Snow Day

We had a major snowstorm at the beginning of February. Around two feet of snow in 36 hours. It was crazy. Kurt and I both got the day off (Friday), and when the snow stopped falling on Saturday, and the sun came out, and the birds were singing ... it was absolutely beautiful. I love the snow.

And so do the pups!

A Thesis!

My thesis came in a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure how the school would bind it, but they blew any expectations I might've had out of the water! Lovely thick black binding, bound like a real book. And the gold embossing on the side with the title and my last name. Makes me feel that sense of accomplishment all over again.

I still can't believe I'm done with my Masters degree. When I first started, I said there was no way I'd ever get my PhD. Now I'm considering it (as a looooooongterm goal). I'm so grateful to the Lord for giving me this opportunity and helping me through it!

Still Working...

Remember this post? Yeah, I definitely failed on that. I didn't even finish the first project--painting the kitchen. I completely underestimated how much work getting ready for my last residency was going to be. Plus, I was trying to write every day, and then I traveled once a week for 4 weeks straight. So yeah, I got busy and slacked off!

The other night, while waiting the usual one-to-two hours to fall asleep, I ran through my mind all the changes I know that I'm definitely going to do or I'm seriously considering doing in my house. The list is long. Really long. And, being the scatterbrained messy creative person I am, my tendency would be to jump around from room to room. After watching my friend Lindsay's significant progress in her 31 Days of Finishing Rooms series, I realized it would be best to "finish" a room, before moving to the next. Now, I don't mean completely completely finishing the room. But all of the projects I currently have planned for that room. I'm not going to plan on spending every day working on my home, because I just got a new job. It's just part time--20 hours a week--but when I come home, I want to spend at least two hours a day writing (if not more). Plus, I'm trying to keep my house clean, and I have to work out, and spend time with Kurt. So you can see how these projects--while important--are not at the top of my list. But I want to make significant progress before summer comes. 

I've got to be organized about this. So I'm scheduling my rooms:

1) Kitchen

2) Master bedroom

3) Guest bedroom

4) Living room

5) Bathroom

Some notes: Living Room may trump Guest Bedroom, if I feel the urge or need. Bathroom could trump all of those, because I really only want to paint it, and it's a tiny room, so that will take me two days. (One day for first coat, a second day for second coat)

I'll post when I start/finish each room. And when I start a room, I'll layout my planned projects.

KITCHEN

-Finish painting trim (this includes buying kickboards for the lower cabinets and moulding for one of the upper cabinets)

-Make curtains for windows and door

-Repaint white walls

-Build trash/recycling bin
-Paint and upholster round stools
-Buy and possibly paint two comfort mats for the kitchen. My feet kill after a few hours in the kitchen (and I want to start write while standing up=better for my back).

So yeah, it's not like the kitchen has a ton that needs to be done right now. It honestly shouldn't take me very long. I'm thinking it'll be about three or four days to finish the trim (break it up into two halves, two days for each half, unless I get lucky and can paint the second coat on the first half and the first coat on the second half in the same day).

It should also be noted that there are some projects I might do out of order, such as building my trash/recycling bin. The reason for that is I have to wait until a Saturday when all the snow is gone from the backyard and Kurt is around to help me with the table saw. So, that project might have to wait for a few months.

I'm a Master!

Well, I technically don't graduate until May, but I have completed all requirements for my Master's degree. Holy moly. I can't believe it. I have accomplished a life-long goal. It's kinda surreal, I'll be honest. Every time I decide to goof off by watching a movie or reading in the tub, I panic for a moment. "I have homework to do!" I think, before I realize that I don't. I experienced a similar sensation when I finished my undergrad (4 years ago!). I had multiple nightmares, too, about showing up to class and finding out there was an exam that I had either missed, or was that day in class and I was completely unprepared for it. So far, no nightmares about grad school, but it's only been a week. (I DID have a dream last night that my older sister got a publishing contract with a major house and no one could understand why it was so depressing to me! haha)

Anyhow, after being home from Washington for 4 days, destroying my house in a whirlwind of frenzied activity, and barely holding on to my sanity, I flew out at 2 am on Tuesday morning (the 3rd). I enjoyed a nice day with my family in Charleston. Then on Wednesday, my dad and I drove up to Tryon for my final residency. (My dad had meetings in Greenville on Thursday, so that's why he drove me.) It was strange arriving in the middle of the residency, after all of the other students had been for almost a full week. It was also strange not attending workshops, but we were still plenty busy. I stayed with my dear friend Lindsay, as usual, and ate WAY too much food, also as usual. I gave my craft lecture on Thursday morning, then my thesis reading on Saturday night before the closing dinner. Kurt flew in on Friday and got to meet Lindsay and her husband, Chris. Because Kurt and Chris need to be best friends because me and Lindsay are and we need to stay in touch forever! And they got along just nicely (like Lindsay and I thought they would!). Then on Saturday, my parents and Collin drove up and they all got to see my thesis reading! Then the dinner, and I had a hard time not crying (which is miraculous that I succeeded). Then we drove back to Charleston that night (late night!), all slept in on Sunday, and enjoyed the amazing 70 degree weather by walking around downtown. Kurt flew out that night. I stayed until Wednesday, helping my mom out in her library and goofing off with my dad and Collin. I'm excited to go back in May to walk!!

I am so grateful for this opportunity. Not only did I gain my Master's degree (fulfilling a lifetime goal), but my writing improved dramatically. I still can't believe it. And I made life-long friends, including Lindsay. I am so lucky to have made such a wonderful friend! Now I need to convince her to move out to Denver. ;)

(okay, so somehow these are in reverse order... my bad)

 The graduates!

 Talking with my prof, Leslie Pietrzyk

 Done!! 

 Before my reading ... acting goofy, of course

Lindsay and I matched on the first day. (Remember, I got dressed in Charleston that morning and didn't see her till at the Pine Crest Inn, where the residency is held during the winter.)

2012 Goals

I was feeling ambitious on January 1st, as I wrote down my goals. And then Kurt and I had FHE that night and discussed our personal and family goals. A few of these goals are more "soft" goals, meaning if I don't achieve them 100% I won't be that upset. They'll be towards the bottom.
1. Do everything I can in my power to get a literary agent. Which can be broken into the following sub-goals:
     1a. Write the best damn book I can.
     1b. Write the best damn query letter I can.
     1c. Send those out to agents. :)
2. Finish and edit my two works-in-progress and draft a third novel.
3. Read 50 books, with at least 30 being young adult.
4. Practice 2 new hymns a week.
5. Attend the temple once a month.
6. Have a family over for Sunday dinner twice a month (preferably a new family we haven't had over yet).
7. Read the Book of Mormon and New Testament all the way through (read BoM on Sunday School lesson schedule, and of course read scriptures daily).
8. Eat at least 3 servings of veggies a day (throw back from last year).
9. Coupon!
10. Fully build our one-year emergency supply.
11. Write in my personal journal weekly (so, this is the only soft goal ... but I still want to do it at least monthly).

11 Goals! Sounds ambitious, no? Maybe not to you, but it does to me!

Winter Wonderland

We spent Christmas this year with Kurt's family up in eastern Washington/northern Idaho. We flew in to Spokane then headed up to Chewelah for a bit ol' family shindig. Then Kurt and I hopped into Nikkia's car to hang out at his house in Priest Lake, Idaho. We finally got to meet Sunday, Nikkia's girlfriend, who is awesome. Sunday and I spent Christmas morning shooting some of Nikkia's many guns, while the boys made jerky and sausage. The next day we drove down to Coeur d'Alene for errands, then the next two days stayed up at the lake, driving around, hiking around, shooting, and eating. (Of course we had a fry night! We're kinda addicted right now.) In the evenings we watched movies or played games. On the way to the airport on Thursday, we were able to stop by and see my college roommate, Jamie, and her husband Swami and their two girls. I haven't seen them in years! It was a really nice relaxing Christmas trip.

 Nikkia mounted the rack of Kurt's moose (from 2010 BC hunt) for Kurt's Christmas present

Cold and windy shores of Priest Lake--me, Sunday, Nikkia

Wilkins Vacay '11

We spent December 16th through the 20th with our swingin' friends, the Wilcox's, at their home in Utah. It was a Staycation for them and kinda for us, since Provo isn't exactly new territory for us. We had such a great time! The boys did some great adventuring (of course) and Allison, Xandrie, and I got all caught up on Sister Wives drama. Then when the boys came back, we played lots of Dominion and fried things and generally ate too much and had a great time. We love Alexson!
(pictures forthcoming ... need to hunt them down)

House Projects project update

So! I started with painting the kitchen trim. I painted Saturday, Monday, and yesterday. (Sunday I took a break from my House Projects project because that's the day of rest!) I'm taking a break today to give my wrist a break, but also because pretty my entire wardrobe is out and needs to be folded/hung up. I am not kidding here (and big reason for this is because it's time to switch summer clothes for winter). So, today I'm dedicating myself to folding laundry while watching movies. On the queue are Harry Potter 7.2, Howl's Moving Castle, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I also want to get some writing done (finally done with my back story, time for more forward progress!), blogging, and errands. Obviously, this is a lot of work and I don't plan to complete all of the laundry/movies.
Anyhow! Back to the kitchen. I would say I'm 1/3 done. I've done 2 coats on 1/3 of the beadboard/trim. Yes, over 3 days (I'm guessing 8 hours of work). I'm also taking a break to give my sanity a rest. I don't mind painting--I actually enjoy it--but this much painting, and with trim and beadboard, which you have to be super careful on? Yeah, it's a lot to stomach.
Anyhow. Just thought I'd send out an update, to show that I am working on these projects!!
That is all.

2011 Goals Recap

Let's see how I did this year, hmm?


1. Completely edit my YA fantasy book. So ... I started to, then realized the book was crap and needed a TOTAL overhaul, and now I'm in the process of writing a new book that has ties to the old one. So we'll count this a SUCCESS!
2. Finish my YA fiction book (the one I'm writing for school). I think I planned on finishing this during the summer, but I ended up just focusing on the 130 pages I turned in for my thesis. I will finish the book when I finish the (new) first draft of my ya fantasy. So ... FAIL.
3. Learn how to bake pies and work with pastry dough. Haven't even touched this one: FAIL.
4. Continue to stay healthy. Right now that's on a bit of a hiatus, thanks to my sciatica acting back up. But hopefully I'll be back in the gym doing real work outs (kickboxing, cycling, swimming, weight lifting) in a few weeks. Success! That's one of the habits I'm best about right now.
5. Give up daily sodas ... at some point this year. Fail, but I typically only drink 24 ounces in a day (which is, sadly, an improvement). 
6. Rely on the Lord more. Build a better relationship with my Savior. This was kind of a stupid goal, since it's not really measurable. But I still feel I was successful.
7. Increase my skill in piano playing. Even if it's just by a little. This is a big ol SUCCESS! I don't know if I ever shared how, shortly after posting this, I was called to be the Relief Society pianist. And now I'm playing in sacrament meeting in a week. Kinda funny how the Lord works, eh?
8. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies every day. I used to be good about this, but I can't really eat them raw anymore, and lately I've been too lazy to cook literally anything (other than toast). Enough of that nonsense! Definitely a fail... oh well!


So let's see ... 4 out of 8. Not too shabby!
But I hope I'll be more successful in 2012. :)

To Do List

So, I've acquired quite a few projects around the house that I finally need to complete! Inspired by my lovely friend Lindsay's series, 31 Days of Finishing Rooms, I'm going to try to get through the projects without stopping. So, I'm going to work on something every day... some, like painting the kitchen, will likely take more than a day. But as long as I make some kind of progress towards finishing this list every day, I'll be happy!
The list (in no particular order):
-Paint kitchen trim and beadboard white
-Build and paint trash/recycling cans cabinet
-French door headboard
-Upholster piano bench
-Hem guest room curtains
-Make new covers for decorative bed pillows
-Kitchen curtains
-Paint and upholster round stools in kitchen
-Rearrange bedroom and hang up second window's curtains

I'm starting tonight with cleaning the kitchen trim and taping it all off (which is going to be a big chore in and of itself!).
Also, this is list is going to replace December Goals. Or rather, to put work in on one of these things every day will be my goal.
Once I complete those projects, I have (a lot) more in mind that I can finally get to. I'm really looking forward to finally completing these projects. And, of course, I'll post about the progress.
Wish me luck!

Life!

So, life got a little crazy last month and October. Why? Because this was due on November 22nd:

Yep, that's my Masters Thesis. 130 pages of Audrey's story. All edited and printed out on pretty paper.

So ... I'm almost done! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it. TWO YEARS are over! What the? How did that happen? I'm not sure, but I'm grateful.

Also, my brother and his wife had a baby girl and I flew out to St. Louis for a week to help out. And Thanksgiving was fun--spent with friends here in Denver. And my birthday was on Thanksgiving and I turned 27 (how is that possible? I'm pretty sure I'm still, like, 14 years old. I feel that awkward a lot of the time still.) I'm applying for jobs right now, finishing up preparations for my final residency, and writing a book. Also, I have a TON of house projects to catch up on! I'll do a post all about those tomorrow.

Yay! Life is good!

On Happiness, Choices, and Mental Illness

If you're on Pinterest, chances are you've seen this quote (or one with a very similar message).

And it's also likely that you believe that it's inherently, universally true.

And let me tell you something: it's not. 

For the vast majority of people on this earth, every single day they can choose to be happy. It's simply a decision they can make (though many choose not to). It's a decision they need to be conscious of, and work for, but any moment of the day they can flip the happy switch.

I firmly believe that.

But for some people, it's not so easy all of the time. 

Sometimes, despite our hardest efforts, that sadness just lingers. We can feel gratitude for our blessings, we're not dwelling in self pity, but we are literally incapable of dispelling that darkness. 

There's a simple explanation for this: chemicals. The chemicals in our simply brain won't let us make that choice.

Most of the time, I can and do choose to be happy. Sometimes, I still can choose but have a hard time getting myself to. And other times, no matter my best efforts, I can't help but feel on the edge of tears, feel the sting of hopeless, feel mired in this sadness. Rationally, I know things are fine. But my emotions aren't getting the memo.

So many people tell me that it's a choice. They just don't understand. They don't know about the confusion of thought and emotion that can come with a chemical imbalance. I'm not angry. I used to be the same way.

This isn't a rant. I just want anyone who reads this to know: for some of us it's not always a choice. 

(Note: this post is not triggered by recent conversations/interactions with anyone in my life. It's just something on my mind today. It was triggered in part by the many quotes I see on Pinterest. The post is mostly about catharsis for me, and education for others. So I hope I don't offend anyone.)

I Am a Christian

Here's a link to Mormon.org.

October Goals

So, I've decided to stay unemployed until the new year. I thought I'd be bored by now with not working, but I'm not. I'm loving it still, in fact. And we don't need for me to be working, and I'm so much happier and less stressed out, that I think staying unemployed until I'm done with school is a good idea. And with the marked change in my stress levels, I think Kurt agrees.
So goals! For October!
-Finish my stinking resume already and apply to some teaching jobs!
-Focus on school work other than that

Haha, it doesn't sound like a lot, but it is. Let me assure you, it is. :)

September Goals Recap

-Figure out some sort of routine. It's strange to think of all the time I'll have (for a few weeks, at least). I need to have a routine to make sure everything gets done, both what needs to be completed and that which I want to do. Gotta have balance, right? Actually, success! In the morning I typically do my blogging stuff (I say as I write a blog post at 2 pm, but I'm mostly referring to my writing blog), and other online chores (emailing people and what not); in the afternoon I get to my writing and/or homework; in the evening I spend time with Kurt and/or read. When I exercise depends on the day and what my exercising is going to be for the day. So huzzah!
-Write every day... an on-going goal for me. Daily habits, even those that I love to do, are not easy for me to implement. Meh... not so good. 
-Do some home projects ... paint the kitchen, (finally) hem the guest room curtains, paint some of my living room furniture, and arrange our bedroom, to name a few. I'd say success. Not as many done at this point as I'd hoped, but I'm not too worried because I was super busy last month with school.
-Practice the piano every day, and I mean really practice. Maybe I'll even break out the Hanon exercises... Definite fail. Oh well.