An Overview to a Kill

Please, someone tell me that they get the predominately pop culture references in the titles of my posts! Anybody? No? Oh well, on to the actual post.

Well it's been about 2 months since I promised an update and here it finally is! Seeing as the last real post I created was about the start of football season and was depressing as all get out, I guess I will let you guys in on the past 10 months and try to keep it upbeat. :) I'll start by saying I will not be giving you a play by play of the last several months, but rather glimpses into the important areas. And away we go...

Last we spoke football was just beginning and so was the most trying semester of my academic career! Not only was the schoolwork super overwhelming (because I underestimated it), but I was traveling home every 2-3 weeks and some of those weekends spending only one night at home and the rest traveling to football. Which brings me to my first highlight, away games with my family. You all know what a big deal this is for us and this past season I had the luck (notice I didn't say "good") of being at the Auburn/Clemson game with my Dad and brother. And that is the last I will say about that, except everything from their traditions to their campus looked awfully familiar. I suppose they could have gotten their own, but hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...or some bull like that. Anyway, after that I did have the good luck of traveling to the Auburn/South Carolina game just 2 weeks later with both of my parents. The trip in which I researched for my genogram, not the best idea when stuck in close quarters...yikes! But the game was amazing, I'm now one stadium closer to seeing Auburn play in every SEC stadium and we visited a new Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives location. Go us!! By the way though, how sucky is it that this year I will complete my rounds of the SEC stadiums with Mississippi State and it is the same year they expand the SEC to include Texas A&M and Missouri? Talk about gettin angry over that, I'm still fuming! But, I digress.

Also during football season I realized who here in Mississippi would be my new football buddies. Thankfully there are 2 other Auburn grads in my program, and one of them has turned out to be a football fanatic. Luckily that same fanatic has become a good friend, my new bar buddy, and let's face it, the ultimate wingman. :) Speaking of bars, it took me a while to find a local haunt in this town since apparently I spent very little time here in my first semester. But I will briefly say that if you enjoy line dancing, country music, and plain entertainment in the form of people watching then you have just been cordially invited to come visit me.

In other news, I was able to finish up the semester (without dying, I know you were worried), head out for the holidays, and make a trip to visit that oldest brother of mine for a few days. That was a pretty great trip up to Huntsville back in December. Let me explain that due to our seven year age difference, William and I have never really gotten to know each other. Not as kids and never really to the opportunity to as adults until now. I've gotta say it's been pretty rewarding to get to know my brother and his family, which just recently expanded with a new member, little mister Crawford Alexander Avant. Cute kid.

Going home after that trip was nice, but really it was nothing more than seeing my old friends from home, getting some much needed relaxation, and hanging out with my man Davis. Who, by the way, is about to be four and I swear is smarter than me, I'm just always impressed by how much that kid has changed and learned since the last time I saw him. We had the best time playing and being crazy for a month and then it was back to the 'burg, but not before another visit up to William and Leslie.

Luckily the second semester was much easier than the first, but still challenging. The most straining part of the semester is what we refer to here as personal growth, which will be revisited later in this post. This semester of growing included quite a few long trips home thanks to my crafty scheduling and a spring break trip to the beach. Since I have already summed up what happens when I go home, I will sum up what happened on the all girls spring break trip. Seeing old friends, shopping, sunburn, seafood, and shopping. Yes, those all started with the letter 's', now aren't you impressed?! #sarcasm But really it was a great trip and if I ever find a time again that works for everyone to go back, it will be a miracle, but a really great miracle. :)

So after this trip the semester wrapped up pretty quickly and did I mention my internship for this fall? I didn't? Well let me tell you about it! Since I'm a mere 6 weeks from being a second year, I just recently (in the last 2 months) interviewed and landed my internship at Pine Grove Behavioral Health's Family Program here in Hattiesburg. I am so excited to begin this experience and truly believe this is going to be an incredible time for me as far as growth and learning in my field. I will keep y'all posted along the way. Now if only I could magically have a closet full of work ready clothes! More on that another time.

And to the personal growth. Now before you think we're just a bunch of hippies (which we are) talking about our feelings and crying all the time (which we do), first know that these past few months of really growing and exploring myself as a person have been some of the most difficult, heartbreaking, and rewarding months of my life. And I am whole-heartedly looking forward to the challenge of continuing on with this journey. I've been able to establish great support systems both near and far, begin setting better boundaries in every part of my life, and really start to learn who I am as an individual and in that really start to like myself. And if you really know me, you know all of those are HUGE things for me to begin to do and I can't wait to continue them.

One last thing and then I swear I'll stop writing this novel. Last summer I remember sitting in a dear friend's apartment in Auburn talking about where our futures were about to take us and God's plan for our lives. And I remember telling her that at that time the thought of moving to Mississippi was supposed to be scary but I all I felt was peace. I hadn't felt peace in my life very often up until that point, in fact I can count the times on one hand, but I felt this overwhelming sense of peace about the biggest change I had ever made in my life. I remember being stumped by this peace and thinking I must have moved past fear and into denial, but really it was just this calm that I sat in for a while. At this point I'm still not sure how I felt it back then, but now I'm sure that the peace had to do with the positive change that has come in my life since then and that I trust is still to come with some hard work. For now that's all I have to say, so until I can come back again...

Blogging vs. Grad School

Okay blog buddies, as is clearly evident, in the fight between blogging and grad school, blogging got knocked out pretty early. My bad, call me crazy for having priorities! The past 8 months have been an absolute whirlwind and I am loving it! I'm finally getting a little down time (which won't last long) and I promise to try and catch up a little bit on my blog. A lot has happened so there should be a lengthy post about it all a little later on. Yes, I'm being vague on that time table for a reason. For now, take comfort in the fact that I am still alive...currently. :)

That Time of Year Again!

While children spend all year anticipating summer and Christmas, and parents spend summer anticipating the school year, I spend my entire year anxiously awaiting, you guessed it, football season!!

I remember driving home January 11th this year (the day after the National Championship, duh!) and thinking 'only 8 1/2 more months until we get to do it again!' At that time my life was in a very different place. So different that it's hard to even think about it. I was just about to start my new internship, it was really just sinking in that I would soon be graduating from Auburn, and I had no idea what was to come of my grad school applications.

Well here I am 8 1/2 months later, a college graduate, a first year marriage and family therapy graduate student (reading so much everyday that my brain hurts!), living 5 hours from home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and most importantly, welcoming football season back into my life! Yes, my priorities are all kinds of messed up! ha ha

I, however, am only kind of welcoming it back. Sadly (and I really mean sadly), I will not be at Auburn's first football game tomorrow. You may think this is no big thing, but let me tell you, this is the first home openner I will have missed in 21 years!! I repeat, TWENTY-ONE YEARS!!! Since moving, I've had some sad and lonely times, which were to be expected since I don't know anyone, but this is by far the saddest I have been! Right now, I'm not only missing my family of origin (that's right, I'm gonna be a therapist), I'm also really missing my Auburn family!

It will be okay though, I will be there in spirit and right now I'm just glad that my schedule worked out tomorrow so I can at least watch the game. Although, my watching the game tomorrow may be a lot like when I watch 'Titanic': there will be ice cream, there will be candy, and I'll really be rooting for everyone, but in the end I'm just gonna be sad.

Alright, I'm now done bringing down my wonderful readers, I just needed an outlet and I figured my blog is as good as any. So thanks for stickin around, if you read to this point :)

For now, WAR DAMN EAGLE!! I'll see you, Jordan-Hare, in a few months...so the countdown begins. :)

Weekend of Fun!!

Well friends, I can now make a trip home in five hours flat! I changed my route and that is what I found. Why, you may ask, did you come home so soon? Well, what had happened was I looked at my syllibi and my calendar and realized that I don't get a legit trip home again until Thanksgiving!! Yeah, let that sink in a little bit. Is it in there? Good!

I was very sad to find this out, but I've rearranged some things and will now be attempting a magic trick to create time. (que "The Final Countdown", very Gob)

Anyway, after I realized my lack of spare time, I had to take an emergency trip home to see Davis (and my family) before the semester picked up. And I had to make it a really good trip, so Davis can remember me extra fondly in my absence. So here's what we did in what will furthermore be known as 'Liz and Davis' Weekend of Fun'. (yes, I stole that from Friends)

We went to get ice cream at Chick Fil A and play on the playset. Now this may not seem like a big deal, but really who else is gonna take him to get ice cream and get in the play place with him? Only his woman-child aunt, that's who! So here he is fully enjoying his ice cream...

That night I pitched the idea of taking him to a real movie, kind of as an expiriment to see how he would do, so I showed him various movie trailers and decided by his response which one to see. And The Smurfs won. Shocked? I was. I thought for sure that Winnie the Pooh would win, but anyway we went to see The Smurfs and it was cute. Well, what I saw of it was cute. He made it for about an hour and did very well and then decided he wanted to nap in the theatre, so we had to go. But I was very proud of how well he did for that hour.

But of the Weekend of Fun I have to say that my favorite part was Saturday night. Now I love old school Winnie the Pooh, as in 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh', so we curled up and watched that Saturday night. And it is even cuter and sweeter than I remember. It was amazing and I loved every minute of it.

So that was the home portion of the weekend, now let me tell you about what happens on a 5 hour road trip by yourself. First you think 'this won't be so bad once I get the music going', which was a correct thought. Then you get to Mobile and I'm not sure what the name of the giant bridge is on 65 that leads directly into Mobile, and I've only traveled it once before, but both times I had the exact same thought going across: Wow. That bridge has the most amazing view way up in the air, it's like you're dancing across the tree tops. Truly breathtaking. Anyway the last thing I realized on the road (before realizing that I had gone loopy) was that my Cher singing impression only sounds like Cher during "If I Could Turn Back Time" and during "Believe" it sounds like the target lady, and sometimes Kermit the Frog. Anyway, that's enough rambling from the road...for now.

Before closing out, I'd like to shout out to Kristen "the summer intern" Katibah. She's recovering from knee surgery and is in my prayers and on my mind tonight. So please also remember her in your thoughts and prayers. :)

That's all for now. Will update you on school soon!

The Start of Something New

Well guys, since I know after tomorrow (the first day of class) I won't have much time for blogging I thought I'd update you know and let you know how Hattiesburg is! It is wonderful!! I'm really loving it here, which is such a blessing! I was scared for so long that this move would be too much for me, but I couldn't be happier here.

Here's what I love so far:

• My roommates: they are hilarious and crazy, so I can relate. And one roommate is also beginning the MFT program with me (happy coincidence) so we're both pumped to start tomorrow.
• My cohort: Since there are 12 people in my cohort there is a wide variety of personalities and backgrounds, which is interesting and a lot of fun to get to know everyone.
• The second years: The cohort of 10 above me is ALL girls (and you though 6 girls at Auburn was bad!) But these girls are amazing, and so helpful as we're starting out here, and they really seem to all click together in different ways. Also, one of them told me that although they've all had times of frustration with the program and anger, there has not (yet) been a time when they didn't honestly love the program. You may say she is blowing smoke, but I'm choosing to believe this is true and have the same attitude for myself.
• My assistantship: I found out yesterday at orientation that for my 20 hours a week assistantship, that I will be a teaching assistant for 2 professors (10 hours a piece). This is exactly what I wanted, so I am thrilled!! Even more thrilling is the flexible hours, getting to really know the staff I'm with for the next 2 years, and teaching! Yes, you read right, one of the professors has me set to lead her class for 3 days this semester! I am so excited, and I really think it will help me decide if teaching is something I'd like to pursue at a collegiate level! Of course I'm pretty nervous, but that just means I'll be calling in for some help and pointers from those who have already mastered this (that means you, Emily!)
• The food: I've only been here 11 days and have been eating in a lot to save money, but when I did eat out (on my parents bill) it was amazing! Now, Mugshots and Newks are both chains and I've eaten there before, but I swear it just gets better every time! AND, Mugshots now has a huge projector screen of the NFL network, um yes, please!! Burgers and football, count me in! Also on the food train is Leatha's BBQ. This was promised to me to be the best ribs I would ever taste, and as a diplomat I will say they are the best professionally cooked ribs, because I don't wanna get cut off from the church BBQ ribs at home ;). I will only say one more thing about the food and then I promise to stop, but Crescent City Grill is by far the best and most creative seafood I have ever eaten, and seafood is my favorite!! (Now back to the original list)
• My apartment: Since the apartment houses 4 people there is a lot of space for us. I knew that much, what I didn't realize was that once I moved my bedroom set that there is an insane amount of space in my room. That doesn't include the 2 closets and private bath! I have to say this is a huge leap from the shoebox I've been living in for the last 2 years.

Now I'm sure there are other things I will find to love very soon, and hopefully you will get to hear about them!

Of course, along with finding things you love in a new place there are things you miss from where you left.

Here's what I miss so far:

• Auburn. I miss the campus, the food, the people, the atmosphere, and starting next week I will sorely be missing football season. Note: This is the first time in my life I won't be in Jordan-Hare for a season opener. This will be tough,but I will be tougher.
• My friends: I miss having people to talk to that I already know are as crazy as me, and knowing their "crazy boundaries". Note: If you people want to Skype me, I'm always up for that! It's comforting to see familiar faces!
• My family: This is a big one and I think you know why.  I've never really been away from my family so the distance has been wearing on both ends. But really more than anything I miss my little buddy Davis. I do get to talk to him on the phone and see pictures of him, but not getting to play with him is really sad. But I will be seeing him this weekend (if all goes according to plan) so I'm really excited about that!

 

Isn't he precious though?

Anyway, for now that's all from Hattiesburg! I'll let you all know how school is soon!



What's My Age Again?

As you may have guessed from the title, today (yesterday) is my birthday!! And my age now is 23. This just so happens to be the age of interest in the Blink 182 song "What's My Age Again". In case you haven't heard it, this song pretty much describes me as a person. Yes, my numerical age is 23 and yes, I'm becoming more of an adult, but when did 23 become the end of being a little childish? I don't mean incredibly immature, but in my book letting loose and acting like a fool sometimes is the only way to keep your sanity! So here's to keeping my sanity, cheers everybody!:)

In the words of Blink 182:
"No one should take themselves so seriously.
With many years ahead to fall in line,
Why would you wish that on me?
I never want to act my age.
What's my age again?"

Also, happy birthday to Steve Martin and Tim Tebow! :)

Falling or Flying?

Hey there blog friends! It has been a quick and busy summer as you can probably tell by my lack of blogs. I will soon update about the last 3 months, but tonight I'd like to discuss an idea that has especially resonated with me lately, falling or flying.

This particular idea comes from two sources, a favorite song of mine, 'Falling or Flying' by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and a main theme from one of my favorite movies, 'The Shawshank Redemption'. In the movie, the wrongly convicted inmate Andy Dufresne tells us that we better "get busy living, or get busy dying". Now obviously this is a topic that we've all mulled over from time to time, and usually at times when we feel like we aren't really doing anything with our lives. Well today at lunch with a friend it really hit me that for the first 18 years of my life I worked steadily to achieve my goal of going to Auburn. Then for the next 5 (oops!) years, my goal (for most of the time) was to graduate from Auburn. Now that I have accomplished the only major life goals I ever set for myself I have to stop and ask myself, am I falling or flying?

Clearly, for the first 22 years I've been flying towards something, but my past 3 months of just working have felt a lot like falling. Well friends, for the first time since finding out about grad school I am really coming to realize that next Friday I will be leaving home and taking flight. (By now you may have realized that I have a thing for birds.) It's a little unsettling to start over in an unfamiliar place, but I believe it will be a totally worthwhile adventure, and I for one am very excited for this next chapter to begin.

Until I can actually update you on my summer,