Happy Halloween everyone.....

Gross? Yes....but creative and cool as well :)

I'm off to Erica's boyfriend's party tonight. We don't have to dress up thankfully, however I think those California dudes that I hang out with are. They've been trying to get me to join, but I don't have good Halloween spirit apparently. I'll try to remember to bring my camera and capture some of the fun. I will say though that I'm going to miss handing out cans of pop to the neighbourhood kids back home. If I was home, Troop would be getting dressed up and answering the door with me. I wonder how confused and crazy he'll be tonight? Have fun dear :)

Week 9 I.....

• got over 100% (there was a bonus question) on my PIFE midterm that I was worried about (only 4 of us did this, oh ya)
• had 2 counseling sessions
• listened to Chris Brown's song "Forever" way too much
• had "Forever" stuck in my head everyday and would pass that gift on to Christian and Erica :)
• missed Jason A LOT
• wished my puppy was here, honey can you and Troop come live in VA?
• went to an EMU intramural football game
• will be attending a Halloween party
• felt the closest I've ever felt to having a panic attack and it was scary
• was faced with a dual relationship dilemma and failed
• had Chipotle again, yum
• watched the movie "Zombieland", although stupid premise it was funny at times
• realized that I have a big spot in my heart for sex offenders and that others don't usually share this view
• learned about cognitive behavioral theory
• Trooper is now in a kennel all day long and he seems to be loving it
• haven't spent too much time alone, thankfully
• have been really tired, but have been feeling good
• heard about practicum for next semester?!?!?! I have to have a minimal of 40 hours (or 40 sessions) of direct one on one contact with clients next semester...ahhhhhhhhh
• booked my plane ticket for Christmas....Dec. 19 I'll be back home, 7 more weeks baby!
• realized that role playing in a client/counselor role with one of your close buddies is difficult
• laughed a lot
• registered for my spring semester courses
• joined the American Counselor Association (ACA)....I feel so grown up :)
• have been missing Him, but am realizing that He's still there
• did another midterm, only one more to go
• have been a busy, busy girl

Love this....

I'm a huge fan of The Office. I can't even begin to explain to you how happy I was to FINALLY see Jim and Pam get married. I might have cried a bit watching that episode, I don't think it helps that Jason is 19 hours away. Anyways, I had no idea that the dance at the end to the Chris Brown song was an actual thing that a couple did at their wedding. I have watched this so many times. I don't know what it is about this song but it makes me smile, get teary, and just lift my spirits when I'm missing that man of mine. I've been listening to it a lot lately. Dec. 19 is a long way away!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Mandi or Mel....how do I get the freaking video to be on my blog so that it's not the link? I'm so inexperienced at this!

This moment....

And I'm back to feeling like this again.....

this= stumbling towards what I think is light, but I have so much unwanted confusion, thoughts, and images flooding my mind that it makes me want to sit down, hide my face and block my ears.

I will not though...I will not give up, not now...not after all of this. It's that determination, that hope of knowing that this too shall pass, that keeps me pushing forward.

I love this picture... I imagine my face behind that candle. It's the only thing that makes me want to come out of the darkness because, in the end, I know it will be okay. It illuminates me unlike anything else. I feel the warmth of the glow of unconditional love on my face and I see the truth in it.

Good times....

So last night we went to see David's (one of my buddies from school...he's the guitar player on the far left) band play at a local bar....

I've decided that I need to start bringing my camera to these events because we just have way too much fun taking crazy pictures. Also it will give you guys more insight into my world, basically I need to start being a better blogger...ha ha ha

Here are my 3 favorite buddies..... these guys bring a lot of joy to my life and I'm very thankful for them! You have seen pics of Erica and Christian before, but this is the first time I'm introducing you to Trevor. He and Christian are brothers.
So Christian and Trev have just started doing this snake thing all the time.....don't ask their from LA so they are just weird :) I'm laughing here because I just wasn't expecting it to happen in this pic. The other guy in this picture is Tom, he is also one of my classmates. He and his wife are planning a trip to PEI this summer. So they are going to come and visit me in NB!!! This makes me happy because someone will get a glimpse of my life back home. Oh FYI honey....I haven't told you about that yet!

I love, love , love this girl! How hot are we? :) Oh Mandi, Erica is probably going to get engaged any time now and I'm totally trying to convince her to do the Chris Brown song thing at her wedding!!! I've still got loads of convincing to do, she loved it but doesn't think she'd have the guts to do it.

Left to right: David's wife Shelly, (the rest of these gals are my classmates) Jennifer, me, Ellen, Erica, and Kristee

I'm only posting this because this picture makes me laugh every time I see it. I have no idea what either of us are doing here. I was supposed to be looking at the camera I thought and Trev couldn't shut up long enough to take a picture apparently. Someone was a little intoxicated and it was not me :)

I'm off to the coffee shop to get some work done. Hope everyone is doing well!

Awwwwww.....

How cute is this guy? This is Trooper in his new coat that Erica and I picked out for him. The fur that you're seeing sticking out from around his neck is the fur on the hood of the jacket. It's a very trendy jacket so we couldn't resist. Hopefully it will stop the shivering on those cold days that are up ahead! (Jason we should have took the tags off for the picture)

Week 8 realizations.....

1. chicken is way cheaper down here.... I got 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts for $4.10 yesterday and that's not a sale price
2. telling your spiritual journey to a random group of people can be scary and humbling all at the same time
3. midterms aren't just tests in grad school
4. emailing the prof a suggestion can turn into a good idea and then you'll need to speak on the topic in class the next day...guess who introduced the class to DID? :)
5. loving Mario Party on the Wii
6. been invited to 2 Halloween parties
7. having patience issues with some in my class and my roommate
8. leaves are changing on the mountains and it's beautiful
9. Dulles airport is ridiculously busy and confusing
10. meeting with my advisor opened my eyes to a lot of things
11. a trip home re energized me so much....these next few weeks will be a lot easier because of it
12. I am a very passionate person and I'm learning to embrace that
13. 8 for 8 with crying in Techniques...sheesh
14. will I ever not fight crying?
15. looking forward to counseling tomorrow
16. I have a lot of work to do....editor in chief watch out
17. I have something planned each night for the next four nights all with different people.... YAY for friends!
18. don't let things sit, just address them and you'll feel so much better
19. the worst realization of my week.....the 3 hour midterm is only worth 10% of my mark... COME ON! I'm quite bitter about this midterm aren't I? However this may be the best realization depending on what my mark is :)