Yesterday, my business Reentry Bridge to Success became a reality on paper. I am still in the process of putting this vision together, but I am so thrilled to have it officially a business right now.

I am planning on having the first classes start as soon as July and I am excited for all that is to come of this wonderful idea that sprouted up in my mind over 3 years ago. =)

I have a place picked out, paint colors, and room designs on paper. It is just the waiting game for now before I can go in and really start on things and get them going.

Reentry Bridge to Success is all about equipping reentry individuals with all the technology skills they weren't able to build with the general population as the new technology was developed. We start at the basics and work our way up to the current technology. We also will have connections at local adult school and college organizations for them to have support if they decide to go that way after finishing Reentry Bridge to Success.

The Last 3.5 Years

     After graduating with my AA-T in Sociology, I transferred to the University in the same city. There I worked hard (there is actually a lot I won't get into it all) and received my BA in Criminology and Justice Studies in December of 2025.

    Since then, my life has been a whirlwind. Some good, some not so good, and some great. I had been doing applications since the beginning of November, by January it was clear that there were some things I needed to work on. I was in the process of making connections with a local pantry. Things were going very well with them. I was on their Facebook comments a lot because I was done with school and job hunting. Also, the app for subbing at the school district wasn't showing me anything at that time. I ended up going to a function/fundraiser for this pantry and I asked them for volunteer information. Things kinda snowballed from there and I am now on their board of advisors! I am excited and hope good things come from this.

I also am in the process of starting my own business. This came about because of connections that happened within another function this same pantry had going on. I am so excited to get the business up and running and most importantly, helping people.

 So, I did it! I finally finished my AA-T and I am transferring to the university! I am extremely excited and nervous and anxious about this transition. I will be moving into the dorms because it was decided that with my learning disabilities it made the most sense to be as close as possible to the university. I am working on packing things up for storage and deciding what things will be going with me. Faith my ESA fur baby is going to be coming with me as well. I have most of her things packed already. She is easy to pack for. Lol. Her not-so-favorite toys are all in her ottoman toy box along with all of her winter clothes. Her bed, summer clothes, and food will be packed a couple days beforehand. I feel like things are moving way too fast and way too slow at the same time. I hope once I get there and my classes start that I get into a good routine and things feel not so out of control. I am looking forward to my friend's daughter being there as a Junior as well. We are in different subjects, but we can still get together to hangout on our free days. I am really excited to finally have a diagnosed learning disability and be able to utilize all the services I can get now. I am going to be with DSPS and TRIO. That never would have happened without my diagnosis. I am already enrolled in my classes and have 50% of my books. I feel really stressed about the move, but I know it will be for the best for me and my education.

Anyway, just wanted to update you all. 

Yoga and Exercise

     I set out during the 2020 pandemic to get more in shape. This started very simply. I was able to sign up for a fitness program through my work. This was in August of 2020. I signed up for this program and was able to earn points for how many steps I walked a day along with extra points for challenges, activities, and sponsored items like eye exams and flu shots. I set out wanting to earn enough points that school/work year to earn a free Fitbit. I was able to purchase it and earn enough points at the end of December. I received the Fitbit in January and haven't looked back. Lol. I have lost weight and have become more "toned" not that people who have not seen me recently would have noticed, but I do. My pants fit a little more comfortably and my shirts look a little nicer as well. I started to work on learning and doing yoga when I got my Fitbit. Then, I decided I was going to get my boyfriend a Fitbit too! Anyway, I am just happy with my fitness journey and the app and Fitbit helping me along the way. It has almost been a year and I am down 10 lbs. with walking and yoga. It doesn't seem like a lot, but with the little bit more I have done is a great thing!

The "Me Too" Movement

      This last year or so has been crazy with the sexual assault accusations. I mean like 75% of the male stars in Hollywood are getting hit by accusations. It has arrived at the point where people and employers are jumping the gun and taking an accusation as fault. That can be a very damaging and life changing outcome to something a female (or male) might say out of spite of another situation.

      However, as a victim of rape myself, I understand how the bystander effect is taking place and empowering other victims to come forward now. When they might not have before because of a ton of their own reasons. I came forward a couple years ago. I confronted my rapist last summer (2016) and I got an apology for everything negative he did- except raping me. He denies it ever happened. The statute of limitations is totally off the table and he still couldn't admit it to me or apologize... which is all I really want now. I was hoping he would say he's older and mature now or something. I didn't get it. What I got instead was him telling mutual high school friends that I said he raped me and them yelling at me in instant messenger on Facebook. A few of them would leave this huge ranting message and then before I could even reply, block me. I didn't even get to tell them my side of the story. That is a big problem with people. They are very often okay with just one side of the story. In my case, I know he raped me. I was there. Then, in his friends cases... they just took a one sided story and took it as fact when two people were involved. We need to stop doing that.

Just some of my thoughts on what is going on right now.

Life Coming Together

   Most of the time I feel like I'm just floating around my life like a balloon. Right now, though, I'm so excited about things that are taking place! I signed up as a consultant for Jamberry Nails because I love those wraps. I finally stopped biting my nails by wearing them. I am moving forward in my education and FINALLY decided what to get my BA in and what to do while earning my Master's degree in library science. Last, but definitely not least, I just got hired for an amazing job. I'm going to be making enough money to save for my University studies and feel secure in not going broke while there. The best part of the new job is that I'm going to have real health benefits for the first time since I turned 18. It's the best feeling ever. =)

Sarah Dessen

So just a few days ago I picked up a new book and read it. Okay it wasn't really 'new'...it's been on my book case for a while, but I hadn't read it yet. Anyway I just read it and to be perfectly honest- I hated the book at first. There were too many flash backs. Not that that's a problem. It's just that you don't realize it's a flash back for a paragraph or so, then it ends and continues where the story left off 5 pages back...so, that upset me a little. Once the story really got going though and the flash backs stopped...or slowed it was a lot better. The part I really really like is the different ways you can interpret the title. I guess what I'm saying is in the long run, if this book is one you've been looking at, it's a good one! I really liked Annabel's character because we've all been like that at sometime. I would say the part I enjoyed most of all though was how I just kept waiting to catch Owen in a lie- I mean he said he doesn't lie, but really who doesn't lie?

Birthday Angst

Surprise! My birthday is just around the corner and I'm soooo excited! Here's to the big 2 5, LOL okay so it's not that big, but it makes me feel older! Which is something I never feel. Old that is or an adult. Haha, well I'm going to get back to homework and writing some more in my book. I hope I can get it published when I finish it. That would be a great achievement for me.

Bethany

New Book Read, Check!

So me being a bookworm and loving to read new stories and adventures of youth, I picked up a new book and the local Barnes & Noble store that, I would like to say, I had been waiting for for over a year to read!

Gallagher Girls 3: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! Did you love it? Of course! Was there anything you were a little upset about? Always.

Don't get me wrong, GG3 is a great book in the series and Ally Carter is a great writer, but...well- I kinda knew that the Circle of Cavan was after Cammie and not Macey. The great thing about Ally though is at times I would forget that and be just like her characters (out of the know). Also, Ally has some GREAT and I really mean GREAT lines in this book! And for all of those Zach lovers- he's back...kinda. It's hard to explain. That was one thing that was I think just for the readers because Zach's character was exactly the same as in his lines were everything we've heard before in Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy. How many more times can he say "it's dangerous," "trust me you don't want to know," "I have nothing to lose," and so on and so forth? It seems that's all Zach ever says. I want to really have a conversation with him and get to know him...It does seem like Mr. Solomon does. Why can't Cammie?

I will admit though- I don't think I'll ever forget that kiss! If you don't know what kiss I'm talking about...GET TO READIN' because I ain't letting that cat out of the bag!

Well, hope you liked my little review. Until next time this is Bethany signing out.

Just a Little Tid Bit

So, I thought I might share an excerpt from my book...so with out futher ado-



“What are you doing here?!?!” I whispered to Kailey as we hid behind the bush. Her face was anxious making her Hazel eyes sad and worried.
“Trying to stop you from making a huge mistake.” Kailey replied with desperation in her voice. As she went to grab my hand.



Go ahead and feel free to leave me comments on your thoughts.

Peace out-

Bethany