Waukesha flood pics......

Here are some pics I took of the Fox River flood in Waukesha on June 10, 2008. We were fortunate enough not to live near the river and to live on a hill.

Almost there.....

I have finished yet another semester. I received all A's and secured a spot on the dean's list both semesters. I begin my field placement in the fall at a wonderful agency that has foster children and families as their clientèle. I will eventually be in charge of my 2 very own cases before I finish up my work there in spring. After that I plan on moving forward and getting my Masters Degree. I began working at Sam's Club in January as a cashier. Like all jobs it has its ups and downs. If it weren't for the people that I work with, I'd go mad! There is a lot more to it than what I originally thought going in (thinking it would be like being a Walmart cashier that I was years ago).Other than that, it was a rather horrible winter for us. Scott's car kept breaking down in the snow and it cost a boatload in repairs. All is well now though. Scott started his new job about a month ago. He likes the people he works with a lot....although he hasn't done any accounting work because the President/ CEO has him re-arranging the factory floor ever since he started. Sounds like it will be going on for at least another couple weeks. It really exhausted him at first, but he's gotten used to it.

Update (long time coming)

Wow! I don't even know where to begin! I was a nanny over the summer for 5 year old twin boys! They were an exciting challenge if there ever was one...or should I say the family WAS the challenge! What is it that some parents don't get about being consistent? If it doesn't work ONE time, then completely change your method to what ever child raising book you are reading that week? Never understood that logic. I digress. Anyway, shortly afterward the boys began Kindergarten and the drive became pretty long and not worth the pay....especially since I was also driving to SCHOOL in the opposite direction. That's right, I am back in college as a Social Work major. I plan to go on to get my MSW and become a licensed clinical social worker....I've learned a lot about family structures, divorce, poverty, different welfare programs, the different types of social work....I'm learning SOOO much. It's amazing how many conundrums there are in this world, and I'm finding out more and more how society isn't so understanding of people's issues. It makes you think though....I was reminded how stressful finals can be! EEEK I had 2 major ones back to back. I got a 95% in my Child Psychology class (got an A overall!) Not sure how I did on the history one. That professor liked to torture students with ALL essay and detailed short answered questions! The final was cumulative and a nightmare. Luckily I made some friends in the class. I think it helped A LOT....we'll see when we get the final grades in for that one....

My plans for break are to try and relax a little, do a TON of volunteer work at an assessment/ crises center, and try and find a job....had an interview today that I thought went okay for Boston Store, and got another one tomorrow for JC Penney!

Scott and I are going to my family's for Christmas Eve, his Family for Christmas Day, and New Years alone together! YAY! Plans may change due to inclement weather...lately its been some crazy weather! Who ordered it?

Revelation!

It seems all my life I have been put down, taken advantage of, and at times fallen flat on my face. Somehow, I've managed to stand up and move on. As I look back on my life so far, I realize that I have had my share of mistakes. I allowed myself to be associated with others who mistook my kindness and generosity as a sign of weakness and they they attempted exploit that with their own agenda. I have dealt with this off and on throughout my life. I realize now that I just wanted to gain acceptance of others in order for them to approve and believe in me. I never once thought about protecting my interests, or maintaining the standards that I had fought so hard for. I failed to realize that the root of my problems were fear of rejection and being alone. A lot of things happened in my life that made the odds stacked against me. I am thankful for everything I have in my life, even simple things such as the aroma of breakfast cooking on the stove, and it doesn't matter if I'm cooking it or someone else is.

You can't change your past, and all you can do is do your best to pick yourself up. I've always lived by the phrase: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. No matter what, tomorrow is always another day. I will never give up, and I will always give everything my all. Through healing and forgiveness, we become stronger. When we forgive, it cuts the tie that binds you to those that have hurt you.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and I've come to realize that I have what it takes to be a social worker. I am a good listener, and am empathetic. I was worried about getting "too involved" with cases. I realized that if I lay awake at night worrying about something like a mother of two who can't seem to make ends meet and provide some of the necessities for her children, then I would be making it MY problem too and would be of little help to her. It's important to have empathy, not sympathy because if you lose focus, you are not going to help that person and their situation. Going back to school may put off getting a house for a few years, but this is something I truly believe in with my whole heart. I believe it will make me learn more about myself. In the end I will help others help themselves. It may not pay off for them right away, but they will have learned more about themselves in the process.

Enter title here....

I really wish I knew where I was going in life, and what I'll be doing next. After my last post, I started working for a new company, not in daycare, thinking I was helping out missing kids. It turns out that they were just ripping people out and our proceeds didn't go to help find missing kids. The company just paid for the t-shirt cost after they were sold. So much for that 20%. I also found out the job required 12 hr days, 6 days a week. No thanks. I quit after my first week. On my last day, they were trying to recruit a 40 yr old lady that just left teaching. She more or less help me decide to leave and look into finding a real teaching job. I don't think she was too interested in the job either. I was told lies, and would be lying to other people. I just couldn't picture myself lying to a mother of two and telling her that her money was going to a good cause when she was buying a disney bookset to help her children's literacy. I have had a few interviews, and one has been checking my references, so I think that's good news. If not, I will take UWM up on their offer of enrollment and go to school for social work.

What is right for me?

Well, a lot has happened since my last post. I had my wisdom teeth removed, and then exactly two weeks after that, I broke my wrist. I fell on a patch of black ice and tried to catch myself. I never broke any bones before this. It sucked, and I was back to work a week later.

Lately, I've been wondering what I should do for the rest of my life. I did get accepted to go to college for social work, however, I'm not sure if I could handle it either. I know I don't want to work with toddlers forever. I DO however really enjoy working in the pre-k rooms (have to due to my injuries) and LOVE it. Of course the teachers in that room have been there awhile and aren't going anywhere. I just don't know what I'm good at, that I can survive on, and a job that I will love going too. I know that's a lot to ask, but hopefully it's a goal I can achieve! :)

New Year, New Beginnings!!!

I know it has been a long time since I have updated. I have been busy working and introducing our new kitten Chevy into our home. The introduction went well overall, despite our current cat (5 year old Summer) not being too pleased about it for the first few days. He had an upper respitory infection, which I promptly took him to the vet for and he got treated. Then came the vet visit on November 18th with him AND Summer both getting their annual shots. Summer never enjoys the vet, and lashed out at Chevy in the exam room. Never again! We'll see how things go this Wednesday when Chevy goes in for his neuter, and Summer has to go in for a possible UTI. YAY!!!

In other news, I'm still working as a toddler teacher at Kohl's Corporate headquarters. I interviewed for two different director positions, both of which I would be making less than I'm making now, so there went that idea. I then began to take into consideration going on a different career path. I decided on going into social work because I wasnt to help kids in need. I know Child Protective Services often gets a bad rap, but someone needs to be there to give them a better quality of life, even if it means being away from their parents for awhile. I also found out that in order to obtain a 2nd bachelors, would only take 2 years because all of those with a bachelor's degree are already admitted into the program, and that night school is an option depending on how much I would like to continue working. I'm excited, and applied today!

Happy New Year to all!!!!

:)