life in a nutshell

v & v turns 1!

One year ago today I started this blog!   When I think about it, I can’t help but reminisce about how things were last year at this time:  we’d just moved to Texas and I was just getting settled in.  I didn’t have a job yet, and the blog was a hobby, born out of an excess amount of time I wasn’t used to having.   Today,  I’ve been at my job nearly a year, gotten to know (and adore) the town we live in, and this place has become home.  It’s been a crazy adventure, but really we’ve just combed the surface.   And the blog is still young and has a lot of growing to do…but isn’t that true with almost every aspect of life?  As my creative outlet, I feel very blessed to take the time to share daily inspiration with others.    Thanks to those who love it as much as I do!

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!)

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Image via Pinterest

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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.