You got a dream of a degree.

This is about 20 days late, but here it is!!!  I'm not sure it says "Speech Language Pathology" anywhere on there, though.  That's [somewhat] disappointing.  But hey, a degree's a degree!

Since graduation, I've been able to have a little bit of a summer vacay plus time for using my new degree to make some money on the side.  Now we're talkin' bidness!!

Title: from Sugarland's "Want To"

The only 10 I see

It's offishiyal!!

I've got my Master of Science degree, and the commencement didn't last near as long as I thought it would.  Pointing out the hypernasality of the man calling the graduates' names was a highlight, that's for sure.  Perhaps the best part of the day, other than holding my diploma in my hands, was finding out that my close friend got engaged right before graduation!!! What a win/win situation!  Huge rock on friend's finger from man of her dreams + huge M.S. degree + being surrounded by close friends & lovely family = lots and lots of celebrating!!!  And getting iced... Thanks girls. Very clever!

Sunday afternoon after graduation (and a few Ibuprofens) I hit the road & headed east to make my personal debut in Nashville, TN.  First-timer, here, folks!!  The city skyline gave me chills and butterflies.  After delicious deep-fried sushi dipped in spicy mayo & sriracha -- "American Sushi," as I like to call it -- Amy & I drove around for a bit to look at the sights.  I also did a little bit of driving around on my own on Monday & Tuesday.  The city is beautiful.  I think I've developed a little crush!! Nashville seemed so open compared to Little Rock!  And a lot louder.  Anyone ever heard of cicadas??  I hadn't.  They make Nashville sound like someone is constantly shaking maracas right by your ears.  All that was missing was a mariachi band and some queso.

The reason for planning a Sunday-Tuesday road trip to Music City is that I had a job interview Monday morning, & to say my nerves were flying high is an understatement.  I can recall at some point telling myself not to pass out.  I don't know if it was the nerves or the stuffiness of the hallway that made me feel a little faint.  Thanks, God, for holding me up, because I was 98% positive that I was about to fall right over!  Whether or not I get the job, being called in for an interview in itself felt like quite an accomplishment!!

After making my rounds in Middle Tennessee, I jump back on I-40W towards Memphis to visit a friend I hadn't seen in way too long.  After drinking a glass of wine on a rooftop overlooking Mud Island River Park & the Mississippi River, I've decided that my itch for living in a high-rise condo with a big-city or a water-front view is very much real.  Someday...

Here's the thing.  I've been praying about this for a long time.  You may recall my blog post from last April where I talked about moving (click here to see).  I've asked God to be my guide throughout this whole job/moving ordeal and to give me patience and to help me lean on Him when I'm in doubt.  And let me tell you, when you pray for guidance, patience and trust, God will give you a situation in which you have to be patient and continuously trust that He is guiding you.  I've stressed a ton about this whole job search thing, but God is with me every step of the way reminding me that He knows the plans He has for me.  He has plans to prosper me, and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.  I will call upon Him and pray to Him, and He will listen to me.  I will seek Him & find Him when I seek Him with all my heart.  And I'm not going to lie, there have been nights where I tell God that I'm just not understanding Him.  I find myself asking for physical words on a billboard sign or something.  But God is faithful... He is who He says He is and He can and will do what He says He will do.  God knows what He's doing.  When I can't trace His hand, I have to trust His heart.  Although I may struggle to understand what it is He wants me to do, He always sees the bigger picture, and His plan will prevail.

Go, May. Go, May.

I just sat through my very. last. class. ever.  Other than 2 take-home exams, I'm done!!!! I can't wait for 5:00 to be 5:00.  For the weekends to be weekends.  To be able to do something without feeling guilty for not doing school work instead.  To have some true free time again.  To be making money for what I'm doing instead of counting hours.  To help more people communicate more effectively.  To get my CCC's so I can travel.

What hobby should I pick up??

Coincidentally, May is Better Hearing and Speech Month: 

This annual event provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing.

They've dedicated a whole MONTH to people who help people communicate!  How neat is that?!  It validates my perspective of how important the profession I'm about to enter really is, and excites me even more to get goin!!!

 http://www.asha.org/bhsm/

check.

*Update*

[X] Pass Praxis

[X] Pass Comps

[ ] Find A Job

"No child should die in the dawn of life."

.Thought #1.

Now that it's mid-MARCH, here are some things I have to look forward to:

{ A little less of this... }

{ a little more of this... }


{ ...and hopefully none of this! }

.Thought #2.
[ I hope that you will take the time to read this one all the way through ]

I'm really excited to share with you that the University of Arkansas Tri Delta chapter of Delta Iota was the 3rd largest fundraising chapter in the nation for the year 2010!! They raised $49,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN!!

Tri-Delt has officially been St. Jude's [used in the possessive form... I know it's "St. Jude" ;)] philanthropic partner since 1999. In 2006, Tri-Delt proposed their "10 in 10" plan: a pledge to raise $10 million in 10 years-- a goal which was met in less than 4 years with more than $10.6 million given! This donation marked one of the largest ever made to a charity by a Greek-affiliated organization. In November 2007, St. Jude opened the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili's Care Center. As of August 2010, Tri-Delt's newest goal is $15 million in 5 years.

This makes me so so SO proud to be a Tri-Delt alum! I'm so proud of the active members for such an accomplishment-- way to go, girls!!!

Oh, what I would give to be a hospital-based Speech Pathologist at St. Jude!!!
#dreamjob
(For some of you, I hope this post explains why I have such a passion for St. Jude!)


Tri Delta Patient Care Floor of the Chili's Care Center at St. Jude.

"No child should die in the dawn of life." -Danny Thomas