Frustrations

It seems like I have been job searching for an eternity now. I finally got a call for an interview, which I scheduled, but I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. The job would involve a lot of driving and I would be taking a sizable pay cut, but I would have benefits and a 401K. I could always supplement my income by staying at VCG part time, but that wouldn't leave me much time for an internship (if that ever gets set up!!!), which is an important consideration.
In other news, I am still struggling to set up my internship. I have to be supervised be an AAMFT approved supervisor, of which there are only seven in the valley, and I have to find a place that will let me do master's level work with a BS- not an easy task. Between this and my job search I want to pull my hair out!!! But at least my class is going well.

For the record

With the exception of the gel booties (thanks mom!), once again, my list was ignored!!! and you wonder why I drag my feet about making them up!

Cleanin' Out My Closet

I was looking through my closet today, mostly because JcPenney always sends me a coupon in August, to see if I was in need of any clothes. While I don't absolutely need anything, I decided to use the coupon on a long sleeved shirt or two- most of mine fit but are big and make me look either dumpy or ten pounds heavier. So off I went to JcPenney where I was reminded of why my body sucks. Apparently, I am at that akward stage of body transformation ( some call it weight lose, I prefer the more positive and dramatic "body transformation") where nothing fits exactly right. (sigh) You see, empire waists are all the rage right now. This good because I happen to like this style and they (usually) look good on me. So I picked one out in a medium (because that is my size now!!!) and it fit everywhere but the chest. So, because I really liked the shirt, I lowered myself and picked up a large- which was too big. Bastards! After trying on both sizes several times, I decided to get the medium and wear it so that the "waist" is under the girls but with a camisole so that I can still be modest.

At Last...!

I FINALLY have high speed internet!!!!!

A Post for Mama

Today my mom turns 29 with 25 years of experience. I honor of her birthday and just because I think she needs to see her self through someone else's eyes.........
My mom taught me:
* The value of hard work: my mom has the best work ethic of anyone I know and thankfully she taught it to all of her children. This work ethic has helped me in everything I do. Most of my supervisors loved me because I worked so hard. It has also helped me stick to my goals.
*Responsibility: My mom, really both my parents, expected me to be responsible and didn't tolerate anything less. At the time, I really hated this, but now I'm glad that they did because, again, it has helped me in everything I do.
*How Not to be a victim: My mom had a rough childhood, however she has never used this as an excuse. She taught me that sometimes bad things happen but that doesn't mean you lay down and die.
*How to forgive: My mom's parents were quite mean to her when she was a child and I think that most people would understand if she left their house at 18 and never spoke to them again. However, she forgave them for how they treated her and now takes care of her mother. I have never quite understood how she was able to do this- she must be an awefully good person!
*The value of silliness: My mom is the silliest person I know- it's like she held on to her five year old self. Sometimes it can be such a release to be incredibly silly.
* The importance of snuggling: Up until I moved out of the house, my mom would periodically invite us all to hang out on her bed and snuggle. I loved these pow wows.
*It's ok to make mistakes: I have made my fair share of mistakes, but each and everytime, my mom has been there to reassure me that everything would be ok.
*Unconditional love: .....not that I was a bad kid.....but I'm sure there were days....
*Always pursue dreams: my mom went back to school to get her associates degree about 20 years and three kids after she graduated high school. If that doesn't take guts, then I don't know what does! I had a hard time get back in to the swing of things after a two year break from school, I can't imagine how hard it is after 20 years!
*The value of Family: My mom always said family comes first and she has always stuck to this despite her upbringing. It facinates me that even though she had a rough childhood and the dysfunctional family, she continues to be loyal to all of them.
*How to be a decent human being(kindness, consideration, and respect): I am proud to say I am nice person because any more, we are a rare bread. In all fairness, I have both of my parents to thank for this, not just my mom.
* The correct way to read a children's storybook: I cannot explain this, she just does it better then anyone else I know.
* Strenght: My mom has commented on how strong I am but I believe that I learned this from her. There are a lot of things that have happened to her that would make anyone want to run for the hills, but she didn't.

This list is not, of course, comprehensive. These are the things that stick out the most for me. Thanks mom!

Birthday Ideas

Since you all complain that I never give you gift ideas, here are a few:
* the 5th season of Scrubs
*Earth Therapeutics Soft-Soles Gel Booties which can be found at Bed, Bath & Beyond
*Susan Branch books

Belly Watch 2007

I think I have been subconsciously waiting for my phone to ring ever since I read Steph's post about feeling normal again. My guess is that, much like his siblings, he will not be bothered to wait for something as trival as a due date or his parents to be ready for his arrival. I am particularly excited for this one, not because it's a new baby(although that is exciting), but because I am curious to see what he winds up being named. It seems like a suitable name doesn't exist!

PS. This is the way my computer saved this picture and I can't figure out how to rotate it on Blogger- if anyone knows how please tell me!!

Note to Steph

Ok, you're right...it is cathartic.

ARRRG!!!!

I mentioned before that I will hopefully be starting the clinical requirements for my degree in August. In order to do that, I have to find a place to see clients and a supervisor. So, I went the the AAMFT website and looked at their directory of approved supervisors. Then I emailed one and she, by some miracle said that she would gladly supervise me and she would check if I could intern at the agency she works at and oh, by the way where do you go to school? So I wrote her back thanking her for her kindness and explaining that I go to an online school and explaining how my degree program works. And then she wrote back and said that she would only supervise me if her agency would let me intern there- she thought that I went to one of the local schools and that is why she agreed to supervise me no matter where I did my internship. And suprise, suprise..her agency doesn't have space. Bastards!!! I am so sick of people thinking that just because I don't spend three hours a week in a lecture hall I getting an inferior education! My degree program requires just as much work, if not more, as the programs at the local colleges and I am held to the exact same standards as those students are!!!!

FYI

I have been told that we will have high speed internet by the end of July. I would imagine that I will be able to post more frequently then since I will not have to compete with my roomate,oops I mean roommates, for the phone line!

Opinions Please!

Jen recently mentioned to me that she heard that our graduating class is having a ten year reunion. She wants to go-but only with a group of friends. I say of course she wants to go: she's engaged, has a master's degree, is casually house shopping, and has a great job that she loves. I am on the fence. I am already in touch with pretty much everyone from high school that I really want to associate with, but it would be interesting to hear what other people are up to. However, unlike Jen, I have a crappy job that I am trying to get rid of, not even a mister right for now, and I am currently wondering what I'm going to do when our lease expires in May. Although, the Master's is in progress. What do all of you think?

The State of Me

Ok, I know that it has been quite a while since I have last posted. SOOO...just so that EVERYONE is aware:
* The job search continues- it's hard to find a good job at the Bachelor's level that pays decently because most of the jobs require either a Master's Degree or just a high school diploma(so they don't pay well). So I continue to check careerbuilder everyday in the hopes that something, anything, good will be waiting for me.
* The Man search continues, but what else is new? Whoever said a good man is hard to find wasn't kidding!!
*I will NOT be moving in to Jen's house- she and her fiance decided they couldn't swing a house, so I will be hoping and praying that I find a good job with better pay comes along so that I can swing my own appartment when our lease expires next may.
* School is going well- I have gotten A's in all but one of the classes I took to date! (I got a B- an 89%- in the other class) I will be starting my next class, Family Therapy with Children, on July 1st and hopefully starting my practicum ( which involves me actually conducting therapy under the supervision of a licensed MFT!! Exciting and scary!) on August 1st.

The (not) skinny

Today my trainer decided to take my measurements and my body fat percentage- these, especially the BF%, are a better indicator of health then your weight. Much to my frustration, my measurements are exactly the same as they were four months ago, even though I have been eating better and working out slightly more, which did not make either of us happy. My body fat percentage went down by 1%, which is good, but it is still not in the healthy range. So, I decided to get a scale that measures weight, % of water in your body,and BF% to keep track of them and motivate me to eat better and workout. I have resisted buying a scale because I have a tendency to get fixated on the number on that scale and completely forget that that is only part of the picture. When I did it late morning it rated me as obese- which shocked me. I decided to do it again tonight and record it and the percentage went down by 2%, which is in the "overfat" range- strange because this was after I had eaten lunch, dinner and some snacks, so I wonder if the time of day it is done matters. I also wonder if the time of the month would impact it. I also bought these green tea dietary supplement pills out of sheer curiosity. They were only 5.00 and I have heard reports of something in green tea helping with weight loss, so I thought if they work, it will kick start my weight loss and if they don't I'm only out 5.00. And yes mom, I checked the ingredients and I can bring the package over for your approval!

Ok, now everyone cross their fingers....

My horoscope for today:

March 26, 2007
Yes, it is your turn now, Laura. Perhaps you have been waiting and waiting for something, and somehow, the timing just hasn't seemed right. Perhaps there has been some big blockage in the way, either mental, or physical. Wait no longer, because the time is here. Step up to the plate and say your piece. There are no more excuses so don't hold back. The more you contribute, the more you will be richly rewarded.

I read my horoscope for fun, but I wish that just this once it would be true!

Spring Cleaning

I have been so busy with school work that I didn't have time to clean my room and it got quite messy- I felt like I was living in a storage facility! SO, I spent the majority of today cleaning my room, along with my cabinets in the kichen. I know my room doesn't seem like that big of a project, but I have packed a suprising amout of stuff in to that room!! I feel so much better now! I also baked a cake of sorts- I used a few small loaf pans with the batter instead of a 9 x 13 pan. I'm going to miss having all this free time when I start my classes next Sunday!

ahem....

I would just like to point out that certain people who picked on me for not updating my blog have not updated their blogs. Who's the slacker now?!

One down, one more to go

Since my last client of the day cancelled, I am home all by myself right now. So being the good little blogger who got her head chewed off for not updating that I am, I decided to post. Happy now?! Last night I turned in the final three assignments for my one class, which felt good. Now I just need to do the final two assignments for my other class and I will be done....for a couple weeks. I plan to start my next 2 classes in April, so I will not have much of a break.

FYI

I realize that you all are just foaming at the mouth to read about my….uh….exciting? life, but please stop with the comments. I know that you are trying to be funny, but honestly, it’s just annoying. I work more then 40 hours a week in a very stressful field with many people who add more stress. I am taking classes towards my master’s degree- which is like having a part time job and is also a source of stress. Not to mention the tension with one of my roommates and the time I must devote to the gym(and yes, it is a necessity- I believe we have mentioned a desire for grandchildren for mom and a promotion to “Aunt” Stephanie) I do not have a lot of free time and posting is on the lower end of the list of priorities. Please be patient!!!

Full Moon

My roommates have been acting very strangely lately. Jen started dating a new guy and ever since she has been friendlier. She has also gone MIA- I haven’t seen her for the past four days, which is very out of character for her. Liza is apparently fighting with Jen, for reasons only she(Liza) understands. She is also worried about Jen since we don’t know Mike, the aforementioned guy, all that well and Jen has been spending A LOT of time with him.

Psst.....

Even thought I do not work in a field that typically recieves tips or gifts during this time of year, we do have clients, not all of them but some, that get us little gifts. Generally it's a little something from the dollar store, but we do occationally get a really nice gift, such as the one above. I have always appreciated these gifts, no matter what they are, because I think that is the parent's way of saying that they are grateful for what we do. But if I'm being entirely honest, a sincere "Thank you" from a parent means more then anything that could be bought.