Year at a Glance (idea stolen from my sister-in-law!)

This year has flown by and I cannot believe that 2012 will be here so very very soon!! So, I wanted to look back at the year and relive the wonderful times of the past year!

January

This month began my testing to be certified in Washington

Also, there were baby showers that lead to a whirlwind weekend

of a two day trip to Chicago for Amie & Rochelle's Baby showers

 
February

This was a BIG month! 

I finished my TB treatments on February 11th

On February 15th our niece Zoey was born as well as our 

second cousins (twins!) Roxy & Ray

 

March

Another big month!

I went to California for Uncle Ron's Birthday

There was a tsunami in Japan!

I turned 25! (yikes!)

Finally, we celebrated World TB day! 

Noah (Amie's 1st baby) was born

 

April

This month began Brian's rotation in Portland, OR

this included lots of traveling for Delilah and I! 

It was great to explore a new city though! :)

This also included a trip to the ORIGINAL Original Pancake House!

 

May

Delilah turned 1 year old!

Brian and I had our Wedding Reception

We finally had our Honeymoon!! :) 

 

 

June

My friend Jenny came to visit & love Delilah

Brian and I celebrated our 1st Anniversary!

Brian finished his 2nd year of Residency!

 

July

Brian's Oral Surgery

Brian's 28th Birthday

 

August

This month was rather uneventful...

Lots of doctor appointments and

a week long trip home! 

Delilah went back to doggie school

September

A busy month again...

We went camping & took Delilah for her first time

We attended the mountain festival

I chopped off my hair

and Brian and I received awards for our FRG service

  October

Jay & Charlotte got married

Lilly Jane celebrated her 1st Birthday

Brian & I went to BlueMan Group with friends

Our Nephew Oliver was born

I lead the Halloween Parade at MAMC

 

November

Operation Santa a HUGE success!

Brian & I had our first Thanksgiving at home 

and had an intern over to celebrate

December

Brian & I attended MAMC's Holiday Fest

John & Sarah got married

Brian & I were able to be home for Christmas

We will celebrate 2011 and ring in 2012!

 

  

 

 We are so looking forward to 2012, which will be filled with so many wonderful celebrations, joys, and some difficulties!! All and all we will come out of it smiling and very much in love! :)

  

 

   

 

It's been too long...

So, it has been a long semester and thus a VERY long time since I last posted. I finished my classes for the semester Monday evening and final grades will be posted on the 19th, but I already know what my grades are... and once again I was able to pull out straight A's!! :) I am so excited!! I only have one class left and that is a preparatory class for the Comprehensive Exam that I will take the end of March. The class will be from January 9th - March 7th. 

As for my Comprehensive Exam... I am terrified, but I made myself a promise that I am going to try to not think about it or work on it until January 9th when we are back in school. I so desperately need to take this break from school to ward off being as burnt out as I feel. I am going to try to be in a stable, calm, and relaxed mindset when going into this exam. All I can do is the best I possibly can and that is all that anyone can ask of me. I do not plan to blow it off, but I am not going to kill myself over it. 

My final thought on the subject... I have EARNED straight A's in EVERY Master's class I have taken, if I don't pass the Comprehensive Exam then there is something wrong with the school and those grading my exam... NOT me! 

So, my plans until January 9th... I am looking forward to a trip home to see my family and my in-laws and I intend to leave my computer at home! I have already begun reading a book for enjoyment, the Steve Jobs book (which is fabulous so far!) and I hope to enjoy relaxing and getting to know my neighbor a little more.

Blogger Slacker

I have been a slacker blogger as of late, so I thought I should get myself together and write a blog entry.

School has been trucking along and I still cannot wait for this semester to be over! I love love love my Monday class, which is my Drug and Alcohol class, but my Wednesday class (Educational Research) is less then interesting and the teacher... blah! 

I am still on track to be graduating in May, but I am still fearful of the entire Comps exam thing. I hope it will go over and be done quickly and as painless as possible.

On the home front we have begun the difficult and daunting task of figuring out where we would like to move to for our next duty stations. At times we have differing opinions and others we have at least our top three in sync (though I may be giving more then I would like). I am hoping that we will be closer to family and friends especially since we will be starting our own family soon. 

We are looking forward to having some residents over to our house for Thanksgiving, going home for Christmas, and then having family come to visit the remainder of the year before we move. In the time in between we need to paint our entire house and see if there is anything we want to rid ourselves of anything before the move. 

Well, until I write again. Tootles!! (I will try really hard to not make it so infrequent!)

I am so NOT doing a Thesis

Well, after much debate, discussion, tears, and nights of tossing and turning, but I have come to the decision to not write a thesis. Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, please know that I am still planning on finishing my degree and graduating in May. There is another exit option for the Masters program and that is a Comprehensive Exam (usually called Comps.). This is comprised of a 6 hour written test and then a two hour oral test. The reasons I decided to change my path include:

• I will more then likely not be able to write a thesis in our time left in WA
• I was extremely stressed about my thesis already
• A thesis is more time consuming which is somewhat difficult when trying to prepare our house to be sold so we can move

It certainly took a lot to get to this decision, but I feel it is the best for me and my sanity. I still need to tell my adviser about my decision, but that should not be an issue. 

As for current classes. I began my MED 601 (Educational Research) class on Wednesday and although it seems as though it will be a lot of work, I really feel like the teacher will take the time to teach us what she wants and all we need to do is listen and work. My other class, MED 545 (Drug & Alcohol Prevention and Counseling) will begin September 12th as that is our first Monday that we have class in session. I am looking forward to begin that class and hope that it will be an interesting one. 

In other news, Brian and I are hoping to head toward Illinois for Brian's brother's wedding the first weekend in October and are looking forward to seeing lots of family. Unfortunately dear Delilah will have to be boarded, but to our delight she loves going to the pet brigade! :)

A-A-A

Well, summer classes are over, grades are in, and amazingly I was able to get straight A's this semester!! I am really proud of myself this term, because it was really tough continuing school into the summer and staying motivated to do all of the work. I now have a little over three weeks to rest and relax, which if my meeting with my adviser is any indicator, it will not be restful. 

Yesterday I had a how are you doing meeting with my adviser and we discussed what is coming up with me the rest of my time at St. Martin's. This upcoming semester I have a drug & alcohol class as well as a research class, then the following semester will be all thesis all the time. So, it was suggested to take these three weeks to research, get my team together, and look for resources. Well, that changes my summer plans to... taking this week to rest and reap my rewards. Then the next two weeks doing research and connecting resources at Fort Lewis and through St. Martin's. The last and third week I will be home and the only homework I will be doing will be getting a head start on my reading for the upcoming semester. It makes the summer a little more stressful, but I am still going to take some time to enjoy so I don't get burnt out. 

Now, back to movies, girly time (since hubby is at work), and snacks for dinner!! 

Let Summer Begin!

School is Almost Out for SUMMER!

Well, tomorrow is my last day of class for the summer and I am beyond excited. I have three and a half weeks of summer vacation to relax, enjoy, and not think about homework (though I will be trying to read ahead for my classes in the fall). This summer semester has certainly been tough, but all in all I made it and I am a stronger person because of it. 

In my Army life I am a busy bee doing all sorts of things and going to all sorts of meetings for the FRG. Coming up for us is Organizational Day (O-Day) which will be the 12th and is a huge carnival type activity outside of the hospital. I am super excited about helping with it and meeting all sorts of new people. 

Also exciting news in three weeks from today I get to go home and visit my family for about 5 days! I am really excited to see everyone and to spend some time with my parents! Other then that there is no news, which I suppose is good news.

Class Cancelled

Lucky me! My class got cancelled today and I was able to meet Brian for his oral surgery consultation. So, unfortunately I showed up for the appointment only to have a nurse tell me I am not allowed to sit in on the consultation due to some messed up policy they have. That was aggravating!! Oh well, all in all I sat in a waiting room and then got to spend some time with Brian at Madigan and grab a quick bite to eat. Tomorrow is Brian's oral surgery, but it isn't all it was supposed to be, just the removal of a cracked tooth. So, hopefully Brian will not be in too much pain for his birthday.

1.5 classes this part of Summer

Well, I am now in 1.5 classes. (The .5 because it will be ending in about a week.) School has been going okay, and I really think my class in the beginning of the summer went well and I cannot be more thrilled that it is over. The class I am in now provides many opportunities to get ahead, though it has a dreaded midterm test as well as a final exam (EWW!!) I am only attending class on Wednesday nights now and I am at the main campus which is nice and close to the house. 

On the home front, Brian is working ICU this month and thus works long shifts. We have been making new friends with the new interns coming into town, which is really nice. I am becoming more and more involved in military life and the FRG (Family Readiness Group). All in all things are coming together, it is a beautiful summer, and we still miss our family so much. 

Brian and I celebrated our one year anniversary about a week ago and enjoyed some time off together which was an amazing change of pace. Well, off to write a paper... always fun!

Summer 1/2 way done... school loans on the horizon

Well, I will soon be done with my first half of summer classes. Wednesday is my last class and I couldn't be happier! I am so excited to get moving with this whole summer classes and get closer to being done and being ready to have my three weeks off in August. I am planning on coming home in that time, but we will have to see how that works. 

The damper on all this would be my financial aid package came in the mail yesterday and again we have to decide on loans. Taking out loans makes me so sick to my stomach, it just makes me so uncomfortable. It will talk some talking, but I know Brian and I will figure it out eventually. I just cannot wait to be done in less then a year from now. 327 Days to be exact...

Yuck, well... I am going to try to get ahead in my other classes! Later Gaters!

Summer School Begins

Well, I just finished my first week of summer school. Next week it is more classes and my on-line class is supposed to begin. I hope to get a lot of homework done this weekend so I don't have to stress too much over our vacation. So, let's see what do I need to do this weekend... read an entire text book, do two mind maps, and figure out what I need to know to get my assignment done that is due the day after we get back. Then all I will have to do next week is that assignment and whatever we get from our on-line class. Doesn't that sound like the life? Ha ha ha!!

Along with all this... I have to pack and prep for vacation, get everything in order, and love my puppy because I am going to miss her SOOO much! Oh yeah, and of course attempt to enjoy this weekend which is when we will celebrate Armed Forces Day and I get to see the new Pirates!! :D YEAH!! 

Well, homework calls...

Summer Break!! (Kinda...)

Well, I am just about to finish my first week of "summer break!" Next week I will again have the entire week off and then that will be the end of my summer break and classes again will start. This summer is going to be somewhat rough with all of the work, reading, and attempting to enjoy the nice weather. 

So... many of you (or maybe none of you) are wondering what am I doing with all of this wonderful time off. Well... 

Sunday the 8th - Brian and I are going to a White Sox v. Mariners Game

Tuesday the 10th - I get to take Delilah to the Vet for her Vaccines :( Poor Baby!

Friday the 13th - Brian has off so we will hopefully do something

Saturday the 14th - There is an FRG Meeting at Tolmie Park that Delilah and I will attend

After that... School, School, and more School at least until Brian and I go on vacation on the 26th of May till the 4th of June! I cannot wait!! :D

More once I start classes!

Clear as Mud

Well, my schedule for this summer, this fall, and next spring has been decided and I have a graduation date in my sights!!

This Summer I will be taking:

MED 607 - Foundations for Education Practice: 5/16 to 6/24 (on-line)

MED 524 - Early Childhood Education: 6/27 to 8/5 (4:00 - 7:30 in Centralia) - Monday & Wednesday

MED 563 - Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners: 5/18 to 6/26 (6:00 - 9:30 in Lakewood) - Monday & Wednesday

Not too shabby... seems to be pretty intensive in the start of summer, but relaxes at the end. Then will come my Fall Semester.

In the Fall I will be taking:

MED 545 - School Drug Prevention and Counseling: 8/30 to 12/8 (6:00 - 8:50 in Lacey) - Mondays

MED 601 - Educational Research I: 8/30 to 12/8 (6:00 - 8:50 in Lacey) -Wednesdays

Then, my final semester will be the spring and I will only be taking MED 699 - Which is writing my thesis and then I will defend it in the beginning of May before Graduating on May 12, 2012. This is the plan as of thus far, a million things could happen, but I am going to work my bum off to get this thing  done before our impending move June 2012.

As always, I appreciate your support in my quest for this higher education and master's degree in the short time we are in Washington. 

Until May 16th, I have one class tomorrow and then relaxing until then!!

Summer Registration

I am trying to work on registering for my summer classes. Another big mess, but I am less stressed now because it is hopefully all figured out! Although, I can't register yet for some strange reason... hopefully Monday. Also, a fourth class I can't register for until three weeks before (May 3rd) my class since it is on JBLM. So... lets see what's on tap for the summer:

1. Foundations in Education Practice

2. Early Childhood Education

3. Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners

4. Educational Research I

Sounds like fun right, well... Class #1 is on-line 5/16 - 6/24 (Thank goodness), Class #2 is 6/25 - 8/5 on T & R, Class #3 is 5/18 - 6/26 on M & W, and Class #4 is hopefully on-line, but no idea till May! So, all in all I have two classes the first half of summer one on-line, and one the second half, and of course the one in limbo.

Well, until I finally finish registering... I will let you be in wonder and awe!!

Spring Break 2011

Woo Hoo!! Spring Break!! Ha ha ha!! Well... this week is my Spring Break... although it is almost over. I was able to spend a long weekend in California for my uncle's 70th birthday, I will celebrate my 25th birthday, and I had the opportunity to deal with this plaguing illness I have been dealing with. 

No big plans for my birthday... just hanging out with my hubby and puppy during the day (when hubby isn't sleeping), working on homework, blowing my nose 100 times, and catching up on some MUCH needed sleep. Over all a very relaxing and productive Spring Break!! I have never been the run off to Florida or Mexico for Spring Break type of person... but maybe next year. HA ha ha!!

In other news... 72 Days until Brian and mine Reception!! Lots to do... cake, flowers, and figure out music. Any help... is most appreciated!! :D

I vote we skip tomorrow...

Tomorrow... will NOT be a good day for either myself nor my hubby! It is a SUPER stressful day for both of us! The only shinning light being... John is turning 21!! WOO HOO!

So, here are our tasks tomorrow:

Brian- BIG In service test from 6:45 AM - 1PM, then lunch with other residents, and figuring out dinner

Me- IEP meeting at 8AM, Observed for the last time at 10AM, Go to Brian's lunch think @ 1PM, Midterm (which according to the teacher EVERYONE fails) @ 6PM, and finally going home and RELAXING! This will all be followed by studying the next two days for a WA state test for my teaching certificate. 

YUCK!! I want to quit now! The only saving grace for me would be that I basically had a 4 day weekend for President's Day Break (AKA Midwinter Break). 

I can't wait till March 1st. My life will become so much easier & less stressful!! :D

Workin' Hard For the... Degree..

Working hard in school has been my main job as of late... every day that I am around and not jet setting around the country I am spending my morning from about 8AM until about 12:15PM at a school in a self contained classroom. Then I drive home to arrive about 1:00 to let out the puppy and play with her. These morning activities are followed by school either from 3 - 10 or 5 - 10 with driving time Monday - Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are somewhat lighter with just my morning commitment, laundry, cleaning, and then homework. So stressful... but at least the morning commitment will be completed the end of February and I will have some extra time! Until then... back to the grind...

First Week is Done!

Well, my first week of school is done! I started out with 5 classes and have reduced the  number to 4. One of my classes was identical to a class I had taken in undergrad, so I asked if it was necessary for me to be enrolled. They decided no, so I dropped the class and returned the books. Saved us lots of money! 

So, classes seem like they will be somewhat challenging this semester since there will be lots of reading and about 100 hours of observing/teaching. I got assigned at the same school as last term which is good, but have yet to get a hold of anyone to help me set up my starting date. I will have to continue my harassment on Monday. 

Other then that I have lots and lots of reading to do (my least favorite thing to do in school... since most of it is so dry and uninteresting). I better get to it... 

Later Gaters!

WEST-B on Saturday

Well, it has come to that time... I am going to be taking Washington's version of the Basic Skills test on Saturday. I must say I am really nervous about this whole thing. I hope that some of my basic reading, writing, and math skills are still sharp enough to get me through this God awful test!

I don't understand why we are even put through Standardized testing. We are told that they are not good, they are biased, and that we shouldn't put all of this emphasis on testing yet that is what we, as teachers, do to ourselves as well as our students. RIDICULOUS!!! Rawr!! 

Anyways, so this all means that I have to get up at 6:15 AM to be at my test site prior to 8AM which is when the test begins in Tacoma. Yuck!! So... early to bed on Friday night... so much for partying the weekend before classes start!

On another note... my second semester of Grad School classes start Monday and I was just informed via an e-mail from a different teacher that one of my Monday classes will be canceled... nice of the actually teacher of the class to tell us isn't it?! Then we will again not be having class the following week due to MLK Jr. day and I am guessing that the following week we will be having to read all four of the text books she made us buy for this class. Grrr... 

Well, I will just use that time to figure out what I will be writing my thesis on... any suggestions? I have three ideas:

1. Autism

2. Aspergers Syndrom

3. O.D.D. (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)

Let me know what you think!! More after classes start... tootles!!