Way too long...

I just realized, after being prompted by Lexi, that I have not posted since December. That is pathetic. I do have much to say, but for now I will just say that I am ready for summer! Much more to come I promise.

Snow Day

My office is closing at noon today because of all the snow falling in the Denver Metro area. The airport has cancelled all flights, and now I get to fight slippery roads, stupid drivers, and extremely snowy conditions the 12 miles home. Even so, it is so exciting and is reminiscent of the snow days I had back in Elementary School. Those were always fun days that I can remember, and I can't wait to get home, snuggle under a blanket, read or do whatever else I can indoors.



I just now hope that we make it home on Friday night for Christmas as planned. Wyoming can be a bitch in bad weather. I'll let you know how that goes, but for now I'm going to go and enjoy my half a day off with pay. Hah!

Just Funny

As I was searching for an old (old as in former, not age) professor's e-mail address, I stumbled across his web page with some pictures from my class I had with him in my freshman year in college. I had to post the ones of myself, Lexi and Ange. God we look so young.





I've been thinking a lot about my years at the University of Minnesota, and as I told this professor, wish I could go through that experience again EXACTLY the same way. The ups, downs, nervousness, pride, ALL OF IT! What an experience it was, and I am so grateful that I was able to go through it.

Recently, I have also been thinking a lot about Minneapolis, my family and friends there, and how very much I miss it. Don't get me wrong. Denver is great in it's own way, but there is something about Minneapolis/St. Paul that I really miss. It's definitely not the winters/summers, but the art, music and food. The Twin Cities scene I guess. It was also wonderful living so close to my brother, sister-in-law, dad and grandma, and I miss that too. A LOT! Maybe some day I'll get back there once all of my schooling is done. For now though, I am determined to experience all there is here in Denver! I mean I live in the Rockies for christ sake....take advantage.

Decided

Once again I seem to have skipped an entire month without blogging. Other than Thanksgiving though, nothing big has happened. Turkey Day was delightful though, and, as always, I LOVE spending time with my familia! They just mean so much to me.

The main purpose of this blog though is to inform you all (to those that even read this still) that I have decided on my educational endeavors. At least for the moment I'm decided :P It seems to change every week, but I now believe I have found a great fit.

The plan includes:

~ 3 classes that I have to make up starting in January that I was lacking in order to do the Elementary Program in the first place. Mainly because I was a Graphic Design major, and didn't have to take such classes. The classes I'll be taking are Health & Nutrition, Children's Literature and U.S. History. Two of the three are online, and the third is a night class once a week. I also still plan on volunteering at the Horse Therapy place on Wednesday evenings, and doing Junior Achievement once a week as well. I will have no life, my boyfriend and doggy will not recognize me, but I am excited to get the ball rolling. The only downfall to all of this is cost because it is more than I anticipated for the 3 classes, but I need them so all I can do is suck it up.

~ The next phase is to get my application in by March 1st for the 12-month Elementary Licensure at CU Denver to start in Fall 2007. YIPPEE! Again 12 months of hell, no money, no social life, but once it is over I will actually be a TEACHER! I'm shooting for upper elementary (4th or 5th), but who knows.

~ I plan on taking my first year of teaching off (maybe take 1 or 2 classes), but then in my second year starting my Master's in Special Education at night, and online. The Master's should take about 2 years once I get in to it. Once finished, and have two years of teaching experience, I can then be endorsed to teach Special Education which is the ultimate goal.

It's sort of a 3-5 year plan, but it feels right for me in my life and where I want go. There will most likely be sacrifices, especially in the first year, but then I will have started on a career that I can't wait to be a part of.

Any thoughts? Please give me your insight.

It's my first day at my new job....eeeeek! No, I do think it will be OK, but it is just so much information to take in all at once. For those of you that weren't aware, I got a job as a Legal Assistant for a semi-small law firm up in Boulder. I am assisting in the Foreclosure department. Colorado has one of the worst percentages for foreclosure, so there is guaranteed job security. I'm the devil for looking at other people's misery as my job security, but come on people, don't buy a house that you can't afford. It's no good.

Anyway, I'm excited to be on a different road. I was both happy and sad to leave CDM, but I think the time was right and I feel that I have more potential for growth here.

Hope you all have a great week!

New Job

It's my first day at my new job....eeeeek! No, I do think it will be OK, but it is just so much information to take in all at once. For those of you that weren't aware, I got a job as a Legal Assistant for a semi-small law firm up in Boulder. I am assisting in the Foreclosure department. Colorado has one of the worst percentages for foreclosure, so there is guaranteed job security. I'm the devil for looking at other people's misery as my job security, but come on people, don't buy a house that you can't afford. It's no good.

Anyway, I'm excited to be on a different road. I was both happy and sad to leave CDM, but I think the time was right and I feel that I have more potential for growth here.

Hope you all have a great week!

Moving day

As day one of our move approaches (tomorrow), I feel less and less ready. Why is this turning in to such a headache?

The last time we moved, we were coming all the way from Chicago. Because of our time frame, and the distance we had to cover it was imperative that we be organized, prepared. It was scheduled and orderly. Now that we have 3 days and only 3 miles to travel I am procrastinating, disorganized, and disorderly. Have I cleaned any part of the old apartment? NO. Do I have TONs of laundry to do before then? YES. Are dishes piled up in the sink? YES. Speaking of dishes, have I packed any of those yet? NO. I've even had time to do these things, but because of the circumstances of our move, the pressure has not been turned up yet. It's going to be a mad dash for us to get everything moved, carpets cleaned, paint touched up, etc. before Sunday when we must surrender our keys, and I am starting to realize, a half a day before the move, that maybe, just maybe I should have been more on top of things.

Oh well, things will work out. This I know, but until then - coffee is my friend.

Finances

Why is it that just when I think I'm getting ahead financially, I start being irresponsible with my money and screw myself? There must be a trigger inside my head that responds with me having some extra money, and makes me spend it on stupid shit. I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck, and digging out of monetary holes all of the time. Well, the new car doesn't help, but I just could NOT put any more money in the old one. In my mind it was a necessary purchase. Grrr....any suggestions on how I might budget myself better?