Faith Conquers Fear

As most of you know, I've been a bit MIA up in herrrr because I'm in the midst of some change (if you missed it, catch it here). So a few months ago, I opened up about saying goodbye to a chapter in life. At the time, I wasn't ready to open up about the deets, and I really haven't been ready since. BUT things are changing in a great way, and what better time to share than now?

In August I officially finished graduate school, and was rewarded my Ph.D. In September, I finished up working with the football office at OSU. I was sad to leave the people I was working with for over three years. This was such a great place to work for... very laid back, friendly, energetic, and a family environment. Looking back on it now, it was an emotional farewell for me... emotions stemming from the fact that I was also done with school. Leaving OSU meant that it was officially time to start searching for a start in my career. This was H U G E!!

School has consumed the majority of my life. Finishing up graduate school left me a bit clueless. Leaving that environment meant opening a new chapter of this thing called LIFE. Since leaving school and OSU, I was pounding the pavement, so to speak. I was still working from my home office with a consulting company, but only on a part-time basis. This pace was soooooo different! I was searching, networking, searching, networking for 8-10 hours during the weekdays. I was also able to work on submitting my dissertation for publication, which succeeded! I tried to keep busy as I would always be during school, but career searching sucked out another kind of energy from me. I would submit 3-5 applications/resumes each day, and maybe only hear from 2 or 3 people each month. In a nutshell, it felt like I was spending every waking moment to submit my resume into a black hole.

Fast forward to seven months later, after a ton of lows... feeling as if I were stuck in this place where nobody wanted to take a chance on a newly grad, my faith being tested in every single way you can ever imagine, having my husband and family there to constantly pick me up, encouraged by the scripture and growing closer to our Heavenly Father, here I am! Starting a new career back home!! Moving to the South Bay area in So Cal, close to the beach and even closer to the sun (well, through all that smog, the sun is somewhere)!! I am SO thankful... SO blessed.... SO grateful. Those scary moments that I wasn't able to open up because I let fear get the best of me are GONE. I'm learning to knock down that fear with faith! I'M COMIN' HOME!!

*Funny Story* I made a sign when we went home for Spring Break saying, "Dear O'Hana, We're hooome!!" and posted it in my aunt's house. As soon as word hit the street that I was offered THE job, my little cousin sent me this picture, and she added "... we're MOVING BACK hooome FOREVER!!"  How adorbs is she?!?!

Fun Times

If you've been hangin' out around herrr for awhile, you probably can catch a clue that I've been in school for all of my long glorious life. NO breaks. While in school, my "hobbies" have been reading textbooks and researching and writing and this and that and everythang! If I took a day to partake in a DIY project, I can promise you it made me happy, but not whole heartedly. WHY?? Because I knew that there was still work to be done to finish a paper... to study for an upcoming test... to meet up for a group project...

Welp! Fast forward through all that mumbo jumbo of my life consisting of school school school, and occasional fun times... I'm DONE-zo now... and my life is quiet (for the most part). No rushing. No papers (besides publications, which is in a completely different ball park). No group projects. Q U I E T!! Quiet time can be a great thing, as some of you may know. It can lead to passion, talent, and maybe even creativity.

One of my 2013 resolutions is to spend more time discovering the FUN parts of my life... finding out what soothes my soul and mends my heart.... discovering my hobbies (maybe re-discovering them b/c I just didn't realize they were a hobby at the time!)... implementing what I've learned into my career, while making the time to enjoy other areas of life.

I'm sharing this with you all because you have been through some tough times with me last year, and what I want you to know is that there is light at the end of my tunnel! So let the good times roll!

Later this week marks a new era for this bloggy blog. It's my blogiversary on the 17th, and I am sooo excited to share a new direction with my bloggettes!! Stay tuned for some ch ch ch changes!

2013 is herrrrrr!!

Cutest Wallpaper ever right? Found it at A Night Owl

Happy New Year!!!!

I feel refreshed today... it may be because the sun has been shining... or it may be just because it's January 1st and a time for new beginnings! Whatever it is... I'm totes embracing the moment! After all, January 1, 2013 only comes once in our lives!

2012 was such a milestone in my life.... I graduated with my PhD, and I got married... in ONE month! All my life has been building up to both those major events, and now that all is said and done, life has been quite confusing for me this far. I'm not sure which way to go... which leads me to celebrating the beginning of the year of 2013. I'm about to find my way because this year, it's all about implementing! Implementing my career, my marriage with my hubs without the stress of school, implementing everything I have learned in life thus far to make me an even stronger person!

CHEERS TO 2013 FRIENDS!!!

HOT then I'm COLD...

Yes then I'm no... In then I'm out... Up then I'm down.... Katy Perry couldn't have put it any better!

I'm hot... yes... in... up when...

• I squeeze my hubs after he tells me how great he thinks I am
• My family comes up to visit for a game (and they'll keep on coming up every other weekend for the rest of the football season!)
• I have convo's on the phone with my gooooorl frannnds "just cause"
• My mornings start off with a nice hot sweaty bootcamp workout

I'm cold... no... out... down when...

• I get home sick while my hubs works long hours and I'm home alone
• I think about wanting and needing my full-time career NOW
• It rains all day every day and I have to cover up in 3 jackets to keep warm when walking the doggies
• I think about change a-comin' really soon, and get anxious, then excited, then scurred... then down...

BUT... it's the words of wisdom that keep me going... from Pinterest, my family, my friends, my loved ones, and most of all my husband! And getting things out on my bloggy blog definitely helps! I did so on this post... and this one too! I know it will be alright as long as I keep one foot in front of the other, and keep movin' about my ways!

Source: herstardustsoul.tumblr.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for OHP, here are some of the wonderful words of wisdom Pinterest has been inspiring me with!

Source: piccsy.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Source: e-tells-tales.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Source: jac-losingit.tumblr.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Source: theloveyourselfchallenge.tumblr.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Source: conflictingheart.tumblr.com via Beverly on Pinterest

Thank you ALL for your endless support when I feel a bit blahhh... now I get why students just keep on going with school... it's a scary world to search and wait... and wait... and wait... for a start in your career! I trust in the Lord that things will work out honkey dorie though! They always do!

Don't forget to link up with Michelle for an OHP!

Last H54F...

... of September!! How can I ever depart from this lovely link up with Lauren?? TGIF! I'm happy because of course it's Friday, but sad that it's our last Friday of September!! Dear time... don't go by so fast!!!

For now, let's focus on the happy feelings of Friday, shall we? Beginning of the weekend... a day away from our game against U of A... which means a parlayyyyy heyyyyyy!! Of course, I'm linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk today... because it's F R I D A Y!! Counting down my top five fave moments of my week, here's a High Five for Friday!

:: one ::

Treated myself to this awesome possom album No Doubt released Tuesday! I will always be a fan of their music!! Love the new songs... think my fave might be Sparkle... or One More Summer... or all!!

:: two ::

My friends (aka my doggies) and I have been enjoying some mighty fine weather lately which makes our runs quite bliss.

:: three ::

I made my first batch of stuffed bell peppers for din din, and they came out DELISH (validated by my hubs)!! 

:: four ::

Had some fun putting together and sending out a care package for my younger cousin who just moved away from home for college... if you missed that post, read up on it here!

:: five ::

We are counting down until my Bestie Best gets murrrried!!! Just DAYS away from being a Mrs., and I couldn't be more excited for her!!

Isn't this the most gorg picture you've seen of a proposal?!?! In Cabo... by total surprise!!

Don't forget to link up for a High Five for Friday with Lauren!! Happy weekend my lovies!

College Life

Being a recent college graduate, I can totes understand the pressure and stress this time of year. Getting your schedule together... having to add/petition for classes if they're all full... paying an arm and leg for a book that you hardly utilize since the lecture notes cover everything word for word from the book... and on and on and on! BUT, I am glad to say all the sweat and tears of college and grad school have given me the opportunity to connect eye to eye with many other college peeps who are currently or who will be going through what I went through.... in particular my family!

I have so many cousins that are smart, talented, whitty, and full of life and pizzazz!! Some have taken the route of taking care of their family, others have taken the working route, and some of taken the college route. A group of my younger cousins started college around the same time!! I'm so proud of each of them for wanting to pursue their education, despite if it's close to home or not!! It takes a lot of strength and courage to continue your education, and I am DAYUMMM proud of these adults kiddos!

My lil' cousin, Ke'ea, recently moved up north about 6 hours away from the family for school, and it's her first time out on her own... anddd the first kid her parents have to let go (wahhhh). She had a hard time leaving home, but she DID, and that's more than a lot of people can say who never have the guts to leave home! I was so happy and excited for her, but I sooooo wish I can be there for her as she goes through her home-sickness. The next best thing?? A care package of course!! Started with some basics, but it was fun to shop for college (okay... someone else's college term)!!

1. A mini vintage-styled frame for my pic by her beside (SIKE .... I bet you anything it'll be a pic of her doggy!) // 2. Pink rose notecards to send notes to her family and friends back home in style! // 3. Sunflower journal to document the goods in her freshman year // 4. A cute floral pen to write notes in a chic manner

And of course, it wouldn't be a full care package for this girl without her sweets!!

Do you get care packages? Or is it your turn to send em?? Keep in touch with your college students and keep em' goin!

Time to pay dues!

WARNING... this post is an informative one, which means not a lotta' fancy pictures, BUT, super duper useful info lies ahead ;)

Guess what comes after the victory of finishing up grad school?... LOANS!! Yes ... all the financial aide that has helped you get through tuition... helped you buy your expensive textbooks that cost as if they were made of gold pages... helped you get that expensive statistical analysis software... helped you get the school supplies you need to get through each semester (and you know you had to shop for these things every semester... that was part of the excitement for me was getting a new planner, a new folder, a new binder, new pens and some!!). It's now time to face the challenge of paying back your lenders for all these mighty fine things that aren't covered in tuition costs.

Since I'm in this boat now, I though I would share some of the basic points with you all that may be getting ready to start repayment, or even if you're in school now, you can see what lies ahead for you!

• You must complete Exit Loan Counseling once you are out of school. This is a resource can actually give you further information about your responsibilities to your lender(s).
• For Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, you will have a six-month grace period, which begins the last day you attend school. This is great news because you're not pressured to find a job the day after school to start repayment... you have six months until they go into repayment.
• You have five different repayment plans to choose from, which work around your lifestyle. The good thing is that you can always switch it up for that one day you find your dream job making diamonds and pearls!
• If you have multiple loans and they confuse you with repayment amounts and due dates, you have an option to consolidate them into a single Direct Consolidation Loan. 
• If you want to check out the status of your loans, feel free to check them out on the National Student Loan Data System. I actually recommend checking this site each semester to check for accuracy.
• Always check with your Financial Aide office on your campus. They are there to help you with any and all questions you may have!

Whatever you do, DO NOT IGNORE THAT YOU HAVE TO REPAY THESE LOANS BACK!! They are always willing to help you out, in any situation you may be in!! I completely understand if this is overwhelming to you. It stresses me out... but not as much as it used to. Besides, with this man being my soon-to-be-husband, he'll help me fight through any battle in life!

Cause I gotta have Faith!

Happy Sunday my fellow bloggers!! I feel like it's been forever! I missed out blogging yesterday because it's been a super duper busy weekend... Finally getting wedding invitations on and poppin', sending out more surveys for my dissertation, catching up on work, baking, and getting a little bit of time to let my hair (half) down at a Coach's St. Patty's Day parlayyy! All that in one weekend...whewwwwww!

On today's LOL Sunday, I wanted to share something one of my Aunt's shared with me. In the midst of everything going on in life, we're bound to have our ups and downs.... and when I go through my downs, it's prime time I turn full force to my God, and my family! I talked to one of my Aunts today, and we had a chance to catch up, which we frequently do on the phone. School came up in our convo, and I vented to her how much pressure it is, especially lately with deadlines, data collection, editing, and some! So she ended our call by saying a prayer with me on the phone, which felt AMAZING (she is quite an expert at interpreting life through graceful words when praying!). THEN, after we ended our call, she sent me a quick email telling me how much she was still thinking about our convo, and how she had been searching for words of comfort in our God Almighty.

And those powerful and meaningful words are what I wanted to share with you all:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

- Proverbs 3:5

Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

- Proverbs 3:13

Pinned here

When I read through these verses, I feel nothing but comfort. It puts challenges and obstacles into perspective, and helps me fight through them! I know this doesn't fix my problems from here on out in the rest of my life, but it helps me get through here and now, and that's the most important time!

Pinned here

 Just some food for thought I thought I'd share with my lovely bloggers ;) Happy Sunday!

Let's plan, shall we?

Well good morning my frannnns! On this Educate me Tuesday, I wanted to take a minute and praise the single most important book in our lives (of course after the Bible!)... I never leave home without it, and I shop for purses based around if they would fit this handy-doodie book! So what is it? Guesses?..... it's my ORGANIZER! I don't care how many versions of iCalendars I have on my iPhone, Mac, iPad or even the calendars on MS Outlook! Nothing... I mean nothing beats writing down due dates, birthdays, anniversaries, important events, graduation deadlines, etc. with your favorite pen (yes I have one and it's been the same since freshman year in undergrad college!) in your trusty organizer!

BTW... if you have never picked up one of these bad boys, you MUST try one out... you will fall head over heels with how smooth this pen writes!! I've owned maybe 5 in my schooling experience... same color and same gel ink... I just replace one when it's lost or even taken!

I have always used notebook sized organizers because they give you so much space to write details on specific dates. Until...I discovered awesome possum Franklin Covey organizers!! LOVEEEED this thing, and still do! They come in all sorts of styles and colors, they have detailed lines that will help you prioritize certain tasks, they have tabbed sections for passwords, websites, finances, addresses and phone numbers, and sooo much more!

Of course, being in college meant being on a budget, which Franklin Covey sho did NOT fit in! BUT... I worked for an awesome bank for about 3 years, and one day we were ordering office supplies, and the Service Manager who took care of ordering asked us if there was anything else she thought we needed for the office. Bad news to hand over that Staples booklet with everything you can possibly think of! BOOOM! There it was... a maroon colored Franklin Covey that buttoned instead of zipped (my preference for snap styled at the time).... and so I joked around and added a Franklin Covey organizer on her list and handed it over to her. She immediately laughed.... but she didn't say what I thought she would say, like "nice try!" She asked if that's what I really wanted, and I told her WITH ALL MY HEART! ... and this sweet manager ordered it for me. She told me that she was proud I was in school and working, and if a Franklin Covey helped motivate me, then that it shall be!

That was almost 10 years ago, and I have been buying refills for that organizer SINCE. The best thing was that I didn't have to break my pocket when it came time to buy new refills... they totes sell them at Target!! They have monthly refills, weekly refills, plain and even fancy shmancy ones with floral designs!

It's so durable and user friendly which makes it so hard for me to say goodbye to it!

Moral of the blog post is to find an organizer/planner that best suites you, and don't just buy it to buy it! Use it and abuse it! Utilize every section and line in that thang! Get organized with school and life... for it's a lot to juggle!