Tuesday.

I am sleepy this morning. But, it is glorious to be able to sleep in and not really have anything to do that is pressing. I feel like a nap will be happening later. The past month is catching up with me. Today is a take it easy and relax kind of day. Yesterday I finished unpacking and putting away the things I brought with me. I updated my resume to reflect my completed degree (YAY!!!) and got that all ready. Tomorrow I have my first interview at Humanim in Columbia, MD. I called to confirm my interview and found out there are no more full time positions, but I am still going for the practice and experience. You never know. Friday I have my second interview at St. Luke's House, Inc. over in Bethesda, MD. I'm much more excited about this interview. But, I'm still on the job hunt. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Eeeep!

Today's agenda is up in the air. I may go drive around and do a little exploring of Annapolis. Job hunting. Napping. We'll see what else happens! :)

Hello from Annapolis, MD!

It is Monday morning, and I am sitting in my apartment listening to some great music and sipping a cup of coffee. My list of things to do is zooming around in my brain, but before I start on all of that I wanted to take a chance to update my blog.

Let's start from the beginngin... It's been a crazy month or so, and the last two weeks have been some that I will never forget. I have officially closed another chapter of my life and am working on opening the next one. I graduated with my Master's in Counseling on Saturday, July 24. It was a bittersweet day, but I can't imagine how it could have been any better. I was surrounded by people who love me and have supported me through thick and thin. I can't tell you that I feel any differently now that I can write my name as Marla B. Alexander, M.A., but I hope that when I get a job it will sink in. After graduation, Alan and I spent the week spending time with family and friends and packing up my stuff in Muncie and getting it ready for the big move to Maryland. It took a lot of hard work - blood, sweat, and some tears - to get it all sorted through, packed, and in the right pile (Maryland now, Maryland later, Storage, Goodwill). On Sunday (July 31) we made the trip together to Annapolis together with about 1/16 of my life's posessions. We stopped in Pittsburg to do some siteseeing on our way and had a great lunch. Yesterday we spent most of the day out shopping and picking up things we need to make his apartment our apartment. IKEA is amazing! So, we got back to the apartment exhausted and with significantly lower bank accounts. However, we are pretty much set with things in the apartment. The rest of my stuff will be coming with mom and dad in about a month! It hasn't really sunk in yet. But, I haven't really stopped smiling since I arrived. This is so exciting and much less scary than I origionally thought. I can tell you that I truly feel like a grown up. I have been one for quite some time, but the 'real world' is calling my name and I'm so close to being a part of it. Now, I just need a job!

Letting Go Take Love

LETTING GO TAKES LOVE
To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off, it's the realization I can't control another.
To let go is not to enable, but allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another, it's to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their destinies.
To let go is not to be protective, it's to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.
Remember: The time to love is short.
(author unknown)

Journal Article!

I am officially published! :) Check it out!


http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=6&hid=107&sid=4041515c-2b58-4cd3-a1e8-e818578356ff%40sessionmgr112

Kodak Moment.

This is a picture from Valentine's Day when Alan planned a brilliant surprise and showed up (aka he flew 700 miles from Annapolis just to be with me on Valentine's Day and kept it all a secret!) at Scotty's in Indianapolis instead of my dear friend Chris. He's truly amazing!

Too long.

I really should update my blog more often. I was just sitting here looking back over some old posts from the past couple of years. It's nice. I feel very nostalgic.

Here is a quick run down of what's going as of right now...

1. The sun is shining and Spring is right around the corner! I can smell it!
2. I just spent a week (spring break) in Annapolis with Alan and we had an amazing time right up until the end when we both ended up sick.
3. I'm still sick, but starting to feel better.
4. I'm looking for a job in Maryland and am moving out there for a grand adventure in August after I graduate. I have some good leads, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
5. I have 129 days until I graduate, and obviously I'm counting them down!
6. I'm excited about my birthday coming up on Saturday. Year 23 had it's great moments along with some tragic ones, but I'm excited to see what year 24 will bring! I will be spending some time with Andy and then heading out for a Goddess treat and then dinner with mom, dad, and Toby.
7. Tomorrow I am taking a content exam to make sure that I have absorbed all of the wonderful knowledge that is appropriate for a Master's student who is allowed to graduate from Ball State University.
8. I have the most wonderful boyfriend in the world!


I think that about sums up what I can think of right now. Enjoy!

Two Is Better Than One

New song in my head....

Loves :)

I thought it was time that I finally posted some pictures of Alan and I. Here they are! Enjoy!

Alan and I in Chicago over Labor Day weekendAlan and I at mom and dad's over Thanksgiving

Spotlight

A little blurb that was written in the IU Psychology Alumni newsletter about yours truly. Take a look.


http://psych.indiana.edu/PsychNotesOnline/Fall09/stories/alumni1.html

You And Me

Love this song by Dave Matthews Band! :)

Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes (x2)

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

We can always look back at what we did
All these memories of you and me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
And you know we could do better than anything that we did
You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi4DZjiZEVo

Weekend...

This weekend has been fun-filled and beautiful! Thought I would share some of it with you before I have to get started on doing homework.

Friday: Great day at internship. Got a lot done and hand some fun with my supervisor just being silly and de-stressing. It was great. I came home and got a chance to veg on the couch and catch up on the TV I didn't have time to watch during the week (Gilmore Girls, Grey's, Private Practice) and took a nap. Woke up around 6 and headed out to Cheri's house to watch some Friends and eat some yummy pizza. It was great to just sit and laugh at one of my favorite comedies. Came home and slept gloriously till 9 AM on Saturday.

Saturday: Woke up to a really sweet text from my favorite Maryland man. :) Made an excellent cup of coffee. Went outside to enjoy the 60 degree weather. I walked for about an hour and had some good time with Mother Nature. Always soul soothing for me. I got to work on a little bit of homework, but I mostly just farted around and relaxed. That's what Saturday is for. ha! Then I went to Puerta Villarta with some of my favorite classmates. We had a grand time drinking margaritas and catching up on life. Then I went to see MJ's "This Is It" and it was fantastic. I was dancing and singing in my seat the whole time! It was a great way to end the evening.

Sunday: Another gorgeous day outside. It feels more like spring than November, but I'll take it! Unfortunately, I need to get down to business today and get some work done. I have a lot of things on my To Do list. But, the sun is out and later I have plans to catch up with the Kruczek/Spodek household for dinner before heading to work at study tables.

An amazing weekend, indeed! It's exactly what I need to recharge my batteries! Bring it on, Monday! (I say this now, not tomorrow morning when my alarm is screaming at me at 6AM)

Quote of the day...

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

~Helen Keller

Halloween Fun

I can hardly believe that it is Halloween time already! A few of my classmates and I got together for our 2nd annual Halloween party! We had a great time. Here are some pictures from the gathering... Enjoy!
The Freudian Slip!

Cruella Deville and her henchman.

Roommates! :)
Playing Wii.

Words Of Wisdom...

"There is a thin line between what has been and what is to come. It is in that sliver of time and space that you will find every bit of who you are at this exact moment. Nothing matters more than the breath you just took and the beautiful image that just flashed in your mind. For that brief second, you just are. That is the present. It is called the present because it is a gift. Be grateful for the gift you give yourself of being alive and recognizing your place in the world at this exact moment. Love that line you are walking right now that is the present. That line is your life. Walk it. Love it. " - Alan Rosenwinkel

In my head... :)

Smile - Uncle Kracker

You´re better then the best
I´m lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler then the flip side of my pillow that´s right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
Lets me know that it´s ok yeah it´s ok
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed sing like bird
Dizzy in my head spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile

Even when you´re gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that
You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed sing like bird
Dizzy in my head spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile

Don´t know how I lived without you
Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed sing like bird
Dizzy in my head spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile

Summer Days...

How it is August 5th is beyond me!!! Summer has absolutely flown by!

Yesterday was my last day working at camp. I'm sad to stop working there, but am also in much need of some R&R. This has been my busiest summer by far. Taking summer classes and working at camp was quite a challenging endeavor. It was certainly far from the overall relaxing summers I'm used to. It pushed my limits physically, mentally, and emotionally, But that's what being an adult in graduate school is all about. :) It was a great experience no matter how tough, maybe because of it.

I am currently sitting on a porch swing while babysitting for a couple of really amazing girls while their parents are in Toronto for a conference. I feel more at peace than I have in a while. I can hear cars passing on the road in the distance and the birds are chirping quietly. I can hear the breeze in the trees, and the rhythmic clicking of my computer keys. All is right in the world in this moment. :)

In other news, I found out Monday that Craig lost his job. His firm let him go due to lack of revenue during this tough economic time. It's a very big blow, but I have every confidence that he and Emily will make it through this. They are tough, and they have a lot of love and support. So, send them thoughts if you get a chance. They can use all the help they can get right now.

I also found out yesterday that I will have a publication in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (one of the biggest journals in the field!!!) coming out soon! I got word that a project that I was involved with at IU was finally accepted! I have to give a heartfelt thanks to Ed, Josh, and Lile for including me on the project. :) It's killer!

My apologies for not updating more throughout the summer, but it can be summarized mainly by working, studying, going to class, seeing clients, and sleeping/eating. It was not very exciting. However, something very exciting happened about a little over a month ago. let's just say that in 8 days (but who's counting)I'll be flying to Maryland to visit a very special person I like to call my boyfriend. :)More on that later...

Ok, I'm gonna put this laptop away and pick up the book I've been trying desperately to read all summer. :)

Heart Of Life

Isa-Isanogel!!

Two words. Camp Isanogel! :)

For those of you who don't know, I'm working at a residential camp this summer for individuals with disabilities. It is an amazing camp that touches so many lives every year! I have just spent the last week in training; bonding with my fellow staffers and learning all the ins and outs of camp. Session 1 starts Sunday afternoon! My position is officially that of a day counselor. I can't live at camp this summer because I have classes and such, but I'll be out there as much as possible. It's been an amazing adventure so far. There are about 25 residential staff that I've had the privilege to meet and become friends with this past week. They are amazing, and I'm building friendships that will last for a long time. Camp is always something I've wanted to be a part of. I've done the whole Girl Scout Camp thing, but that's a little different.

So, it's been one crazy week, but camp is going to be amazing. I'll try and keep you updated on it as I go along. I'll try and post some pics as well so you can see what I'm up to. Below is a link to the camp website too. Enjoy!

http://www.hillcroft.org/hc/isanogel/

Cabin

Common Room in girl's cabin.


Camper Room


Stage and Fire pit

The POOL!

Wednesday.

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! Summer is going to fly by! Part of me is excited about that, but part of me wants to savor every summer moment! It's my favorite time of year.

Classes are going well. I had my first 4 hour class Monday night (Counseling Trauma Survivors) and I saw a new client yesterday and got to catch up with some of my pals who I haven't seen much of since finals week. I have my trauma class again this afternoon and practicum starts tomorrow. I'm excited to have a new prac and new faces. It'll be good. It's going to be a good semester. I can feel it! I'm officially a member of the Indiana Psychological Association, which is cool.

Today is absolutely gorgeous! High of 81! Yeah baby! So, what am I doing sitting inside typing on my computer? Beats me! :)

Off to enjoy the sunshine!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

Spring semester is officially over. I survived finals week once again, and have actually been able to enjoy a week off. I spent my week at home with the fam, and it was great.

The end of the semester wrapped up quite nicely. I finished my first practicum at the Indiana State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, and had a great experience. I landed an internship at the St. John's Anderson Center for next fall. I earned some pretty awesome grades while I was at it! :) As great as it was, I'm glad it's over. I'm ready for it to be summer. Summer holds the promise of a new adventure, and I can't wait to get started.

Oh right... that happened today. Today was the first week of classes for Summer Session I. I am enrolled in a class that teaches us how to work with trauma survivors. It's going to be great. Intense, but great. I have an advanced prac where I'll continue to see my two clients in the Practicum Clinic at BSU. I'm also working at Camp Isanogel part time. That won't start for a few weeks yet, but I begin staff training on June 1. I'm starting a research project of my own that will look at quality of life in long term cancer survivors and their interpsersonal coping styles. So, my schedule is still pretty busy, but it's summer and that makes everything easier to digest! Sunshine and luscious leaves and beautiful flower of all colors! :) I can't help but smile.

As for my week off, well it was pretty great. The first weekend I took a trip with Mom, Dad, Ann, and Craig to Rockville, IN, to spread my grandparents' ashes in a place they loved. It was an emotional trip, but it was a beautiful day. One that I will not soon forget. I take comfort in the fact that my grandparents are at one with nature in a very beautiful spot that they would love. I miss them dearly, but I know they are still watching over me. They would be very proud.

The rest of the week was spent hanging out and relaxing. It was great to be at home with the family and the doggie. I've learned so much and grown so much in the past school year. It seems like just yesterday I was graduating from IU. It's incredible how fast time goes. Kind of scary. Won't be long before I have a M.A. in Counseling! Holy cow! Look out! :)

Well, it's off to bed for me. I'm fighting an ear infection and a cold, and I need my beauty sleep. :)