Officially an RD2Be

I have done it! I was matched this past Sunday to UNC-Greensboro's Dietetic Internship  and I could not be more thrilled!

At first when reading those words, I just stared at them for 5 minutes straight. I'm telling you it is such an emotional day, Match Day, and you have all this built up stress and anxiety over these few words or you get one that says you haven't been matched. *shudder*

Pretty much all day I watched some Game of Thrones, went for a walk/run to kill some time but it still seemed to drag on.

After the initial shock of it all, then the tears came...

Then the feelings of absolute joy!

I accepted my match Tuesday and talked with the director about what we were to do next now that it's official. We are supposed to get an email with contact information for every intern. I'm excited! I am so curious to find out who is in the internship with me! Also, we still have some final application things to do but no biggie. Then we can get started over the summer on some of our modules/ assignments. Which I'm very excited about. I need to review some things this summer too. 

It feels great to know that I will be returning to UNCG for the internship, too. I love Greensboro so much and it feels like coming back home to finish out everything there. 

This was definitely my biggest goal of the year and do not be surprised if I post more about it in the near future. I want to use this blog to document some of my experiences. One of the things I've been doing lately is reading a lot of previous/current intern blogs to see what their experience was like during their rotations. I would love to add mine to the mix.

The Waiting Game

The Waiting Game AKA the 10 days left that I have to find out if I'm in a dietetic internship. It's an understatement to say my anxiety levels are through the roof. As I've talked about before on this blog, February 15th was the deadline to apply for dietetic internships, a 9 month to a year long program that enables me to get field experience and sit for the Registered Dietitian exam. It's taken me a while to reach this stage in my education/career but I'm here. 10 days stand between me and fate. I'm pretty sure my application is competitive enough. Here's to hoping that program directors/committees see it that way too. 

Last post I was getting a bit anxious because I had yet to hear back from any of the programs I applied to. Over a month had gone by and not a single email or call.  I think I've been driving my husband crazy by just talking about it over and over again.

He deals with it though. Even though I know I'm getting pretty annoying. :)

However, these past 2 weeks have been really hopeful since I heard from 2 of the programs and have secured interviews with both. One being my first choice and I am super stoked!
I'm just going to be honest my first interview should have been a practice run. I think everything that could have gone wrong, did. It was not pretty. I would be very shocked if I got into the program. I may go into more detail at a later time since I still may have a chance and don't want to give away my choices.
Honestly, this was how I felt...

But I am happy that now I get a second chance with another interview. I know I can do this and my confidence level is pretty high now that I know what NOT to do. 

Interviewing is so scary but I have been preparing for a whole week now. Along with doing some yoga that helps with the nerves and stress.

Here are some links/tips for dietetic internship practice questions that have really helped me:

• On The Road to RD Interview questions -Read this blog is you are interested in reading about someone's experience applying and getting into a DI
• The Nutrition Translator : How to Succeed in Dietetics -She provides a list of interview questions towards the bottom of the post. But honestly the whole post is pretty informative
• All Access Internships Getting Matched guide -Download and reap the benefits of this. I believe pg. 41 is where she has provided a list of interview questions but this manual has been my go-to for this entire process.
• Contact previous/current interns for that specific program that can tell you what kinds of questions they were asked in their interview.
• Preparing for the dietetic internship interview -More broad questions to think about
• If the website for the DI provides a guide or handbook for interns. READ IT. Directors and committees want you to know what their program expects of you and they want to know what YOU know about their program.
• Also, I am taking the questions that were thrown at me during my first interview and actually preparing a better answer in case my 2nd interviewer asks me the same questions.

So, that is what I am doing on my day off. I am preparing my answers, reading case studies I completed in MNT (>2 years ago!!!!), and then working out eventually for some stress relief.

Why thanks Ryan, but it's actually an interview for an.. Oh God nevermind. Thanks :)

Glad blogging wasn't one of my resolutions....

Oh yeah, that's right I had no resolutions! But still, I'm sucking at the blogging thing this year. 

I am a big ball of anxiety at the moment because DICAS apps have been submitted (Feb 14) and we still have 3 weeks to go before the highly anticipated/dreaded Match Day! April 6 cannot get here sooner. I had an opportunity arise that would have saved me this stress and anxiety but I chose to forgo that in order to stick with my original plans. I'll be so mad at myself if Match Day doesn't end well for me but I am still hopeful I can get accepted. I've told some of the RDs at work and they seem to think I have nothing to worry about so we shall see. I am more worried because I haven't received any notification from any programs I applied to regarding interviews. I let it slide the first month, making excuses like "oh the weather has been horrible, maybe the committees haven't been able to get together" or "maybe my application blew them away that they felt I didn't need an interview?". That's just silly. However, I am now 3 weeks away and I have heard nothing. One of the programs I applied to says they don't do interviews. It will be interesting to see what happens. In the meantime I have been obsessing over intern blogs and reading about current and past interns experiences with the DI. It helps me realize that everyone's path to becoming a registered dietitian is different. I'm also deciding that if I get into an internship, I will create a strictly nutrition related twitter and I will chronicle my DI experience on another blog. This is really my de-stress and have fun blog. :)

Besides that....worrying over getting accepted has made me very productive in other aspects of my life. I had my 6 month evaluation at work and it was great. I am very happy that I can do my job well. It makes me happy even if there are always frustrating situations to deal with but I feel like these situations prepare and make me even better at my job. I work a lot but I've been making time for friends a lot more lately. This has been my goal for this year to make time for friends because ever  since the wedding and starting this job my husband and my dog are the only ones I seemed to have time to do anything with. My best friend and I have made us plan to visit more NC wineries this year. We made it to Raffaldini vineyards last month and it was so much fun! We had a blast! It felt like old times with her and I miss that. 

In other news, I've been busy getting ready for my other friend's wedding. I'm the matron of honor and I am so excited since she and her fiance started dating about 2 weeks after Thomas and I did. We love those two and are so happy they are tying the knot! A couple of weeks ago her and I went on a relaxing weekend trip to the beach where we spent one day at the spa, it was much needed for both of us in different ways, of course. She's dealing with that glorious wedding anxiety while I'm stressing about getting into internships. 
We also had her wedding shower recently. We had a great time laughing at the multiple canister sets she received. (8!!) 

It's comforting to know that no matter where my life leads or what happens to my career I have great people in my life. I wouldn't know what do without them.

Until next time and hopefully I will have some good news in the future!

Reading List 2014

Happy New Year! Time for a new list and reading goals for 2014! I'm excited. Gotta love Goodreads!
 I'm bumping up the goal to 28 this year. Hopefully I'll be able to pull this off and even beat it!
Here's 2013 & 2012

1. The Twelve by Justin Cronin **** stars
2. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin ***** stars
3. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes **** stars
4. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty  **** stars
5. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin *** stars
6. Something Blue by Emily Giffin *** stars
7. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin *** stars
8. Baby Proof by Emily Giffin *** stars
9. Love the One you're with by Emily Giffin *** stars
10. Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin **stars
11. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham **** stars
12. Blood and Beauty :The Borgias by Sarah Dunant **** stars
13. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta ( currently reading)
14. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (currently reading)

Next to read:

• Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
• Thérèse Raquin by  Émile Zola 
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• Under Wildwood by Colin Meloy
• The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies
• And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
• A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
• A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
• 11/22/63 by Stephen King
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
• Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

2014 is almost here!

It's New Year's Eve. I have the day off so Thomas and I have been binge-watching Breaking Bad. And like so many others that have done the same, we are hooked!

Yeah...

Other than that, we are gonna have to tear ourselves from our TV screen to get ready and head down to Charlotte. I bought NYE concert tickets to see The Avett Bros , again! So, hopefully we will be in store for an awesome show. If it's anything like last year's, we are sure to have a great time!

I'm this excited!

Happy New Year!

In other news, I am so close to having everything done for my DICAS application. A few edits to my resume and personal statement and I will be set! It's such a relief. My goal is to have everything in by the end of January. So, one of my 2014 goals is to change my life by getting into an internship. I've worked so hard in 2013, I'm hoping to get some pay-off in the new year. 

Also, I was so close to meeting my 25 books goal for 2013. I may up it for 2014. I have feeling I'm gonna be reading like crazy. But take a look at what I read this year.

I'm not doing resolutions because they stress me out more than they help me better myself. I have goals and I'm fine with that for this year. 2013 held some pretty big changes and I created beautiful memories that I will never forget this year. It had it's emotional ups and downs and I've had my fair share of stress from finishing grad school, wedding planning to job searching. But I am thankful for my new family, my job, my education, and my husband who is always there for me no matter what is going on. 

I may not be where I want to be, but I am getting there.

Happy New Year everyone!

Oh, and Luna says Hi!

Productive Day!

Things haven't exactly been busy lately, it's just that I haven't felt like doing anything for about a month now. Thanksgiving came and the feeling of Christmas has hit me and I feel like I'm on vacation. (But when you are in the midst of DICAS applications you are never on vacation). 
This has been me lately:

Like seriously.

Of course I'm working but Thomas has been sick all week so I pretty go home to catch up on Scandal and in between is Game Of Thrones books and Christmas music. Sad.

However, today has been a real catch up day of everything I've wanted to do this week.
I cleaned the kitchen, made these, worked on my personal statement for DI applications and have entered some more information in to DICAS. Yay! It's amazing what I can accomplish when I don't have to work on the weekends. 

Honestly, these applications should be my first priority since it's the only way I can get a better job than I have now. I have just been so tired of feeling like I'm not getting anywhere. I have a feeling that once 2014 gets here, my motivation will be on full blast to get everything done for these apps. I feel bad for even contacting references right now because I know Christmas is a week away so my plan is to ask my other two references after Christmas closer to new years. I have put off my personal statement for months and have finally sat down and written most of it today. Before this process I felt like I had no experience but after writing it all down, I feel like I have so much that it's hard to pick and choose what to write about in my statement. You never know what's going to win over the directors and I'm already close to the word limit and I have two more paragraphs to write. EEK!
Luckily I have an english teacher for a husband so he's going to read over it and let me know if there is any "fluff" I can get rid of.

BTW Christmas is almost here! Exciting! Yet, I still haven't finished my shopping and can't until I get paid next. So that is a bit nerve wracking but it will be done and it helps that I have the Friday and Monday before Christmas off. 
Here's our tree!

It's our little island of misfit toys tree but we love it!

Hopefully I'll have more to blog before Christmas but if not Merry Christmas!

Goals for November!

I know we are a week into November (time is flying by!), but now that I have some extra time outside of work I want to get some things going in November.

1) Get a head start on my DI applications. I am in the process of getting in touch with some professors and having them go over my resume and eventually my personal statement. Which reminds me I have to start my personal statement too! I think once I have secured 3 references and written and edited my personal statement the hard part will be over until February. Which is why I'm starting the process in November instead of January. I try not to procrastinate in serious situations as these. When I turn in my applications in February, the hard and nerve wracking part will be hoping I get an interview and if I get an interview preparing for said interview. Then the countdown to April will begin! In the meantime, I am trying to prepare for my phone conference next week with one of the directors of the internships I'm considering. I'm excited and anxious to get the ball rolling!

2) Keep my house clean. This past weekend my mother so graciously came over and helped Thomas and I cleaned our entire house. In 3 hours no less! It's fantastically clean now but I fear we will let it slip again. So my goal is to keep this way for as long as possible. The kitchen is the hardest part since that is where food is made and it tends to get messy. 

3) Exercise for the month: Yoga! I've been doing it this week and I feel like it's exactly what I need. My job has been a bit stressful this week, probably because the patient count has been steadily increasing. But I feel that this helps my posture from sitting in a chair for most of my shift. Another goal is to stand more at work too. What I need is a stability ball to use at a chair but I don't think my supervisors would care for that or my coworkers. I aspire to be more flexible, strong, and toned and I feel the more I practice yoga the better these things will be. 

4) Meet my reading goals . I need to read 4 more books before December 31. However I am choosing long books so I don't know if I'll make it to 25 books this year. Hopefully. I'm currently reading The Twelve by Justin Cronin . Seriously it's so good. 

5) This may be a silly goal but in anticipation of the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special "The Day of the Doctor" I plan to re-watch the David Tennant Doctor Who episodes. He is by far my favorite Doctor and it's been a while since I watched those episodes so I am looking forward to seeing them again. Thanks Netflix!

Nothing is going to be better than seeing these two on screen together. 

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone stays safe tonight! 
My plans?
Work then handing out candy when I get home. Luna will be dressed as Richard Parker (the lion from Life of Pi). Hopefully we will get to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" tonight too!

I Passed!!

Today I feel fantastic since I took the DTR exam this morning and passed it!!! Woo Hoo!!

I went into the exam this morning calm, cool, and collected. I was halfway drowsy from the early morning and I didn't have any coffee, which is dangerous territory for me. I was a little afraid it would upset my stomach so I decided against it. I have to say that the only thing that made me nervous was actually finding the place, and then my gas light came on which was a bit nerve wracking when your going to a place you've never been before. Once I got there I went inside and sat down waiting for my turn to get checked in. It is crazy the things that go through your head while you're waiting. "OMG was I supposed to bring two I.D.s or one?" "People are bringing their own calculators, was I supposed to bring one??"  Everything worked out though. 
110 questions later and I was done. I think it took me about an hour and a half. 

Oh man, when I had to wait for the proctor to find my results page that was when the nerves really kicked in. Then she just turned to me and said "Congratulations!!" and I was so relieved!
 I am so happy that all the studying I did the past 2 months was finally worth it. I now  have this certification which will hopefully aid in my getting accepted into a DI.

Now that its over, here are some of my thoughts on the exam:
1) When researching on the internet (linkedIn, and blogs mostly) everyone emphasizes the importance of food service equations. So I studied the heck out of some food cost percentages, minutes/meal, and FTEs. I was so worried that this would be the worst part about the exam. I maybe had 3 or 4 food service math equation questions and thats it. So out of 110 questions that was not main focus of my exam but for others it may have been.

2) I focused on nutrition care a lot. Maybe because that is what interests me the most out of nutrition but I really didn't have a lot of questions on this either. That may change if I get to take the RD exam in the future.

3) The majority of my questions for exam were focused on management. This was to be expected but I feel like in my studying I had a hard time finding questions that I could really practice my application of management skills too. Plus I have no management experience so its kind of hard to really know what to do in management situations. If I had to go back and take the exam I would focus more on this. 

4) The LinkedIn DTR group was right about the test being mainly about management and food service. This group helped me out so much and I was able to get a good idea of what to expect for today's exam. The exam is never the same for everybody depending on how well you answer questions of a certain domain so maybe I knew my equations really well and thats why I didn't have many? I don't know.

For anyone planning to take this exam, it is still important to study everything because there will be random questions that pop up!

So what's next?
For right now, I am relaxing and catching up on some tv (Revenge, Teen mom (don't judge)). And I'm going to start reading 

I can have a life now!

DTR Exam in 2 more days!

My DTR exam is in 2 days and I am feeling so rushed and anxious to look at every note and do every exam at least once more. Part of me feels like I know this stuff but part of me wants to make sure I do understand the Diabetic exchange lists, management practices and food service equations backwards and forwards.

I know, Doctor. I know.

I have the day off so that was my plan was to just go over everything I can get my hands on because I work tomorrow and good quality studying cannot be achieved there so today is pretty much it. 
My mom wants me to go have lunch with her but I feel obligated to stay home. AHH but I want to see my mom. I have felt like a bum for 2 months and have barely seen anyone lately.

All. the. time.

Guess I'll go have lunch and rush back to more studying fun. 

I wish.

6 months later....

Time to update my blog. It's been a while, I know. I have been a very busy bee lately. Or at least the last 6 months. Things are not getting any less busy but I want to attempt (for the 100th time) to blog during it because I would like some sort of documentation of the things that have and will be going on in this next year. 

So my last post was in April and I was posting love songs up until my wedding day. Well that didn't work out but I did get married in June. It was amazing! I was stressed, excited, and so happy in June. 

First things first though. In May I GRADUATED!!

 I have my Master's now in Nutrition! All my hard work paid off and I graduated with a 3.7 GPA. I am still so happy that I went ahead and got my Master's because now the only thing standing in my way from a) becoming a RD and b) being done with school completely is my dietetic internship. 

Once the graduation festivities were over I was heading to Washington DC for Share Our Strength's Conference of Leaders in early June, where one day was committed to Cooking Matters and two days were dedicated to the No Kid Hungry campaign. It was so interesting and I was so lucky and appreciative for the opportunity to go. 

Jefferson Memorial

Made it to a Baltimore Orioles game while I was there too!

Once I returned from DC it was wedding preparation full force! But honestly it wasn't too bad. I had gotten so much done beforehand (thanks year and a half engagement) I didn't have too much to prepare for. I just wanted it to be here! Needless to say it was a perfect day. Well the night before was pretty great too. Lots of tears, laughs, and smiles both days. 
I am now Mrs. Baker! :)

One of the best days of my life. *sigh* Plus, it was such a relief to finally enjoy the day that you spent a year and a half planning for. My wedding day and experience was perfect I wouldn't change a thing.
Then came the other fun part of the wedding experience... THE HONEYMOON!
We went to Asheville and it was fantastic. We had great weather and toured downtown and Biltmore. 

One day we randomly decided to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and see where it would take us... that might have been the best thing we did.

Amazing trip but way too short. We only stayed for 3 days and I was not ready to come back to real life and start looking for a job /post-wedding life.

Once the wedding was over, I was in full job search mode.  And I have to admit it was a little bit of a daunting task. I actually scored an interview with a food bank similar to the one I was volunteering at in Raleigh. That, however, did not work out but it was great experience as far as interviewing goes. After that, I was in a desperate search to find something that would give me an opportunity to use the nutritional knowledge I have gained after 7 years of schooling. Unfortunately, WIC jobs were hard to find and the only things I could find were things like "nutrition ambassadors" "patient nutrition representative" which are just fancy job names for diet clerks or hosting in a hospital. 
Honestly, at first I was feeling  a little selfish and thinking since I have a master's degree I shouldn't have to settle for working at these entry level positions. Eventually I stopped thinking this way because first off I remember a girl (I won't use names) but this girl who used to work at Barnes & Noble with me, once refused to take out the trash in the cafe because she had a master's degree in music performance and "she shouldn't have to". I remember thinking of how awful that made everyone feel because she thought she was better than us just because she had a master's degree. Needless to say she didn't work there very long after that (she was fired) and I can't help but think about that and how that made me feel when she said that. Just for the record I am not afraid to take out trash, wash dishes by hand, or handle nasty gunk because of my barista job. Thanks Barnes & Noble!

So I decided to apply for any position I thought could give me some good experience. One position was called a "nutrition clerk" and it was a full time position at a local hospital only 5 minutes down the road from our townhouse. It sounded very promising. As it turned out they were the only ones to call me in for an interview. Guess it was meant to be!
I started my new job as "Nutrition Clerk" or "Diet Clerk" as it's really called at the end of August. It's going well so far. As a dietetic hopeful, I was very concerned where I was going to get my clinical experience and now everyday I am learning about specific diets, tube feeding formulas, diabetic exchanges, plus just the experience of working with the dietitians and nurses is great! I see patients every now and again, as well. I am so grateful for this job even if some days I feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the hospital. Even though some people ask me why I am there, I tell them that this is a stepping stone to bigger and better things for me. However, for the time being I am fine working and learning all that I can.

Also, I am currently studying for the DTR exam. I'm scheduled to take it in 4 days. DTR stands for Dietetic Technician, Registered. There are not a lot of DTR positions left in North Carolina but I was advised by one of my professors from Meredith to take it to increase my competitiveness for the upcoming DI application process.  The reason being that the DTR exam is similar to the RD exam so if I could pass this exam, it shows directors that I have potential to pass the RD exam. 

It's crazy to think of how far I have come from changing my major to nutrition in 2008 and now having two degrees in nutrition, and how I am currently working as a diet clerk until I can finally finish my goal of being a RD once I get into an internship. There's really no other option for me. I want and need to be a RD. There's nothing else I want or would rather be. I am so close to my goal and only have a couple more months to find out where the future will take me. 
I can do this.

87 to 77

87. Yellow - Coldplay

Look at the starsLook how they shine for you

86. Now and Always - David Gray

You're in my mind baby, now and always

85. Thank You - Led Zeppelin

And so today, my world it smiles

Your hand in mine, we walk the miles

Thanks to you it will be done

For you to me are the only one

84. Open Arms - Journey

So now I come to you with open arms

Nothing to hide, believe what I say

83. Stellar - Incubus

How do you do it?

You make me feel like I do

How do you do it?

It's better than I ever knew

82. Sonnet 29 - Rufus Wainwright

Haply I think on thee,--and then my state 

(Like to the lark at break of day arising 

From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;

 81. Your Song - Elton John

Anyway the thing is what I really mean

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

 80. Where are you going?- Dave Matthews Band

But I do know one thing

Where you are is where I belong

I do know, where you go, is where I wanna be

79. A Lover Like You - The Avett Brothers

I haven't eyes for anyone else

I'm thinking of you and nobody else

I haven't eyes for anyone else but you

 

78. There is a Light that never goes out - The Smiths

To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die

 77. 18th Floor Balcony - Blue October

I can't believe this is happening to me and,

I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours

That I was so yours for the taking

I'm so yours for the taking and

That's when I felt the wind pick up

I grabbed the rail while choking up

These words to say and then you kissed me

 

91-88

#91 God Only Knows- The Beach Boys

God only knows what I'd be without you

#90 Love Song- Adele (311 cover)

However far away I will always love you

However long I stay I will always love you

#89 Dream a Little Dream - Dean Martin

Stars fading but I linger on dear

Still craving your kiss

I'm longing to linger til dawn dear

#88 Love they say- Tegan & Sara

First time you held my hand I knew I was meant for you
First time you kissed my lips I knew I was meant for you.
 

92 and Bridal luncheon

#92 Here, There, and Everywhere - The Beatles

To lead a better life

I need my love to be here

This past weekend my grandmother and her lifelong best friend threw me a bridal luncheon at Old Salem where I'm getting married. It was so nice. Everyone was there except a few people but I had a great time with those who were able to make it. The food was amazing. It was from Salem Tavern. We had tomato bisque, a warm pear salad and then gingerbread with lemon ice cream for dessert. YUM.
Just the beginning of things to come before the big day!
Just a few pics with my lovely ladies

Holding my recipes that I got from everyone.

The one picture where my eyes aren't squinty.

Bridesmaids (minus 2)

Bridesmaids plus 2 :)

I've got to improve my squinty eyes before portraits!

Almost 3 months!! Love songs marathon!

Without realizing it the other day, we have hit the less than 100 days mark for the wedding! I'm so excited! Double digits! And in two days, the 22nd, it will be 3 months. 
So sensing the big days arrival I have been on love song overload. I am feeling the love lately and I have been noticing songs so much more. Especially the romantic ones that make me think of Thomas. So I think from now on until the big day I am going to post videos of songs that I love and are about just that LOVE. My personal favorites.
I have some catching up to do because today is # 93.

#100 Bend and Not Break - Dashboard Confessional

For you I rise, for you I fall

#99 Living of Love - The Avett Brothers

Say love, say for me love

#98 Home- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Laugh until we think we'll die

Barefoot on a summer night

Never could be sweeter than with you

#97 Cosmic Love- Florence and the Machine

A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes

#96 One and Only - Adele

You've been on my mind,

I grow fonder every day,

Lose myself in time,

Just thinking of your face

#95 Incredible Love - Ingrid Michaelson

Incredible love--you fill me

#94 Northern Sky - Nick Drake

But now you're here

 Brighten my northern sky

 #93 I was made for you- She & Him

When I saw you smile

I saw a dream come true