Rest

I finished all of my grad classes. I'm crazy tired and feel as if it's impossible to stand still - like I'm wasting time or missing a deadline. My thesis is left, and yep, I'm still researching and reading like a nutcase. But, I'm also crafting!

I've made redneck wine glasses, a wine cork board/ frame, cork coasters, cupcake jars, painted wineglass stems, and created a piece of felt pie. I also made a few magnets and necklaces - and will continue working on those and frappuccino bottle crafts for the next few days. Oh, and there was the handmade paper covered canvases...I'm pretty happy with myself.

Now to chill out over the holidays (I'd rather stay in bed and avoid the chaos) and look forward to a new year and all it brings - graduation! Paleo takeover! New job or something!!!

Grateful for what Christmas means, grateful for a safe and healthy family, and amazing friends. And of course, I'm THRILLED beyond words to be finished with classes!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Give yourself a break!

Grad school. 2 years of demanding deadlines, teachers with clashing guidelines, countless hours of homework, oodles of severe migraines, and weeks of sleepless nights.

I have too much going on. I am in my last semester of classes for grad school, then I start my thesis in January. I've been taking 6 credits every 8 weeks since January. My brain is exhausted. My body is worn out. My asthma is cranky and my antidepressants have run out. I need to cut myself a break.

I have a 3.9 GPA. I work 40 hours a week. I'm single. My apartment is a disaster. I'm so tired.

Tonight, I had a panic attack because I thought I was late for a discussion board post. Seriously, I thought I was going to puke. I got an A on my first paper of the term today and it was all I could do to not burst into tears. I thought I failed that paper.

I need to give myself a break. Today - give yourself a break. Put down the caffeine. Turn off the computer, and rest.

And, avoid gluten. Good lord it's trying to kill me. More on that later.

Be still. Ex 14:14

God bless you-
M

Oy! I suck at keeping up on this!!

Ok - it's been about 5 months since I posted...lame! I'm finishing my 6th & 7th grad classes tomorrow. Yippee!! I moved AGAIN, this time into a very small apartment. My dog is mad at me, there's not much room, and I could easily get a spot on the show Hoarders. Yikes.

One year from tomorrow, I graduate with my Master's in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga. Praise the sweet Lord!!! In June, I head to Italy for 3 weeks for GU's Intercultural Communication Immersion course in Cagli. I'm super stoked. I was awarded one of the Intercultural Fellow scholarships, which is super flattering and inspiring.

I didn't get to run the Mercer Island Half in March. Doc said the knee is in no shape for 13.1 miles. Admittedly, finishing 4 grad classes in 16 weeks (w/ only 1 week break) has taken a toll on me. I fell off the Paleo wagon, but am happily back on it now. I feel so much better, need to lose weight, and want to RUN! Paleo/Primal will help with that. If I can get my rear in gear, I hope to be posting more travel writing here along with Paleo recipes that I like. (I'm not making any promises!)

At this juncture, there are NO distractions - which is just fine. I wouldn't have time for one! First things first, I'm heading to the JMM Conference in Tacoma next weekend (WOOHOO!) and then I'll tackle the living room. I have a storage unit, so I just need to USE it!!

I'm talking too much. If you're reading this - I hope you have an amazing weekend. Do something nice for yourself. No matter what's going on in your world, take care of you.

God Bless!!
M

Time for a New Year

Hi! 3rd grad class is in the books, I even got a 4.0 this term! Whew! Christmas is over and we're on to the New Year already - which is my total favorite :) I love new beginnings, new chances to start fresh. This year, I'm hoping to finish my coursework for my Master's degree so that January of 2013 will point me in the direction of my grad thesis...and of applying for my PhD!

For 2012, I'm going primal. I've read that a paleo diet has greatly aided people in feeling better, healing quicker, and sleeping more soundly - sign me up for that! People have lost asthmatic and allergy symptoms and are feeling so much less heavy and bloated. I'm a little skiddish about dropping grains, sugar, and bread, but I think I can do this! There seems to be a lot of people in the same boat, so it should be a great experience.

I've signed up for the Mercer Island half, which takes place in March. Looks like I'll be walking this one, doc says the leg isn't in the right shape to be running right now. At least I can aim for a finish line :)

I'm performing standup comedy on New Year's Eve, should be a fun time. Funny that this year brought me grad school and standup comedy, I wouldn't have ever believed it if it didn't happen! I went on ONE coffee date this year and it was a dud. Next year, I'm going to have to spend more time OUT of this city so I can meet single guys. Eeyikes it's a wasteland around here...

Anywho, I hope that if you're reading this, you're motivating yourself to make positive changes in the new year. Make yourself proud. Believe that anything is possible. Never, never give up. You are fantastic! Here's to a healthy, prosperous year filled with fun memories and moments of sheer, laugh-out-loud joy!

God Bless you!
Mary

Back in the saddle, again

Okay, I'm a little more than excited. I just signed up for the Mercer Island Half Marathon on March 25, 2012. Let's do this!!! I'm ready to run. I just have this little issue of my leg not working to deal with first, but I'm ELATED about this!!! WOOHOO!

In other news, my second grad school class is almost over. (Thank the sweet Lord!) One paper left and I'm done! Next Monday, another class starts, and I'm ready! I moved into a cute rental house at the beginning of the month and I absolutely love it. :) Crab is a happy dog - complete with doggy door and fenced yard. It's completely awesome in every way!

There's another nice little distraction in my world, which means absolutely nothing other than I have something fun to think about when I'm not working, studying, writing, or taking pictures! I'm so grateful for great, local friends who make my weekdays better, for a wonderful church that is an absolute blessing in my life, and for Spokane - for taking good care of many, many good friends and the majority of my immediate family.

I've taken amazing strides in the last 5 weeks to take better care of myself and I feel so much better. If you can read this, please take good care of you - no matter who you are. You are enough. You matter. You are loved by a merciful, gracious God.

I'm off to enjoy some comfort food - broccoli soup! And then, after work, I'll throw on a tie-dyed hoodie and my favorite running shoes...and see what I can do. Here we go - I took enough time off, I can't WAIT to get back into this!! God is good. Life is good. Wine is good :) God bless your socks off!

Here we go again!

Oh geez, I suck at keeping this updated! Let's see...2nd term of grad school just started. Yay for Computer Mediated Communication! Hey, it's a requirement!  I interviewed for an international instructor position last Friday and I should know tomorrow if I got it. Yikes!! I moved out of my house last week. It took every single ounce of energy I had, but now I'm out. I'm currently staying in my friends' remodeled garage while I wait to find a home. I was going to buy, but I had an epiphany today and I think that idea is completely out of the window. Probably moving into a rental house for a while starting October 1st. We'll just see, I guess! So, work is full time, school is full time, leading worship at Life Church (that I love more than words) is 2 Sundays a week, and my brain is full! But, the good news is, there's a distraction. It's nothing but a simple bit of glorious fun right now, but that is enough. I started the weekend with a wonderful day of wine tasting with Em (so.much.fun) - we tasted some absolutely delicious wine and went to a few great local wineries. The rest of the weekend was spent in Spokane and I got to spend time with an absolutely fantastic human being. Lucky me.

Looking forward to an Advocare 24 day challenge w/ my cousin. Hoping I feel a little refreshed and energized at the end! So, here we go again. Happy to have something to distract me while I dive head first into the rest of this term and wade in the waters of uncertainty about a new position and a place to live.

Cheers!!
M

Holy Moly!!

I haven't posted in a year, so here are the updates in a nutshell:

*In February, I left my job as a Travel Coordinator with a construction company and moved to a national lab, where I am in the EXACT same position.

*4 weeks ago I began my Master's Degree in Communication and Leadership at Gonzaga University. The best part? Tuition is completely reimbursed by my new employer. So fantastic!

*I found an amazing new church. I'm so, so happy to be a part of the church body at Life Church in Richland, WA. I've never felt such an instant welcome, I am surrounded by loving, wonderful people. I've joined their worship team, and am often very blessed to join a group of people for lunch after church on Sunday. It has completely blessed my heart.

*I haven't ran all year. My allergies and asthma are doing their darnedest to kill me...but alas and alack, I will win!! Reading through my old posts, I am encouraged to eat better and exercise more. Let's just say the new job and the master's degree aren't really helping me stay super fit ;)

*I mustered up every ounce of courage I had and took care of something that needed to be said for a while. I'm super glad it's over and I'm quite proud of myself :)

*Last week, someone fraudulently used my debit card and stole every penny in my account. After filing a police report and a fraud packet, I have provisionary credit back. Had an icky situation in grad school last week, but I think it's getting better. Wrote my final article for my favorite newsweekly...it's too much stress & time investment and it's not worth it anymore. Sad. Last night, my car completely stopped working. I found out today that it's going to be $3300. Ouch. That wipes out my savings, which was to fund my trip to England later this year. Broke. my. heart. I will admit that being single during the last few weeks has been SO difficult. I'd love some help. I'd love a great big hug and someone to say, "it's all good babe, we got this." Maybe someday, right? In the mean time, I'm super grateful for parents, who have offered to help me with this ridiculously awful situation. I'm so glad that God loves me and has great plans for me - and I'm flattered that He thinks I'm strong enough to handle this. I'm glad He's strong enough to handle it, b/c in truth, I'm completely drained. I have amazing friends who are funny and smart and wise and I love more than I can say. You guys bless my heart.

*My dog is still the best dog in the world. You can write that down.

*Oh, I almost forgot! I did stand-up comedy for the first time this week. It was awesome! They laughed! I think I'll do it again! Super fun :)

I'm reminded of a few scriptures that I will want to remind myself of again when things get hard:
"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
"ALL things work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose." Rom 8:28
"“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Cor 12:9

I'm hoping I'll just be a happy, smiling camper the next time I post :) Sorry if I was Debbie Downer. God bless your socks off!
M