A Long Time Comin...

So I know I have kept everyone on their toes since my last post, wondering if I am alive and what I am doing. Actually, no one has said anything like that, so I'm just hoping for everyone to be excited about my life. haha. Again, a lot has been going on, being the reason there has not been a post in quite some time.

To start with, I will discuss the lovely fiance (Candace). Candace got into Dental School at the University of Kentucky AND the University of Louisville. She decided to go to UK and will start in August. Dental School is a 4 year, 9-5, Monday-Friday program. So although she will be exhausted, she will be a doctor before me, even though I am 3 years older. I hate being reminded of that fact, but I guess she can pay for my school once she gets out. Candace is doing great and is ready to graduate from undergrad. She will graduate in May, we get married in June, we move from our one-bedroom apartment in July, and she starts school in August. So she doesn't really get a break.

Well, enough about her. just kidding. I love her. My school is going great. I am still in my class work, but I am preparing for the hands on work for next semester. I interviewed for my practicum site (which is where I pay to work, instead of getting paid). Right after the interview, I found out that I got the position for all of next school year, so that makes my life a lot easier! The practicum site is at a Lexington women's drug rehabilitation center. The interesting part about this site is that the women go through therapy and counseling with their family and life on site. So, I'm excited about this opportunity. Usually it's very difficult to find a practicum site, so I got lucky. I still have straight A's last time I checked, so God is definitely blessing my efforts here at UK! I am also doing research on therapy outcome. Most people aren't interested in research so I won't go into that, but if you are interested, just ask and I'll tell you all you ever wanted to know about it!

I am still working at Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital and have been there almost a year now. That is very hard to believe. It has become a major stressor in my life due to the aggressive nature of mentally ill patients, but there is always someone or something that makes me smile on a day-to-day basis. I just recently got kicked in the shin pretty good and have taken a few other bumbs and bruises. I have seen some amazing things at the hospital that I wish I wouldn't have ever seen, but I'm sure the experiences will pay off later in life. I still love my line of work there, it is just not the happiest place on Earth.

Chris and Mindy are pregnant again and the baby is due around my birthday again, so that is another very proud moment in my life. I love my lil' niece, Rylee, and I got to babysit her one night when Chris and Mindy went to a UK basketball game. We worked on saying "Uncle Kevin", but all she could muster out was a form of "Uncle". She did however learn my cat's name (Sha Nae Nae....don't ask) and everytime she sees a cat, she automatically calls it..."Nae Nae". haha. I don't get to see her as much as I want to, but Chris and I are just so busy right now that it's pretty much impossible.

The wedding plans are coming along great! The honeymoon is paid in full and out of my hair. We are starting wedding showers and all that good stuff now. I gave up on trying to get out of my lease, so Candace and I will be stuck in my small one-bedroom apartment for a month after we get married. We will then move to a bigger place (somewhere) in July and get on with life. For more information on the wedding, go to our wedding website and it will tell you everything.

I hope everyone is doing well and I miss you all! Take care and much love :)

Keep on Keepin on...

Gosh, I went back and read my last blog and realized it's been forever. I don't know who all reads these things, but I'm sorry I have not kept this up to date. A lot has been goin on in the past couple of months.

To start it all off, school has began and I really enjoy it. In graduate school, class is more hands on and there are hardly any tests or useless homework assignments. I have had the opportunity to start my basic counseling skills in a videotaped, two-way mirror room and get a lot of feedback from my peers and professors. A lot of paper writing, but I don't mind that too bad. It is hard to believe, but it is already time to start scheduling for the Spring semester. I decided to take 12 hours instead of 9 hours in the spring, because I will be getting married right after I finish up my spring semester and will be rewarded by a wonderful wedding night!!!

As for work...it continues to get more and more interesting. I've gotten hit a couple more times, but I'm all good. I have many many many good and funny stories, so anytime you want to hear those, just let me know.

I have been sick for the past couple of months and I was sent to an ENT specialist. After four rounds of antibiotics, the ENT decided to take my tonsils out. So...yesterday, I got my tonsils removed and the doctor found a large abscess full of infection (being the reason I could not get healthy). so now I have 3 holes in the back of my throat and am staying with mom and dad for this week.

Candace has bought a wedding dress, picked out the bridesmaid dresses, paid for our photographer (and we've had some pictures for our engagement done, but not all). Our engagement pictures will be up on a website and once I figure out the website and the day they will be up, I'll let everyone know. Wedding planning is going great and we are truely enjoying ourselves. Eight months left before the big day and we are very excited.

Candace has great news!!! She has already had an interview at UK's Dental School and just heard that she received an interview at University of Louisville too! So everything is going as planned and even better with our relationship and our individual lives! Keep praying for us as we face a lot of change in both of our lives and look ahead toward our future.

Don't forget to check out our wedding website as well. Take care and I love you all!

It Just Keeps Gettin Better!

So I had signed up for a "provisional" employee status, which means that I kind of choose my hours. I was excited about that, but as if that wasn't enough, they offered me to go ahead and go "part-time" at the hospital. Although that may not sound all that much different, a part-time employment comes with BENEFITS!!!

I got a raise, Health Insurance, and Dental Insurance, and a couple of other things before I even started my first day! Haha, life is going great for me. I have finished up my classroom orientation and I start tomorrow with my "on floor" orientation. I'm very excited to get going. I am working 3-4 shifts a week at 2nd shift.

There were a few car problems this week, such as...my battery went bad and my car was done for a couple of hours in Lexington. Dad and I went to Wal-Mart and got a new battery (of course the free replacement warrenty expired just 15 days ago...figures). Then I went and got my oil changed and all that good crap. My jeep is almost at 100,000 miles. So if it can last five more good years...I'm set!

Hope all are doing well, keep me updated on you!

Patience Pays Off Again...

Well...the last couple weeks has been absolutely crazy! I have felt like a woman during her Menopause stage (no offense mom). hehe. It all started out by me making myself read A LOT for my own spiritual growth and for Candace and I's pre-marriage counseling.

To start out, I got an apartment in dowtown Lexington, right next to UK. It is actually called Campus Court at Red Mile. Red Mile is a horse track in Lexington and I'll be able to go catch a race if I want to (but that probably won't happen). I plan on riding my bike to class...rain, sun, or snow!!! My new address is:


Kevin L. Flora
935 Red Mile Rd.
Apartment #14204
Lexington, KY 40504


Feel free to come visit, write, or send money at any point! haha.


Also, to cap off everything else, God has finally blessed me with a place of employment. I am the newest employee at Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital! I will be a "Mental Health Associate" where my main duties will include observing the patient's behavior, reporting to the Psychologist/Psychiatrist, and helping with medications. There are approximately 150 patients in the hospital everyday, most of which reside in the hospital. It was built in the 1840's, but they are starting to build a brand new, state of the art hospital that will be complete in 2012. Hopefully, I can work my way up and by the time I obtain my Ph.D., I can be a Psychologist in the new hospital. Here is a picture of it currently:









So, as life goes on, things just seem to get more and more difficult, but there are times when things finally start to come together. God has been smiling on me these past couple of weeks as things are beginning in my lonely year ahead. I'll be busy enough though with a job and classes to not be lonely.


Candace and I continue our wedding plans. SHE GOT A DRESS!!! From what I hear, it's not like the normal wedding dress. I don't know anything besides that though. Everyone else just says that it looks beautiful. Her brother (Stuart Grant) is getting married on July 25th, so we will be going to that wedding and we have a wedding this weekend to go to! Love is in the air.

And finally, since everyone else (including ESPN) has given their two cents on Michael Jackson, I guess I will too. I liked the "Free Willy" song and that's about it. I also laughed at his voice when he talked.


P.S. - I get to see my favorite "God-daughter"/niece this weekend after Candace and I get back from the wedding and I'm very excited!

A New Start...

Well, it's been awhile since the last update and I'm sure everyone is on the edge of their seats wondering what happened to me. Just kidding. Fortunately, the saying goes..."no news is good news". But, I was raised under a mother who always wanted the news, good or bad.

I finally graduated from the University of the Cumberlands this past Spring and hold a B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Art. While I was finishing up my degree, mom and dad were underway moving to Danville, KY. No longer is my family Ohioans, we are Hicks. The Bluegrass has been good so far though. We have a 300 acre cow farm in our backyard and live in a nice little neighborhood. There are a total of 6 kids under the age of 5 between our two neighbors, so mom and dad are getting a good taste of grandparenting! So far, it's been a great experience here in Danville and we are getting to know the area pretty well.

My niece is growing up big and strong and you can see updated pictures of her on Chris's blog (a link is located on the righthand side of this page). I have recently applied to almost 100 jobs, but only one hit so far. Because I don't want to get too excited about the position, I won't post it yet, but...I'm pretty sure that I have the job. I've had my interview, drug test, etc., and I'm just waiting on the final call. I continue to stress out about getting a job and a place to live and moving on with life, but the reassurance that God will have His way with me is getting me through.

Candace and I continue to plan for the wedding (our wedding website link is on the righthand side of this page). We have some surprises planned, but need to get the rest of the wedding planned. haha. Marriage counseling is going well and our long distance relationship now is not easy, but again...God has a great plan for us.

The next steps for me are to look for a place in Lexington and move from Danville, get my job, and start school in late August. I will be going into the Counseling Psychology program at UK for the next couple of years and hoping to get accepted into the doctoral program between now and then. Candace and I are still on for June 5th, 2010! Visit our wedding website and keep us updated on your lives!!! My email is kevin.flora@hotmail.com

The Craziness Continues...

So, finally I've been given the opportunity to take a break from the craziness of this schooling stuff and let everyone else know what all is going on. I do apologize that I am so infrequent with this blog thing, but remember that I am new to it all.

To begin with, school started back up after Christmas break and classes are really neat. I am taking Abnormal Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Accounting (for fun), and an online Life of Christ Class. Even though it's only 12 hours and four total classes, I am reading more than ever in my life. I do love all the reading so far and we aren't even into the good stuff (so my professor says). Earlier in my senior year, I had heard that I just needed 5 elective hours...meaning that I can take whatever I want in order to graduate. Then, I heard from graduate schools that I have to have both Counseling Psychology and Abnormal Psychology to get into any graduate program. Then I find out that both of those classes are offered at 8:00 am (with the classes alternating days). Both classes ended up being with my advisor too. Although I enjoy my advisor, I have a little blackmail on him (he was talking to me about how good his old college roommate was at Judo and wanted to show me a move. I ended up getting flipped over his back in the computer lab). We have a good time down here at Cumberlands and it seems like everyone is family down here. Anyways, I digress. I love my classes and everything is going pretty good with them...I've only been late once!

Although I have yet to hear back from graduate school yet, the time is coming very soon. Interviews are in mid-February, so next time I am contacted from any graduate program will be to find out whether or not I get an interview. After the interview, I will find out whether or not I go in school. From there, I will look for a job and an apartment. More information to come there. Candace still has another year of undergraduate school at Cumberlands before she follows me somewhere. She will apply for Dental School late this coming summer and should know around Christmas time. If I don't get into the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville, then my advisor has kind of promised me a spot in the Master's program at Cumberlands' Grad school for Counseling Psychology. So things should work out pretty good for me either way.

The Cumberlands hosted what is known as the "Border Bowl". This Bowl game is all of the state of Kentucky's high school all-star football players vs. Tennessee's high school all-star football players. I got asked to keep stats for the game and it was pretty neat. I was able to watch many players that are going to Division I schools all over the country. So far, I believe 10 players have signed with Division I football programs, including Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Florida State. At half time, the Border Bowl committee honored many of Kentucky and Tennesse's contributors through the years. My favorite had to be Joe B. Hall (who was the coach after Adolf Rupp at the University of Kentucky basketball...see picture tot he right). I got to meet many people from all over both states and had a great day all around. A pretty neat experience if you ever get the opportunity.

Of course, Candace and I are still engaged. We had our first marriage counseling session when we went back home over the break and have been doing great ever since. Candace's classes are very difficult, so she stays pretty aggrivated with her school work, but she's got an awesome roommate, a supporting family, and a tremendous/loving fiance. haha. Candace did just turn 20 on January 20th, so now we are back to being 2 years apart from each other. I believe that's all for now...holla at ya later!!!

And it All Starts Back...

Well...Christmas turned out to be absolutely amazing once again. Mom and Dad actually had most of Christmas ready this year by the time I got home, which was a plesant and relaxing surprise. Of course, my favorite neice got to see me and all she could do was smile (maybe that's because that's all I could do)! Rylee is growing up so fast and I can't wait for her to be Candace and I's little flower girl. Mom and Dad got me a television for the future apartment and Candace got me a Glock 22 (.40 caliber pistol)! I think I'm ready for life now.

Speaking of the beautiful girl in my life, we set our wedding date for June 5th, 2010. Yes, there is plenty of time before then, but this time will be good for Candace and I to continue to build our relationship with God and between ourselves. This also gives Candace time to finish school at Cumberland. We actually have quite a bit of planning done thus far and are just collecting money until the big day presents itself. Today, we actually counted my change (All the change I get goes into my "piggybank" and is known as the "honeymoon fund"). It's amazing how much money you can accumulate when saving your extra change, however...it is hardly enough to pay for any of the honeymoon ideas that I have in mind, so any donations would be most helpful...haha.

I came back to Williamsburg, KY on December 27th and then kept stats for a high school basketball tournament for a few days. The tournament was extended for an extra day and ran into the New Year's Eve party due to a chemical spill across the street from the high school. This chemical spill happened on the final day of the tournament, but...once again, my faithful bride-to-be stood beside me the whole tournament so that I wouldn't be alone. ahhh....how sweet...i know.

I ended up spending New Year's Eve at Candace's aunt and uncle's house with her family and we had a great time. On the 4th-6th, I traveled with Candace's family to North Carolina where we spent a couple of days skiing and relaxing in a nice cabin that overlooked the ski slopes. No one got hurt, but we were all a little sore on the way home. Mom called me yesterday and warned me that there was going to be a flood in Williamsburg (I guess she forgets that I have a window and can see outside, I don't know...haha. love you mom) So, just for her sake, I have put a picture up that shows the high school baseball field and the town park under water.

The Christmas break has been very good to me and I can't thank God enough for the people that he has put into my life to help me through each and every day. Stay tuned for the next update and more and more things are going to change for me this next semester.

Well, it has been a very long time since I have updated anything due to the business of school, work, and the ENGAGED life! O ya...I am engaged now if ya didn't know. Candace LaShae Mack is the lucky girl who gets to spend the rest of her life with me. (Haha). She is from Williamsburg, KY (where Cumberland is) and has a great Christian family. Candace is a Biology major and is going to be able to graduate May of 2010. She's my girl version of Dougie Housar (sp?) because she is graduating in 3 years from undergraduate school at Cumberland and plans on following me to graduate school for denistry.

I have applied to the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology. If I can get accepted somewhere, then I will proceed to get a job and an apartment and start my life. I will be at graduate school for a year before Candace and I get married, so hopefully I can get life started and just be ready for her to move in.

I am currently home for Christmas and enjoying the time with my family very much. Chris, Dad, a couple of family friends, and I all just got back from the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals game in Cleveland yesterday. I think the windshield got down to -10 degrees or something like that. I'm just now getting to thawing out. On January 3rd-5th, I am going to North Carolina with Candace's family on a ski trip. I am excited about the holidays and the next few months. I lot is going to happen and a lot of changes will be made to my life, but I am truely looking forward to it.

I will be keeping up with this more often, so please continue to check up on me (and Candace). Our wedding website is attached below, so click on that to get updates and things on the wedding. The date is set for June 5th, 2010, so save the date! It will be in Williamsburg, KY which is right on I-75, right before Jellico (the first exit in Tennessee). Take care and we (Candace and I) love you all!

http://www.momentville.com/CandaceandKevin

I'm on!!!

So, in my quest to follow my "bubbie's" footsteps, here I am...on the web and telling the world my story. Someday, this may pay off when I become famous and my original writings are on here. haha. If you are wondering, "What is Kevin doing right now?", I'll just tell ya. I am sitting in Charleston, WV with the Cumberlands' football team getting my game face on for the game tomorrow against West Virginia Tech. It's my senior year at Cumberland and I have gotten the opportunity to travel with the team this year. Our team is 6-1 and looking toward the playoffs in a few weeks, so it's been a pretty good year thus far.

Candace and I are still together and going strong. As we continue to look toward the future, we are still attempting to capture every minute of our life together now. It's a little difficult with how busy we both are with school and work, but we are getting to see each other a little bit everyday or so.

Well...there's a little update on the ole' kev. I hope everyone is doing as well as I am and is smiling as much as I have been lately. Even though stress gets the best of us, there is always a reason to smile!

Now for the funny quote:

"You laugh because I'm different...........I laugh cause I just farted!"