alisha's adventures

Is this real life?

2011-08-23T17:29:00.003-04:00

YAY! I officially start as a school-based Speech-language pathologist tomorrow! I have my licensure and everything is good to go! Here I go! I'm on my way!

Marching on

2011-08-06T22:44:00.003-04:00

The time has come. Monday is the day. After 6 years of college and two degrees later, I am finally starting my job as a SLP. The first week is orientation, second week is when all teachers start, and then the third week, I get to meet my students. I'm glad they add those few days before the kids start to get situated and oriented to everything. I have two schools - an elementary and a middle school - so I'll have two places to get ready. My middle school is only 2 or 3 years old and it is beautiful on the outside. Haven't had the opportunity to go inside yet, but orientation is in that building, so I'll get to see it lots. As far as the commute, I think that I am pretty lucky. Three days a week I go to my elementary school, which is only....2 miles away!!! The middle school is only 20 minutes away and I go there two days a week. Not too shabby. I'll take it. I'm so excited to meet my kids and just get going. I hope they are just as excited (doubtful. =])

Getting all my ducks in a row

2011-06-24T12:46:00.003-04:00

New car: check

New job: check

New apartment: check

New life: check!

This whole moving to another state and starting a new job thing is quite stressful. Next week, I'll be going down to look at my apartment and figure out what I should bring and what I shouldn't. I have so much stuff, especially from moving 6 times within the past 6 years. You could call me a nomad. But for a nomad, I definitely don't pack light. But really, I don't think I have an overly large amount of stuff. Just the basics, but that really adds up. The big things that I have to figure out how to move are my futon, a dresser, and a desk. Everything else is just clothes and other necessities. It will be interesting, as it usually is. At least my parents will be able to help with moving. My mom is driving her SUV and my dad is good with the physical moving of things, so that will be a big help. Other than that, I just have some loose ends to tie up here in PA, and then off to Maryland it is!

CF-SLP!!!

2011-05-25T17:03:00.003-04:00

About 2 weeks ago, I received the call - I am officially a Clinical Fellow in Speech-Language Pathology for a school district in a rural town in Maryland!

Yep, I'm moving south! In about 6 weeks or so, I'll be packing my things and leaving Pennsylvania. I love Pennsylvania, and may return eventually, but I am so very excited to start fresh in a brand new town and state. I haven't been able to explore the town in person much (because it's 5.5 hours away) but the websites and reviews of the town are perfect. There is so much to do and so much around, I think that I'm going to love it. I'm not looking forward to the temperature increase in the summers, but am looking forward to not being in the snow belt another year during winter!

Mark will be joining me on my new little adventure. He's still looking for a job with his degree. It's a pretty small town, so it might take a little while, but I'm sure he's going to find something soon. We're also trying to find an affordable apartment. Although it's a small town, the rent prices that I've found have been a bit high, in my opinion. So, the search is still on, but the clock is ticking.

And, this will hopefully be my last move for awhile. I will have lived in 5 towns, 5 counties, 5 apartments, 2 houses, and 2 states, all within 6 years. I'm about done with all that moving jazz for a good bit.

I'm so ready to finally be a Speech-Language Pathologist! And make money! ;-)

Advice

2011-03-28T18:05:00.002-04:00

This is an essay I wrote once:

Growing up in a small, extremely rural, low income area, people in the community usually do not have high expectations for their young new high school graduates. My parents, on the other hand, encouraged my sisters and me to do our best in school so that one day we could succeed. We were always told that there was no other option than to go to college or continue our education in some way. I remember my mother always saying that I could be anything I wanted to be if I tried hard enough. “You can sleep when you’re dead,” is something I recall being said once.

There are not many opportunities for young adults living in the little town I grew up in. Jobs are scarce, income is low, and there are not many ways to succeed in any career. I remember at one point in High School when I was feeling quite defeated. My parents had told me that college was the only way for me to make it in the world. How was I supposed to go to college? How would I afford it? What would I major in? There were too many questions that needed to be answered. It took a few months for me to realize that college was my best option, as my parents had told me. I would go to college, find something I was interested in, and head into it full force.

I came to college with an open mind and open eyes. There was such a variety of majors to choose from, so many interesting paths. The first semester I was at college, I decided to take a Career Exploration class. One of the requirements for the course was to go to the annual Majors Fair, an exhibit of most of the majors offered on campus. Declaring a major was difficult for me because of my lack of knowledge of choices that I had, so I figured that this would be exciting. Little did I know, I would find my passion and calling at this Majors Fair.

Walking in, there were tables upon tables of fascinating careers and majors. Right in the front was the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Deaf Education table. I picked up a few brochures and read them, but decided I would check out the other tables. Wandering around the displays, my mind kept coming back to the table out front. In a matter of about 10 minutes after talking to the professors, I had made up my mind. My goal from there on out was to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. I knew it would be a lot of work and take a lot of time, but I was determined. I am determined.

Every time I think that life is challenging and classes and obligations are demanding, I push through it because I know that if I try my best and do what needs to be done, I will make it. I hear my mother’s voice in the back of my head every once in awhile telling me, “Just try hard and you will succeed.”

This little bit of advice has really led me to where I am, which I feel is a long way. If I had never been encouraged to work hard and go to college, I may have never found my passion and become who I am today. Hearing that voice in my head every now and then makes my life a bit easier. I’m a small town girl with big dreams. And like Napoleon Hill said, “What ever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

Title: Student Teacher (finally!)

2011-03-16T18:12:00.002-04:00

I've finally made it to my last internship before graduating with my Masters. Currently, I go between 4 different schools with my awesome supervisor. It's difficult to manage so many different students and schools, but it's going well. I am learning a lot about the school system and the politics with education, as well. Let's just say, nobody likes the PSSA tests.
There really isn't much to update right now, and I am not in much of a writing mood, so this post will be short and sweet. Everything is going well. ..............And the job search is on.

Life in the fast lane

2011-01-22T18:27:00.004-05:00

I'm officially done with my Masters courses. January 3rd I started my second internship. I am at a rehabilitative hospital in Pittsburgh for eight weeks. Friday marked the end of my third week there. I absolutely love it! The people are great and I love working with the patients. Most of my patients are dealing with strokes at varying severity levels. It is similar to the skilled nursing facility from last summer, but different. Patients at a SNF are usually there for an extended amount of time, rehab patients are only there for a few weeks. I love seeing the progress these patients make because I'm helping them. It's great to see someone go from barely talking and depressed to making jokes and being witty and clever. The challenge is definitely there, but I'm always one for the challenge. Grad school has proved that.
Beginning the first week in March, I will be starting my 15-week school placement. I have 4 schools where I will be interning. I have a high school, middle school, and two elementary schools. With that age range, I will be getting a lot of experience with different disorders, cultures, children, and so much more.

I am loving my life right now. No classes. No true responsibilities. I just go to work and do the best I can. I am learning a lot about the field, and also about myself. I wasn't sure that I wanted to work with adults, but after this placement, it will certainly be one of my options. Too bad they aren't hiring where I'm interning.

Life just gets more interesting every day.

3 weeks!

2010-11-28T23:06:00.002-05:00

Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!

Only 3 weeks left of grad classes!

Only 3 weeks left of Edinboro!

Pittsburgh, here I come!

♥

2010-10-27T22:18:00.003-04:00

They forewarned me...

2010-10-05T20:15:00.003-04:00

They told me it would be hard. "You'll be pulling all-nighters all the time." Well, I refuse to stay up all night just to get work done. But thanks for the warning. Not staying up all night means I have zero. zip. zilch. time to do anything. I don't even have time to eat most days. Mondays through Thursdays are insane. I am gone from around 9 in the morning to after 9 at night.
Mondays I have class from 12:30p-7:30p, but I usually come early and I leave late to get things done.
Tuesdays I have a meeting at 9:30a, class 12:30p-3p, clinic from 3p-5:30p, then work 6p-9p. So yes, I literally have no time on Tuesdays for anything. Those breaks in between aren't breaks at all because I have so much to do.
Wednesdays I have class 12:30-3 and then work 3-9.
Thursdays aren't as bad, but I make them worse so that I have more time on Fridays and the weekend. I just have clinic from 3-5:30, but I usually do work before clinic.
And like I said, Friday-Sunday are usually open so that I can get some of my work done or actually do things. Gasp! Who would have thunk it. Actually have time do to things other than class, work, or clinic? Wow. But I usually have something to do, so it's just run run run for me.

I know this sounds like complaining, and I probably do complain too much. But it could be a lot worse. I am so stressed I feel like just crawling up into a ball. But I know it's worth it and that this too shall pass. Hard work wins. And I do love life. Really.

Where has the time gone?

2010-08-31T22:42:00.006-04:00

Alright, I know. I know. It's been since March since I've updated. If anyone even follows along with this anymore, I'd be real surprised. Since March, a lot has happened. I finished my first year of grad school. That was an accomplishment. Wow. I survived though. But finishing my first year means that I only have one more year left! How crazy! I will be entering the real world in less than a year! Then comes the fun of paying back student loans comparable to the amount of a nice house. That's what you get when you go to school for 6 years. Seriously, if I would have known that I would be paying this much back one day, I think I may have tried a lot harder to have found some rich foster parents I could have lived with. ;-) Just kidding, but seriously. It's going to be tough starting out. I'll be dealing with way more than most graduates. But I'm a survivor and a fighter, so I will get through it.

This summer I completed my first internship. I had an 8-week internship at a skilled nursing facility in Erie. It went by really fast and I completed about a third of the hours I need to have before graduating. So that's exciting. And this coming spring, I will have 2 more internships: one in a school setting and one in a hospital. I'm really hoping to find someplace around Pittsburgh or State College to find a job when I'm done, so I applied to do my internships in Pittsburgh. I'd be living with my sister who lives in Monroeville if I end up with my internships there. Which I assume I will be doing, as far as I know. So, technically, this is my last semester of classes ever. Unless I decide to continue someday...(hint: an Au.D sounds tempting ;-P)

As for my last semester of classes here at Edinboro, it's going to be a tough one. Again, I have my graduate assistantship. So I have 12 hours of classes (MTW), 6 hours of clinic (TR), and 9 hours of work. That doesn't include my 30 hours of fall field and 10 hours of hearing clinic I must complete by the end of the semester. I'm sure there are other things that I am forgetting, but all I know is, it's exhausting. But I'll try my hardest not to complain. I'm excited about life. I really am. This whole concept that I will be doing something that makes a difference is what drives me everyday. If I didn't think that one day I would be helping people, I wouldn't be doing this and would have probably dropped it a long time ago. I can't imagine a career in which I wasn't helping people. That is just me. I am a lover and I want to make a difference in a child's (or anyone's) life.

As for the rest of my life, everything is going splendid. It's still hard being able to see Mark with our crazy schedules and long distances apart. But we definitely make it work. We've never had any real problems with the distance. I think that may stem from the fact that we have never been consistently together since we've been together. The longest I think we've been together was about 2 weeks. But we have a really strong relationship that bonds us. I love him so much. Sometimes it really amazes me and takes my breath away. I couldn't ask for anyone better.

The nieces and nephew are growing so fast. I really can't believe that Owen is starting first grade tomorrow. It's insane. I was in my junior year of High School when he was born. Times have really changed! Madison is starting pre-school tomorrow and is starting dance lessons sometime in September. She's such a "princess" so it really fits her. And little Paige, who isn't so little anymore. She just turned 1 last week. ONE! It really doesn't seem like a year since she was born. But she's gone through a lot in that one year. She's a trooper. But I love them all so much. My love for them is almost like a mother's love. I really feel like I'm so close to them. And they love me, too. Just ask my sister for proof. :-D

I really don't have much else going on in my life. School, work, and Mark take up pretty much all of my time. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I honestly don't mind putting in all these hours of classes and work. One day it will be worth it and I will be living the life I've always dreamed of.

My beautiful niece Paige Alivia!

2010-03-30T15:32:00.004-04:00

Birth to 7 months! Look how awesome she is!

Grad School: Part Two

2010-02-01T20:25:00.003-05:00

My, oh my, what a crazy semester this is going to be! This semester consists of 4 grad classes (1 class a day for 2.5 hours): Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Aphasia and Neurological Disorders, Phonological Disorders, and Seminar in Clinical Methods; 6 hours of clinic, and 9 hours of work.

I did get my very first client and I start therapy next week. I am nervous, yet excited to get started. I also got my Skilled Nursing Facility assignment for my internship over the summer. I will be working 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. Excited to jump in, but not excited about not receiving a pay check for all that work. Boo for unpaid internships! haha It's all good, because I'll be receiving something that is worth more. Knowledge and experience. (bahaha) But no, really, I'm excited.

This is happening all so fast. Where did the time go? It was like just yesterday when I was declaring my major. Now I'm in my second semester of graduate school. Amazing.

Spread the Holiday Cheer

2009-11-23T11:36:00.000-05:00

Please remember this holiday season when you are going out to buy your children hundreds of dollars worth of toys, that there are children out there that don't receive any presents and don't even get a Christmas dinner. Just because it doesn't affect you personally doesn't mean it isn't happening and it isn't real. So, while you are off on your holiday cruise that costs thousands of dollars, think of the children that won't have a Christmas tree. Give a gift to Toys for Tots, donate time, donate canned foods to a food bank. Anything helps. It really does.

P is for Paige

2009-11-17T23:11:00.000-05:00

I've been so completely busy and focused on school, I haven't really thought about updating this much. In this lack of updating, I forgot to write about my sister's new baby!

Okay, so you know back when my sister was pregnant and I wrote that she was having a little boy that was due in August? My sister was so excited that she was having another little boy. Owen and Maddie were excited that they were going to have a younger brother. Baby Parker was already in their vocabulary and everything was all set up in blue. August 21st, Paige Alivia was born. Yes, Paige. Not Baby Parker. A girl. Not only did they miss that Miss Paige was a girl, they also did not notice the little cleft on her lip. She came out healthy and happy and everything anyone could ask for in a little girl. Paige does have a cleft lip and palate, but she is a beautiful little girl. Every day she looks more and more like her older siblings. In January, she will undergo surgery to repair her lip. I feel like repair is such an awful word, because she isn't broken. She doesn't need fixed. Paige is the way Paige was supposed to be and she is perfect. God made her this way for a reason. Of course, at first it was a shock. I think that her being a girl was more of a shock to me. :-P And for Miss Madison who was asking when Baby Parker was coming home for about a month. It is a hard concept for a 3-year-old to understand what happened. But the kids have come to understand that Paige is there to stay and Baby Parker IS Baby Paige. If you want to check out some pictures and read updates about Miss Paige and progress she has made (and Owen and Madison), you can read my sister's blog at http://simmermans.blogspot.com

Other than that, my life is all about grad school. Okay, and maybe on occasion some IUP trips. But for the most part, grad school is sucking the life out of me. By the end of the month, I have to decide where I want to work for my first internship. (YIKES!) My first placement will be at a Skilled Nursing Facility. Then spring of 2011, I will be interning at a hospital and a school. I am still not sure where I want to work for any of it. So that is just another thing on my plate. But I'll be sure to update (at some point) more on this when I figure out what I'm doing.

TTFN!

Smile!

2009-10-21T22:10:00.004-04:00

Chin up, chin up.
Everybody loves a happy face.
Wear it, share it!
It'll brighten up the darkest place.
Twinkle, sparkle!
Let a little sunshine in.
You'll be on the right side,
looking at the bright side,
Up with your chinny-chin-chin.

I love life.

2009-10-13T19:22:00.010-04:00

I've been meaning to write a post about this for a while, but since I am trying to procrastinate, I thought "why not now?"

Last year at this time, I was not having good luck with life. I constantly felt like I wasn't any good and that my friends were not there for me. I was losing my grip on reality. I realize now what my problem was and I've changed my thoughts.

Every day I thank God for how wonderful my life is turning out. Finally my life and my heart are on the same page. Not only have I found someone wonderful to spend my time with, I feel like my life is falling into place. I know that what I am doing now will be what I want to do for the rest of my life. If everything goes as I am planning it to, I will be the happiest person in the world. I know that things usually don't go as planned, but that's okay too. I am fine with things going awry because that is what keeps life interesting. I really don't understand how I deserve everything that I've been given, but it truly is amazing.

Below are just a few of the things that make my life amazing.

Grad School

2009-09-16T18:49:00.005-04:00

It's finally here! Actually, it has already started! I've been slacking/trying to get settled in, so I haven't really had the chance to update. I started on August 31st, and so far, so good. I haven't had a breakdown yet. Go me! :) Honestly, I think that Edinboro is going to be way easier than IUP would have been. Okay, so maybe not easier, but less stressful. Nobody seems highly overwhelmed here like they do at IUP. I remember grad students talking and hear things from my former classmates this year about how hard the program at IUP is and how they never have time for themselves. To be honest, I don't think that will be the case for me at all here at Edinboro. I know, it's only the first like 3 weeks of school and I haven't really gotten into it much. The second year grads here don't even seem overwhelmed. That's good news for me because I don't handle stress well.

I have 15 credits, meaning I have 5 different classes. I have Voice/Resonance Disorders, Neuroanatomy for the SLP, Language Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Swallowing Disorders. All of my professors (I only have 3 right now) are really nice and helpful. I won't have clinic until next semester because they messed up I guess, so I don't actually get any clients until spring. But that's actually good for me because I want to get adjusted to the school and clinic before I actually provide therapy.

On top of my courseload, I have my graduate assistantship. Ha! I should just say that it's my time to finish my homework. On Wednesdays from 4-9 (right now), I sit in the Hamilton basement computer lab and help people if they need it, but there have been like a total of 10 people here in the three weeks I've been working here. So I just mess around online and do some homework. I'm not supposed to leave, so it gets pretty boring down here all by myself. In addition, I work in the math department on Thursdays from 11:30-3:30 and tutor students in Math 020 and 100. It's basic level algebra, which I love. So, it's not bad. I've only tutored 3 people, but I'm sure I'll have more as the semester gets going. It's pretty fun. I'm weird and like math. :)

I'm not going to lie, I do miss my IUP campus and people. I think that IUP is organized so much better and it's so much nicer. Edinboro needs a makeover. It's blah. The only things that look nice are the new suites, the lake, and the new Pogue center. I just love IUP and the Oak Grove. The Oak Grove may be the thing I miss most about the IUP campus. It was amazing. Maybe Edinboro will grow on me when I'm here for a little longer. I hope.

Another thing I miss is Alpha Phi Omega. That organization made my life seem so much better. I loved all the people in it and we always had so much fun. I could join a group here, but it wouldn't be the same, and frankly, I don't think I'd have time for it.

Although I miss IUP, we all have to move on at some point, right? It will always be there. I am going to try to embrace Edinboro for what it is and make the best of it. Because what is life if you can't make the best of it?

Summer update

2009-07-23T14:20:00.000-04:00

Since it’s been over 2 months since I’ve last updated, I thought I’d share what I’ve been up to and what’s on my mind.

This is my last summer before real life sets in, so I decided that I would enjoy it. Although, I would have preferred having a part-time job, I just didn’t find enough motivation to actually go out and get one. So, I’ve pretty much just been hanging out at home and traveling around all summer.

It's really hard when Mark is 4 hours away, we only see each other every 2 weeks. He works crazy hours (3-10pm) so it’s harder for him to come up here than for me to go down there. But of course, my car is not the newest car ever (14 years old…ha!) and it has already broken down once on my way there. Not fun. But now my Ruby is fixed and I’ll probably make my way down there one more time this summer.

Also, I can’t go very far any time soon because my sister is going to pop any day now. Little Parker will be here within the next few weeks, so I’m not allowed going anywhere. I have to babysit the kids when she’s in the hospital, so I need to be available at all times. Boo.

July 4-10, I went with Mark and his family to the Outer Banks in NC. It was so much fun. Went to the beach, went to Kitty Hawk, kayaked, went up a lighthouse, went out on a jet ski, rode bikes around the town, took a late night stroll on the moon lit beach, saw a beautiful sunset, and a ton of other really fun stuff. If you’re my friend on facebook or myspace, you can check out pictures there.

Other than going down to Mechanicsburg and North Carolina, I really haven’t done a whole lot that is worth talking about. Now that my car is fixed, I’m thinking I might try and volunteer at a local nursing home for something to do. :)

I guess that is all. Can’t think of much else to say. I’ll be updating soon, when the baby is born and before I head off to grad school…EEK! :) TTFN!

Graduation 2009

2009-05-07T12:40:00.003-04:00

As I walk out onto the field, rain dripping off of my cap, I look out into the stands to find family and friends. This is it. I made it. It does not feel real. This has to be a dream. Orange umbrella…Erica. Mark. Aha! But where are my sisters and parents? We shuffle into our seats, a sea of black caps and gowns with an occasional person in maroon. The National Anthem. Speakers. I spot my family! Robert E. Cook. Terrible, offensive speech. Rain still dripping off my cap and the people around me. Waiting. Listening. People stand for honors. Cum Laude. Magna Cum Laude. Summa Cum Laude. Each college stands. Of course, my college is last. College of Education and Educational Technology. Yelling! As we all sit back down, it’s time for them to call our names individually to recognize all our hard work. I sit there trying my hardest to use telepathy to talk to my family and friends. Sitting down there is boring. I didn’t know anyone nearby. Finally it’s time for me to go up to the stage. “Don’t fall” echoing through my head. Thanks, Mark. I give them the slip of paper that says my name. Surprisingly, they say my name correctly. Happily, I walk over to shake the hands of the dean of my college, and then stop to take a picture with the university president, Dr. Tony Atwater. Fake smile. Walk off the stage to get another picture taken with my degree. DONE! As I walk back to my seat, I realize that I really don’t feel like sitting around listening to more speeches. I find Erica and Mark and they tell me that my family decided to go get warm and dry. Starving, we go to Subway. Hot spot for the recently graduated, I guess. We wait for our food. Still feels like a dream. It does not feel like I just graduated from college. Not real. We eat, then head to my department graduation. Zink Gym B. I find my Speechies. Family takes pictures of me real quick. I join the girls with which I spent so much of my time learning with. I spot all of my professors. I wave. This is much better. I know these people. I care about these people. This won’t be boring. Pictures. There are 4 majors in our department. Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Disability Services, Education of Exceptional Persons, and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Each major has a speaker. We sit and listen to each of the speakers and professors. Tears in my eyes, I clap. Again, it’s time to be called individually to be honored and receive our degrees. My name is called, I smile. Real smile. I shake the dean’s hand again. I stand for pictures with Dr. Stein. Takes forever. I laugh. He says, “Go show Edinboro how smart we are!” I smile again. Congratulations and carnation from Dr. Migyanka. I stand with the girls as everyone else is called. I look at the people that really care for me. The people that were there for me along the way. The people that recently entered my life, and I could never thank enough for what they do for me. In this moment, I have never been happier. Graduation 2009. I will never forget you, IUP. You are my home.

My favorite person

2009-04-15T12:36:00.001-04:00

My nephew, Owen, and me

A change of scenery

2009-03-31T13:41:00.000-04:00

Just a little update - Yesterday I woke up to an email from the IUP Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program director saying that I had been accepted. If I would have received that email one week earlier, I would have definitely chose IUP. Ever since I accepted Edinboro's offer, I have been really excited. I need a change of scenery. IUP will always be my home, but I need something new and different. My friends Kristen and Kylei from home go to Edinboro and they asked me if I want to live with them this fall, so at least I will have somewhere to live! Plus, I love them to death, and I anticipate much fun with them. And there is always the option of visiting IUP whenever I have free time. Homecoming, APO events, Graduation, etc.
Can't wait to start this new journey.

Life is wonderful

2009-03-26T09:52:00.005-04:00

March 19 - My SLP classmates were all excited that they were receiving emails saying that they were accepted into grad school at IUP. I can't even explain to you how defeated I felt when I did not get that email. I really felt like a failure. I know that I really shouldn't, because it was only a 1/6 chance that I got in. But I'm not used to failure or losing when it comes to academics. I was always in the top percentage in HS and graduated co-Salutatorian. So, when I am not chosen for the first round of grad school acceptances, I really feel terrible.

March 23 - Check my email and receive a message from the SLP director at Edinboro. Subject was "You've been accepted!" For a second, I struggled to read these words for what they really meant. I open the email, and yes! I was accepted at Edinboro.

My dad calls later in the afternoon and tells me that I received a letter from Clarion. I was also accepted at Clarion. The day could not get any better.

March 25 - Letter comes in the mail explaining my acceptance at Edinboro. This is the exciting part. The letter explains, "Because of your high ranking in our cohort of applicants, it is my pleasure to be able to recommend that you be offered a half-time graduate assistantship for academic year 2009-2010." I did not request an assistantship because I really hadn't planned on going there and figured I wouldn't have time if I did end up going. So, if they offered this, they must really want me to go there. ;-)

And since I did not hear back from my number one school (IUP), I thought about Edinboro's offer. It would be something new and different. I would have an assistantship that would pay for half of my tuition the first year and also a stipend. It's closer to home. The program itself is great. I don't think that I could have found anything better, and I know even if I got into IUP, they wouldn't offer an assistantship. So, this morning, I officially accepted Edinboro's offer of both admission and assistantship. I can't wait to start something new. This is going to be exciting!!!

Plus, I am part Scottish and love plaid and bagpipes. ;-)

“Life is like a hand of cards. You have to play the hand you're dealt, you can't win by folding, and sometimes you must take chances in order to win.” - Mike Connor

Birthdays

2009-03-10T14:40:00.004-04:00

Birthdays have always been weird to me. Mine, in particular. I have always just felt like it was another day and that people really shouldn't go out of their way to make me feel special. But on the flip side, I feel like I never do enough for other people on their birthdays.
I guess I just have never had a good experience on my birthday. Something bad always seemed to happen on my birthday. Plus, my dad's birthday is a day before mine (today), and we always shared a cake. Maybe that's why I don't like people making mine special. I like sharing it. Because it isn't just about me. I'm weird. I know. But I really do appreciate when people do make the effort to care. :)

But yeah, tomorrow is my birthday, and I am going to try something different and enjoy it and have fun.
And don't feel obligated to wish me a happy birthday. Seriously.

Just a little FYI

2009-03-07T09:12:00.003-05:00

Hey guys! Blogger just updated their "following" service to have it set up with Google Friend Connect. For some reason, it made some subscriptions invisible. I did NOT stop following you and have made my follow public again. :) So, you might want to go in and change your settings for some of the people you follow so they don't think that you stopped caring! :)

Sorry, Brandon!!! haha

Have a great day!

-A

Interview Me(me)

2009-02-27T00:50:00.001-05:00

From Miss Katie (@katydidsays): An Interview Meme

1) Favorite song lyrics. Why?
When I was growing up, I was in LOVE with the Beach Boys. Still am. I can remember sitting with my portable cassette player and headphones listening to my Endless Summer cassette. Or blasting it on my boombox. It always had a way to make me happy. I was such an oldies freak and listened to the oldies station while everyone else was listening to the Spice Girls. For some reason though, Kokomo would not come on the station very often. But every time that it did, I went ballistic! By far, my favorite song of ALL time and always will be. I can't just choose one part of that song as my favorite lyric. The whole song is my favorite.

2) What are three accomplishments you're most proud of?
Three accomplishments.. Hmmm...
I haven't really accomplished much yet.
The one that I am most proud of though would be graduating college. Yes, I know, I haven't done that yet. But seriously guys, I only have 64 days. :) Me and my sisters are the first in our family to go to college. It is a big thing because I grew up with not very many opportunities.

3) Most attractive quality of a guy/girl?
The ability to make me smile. Isn't that what every girl is looking for in a guy? Someone with a great sense of humor and appreciates me. That's not too much to ask for, right? :)

4) Best childhood memory?
I used to have a pool when I was a kid. I was in that thing ALL day EVERY day during the summer. I was a fish. And I was as dark as or darker than my Native American ancestors. :) But one of my favorite childhood memories was when it was really rainy outside. My sisters and I got on our bathing suits and went jumping in mud puddles. We were covered from head to toe in mud. And then we jumped in the pool to wash off. Oh, the carefree days of childhood. =)

5) If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things (not people) what would they be? Why?
1. Something that is most logical - a boat. For obvious reasons.
2. The Bible. - I would want something to read, and since I am a bad Christian and haven't read it, it would be a great opportunity to sit down and digest it.
3. A picture of everyone I know. A photo album, perhaps. I wouldn't want to forget what anyone looked like if somehow I could never return to them.

------------

If you want to play along, here’s how:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me”.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Wint-O-Green Mints

2009-02-20T20:30:00.000-05:00

It's an addiction.

I'm going to miss this...

2009-02-17T13:51:00.002-05:00

Is it possible to have too much fun? This last semester is turning out to be my favorite out of all. I thought nothing could ever top my freshman year, but this semester might just do that. I say 'too much fun' because I am at the point where I am not doing my school work. But I am so motivated to do other things. And I am extremely excited to graduate and start something new.

Senioritis - an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grade.

Them darn kids

2009-02-05T18:00:00.005-05:00

Is it just me or does it seem like young adults around my age (21) and younger act like everything should be just handed to them on a platter? I am going to sound like an old lady by saying this, but it just seems like kids these days EXPECT so much. When I was growing up, we didn't have the luxury of cell phones or our own computers. I remember having to beg my parents for small things like CDs or an hour of time at the computer. Parents are so lax now. Why are they so soft? Because they remember how it was when they were younger and don't want there kids to go through what they did? Parents, make your kid work for things they want. That is the only real way they will appreciate what they have. Starting them off by granting their every wish is doing them no good. Instant gratification is not the way to go.

Back in the day (heh), I had to use my imagination. Do kids even know what that is or how to tap into it? Even for me, I don't use my creativity as much anymore like I used to. When I was young, I would sit for hours and paint or write stories. I'd make jewelry and play "house" or "school" with my sisters. All I see are kids playing video games or using the computer or watching television. Where is the creativity in that? It's okay to do some of that on occasion. I wish that parents would take away every toy for a day, just one day, or even a week, and have their child use their minds to come up with something to do. These kids are wasting their life. They can't look back and remember all the fun things they did. They'll remember playing on the computer or watching television. Is it that parents just want to pawn their children off and not have to find something to do with them? Sit them in front of the television and let them be. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. So much fun.

I've seen what this does to kids. Teenagers that have come from this type of family are self-centered and expect the world to bow down to them. Sorry, kiddos. That's not the way things work.

Well, that's my rant for the day. Be sure to tune in another day when I feel the need to yell at someone else. :-P

Playlist for 2/3/09

2009-02-03T15:01:00.001-05:00

When given the choice

2009-01-23T22:45:00.001-05:00

This is just something I wrote awhile back. It's nothing great, but it's from the heart.
---

When given the choice, I'd choose you over anyone.
When given the choice, I'd love you forever.
You deserve nothing, and all I give you is everything.
So why when given the choice, I'd choose you?

You make me happy is the most possible ways
Yet somehow you make me the saddest I've ever been.
How is it that you keep pulling me in?
My head tells me to turn you to the streets,
But my heart tells me to turn you to my sheets.

I've never felt this way about anyone
You are the only one I need
You are the only one I want
You are the only one I'd choose.

This is it. The final semester.

2009-01-14T10:17:00.002-05:00

I'm back in Indiana, PA!!! Can you tell I'm excited? While I am happy to be back, it also makes me a little sad. This may be my last semester EVER at IUP. Pending grad school admission, that is. If I don't get in here, I will be moving away. Although leaving and going somewhere new would be fun and adventurous, I want to attend grad school here. I want nothing else.

It is only the first week back and I can't get motivated. Already. I'd blame it on senioritis, but I really don't believe that is why I don't want to do anything. I feel as if I do my work I will have a reason to leave. I'm not ready for that yet. I am excited about the future, but this little town is my favorite place to be. This little bubble that is so different and disconnected from the rest of my life. But then there is a side of me that wants to get the heck out of here and start my life. Even if it is just grad school awaiting me. My heart is torn in two.

Some happy news!

2008-12-28T15:14:00.004-05:00

I forgot to blog about this. I hope to not jinx it and probably shouldn't talk about it. But I'm just too excited to not say anything. My sister is pregnant again! After her miscarriage in October, we are really hoping this one sticks! :) She is 5 weeks so far, which is when the last miscarriage was, so pray for this little peanut. The doctor told her that her hormone count is really high, indicating either that she is farther along than they originally thought or that it's multiples. Twins run in our family, so we are really hoping that that is not that case. She only wants one more! :-P Thinking blue!!!
Well, that's my little bit of excitement going on in my life. I'll update about this more later, I'm sure. :)

The past is the past

2008-12-27T22:37:00.000-05:00

Last night I realized something. Although I love my friends from home, there is just something that separates us. I decided to go to the Pub last night so that I could visit with friends that I hardly see. That's the problem, I think. During the school year, I don't ever come home. I may come home for a weekend during the semester and during breaks, but I am usually too busy to get together with them. It is partly my fault, but we hardly talk anymore. It's not that I don't want to, but they seem to do their thing while I am off doing mine. I feel so distant from their lives.

It was a good time though. Rob picked me up and we got to the Pub around 10 or so. Got some free drinks ;-) and did some dancing with my girls. Someone had the bright idea to go to a friend's apartment that is like 45 minutes away. Yeahhh. So a few of us ended up in Franklin. That was an interesting time. Something way bazaar happened, but it is way too awkward to write in this blog. I don't even want to think about it. haha But anyway, I didn't even get home until 4 today because we stayed up/slept in late. They asked if I was going to do it again tonight and I told them sure. But I decided today that I just don't really feel like going. I'm not sure if I fit into this scene. Although I grew up there, I don't think small town life is for me.

I'll be home for Christmas

2008-12-23T23:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, so not exactly true. Not in the physical sense, that is. Not only will I not be home for Christmas, I will be spending the holidays at...my dad's girlfriend's house. How awkward. For 20 years of my life I had been spoiled with having the holidays to spend at my house with both my mom and my dad. But life has a way of changing things up. Christmas Eve (tomorrow) I will be heading to Erie to spend the night. I guess we are doing a Christmasy thing there with the dad's girlfriend's kids and grandkids. That should be all kinds of awkward and interesting. I may have some stories to tell later.
Christmas day I will be going to my oldest sister's (Mandy) house. This past Saturday, my mom, my other sister (Jessie), and I went and spent the day and gave the kids their gifts. They are going to be confused as to why I'm there again, and with no more presents. haha But, I don't mind spending time with them because they are the best. Owen is almost 5 and makes me laugh so hard with the things he comes up with. He has so much energy and is so creative. Madison is 2 and is the smartest 2-year-old I've ever encountered. She talks in full sentences and with such a large vocabulary, it's amazing. I may be a bit biased, but she is also the sweetest little girl in the world.
At least Christmas day will be spent with family. At first, I was hesitant to go with my dad to Erie because I really am not looking forward to meeting her family. But, I really can't complain because I actually get to have a Christmas.

Times are changing, traditions are no longer. And even though we aren't all together, I still have my family and I am truly blessed.

"I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."

Happy Holidays! Enjoy the good times with family and friends. Be safe and stay warm! :)

Sunday night update

2008-12-14T20:19:00.000-05:00

I can't say that I am completely out of the funk that I was in, but things have lightened up a bit. Stress from finals and other things were making everything in my life seem bad multiplied by a million. Now that I actually have time to relax and have some "me" time, I think that things will start to look up. So, we have good news. Finally.

Thank you to everyone that left a comment on here or FriendFeed, Twitter, Facebook, etc. They really have helped. I appreciate it.

We might as well be strangers

2008-12-09T10:10:00.000-05:00

"I don't know your thoughts these days
We're strangers in an empty space
I don't understand your heart
It's easier to be apart

We might as well be strangers in another town
We might as well be living in another time
We might as well"
-Keane

Found this...

2008-12-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

Untitled

2008-12-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

When I reach out for help, it is because I truly need it. I'm not the type of person that asks for help. Ever. And if you can't be there for me when I need you the most, I don't know if I can trust you to ever be there for me.

All I ask is that you stand by me

2008-11-26T17:51:00.000-05:00

When you place someone on a pedestal, you are setting things up for disaster. My brain has finally soaked this up. I always seem to hold people to high esteem and sometimes they decide to prove me wrong. There are people that I never thought would hurt me. But somehow they did. I am usually not so sensitive to things like this and chalk it off as a learning experience. I really can't do that this time. Recently, there have been 3 people that mean the world to me that have lost most or all of my respect. I can't deal with the pain that these people have been causing, and I seriously don't know what to do or say to them. None of them know that they are doing this to me. I am not the type of person that likes confrontation and usually avoid it at all costs. But how far does it go before I break and all of the feelings come pouring out? I'm tired of always bottling things up until they explode. All I ask for is a little respect and for you to be there for me when I need you the most.

"If the sky that we look upon, should tumble and fall
Or the mountains, should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2008-11-22T21:56:00.000-05:00

"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.."

It is hard to accept the things that have come my way this past year and a half. If it wasn't for being away from home by being at school, I would have probably gone crazy and ended up in a mental institute. Things are going to be really different and depressing these next few holidays. My parents got divorced this past May (I think that's when it was official), so this will be the first year that I will be celebrating the holidays not as one big family. Christmas was always my favorite time of year. I loved driving by homes and seeing their decorations. I got excited when I saw all of the department stores putting up their Christmas stuff in October. But, this year, I just can't be happy. I've tried my hardest to get into the Christmas spirit. It just isn't happening. The only thing that I will be excited about is going to my sister's house and playing with my niece and nephew. This Thursday, when everyone is pigging out on turkey and mashed potatoes and spending time with their families, I will be spending time either at my dad's or my mom's house doing nothing. We aren't even doing Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day.
It's like nothing is going my way and I can't catch a break. And I hate even writing this because I feel like I'm whining and complaining. I'd rather write this and have maybe one person read it than talk about it with someone and bother them.
I just don't know how much more hurting I can take.
And people that I thought were there for me, apparently don't care. But that's another story...

Where do I begin...

2008-11-19T22:21:00.000-05:00

My life is a complete mess. I need direction. People keep telling me, "Oh, it will all work out. Don't worry." They have no idea how this works apparently. I am applying to grad schools, people. This isn't an easy thing to do, by any means. This will ultimately decide where I will be living for at least 3 years. As I have said millions of times, I would love to stay here in good ol' Indiana, PA. I want to eventually work somewhere in or around Pittsburgh. If it wasn't for grad school, I would be moving there next summer. But I need to do this and want to stay here. IUP is very competitive when it comes to their Speech-Language Pathology program. They receive around 120-140 applications for admission for the fall semester. They accept 20. There are more than 20 people that I know of from IUP that are applying here that I know would do great in the program, and also you have to add in applicants from other schools that are top of their classes. Okay, so yes, I have decent grades. They don't even really care about grades. The only thing I really have going for me is my volunteering and extracurricular activities. It will all work out? Are you from Mars?

Yesterday, I woke up at 5am having an anxiety attack. Not good, people, not good.

The Luckiest

2008-10-31T02:59:00.000-04:00

I just want to start this blog off by saying THANK YOU. There are so many people that this goes out to. The list goes from my freshman roommate down to the people that I just saw walking to class every day. Every person in my 4 years here have molded me into who I am today. Even a random person that smiled as we walked past each other has made an impact in my life at college.

Things that I will never forget:
*Getting lost the very first day at IUP with Casey
*Shenanigans with Joe Crowe and Quinn
*Andy Milonakis with Joe Crowe (I've rock peas on my head, but don't call me a pea head)
*Wallace Hall 1st Floor Girls
*Crazy adventures on the bus having no idea where we were headed
*KISS IT, DICKEY!
*The Shafer 8 Crew (Casey, Joe, Brendan, Bill, Jason, Beau, Shane, Giuseppe, Rob, Brandon, Boonie, Jody, Adam)
*Superman, Anchorman, Fear and Loathing, Hot Pockets
*Staying up until 3am, walking back to Wallace, and getting up for 8 am classes
*Never going to sleep and still going to class at 8am
*Jody pulling Adam's pants down in front of me
*Joe putting me in a full nelson
*Trips to Wal-Mart at 4am
*Projectile vomiting in Shafer
*Boonie walking in the snow without shoes
*Partying in the dorms without getting caught
*Parties with the crew (Casey, Brendan, Joe, Bill, Drew, Carl, Jake, Jockel)
*Eat N' Park with Joe
*Bagel Works with Casey, and Mike on occasion
*Dinner at Foster with Matt
*Tour groups and wanting to throw dirt at them
*Not ever talking to my roommate sophomore year
*The task of figuring out my major and then finally declaring
*Blood drives
*Parties all over Indiana
*My mom calling me while I was drunk
*Beer pong/flip cup
*Pittsburgh trips/Primanti's
*Erie trip
*Getting my lip ring and Joe making fun of me not being able to eat
*The sweet Folger lady
*Ghost Hunting in Sutton Hall
*Concerts at the HUB
*Matt stealing food and a PLANT from the Caf
*England/Italy for Spring Break
*Hanson Concert in Pittsburgh with Jess and Miranda
*Pledging Alpha Phi Omega, Mu Chi
*Having the best Big ever
*Jim faking his "broken" leg
*454 Parties
*Becoming a Brother of Alpha Phi Omega
*Sectionals in West Virginia
*Service projects
*Socials and Formals
*Campus Towers
*Hating construction
*Trick or Treating for UNICEF
*Jessie's Graduation
*Having an apartment by myself for a whole semester
*Seeing Shawn slip on the ice and not telling him for a week
*Visits from Joe
*Painting porches and "new" smells
*The "Pizza" Guys
*Duct taping Shawn's door for April Fools Day
*Putting post-it notes on Shawn's door every time I did laundry
*Being terrible at ice skating and hanging on Sean and Erica for dear life
*Non-alcoholic Mix-Off and winning awards for our awesome drink
*Going to the bars (Wolfies, Coney, Boomies, Culpeppers)
*Boomies with Ron White (and Becca making out with him :-P)
*Dancing and singing like a crazy person
*Having fun with the bar crew (Leo, Shawn, Sarah, Becca, Jen, and others)
*Never once getting an underage
*Homecoming/Badger Weekend with my loves (Krissy, Kimmo, and Stacey)
*Having awesome Littles : Marianne and Taylor
*Getting a house with Amber and Karrah and never seeing Amber
*Never hanging out with Torry
*Secrets: Music man, Scotty, Folger Guy, Bunny, Business guy, Jerk, Loser
*Broken hearts
*Philly Street
*Speechies
*Homecoming Parades and Games
*The Oak Grove
*Breaking out of my shell
*Meeting the amazing people that have changed my life
*Realizing that IUP was the place for me

***This obviously isn't everything (that would take forever), but if you can think of anything that should be added, leave me a comment. Or leave a message just because. =)

I love each and every one of you.
~2005-2009~

Better believe it

2008-10-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

First and foremost, I just want to warn you that I am not the most creative and poetic writer of all time. When writing blogs, I do not care if it sounds nice or if it flows. Do not judge me. I can write a good essay from time to time, but when it doesn't count for a grade, anything goes.
Also, I will probably write things in here that deal with my daily life. If you don't care, don't read it.
I believe in honesty, so everything you read will be the truth.
Lastly, please leave comments. Good or bad. I like warm thoughts. And criticism.
Enjoy.