Monday, July 8, 2013

A year already...

I can't believe I've been home for about 10 months now, and still miss Honduras like it's been my home for years. I'm not sure how you can spend more than 25 years in one country, in one state, then suddenly after only a year my "normal" isn't my life in the States anymore. There are so many things I miss about Honduras, but also so many things I'm enjoying now that I'm back in the US. I finished my first semester back in school with a 4.0. Four A's and I was so darn proud of myself! I also got certified in a dynamic body balancing technique, craniosacral therapy and myofascial release. I feel like the world has opened her arms to embrace me in the most wonderful way. Things keep happening in the most "perfect-timing" only His timing can create, and I love it. I'm trying to take my dad's advice and learn to write shorter posts, so I won't drown you in all the details, but things are great. It's like I'll be thinking about something, and then an opportunity will present itself. And that really makes me smile.

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.
-Joseph Campbell

So things are great, but I do miss my kiddos! The sister of one of my students found me on Facebook, and I was able to chat with her for a bit--in ENGLISH! So proud of all 49 of my smarties :) School is out for summer, and it's crazy to me that my little second graders are going to be big fourth graders. A year already?! I recently received a care package from my Honduran family, and that was amazing. The man I called abuelito has a son who lives in Manassas. He called me and said he had a gift from my abuelito and other people from his church! Apparently he hadn't been home in seven years, and just went for a two week visit. While he was there they asked how close he lived to Falls Church, and he offered to get me a package. It was so nice getting all their letters, and they even sent coffee and treats.

My sillies from 2A on the last day of school
I'm almost done with my summer semester. Hoping to finish all the drafts that never got posted, and looking forward to reminiscing on the trips and events with my students I didn't get a chance to share on here last year.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.
--Denis Waitley


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Pushing That Comfort Zone!

So it has been five months since my last post. Which is absolutely ridiculous. Let's blame it on change. For those who aren't in the know, I'm back from Honduras, which was quite the change but so great to be with friends and family again. It seems my adjustment phase is over, and it's back to work for this girl! I had a few (too many?) months of 'down time' after getting back, and it was good to have the time to get settled, catch up with people and try to figure out the next step...

 I started training in Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release, which I find fascinating. The body and all its inner-workings...just incredible. I'm about to begin level 3 of 5, and more excited with each training session. I won't go into too much detail here, but CST/MFR is an energetic form of healing, hands on and excellent in pain relief. I thoroughly enjoy my training, and hands-on experience with patients and willing (brave) friends has been great. Looking forward to all that training will bring! I've been offered to be part of a pain clinic this weekend, which should make me available to a larger number of patients for hands-on and observation experience. My dream of living on a healing farm is becoming more detailed and more exciting!

Work started once again, and it is honestly nice to be back into a routine. I've always had a job, ever since I was about fourteen, so being 'unemployed' for so many months was just strange! But a blessing, I know. I was fortunate enough to be offered a position with my old company, which was pretty exciting. I'll be working there part-time, MWF, and so far it has been great to see everyone again. My supervisor is new to the company, and seems like he will be a great boss. He says my days will fly by and we'll keep me nice and busy--sounds good to me!

I will only be working a part-time schedule, because I'm back in school! I have class Tuesday/Thursday and a couple online, and am so happy to be back in the classroom. Let's be clear--it has been pretty intense so far, but exciting. Deciding to make a nutritionist dream my reality meant going back to school, so I am beyond happy to be getting my studies rolling. My anatomy and physiology class is going to be a LOT of work, but so far I find it interesting, and couldn't have asked for a better professor. There's also a student study center in the science building, and the professors there are super helpful. It's going to be a great semester! And today was my first speech for public speaking. A speech already! It was just an introductory speech, 3-4minutes introducing some aspect of our lives to our classmates. So as I was fretting over my topic and the prospect of giving a speech, shamefully questioning if returning to school was such a good idea, I reminded myself that these feelings are common when I'm presented with an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone... a couple years ago I would have said "No, thank you." But now I've seen just how much I can grow when I really push my comfort zone. And there birthed my topic. Pushing my comfort zone! I was pretty pleased when I finished within the time limit today, because all of my practices were a few seconds over four minutes. I think I talk faster when I'm nervous :)

...I can't seem to load the video, so here is a link!

Won't know my grade until Thursday at the latest, but I am proud of how hard I worked on it, and that I didn't have to look at my note cards! My posture could have been a lot better, but that's something to work on for my next speech. We had this list of seven criteria, and I think (hope!) I met them all...preparing the speech left me thinking about this blog, and how even starting it was such a push for me. My darn comfort zone! I'm always sooo nervous in the beginning, and then so pleased I've pushed myself. I wonder if I'll make time to post stories from Honduras last year, and little updates as this year continues...here's hoping!

Now go do something that scares you...