I feel like I haven't updated you readers about school in a very long time. Therefore, I think it's time for an update!
Yes I am still in school and still going strong. I am more-than succeeding and love my program. All these courses make me fired up about health and teaching soon. This semester I am taking "Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care" and "Strategies of Health Education Delivery." What a great line up!
I will graduate with my MS in Health Studies in May 2015 - so close!!!! This fall will be my hardest semester yet, but I am definitely looking forward to it. I will learn a lot. This fall I have to complete a 90 hour practicum (aka internship) with an approved facility. It'll be great to get all of that experience, but with a full family calendar and still working 40 hours, it will be quite the challenge. My other course is through the school of education. It's hybrid - meaning most of it is online, but I will have to attend night classes 7 days during the semester. As if I need more things to keep me from home and fill up my calendar. It'll be an exciting course to give me an even deeper understanding of education.
It will be busy, but luckily Phillip and my family/friends are willing and able to help out when we need them - and we will. It'll be a rough couple of months but worth it when I walk across that stage and can be called "Master Ashley".
And what's after that? After graduation? Well naturally, a PhD!!! Parker has some goals that include a PhD program in Educational Leadership. If that pans out, I am diving in for a great price (free)! Anxious about that already. But I am built for education. For higher education. For advanced education.
Look at me go!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Some Day
Some day I will get caught up on the laundry.
Some day I will not hit the snooze button and wake up at the time I need to.
Some day I will get to come home and just relax.
Some day I will organize the pantry. And garage. And the kitchen cabinets. And my life.
Some day I will redecorate the guest bedroom and finally hang things on the walls.
Some day I will update more frequently on this blog to keep you informed.
Some day I will sit down to write notes to friends/family just because.
Some day I will take the day/night "off" to go do something just for me.
Some day I will not hit the snooze button and wake up at the time I need to.
Some day I will get to come home and just relax.
Some day I will organize the pantry. And garage. And the kitchen cabinets. And my life.
Some day I will redecorate the guest bedroom and finally hang things on the walls.
Some day I will update more frequently on this blog to keep you informed.
Some day I will sit down to write notes to friends/family just because.
Some day I will take the day/night "off" to go do something just for me.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Day in the Life
Some days I marvel at how chaotic life gets
Leave work fifteen minutes later than planned.
Hit traffic driving to JCPenny to get Elayne.
During traffic, I jam to entirely too many classic rock tunes - is this a sign of my age? Am I getting old? The new stuff just bores me.
Turn up the A/C since it's so hot.
Sit in more traffic. Pull up to the slow area only to find there is no reason for said slow traffic.
Turn A/C down because now it's freezing.
Contemplate taking the toll road to get home faster or use the free feeder road with stop lights I can shoot quick texts at.
Take free feeder road.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go.
Get to Elayne's child care center pretty much 45 minutes after I leave work. Why does it take this long? Oh yeah. Stoplights. Maybe I'll consider the toll road next time. Wait no. That's so expensive.
Finally pull into the parking garage. Hunt for a "child care" designated spot. Why are the JCPenny employees so lazy? They drive from their assigned spots to these spots just so they don't have to walk that far. But come to think of it, I'd probably do the same thing. So nevermind.
Found a spot. Parked.
Leave the purse in the car or bring it in? Such a struggle. There is a security officer at the crosswalk. He'd hear if someone broke into my car for my purse. And I'm not too far from him. But he doesn't look like he'd be quick enough to chase him. And then who would hold the stop sign up so parents and employees and children can cross safely? And does he even have a gun? This is probably what would go through his head and he heard the window smashing.
Take purse inside.
Swipe card to get into child care center. But nothing happens. Oh yeah there is a trick. I remember. You can stand in these four floor tiles, but if you step even a toe in those six, the door won't open. Got it. Excuse me while I practice my yoga moves.
I'm in!
Gotta log her out of the computer.
Phillip got here at 7:47 today!? Must have been running late.
Time for the stroller closet. The dreaded closet. Parents with these monster strollers come in like they own the place. Meanwhile our sensible travel stroller is folded up neatly along the wall. Buried behind tanker strollers made for families of six when they only have one baby. Who can walk. And doesn't need a stroller anymore. But mama holds on to it still.
Pull up to Elayne's room. I swear that's her scream I hear from the hall. Oh man I hope that's not her. Don't pawn off a screaming child on me. I pay you guys too much money for that.
Phew. It's not Elayne. It's Sara. Always Sara. Stranger Danger Sara. With the beauitful eyes.
We need diapers again!? We just gave you a huge pack last week. You guys seriously need to think about changing her less.
Where did she get that pacifier from? Yeah, that one in her mouth. Nope. That's not hers. Oh well. It does the job and is one less we have to buy. YOLO.
What is she wearing? Oh. Yeah. Phillip dressed her. Stripes and polka dots? Hot pink, bright blue, and red? Don't care enough to change her.
Now she's screaming. You let her sleep through her last feeding and she hasn't eaten anything since 2:30!? Sweet. But can't complain since sometimes we drop her off in the same mood.
In the car seat. Got it all? Yes baby. Have a bottle.
Finally back to the car. Was that walk that long on the way in? I feel like this has been a marathon walking back.
Time to drive. Wait. No. Gotta stop for crossing children.
Now leaving.
Hitting the stop lights again to avoid tolls.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go.
Finally pull into the garage two hours after work ends.
Time to relax.
Wait. No....
Leave work fifteen minutes later than planned.
Hit traffic driving to JCPenny to get Elayne.
During traffic, I jam to entirely too many classic rock tunes - is this a sign of my age? Am I getting old? The new stuff just bores me.
Turn up the A/C since it's so hot.
Sit in more traffic. Pull up to the slow area only to find there is no reason for said slow traffic.
Turn A/C down because now it's freezing.
Contemplate taking the toll road to get home faster or use the free feeder road with stop lights I can shoot quick texts at.
Take free feeder road.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go.
Get to Elayne's child care center pretty much 45 minutes after I leave work. Why does it take this long? Oh yeah. Stoplights. Maybe I'll consider the toll road next time. Wait no. That's so expensive.
Finally pull into the parking garage. Hunt for a "child care" designated spot. Why are the JCPenny employees so lazy? They drive from their assigned spots to these spots just so they don't have to walk that far. But come to think of it, I'd probably do the same thing. So nevermind.
Found a spot. Parked.
Leave the purse in the car or bring it in? Such a struggle. There is a security officer at the crosswalk. He'd hear if someone broke into my car for my purse. And I'm not too far from him. But he doesn't look like he'd be quick enough to chase him. And then who would hold the stop sign up so parents and employees and children can cross safely? And does he even have a gun? This is probably what would go through his head and he heard the window smashing.
Take purse inside.
Swipe card to get into child care center. But nothing happens. Oh yeah there is a trick. I remember. You can stand in these four floor tiles, but if you step even a toe in those six, the door won't open. Got it. Excuse me while I practice my yoga moves.
I'm in!
Gotta log her out of the computer.
Phillip got here at 7:47 today!? Must have been running late.
Time for the stroller closet. The dreaded closet. Parents with these monster strollers come in like they own the place. Meanwhile our sensible travel stroller is folded up neatly along the wall. Buried behind tanker strollers made for families of six when they only have one baby. Who can walk. And doesn't need a stroller anymore. But mama holds on to it still.
Pull up to Elayne's room. I swear that's her scream I hear from the hall. Oh man I hope that's not her. Don't pawn off a screaming child on me. I pay you guys too much money for that.
Phew. It's not Elayne. It's Sara. Always Sara. Stranger Danger Sara. With the beauitful eyes.
We need diapers again!? We just gave you a huge pack last week. You guys seriously need to think about changing her less.
Where did she get that pacifier from? Yeah, that one in her mouth. Nope. That's not hers. Oh well. It does the job and is one less we have to buy. YOLO.
What is she wearing? Oh. Yeah. Phillip dressed her. Stripes and polka dots? Hot pink, bright blue, and red? Don't care enough to change her.
Now she's screaming. You let her sleep through her last feeding and she hasn't eaten anything since 2:30!? Sweet. But can't complain since sometimes we drop her off in the same mood.
In the car seat. Got it all? Yes baby. Have a bottle.
Finally back to the car. Was that walk that long on the way in? I feel like this has been a marathon walking back.
Time to drive. Wait. No. Gotta stop for crossing children.
Now leaving.
Hitting the stop lights again to avoid tolls.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go.
Finally pull into the garage two hours after work ends.
Time to relax.
Wait. No....
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Things I've Learned in 3 Years of Marriage
It's hard to believe we have been married for three years now. THREE. Crazy how time flies.
In my tons of years of experience (sarcasm) I have learned a few things about marriage and relationships. Here are just a few of my infinite words of wisdom...
1. There is almost always a bigger fish to fry. No matter how angry I get or frustrated I am, I need to pick my battles. Sometimes the dirty socks that never make it to the laundry basket aren't as important as I thought. It's about balance and deciding when you should say something and when you should let it go.
2. Try not to fight in front of people. This has always been a relationship rule of mine, and now that we have Elayne it is even more important. No one likes dirty laundry aired out and frankly, it's no ones business. The more opinions you have on a situation, the more blame can be compounded. Plus, one of the biggest things Phillip have working in our favor is 100% support from our family and friends. That support would be diminished by tiny arguments inundating those closest to us 24/7. Plus, when you are forced to "table" arguements and discussion until you are in private, it gives you a nice cooling off time and perspective. May times, we find that we don't remember what we were mad at in the first place.
3. It's okay to go to bed angry - but not inconsolable. Anger isn't necessarily a bad thing. And sometimes you need some sleep to give you a nice cool down (see number 2). As long as you know that you still love each other and can end the evening on good terms by agreeing to disagree, it's okay to fall asleep angry. Sometimes you're just tired and no amount of staying up late to get to the bottom of things is going to change your sour mood. I find that Phillip isn't the best communicator when he is upset and just wants to be left alone. If I were to keep him up for hours trying to force nonexistent conversation out of him, it would just make the situation worse.
4. Love, comfort, communication, and moods come in waves. We have bad days. We have bad weeks. Sometimes things just feel "off." It doesn't mean it's the end of our relationship or we've run out of things to talk about or that we are doomed to fail at marriage. It just means we have a bit of a lull that will make us appreciate the good times when they come back.
5. Put up or shut up. When we said forever on our wedding day, we meant forever. There is no exit strategy. We are both in it for the long run. Therefore, when things get complicated, we either fix it or accept it and move on. Much like number one, there are bigger things in life to worry about. No passive aggressive post-it note or overly loud grumble is going to change him/me. So we accept the things we can change about each other and also the things the other doesn't want to change.
I love him. He loves me. We make it work. We are not perfect but I like to think we've already stood a big test of time and have accomplished great things together. We are a team first and foremost. Best friends. Loving spouses. Wonderful parents. Trying to make it work one load of dishes at a time.
In my tons of years of experience (sarcasm) I have learned a few things about marriage and relationships. Here are just a few of my infinite words of wisdom...
1. There is almost always a bigger fish to fry. No matter how angry I get or frustrated I am, I need to pick my battles. Sometimes the dirty socks that never make it to the laundry basket aren't as important as I thought. It's about balance and deciding when you should say something and when you should let it go.
2. Try not to fight in front of people. This has always been a relationship rule of mine, and now that we have Elayne it is even more important. No one likes dirty laundry aired out and frankly, it's no ones business. The more opinions you have on a situation, the more blame can be compounded. Plus, one of the biggest things Phillip have working in our favor is 100% support from our family and friends. That support would be diminished by tiny arguments inundating those closest to us 24/7. Plus, when you are forced to "table" arguements and discussion until you are in private, it gives you a nice cooling off time and perspective. May times, we find that we don't remember what we were mad at in the first place.
3. It's okay to go to bed angry - but not inconsolable. Anger isn't necessarily a bad thing. And sometimes you need some sleep to give you a nice cool down (see number 2). As long as you know that you still love each other and can end the evening on good terms by agreeing to disagree, it's okay to fall asleep angry. Sometimes you're just tired and no amount of staying up late to get to the bottom of things is going to change your sour mood. I find that Phillip isn't the best communicator when he is upset and just wants to be left alone. If I were to keep him up for hours trying to force nonexistent conversation out of him, it would just make the situation worse.
4. Love, comfort, communication, and moods come in waves. We have bad days. We have bad weeks. Sometimes things just feel "off." It doesn't mean it's the end of our relationship or we've run out of things to talk about or that we are doomed to fail at marriage. It just means we have a bit of a lull that will make us appreciate the good times when they come back.
5. Put up or shut up. When we said forever on our wedding day, we meant forever. There is no exit strategy. We are both in it for the long run. Therefore, when things get complicated, we either fix it or accept it and move on. Much like number one, there are bigger things in life to worry about. No passive aggressive post-it note or overly loud grumble is going to change him/me. So we accept the things we can change about each other and also the things the other doesn't want to change.
I love him. He loves me. We make it work. We are not perfect but I like to think we've already stood a big test of time and have accomplished great things together. We are a team first and foremost. Best friends. Loving spouses. Wonderful parents. Trying to make it work one load of dishes at a time.
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