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

Crazy how some things turn out

I have been dealing with a lot the past two weeks. Not only is school getting extremely busy with position papers being due, meeting with partners to write those papers, but also finishing my lesson, starting my classes up, and trying to schedule another class for my practicum. I have family drama to deal with.

I have a hard time getting in touch with people when I'm stressed out, have so many responsibilities to school, and am driving at least 2 hours a day. It's exhausting. The thing that gets lost in my mind is the thought to call family members and this isn't right but I have no idea how to change this at this present time. 
What stresses me out even more is when people get upset because I haven't called them or haven't kept in touch but I have seen one friend on one separate occasion. A friend who I have probably hung out with once in the last 2 months, since Christmas. I thought things were fine. At this moment in time I need understanding and support because my schedule and project is keeping me very busy and I have a hard time getting motivated to do it most of the time. I have great support from the people I am working with and they have set me up with some great opportunities. For example, I found out that I have the opportunity to go to DC for a couple of days, all expenses paid just for volunteering at the Food Shuttle. I'm very excited. Thomas is happy for me and I thank God everyday I have him because without him, I'd be alone in this whole process and doubt I would be this far without his love and support. 

What gets me is that some people in my family want to bring me down. Make me feel guilty for the time and effort I'm putting into my project and into school. Also, for things that happened years ago. I've been in school for almost 7 years and now is the time they bring up issues, 2 months before I'm done and 4 months before I get married. They want to make me feel guilty for wanting help with showers and things that I feel really shouldn't be planned by myself since it's for me and Thomas. Doesn't make sense to me. But still I should feel guilty for a party that people want to throw me. If you don't want to do it then say so. I don't want to exclude anyone that is supposed to be in my wedding, but I can't have negativity and people that I don't feel really even care if it all works out. I feel like it would be very fake to have them standing up there with me and I am not going to deal just so I won't regret it later. I'll regret living that lie. 
As far as no contact goes, a tweet is not a reach out. It is not a form of communication that has no meaning when it comes to being interested in someone's life especially if there are negative connotations to that tweet. I have a phone and you have a phone and it's a two way street as far as communication and calling someone goes. I may not have called you but you didn't call me either.
With the combination of the guilt I feel for not being around my family (yes I have been feeling this way and I don't need to feel worse), stress from school, projects, volunteering, teaching, planning, driving all the time, wedding planning, picking out things that I know won't please everyone, getting others to do their part in this wedding process, as well as keep my place clean and all the other goals I've made for myself this year, I"M EXHAUSTED.
I'm at my breaking point. I need a break and won't receive one until this semester is through. 
Somehow I'm supposed to get work done today but I see very little getting done because I'm so bothered by someone's attack of my character. 

I haven't blogged in a while but the way I'm feeling today has made me feel like I just need to write it out. I hate writing about drama in such a public way but since everything I have online would just start a war, this is my option.

Look who's growing up

It has been an interesting week, that is for sure. One thing I am not going to go into a lot of details about because I do not want to jinx myself. However, I will say that if it goes through, I will be one happy girl. I am lucky to be where I am now.
I'm also being initiated into the Honor society at my college, so I'm pretty stoked about that. 

School has finally taken that turn to craziness, along with the above, I am still hard at work on my practicum, my class is getting demanding with a lot of reading and now a paper to research for (it's due in 2.5 weeks), I've signed up to be a tutor for the metabolism class this semester, I'm trying to keep my house clean, and at the same time trying to be on top of wedding things as well. My grandmother is hosting with her best friend a bridal tea and needs a guest list and I haven't even began to work on it. I feel quite overwhelmed. I have scheduled my bridal portraits with the photographer in April so I'm excited about that.


This past weekend, I went to Myrtle Beach with my best friend and it was an eye opening experience to say the least. The goal was to get my friend's mind off her ex-boyfriend and I think she succeeded but at the same time, I just feel like I was put in an uncomfortable position. As a single girl, she pretty much wanted to meet guys and I mean that's always the goal when you are single. I understand but as I am getting married in 4 months to the best guy, I feel like my place is not in the club scene. I went as her support system but all it did was make me feel uncomfortable and it was hard to have fun especially when I was really missing Thomas the whole night. Guys that go to clubs like that are never good news and it made me feel very lucky for what I have with my guy. So, the night didn't end very well for me and I think I'm going to stay away from that scene permanently. I've really outgrown it. 
Especially since my focus 99% of the time is my family and my schooling. 

The best part of my weekend? Buying my first Coach purse.

Very excited!

I rarely want to spend over 100 dollars for a purse but I figured its time to get over it just this once. ;)

We tried running on the beach this weekend and that didn't end well either. I felt like my lungs were on fire and I could barely feel my toes afterwards. Kudos to runners who run in all weather conditions, jeez.

Workout schedule for this week (even though it is chaotic):

Monday: gym (elliptical workout) + abs

Tuesday: Home workout + arms

Wednesday: One hour yoga

Thursday: treadmill + legs

Friday: HIIT  cardio

Saturday:OFF

Sunday: OFF

Favorite Songs right now: