so bitter and some sweet

today is a weird day.  it is my last day of work at my current location.  the agency i work for is opening up a site that is a closer commute for me, so i am going to be a clinician at that location starting monday.  and oh boy... i am feeling so torn. 

i am excited for the new adventure that is fast approaching.  i get to help open a clinic! what???  it's going to be wild and crazy and it will bring on a different set of challenges.  i am excited it is finally here; this has been in the works for months and months.  i am excited (and nervous) for the ways it will make me stretch and grow.  i am excited for the new people i will get to meet and learn from.  i am really excited for the shorter commute (no tolls!!) and not having to sit in traffic.  i'm excited that i get to be a part of this whole thing that will give me professional experience in a different way. 

even with all this excitement... i am incredibly sad to be leaving the team that made me a clinician (although one is coming to the new site, YAY!).  i have learned so much from them.  i started as a mere intern with almost no clinical experience and i didn't know much about CBT and DBT, except that everyone said they work.  i have obtained so much knowledge and experience here.  my supervisors have pushed me to grow and supported me along the way.  growing and learning is such a painful process.  well, this team has witnessed my growth and given me just what i needed to come out breathing on the other side.  i have developed deep friendships with my co-workers which is one of the only things that is making this a little more tolerable... i know i will continue to have these wonderful people in my life, as life-long mentors and good, good friends.  i am beyond grateful for each of them.  hugs all around!

calligraphy

a couple months ago, i emailed my parents about their favorite quotes, so i could practice my calligraphy skills.  this is what i ended up with...

for my mom:

for my dad:

giving thanks #18

i'm thankful for calligraphy.

who knew writing could be so fun!?

night in

tonight jeremy was off bbq-ing with the young men from the spanish branch, so being home alone and car-less, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to start a new hobby (they are my favorite things to collect).  i lit some lovely-scented candles, tuned into pandora, and started to explore the ink, nibs, strokes, etc of the art called calligraphy.  i got calligraphy supplies as well as access to an online class for graduation back in may and i have been waiting for the right time to bust it out.  now that jeremy is too busy learning about teeth to play with me in the mornings, delving into a new art seemed appropriate.

don't be fooled... i traced all those letters.

 it was pretty slow-going to start. of course there are the occasional frequent blobs of ink... this is tricky business, but i'm starting to get it more and more.  i have a loooong ways to go and i am excited to learn.  i tend to think i am supposed to be awesome at things when i first try them, which is completely unrealistic and discouraging.  i need to remember to be patient with myself. i try tell myself this and at the same time i think... i can't wait to get good at calligraphy.  learning curves stink!