I reached the finish line and started a new race

I graduated from my dream university on December 15,2012 with my Master's degree in Collaborative Special Education K-6th. Through it all, I had support of many people. The last week and half I was there I started getting sick and had a sinus infection that was moving into my bronchial tubes, but I still fought and kept going. I wrote a 53 page paper, which included a 13 page report and then 5 lesson plans and charts and graphs and so forth. Most I have ever done. After graduation, we went on a Disney Dream and had a blast! It was a wonderful time and the weather was perfect. When we came back from the cruise, I had two job interviews lined up. I had originally had 3 phone calls and 1 email. The first job interview I went to, went really really well. 2 minutes after I left, I got a phone call and I was offered that job! I start my new job January 11th!! It was an answered prayer and a HUGE blessing!!! I owe that all to God. I did what I needed to do and God made it work. I think I will love the school and I am very excited about starting! Just have to finish cleaning and organizing everything. I have bought new clothes, shoes, and supplies and looking forward to putting all the information I have learned to use. On another note, today I found out something that I had suspected but never really knew it was true. The one guy that I had dated the longest, I found out that he was cheating on me and his family was behind it. His family didn't like me and they wanted him to start talking and flirting with another girl, who he is engaged to now. As I think about this, I am thankful that I broke up with him when I did. Finding this information out doesn't hurt, it is just like really? And now it isn't a doubt in my mind that he cheated, because it has been confirmed. He is happy and that is all you can wish for. Did it hurt and does it sting? Yes. Why? Because I honestly loved and cared about him. But it is clear that he didn't. Not the way I did. But as with my job search and applying to 100 jobs and getting 2 interviews and the third one being THE ONE, and being rejected by the 2nd, God has something better for me. God has the one for me out there. I have been knocked around and kicked down, but there is one for me out there and God will show me. I just need to be patient and keep working on me and doing what I need to be doing to follow God's will for my life. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL New Year's Eve and a great start to 2013! Leave you with some lyrics that really touched me today in church. "Not Unto Us" Not unto us, oh Lord Not unto us, oh Lord But unto Your Name all honor and glory Unto Your Name all wisdom and strength Unto Your Name all power and blessing Unto Your Name all praise Not unto us, but unto Your Name, oh Lord

"Ain't no reason in running after something already gone..."

This title of the post describes how I feel completely. This past month, has been one where I think deep down inside I wanted it to work and I was willing to overlook everything that might have some signifiance to me. And then next thing I know, we are calling it quits and just going to be friends. Going to be friends are the hardest things I ever wanted. Because for some reason I still want to try and fix it. I want to make it better. And I know part of it is because when I first met him, I was receiving what God gave me. I was waiting on him and I wasn't thinking about the future. Then I started saying well "what if..." and that got me all off. And I had peace the Sunday after he broke up with, when he called me, and now I am getting back to that point again. I know it won't take long, but I want to be at peace. One of the quotes I am applying to myself right now: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I'll learn and I'll remember. Right now, I have a heart that cared and lived and trusted and saw that there are nice guys out there and that I will be able to get back out there. And I have pictures and bears and everything else to put away, as a lesson for my daughter (if I have one) one day. Many things come out of break ups. They are the best when you don't hate each other. I have so much to do in the next couple of weeks. I have to apply for jobs, take comprehensive exams, and prepare for graduation and moving out. And this week, I have a job interview! I was very amazed! I just click apply for a job and then they emailed me and offered me a job interview if I was NOT under contract with another school system and I'm not. So we will see. It will be a good practice. Even if it pans out it will be good. Well I am off to bed. It is almost 11:00 pm in Georgia and it has been one day...

Fall, Football, and Studying

This past weekend was the first home football game! Alabama played Western Kentucky. We beat them 35-0. And in all the polls, we are still #1! My dad and I went to the game and we went to Red Lobster and Cold Stone. It was a good time and hopefully him and I get to go to another game again. This guy I work with owes me a ticket since my sister donated him an LSU ticket last year, which was the BIGGEST game of the 2011 football season last year. Here are a couple of pictures from the football game.

Now, it is starting to feel like Fall. This weekends weather was wonderful and I look forward to so many more days like that! I have opened my windows 3 days in a row, but I can only open the kitchen because my allergies get really bad. To enjoy the weather, I have been wanting to walk around, but I haven't been able to go walking around as much because I have a spider bite on my leg...found this out on Saturday at the Urgent Care. But I am on an antibiotic and Zyertec to help with the infection and the allergic reaction. And I am approaching my next two Certification Exams...the PRAXIS. These two tests I need to take to get Alabama certification, but also so I can get my Master's degree. So hopefully I pass. I got like a 79% on the first practice test that I did and then I am working on the 2nd practice test and then I have the two practice test on the computer that I can do. The first test is September 13 and then the 2nd one is September 22. Then it will be comprehensive exams and looking for a job and finishing up the semester so I can graduate!

The beginning of the end...

Tonight starts the beginning of the end. The end of college classes, the end of what I have known for the past 18 years of my life, and the end of not having to be full adult. I have started one of my two classes for the fall semester. This class is CAT 531. It is a technology class and I will be learning about new technology and brushing up on techniques that I have already learned. I am hoping that in this semester I will keep my 4.0 and that I will complete this class with a new knowledge and understanding of all the different ideas such as QR codes and everything. In addition to this class, I am completing practicum. I should be starting this sometime in September. I am looking forward to November when I have my PRAXIS exams over and Comprehensive exams over and when I get the scores back and that I have passed everything! I am not sure if I will but I do sure hope so I pass everything!

I have loved and I have lost...

Life definitely hands you a deck of cards when you feel like you can't take anymore. It just seems to be one thing after another. I am bad at comparing things and I like to compare myself to other people, but in reality you can't. My life and problems are different than someone else. You can't say your problems are worse than mine or my problems are worse than yours. Two different people and two different lives. It seems that after the certification ordeal I thought I was in the clear. But with paying for the two test and then having to buy study books, it made my credit card bill go up. Then I needed to replace the fan in my car, and then I needed a cavity filled, then the insurance didn't pay for the whole cavity, and then my boyfriend at the time broke up with me...the week of my certification exam too. I have a certification exam and let's just say not a whole of studying going on during this week because of everything. I am ready for a mountain top and my last post told me I know that I can do it but sometimes I just want to say "WHY GOD WHY?!? You know I can't handle this, you know I am human and I am weak and you know this brings me down." But in reality, God doesn't give me more than I can handle and but I just feel myself breaking down. I feel me getting just a little down about things. I mean God knows what happens because of the choices I have made and I just don't understand things. God knows why my boyfriend suddenly decided to break up with me and God knows who is next in my life and God knows what job I need in December. I just wish sometimes bad things would stop happening. I haven't been able to be ok since August of last year. I just am ready for my mountaintop and I am tired of the valley ( as in Hinds Feet on High Places). I am ready for the Shepherd to carry me to my mountaintop! Life goes on and I will be ok. God will make everything ok and He is there beside me. I have so much to be thankful for and I need to remember that. It is off to bed and time to do last minute review for a certification exam. Here goes nothing!

How to Jump Through Hoops

So if you ever wanted to know about how to jump through hoops, then don't worry you will get it down pat. One thing in life that I have realized is that sometimes all you have to do is jump through hoops. Today I have realized this more than ever. Currently I am attending The University of Alabama and I am pursuing my Master's degree in Collaborative Special Education (K-6th) and I am on track to graduate December 15th. Well I am certified in the state of Georgia in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K thru 5th) and Special Education General Curriculum (Pre-K thru 12th) Consultative, which means that I am a collaborative teacher. I got an email today that said that I am supposed to take a Praxis test. After looking at these different Praxis test that I need to take, these are the same ones I took in the state of Georgia. I just do not understand why I have to take the tests and why my certificate isn't valid in the state of Alabama. So I am preparing for my GACE Special Education Academic Content area test on August 18th and then I will turn around a month later and take these two tests. I know God doesn't give me more than I can handle, it is just stressing me out thinking about taking these 3 certification exams, starting classes August 22nd, looking for a job, and preparing for comprehensive exams. Just verses I need to remember throughout all this: Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

1/2 of the year has passed

Half of 2012 has passed! It has been an interesting half of year. I have finished over half of my master's degree and only have 2 classes left to take and Comprehensive Exams before I have my degree from The University of Alabama!! I got to be on campus when Alabama won their 14th National Championship. I did the hardest thing by saying goodbye to someone. But on the flipside, I have found someone that I am very interested in and enjoying dating so far! He is a great and wonderful guy! He is sweet, kind, and understands about me being in school to get my Master's degree. I just finished 2 summer classes in 3 weeks and I got an A in one of them and I will have an incomplete right now, until I teach a lesson plan to my student. I have worked with students with Severe Disabilities and it was my first time ever! I turned 23 and I spent my first birthday away from home! I got to see Lady Antebellum in concert! It has been a busy 1/2 of the year, but there are so many more things to come! Six Flags with my sister, her boyfriend, me and my new guy, taking a GACE test for academic content so I can be the teacher on record, finshing up my Master's degree, seeing Coldplay in concert, look for a job, and so many more!! Here are some pictures to enjoy!