Year 3 of Grad School

I've been wanting to share with all of you what classes I am taking this term and all the learning that comes with it.

I haven't done a video blog in a while so I thought I would share what I'm learning through a video this week!

Hope you enjoy!

Just to summarize:

I am in Psychopathology 1 learning about mental disorders and Practicum 2 counseling my classmates. 

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Seattle Fall Bucket List

What's so beautiful about Fall is that it sends a wave of inspiration through everyone.

It calls for new styles, new looks, new views, new everything.

It's a time to try new things and make new plans for the end of the year.

Fall also has a different experience depending on where you live.

Falls for me used to consist of finally getting to wear a sweatshirt for the first time, jumping in huge piles of leaves, and taking a family Christmas picture in the woods.

Since moving to Seattle, I have gotten to experience a different view of Fall.

Here are some of my every year bucket list of ideas to do in the Fall in Seattle.

1. Starbucks

It's Seattle! What did you expect me to Say?

Grab it before you go on a walk, take a friend to have a long chat, or go and write down your monthly goals. The city of Seattle is alive because of the coffee in our system. Join the party!

2. Enjoy the views.

Explore the city, climb a mountain, take pictures. 

Everywhere you turn is a perfect picture moment.

Document it!

3. Go exploring.

The state of Washington has some pretty wet weather coming up. 

This is the time to use up those few sunny days and to go exploring. 

We have mountains, water, and plenty of safe hikes for all different levels.

4. Ferry Ride

I'm biased as I only tend to ride the ferries during the fall. 

There's just something about transportation via a boat that is fall-like to me.

5. Pumpkins

Patch em', Carve em', paint em', eat em'!

Whatever you do, make sure your list includes Pumpkins.

Now you go and create your fall bucket list!

And if you need help along the way, Eventbrite is here to help!

Whether you're planning a small shindig or a blowout event, these are the people to your rescue!

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A Long Engagement

It's been about 9 months since I said "YES!" to marrying the man of my dreams.

I've shared a little bit about our future wedding plans, but today I want to share why we are choosing to have a long engagement.

1.| Schooling.

I am in my 3rd out of 4 years of graduate school at the moment and I really do not want to start a marriage while being in school. Because of school we would have had to get married in the summer and next year I start my internship. I know the first year of marriage is a lot of adjustment, learning how to live with the other sex, and just a lot of work. I do not want to add an internship on top of that.

2.| Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law.

My fiance's brother proposed to his girlfriend three weeks before we got engaged. 

I want them to be able to do all the wedding/marriage stuff first since they are older and got engaged first. Plus, I think it's fair to give my fiance's family a year between weddings.

3.| International Family

My mother's side of the family is all international. In order for any of these relatives who want to come for the wedding in either Seattle or Indiana, we need to give them ample time to save, prepare, and plan. International flights are not cheap and coordinating a big trip like that takes some time.

4.| Money

We really do not want to have debt from one event in our lives.

Yes, it is a major event, but it is not worth going into debt for. 

We are taking the extra time to search thoroughly on all of our vendors/options and saving for the big day.

5.| No rush.

Of course I would love to be married right now, but the timing in our lives is just busy, busy, busy and we need more time to prepare for the day we say "I Do." 

Some days I wish it was here already and other days I am enjoying this period of being engaged and dreaming and planning for out future life together.

Do you know of anyone who has had a long engagement?

Any advice or suggestions for us along the way?

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To the Greatest Woman Alive

Obviously one of these women is me and I am not about to write about how I am the greatest woman alive. The other woman is my mother and today is her birthday. 

For the longest time I always thought my mother's birthday was on October 3rd. 

Why? I have no idea. I just could not get it in my head it was the 2nd of October.

And then I moved away and I never forgot the date again.
Life is weird sometimes.

Anyways, back to the woman above.

I know we all think we have the best mother, but here's why mine is THE best!

1. Hospitality.

There cannot be anyone else more hospitable than my mom.

She has taught me how to throw an awesome party, how to treat people when they come into your home, and how to give them the best goodbyes.

Thanks to her my friends only wanted to have parties at my house which made my house "the cool house."

Oh, we also always had a freezer packed with pizza rolls and fish sticks.

If you haven't had those together, go to the store and try it!

It's awesome!

2. Confidence.

My mom is 5 foot, if that.

But her confidence makes her taller than she seems.

This woman instilled in me to stand taller than I am, think smarter than I am, and be better than I am. She taught me that I determine where I stand, not others.

Thanks to her I do not get walked all over by people.

3. Love

Some people think love means being supported, cared for, desired, etc.

And yes, it does mean that.

But my mother taught me a type of love that I think some never experience.

My mom taught me to love from a distance.

She allowed me to make my own mistakes, to learn how to say "I'm sorry," and to learn how to ask for forgiveness. 

This is love people.

Love cares, desires, hopes for, and pushes you to learn.

I could go on and on, but these are the top reasons why the greatest woman alive is my mother and is the reason to celebrate her today!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love and miss you tons!

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October Goals

Happy Fall Ya'll!

One of my most favorite things about fall is driving down the road and seeing the leaves on the tree's change colors. Luckily, Seattle has had very few rainy days which means I have been able to enjoy the fall transition more this year!

Of course today is the start of a new month which means new goals to share with you!

My goals were super easy last month and wouldn't you know I actually did a really good job avoiding Starbucks. Apparently you have to not make it a goal to actually succeed at that one!

October Goals

 1.| Eat Breakfast.

I have never been a big breakfast eater, but I got into a good routine this summer about eating it everyday. But lately I've been waking up not hungry and just skipping breakfast altogether. 

I know it's essential to eat something every morning so my goal is to eat one thing if and when I feel hungry.

2.| Try a little harder at the gym.

I'm over the stage of just going to the gym and making that a goal.

I've accomplished that and now I realized I need to start pushing myself more.

My goal is to at least have one of my workouts during the week leaving me sore the next day.

My current gym rotation is always 20 minutes of cardio and then I focus on my arms, legs, or abs. 

3.| Drink more water.

I do not typically have a problem with this, but I saw how important it was to focus on this after not drinking enough water this weekend. My whole body felt out of it and I got a charlie horse in my leg! I have a Starbucks 24 oz. cup and my goal is to drink at least 3 full cups a day with a hope of doing 4 a day. 

It seems as the month of October may be a focus on health for my goals this month.

What are your goals?

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