The End of Gen Y?

“You’re that Generation Y,” my mother told me. “I saw it on TV.” Well then...it must be true.

After doing some research, I read that “Generation Y” was first meant as a label for those born after “Generation X” as a pejorative term. Now it is simply “Gen Y” and the years it includes is under debate- on average, the years included are 1978-1989.

The distinguishing features of Gen Y include financial smarts, work-life balance, and frequently changing jobs.

However, I can’t help but wonder- in this state of economic distress, will the description of Gen Y change? Can Gen Y’ers really demand a work-life balance and frequently change jobs when they are scared about securing a job at all? And are they smartly managing their money by contributing to their 401k’s, or is this now a plan for disaster?

I am curious to see how this plays out. In the mean time, I’ll just be happy I’m not considered part of the “Millennials” or the “Net Generation.”

PS- I found the pic online on many different sites and do not know who to give credit it to.

Becoming Ageless

No, I don’t mean becoming a diamond or Dick Clark. With 26 right around the corner, I figured that it’s time to start investing early in anti-aging products. After spending too much money and having too many break outs, here is what I found.

1. Aveeno Positively Ageless Night Cream



This stuff is great- it is light, smells very feminine, and doesn’t clog my pores. And after using it for two weeks, I swear my crows feet look better.

2. Listerine Whitening Pen



Did you know that having your teeth look brighter makes you look younger? And I guess it makes sense- when you’re young you didn’t do all that damage yet. I love this pen- it is easy, tastes great, and makes a difference within one day. And it’s a lot safer and cheaper than traditional whitening products.

3. Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion SP



We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen, and this formula is light enough to wear every day and provide SPF protection. Just great.

Things that made me happy today

1. Sunshine! Windows open! Spring!
2. Greek lady platter... yum
3. Getting some homework done
4. Seeing my favorite nephew!
5. Cherry blossom festival
6. Starting off ice cream season with Philly Flavors
7. Boyfriend rejoining facebook
8. Tater tots from Urban Saloon
9. Having only one patient at work on saturday
10. Checking in on Shannon :)

City v. Suburb

I have now lived in the city for over four years. If you count my college years, I've lived in it over eight. As one can imagine, after a while, the city gets old. Today, I am especially on an "anti-city" kick. Here are some reasons why I will be super excited to get move to the suburbs within the next 3-5 years.

-less bus exhaust in my face... every two blocks.
-no scary guys telling me to smile or “shake that thing, girl”
-more trees, especially ones without gum on them
-easier parking, no $2/hr meters
-cleaner
-more selection/easier to get to stores
-no feeling like I’m going to be killed on my bike!
-less rude people
-grass
-less traffic, less cars, more space
-not being afraid to walk around at night
-neighborhood-y, not as anonymous
-not carrying groceries up >84 steps

I'm sure in two days I'll probably change my mind again and can't imagine leaving the city. We'll have to see!

Twenty Six? Here I come!

With a little over a month to my next birthday, the dreaded 26 and entry into “late twenties,” I decided it was time for an update! I know that no one reads this anymore, but there’s still something nice about having a public journal. So let’s have a few updates:

School: I am getting there! I officially have 135 days left (including breaks/weekends/etc.) and am very excited for it! I will be finishing up my gensurg clinical at Pennsy at the end of April, and start at Abington for a med rotation at the end of May. I am getting so close I can taste it!

Work: We recently got a new manager, and all the drama that comes with a new person being in charge. That being said, the transition has been pretty smooth. With my school schedule, I’ve also been forced to work almost every Saturday- which has been surprisingly fun. It is nice to just work with one other nurse, and leave the busy week behind.

Housing: I just ordered new, custom vanities today! I am so excited about this!! Yes, they are going to cost an arm and a leg, but really, it’ll be worth it in the long run for my re-sale value. I won’t be getting them installed until the endish of May just because of my school schedule, but it should work out better that way.

Family: My nephew recently turned one, and is just too adorable. I am excited to see everyone for Easter.

Relationship: Poor Boyfriend has too much on his plate between firehouse, school, and work. But I know he’ll get through it. And we’ll get through it together. In the meantime, the fire banquet is in two or three weeks from now, and I got the cutest dress for it! Swoon! Oh, and also, I’m trying to arrange for my family to meet Boy’s family at my (fake) graduation dinner—I graduate in August, but graduate in May. Go figure.

Friends: I’ve recently been trying to reach out to some people, but all of us seem busy. I am lucky to have a few of my close friends so geographically close. It is esp. nice to hang out people who enjoy colorful conversation, or bring their boyfriends along after the art museum 

Economy: Okay, so I finally stopped freaking out. Everything is going to be fine. I’ve cut my credit card bill IN HALF for the past three months and you know what? My life really isn’t that different.

Vacations: VA trip in May! Shore all summer! Ireland next year with Boyfriend!

Career Plans: I’ve had a really long thought process and lots of talks to decide what I want to do with my life. At this moment, I plan to start looking for a new outpatient specialty job in January 2010. After securing a job, I plan to start applying for PhD. programs in either Education or Nursing- haven’t quite decided yet. If I get in, I’m thinking that I’ll defer for a year or so. In the meantime, I want to get a second job teaching to make sure that I want to teach.

Life Plans: None on the table at the moment, and probably none for the next three years. I do plan on doing something fun and interesting when I graduate though. Some ideas that I have:
-training for a bike race/taking a bicycle fixing class
-taking a cooking class
-piano lessons
-more belly dancing classes? Maybe a hiphop or pilates class?

On turning 26: I’ve totally stopped freaking out. When I started this blog last year, I was a wreck- how could I be in the middle of my twenties already?! But now that I’m going to be 26, I’m just excited and feel proud- I’m only going to be 26 and I have already accomplished so much. Now if only I could get my PhD. by 32 and I’ll be set ;)

Until next time!

Long Overdue Update

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!

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!