Graduate School- Week 1

I am officially a current student in a clinical psychology program.

I should note- this has been a goal of mine for a number of years.

Back when I was 12 years old, maybe a few months after I moved from Misawa, Japan back to Charleston, South Carolina, I decided that I wanted to be a therapist. I came to this conclusion due to my status in my peer group. Seventh grade is a difficult period in one's life. As such, my friends put a lot of trust in me. They disclosed their fears, their frustrations, their heartache-- all to me. I remember musing, "Man, if people are going to talk to me about these things, I might as well get paid for it." 

At some point though, my interests shifted. So much change occurs during middle/ high school. Definitely not surprising. During my sophomore year of high school I became more interested in pursuing marine biology. I lived on the coast and that seemed like an ideal route to take. I loved (still love) science. And animals. The study of marine life seemed neat! 

Then I moved to Oklahoma. Although Oklahoma has it's share of lakes and river systems...it is, obviously, land locked. I was angry enough being 17 and moving to the not-so-exciting state of Oklahoma (sorry Oklahoma...kinda). Beyond that, though, college applications and decisions toward my major would be coming up soon. I was at quite a loss...UNTIL! 

I took a course in psychology. 

My high school in Oklahoma assigned me to a psychology course. Funny thing- I was trying to take photography. I was placed in psychology, though. And that old spark of interest that I had formed as an adolescent was rekindled. I decided what my major would be once I attended college.

That's the course I've been on ever since. And now I'm finally working on the graduate portion of that...and I will be on this course for quite a while.  I still have a lot to accomplish. 

On a different note: 

During the first meeting of my intervention course this afternoon, we discussed self-care routines. Self-care is definitely an area I should work on. I am aware of this. I frequently immerse myself in what I am doing to the point of losing track of my own sense of self. Hopefully this course helps me in not doing that though.

In fact, this blog will be part of my self care. As a way to reflect on my life, on my thoughts, and to digest my own feelings perhaps. 

Anyways. Perhaps once a week I can post something new. 

In closing, I also want to note that my final review of my first week of graduate school is: things seem interesting and overall it went well! 

We'll see how that evolves over the semester. 

:)

Until next time.

I made it.

I'm actually in Alaska.

Not only am I in Alaska, but I also have a place to live! After a few days of shinanigans, my husband and I found a place! Funny thing about this place, my bedroom will be on the bottom, but the kitchen is up top. Two things I care about very much- food and sleep. So, my legs better get strong from all of the stairs I'll be climbing.

We don't have any of our things though. We're waiting for the movers to call us so that they can deliver them. I would really, really like some furniture. Possibly more importantly, I want my pots and pans. I am craving some stew or mashed potatoes or something. I really want to cook.

I've also been to my university a couple of times. It's rather large. I am used to a smaller kind of school. One of the professors I will be TAing with was pretty awesome. I think we will get a long fine. I'll certainly have some work ahead of me though! I also still need to meet the other professor that I've been assigned to.

I'm kind of excited. I was given an instructors copy of a book. :D I feel so professional.

I've also gotten to see the gym on the base here. I heard so many things about how it's so amazing-- especially compared to the one at our base in California. Buuuut...it was over hyped. It had a few squat racks, some benches, a few OHP racks (I guess the one in California only had one OHP rack, but I never really did seated OHP.) and a lot of machines. The indoor track is convenient, but I hate running. :\ Overall, the biggest thing that made it better to me was the higher quantity of dumbbells and I guess it's cool that they've got cubby holes for gym bags.

So, we made it!

Alaska here we come.

The last few weeks have been incredibly hectic.

The last time I posted, I still had a house full of stuff.

Over the 21st and 22nd the movers packed up and loaded most of our belongings. We were were living on an air mattress for a little while after that. Said air mattress was surprisingly comfortable. Solid decision.

We had to have a repair guy come by to fix some water damaged base boards in our laundry room during that time as well. All of that worked out fine. More on that in a bit.

Had a going away for husband and our friend Jess (who is also moving, although somewhere different). I watched a friend of mine make a poor decision and try out the insanity wing challenge at our local wing place. There was vomiting involved.

Additionally, my little hyundai accent wasn't likely to make it through the mountains that we would be driving through up to Alaska. The jellybean of an Accent was a great car for driving around California, but this trip would likely prove too much. As a result, I have obtained new transportation. A Subaru! She's pretty sweet. Got a roof rack going, more space inside, lots of neato gadgets!

Took the cats to another air force base that's about an hour and a half drive to get health certifications. Java pooped on the way there.

Then, on my birthday I had to drive to San Francisco! Which, although usually a fun destination was for businessy stuff. (Though we did have a nice-ish lunch and we got some souvenir cups). I had to go to the passport agency to get a passport ASAP. The military people didn't send off my packet of passport materials until much, much later than needed. Although we'd submitted the materials mid-May, for some reason they delayed sending it until the last day of June. This action, proved to be quite the stressor. So, the husband and I braved both morning and afternoon bumper to bumper traffic getting on and off of San Fran. So much ugh. But I got my new passport. All should be fine.

One day following that my husband did his final out from the base.

Yesterday, we had our final housing inspection. The cost of the base board repair was far less than I'd expected. Definitely a weight off of our shoulders.

Then we made sure everything was loaded up and drove a subaru, a truck, and two cats up to Eugene, Oregon. That's where we are now.

The drive wasn't too bad at all. The mountains weren't too steep or crazy. It took about seven hours though, and we arrived after 1 am. My uncle (who is amazing) was kind enough to get us a hotel for two nights. So, we were able to arrive, check in and get settled without any problems. Upon speaking to him this morning, said uncle has invited us out to sushi! (I love sushi. Nomnomnom.) I feel very fortunate to have such a kind family. I haven't been able to see them very frequently throughout my life, but whenever I have they've been extremely generous and loving.

I've also spoken to a cousin in Washington and she is very excited to meet up with me. I'm glad we're getting to drive up the Pacific coast! I finally get to see my family! I'll have to call my grandmother up in Washington as well to let her know how things are going.

While in Washington, we're going to drop the truck off at the port to have it shipped the rest of the way. Then we'll just be one big happy family in the car, driving through Canada.


So, we've finally begun our move. No more California. Soon- Alaska.


Tata.