I'm in Zebu, taking my lunch, and NOT DOING WORK! I refuse. I've been doing too much of work outside of work that I can feel it...the burnout coming. But, I'm not going to let it get to me. I still have a little over a year before I get my clinical license, and almost 2 before I can quit if I wanted. Just waiting it out. At least my coworkers are great and supportive. I think I would've gone bonkers a long time ago, if it weren't for them.

The weather's gorgeous outside. It's chilly, but bright and inviting. I'm tempted by their giant cookies here, but I'm trying to be good. The Hubby and I started the gym this month, and I don't want to end up with a negative workout. =P

My mind's all over the place. Hehe. I think it's 'cause I got up at 5:30am. Because of the gym. Yeah. Not sure how I feel about the early-morning gym sessions. However, I don't know if I can actually force myself to go after work either. Oh, decisions. The dilemmas of being a grown up, with a metabolism no longer being that of a supermotor.

While I sit here in my living room trying to clear out old emails and crap I don't need, I realize that I haven't posted in forever. 0.o It's a good thing I've decided to discontinue my paid membership when it expires in June. I've been wasting money. Heh.

Well then, since I don't have any idea on how to use Twitter, or a data plan for my cell to utilize it, here's an update the old-fashioned way:

• The Hubby and I are still going strong. Though we still drive each other bonkers sometimes with the socialization aspect (or his lackthereof), it's nice to know that he's there when it really counts (not hiding from my family anymore).
• I like the work that I do, and the people with whom I work, but I'm beginning to dislike my job. I'm stressing out about not being "on-top" of all of my paperwork, which used to be my forte. The necessary "chaos" of the job is really getting to me, keeping me from doing this. It's not helpful either when my boss is hardly around to give me guidance on how to manage all of this. =? I would look for another job, but there are still some factors keeping me there right now. Besides, the stressors aren't painful enough for me to definitely leave yet.
• Because of the stressors at work, I've been craving a vacation. The Hubby and I are planning to pick up his grandmother in LA in a couple of months, and since I've never been, I'm really excited. We're also planning to go back to Vegas and the Comic-Con in July. I can't wait!
• I miss my family a lot. My sis is away at Tracker School, and my bro's out a lot. The Hubby and I had a nice impromptu lunch with my parents yesterday, but I have the feeling that they wished we came over more often. I think I'm definitely going to make more of an effort to do that.
• Tim and I are motivated to do another renovation in the house. We've purged quite a few things again, and are looking for some new furniture for the living room. I'm hoping we'll be more successful this year in doing a proper spring cleaning. Maybe we'll actually paint the bedroom this year. Lol.
• In efforts to better ourselves, I ditched my old gym, and we joined a local gym, right around the corner from our place. The goal is to go there at least 3x's a week, if not more. I think as long as I go straight from work to the gym, I'll be okay. This week will be our first time. I'm looking forward to it. I need to de-stress myself.
• I've been cooking and baking a lot. Muffins (tried a low-fat one, I might keep it), pizza, lasagna, soups, stews...You name it, I might've made it or tried tweaking it. I want to bake more muffins, but The Hubby's afraid it's all going to his butt. =0P
• I'm hanging out more with friends and coworkers, which makes me happy. I'm also trying to make more of an effort to socialize, too.

Wow. I had a lot more to say than I thought. I hope the weather forecast holds true for tonight/tomorrow. I really would love a snow day. I'm burnt.

I've been in the mood to bake/cook a lot of things lately, working in my favor. In the last several weeks, I've made: soups and stews (chili, chicken noodle, spinach gouda potato), chicken (asian bbq-flavor and mexican), breaded eggplant, and pecan pie muffins. I'm also planning to make some meatloaf minis (italian, bbq, and mediterranean), bolognese sauce, and some morning muffins. It's great. I'm really happy about it. I portioned them out into smaller containers, so I can pull each one to thaw when I need it. I only hope my motivation lasts through tomorrow, to finish cooking and freezing the rest of what I want.

I can't wait to try the muffin recipe. It's a basic recipe that I can add stuff to make savory or sweet variations. Maybe then I'll stop craving doughnuts for breakfast. =P

In my efforts to continue simplifying my life, I'm thinking that I'll eventually downgrade my LJ. I'm just not frequenting it enough to justify having a paid account. Now the question: basic or plus? I know there are ads on plus, but I don't really see them on some of my friends' sites who have this type. I've also read through the added benefits from the basic. I'm just not sure if the plus ads will be as annoying as it looks in my head. Does anyone have any feedback on this? If you do, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Have a great day!

It's FREEZING! I wish I could go back to bed, under the warm covers. I can't wait until the weekend, to hide in warmness all day. *shivers*

Well, not really. Up to quite a bit of cooking and contemplation though, as usual.

I've decided to make my resolution all about not procrastinating as much. So far, I'm doing okay. There are still things I try to avoid (like cleaning the kitchen sink and my bathroom), but I'm doing better with trying to get things done as they happen, in order to reduce my stress later on.

My holidays were good. We spent a lot of time with family, and I took off the week between Christmas and New Year's. It was nice to stay at home, play video games (we got a Wii!), and sleep in. I definitely needed the break.

Everything else is still a work in progress, as I'm slowly sorting out through old clothes, pictures, friends. I've decided to try to cut people out of my life that cause me too much grief and stress. A hard thing for me to do. I caved, and joined Facebook, but I'm being more selective with whom I add as "friend". Though I'm not really that exclusive, I have some old classmates from high school who are "friending" me that I may choose to ignore because I feel I have never had any personal connections with that person whatsoever.

It's all about weeding out and organizing this year. Today's organizational tackle: cooking/prepping foods ahead of time for weekday meals. I'm enjoying it, too, which is great. Sometimes I wonder if I should've gone to culinary school instead. I like to do an awful lot of cooking/baking, and I'm always hungry. =P

How's everybody?

This randomness was meant for the wee hours prior to T-Day, but I was too tired lazy to post:

You know it's time for bed when you forget the pumpkin in the pumpkin spiced cookies. =P

Since I started working in my new position, it's been somewhat of a whirlwind process. The plan for my first week was to "shadow" someone else, to get a feel for what I should be doing. However, within the first 2 days, I was thrown into transporting/visiting others' clients on my own, and learning all the paperwork that goes with it. Not even 2 weeks later, I got my first couple of clients. It's been busy, but good. I'm learning a lot, and I think I'm getting better at not letting things get to me so much. However, there are those days, when you have to ponder on life and how everything is connected. This last thought spurred from events/conversations that occurred during my shift.

My first client passed away over the holiday weekend. She was diagnosed with a mental illness (bizarre behaviors, forgetful, delusions, depression), and came to us. She was hospitalized within a month later, where they found a brain tumor the size of an orange. The professional medical opinion was that her symptoms were probably caused by the tumor. Why it wasn't found sooner, no idea. I was in shock when my coworker first told me. Then I cried a little. Now, I'm okay. I feel like I'm in a haze. Despite her issues with her mom, her mom has been such a crazy good support for her. I felt sad for them. I felt guilty that I didn't get to visit her last week, but I know it wasn't like I could do anything about it.

The reason I didn't get to visit the aforementioned client last week, was that I got stuck with another client, waiting for him to be hospitalized for homicidal thoughts. Just my luck, his thoughts progress to include me during transport to the medical center around the corner. Needless to say, it was kind of dumb to agree to it, and now I know better.

In light of the holiday that just passed and of all the changes that have occurred in the last few months, I feel so very grateful that my family and friends are here to support and love me, no matter what. I'm especially grateful to have awesome coworkers, who really look out for one another. Oh, and chocolate was especially helpful to my sanity this week. =P Life's waaaay too short for me to worry as much as I do. I'm slowly learning to let things go, even if I don't like it.

Jeez. I can't believe it's been months since I've posted. Oh wait. Yeah. I can. Just too tired to spend an extra couple of hours on the computer after driving around all day. I've promised pictures, I've promised updates. One of these days, it'll happen. Maybe this weekend. Maybe not.

Alas, life goes on.

After reading a friend's post, I realize I've never written a haiku before today. Huh. Here's one I just made up:

It's beautiful now
I should be outside to play
I will go and play

Ta-da! =D

It seems like I never have any time to post entries or in any forums anymore. I blame work and the fact that I'm too lazy tired to go online anymore. Well, I can't really blame it all on work. I guess I've just delved into other things.

May is always busy with birthdays and such, so I'm always MIA then. We celebrated birthday after birthday, in addition to my commencement exercises and a cousin's beach wedding. All very lovely, but my wallet's tired. =P

At the end of last month, I also went on my Europe vacation with The Hubby and my fam. It was great! We went to London, Paris, and Rome, going everywhere. While in Paris, I put my minimal french-speaking skills to use. I think my French teachers would've been somewhat proud. =D Hear are some teaser pictures:


Platform 9 3/4 | Eiffel Tower | Trevi Fountain

More on the trip and some more pics to come.

Workwise, a couple of good news tidbits. My licensing application was reviewed last month, and I was approved. Yay! I sent them my licensing fee last week. Hopefully, I get my license in the next month or so. I'm finally seeing a light at the end of a long tunnel. Moreover, I've been interviewing inter-agency for other positions. There's another position in which I'm interested, but not as much as this other one. The supervisor already offered me the position, without me having to interview! That part was awesome, but I'm still waiting to hear from the other. After some initial trepidations about driving everywhere for work, I'm really hoping I get this one position. It sounds like the kind of experience I need to really push me into the height of my potential.

It's really gorgeous outside: sunny with a nice, cool breeze. I think I may enjoy a bit of reading outside before picking up The Hubby for lunch.

The greatest news thus far (for me, anyway): my mouth is feeling so much better! There's still some discomfort, like when my teeth used to shift after getting the wires adjusted in my braces, but so much better. I almost slept all the way through the night. I'm still taking some pain killers, but I don't need as heavy a dose at all times of the day now. =D

However, the best part of my day is that it's Friday! Lots of good stuff happening this weekend. After work today, I'm going out to dinner with my coworkers to Carabba's. Yum. Sangrias, here I come! I also have a 3-day weekend because I have my commencement exercises on Monday. For the occasion, I'm getting my haircut on Monday, too. After graduation, we're heading to Penang for dinner to celebrate. There isn't much else going on this weekend except more spring cleaning, but with my mouth feeling better, I feel like I can be more productive than a slug. ^.^

Whatcha up to this weekend?

The Hubby and I are making efforts to get our place spiffy for the fam (well, more he than I right now). Graduation day is soon approaching (Monday), and they'll be popping in to snoop around before heading to the commencement exercises.

We made a dent in our piles o' stuff. We made a considerable donation of clothing, knick knacks, toys, and housewares to a charitable research organization. The Hubby reorganized our storage closet, and I'm making an effort to reorganize the kitchen and finish up the living room. It's a tough job, especially since I'm a self-proclaimed packrat. We I have so much crap! Additionally, when The Hubby gets into "the zone", he can get pretty snarky about my slow efforts or my hoarding. =P

One mess down, tons more to go!

Right now, my gums are still bothering me. It's been over a week since I had my wisdom teeth extracted, and the pain is still getting to me. There's no infection, but it hurts so much. Stupid, impacted teeth. I should've gotten them out years ago when it was recommended. I feel like I've been popping Motrin like candy (not really, I take the recommended dose).

The oral surgeon put some dressing in the wounds to help alleviate some of the pain, but I don't think it's working anymore. It feels like a pain combination of cold sores, of too much tart taste, and of the aftereffects of chewing a really stale piece of bread. It's so bad, it's starting to wake me in the middle of the night.

Thank goodness I'm seeing the doc tomorrow. Maybe taking out the dressing will help. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do. I refuse to take anymore Vicodin. The side effects were terrible. I hope the pain subsides a lot tomorrow. Sleepy-and-in-pain Anne is no good at work disciplining kids and running groups. =(

This past week's been mostly good. I'm feeling okay about work again, probably because I don't feel like I'm stuck anymore. May Madness isn't too bad, thus far. I think I need a little non-work-related madness to keep me balanced. I know work's been consuming all of my time, and posts, for months now.

The Board finally called me to tell me they got my application and that everything's complete. Woohoo! I'm on "The List" for application review at the end of this month. Now all that's left are the fingerprinting, background check, and more waiting.

There's a position opening up in another dept at work, in which I'm somewhat interested. It sounds like a great opportunity to expand my repetoire to more than just group programming, but I'm hesitant about the driving and all-day fieldwork. However, I will still submit my resume to the program supervisor tomorrow. I'll keep my options open to going elsewhere, perhaps closer to home with less fieldwork responsibilities. We'll see.

We celebrated the BIL's birthday and Mother's Day without too much craziness. Moreover, our family's getting ready for our big Europe trip at the end of the month. I wish it were here already - I need a vacation.

First part of May Madness did not disappoint.

Work was busy, what with all the defiant kids climbing fridges and running amok. They were handled. I did not fall into beating myself up over "what I could've done differently". I'm very proud of myself for this. Found out my coworker's putting in her resignation. My feelings over it are bittersweet. On the one hand, professionally, I learned a lot from her. On the other, personally, I took her constructive feedback pretty hard. Overall, I think I'll miss her. She had a way with the kids that awed and inspired me. I'm also jealous that she's leaving before I am. She's doing what's best for her right now, and that's really important. I respect her for that.

I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday. It hurt like a biotch! Not the usual extraction either - impacted. Yep. I waited that long. I drugged myself up for the first day with 4 doses of generic Vicodin (at the appropriate timely doses) because the pain was so bad. I still can't decide whether or not I think the pain was worth the nausea I had. Bleh. I ate solid foods today - salmon with mashed potatoes, which was great. I was starving! We had chocolate ice cream for dessert. Yum. =P I still look like a chipmunk with the swelling, but at least I can sit up without too much pain, be somewhat useful at home, and I can enjoy the rest of my weekend. Woo! We're going to visit The Hubby's cousin for lunch and a trip to the boardwalk tomorrow. =)

The upcoming week will be just as busy. The Hubby's getting his extraction Tuesday. BIL's bday is Thursday. I have homemade gifts/cards to make for all the important mothers in my life. I want to bake now, but I think I should do a little more resting before I go overboard with baking and making. I'm excited. When I've figured out recipes to use, I'll post them here.

I hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend.

I can't believe it's May tomorrow! Let the Madness begin!

*falls over*

The Hubby and I watched Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The jokes were pretty funny, and some of the new characters were great. Though we both enjoyed the movie very much, we think the first one is better.

I'm so easily entertained. =P

It's really terrible when all I live for is the weekend now, especially with the weather being so gorgeous. =P

( I've been obsessing over work/my license a lot. I need something different. )

On a positive note, we're starting to plan our summer program. I'm really looking forward to it for the following reasons: planning fun activities, daytime hours, rec activities instead of therapeutic groups all day, outside time, and daytime hours. Yes, I mentioned "daytime hours" twice. It's worth the mention. =D I hope to find something different by the end of the summer if I don't find anything beforehand. It would be a great transition to end the summer program, then begin a new job. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I finally received my licensure application in the mail. I'm almost done filling it out, so it should be mailed out sometime this week (I hope). Due to taking this next step, I resumed looking for other positions within and outside the company. As much as I like the kids and enjoy my coworkers, I feel the urge for a change. I'm starting to feel burnout, which isn't a good sign. I also didn't see myself working with kids or with a partial care program for the rest of my life.

I've been looking around at hospitals, mental health agencies, and such. I hope I find something once I get my license physically in my hands. It would be nice to expand my resume to doing things other than groupwork.

Sans the rain, the weather was quite nice. It was warm, sunny during some parts, and it was still light when I headed home at 7:30pm. I love this season. =)

It was such a nice weekend, I hate for it to end. Though it was cold and I have a slight cold myself, the weekend was sunny, filled with friends and food.

I had Friday off because I took my licensing test. It was hard. Most of the time I wasn't sure if I was answering them right. I started a bit early, and finished the 170-question exam within 3 hours. As a computerized exam, my score would flash on the screen within minutes of completion. However, the computer held it hostage, while it made me fill out a survey. Ack! *grumble, grumble* After taking a possible 4-hour exam, I'd like to have my score, thank you very much. I guess it makes sense to do it that way, or they'll never get any feedback from anyone. =P Ah, well. It was worth it: I passed my exam! Yayayay! The hardest part of getting my license was over. =D

After the exam, I called my family to tell them the news. I broke down in tears of relief and joy. I was so stressed out for the past couple of weeks, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I did it! The Hubby took me out to dinner to celebrate. Delicious steak and maple butter blondies a la mode. Yum!

Saturday was a continuation of the celebration - this time, with our families. We took them to Minado, a Japanese buffet restaurant. We stuffed ourselves silly, to the point that many of us felt like we needed someone to roll us out the door. The Hubby was so full, he couldn't eat for the rest of the day. >P We spent the evening vegging out, watching TFC (The Filipino Channel) or something we taped on the DVR.

Today was a mellow day. My cold didn't let up this morning, so I spent most of the day sleeping/lying down and blowing my nose. Stupid cold. At least the worst of it is happening now, rather than my exam day. That would've sucked. My cold is a little better this evening, so I was able to be productive. I did a load of laundry, straightened up the living room a bit, leisurely read, and baked some brownies.

The brownies came out pretty well. I have 4 different variations of 1 vegan brownie recipe. I made: (1) a batch with Ovaltine (more cakelike, almost has a light german chocolate cake-taste to them), (2) one with macadamia nuts and toasted coconut on top, (3) one with a melted chocolate center, and (4) one plain. I used my cupcake pans to make them the right serving sizes. I thought I'd bring some into work tomorrow as a "thank you" for their votes of confidence and for helping me out in my times of stress there. However, I did make enough for The Hubby and me to enjoy. ;P