Beach, birthday and graduation

Wow, what a whirlwind it has been since my parents came!! They came in on Saturday, May 2nd. It was so great to see them. I stayed at my sister's house that night since we were leaving for the beach the next morning. The beach was awesome! We had great weather and it was so good just to lounge around, relax and spend time with my family!

Jordyn, Kalli and Linsey digging on the beach

Linsey and I

Mom, Dad and Trish

On Tuesday, it was a little cloudy so we went to Ripley's Aquarium. It was very interesting and we all had a blast. Then we went to Benjamin's Calabash, a all you can eat seafood buffet. It was fantastic!!!!! I ate so many steamed clams and crab legs! We were all stuffed but it was well worth it!!!

Jordyn, Kalli and Linsey in a bubble

Kalli, Jordyn and I in a 'fish tank'

Giant sea turtle

trying to pet the stingrays

We came home on Wednesday night. On Thursday, we all went to Bonefish Grill for dinner and then went to the Wizard of Oz, it was fantastic! Friday was a lounge day, my parents and I went shopping while everyone else went birthday shopping for me. We tailgated a bit and watched the Hurricanes kick major Bruin butt!

Saturday was the best day by far! Not only was it my 29th birthday but my graduation from graduate school! I had an awesome day and words cannot explain how great it feels to be done with school (hopefully forever, unless I decide to get my PhD) and be able to do more things for me and just to be lazy! I love it so far, now I just need to find myself a job in my field, everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

on the way to graduation!!!!

I did it!!!!!

Mom, Dad and I

Trish, Rob and I

Linsey, Kalli, Jordyn and Aunt Sara

I had an awesome vacation and it was just what I needed! I can't wait to start scrap booking everything!!!

I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!

I am officially done with grad school! Wow, what a feeling and it still hasn't completely sunk in yet. I can't wait to have more free time to do stuff for me and to spend with my friends and family. No more working my schedule around school! I can actually enjoy my summer this year! I can't wait for my parents to get here on Saturday and then we are off to the beach for a few days!! I plan on laying on the beach, reading my book, catching some z's and of course hanging with the fam!!!

Almost time....

WOW! I only have a week left of my classes and internship! I can hardly believe that in 3 weeks, I will have my Master's degree, the first one in my family:) I am starting to get super excited and can hardly believe that its almost over. I can't wait to have free time again!!! I am bummed about my internship being over though. I really enjoyed my time there and I have learned so much! A few of the people are taking me out to lunch on Wednesday, I am not sure the details though because anytime I ask, the subject gets changed! Unfortunately, they do not have a job for me right now but hopefully by end of May or June, they should know what grants are coming in and what will be funded for the next year. They usually keep on their students but this year has been different because of the economy, but I am on top of their list and when some funding comes in, then I should have a job. Please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me:) I am very ready to move on to the next chapter in my life and am very excited for the upcoming changes ahead. I am confident that things will start turning around for the better and I know that a job will be in my near future. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and everything will fall into place!

I am also excited that in 2 weeks, my parents will be here and we are going to the beach for 4 days, can't wait to lay on the beach and do NOTHING!!!!!

Long Weekend and Easter

I had a nice long 4 day weekend for Easter which was great since this week and next will be very stressful. I lounged around at home (doing school and internship stuff, of course), took a few naps, got my hair done, went out to dinner and spent time with the family. I spent all of Easter with my sister which was awesome. We had a great dinner, Easter egg hunt and some great family time. And now this week, its exams and assignments and finalizing everything for graduation! I see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!!

The Verzera Clan-Rob, Trish, Linsey, Kalli and Jordyn

Jordyn climbed a tree to get an egg

Linsey wouldn't stop for a picture!!!

Kalli searching in the woods

3 weeks to go!!

I have 3 weeks left of school!!!! Its hard believe its almost time for graduation. I have so much going on in the next few weeks so that will hopefully make it go by fast. This week is pretty low key and I have a 4 day weekend, yay!!! BUT, next week, hell begins. On top of 2 more homework assignments and 2 quizzes, I have a comprehensive exam, 2 papers to finish plus I need to study for my CHES exam on the 25th. And of course you need to add in my internship and working! I know it will all be worth it in the end. 4 weeks from today I will be laying on the beach relaxing with my family:) Wish me luck!!!

Is March over yet???

Its been a long week and an even longer month. I feel as though all I have done since March 5 is cry and unfortunately I am not too far off the mark. I am done with death and funerals for a very long time. It all started with my great uncle's death on February 25 and ended with my sister's mother in law's funeral today. A whole month of death, funerals and crying and I am DONE!!!! I know everything happens for a reason and GOD takes you when its your time and only gives you what you can handle but I am at my breaking point. I cannot handle another death so close to me. It broke my heart today to see my nieces cry and tell me how much they miss their mom mom. My sister told me she hopes we aren't in the same position as my brother in law for a VERY long time and I agree. I have so many emotions right now and I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. I can not honestly tell you the last night I actually slept good, let alone the last day I didn't end my day sobbing uncontrollably. Listening to my brother in law speak about his mother today was heartbreaking, it took him a few minutes to gain his composure and that is when I lost it. I tried so hard to be strong for my sister and nieces but it was difficult. I am praying for strength to get me through this very difficult time. I know I will make it but it will take some time.

I do have some good news though...ONE MONTH from today is my very last day of grad school. I will have some things to finish up before graduation but then I will be officially done!!! Can you believe it?? I can't believe its almost here! I do have a very busy month ahead with exams, certifications and papers to finish but the light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel!! Another good thing, one of my intern projects involves interviewing people participating in programs within the Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project. After the interviews, I have been writing success stories to show the legislature the success of this project since October 2008 and 2 of my stories are online. Follow the link below to read:

http://eatsmartmovemorenc.com/News/HotTopic.html?HotTopic=COPDPnews

PS-Thank you to all my friends who have supported me through this trying month! I love you guys!

Just what the Doctor ordered

Things are slowly getting back to normal. I am slowly moving on. I have been super busy with my internship and work so that has helped me keep my mind off of things. I know that Chris would want me to move on and live my life but honestly, I feel guilty having fun and being happy. I know this part of the grieving process but nonetheless it is how I feel. To make matters worse, my brother in law's mom has been battling pancreatic cancer and as of yesterday, she has 24-48 hours left to live. So I have been anxiously waiting for my phone to ring and hear the awful news.

On to some better things....As you may recall, my very good friend, Liza had a baby girl on March 2. I was supposed to take them dinner that first weekend after they came home but because of Chris's death, I was unable to. So I took them a baked ziti and garlic bread dinner last night. I was also able to hang out and catch up with Liza and the whole time I got to hold precious Hayley:) She is such a sweet baby! She had just woken up and she was looking around with her little hand propped up underneath her chin, so precious! She did start to doze off toward the end of our snuggle time. I did not want to give her up but I had a big date with Ry at 5!! I got at Ry's and he ran right into my arms! We had such an awesome night together! We played outside, made pizza together and had a little pizza picnic in the living room while we watched Toy Story. Then we shared a piece of cake and watched Finding Nemo. I gave him a bath and he had a blast putting bubbles in my hair! I have honestly not laughed that hard in awhile and it felt good! It was a great night! Just what I needed after my past 3 weeks:)