You may call me Ms. Pink

Yesterday I had a second meeting with an advisor about the beginning steps of being admitted to grad school.

Step 1. Get ready for the Praxis 1.

Apparently, I need to get going on this right away as the test scores take awhile to come in. I ordered some study materials and have been looking at sample test questions online. So far it looks like I will be fine. The math is only up to a 10th grade level and the reading/writing won't be a problem for me. I'm still nervous though! I hate tests.

I'm so excited though! I really want to get started right away! As of now I'm definitely getting a reading endorsement and am considering a special education education endorsement. Special ed is in such high demand right now and it could be the difference between getting a job or not getting a job. I understand the commitment that is and I want to observe some special ed classrooms but for now that is what I am leaning towards.

I really hope this works out. Right now it just feels right. I know that I what I am doing now is not something I will be happy doing forever and this feels like something I could be happy doing. I'm going to start subbing on my days off during the week just to get a feel for being in the classroom and see how I like it. I think that will tell me A LOT.

Any teachers out there got advice for me? What endorsements do you suggest?

What are you wondering?

All week I have been thinking it's one day ahead. Like today, I was thinking it was Thursday all day and was excited about watching Grey's when I got home.

Nope. Sorry, Amber. It's only Wednesday. D'oh!

Tonight we took a trip 30 miles north to heaven on Earth and took in an ISU basketball game. They didn't win, but it's still fun to go back to the place I spent the best years of my life so far. Iowa State University! :) Cy and I joke around a lot that we probably ran into each other many times on campus and didn't know it. Sometimes I wish we had met back then, but then we might not be where we are today!

I loved college and I'm serious when I say there were the best four years so far. Don't get me wrong, I know there are amazing years to come (hello! I can't wait to have kids!) but nothing will compare to being 19-22 and semi on your own with the only worries being about classes and tests. Ahhhhh.... those were the days.

Lately I have noticed a lot of bloggers doing the "ask me anything" posts and I've been going back and forth if I wanted to follow suit and do the same.

I'm super curious about what you're super curious about so.... ask away! Ask me anything! I promise I will answer all of your questions as truthfully as I possibly can!

Best book haul ever!

Whenever I have Sundays off Cy and I do pretty much the same thing. We get up (usually hungover, and this past weekend was no different) and sometimes go to church (although, I don't think we have been together since before Christmas) and then we go get some breakfast or lunch.

After that we go to Half Price Books. Ahhhhhh, heaven on Earth.

I introduced Cy to this store when we met and it's become sort of a tradition for us. First we walk over to the "newer" section, then to the dvds and then we usually separate. I go to the fiction section and he goes to the section with the biographies on US presidents.

This time I finished shopping first and headed over to find Cy. I got distracted though... I was distracted by.... A NEW FICTION SECTION! (Yes, that deserved to be shouted) There were two glorious sections full of books that I had been pining for. Usually I'm pretty unimpressed with their selection, but this time I was like a kid in a candy store. I don't know where these came from! I know they turn a lot of people away that try to sell books because they just don't have the space for it, so I'm wondering if these were stored somewhere? This particular location of Half Price Books is actually moving to a larger space down the street soon and I cannot wait!

I was in the section for a good 20-25 minutes and since it was new Cy didn't know where I was. He said he circled the store at least two times before finding me. Once he did his eyes about bugged out of his head because I had an armful of books. I put some back though...

Here is what I decided needed to come home with me:

Two books by Nicholas Sparks. Since, you know, my love for Mr. Sparks has been restored.

The Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. Shannon was reading this last week and raved about it, so when I saw it I knew I had to buy it.

I bought Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld since the copy I read was borrowed from the library. Curtis Sittenfeld has become one of my absolute favorite authors and I hate that she only has three titles out. I want more from her!

Then I bought Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult replacing the copy I bought when it first came out. I lent it to a friend and never got it back. :( Don't you hate that? That's the worst thing you can do to a booklover.

I have been buying books like crazy lately. Last year I did so good on my "no buying books" commitment and so far in 2010 I have probably bought more books than I bought in all of 2009! Sigh.

I seriously cannot stop thinking about this new section of the store. It was awesome! Think lots of chick lit and popular contemporary authors... I considered going back again today, but I think five books is plenty.

Do you buy or borrow more? Do you have a Half Price Books near you?

Just a little Nicholas Sparks love...

Earlier this year I promised to write a review of every book I read in 2010 and I'm holding myself accountable for that promise! Since The Da Vinci Code I have only read two books. Can you believe it? I think I'm still trying to find my comfort zone being in this relationship and combining new habits with old ones. ;)

I read Dear, John and The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I used to read his books almost as soon as they came out, but a few years ago I think I got bored with them but after reading these two I think I'm back on the Nicholas Sparks bandwagon! So without further ado, here goes!

I bought Dear, John at that really cute bookstore in Cy's hometown so it will always remind me of that day!

This book, like all of Nicholas Sparks' books was a fast and easy read. It was definitely a tear jerker and made me really think about the different kinds of love we have for people. It also made me think about a comment that Amber wrote recently about fate and soul mates. I do believe there is one person that is made for you. Your true complement that God has planned for you, that person that immediately feels like family. But, I also believe that there are several people that you could spend the rest of your life with that, although are not your soul mate, you could live your life happy with.

On Friday I saw the movie, and I have to say I was very unhappy. If I hadn't read the book I probably would have liked the movie but some of the changes made were unnecessary and made the entire story awkward.

Have you read Dear, John or seen the movie? What did you think?

Right after I finished Dear, John I picked up The Last Song.

At first I was a little resistant of this one because I knew the role of Ronnie was practically written for Miley Cyrus. Not that I don't like Miley Cyrus, I'm just a little Miley'd out from the past few years.

This book was predictable Nicholas Sparks, but was still a page turner for me. I don't even know what to write without giving away the entire book, so I don't think I am going to write much. I'm really, really looking forward to this movie now and can't wait to go see it. I get the feeling (and really hope) that this one is going to be a hit like The Notebook and A Walk To Remember.

There are several more Nicholas Sparks books that I haven't read yet like The Choice and The Lucky One and I'm really looking forward to picking them up! His books always leave me feeling inspired and I love it!

Are you a fan of Nicholas Sparks?

Actually glad the weekend is over...

I know, I know. I'm glad the weekend is over??! Sounds crazy right? But, if you were me you would totally understand.

This has been a tough week and you can see it in my face. My eyes are bloodshot and my chin has broken out. Don't ya just hate what stress does to your body?

This morning we had our annual physical inventory at 5am and all week we had to prep for it. For those of you wondering what that entails... basically we have to count each and every item in the store, which totals to almost 30,000 pieces. I shouldn't take all the credit though, I had a great team from RGIS (retail grocer inventory solutions) that came in and did all the scanning. I got really lucky this time around, they can make or break your inventory experience.

Also, Saturday was the last day of January for us and I needed to make $14,000 to make my sales plan for the month and bonus. I was a little bummed as I headed out because we were only on track to do about $10,000. Well, right around 10pm last night I got a text from one of my assistants saying we made it! I was so pumped and so proud! I just love it when hard work pays off!

Now, the real doozy that's been getting me down. A year ago this week the company I worked for before now closed. I still can't believe it's been a year and I still miss it just as much. It really is like I've lost an incredible friend.

You can read all about my experience with them here.

I sincerely hope everyone had a much better weekend then me! ;)

Giveaway winner = early birthday present!

About a week ago I found out I won an awesome giveaway hosted by Jessica and LuShae Jewelry!

I was allowed to choose any piece of jewelry, FREE! It was soooo hard deciding because all of the jewelry was so cute! I kept gravitating towards the necklaces as I have been wanting a nice "everyday" necklace, buuuuuut apparently I have a custom made "everyday" necklace on it's way to me, so I resisted the urge to pick out a necklace. Instead I picked out some adorable earrings!

I just recently sent in my order, less than a week ago and they're already here! I was shocked just now when I checked my mail! (And actually a little nervous while opening up the small box. My imagination can go crazy sometimes.)

Here are what they look like,

They are made of sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Aren't they cute? I figured I could use a nice pair of earrings when I want to dress up. I tend to just throw on plain ol' silver hoops with everything and these are very versatile. Don't cha think?

I just checked the website and this style is now out of stock!

This was a great surprise birthday present and I can't wait to wear these! Thank you Jess and LuShae Jewelry!!

My crazy fast week!

Oh my gosh I haven't posted in FIVE days!

::very sad face::

This week went by very fast, or actually I should say last week went by very fast. It is Sunday after all.

I wish I could say I have been up to some fun stuff, but I haven't. Just working. Working, working, working!

Although, on Thursday I did have a meeting at a school that I am really interested in and I think I may have found what I am looking for!

Since I already have a bachelors degree, I didn't see the point in going back to school for another bachelors degree but what I want to do now has nothing to do with what I did my undergraduate work in. Luckily, this school has a program for people just like me.

This program results in a Masters of Science in Education and will give me licensure as an elementary school teacher. The other schools I was considering did not have this option for elementary education and unfortunately that isn't an option for me. I specifically want elementary.

It will take three years because I am working full time while going to school, but I am so excited! I feel like this is what I am supposed to be doing and what I can be happy doing for the rest of my life. Scary stuff! The rest of my life? When I say that I feel so old.

Hopefully I get in though! I still have to get two letters of recommendation and take two tests. Luckily, I do not have to take the GRE or the GMAT. I have to take an essay test that is unique to this school and the Praxis I. I hate tests, so they are making me a little nervous but all I can do is prepare!

So... that is pretty much the excitement in my life right now. I haven't told my current boss, but I am going to wait until it's a done deal to do that. I'm going to get moving right away on the letters and tests because I want to start classes this summer. I know, I'm crazy huh?!

What has been going on with all of you?! I'm trying to get through my Reader, so look for my comments soon! :)