Me and Kelsey...

Me and Kelsey went to a tiny skate park after work. It even had a shallow bowl! But I was too scared to go in it. I guess I don't need to put myself in the hospital before Shaun comes to see me. 😂

I've had a pretty chill weekend.

I've had a pretty chill weekend. I sat around on the computer for most of yesterday. I found out that my phone is backing up far more stuff to my Google account than necessary, so I cleaned that out and changed some settings. I ate cereal and talked to Shaun. I also ate some delicious pumpkin bread that Kelsey made.

Today the weather is too beautiful to resist. Earlier, I skated for a bit and then showered. More recently I felt compelled to go walking around the apartment complex and I took some pictures of the trees and other plants. There is one tree that I think is super cute. Another, I used to think was ugly... but it's growing on me. And some of them are changing color and showing out. It's actually really beautiful here. I do love being surrounded by nature - as long as I am not the one having to fight it back. 😂😂😂

Anyway, I am off to try Kelsey's potato soup. Then I'll probably do my nails.

I hope you all are having a lovely day! ❤️

Passed my CAD.

Passed my CAD. There were some technical difficulties and it took over an hour to get the test started, but I finally did! I'm excited to have that checked off the list.

We're also officially halfway through the training program, so that's exciting. I'll be a full-on Technical Consultant in no time!

I gotta study for my CAD exam retake tomorrow, but FIRST:

I gotta study for my CAD exam retake tomorrow, but FIRST:  THESE SHOES. When I say they set my little "teenager in the 90s" heart aflutter I am dead serious. They were on sale so yes - I have a pair of each color. They are so SHINY and BEAUTIFUL and bring me SO MUCH joy.

Anyone who knew me back then knows funky shoes were my jam... and the taller, the better due to my lack of height. 😂 Now I gotta get some tall socks because I didn't bring any tall ones with me.

Also, unrelated (but I'm proud of it):  I drove to work and back today without navigation for the first time. 

Anyway, don't judge me. I'm out here tryna live my best life. 😁😁😁

I had to re-start this day around 4 pm.

I had to re-start this day around 4 pm. I fell asleep for a while not long after I got up having decided to do things. I guess my body had other plans. I'm glad that I don't feel sick from my vaccines, but I definitely do feel extra tired. My body must be very busy.

I did some work stuff and the cleaning I'd planned on. I'm gonna put away a little bit of laundry, and then I am probably done for the night.

Kelsey is always super productive on the weekends. She wakes up early, gets groceries, cleans, cooks meals for the week, and manages to do some work stuff, too. I really thought I sort of had my shit together... until I met her. 😂😂😂 I'm just kidding. I'm doing fine, but she is next-level energetic. Maybe it'll rub off on me while we're here together.

This is PART of the food she made today. Lentil soup and fresh-baked bread. My soup is usually from a can with "bag of bread" cheese toast, so this was definitely an upgrade. She also made baked beans and potato salad. I haven't tried that yet, but I will tomorrow!

Goodnight, friends. I have a feeling that I'll be crashing out soon. ❤️

I've been a lazy lump today.

I've been a lazy lump today. I think my body needed the rest. I'm not feeling sick at all, but my arms sure are sore! 😂😂😂

Currently catching some sunbeams like a cat and waiting for the Ibuprofen to kick in. 😂

It's been a little minute...

It's been a little minute since I have checked in, so here I am.  I'll try not to get TOO long-winded here.

Today I got my COVID booster, a flu shot, and a tetanus shot.  Why not go all in, I guess?  I may have regrets tomorrow, but for now I'm ok - just a little sore.  After I got home I went skating and did some laundry.  Super exciting day, no?

Earlier this week I failed my CAD (Certified App Developer) Exam.  On the bright side, I failed it JUST BARELY.  I was actually pretty shocked that I failed it because I felt good about most of the questions, but after getting my breakdown back it looks like most of the questions I missed were in one section (all sections have to be either above 70 or above 75 to pass), so missing more in one section is what got me.  My scores were passing in all but one category.  But at least I know what to work on!

I am weirdly not upset by this failure.  College had me stressed and kicking my own ass every time I didn't do as well as I felt that I should have, but this whole environment is so different.  It's not going to cost me thousands of dollars or months of time to re-take the exam, and those things happening were real possibilities in college because there were no do-overs.  I can take this exam a couple more times before I'm in trouble.  I think I'll pass on my next try, though, because I was already close.  Kelsey keeps reminding me that I was sick and not on top of my game last week and over the weekend, which is true, so it just is what it is.  🤷🏻 

Other news?  I feel like it has finally sank in that I'm here for a while... that this is my life.  Like, I'm gonna be here for more than 3 months, actually.  From August - November is training, and then I'll be put on a transition team for 2 - 3 more months before I am able to come back and work from home.  I'm not excited about that, but I'll be ok.  I just really miss my family.  Shaun, the kids, the animals, my house that I love, the new friends I've made... it was a lot to leave behind.  But Cincy is charming.  I'm in a very nice area in a nice apartment and everything is clean and well-kept here and in the neighborhoods around me.  I'm making friends here, too.  Kelsey, obviously.  But there are also some cool people at work.

Shaun is going to visit me soon.  I'm planning to be home for the holidays, so there is that.  Hopefully it will break up some of the away-ness and make it easier to hang in here.  I'm not thinking about leaving or anything - this is the kind of opportunity that you don't pass up.  But it's not easy.  I guess if it was, then more people would do it.  And I did not spend 5 hard (yet rewarding) years in college to earn an opportunity like this only to say "Nah."  I'm here.  I'm settled.  I'm learning.  It's hard, but I can do hard things.  It'll be ok.

Anyway, that's about all that's on my mind.  I'm about to get ready for bed because it's late-ish here.  I hope you all are doing well.  If you're not, keep trying!  That's my plan, anyway.  Goodnight.  ❤️