Walking By Faith

I always knew I was going to be Dr. Murray, but I was always scared of the process of applying for schools so I always pushed it off. I knew I was going to have to connect with many professors to see if they would want to work with me and if they had room for another graduate student. I think I was more worried about being rejected than anything else. So when I graduated in May, I knew I couldn't prolong it anymore and it was time for me to buckle down and start looking at phD programs. I was looking at professors from schools in the south (because I can't do those north winters lol), but only one professor (at Texas A&M) had me interested in their research where I felt I could contribute, learn from his experience, and expand on my own research. I calmed down my worry and just went for it. I contacted the professor and I was able to setup a meeting with him in late May! I went down there and he showed me around their facilities and answered all of my questions. I loved the atmosphere down there and loved my experience so much I was ready to start the program that second! When I got back to Nashville, I everything that I needed to do to make sure I was getting into that school for the Spring. I even retook the GRE and made sure my application was turned in early enough so I would know as soon as possible especially with my lease ending in November. With my app turned-in in August, it was time for me to play the waiting game....

Here it is late October...Oct 4th I contacted the professor I want to work with to see if he has heard anything and he said he hasn't even seen my application. When he said that I started doubting and worrying that this wasn't going to happen even though this felt so right to me. And I started thinking Oh My God I put all my eggs in one basket what am I going to do if this doesn't plan out. It was just a bad week for me emotionally and I really didn't want to be bothered. But I kept praying about the situation and kept my faith. The professor got back to me the following week to let me know that because of funding he could not take me as a student. I missed what I needed on the GRE by 10pts and knew that him finding funding was going to be hard but I was willing to attend without funding from the school because I knew its where I want to be. You know coming from the week I had before that email you would I'd be crying, back to worrying and doubting, but I wasn't. I called my friends in my field and asked for their feedback on it and received great advice. I realized that I needed to go after all my options before I gave up because like I said this is what I want and I have to go after it.

I replyed to the professors email with all my ideas as to try to get into that school and told him how much I wanted to work and learn from him. He replied and had discussed my case with the dean and said I could apply for fellowships that the school has for students that don't perform well in certain areas and that it would good for me to retake the GRE again (booo lol) and if I get the fellowship than I would start in the Fall and he asked how'd that sound to me. I said it sounded GREAT I still have some hope in getting into this school!

Remember how I said my lease was ending in November, well now I needed to make a decision as to do I go down to Miami and live with the parentals or do I go and move to Texas. By the end of the week (of getting the email from the prof) I made the decision that I would move to College Station, TX! Since I will be taking the GRE again I definitely knew I could not stay in Miami and study for it. When I'm home I always feel like I'm on vacation, I never have that student mindframe. And because I have faith that I will do all the necessary things to get in for the Fall, I might as well be down there. This move feels so right in my heart and I truly believe that God is leading me there for whatever reason and I have no worries or doubt. He has given me peace to let me know that he's in control! And I'm truly thankful for having the support from family and friends on this decision and not looking at me like I'm crazy for going down there (at least no one has said that to me lol)

I'm down to 2 weeks left in Nashville and making the move to College Station (tomorrow I'm actually going down there to look at apartments!!). Been packing and looking at moving companies (since my dad is too old for moving me now lol). Been enjoying my friends and new family that I've gained from the past 2+years I've been here. I'm getting pretty excited, well I've been excited since I've made the decision about this next journey in my life. Excited to see where the Lord is taking me, excited about the new experiences I'll have in Texas (the good & the bad), excited about starting school in the Fall (CLAIMING IT!). I am sad about leaving Nashville I've had great memories here and cherish every moment, I don't even want to think of the tears that will come when I leave :( But until that day comes I'm kicking it and leaving Nashville with a bang!

Still can't believe I'm doing this move.... :-D

Ms. Rita

LOSING 80lbs..... by April 2012

Ok so I have been saying since 2004 I’m gonna lose weight, I’m gonna diet, I’m gonna maintain this weight, now in 2011 I’m exactly 80 pounds heavier than my freshman year of college weight. It is time for a change. So my struggle with my weight is I get depressed because clothes don’t fit me at the stores. When I was in high school I could wear med and large shirts I had a nice shape and I was self conscience but I could fake to the rest of the world but my friends and family knew how I felt about my weight. I constantly compared myself to my friends who were both track stars in their own right, and had higher metabolisms than mine. I was athletic; flag football, cheerleading, basketball. I truly just felt it was my genes to be thick and there was nothing I could do the change it so I just accepted I was gonna be big at the age of 17. In high school I was 180lbs and by graduation I was 200lbs, but I didn’t look it. I had thick thighs nice rounded bottom and a chest I love till this day. I rocked my weight well and I was ok with being 200lbs.

When I entered college I was a volunteer in the gym and I loved it I got the work out and gain hours toward graduation. My goal was to stay this weight throughout college. I was determined not to gain the freshman 15. Then my boyfriend at the time and I were seeing more of each other and I thought the smart thing to do was birth control. Ladies for me this was where it all went wrong. I had an immediate reaction. I gained 25lbs in one semester of school. It hurt too cause I was working out daily (weight lifting and dance team, and swim team )and was still seeing the number go up on the scale. It was depressing and it hurt but I just said I did it to myself so I accepted it and moved on again.

I have gone through many, many downs and set back with my weight but now I have decided I’m gonna get it done. I’m now and 280lbs, yes the first woman to put her real weight out there. My goal is to lose 80lbs by April 19, 2011. Yes I didn’t want to put an ending date on there but I did so it’s real and it’s a goal and I’m going to do this and keep it off. Now I’ll give you my week to week up date and I have set small goals along the way for myself, one of which I have already met. As of Oct.26, 2011 I lost 3lbs in one week…. A small step in the right direction.

The Champ Out…

Brown Sugar Pork Chops....OMG

So lately I have been on this brown sugar tip. From wings to cupcakes Tasty Cravings blogspot and now Pork chops. OMG it was so delicious! I do wish I added more brown sugar though 8-).

 I went off of McCormicks Apple Sage recipe but I changed/ added ingredients. So I didn't really use measuring spoons but I'll guesstimate for reproduction purposes.

Serving size = 6 pork chops

 In a large bowl mix these ingredients (rem these are all approximations):

3 tbsp of All purpose flour

2 tbsp of rubbed sage

Sprinkle of ground black pepper

3 tsp of Seasoned salt or 1 tsp of salt

1.5 tbsp of chopped red onions

1 tsp of crushed red pepper

2 tsp of Thyme

1 tsp of Paprika

1-2 cups of brown sugar (depending on your preference but I'd add more lol)

Now place each pork chop in and individually rug the mix onto both sides.  I had to make a lil extra for my last 2 pork chops. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Massage it in good, like so (eyes looking below)

Place about 1 tbsp of Olive oil in a frying pan or large pot (like I did) on Medium high

Cook on each side until it is brown on each side and cooked through.

After  I cooked them all, I placed them all back in the pot and drained whatever brown sugar mixture I had left into the pot to let it simmer , stir/turn every 30 seconds or so to make sure each pork chop gets to simmer on the bottom of the pot.

Steamy and delicious

I paired this with a salad, all the brown sugar I used lol I needed something healthy. The second night I paired it with steamed broccoli. Of course the picture of have showing meal 2 is blurry...Go figure!

Delish!!!

Well if you all try it, please comment and let me know how it was or what you did differently.

♥Adieu 

It's been a minute

So I've decided to pursue a PhD in Health Psychology. Classes are going well right now. Of course it's only the beginning... the research aspect still scares me a bit. But hey the dissertation doesn't anymore. One time for progress lol. It’s funny how Facebook, of all places, helped me decide this by having a conversation about childhood obesity with a two friends. I’m hoping to incorporate health concerns and family/couples counseling.

I have so many things that interest. Who says I can only attack one. 

My cousin and I have been talking about an online cupcake business for a year now. We finally created a blog (still in the beg stages) and a Facebook page for. Two times for progress lol. 

Check us out: Tasty Cravings

I’m going to really try and post more often, can’t expect to obtain followers if I’m not saying anything.


♥Adieu