Update :)

Wow, I let life get in the way and nearly four months pass without writing a single thing. I did warn you that I’m not terribly good with continually writing. I’m getting a bit better with keeping a consistent schedule, including (trying) to get up at 8am and actually make my day somewhat productive. That isn’t always easy. Now if I can master a consistent bedtime (or at least before midnight, regardless of the time!)… It’s a work in progress.

I actually haven’t stopped writing completely, but I keep a personal journal now. I figure now that I have a place to store my most personal and (extremely) detailed information, maybe I will feel less compelled to write about it here. I know I felt a struggle with my writing, because after a point in time, it just felt so superficial. I hope you can be patient with me as I try to figure out who I am and what I am passionate about within my writings.

I have done a lot of moving forward with my life, so that is good at least. I finally got fed up with my poor hours at my previous job and went job hunting in August. I was VERY fortunate and accepted a position within a few weeks. I was able to quit both the jobs I held over the summer due to the hours I picked up at my new job. I work at a national retail (mainly clothing) chain that specializes, as my manager put it, in ‘affordable’ luxury items. They care a lot more about pleasing the customer and making sure the employees are happy. I finally don’t have to worry about catty coworkers, incompetent managers, and a poor work environment. I have made friends…. GIRL friends… MY AGE!!!!!!! It is so nice to have girls to text and chat with at work! My managers are impressed with my performance and their kind words really help me thrive. In fact, after only being there a couple of months, I accepted a holiday position working in the fine jewelry department. I know they only ask a few employees to take the position, so I feel honored that they asked me. Currently I work in juniors and special sizes (petites, plus sizes). I will be going back to the department again after the holidays. Also- the incentives ROCK! The managers reward you greatly for doing a good job. Makes working so fun!

I can’t remember the exact dates, but right around the time of my last post I joined a Christian Recovery group. I am now participating in a bible study of sorts; using the Bible, prayer, and reflection to help me deal with my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I am the background vocalist for the band at the large group session of the meeting. I also am now a background vocalist for the main church as well, performing 1-2 times a month. I have a strong passion to sing harmony, and it is really fun to get to experiment with chords playing against the melody. Most of my ‘work’ is impromptu- basically I learn the songs in practice, make up harmony, and master what I make up. It is a LOT of fun!

Boyfriend and I are still together; we just celebrated our six month anniversary in the middle of October. He has been a wonderful support and I am so appreciative to have him in my life. I was making progress before he came along, however his friendship has been a very strong influence to help me continue making good decisions. His family has welcomed me in like one of their own, which is really nice because I have not had much of a ‘normal’ family setting growing up.

Because of all my progress, I am happy (maybe a little sad, too) to announce that my therapy is coming to a close in December. It has been once a month since about July, but I continue to do well and deal with my emotional problems with strength, grace, and maturity (well, at least more than before…). I have been taken off my meds and I’m still staying strong! Life certainly isn’t easy by any means, but I have a lot more to work with when I am feeling down.

I’m feeling a lot more fit too! In August, I decided that I was starting to weigh a bit too much and that I needed to start working out on a more consistent basis and eat better. I joined a gym in my town that is fairly inexpensive and starting going a bit more frequently. I also purchased Dance Dance Revolution, the amazing work-out video game experience that I believe helped me drop nearly 40 pounds in my senior year of high school. I have only lost about three pounds overall since August, but I’ve lost a number of inches off various parts of my body and feel great! I still have a bit more work to do, but it’s nice to feel better about my body!

School is also a bit better. I am finally back to getting A’s and am hoping to double up on my classes starting next week. It would be nice to graduate by summer so I can get started with my ‘adult’ life (which includes MORE school!!!).

Anyways, so there’s the update. I will write again soon about something REALLY awesome that I’m planning. And other things, too :).

Well Hi! My name is Fin! And I work in a Button Factory!

Ok... I really don't work in a button factory...

Hi there! My name is Rachel, but I’d rather be known as Fin. I am 22 years old, and I live in the Midwest. I am a junior through the University of Phoenix and I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I live with my self-diagnosed narcissistic father at home. I work at a cute souvenir shop and, for the summer, I work at a barbeque restaurant. I also babysit in my spare time. I have a wonderful boyfriend (who is also my VERY best friend!) and his family has adopted me as another one of the kids. I also have great friends that I enjoy spending time with.

I am also a Christian. I’ve been going to church since I was eight, but in the last year or so I’ve really been exploring where I stand in the realm of Christianity. I attended an ELCA church for many years, but in the light of all the controversy going on, I wanted to find something different. Also, I live in a town with a very small 20-something population, so I recently started attending church with my boyfriend. It’s a wonderful place with a motto of ‘Come as You Are’. I wish I could say I read the bible avidly, but I maybe only pick it up once a week. Besides accepting the fact Christ died on the cross for me and for all mankind, I believe my role is to be as Christ-like as possible. I know I’m a sinner, but I try my darned best to love, accept, and be a good person. I personally enjoy the books of Matthew and Romans the best, for I feel they give some of the best direction in how we are supposed to behave as good Christians.

I love music and take voice lessons once a week. I guess I don’t exactly know what section I sing, in middle school it was Soprano I, in high school it was Alto 1, in college (my first year and a half) it was Alto II, my first voice teacher a few summers ago said I was Soprano II, and now my current teacher says I go into head voice in the Soprano range. I like to take that as a compliment in that I have a wide range! I also dabble in the piano, but I’m very much a left-brained person and it’s very technical and concrete for me. I’d give my left arm to be able to create my own music, but because I can’t I try my best to appreciate the music that other people create.

Reading is another hobby I’m extremely passionate about. Mostly you fill find romantic filled fiction (Nicholas Sparks and LaVyrle Spencer are a few of my favorite authors!) and self help books in my bookshelf. I also follow at least over twenty blogs, varying between mommy blogs, blogs about children with illnesses, Christian blogs, and photography blogs. I’ve been reading since I was five, and I haven’t stopped since! I used to get in trouble in school because I’d read during classes instead of listening to my teachers. Oops!

An activity I’m picking up this year is storm spotting! Weather has always been something I’ve been passionate about since I was really young, and an activity I’ve wanted to try for years. My boyfriend has been spotting for a number of years now and is taking me along for the ride. This year I’m going to go along with him so he can show me the ropes. But I’ve just started to look at the material to get my radio license so next year I can do it on my own. I’m VERY excited for this!

I also enjoy writing (obviously enough to start a blog. AGAIN!). Enough of my friends, family, and teachers and told me it’s a strength of mine, and I think I believe it myself now. I believe writing about my experiences is probably my biggest strength, but I enjoy writing poetry and fiction as well. I’ll try to throw a little of both into the blog, so I can practice them. I also will throw in some advice, and some reviews of movies, music, books, and travel opportunities. Since I don’t have any significant hobbies, I have to write about something significant!

Other hobbies that aren’t so significant include: Cartoons, rollerblading, biking, walking, sleeping, baking, going to amusement parks, and other things that obviously aren’t coming to mind at the moment. You’ll find out, I’m sure. I love trying new things and I try to be open to new experiences.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog. I will warn you now that posting frequently can and WILL be one of my weaknesses, but I will try very hard to combat that.

Fin