Yours Truly, Cate

I freaking hate the snow. I would rather deal with a pack of hungry hyenas than to drive with these idiots in this city when it snows. Grrr. There I said it. 3 months ago

According to the article I read:

(http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Satellite/en_air/Article/How-To-Become-A-Red-Bull-Air-Race-Pilot-021238615345793)

The six steps
1. Fulfil the basic requirements to take part in the Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp.
2. Arrange own aircraft for the Qualification Camp and race season.
3. Complete and send in the application form
4. Receive Red Bull Air Race Committee invitation to attend the Qualification Camp.
5. Take part in the Qualification Camp
6. Qualified! – Receive the Red Bull Air Race Super Licence 3 months ago

Got the BF on board. One step closer to achieving this one! 3 months ago

Luckily, I have always been a fan of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace, so I do not have any credit card debt, car loans, or consumer debt of any other kind. The only debt I actually have is:

1) Student Loans (my biggest debt, by far!)

and

2) A Personal Loan (I took out 3 year loan for my upcoming weight loss surgery- well worth it, if you ask me.) 3 months ago

I’ve scheduled my surgery for the middle of May! I’m THISCLOSE!!! 3 months ago

I’ve been doing research on having VSG weight loss surgery for a couple of years now. Financing the operation has been my only obstacle. Fortunately, I have found a way to overcome that obstacle, so I will be going through with the surgery soon! 3 months ago

I found a local emergency shelter for women and children that I am interested in coordinating something with. I have actually taken it upon myself to set up a volunteer/donation program with the ECE club at my college and I am fundraising an opportunity for us to go there next month to drop off some donations (children’s books, socks, diapers, etc.) and to partake in some projects they need help with. I am thinking that I will inquire as to how to become a regular volunteer. 5 months ago

Tomorrow is my very last class…EVER!!! I have 120 hours of student teaching in January, but I’m basically a graduate!!! 5 months ago

Ciro is studying law at San Fransisco Xavier University in Sucre, Bolivia. He chose law because he finds the discipline very interesting and he has always enjoyed reading. As Bolivia continues to develop, Ciro hopes that a degree in law will prepare him for the challenges ahead and help bring him financial success that he and his family desperately need. Ciro’s mother is retired and his father works as a auditor. With a limited family income, affording school has always been a challenge. Ciro’s younger brother has hopes of earning a university degree as well, and with the promise of success, Ciro hopes to be able to help him afford his own education.

With the money from his student loan Ciro plans to budget it to help pay for his school materials that will help him finish his thesis and the many fees associated with the school’s administration and titles.

In Bolivia it is common to pay tuition at the end of the semester in form of a exam fee and at the end a four-year degree, in the form of a thesis fee and title fee. Despite having completed all the required work, Ciro fears that if he cannot afford the fees he will be unable to receive his degree. He hopes to not have to postpone his studies. School takes up much of his time and currently Ciro is unable to find a job that is flexible with his school schedule.

With a degree in law, however, he expects to earn $5208 a year, a salary that would allow him to help support his brothers’ education and his parents’ well-being into the future. Ciro wishes to share that his city of Sucre, is very beautiful with great historical colonial architecture and many lovely museums.

This loan is administered by Vittana’s partner Banco Fie. 5 months ago

On November 23rd, 2012 I lost a good friend. She was not only a good friend, but she has been my closest classmate for the last 14 months. I valued her friendship, and wish I would have had many more years to develop it.

My friend took her own life on the day after Thanksgiving.

I pray for peace and understanding for her friends and family. I pray for peace and understanding for myself.

I am sad.

I am mad.

I am numb.

I am confused.

I feel like I had absolutely no say in the matter- that she just decided to take her own life and left her friends and family to deal with the devastation and aftermath.

I am angry because she left behind so many people who loved her and would have been there for her, had she reached out.

Maybe she did reach out. Did I miss the clues? Did we all miss her cry for help?

I continuously re-live the last couple of weeks in my mind over and over again. If only I had said this- or done that- what did she mean when she said blah blah blah, etc. I feel like it’s some kind of puzzle, but I am only allowed so many pieces of the puzzle and I can’t solve it.

But then I decided that I will not blame myself and I will not blame others. I will not even blame my friend. For whatever reason, her personal pain exceeded her resources for coping with the pain.

It was a devastating decision, but she’s gone and life is still going on all around me. I still have classes to go to (it’s actually my last 8 weeks of class!). I still have a job. I still have my family. I still have my life.

I will miss her every single day, and I will be sad for a very long time, but at the same time I feel as if I have been empowered to calm, heal, and strengthen my own spirit.

In the week since I’ve learned of Jackie’s death, I’ve done my fair share of crying. Actually, it seems as if all I’ve done has cried, slept, had nightmares, cried, tried to sleep again, cried, and finally resolved to look further into the aspects of suicide that scare me. I want answers. I want clarity. I want truth. I’ve visited numerous websites, read a couple of exerts from books, and watched several videos about suicide and the afterlife. I’ve done a lot of soul searching and a lot of meditating. I’ve delved into what ideas I truly believe and what beliefs just don’t resound with me anymore.

I believe that the concept that you’re put on this planet is in part to work out issues of trust, forgiveness, and love.

One of my favorite websites as of recently is afterlifetv.com. I really enjoy watching Bob Olson’s videos and hearing his point of view on the afterlife. 5 months ago

One of my favorite songs of all time :) 6 months ago

Two more classes, then a month long externship and I am DONE! 6 months ago

Ibrahim is from Iraq. He is 48 years old, married and has five children. He is the only provider for the family.

Ibrahim owns a grocery store selling soft drinks, juices, cheese, dairy products, detergents and snacks. He established his business in 2010 where he is the only grocery store in the area. He now has good experience in this field and a good reputation in his local community.

Ibrahim is requesting a 2,500 USD loan to buy a generator. He is aiming to grow his business to insure a future business for his children. He also wants more profits going to change the house furniture. 6 months ago

That I would be using the herbs and veggies from my own garden to feed my little rabbit?! He loves the herbs, especially Cilantro, Lemon Balm, and Basil! 8 months ago

Went four days w/o my meds, and it’s not a pretty sight- this withdrawl thing. I gave in and I’m taking my meds again. I just have too much going on between work, school, practicums, and home to worry about breaking down or being unbearable to those around me. I’m gonna have to take a week long vacation just to come off my meds! 8 months ago

Nadezhda is 35 years old, married and has a daughter of school age. In search of a source of income for her family, she started her own business in animal husbandry in 2007 with an initial sum of 10,000 som (KGS). Thanks to persistence and hard work, Nadezhda was able to develop her business to contain three cows today and have a monthly income of 20,000 som (KGS). Also, Nadezhda is involved in sewing and repairing clothing at home and provides a small income for the family budget. In order to further develop her business, Nadezhda requested a loan in the amount of 60,000 som (KGS) from the “Bai-Tushum and Partners” company to buy bulls for fattening up and resale. She plans to invest the earnings from the loan into an expansion of her business and remodel of her house. 9 months ago

David lives with his family, his wife, and his son. He is the only one in the family who works, making bread. He started this business thanks to the support of his sister, who is also a baker. He doesn’t have a fixed schedule. As of today, he has a great deal of experience.

He is requesting this loan in order to purchase supplies for use in he bakery, including sugar, flour, jellies, eggs, and bags for packaging, among other materials essential to his work. This loan will give him the resources he needs to be able to work.

David’s aspiration is to be able to grow his bakery and to have his own house where he can live with his family. He would also like to have enough strength to continue working. 10 months ago