So, 3 days after my last post, I started culinary school. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! I have always loved to cook and bake and do all sorts of kichen-y things...but to learn professionally??? to actually become a chef???? I am beside myself. I am learning so many things that I never knew....and how to make things that I never had. or the proper way to make things. I am in Heaven...and it has a TON of homework!

2010

I have goals in 2010. BIG ONES. I really hope I can meet them. I really, really want to. I don't know if I can. One of the biggest is, naturally, to get healthy. 2009 was a bust. 2009 was a bad year in general and thankfully it is behind me now!
But back to getting healthy. In late 2008 I was diagnosed with PCOS which is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The fun news that came along with that was Type 2 Diabetes. PCOS is caused by Insulin Resistance, which had gone undiagnosed in me for probably 15 years. (I'm angry about that) But, you deal. From October 2008 through the end of that year, I watched my diet carefully, took my meds and dropped 30 lbs. Off to a great start. Then I got laid off, life interrupted me and I completely fell off track. So, in 2009, I put 18 of those 30 back on. So...the goal for 2010 is to get back on track, CAREFULLY watch my diet, take my meds, drop the lbs (a side benefit) and excercise regularly. So wish me luck.

Next...make something of myself. We're starting that goal off by going to culinary school. I start classes on Monday...so I'll let you know how it goes. I am completely scared out of my mind.

Three...get out of debt. Or at least make a dent. This is the one I am scared that I will fail miserably with. It of course doesn't help that my father keeps adding things that pop into his head to the bill that I owe him...on top of the other debt. Yesterday I went from owing him roughly $4k to $11k in about 5 minutes. It was very disheartening. This is one of those things I could really use prayer on.

Four...be a better parent.

So those are my 4 biggies. I am worried about them and don't want to fail, but am very apprehensive. The new year isn't off to a great start so far and it is very disheartening.

**Sigh**

Hmmmm.....

I need inspiration.

Very Cool

This is a collage made up of fb status updates from 2009. It seems to have a very recurring theme of food, soccer and friends!!! All the things that make a girl happy. :D

Update!

YAY!!!! Let's all say a big "THANK YOU JESUS!!" for me getting a job!!! I am so lucky to be back at ING on an IT contract till the end of the year. This will be a time of paying bills, catching up and SAVING!!!! Oh, and praying hard that it gets extended! I am so happy to finally be working...and even happier about the first paycheck I got yesterday!!!! xoxo

**Sigh**

So, it has now been 8 months in the hunt for a job (technically we are in month 9) and it is still as bleak as ever. Sigh...it is so frustrating to be in this situation, but I am so thankful for my family, friends and support network. I could not imagine doing this without them! But enough of that...

We had a great summer with lots of fun, friends, family, mini-trips, a big 12th birthday! And now, sadly for Gabby school is back in! We actually started 3 weeks ago on Aug. 13th, so we have a huge head start on everyone else! Gab was VERY upset to learn that Christian (cousin, bff, partner in crime) did not start until 11 days LATER.

Oh, and Gabby tried out for, and made, the Select (or Premier) soccer team at Westside this year...we are so proud of her! She is so excited to be a Lady Eagle...although it is a LOT more strenuous than anything before...even though it is summer we have been practicing since June...no time to waste! They will be competing in their first tournament over Labor Day Weekend (not how I envisioned spending my bday, but oh well!) and regular games start the following weekend!

So...back in school and soccer season started...WOO HOO! lol...I am so excited to be back to a semblance of a normal schedule!