The joys of the 23rd birthday

Brody Made me my own birthday card

August 26, 2010 was not a day I was looking forward to this year.  Somehow in the last year birthdays just started to feel less important and slightly more depressing.  I wasn't able to have my loved ones here on my birthday because I was participating in the American Cancer Society's Mid-South summit in Nashville. But as the day progressed....it got better and better. Michael called at the crack of dawn to send me on a hunt for all the hidden birthday messages he'd left for me in my apartment.  Brody woke me up with lots of love and his lovely card :)

The managers of my apt complex left me balloons and a card on my doorstep.  I just have to brag and say the management here is AWESOME...who else does this for their residents? A little before noon I got a package from Michael.  It was a poster card with slots for me to fill with the candy bars included in the envelope.  It was such a sweet idea (no pun intended) and it just gives me one more reason to love that boy.   Mom also sent me some flowers to brighten my day. So all in all, I cannot really say I was "alone" on my birthday because I have wonderful people from all over that made me feel very loved :)

On a more serious note, it is really easy to get caught up in the day to day selfishness of life.  I was constantly worried about grad school, Brody, and making my ends meet that when this birthday came around I was quite the brat at first. I was sad no one would celebrate with me and I completely lost perspective that I am just so GRATEFUL to have another birthday.  I am getting older by the grace of God and a little help from the American Cancer Society.  I hope everyone looks at birthdays not as just another year older, but as another blessed  year in this life.

Welcome to Grad School

  And so the start of the rest of my life began today... I went to my first day of grad school at the University of Tennessee (In Nashville).  So why choose today to start a blog? Well, I decided I needed an outlet from this crazy part of my life where I could truly reflect on the roses and thorns of my day.  Living in Nashville is absolutely incredible, however, living here on my own has taken some getting used to. Thankfully I have the faithful companionship of one little black lab who has stolen my heart and gives love unconditionally. This is a nice trait after a long day of researching, classes and paper writing. 

I am very excited to be getting my social work degree. This is something that I have been wanting for a few years now and it is FINALLY coming true.  I love the compassion aspect of this profession. While there are so many areas where I can work with my degree, I do hope to become a medical social worker and specialize in oncology social work. This is where my heart truly lies. 

GOALS FOR FALL 2010 SEMESTER
1. Do not procrastinate on school work
2. When in the room, Be in the room
3. Actively participate in every class session
4. Earn at least a 3.75 to be a candidate for Phi Alpha
5. Still be an active member of the YTF for the ACS
6. Take Brody for a long walk every morning and night
7. Excel in Practicum
8. Blog about the important things going on in my life :)