About Me

happenings

So here’s some life updates:

Back in September, I posted about taking the first 2 sections of the NCIDQ Interior Design Licensing Exam…and guess what?  I PASSED!! So excited – and to be completely honest – sooooo relieved.  Now I can take my time to relearn hand drafting and prepare for the last day of testing.  Not sure if I’ll take it this Spring… we’ll see.

i passed

Today marks 9 years since my hubby & I first started dating.  We were 19 then –  but feels like just yesterday!  Literally, we’ve spent almost a 1/3 of our lives together! Haha so weird to think of it like that.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth it.  I love him more each day.

photo 2

I’m still waiting for fall to come.  I think we had one cool week so far…but then it warmed back up into the low 80’s last weekend.  Even for Texas that is unseasonably warm in December!    But we have been blessed with such a beautiful, warm fall this year.

This past weekend we attempted our first Christmas family photo shoot.   We found this cool walking bridge near our house recently and decided it would be a great spot.  It’s called the Faust Street Bridge and its original structure dates back to 1887!   I love it.  Most of the shots were pretty silly, but we did get a few keepers. Camera tripod = best $30 I’ve spent.   Here’s a sneak peek …

faust bridge smaller sizeIMG_1293 copy

guadalupe river smaller size

.family smaller size

us smaller size

PS. I’m not anywhere near ready for Christmas.  I think I have a grand total of one present off my list, and no tree up yet.   How about ya’ll?

28 things I learned in 28 years

Saturday was my birthday.  I had a nice relaxing weekend thanks for asking, haha.   I’m 28.  Wooohooo.  Not so much.  I’m not exactly thrilled about getting closer to 30.

Why? Because practically my whole life I’ve thought 30 was “old”.  The pressure to have kids and be established in my career always sits in the back of my mind lately, and it seems like it grows the closer the big 3-0 approaches.  I decided to look at it another way though:  I wanted to see if I could take what I’ve learned in the last 28 years and put it into words and ideas.   And actually, doing this has helped me to realize what my priorities should be in life.  I hope it can help you too.   I really want to work on getting better at all of these this next year.  Prepare for some pretty deep stuff 🙂

1.You are stronger than you think.

2.Take time to get to know (& love) yourself.  There’s only one of you.  You are unique.  Love your best qualities and accept your worst.

3. Be spontaneous….

4. ….But don’t do something you will regret tomorrow.

5. Take way too many pictures.  It’s the best way to hold onto memories.

6. People can be mean. Others just suck. Love them anyway.

7.  Remember your roots.  Don’t forget where you came from, and those that have helped you along the way.

8.  Take your time and give it to others.  It is the best gift you can give.

9. Happiness is earned.

10. Put your heart into everything you do.

11. Keep it simple.  Often times we tend to overcomplicated things, which leads to worry and stress.  Don’t make mountains out of mole hills.

12. You have only a few true friends in life.  Embrace your special friendships.

13. Chocolate and shopping are valid forms of therapy.

14. Listen to your gut.  Deep down, we all know what’s best for us.

15. Life is way too short to settle.   Don’t waste your time on relationships/jobs/ friends that you know aren’t right for you.

16. Take breaks – and plenty of vacations.  Travel. See the world.

17. Never go to bed mad.

18.  Take opportunities as they come.  They, just as all things, will eventually slip away.

19.  Don’t force life.  Be patient and understanding.

20.  Worrying will literally get you nowhere.

21. Cherish the time you have with your parents – even though they may annoy the shit out of you.

22. The best things in life are free.

23.  Be silly and fun.

24. Find joy in the simple things in life – a good laugh, the puffy clouds in the sky, the crisp morning air.

25.  If you’re reading this right now on your laptop with Starbucks in one hand and iPhone in the other, you are luckier than a huge chunk of the world’s population. Thank God for your blessings.

26. Be honest and credible.  Always keep promises.  If you say you’re going to do something, do it.

27.  Dreams really do come true.

28.  Always have hope for tomorrow. Never give up!

.

Photo sources:  5 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 24

hello october.

Well, I’m glad to say that the test that has consumed my life for the last couple months (aka the interior design licensing exam, NCIDQ) is now officially OVER!!

This past Friday, I took the first half of what could potentially be the most important knowledge based test of my life!  A couple of tidbits: #1) That sucker was hard as F.  #2)  I went to bed at 8pm on Friday if that gives you any idea how exhausted/brain-dead/studied out I was.

That being said, I’m glad its over.

( In 12 weeks I’ll find out if I passed or not…and then it may be another studyfest for me.  Plus, I still have the other half to take. )

For those of you that may take the test in the future, here’s a quick summary:  (Please feel free to message me if you have any questions about it!!)  They only offer it twice a year, and you become eligible to take it after receiving your Bachelors from an accredited school + 3,520 hours working under a licensed professional (UNLESS you began any of your design experience prior to 2008, then you can count your hours under any design professional).  The exam is broken into 3 sections that span 2 full days.  The first day is 2 multiple choice exams.  The 2nd day is what they call the practicum, which is putting all your knowledge and experience together into a full 8 hour hand drafted project.  Since I’m beyond rusty at hand drafting, I figured I would just knock out the first 2 sections and go from there.  Wellllll….. they pretty much knocked me out! haha.  Think 300 questions about building construction/structure, fire codes, architectural drafting, etc etc etc.  (So to anyone that thinks all an interior designer does is play with paint swatches – please, do your homework.)

On the drive home, I thought about all the things I could have done differently.  I even started frantically looking through my notes trying to see if I could figure out what ones I got right and wrong. (I can’t begin to imagine what kind of road hazard I was)  As soon as I began to get frustrated, I brought myself back down to reality: this is only a test.  Life will go on.  If I fail, it doesn’t mean I suck – I can retake it!

Then I came home to this beautiful orchid and a nice card – which totally made my night/weekend/life! (thanks Hunny!)

The rest of this weekend was very relaxing.  We celebrated Nate’s birthday- as best as we could since he has a stomach bug.  We sat around and watched football and I made him homemade Mac & Cheese and Asparagus Cheddar soup.  🙂  Overall, life is good.  I’m excited to start blogging again more.  Not sure where September went, but I’m ready for October – and to start enjoying this lovely fall weather!

thursday thoughts: hope

Ever feel like you are about 3 steps behind in life?  That you rush around and still can’t get caught up with everything there is to do?  Well that is my life in a nutshell right about now.

Since returning home from the trip, it’s been hard to find the motivation to tackle my never ending to-do list.  Literally getting out of bed takes 2-3 tries (damn you snooze button!).  And Olympics, you have not been helping either.  This girl has been molded to the sofa every night.

I can look at all the things I haven’t done lately (running, studying for NCIDQ, cleaning, – okay I’ll stop now). OR I can be hopeful.

I think you know which one I will choose.

Hope is a funny thing.  It’s all or nothing.  You either have it or you don’t.  So when I read Sarah’s blog this morning, I realized that my inner drive was just what I’ve been missing.  She posted about a blog relay called Hope 2012, where she tagged all of her readers to share what they are hopeful for.  Thanks Sarah for helping me find the inspiration that has been missing from daily life!  Here’s my list…. what are you hopeful for?  (Tag your it – it’s your turn!)

.

Image via Pinterest

.

I’m hopeful…:

-that life will fall into place.

-I will start posting more blog entries

-I will pass the first 1/2 of the NCIDQ test next month!

-to have a freakin blast this weekend in Dallas 🙂

-that many people around the world are making a difference each day, and that I can be one of them.