I can hardly believe it! Memorial Day is behind us and the weather is cooperating. The lilacs are blooming and the lawnmowers are humming. It felt great to finally go for a walk and not need my hoodie!
One of our local flower markets has a slogan for the summer that really speaks to me: Summer's short, fill it with color! Now, I'm a lousy gardener (I joke that I have a black thumb), but I have planted some beans and herbs that I hope will provide some greenery on my porch. My one and only flowering shrub (a bleeding heart) is drooping with blossoms. I have a closet full of bright colors, enough to not need to shop for the rest of the season, but who am I kidding? For what more could a person ask?
I really wish I was better in the garden. I always have grand plans for my own vegetable garden and beautiful flowers, but I'm pretty lazy. I wish I could have a garden that all I had to do was plant it and forget it. I've tried that method, however, and it doesn't work. This year (and next, for that matter) would be near impossible to have a garden because I'm in school so much of the time and studying or practicing on people the rest of the time. On the other hand, I am learning to have a more structured schedule, so perhaps having a garden next year isn't such a bad idea. Maybe this whole having a schedule thingy isn't such a bad idea, either.
It sounds so luxurious to not have to work outside the home when you are working outside the home in a job you don't really like. The truth is, I'm not a self-starter. I hate having a schedule, but when I don't have one, I don't do anything in particular. A li'l of this, a li'l of that... and none of it really seems to make a difference to me or to anyone else. Well, good gravy! No wonder I've been depressed!
Now that I have classes to attend and homework to do and tests to take, I'm much happier. I've been practicing bodywork on my friends and making them feel good and relaxed is so rewarding! I finally feel like I'm making a difference in some subtle yet profound way and it feels pretty fantastic, I'm not gonna lie.
Dressing in the colors of the sun is one thing (and a great thing, too) but living in the sunlight of something you love to do takes it to a whole new level.
My flowerpots, all I wish for you is that you get to live in that sunlight, but you have to be the one to step out the door, open the curtains, or flip that switch, whatever it takes to make that change. Not only is summer short, but life is short. Be bright. Fill it with color.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Studying...
Oh, yeah. That studying thing. I have my first Physiology quiz on Tuesday and an Anatomy quiz on Thursday. I spent all of Mother's Day weekend studying and this weekend has been spent making Physiology flashcards and testing myself on them. I've got to the point where I know them all and now that I've made it to that point, I'm going to stop looking at them. I have to step away or my brain will explode.
Of course, I have yet to make flash cards for Anatomy. That'll have to be later tonight. I have a DVD that goes along with my Anatomy book and I' think I'll watch that before I make any cards. It may be that's all I need is to watch the DVD. Otherwise, I'm off to make the donuts... er, flashcards.
I'm having a hard time in my Traditional Chinese Medicine class. It's really hard being a skeptic. There are certain things you "just have to accept" and my first instinct is to say, "no, I don't." So I'm treating it as a bit of anthropology. I'm trying to look at it as learning a new language and culture, one that I don't have to integrate myself into, but would like to understand from a cultural point of view. It's not easy, especially when I know my instructor, who's a really nice guy and good at explaining things, is gung ho about it. But I know I'm not the only one in my class who just accepts things on account of because. A couple of my classmates are struggling with it as well.
I was almost to a point where I thought I should switch my certification to strictly Western massage, but we've started practicing Shiatsu on clients and, wouldn't you know it, I'm really good at it. I already have repeat clients! If I could just take the Shiatsu without the TCM, I'd be golden, but I should have some background in where the modality comes from, so there you have it.
On the creative front, I've been working on quilting a baby quilt (I'm about halfway through) and I worked a bit on my sampler quilt, as well.
I've done smashingly well in the thrifting department, scoring 20-30% off of the last two purchases I've made. After I did my banking and grocery shopping on Friday, I thought very briefly of going to the Goodwill between the Festival Foods and my house, but it didn't feel right. Then I decided to hit the Savers. I was feeling drawn to it like the proverbial moth. The last time I had been there, I found a lovely long skirt and I felt I would find another. I did indeed. I found two. And some leggings and a couple pairs of knit pants I can wear to school. Then I went to the back corner where they have some craft items. I almost didn't go back there, but am I glad I did! I found doll parts and faces! No, you don't understand. I've been looking for these vintage faces for ages. They're the type that my grandma used to make these really crazy fun fur tissue box covers. I have some fun fur that I've wanted to use to make one, but I couldn't find any faces like the old ones. I hit the doll face jackpot.
Then, when I went to check out, the lady in front of me had used a coupon and it was left on the counter. The clerk asked if it was mine and I said no, it was the previous lady's. She gave me the 20% off for being honest!
Well, I've taken a long enough break from studying. I'd better get back to it.
Of course, I have yet to make flash cards for Anatomy. That'll have to be later tonight. I have a DVD that goes along with my Anatomy book and I' think I'll watch that before I make any cards. It may be that's all I need is to watch the DVD. Otherwise, I'm off to make the donuts... er, flashcards.
I'm having a hard time in my Traditional Chinese Medicine class. It's really hard being a skeptic. There are certain things you "just have to accept" and my first instinct is to say, "no, I don't." So I'm treating it as a bit of anthropology. I'm trying to look at it as learning a new language and culture, one that I don't have to integrate myself into, but would like to understand from a cultural point of view. It's not easy, especially when I know my instructor, who's a really nice guy and good at explaining things, is gung ho about it. But I know I'm not the only one in my class who just accepts things on account of because. A couple of my classmates are struggling with it as well.
I was almost to a point where I thought I should switch my certification to strictly Western massage, but we've started practicing Shiatsu on clients and, wouldn't you know it, I'm really good at it. I already have repeat clients! If I could just take the Shiatsu without the TCM, I'd be golden, but I should have some background in where the modality comes from, so there you have it.
On the creative front, I've been working on quilting a baby quilt (I'm about halfway through) and I worked a bit on my sampler quilt, as well.
I've done smashingly well in the thrifting department, scoring 20-30% off of the last two purchases I've made. After I did my banking and grocery shopping on Friday, I thought very briefly of going to the Goodwill between the Festival Foods and my house, but it didn't feel right. Then I decided to hit the Savers. I was feeling drawn to it like the proverbial moth. The last time I had been there, I found a lovely long skirt and I felt I would find another. I did indeed. I found two. And some leggings and a couple pairs of knit pants I can wear to school. Then I went to the back corner where they have some craft items. I almost didn't go back there, but am I glad I did! I found doll parts and faces! No, you don't understand. I've been looking for these vintage faces for ages. They're the type that my grandma used to make these really crazy fun fur tissue box covers. I have some fun fur that I've wanted to use to make one, but I couldn't find any faces like the old ones. I hit the doll face jackpot.
Then, when I went to check out, the lady in front of me had used a coupon and it was left on the counter. The clerk asked if it was mine and I said no, it was the previous lady's. She gave me the 20% off for being honest!
Well, I've taken a long enough break from studying. I'd better get back to it.
Monday, May 5, 2014
First day of school!
Tomorrow I'm headed off to school to begin training as a massage therapist. I'm really excited and have been looking forward to it for two months.
Last Thursday evening was orientation and I got to meet my classmates for the next several months (there are 20) and pick up my books for the first term (there are 10). Tomorrow morning I'll be getting a brain full of Human Physiology and the afternoon has me learning the fundamentals of Shiatsu massage. Wednesday will be my most challenging class, Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I don't believe in TCM, but decided to take it (it's part of the East/West program I'm taking) because a lot of people do seem to really believe in it and at least I'll know what the heck they're talking about. I do believe in learning, so I'm going into it with a slightly open, yet still very skeptical mind. I'm just hoping for a passing grade in that one, to be honest. It'll be interesting, to say the least. Then Thursday has me in Musculoskeletal Anatomy for the morning and back in Shiatsu for the afternoon.
I was looking at my anatomy textbooks over the weekend and freaking out. It's a LOT of information and I don't really have that much experience with the subject, to be honest. When I took any science classes in my earlier college career (as a Theatre Arts major) it was something I had to do because it was part of the core curriculum. I did just enough to get by. But I was thinking this morning: I wasn't bad at it, I just didn't apply myself. I think I got Bs and Cs in it (remember, this was 20 years ago) and that was okay considering I didn't put my all into those classes and I was doing all my theatre stuff, too, with rehearsals every night and performances and all the other classes and projects. I always took a full load of at least 15 credits.
This time around, I'm taking a break from the acting, I only have to worry about subjects related to my course of study and I can really focus on the science. I'm not stupid by any stretch of the imagination, so I should be able to get this. I have a fresh perspective on the subjects and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
On the creative front, I've managed to finish a few of the projects I've had laying around for (ahem) a while. I finished the flannel shirt dress I posted pix of a while back, tho I may just wear it as a frock coat instead. It looks really cool that way with my charcoal gray leggings and a black t-shirt (I know, not sun colors, but will look so cool come Fall). I even have blue combat boots to go with it.
I finished a blanket bag I've had sitting around for years waiting for a binding and webbing. I'm looking forward to using it to carry my sheets and towels to massage appointments.
I've been thrifting (oh, yes, I have). I took two bags of my sons' outgrown clothing to Savers to get the 30% off coupon and hit the proverbial jackpot for school clothes.
Don't worry, I also got the boys some new pants and shorts for the summer months. They're growing so fast!
Which reminds me, they need clean clothes so I have laundry to do. I have to manage my time better now that I'm a student. I think I have a grasp on things until I don't, know what I mean?
Last Thursday evening was orientation and I got to meet my classmates for the next several months (there are 20) and pick up my books for the first term (there are 10). Tomorrow morning I'll be getting a brain full of Human Physiology and the afternoon has me learning the fundamentals of Shiatsu massage. Wednesday will be my most challenging class, Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I don't believe in TCM, but decided to take it (it's part of the East/West program I'm taking) because a lot of people do seem to really believe in it and at least I'll know what the heck they're talking about. I do believe in learning, so I'm going into it with a slightly open, yet still very skeptical mind. I'm just hoping for a passing grade in that one, to be honest. It'll be interesting, to say the least. Then Thursday has me in Musculoskeletal Anatomy for the morning and back in Shiatsu for the afternoon.
I was looking at my anatomy textbooks over the weekend and freaking out. It's a LOT of information and I don't really have that much experience with the subject, to be honest. When I took any science classes in my earlier college career (as a Theatre Arts major) it was something I had to do because it was part of the core curriculum. I did just enough to get by. But I was thinking this morning: I wasn't bad at it, I just didn't apply myself. I think I got Bs and Cs in it (remember, this was 20 years ago) and that was okay considering I didn't put my all into those classes and I was doing all my theatre stuff, too, with rehearsals every night and performances and all the other classes and projects. I always took a full load of at least 15 credits.
This time around, I'm taking a break from the acting, I only have to worry about subjects related to my course of study and I can really focus on the science. I'm not stupid by any stretch of the imagination, so I should be able to get this. I have a fresh perspective on the subjects and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
On the creative front, I've managed to finish a few of the projects I've had laying around for (ahem) a while. I finished the flannel shirt dress I posted pix of a while back, tho I may just wear it as a frock coat instead. It looks really cool that way with my charcoal gray leggings and a black t-shirt (I know, not sun colors, but will look so cool come Fall). I even have blue combat boots to go with it.
I finished a blanket bag I've had sitting around for years waiting for a binding and webbing. I'm looking forward to using it to carry my sheets and towels to massage appointments.
I've been thrifting (oh, yes, I have). I took two bags of my sons' outgrown clothing to Savers to get the 30% off coupon and hit the proverbial jackpot for school clothes.
Don't worry, I also got the boys some new pants and shorts for the summer months. They're growing so fast!
Which reminds me, they need clean clothes so I have laundry to do. I have to manage my time better now that I'm a student. I think I have a grasp on things until I don't, know what I mean?
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