Baby Steps

Midterms are coming. BU is in a state of

Thanks to the massive amounts of snow days that seem to always fall on Mondays and Tuesdays and the changeover of faculty of our Wednesday class (that was something) - the phrase "falling behind" is an understatement. We are in the middle of our sixth week of school but actually working on the third week of most syllabuses. This should mean that we cancel the midterms, right? 

No. Of course not. We should instead cram as much as we can in before the midterm. Because logic. Luckily, some of my midterms are more project based than test based, but it doesn't reduce the stress.

Of course, now that we have scooped away the snow that has not refrozen into deadly black ice and moved it to an unknown location (I have suspicions they are adding to Mt. MIT), things are only picking up speed.

Practicum hours? Sure - I'll come every day of the week I'm not working. Readings for classes? Yeah, 300 pages each class is no challenge at all. Projects due next week? Sure - I mean I'm gone from 6 AM to 9 PM every day, but there's hours I'm not using in there. Who needs sleep?

I know that this will all pay off one day. It's not only the knowledge from the class itself, but what to do when chaos is the size of a F5 tornado. How do you handle a class that has not had a full week of school in over a month? How do you manage time with practically no time? 

Schema people! That's what this semester is all about! Schema of life deciding to throw curve balls at you when you are just trying to figure out how to hold the bat. 

There are many people in the same boat as me. Some of us will become great teachers because we are able to put on our big girl rain boots and trudge through the yuck - and some of us won't. This stress - this winter history in the making - will be laughable some day. It will be an encouragement to others and a reminder to ourselves that if this is the worst thing in our life story, we can make it through anything.

So, yeah, I am typing this post a bit blurry-eyed, exhausted, and sore - but one day I will reread this and laugh. I will remember the struggles and make the connections of how God used those to create some crazy future success story.

Today - I will just put one foot in front of the other. I will take the necessary steps to make it through, and then a few more to grown on. Why? Because I have two choices. To sit here and wallow or to push myself to become stronger. And I chose the latter. 

Until next time,

Kaity

Winter Blues

I have realized that I am a good week behind on my posting, but to be fair there's not much to say. Why? Because there's just more snow.

More snow and more cancellations and still no Monday class.

Boston, this winter, has managed to break hundred year old records when it comes to the amount of snow fallen in the past few weeks. So far we have had six days of class canceled and public schools will not be released for summer break until June 30th.Winter has be atrocious, and, according to the news, there's only more to come.

Three weeks ago when the first blizzard came, I'll admit, I was a bit excited. Real snow that would stick and be more than an inch deep! A belated white Christmas, but it would make for some nice pictures. That first week was kindof fun - and I played quite a bit in the snow.

Then it happened again. And again.

It became quite predicable. Sunday night the storms would roll in, we'd get an email that school was closed on Monday, and then we would all just relax. Sometimes we'd even get a Tuesday cancellation. Everything would function again for Wednesday, the snow piles growing higher and browner and then, inevitably, another storm to cover everything once more.

I'm sick of it. Snow is not pretty, it's a nuisance. It screws up everything from traveling to work to practicum hours and makes you horribly sleepy. (Or maybe that part is just me.) I miss my Texas 9 by 5 snow. I miss being able to walk on a sidewalk and not awkwardly balance my way across.

But this is the life I have chosen. I was hoping for a bit of time to ease into winters - but you don't learn to swim by standing in the shallow end.

I'm just counting down the days until Spring - although I'm not too positive when that is.

Until next time,

Kaity

Snowmageddon 2015

I can't believe that January is already over!

Time seems to have flown by - and it probably doesn't help that school is now keeping me extremely occupied once again. Although, with the blizzard that came in, it has seemed to force things to take off with a slower start. (We're supposed to get another foot on Monday. I want my Texas winters back!)

To be completely honest, I let my laziness get the best of me. I'm not behind in school, but I did not complete my goals for the month. In fact, I managed to knock out 5 3/4 of my 10. just a little over half - which is embarrassing! Luckily for us, God allows us new days, weeks, months, and years to keep bettering ourselves. Hopefully February will prove to be more successful.

For all of you wondering, I shall state the obvious. I made it through my first blizzard just fine. The wind was extreme and where I live received about 30 inches. Tuesday was fairly quiet as the city let the storm rage, and by Wednesday life was up and running again. Most things were cleared out, although there are still a few places that boots are needed to successfully trudge through.  I have recently learned that the snow that is currently on the ground (with piles that reach over my head after streets were cleared) will be here until, oh, May or so. This is because it barely becomes warm enough to melt in the day and then refreezes at night.

This concept is a strange one to me, one that I'm trying to wrap my mind around. And, apparently, there's only more to come. Oh, Boston, what am I going to do with you?

As for school, Spring 2015 will prove to be challenging for the next five weeks or so. This is the first semester where I will be attempting to teach not one, but two lessons to real live students. No more acting for me! The school where I am placed is pretty awesome and reminds me of Texas. It is more of an inner city school, where my true passion lies. I am excited for the experience and the knowledge I will gain for my future job. I am also partially terrified that there will be two lessons that students will be fully dependent on me to gain important information in Math and English that will benefit them in the long run. Especially since we are working on anything and everything that will be on the state tests.

It's a big deal that my teacher is allowing me to work with her during this critical time. It's also a whole lot of pressure.

Of course, while this is going on, I am also balancing a part time job and full time grad school. We all know that taking the easy way was never my forte.

Until next time,

Kaity

Here We Go Again

Well, the Spring semester is now in full swing. There are multiple articles to read, huge projects to get started on, and the anticipation of teaching for the first time in my life. That's the blessing and curse of graduate school. While you are still a student, you are an advanced one. There is no need to waste time with silly syllabuses and introductions. You had your break, and now it's time for the sixteen week sprint.

I am excited and terrified. The confusing emotions tend to fight for control of my body, but I think I finally have them under control. God will never give me anything I can't handle. It's the entire reason I got my tattoo - and I still believe in that. Still, I can't help but be a bit nervous. This really decides if I have what it takes and if coming here was the best thing I could do.

I'm sure I'll be able to breathe a little better after my first day of prepracticum tomorrow. It's going to all be fine. Hopefully that'll be enough to allow me to catch some shut eye. I've never slept well before something exciting.

As for all of you asking me about the snow; yes, it was about 2 feet that fell down on us yesterday and Boston did not stop. There were plows and sand trucks out all day and the snow really didn't seem to phase anyone except all of us who have never really seen a proper snowstorm before. I'm pretty sure that our tourist sides were showing. (And my southern. Did not want to go out in said weather. At. All.)

For my family and friends in the warm state of Texas, be thankful that spring seems to be upon you. We're supposed to get a blizzard tomorrow night into the wee hours of Tuesday. Let me tell you how I am not excited to experience that kind of snow. But, alas, it is just another thing to adapt to.

I hope that all of y'all's weeks are starting off well!

Until next week,

-Kaity

Happy Customers, Happy Business

It's time to be honest, folks. The customer, be it you, me, or someone that someone working retail is serving, is not always right. In fact, sometimes they are downright crazy. 

TCS is the first retail job that I have ever worked. And, like my previous jobs, it opens my eyes to a lot of things. I judge how other businesses run based on what I was taught, usually on accident. I watch how people handle and act during problems and I have learned a lot of what can really be going on behind the scenes. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I would like to say that I am a better person because of it.

But that's not the point of this blog post. The point of this blog post is to remind people that it's not just great customer service that makes your experience, it's your attitude as well. 

I am the first to admit that there are times that I really have to focus on remaining calm, especially if something happens that calls for me to be passed around from person to person. But there's a lot more going on than meets the eye, most of the time. There are a few cases where it really is the service, and I do apologize when that does happen. 

So below, I have a few tips for the people who always seem to come home frustrated after a day of shopping, be it wherever they are. Thoughts we should all think about when we are setting on the consumer side of the store. 

1) Patience

You have come in at a busy time. There's not enough people at the register. Dinner needs to be cooked on the table. You've just had one of those no good, very bad, horrible type of days and honestly just want to go home and sleep. And for that, I'm sorry.

We, all those in retail, are trying our best to accommodate every customer. We are trying to move people in and out of our store as fast as we can. Take a deep breath, smile, and know that there is a high chance that the retail worker is probably feeling a bit overwhelmed as well. We like it when people come up and smile instead of launching into complaints. 

2) Plan Ahead

Know what time the stores close. Know what time most people will be at the store. Know if you really, really need that item now or if it's alright to grab when you are stress free tomorrow. Know if the store actually has the product you are looking for. There is this wonderful thing called the internet. Pull up the store's webpage and check for the product. Saves you time and stress about getting what you need.

3) Remember, You Are at A Store

Our job is to sell you things. Hopefully, it is things that will actually be of use to you, but you get my point. Please don't get frustrated at the people who are talking to you about a product or asking you to join something. It is our job. You are always welcome to deny or say no, but do it kindly. We are aware that some people are not interested in the rewards program or that particular product, but don't get mad at the sales person for doing their job.

4) Be Aware

Be aware of your fellow customers. If you see someone getting help, do not go interrupt the sales person. You are being rude to your fellow consumer. Wait just a moment or find someone who isn't too busy. The people in the store are there to help you, but they are also there to help all customers.

Also, if you have young, tiny humans that constantly travel around with you, please keep an eye on them. We'd rather them not get lost in the store. (Or destroy anything in the store.)

The bottom line is that happy customers lead to happy sales people that lead to an overall happy experience. No one wants you leaving their store upset. We want you to feel satisfied, even if you don't visit often. 

There are days where there are just going to be bad experiences, but I truly, truly hope that the fault does not fall on us, the consumers. We need to recognize that we are creating half of our own experience. It takes two to tango, my friends.

Until next time,

Kaity

Starting on the Right Foot

Hello from the Northeast! Life is quite cold on this end, and it looks like it's only going to get colder.

Fun story, I went for a run with a friend this morning. Today, even though it is a total of 19 F, is considered a good running day. The sun was out, there wasn't any wind, and I was warm under the two layers that I had on. That's right, two layers for a run. I really did enjoy my time with her and being out on the trail, even if  I had to thaw out once I returned to Bayridge.

I greatly enjoyed my time in the homeland of Texas and bumping shoulders with family and friends. I am a bit saddened by the fact I was not able to see everyone, and I apologize about that. The fault does fall on me. I do hope that each one of you enjoyed your time over the holidays and 2015 is off to a good start for you. Personally, mine is kind of rocky.

Not rocky in a sense that things are going horribly wrong - it's just hard to get myself going on resolutions. Everyone talks the good talk but walking the good walk is a hard thing to do. A lot of what I am doing is for personal reasons, and it can be hard to be your own motivator sometimes. (Luckily I have a good family and boyfriend who encourage me to keep fighting.)

Habits are hard to break. Especially if they are lazy habits.

I'll be honest with you, I haven't properly exercised since October. Starting over again has been physically painful. I'm working on trying to do something every day, even if it is just walking, but my body hurts. I recognize that the only way to stop the pain is to keep going, but it's still an offsetting way to start.

As for everything else - it takes 21 days to create a habit. Which means some things are easier to start up than others. I feel like I'm starting slow but hopefully soon I can pick up the pace.

Very quickly, I would like to let you know of changes coming to the blog. On a positive note, you should be seeing an update at least once a week (probably Saturdays and Sundays). The content will still be focused on my adventures here in Boston and maybe random tidbits here and there when things are going slowly.

However, I will not be writing book or movie reviews on a regular basis. The biggest reason for this is time. My goal is to stay focused more on school and with the amount of time I rewrite things, that's precious minutes that could be toward studying...or sleep.

Also, as many of you know,  one resolution is to complete the 2015 reading challenge, which is at least 50 books. That's a lot of reviews. I may have a few pop up every so often if I think the world should be required to read a novel, but don't expect them on a regular basis. Let's be honest, they sort of stopped once I started Fall semester anyway.

To everyone working on resolutions - I wish you luck and consistency! We can do this!

Until next week,

Kaity

2014: A Review

It's that time of the year again!

The time of the year where you go dig out the list of things you were going to do during 2014 and find yourself horribly disappointed that you were able to cross a total of five things off your list. Maybe that's just me.

I feel that, like most people, I start the year as many others do. Setting up goals of how to better myself and taking baby steps to accomplishing those far off dreams. And, like many others, those goals seem to be forgotten about a month later. So, out of curiosity, let's see how I did.

 Read the Bible straight through
- go to church every Sunday
-exercise three times a week
-vlog once a week (I completed a summer challenge)
-get up to running a 10K
 read 25 books (read 30 :D)
-run three 5K races (I ran one)
 learn something new
-plan a book
complete 365 Photo Challenge
-write once a week
-draw once a week
-learn to write with my left hand
 take a trip
-learn creative ways to cuss
-Let it go!

The problem with this list is that I see a lot of what I didn't do, compared to what I did do. For example, I graduated college. I got into my dream graduate school and have been blessed with the fact that I now take classes there. I started and kindof consistently manage a blog (which is something I've always wanted to do). I LIVE IN BOSTON! I womaned up and got a tattoo. For me, these are big accomplishments that weren't on the wish list. So I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. Some of those goals were massive because, well, I'm a bit of a dreamer.

So I'm trying to keep it a little more realistic this year. Putting down a few goals that can be completed if I set my mind to it. And, instead of keeping the list in one of the pages of my personal journal, I'm going to put it somewhere I can see them every day.

I'll admit, it's a bit weird to post resolutions on a blog - typically they are kept private. But something that I have learned recently is that I'm terrible at motivating myself to complete things. So this time, I'm sharing in hopes that the pressure will force me to knock things off my list.

2015 Resolutions

-Weekly blog posts
-Clear up my acne (because, let's be honest, it's embarrassing at 22)
-learn another language
-complete the 2015 Book Challenge
-eat healthier
-exercise at least three times a week, no matter the weather
-fill a drawing page a month
-save at least $1200
-take a trip somewhere new
-work on and post new videos on SigningTwins (SAMANTHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA)
-write something once a month
-As in all classes

These tasks won't be easy and a lot of things are vague. Many things will be broken down into more manageable monthly chunks. Not only will that help me complete things, but it will force me to constantly reevaluate how much progress I have made throughout the year. It would be awesome to be able to mark everything off this list.

I know that resolutions are not everyone's thing. Some people see them as silly. And I completely get that sometimes life has a very different plan than we were hoping for that year. Yet, at the same time, I have to strive for something. I've never been very good at twiddling my thumbs during down time. So, Reader, I challenge you to make one resolution to complete this year. Maybe we can swap victory stories come December.

Happy New Years Y'all,

Kaity