Not yet M.A., but 1/3 closer to CCC

Great news! BSILF, CHK, and I passed the Praxis! We are that much closer to being nationally licensed and obtaining the CCC after our name.

Congratulations to us!

The day of the news was actually very exciting. I got the day off to attend our Graduate Banquet. That morning, BF and I went to the P.O. to apply for his new passport for our celebratory China trip. On my way to the banquet, BSILF called me up and we chit-chatted. I completely blanked on what day it was. At the end of our chat, BSILF said, "I have an important question for you." "Hm?" "Did you call?" I was like, "What? Call who?" I can't imagine her expression of disbelief on the other line. I completely blanked that friday was the day that we could call in to receive our scores!

Well, a little background. I'm the type that waits to open gifts. If it's a Christmas gift, I like to wait until Christmas Eve or Day. If it's my birthday, I like to wait until then. Same with results. I don't mind waiting until it arrives in the mail. So in my mind, I had already settled on doing that...and completely forgotten about it. =P BF, however, was very intent on me calling in at first chance.

BSILF: Y'know, the Praxis!
Me: OMG! I totally forgot! Did you call?
BSILF: Yep.
Me: Congratulations, you must have passed, huh! :)

And she certainly did. Not that I had any doubt! Still, it was very exciting to hear!

At the banquet, we had a mini-reunion with our colleagues and mentors. And I strategically sat near the dessert table. =P Being at the banquet made me realize that we are seriously that much closer to being done with school and becoming professionals. It's a great feeling.

Afterwards, Bruce Lee's Cousin, CIA Rat B, and BSILF came over to (check out Lil F and to) work on our oral defense forms. When BF found out that both Cold-Hearted K (who is really quite the opposite of cold-hearted) and BSILF had passed the Praxis, he (no surprise) insisted that I call in for my results. The (cheap) chicken that I am, had him call.

He heard the results first, and then passed the phone to me. I passed! Yay! The craziest thing is that BSILF and I got the same score (even though traditionally, her score should be higher!) We've been through thick and thin together for the past 2-3 years so what could be better than to have some of them around to share in the good news? :) Unfortunately, CIA Rat B and Bruce Lee's Cousin had to go, but BSILF's Hubby came over and the 4 of us went to Island's to celebrate.

And celebrate we did. Thanks, BSILF and Hubby for the delicious meal and wonderful company!

A chocolatey thanks

I got my first Thank You Box of Chocolates! Well, sorta.

For about 3 weeks, I worked with an elderly gentleman. Most of the tx focused on swallowing exercises and strategies to get him off of NPO status. We eventually did, but with much hesitation and caution, but you bet he was ecstatic. Yesterday was his last day so the day before, his wife brought in a box of chocolates with a Thank You card written to me, a nurse, OT, and PT. I was excited at the thought of receiving my first (and only) Thank You Box of chocolates!

Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to the chocolates. I didn't get any of it, but I'm sure it was appreciated by others. :) As I have appreciated many Thank You chocolates, cake, cookies, and nuts from families that I barely worked with. Like 3 pounds worth of appreciation...!

Congratulations to Cousin, J.D.!

Today, another cousin is graduating! Congratulations Jennifer E. Chen, J.D.!

I spent much of my childhood growing up with this cousin as well, but instead, she was the one that picked me up from high school (when I was one of the few that didn't have a car). (Hm, it's almost like a tradition, now that I think about it. Or obligation.)

Jen is an incredibly intelligent, witty, and talented woman with so much personality and heart. I am really happy for her that she has finally achieved her dream. It took a few detours, but like most of us, we have come to realize (sooner or later) that we want to spend the rest of our lives doing what we truly have a passion for.

Congratulations, Jen, and let the legal advising begin!

Congratulations to Cal Cousin!

Today is Berkeley cousin's graduation! Congratulations, Natalie!
(I know I'm old when I start saying statements like...)

I remember when she was so little (and so much shorter than me). Some of my fondest memories include picking her and her bro up in the old Benz and weaving around the speed bumps in the alleys with the windows down and challenging them to grab a branch. She was only in junior high.

Ten years later and half a foot taller, she's graduating from Berkeley and heading off to med school with a bright future ahead.

Congratulations and don't leave me in the dust, Nat! :)

No Correlation

There is a nurse that has commented a few times about how fast I walk around the unit. I know I walk fast when I'm in a work environment. I always have. It's called my I'm-really-busy-walk. Secret: I always do this walk even if I am not really that busy. It's just a habit. Clarification/Truth: However, I am typically always busy here so my walk is for reals.

Today, I was charting at the nurse's station when I almost knocked over 3 boxes of tissues, tried to be discreet about it when I almost got away with knocking over none, knocked one over in the process, and then became nondiscreet about trying to be discreet about my clumsiness. This was in front of the nurse commentator. After the laughter at my expense, MN said in all seriousness, "Have you ever thought that perhaps your clumsiness is attributed to your fast pace? Maybe if you slowed down a little, you wouldn't be so clumsy."

So I stood there pontificating aloud. "Hm, that's a really good point. [Pause] I don't know why I I've always walked at a fast pace. Actually [epiphanous moment #1], I think my fast pace came from working in coffee shops." I explained/pre-justified that I consider myself a relatively patient person but when it comes to waiting in lines, I have close to no patience in the majority of circumstances. So behind the counter, I didn't like to make my customers wait. Perhaps that's where the fast pace became established. Working in the law firms only perpetuated the fast pace.

MN said, "So when you're at home, you must slow down, right? So you're probably not so clumsy at home."

I wish. At home, I slow down...but I am still uber-clumsy. BF says I break everything around here (and that he has to fix everything). Of course I call him a liar and all and insist that things are 1) poorly made and/or 2) just break around me (without me doing anything).

So after all this rambling, I conclude that there is no correlation between my fast pace and clumsiness.

Epiphany #2: Now that I have "slowed my pace down" b/c I am at home, I am having another realization that precedes epiphany #1. I believe my speed-walking pace began in JH. My bro used to nag at me to walk faster when I tagged along with him. Some old habits just don't die I guess.

Epiphany #3: Outside of a work environment, my fast pace is called my "don't mess with me walk." It is a walk that I have perfected over the years of mishaps and near misfortunes. Let's just leave it at that.

Shells

On Sunday, BF and I went to FBM's to help prep for their Mother's Day celebration. While I was at the bakery, the boys went grocery shopping. I later took off to celebrate with my family and then went back for a 2nd dinner. =P

Later on, BF told me that at the seafood department in the Chinese supermarket, BF's Godson exclaimed to BF, "Look! Turtles!" =O

When BF realized what Godson was pointing at, he stifled laughter and said, "No, [Godson], those aren't turtles. Those are clams."

"Cyams?" (Godson is slightly gliding his /l/s + he's missing one of his front teeth.)

When BF was telling me this, I reacted in two ways. In my normal-person mode, I was laughing so hard b/c it was funny and cute. In my future-SLP-mode, I thought it was fascinating to hear a classic example of a child learning vocabulary and overextending classifications. Out of professional curiosity, I had to ask, "How did you explain to him?" I mean, I don't blame the kid; both have shells.

"Well, I explained to him that those clams weren't turtles. Turtles have arms and legs." How cute are they both. :)

So after a full fun day of Mother's Day festivities, we came home and as usual, I approached Lil F's tank to greet her..."Hi Clam!"

BF was not amused. But I was. :D

I really believe that...

• music sounds better in BF's car, especially Red Hot Chili Peppers.
  
• Elsa, my Passat, drives better when she's clean (at least on the outside).
• if I buy a (nice) pair of pants that I can barely fit into, I'll be motivated to lose weight to fit into them.
• Lil F still thinks she is little, even though she just measured a whopping 6.5 inches tonight!
  
• gym memberships should cost less since there is a national campaign to decrease risk of obesity, stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular diseases.
• (This is moreso a late realization...several years later) French Fries are one of my favorite foods (never mind that I just mentioned stroke and other cardiovascular disease).
  

Just thought I'd share some of my random thoughts from my lovely Monday (or "Sunday for Cheryl," as my classmates might call it) full of errands, a smidget of research, 24 Hour Fitnessing, eating, and a little R & R in between.

Better than I imagined

I am still loving life Post-Praxis! I find myself doing things that I haven't done since I can remember. I.e.,:

• I've watched 2 Dodgers games (on TV). I don't even like to watch baseball!
• I am actually watching TV.
• I've gone on 3 walks in the neighborhood and got to see the dozen of duckies quacking away in the grass on one of the walks.
• I've gone to the gym 2x now.
  
• I've read for leisure.
• I went bowling and broke 100 twice. :)
  

Lastly, doing all of those things without guilt! It's great.