Preparing for THE Job Interview Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day. I am interviewing at SMU for the best job I could ask for at this point in my life. It is one I didn’t think I’d qualify for, but they still asked for an interview. I’m getting nervous. I’ve done my research on the program and understand the job posting, but so many questions still remain.

Can I do this? Am I ready for this? Can I keep an open mind so I’m sure if I get the job that I want to work there? How do I keep from rambling? What can I expect? Will this be a firing squad of questions? What if I don’t know the answers to some of the questions? What if they ask questions I’m supposed to know the answers to but I have no clue? Does that mean I’m not ready to be a Health Educator? Does that mean my degree really is worthless?

I know I’m only psyching myself out, but my biggest fear is that they’ll ask me questions I’m supposed to know but don’t. Things like “Using the health belief model, how would you assess person A’s readiness to comply with a program? And what tailored program would you create for said person?” Or what if they spurt off terms I don’t know?

I’m hoping this is way less stressful than I am anticipating. It just feels like my whole degree is on the line. I really want this job and feel like I could do great things with it. This passion to educate college students about health topics is new but strong. I have a fear of failing…

7 months, 10 1/2 days!

Morning Breath

I’m going to take a minute to talk to all of you about one of my biggest pet peeves in the entire world – bad morning breath. I can’t stand it. It makes me nauseous. And just because you aren’t talking doesn’t mean I can’t smell it. Just breathing through the nostrils lets out the terrible smell – hello! your nose and mouth are connected you know!!

7 months and 11 days!

Quick Update Amidst Chaos

Alright, so I don’t have much time to update – and might not until Monday evening at some point. But I just had to update you on something INCREDIBLE!

SMU called today and want me to come interview for the job on MONDAY! I am so excited, I can’t even begin to tell you!

So now this relaxing weekend is turning into one of chaos! I just finished my grant early and then it’s on to a 10 page paper that I want to finish early too – need to add both to my hopefully impressive portfolio. I will keep you posted as I know things. Wish me luck!!!

7 months, 14 days!!

Checking Off the Checklist

Today I have been busy getting ready to send save-the-dates. I have been emailing and messaging and texting people to get finalized addresses – this is going to be great for sending wedding invitations too, since it’ll all be done.

Hopefully these save-the-dates will be printed this weekend. I just have to find a place that will do a good job without costing an arm and a leg. Anyone in BCS with any suggestions, please contact me! Once they’re printed, it’s all about addressing, stuffing, stamping, and sending. We’re sending them in envelopes so they won’t smear or get ruined in the mail. If we’re spending this much money on them (and if Heather spent that much time creating them), you are going to keep them FOREVER on fridges and in scrapbooks. This is kind of a threat.

I also gave my dad some updates for the wedding website to make it all current and stuff. That needs to happen periodically since we change our minds and now things are starting to be set in stone. How exciting!

Hopefully a newspaper engagement announcement will also be in the not-so-distant future. Loving it!

7 months, 15 1/2 days!

Phillip This Weekend

Thursday night, my wonderful Phillip is coming in town. I’m ready to have a weekend to ourselves with no real big plans – other than watching the WORLD SERIES! I want a relaxing time with him to just hang out and enjoy each other’s company. We haven’t done that in a really long time. We are passed due for a date night and past due for laying around the apartment all day together. I can’t wait!

7 months, 16 days!

Thoughtful Mood

I’m at Muldoon’s again. This time I’m actually here to get things done. I finished writing the section of my grant proposal that’s due tomorrow and even corrected a previous section with suggestions made by my professor. Productive much? Yes.

Tomorrow night I’m going to tackle that COMM paper that’s due next Tuesday. It’s actually just a rough draft, but it’s going to be graded and has the same requirements as the final paper. Therefore, it’s basically the final paper. I need to get on that, especially since Phillip is coming in town this weekend.

So back to my thoughtfulness. I can’t really explain what I’m thinking about because it isn’t one thing. I’m thinking about a lot of little things all at once. It’s overwhelming. I feel weird and indifferent but also worried as if something scary is on the horizon. I suppose this is due to my fast approaching graduation. My dad sent me back to College Station with boxes to start packing. Since then I guess my mind has been racing.

I looked at my planner today and have so much already filled in for 2011. Crazy how the older you get the busier you get. I never thought I’d actually believe that seeing as I denied it and told my parents my life was busier and more complex than theirs every time they tried to tell me life only gets harder when I was having a freak out over the smallest things.

7 months 16 1/2 days!

Mission Bridesmaid Dresses : COMPLETE

Yes, that’s right everyone! We found the perfect dresses for my beautiful maids to walk down the aisle in. I am too excited! I think they’ll look beautiful. The official shade of blue has been set and I can’t wait to run with it.

This weekend was a whole lot of fun and I’m glad I got to see everyone (except Shauna, who I will see ASAP). The bridal salon was absolutely magnificent and still has the best customer service in the entire world. They made picking out bridesmaid dresses fun and a big event. It was special and not at all a hassle. Great job, Pence and Panache!

Now I just have to chug through to graduation and applying for jobs. Thanksgiving is soon. Christmas is soon. New Years is soon. My life is taking off and I’m holding on to enjoy every second possible.

7 months and 17 days!

Resumes, Money, and Pizza - Oh My!

I'm currently in the midst of getting my resume more ready for other jobs to apply to. The career center is being painfully slow - hence me sending in my resume to SMU without the feedback that would have been helpful. Oh well. It was better to submit a resume that was good than wait for a great one and miss the deadline. Keep your fingers crossed!

I feel like this week has been draining already - paricularly in the wallet area. I didn't come into this week with a whole lot of money to spend, but wound up making bank account cry. And there's still so much to pay for. This is overwhelming. I hate having to shell out tons of money - and I hate when other people don't understand that. [No worries though - I get paid Friday!!!]

On a brighter note, I get to go pick up a free Papa Murpheys pizza tonight! Then spend even more money. I may eat the whole thing by myself. I. Just. Might. I've eaten pretty well lately so I suppose I deserve it.

7 months, 22 days!

Wedding Productivity

Tomorrow starts another week. It’ll be a relaxing one, but still one filled with class and work. I’m ready to be done with studying and tests and such. Perhaps that’s another thing pointing me in a different direction than nursing school? I mustn’t read into that too much.

Anyways. So this coming weekend is the Bridal Party Fitting! I am too excited! I can’t wait to see all of my girls in the same place and discuss wedding business. Having them pick out their dresses will make this thing even more real – as if it isn’t already. It’s getting crazy.

Today/tonight I actually got a lot of wedding stuff done. We have a nearly complete excursion list of the cruise! It’s narrowed down to 2 or 3 choices for each port. We’ll need to weight out the pros and cons to 100% decide what we want to do. But it’s an accomplishment, seeing as there’s like a bajillion excursions listed for each port. It’s been an exhausting task so 2 or 3 options is quite the thing to brag about.

The list of things for Phillip and me to register for is also complete. It’s a rough list of necessities given that we’ll inevitably go registry gun happy in every store and register for more art than we’ll have wall space for but at least we have what we absolutely need to register for in a consolidated list.

The pew arrangements and unity candle business was also worked out. I have a list of what is going on each pew, so that’s nice. All-in-all, we’ll need 6 mini bouquets, 6 words of devotion/love, and 12 candles. The words of devotion/love will be words like “love” or “trust” or whatever that are important to us. I’ll make them nice and pretty and put them on cardstock and attach them to pews using ribbon. This will be an elegant way to cut the costs associated with 12 bouquets (versus the 6 bouquets we need when using this cost-effective “filler”). It’ll look great. Trust me.

Um. What else did I do? Well, Heather is awesome and created a list of cake bakers in DFW, as well as a list of florists. Manda also contributed to the bakery list. I have a great and not overwhelming list of vendors to set up consultation appointments with. Those appointments will most likely take place in early January before Heather goes back to school.

Tabitha sent me song clips of first dance options. I’m still on the prowl for one. I have a couple of great options, but I want Phillip to decide from a list I give him, as previously explained. After all, it’s his song too.

Phillip and I have also officially decided on a ceremony time! 6:00 p.m.! It’s the time we told the church (and also told the Ballpark the reception will start at 7:00) but we told them it was tentative. But now we’re making it official. I would have loved for it to be later to indicate a more formal feel. However, given that we now have to leave Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. for Galveston and given that Phillip and I are both earlybirds, this is the best option. We just might have to add a little tid-bit about dress code to make it a little more formal. I’m thinking semi-formal (cocktail dresses and suits). What do you think?

I’m excited about what’s happening and what’s to come. I’ll keep you informed as more decisions are made and such. Things are starting to move quickly and I need to hold on for dear life!

7 months, 24 1/2 days!

A Break From Reality

Since my exam yesterday morning (I’m pretty sure I at least passed!), I have been doing nothing important – and enjoying every second of it. Last night I got to spend some time with Grace. This morning I haven’t left my bed for more than 2 minutes. I could get used to lazy Sundays.

I haven’t been able to do nothing since August. Every weekend, I have had something to do and somewhere to be. Today is a change of pace. Today I refuse to work on any school work. Luckily, I only have one measly assignment due Thursday at 5:00pm. I also refuse to feel the need to be somewhere at a certain time. I’m taking it easy. This feels nice. A welcomed change. I’ll feel refreshed this week instead of exhausted, like previous weeks.

7 months, 25 days!

Job Posting!

So last night after I finished up studying, I decided to search up a few jobs to see what was out there – you know, to gain some more options. I found one that I am actually going to apply for this week! Wow! I doubt I’ll get it because I have zero experience, but I meet the qualification requirements and even some of the preferred stuff. It’s worth a shot, right!?

Job Title: Program Specialist, Full-Time

Job Location: SMU Health Center

Area: Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention

Responsibilities: The program specialist is under the direction of the Director of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, plans, implements, and evaluates health education and prevention programming primarily addressing alcohol and drug abuse issues among university students.

Duties: Providing health education programming; outreaching to students through residence halls, Greek chapters, and student organizations; providing health education in other topic area such as STIs, eating disorders, and depression; Supervising continuing education and training; seeking funding for programming needs; evaluating, measuring or surveying students to identify needs and track outcomes of programming. [Pretty much, this is the job I have now but a higher position, obviously, than a student worker.]

Education and Experience: Bachelors degree required (Masters preferred). Experience with grant writing and fund raising is strongly preferred. (I’m enrolled in Grant Writing right now!). Experience supervising student organizations is desirable. Work experience in health education on a college campus preferred (Check!!).

This is so exciting. That’s my dream job at this point in my life. I have experience in the field and moving up would be nice. If nothing else, maybe I can get an internship out of it? I’ll let you know.

7 months, 26 days!!!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I come to you on a break from studying for the exam tomorrow. The more I go over the material, the more I realize that I know this stuff. I’ve been learning it all for three years now and feel like I can’t cram anymore. When the time comes to take the test, I know I’ll be able to pull information out of the depths of my long-term memory to pick the correct answer. Still nervous. Still studying. But almost ready.

I know all of you have been anxiously awaiting the announcement I eluded to in a previous entry (“Under Construction”). Well, after some meeting and thoughts, I’ve made a significant discovery:

I MAY NOT WANT TO DO NURSING SCHOOL ANYMORE

Or at least, not right now. I haven’t made my decision yet – it should be coming in early December, around graduation. But my wheels are turning and reflection is starting to take place.

What brought me to this epiphany you ask? Well several factors:

1. Coffee with Christine. A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful time seeing Christine and catching up. I was discussing my future plans with her and various ways in which I can use my degree if I do not get into nursing school. She said something to me that I had never considered. She said that I always talk about wanting to be a specific kind of nurse, but never about being a nurse in general. It’s true. I’m not yearning to give shots or bandage arms or clean bed pans. Can I do it? Absolutely. Can I work in a crisis? Saying it’s one of my strengths is an understatement. But do I want to do it? That’s a question I’m on a mission to answer.

2. UNT denied me. Yes, I am aware that with the exception of a small blurb at the bottom of an entry, I have not really talked about it much. The truth is, I’m bummed about not getting in. I was actually going to probably pick grad school over nursing school anyway – or rather, I was seriously considering it. Does being denied compel me to drop nursing school like an old hat? Not even close. But what it did do is make me realize that nursing wasn’t the only thing I wanted to do in my life and that other options do exist that I would enjoy equally – if not more.

3. TCU’s nursing school spoke at a Future Aggie Nurses meeting. An unlikely source of life-changing messages, I know. But it did get me thinking. The representative said that “nursing school is too hard to do just to do it.” Hm. I never thought of it that way. I’ve always figured it’s school and I can do it. However, if I’m not 100% into learning the material, I’ll die faster than a salt-covered slug. Yeah. I said it. I can’t decide six months into the program that nursing isn’t for me. That’s not fair to me nor is it fair to another candidate that wants my admission spot. I fear that may happen if I start in January.

4. My bosses gave me some clarity. They gave me some much needed advice and confidence about employers in the field. One of my big concerns is entering the health field without a master’s degree. But while it is a bonus to have more education, they told me it is not the first thing employers look at – or at least not the first thing my bosses have looked at.

5. The career center gave me more clarity. I made an appointment with a career advisor earlier in the week to see if I could get an unbiased opinion. Success! I spent an hour and a half with her, though the appointment was only supposed to be 30 minutes. She helped me perfect my resume – and was really impressed with my certification section. We also talked about how to look for jobs, when to look for jobs, and she showed me tons of resources the center has that I can utilize before I graduate. I was also coached on how to inquire about employers creating jobs for me. It kind of excited me.

6. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to make some extra money? With a wedding in the works and a husband still in school, the next year will be financially difficult. Having one of us in a full-time job would alleviate a lot of stress. I don’t view this reason as a top reason by any means, but still something to consider.

7. An uncertain future makes me want to hold off on schooling. With the possibility of Phillip attending graduate school in New Mexico, maybe it’s a good thing I wait a bit to start a second schooling career. If I started nursing school now, I’d either have to put it on hold for New Mexico or try my hardest to get as much as possible to transfer – risking loss of hours. I know there is no certainty to Phillip going to grad school there, but it is a significant option.

So I know you guys are thinking that my mind is already made up – and maybe it is. I don’t know. I’m not making a set-in-stone decision until after I find out if TCC accepts me into their nursing program or not. I want to do some more contemplating. I feel like I’m at a fork in the road and each path is one-way. I know I can always do the other option if I don’t like the first, but if that first option is nursing school, I’ll have a lot of time and work before I go back into the health field. I feel like possibly going into the workforce will give me some extra perspective. Maybe…?

Being a health major has opened my eyes to so many endless possibilities and lots of doors are open for me to walk through. I’m just not sure if I’m ready to close all of them just yet.

7 months, 27 days!

Neglect

It seems that I have been a little lazy when it comes to updating this blog. It feels like the last couple of weeks have flown by and I haven’t had the time to write as much as I’d like to – and when I finally do get to sit down, there seems too much to write. So, sorry for the gaps that exist. I promise, I’ll try harder in the future.

Saturday is the CHES exam. I’m getting rather nervous. It’s a big exam that will basically show if I’m cut out to be a Health Educator or not. I’m also contemplating a lot of things right now in regards to my future career. I need to see what’s out there and make the most informed decision possible. I’ve talked to my bosses and will talk to a career advisor tomorrow to give me more clarity. This weekend I’m going to spend a lot of time by myself at a park somewhere to further think about where I see myself come January. Things are up in the air and I haven’t been this uncertain in a long time. But I have faith. I’ll figure it out.

Next Saturday is the bridal party fitting. I’m so excited to spend time with my girls and see them in gorgeous dresses! Pray that it goes well and everyone can agree on a dress. It’ll make this wedding stuff that much more real.

Phillip’s coming the next weekend. I’m ready to have him all to myself. We haven’t been able to just enjoy each other’s company with no obligations since the end of August. I’m ready to spend time with him. I miss him!

Alright, I know this entry has been all over the place, so I’ll end with another random thing – countdown. I promised it so here it is!
CHES Exam : 2 days
Bridal Party Fitting : 9 days
Phillip Weekend / Halloween Weekend : 14 days
Elephant Walk : 1 month, 10 days
Thanksgiving Break : 1 month, 11 days
Graduation : 2 months, 4 days


7 months, 28 days!!!

8 Months to Go!!

That’s right, bloggers, there are only 8 more months left until the best night of my entire life. I truly cannot wait to celebrate Phillip and me with all of our wonderful family and friends. I love him and can’t wait to take that next step!

This week has had a rocky start, but I know it’ll get better. I’m exhausted and cranky. I need my sleep and I need to figure out what in the world I’m doing with my life. But the thing that gets me going is knowing that I am going home for good in a little over two months, and that I’m going into a world that I’ve waited my whole life for. That along is exciting enough to motivate me.

I made a rough wedding guest list tonight. Without our parents’ additions, the invite list comes to 208 people. Not bad. Right on par with what we were thinking. I’m sure the list will probably go up, but I also know that not everyone will be able to come.

Things are rolling along and I know these next months are going to fly by. I need to keep enjoying every second of it! I love you Phillip, and miss you like crazy!

8 months left!

Great Mood

Right now I am in a fantastic mood. I had a great girls weekend in Arlington, and even got to see Phillip for a bit. It was fun! I also have nothing really pressing to do this week and will actually be in College Station this coming weekend. I’m ready to relax.

Tomorrow, I will hopefully have help with wedding stuff. I need to get a rough draft of a guest list going and send it to the moms to revise. I also need to do a ton of Google searching. Yay for having great friends that are wanting to help!

I will be going to sleep soon – since I am bordering on delirium and exhaustion. It was a fun but exhausting weekend and I’m ready for a relaxing week and weekend. I do have to take a pretty big national standardized test Saturday. But other than that, I am free!! So excited for upcoming events! I’m sure a countdown entry will come soon, especially since I haven’t done one in a while.

8 months and 1 day!!

Overwhelming (Wedding Planning Update)

Since my tests are winding down (only one more to go tonight and it shouldn't be too tough), I've decided it's time to get my butt in gear and see where I'm at with all of this wedding planning business. I've gotten into this routine of planning for a week straight and then taking three weeks off. While this has worked for the past year, I'm afraid I need a new strategy so things don't get too crazy. I need to start doing at least a little each week - with no more extended breaks. Afterall, it's just over 8 months until the big day.

Tonight after my tests, I need to organize and update my binder. I also need to compile a list of local florists, invitation makers, and cake bakers to visit at a later date - I'll probably need to schedule a separate weekend at home for those. Other items on the list for this week: finish listing potential cruise excursions, finalize cruise registry, organize an order of engagement prints from the photographer, and make one final list of items to register for since we have now decided on our stores. I should also get around to making a budget timeline of due dates and such... but that's the boring part.

I was originally thinking about registering over Christmas break, but I don't know if we'll have time. The next option would be Thanksgiving, but with Christmas shopping crowds, I'm afraid it will be impossible. Therefore, it will either be a few weeks before Thanksgiving or the week after Christmas. I'm leaning toward the latter of the two options, but wonder if that's cutting it a little too close and eliminating the possibility of Christmas gift ideas. Thoughts??

In other wedding news, we have officially given our photographer our choice of photography package. And guess what!? We're going to be able to get TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS! It'll be the best way to capture every moment and every angle of the evening. We also heard the DJ at Samantha's wedding last weekend - and really enjoyed him. On the plus side, he was really acting like a host and even refilled people's drinks and got the bride and groom food at their seats! I also felt like he did a good job of mixing, was very punctual, announcing what was next and coordinating the entire night. On the minus side, however, I felt like he mumbled a bit (maybe it was the room size?) and he didn' have as much of a feel for the music and guests match-up (perhaps it was because nobody danced at all - surely not a problem for our rowdy guests :-P). I'm thinking we're definitely going with that particular company for a DJ, but just not quite sure about whether to request this DJ or not.

Oh my goodness, this is just so much to think about and do! I guess once you reach this point, the snow ball just takes off. This really is a full time job! And I need to get a move on! For those of you lucky enough to be one of my bridesmaids, perhaps there will be delegations in your future? ;)

Let me know if you're interested in helping me out! I'm ready for assistance now!

248 more days! (That's 8 months and 5 days!!)

Just Another Manic Monday

Today has certainly been a Monday. I am exhausted. It’s been hard for me to keep my eyes open all day long. I have some studying to do tonight, but will definitely be making it as early of a night as possible – especially since tomorrow night will be crazy long. I have three tests Wednesday. It’s going to be a long night tomorrow night. Tonight I’m going to get as much done as possible but I am just so unbelievably tired. Even this post may get crazy.

Is it the weekend yet??

 

8 months and 7 days!

Beautiful Wedding

Samantha Dianne Galloway is now officially Mrs. Samantha Dianne Wiatrek. It was a beautiful wedding and a great weekend. The weather was perfect and things went really smoothly. Some pictures will be posted soon. I had a great time and now can’t wait to jump into planning mine! 1 wedding down, 1 to go!

8 months and 8 days left!!