Update on LOS CABOS!!

It looks like the whole family is making it happen! We’re going to Los Cabos, Mexico together to see Tiffany and Adrian get married! We are SO excited!

I love my family so much, and lately I’m becoming more and more grateful for them. It’s nice when you grow up and actually get to hang out with your family – and like them! I am very excited about having a whole week of time with them on the beach with complimentary drinks everywhere you turn.

Not to mention, we get to see Tiffany get married. We have wanted this for her for so long and it’s actually happening. Hearing her talk about the details this past weekend made me look forward to the trip even more and made me realize that she gets to marry the love of her life in an incredible place in front of everyone they love. How can you not get all gushy over that!?

We’re all talking to the travel agent now and thinking through all of the different options and prices. It’ll be pricey up front, but in the long run it’s not that expensive. We’ll look back on this week for years to come and fondly remember the wonderful trip to a wonderful place with wonderful people for a wonderful reason. :)

Perspective

That's what life is all about. I've lived by that motto for a whole now.

In life, you can't control much. Things are said. Things aren't. Things are done. Things aren't. It happens. All you can do is roll with it.

Lately this has been my lesson. My grandmother always sings "Que Sera" and it truly is a song to take to heart. What will be will be.

I don't know what the future holds. I don't even quite know what the present is doing at the moment. All I know is the following:

I am not shutting any doors.
I am tired of sweating the small stuff.
The best things in life require minimal work.
My family is beyond incredible and surprises me every day.
I am stronger than I think.
I always have my best interest at heart, which is what matters.

At the end of the day, I am surrounded by my family and friends that care so much about me. They are what matter. Everything else will fall into place.



Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
What will be will be

Eureka!

I finally got the app on my phone to work again (after many failed attempts) so I can get back to flooding the blogosphere. Thank you iOS 5! The main reason I haven't blogged as much lately is due to me never having my laptop in front of me anymore. This must mean I need an iPad.... Or at least this app working...

I sat in on a graduate school class this morning and have fallen in love. I have missed the challenge, the collegiate atmosphere, being around critical thinking conversations, and (dare I say it) studying. I need goals and tasks. That's what I've been missing at my current job.

So hopefully I will be accepted and start in the spring. I really think this is a solid opportunity and one I've been needing for a year now. Thank you Lord!!

Samantha gets in town today so the rest of my afternoon will consist of wine tasting in grapevine, pedicures, and maybe some shopping. Tonight is Bonnie's birthday shindig so we're off to downtown Fort Worth.

P.S. We're heading to Cabo June 30th to celebrate Tiffany and Adrian's wedding (and our wedding anniversary and Phillip's birthday) for an entire week!! Get excited because we sure are!! (and if you know me, you know how I like to plan and look forward to things so woohoo even more!)

Rainy Sundays

I love days like today. Mornings like this morning. Weekends like this weekend. You get the point.

It started raining last night right after dinner and has been raining ever since – and will continue well into tonight. Crazy for Texas, right!? Not to mention, the high temperature is in the 70s!! Does this mean fall and winter are finally making an appearance!?

This morning, as I drink my second cup of coffee and watch the rain outside while spending time with my little family (Phillip and Murphy), I am really thinking about how much I am loving life right now.

There are some great possibilities on the horizon. Some I can share, and some will have to wait to see if they pan out.

Tiffany and Adrian are engaged and having their wedding this next summer in Cabo!! That means we get a wonderful belated anniversary/Phillip’s birthday celebration in another country. Can you believe it!? We will have to save up, but it will be so worth it. I can’t wait!

I have officially finished my application for graduate school. I went to the wonderful open house yesterday and got so much information from them. This is really looking like a promising option. As soon as my last couple of recommendation letters are received, they will process my application and let me know. I’m trying not to get too excited since I’ve been let down so much in the past year, but this might really happen. I might actually achieve my short-term goal of becoming a college professor and be closer to my long-term goal of becoming a health professor with a doctoral degree.

Job hunting is still going. With the latest development of the grad school possibility, I’m beginning to look hard at temp positions instead of dream jobs. I just need a full-time income to get me through school. My dream job can wait. I’ve waited for a year so far, so what’s another two years. Of course all of this could change if I don’t get accepted into grad school. We’ll see.

In addition to these developments in my job and school areas, I am looking seriously at volunteer positions in health education. If I can’t get paid, at least I can brush up on my health skills and make a difference in the community. Not to mention, with the thought of not being able to get back into the professional health world for a few years, it would be nice to stay current. I’ll keep you posted on these exciting opportunities I’m researching.

So many open doors and different paths to go down. This is an exciting time to see where my life is heading. Take it from someone who has been stagnate for so long, this is so refreshing to have possibilities back in my life.

Open House

I’m ready. Today is a big day. I was invited to an Open House for Texas Wesleyan’s graduate admissions office. It’s for the Masters of Education program I am applying to. I will get to mix and mingle with admissions, financial aid, and current students/faculty. This is a huge opportunity for me to plead my case even more.

My application is only waiting for a few more sentences on my essay (need to make it perfect) and a couple of recommendation letters. That’s all! Then I will have officially applied and the decision will be in their hands.

I have my questions ready. I’ve read all I can online about the program so I’m ready to have some discussions. I looked up directions and found the building on the campus map. Now I just need to get ready, eat lunch, and go.

Big day. Pray I impress them. I really want to be accepted into this program.

Fall is in Full Swing

Here at the Long apartment, it is starting to look and smell festive! We have a couple of candles, the beginnings of some fall-themed decor , and I am about to dive into some great fall cooking.

As you can imagine, this is my favorite time of year. Between now and New Years, I get to decorate and cook to my heart’s content! I get to try so many new recipes and get to spend so much time with loved ones. This is also my first “real” holiday season at home. No moving. Full on decorating. No packing to drive home. This is it.

I am in love with this thought. I am in love with this season. It is, afterall, the most wonderful time of the year.

P.S. Happy one year anniversary to my sister and brother-in-law. Can’t believe it’s already been a year. Time sure has flown!