The end of December, the year 2012, and this particular blog draw near...but I would like to take this opportunity to reflect a bit and give thanks to those who helped make it one of the best, if not THE best of my life thus far.
First, to my friends....
My high school Facebook/texting buddies Michael, Brent, Eric, and Nicci who make me smile with each post or political comment!
A shout-out to my long distance/yet close friends Casey, Angie, Sylvia, and Corina. I only got to see Sylvia and Corina this year but those weekend trips to Milwaukee and Cambria were loads of fun!!!!!!!!!!
Last but not least my California crew...you truly are the "A team"!!! Never have I witnessed a more close-knit group of friends and coworkers. We laugh uncontrollably, make fun of everything---mostly ourselves, and are there for each other day-in and day-out. There are no vacation days, sick days, snow days or any other days off for our friendships. It is a 24/7 gig. I look back to all of the birthdays we celebrated, lunches we ate, and shifts we worked with nothing but admiration. Missing a birthday is NOT an option for this group. My birthday, falling in December (the busiest month of the year for many) is always a challenge to celebrate. Yet, my fabulous group of friends took the time out of their family life, work, school, and Christmas planning to celebrate once (and many twice) with me. Carolyn, Doug, Erin, Aron, Dr. Bindra, Dr. Weinstein, Zeke, Bulmaro, Sabrina, Lisa, Jessica, Jessie, Jesse, Laura, and Brenda----Thank you (and others who celebrated with me at work) for making my birthday so memorable.
Next, to my family...
I am thankful that I have had this time at home to be my dad's sidekick each day. We have spent our time reconnecting with relatives, running errands, going for walks, doing charitable projects, attending mass at church, and celebrating the Christmas season and birthdays. We also watched 24 episodes of Homeland, the season finale of Dexter, 2 movies, and countless other shows----our body molds are forever imprinted in the couch!!!
I am grateful for my mom's best efforts to make me more domesticated. No one can say she doesn't try---I just can't compete with her ability to bake and single-handedly prepare elaborate holiday meals. I am glad that she did not murder my cousin, Leslie and I, as we attempted to contribute to her holiday baking. I loved every second shopping with her, snacking on cookies and tea/coffee, reading our Advent devotional, and watching Revenge.
I anticipated and enjoyed every bite of pizza and each sip of beer with my brother at our favorite local pizza joint in Struthers, Ohio. We had fun planning his upcoming trip to California next month.
I had a blast sleeping over at my Aunt Brenda's with my cousins Anna, Joessa, and Uncle Frank---eating pizza and watching Prancer, Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas, and Pretty Little Liars. I even got a free manicure (blue, purple, and black--with glitter) from my youngest cousin Anna!
Above all, I give praise to the Lord for putting all of these fabulous people in my life. I must remember that I have not achieved anything on my own but that all I am thankful for is a gift from Him. For that, I owe the utmost gratitude.
See you in 2013 in a new blog!
~Rachel
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
It's been awhile.....
Oh my blog, how I've missed you. Finally, I have some time where I can do fun writing on my own terms versus an assigned project with a deadline.
It's official: I've completed my first year of my Master's program and am proud to say, I kicked ass! I enjoy being back in school and learning so many new things. I love my classes, I love Drexel University, and I love working towards something. Besides all of the things I learned in school, I learned a great deal about myself during my first year back in academia. These are the best lessons of all.....
1. I have an amazing family. I mean amazing. My parents make a point to check on me daily to see how things are going, how work is, how my class is going, what I'm doing to de-stress and have fun, and if I have any car or house questions (you know how dad's are!!!) My brother, who already has his Master's Degree has also proven to be very helpful to me, even if I annoy him with my demands for immediate gratification. Our calls sometime go like this: Me: Hey, Matt--I need you to proof read this assignment and tell me what you think. Matt: Can I do it later? I'm at the market and my hands are full. Me: No, please do it now. I want to submit it. Matt: But I'm not home. Me: You are talking to me on a smartphone. It has email. I emailed you. Please check it. Matt: Ugh--ok...I'll call you back in a few. Enough said. You all rock. I mean ROCK!
2. I have fabulous friends. Whether it's my seeeeesters out here in CA who are always here for me (and me for them), or catching up with my childhood friends, Casey, Brent, and Mike during election season, friends always make my day better.
3. My week is incomplete without going to mass at least once during the week, and my day is better if I listen to the rosary while driving to work.
4. I love to eat. I associate food with happiness. I have so much to be happy about, therefore I eat. My love for food is the reason I am on an 11 day cleansing and detoxifying diet. Today is day 6 and I'm going strong!!
5. Politics interest me immensely. Boy, did I have to juggle my time wisely during this political season. I could watch politics all day! If I had to abruptly change careers, I would love to (at least) attempt to become more involved in politics. Maybe I could be Rachel Maddow's co-host---we do share the same name, afterall!
6. Everything is better with some wine. This actually is no new revelation to me, but was re-confirmed when my parents and I roadtripped it to Sonoma and Napa in October.
7. There is such a stigma surrounding mental illness, psychiatrists, and psych nurses. I see this every year when I ask for donations for the yearly NAMI walk that I participate. I see it at work. I see it with school. I hate stigma. It is so ugly.
8. I have phenomenal will power. When I set out to accomplish something, I will not stop until I achieve it.
9. I have (sometimes too) high standards.
10. No one is ever going to tell me that I have the patience of Job.
That's probably enough of my secrets. What have you learned about yourself recently?
Oh my blog, how I've missed you. Finally, I have some time where I can do fun writing on my own terms versus an assigned project with a deadline.
It's official: I've completed my first year of my Master's program and am proud to say, I kicked ass! I enjoy being back in school and learning so many new things. I love my classes, I love Drexel University, and I love working towards something. Besides all of the things I learned in school, I learned a great deal about myself during my first year back in academia. These are the best lessons of all.....
1. I have an amazing family. I mean amazing. My parents make a point to check on me daily to see how things are going, how work is, how my class is going, what I'm doing to de-stress and have fun, and if I have any car or house questions (you know how dad's are!!!) My brother, who already has his Master's Degree has also proven to be very helpful to me, even if I annoy him with my demands for immediate gratification. Our calls sometime go like this: Me: Hey, Matt--I need you to proof read this assignment and tell me what you think. Matt: Can I do it later? I'm at the market and my hands are full. Me: No, please do it now. I want to submit it. Matt: But I'm not home. Me: You are talking to me on a smartphone. It has email. I emailed you. Please check it. Matt: Ugh--ok...I'll call you back in a few. Enough said. You all rock. I mean ROCK!
2. I have fabulous friends. Whether it's my seeeeesters out here in CA who are always here for me (and me for them), or catching up with my childhood friends, Casey, Brent, and Mike during election season, friends always make my day better.
3. My week is incomplete without going to mass at least once during the week, and my day is better if I listen to the rosary while driving to work.
4. I love to eat. I associate food with happiness. I have so much to be happy about, therefore I eat. My love for food is the reason I am on an 11 day cleansing and detoxifying diet. Today is day 6 and I'm going strong!!
5. Politics interest me immensely. Boy, did I have to juggle my time wisely during this political season. I could watch politics all day! If I had to abruptly change careers, I would love to (at least) attempt to become more involved in politics. Maybe I could be Rachel Maddow's co-host---we do share the same name, afterall!
6. Everything is better with some wine. This actually is no new revelation to me, but was re-confirmed when my parents and I roadtripped it to Sonoma and Napa in October.
7. There is such a stigma surrounding mental illness, psychiatrists, and psych nurses. I see this every year when I ask for donations for the yearly NAMI walk that I participate. I see it at work. I see it with school. I hate stigma. It is so ugly.
8. I have phenomenal will power. When I set out to accomplish something, I will not stop until I achieve it.
9. I have (sometimes too) high standards.
10. No one is ever going to tell me that I have the patience of Job.
That's probably enough of my secrets. What have you learned about yourself recently?
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