"Always remember that the future comes one day at a time."

Starting out with FANTASTIC news... I passed my State Boards!!!!  Wooooo Hoooo!  YAY!  I'm so excited!  (Need the proof?  Here's the proof...)

(:

So... What's next?  That's the difficult question... I'm anxious now for something to happen.  I need a job so I can start the next phase of my life... the "big girl phase".  I know I'm supposed to enjoy my freedom while I have it and not rush into the "real world", but I can't help wanting to take that next step into my life and feeling like I can finally stand on my own to feet.  Anyway, I'm currently looking for jobs here in Arkansas (Guess what?  There are none.).  I'm also checking out the Charlotte area which is where my brother and sister-in-law live.  Finally, the most interesting and, at this moment, seemingly most likely of my options, is taking a position in Macon, GA with Dr. Frank, the man who helped save my life 8 years ago in Palm Springs, CA.

How do I feel about making a move to a place where I will know no one (aside from Dr. Frank and his wife)?  I'm not really sure... At this point, it seems to be an exciting opportunity and while I know it would be hard to leave home and family, I do think moving away for a while would be good for me.  I know it sounds incredibly cliche, but I think it's high time for me to "grow into my own" and learn to take care of myself.  Around here, I've got everything and everyone I need.  If something goes wrong, I often depend on others.  While it is a great thing to have such a fantastic support system that I rarely have to worry about anything, I also feel that it is important to learn how to support and take care of myself.

That's really all my news so far.  My day-to-day life for at least the next while will compose of getting this house completely cleaned up from floor to ceiling and start making improvements where improvements are needed.  For example, my brother and I have decided that we are going to paint!  Well... I'm going to paint... But he's okay with it.  (:  I just think the place could use some "sprucing" and some color.  In addition, I plan on getting rid of a lot of my stuff (mainly clothes).  It's long past time for me to simplify my life.  I've got way too much and desperately need to downsize.

Anyway, I guess that's it for now.  I'll keep you updated on the job front.

Later, Dudes!

"Any idiot can face a crisis... It's day to day living that wears you out."

So I haven't written here in a very long time.  I've just been busy with life.  So... I'm aiming to start fresh.  I want to be better about writing about the goings on of my world.  Quite honestly, I don't have a whole lot to write about right now.  It seems like everything major that is happening in my life is in this big waiting period.  I just took Boards for my nursing license.  I'm waiting for my results.  I may have a job opportunity in Georgia so there may be a big move there... But much of that is dependent on my licensing so again... waiting.  Other than that, there's nothing really huge going on in my life, but I manage to stay busy.  I baby-sit and pet sit a lot.  I bake and decorate cakes.  I fill in where I'm needed.  (:  Life is pretty good right now... Uneventful, but good.  Anyway, this is just my "I'm back" post.  Like I said, I hope to be better about keeping this at least somewhat up-to-date.  We'll see what happens with life.

"Our only security is our ability to change." (After)

I did it!!! I finally did it! And, personally, I think it was a rousing success! I love my new color and I can already see how this could get addicting. I'm going to try to not go all crazy with it, but I can definitely see myself coloring my hair again in the future. Anyway, I don't have much time right now, but here it is...

"Our only security is our ability to change." (Before)

Alright... I've decided to do it! I'm FINALLY going to give into my curiosity and color my hair! EEK! I'm nervous, but excited! I've never done anything chemically to my hair so I guess we'll see what happens. I'm writing this post to give myself a good "before and after" comparison. I have a friend that's going to help me with it, so if she's free, I think tomorrow will be the day. (I need to go for it before I chicken out.) Anyway, here are my required "before" pictures.

My friend, Emma, on the right is the one who I am enlisting to help me in this endeavor. (If it's terrible, blame her.) (; Only kidding... Maybe.

Okay... This picture is actually a better picture of my natural hair color. The one before makes my hair look much darker than it really is... (By the way, that's my little broski on the right.)

"We know what we are but know not what we may be..."

Today, I was turned down for a job... And it just may be the best thing that's ever happened to me. Somehow, it's given me a renewed strength and motivation to get my life "back on track" so-to-speak. Not that I had been walking towards the deep end or anything, but I've just been static. I haven't been going anywhere.

Quite honestly, I've been at peace about the whole job thing from the start (I have to admit, I'm proud of my own maturity throughout the process.). I finally realized the concept of letting God have control, which , quite honestly, has never been something I've been very good at. I'm not perfect at it, by any means, but this was the first time I feel like I truly left it to God. I had no worry, no stress, no concern about the decision... And I feel growth in that.

Sure there was a small twinge of disappointment (only natural, right?), but overall, I was quite fine with the decision. (I think those around me were more upset than I was!!) I trusted completely that the right decision would be made and, if that decision didn't involve me getting the job, then that just meant there was something else for me out there. (: I like the idea of possibilities. I like having options and opportunity, so all-in-all, it's probably best for me. I have no idea what God has planned for me but I am so incredibly excited to find out!