Reflection, Lessons and Pledges

School starts next Monday - 6 days. I know I will be busy and stressed and I'm prepared - I think. However, I'm not sure what exactly it will be like. I feel I am in a really good place. And looking back over this last year I'm glad I'm starting dental hygiene school this year as opposed to last. Derek and I now have a home and although that comes with more responsibilities it comes with an office that I will study in. It is more room for Derek to relax after work and have projects to do and a peaceful place for me to come home to. Also, Derek is graduated now. There is only one of us in school. He is supporting our family financially now. And I am grateful for that. He will still be very busy with work, travel, civic responsibilities and church callings but I know he will be a huge support to me this year. And he will not have homework :)

I wanted to work out more this summer. Makall and I have been running in the mornings and doing ab and core workouts. Monday through Friday. We started the end of May and have now stopped because she is out of town and we will start school. I have found a great work out station on hulu that has ab work outs we will do. In the fall Derek said he will run at night with me. And I'll sign up for a work out class again. I know that I feel better when I am active and look better. I want to keep that habit throughout my life.

It has been a great summer overall. I feel like I saw Derek less than I should have. I worked as a waitress at night so we didn't just get to hang out at nights without homework like we were looking forward to. But maybe that will help us transistion to the fall. Normally he left for work at 7:30 am and got home at 5:30pm. I left at 4pm and got home at 10:30 or 11:30. I would crawl into bed where he already was and cuddle to him smelling like a greasy restaurant. Haha. I feel I learned things from Butterburrs though. First of all, I have learned how to stay calm. When I get three tables at once they all need drinks, then salad, then put their order in, then take their food, then dessert, then the bill, then clean up their table - all times three. I learned that I am human and can only go so fast so either they will have to wait or I need to ask for help. That's another thing I learned. I am going to work very hard at school on my own and stay calm. However, there will be times when I need help - from my husband, my teachers or my classmates. So yes I have learned lessons this summer. And I thought I would be a more generous tipper by now, but now I think I'm just more critical - haha.

Here's to a new chapter in my life. By May 2011 I'll be a licenced dental hygienist. I pledge to enjoy these last two years of school. I have been a student for so long and now can see the end. I also pledge to do the best I can in my classes. September is the time when you read all of the chapter and take exceptionally good notes. I know I'll get tired and eventually do just what I have to. But these classes are different because they apply to what I will do my whole life. I want to remember that and approach those classes with a long term perspective in mind.

Welcome new chapter. Bring it on.