I'm in a totally different place right now than I was when I last wrote. Well, technically I'm in the same exact place, but I meant metaphorically. Summer school is over and I just confirmed that I had another 4.0 semester! I can't believe that I'm more than halfway done with my graduate school career. It's so strange to think that almost exactly a year ago I was just about to start grad school. I had just quit my full-time job, I was scrambling to get my financial aid in order, and I was anxiously awaiting the start of my new life. Now I'm working part-time and going to school full-time, and I'll be starting my first internship at Pierce College in less than a month. I'm really excited to see how this next school year goes. Even though thinking about scheduling 150 hours at my internship, 30-35 hours of "work" per weeks (tutoring and nannying), and three classes into my Fall semester is daunting, I'm super excited about staying busy. It will make the time go by quickly.
I'm enjoying my "summer vacation" right now. I have a month off from school before Fall semester starts again on September 2nd. Even though I'm still working, it makes a huge difference to have my evenings free. I've been watching movies, reading books, gardening, and playing with out new pet . . .That's right--we adopted a dog. She's a 5-year-old Border Collie/Australian Shepard mix that we adopted from the shelter. Because she is a working dog, we wanted to give her a "country" name. After a couple days of debating, we decided to name her "August." Her name at the shelter was "Duchess," so "August" sounds very similar. She's really smart--she already knows "sit," "lie down," "high five," and "stay." She also loves chasing tennis balls. She's been good on her leash so far, but she is very protective around other dogs.
She's a little spooky around men--it takes her a couple minutes to warm up to them, but she is very friendly around women and children. It might be awhile before we can take her to a dog park since she growls at other dogs. She might just be adjusting to her new environment and having a home and owners to protect. We know very little about her past, but when we got her she was COVERED in mats. It took three days of brushing, combing, and bathing, but she finally looks (and smells) good. She has chosen me as her favorite and she follows me around the house like a big cat. The other plus is she has shown very little interest in our chinchilla. We're able to keep Chipotle in her place of honor in the computer room and the dog doesn't bother her at all. We took August to the vet the day after we got her home and she has kennel cough. She's on antibiotics, but she's a little sneezy/wheezy still. Hopefully, she'll be feeling better soon.
I love having a dog around the house. She brings so much more purpose to our lives. Feeding her, grooming her, playing with her, and walking her keep both of us more active and conscious. And having a softly snoring dog in the room just brings a sense of peace when I'm alone--watching TV or reading or sipping coffee on the patio. Even though she is a bit "older," I think we still have many happy years with her ahead of us. Miss August Vasquez--our little bit of Summer.
On her ride home from the shelter
Her first night--kinda nervous
Day 3: Happy Dog
Her favorite toy so far
I love my new doggie!!
~LOVE~