New Hobby

My second knee surgery has finally been scheduled for June 13! I will be so happy when it is done. For those of you that are curious as to why I have to have another knee surgery, or I've had to explain it to you in a rush, here it goes-

Back in October of 2011, I started waking up with severe pains in both of my knees. The sounds of cracking, popping, and the feeling that my legs were about to fall off woke me up for almost a month. In September, I had my yearly physical and measured in at 5'10 1/2. After about a month of these unfortunate wake up calls, I returned to the doctor to figure out what was going on and measured in at 6'0.

Yes, I grew 1.5 inches in a month at 22 years old. Crazy, I know.

So...this is why I'm having a second round of surgery. Because of my quick growth, both of my femurs suffered from fractures, which caused my plica membrane to thicken and lodge itself between each femur. I was unable to run, could hardly drive, and trouble standing up without my knees giving out.  My right knee was operated on in February and has finally recovered.  I have finally been able to log 24-36 mile workouts a week (with knee swelling and popping in the left, but oh well)! I can't wait for the surgery to be over!

With this being said, I believe a new hobby has been formed!  My mother has decided to teach me how to sew my own clothing so I can have clothing tailored to my measurements. This weekend, we made a simple peasant dress that is right above the knee, 3/4 length sleeves, and cinches me right at my waist. We also made a really cute dress that is light, breathable, and cool enough to wear in the summer. Finding clothing in stores that fits a slender, 6' tall, hourglass figure is extraordinarily difficult- dresses are always WAY too short, finding long enough jeans is a joke, and finding shirts that are flattering with my waist measurements has been a huge challenge.

Ladies who share my frustration, if you already know how to sew, try some of these patterns-

http://www.simplicity.com/p-7500-misses-dresses-cynthia-rowley-collection.aspx

http://www.simplicity.com/p-7495-misses-plus-size-dresses.aspx

http://www.simplicity.com/p-7453-misses-dresses-project-runway-collection.aspx

http://www.simplicity.com/p-6159-learn-to-sew-misses-dresses.aspx

http://www.simplicity.com/p-5086-misses-tunic-top.aspx
 

If not, join me in learning how to sew! A lot of local craft stores offer sewing classes for a really low price. Between lessons from mom and classes over the summer, I hope to be able to make most of my fall wardrobe! Good luck!

Sarah

Challenge.

Pardon the short, potentially grammatically incorrect entry- 2.5 hours of sleep greatly diminishes my writing and editing capabilities.

Yesterday, much to my surprise, a poem and a photograph of mine was published in this year's Trillium literary journal! My poem, The River, was written as an exercise earlier this semester, and the photo was taken in Koln, Germany this past summer. Check out the work below! Also, congratulations to Abi for her first place poem, as well as Trillium for taking first place in the literary journal category at the Southern Literary Festival!

Trillium Link-

Copy this link & paste it into your URL-

http://www.piedmont.edu/art/Trillium_2012.pdf

Writing poetry is one of my passions. Poetry summons, challenges, deepens knowledge and understanding, but most of all, it heals (at least for me). This weekend, I challenge you to take a break from all of the crazy end-of-semester hoopla to try to write about something that creates a beautiful image, gives you peace, or even angers you. You never know where it might lead! Find a quiet place, get in touch with your muse, and give it a shot! If you do not feel like writing, I challenge you to exercise your mind and try to memorize a poem this week! I just memorized and recited Remember by Christina Rossetti for a class on Tuesday, and I'm currently working on memorizing The Human Seasons by John Keats. Doesn't hurt to try, right?

Here are a couple of helpful links to writing/reading poetry-

http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/Five-Poetry-Writing-Exercises

* I do not agree with putting your first drafts in the trash. Even if it is the worst thing you have ever written, keep it! It could serve a different purpose down the road. 

 http://www.writingforward.com/writing-tips/poetry-writing-tips

*Great list of tips for writing poetry!

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

*Browse through here to read about poets and their poems. This is my favorite website for poetry!

AND on top of that, I was perusing through various funky libraries. Check this out!

http://www.oddee.com/item_96527.aspx

Happy Writing/Reading!

-Sarah

Never Settle.

 
Well, after attending the Southern Literary Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, I was encouraged to start a blog- here goes nothing!

Following your dreams is something I've always struggled with because I have always been a very free floating spirit who cannot decide on what ‘dream’ to follow.' My interests are too many and far between to really settle on one thing, but right now, I have to make a decision on various opportunities given to me.
Graduation is 11 days from today, which leaves me feeling like a damsel in distress, staring at the face of an oncoming, high speed train. I, so far, do not have a job lined up for this summer, but I will be moving to one of three places in early August. Honestly, I haven't really pursued looking into it as much as I should due to family health issues, three weddings, a wedding to help plan, and my pending second knee surgery all during this summer. On top of that, I have glorious beach vacation, and I have to move out of my apartment, which has been home to me for the past year and a half.

Sigh.

Alas, I do have options for after this summer, but choosing which path to take is my unfortunate challenge. Life, so far, has presented me with three options for after graduations, which are as follows-
1. I have been accepted to Western Carolina University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. This would temporarily land me in Cullowhee/Asheville N.C. While this program would encompass my love to help others, I have some major doubts about doing this as a profession. I’m afraid of losing the compassionate, empathetic side to me that I greatly value. While this is an ideal location, the program is just the opposite for financial reasons. Considering I live outside of the glorious state of North Carolina, my tuition would run up to the substantial sum of about $60,000 for 2 years
.
Yes, $60,000. There is no way on the precious Lord's green Earth I can afford that, even after receiving my graduate degree. You may go ahead and zoom in on my empty wallet, if you wish.

2. My second option is The University of Richmond's Paralegal Law program. I would not have to pay out of state tuition, it is really affordable, includes a trip to Ireland, and it would only take me a year to complete. The starting salary out of this program would be double the starting salary of the previous, and it is incorporating all of the things that I love about English. Due to my profound interest in international, government, family, and cyber law, this could be a really great route to law school in the future. Yes, that would probably burn a hole in my already empty wallet, but paying student loans back wouldn't be quite so difficult after law school. The pros certainly outweigh the cons, so it looks like I actually may be moving to Virginia in August.

3. My third option is North Georgia College & State University's Counseling program. I just received an invitation in the mail requesting my presence at the faculty/potential grad student interview. This is not the most ideal location or program for me, but I really like keeping my options open.  

 I'm guessing you're wondering the actual point of this entry, aren't you?
Here it is. Read carefully.

At the beginning of this academic year, I truly underestimated myself and my potential; I didn't want to apply for graduate school because I did not think that I would get in, the G.R.E scared the living heck out of me, and I didn't believe that I was smart enough, period. Basically, I wanted to save myself from embarrassment. Well, low and behold, a fire was lit, and I got into grad school, have an option for a career in law, did surprisingly well on the G.R.E, and discovered that I'm actually pretty smart for a person with varying degrees of learning difficulties.

I got over my fears and reached out for opportunities.

People get discouraged and have difficulties believing in themselves. You have to have faith and confidence in yourself to succeed. Some opportunities arise, while others, like in my case, have to be sought out. Either way, believing in yourself is one of the most important things you can do for yourself life, even when your path darkens at times.

Believing doesn't cost a thing.

In the words of one of my professors (which I believe the idea might have been stolen from Jason Mraz)-
Take a leap. A net will always catch you, no matter what you decide.  

Carpe Diem,
Sarah