Paper, Project, Pile-Up

Do you feel overwhelmed? A little exhausted? How about stressed to the max?

I'm getting close to most of those. Exhausted? Check! Overwhelmed? Check! Stressed to the max? Not quite... yet.

I started work on my first ever essay for my college English class. I was worried about writing to begin with because I just ramble on here and in an essay you have to kind of pay attention. The topic of this essay has to do with my name, how I got it, why it's important, blah blah blah. I had some major writer's block when trying to gather my thoughts enough to type up a thesis statement and outline. Then once I figured out a somewhat decent thesis statement, my outline took off. I had like 7 or 8 pages of outline last night... for a two page paper! Needless to say, I downsized the outline this morning, but ended up with 5 pages still. I'm not sure how this paper is going to turn out. It's already a little scattered.

Then... there's the subject of work. We have a fire school this weekend, a new area coordinator who's trying to get settled in, and lots of stuff we're behind on. I am slowly but surely marking things off of my constant to-do list. But it just seems like there's never an end in sight.

Stress isn't something I'm used to. I do my best to let things just roll off my back, especially when I cannot control the outcome. Why bother getting all worked up for nothing, right?! But it seems that's not the case these days, even with that carefree attitude. Stress keeps creeping up on me whether I like it or not. So tonight I ran... It took everything in me to finish those 30 minutes, but I did it. And now that I've finished, I feel a little refreshed. And I'm going to end my night soaking in my tub with a little stress relief aromatherapy...

All in all, I believe all of this is the product of being 30 something. School is more difficult. Work is more demanding. And life keeps piling up. I think I'll just live day-to-day and let the good times roll where they may...

Another Birthday Passes...

It was a day I'll never forget...

I started my first day working with Physical Therapy on September 11. True, that day will always hold a special place in the hearts of every American. But this particular September 11th was special for a reason somewhat unrelated to that horrific day 6 years before.

My nephew was born in the afternoon of that September day. Never did I ever think I would be so in love, so happy, and so completely lost in a little boy. And I never thought it would happen so quickly. At four weeks early, he weighed in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was so completely beautiful despite all the lines and cords coming from his body. It's so scary to see someone so tiny be so dependent upon those machines. After two long weeks passed, he was finally on his way home.

 (Can you see the love there?? We have a bond like none other...)

It's been four years since he came into the world a tiny little boy... four really quick years. I look at him, at his smile and I see that itty bitty baby in that sweet little cap with the firetruck on it that was made by the NICU nurses. It just doesn't seem right. It cannot be right. That little boy can not be that big!

But he is... My sweet little nephew has turned four. Sometimes I say things like "Oh, I just can't wait for him to do this or that"... but deep down, I don't mean it. I mean, I do... but I can wait. I enjoy every moment I get to spend with him. Even when he's throwing a fit and acting like a brat, I still would rather have him in my life than not. He means everything to me...

 (This is a typical day for Nolan... and this boy loves a tie! LOL)

I didn't know how I wanted to address his birthday last week, so I waited until now. He had a wonderful party with lots of friends and family in attendance. He got a Wii and some games, which he has used a lot this week (and I have too... in fact, I think that Wii boxing whipped my butt!!). He also got some Toy Story 3, Spiderman, and Cars toys. All in all, he's a real happy boy.

Writer's Block

 

~photo credit~

14 years ago I started college at Western Kentucky University. I never finished. 

Last fall, I decided it was time to give it a go again. So I took two classes, an Office/Business course and a General Education credit. I did the same thing in the spring. After sitting out the summer semester, I've began my third semester at WKU with Office Administration and English 100. 

I think I'm totally going to fail! I feel like I have the hardest time figuring out what the homework assignment truly is or when it's due. I'm 32! I should understand the syllabus! I hope I can make it through this semester with passing grades. I don't know what I'll do if I don't. You know, you think to yourself "self, you're not the worst writer in the world". Then you have to take ENG 100. 

Just wish me luck... I think I'm going to need it.