Big Girls are Beautiful!

I have a problem with my weight. I wish I could go back to the thin me that thought she was fat and shake her! I'm trying to lose weight for my wedding, but I'm trying to love myself for who I am, because my fiance loves me regardless. Below is a video chronicling a girls' struggle with her weight.

Graduate School

Well, my little lovelies, I have finally started graduate school. Yes, I've been going for a semester, starting on my second. I know, you all must feel extremely downtrodden that I forgot about you. Have no fear! I remembered! Today starts a new day/year of posting! This first posting is going to include a pretty awesome presentation about the needs of Gifted Students. (see it here: https://voicethread.com/share/2694375/) Yep, that's right! I'm no longer doing Latin as my graduate degree! I'm now getting a Masters in K-12 Gifted & Talented education! A lot of drama went down over the summer regarding Latin, and I removed myself from said drama. I now have zeal and enthusiasm for learning about teaching little gifted kids. I still love Latin, don't get me wrong. The classics will always be my first love. In fact, I'm TAing the Greek and Roman Mythology class at the university! I love it! It is by far my favorite element from Classics, and I'm super excited to be able to help other students enjoy it as much as I do. This summer I will be teaching a summer program lesson on Hercules and Harry Potter, who's the real hero? We will be comparing and contrasting heroes like Harry Potter, Spiderman, Anne Frank, and Hercules and seeing what really makes up a hero. But as for now... here is a commercial I made for class last semester, and I will post more fun videos, I promise!

My Wedding: A Day in Progress

So... my fiance and I have set the date. On August 11, 2012 we will be leaving behind our lives as individuals and join ourselves together into the holy union of marriage. I am very excited to say the least. We've been putting it off for 4 years, because of school and we've finally had enough. While most brides can't wait to get the traditional wedding things out of the way, bridesmaids, maid of honor, limos, etc. I am not going to do that. I'm having a simple wedding without the hassle and annoyance of having other people involved. We aren't having bridesmaids, or groomsmen, or a flower girl, or a ring bearer, or a maid of honor, or a best man. We're not having alcohol at the reception, nor are we having music/dancing. We want it to be a simple day surrounded by the people we love and care about. We each get 25 invites, though I'm not sure I'll use all of mine.

I have already found the venue, caterer, coordinator in one person/place which makes things simple. I have already found and bought my dress, veil, shoes and bouquet. I have the invitations printed and the save the dates are on their way. So within a month of deciding a date I have everything planned. Why does it take other women so long and cause so much stress? It's just a day.

 I've already come into contact with those who think it's awful of me not to want a bridal party or some special person to take care of everything, but I don't need it. I don't want a bachelorette party, because I don't want to celebrate "the last single night of my life." If you need to celebrate being single, don't get married. No one is forcing you into it.

I do plan on following tradition and being a virgin on my wedding day, which is something many brides who have "Traditional" weddings don't seem to see as traditional. I also plan on not letting my groom see me before the ceremony.

We aren't doing the unity candle. We have opted for sand, which I already have bought alongside the pouring glasses and the glass that will set in our house for the rest of our lives.

It feels so nice to have a culminating event of our 7 year relationship be so close! I'm really excited. I know not every bride is like me or sees things the way I do, but I'm just sharing my story so if someone else out there wants a simple wedding centered around the couple they won't feel so alone. I know I have searched website after website trying to find such a woman and I have yet to find one. Maybe I'm the only one, but I want that day to be all about my fiance and me. I don't want anyone else to be the center of attention. I'm not in it for a dog and pny show. The wedding is there for people to be a part of our lives being joined by God. I can't wait!

Locks of Love

Yes, I cut off my hair! I also donated it! It feels great to get a new look, but even better to donate it to a great cause. You should think about it the next time you get your long hair cut! I haven't felt better in my life!

Curious Commentary From A Reformed Geek: What life is like without school...

What life is like without school...

A typical summer day...

A Whirlwind End...

Well, I've done it. I've finished out my last semester as an undergraduate. Sometimes at night I would pray to have an early end to the semester, and to somehow get through finals without going crazy and my prayers were unfortunately answered. Tuscaloosa was hit pretty hard by an F4 tornado last week, while I was there. I'm fortunate to be safe and sound because not everyone was so lucky. People lost homes, businesses, family members, pets, possessions, etc. While riding through on my way to move out for the semester, because classes and finals were canceled due to the damage and power outages, I saw devastation that couldn't be described in pictures or on television. It doesn't look like the city I loved and lived in for 4 years. Commencement has been pushed back to August, but I'm just proud to have the ability to go. I have a diploma. I have graduated from the university, but in an expedited manner that no one would wish.

 I'll never forget seeing it come so dangerously close to where I was on tv, (fortunately it turned from the original path which was right towards me and many other students) seeing explosions, hearing noises, crouching in the bathroom covered in pillows praying that my mom wouldn't have to come find my body. I knew things were getting pretty bad when the satellite started going in and out, then the cell phones went dead and no calls would come in or go out, then the lights went out. I thought any moment would be my last. I'm so very fortunate to be here today and am even more excited to get started on my future. I have a purpose on this earth or I wouldn't be here.

I finished my clinicals, finished my projects and other things. Summer is upon us and now I'm moving in to a new gear. I'm starting my last few years in school. I will be working towards my MA in Secondary Education: Latin. I can't wait to get even more involved in the classroom, and finally be able to get married to my fiance of ~4 years (significant other of ~7). I also plan on working out a lot this summer and get back into shape. I've been working on it this past semester, thanks to the elliptical my fiance bought me. I've lost about 5 pounds so far and hope to keep it up so I can feel better about myself.

Overall, these blogs are going to be a way to chronicle my life. Not just in Education, but also personally, because what happens in our personal lives does effect our school and work experiences. I hope you all are well and safe. Until next post, Ciao!