I really haven't updated this in for-ev-er, so I figured today is a day good as any other to do so!
The holidays went by pretty uneventfully, but yet very comfortable. It's nice that, the older I get, it seems the more traditions are formed. It was nice to know that I'd spend Christmas Eve with my immediate family, the way it has been for a few years. And now that a baby is thrown into the mix (a baby!), it makes the family time that more special.
NYE was also relaxing and fun. This year was different than my past few (okay, last SEVEN) NYE's. Instead of enjoying small house parties that I could walk to from my Philly home, I ventured up to Staten Island to hang out with friends of a friend. All in all, it was a wonderfully Mama Mia, Italian filled time. My belly was especially full of it, and now my thighs are, too. Thanks, Mrs. D.
It seems like the holidays came faster than usual this year, and I'm not really surprised that they were over so quickly either. In a way, it was a relief to get back to the daily grind.
But oh baby, the daily grind is now in full force! Grad school starts again this week, and I am already dreading the workload. There are two very hard things about this semester: 1. I am so close to being done in August that I am burnt out after the last 2.5 years, and 2. I really, really, really do not want to be an NP anymore. I do not regret the education or my program up to this point; I feel like I have learned a lot, and that all of my classes have made me a better nurse. And in the end, being a better nurse (being as good a nurse as I can be) is really my end goal.
That being said, it now seems pointless that I started a degree that I do not want to use, something that has cost me so much time, money and effort expended during the prime of my twenties. And because I have no drive to use the degree, I am never going to make that time back or get a payoff from it.
So this leaves me with two options: to finish the degree or not to finish the degree. It seems so silly not to finish it at this point; it is really only 28 weeks until I am finished. And saying it like that, rather than saying that I have 36 papers due and that I have to work six 12 hour shifts a week from now till August, makes it a lot easier to think about and get through.
In the end, I know that I am going to finish. I know that my life is going to suck for the next 28 weeks. And I know that, at the end of this all on August 6th, I am going to be so happy that I am done and unable to remember a time when I did not want to finish. Because I know this, I know that I can and will finish my degree.
My plans for after the degree? Take the exam, pass, and then finally relax. Faith willing.
So, my dear friends, I am off. Let's hope these 72 hour work weeks aren't as bad as I'm making them out to be!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
Weekend Update
In an attempt to avoid studying at any cost, let’s have a weekend update!
Last Friday I had the pleasure of being my cousin’s confirmation sponsor. It was really an honor, and the ceremony was very nice. My aunt (Cioci) hosted an awesome after-party with great food and fun- we had a bunch of sacrilegious but entertaining religious-related games. Honestly, my relatives are so creative: throwing coins into a poor box, bursting balloons with a flame pin to get out of “Hell”, rice bowl races, playing "Name That Hymn". Fun, relaxing, and nice to see family I haven’t seen in a while.
Just as nice was spending the day in Princeton showing MT around before the ceremony. I had forgotten what a connection I have to this other Ivy town. Not only do my parents still work and own land there, I went to grade school there for nine years.
Because MT still lives where he grew up, I think he takes for granted how familiar everything is to him. By showing him Princeton from my point of view (aka, all my childhood memories), it helps us understand each other better. Plus, as we talk about the future (the 5 years away future), it helps him realize what a sacrifice I’ll be making moving to a suburb near him (he needs a volunteer fire dept, but that means I have to leave my center city condo and will be taken out of the familiar -- again).
Saturday/Sunday was spent meandering around Center City. After a delicious breakfast in Fairmount (French Toast with nutella and bananas, almost orgasmic), we visited MT’s aunt and uncle who live near Rittenhouse. They’re very interesting, traveling people, and their stories were a riot. The night was capped off my a Korean place, which was honestly my first Korean food. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan- so to wipe that taste out, we got a Whole Foods cake. Amazing!
I’m getting really excited for the upcoming holidays. I can’t wait to see everyone I’ve been missing! And moreso, I can't wait for everyone to meet the love of my life, Sligo, at some point!
Last Friday I had the pleasure of being my cousin’s confirmation sponsor. It was really an honor, and the ceremony was very nice. My aunt (Cioci) hosted an awesome after-party with great food and fun- we had a bunch of sacrilegious but entertaining religious-related games. Honestly, my relatives are so creative: throwing coins into a poor box, bursting balloons with a flame pin to get out of “Hell”, rice bowl races, playing "Name That Hymn". Fun, relaxing, and nice to see family I haven’t seen in a while.
Just as nice was spending the day in Princeton showing MT around before the ceremony. I had forgotten what a connection I have to this other Ivy town. Not only do my parents still work and own land there, I went to grade school there for nine years.
Because MT still lives where he grew up, I think he takes for granted how familiar everything is to him. By showing him Princeton from my point of view (aka, all my childhood memories), it helps us understand each other better. Plus, as we talk about the future (the 5 years away future), it helps him realize what a sacrifice I’ll be making moving to a suburb near him (he needs a volunteer fire dept, but that means I have to leave my center city condo and will be taken out of the familiar -- again).
Saturday/Sunday was spent meandering around Center City. After a delicious breakfast in Fairmount (French Toast with nutella and bananas, almost orgasmic), we visited MT’s aunt and uncle who live near Rittenhouse. They’re very interesting, traveling people, and their stories were a riot. The night was capped off my a Korean place, which was honestly my first Korean food. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan- so to wipe that taste out, we got a Whole Foods cake. Amazing!
I’m getting really excited for the upcoming holidays. I can’t wait to see everyone I’ve been missing! And moreso, I can't wait for everyone to meet the love of my life, Sligo, at some point!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Winter Blues
Winter is here, and now, everything that comes with it. Ugh! I know that it's partially genetic and physiologic (and probably psychological, too) but every time it gets cold a couple things happen.
First, I start fuh-reeezing. Freezing leads to over eating. Over eating leads to getting fat. Getting fat gets me depressed and despondent. And that gets me no where, other than more of all those things.
Second, this is the first time that my hands have actually started to really, really hurt with the cold weather. It seems silly, but it's so true. The worst is when I have to bike to work... I keep hot packs in my gloves, but it really doesn't do that much. I'm starting to have trouble texting, typing, and piano-ing now- which really, really scares me.
Third, I start to spend crazy amounts of money that I don't have on useless things that I totally don't need. I blame it on being the Christmas promotions. I guess they work! Also on a money note, I have to turn my heat on to stop from shivering (honestly? my heat is on 68 degrees and I'm still wearing a coat, hat, and gloves).
But I am tired of always being a negative nellie. Seriously- please start calling me out on it! It has gotten out of hand! So here are some positive things about it being winter:
-I get to wear scarves again, and I love scarves!
-my cat is not shedding nearly as much
-getting dark earlier means I go to bed at a reasonable time
-cute hats (esp. my new kanga one- note above, spending money on things I don't need)
-good excuse to have more coffee/hot cocoa (delicious)
-winter means that the next season is spring!
-Christmas/New Years/MLK Jr. Day
-Speaking of Christmas, dressing my cat up in Santa hats
...and off to Target!
First, I start fuh-reeezing. Freezing leads to over eating. Over eating leads to getting fat. Getting fat gets me depressed and despondent. And that gets me no where, other than more of all those things.
Second, this is the first time that my hands have actually started to really, really hurt with the cold weather. It seems silly, but it's so true. The worst is when I have to bike to work... I keep hot packs in my gloves, but it really doesn't do that much. I'm starting to have trouble texting, typing, and piano-ing now- which really, really scares me.
Third, I start to spend crazy amounts of money that I don't have on useless things that I totally don't need. I blame it on being the Christmas promotions. I guess they work! Also on a money note, I have to turn my heat on to stop from shivering (honestly? my heat is on 68 degrees and I'm still wearing a coat, hat, and gloves).
But I am tired of always being a negative nellie. Seriously- please start calling me out on it! It has gotten out of hand! So here are some positive things about it being winter:
-I get to wear scarves again, and I love scarves!
-my cat is not shedding nearly as much
-getting dark earlier means I go to bed at a reasonable time
-cute hats (esp. my new kanga one- note above, spending money on things I don't need)
-good excuse to have more coffee/hot cocoa (delicious)
-winter means that the next season is spring!
-Christmas/New Years/MLK Jr. Day
-Speaking of Christmas, dressing my cat up in Santa hats
...and off to Target!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween Weekend
Halloween was a complete disaster. I feel totally guilty for making my friends come downtown from the NE/DelCo/SoJo, but I thought it’d be worth it. I banked on them having a good time at the bar I went to the year for Halloween. Well, when we get to the bar, we’re not allowed in because it’s a private party. And this is after I called the day before and asked about their Halloween specials! Why didn’t they just tell me when I called?! Anyway, I did enjoy dressing up in my Amish bonnet and hanging out with the girls, but I do feel terribly guilty that the night ended up being so quiet. (Although I personally blame the Phillies Parade- it kind of wore everyone out, and most people were still in Phillies gear at the bar instead of costumes. But I guess I shouldn’t complain, the parade was awesome!)
The weekend got a little better after Friday, and I celebrated my anniversary. We went to a Moroccan restaurant and it was delicious- baba ganoush and all. Spent the night just walking around downtown with some gelato as a night-cap. All in all, a nice night.
It’s funny to me that one year later, sure, MT and I still go on dates, but the dates are so different. We used to go to movies, and now we go to Home Depot. We used to go out to nice restaurants, and now we get excited about Taco Bell (probably a little too excited… volcano taco, anyone?). But the nice thing is that I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Even though we won’t live together for another three years, it still feels like we’re a real, grown up couple.
In other news, I’m just hanging on in grad school. I need to get B’s for my job to pay for my classes, and for the first time ever, I am nervous about the rule. If I don’t get B’s, I will be out $8000 that I totally can’t afford/don’t even have/never planned for. I am also slightly nervous about my clinical sites. I find out the week before Christmas where I will have to go for the following nine months of my life- I just hope they are not to far away. I can’t imagine driving 2 hours three times a week for nine months!
The weekend got a little better after Friday, and I celebrated my anniversary. We went to a Moroccan restaurant and it was delicious- baba ganoush and all. Spent the night just walking around downtown with some gelato as a night-cap. All in all, a nice night.
It’s funny to me that one year later, sure, MT and I still go on dates, but the dates are so different. We used to go to movies, and now we go to Home Depot. We used to go out to nice restaurants, and now we get excited about Taco Bell (probably a little too excited… volcano taco, anyone?). But the nice thing is that I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Even though we won’t live together for another three years, it still feels like we’re a real, grown up couple.
In other news, I’m just hanging on in grad school. I need to get B’s for my job to pay for my classes, and for the first time ever, I am nervous about the rule. If I don’t get B’s, I will be out $8000 that I totally can’t afford/don’t even have/never planned for. I am also slightly nervous about my clinical sites. I find out the week before Christmas where I will have to go for the following nine months of my life- I just hope they are not to far away. I can’t imagine driving 2 hours three times a week for nine months!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tampa! Awesome
YESS! TAMPA BAY! Now we might have a phighting chance! (Terrible joke, sorry...)
Wow, I totally haven’t updated in a long time. What a good time to update…such a good weekend, and now it is finally coming to a close!…tear.
Started off with celebrating Eliza’s birthday, at a trendy Mexican restaurant- after getting out of work 4 hours early!- with some delicious deserts and people.
Next day I get to actually see MT for the entire day! We go to a wedding for one of his friends, but luckily some of my friends are there too. The wedding was in the top five that I’ve ever been to: it was a big wedding, and by the end of the night, there was no one sitting down- and there was no room left on the dance floor! It was so classy, pretty, fun, yet relaxing and entertaining. Overall, just a great time. It was nice going out after the wedding, too. I have to admit- it was the most fun that I ever had as a designated driver, haha.
Sunday was also a good day. Even though MT and I were supposed to study for 50% of the day, we actually didn’t study at all…oops. But it was so nice out, and it was great to enjoy the nice weather before it gets too cold. Went to a new brick oven pizza place, and had delicious wings/pizza. Got to see my cutest-baby-ever nephew. Watched TV, played with the cat. Just a nice relaxing day overall. How often does this happen now?
And holy crap, when did it get so cold out?!
Wow, I totally haven’t updated in a long time. What a good time to update…such a good weekend, and now it is finally coming to a close!…tear.
Started off with celebrating Eliza’s birthday, at a trendy Mexican restaurant- after getting out of work 4 hours early!- with some delicious deserts and people.
Next day I get to actually see MT for the entire day! We go to a wedding for one of his friends, but luckily some of my friends are there too. The wedding was in the top five that I’ve ever been to: it was a big wedding, and by the end of the night, there was no one sitting down- and there was no room left on the dance floor! It was so classy, pretty, fun, yet relaxing and entertaining. Overall, just a great time. It was nice going out after the wedding, too. I have to admit- it was the most fun that I ever had as a designated driver, haha.
Sunday was also a good day. Even though MT and I were supposed to study for 50% of the day, we actually didn’t study at all…oops. But it was so nice out, and it was great to enjoy the nice weather before it gets too cold. Went to a new brick oven pizza place, and had delicious wings/pizza. Got to see my cutest-baby-ever nephew. Watched TV, played with the cat. Just a nice relaxing day overall. How often does this happen now?
And holy crap, when did it get so cold out?!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Priorities...
Since I have turned 25, I have had trouble getting my priorities straight. Before, priorities used to be easy. When I was little, my priority was getting home on time from school to watch TailSpin. When I was a teenager, my priority was avoiding my parents as much as possible. As a college student, I did work so I could eventually get a good job. Once I got a job, my priority was to enjoy myself as much as possible.
But now it is a different game. I am no longer in my early 20’s; I am now in my mid-20’s. And this leads to a whole new slew of possible priorities.
Should I put my job first? After all, it is my career. But school is also part of my career; should that go first? And what about my health? Shouldn't I be seeing the doctor, having lab tests, and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week?
And what about the rest of my life: shouldn’t my family, friends, and boyfriend have spots in there too? What about my new interest in yoga and cooking? What about blogging? What about those stacks of British chick lit I have to get through?!
Although it is impossible to accomplish everything, everything must be done- which makes prioritizing not as fun. The nature of prioritizing is realizing that something, something, will have to fall by the wayside. And now, at the young age of a mature 25, what will that be? I’m scared that life will always be this way from now on. I am scared that all those “I want to’s” will be replaced with “I should’s” and “I have to’s.”
But please life, give me a break! I really need to get to all that British chick lit!
But now it is a different game. I am no longer in my early 20’s; I am now in my mid-20’s. And this leads to a whole new slew of possible priorities.
Should I put my job first? After all, it is my career. But school is also part of my career; should that go first? And what about my health? Shouldn't I be seeing the doctor, having lab tests, and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week?
And what about the rest of my life: shouldn’t my family, friends, and boyfriend have spots in there too? What about my new interest in yoga and cooking? What about blogging? What about those stacks of British chick lit I have to get through?!
Although it is impossible to accomplish everything, everything must be done- which makes prioritizing not as fun. The nature of prioritizing is realizing that something, something, will have to fall by the wayside. And now, at the young age of a mature 25, what will that be? I’m scared that life will always be this way from now on. I am scared that all those “I want to’s” will be replaced with “I should’s” and “I have to’s.”
But please life, give me a break! I really need to get to all that British chick lit!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Recent Obsessions
1.Yoga. So I went today for the first time to a yoga class, and oh my goodness! I totally got my butt kicked!! But in a good way. Even though my back is sore, I dripped about 4 liters of sweat, and I don’t think I can walk for three days, I’m still happy that I went. There was even an Olympian in my class! A woman’s rower that actually lives in my complex. Who knew? The other funny thing about yoga: some guy I briefly dated was there.
2. Touch-screen gym equipment. I just renewed my gym subscription to Penn (cough, haven’t been to the gym since February, cough), and I am totally amazed! All the machines are brand new touch-screens that let me plug in an ipod, use a usb drive to record all my workouts, and gives me a personal electronic coach to encourage me. It’s really awesome.
3. The color orange. It’s amazing- it looks good on scarves, Flyers’ jerseys, and pumpkins. It’s not really stuck to one season, and better yet: I think I look pretty darn good in it, too.
4. Scrubs, the TV show. I’ve started watching all the old seasons. Why didn’t someone get me into this hilariousness years ago? It’s so classic! I’ve totally been missing out!
5. T-shirts with funny sayings. Okay, maybe I should have outgrown funny shirts ten years ago in high school, but I think they’re just so cute! Especially with the change of season; I can totally layer them over long sleeves and add a scarf….
6. Fall. About damn time… I’m tired of sweating my non-existent balls off.
7. Keurig Coffee brewer. There is absolutely nothing as amazing at 6am: waking up, and having a beautiful cup of coffee, freshly brewed, two minutes later.
8. Saying “Dude.” I am not quite sure why I keep saying it, but I really need to stop… especially after I called my boss Dude last week. Not. Cool.
9. Sligo. Sorry to say it again, but I basically have the best cat in the world!
10. Wanting a house. So, even though I have a condo, I have recently been craving a house like candy. Suddenly I want a garage, a backyard, a dining room… at least I’m over the baby thing, haha. I probably should cut back on the search online though, because I keep getting emails from realtors. Oh boy.
Unit next time!
2. Touch-screen gym equipment. I just renewed my gym subscription to Penn (cough, haven’t been to the gym since February, cough), and I am totally amazed! All the machines are brand new touch-screens that let me plug in an ipod, use a usb drive to record all my workouts, and gives me a personal electronic coach to encourage me. It’s really awesome.
3. The color orange. It’s amazing- it looks good on scarves, Flyers’ jerseys, and pumpkins. It’s not really stuck to one season, and better yet: I think I look pretty darn good in it, too.
4. Scrubs, the TV show. I’ve started watching all the old seasons. Why didn’t someone get me into this hilariousness years ago? It’s so classic! I’ve totally been missing out!
5. T-shirts with funny sayings. Okay, maybe I should have outgrown funny shirts ten years ago in high school, but I think they’re just so cute! Especially with the change of season; I can totally layer them over long sleeves and add a scarf….
6. Fall. About damn time… I’m tired of sweating my non-existent balls off.
7. Keurig Coffee brewer. There is absolutely nothing as amazing at 6am: waking up, and having a beautiful cup of coffee, freshly brewed, two minutes later.
8. Saying “Dude.” I am not quite sure why I keep saying it, but I really need to stop… especially after I called my boss Dude last week. Not. Cool.
9. Sligo. Sorry to say it again, but I basically have the best cat in the world!
10. Wanting a house. So, even though I have a condo, I have recently been craving a house like candy. Suddenly I want a garage, a backyard, a dining room… at least I’m over the baby thing, haha. I probably should cut back on the search online though, because I keep getting emails from realtors. Oh boy.
Unit next time!
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