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I am now a counselor (well, in training). I have met with a client twice and so far neither one of us have run out of the room screaming so I see that as a win. The course work is getting pretty intense and I am worried that I won't be able to keep up. But those just my normal worries and I know I have a lot of support if I really start to struggle. The faculty are really supportive and so are my classmates. I am really glad to be in this program.

I really need to work on my bead work because we are planning on doing a Christmas craft show here at the university the first week of Decemeber. Dad is going to be making some glass brick lanterns and leather mouse pads. Mom and I are going to make some more ornaments and different kinds of jewelery. And Amber has started making wirewrapped jewelery. I am trying to decide whether I am going to crochet more hats or make some more teacup chandeliers. I have a lot of ideas about jewelry, but I don't know if I have the time between classes and studying to make all the things I want. But making things could be theraputic. Oh well. I will work it out.

I am really excited because I get to go to Green River this weekend and do my play therapy practice with Kyrstin. I hope I can get through the session without freaking out or having her go nuts.

So far so good

Alright, so far I have a 4.0 GPA. YEA!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait, I have only had 2 classes. Check back with me when I am finished with my first semester. You will need to check whether or not I am still sane (like I am now?), if I think I am in the right program (like I would be able to change it at that point), and what my GPA is. What I do know right now is I need to find some way of making some extra cash so I can go out to eat on my cheat day, take trips out of town, and continue with my jewelry addiction. Since I have a whole week until the fall semester starts I am planning on going through a lot (okay all) of my stuff and selling it on eBay. Then I need to get cracking on my beading, crocheting, and sewing projects and see if I can sell them. If I can't sell them at least I will have my Christmas projects done well before the time I need to. I have thought about either getting a part-time job, which would seriously limit the times I would have to travel out of town and might impact my study time, or trying an at home business. The problem with the at home business is that I have a clause in my lease that says I can't run a business out of my apartment. But I could get around that by having everything shipped to Mom and Dad's house. My biggest worry would be the amount of money I would have to put out just to start it. And then their is the networking and getting people to either buy it or have parties. Oh my, I thought about it and wouldn't it be awkward if I were having a home business party and someone who I had counseled was a guest. Yikes! I just need to really think things through. Oh well, like I said, so far so good.

And the count down begins, continues, whatever

So I have been very neglectful of my blog for a while. But it isn't like I haven't had enough things to do. Or at least that is what I tell myself. So far I have packed all my books and DVDs, all of my craft stuff, and everything else in the spare room, got rid of the eliptical, and will be getting more boxes to pack up the kitchen. I still have a lot that needs to be done, but I will get to it, or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

I am not sure whether I am excited, scared, nervous, or worried, or all at the same time, about starting school. I just got the sylabis for one of my classes today and ordered the two books for the class. There is going to be a lot of reading for these two classes I have to take for the summer. My biggest stress right now is not being able to find a place to live yet. Everytime I find a place that is a decent price it is either already taken or they won't hold it until June for me. Everyone says I should be fine when I get down there, but I guess I am just a worry wart.

I am excited that everything will finally get started and I haven't moved for over four years. And I am excited to get down to Laramie and have Marshall and Amber being so close in Fort Collins. But of course I am going to be crazy busy once school starts.

Goal: Get INTO Debt

So that might sound counter productive to say that I want to get into debt this year, but there is a rational explanation for it. I really really really want to get into Grad school this year. And since I am self employed, make a decent amount of money for being single, I won't be getting any financial aid, and I haven't saved a dime. So I will be getting into a significant amount of debt in order to go to school. I have considered how this might not be the best idea in the current economy. But I worry that if I do not do it now I might miss my chance. But as always I am very lazy and have put off to the last minute getting my applications to the schools. And that could be why I didn't get in last year. I don't know. Maybe when they see me applying again this year they will see that I have some sticktoitiveness (is that really a word?) and let me in. I have applied to the following schools for the following reasons, (follow along:))

The University of Wyoming - Well the first reason should be obvious, I live in Wyoming so I would be paying in-state tuition. And they have the program that I want, Counselor of Education. This program is also a two year intense program, which is good for me so I can just get to it and get it done. I understand that it is very difficult to get through, but I am determined. Not only would I be paying in-state tuition I would also be living closer to family, in fact, I might be living with family if I can't find a reasonable place to live and good job. UW would be the most comfortable transition to school out of the three options.

The University of New Mexico - I was very surprised to find out that UNM had the program I was interested in. It isn't exactly like the program at UW but it is close enough to consider. I would be paying out of state tuition, but I know I can live in Albuquerque again. I still have friends and family down there and I know my way around. And this is pretty much the only way I can see myself moving back down to NM. This program can take three to four years to complete, but if I focus I think I can make sure to do it in three. The would be my second choice because it is familiar.

Boise State - The reason I picked this school is because it is the only other school in the surrounding states that had the program I wanted, didn't require a teachers licence or the GRE (basically the ACT/SAT for grad school). This program can take three to four years to complete, but again, if I apply myself I can probably get it done in three. This would be the biggest change because it would be moving to a new state, again having to pay out of state tuition, and a new school which I know nothing about. And I would be moving farther away from any family.

I also applied for Western New Mexico University, my alma mater, but there program seems sketchy to me. You are conditionally accepted until after you have finished your first semester. It is then that they decide whether to officially accept you into the program. So you can move your whole life down there and then four months later be told you weren't accepted. Not too cool. So I haven't finished any of the other application info for WNMU.

And as a back up, backup plan, Adam's State University in Alamosa, CO has an online program that seems like it could work. There is no instate/our of state tuition difference and I would only have to go down there two weeks every summer for workshops. But I will have to see how the first three pan out before I make that kind of decision.

Pray for me!!!

"And thus goes everyone into the World but I,

And I am sunburnt."
Thank you Shakespeare. I am just kind of feeling that way tonight. It seems like everyone of my friends lives are moving on but me. Everyone is getting married, buying houses, having kids, getting things done and I seem to be in a holding pattern. But some of that is probably my fault. Because I am lazy at heart. I want friends but I like staying home by myself. I want to get into grad school but I put off getting the applications in because I am worried that I am reaching for something I can't get. I want to buy a house but I worried about getting tied down. I want a relationship but I don't reach out to anyone. I love my job, but I am restless in it and don't do a very good job.
Baahhhh! Too depressing, moving on.
Looking back over the last year I have really gotten a lot done. The biggest thing is obviously the weight loss. I can proudly say I have lost 65 lbs and I am down a couple sizes. I got to go back to Virigina and spend a whole week with Anne. Lots of cool stuff has been happening at the school. I moved to an office in the school building so I have been able to get more of the other dorms involved in the program. Eventhough I miss Elizabeth, I got Silly and she makes me happy.

I just need to worry about what is happening and not what isn't. I guess that's why they call it faith.