On Becoming a Person

There are a zillion reasons why I enjoy having a sister. I have recently added one more reason to the list: shopping in her closet, or, hand-me-ups. My sister Katie is 4 years younger than me, but we can wear close to the same size in clothing. When we were kids, she would be the recipient of most of my clothes after I outgrew them. Now that we are older, it was her turn to return the favor.

While home on winter break, my mom told her to clean out her (aka our old) closet. My stuff has been long gone, but there were a lot of clothes in there that Katie had forgotten about or no longer wanted. I was lucky enough to stop over for this process, and got to reap the benefits of all the discards. I went home with an entire bag full of shirts.  It was like a shopping trip, only way better because everything was free .

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My childhood friend finally posted the photographer’s pictures from her wedding (that was back in October) on her Facebook. I was pleased to find that my mom and I showed up in many of the pictures of folks on the dance floor. Makes sense, since that is where we spent the most time. Let’s play a little “Where’s Waldo” and see if y’all can find us…

Haha just kidding… we are easy to find

Dancing = excellent stress reliever and a great form of exercise! When all these internship interviews are over I am going to the club!

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So my siblings and I decided to play Life on Christmas. My parents have this ancient version of the game that is from the 1970s. It is vintage and fabulous. Check out the game board in this picture:

The game turned out quite well for me even though I didn’t win. It was extremely ironic because I felt like all the things that happened in the game were pretty much my life in the real world, or a version of my life that I would totally hope for the future. See, I went to college and became a doctor and earned a $50,000 salary. (Which, in itself is ironic because that must be what was adequate for a doctor in the 1970s, and it is still a reasonable salary for me to make as an entry-level psychologist NOW). Then I got married, and over the course of the game I had 3 kids and adopted 2 more. There were so many they wouldn’t even fit in the little car– I had to stuff my last son in the front seat between me and my “husband”. 3 boys and 2 girls.

Later I went on to write a best selling book and earn $96,000 in royalties. After that, I won the Nobel Prize and earned an additional $120,000. At the end of the game, I collected $48,000 for each of my 5 kids (SO not like real life, HAHA).

When the game was almost over, I had quite a bit of money stockpiled, but it was not evident to most of the other players, because, you know, I am so modest. So I decided to compete with my brother Andrew for the “millionaire” position at the end of the game. I lost, but not by much.  However, I was still able to retire to the countryside and the lake in style while Andrew enjoyed his amassed winnings of 2 million dollars.

And, this final word brought to you by Melvin: 0……………………………………………..

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Wow, sorry I haven’t been posting very much lately. This season has been incredibly nuts with all of the stuff related to that word I am trying not to say. (You know, the one that starts with an I and ends in nternship).

Unfortunately, it really doesn’t feel like Christmas is 5 days away, even though we are all decorated, cards have been sent out, and the shopping is done. I still have to wrap all of John’s gifts, but aside from that I am in pretty good shape. I just can’t seem to get into it this year like I did last year. Maybe it’s because it still hasn’t really snowed; maybe it’s because I am SUPER preoccupied with that afore-un-mentioned other stuff; maybe a combination of both. This is the first year I have had to work at my practicum site all through the break (even the week between Christmas and New Years), so that is confusing me as well.

Good news is that I got more interviews than I expected. Here are the stats:

I applied to a grand total of 18 sites
Got rejections from 5
Got offers for interviews from 12
Still haven’t heard back from 1

The interviews are happening over the course of 2.5-ish weeks, so that is going to be absolutely nuts. The worst is going to be January 4 -January 6, when I have 4 interviews in the scope of 3 days. Wish me luck!!!

But anyway, if I’m not as “around” as I usually am over the next few weeks, this is TOTALLY why.

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At the current time, I am obsessed with the song Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (it’s old, I know).

Here’s the original.

And here’s a FABULOUS cover.

Trust me, it is worth a listen, especially the cover!

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Well, I finally got everything decorated for Christmas at the new house. This was quite a feat considering all of the other stuff going on right now. I think it is looking all right. Melvin keeps attacking our tree skirt, so every time I see it it is rolled up in a ball in the corner, instead of spread out all nice like it should be. I was lucky that I even captured it looking nice in these pictures… honestly, it does not last long.

Have a look:

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I always write a lovely post around this time of year regarding what I am thankful for. Most often I write about my family, which, of course, is one of the greatest blessings a person can ever have. This year though, I want to write about my girl friends.

I admit (sorry to get personal) that I have been through some rough patches in the last several years, especially  being in graduate school and being SO busy that I really didn’t have time to maintain a good social life, nor have the energy to put in to being as close to people as I would have liked to. I can finally say that this year has gotten much less stressful and as a result, many of my friendships have blossomed. I feel so much more supported now than I have in quite a long time. That’s a nice feeling.

Shout outs go to (in no particular order):

Kerry Anne — This girl is crazy and hilarious and fun, but also sweet and compassionate and caring. She has quickly become one of those people that I can call up on a moment’s notice if I need anything. She would drive the half hour to be there. And that’s fantastic.

Susan — I feel sad because I don’t have a picture of Susan aside from one I might steal off of Facebook, and I don’t want to do that. But I will say that she is also one of the most patient and kind-hearted people I know. If I want to have a good talk, I know I can find this in her. I feel so comfortable in her house it’s like going over to visit family. Plus, her children are adorable and I love them to pieces.

Natalie — We invented breaking the bread of friendship long ago, and we aren’t going to stop now! Even though I haven’t been able to see her as much as I have wanted to lately, she has been one of my most consistent and reliable friends since we took an undergraduate poetry class together.  I love that she is interested in many of the same things I am and she is always willing to try new stuff or to accompany me somewhere weird or artsy where no one else might dare to trek.

Sarah — Again, a person I haven’t seen or talked to as much as I would have liked to, but physical distance and busy-ness can do that to a relationship. Every time I see her it is like we pick up right where we left off. This girl is hilarious and has a seemingly unending amount of energy. We vibe with each other so well; when we are together all we do is laugh. If I need someone to go to the ghetto with me, Sarah is that girl.

Melissa — I have known Melissa the longest of all of these gals (even longer than I have known my husband!), and I feel like more recently we have definitely gotten closer. It helps that our husbands play in a band together, but it also helps that we see eye-to-eye on so many things and we that we both love coffee and our kitty cats. Missy has great style and is always a fun shopping partner, walking partner, or coffee date.

Katie, my sister — I know this is technically family, but more lately I have been feeling like Katie is a true friend. If I am angry, frustrated, upset, sad, or all of the above, she is definitely the person to call. I know that my sister has my back no matter what the situation, and she will always go to bat for me. Even if she is 4 years younger than me, it often doesn’t feel like it at all. Plus, she is like the animal whisperer. Every animal in the world loves her.

I love all these girls, and many more, of course! This year I am just thankful that these relationships have gotten closer than they have been in the past, and I hope that my friendships continue to grow. Life is so much better when you feel supported.

A friend loves at all times. –Proverbs 17:17

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Everyone who reads this blog knows how much I love mochas. I figured out a fairly simple way to make them (in bulk quantity, if desired) at relatively low cost. And the great news is that they taste almost EXACTLY like the ones you can get at places like Starbucks and Sheetz. Behold, the glory:

Homemade Mocha Recipe

Note: This works the best if you use a french press, like the one pictured here. With a french press, you need coarse ground coffee. (I got mine at Groves Coffee; select coarse when it asks you what type). If you don’t have a french press, you can brew your coffee in a regular drip coffee maker, but it will not taste as great. Another option is to use a tea infuser and the same coarse ground coffee. A last resort can also be just a pitcher of boiling water and the coffee inside a small strainer at the top.

Ingredients for approximately 2 large mug servings:

–2 cups brewed coffee (using method outlined below)
–1 1/2 cups milk (more or less to taste)
–2 Tablespoons Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder
–2 Tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste; you can use either granulated or confectioners)
–Choice of flavoring: vanilla, peppermint extract, etc.; approx. 1 tsp
–Whipped cream
–Chocolate syrup

Brewing the coffee:

1.) Measure 1 Tablespoon of coarse ground coffee per cup of water that you put in. For my French press, I typically end up using about 4 Tablespoons of coffee. Put it directly into the bottom of the glass container (see photo above).
2.) Add hot (not quite boiling but close) water.

3.) You should mix it up with a spoon before putting the lid on, but likely the coffee granules will just rise back to the top. Put the lid on and let it sit like this for 4 minutes.

4.) Gently plunge down the handle to press all of the coffee grounds to the bottom of the container. The strainer feature will block them from being poured out when you pour the coffee. Measure out 2 cups.

Making the mocha:

1.) Pour the coffee into a 2-quart saucepan (or any size pan that will hold at least 4 cups of liquid). Add the milk and stir.

2.) Begin heating the mixture over low to medium heat. Add the cocoa powder [it HAS to be Hershey's, there is nothing better], the sugar, and any flavoring you would like (optional). Stir with a wire whisk.

3.) Continue slowly heating and stirring until heated through. You might want to taste test it to see if you want to add more of anything. Once it is heated as you like, ladle it into your mug.

4.) Add whipped cream and chocolate syrup topping! Again, Hershey’s. Only the best.

5.) Put the lid on and consume the most delicious beverage you have ever tasted. You can even save leftovers in the fridge and re-heat it later.

You’re welcome

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All of my internship applications are submitted as of this moment! I know on the inside I am so happy, but right now it still feels surreal. Probably because I have been lacking in food and sleep for so long that most things feel surreal at this point. But regardless, I am happy and will celebrate by sleeping in until noon tomorrow.

I also find this funny:

At my practicum site yesterday, I was SO EXHAUSTED that I went in without washing my hair; I just threw it up in a bun. I had big bags under my eyes and all that jazz, you know, from the exhaustion. One of my older male clients says to me, “You look good today! Are you going out after work?” I’m like, “Nope, this is just normal.” I mean, I guess its cool if you have a thing for the unwashed, starving, and tired look, but I’ll take what I can get!!

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