For Lila

Clearly I've been a bad little blogger these past 3 weeks. I don't know what my problem is- I've been busy but not THAT busy and everyday I have had plenty of wonderful things to share. I guess we can just chalk it up to laziness (shocker).

At the request of one Lisa M. Talley I am updating my blog for her entertainment- not that I think this particular post will be especially interesting but maybe it will kickstart my motivation again and she'll have something to read in the next few days while she eagerly anticipates the start of her spring practicum at GTown.

As for my new years resolution: is it acceptable to just give my honor that I have made a concious effort to note the positive things in life on a daily basis and to just sum up the last three weeks with a big fat HOORAY. Things are still great with my practicum- I am happy to say that I still really love early intervention and the ittybitties I get to work with. Just like in the nursing home, I am witnessing some of the most dysfunctional and whacky family dynamics and have encountered some scum-of-the earth quality parents and family members BUT on the whole- I am really appreciating the fast progress that these kids make in comparison to geriatrics. It is just so unbelievable how resilient little kids can be. I really liked the nursing home setting but I am starting to truly believe that my calling is in a pediatric setting. So far I've seen some feeding, apraxia, down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, phonology, language, artic, lots and lots of autism, and even a few FLKs thrown in- a good variety that keeps me on my toes from kid to kid.

Another really cool and unexpected part of the job that I really like- I am learning some basic Spanish. Doing home visits with at risk low SES kids in Spanish speaking homes allows me to interact with interpreters and learn lots of basic vocabulary (some of my favorites: amarillo, caballo, besitos, and Da me cinco...) I dont know why I like this so much but I feel all sorts of multicultural and special about it. I really am only learning enough to function on the 1-2 word phrase level with a child approx. age 2- but hey you've gotta start somewhere right?

SOOO again, I will resolve to recommit myself to this blog and update you on the rest of my life and progress towards some of those new years resolutions (i've got a few adventures planned and i've been doing my best to reconnect with some old friends)... meanwhile, I'll keep my fingers crossed that LMT's internship gets going sometime soon before she goes completely bonkers cooped up in this apartment for the last 8 weeks.

LittleBitties and a Word on Avatar 3D...

Fab day. 2nd off campus internship/practicum/clinical situation started today. I am working with an early intervention SLP through a private practice in Springfield- 2 days clinic, 3 days home visits... so far i really like it. I can't believe how fast I forgot how much I adore little kids and love being with them, talking to them, and playing with them. They are the most precious little creatures on the planet- each so beautiful and perfect in their own little ways. (I'm really working the cheese factor here aren't I? haha!)

But all kidding aside- children really are so precious, especially when they are little- they don't care what you look like, how old (or young) you are, where you come from, how much money you have... they have this innate ability to see right to the core of a person and appreciate them for the individual gifts they have to offer. The goofier and sillier you can be the more fun they have without passing any sort of judgement or criticism. They either accept you for who you are or they don't for the very same reason. I've missed working with kids and I am sooo excited for this semester. I realize it is only the first day but if this is any indication of what the rest of the semester will be like I am sure I will have a blast and learn a lot.

Ohh and yesterday was fun too- was able to relax all morning then did a 4 mi run with T, finishing in 37 minutes and NOT freezing to death thanks to even MORE coldgear I got from his parents. Then went to dinner and saw Avatar 3D which was awesome (even if it was SciFi and i HATE SciFi). I did have one considerable problem with the movie: the complete and utter lack of respect for the military. Yes, I realize that they were supposed to be these freak veterans that believed that their time of service wasnt up just yet and were hired as mercenaries to destroy Pandora and the whatchamacalit natives; HOWEVER, they were outfitted in military attire for the duration of the movie and spoke in military jargon thus painting the picture that the military is a bunch of ignorant, blood thirsty, blind followers of one psychotic colonel on steriods. the only redeeming quality of this aspect of the film was that the ignorance of these hired mercenaries was SO UNBELIEVABLY over the top that it was really hard to take it seriously. Honestly- so corny in that respect.

Aforementioned bloodthirsty leader of the militant operation to desttttttttroy Pandora (for the acquisition of the precious metal, Unobtainium (CHEESERRRRRS)- I might add)

Glorious!

Jan. 08, 2010- Relaxed all day and didn't panic about the praxis AND I counted 126 days left until Hawaii!

Jan. 09, 2010: I have officially taken the SLP Praxis and what makes it even better is that it went really well! Thank the Lord I bought that big blue study guide- well worth the $150. It thoroughly prepared me for that test. I feel so great right now I think I could just burst.

Why hello social life, it's wonderful to see you again!

A tiny bit tardy.

I have concluded that this ambitious goal of making note of something positive every single day is going to be quite difficult to maintain. I am a few days behind but lets see what I can do....

Jan 5, 2010: rented funny movies with Momma and had a blast cracking up all night. life's simplest pleasures...

Jan 6, 2010: FINISHED THE BIG BLUE PRAXIS STUDY GUIDE! I've got a few more things to review before the test but I am feeling pretty good about this thing. I wish I could just take it tomorrow and be done with it. Also- Aunt Sherry came to visit and I got to spend a day with her before coming back home today! It's always good to see her!

Jan 7, 2010: Momma sent me home with pulled pork barbeque for dinner AND I went grocery shopping AND my giant card saved me $10! Very few things in life make me happier than a fully-stocked refrigerator.

I'm not looking forward to being room-mateless for the next week but I'm assuming I will survive. At least I will be busy with the Praxis Saturday and my next practicum starting Monday at 7:45 am (AHH!)

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR 26.2 LISA AND BRANDON! Give Mickey a hug for me! (and safe travels!)

Til next time!

It's a great day!

I feel like I've got about a million wonderful things to say about today. Keeping up with my resolution won't be hard at all! Today was a really busy but productive day. I spent most of the morning/afternoon studying for the Praxis- not necessarily fun but good to feel like I am getting a lot done and that I just might be prepared for this exam on Saturday! :) I studied enough during the day that I was able to do my 4 mile run outside late in the afternoon. It was freezing but my new coldgear did a nice job of keeping me dry and warm. When I took my hat off, I was actually sweating bullets underneath. It was a good run (minus my ipod dying during the last mile...boo). I felt like I worked hard and really got my heart pumping. I got home and was about to start this post when my cell phone rang- it was Gina! I haven't talked to her in quite a while (remember that thing about not keeping in touch with my friends).... so I was really glad she called. I told her about my resolution to do to better job of keeping in touch with my friends and thanked her for helping me out haha! She's a great friend and I miss her a lot. I think one of my adventures for 2010 will be taking a trip up to Jerz/NYC to visit her- how fun! Now for the rest of the night all I have to worry about is a little bit more Praxis studying and maybe entertaining my inner 15 year old by taking part in a little guilty pleasure I like to call the Bachelor and The Secret Life of the American Teenager premieres!

Woohoo, gonna be a good night!

Fail! But on a positive note...

Ooopsies, how did January 3 sneak up so quickly? Regarding my last post: I have not yet begun my quest to read the Bible start to finish (as I am still cramming for the Praxis in 6 days), I have not officially documented positive things that have occured in the last three days (but I have been mentally making note of them), and I did pass on the opportunity to hang out with BLap for the first time in FOREVER because I was not feeling so fabulous after NYE. HOWEVER.... I will count ringing in the New Year at Public Bar in Dupont Circle quite a success at partaking in adventures in 2010. I won't go into detail but I will say that I fell in a massive puddle on the way to the bar and slept on my floor when I got home. Needless to say, I wont be having that kind of adventure for some time (hopefully never) again.

Also on new years eve eve I did get the opportunity to hang out with a great friend from YEARS ago who moved to the west coast when we were 14. It was fabulous to get to spend some time with her and catch up on what we've been doing the last 9 years. She hasn't changed much, except in the sense that she's all grown up now (interestingly, I am as well...). But its always nice to see that people maintain their integrity and who they are over the years. She had to go back to Cali but plans to visit in the spring/summer. I look forward to spending time with her again soon!

Amanda and Amanda- 9 years later! I sure do miss her!

So about those resolutions. Allow me to make up for my slackerness in documenting something fun and fabulous that happened to me in the last 3 days.

January 1, 2010: I spent a wonderful evening with Tory's family at dinner, cracking up at their routine comic relief in the presence of my remaining queasiness from the night before. I got to eat a yummy meal of all the new year's traditions. I'm certain I've got all the luck I'll need for 2010. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful group of people that I consider family so close to me in NOVA. I love them dearly.

January 2, 2010: I watched a movie adapted from one of my favorite book series: Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Zach gave me the 2nd movie for Christmas and I watched it in bed last night while I drifted off to sleep. Sounds cheesy and girly but it was completely what I needed after an exhausting weekend. OH! And Lisa and I now officially have a dinner table in our apt! Now the wonderful family of 4 can all eat breakfast together without Lila having to sit on the TV tray. YAY! :)

January 3, 2010: My sister attended church with us this morning. Even with the sourpuss look on her face when she realized that the entire service would be dedicated to Communion and discussing the church's vision for 2010, I am still glad she came. I know it meant a lot to my parents, especially my dad who was voted into the leadership council a few weeks ago! ALSO- I bought some new coldgear for training through the winter.... Nike DriFit+on sale= happy girl. Bad news is... I've got to take them back because they are the wrong size. Good news is... I am smaller than I thought I was and I'll be retuning them for a S instead of a M....

Its the little things in life. :)