Had ILEHP graduation on May 29, 2008. It was a great day and Matt came at the end for the actual graduation celebration. The trainees also made up little 'role-cards' for each faculty member which were meant to be a funny play on the traditional ILEHP meeting roles. It was fun and I think everyone enjoyed the laugh! It was also an emotional day for me especially since this year started as such a challenge and became so rewarding throughout the months. Marty gave me a beautiful wine stopper with a river rock top and a silver bottom with a little engraved swirl. I love it! Also, they gave each trainee a notebook with cards, quotes, and well wishes from each of the faculty members. I will cherish this forever and I am still reading the pages!

Presented my research for the last time for ILEHP today. The poster presentation went great and everyone seemed engaged (phew). Funniest part was my star bullets somehow changing into little bombs with lit fuses in the implications section of the poster. Definitely good for some laughs. Drinks followed at Radio Bean with the trainees. Good times and I really enjoyed my screwdriver with fresh squeezed oj and the song on repeat about sleeping with the paramedics!
It's amazing to look back at the crazy amount of work we all did. It feels great to be moving on but tough to leave behind such a supportive and talented bunch.

I graduated! Now the MSW is official! :-)

It's graduation weekend! M and I did a whirlwind cleaning of the apartment last night to get ready. Still planning what food etc we need to buy. I think we might go see Blues and Lasers play at Higher Ground tonight too. I'm excited!
My mom will be staying with us for the weekend. I'm ecstatic to be officially ending my academic career. I always regretted not walking for my undergraduate graduation so this will be an important step.

Turned 26 a month ago.

Walked/jogged my first 5k with Hannah last week too. I'm continuing to jog a few times a week, slow going but feels good.

I go for my ILEHP evaluations tomorrow. What a ride that internship has been. I think back to the grueling work and ALL THE WRITING!! Jesus, I'm glad I had no idea when I began. I know it's been worth it because I have learned so much. Those people are so inspiring. I am ready to move on.

Graduating with my MSW this weekend. Looking forward to celebrating this long journey with everyone and finally beginning life unencumbered. God, the privilege and the sacrifice to study have been immense. People say I will miss school, but right now I think they're crazy.

Matt and I are planning to move somewhere out west, San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle. Depends on where we get jobs. It's time for an adventure!

C-2-5K Week 1/Day 1

I've decided to begin the Couch-2-5K running program. I woke up early and did the Week 1/Day 1 interval. It was really cold this morning but my layers kept me warm. I found it to be easier than I had originally expected, but after several intervals I began feeling the strain. At one point I began to feel a slight pain in my left knee, but after I began paying attention to my foot placement, it went away. It felt good and I got to check out a bunch of neighborhoods that I had never been to before. I'm hoping that I can keep this up as I know and want exercise to be a regular part of my life. I definitely need to invest in a good pair of running shoes too! I know it wasn't much but doing this today feels great and like a big accomplishment.

Almost one year

Right now I'm at Uncommon Grounds working on my research. It's been flurrying all day but I can still feel spring coming. My body has been soaking in the extra hour of sunlight, re-energizing me. I can't help but get excited about summer.
Tomorrow is my one-year anniversary from starting my weight-loss journey. Amazing. 23 pounds lost.