Weddings, midterms, and wine

Tonight marks the end of a busy week. From last Tuesday until tonight there has not been much of a break.  After moving all week I flew to Houston Friday night for my cousin's wedding weekend.  I normally would be quiet annoyed by a flight delay but sitting in the airport for 3 hours gave me time to finish all my notes for a midterm I had on Monday afternoon. That meant little to no studying during the weekend of celebrations!

Russell picked me up from the airport and we had dinner and played scattergories with my aunt, uncle and cousins. Saturday afternoon was Whit's bridal shower, followed by a dinner celebration with Russell's family for his dad's birthday. Sunday was a pretty lazy day until the wedding at 7:00.  My cousin looked beautiful and everything went as planned. It was really nice to see my entire family in the same place at the same time in what seems like forever! With a wonderful Sunday night of dancing and celebrating came a very tired Monday!  This is where things went downhill....the first TWO MIDTERMS of graduate school....

I was exhausted from the 6 a.m. flight to Dallas (which was also delayed) and then followed that by studying for a midterm and preparing Monday night another one Tuesday! Needless to say, I am alive thanks to Cafe Brazil.  Who knows how the tests went but I will hope for the best! 

Now I sit, relaxing with a glass of wine, watching Friends in my new apartment that I can finally start enjoying!

Congratulations to Whitney and Brian!!

New apartment and thanks mom :-)

It is official. I am out of the hotel and into my apartment. It has been a crazy week of moving/studying/classes but all went as well as it could have. My mom came up to help me unpack (THANK YOU!) and I couldn't have done it without her. Lots of shopping and spending money but I found some really great deals on furniture. Anyone is welcome to come visit now that I have a bed and more than just a small room to entertain you in!! 

We are exactly 3 weeks away from being finished with my practicum. It has been a whirlwind but I have learned so much. It amazes me how much they surprise me everyday.  I definitely have no desire to work this age but needless to say I have learned a lot. I meet with an advisor tomorrow to set up my schedule for the fall. It is flying by! 

So this weekend I will be heading to Houston for my cousin's wedding and to stay with Russell's family (again). They have been so nice as to not make me stay in a hotel (again) while I'm staying there. She is getting married on Sunday with shower festivities on Saturday afternoon. It should be really fun and I'm looking forward to seeing all of my family in the same place at the same time for the first time in forever.  

Here are some pictures of my new apartment, very brief but it is a work in progress: 

 

Living room with new coffee table I bought!! 

 

My Bedroom 

The Pool!!

The Front of the Complex!

I found Kerbey Lane in Dallas!

So some of us have started a weekly Sunday dinner (as of tonight).  I picked a place tonight called Cafe Brazil.  It had been recommended to me by a friend of mine that has been helping me find all the "austin-y" spots in Dallas! Think Kerbey Lane (don't worry Mom we will steer clear of here when you come to visit) and Magnolia Cafe because Cafe Brazil comes complete with a weird atmosphere, mildly bad waiters, questionable cleanliness, and delicious food.  It definitely makes me feel a little more at home.  I would recommend anyone go there!!  The food was really good and it is open 24 hours! 

Learning mommy skills....

We aren't at Baylor anymore....we went to happy hour yesterday hosted by the local NSSLHA chapter and had drinks with our professors! It is so much more relaxing and inviting!

Classes/Clients: This week was the first week with our little clients.  I know there is a lot I can't say on here because of HIPAA laws but I will explain some of the basics. We have 12 kids most are around 2 to 3 years of age.  They all have different disorders but one thing is consistent among all of them they like to cry, snot, and make messes.  I suppose all of us are not only learning therapy techniques but how to play the "mommy role."  One girl has already swapped spit with one of her kids. She was holding him in the air and drool dripped in her mouth...the best part...he was smiling and happy for the first time all day so she resisted being completely disgusted.  I think we all have stories about this. I come home covered in tears and snot most of the time from the kids burying their heads in my stomach. They are adorable though! 

On another note, Russell and I went into Austin this weekend to get Biggio and relax.  It was an awesome time and we got to do lots of Austin-like things. I'm still searching for those places in Dallas.  So far have found some GREAT restaurants...still no local coffee shop so starbucks is still the staple. Any recommendations?? 

Update on the hotel: The smell of teriyaki is finally gone...YAY!!!!

Here are pictures of where I spend most of my day and the current hotel I'm in: