Happy Happy Happy

To begin with... Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the whole wide world! I really don't get to express enough how much my papa means to me. He is the most caring, compassionate, generous, loving, supportive, and wonderful man. I could not have gotten through the past 27 years of my life (especially these past 2 difficult years) without him. He has spoiled me, loved me unconditionally, and been my rock and best supporter. I had him at every sports game, school function, and anything that I asked him to go to. Whenever I need anything, there he is and even when I don't ask for anything, he still goes out of his way. I really could never have asked for or even imagined having a better dad. Happy Father's Day Papa... you are a one of a kind, amazing, perfect father and I love you more than words can ever express. Thank you for my apartment, my car, my education, the cards, flowers, hugs, and all the love that you have shown me throughout my entire life.

I love you papa
~Emmie~

The next thing I am happy about is my portfolio is turned in! After a small crisis (part of one of my assignments got erased right before I turned it in, don't ask I'm trying to forget it), I met with my teacher and after going over everything, I hit the SUBMIT button. I AM DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS FOREVER WOOOOO HOOOO. It's really the best feeling. I am so proud and relieved. Then today I got an email from my teacher stating the following:

Hi Amy,

I graded your portfolio tonight and gave you CREDIT.

The following is the final comment I wrote:

'Amy - This is an excellent portfolio. You have met or exceeded all areas on the rubric. You have displayed meticulous attention to detail in all sections of the portfolio. Your genuine caring for your students and your concern to do well in everything you do will serve you in good stead in your work as a school counselor. Good luck in your journey! I am confident you will do well.'

Could I be happier? NO! It's a great moment in my life.

Finally, yesterday was a joyous and momentous occasion... my mom's best friend's son Scottie got married. Growing up, we lived on the same street and spent all of our time together (Scott is the oldest, then Michael who is my age, and Beth who is 2 years younger). All 4 of us were best friends, especially Michael and I who were inseparable. I had a wonderful childhood and their family played a huge part. Unfortunately we all now live in different cities and don't get together too often, so it made yesterday even more special. I had one of the best days. The wedding itself was beautiful, outside on the ocean in Malibu... we drank, ate, and danced the night away, hours and hours with friends I hadn't seen in years. After the wedding we even went to a bar so we could continue the celebration. I didn't get to take too many pictures, but I'm sure there will be lots to come from other people. Here are the ones I did snap:

Off to the wedding

Laurie and Momma- best friends for 25 years

The Schlumberger women

The ceremony

Peattie boys- Scottie and Mikey

Bridesmaids- Beth and the bride's sister

My childhood bestie

Jen and Scott saying "I do"

Sipping champagne at the after-party

Takin a break from dancing- me, Michael, his girlfriend Gina, and Beth

Bethie and Amy

Congrats Scott and Jen! May you have a wonderful marriage.

So that was my happy weekend. Today Kevin and I laid on the couch all day recovering (he joined me at the bar for the late night party scene since the wedding was very small and I went as my mom's date). Just ate some Mexican food and now back to my water and vegging! Hope everyone has a good week to look forward to! I have class Monday and Wednesday where I'm just going to sit back and listen to my classmates presentations. Cinch! Otherwise I'm going to run errands, start organizing, clean my apartment, get back to the gym, and start with the self-care. :)

It's HERE!!

COME ON 3PM!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO SUBMIT THIS PORTFOLIO AND BE DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRY HURRY HURRY PLEASE I AM READY!

I can't sit still... been dancing around my apartment since 6:30am. The anticipation is killing me! Come on come on I'm ready to pop the champagne and get the celebration started! I've been waiting for this for 2 years and 2 months, Master's Degree and Credential you are finally MINE!

Home on a Thursday!

WOW! So this is what it feels like being home at 11:30am on a Thursday! WEIRD!!!! Yesterday was my last day EVER interning and it was extremely bittersweet. I am very happy to be done, but at the same time I will miss my kids a whole lot (especially the middle schoolers). I said all my goodbyes and thank yous yesterday and Tuesday, and kept myself together pretty well. Then I spent every second of my free time working on that final portfolio... and guess what?!? I finished it yesterday before class! Everyone was soooo mad and jealous, but I worked my A$$ off to get it done. Today I will do the last minute proof reading and tomorrow I meet with my teacher to SUBMIT. After that I still have class Monday and Wednesday, but I'm just watching other people give presentations (I did mine yesterday in class and it went great). I am so happy. I came home last night and Kevin made a yummy chicken dinner. He's been great lately... even brought me flowers the other night too knowing how stressed I am. I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing boyfriend in my life. Oh and my daddy too... he helped me out by going to the store and picking up some essentials for my apartment that I never have the time to go grab. I am really the luckiest girl in the world because I have the best men in the life.

The pictures of me that I had to take down from the counseling room

Our little spot... Liz working away on last minute stuff

Flowers from Kevin

So now after I submit my portfolio, what am I going to do with myself?!?! As I said, it feels very strange sitting on my couch during the morning hours on a weekday. I still woke up early today and got up with Kevin to make him breakfast before work. Since it was only 6ish, I ended up crawling back in bed after he left and spent the early hours watching Law and Order SVU. Finally around 10 I got out of bed and ate breakfast myself. Now I've been relaxing and watching old episodes of "Make Me a Supermodel." I definitely though am going to start cleaning my car, apartment, and getting myself healthy again. I can't wait to start exercising regularly and eating healthy. I plan to hike, bake, organize, read, swim, bike, and just concentrate on my own self care for the next month or so. I physically, mentally, and emotionally need some TLC after these past 2 years and 2 months (especially after the brutal 6 weeks I've gone through).

How healthy and clean am I! The passenger seat of my car... and you can't see the 2 cups of coffee either

I can't wait for some ME time. Before I sign off... I wanted to say that Tuesday night we had a fantastic girls night at Houstons in Manhattan Beach. I went with my momma, her best friend, her daughter, and my kindergarten teacher! We have all been friends for almost 25 years... incredible isn't it! It was great to spend the evening with them catching up. I wish we all lived closer and could get together more often, but it just made the night more memorable. I love them all so very much.

With Beth- I've known her since she was in her mommy's tummy!

Beth and Lori- my kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher, friends for 22 years

All the ladies- my momma, Lori, me, Beth, Laurie

Thank you for a fabulous night!

Well that's enough for me right now. Back to bad reality TV... but hey I deserve the break :)

~Amy~

Lucas Oil Race- Glen Helen

Saturday was a FANTASTIC and much-needed fun day for us. We woke up early and were out the door at 4:30am (yes that was a little rough) to head up to the Glen Helen Raceway up in Barstow. We spent the day in the sun, watching races, and cheering on Kevin. I raced the qualifying heat with him and our friend AJ raced the actual race. Kevin did awesome and placed 16th. I'm incredibly proud of him for doing so well! We went with Beth and Damien, AJ, Kevin's cousin Marissa, and friend Amber. I didn't take a lot of pictures because my camera was dying, but I have a good amount on Kevin's camera... I'll post those once we download them on my computer. Here are some for now though.

Me, Lotso, and the racetruck

Lotso stayed on the whole race... barely! The announcer even said, "I don't know if Lotso is going to hang on for this one." It was hysterical!

With Bethie

Kevin's cousin Marissa and me

The racetrack... thanks babe for making my life always so fun.

Well I can't believe it! Today is my VERY LAST DAY interning at the high school and tomorrow is my VERY LAST DAY interning at the middle school. It's finally here!! THEN, even though my portfolio isn't due until next week, my teacher asked if some of us would submit early and yes I volunteered, which means I have to have it done by this FRIDAY! Also I have a presentation in class tomorrow (that I bumped up from next Monday, yes I'm just trying to be done). While this week is going to be crazy and hectic (I have a girls dinner tonight too- more on that later), I cannot wait to be done. Friday will be a major celebration. Even though I still have summer school next Monday and Wednesday, I'll just have to sit and listen to other people's presentations. One reason I want to be done early is because I have a birthday party this Friday night, a wedding Saturday, and Father's Day Sunday. I am really looking forward to not stressing over anything and just enjoying the entire weekend celebration. Happy Tuesday!

Final Friday

Well today is my FINAL FRIDAY interning. It's somewhat bittersweet and I've been emotional all day long. I am happy that this chapter of my life is ending (I desperately need a break and then I am looking forward to a paycheck again), however I am sad to leave. We had our last 6th grade girls group today and I will definitely miss their smiling faces, questions, funny stories, and laughs. Unfortunately due to a field trip 3 were missing, but we had a pizza party with the 4 that were there. They are such a sweet and kind group of girls and I hope that they flourish their next 2 years in middle school.

Back to interning now! I have a lot to finish up and then it's off to work more on my final portfolio. I am completely losing all motivation, energy, and overall sanity, but this is a total test of my strength and resilience. Not too much longer now and after these past 6 weeks, I know I can get through ANYTHING!!! Tomorrow Kevin has a truck race in Barstow, which will be a nice break... even though we have to be up at 4am. AH! Send winning thoughts his way!

TGIF! XOXO Amy AKA Miss S :)

Cell Phone Pics

Do you remember the days without cell phones? Back in middle school I had an awesome teal pager... my middle schoolers don't even know what a pager is! 143?! People actually called the house line and asked the parents! Wow. My favorite was 3-way calling, which sometimes turned into 20 kids on the line. Oh those were the days...

I received my first (Nokia) cell phone when I got my driver's license because I drove a car pool and this was for safety. I didn't really even start texting until my sophomore year of COLLEGE (2003/2004). Can you believe it? Now all I do is text because I'm not too fond of chatting on the phone (I like to be in person). I can't imagine living without a cell phone... and I'm sure neither can you!!

Anyway, the whole point of that was to introduce the following pictures I took/received on my cell phone (some old, some new). Not only do I love texting, but I love having a camera with me at all times.

Looking at these cute pics help get me through the long, stressful days. Only 7 more days of interning EVER and 2 more weeks of grad school!! I can't believe it!

Our little puppy dawg

A box Kevin is making me to put shells in

The bracelet my Momma made me at a church retreat- in my fav color with my name on it

A reminder note from my dad in my car... "BEER IN TRUNK" Thanks Papa!

How I feel in the mornings without my coffee... "CRANKY"

LMU champagne flutes, I plan on buying myself one on the last day of class (June 24th)

The amazing gift I got from my supervisors- a clipboard with "Amy Schlumberger, M.A."

So true right?!

My bestie

My crazy love drinking an iced coffee, while driving in the snow with the window down

The beach by my apartment

Sunset

(Not sure why they came out so small, but oh well, what can you do) Happy Hump Day!