January Thus Far...

image courtesy of: http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/visualhunter/visualhunter1211/visualhunter121100016/16439792-january-desk-calendar-2013.jpg

You guys already know I try to stay busy and needless to say I generally succeed lol!

What's going on with me?

Trip to NYC for a plus model casting and a photo shoot is in store for this weekend. It's also a mini pre-25th birthday celebration. I have some new modeling work that I will post here separately and I'm THIS close to being signed to an agency here in Cincinnati (yaaaay-yaaaayeeee *Ice Cube voice*). Because they don't do exclusively plus like agencies in mega cities like I'm used to, the process is pretty different.Not in a bad way at all, but I REALLY feel it in my bones that this company is the right fit for me and that with them I will actually be getting work (bridal shows, commercials, hopefully some print etc) and I will be well on my way to plus model stardom...or well at least a career as a working model :).

WLJ - I'm still on it. Holding fast at my current weight and REALLY taking a look at my eating habits. Trying to and eventually will push all bread and yeast out of my diet. I'm about 98% sure it is the cause of my adult acne and bloating I feel periodically (non -period related). We'll see. I'm going to start with one week of grain/flour/wheat free and then continue with 2 weeks, 3 weeks and finally a month. At that point I should be able to keep going ;). I'm OWNING a dress size 18 by the end of May. I'm not settling!!! And I'm going to be in that 16 by the time Liam is 4 years old if NOT sooner!

School is back session and I'm taking Pilates (which is NO joke. I'm gonna have abs of steel by the time this class is over), Physiology (again - no I didn't fail but my grade WAS sub par) and Stats. I am certainly projecting As & Bs this semester (Hell NOT like I have a choice) and deadlines for applying to Nursing school are coming up as well!

I'm still taking my CNA class which I REALLY need to get a move on and finish up. My goal is to be done by the end of February. I'm hoping to be able to knock some work out during my travels to NYC!

Liam is great. He is back in daycare and thriving once again. I'm happy I made that decision (a post on that at a later date). I am still trying to arrange for him to attend the local public preschool here so that he can get the speech help he needs at NO COST (we are on all the waiting lists I know of in 2 counties) and I can finally get my handsome and intelligent boy on the straight and narrow lol.

Otherwise, life is great. I am humble, appreciative and just living and trying to do right. I hope all has been and is well with you guys!

Until again,

Cicely

Road to Nursing School 2013 and Beyond

I have been reevaluating my school choices one more time...I REALLY wanted to go to Columbia in NYC and do their ETP program. I even started the process and had my reqs all lined up. I was checking out dates for the GRE and well I was ready. biggest issue was I had not saved enough $ and I KNEW I was not prepared to be in the city with Liam by myself once again. Now, after this semester (Physiology + Stats), I will only need Chemistry and an optional Physiology lab and I will be able to again apply for Columbia as well as NYU for 2014 school year.

The biggest issue is that if I stay here at EKU I will be granted an Associate degree in Nursing by Spring 2015. That means it will take me about 20 months to get a 2 yr degree that I already have about half the credits for (b/c I have to take the classes in sequence and can only take the classes Fall/Spring and no Winter or Summer). If I get into NYU or Columbia I will finish actually around the SAME time with a BSN and right on track for my MSN (esp. in Columbia's program). I will of course incur more debt...

I really feel like I need to make this happen. I don't think Columbia is the end all be all of Nursing schools, but I do know that being there can get me to where I want to be...but at what price?

I am still applying to EKU's Nursing program and hope to get in for Fall 2013 and take the basic Nursing one, get CPR certified and be able to finish the Fall strong...I think this will make my application for Columbia even stronger, but I am worried about transferring Nursing schools. It doesn't happen too often and is generally not advised.

Then, there comes the issue of the HRSA scholarship I'm applying for...if I get the scholarship and begin at EKU...what is the likelihood of me being able to transfer the scholarship to Columbia or NYU? Will the apply funds for BSN/MSN? If not, how am I going to navigate this? I NEED that scholarship. *sigh* There is just so much at stake. I know that I want to be an NP by age 30. That is my goal. I'd like to have my DNP by 35ish.

I'm going to have to do a lot of praying and meditating over this matter. I know that if it's meant to be it WILL work out and I will have to adjust my life accordingly. I will meet opposition from my family, have support from my friends, but I know I have to make this happen for me and Liam, by any means necessary.

Weigh in...what would u do in the same situation? If I stay I have family support, cost of living is cheaper, but it will take at least another 2 years longer to finish all the schooling I want to do. If I leave in 2014, I will have the time to save $, I have contact/ties in NYC to help me get on my feet, I will be going to an amazing teaching/research school and have a multitude more of opportunities, but as we all know NYC living is hard.
 I'm willing to hear opinions, criticisms and/or words of encouragement. Sometimes I need another POV to make me look at the situation as a whole and not just from my "my way or the highway" mentality.

The Year That Lies Ahead...

Impossible is a word that has never been in my vocabulary. I don't believe there is any such thing. What limits us is our minds! Even if I can't always accomplish things in the literal sense, we live in a world where literal meaning is just one aspect of a bigger picture. I look back on this year and although I didn't get done a lot of what I though I would, I did accomplish some major things that have changed the direction of where my life was headed previously.

Let's review where I was the exact same time 365 days ago:

Take from post Adios 2011 :

"1) getting this company on it's feet and geared towards success. I want to take LIAM Artistry serious and I want others to as well

2) Saving money - alotting a specific amount per pay check - say $40/month?

3) investing money - a set amount per month (say $20) to start

4) continuing to invest in myself: health and education. I will continue on my path for ultimate health and I want to continue to grow as a person, woman, mother mentally.

5) figure out a way to become a licensed esthetician before the end of the year (ended up discovering a couple months later I actually wanted to be a Nurse/Nurse Practitioner) 

6) work on being more patient with Liam and trying not to get burned out

7) move out of my parents house (again lol)
8) formulate and execute a concrete plan to leave KY and go to where ever else Liam and I are headed in our lives (again!) 

9) continue to pursue a career in plus size modeling (more shoots, model development as much as I can) 

10) be debt free (with the exception of student loans) "

Looking back I accomplished 60% of my goals from last year! I think that's great! :) I'm proud of myself. I hope you all did something this year to make yourselves proud. All the people I know REALLY put in work this year and I think that is amazing! I will be working on my vision board tonight as me and Liam bring in our new year pretty low key. 

2013 for me:

1) save and invest $ (myself and Liam)

2) get HRSA scholarship

3) maintain 3.0 + GPA

4) finish CNA course and get hired at a hospital

5) continue to shoot, work on branding myself and be published as a plus size model and be agency-signed in a national publication (website, comp cards and new business cards)

6) continue to work on being a great Mom and nurturing Liam academically, mentally, physically and spiritually. Continue to grow as a Mom 

7) lose these last 50-ish lb - Size 16 here I come!!!

8) get certified as and work as a group fitness trainer

9) get accepted into and finally begin Nursing program/clinicals

10) take time to smell the flowers

11) walk in fashion shows

12) go out and socialize more

13) decorate my apartment to my taste

14) contemplate and seriously consider a move out of KY (if I feel it is the right fit for me and Liam)

15) inspire, encourage, ignite the fire in others

16) be a better friend

17) be a better Me! 
18) continue to decide if home school is the right decision for me and Liam
19)  develop this blog (make it official with new design and revamp...finally! lol) 

Merry Christmas 2012

Liam and I wish a happy, amazing and loving Christmas to you and yours! Will do a post a little later about some of the Xmas goodies we got :)

He would NOT stop playing with this damn box! lol That was his face when he saw nothing was in there !!! :p

Sweet face!

He makes me so happy

He was trying to run away! lol

He was saying something to me :)

I like this one

Until again,

Cicely

End of Semester

Hey guys!

I'm tired as hell lol. That has been the story of my life lately. It looks like I will be ending the semester with 2 Bs and a grade that is NOT a B! I'm waaaay too embarrassed to even share that grade with you guys, but just know that I will be taking Physiology over in the Spring and I WILL get a B in it.

I know where I am falling short: simply not having enough time to study. But what can you do? I worked my entire way through my B.A. and it looks like I will have to work my way through my ADN/BSN/MSN as well. It's not working I mind so much, it's getting up in the middle of the night, making time for Liam and making time to do what I need/have and rarely want to do. I'm always tired and seem to always be running around like a crazy person.

The only thing that motivates me is that there is a very bright light at the end of this winding tunnel. I will be a Nurse Practitioner! A licensed medical professional with the capability to help, heal and treat people. I am claiming that by my 30th birthday in 2018 I will be an NP or at least in my last semester of an MSN program. I'm saving my DNP - Doctorate of Nursing Practice (currently the terminal degree in Nursing practice) for around age 35/36. I know I will be a good Nurse :).

In other news, Liam and I are going to get some holiday pictures done and you know I will post them! His face just brings me so much joy. That's a feeling I hope never changes. I want to be able to look at him in 20 years,40 years and 60 years and still feel this same warmth and joy and pride.

16 days 'til Xmas...saay whaaaat? Can't believe this year is really coming to a close. I need to get back on my weight loss journey hardcore. This semester derailed me a bit, but I'm ready to be on it. I want to lose 40 lb between now and June. I'd like to have the final 30-40 lb gone by this time next year.

Hope all you guys have been well! :) Look for a YT video coming soon.

Until again.
Cicely

Mama's 2013 Goals

photo credit: Sarah Kranz

One month from today will be January 1, 2013. The start of a new year and the beginning of great things for Liam and I. I can feel it in my bones. Things will be amazing, life changing and confirming will happen for me in the year 2013. For now here is a small compilation of personal, family and other goals that I have (not in order and I'm sure I will add more):

1) Walk in FFFWeek 2013 in NYC

2) Get ACE certified as a group fitness instructor

3) Lose these last 50-60 lb  (size 16 here I come) 

4) get my CNA certification 

5) get signed by an agency

6) work on Liam's speech by integrating speech exercises at home

7) decorate our apartment! 

8) get the HRSA scholarship for Nursing

9) begin making larger payments on student loans

10) make sure to schedule time to do things with Liam EVERY week

11) shoot every 2 months

12) update my shoe collection (which is slim)

13) get Liam fully potty trained
14) fix and solidify Liam's nighttime routine
15) save $
16) learn to be conversational in a 3rd language
17) learn to do more with my natural hair
18) finally learn to sew - begin working on some designs (for myself)

19) get into and finally begin the clinical phase of Nursing degree (Fall 2013)
20) complete and keep my goal of working out 5 days/week (beginning in January)
21) get Liam involved in some sort of physical activity
22) travel a little (other than to NYC lol)
23) find a new church home
24) get more regular about posting YT videos
25) begin working as a CNA
26) Walk in Tropical Divas fashion show
27) walk in Curves Rock Fash Weekend
28) be shot for Eddy and Bri website
29) have no Cs in the Spring semester

Plus Size Divaz: MODEL CICELY CARTER

Plus Size Divaz: MODEL CICELY CARTER: DIVA OF THE DAY CICELY CARTER FACEBOOK MODEL MAYHEM www.twitter.com/plussizedivaz

Cicely Plus Model - Preview

First order of business...if you haven't done so already...please go and support my Facebook "fan" page (and I use the term lightly lol). www.facebook.com/Cicelyplusmodel

Anywho, here is a preview of some  work I did this weekend. Uggh! I'm in love with all the shots! I had 2 great collaborations with 2 wonderful female photographers. I will have one more shoot this year and my 2012 portfolio will be complete!

Without further ado:

image not retouched/edited in any way (yet).Photo courtesy of Erin Claire Photograpy - http://www.facebook.com/erinclairephotography

Lightly retouched image. Courtesy of Amelia Renee Photography- http://www.facebook.com/AmeliaReneePhotog

She Lives!

I'm alive and kicking. School has been kicking my butt lately and I'm trying to stay on top of homework and do some EC assignments to keep my grades up! Liam is great. Can't believe he has been in preschool for 2 months now! His class will be having a Thanksgiving feast next Wednesday and while I can't make it, I'm trying to see if Mom & Dad can or if my grandparents can :).

I'm working today for Benefit and have tomorrow and Sunday "off" as I will be doing 2 photo shoots. Tomorrow's here in Lexington and Sunday's in Louisville :). You guys already know how excited I am ;).

I will be sure to post images ASAP when I get the back and man oh man I can't wait! Hope you guys have been alright out there. I have been making moves in terms of things for modeling and just trying to make it through this semester.

I picked my Spring schedule and I will be taking Intro Stats, Pilates and Couch to 5K lol. I figured I needed a way to get those extra workouts in :). That will put me (finally) at working out 5 days/week. Now if only I can get my eating under control, I'll be great. I want to lose 10 lbs by the end of this year and 20 lbs by my birthday! I know I can do it, just need to ante up!

Write again soon!

Cicely

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