Archives for May 2014

1. As you know, I finished the April A to Z Challenge last week. The main thing I can say is…whew! Although I genuinely enjoyed the challenge, I feel wiped. I don’t recommend doing this while trying to finish grad school! But, that being said, I’d love to join up next April.  I think next time I would have to get a little more creative, though. Now that it’s over, I’m also struggling with the focus of my blog now. Every day, I can’t help but think what’s my letter for today? Oh wait, no letter…what do I write about? I would also do it again just because I found some new great blogs. However, because of my oppressive schedule, I wasn’t able to network as much as I’d like. There were also so many participants, it was difficult to even visit everyone taking part. I hoped my blog would grow much more than it did, but I think it was the wrong time of my life to commit to that, as I could barely keep up with posting, much less exploring new blogs. Either way, I’m glad I did it, and now…I’m glad it’s over!

2. As I’ve alluded to on this blog, I’ll be finishing up my degree in June. Let me just say…yay! I successfully passed my oral thesis at the end of April (YAY!) and I’ve been so relieved. I only have a few papers, a few classes, and my internship left until freedom. What am I going to do with myself? Mostly I just need to have some fun. Luckily, my parents, my sister and E’s parents are coming for my graduation, and then we’ll be going on a road trip to the Grand Canyon and to see a few more corners of Colorado before we move in July. I also can’t wait to celebrate graduating with my school friends, some ladies I’ve become really close with. We really deserve to have some fun! I did start last weekend with a concert–Ellie Goulding at Red Rocks! Ellie is a goddess.

3. While I have a lot of work to do this weekend, we also have very few social plans (except a brewery tonight and our usual Game of Thrones party on Sunday…). While I just told you all how much I need to have fun, I also need a weekend with no big social obligations! Especially as the rest of May is full of baby showers (one of which I’m hosting!), goodbye parties, birthday parties, graduation parties, Memorial Day parties…so I guess I won’t have any trouble finding places to have fun. I need some sleep this weekend…because I’m an old woman, apparently! Grad school will do that to you. I also have been trying to get more nutrients so I can actually survive this (I’m not dramatic at all), so, excuse me while I become a “blogger” and drink more of this smoothie. It’s really the best recipe and I can’t get enough.

4. This past week, I attended a training for Animal-Assisted Therapy. Although I don’t talk about it much on the blog, I am a therapist for a local community mental health center and a local school (I usually can’t talk about it due to confidentiality and you know, ethics). I was so inspired by this training and would love to have a therapy dog, especially if I decide to pursue counseling as a career (which many of my classmates are doing). I also suddenly want to have a house with a bunch of lands, surrounded by the woods and water, filled with adopted animals. Suddenly I don’t want to move overseas! Wah. Don’t make me go! (Come back next week and my tune will totally have changed). But seriously, check out this pup (paparazzi alert!):

5. Finally, I am very excited to announce that the lovely Brianne has nominated me for a Liebster Award! For those of you not in the know, this is a blog award giving by other bloggers that they enjoy and that may not have as many followers as the major blogs. Then, the recipient passes it on! Sort of like a chain letter without the threats of “if you don’t pass this on, you’ll have bad luck for ten years.” I’m so honored and excited. My first award!!! Thanks for making my week (or month?) Brianne! Next week, I’ll answer Brianne’s questions (also part of the award) and nominate some bloggers that I love!