What's the name before pen-ultima?

I've taken a lot of time to set up this blog, and now I'm at a loss for what to write. I'll start with how I decided to write this. Years ago two friends (everyone will be anonymous on this blog) started a blog about their married life together. Then the updated it to include their baby. Now I have to other friends that are adventuring (is that a word?) through Africa and have this amazing blog! Here I sit, going into my fourth year living in Brooklyn, NY, still working on my master's, at another (yes another) dead end job. I'm not bitter, nor am I jealous (trust me I couldn't be happier for the people in my life). But I have the sincere feeling that I'm not moving ahead. I'm behind or at least I feel like I'm behind. I think we all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to succeed, and I am certainly guilty of this as well. My master's was a two year program, but for reasons that are inexplicable, I've turned it into a three year program. I've actually made my peace with this because I still have to pass one certification exam that has become the bane of my existence. I have a feeling the third time will be the charm! Or at least I hope so for my sanity...

A few months ago I took a job because frankly we were running out of money, which isn't difficult to do in New York City. The job is fine, but it doesn't challenge me at all. Teaching will definitely challenge me, but it seems to elude me on a daily basis. By next fall I plan to be in a classroom come hell or high water. I'm certainly going to take this exam seriously this time, although I was pretty sure I was taking it seriously the other two times.

On a good note, I will begin seeing a dietitian tomorrow. My PCP informed me that my glucose levels were a little on the high side and to combat that and the eventual on-set of diabetes, I've decided to take control. I've always eaten poorly. When I was growing up as a child my grandmother stressed having a vegetable, but it was still an aside to the hearty portion of meat and potatoes that I could eat. Now I'm finding in my mid-20s that it is impossible and dangerous to keep eating this way. I know that I cannot do this on my own. When one has been eating a certain way for 20+ years, it's not all that simple to just "learn to eat healthy", especially on your own, so I've enlisted help. My nutritionist is Samantha Rigoli. She has a very extensive website if you're in New York City and interested in dietics. I'll certainly let you know how it goes after tomorrow. I'd like to start with a cleanse of some kind. Colin is convinced they don't work, but honestly I don't care what he has to say on this subject. We have exactly the opposite eating issues, so his point is heard and deflected. I'm excited to learn how to eat, shop and cook appropriately. Personally I think I was pretty smokin' in college, and I've let that fall to the wayside and it's embarrassing and annoying, so I'm taking control to get it back.

I've lived in NYC for four years and I find this city is it's own mistress. I definitely couldn't live here the rest of my life, but I would like to stay until I'm 28 or 29. And considering I will be 27 in a few shorts months, I don't think that's asking that much. I keep thinking about living in other cities. I'd love to live in Chicago and/or San Francisco. My best friend lives in San Francisco and LOVES IT. I still haven't been there, but long to go. I'm hoping that if Colin and I get a vacation next year (keep your fingers crossed) we'll get to stay in San Francisco with my friend.

I realize that I need to start taking more pictures. Colin does not like his photo taken so we don't have that many pictures together, which saddens me. So I'm making it a goal: take more pictures. And get new boots, I need boots ;-)

Leave me some love, I'd like to hear from you.

Ciao Bellas!