Improvements

There are some things changing around my apartment as of late. It all started when E decided he was going to go back to school to get his bachelors. He already has his associates in law enforcement, but after experiencing the Cincinnati hiring process he realized he's going to need more of an edge to get on at a major station. So... He applied to EKU in Kentucky and was accepted for this semester. Now, you're probably wondering how E can attend school in Kentucky when we live in Ohio. Originally, the plan was for E to finish the rest of his degree online (he only has two years left. Unfortunately, his program at EKU wasn't too agreeable with that plan. After going to meet with counselors to pick out his classes he was told that he couldn't complete the program unless he was on campus. E was of course, crushed. Fortunately, we worked a plan out with them where he could take his electives and the few law enforcement classes that are offered online during the next two semesters, then when our lease is up in May we'll move down to Richmond so he can finish his campus courses. Our plans for moving to Portland will be put off for a little bit longer, but it will be worth it in order for E to finish his bachelors.

So that was the first change, which went on to spark a bunch of other changes. Because E is going back to school, money is a little bit tighter around here. He's still working full time, but he can't take the kind of overtime that he was before school started. To save some money we've decided to start cooking more instead of going out to eat. Now, we've not done much cooking at all since we've moved in together. In fact, neither one of us have ever done much cooking. We're going to try to designate two cooking nights a week to make all of our dishes and then eat off of those for the rest of the week. A couple of the things we're going to attempt this week are: beef tempura, hunan chicken, and beef stroganoff. Actually, those are the dishes E's going to try. Too much meat for me! I'm going to look into some yummy vegetarian dishes.

Next change? The both of us are officially in workout mode. I'm about 10 lbs. over my ideal weight and I want to change that. I gained about 5lbs during my first year of college, which really wasn't that big of an issue to me. But then I've gained another 5 since we've moved to Cincinnati! E is also wanting to loose some weight, but is mostly concerned about getting in shape so he can do well at his police physicals after graduating. Right now I'm walking everyday and E's lifting. As son as it cools down a little (it's still freakin' hot here!) we're going to start running together. I'm so nervous about running with my boyfriend. I haven't run much at all since highschool, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself. I don't want to slow E down. Maybe I'll have to start running on my own in the morning so I'll be ready to run together when it cools down.

Ok, well that's most of what's been going on lately. Right now I'm watching Chicago on dvd and cuddling with Adin. E should be home from work around 9:30 and then we should have tomorrow off together. I'm SO excited for the WEBN fireworks tomorrow. People have been talking about them ever since we've moved out here, so I imagine they'll be amazing! I'm a bit worried about having to take the shuttle (what if we get left behind afterwards?), but I should get some great pictures out of it. Chicago is getting good so I better get going. I'll try to put up pictures of the fireworks tomorrow night!

Mental Health

The study/subject of psychology has always been very important in my family. Both of my parents graduated college with their BA in psychology, raised my brother and me on the principles of behaviorism, and eventually encouraged me to look into a career involving psychology. So, knowing that I value the mental health of others, is it really any surprise that I'm in need of some help myself?

Since I've started college I've suffered on and off from panic attacks. I know the cause of the problem, I've just unsure how to go about fixing it. Finally, after much prodding by my family, I've made an appointment to go talk about it with a counselor. Hopefully she and I can think up a way to get my panic under control and still get me through college in a timely fashion. I'm also hoping she'll have some ideas for me about getting into grad school and setting up a life plan for the next couple years of my life. That's a major concern for me right now, as I'm sure it is for anyone who's about to graduate college.

There is one thing that I don't need a counselors help figuring out... I want E to ask me to marry him! I know we don't have the money right now, but I'm SO ready for us to be married. Every morning I wake up and feel lucky to have him in my life, and just incredibly proud of our relationship. Is it terrible that I can't wait to seal the deal and make him mine forever? Haha.

Not So Excruciatingly Long

I go from a post about a long boring week, to a post about two of the least boring weeks I've had in quite a while.

E and I got back from Iowa last Thursday. The trip went pretty well overall. I spent the first night with E's family. This was one of the first times I've been around them, and the absolute first time I've ever spent the night at their place. I was a little nervous at first but everything was great, and I really do love his family (especially his mom's cooking!). While I started out in Iowa City, most of my trip was spent in my hometown with my family, trying to avoid my ex. Why is it that the people you want to avoid are always the first to know you're back in town? I also hung out with Heidi a few times, watched The Worst of American Idol seasons 1-4, talked about her boy troubles, and ate Pizza Hut (always a mistake). Towards the end of the trip I headed back up to Iowa City to have lunch and dinner with a few friends, and just spend a day or two in Iowa hanging out with E.

While last week was great, I'd say this week has actually been better. Once E and I got back to town we were lucky enough to have Friday off together. We spent the day doing pretty much nothing, and loving every minute of it! Then, my mom got into town Saturday, so Sunday afternoon I drove down to my grandma's (where my mom's staying)to send time with her and do a little swimming. Finally, today my mom came up here to help E bargain on a new car. Yes, we now drive matching cars... Ok, not exactly. Mine is a couple years older than his and red while his is a champagne color. But still, very shameful. What's next, matching sweaters?