My new kitten, babysitting, Breaking Bad, and cake!

After going through a very hard time when Joey broke up with me, I decided to find a new companion who would love me unconditionally. Her name is Eowyn and she is my 10 month old kitten. I adopted her from the humane society on April 15.

This is my mom with Eowyn. She is the sweetest kitten ever. She is also a squeaker… meaning that instead of the stereotypical “meow” that cats do, she makes a cute squeaking noise.

Mom with Eowyn. She has very pretty colors and this adorable coloring around her mouth that makes it look like she just finished eating something messy.

 However, Eowyn is very mischievous and during the first few weeks I had her, she got a little bored while I was at work and tore up some paper towels I had sitting on top of the refrigerator.

We are best friends though and I forgive her!

Of course, then she found some toilet paper to play with and I found her leisurely laying by the scene of the crime when I returned from work one night. All I could do was laugh.. a lot. Since then, we haven’t had anymore incidents.

We do sleep together every night. Excuse the picture quality, these 2 pictures were taken with my phone and bad lighting.

 :)

I also had the pleasure of babysitting Lily one morning while my sister had some errands to run.
We had lots of fun.

I acquired some new art for my bare walls thanks to a friend who educated me on the artist Tim Doyle. This is a print from one of my favorite shows, “Breaking Bad.”

 Lastly, a friend of mine recently had a birthday and requested to have a dark chocolate raspberry cake. I went all out and even put raspberry filling on the inside. Perhaps I have a future as a baker?

Impromptu Photo Shoot

My sister Ashley has become quite interested in photography over the last several months and is very talented. A few weeks ago when I was visiting, she wanted to practice taking a few pictures. It worked out because I haven’t had any pictures taken of myself for awhile and she did such a good job.

 This one is my favorite.

Ethan looks happy.

We peeked through some holes in the fence.

Ethan’s eyes are so blue!

This shot was a sneaky one I didn’t know was being taken. I was looking down at Lily.

Ethan and Lily are the best kids ever. They make me smile

Training Complete!

I know my blog has been sparse lately, but that is because I have been so busy with my new job and settling into my apartment. Today marks the last day of my 9 week training period. It has been a very tough process, but I have learned a lot and feel ready to start working. The first 4 weeks were mostly spent in a classroom learning the basics, the 5th week was mentoring with individualized support, and the last 4 weeks have been spent taking calls with a small team of tenured staff helping us whenever we had problems. It will be scary to have less support now and it is all still very stressful for me, but I have had nothing but amazing feedback from my trainers and I am starting to think that maybe I am actually doing a good job…

This is the front of the building where I work. It is a huge structure, but is really nice inside!

A Wedding! And…Thank You for Calling Your American Cancer Society!

Towards the end of January, I went to my best friend’s wedding which was held at a Quaker meeting house. It was really interesting to learn about the traditions of Quaker weddings and to be a part of it all.

The reception was held in a beautiful Victorian house in central Austin. The wedding itself was winter-themed and Cait looked like a snow princess!

I mentioned in my last post that I got a job with the American Cancer Society. I am now in my 5th week of training to become a Cancer Information Specialist. It will be my job to help constituents with their questions about cancer, patient programs, setting up transportation for treatment, finding resources, navigating insurance issues, providing event information, donations, providing financial assistance, etc. The number of things I can help with is extensive and I am not sure I have even learned all of them yet. My training lasts for 9 weeks for a very good reason. It has been a very challenging experience so far, but I am doing the best that I can to stay positive and push through. I am someone that always wants to do everything perfectly right away and it is hard for me to struggle through things so much. I am excited and grateful to work for such a great non-profit and will keep doing everything I can to be a helpful resource to those in need.

3 Years of Blogging and I’ve Moved Again!

My blog has existed now for a little over 3 years. I started my blogging career back in 2009 when I prepared for my first trip to New Zealand to study abroad. Since then, life has taken me many places and encouraged me to try many things. I have also learned many things as well. I have learned that good friends are priceless, an understanding and caring boyfriend is everything to me, my family will always be there to help me when I need it, and that there is nothing more important than good health and finding all the joy in life.

I recently made the difficult decision to move back to Austin, TX (which anyone that reads this probably already knows). Austin has seemed to have sealed itself somewhere in my heart as the place I call home. I don’t know why or how it happened, but there is simply no place like it. Maybe it is all the wonderful friends I have here or the fact that I am near my family, but there is something magical about this place.

Anyways, I have been very busy the last few weeks and the move here has been tough for me. However, the good news is that I have already found a full-time job and an apartment that I love. It also helps that my apartment is less than a mile away from where I will be working for the American Cancer Society. (I will elaborate more in my next post!)

I don’t know what the coming weeks or months will bring, but I feel more prepared and ready than I have for awhile. My best friend Cait took this picture the other day when I was least expecting it. My smile speaks volumes though.

The River Walk!

Over the holiday break, Joey came and stayed with my family briefly in San Antonio. I wanted to make the most of our time together and decided we should visit the River Walk. My dad was feeling sick, so it ended up being Joey, my mom, and me!

We did lots of walking,  saw the Alamo, and explored the shops around La Villita.

My mom was the photographer for the day… so Joey and I were the star attractions. It was actually really nice to get some photos taken of us together because often it is just the two of us and we can’t take pictures. So, thanks Mom!

There is a stage on the river where performances can be held.

We were also able to enjoy some of the Christmas lights.

In the evening, we went out to dinner at one of my family’s favorite restaurants, El Jarro de Arturo. We had a really nice time and enjoyed some delicious Mexican food.

Later in the week, Joey and I were in Austin and went to a park with my sister, her husband, and their 2 kids. Ethan really loved Joey and insisted that Joey hold his hand when we were walking and read books when we were back at the house. Also, when it was time for Joey and I to leave, Ethan asked something along the lines of, “Why does Joey have to leave when Shannon does??” Suddenly, it was no longer about the fact that I was leaving, but that JOEY was leaving. It was pretty cute. Of course, I was also jealous. Such is life.

Christmas is for Kids

I am officially an old person because I have come to the realization that Christmas is no longer all about me. Christmas is all about the children and at 23 years old, I am no longer the exciting center of attention.  This year, as my 3 year old nephew excitedly opened his gifts and everyone else’s, I smiled and understood that Christmas now has a different kind of magic for me that is just as special.

I flew back to San Antonio to spend the holidays with my family. My parents and I drove up to my sister’s house on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts and celebrate with her kids before we had our own small Christmas the next morning.

My sister and her husband had a lovely Christmas tree. (All photos in this post were taken by my sister… thanks!)

Ethan loved getting presents two days in a row.

Reid received a fancy drill. Yay for home improvement projects!

I may have been given Kerbey Lane pancake mix… because I love Kerbey Lane and their pancakes! Yum!

Also, we celebrated my Dad’s birthday (which was December 19) with a delicious German chocolate cake made by my sister. Of course, we had to light his candle twice because Ethan blew out the first candle before anyone had a chance to blink.

I had a blast at my sister’s on Christmas Eve and also enjoyed Christmas Day with my parents the next morning. However, my parents didn’t take one picture on our actual Christmas Day. I guess we are all getting a bit old.