"One year and one day later, I write my next blog entry. Where do I even start? The last I wrote, I was having car trouble. Proudly, I now drive a Honda Accord. Having a reliable car makes all the difference in the world. And since I have a new car, I am in the process of paying my dad back for it. I moved into a different apartment with a roommate in order to save money and took on a second job to help with the bills (also for experience, but more on that later). I have had to really stick to my guns of paying my car off. But I am working my way towards it, and will be so thankful when it is paid off. My car is the only debt I have. I think more and more these days of saving, putting money away, saving for a house, a future. Isn't that the goal? Not to live a cookie cutter kind of life, but when you look back on your life, you can say you worked for the things you have. I have also thought a lot about control and how much (or little) that I have over my life. Sometimes my plans for my life or my environment just absolutely consume me. And I think that it is my job to make sure that these certain things be done. I wouldn't call myself a planner. I actually despise the idea. More like a Free Spirit with an Idea of What's Ahead."
Reading back on your own posts can either make you laugh or blush. Sometimes I feel proud, but usually a bit silly. But since that unpublished post, I have gotten engaged, married, and about to celebrate a one year anniversary with my husband, Gabe. Yes, the same Gabe from my previous posts. We have such a wonderful and rich history together, and couldn't be happier to share my future with him. Married life has taught me so much about myself, and my relationship with others, and my relationship with God. This is a continuous conversation, a story of labor and love.
The second job, in the aforementioned paragraph, is now my only job as a Behavior Therapist, working primarily with children with autism. This has been a blessing and hard all at the same time. It has taught me so much about life, myself, and the way I want or don't want to raise my future children. When you work in behavior science, you tend to look at (and do) everything through that lens. (e.g., husband pokes me in ribs to make me laugh while in bad mood- IGNORE! nephew follows directions first time given- POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!) It has also opened my eyes to what I want out of my career in the long run. This also will be a continuous conversation, but there are definitely exciting possibilities in the future!
Something I discovered that I am really passionate about is health and food. And I mean in every possible way. Earlier this year, I discovered I had hypothyroidism and borderline Hashimoto's disease. I had to really change my diet and take supplements to combat my slow thyroid. For years I have struggled with acne, low energy, stress and fatigue, minor depression, and hormone balance, and never thought it was all related to my thyroid. I'm not completely on the other side, but I haven't felt this good in years, and my focus on my diet and lifestyle has really helped for the better. Many of my posts will be about food and health related topics.
I look forward to sharing life's beauties with you!
