Falon’s World

Before I met Eric I was a cynical, pessimistic and rather bitchy individual. LOL I can imagine people thinking “oh yeah, and what’s changed?” but things have changed!   I’ve worked really hard to be content with the things that I have – “It is better to want what you have than to strive to have what you want” – Ok, that’s not the exact quote but I like my way better. Anyway, I’ve been trying really hard to live that. I’ve been working on being more optimistic, giving people the benefit of the doubt and overall choosing to shrug off the little things and be happy with my lot in life. I think I’ve made a lot of progress and those that are close to me have noticed the difference and commented on it – which makes me feel good.

It’s especially noticeable now that I’m out of school and Eric and I have more “down time” to spend together – aka time where I can actually hang out and not do homework. He’s always been the laid back “nice” one and now I can see him grappling with the changes that I’ve made in myself. Not that they’re bad, but that they’re different. He’ll be braced for a certain comment and already be responding to it before he realizes that is not the way that I am actually reacting. It’s taking some time for us to work on this new balance – but I’m enjoying the journey because ultimately it’s leaving me less stressed and feeling pretty good about myself – something I seemed to always be against before…not sure why but I am sure it’s healthier this way.

These changes have led to me being truly happy for the first time in a long time. I don’t mean the fleeting happiness that comes with a surprise, or a job well done, but the kind of contentment that carries through even crappy days. I have finally achieved that…sometimes it still takes some thought to carry through, it is becoming easier with the practice, although I have by no means perfected it and still have my pessimistic moments (hopefully not as frequent as time goes on…).

It makes problem solving a hell of a lot easier – a side-effect I did not expect. Overall, life is good…and I have several people to thank for it – which I think is also important, letting those that are effecting you in such monumental ways know that it’s appreciated:

My Parents – for standing by me no matter what and for letting me grow the way I needed to.

Eric – for adapting and loving me for who I am, no matter how much that has changed or how difficult the process. For all of the support and for the optimism that I modeled off of.

Rebecca – for being my first true friend in a very long time and helping me find that line between happy and…dumb? lol.

My dogs – for being there through the ups and downs as I made these changes, happy to see me no matter what mood I was in and for always being willing to work for me, even when they thought it was stupid.

ETA: I’m also getting a decent handle on my temper – trying to not hang onto a mad without a good reason and to tamp it down to a reasonable level regardless – this is harder than it may seem because I have a wicked temper…

I like to write to my Grandparent’s on my Dad’s side and have mostly been settling for cute cards for my words. I stopped at Meijer and asked if they had any stationary…and was led to the notebooks…like school notebooks. No thanks, been there, done that…in elementary school. Upon further searching it turned out that they didn’t have anything suitable so I settled for yet another card. Later though, I perused the options on Snapfish and decided to order a simple personalized notepad that would be nice enough for writing on. It came today and I’m very pleased (the photo on the pad is mine).

I had been dreading this birthday for the last couple of months. No specific reason besides a vague feeling that I am not as…far as I had hoped to be by the time I turned 24…and one step closer to 25. Added to the fact that I also had to work the night before and the night of my birthday when previously I have always gotten it off. Eric managed to arrive to pick me up on time with a beautiful vase of gorgeous flowers and a cute card.

I got some really nice cards, several checks and a sweet gift card to Barnes and Noble from Eric’s mom (my parents got me a Dresser don’t forget).

Today, Rebecca, Eric and I went out to dinner at Uccello’s, which was delicious and then out to a movie, to see the Night at the Museum two. It was pretty good although I don’t care for the fact that he falls for a different woman in each of the two movies…what happened to the first one?? It was lovely having a friend that could go out with just the two of us without acting like or feeling like a third wheel – really, really nice. CJ was supposed to come with but ended up having to work. When we got home, Eric was so tired he went right to bed so I soon followed suit.

We left late after I woke up for the day and Eric showed me my surprise, we headed out for Dylan’s 2nd Birthday Party. We got there for the tail-end of the food and to watch him open his presents – I think he had a pretty good time!

After the party, we went to Rebecca’s house to deliver her present and see how much Gus had grown. He’s soooo leggy now! He’s extremely energetic and has a bit of a biting problem – and his puppy teeth are crazy sharp…

I worked last night and when I woke up today, Eric had brought me a surprise (early) birthday present – from him and my parents.

A dresser!!!!! Up to this point, my t-shirts had been living folded on the floor of my closet.

I LOVE it!!!

Rebecca’s Birthday was last week and Father’s Day was today, so Eric and made a trip earlier in the week to Hobby Lobby for our latest present projects.

We made a little photo book of Gus from birth to 8 weeks old for her to be able to show people in a small, easy-to-carry form. I also wanted to do some kind of framed art for her new place, but then Eric had the best idea for the photos and this is what we ended up with:

For Dad, Mom had what photos she wanted to use and a vague idea of the sizes, Eric and I filled in the mat-board, the frames and put them all together. I think they turned out quite nicely:

Everyone seemed quite please with their gifts

After six years of school, and a particularly difficult, grueling and miserable last year, my parents agreed to throw a party. Partly for me, but partly just to get friends together to have a good time and some drinks. We had volleyball/badminton set up and some GR friends came too. It was a good time.

My poor parents had so many problems getting the party ready to go but we all had a good time – thanks Mom and Dad!!!!

Well, today is Grand Valley’s graduation ceremony. I was only walking because Grandma and Grandpa Gray were going to be coming early especially to see me, but due to unforseen and extremely unfortunate circumstances they were unable to attend. Also unfortunate, I had already said I would walk and family was coming to see it so I was obligated to continue. The ceremony seemed rather long to me but we got it done and Eric was able to take some good photos. It didn’t really seem like that big of a deal though because I know I still have 3 more weeks of clinical rotation to go before I’m truly done with school.

As we walked to our seats:

Eric said he “might’ve” teared up a little at this point I had no idea (and neither did he) that this moment was so important to him!

We went out to lunch with the fam in Allendale, at Main St Pub – it was delicious!

After lunch, we went home and took a nap before getting ready to meet everyone out for a couple of celebratory drinks. Of course, it was absolutely pouring…

We stopped at McFadden’s first for a small party of mostly Social Work majors:

Next we went to Mojo’s, where CJ was playing to have a couple more drinks and hang out with a different crowd:

I am officially done at Grand Valley State University…

We headed up north for Easter at Aunt Sue’s, involving drinks, visiting and loads of food. It was a great time although I have never laughed so hard but at everyone trying out the Wii Fit!

We drove to Holland to meet Eric’s family at Grandma’s house for his birthday. Good food and good cake!