Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.- Robert Frost

Running through the "birthday spanking machine." 1981

Guess who finally made it to the big 3-0! That's right folks, I'm an official adult. Okay, so maybe I have actually been one for a while now, but for some reason I've always had it in my mind that 30 is really the age of a true, full-fledged adult. After all, isn't that when you are suppose to have it all together? I find it ironic, that on my 30th I find myself packing up to move back home to my parents as a divorced women who has somehow managed to STILL be a student in school. So much for having it all together at 30, but then again, maybe having it all together is completely overrated anyway. Either way, I'm embracing my 30s and I'm excited for a fresh start and a new decade that will no doubt prove to be worlds better than the last.

The Power of a Positive Attitude

I sometimes forget how nontraditional court reporting school is. I was reminded of it recently when chatting with a non c.r. friend about what a typical class is like. It reminded me just how quirky the program really can be, especially from an outside perspective. If I were to tell an outsider that in our classes we focus a great deal on the power of positive thinking, that we practice breathing exercises, as well as perform visualization techniques to help maintain a calm, focused mindset while testing, well, they just might think us a little crazy. After all, that doesn't seem like something you would do in a typical classroom. But, then again, court reporting isn't so typical. It is most definitely a skill that not only takes a toll on your body, but also on your mind. The constant up and down roller coaster to get to 225 can really affect your mental state. I battle negativity, self-doubt, and frustration constantly. If you can't learn how to kick that negativity to the curb, you will NEVER succeed.
Our instructors are fantastic at givings us tips and tools to help keep us motivated to keep going. They understand that there are days when you feel like you've been beaten to a bloody pulp, chewed up, spit out, only to land on your tush with pouring rain gushing down on top of you. Oh, and wait, and then a giant city bus drives by and splashes up a muddy pool of polluted water into your face just to spite you...hmm..did I give you a good enough visual? Okay, so maybe it sounds a bit dramatic, but in all reality, some days just feel crummy like that. But still, after all that, you gotta find a way to get back up, dust yourself off (okay, maybe dry yourself), and keep going. You can see how much of a battle it can be to truly remain positive. No matter how hard it seems, I have learned the value of a positive attitude both when it comes to school, as well as in my personal life. It is the key to remaining confident, resilient, and focused. My instructor shared this video with us tonight, so I thought I would share with you too. It definitely highlights the power of thinking positively.

http://www.powerofattitudemovie.com/

Because some days you just need to be reminded...

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.

-Aristotle

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

-Robert Collier

Taking a breather

As I am sure you have noticed, I have taken a brief hiatus from my updates. I am finishing up a week long semester break and am getting ready to get back to the grind and start yet another semester. The last month has been somewhat distracting and busy with my trip to Arizona, finalizing my divorce, girls weekend in Illinois, planning my move, and of course, the typical end of the semester "I can't bear to keep myself motivated" blues. However, break time is officially up and I have no more time to neglect my responsibilities. Tomorrow I start back, ready or not, to my hectic schedule and I intend to try to stay organized and motivated, and get back into some sort of a routine (we all know I can't function effectively without one). It will be a bit of a challenge as I am making preparations to move (yes, only 45 days to go) and I am also busy with all the mundane details of changing my name back, etc., but, then again, I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't busy. I haven't NOT been crazy busy in over 3 years. Ah...the life of a full time student with a full time job. So on this eve of a new semester, I will post some fun pics of my lazy weekend around Cincinnati. Unfortunately, a lazy weekend doesn't come my way too often. The weather was gorgeous, the company great, and it was a lovely way to enjoy a weekend with no school work. Alas, I won't have another one for a while.


I spent Saturday morning at Findley market with my good friend Angie, and her little girl Anika.


We enjoyed tasty belgium waffles for breakfast. Yum!


The three of us...Anika is getting so big!


Sunday afternoon picnic at Ault Park.


Darcy loves going to the park!!


A little Chipotle for lunch.


Such a pretty day for an afternoon outside.