Birthdays
Birthdays have become a time to reflect on where I have been, where I am now, and where I would like to go. They are no longer about gifts and big celebrations like they were when I was a child.
Where I have been: Life hasn't always been pleasant, but it hasn't been horrible either. There were many years that my mom and I did not get along. One time I even told her "I don't need you." I grew up in a nice, middle-class neighborhood in Houston with lots of friends. My grandmothers were completely different. One loved me for who I was no matter what. However, she lived in TN most of my life and I only saw her a couple of times a year until I went to school in SC. Then I went to visit her almost monthly. The other loved me, but was always complaining about something. Either my hair or my skirts were too long or too short. Or, I didn't hold my silverware properly...I learned to eat left handed so that she would quit complaining. This is the one who lived in Houston. I went to camp for 8 years. I was an athlete with my parents always attending and helping out at the events. We ate at a favorite restaurant, Molinas, almost weekly from the time I was born until I left for college. When I was younger I wouldn't eat the Tex-Mex food. So, when they saw us coming in the door, they would send someone to the store to buy bread to make me a grilled cheese sandwich. I eventually learned to LOVE Tex-Mex and they no longer needed to buy bread when I came in. I was able to choose the college of my choice no matter where in the country and went to Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. I have been fortunate enough to travel overseas and live in different areas along the East Coast. My dad passed away from cancer when I was 24. My mom and I became friends at that point in my life and we are very close. People even positively comment on our relationship. I received a second Bachelor's and eventually a Master's degree. I was married to a great person who unfortunately became severely depressed not long into the marriage. After two years, we called it quits and separated. A year later we were divorced. A year or so after that, I entered the PsyD program at Argosy and have been taking classes until this point. I have met some wonderful friends along the way in these last two years. Which brings me to today.
Where I am now: I am in my third year of five in the PsyD program. I work one to two days a week and provide slave labor two days a week. I am in class one day a week. My days are busy and I seem to study quite a bit. I am looking forward to returning to my alma mater for homecoming in about a week. I have not been back in ten years. It is exciting to me to be able to return and see many of my friends. I think it will also be strange to be back on campus and see all the many changes that have taken place there. I am single, no children. I have three cats and a dog who all keep me laughing. My mom and I are still great friends.
Where I would like to go: I would like to graduate and be able to open a private practice one day. I would love to meet a great guy, eventually marry, and have a family. I would love to return to Raleigh, NC and make that my home. I would love to continue to travel around the world. There are many places I have never been to and would love to explore. My motto: Have passport, will travel. Just hope that I will be able to always make time for myself and those in my life.
Where I have been: Life hasn't always been pleasant, but it hasn't been horrible either. There were many years that my mom and I did not get along. One time I even told her "I don't need you." I grew up in a nice, middle-class neighborhood in Houston with lots of friends. My grandmothers were completely different. One loved me for who I was no matter what. However, she lived in TN most of my life and I only saw her a couple of times a year until I went to school in SC. Then I went to visit her almost monthly. The other loved me, but was always complaining about something. Either my hair or my skirts were too long or too short. Or, I didn't hold my silverware properly...I learned to eat left handed so that she would quit complaining. This is the one who lived in Houston. I went to camp for 8 years. I was an athlete with my parents always attending and helping out at the events. We ate at a favorite restaurant, Molinas, almost weekly from the time I was born until I left for college. When I was younger I wouldn't eat the Tex-Mex food. So, when they saw us coming in the door, they would send someone to the store to buy bread to make me a grilled cheese sandwich. I eventually learned to LOVE Tex-Mex and they no longer needed to buy bread when I came in. I was able to choose the college of my choice no matter where in the country and went to Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. I have been fortunate enough to travel overseas and live in different areas along the East Coast. My dad passed away from cancer when I was 24. My mom and I became friends at that point in my life and we are very close. People even positively comment on our relationship. I received a second Bachelor's and eventually a Master's degree. I was married to a great person who unfortunately became severely depressed not long into the marriage. After two years, we called it quits and separated. A year later we were divorced. A year or so after that, I entered the PsyD program at Argosy and have been taking classes until this point. I have met some wonderful friends along the way in these last two years. Which brings me to today.
Where I am now: I am in my third year of five in the PsyD program. I work one to two days a week and provide slave labor two days a week. I am in class one day a week. My days are busy and I seem to study quite a bit. I am looking forward to returning to my alma mater for homecoming in about a week. I have not been back in ten years. It is exciting to me to be able to return and see many of my friends. I think it will also be strange to be back on campus and see all the many changes that have taken place there. I am single, no children. I have three cats and a dog who all keep me laughing. My mom and I are still great friends.
Where I would like to go: I would like to graduate and be able to open a private practice one day. I would love to meet a great guy, eventually marry, and have a family. I would love to return to Raleigh, NC and make that my home. I would love to continue to travel around the world. There are many places I have never been to and would love to explore. My motto: Have passport, will travel. Just hope that I will be able to always make time for myself and those in my life.
posted by Sarah | 6:59 AM
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