inspired.

yesterday was the most creative day i've had in a long time. i got some great home decor items from the thrift store and i have some pretty cute plans in store.

let's just hope they come out as cute as they are in my head.

cleaning up my act.

tomorrow will be my first official day of summer break. i'm so excited i can't stand it. and not just because the semester is over and i have time to relax, but because i have time to make some important improvements in my life.

this week is going to be about cleaning up. i'm going to clean out my desk, organize all my school and clinic materials that swallowed our apartment, and scrub every appliance and surface we have 'till our entire home sparkles like a cartoon.

i'm also going to be cleaning up what i eat. i've been interested in eating healthier for a while, and with summer here it seems like the perfect time. i read a book about what's called "eating clean" and i'm really excited to get started with it. the general principle is very simple- eat natural things because they are better for you. duh. i'm not going 100% clean right away for a couple reasons- 1. i cannot find "clean" approved english muffins. and i like those and 2. i really want to use what i can of what's already in the kitchen before i rush out and buy more food. for now my goal is to eat get about 70-80% of my daily calories from clean foods (fruits, veggies, nut, lentils/legume, whole grains, lean protein).

i know i have a lot of really unhealthy eating habits and i know it impacts my energy levels, my emotions, even my skin complexion in addition to my weight. plus, i'm just thrilled at the thought of spending the summer by the pool noshing on peach slices and cucumber salads! yum!

peanut butter.

for the first two years of our marriage, hubby and i kept creamy peanut butter stocked in the house. i don't know who bought that first jar of creamy. we never talked about it. we never talked about the peanut butter at all except to let the next one to the grocery store know we were out.

one day, hubby goes to make a pb&j and he looks over his shoulder at me and says oh-so-matter-of-factly, 'i wish you liked chunky. i miss it.'

to which i flabbergastedly, and quickly, replied 'what are you talking about? i've only been buying the creamy for you. i love chunky. chunkier the better.'

lesson learned: you always must communicate because even the littlest things shouldn't be assumed. also learned: hubby and i are even more compatible now than when we first got married. how sweet.

finals.

finals are slowly killing me. i am exhausted, nervous, and full-brained. when did cumulative finals become so popular?

the only tidbit getting me through any of this (besides the two to three lattes a day) is the knowledge that in twelve short months, i will be done with school and out in the real world making a difference in people's lives and helping those who really need it.

this morning i took a study break/forgot to ask for the weekend off and manned my work's booth at the special olympics. at first, i was annoyed at getting up early and loosing five study hours. but it was so inspiring- not only the athletes who have worked so hard to succeed in their chosen sports, but the family members who dedicate so much time, energy and love to get them there. i'm really glad i was able to experience that. i can't wait to be part of that team to help people reach their dreams. it makes the study hours a lot more bearable and meaningful.

which is good because i've already read two hundred more pages than i thought i could, and i have even more to go.