I stole this from a friend's blog (Kim). She stole it from another friend. I thought it was cute -- and it will give you a chance to learn a bit about me!
I am: a child of God, a fiancée, a paramedic
I think: in totally random thoughts
I know: I'm excited about getting married in 47 days and a handful of hours!
I have: the most amazing fiancé ever!
I wish: I was done with school for forever.
I hate: having bad calls at work. I don't like seeing people hurt.
I miss: the beach. I haven't been in several years.
I fear: hearing strange noises when I'm alone at night
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Slow blogging month
It has (quite obviously) been a slow blogging month for me. It is not for a lack of things going on, that's for sure. I have been busy with school and packing and wedding stuff. It has been a busy month to say the least. We'll start with the first weekend of the month:
I dragged my fiancé back to where we will be living in a few months. It's "home"...sort of. It's where both of us spent the majority of our time growing up. It's where our parents and most of our friends live. But, it's not really "home" right now. Boone is our home, for now. (That changes in a few and short 3 weeks.) Anyway, Friday was an all around good day. I spent time with my wonderful fiancé. We went to see the "new" Narnia movie since it was at the $1.50 theatre. It was good -- quite a few laughs from it. I really enjoyed it. We also went for dinner at Chipotle, one of Jon's favorites restaurants. I quite like it too. For that weekend, I also found myself working for a whole 24-hour period. The day wasn't too bad of a shift...until about 11am. We didn't run a single call throughout the first 4 hours. I got myself a little nap in there (which was of great benefit later that day). Then, everything broke loose. There were structure fires and cardiac arrests everywhere. I found myself working a structure fire at a nursing home. We have jokingly talked about how this particular one should be burnt to the ground. Well, a portion of it tried. Something in the laundry room (presumably the dryer) caught on fire. Thankfully someone had the forethought to build the laundry room as a separate building from the main nursing home. However, as this building has a U-shape to it, they did put the laundry room in the middle of the U. The day was super-windy and we were worried that the wind might make the fire jump to the main structure. It didn't and the fire department got it under control rather quickly. The rest of my day was pretty much steady straight through until 6am the next morning. That was pretty much the extent of that weekend.
I dragged my fiancé back to where we will be living in a few months. It's "home"...sort of. It's where both of us spent the majority of our time growing up. It's where our parents and most of our friends live. But, it's not really "home" right now. Boone is our home, for now. (That changes in a few and short 3 weeks.) Anyway, Friday was an all around good day. I spent time with my wonderful fiancé. We went to see the "new" Narnia movie since it was at the $1.50 theatre. It was good -- quite a few laughs from it. I really enjoyed it. We also went for dinner at Chipotle, one of Jon's favorites restaurants. I quite like it too. For that weekend, I also found myself working for a whole 24-hour period. The day wasn't too bad of a shift...until about 11am. We didn't run a single call throughout the first 4 hours. I got myself a little nap in there (which was of great benefit later that day). Then, everything broke loose. There were structure fires and cardiac arrests everywhere. I found myself working a structure fire at a nursing home. We have jokingly talked about how this particular one should be burnt to the ground. Well, a portion of it tried. Something in the laundry room (presumably the dryer) caught on fire. Thankfully someone had the forethought to build the laundry room as a separate building from the main nursing home. However, as this building has a U-shape to it, they did put the laundry room in the middle of the U. The day was super-windy and we were worried that the wind might make the fire jump to the main structure. It didn't and the fire department got it under control rather quickly. The rest of my day was pretty much steady straight through until 6am the next morning. That was pretty much the extent of that weekend.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Relieving frustration
Today ended up being a rough day.
For starters, I woke up tired. Never a good thing. (The good thing was that I slept through most of the night. Not something I did any night last week. Must have been being up most of the night for work on Saturday that reset me.) After I got up, I had little motivation to do any schoolwork/studying. Instead, I cleaned a little and unpacked from the weekend. I made me some brunch and found other things to procrastinate with.
I headed to campus to (unfortunately) do some cramming for my exam. I did not get to study as much as I wanted to over the weekend because it ended up being much busier than I was planning on (isn't that how it always is?). I hate cramming. Absolutely hate it. But I did it for this exam. Grades are now posted for that exam and I'll go find it on my professor's door. At this point, I'm praying that did better than I feel about it. Skinner, Chomsky, Vygotsky, Piaget -- they all blur together.
Then, after leaving my exam, I had a sinking feeling. I didn't bring my workbook to campus for my second class. I quickly pulled out my calendar and, yep, we were doing an assignment out of there today. So, I tried to run and catch the bus. Fail. As a result, I decided I would try to walk home, get the workbook and make it back downstairs in time to catch the bus. Again, fail. I was hiking the final hill up to my apartment when the bus was going by.
For starters, I woke up tired. Never a good thing. (The good thing was that I slept through most of the night. Not something I did any night last week. Must have been being up most of the night for work on Saturday that reset me.) After I got up, I had little motivation to do any schoolwork/studying. Instead, I cleaned a little and unpacked from the weekend. I made me some brunch and found other things to procrastinate with.
I headed to campus to (unfortunately) do some cramming for my exam. I did not get to study as much as I wanted to over the weekend because it ended up being much busier than I was planning on (isn't that how it always is?). I hate cramming. Absolutely hate it. But I did it for this exam. Grades are now posted for that exam and I'll go find it on my professor's door. At this point, I'm praying that did better than I feel about it. Skinner, Chomsky, Vygotsky, Piaget -- they all blur together.
Then, after leaving my exam, I had a sinking feeling. I didn't bring my workbook to campus for my second class. I quickly pulled out my calendar and, yep, we were doing an assignment out of there today. So, I tried to run and catch the bus. Fail. As a result, I decided I would try to walk home, get the workbook and make it back downstairs in time to catch the bus. Again, fail. I was hiking the final hill up to my apartment when the bus was going by.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
March Madness
So, it's a relatively well-known fact that I am not a huge sports fan. Before my involvement in sports medicine, it could be said I couldn't tell you the different between football and soccer. (This is a large exaggeration -- but you get the point. I never paid attention to it!)
As life has continued on past sports medicine, I still maintained an interest in some sports. Football, basketball (college only) and baseball were of primary interest, as these were the three sports I devoted my time to during my time in sports medicine. I also gained an interest in hockey as the Carolina Hurricanes gained greater popularity. While I have interest in other artistic sports (gymnastics and ice skating), the aforementioned sports are easier to find on the television due to their higher overall popularity.
Currently, we are in the middle of what is known as March Madness. The series is smack in the middle of the games known as the Elite 8. I have never filled out the all-to-famous brackets before. However, it is an annual thing in my fiancé's family to have a competition (round-by-round) to see who can be more successful at filling out their brackets. This year, I was invited into the competition. Unfortunately, I have no background in filling these things out (yes, I knew how to do it but I've never paid attention to March Madness in previous years and had no premise on which to base my selections on other than the team's seed). The exception to this is that I recall quite a final game last season between Duke and Butler. Butler (ranked 8th, 5th seed for the West division), the unknown underdog, made it all the way to the championship game against the Duke (ranked #3, #1 seed in the South division). Even then, they only lost to Duke by 2 points (61-59).
As life has continued on past sports medicine, I still maintained an interest in some sports. Football, basketball (college only) and baseball were of primary interest, as these were the three sports I devoted my time to during my time in sports medicine. I also gained an interest in hockey as the Carolina Hurricanes gained greater popularity. While I have interest in other artistic sports (gymnastics and ice skating), the aforementioned sports are easier to find on the television due to their higher overall popularity.
Currently, we are in the middle of what is known as March Madness. The series is smack in the middle of the games known as the Elite 8. I have never filled out the all-to-famous brackets before. However, it is an annual thing in my fiancé's family to have a competition (round-by-round) to see who can be more successful at filling out their brackets. This year, I was invited into the competition. Unfortunately, I have no background in filling these things out (yes, I knew how to do it but I've never paid attention to March Madness in previous years and had no premise on which to base my selections on other than the team's seed). The exception to this is that I recall quite a final game last season between Duke and Butler. Butler (ranked 8th, 5th seed for the West division), the unknown underdog, made it all the way to the championship game against the Duke (ranked #3, #1 seed in the South division). Even then, they only lost to Duke by 2 points (61-59).
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spring break, part 2
Spring break flew by! It's strange to think that this is really going to be the last spring break I have as a student. If I do, in fact, go into teaching, I will continue to have them...just from the employee side. So, here's how the rest of the week went...
Monday, I worked a 24-hour shift. It was exceptionally busy but the night was wonderful. We slept all night but we're not too sure if it was as a result of a truly slow night or if it was due to the pagers not activating (there were LOTS of issues with them all day). Either way, I was happy to take it.
Tuesday, after I got cleaned up from my shift, Jon and I spent the morning and first bit of the afternoon looking at apartments. We settled on one that we loved, filled out an application and are currently waiting to hear if we get it. The one that's on "hold" for us at the moment, the current tenants move out on April 30 and with a 5-day turnaround from the apartment complex between tenants, it will work out well with our desired move-in date of May 8 or 9. I also had dress fitting number 1. It went pretty well and it should be finished the last week of March. I'm excited!
Wednesday, I had to head off to work for meetings and training. It was fun and informative (helped me catch up a bit on what I've been missing out on over the last few months that I've been in school).
Monday, I worked a 24-hour shift. It was exceptionally busy but the night was wonderful. We slept all night but we're not too sure if it was as a result of a truly slow night or if it was due to the pagers not activating (there were LOTS of issues with them all day). Either way, I was happy to take it.
Tuesday, after I got cleaned up from my shift, Jon and I spent the morning and first bit of the afternoon looking at apartments. We settled on one that we loved, filled out an application and are currently waiting to hear if we get it. The one that's on "hold" for us at the moment, the current tenants move out on April 30 and with a 5-day turnaround from the apartment complex between tenants, it will work out well with our desired move-in date of May 8 or 9. I also had dress fitting number 1. It went pretty well and it should be finished the last week of March. I'm excited!
Wednesday, I had to head off to work for meetings and training. It was fun and informative (helped me catch up a bit on what I've been missing out on over the last few months that I've been in school).
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Spring break, part 1
I am on day 3 of spring break -- and I've gotten a fair amount of stuff done during these last few days.
Jon and I came home on Thursday after his last class of the day. His last class wasn't held so we were able to get home at a decent hour, which was quite nice. Friday began early for me as I got up for an appointment with my eye doctor that never happened. I went there only to find out that they had been trying to call me for the last week to say the doctors would be out of town and needed to reschedule. The only problem was that they were calling the non-existent house phone at my parents' house. My appointment has subsequently been rescheduled to this coming Thursday. After my visit to the eye doctor's office, I had an appointment to get my hair cut with Janelle, someone who I have known for years but has never cut my hair. It's been several months (5, to be exact) since I got it cut. I also wanted to discuss the possibility of her doing my hair for the wedding. She said she'd love to -- and she liked what I had thought of, so we're on the same page for what's going to happen, I think. :-)
Following my new hair cut (really, just a trim), I had lunch with Dad. It's something we used to do often when I lived in Raleigh but we haven't done it in a while. After lunch, I was off to collect Jon so we could head off for the first 2 hours of our premarital counseling with the pastor who will be marrying us. The session went well and we have one more this coming Friday, hopefully getting it all finished up then. Before work on Friday evening, I went with Jon back to his house to hang out for a few hours and have dinner with him and his parents. Work was mostly uneventful, which was nice. Only 1 call for the 12 hours. I have a feeling I'll be paying for that with my shift tomorrow.
Jon and I came home on Thursday after his last class of the day. His last class wasn't held so we were able to get home at a decent hour, which was quite nice. Friday began early for me as I got up for an appointment with my eye doctor that never happened. I went there only to find out that they had been trying to call me for the last week to say the doctors would be out of town and needed to reschedule. The only problem was that they were calling the non-existent house phone at my parents' house. My appointment has subsequently been rescheduled to this coming Thursday. After my visit to the eye doctor's office, I had an appointment to get my hair cut with Janelle, someone who I have known for years but has never cut my hair. It's been several months (5, to be exact) since I got it cut. I also wanted to discuss the possibility of her doing my hair for the wedding. She said she'd love to -- and she liked what I had thought of, so we're on the same page for what's going to happen, I think. :-)
Following my new hair cut (really, just a trim), I had lunch with Dad. It's something we used to do often when I lived in Raleigh but we haven't done it in a while. After lunch, I was off to collect Jon so we could head off for the first 2 hours of our premarital counseling with the pastor who will be marrying us. The session went well and we have one more this coming Friday, hopefully getting it all finished up then. Before work on Friday evening, I went with Jon back to his house to hang out for a few hours and have dinner with him and his parents. Work was mostly uneventful, which was nice. Only 1 call for the 12 hours. I have a feeling I'll be paying for that with my shift tomorrow.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
My family history
For some reason (and I have no idea what or where it came from), I was suddenly inspired to research my family history. I'm guessing part of it comes from the lack of motivation to do my school work for the week just before spring break (I mean, c'mon...it's time for a break!). However, how this particular topic came to me, I don't know.
I remember that many years ago (like, grade school...I think it was 4th grade) I had an assignment to make a family tree. Mom did the "digging" and asked my grandparents who our ancestors were and we made a poster that I still have at their house. I think I'm going to dig it out when I get home at the end of this week.
However, in the interim, I did some digging on my own on the internet and was able to trace my maternal grandmother's history back to the 1600's. I recognized a lot of the names from my poster that I did way back when...and it's really neat. I was able to go back 12 generations (which was a surprise to me).
I think I have found a new hobby. Maybe I'll be able to trace some of the other branches of my family. I'm excited about this!
I remember that many years ago (like, grade school...I think it was 4th grade) I had an assignment to make a family tree. Mom did the "digging" and asked my grandparents who our ancestors were and we made a poster that I still have at their house. I think I'm going to dig it out when I get home at the end of this week.
However, in the interim, I did some digging on my own on the internet and was able to trace my maternal grandmother's history back to the 1600's. I recognized a lot of the names from my poster that I did way back when...and it's really neat. I was able to go back 12 generations (which was a surprise to me).
I think I have found a new hobby. Maybe I'll be able to trace some of the other branches of my family. I'm excited about this!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Old Disney movies
I love watching old Disney films. I, often times, enjoy animated films more than live action movies. Here are some of my favorite animated classics from my childhood:
- Fantasia (1940)
- Cinderella (1950)
- Alice in Wonderland (1951)
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
- The Aristocats (1970)
- The Little Mermaid (1989)
- Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- Aladdin (1992)
- The Lion King (1994)
See a theme here? Lots of princesses and animals.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The value of sleep
Over the last couple of weeks, I have re-realized the importance of sleep. Being up in the middle of the night doesn't bother me all that much...when I'm getting paid for it (just please make sure you really need an ambulance -- I have zero tolerance for stupidity at 3 am).
For several years, I've had on-and-off problems with insomnia but they haven't really kicked up until I got back to school for my final undergraduate semester. I'm guessing that it's a combination of the stress of my final semester and the work of planning a wedding that have caused it to resurface with a vengeance. I have ended up collapsing on the couch and watching a movie more often than I have slept in my bed over the last few weeks.
So, in light of this, I decided to take a look at the necessary function and the usefulness of that blissful thing called sleep.
First, a few definitions:
For several years, I've had on-and-off problems with insomnia but they haven't really kicked up until I got back to school for my final undergraduate semester. I'm guessing that it's a combination of the stress of my final semester and the work of planning a wedding that have caused it to resurface with a vengeance. I have ended up collapsing on the couch and watching a movie more often than I have slept in my bed over the last few weeks.
So, in light of this, I decided to take a look at the necessary function and the usefulness of that blissful thing called sleep.
First, a few definitions:
- Basal sleep need -- the amount of sleep that our bodies need on a regular basis for optimal performance
- Sleep debt -- the accumulated sleep that is lost due to poor sleep habits, sickness and awakenings due to environmental factors or other causes
Monday, February 14, 2011
It's Valentine's Day!!
So, here's the story:
My fiancé is the best. Really. This morning, I got a message from him to "come downstairs", presumably so I could let him in my apartment building. I walked downstairs to find him with breakfast and flowers and another bag...all for me.
My fiancé is the best. Really. This morning, I got a message from him to "come downstairs", presumably so I could let him in my apartment building. I walked downstairs to find him with breakfast and flowers and another bag...all for me.
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| My roses. :) This picture doesn't do them justice! |
Monday, January 31, 2011
School diversity
There has been a long-standing policy in the Wake County Public School System (where I received most of my education until my high school graduation) to obtain diversity. This, for several years, has meant that children are bussed all over the county in order to create an atmosphere in the schools that balances socioeconomic standings throughout the school. This means that some students are on the bus for more than an hour both going to and coming from school...just so that "rich" kids and "poor" kids are mixed in the schools.
There are several reasons that I disagree with this:
There are several reasons that I disagree with this:
Sunday, January 30, 2011
I love Boone!
At least for now...
Today, we had absolutely beautiful weather! The temperature actually reached 63 degrees! ...in January!! This was a welcome relief from the previous week with snow and ice and wind and bitterly cold temperatures. I even opened my windows in the apartment for the day to let some fresh air in. It was marvelous!
I did discover this weekend that if there was any desire to live where it would snow, I had now lost it after shoveling snow for 3 hours. (This weekend...Friday and Saturday...I started, and completed, my required volunteer hours for my child and adolescent psychology class. I did it at a non-profit organization with children. I may write a post on that later.)
I know this is short...but I just couldn't not tell you about this fantastic weather!
Today, we had absolutely beautiful weather! The temperature actually reached 63 degrees! ...in January!! This was a welcome relief from the previous week with snow and ice and wind and bitterly cold temperatures. I even opened my windows in the apartment for the day to let some fresh air in. It was marvelous!
I did discover this weekend that if there was any desire to live where it would snow, I had now lost it after shoveling snow for 3 hours. (This weekend...Friday and Saturday...I started, and completed, my required volunteer hours for my child and adolescent psychology class. I did it at a non-profit organization with children. I may write a post on that later.)
I know this is short...but I just couldn't not tell you about this fantastic weather!
Friday, January 14, 2011
My bucket list
Dear Diary (cheesy start, right?),
Here is a list of things I want to do before I die (probably not inclusive...nor am I likely to do all of them [aka...chicken out!]):
Here is a list of things I want to do before I die (probably not inclusive...nor am I likely to do all of them [aka...chicken out!]):
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Whirlwind few days...
Well, what a week this has been! Thursday, Jon proposed. Friday, he left for Canada. Saturday, I had a wedding and a bridal show to attend (yes, I move fast). Sunday, I went to church. Monday, I worked a 12-hour shift. Tuesday, I worked a 24-hour shift. Wednesday I went dress shopping and Jon got back from Canada. And, today, I made a trip to the dentist and then went to see my wonderful fiancé. (Tomorrow, we're meeting with the church to try and set a wedding date before we head back to Boone.) I have kept myself busy, that's for sure...but it's been a good busy (aside from work...that was a bit rough).
Friday, December 31, 2010
Good bye 2010, hello 2011!
Today is the last day of 2010. I do this thing every year where I can't possibly imagine that the year is over because when I was at the beginning of it, I was thinking that next year will never come and that time moves so slowly! However, in the blink of an eye, time has flashed forward and here we are at the point that we prepare to greet a new year.
This year has been full. Very full. I spent 10+ months in Boone and in a classroom (summer school = fun. not.) which gave me a fantastic summer weather-wise...but not so much life-wise (Jon was the only "life" I had outside of school). I spent 1/4 of the year snowed in (or it at least felt like I was). I went longer than that without seeing grass...or even the ground. White stuff (i.e.: snow) was my blanket for weeks at a time. I finished my fall semester with a mere 14 credits remaining in my undergraduate career. Made it on the dean's list both semesters (the summer sessions don't count) this year. I have cooked and baked until I was blue in the face (figuratively)...and this pleased Jon greatly (the cooking and baking part). I have worked to save lives and make people feel better (and perhaps I've done well with that). Lastly, but definitely the most exciting, I got engaged to my wonderful, amazing, handsome, adorable and sweet (now) fiancé yesterday. :-)
This year has been full. Very full. I spent 10+ months in Boone and in a classroom (summer school = fun. not.) which gave me a fantastic summer weather-wise...but not so much life-wise (Jon was the only "life" I had outside of school). I spent 1/4 of the year snowed in (or it at least felt like I was). I went longer than that without seeing grass...or even the ground. White stuff (i.e.: snow) was my blanket for weeks at a time. I finished my fall semester with a mere 14 credits remaining in my undergraduate career. Made it on the dean's list both semesters (the summer sessions don't count) this year. I have cooked and baked until I was blue in the face (figuratively)...and this pleased Jon greatly (the cooking and baking part). I have worked to save lives and make people feel better (and perhaps I've done well with that). Lastly, but definitely the most exciting, I got engaged to my wonderful, amazing, handsome, adorable and sweet (now) fiancé yesterday. :-)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
I didn't fall off the face of the earth...
...though I certainly feel like I've gotten close to the edge. Since my last post, I have been buried in work...and, as of today, I am buried in SNOW. I'm not pleased. I mean, really, I have seen enough snow for the season in Boone (already...and yes, I know more is coming) and now, I have about 5 inches dumped on me here in the Raleigh area (and it's STILL snowing). I really feel like I'm back in Boone. I came home to get a break from the cold weather and white stuff. That has obviously not happened. :(
So, my last week has gone something like this:
I have been baking like crazy on my two days off (Monday and Wednesday). I made some yummy goodies: mint chocolate chunk cookies and pumpkin crunch. I'll likely share those in a later post. I have gotten good reviews on the cookies...but none on the pumpkin crunch (don't think it's been tried yet). I tried it and decided it tasted pretty good. I gave a plate of baked goodies to my grandparents and to my boyfriend's parents as a Christmas gift. (I have a difficult time coming up with things to purchase...but I can come up with things to bake or make, so that's what I generally do.) As I write this, I am eating a nutritious and delicious breakfast of those cookies. Yum! (Church is canceled and I'm going on the assumption that Christmas, part 5, is also canceled/postponed. So, here I sit, in bed, on the computer, updating you on my life...)
I worked two 24-hour shifts this week. One was done the standard way (come on in the morning and get off the next morning) while the other was done in reverse (come on in the evening and get off the next evening). I like the reverse for many reasons: I don't feel so rushed when I am getting ready and heading into work and the fact that when I get off, it's really bedtime so I can go to sleep and not have to worry about sleeping all day (those are the main two). However, the major downside is that if you have a bad night, it's the first thing that happens so you know you'll be up for 24 hours (or more if you're not likely to take a nap before you go into work, like me). Monday night-->Tuesday night shift was pretty simple. Nothing too major to worry about. Thursday morning-->Friday morning was very rough. Difficult calls (emotionally and physically) and difficult patients. I was glad to see the end of my shift on Friday. However, my day was not even close to over...
Bring in Christmas celebration, part 1: I came home from work, showered and cleaned myself up from the mess I had become over the previous 24 hours only to leave the house again for another 12 hours (all on about an hour of sleep or so). I picked up my amazing boyfriend who agreed to accompany me on the rounds to the grandparents' houses again this year (he must love me if he agrees to put up with my crazy family). We went to lunch with Dad's Mom at Ruby Tuesday's. We went back to her home and everyone opened gifts.
There was a small break between parts 1 and 2: Christmas Eve service at church. I played paramedic (or was at least at the ready) during the service simply because I can't seem to get enough of it.
Part 2: Mom's Dad's house...with all his wife's family there too. You must understand that this is a small house. When you put my grandparents, my parents, my brother, his girlfriend, her son, me, Jon and my uncle all in there...there's not much other room. We had appetizer-types of food for dinner there. We stuck around for about 2 hours. I was getting really tired and needed to get home for some sleep. So, we left, I returned Jon to his parents' home and I came home, crawled in bed and crashed.
Part 3: Christmas Day with Mom and Dad. This was probably the shortest of all the celebrations/gift opening sessions. Mom and Dad finally got up around 8am and we opened gifts. I had to finish getting ready and leave soon thereafter to head out for part 4...
Part 4: By far...the best part. I spent the day with my amazing boyfriend and his family. I am thankful for his/their hospitality and allowing me to join them on Christmas Day and celebrate with them. We had an absolutely delicious meal prepared by Jon's mother: turkey and rice and green beans and rolls and potatoes. It was so delicious! Jon surprised me with a beautiful locket necklace. He did not put pictures in there (slacker) so I need to find some to put in there...but it is gorgeous and I love it! To top off the evening, it had started snowing by the time I left his house. (Now, there are several inches on the ground.)
Part 5: Was supposed to take place today...not sure when that is going to happen now. It was supposed to be at Mom's Mom's house. I doubt it will happen today simply because Mom and Dad are afraid of the snow...haha.
This coming week: lunch date with Heather-bear, work on Tuesday night...and (saddest of all) preparing for Jon to leave the country for a few days to go visit family in Canada.
So, my last week has gone something like this:
I have been baking like crazy on my two days off (Monday and Wednesday). I made some yummy goodies: mint chocolate chunk cookies and pumpkin crunch. I'll likely share those in a later post. I have gotten good reviews on the cookies...but none on the pumpkin crunch (don't think it's been tried yet). I tried it and decided it tasted pretty good. I gave a plate of baked goodies to my grandparents and to my boyfriend's parents as a Christmas gift. (I have a difficult time coming up with things to purchase...but I can come up with things to bake or make, so that's what I generally do.) As I write this, I am eating a nutritious and delicious breakfast of those cookies. Yum! (Church is canceled and I'm going on the assumption that Christmas, part 5, is also canceled/postponed. So, here I sit, in bed, on the computer, updating you on my life...)
I worked two 24-hour shifts this week. One was done the standard way (come on in the morning and get off the next morning) while the other was done in reverse (come on in the evening and get off the next evening). I like the reverse for many reasons: I don't feel so rushed when I am getting ready and heading into work and the fact that when I get off, it's really bedtime so I can go to sleep and not have to worry about sleeping all day (those are the main two). However, the major downside is that if you have a bad night, it's the first thing that happens so you know you'll be up for 24 hours (or more if you're not likely to take a nap before you go into work, like me). Monday night-->Tuesday night shift was pretty simple. Nothing too major to worry about. Thursday morning-->Friday morning was very rough. Difficult calls (emotionally and physically) and difficult patients. I was glad to see the end of my shift on Friday. However, my day was not even close to over...
Bring in Christmas celebration, part 1: I came home from work, showered and cleaned myself up from the mess I had become over the previous 24 hours only to leave the house again for another 12 hours (all on about an hour of sleep or so). I picked up my amazing boyfriend who agreed to accompany me on the rounds to the grandparents' houses again this year (he must love me if he agrees to put up with my crazy family). We went to lunch with Dad's Mom at Ruby Tuesday's. We went back to her home and everyone opened gifts.
There was a small break between parts 1 and 2: Christmas Eve service at church. I played paramedic (or was at least at the ready) during the service simply because I can't seem to get enough of it.
Part 2: Mom's Dad's house...with all his wife's family there too. You must understand that this is a small house. When you put my grandparents, my parents, my brother, his girlfriend, her son, me, Jon and my uncle all in there...there's not much other room. We had appetizer-types of food for dinner there. We stuck around for about 2 hours. I was getting really tired and needed to get home for some sleep. So, we left, I returned Jon to his parents' home and I came home, crawled in bed and crashed.
Part 3: Christmas Day with Mom and Dad. This was probably the shortest of all the celebrations/gift opening sessions. Mom and Dad finally got up around 8am and we opened gifts. I had to finish getting ready and leave soon thereafter to head out for part 4...
Part 4: By far...the best part. I spent the day with my amazing boyfriend and his family. I am thankful for his/their hospitality and allowing me to join them on Christmas Day and celebrate with them. We had an absolutely delicious meal prepared by Jon's mother: turkey and rice and green beans and rolls and potatoes. It was so delicious! Jon surprised me with a beautiful locket necklace. He did not put pictures in there (slacker) so I need to find some to put in there...but it is gorgeous and I love it! To top off the evening, it had started snowing by the time I left his house. (Now, there are several inches on the ground.)
Part 5: Was supposed to take place today...not sure when that is going to happen now. It was supposed to be at Mom's Mom's house. I doubt it will happen today simply because Mom and Dad are afraid of the snow...haha.
This coming week: lunch date with Heather-bear, work on Tuesday night...and (saddest of all) preparing for Jon to leave the country for a few days to go visit family in Canada.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas break!
Well, it's finally here! Christmas break! It came two days later than expected (thankyouverymuch snow/ice/stupid winter weather to push exams back two days). BUT...it's now here. I got home (I still call the Raleigh area "home" even though I really feel like I just come here to visit and Boone is truly my home) Wednesday evening after Jon finally finished his last exam (:-P). Thanks to my professors, I finished up even earlier than I would have had the exams happened as scheduled...
My film "exam" (really, a presentation/pilot pitch for a television series) was originally scheduled for Monday at 9am. As of the Friday before (December 10) was moved to Wednesday (December 15) at 9am because of the impending winter storm. Well, the storm hit and canceling was the right move (just seemed silly to do it so far out). With the way the weather was behaving, my professor emailed our class on Monday afternoon and said to email our presentation and film clip of our pitch to her instead of attempting to come to class to present it there. Score. One out of the way.
My history and systems exam was also supposed to be on Monday at 6pm but was moved to Wednesday, along with the film exam. My professor emailed the class on Saturday and said that he was going to post the exam online and we were to complete it and submit it to him by 10am on Tuesday. This test was now open book and open note. Again...score.
My film "exam" (really, a presentation/pilot pitch for a television series) was originally scheduled for Monday at 9am. As of the Friday before (December 10) was moved to Wednesday (December 15) at 9am because of the impending winter storm. Well, the storm hit and canceling was the right move (just seemed silly to do it so far out). With the way the weather was behaving, my professor emailed our class on Monday afternoon and said to email our presentation and film clip of our pitch to her instead of attempting to come to class to present it there. Score. One out of the way.
My history and systems exam was also supposed to be on Monday at 6pm but was moved to Wednesday, along with the film exam. My professor emailed the class on Saturday and said that he was going to post the exam online and we were to complete it and submit it to him by 10am on Tuesday. This test was now open book and open note. Again...score.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sweet tooth and snow
I have a sweet tooth. It's a permanent condition for me. My weakness: chocolate. Hot chocolate, milk chocolate (in all forms)...yes please. (No dark chocolate, though. Too bitter for my liking.)
I like M&Ms. I like the regular one, the peanut ones and the peanut butter ones. I went to Wal-Mart this evening to get my wonderful boyfriend some food so he can survive the next few days while I am testifying in court (that will likely be another post) and not starve because he can't get out in the snow to get food. So...anyway...I found this:
I had seen the ads for these M&Ms a few months ago when they were trying to determine their "spokesperson" for the new pretzel M&Ms. Well, because of my chocolate craving today, I got some. I have to say, they are pretty good. Jon's not sure he likes them (because of the salty + sweet combination). I have to say that they are growing on me and I think I like them. I also got some of these:
I like M&Ms. I like the regular one, the peanut ones and the peanut butter ones. I went to Wal-Mart this evening to get my wonderful boyfriend some food so he can survive the next few days while I am testifying in court (that will likely be another post) and not starve because he can't get out in the snow to get food. So...anyway...I found this:
I had seen the ads for these M&Ms a few months ago when they were trying to determine their "spokesperson" for the new pretzel M&Ms. Well, because of my chocolate craving today, I got some. I have to say, they are pretty good. Jon's not sure he likes them (because of the salty + sweet combination). I have to say that they are growing on me and I think I like them. I also got some of these:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
First snow of the season
Today, we are got the first (real) snow of the season. Earlier this week, we had flurries and a dusting on the ground. That was different today. I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. There's a solid 2-3 inches on the ground. The...slightly disturbing sight of the day was watching my bus attempt to go down my hill. I'm guessing it took him about 20 minutes, at least, to get down the hill. He would momentarily let off the brakes and, after putting them back on, would slide quite a distance (at the least 10 feet every time). This was on the least steep part of the hill, too. Should be interesting when I head out tomorrow.
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