five days, which was SO needed. However, the first day back in the groove was difficult. Coming back from vacation is always depressing, LOL, even though my daily life is great.

I have to keep getting ready and stop talking.
Have a happy Sunday! Peace and sunshine!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rest and Relax

Today is the last day of the semester! I'm so psyched. AND tomorrow I'm going to the Berkshires for a couple days. I can't wait to get out of town and breathe in air other than academic air for a while.

Tonight I have a final exam in my substnace abuse class. Last night I had two dreams: One, that the test was moved to Saturday (therefore I'd have to come back from our little trip early, AND study while we're away, ew). The other dream I had related to my teacher telling us (in real life) that our test has a couple of different kinds of questions...some require listing out our answers, and others that allow us to be a little more creative. So, in my dream, my teacher handed out our exam and...a box of crayons.
Tell me that wouldn't be so awesome.

In a matter of weeks I will be working with real clients. No more simulated families.
I'm not even sure I'm nervous (though ask me again like, 5 minutes before I sit down with my first client). I'm more just...ready to move onto the next phase of my training. I'm confident that my insecurities are normal and many of my current questions will be answered by experience.
I'll keep you all posted. After my first session with a client, I envision myself doing the equivalent of a wet-dog-shake.

LOL

This weekend I'm excited for the change of scenery - I'm bringing my running skirt (beloved as it is) and a couple of changes of yoga wear. While we're away we'll be stopping at a nearby Yoga center as well...om shanti!