This morning while driving to work, my favorite radio station was asking its listeners to call in and say what had happened in their lives since 2000. I didn't even think about it, but it has been 10 years since Y2K. I cannot believe I was only 13 ten years ago. That's hard to believe and even crazier to think of what all God has allowed me to accomplish these past 10 years. I want to share everything I've done in my life and I would love for you guys to tell me everything that has happened in your life. The good and the bad. So here's my list.
2000-2004: The high school years. I made a wonderful, beautiful friend named Joanna who is still my best friend. I said good-bye to my Pawpie. I graduated high school.
2004-2008: I moved to Waco, TX. These were some of the best years of my life as I completed my undergrad. work at Baylor. I made some of the greatest friends of my life. I said good-bye to my grannie. I discovered my passion in life. I got a degree in my passion in life. I graduated with a bachelors degree.
2008- 2009: I started my graduate career and made even more great life-long friends. I graduated with a masters degree. I moved back to Little Rock, AR. I found a wonderful job that I love. I bought a house.
It's hard to believe all that happened in just 10 years. I realize none of that could happen without the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings! I pray that everyone has a blessed new year, and please let me hear of your last 10 years.
I love you guys!
Alicia
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overdue Update
So....let's try this again. Obviously, I do not have a passion to blog, and I honestly just forget about it. That and I'm pretty sure Steph and maybe Lindsay are the only people that actually read this.
Let's see. When was the last time I wrote something? June 29. I guess I should talk about what's happened between then and now. a) I completed my graduate internship b) I graduated with a Masters! c) I got a job!
My life now consists of working as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a school in Little Rock called The Academy at Riverdale. I LOVE love love it! I work with the most amazing kids! I actually see them for a full hour for at least 2 times a week so I've been getting in some GREAT therapy sessions too!
Other than that, not much else is happening in this boring life of mine. I'm back in the same city as my wonderful best friend, but I dearly miss my wonderful Texas friends too. I will be flying to Houston and then driving to San Antonio in 2 weeks to attend the wedding of one of my amazing grad. school friends, Elaine. I cannot wait to see the gorgeous bride and some other friends!
And this next weekend, Joanna and I will be driving to Jonesboro to see The Fray:) perform. I'm super excited about that one too! So at least I have something to look forward to for the next two weekends!
I hope anyone who might read this is doing well!
Let's see. When was the last time I wrote something? June 29. I guess I should talk about what's happened between then and now. a) I completed my graduate internship b) I graduated with a Masters! c) I got a job!
My life now consists of working as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a school in Little Rock called The Academy at Riverdale. I LOVE love love it! I work with the most amazing kids! I actually see them for a full hour for at least 2 times a week so I've been getting in some GREAT therapy sessions too!
Other than that, not much else is happening in this boring life of mine. I'm back in the same city as my wonderful best friend, but I dearly miss my wonderful Texas friends too. I will be flying to Houston and then driving to San Antonio in 2 weeks to attend the wedding of one of my amazing grad. school friends, Elaine. I cannot wait to see the gorgeous bride and some other friends!
And this next weekend, Joanna and I will be driving to Jonesboro to see The Fray:) perform. I'm super excited about that one too! So at least I have something to look forward to for the next two weekends!
I hope anyone who might read this is doing well!
Monday, June 29, 2009
"Love isn't borrowed; We aren't promised tomorrow."
Okay, so I know I owe you guys another post. I promise I have been working on it. It's just taking me a LONG time to finish it up. So I thought I would post in between just to let you guys know I am still alive. Here's what's going on in my life right now.
1. My internship...I love it! I have a hilarious supervisor, great colleagues, and fabulous patients. I love it when I get a taste of someone's personality even when they are in pain and miserable in the hospital. I get so encouraged when a patients whose life is about to be changed forever still has a positive attitude and can say "At least I'm not dead." I have no right to complain about my life.
2. Job searching...I actually have three job interviews this week. I'll keep you updated on how they go. I'm hoping to find a winner because I don't enjoy this at all. Please pray for guidance during this big decision time.
In other news, I miss Texas. More specifically, my friends in Texas. I cannot wait to give you guys a huge hug come August!
I hope you guys have an absolutely fabulous week! I challenge you to find something positive about every moment of every day.
Ah, yes. And a new game. I'm going to put song lyrics as the title of my posts from now on. See if you can find the song and the artist. But knowing my taste in music, this might be a little more difficult then expected. Good luck!
1. My internship...I love it! I have a hilarious supervisor, great colleagues, and fabulous patients. I love it when I get a taste of someone's personality even when they are in pain and miserable in the hospital. I get so encouraged when a patients whose life is about to be changed forever still has a positive attitude and can say "At least I'm not dead." I have no right to complain about my life.
2. Job searching...I actually have three job interviews this week. I'll keep you updated on how they go. I'm hoping to find a winner because I don't enjoy this at all. Please pray for guidance during this big decision time.
In other news, I miss Texas. More specifically, my friends in Texas. I cannot wait to give you guys a huge hug come August!
I hope you guys have an absolutely fabulous week! I challenge you to find something positive about every moment of every day.
Ah, yes. And a new game. I'm going to put song lyrics as the title of my posts from now on. See if you can find the song and the artist. But knowing my taste in music, this might be a little more difficult then expected. Good luck!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
My treasures...My friends
I'm so excited as to what I am about to do. This may occur over a few posts, but I want to include a little blurb about my favorite people and why I love them. Just because you don't make it in this post does not mean I like you less or anything of the sort. This is all equal ground. I will try to do 5 each post.
Joanna: She has been my best friend for a long time now. I knew her since 5th grade, but we didn't really become friends until 9th grade. I can't really even remember what brought us together, but I
'm oh-so-grateful for it. Just some reasons why Joanna means so much to me:
1. She is gorgeous on the outside, but even more on the inside. She has such a loving heart for people and longs to serve God in everything she does.
2. Where Jo and Alicia go, fun ALWAYS follows.
3. She has stuck by my side through thick and thin. Even when I wasn't always by her side.
4. She doesn't care about stupid, arrogant mistakes that I may make.
5. She has been through a lot in her lifetime, but still stands as a strong, beautiful woman of God.
Samantha: Samantha and I met my freshman year at Baylor. She lived across the hall from me. I thought she was extremely shy. She never called me by name because she didn't know if I was Alicia or my roommate. Thankfully, her roommate stole a doorstop from Tidwell Bible Building and her life was never boring again. Haha! And besides, we are twins so it makes sense that we'r
e friends too. Sammie Jo holds a special place in my heart because:
1. She has an amazing, positive outlook on life.
2. She puts up with my singing and understands my secret language that I try to speak while brushing my teeth.
3. She loves being an encourager to others, even if she needs encouragement more.
4. She makes me want to strive to be a better person everyday.
5. She shares my love of Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Gilmore Girls, and peanut butter m&m's.
3. Katie: I met Katie freshman year at Baylor. We were both in a journey group through the BSM. The first remembran
ce I have of Katie is as follows: I had met Ethany already and then I met Katie. Ethany whispered to me, loud enough for Katie to hear, "That's Katie. She's weird." Katie is so amazing because:
1. She can make me smile at anytime. I absolutely love getting voice messages from her that are simply her singing "Alisha Patiyo...lalalalalala". I never get tired of those.
2. She keeps me accountable. She asks me questions that cause me to think and know exactly why I think/believe something.
3. She has amazing discipline. She is unfaltering in her morals and beliefs. She is very careful to do what is right no matter what others may think of her.
4. She makes every person feel welcome and included. She will make friends with a stranger in no time.
5. Of course, everyone loves her because she's special:). Actually, she is special. I love that she's real, kind, loving, and supportive.
Kristen: I did not meet Kristen until my senior year of college. She came to Baylor for graduate school from Harding in AR. Katie actually befriended her first, and then I met her and the rest is history. We actually have the exact same birthday too so that makes our friendship extra special:). Why I think
Kristen is so special:
1. Kristen is so good at listening. She's a quieter person, especially compared to me, and everything she says is said intentionally.
2. She glides through life with amazing grace. I know that sounds corny, but I see her as an exceptionally graceful person. In the way she carries herself, in the way she treats others...I really like that quality about her.
3. She has a great work ethic. I realized that so much now with her current job. It is not anything she wants, but she works hard because she just believes it's right. I believe it shows Christ through her.
4. She is a genuine friend. She wants to know about you and offers great encouragement.
5. She, as well, is a huge Gilmore Girls fan. I'm noticing a pattern with GG haha. I love that I can make a reference to an obscure episode and she laughs.
Ethany: I met Ethany freshman year. Remember, she's the one who told me that Katie's weird. We were in a journey group together, but I do believe I met her initially through a mutual friend on my hallwa
y. A few reasons why Ethany is fabulous:
1. I love her love of knowledge. She loves reading and knows so much information. She refers to things sometimes that I've never even heard of, but she could probably be an expert on it.
2. She has such a sweet spirit. I love when she calls me and says "Leashie!" because I know she is truly excited to talk to me.
3. She has strong beliefs and follows through with them. I love to see her standing strong for what she knows is right.
4. She is about as random as me which makes things so hilarious. She's been known to make odd comments that makes everyone just laugh out loud. I keep thinking back to the time that she gave up boys for Lent:).
5. She has a strong compassion for people. She's a nurse and I think it's a perfect fit for her because she will show these people love that they may not get from someone else. Her patients are lucky people!
**I loved doing this. It helped me to acknowledge the great qualities in my friends and be thankful that I've been able to make such great friends.**
**Next blog, my grad. school buddies!**
Joanna: She has been my best friend for a long time now. I knew her since 5th grade, but we didn't really become friends until 9th grade. I can't really even remember what brought us together, but I
'm oh-so-grateful for it. Just some reasons why Joanna means so much to me:1. She is gorgeous on the outside, but even more on the inside. She has such a loving heart for people and longs to serve God in everything she does.
2. Where Jo and Alicia go, fun ALWAYS follows.
3. She has stuck by my side through thick and thin. Even when I wasn't always by her side.
4. She doesn't care about stupid, arrogant mistakes that I may make.
5. She has been through a lot in her lifetime, but still stands as a strong, beautiful woman of God.
Samantha: Samantha and I met my freshman year at Baylor. She lived across the hall from me. I thought she was extremely shy. She never called me by name because she didn't know if I was Alicia or my roommate. Thankfully, her roommate stole a doorstop from Tidwell Bible Building and her life was never boring again. Haha! And besides, we are twins so it makes sense that we'r
e friends too. Sammie Jo holds a special place in my heart because:1. She has an amazing, positive outlook on life.
2. She puts up with my singing and understands my secret language that I try to speak while brushing my teeth.
3. She loves being an encourager to others, even if she needs encouragement more.
4. She makes me want to strive to be a better person everyday.
5. She shares my love of Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Gilmore Girls, and peanut butter m&m's.
3. Katie: I met Katie freshman year at Baylor. We were both in a journey group through the BSM. The first remembran
ce I have of Katie is as follows: I had met Ethany already and then I met Katie. Ethany whispered to me, loud enough for Katie to hear, "That's Katie. She's weird." Katie is so amazing because:1. She can make me smile at anytime. I absolutely love getting voice messages from her that are simply her singing "Alisha Patiyo...lalalalalala". I never get tired of those.
2. She keeps me accountable. She asks me questions that cause me to think and know exactly why I think/believe something.
3. She has amazing discipline. She is unfaltering in her morals and beliefs. She is very careful to do what is right no matter what others may think of her.
4. She makes every person feel welcome and included. She will make friends with a stranger in no time.
5. Of course, everyone loves her because she's special:). Actually, she is special. I love that she's real, kind, loving, and supportive.
Kristen: I did not meet Kristen until my senior year of college. She came to Baylor for graduate school from Harding in AR. Katie actually befriended her first, and then I met her and the rest is history. We actually have the exact same birthday too so that makes our friendship extra special:). Why I think
Kristen is so special:1. Kristen is so good at listening. She's a quieter person, especially compared to me, and everything she says is said intentionally.
2. She glides through life with amazing grace. I know that sounds corny, but I see her as an exceptionally graceful person. In the way she carries herself, in the way she treats others...I really like that quality about her.
3. She has a great work ethic. I realized that so much now with her current job. It is not anything she wants, but she works hard because she just believes it's right. I believe it shows Christ through her.
4. She is a genuine friend. She wants to know about you and offers great encouragement.
5. She, as well, is a huge Gilmore Girls fan. I'm noticing a pattern with GG haha. I love that I can make a reference to an obscure episode and she laughs.
Ethany: I met Ethany freshman year. Remember, she's the one who told me that Katie's weird. We were in a journey group together, but I do believe I met her initially through a mutual friend on my hallwa
y. A few reasons why Ethany is fabulous:1. I love her love of knowledge. She loves reading and knows so much information. She refers to things sometimes that I've never even heard of, but she could probably be an expert on it.
2. She has such a sweet spirit. I love when she calls me and says "Leashie!" because I know she is truly excited to talk to me.
3. She has strong beliefs and follows through with them. I love to see her standing strong for what she knows is right.
4. She is about as random as me which makes things so hilarious. She's been known to make odd comments that makes everyone just laugh out loud. I keep thinking back to the time that she gave up boys for Lent:).
5. She has a strong compassion for people. She's a nurse and I think it's a perfect fit for her because she will show these people love that they may not get from someone else. Her patients are lucky people!
**I loved doing this. It helped me to acknowledge the great qualities in my friends and be thankful that I've been able to make such great friends.**
**Next blog, my grad. school buddies!**
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
"My flesh and my heart may fail...
...but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Can you believe it? I'm updating twice within the same week! Go me!
But I feel this update is more of a vent session about myself. About my ridiculous spirit that has taken over recently. About the bitterness, hatred, and negativity that has built up in my spirit lately and wreaked havoc.
I don't feel the need to explain the entire situation because I don't feel it would help anyone better understand the situation. Also, I'm pretty sure it would also stir up more sinful emotions in me that are already pretty difficult to ignore. Many of you (because so many read this) probably already know exactly what I am referring to.
Today was the breaking point. It pushed me past the point of trying to ignore it, and toward the point of blatantly sinning. I stewed in one of my classes today, focusing on nothing past this topic, and came out in the worst mood ever. It was all downhill from there. Then I get home, complain to my roommate for a while, and stew even longer.
Then I get online and read the blog of a person that I've never even met. She talked about taking thoughts captive before they take you captive! That was like an arrow through the heart! I have let these thoughts take root in my mind and they were growing into a horrible, tangled mess. And now here I sit diving into the Word to sort all this out.
No specific verse was coming to mind so I go to the concordance in my Bible, which by the way is in Spanish (so then I go pull out my Spanish-English dictionary to find out how "bitterness" translates into Spanish)...and I go to the first verse I see. Psalms 73. So I start reading it, first thinking that this is NOT what I need to hear. And then I get to verse 21. Here's what I read:
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73: 21-26.
How ignorant of me to focus on this silly thing for so long. My flesh and my heart will ALWAYS fail, but God will ALWAYS be the strength of my heart forever. You can rest on that fact, my friends!
Can you believe it? I'm updating twice within the same week! Go me!
But I feel this update is more of a vent session about myself. About my ridiculous spirit that has taken over recently. About the bitterness, hatred, and negativity that has built up in my spirit lately and wreaked havoc.
I don't feel the need to explain the entire situation because I don't feel it would help anyone better understand the situation. Also, I'm pretty sure it would also stir up more sinful emotions in me that are already pretty difficult to ignore. Many of you (because so many read this) probably already know exactly what I am referring to.
Today was the breaking point. It pushed me past the point of trying to ignore it, and toward the point of blatantly sinning. I stewed in one of my classes today, focusing on nothing past this topic, and came out in the worst mood ever. It was all downhill from there. Then I get home, complain to my roommate for a while, and stew even longer.
Then I get online and read the blog of a person that I've never even met. She talked about taking thoughts captive before they take you captive! That was like an arrow through the heart! I have let these thoughts take root in my mind and they were growing into a horrible, tangled mess. And now here I sit diving into the Word to sort all this out.
No specific verse was coming to mind so I go to the concordance in my Bible, which by the way is in Spanish (so then I go pull out my Spanish-English dictionary to find out how "bitterness" translates into Spanish)...and I go to the first verse I see. Psalms 73. So I start reading it, first thinking that this is NOT what I need to hear. And then I get to verse 21. Here's what I read:
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73: 21-26.
How ignorant of me to focus on this silly thing for so long. My flesh and my heart will ALWAYS fail, but God will ALWAYS be the strength of my heart forever. You can rest on that fact, my friends!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tests, tests, and more tests
My goal is to update this blog once a week. As you can tell, that's one goal I am currently not meeting. Oh well, I think only two people read this anyways. So here's my update.
My life for the past couple of weeks (I think saying months would be a lie) has consisted of studying for two tests that I have to take in order to graduate and get my license to eventually practice as a Speech Pathologist.
Test #1: PASS!!! Woo-hoo! (this one is in order to graduate from Baylor)
Test #2: Completed!!! Woo-hoo! I took that one today and won't know my scores for about a month.
Test #2, called the Praxis, was much harder than anticipated. Darn Speech Science! But as long as I passed, I don't really care!
And I can give you a job update too...I don't have one! I am working hard at it, though. I have been offered a job with a company out of California. Once I sign a "non-binding" contract (which I really need to remember to fax on Monday...anyone feel free to remind me), then they will begin looking for a job placement for me...in Texas. Scary thought right there! I have an interview at the end of May for job in a school system outside of Little Rock. We'll see how that goes. And I have applied to another school system, but haven't heard back from them yet. I have at least three more places to apply. That can be on tomorrow's to-do list. And my mother is constantly on the hunt for more jobs for me.
So now that those tests are complete, it's time to focus on finals. And then packing...with lots of crying!...and getting rid of things. I have so much accumulated junk from the last 5 years! It will be interested to see what I find.
Leaving Waco is going to be pretty hard on me, so feel free to keep me in your prayers. My specific prayer has been that I will enjoy every minute I have left here, and then that I will be blessed with good friends back in AR (besides Joanna, I've already been blessed with her for...9 years? Wow, time sure does fly!)
Anything specific prayer needs you guys have?
My life for the past couple of weeks (I think saying months would be a lie) has consisted of studying for two tests that I have to take in order to graduate and get my license to eventually practice as a Speech Pathologist.
Test #1: PASS!!! Woo-hoo! (this one is in order to graduate from Baylor)
Test #2: Completed!!! Woo-hoo! I took that one today and won't know my scores for about a month.
Test #2, called the Praxis, was much harder than anticipated. Darn Speech Science! But as long as I passed, I don't really care!
And I can give you a job update too...I don't have one! I am working hard at it, though. I have been offered a job with a company out of California. Once I sign a "non-binding" contract (which I really need to remember to fax on Monday...anyone feel free to remind me), then they will begin looking for a job placement for me...in Texas. Scary thought right there! I have an interview at the end of May for job in a school system outside of Little Rock. We'll see how that goes. And I have applied to another school system, but haven't heard back from them yet. I have at least three more places to apply. That can be on tomorrow's to-do list. And my mother is constantly on the hunt for more jobs for me.
So now that those tests are complete, it's time to focus on finals. And then packing...with lots of crying!...and getting rid of things. I have so much accumulated junk from the last 5 years! It will be interested to see what I find.
Leaving Waco is going to be pretty hard on me, so feel free to keep me in your prayers. My specific prayer has been that I will enjoy every minute I have left here, and then that I will be blessed with good friends back in AR (besides Joanna, I've already been blessed with her for...9 years? Wow, time sure does fly!)
Anything specific prayer needs you guys have?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
I am currently listening to my roommate belt out a song, which is a usual occurrence these days. If not her, it's me. But it's times like these I wish I could put on hold. I would pull out the camera, but it will only hold so many minutes and it cannot capture the perfectness of this moment. Any other time, I would probably be whining that I need to study for my comps test. But I know what's coming in just a few weeks so I gladly listen.
I am trying with every fiber of my being to live in the present. I want to be a sponge for the next few weeks. Enjoying life to the very last drop. But then I have to ask myself: why didn't you do this for the last 5 years? I knew college was short, and I found out quickly oh-so-sweet. However, I was too busy thinking of the future to focus on the blessings of the now.
Now I sit, becoming an emotional wreck every time I think of leaving, of not seeing beloved friends every day, of not being able to walk out my door and walk just a few feet to my see my best friends. But where does this get me? Nowhere, that's where!
So for the next however many weeks I will cry and hug a lot, but I will not miss out on any more moments. I will not worry about what I'm going to do this summer, whether I will find a job, whether I will live with my parents or move out, whether I will travel elsewhere... There's just too many unknowns that I am making myself miserable.
So, before I go to bed, dream of muscles of mastication, and wake up to another day of studying (or cramming...I cannot decide if I'm at that point or not), I promise to myself that I will live in every single second of this beautiful destiny that I am traveling. Hold me accountable, people. I need it.
I am trying with every fiber of my being to live in the present. I want to be a sponge for the next few weeks. Enjoying life to the very last drop. But then I have to ask myself: why didn't you do this for the last 5 years? I knew college was short, and I found out quickly oh-so-sweet. However, I was too busy thinking of the future to focus on the blessings of the now.
Now I sit, becoming an emotional wreck every time I think of leaving, of not seeing beloved friends every day, of not being able to walk out my door and walk just a few feet to my see my best friends. But where does this get me? Nowhere, that's where!
So for the next however many weeks I will cry and hug a lot, but I will not miss out on any more moments. I will not worry about what I'm going to do this summer, whether I will find a job, whether I will live with my parents or move out, whether I will travel elsewhere... There's just too many unknowns that I am making myself miserable.
So, before I go to bed, dream of muscles of mastication, and wake up to another day of studying (or cramming...I cannot decide if I'm at that point or not), I promise to myself that I will live in every single second of this beautiful destiny that I am traveling. Hold me accountable, people. I need it.
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