16 October 2011
Weekend is over.
I am finding myself currently having trouble motivating myself to complete schoolwork after another great weekend with Casey. After weekends like that I want to just: 1) hide in his truck so he will take me home with him, or 2) curl up in a ball and do nothing (or blog!). So, I am blogging, and procrastinating with my school work, and counting down the days until the next time I see him (12 days). We had a great weekend together resting, dancing, eating, drinking, loving, wedding registering, cooking, deciding, and relaxing. I didn't want it to end, in fact, it ended much too soon. Now I have another two weeks before I get to look into those loving eyes again. I will obviously survive, but it is getting harder and harder, rather than easier and easier! Nevertheless, we are a quarter of the way through the school year already. So, Christmas will be here before I know it and then next semester will be completely crazy. Then-it will be May! Deep breaths and one day at a time...just keep swimming!
06 October 2011
Not just another post...
This is not just another post about grad school (blah blah blah) or wedding planning (blah blah blah) or about how I miss Casey (blah blah blah). Although all of those things are still happening...the first two progressing quite well, and the last one still the same. However, I must say that it is getting better...the missing Casey part. We knew it would, but we just needed to get through that adjustment period. I am quite content (don't get me wrong, I would love it if he was here or I was there, but that's not where we are at in our lives).
Anyway, what this post is really for is for myself (and you) to think about our words and our actions. Do our words match our actions? Are we saying one thing and then doing another, or are we staying true to our word? Are we badmouthing someone for doing one thing then turning around and doing something very similar to what we were bashing? It is something to consider. I am fairly certain that I am guilty of above items, and I think that everyone is...to some extent. Sure, some people may be "more" guilty than others. I have noticed this characteristic in others around me from time to time...and quite frankly, it is annoying and disrespectful. I like to think that we are honestly not aware of it when we are acting in this way. For that reason, this post is to remind ourselves to be more aware of our words and our actions. There is no reason to be disrespectful of others' actions. Period. And another take home message for today is to just remember that everyone strives for happiness. That means everyone! Deep down, that is what we all desire. It is a fundamental characteristic of humans. Happiness might be slightly different for one person than for another, but it comes from the same place.
Happy thinking! And remember, there is no reason to be disrespectful. We all just want to be happy. (If being disrespectful makes you happy, you need to rethink the definition of happiness).
Anyway, what this post is really for is for myself (and you) to think about our words and our actions. Do our words match our actions? Are we saying one thing and then doing another, or are we staying true to our word? Are we badmouthing someone for doing one thing then turning around and doing something very similar to what we were bashing? It is something to consider. I am fairly certain that I am guilty of above items, and I think that everyone is...to some extent. Sure, some people may be "more" guilty than others. I have noticed this characteristic in others around me from time to time...and quite frankly, it is annoying and disrespectful. I like to think that we are honestly not aware of it when we are acting in this way. For that reason, this post is to remind ourselves to be more aware of our words and our actions. There is no reason to be disrespectful of others' actions. Period. And another take home message for today is to just remember that everyone strives for happiness. That means everyone! Deep down, that is what we all desire. It is a fundamental characteristic of humans. Happiness might be slightly different for one person than for another, but it comes from the same place.
Happy thinking! And remember, there is no reason to be disrespectful. We all just want to be happy. (If being disrespectful makes you happy, you need to rethink the definition of happiness).
25 September 2011
Beautiful
Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park
Casey and I at McDonald Lake in Glacier National Park
Beautiful wildflowers at Glen Lake in the Bitterroots
Glen Lake
Hiking buddies going to Glen Lake
Fall is upon us
Once again, fall is upon us. The weather is still warm on most days, feels almost like summer sometimes, but it was officially fall a few days ago. I absolutely love all the things that go with fall...leaves changing, chili, pumpkin everything, crisp mornings, wearing scarves, etc...you get the idea. It just makes me happy. I try to take time every day to really soak it all in, because before we know it, it will be winter again!
The first four weeks of school have flown by! Sometimes, during the weeks I feel like I'm dragging, but looking back, it went super fast. Funny how that works out that way. Now if I can only remember that in the middle of the weeks when I feel like I am dragging! Nevertheless, school and my projects are progressing. I'm enjoying classes. I of course miss Casey, but we are doing our best to enjoy this time in our lives. For example, the last three nights in a row I rented a chick flick out of the Red Box and watched it in bed. Now, those are things I can't really do when Casey and live together...at least not three nights in a row! And he is enjoying working extra hours (since I'm not there to come home to), and just got back from a "guy's" trip up the Snake River. So, we are enjoying ourselves, and for sure remembering to live each day to its fullest. But, we sure do love the weekends we get to see each other! Last weekend we went to Glacier National Park north of Missoula. It was our first time making that drive, and it was absolutely beautiful. Flathead Lake on the way up was magnificent, and huge! It is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. We stayed the night in Kalispell and ate a lovely dinner at a downtown restaurant. Then Saturday in GNP we went on a short 2 mile hike in to Avalanche Lake, which was beautiful! This weekend I am planning on driving to Clarkston, and we have a quick trip to Joseph planned. I love the fall in Joseph, too, so I am excited to see it one more time before the winter snow falls. And, hopefully we will make it down to the Wallowa River Camp to check out what it will look like this time of year next year...on our wedding day!
That reminds me, just a few days ago we passed the "one year away" mark for our big day! I can't believe it! We have already been engaged six months...12 more months to go. It will be here before I know it, seriously. Luckily, most of the "big" planning is done: location, caterer, dress, etc. Still some things, but we have a pretty good idea about everything else!
Today I went on a 3 mile hike to a lake in the Bitterroot Wilderness southeast of Missoula. That was also beautiful, and my grad school buddies and I had a great time. They sure were going at a fast pace, though! But very beautiful and perfect weather for a nice little hike.
Back to my review of literature for my professional paper (I switched from a thesis to a professional paper). It is so close to being done, I can't wait! Just a few more sections and a little more reorganization, and I will be ready to e-mail that bad boy to my committee chair!
The first four weeks of school have flown by! Sometimes, during the weeks I feel like I'm dragging, but looking back, it went super fast. Funny how that works out that way. Now if I can only remember that in the middle of the weeks when I feel like I am dragging! Nevertheless, school and my projects are progressing. I'm enjoying classes. I of course miss Casey, but we are doing our best to enjoy this time in our lives. For example, the last three nights in a row I rented a chick flick out of the Red Box and watched it in bed. Now, those are things I can't really do when Casey and live together...at least not three nights in a row! And he is enjoying working extra hours (since I'm not there to come home to), and just got back from a "guy's" trip up the Snake River. So, we are enjoying ourselves, and for sure remembering to live each day to its fullest. But, we sure do love the weekends we get to see each other! Last weekend we went to Glacier National Park north of Missoula. It was our first time making that drive, and it was absolutely beautiful. Flathead Lake on the way up was magnificent, and huge! It is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. We stayed the night in Kalispell and ate a lovely dinner at a downtown restaurant. Then Saturday in GNP we went on a short 2 mile hike in to Avalanche Lake, which was beautiful! This weekend I am planning on driving to Clarkston, and we have a quick trip to Joseph planned. I love the fall in Joseph, too, so I am excited to see it one more time before the winter snow falls. And, hopefully we will make it down to the Wallowa River Camp to check out what it will look like this time of year next year...on our wedding day!
That reminds me, just a few days ago we passed the "one year away" mark for our big day! I can't believe it! We have already been engaged six months...12 more months to go. It will be here before I know it, seriously. Luckily, most of the "big" planning is done: location, caterer, dress, etc. Still some things, but we have a pretty good idea about everything else!
Today I went on a 3 mile hike to a lake in the Bitterroot Wilderness southeast of Missoula. That was also beautiful, and my grad school buddies and I had a great time. They sure were going at a fast pace, though! But very beautiful and perfect weather for a nice little hike.
Back to my review of literature for my professional paper (I switched from a thesis to a professional paper). It is so close to being done, I can't wait! Just a few more sections and a little more reorganization, and I will be ready to e-mail that bad boy to my committee chair!
02 September 2011
Happiness
On a brighter note, Casey and I had lovely engagement photos done by Josh Whiting Photography in Pullman, so I thought I would share a couple of our favorites!
Suck it Up
Sometimes you have just got to suck it up and do it. I keep telling myself I'd rather be in Clarkston, blah, blah, blah. But honestly, if I was in Clarkston, I would probably be telling myself I'd rather be in Missoula. I suppose that is just the way the mind works. So, I just need to suck it up, and get crackin' on my thesis! It will be a tough road, and I am sure that I will want to give up more than once. But, it will all be worth it in the end, and I will learn so much about myself, life, and helping others along the way. UGH, why is it so hard to just suck it up and do it sometimes?!
26 August 2011
I'm BACK!
Despite the anxiety, nerves, and upset stomachs, I am back and rearin' and ready to go. Missoula is such a welcoming place, it is really hard to stay anxious for long. There are so many unknowns with this school year, specifically regarding my thesis and thesis chairperson. However, I feel motivated to kick it into gear and "hit it with my purse" (special thanks to program planning partner K. Hart for that little line--it got us through many tough program planning moments)! Knowing that this is my last temporary transition for a while and that next summer I get to move in with my best friend (and marry him!) gives me all the external motivation I need! And, for you frequent blog followers, I am extremely motivated by extrinsic motivation. I also believe that my internal motivation is at an all-time high right now, I feel like I want to show myself that I can and will do this! And I will rock it!
This year will without a doubt be full of ups and downs, but a few potential "ups" to highlight are:
1) I will propose and defend my thesis. This will potentially have many downs leading up to it, but after each presentation will be a huge UP! I can already anticipate the relief and sense of accomplishment that is to come. Those feelings are more things that keep me motivated.
2) Wedding invitations! I am so excited to HAND-MAKE them and add mine and Casey's own personal touches. This will likely happen over Christmas break, with the help of my family. It may seem silly, but I really am excited.
3) Road trips back and forth to Clarkston and Missoula. While the actual drive itself is less than exciting anymore (especially in the winter), the feelings leading up to getting to see Casey and the feelings once I reach Clarkston (or he reaches Missoula) are quite exciting. I know that our relationship becomes stronger every other week when we see each other, as well as growing each day we are apart. Distance not only makes the heart grow fonder, but it also improves our communication skills immensely! We like to look at the positives of our situation (there certainly are many), and that is one of the best. If we can communicate during these many transitions back and forth, I am confident that we can communicate through anything!
4) Visits from friends and family. I love showing off Missoula-it is a great place to hike, drink coffee, shop, eat, and hang-out. I really can't wait until mom, dad, Nat and whoever else make it over to beautiful Montana.
5) Courses- Health and the Mind, Body, Spirit Relationship, and Community Based Participatory Research are the two courses I am taking this semester, and they are sure to be amazing (just like all of my other UM courses). The first one is pretty much the reason I started looking at UM, and the second one will give me huge skills that I will most likely use everyday in my future life and career. Looking forward to both. I thrive in the classroom and off of researching for papers, writing papers, etc. I am a nerd, yes. Also, this semester I will be teaching Stretch and Relax to 55 UM undergraduates. I look forward to this challenge and being able to relax at least 2 hours every week in this class!
I think that pretty much sums it up. Get ready for lots of highs and lows and I will keep you all updated as I can!
This year will without a doubt be full of ups and downs, but a few potential "ups" to highlight are:
1) I will propose and defend my thesis. This will potentially have many downs leading up to it, but after each presentation will be a huge UP! I can already anticipate the relief and sense of accomplishment that is to come. Those feelings are more things that keep me motivated.
2) Wedding invitations! I am so excited to HAND-MAKE them and add mine and Casey's own personal touches. This will likely happen over Christmas break, with the help of my family. It may seem silly, but I really am excited.
3) Road trips back and forth to Clarkston and Missoula. While the actual drive itself is less than exciting anymore (especially in the winter), the feelings leading up to getting to see Casey and the feelings once I reach Clarkston (or he reaches Missoula) are quite exciting. I know that our relationship becomes stronger every other week when we see each other, as well as growing each day we are apart. Distance not only makes the heart grow fonder, but it also improves our communication skills immensely! We like to look at the positives of our situation (there certainly are many), and that is one of the best. If we can communicate during these many transitions back and forth, I am confident that we can communicate through anything!
4) Visits from friends and family. I love showing off Missoula-it is a great place to hike, drink coffee, shop, eat, and hang-out. I really can't wait until mom, dad, Nat and whoever else make it over to beautiful Montana.
5) Courses- Health and the Mind, Body, Spirit Relationship, and Community Based Participatory Research are the two courses I am taking this semester, and they are sure to be amazing (just like all of my other UM courses). The first one is pretty much the reason I started looking at UM, and the second one will give me huge skills that I will most likely use everyday in my future life and career. Looking forward to both. I thrive in the classroom and off of researching for papers, writing papers, etc. I am a nerd, yes. Also, this semester I will be teaching Stretch and Relax to 55 UM undergraduates. I look forward to this challenge and being able to relax at least 2 hours every week in this class!
I think that pretty much sums it up. Get ready for lots of highs and lows and I will keep you all updated as I can!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)