It has been a while since I last updated. It has been a wild ride this past month. I have been busy with work, took a trip to North Carolina, and had some recent adventures/news/"young adult" crises.
I finally got to take my trip to North Carolina. While I was there, I got to visit my old stomping grounds, including Catawba. I got to see some old friends (at least the ones who haven't graduated) and my professors/mentors. It was great to catch up and feel comfortable with some familiar faces and thankfully, no dining hall food (one thing I didn't miss about undergraduate). Funny to go back as someone more confident and bold, yet still quirky, restless (I was all over campus and classically sitting in a contorted position), and always up for a good conversation I also got the chance to visit the place of my first internship and. C.S - which crazy to think 55 posts later, is what started this blogging adventure! (Still going strong with the whole mosquito thing - so who knew?!). I also got to visit my old "home" church family and my "adopted" family - it was a very bittersweet but great experience. Also, while I was there, I spent the night with my best friend at her apartment, was able to catch up with a friend, J.Y, who is sharing the graduate school adventure with me, and met with a teacher from my middle school (who is long since retired but still does work with exceptional individuals) who gave me some pointers on working with special needs individuals for children's church. Although I made this trip while I was homesick but I have gotten comfortable here in Connecticut.
And - then there is after the trip. The latter half of this month was a blur because I came back with new emotions, tired (I saw way too many people in five days and of course, travel), and of course, managed another bout of sinusitis again (this winter has been *fantastic* for coughing/sinus issues) The last month or two, I have not been focusing on relaxing (until I am exhausted), putting unrealistic expectations on myself, and not eating properly - which has seemed to create a pattern of illness/asthma and feeling ran down. So, right now, my goal is trying to find the balance that works for me... even if it means downtime after work, going for a run (I find running very therapeutic - not like most people are willing to run bahaha), getting at least 7 hours of sleep (I love sleep), eating properly, engaging and connecting with those who are in my life, and the list goes on and on.....
Also - upcoming adventures - my temp position - no idea when the "true" end date is. Part of me is nervous on not knowing if I will be staying on (maybe a good chance - our team had 30+ people to at least 10 people on a good day on our team) or being let go. This job has taught me assertiveness, allowed me to use my interpersonal skills (guess I had a way with people), problem-solving, and just being there for a person who is concerned, and rightfully so. However, I struggle being expected to be at a desk 40 hours a week (and often more because I willingly jump on OT) and the monotonity of calls/issues (however, there are days where calls can be interesting with crazy account issues). Then we have tax season upon us. This is my first year doing them, I have to have them done in order to apply for FAFSA (talk about deja-vu). So far, I have some ducks in a row with five W2's, a 1099, a student loan form, and possibly a 1095 (or is that just for certain health insurance - who knows, the lingo haunts me).... I think I can handle taxes, but I shall see... On the bright side, I had a credit score - which also makes me happy so I can start looking at places to rent when I start graduate school...
In the meantime, I am still waiting to hear back from CCSU, I am working with Dr. Bray on what exactly I want to do for master thesis, looking for different jobs, and hoping to explore some new areas once the weather gets warmer (including my future grad school city - ironically where my dad grew up; near the coast, hiking trails, parks, etc)... and I can't forget breaking out the camera for some macrophotography of... flowers and spiders.... STAY TUNED :)
