Welcome to 2012 and Other Ramblings

2012. I thought I would for sure be in heaven by now since the world was supposed to end just before the year 2000. And yes, I would go to heaven! But here we are, dancing our way into a new year.

How were your holidays? Great? Oh, glad to hear it! Mine were just as fantastic. Remus, Sophia and myself spent two weeks in Texas and it was just as unseasonably warm there as it was here, but all in all it was great seeing my family again.

Arriving at my parent's house was surreal, I felt as if I was "home" but not, if that makes sense. I squeezed and hugged my parents and brother and then through a sleepy fog, I ate good ol' Mexican food. The food was great.

Sometimes I'm not sure if I go to visit family or to stuff myself with tons of authentic Mexican food and Texas barebecue. I say both the family and food hold a special place in my heart and belly.

I ate so much while I was there that I'm sure all my hardwork was thrown out for the savory flavors that awakened my mouth, the spices, the tamales and fajitas.

On our drive back (yes, we drove for two days from Virginia to Texas and then back again because we LOVE road trips... and we couldn't afford to spend $1500 in plane tickets) we devoured far too much junk.I mean, so much that I felt sluggish and bloated the duration of the trip and even though on our way down we had managed to eat fine, salads from Chik-Fil-A, fruit from convenient stores and smaller portions of fast food, on the way back to Virginia those rules were thrown out the window - along with roguely throwing gum out the window when we couldn't find a piece of paper to wad it up in - as we were in a hurry to get back and the thought of stopping just meant we were that much further from our home.

So we went through a Burger King drive-thru about three times and a Wendy's drive-thru once. I think at one point I was sweating grease but I can't be too sure.

Yesterday, two days after our arrival to Virginia from our trip, I had had enough of the remaining sloth feeling that had come over me partly due to lack of exercise and gorging on the wrong foods so I made a healthy trip to Trader Joe's and instantly, my pores cleared up and my entire body felt healthier. Of course I did buy healthy snacks and food to start off the year on the right foot, regardless of having rang it in with a box of fries and ketchup - the shift was being made and that is what counted.

Also, aside from starting over on my health kick as I was deterred by tacos for two weeks, I have decided to return to school. I'm going to be a college student again! Quick, hide your kegs! Yes, I'm going back for a second bachelor's - as if one was not enough, and truthfully it's not.

After I was laid off in November, I realized that my Liberal Arts degree was not enough. Here I thought after years of struggling to find a job, then finally got one in a field I so desperately desired to get into, that I was set and secured for the long haul. Obviously I was not and over the last two months of unemployment I gave a lot of thought as to what my next move would be: continue on and try for my M.F.A..? A paper that would essentially say that I can write creatively and setting me back thousands of which I would not be able to pay back due to lack of employment. Or would I go back to finish what I had started years ago when I first began my college years career?

I chose the latter and am continuing to finish my Bachelor's of Science in biology and nursing. See, back in the day writing essays just came so much easier. Reading and writing for a grade? Yes! It was so easy that it gave me ample time to focus on my extra-curricular activities: partying, keg stands and re-inventing myself as the female version of John Belushi in Animal House. I nailed it.

Never once giving much thought about my future and how a Liberal Arts degree would work to my advantage, or rather disadvantage. I also couldn't fortell the future and see a giant collapse in the economy and murdered education cuts across the country and that my ideal job of becomming an English teacher as my back-up plan in case journalism didn't work out, would eventually disintegrate and now I had no back-up plan for the back-up plan.

Here I am. 30 years old and going back to school. I am much more prepared for this now than I was when I was 18 and now understand the full value of an education. Here's to great year and a list of accomplishments I have to knock out.

Happy New Year!

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