Summer is finally here! I don't know what it is about waking up to a beautiful sunny day, but it always manages to give me an extra spring to my step!
I recently celebrated my birthday- I couldn't have asked for a better day. I can't thank my husband enough for planning such a wonderful day. I was able to celebrate with both my friends and family- I'm very fortunate to have so many beautiful people in my life.
For the summer 2014 I have several projects that I'm working on! Nothing makes me happier than working on my house and me! The landscaping will commence in a few short weeks, as will the painting. I've already begun to scrape. I will post before pictures shortly. We are doing a color change on the house from blue to gray. I haven't picked out my colors yet- Yikes! I better make my way to the paint store!
The landscaping really excites me, it's going to be glorious to walk into my backyard relax by our newly built fire pit and admire the beautiful flower beds!
My backyard is rather large and I find the amount of work that needs to be done overwhelming! My landscaper thankfully sees a blank canvas, I hope he still feels that way once he actually tackles the work! My home is my sanctuary and I desperately need green space that allows me to relax, entertain and to just be!
On the career front I'm a enrolled in two online courses! This is a first for me, I'm a bit old school in that I have always leaned towards traditional learning methods. So far, so good though. Online courses offer a lot of flexibility which is exactly what I need. In many ways this journey is a gut check, do I have the motivation to walk the walk?! So far I do! Not sure if this discipline comes with age, or maybe it's the realization that the word 'can't' isn't an option!
Pictures to follow soon! In meantime I'll be sitting barefoot in the grass with my biology and chemistry books!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
A Long Absence
Some time ago I promised myself that I would write at least twice a week. A lot has happened since my last post. Quite a bit of soul searching and a complete reawakening.
I spent the first two weeks of the new year in China, as I did the year before. I don't know what it is about China, but every time I visit, it changes me in ways I never anticipate. Things have a funny way of falling into place becoming clear when you step out of your normal routine and disconnect from the internet, Facebook, and email.
I decided to devote some of the energy I threw into renovating my home into my making over my life. I stopped biting my nails, a rather embarrassing habit I've had since I was about three years old. I was so afraid of getting sick while in China, I didn't dare put my fingers anywhere near my mouth. I felt a lot less anxious in China and I wasn't consumed by silly distractions. I was still and present. I simply stopped biting my nails, when I felt the urge I redirected my thoughts. It was simple and yet one of the hardest things I have ever done. I thought about the things that I don't like about myself, like my crooked teeth, or how I don't always take the best care of myself. I decided to straighten my teeth, lose ten pounds- very easy to do in China. I don't care much for the food, but it's also not as rich as American cuisine. I found a new hair stylist and.....
I also came to the conclusion it was time to make a career change- a big one. I've enjoyed much success, I always have and I always will, that is who I am. I realize this may sound arrogant, but I don't intend to be. I'm not special- far from it, I just don't view as failure as an option. I have failed, but the way I see it is, losing a battle doesn't mean you have lost the war!
It's ironic that when I was twenty five years old working in a corporate setting I felt trapped, so I enrolled in graduate school and embarked on a new career.
I loved my new job, my role, but now I don't. In fact I can't get out of this profession fast enough. I felt like a failure, I questioned why I couldn't just be content. According to society, I have it all and realize I do. I'm very grateful for all the things I have and the goals I have accomplished, but that doesn't mean I don't get to change my mind. Why I should feel guilty for having these feelings? Yes, I have job security, I get paid a decent salary, I have good benefits. I don't take these things lightly, but I want something else.
The truth is when I was in college I always loved science. Science was and still is my frenemy. I started my college career in Biology and ended it in Cultural Anthropology. I love Anthropology it's a perfect blend of science and humanity. I enjoyed it and came easy to me, I could go out and do the things I loved and still make the grade. As I matured my old frenemy reminded me how I gave up too easily on our "friendship" and I realized I needed to mend that fence. After much thought soul searching, I have decided to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant (PA). This is a leap for me as I'm currently an administrator at a large college.
I can't ignore the excitement I feel at the thought of becoming a PA. Before I can officially enroll in my degree program I need to complete 30 credit hours of prerequisites. I'm happy to say I completed my first course in chemistry and I'm enrolled in two summer school courses.
I know this means, working full time, going to school part time, tending to my marriage and of course still working on my house. I have made a lot progress there too! It was featured in a historic tours of homes. The downstairs is completely renovated and refurnished. The upstairs is painted and the floors have been refinished. We replaced the gutters and installed a new fence. All we have left to renovate are two large bathrooms and the attic!
For the summer we're going to paint the outside of the house, landscape the back and build a custom fire pit. I will share pictures once those projects are started.
I hope to share this journey with you all. I know what I'm doing is going to be incredibly difficult and I'm sure I will question my sanity for taking this leap, but I know it's the right path for me. The excitement I feel is electric and that's the feeling I'm going to put in my pocket during chemistry class. Sadly, I still don't like chemistry!
I spent the first two weeks of the new year in China, as I did the year before. I don't know what it is about China, but every time I visit, it changes me in ways I never anticipate. Things have a funny way of falling into place becoming clear when you step out of your normal routine and disconnect from the internet, Facebook, and email.
I decided to devote some of the energy I threw into renovating my home into my making over my life. I stopped biting my nails, a rather embarrassing habit I've had since I was about three years old. I was so afraid of getting sick while in China, I didn't dare put my fingers anywhere near my mouth. I felt a lot less anxious in China and I wasn't consumed by silly distractions. I was still and present. I simply stopped biting my nails, when I felt the urge I redirected my thoughts. It was simple and yet one of the hardest things I have ever done. I thought about the things that I don't like about myself, like my crooked teeth, or how I don't always take the best care of myself. I decided to straighten my teeth, lose ten pounds- very easy to do in China. I don't care much for the food, but it's also not as rich as American cuisine. I found a new hair stylist and.....
I also came to the conclusion it was time to make a career change- a big one. I've enjoyed much success, I always have and I always will, that is who I am. I realize this may sound arrogant, but I don't intend to be. I'm not special- far from it, I just don't view as failure as an option. I have failed, but the way I see it is, losing a battle doesn't mean you have lost the war!
It's ironic that when I was twenty five years old working in a corporate setting I felt trapped, so I enrolled in graduate school and embarked on a new career.
I loved my new job, my role, but now I don't. In fact I can't get out of this profession fast enough. I felt like a failure, I questioned why I couldn't just be content. According to society, I have it all and realize I do. I'm very grateful for all the things I have and the goals I have accomplished, but that doesn't mean I don't get to change my mind. Why I should feel guilty for having these feelings? Yes, I have job security, I get paid a decent salary, I have good benefits. I don't take these things lightly, but I want something else.
The truth is when I was in college I always loved science. Science was and still is my frenemy. I started my college career in Biology and ended it in Cultural Anthropology. I love Anthropology it's a perfect blend of science and humanity. I enjoyed it and came easy to me, I could go out and do the things I loved and still make the grade. As I matured my old frenemy reminded me how I gave up too easily on our "friendship" and I realized I needed to mend that fence. After much thought soul searching, I have decided to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant (PA). This is a leap for me as I'm currently an administrator at a large college.
I can't ignore the excitement I feel at the thought of becoming a PA. Before I can officially enroll in my degree program I need to complete 30 credit hours of prerequisites. I'm happy to say I completed my first course in chemistry and I'm enrolled in two summer school courses.
I know this means, working full time, going to school part time, tending to my marriage and of course still working on my house. I have made a lot progress there too! It was featured in a historic tours of homes. The downstairs is completely renovated and refurnished. The upstairs is painted and the floors have been refinished. We replaced the gutters and installed a new fence. All we have left to renovate are two large bathrooms and the attic!
For the summer we're going to paint the outside of the house, landscape the back and build a custom fire pit. I will share pictures once those projects are started.
I hope to share this journey with you all. I know what I'm doing is going to be incredibly difficult and I'm sure I will question my sanity for taking this leap, but I know it's the right path for me. The excitement I feel is electric and that's the feeling I'm going to put in my pocket during chemistry class. Sadly, I still don't like chemistry!
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