Just like many years before, 2010 has been quite the year. I started my 2nd year at Hines VA as one of the Suicide Prevention Coordinators and thankfully can say that I love what I do. It can be overwhelming at times to think of all the different parts of my job but it is very rewarding. I got the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual VA/Department of Defense conference on Suicide Prevention and was very inspired by what our military and my fellow VA employees are doing in the field of Suicide Prevention. I am honored to be one of the speakers at this year's conference. One of the goals that I set for myself in 2010 was to apply to the Hines Leadership Development Program for 2011. It is a program within the hospital geared toward grooming the future leaders on the hospital across all disciplines. My mom completed the program in 2009. As Brad and I were sitting at the airport waiting to board our plane to Kaua'i, I got the call from my supervisor that I was accepted into the program! This is very exciting as they take less than 20 applicants each year. I consider myself a master of multitasking but this coming year will be the true test of that!
When I think back to what made this year memorable was my new found love of photography. Brad has been my biggest cheerleader in regards to my photography starting with buying me my camera. He has supported my decision to take numerous classes even if that meant for a whole month straight he had to make his own dinner every Wednesday! Brad was also a gracious model for all my homework assignments demonstrating how patient he can be. He has had fun along the way too and I think that he has earned himself either the title of my "assistant" or "photo shoot director" - I'll let him decide. Thanks to Brad & my parents, I have 2 additional lenses to play around with as well. I'm teaching myself how to do some post production with Lightroom - stay tuned for some awesomely edited photos.
Just a few weeks ago, Brad and I had a trip of a lifetime to Kaua'i. Due to the nature of both of our jobs, Brad and I really have not been able to take a vacation like this since our honeymoon. It was truly amazing! I actually made Brad drag our laptop to Kaua'i because I knew I would need to empty my memory card from my camera. Sure enough, I did that twice. Overall I took over 1200 pictures! The food, the scenery, the mindset - Kaua'i was a photographer's dream. I have actually submitted a bunch of the picture to different contests because the images were so breathtaking.
I bet some of you read the blog and think, "Is Mandy really Sew Snappy or just Snappy because all I see is pictures. Where are the crafts?!" Rest assured, the "Sew" part of "Sew Snappy" is alive and well. I actually took over one of the spare bedrooms in our house and have affectionately claimed it as my craft room. If Brad can put dead animals on the walls of our house, I can have a craft room. I took a knitting class this summer and learned the basics. My plan was to make Brad a scarf for hunting season but I ran out of time and my photography classes were very time consuming. I won't let Brad down this year - I will get the scarf done before hunting season starts. Between a new niece on the way and a few friends expecting, I have lots of babies to make things for. Stay tuned for diaper cakes, name banners, and many gifts for the special little ones in my life.
After seeing the movie Eat, Pray, Love with 3 of my girlfriends, I was left thinking about my own life and needing to strive toward having more balance. Does anyone remember the scene toward the end of the movie where Javier Bardem is talking to Julia Roberts about needing balance in her life? That scene cracks me up because he is yelling at her to find balance. BALANCE....BALANCE! It's like when someone is telling me to relax as they are screaming it at me - how is that supposed to help? In a way, they are right. At times, I need to find more balance with....work and home...friends and family...needs and wants...saying yes and saying no. With the job I have, I needed a creative outlet or I wasn't going to survive. I'm so glad that I started this blog because it gives me the opportunity to showcase my creativity and share it with those who know me best. I hope you enjoy the posts and visit often. I thrive on being busy and I love that I can call myself many things - wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, social worker, cook, crafter, and photographer. Now I can call myself one more thing - Sew Snappy.
Thanks for reading! Happy New Year!
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