The only thing that stays the same is change...

Sorry I am slacking off really bad on blogging. I always say I am going to blog and then I never seem to put the time aside to actually get it done. I apologize in advance, this blog is going to be completely about catching you up on my life and nothing more. So if you are looking for some "educational" information, you won't find it in this blog. I've had to make some decisions over the last few weeks and they have consumed all my time. For those of you who I am horrible at keeping up with, you will find this information all useful though ;)

Let's start at the beginning of major decisions (to me major) I've faced with...Nursing School! I decided in late 2009/early 2010 that I would quit my great paying full time job at Place Properties to pursue my life goal of becoming a nurse. I went to GA State with the dream of coming out in 2005 as an RN, however I let many things stand in my way and did not apply myself the way I should have and went down a different path, one I thought would lead me to a fulfilling career as a High School English Teacher. But with the money I had already dumped into my education and the fact that I still wasn't convinced that this was what I wanted, I did not go onto to get my MAT to let that plan ring true. Thus I found an Administrative job that paid the bills so I could continue to live the life I thought I was enjoying. After three administrative jobs and still no real goals in life that seemed to fit me, I decided it was time to step out of my comfort zone and make all the changes in my life to get me going in the right direction. I decided Atlanta was not the home I needed at this point in my life and that I needed to have faith that I was making all the right decisions finally. So I packed up my apartment, quit my steady job, and headed to L.A. with the thought that I would start classes in Fall 2010 at University of South Alabama, with the ultimate outcome of being an RN in Fall of 2012! Sounds fabulous I'd say! However things do not always work out like I have planned, I am beginning to realize. I was accepted to USA with no problems. My GPA is more than decent because I did pretty well as an English Major. As any responsible college student would do, I made my first advisement appointment before it was time to register for my first semester. I woke up that day in pure excitement/nervousness, thinking this is really the first day of my Nursing Career! I went to work like I always do, got off at 12:30 and headed to my 1:30pm advisement appointment. The College of Nursing at USA is in an amazing new facility and I was in awe of how friendly and helpful everyone was, I truly felt at ease. This all went sour when I met with the advisor :( In a matter of about 30 minutes I felt like everything I had hoped for and dreamed of, had come to a crash landing at my feet. I even got the "poor pathetic girl" look from the advisor to make it official, my dream of USA was almost, if not completely, OUT OF REACH! She gave me the run down of where I stand against potential applicants trying to get into the program, and my credentials just did not compete. My 3.5+ GPA in English and Sociology Courses do not erase the slack grades I received back in 2002 at KSU when I did not seem to care what the future held for me. These grades have followed me and thus are the reason I had to come home and decide what my next plan would be. I was crushed to say the least at the end of this meeting. Not because the advisor had done anything, but the fact that something so long ago was going to stand in the way of my dream. I was NOT and AM NOT going to let it stop my dream though...I moved here, quit my job, only have a part time job, and I AM NOT going to let it stop me! After talking with my parents, close friends, and Pete about it, I did decide to not attend classes at USA this fall. The money it was going to cost me and the time I would've had to dedicate was not worth it because I was ultimately not going to get anything in return other than undue stress and we all know I DO NOT DEAL WITH STRESS well. I decided that I needed a NEW plan! So I got online and did some research and found two RN Associate Program in our area. They have a program at Bishop State Community College and one at Faulkner State College. Both of these programs seem to work out very well for my educational and financial goals. I have applied to both schools and should get my acceptance any day now. I am registered at both schools to take the Nursing Entrance Exams and will ultimately apply to the Nursing Programs at both schools, with the start date of January 2011 for both programs. I have taken all of the classes in both programs other than the nursing career classes so I do seem to have a slight advantage, let's hope this stays true. I have purchased the study guides for both exams and will spend the next two weeks preparing for these. I will know a decision for both Programs in late fall. I am hoping for Christmas this year I will be receiving an acceptance letter to a RN Associates Program. Prayers and Thoughts in the coming weeks are very much appreciated. This may all seem trivial to you all, but this took a lot of thought and decision making on my part. I know it's all in the plan and what is meant to be will be, I just have to continue to find patience everyday.

Since I have decided to NOT take classes this fall, I have a lot of extra time on my hands. I am still only employed part time and do not plan on changing that much because I enjoy the job I have, and ultimately need to keep it for next semester. So I decided to take my free time and commit it to myself and giving myself some needed attention! Sounds random, huh??? No really, I decided to commit myself to losing weight! I have joined Weight Watchers with the ultimate goal of losing 30 pounds over time. I have gained a lot of weight since roughly 2004 and I just don't want to carry it around anymore. I am ready to see myself in a new healthy life style. I know I sound so cheesy but this is all very important to me and I for the first time in my life am determined to lose the weight and keep it off. I began Weight Watchers on Monday, I kept saying over the last month to my mom and best friend..."I eat pretty healthy already and I exercise a good bit, WW will probably not make any difference". WOW was I put back even after one day of doing the program. I have definitely not been eating healthy! WW really puts the facts out there and shows you how to change your habits and to pick healthier options. I am enjoying it on day 5. I get to eat a lot of good foods and I stay full all the time, I actually think I am eating more now than before. I started on Monday and right now at lunch time on Friday I am down 4.5 pounds. Now I know each week won't bring the same results but it has been motivating to see the scale say less everyday and to actually feel better as a whole. Football season and traveling will prove to be challenges this fall but I have done my research and will continue to and will make wise decisions so I can stay focused on my ultimate goal of losing 30 pounds! If you see me at the tailgate eating my packed lunch, don't laugh, I know I look stupid but in the end, I'll look healthy again! All the support in the world is needed, I have never stuck with a diet and never really lost any large amount of weight in my life but this time will be different. I am putting it out their publicly that I am doing this so all my friends and family can hold me accountable to the goal I have made for myself. The days of Jami purging on French Fries is long over! I know I can do this and I WILL do this for myself!

On a HAPPY unrelated note to me, one of my BEST friends, Angela, got engaged this past weekend! I have never been SO happy for someone in my life. I couldn't even fall asleep I was so excited after hearing her news! I wish her and Dan ALLLLLL the happiness in the world, they truly were made for each other and I love them both.

My four legged children are doing pretty well! Lola got her hair trimmed thanks to Gee and Papa! She is busy looking adorable every day! We still haven't gotten anywhere with her "education" but you don't get the nickname "Slola or Slomo" by being a genius! Precious is doing well, she helps with the dishes most days. Precious doing the dishes means she takes all the dishes out of the sink while I am at work and puts them in the dining room on the floor. It makes me laugh most days, I call her the pre-rinse cycle! Pete and I are determined to get her out and exercising more again to hopefully help with some of her boredom.

Speaking of Pete, we are doing amazing as usual. I love him more everyday and things get better and more amazing everyday. Some days I wake up and feel I am living a dream, but then Lola paws at my face and Precious pushes her wet nose on arm and I know...this is not a dream, this is my awesome life!

I hope August has been good to everyone, I know it has been to me. I am looking forward to the fall weather that is hopefully only hiding right around the corner! Love and Good Wishes to Everyone!!!

10% off may not be worth it

Note to self: Tax Free Weekend in Mobile, AL will take you to a whole new level of CRAZY! For a Professional Shopper, such as myself, the 10% may brutally NOT be worth the crowds of insane "L.A. Typical" people. Annoyed :( I didn't even make it to the mall, Academy alone kicked my butt.

She's got the look!

In efforts to brighten up the blog, I got a new design. I am not sure how I like it yet, but it's a start. I am going to try and start blogging more frequently and about other things, not just my personal life! Check back often as I plan on posting recipes, reviews, and whatever else I can think of! Hope everyone is staying safe in this awful summer heat!