Gator Update: First 8 Weeks Complete

When the school mascot is adorable. 😍

Hooray! My first (eight week) semester as a gator is completed. I am officially back in school mode. I was pretty nervous going back to school; I haven't really taken classes (that I was serious about) in a LONG time. I missed learning but I never knew what I wanted to study. I didn't want to waste time (or money) with something that wasn't bringing me joy. So here I am two classes in and my heart is so full. I took Financial Accounting 1 and Statistics and these are a few things I realized during the first 8 weeks:

Its QUICK 
Eight weeks goes by in a blink of an eye. I feel like I just started the class and now its over. You are consuming A LOT of information in a short amount of time. You have to stay on top of the all the assignments. 

For Accounting , each week I had to read two chapters, complete a discussion question, a discussion problem, responses and assignment for each chapter AND a quiz for those two chapters. 

For Statistics, I had one chapter to read and a various amount of homework for that chapter and a chapter test. The chapters were long and filled with a lot of information.

Accounting provided us with PowerPoint slides but in Statistics the notes were up to us. I took handwritten notes filled with equations, calculator steps and examples. It was long and tedious BUT it helped me in the end with the homework and tests. I am pretty sure my hand written notes for Statistics filled a 1 inch binder to the max. 

With all these assignments and tests to complete each week,

ORGANIZATION  and CONSISTENCY is Key
To make sure everything is completed on time, I worked on both classes a little each day. I knew what chapters I was reading each week from the syllabus. I would write down what I would work on each day to keep on track for that week in a notebook. 

I made sure the whole week was on one page; that way I could see the whole week at a glance and to keep myself accountable. I can also see the progress as I cross things off the list too. 

I would sometimes get up early to work on either homework or the readings; lunch time would be for Accounting homework and then at night would be Statistics. I would leave the quiz and test for the weekend along with my responses for the discussion questions. 

Sometimes I would get ahead of my plan, sometimes I would lag behind. I would always get the work done. Everything was due by 11:59 on Sunday night, I told myself that everything needed to be done by Saturday night so that would give some wiggle room, just in case. 

It felt like a whirlwind but I was actually really happy to be working so hard,

It's really REWARDING

This is going to sound really nerdy but getting a balance sheet to balance or getting the equation to work is really satisfying. I am especially proud when I find a mistake in a problem and I am able to fix it. This shows that I am retaining what I am learning and able to apply what I am doing. 

Doing what you love is so important and that will bring you so much joy.

-----

Needless to say, I am excited for the second 8 week session that will start in 2 weeks. I am also very excited to tackle some projects that I have been putting off during these two weeks. 

What have you done to make yourself proud?

[[What we learn with pleasure, we never forget- Alfred Mercier]]

-gabrielle

PS. In case you are wondering, I got A's in both Financial Accounting and Statistics. 

Faithful Friday

 Happy Friday! How was your week? Mine flew by and I have no idea what really happened this week- all the days are smooshed into one. My brain feels like its fried from finals week but I am so excited to take these finals and have no class for 2 WEEKS! My first 8 week recap will be live on the blog on Monday, just a FYI. 

Linking up with Andrea & Erika for Friday Favorites....

Okay! On to the real point of this post- its THE FRIDAY FEELS.

For the Friday Feels today, its all about Faith. 

I pray often. I pray in the quiet moments of the day, before I go to bed, when I wake up; anytime I start to notice that I am becoming anxious or overwhelmed. Those prayers are short but meaningful. Once in a while, I write down all my prayers into a prayer journal- Its my diary entry to God. I tell him what I am feeling, how I am doing and what I wearing heavy on my heart. I feel so good after I write it all down and get it out of my head. 

Here are a collection of verses that have popped up and have really resonated with me this week.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend! Enjoy the beautiful fall(sorta summer) like weather this weekend. 

[[never stop praying- 1 Thessalonians 5:17]]

-gabrielle

PS. Did you miss my posts this week? Crohn's Confidental: Humira Update and What I Read in September

Crohn's Confidential: Humira Update

Welcome back to a bonus post of Crohn's Confidential! I am excited to share this with you!

Two years ago today,  I started Humira.  

I was NERVOUS and WORRIED. I was so sick at that time and I wanted to feel better so badly. Up to this point I had failed so many different medicines and I did not have much hope in this new one. I had just failed Stelara - which I detested so much. It was very painful for me and I never felt as if it worked. I was desperate at this point to feel better when my doctor suggested Humira. 

I had already been on Remicade 2 years before and that caused more problems then it solved. Humira and Remicade are both TNF inhibitors and I was worried since I had failed Remicade before, Humira wouldn't work. I knew I had to try something and  my options were getting more limited. I decided to try this. I knew this was a self injectable and I had literally NO idea how I was going to give myself these shots. I prayed a lot of strength to do this because I knew this might or might not be the one to actually help me  

That first night, October 7, 2018, I sat in the bathroom after my shower with the two loading doses on the counter, thinking to myself, “ okay gab, you can do this. This is going to help you “ I mustered up some courage, turned on my favorite uplifting song at the moment- Joy by FOR KING AND COUNTY and followed the steps from the Humira app. I said a quick prayer and went for it. Did it hurt that first night, yes and no. I think the shock of the pen clicking me scared me more than the actual shot. One done I thought and I moved on to the last one thinking positive thoughts. It was over quickly and after I realized that I did actually complete it, I started to cry. They were both happy and sad tears  I was happy that I did it and I was brave but I was sad that this might be my last option. I cleaned myself up and then I went on with my night. I prayed some more that night, hoping this was going to be the miracle I needed.

As the weeks wore on, I gave myself the injection every other week. After a while, it became easy for me to do this. Was it sometimes painful, yes but I knew somehow it was going to work. I was on it for 6 months when I had the surgery and I had to stop taking it. I had no idea when and if I was going to go back on it after the surgery. Through these weeks of worry and not feeling well, I prayed that something would change. 

The surgery was a success but it was a long recovery for me. I finally went back on Humira in the middle of June and by July, I somehow missed a dose. I was miserable again and very worried. I prayed and through an unusual (but favorable) turn of events, by the end of August, all my problems with my stomach were gone. My doctor couldn't explain it, I surely couldn't explain it but slowly but surely, I started to feel better each day.  I was cautiously optimistic about this good feeling and yet somehow there I was one year in on Humira and I wasn't slowing down. I was consistently feeling amazing. 

In January of this year, I had another colonoscopy and it was perfect. We were all in shock- Humira is really working and the surgery really did help. I saw my doctor recently and he is just as amazed as I am (and my family too) that I have been feeling as good as I have been. Its like we finally found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The most awesome part- he doesn't want to see me for a WHOLE YEAR! How is that possible?! I was actually sad when he said this, I enjoy seeing him and getting to catch up on life. A year seems too long but it is very welcomed.

If I could go back to 6 years ago and let 26 year old Gabrielle know, that things do get better- they might get a whole lot worse before they truly do get better but there IS a light at the end of the tunnel and  you ae going to learn a lot about yourself through this whole process. 

I know for most people, good health is something they don't even think about but I give praise everyday that I am able to wake up and feel a sense of excitement and feel physically good because there were so many days (sometimes months) on my journey that I woke up feeling absolutely terrible. There wasn't anything I could do about it; I had to get up, get dressed and show up because I had accepted this was my life- feeling sick and not having any answers. 

Today, I am doing AMAZING- I say this as I hold my breath because I am very thankful for my good health but I am also cautious knowing it could change any day. I will take ALL.THE.GOOD days while I can and if I have a few bumps along the way, I know I can handle it. 

If you are going through a rough patch right now- take a deep breath and know that things will get better, it will take time and you will be back to what you are accustom to. Better days are ahead. You can keep your head down but keep your eyes up- always looking forward. #Hdeu
YOU GOT THIS!

[[You don't know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.]]

-gabrielle

PS. Did you miss any of my past Crohn's Confidential Posts? See below for the posts.

My Crohn's Disease Journey
My Support Team and How They Help Me
Surgery Before and After
Surgery Recovery After Surgery
World IBD Day
Dealing with Questions and Comments
What I've Learned From Crohn's Disease
Resources

What I Read in September

Happy Monday! I am so excited to share what I read last month with you. In between work, school and overtime, I was able to finish FIVE books (including 2 audiobooks). This month's selection is quite the variety and I truly did love ALL of these books. 

One of Us is Next  by Karen M. McManus ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the second in a series and I couldn't put this one down. One of Us is Lying was the first in the series and I read that back in 2017. I excited to read this one, remembering how good of a writer Karen McManus is and she did not disappoint. This is definitely teen fiction but its a story that grabs you and you keep guessing until the end. Quick and easy to read.

The Holdout by Graham Moore ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I picked this book up not knowing really anything about it. I was drawn to this book by the cover. A lone chair on a red background. I was intrigued and as I dove in, it kept pulling me in deeper and deeper. This book jumped back and forth between characters and then between the past and present. I love books like this because I feel like it gives me the full story not just one side. This is 12 Angry Men set in the 2000s with suspense.

The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy by Tom Rinaldi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I specifically started this book on September 9, hoping to finish on September 11th. I heard about Welles Crowther from ESPN last year when they posted a video about Crowther and what he did on September 11th and the significance of his Red Bandanna. It was such a powerful story and I wanted to know more. I didn't want to put this book down, it was powerful and moving. Be sure to have tissues near by. 

and onto my two audiobooks....

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Audiobook)⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was AMAZING! Over 17 hours of listening to this and I wanted more. The twists and turns and suspense was amazing. I knew very little about this book when I picked it; only thing I knew was it was described as Agatha Christie meets Groundhog day. The narrator- James Cameron Stewart- was amazing and was the perfect person to read this book.

Dear Girls: Intimate Takes, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong, Justin Hakuta (Audiobook) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you need a good laugh, go listen to this book. Its read by Ali Wong and I was laughing out loud in public listening to this book. I loved Ali Wong in her Netflix specials and this book is a continuation of it. She shares some really heartfelt stories and I felt like I was sitting down with her as she told these stories. 

Whew! Those were all so good. I am just about done listening to Kind is the New Classy by Candance Cameron Bure. I have a few books lined up already and I cannot wait to see what else I can find. 

Looking for a good book to read this fall? Check out my past book reviews:

Favorite Books/ August Reads/ March Reads/ February Reads/ January Reads/
A Years Worth of Reading/ Recent Reads/ I Like (Big) Books and I Cannot Lie
Short and Sweet Book Reviews/ Wellth: New Life Currency/ The Power of Broke

What are you currently reading? Go to the comments and add yours, I love seeing what everyone else is reading.

[[A well read woman is a dangerous creature]]

-gabrielle

PS. do you follow me on Goodreads- you can keep up with all my reads there too! 

Grace on a Friday

Etsy

Woah! I'm pretty sure it was just Monday and then I blinked and its Friday. How in the world did that happen?! Does anyone else feel like they are in this revolving wheel that you can't seem to get off of? Oh good, I am glad its not just me. 

I am in my final 2 weeks of classes and let me tell you, I am using a lot of brain cells. There is so much to accomplish between now and October 11. I am hoping and praying I get it all done. 

So today should have been Feel Good Friday but between homework, overtime, normal work, and sleep, I didn't have a chance to gather feel good content. I am giving myself grace and surrendering to the fact, I am doing the very best I can be. Heck, we are still in a global pandemic- if we accomplish anything it should be celebrated. HA!

My advice for you today: Give yourself grace. If you are starting to feel overwhelm or overworked, pull back. Do what is good for your soul. You are the most important thing and to do all the great things you set out to do, you must feel your best. Grace not perfection (thanks Emily Ley for that reminder!)

Wishing you a wonderful end of the week and a wonderful weekend. I am going to try to go social media free this week and to clear my mind. Lets hope for the best with that. 

What are your plans for the weekend?

[[a little more kindness, a little less judgment]]

-gabrielle

PS. Linking up with Andrea and Erika today for Friday Favorites.

This weeks posts: September Playlist/// Dear September/// Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday. Yes, last week was my Mom's. Yes, my dad is also have a BIG birthday this year too! You wouldn't believe how old he actually is if I told you.

I decided to ask my dad some questions to commemorate his birthday this year:

Gabrielle: Tell me about one of your favorite things about being a dad.
Dad: My Favorite thing about being a dad is watching you grow up to become a smart, successful young woman who always has a smile on her face.

G:What was your favorite childhood toy?
D: I had a cap gun pistol and rifle growing up.

G:Did you have any nicknames growing up?
D: Growing up as a kid and until I went into the service, everyone called me Donny.

G:Where was your first apartment after moving away from home?
D:When I got married to Mom & we lived in Eatontown.

G:Where were you station when you were in the Navy?
D: Boot Camp was at Great Lakes, IL in 1969 then I went to "A" School for Aviation Electricial school in FL, then The Naval Air Squadron VR-1 in VA.

G: Describe your very first car.
D: It was a 1971 Chevy Vega 2 door, Dark green 4 Speed Stick Shift, bare bones car.

G: What is one of your biggest challenges you've faced in life?
D: Life itself. 

G:Where was your favorite place to travel?
D: Steamboat Springs, CO for Skiiing 

G: What did you want to be growing up?
D: Growing up I always wanted to be a firefighter. I got my childhood dream job in July 1977 and I worked as a firefighter for 34 years. I loved every minute of it. 

G:Did you have a job growing up?
D: I worked on my grandfather's Ice truck delivering ice to customers.

_______

Happy Birthday Dad! I love our adventures, our silly talks and the time we spend together building things. You have always taught me to do things on my own and you were always there to help when I needed it. I love our jokes and the inevitable trouble we get into because we are just so excited to complete the project. You showed me that I can do anything I set my mind to. Thank you! Always and forever. 

Dear September

Dear September,

Were you in a race with other months, September? I felt like you were running at an Olympic pace. I barely remember this month to tell you the truth. You were not fall-ish like you promised. I'm pretty sure I sweated more this month than the actually summer months. 

This month brought a lot of different emotions for me and I struggled some days looking at social media. The fact we are still under emergency orders from the Governor about the pandemic and things are not back to normal as we thought they were going to be, were hard to comprehend. (Happy 6 month anniversary of 2 weeks to flatten the curve)🙄. Coupled with the fact Instagram was taunting me with everyone's winning season, I was sad some days. I tried to keep busy and not fall back into old patterns. I focused on the good in my life and by the end of the month, I am back to my old peppy self. I've realized its okay to have these off days- let yourself feel these emotions, acknowledge them and then let them go. You are bigger than what you are feeling.

One good thing that came from this month was my appointment with my gastroenterologist. I had my first appointment with him since JANUARY. This is the longest I have gone without seeing him. I was so excited for this appointment. He was so happy that I have been doing so well and the medicine seems to actually be working. (ALL THE PRAISE HANDS!!!) He said he doesn't need to see me for another YEAR (unless something is wrong). HALLELUJAH! Needless to say, I was so excited to hear this and so relieved. I have some days where I feel terrible but I don't let it stop me. Now I am eagerly awaiting my blood test to see if in deed the medicine is working. 

My first semester of classes is just about over. Yup, you have been along with me for 7.5 weeks through my classes. Has this been easy? Heck no, but it has made me so so happy. I am constantly doing homework during any free time and I dream about equations and accounting problems. My heart is full, I feel like I have been missing this- learning, new knowledge- for a long time. My trusty  TI-83+  (from early 2000s) has been holding up great and I am surprising myself with remembering how to use it. 

One thing I was sad to say goodbye to was Standup Paddleboarding. SUP truly brought me joy all summer long. I looked forward to each week and especially seeing Adrienne. We have become such great friends over the years, it was a perfect escape for a few hours. Being on the water is calming and it was the perfect stand in for therapy. Each week, I tried new yoga poses and became more comfortable on the board. By the end of the summer,  I started planning on saving up to buy my own board for next year. I loved exploring the creek and lagoons, seeing the swans and turtles and occasional fish. I cannot wait to explore different waterways next year. 

Something new I did this month was overtime. Now in all my jobs I have never had the chance to work overtime. When I got the email, I jumped at the chance (without actually knowing what I would be doing), for overtime. My guess was correct and I had the opportunity to stuff envelopes. I can hear what you are thinkng, why would you want to stuff envelopes? After a long day, this mindless activity is actually very relaxing for me and I've had the chance to finish TWO audiobooks. I have a few more days of it and I am thankful for the opportunity- for both the extra money AND the time to sit and listen to audiobooks. (Check back next week for my review of them). 

Our local library has come up with some pretty great virtual programs lately and I was able to pick up two calming crafts to complete at home. One is a mediation jar and the other is anti stress lavender putty. I am waiting until my classes are over to makes these but I will report back to let you know how it went. I am so happy the library is taking these creative measures to keep the engagement up. When I went to the library to pick up these items, it was the first time I was there since MARCH! It defiently had a different feel but I was happy to be back and the employees were happy to see the public as well. I got to see my favorite security guard too. He was just as happy to see each patron as he always was. Its nice to get back into an old routine again. 

Well September, you sure were different but to be honest, I wouldn't have traded you for anything....well maybe if we could you know take away the global pandemic, that would be great. Thanks for the memories, lessons and the gratitude you have shown me this month. I look forward to see what your friend October brings. 

[[Sometimes you just need a new perspective to see things more clearly]]

-gabrielle

PS. If you are wondering, the mystery of the pink flamingo that was placed by my car back in the beginning of August, still has NOT been solved. I truly have no idea who left it for me. I guess some mysteries are not meant to be solved. 

September Playlist

Hello hello! Its time for another playlist. I am pretty sure, I just made my August playlist but yet here we are again, talking about my September playlist. Lots of new music found through Spotify and The Highway on Sirius XM. I have a lot of songs that are by duos this month and a couple of repeat artists.

WGJ vol. 9

Truck- HARDY
Home Sweet- Russell Dickerson
This Ole Boy- HARDY
Grew Apart- Logan Mize, Donovan Woods
Right Beer, Right Now- Derek Johnson
Hard To Be A Cowboy- Cowboy Shiltz
Long Live- Florida Georgia Line
Here-Mitchell Tenpenny
Country Made- Lenny Cooper, Young Gunner, J Rosevelt
How They Remember You- Rascal Flatts
OK Not To Be Ok- Marshmello, Demi Lovato
Found You- Ludacris, Chance the Rapper
Back Porch- Willie Jones
Rivers Deep- Gabby Barrett
Silverado- Hunter Phelps
Another- Adam Doleac
Holy-Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper

Listen here.

[[He will see you through this- Isaiah 41:10 ]]

-gabrielle

Favorite Friday

Anum Tariq
This print screams FALL to me

Happy Friday! What a quick week this was- maybe it was the fact I was constantly moving and the only time I really sat down was at night? Who knows, but here we are, its Friday and I have a few things from the week to share.

Overtime/// I have never worked overtime in my life and with the Election just around the corner, the clerk needs help stuffing envelopes. I jumped at the opportunity. Nice and easy and I get to meet people from other departments- some departments I didn't even know existed! This has been nice a few days a week. 

Audiobooks/// During my envelope stuffing time, I have been listening to an audiobook. I forgot how good they can be. I've only listened to a handful of them and I truly think the person who is reading it makes all the difference. This one is a mystery that is mixed with a groundhog day type story. I can't wait to get to the end. 

Fall///Happy Fall! I am so happy to see you! This week started out cooler and I was here for the colder mornings. I love dressing for fall and seeing the leaves change. Yes Summer decided to pop back in by the end of the week. Rude. 

Library///Our local library has been opened for awhile and yesterday was the first time I ventured over. I got to see my favorite security guard, Mr. Leonard, he truly loves his job and interacting with customers. My whole reason for going there today was because they had a free "take and make" craft- lavender anti stress putty. I was so excited to make it. When I went over on my lunch I was sad to see that they were all out of it. 😕 The nice librarian upstairs printed out the recipe for me and even said she will bring in extra supplies for me tomorrow so I could make it. I was so touched by her kindness. 

Classes/// I don't know how it happened but I am already in week 5 of my 8 week classes. I am really enjoying these classes and I am a little sad to see them end but I have two more coming up at the end of August. They are a LOT of work and I am getting better at time management with homework, blogging and work. 

okay! I think that is it for this week. Wishing you a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!
Anything fun planned for this weekend? Let me know in the comments below.

Don't forgot to catch up on my latest posts:
Goodbye Summer, Happy Birthday Mom & Wisdom Wednesday

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika this week.

[[head down, eyes up, keep going]]

-gabrielle

Wisdom Wednesday

Imagine you are sitting down and for the 95^th time in the past hour, you open Instagram and you are instantly bombarded with “ WE’RE PREGNANT!” “I SAID YES!” “WE ELOPED!” “I BOUGHT A HOUSE!” "I GOT A PROMOTION" 

It looks like everyone is getting what they wanted and you are sitting here just meh; not winning at life at all. You have these thoughts- "why aren't I winning right now?" "why haven't I bought a house yet?" "Am I good enough?" "All these people are getting so many wins and here you are sitting there, just wanting ONE win. Even a tiny win, you would be happy with it. 

Two weeks ago, I felt like social media was against me. Every time I opened it, there was always someone sharing their good news. I was happy for the person but deep down, I wanted to be able to share the good news too.  I got to a point where I honestly felt that social media was intentionally showing me all these good things that I didn’t have right now and that I want in the future. It was the worst feeling. I was so sad and felt like I was in a slump for a few days. I felt like I was carrying around a boulder. I didn’t tell anyone, because I thought it was silly to be so upset over seeing internet friends having so many wins and there I was not winning but it was bothering me A LOT.  When I finally did open up to a friend, I felt instantly better.  I don’t know why I kept everything bottled up inside for so long without telling anyone else.  You have no idea what they lost when they weren’t in their winning season. 

Over the next week or so, I listened to a podcast (Carly Unfiltered on Bad on Paper), a bunch of instastories especially Kate from Lonestar Southern and Brighton Butler from Brighton the Day and read a few blogs and somehow some way the words “I’m not alone” and "You're not the only one" worked their way into the things I was listening to and reading. I was shocked- it was like someone knew I needed to hear that others were feeling the SAME. EXACT. WAY that I was feeling. It didn't matter that we all are at different points in our lives, we all have the same struggles. It was refreshing, as in the universe was showing me that, Yes Gab, everyone experiences those kind of weeks. Those weeks where it seems like the world is again you and you have no way out.

Well, let me tell you a few things that I learned in the past couple of weeks.
1. You are not alone/ You are not the only one. There are so many other people who feel the same way you are feeling. 
2. If you talk about what you are going through/thinking, really open yourself up to others you trust. Let them into your thoughts and I promise you will feel so much better once you say those things out loud.

3. However those mean thoughts crept into your mind- don't give them the time of day. They are not true.

4. You might not have a win right now but think about how much you do you- family, love, kindness,, gratitude for this life- you have a lot more than you think. 

Your JOY is coming; it is not late, it will be coming in perfect time because your JOY will be made especially for you and it will be even better than you ever could have dreamed of. In these hard moments- do not worry, just simply say, Shush! and pray for understanding and guidance.  You got this, don't ever forget it. 

[[Seek HIM not the anxious thoughts]]

-gabrielle