The Green Cup

Sometimes I wonder why it is so hard for me to share the stuff I discover and learn while I am in Grad School, and other times I know why I don't. 

What my school calls me and my fellow classmates to do is super hard.

We are asked to explore until we reach our depths and then dig even deeper.

Sometimes we have vulnerability hangovers and we wonder if another cup of coffee will help us overcome it.

We are doing hard work; very, very, very hard work.

And while we are doing this work we see all the work that other people are not working on.

And sometimes it is sad to watch, other times anger inducing, and other times laughable because I'm paying to do this and then getting frustrated that others are not.

And then on top of all of this, we sometimes find the urge to share what we are learning with others which is why I am here today.

In class we started talking about a green cup.

Now this green cup is not real, but we all believe it is.

Lost, yet? Okay, let me explain.

The green cup is you or me or any human being in the world.

Then there is a white cup and that's also you or me or any human being in the world.

But the thing with the green cup is that it's not really you or me or any human being in the world. The green cup is the you or me or any human being in the world that has been created in our mind by others.

So the green cup is when you think you're being kind to your best friend telling her that her ex is a total loser and then she yells at you for being un-supportive and mean because you don't respond the way she wants you to. The green cup now tells you you're a mean person while the white cup says you are a kind person.

Or the green cup is when you say no to the 15th event you have been invited to this month because you cannot handle anymore events and everyone says you are being so selfish for putting yourself first. The green cup now tells you that you are a selfish person while the white cup says you know your limit.

And the crazy thing is that we convince ourselves the green cup is really who we are when in all reality we are the white cup.

Okay, you all probably think I'm crazy by now, but think about it.

Why is it so easy to believe that the green cup is reality?

Why do we choose to put others ideas of who we are above our own opinions of ourselves?

In my school, we are being called to question the white and green cup constantly.

We are asked to explore what is truth and what is reality and what is not.

We are called to trust ourselves, to believe in ourselves, and to give ourselves grace in the midst of the chaos that is created when deciding if you are the green cup or the white cup.

It is much easier for me to see the white cup in others, especially those I care most about.

It is easier for me to see their goodness above their occasional badness.

It is easier to see their beauty even if they see ugly.

But it is much harder for me to see my own beauty and goodness.

We are beautiful and we are good and we are the white cup.

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Is this thing on?

You know how there are some people who remember quotes from movies that are not easily discriminated from other movies? Well who of you know which song lyric am I quoting in my heading for this post?

Anybody?!

It's Britney Spears "I love Rock n' Roll" in case you didn't know.

And if you did, why aren't we best friends already?

You get me!

Anyways I just wanted to say hi!

I realize I've been MIA lately and it's simply because school ends next Monday.

I was only in two classes this term compared to four classes last fall and it was still a doozy and I didn't even study for finals.

I'm not really sure what happened between the 1st of November to now, but I'm here and I'm still breathing.

And just in case I go MIA for the month of December because I'm traveling home for ten days, searching for a new job, and ending a job, well...

Happy Christmas from me and my man!

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Ideal Workspace

With the house searching for my future Husband and I coming up in the next year,  I have been dreaming of the ways to decorate a new house.

One of the spaces I am getting excited to decorate and design is a space for budgeting, homework, research, etc. 

I have wanted to construct my own office space forever especially since the last few years it has always been a traveling one.

I am counting down the days until I have an office space that stays in one place and that is so me.

Because I have no idea what kind of space our future home will have, I have a lot of different ideas for creating my ideal work space.

1.| Window Space

I think a great window space would be so lovely. There's something about having time to zone off to the outside for a little motivation during your work break that sounds so refreshing.

2.| For Colors: Black and Gold

I won't lie, I love glitter. Black is simple and gold/glitter gives it the unique space that I feel would keep me working for hours.

3.| Putting it all Together!

workspace by racheljones-ii featuring circular shades

Circular shades
kirklands.com

Lining curtain
$76 - thehut.com

Ankit white home decor
nordstrom.com

Gold framed wall art
$215 - superette.co.nz

Altra l shaped shelve
overstock.com

Button tufted chair
jcpenney.com

Regina Andrew Design circular end table
laylagrayce.com

Implementing my colors and window desire these are the items I would use to spruce up the space. A comfy chair in the corner when I needed to take a break from work, a sweet light design to give the space some uniqueness, curtains to block out the outside distraction sometimes, wall art for cuteness, a glass side table for resting my coffee or books that I am reading, and finally a corner wrap desk for all the space I tend to take up.

Someday I will most likely also need my own professional work space for my counseling sessions. WeWork offers shared office spaces for freelancers, business owners, startup's, etc. They are located in multiple big cities and I am sure will continue to grow and spread into even more. I will definitely be considering WeWork when I begin the search of office space and will continue to use them in my inspiration of my at home work space as well.

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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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