Liner Notes

Dear Liner Notes

2010-09-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

I kind of miss Liner Notes. i think back on many of the posts and the things that were happening in my life and it makes me a bit sad. :( I think the change is good though...

J

I've Moved!

2010-07-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

Just a reminded that I have moved!

http://dcdistrictdarling.blogspot.com/

See ya there!

J

Good Luck and Goodbye

2010-07-23T14:04:00.003-04:00

Bruce Springsteen: That's what you're looking for, you know, get ready to start again. It'd be good for you. Rob: Great, even. Bruce Springsteen: Give that big final good luck and goodbye to your all time top-five and just move on down the road. Rob: Good luck, Goodbye. Thanks, Boss.

Ok. So. Here's the deal.

I keep saying that I am going to start writing regularly again, and I really mean it, because I love writing, but as you have witnessed I never do. So I started thinking to myself, "Why can't I find anything to write about?" Is it because my life is miserably boring? No. It is most certainly not. I could write a novel covering the last few months of my life that would put Eat Pray Love to shame. Is it because I don't enjoy blogging anymore??? Nopes. Is is because I need a new computer? Nope, just got one. So what then is the problem???

Well, after much thinking, I think I have come to a conclusion.

My life has changed so much in the past year that I just don't relate to Liner Notes anymore. I loved it. It was my baby. But I just can't do Liner Notes anymore. I'm no longer that person. I didn't pull some kind of Jekyll and Hyde but I have made some changes and adjustments that have rocked the core of who I am a little.

"What's next?" you ask?

This.

http://dcdistrictdarling.blogspot.com/

A fresh start. A new chapter. A clean slate. And I hope you will all continue with me on my journey!

Liner Notes, signing off.

2010-07-02T10:50:00.001-04:00

So, every time I say I am going to start blogging again I don't. Obviously.

Not really sure why. Maybe because I feel like I work so much, but I do have four days a week off. Maybe it's because I haven't really found my place here yet. In Smalltown, Va I had the best, most stable, group of friends that I could count on to be there at anytime. I never thought I would be so fortunate.

That said, I don't so much have that here. The only thing familiar to me when I moved to DC, B, is no longer around, by his choices and mine. So I don't really recognize my life right now.

I love change, and new things, and new people, and new experiences.....but I just haven't quite found my place here in DC. I am sure that I will, but it just hasn't happened yet. I can say though that I love my home, and my independence, and the world of possibilities at my doorstep :)

I have been on a music binge lately, and those of you who know me well, know that I love my music. I have kinda/sorta fallen in love with this new song by Sleigh Bells.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLRnmQ-4Yp0

Enjoy!

J

2010-05-11T10:48:00.000-04:00

I guess I'm just not really sure what to write about just yet. There have been so many changes in my life lately and I'm I still don't think I've fully digested it all.

On an positive note, I am going to meet some people at a place called RFD's in Chinatown tonight. They have the largest beer selection in DC and all of the food items on their menu are centered around beer. I am really looking forward to trying the Hoegaarden steamed mussels. Yum!

P.S. Blogs are boring without pictures, right? I will start adding pictures, just trying not to junk up the new computer.

J

New Computer. New Life.

2010-05-06T13:29:00.002-04:00

I know I keep saying that I am going to start blogging again, and i know it never actually happens, but this time I mean it! I really do! I decided to bite the bullet and invest in a new MacBook Pro. So, now I blog to you on the go! YAY!!! This is the best purchase I have ever made!

So, lots to catch up on, and all in due time. LOTS.

Now off to lunch.

J

Half the Sky

2010-02-19T14:06:00.001-05:00

The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.

Ok. I never ask you guys to support any issues. But I am now. Through my job I have found that I have a deep deep passion for children. Specifically, children in need. Not because they are cute and fun and sweet, which they are. But because they are strong and I admire them with all my heart. I think that is what has drawn me to the stories of the women and girls in the book. Their strength.

Half the Sky is the most incredible book I have read in a long time. I always knew that horrible things goon all over the world. But this book offers a solution.A good one. It doesn't suggest money alone. It suggests EDUCATION.

Just read it. Please.

Also, keep in mind that this doesn't just apply to women and girls in third world countries. Just go to your local elementary schools and women's shelters if you don't believe me.

"Women aren’t the problem, they’re the solution — along with men.

The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.

Half the Sky lays out an agenda for the world's women and three major abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence including honor killings and mass rape; maternal mortality, which needlessly claims one woman a minute. We know there are many worthy causes competing for attention in the world. We focus on this one because this kind of oppression feels transcendent – and so does the opportunity. Outsiders can truly make a difference.
So let us be clear up front: We hope to recruit you to join an incipient movement to emancipate women and fight global poverty by unlocking women's power as economic catalysts. It is a process that transforms bubbly teenage girls from brothel slaves into successful businesswomen. You can help accelerate change if you'll just open your heart and join in."

http://www.halftheskymovement.org/

29 Isn't Old

2010-02-19T13:40:00.001-05:00

I really mean that.

The main reason I want to take 29 to "get my life in order" is because it seems like an excellent time to do it. Kinda like making new years resolutions in January. Doesn't make much sense to do it in June does it? You could. And that would be fine. But January 1st is just good. New year. New start.

So that is why 30 is such a turning point for me. New start. New decade. In my new town. With my new life. Perfect time to wrap some things up and start my 30's on a fresh, happy, peaceful, foot. Right?

I just read an article this morning. 28 days to a new and healthier you. Or some crap like that. Well, I'm gonna do it. Detoxifying fruit smoothies, exercising, yoga, the whole nine yards. So I'll keep you updated on that.

I think I need to develop a one year plan though, now, so I can implement it next month.

Where do you find your peace, security, serenity?

J

I'm Baaaaack! I hope :)

2010-02-18T02:29:00.000-05:00

Now that I have settled into my job and my new home, I am hoping to pick up the blog again. Although it never feels like it, I really do have plenty of time on my hands, and no excuse to let this fall by the wayside.

Quick catch up:

1.. I love my new apartment and will post some pictures soon.
2. The job is going well. It has it's downfalls, but don't they all.
3. B and I are going to St. Thomas in March!
4. I bought a Keurig one cup coffee maker that has changed my life.
5. I think I have developed a seriously un healthy shopping addiction. Seriously.
6. I am hoping to take my NPS (Neonatal and Pediatric Specialist) Exam by the end of March.

Desperatly Seeking Seersucker's blog reminded me of how long we have been blogging and how much our lives have changed since we started. BIG changes!

Also, I have been thinking about a new direction for my blog. I turn 29 next month. Did ya hear me people? 29. That said...I don't want to be depressed about turning 30, once the time comes. I want to turn 30 and be so incredidbly happy and peaceful with where I am at in my life... So I am going to take the next year to work towards some goals to make that happen. Not that I am unhappy now...I'm pretty darn happy...but I just want to make sure.

More soon. For real.

J

2009

2009-12-30T09:13:00.005-05:00

2009 has been such a great year for me, right from the very beginning. I finished school and have a great job. I moved to a new city. I had some huge disappointments, but proved to myself once again, I am stronger than I realize. There are so many new people in my life that I didn't have a year ago and I couldn't imagine my life now without them, and my best of friends from Roanoke, the really good ones, are still in my life. Overall, 2009 has been a wonderful year and I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for me. So far some things to look forward to in 2010 are:

1. Moving into my new apartment! I just got a teeny tiny studio apartment yesterday in Woodley Park and get the keys tomorrow morning! I am so excited to have my own place. Now I just have to tell my roomate of these new developments this afternoon. I realize I have put it off but didn't want to tell her until I had the new place secured. That's a picture of the neighborhood. What I love is that the front door of my building is about 25 feet from the top of the Metro and on the red line.

2. The last year of the second decade of my life!!! In other words, I turn 29. 29!

3. I can focus on the first year of my new career. I have gotten through the first three months. I am more comfortable now and feel more confident in the hospital. Now its time to kick it up a notch and set some career goals for the new year!

Life is gooooood.

I don't have plans for New Years and B is in Texas for the holidays, so I am probably going to be at work. I have a teen aged patient that has congenital AIDS (they were born with it) and is in end stage renal failure, we'll call this patient "Lou." Lou has been in and out of the ICU's, on and off ventilators. Lou has a trach (a permanent breathing tube in the throat, not quite the look a youngster is going for) Lou can speak in short broken sentences and just ate food for the first time in a a very long time the other night. Lou is beautiful, inside and out. Lou has spent the last two years of her life in and out of the hospital. The other night Lou told me he/she is looking forward to New Years but worried he/she won't see the ball drop- that he/she will sleep through it as he/she did last year. I told him/her that if I was working I would make sure I woke him/her up to see the ball drop. I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year.

J

A Quick (QUICK) Catch Up

2009-11-09T18:42:00.000-05:00

I moved to DC one month and 5 days ago and for the most part I can say I have no regrets and am loving it. I have my moments when I miss my family and miss my friends, but I think I made the right choice. I am really enjoying DC although not so much my neighborhood. It just isn't what I had in mind. And that's difficult because what I want does exist here...so maybe a move, but not anytime soon.

I have been working a lot BUT the great thing about my job is that I can work 3 days ad then take 4 days off. I can also arrange my schedule so that I can take 8 days off in a row every month, if I really want to, hence the Nicaragua trip.

I have gotten to spend a lot of time with B, and that has been really nice. Really really nice. We got an X Box, you know, the video game console, and after many many hours of playing, B has a whopper of a blister on his thumb...I didn't think that was possible but, it is.

I need to start getting involved in some groups and making friends outside of work to hang out with.

Thats all for now, I'm beat...

J

2009-10-26T14:14:00.001-04:00

After a HUGE hiatus I am going to star writing again, SOON. I have been so busy with getting moved and settled in and starting the new job, but there is so much to share!

J

Oh honey, I have a fake laugh with your name written all over it.

2009-10-01T13:09:00.003-04:00

This weekend is my ten year high school reunion.

I'm not going.

Every year on Thanksgiving about 15 generations of graduates from my hometown, from various high schools, congregate at one of the worst bars in town. I see about 15 million people I could care less about and maybe 2 that i am minimally interested in catching up with.

I find myself repeating the same line every year. Each year sounding less genuine than the year before.

"Hey!!! So good to see you! You look great!"

So far 120 people have RSVP'd to the reunion on Saturday night. I have no desire to go. I don't get nostalgic thinking back on high school. I get nauseaus.

I had friends. I was a cheerleader dammit! (Ha, what? you have no self esteem? here's a cheerleading uniform. all your problems are now solved. it also comes with a boyfriend and a social life. two shakes of a pom pom and the world is yours.) Kidding, kinda. High school wasn't bad, it wasn't great, I don't need to revisit it.

You see, the best friendships of my life weren't made in high school. They were made once I got older and figured out more who I was. Sure, its nice to catch up every now and then with people who know where you are from, where you've been, and where you're are coming from, but those are no longer my high school friends.

So, I am going to go to the Homecoming Game tomorrow night, say some hello's...but thats all I need.

J

E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D.

2009-09-29T21:20:00.002-04:00

I am so tired. I have been in DC the past 10 or so days finding a place to live and getting paperwork in order so I can start working on time...blah blah blah. I will expand on some of that later. For now though....hmm...3 thoughts...thats all I can handle right now...

1. Everyone in DC says everything is 3-5 minutes from a Metro stop. They are all lying. Add 3-5 minutes to whatever anyone tells you.

2. B is fun to dance with.

3. Converstaion between my father and I earlier today.

Dad: "Did your phone ring while you were on the plane?"
Me: "No Dad. I turned it off. Like you're supposed to do."
Dad: "Aw man! I always wanted to talk to someone on the phone while they were up in the air."
long pause................................
Me: "Well, if there aren't any flight attendants around I can maybe try and call you on the next flight???"
long pause.............................................
Dad: "Naaaaaah. I don't really want the plane to crash."

J

She's Having My Baby

2009-09-15T13:33:00.003-04:00

ok, i am too lazy for details today, I am also too lazy to capitalize letters and probably too lazy to construct sentences, so expect a lot of run ons and ...'s.

lets seeeeeee. going to dc to look for places on friday. i've been offered a room in a friends house in bethesda. the house has 6 bedrooms, and indoor pool, a hot tub, and my room would have a jacuzzi tub and separate shower loft, whatever the hell a shower loft is... i am not sold on moving in with said friend so b and i are going to go to the house on friday night to check out a birthday partay they are hosting.

things are scooting right along. find a place, take my second round of board exams, which i am doing next week.

i did a phone interview yesterday to be considered for an online column/blog/not really sure yet, for a respiratory care magazine. i really hope it works out!

also, i think i wrote about how great my labor day weekend was. i just got a stack of pics form b's sister. in that stack was a particularly awkward photo. b went to uva. having spent some years in roanoke i have a soft spot for virginia tech. i was wearing a tech t-shirt one morning when b's sister decided to snap some pics. to show his disapproval of my shirt b decided to cover up the part that said "tech" leaving just "Virginia" to be read, and i was kind of holding the shirt out so it could be read and because it was a little chilly outside, if you catch my drift... it however turned into the "she's having my baby" pic...like i said, awkward. take a looksy.

is it a hokie? is it a wahoo? is it an.....AWKWARD MOMENT???

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-09T12:57:00.002-04:00

I took the Labor Day weekend to take a break from all of the job related things I have been so focused on lately. After all, I did get an amazing job offer and for the first time in a very long time everything seems to be falling perrrrrrfectly into place.

Where to start...

Saturday started off a bit hectic. My mother was on my case to clean the house from top to bottom because there was a chance B was coming down for the weekend and would be staying at our house. So that was stressful and irritating, clean for the arrival of someone who may or may not be visiting. Why not just call and ask right? Well, B had seemed to be nearing his wits end and I was not about to press the issue to find out. Either he showed up, or he didn't.

Little did I know, everyone (my mom, dad, sisters, B's sister, her husband...everyone) knew B was in fact on his way down and didn't tell me! But its ok because I LOOOOOVE surprises.

The weekend was spent spending time with family, going to a Duke football game, going to a Durham Bulls baseball game, celebrating B's sister's b-day, playing tennis....the weather was great, and it was a super fun perfect weekend. J

Children's It Is!!!

2009-09-04T11:00:00.003-04:00

I just accepted an offer for a full time position at Children's National Medical Center. Also, I guess Karma got a whiff of all of my kind words and is rewarding me once again with an unexpected sign on bonus! I finally feel like almost everything is falling into place. They want me to start in October so I have just at one month to get all kinds of paperwork and licensing in order. YAAAAAAAAAAAY!

J

Yesterday Karma Was Not A Bitch

2009-09-03T09:34:00.005-04:00

You've seen this picture before, haven't you??? You have. But it's appropriate, again. Let me tell you about my good Karma experience yesterday.

So, a few weeks ago I was in a small and often over-priced bookstore, but its an independant, family owned, hometown store, and I like to be supportive. Anyway, they had a day planner and I fell in love with the way it was organized and its size. I put it on my mental shopping list (you know, the one of "things I will buy once I have a job) and kept going.

Well, yesterday I was walking by the same store with a friend so I decided to stop in real quick just to see how much it was. With not having worked in months and getting ready to move, I am UBER budgeted.

I went in and found the planner. $16.00. Ok. Maybe I'll splurge before I move.

It was the only one left on the shelf and it had a small sticker that said "display copy." I asked the sales attendant if they planned on getting any more in. She said she didn't know but could call the manager and ask. I thanked her but told her not to waste her time as I did not plan on buying it yesterday.

Little did I know, while I continued to browse, she called the manager.

She came and found me a few moments later with this message from the manager...

"We don't plan on getting any more in but if you like you can have the display copy. We didn't pay anything for it so if you like the color, its yours."

How nice. I can think of so many people that would still try to make a buck on something they got for free. And I really needed that planner. And I'm super broke. And, I even love the color.

Karma, you are not a bitch. I got your back.

2009-09-02T09:51:00.002-04:00

1.Today B's sister is teaching me how to knit a scarf. It will be a nice little project to work on before I move.

2. Looking for apartments in D.C. when you aren't actually in the city is a bitch.

3. The dog that lives in my house, the dog who's existance I no longer acknowledge, chewed on my super cute wallet that B got for me.

J

2009-09-01T17:40:00.001-04:00

I can't wait to furnish my new place...one day...with real furniture...like a real home...

jlm by jlmargs on Polyvore.com

2009-09-01T10:39:00.001-04:00

Today is the first day of September and that makes me smile for two major reasons.

1. Fall, my favorite season, is just around the corner. Nothing makes me happier than coffee, cool crisp air, sunshine, a light sweatshirt, and tailgating.

2. I move this month!!! Pending vaccinations, and recertifications, and licensing (think positive thoughts) I should start at Inova on the 21st.

So, although I will be sad to miss the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge I guess I have cherry blossoms to look forward to in the spring...give and take, right?

d.c. by jlmargs featuring American Eagle Outfitters

Long Time No Write :(

2009-08-31T12:24:00.014-04:00

(Warning: One mildly graphic picture)

Ok. So the past few weeks have been just crazy. Went up to DC to interview at Children's National Medical Center, visited with B, and got a call that I was being offered a PRN position at Inova Fairfax...and an interview at Johns Hopkins. This is the deal, currently. Starting my PRN position at Inova. PRN,in english for those of you who don't speak hospitalese, means these things... 1) you always self schedule. The upside- self scheduling your own hours, as many or as little as you want, and you don't have to ask for vacations, you just don't schedule yourself. and it means 2) NO BENEFITS from the hopital. Which I am ok with since my Dad is an insurance agent and financial planner.

So that is what I'll do for now, but if I get a call from Children's, I will cut hours back to a minimum at Inova and work full time at Childrens.

As of right now I dont plan on interviewing at Johns Hopkins.

Why I Loved Children's

This place was AMAZING. I've never been a "kid" person. That is NOT why I want to work there. The opportunities this hospital provides are impossible to walk away from.

1. One of those is the opportunity to train to be on the ECMO team. ECMO stands for Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Basically, when a child gets very sick, or sometimes after cardiac surgeries, they are hooked up to a machine thats circulates and oxygenates their blood for them. So, we stop their heart and lungs to allow them to rest and heal, and we do the work for them. Whe you are on this team you are by the bedside at all times. You even have to find someone to take over while you go to the bathroom. But it is an awesome responsibility. There are a few ways ECMO can be set up and connected. It can be connected through the jugular veins in the neck, this is least invasive. Or, as in the picture below, the cannulas can be inserted directly into the heart. This is done when the chest is already open. The baby in this picture had just recieved a heart transplant. In many cases the massive pile of guaze on the chest in replaced by a thin clear bandage. This allows the healthcare team to take a flashlight and look directly at the heart to ensure everything is working appropraitely. In the tubing that you see coming out of the gauze one side is venous blood that has been depleted of oxygen. It cyles through a machine that difuses it with the gas levels just as the lungs would, and oxgenated blood is returned to the body through the other tube.

2. Flight Transport. Going up in the helicopter to get sick babies and children. This is a huge deal. When you are up there, its all on you. There is no doctor making decisions, telling you what to do. No one to step in when you freak out. Not to mention its on the top 10 of most dangerous jobs. I am an adrenaline junkie, and this is the ultimate high. I got a chance to speak to one of the flight therapists at Childrens. I asked her how far the team goes for pick ups, most transport teams have a set radius they travel within. Not Childrens National. She looked at me and said, "Well, I picked up a baby in Kuwait last week." I was in love.

While I was there we recieved two 27 week old (gestational age) neonates from Maryland, both weighing in at just over 1,000 grams. I've seen the isty bitsy babies many times before, but you never really get over it.

I also saw a baby with cardiac ectopia cordis. This is a tragic condition where the infants heart develops outside the thorax. In this case the baby was born with out a sternum and his heart was covered only by a thin membranous layer of skin. To check his heart rate you didn't even have to look at the monitor, you just had to look down at his heart. Unfortunately his prognosis is poor, but there is a chance, and in the time I spent with him he was a happy smiling baby boy with a loving family.

Like I said. I'm not a kid person. I don't really even like kids that much. But kids don't ask for many of their illnesses and injuries. They haven't been smoking 2 packs a day for 60 years, or driving their motorcycles without helmets, or refusing to take their medications. And, the thing that gets me with helping children is that you are making better a child that could grow up to be someone amazing and change history. I think of all the kids as future presidents and leaders and advocates...its cheesy...but its satisfying.

So, that is what has been going on. And, my computer is f'ed lately...so I will do my best to keep up.

J

2009-08-25T18:31:00.002-04:00

Back from DC. Good news all around. Now time to go to my little sister's birthday dinner!J

M.I.A.

2009-08-18T22:43:00.003-04:00

Hey guys...my internet went bonkers and I didn't have the patience or care to fix it so I waited for someone else to care enough. I know. Lazy. No word from Inova. Headed to DC in the morning for an interview on Thursday. Will update more later!
P.S. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH for all your kind words!!!J

Whats that saying about no news???

2009-08-14T16:10:00.010-04:00

Its 4:15 and I haven't heard anything. I personally think it's rather rude to tell a bunch of anxious applicants that you will notify them by the end of the week and then NOT. And I think it's even worse to do it TWICE. So, I emailed the recruiter and told her that I would appreciate being notified even if I wasn't selected so that I can stick my head in the oven...I'm mean, uh, "refocus my efforts." In the meantime, I have applied for three positions at Johns Hopkins in adult and pediatric anesthesia and critical care medicine. Which would be way more (as LiLu says) BAD ASS-ER than Inova. But I will continue to send Inova (and everyone else) positive energies until they actually tell me no as I am in no position to be fucking with Karma.

Today is the Day

2009-08-14T11:12:00.002-04:00

Inova said I should hear from them by today. Now, if I don't, I'm not going to freak out. This will be the second time they've said they'd make a decision by the end of the week and not come through. Bitches. Ok, back to staring at my phone.

J

Quick Job Update

2009-08-13T13:36:00.002-04:00

I am supposed to hear back from Inova this week as to whether or not I got the job, so I'm waiting on that. And, I am probably going to be going up to D.C. next week for an interview at Children's. You know the deal, I expect all fingers and toes crossed.

How Not to Keep Your Dignity

2009-08-12T23:41:00.004-04:00

I was introduced to this website today by Mr. Batwing. Its pretty entertaining and served its purpose of distracting me from life for a half an hour or so. I highly reccommend that you take a few moments to peruse some of the shenanigans in this compilation of emails from an asshole here.

I'll start you off with one... its pretty silly but my favorite is Barter My Whore Wife or Horse Farm.

Apologetic Nationals Fan
Posted at: 2009-06-30 10:20:10

Original ad: I am trying to get 2 tickets to the Nationals vs. Red Sox on Thursday, June 25th. I'm willing to pay up to $40.

From Mike Partlow to **********@**********.org

Hello, I do not have tickets to the Nationals, but I do have a video tape of my 7-year-old's little league team game last week. He plays for the Arby's Allstars, and they beat the Smith Hardware Little Leaguers. I am sure it will be way more entertaining than watching the Nationals get their ass whooped for the 49th time this season.

From austin ******* to Me

Fuck yourself, asshole.

From Mike Partlow to austin *******

Austin, my 7-year-old son was on the computer and he read your very offensive e-mail. Now he is going around telling everyone to "fuck themselves." Me and my wife tried to raise him to be a kid who doesn't curse, but thanks to your profanity, he thinks it is okay. I demand an apology from you.

From austin ******* to Me

You want my apology? Go fuck yourself.

From Mike Partlow to austin *******

I did have the tickets; I was just messing around with you. They were good seats - 10 rows back from third base. I was going to sell them both for $30. I would rather burn them, however, if you don't apologize. If you do apologize, the tickets will be yours.

From Mike Partlow to austin *******

I'm waiting...

From austin ******* to Me

I'm sorry about your kid.

From Mike Partlow to austin *******

Hah, what a sucker. I made you look like little bitch in front of my 7-year-old son. I don't actually have any tickets. Thanks for helping me teach my son a lesson about how not to keep your dignity.

Mike

TMI Thursday

2009-08-12T23:11:00.004-04:00

Ok guys. Tomorrow is TMI Thursday. For those of you who aren't familiar, the lovely D.C. blogette LiLu writes about something that is certain to at a minimum make you giggle... basically, its what I look forward to on Thursdays now. The rest of her blog pretty much rocks as well. To get to it just click on the picture of the senior citizens getting it on to the right over there ---> :)

And here's a link to her blog Live It Love It

Happy Thursday...

Honest Scrap Part Deux

2009-08-12T14:21:00.009-04:00

Alright. Honest Scrap. 10 Things no one knows about me. This is going to be difficult as I am a pretty open book, I think, though my mother would disagree.
Anyways...

1. When I fix ice cream I stir it up until it melts into a soupy milkshakey texture, then eat it.

2. I like to eat all of one part of a meal before I move on to the next. For instance, eat all of the french fries before moving on to the burger, or all of my green beans before the steak...

3. I absolutley cannot sleep if my feet aren't covered.

4. I used the think the NFL team the Redskins hailed from Washington state.

5. I cry EVERY time I watch Elf at the end when the dad finally starts singing and the sleigh swooshes up behind them...its so cheesy.

6. I drove by a sign (every morning on the way to work for YEARS) that was advertising for invisible fencing and thought they were referring to the sport and was convinced the reason their parking lot was always empty was because no one would ever want to get involved in something as silly as invisible fencing. Thats half the fun, right, poking each other with the swords??? Nevermind the picture of the DOG on the sign...

7. I have watched every single episode of NY Prep.

8. My feelings get hurt much more easily than I let on.

9. I have over 300 Madame Alexander dolls.

10. I'm uber shy.

Ok, 10 people to pass this along to...I will have to do that part after Ellen...

Honest Scrap

2009-08-11T22:10:00.007-04:00

I got this totally awesome blog award from Amy @ One Size Fits All. She has a great blog and shares my affinity for Twilight and the Sweet Valley High book series.

I am going to get to work on it tomorrow, or tonight, if insomia sets in, again. I guess what it comes down to is do you want a tipsy lush to complete it or an over caffienated bordeline anxiety attack. Either one could be amusing. I'd vote tipsy lush, but what do I know....

2 Thoughts...

2009-08-11T21:21:00.004-04:00

1. Why aren't there any chilled mini bottles of wine in the fridge. Everyone in this family knows I am depressed and unemployed....don't they??

2. If I end up being single for the rest of my life, or discover I am a lesbian (lipstick lesbian, btw, just in case you're wondering), who would I want to father my child...???

I read once that if you place a stack of photos of men in front of a woman and ask her which man she would like to RAISE her children she will pick a different man than if you place the same stack of pictures in front of her and ask her which man she would like to FATHER her children.

So, we're just talking about the nitty gritty here, you know, the dirrty, a bit of the old in & out, the bedroom boogie, hippity dippity, humpity dumpity, hokey-pokey, you get the point.

We aren't really looking for the long haul. Just genetics. That's all. So... lemme think...

And, I found some chilled wine in the back of the fridge...JACKPOT.

Still thinking... I might have to sleep on this one...

Immediately coming to mind is Colin Farrell... who is hibbity-dibbity-deelicious...

2009-08-11T12:18:00.005-04:00

OK. No. I haven't been dipping in the snozzberries, but this is how I feel about this f'ing job situation sometimes. However, now that I think about it, now is the perfect time in life to go into a deep depression that spirals into alcohol, drugs, and porn, without worrying about losing my job, and it will make my memoirs much more interesting...anyway...The anxiety is overwhelming. I thought, after years of busting my ass, that a break from reality would be welcomed, and it was, for a while. But this is too much. I am literally freaking out until I hear back from a job that I was supposed to hear from last week. Since I didn't hear anything I sent an email (to the recruiter for a status update)...just moments ago...because as DSS observed, I might jump out of a window if I don't find out if I got, or didn't get, this job. I'M IN HEALTHCARE FOR C'S SAKE!!! I'm the person that isn't supposed to have trouble finding a job, always in demand, can work anywhere, all that jazz. But NO... ok, breathe... If I don't get this job, I still have an interview at another hospital.

For those of you that don't know the whole situation, I will give you a brief synopsis. After slaving through school I was accepted into a 2 year internship at Duke Medical Center. I graduated with the best job in my class. Then just weeks before starting the internship, I lost it, due to bullshit. I'm now sitting here, unemployed and broke. Wait, B.R.O.K.E. On top of that, I get daily emails/texts from former classmates saying, "Hey! How are things at Duke???" Oh yeah, and I've moved away from the town I went to school in, where all my friends are....but I'm trying to stay positive.

So, hopefully I will hear SOMETHING back from this lady today.

P.S. I am 1,480 weeks old today!!! WOO HOO!!!

P.P.S- My phone just went off and my email inbox changed from 50 to 51 and I thought it was the recruiter and I almost had a stroke...and it was just DSS sending me some Obama poll...jeebus.

2009-08-07T17:28:00.003-04:00

I don't like this one so much and I'm thinking about painting over it. I like my other one alot more but it didn't photograph so well so I couldn't share it... my camera phone stinks but, oh well... and the stencil I made didn't really hold up so I couldn't use it...

Todays Projects...

2009-08-03T20:23:00.006-04:00

Trying to ease my worries I decided today was a good day for arts and crafts. First I designed this stencil which I am using on one of my canvases.

Then, I found this small wooden set of drawers. I didn't like the paintings on the front of the drawers so I found some paper I liked and recovered them.

Voila.

I'm going to use it for jewelry and hair stuff...

Live Every Week Like It's Shark Week

2009-08-03T14:11:00.004-04:00

If I was to have a "bucket list" one thing that would have to be on it would be cage diving with Great White sharks, probably in South Africa. I've loved sharks ever since I did a report on them in elementary school and got an A++, pretty badass huh? Anyway, I think this would be an awesome adventure and it is most definitely on my list of things to do.

http://www.white-shark-diving.com/index.htm

Some thoughts for today...

2009-08-02T14:36:00.006-04:00

Toddlers and Tiaras...and I Can't Stop Watching

2009-07-30T23:47:00.006-04:00

Pro? Con? My opinion?

These girls are told from the time they are old enough to understand English that they are beautiful. Maybe if more women were told that from such a young age we wouldn't have such high teen pregnancy rates (not speculating that there is any correlation between pageant girls and teen pregnancies, so chill out, or am I? hmm...). And not that it isn't weird and creepy...which it totally is...and I would never do it to my own munchkin...

2009-07-30T23:18:00.005-04:00

Perrrrrrrfect...Goodnight.

(maybe I should print this and super glue it on the ceiling above my bed, or is that too Stuart Smalley-esque???)

Crabcakes and Football

2009-07-24T17:19:00.006-04:00

I want a vacation. Here.

In a cute little seaside cottage, in a cute little seaside village. And I want to cook crabs and clam chowder and go fishing and read on the porch overlooking the water and play in the yard. Maybe in September, or October, when the air is crispier. I also want an unlimited credit card to Lands End and Ann Taylor Loft. ("and a Range Rover and a Connecticut license plate" DSS)

Pet Peeves

2009-07-24T14:07:00.009-04:00

Someone asked me the other day what my pet peeves are...here you go:

1) When people turn their nose up at things, not figuratively, but when you literally see someone physically turn their nose up. Burns me up. Repeat. Burns. Me. Up.

(F.Y.I.- Separtaing. Words. With. Periods. Adds. EMPHASIS.)

2) When people say they are going to do something and then don't. I have written off quite a few people for this offense.

3) Spelling. Their, they're, there. Also, one girl's fb status today said she felt "layed back." I already dislike her, this put me over the edge.

4) People that speak slooooooowly and take looooooong dramatic pauses in the middle of sentences.

5) When people don't screw tops back onto things tightly.

6) People that exaggerate southern accents because they think it's cutesy or something. I promise you, it's not.

This is just a start...

more...

7) when people squeeze the tooth paste from the middle, and then on top of that, don't "reload" the tube once they put the top back on. I don't care if you want to be lazy and squeeze from the middle, just fix it when you're done.

Why do dishes when you can do daquiris???

2009-07-19T18:44:00.006-04:00

Just yesterday, while window wishing on 9th Street, I was reminded of my love of Ann Taintor. She has great magnets, emory boards, luggage tags, sticky notes, compacts, change purses...the list goes on and on. Let me share with you some of my favorites...

Finger Painting Fanatic

2009-07-19T18:20:00.003-04:00

This is the best thing I have done since I finished school. Not the painting, the hobby. I can sit on the front porch and play in the paint for hours...HOURS. So, the painting on the left earlier has changed a bit...but that's why I am loving this. If I don't like something anymore I can just paint over it! There's probaly about 30 layers of paint on this canvas. Still haven't touched a brush...

Don't Rock the Juke Box

2009-07-19T15:22:00.005-04:00

It has been FAR too long since I have gone out with friends so last night I decided to hit the town with one of my bestest friends T and my sister. By "hit the town" I mean "lounge on the patio at Cosmic" (a local late night mexican grill) and proceed to get toasty. Once we arrive we end up being joined by some other girls from the bio dept, laughter and silliness ensues, a FINE time is had by all. After 3 jumbo pitchers of margaritas and 2 rounds of cervecas we are smacked with the reality that we are tired, our livers are out of shape and certain to seek revenge on us in the morning, and that no one is capable of driving. Granted, the only thing separating us from home is Duke's east campus, the string of "female held at gun point" type emails Duke has been sending out lately has us concerned. We call my younger sister, a freshman in a sorority, so she should be used to the come pick me up calls, right??? Wrong. After multiple texts and calls she has no sympathy, yet for some reason we are determined to find a way home with out having to call a cab. We decided to relinquish our table on the patio (prime real estate at Cosmic) and venture down 9th Street to see if there are any cabs in front of the bars. Needless to say, its summertime, 9th Street is dead, and there is not a cab in sight. I don't know why there was such an issue with CALLING a cab. It was as if we found one, it was ok, but if we had to call, we had somehow been defeated, it makes no sense, I know. All of a sudden we are distracted by the sparkle of Christmas tree lights...we are like moths to a flame....we go into to the bar and find full on, top to bottom, Christams decorations complete with tree, presents, and stockings on the fire place. The bar is empty except for two trucker type characters who unsurprisingly send over a round of drinks. The juke box is ours and we are in heaven. Everything is right with the world, and yes, we called a cab.

Brushes Cramp My Style

2009-07-19T14:33:00.005-04:00

I've been completely bored lately so when I'm not wrapped up in the job search (or New York Prep) I've been spending my time finger painting. Thats right folks, finger painting. I feel like brushes add too much pressure, and thats the LAST thing I need right now. There's just something soothing about getting your hands dirty and mushing a bunch of colors together. I think my genre is more of a random-hodge-podge-with-no-direction, kinda like my life right now... brushes represent a committment. Pick up a brush and you have to paint something. Too much for me. Here are my latest works in progress.

You Homewrecker!!!

2009-07-19T12:23:00.005-04:00

Harry and Pepper, the same sex penguin duo that has been bunking together since 2003 at the San Francisco Zoo, have split, and Linda, a female penguin, is to blame. (GASP) Linda! You bitch! Apparantly, Linda has something of a scarlet reputation at the zoo. Linda's long term companion recently passed away and soon after, she found comfort in the wings of Harry. She also left one longtime male partner to nest with an older penguin named Fig within a few hours of the death of Fig's previous partner. "That was the fastest we'd ever seen penguins move on. To be completely anthropomorphizing, Linda seems conniving," keeper Anthony Brown told the Examiner.

Harry, who had even gone so far as to incubate, hatch, and raise an egg with Pepper, took a liking to Linda and has moved in with her. Understandably, Pepper reacted rather violently at the loss of his partner, but has started to cool off. Poor Pepper.

INOVA UPDATE

2009-07-17T14:12:00.006-04:00

Don't get excited though.

I just got an email from one of the managers that I interviewed with in response to the "thank you" email I had sent. It was very neutral.

"We are still completing the interview process, hope to finish by the end of the month, blah blah blah. "

At least it wasn't a "no."

Continue to keep your fingers (and toes) crossed.

2009-07-16T18:39:00.002-04:00

Just in case you are as mildly (yeah, right) interested as I am in the goings on of the new Real World cast filming in D.C., here is a great website to follow.

http://www.antirealworld.com/

Enjoy!

2009-07-16T13:35:00.005-04:00

As if I wasn't already in a hurry for something new I have just been made aware of (via Sunshine and Potatoes )one more reason to speed things up and get my little (albeit faaaab-uuuu-louuuus) hiney up to DC. Are you ready??? Are you sure??? Ok...

The Real World is filming.

you know.. "This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World."

How lame-o. I know. But I must confess that should I see them wandering the streets of DC I am certain to stop and gawk, if just for a moment. I have yet to have any celeb sightings in DC. DSS snuck her way onto a movie set with Reese Witherspoon.... Thom watched Angelina Jolie from his office... Mr. Batwing ran smack into John Voight.

My day will come.

Step 1: Get a Job

2009-07-14T17:38:00.008-04:00

I have applied at many hospitals in the D.C. area. Right now only two are looking promising, one way more than the other.

The first one is for an Internship position at Inova Fairfax. This is a great hospital. Consistently in the U.S. News and World Reports top hospitals (top twenty), fifth largest obstetrics unit in the country (delivered 3rd largest number of babies in the country last year), thriving transplant programs, etc. I think the coolest part about this hospital was that on the Neonatal floor they had a large room that was reserved for the two most critically ill babies post cardiac surgery. If a baby starts bleeding internally or a cardiac surgery goes south, there is not enough time to get these little munchkins down to an O.R. So what do they do??? Pull the curtain closed and SHAZAM they're doing open heart surgery on a baby smaller than your hand right there on the floor!!! AMAZING!!!

The second is Children's National Medical Center. This one also seems wonderful but I would be limited to kids. Not sure how I feel about that. Also, these are really sick children. Really sick. So I have that to think about.

Right now I am just keeping my fingers crossed hoping that I hear back from either of them!

2009-07-14T16:44:00.007-04:00

REDIRECTION

I'm ready for a change and I am ready for a challenge. I'm ready for something scary and intimidating. I think this will be the next chapter and I am ready to start writing it.

As some of you know, and most of you don't, I'm no longer going to be working at Duke. I think this is going to be a good thing and I think it is the Universe's way of saying, "follow your dreams."

That said, I am thinking I will return my focus to the D.C. area. I think it is close enough to home that I will not worry about my parents yet far enough away and large enough to settle my spirit. It isn't my ideal, but I think D.C. and I just might be happy together.

Me??? A Queen??? OKAY!!!

2009-07-06T19:47:00.005-04:00

Thank You to my fabulous friend Living Under The Big Star who crowned me Queen of All Things Awe-summm! This is my first blog award & I'm thrilled!

These are my duties as Queen:
1. List 7 things that make me awe-summm.
2. Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that I looooooove.
3. Tag those bloggers to let them know they are now Queens too (and link back to the Queen who tagged moi).

SO - 7 things that make me awe-summm:

1. I can repeat a sequence of up to 14 numbers forwards and backwards after only hearing them once.

2. I can find my way around ANYWHERE.

3. I'm not scared to do anything by myself.

4. I play piano by ear and can play most pieces from memory...with my eyes closed.

5. I can usually find a way to make almost anyone smile.

6. I'm a lot tougher than you think.

7. When I was little I could fly.

aaaaaaaaaaaand, time for true blood so i will finish this tonight!

2009-07-04T22:59:00.004-04:00

This is my neighbor's house. The picture was taken on Memorial Day. The numbers hanging from her front porch aren't the street address. That is the number of soldiers that have died in the war. Tonight the number is 4321.

Four years ago, Beth cut pieces of foam board in half, cut numbers out of black construction paper and laminated them. That day the numbers hanging on her front porch read "1,371."

Almost daily the number changes and if you're lucky you can catch her out there. I got the opportunity to talk to her a few weeks ago while she was doing her daily duty and asked her why. She told me she justs wants people to remember.

(picture swiped from DSS, swiped from Blackeyed Susan :) )

I Have a New Obsession

2009-07-03T23:32:00.004-04:00

...and it is not a healthy one. Its not a boy, or shopping, or shoes. Those would probably be better than this one. Its Betty Crocker Cupcake Icing. This 8.4 oz pressurized can of chilled sugary deliciousness has made it impossible for me to walk by the refrigerator without squeezing enormous gobs on to a spoon (if one is with in reach, if not a finger will suffice) and devouring it. I don't even like sweets. Its addictive... and I highly reccommend it. Enjoy :)

2009-07-03T17:59:00.002-04:00

"Our handicaps exist only in our minds." FDR

2009-07-03T15:04:00.003-04:00

I started reading the book My Sister's Keeper last night. Yes, I am well aware that a movie has been made. I'd prefer to read the book. If only for the simple fact that being unemployed, if I go to the movie I will be searching for something else exciting to do in two hours, where as the book can entertain me for a few days. So far I'm pretty hooked. I won't ruin it for anyone but the the book is about a young girl who sues her parents for the right to make her own decisions about how her body is used when a kidney transplant is planned in order to save her older sister's life. I'm about a third of the way through so I'l let you know when I finish, but right now it's a thumbs up.

Topsail

2009-07-03T11:36:00.002-04:00

I was lucky enough to be invited to join B and his family at the beach for a few days last week. We had such a great time playing paddle ball, swimming, eating, flying kites, playing games, and most of all, relaxing. It was wonderful.

2009-07-02T13:49:00.006-04:00

ahhhh. the topic resurfaces...

boyfriend - A favored male companion or sweetheart. A male friend.

What makes someone a boyfriend? When can you call someone a boyfriend? Why do some people slap the label on after 2 dates and others can't even after 2 years? How about dipping your toes in the water, just to see how it feels, with the term "my person." My person, wasn't that a term in some chick flick??? No no...its from Grey's Anatomy, you know, when Meredith tells Christina she is "her person." I suppose that gets the point across as well, kindove like saying, "here's the thing...i don't need a label really, but i want you to know that you are my person and i really like that. "or "you just want to know that you are their person. you are their only person now, and potentially forever. to be decided at a later date" iiiii don't know..."my person" is just not the same...

I guess what really matters is that you're happy :)

Say Say Say, What You Want

2009-07-02T11:09:00.005-04:00

I am so tired of people bitching about all of the attention being given to Michael Jackson. I'm not saying that it hasn't become a bit redundant, and I could live with out the 24/7 media coverage. But that isn't what is really bugging me.

Quite a few of my friends, family, aquaintances, whatever....keep harping on this idea of why are we mourning a pedophile...a molester...a monster...a freak.

I haven't heard anyone say, "The world lost one of its greatest pedophiles today."

In fact, I haven't heard many comments regarding MJ's character as far as, "Michael Jackson was such a kind person." Things you typically hear when someone dies.

I don't think people are mourning MJ the person. They're mourning their memories and the music. His freakish looks and behaviors don't cancel out his achievements.

And, I guess, what REALLY pisses me off is when people think they are making such a statement by condemning everyone for "mourning a pedophile" yet I am 99.9% sure you'll be the first one skankin it up on the dance floor this weekend when they play Billie Jean.

My Grandpa Has A Garden...

2009-06-18T19:46:00.001-04:00

That was the title of my first hit single when I was four, dedicated to my Granfather, of course.

My Grandpa had a HUGE garden. Watermelons, squash, tomotoes, zuchinni, beets, carrotts, cabbage...and my favorite, green beans. Growing up I would go and stay with my gradparents on the weekends. Saturday mornings always started with a visit down to the stables to feed my pony, Sam, and then to the garden to harvest the deliciousness. I always had the same routine. Find the raddishes, have my grandpa peel one, then dissappear between the rows of pumpkins to play. These are some of my favorite memories.

Now my family is starting a small garden patch in the backyard. It hardly compares to my grandparents, but it will be interesting to see what pops up. So far we have planted what we believe to be (because some of the plants were curiously labeled) tomatoes, squash, thyme, basil, parsley, zuchinni, mint, rosemary...and maybe some lillies.

I will keep you posted :)

I'm Just Here for My Kids....

2009-06-18T15:43:00.013-04:00

It appears that Jon & Kate have released a teaser promo for next weeks episode. In said "teaser" Kate says that she and Jon have, "made some life changing decisions" recently. Does this mean divorce? Separation? Hiatus?

To further emphasize how this announcement may not be a happy one, the promos included captions like "A Family in Turmoil" "Where Do They Go From Here?" and "A Relationship At A Crossroads" But of course, TLC couldn't build up buzz with more uplifting and hopeful captions... nor did they have much happy material from Jon and Kate to work with.

All of this being released at the same time as the "spanking" photos...

I really don't care either way. I've never been a fan of Jon & Kate, or their 8. I just hope this all blows over quickly and quietly so we can focus our attention on more pressing issues...

Like Ryan Reynold's abs...

2009-06-18T12:36:00.002-04:00

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.— James Dean

Weekend Update

2009-05-18T15:03:00.002-04:00

As promised....

I have sort of begun to lose track of the days and I am trying to remember exactly what I have been up to. Lets see. Friday was supposed to be my graduation. You know, the one I didn't go to. Right. Well, instead of graduation I took the day to go shopping and exploring and then met B for lunch at his work. B works for a very large international bank in the middle of the city. The cafeteria has a large solarium and you feel like you are eating in the middle of a rain forest. It's very beautiful and it was nice to see where B works. After B finished work we walked back up to his neighborhood, stopping to admire the buildings and embassies, and then hit the pool for a bit. B has a great pool on the rooftop of his building that looks out onto the city and it is a super relaxing way to spend the evening.

Saturday turned out to be a very long day. After stopping by to fuel up on some coffee, we spent the morning at the hardware store and grocery shopping. once we got all of that back to the house it was on to the main task for the day. IKEA. I had never been there before and it is pretty overwhelming and stressful. The trip was a success though. When I first arrived at B's apartment there was just a bed and a chair. It wasn't bad, just... underdeveloped. Now he has a couch, end tables, night tables, rugs, plants, a TV, coffee table...it looks great.

After the IKEA excursion we went to (hang with me here) B's brother in laws sister's house where we had dinner with B's sister and her husband,the husband's sister and her husband, and their parents.....don't try to make sense of it. Dinner was delicious but it began to rain so we moved inside for coffee and dessert. By the time we got back into the city and to B's apartment it was midnight and we still needed to bring all of the furniture up. Very long day.

Sunday was a blast. B's sister brought her two daughters into the city and we all went to the zoo. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see many animals. We saw a sleeping panda, an elephant, some zebras, a hippo, and a couple donkeys. But the girls enjoyed it and looking back on it I HIGHLY doubt they will remember not seeing many animals.

I am tired, more later...

A Quickie

2009-05-18T09:48:00.002-04:00

Ok, so what has been going on since the last time I posted.... Well, the week was fairly uneventful and quickly fell into a bit of a routine. B goes to work, I go out and explore, I meet him after work, we sit in the park across from the White House and he tells me about his day,and then we walk home, sometimes stopping to do some shopping. By the way,uneventful and routine are not being used in a bad way. That being said though, the weekend was very welcomed. More soon... right now I have to figure out how me...and all my stuff....are getting home.

Life After School...So Far

2009-05-11T23:01:00.003-04:00

Where to begin.....

Well, this past Friday two of my most wonderful friends in Little Big Town (DSS and Mr.G) threw a fabulous graduation party for me. It was a great evening spending time with friends. I'd also just like to say that if it were not for all of my amazing friends, I would not have made it through the last few years. Ok, I would have survived, because that's what I do, but my friends have really gotten me through alot. Thank you.

Saturday afternoon, another friend and I hit the road headed for D.C. It was a beautiful drive and we made it in record time (due to said friend's lead foot) but by the time we arrived we were exhausted, hungry, and pretty darn cranky. THEN we had to deal with parking,which I can now tell you that Parking in Dupont Circle + Saturday Evening= IMPOSSIBLE. After such a long day, we all went to dinner and then headed home to get some much needed rest.

Yesterday. Day 1 D.C.

After sleeping in, something I haven't done much of in a VERY long time, B and I decided to take a walk and get some coffee and breakfast. B lives in a charming neighborhood that oooooozes personality. Row houses, people sitting outside, dogs, a park with a fountain and DUCKS, cute little shops... its great, and I am jealous. The rest of the day was spent grocery shopping sitting by the pool for a bit, and picking out a TV for B's new apartment (which we then had to lug home in a cab). Good day.

Day 2

Also good. I spent the morning at Starbucks downing coffee and reviewing for my boards. Went for a nice long walk through some of the more residential areas, and then spent the afternoon exploring the shops. This was not a museum day. Maybe tomorrow. While I do want to go check out some of the museums, the "touristy" stuff isn't really at the top of my list. What IS at the top of my list is sitting by the pool and doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! Which I might be able to accomplish tomorrow. 70 Degrees and sunny. YAY!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ok, that is the update for now. I will try and write more soon!

2009-05-07T15:08:00.002-04:00

Done. With EVERYTHING.

2009-05-04T12:15:00.002-04:00

I have discovered a new website that is bound to aid in my procrastinating. The website is called StumbleUpon. The site prompts you to select topics you are interested in such as celebrities, knitting, fishing, fashion, education, politics (there are about a hundred topics). After you are done selecting your interests you are ready to start stumbling. A button at the top left of the screen allows you to "stumble" through cyberspace only showing you websites relevant to your interests!

My Horoscope for Today

2009-05-04T11:04:00.002-04:00

Your role model for the coming week is George Garratt, a British guy who legally changed his name to Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine Hulk And The Flash Combined. Like him, I hope you will be extravagant as you re-imagine your self-image . . . and be playful as you take serious actions that permanently change things . . . and mess with the status quo in experimental ways that aren't dangerous but make you feel ecstatic to be alive.

2009-05-04T10:47:00.004-04:00

"On a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means 'not at all satisfied with my life' and 7 means 'completely satisfied,' the people on Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans average 5.8--the same as the Inuit people in Greenland and the cattle-herding Masai of Kenya, who live in dung huts with no electricity or running water. Calcutta's slum dwellers score only a little lower, at 4.6." - some strange website I was perusing today while procrastinating

2009-05-04T09:54:00.002-04:00

I watched Twilight. I saw the previews a few months ago and thought it looked pretty good, but hadn't given it much thought since. Long story short...I loved it...and I wanted to hurl a rock through the TV at the end for leaving me hanging. I HATE cliffhangers! I waited for all three Lord of the Rings to come out on DVD, bought them all, and devoted a weekend to watching them because I knew that I wasn't patient enough to go to the theatre then wait a year for the next one. Had I known Twilight would create so much anxiety and suspense I might have held off on it too...or just bought the books, which I now have to do...after boards.

One. Single. Thought.

2009-04-30T12:08:00.002-04:00

The swine flu has failed us.

2009-04-28T19:29:00.002-04:00

I just wrote 5 pages on homelessness, the working poor, and their access to healthcare (in a nutshell) BUT the good news is (drum roll please) I THINK I JUST FINISHED MY LAST OFFICIAL PAPER!!! I think... I'm pretty exhausted, and something could have slipped my mind, but I just might be right. In that case all I have left is finishing a workbook and one assignment for my business course that shouldn't take more than an hour...and then finals next week. Let me also say, that I have passed my practice CRT and RRT exams....

2009-04-28T16:53:00.003-04:00

Things are looking up a little bit. I talked to the professor today that has been being such a jerk and he was rather pleasant. Probably because I kicked ass in class today. 11 Days until my final final... I can't wait. Thanks to all that have dealt with my bitching, whining, grumpiness, and lack of communication lately. Normal Jamie will be back soon. Promise.

I's like O. M. G., he trippin' hard, gurl

2009-04-24T16:20:00.003-04:00

Let me preface this by saying that ANYONE can break out the "ghetto talk." Any race, demographic, ethnicity...whatever. It still annoys the CRAP out of me.

I can't even SEE the girl that is sitting behind me right now. I don't know what she looks like but I DO know that I can't get ANY studying done right now because I am having to listen to Bon Qui Qui have a converstaion about how she's ready to graduate cuz then she can go shoppin and she ain't gonna be havin' no bills. How do people get by with speaking like this? My mother snapped out of a drug induced stupor post surgery to correct grammar once! I just don't get it. I really want to ask someone why they think that talking like that is acceptable, but then I will just have to listen to more of it. UGH!!!

Seriously losing it girls........Be concerned.

2009-04-23T21:05:00.003-04:00

making

lists

lately.

Can

you

tell?

Espscially

with

cute

little

pictures!

New Tunes...Sort of.

2009-04-23T20:14:00.009-04:00

I have some new songs I have been listening to alot...they aren't all "new" songs...but they have made their way back into the rotation. Here ya go...

Franz Ferdinand
No You Girls
This is a good song for walking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5idcarc5rc

Alice Smith
Woodstock
This IS a new song. I f you haven't heard of her yet keep your little ears open because you will soon. guarantee....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXPJEX01qhk

Modest Mouse
Dashboard
Again, no new discovery...new morning shower song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7cXvjEaeJU

Dispatch
Carry You
One of my faves.

Amos Lee
Dreamin'
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jDU_ziXFB4

Ray LaMontagne
You Are the Best Thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ3xTjvj9tw
I Go All To Pieces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ4hNhQc0Es

Bon Iver
For Emma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0yaQ20dpWI

When I graduate...If I graduate...

2009-04-23T15:56:00.008-04:00

Here are some more things I am looking forward to. They may not all be realistic but they get me through the days.....

Go to a spa.

Read the newspaper.

Go to an amusement park and ride the scariest ride, over and over and over and over...

Lay by a pool.

Sit in a park.

Visit B.

Spend time with family.

RAWR????????

2009-04-23T15:08:00.002-04:00

Random Thought #6832047283

2009-04-21T19:29:00.004-04:00

I have a crockpot...I have never cooked anything in it. I have moved it into three different apartments and never used it once. I think that next month when I graduate, if I graduate, I will cook something in the crockpot. I am going to do that, and make a quilt, and drink margaritas.

Life's Been Good to Me So Far.....

2009-04-16T16:46:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about things a lot lately. Lots of thinking...lots of things to think about. I think I might be going a little crazy in my own head and need to step out for a moment, but there is just so much to think about! Graduation, finals, papers, assignments, presentations, moving, finances, the new job...the list goes on and on, really, its endless. But in the midst of all of this coo coo for cocoa puffs craziness, I have realized a few things. I was reading the other night and I came across a quote that has stuck with me over the last few days. "When you realize that there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." Lao Tzu. It got me thinking about just how incredibly fortunate I am, so I wanted to share with you some of the things that make me such a lucky girl...

1. I have amazing parents.
2. I have some of the best friends I could wish for.
3. My sisters are awesome.
4. I am going to have a great job.
5. I have a kind, smart, silly, handsome, fantastic guy in my life, who makes me smile :)
6. I am getting ready to move back closer to Tan who I have been too far away from for far too long.
7. I have completed a goal.
8. I have NOTHING stopping me

Life is good.

Who Knew????

2009-04-10T12:33:00.000-04:00

I had no idea just how entertained I would be by reading the front section of the Roanoke Times today. Who knew there was so much interesting stuff going on???? Let me share with you a little bit of what I learned...

1) Watch out for Pirates! You heard me, Pirates. Somali Pirates. Which is really throwing me off because I see a picture of a huge mamma jamma tanker and I read that it is being taken over by Somali pirates, which in my head I envision on some sort of speedy little hovercraft boat much like in the opening scene of Bad Boys 2. But, nonetheless, they have succeeded in seizing our boats and even holding a captain hostage on a lifeboat. A lifeboat? Are you telling me that we can't handle a Somali on a lifeboat? Surely there can't be too many people on this lifeboat. Now, I don't know the details of this situation, and I am sure it is much more involved that I realize, but it seems a bit preposterous.

2) "Don't smoke weed." Thats right. No smoking around Britney Spears. She walked off stage for 30 minutes in Vancouver until fans extinguished all of their "smoking materials." Hey, at least she's making an effort. Way to go. And, to her fans...this was a Britney concert, not Phish, do you really need to smoke a joint to get through Womanizer?

3) We all remember Branch Davidian David Koresh, right? Well, seems as if his aunt has been indicted on a murder charge for stabbing his mother. This may be old news to some of you, but not me... and this is my blog.

4) A 77 year old waman died while trying to break up a sword fight between her grandson (39 years old) and brother-in-law (69 years old). (giggle giggle)

5) Texas war hero involved on high speed chase through 3 counties to catch the man that shot his dog. "when I saw she was dead the first thing that popped in my head was, I've got to take this guys out," said the pissed off former Navy SEAL.

6) There is a GREAT pair of Nine West heels (page A5) on sale at Macy's this weekend, and I have a coupon for an additional 15% off!!!

7) A woman jumped to her death in a mall and landed on a teen that was sitting in a massage chair with a sign reading "sit back and relax."

8)Little Dena Christofferson sent or recieved over 20,000 texts one month (beat that Michael Guntlow), and her parents plan didn't include texting. The bill came up to around $5,000.00. Her father smashed her phone to pieces with a hammer and she has been grounded until the end of the school year. She said she feels bad and has learned her lesson.

9) The Salem Red Sox kicked off the season with a packed ballpark for Thirty Thursdays last night. Everyone I know was too intoxicated to tell me who won.

10) Norris Hall reopens today as The Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention.

Do You Twitter???

2009-04-02T16:38:00.000-04:00

I did it. I joined Twitter. But mostly just to see what it was all about, which from what I can tell, is just status updates. BORING. Why do I need something that is just going to tell me what you are doing? I want your life. Hometown, likes/dislikes, relationship status, I want to see the embarrassing pictures of you and that floozie from the bar last night that you have yet to realize were posted by that lonely girl with no life at 4am, before you get a chance to untag them. Just kidding, but you kinda know what I mean.

I just don't get twitter. Maybe there is more to it and I am not giving it a chance, but for now I am not really interested.

P.S.-- I deleted over 40 people off my Facebook today and I feel GREAT!!!

Boyfriend Status?

2009-04-02T15:25:00.001-04:00

So, there is a certain someone in my life (my sister) who has been driving me absolutely insane lately with the same question. Over and over, and over, and over, and over again. I think I have done my best to answer this question, but its a question with no clear answer and everyone has a very different answer...so maybe you can help. Here is her question.....

"Is he my boyfriend?" followed up by the more ridiculous "Should I be in a relationship on Facebook?"

Part I: How do you know if someone is your "boyfriend?" I have no clue. She feels that she needs to have "the talk." Is this really necessary? They aren't seeing other people. She wants the girlfriend label. So how do you know when its official? Beats me.

Part II: Do you need it on Facebook? Absolutely not.

Any thoughts?

My Loves.

2009-04-01T17:18:00.000-04:00

Ok. Melia inspired me. I have been asked (a few times) recently who my favorite fantasy crushes are and I can never think of anyone. I think that my mind has this block that doesn't allow it to fantasize about totally unrealistic things. Never have. I gave it some thought anyways... and couldn't think of anyone new. Just my classics. They will never change. I have two fantasy loves and I am loyal to them. Here they are.

Ryan Gosling.

John Cusack. This has been going on for a VERY long time. Its love. For sure.

2009-03-30T17:18:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I haven't updated this since March 12th! I have been pretty busy though. So many things to update about.... Roanoke, NC, DC, back to Roanoke, back to NC, the DC trip, the Duke interview, my birthday dinner, the boy (that i have yet to blog about and just might keep it that way). Lots to catch up on and I promise I will get to it...soon. I guess part of the problem is that I 'm not even sure where to start. I should have just kept up with it all along. That probably woul dhave bene much more interesting as well. Oh well, I didn't. Sorry.

M.I.A.

2009-03-12T10:20:00.000-04:00

Hello Loves!

I feel like I haven't updated in so long!!! I haven't really. So...lets see. Most of the new developments are not ready to be blogged about, but I CAN let you know that I have been having the most fabulous time. I spent the first few days of my break in Roanoke, then came down to N.C. to spend some time with family. Tomorrow we are headed up to DC. for the weekend and I will be doing some early birthday celebrating with Holland! So in verrrrry few words, because I am having trouble finding them and want to keep them to myself for now, that is what I am up to...and I am happy :)

21 Days

2009-03-05T15:47:00.000-05:00

21 days is the accepted amount of time it takes to change a behavior. My sociology professor has challenged us to take 21 days, before the end of the semester, and do just that. I have a few thoughts, the wheels are turning...and I am already anxious about making this change that I haven't even decided on! I guess it is questions/comments/and concerns time.

QUESTIONS:

Does it have to be a major change? She said told us we would have a life changing experience. She also said that after approving one girls desire to take her 21 days to get into a regular flossing routine. To each their own, maybe flossing will change her life. I don't judge. (yes, I do. dammit!)

Can it be an emotional change? Personality change?

Should I start going to church? Technically, I don't thik she would approve this because I would only get in 3 church days and I work on Sundays now.

Should I try and improve my punctuality? Maybe I can make it a goal not to miss a single class for 21 days. Hmmm....

Maybe I will cut out caffeine??? (PANIC!!!!!!!!!!)

Comments:

It doesn't seem like that bad of an idea, and I kinda like it, as opposedto a research paper. And, its worth 20 extra credit points. Shouldn't it really be worth 21?

Concerns:

I have spring break and then its time to start prepping for my boards, hard core, and I don't know if I have time for a life changing event! It just sounds too stressful! What if I don't want to change anything? There are certain bad habits that I have that I know I need to change but now is just not the time! I know, excuses excuses, but really. Now is NOT the time.

I think that instead of cutting something out of my life, I will add something bthat benefits me. I am going to think about this over break.

SPRING BREAK HAS ARRIVED!!!

2009-03-05T15:28:00.000-05:00

And I can not BEGIN to tell you how ready I am!!! Papers are turned in, class is over, and I can breathe again! Well, for the next ten days at least. I haven't had such a long break in a very long time! Well, that may not be entirely true. I have had some good breaks, but I haven't taken the time to do anything fun or even mildy adventurous. So I guess that is why I am looking forward to this break so much. Fun, adventure, and some pretty great company to do it with!

Blue Monday

2009-03-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

I have massive amounts of laundry to do. It is highly likely that it will NOT get done tonight. But, if I am going to be doing laundry, I would like it to resemble the picture seen above. I seriously hate doing laundry. I would rather have a root canal. But I feel like if I threw on a pair of sexy stilletos and a sassy bathrobe, I might enjoy it much more! Here’s a little trivia: Did you know the term Blue Monday comes from the normal day set aside to do laundry? That’s because it was such a depressing task.

My Postive Thoughts Are Working!!!!!!

2009-03-04T14:03:00.000-05:00

As some of you know i have been in a MAJOR funk lately. So I painted a small wall in my apartment, kept the blinds opened, made the bed, read Acres of Diamonds...and VIOLA! Better mood!

Hearing about all of the hospital hiring freezes has been very discouraging. I didn't expect things to be like this in a million years. But they are, so I deal, and stay positive. Well, turns out my positive thinking has attracted some positive outcomes! Today I recieved a phone call from Judy at Duke wanting to schedule an interview for the internship! I know there are many people applying, and that there are very few spaces available, but hey, ya never know, right?

2009-03-03T11:45:00.000-05:00

Wow. The older I get the more I realize that there are about two days a month where I am in the worst mood of my life. And, because this seems to have gotten progressively worse with age, I can truly say that I am in the worst mood of my life on those days. Follow? These are days where Mother Teresa herself (hmm..) could walk up to me, smile, give me a hug..and all that would be going through my head would be "F YOU." Completely inappropriate, I know. But thats how I feel. On these hellacious days I also feel like EVERYTHING is wrong with me or my fault. Your alarm clock didn't go off this morning? My fault. You are having a terrible day? My fault. Your car broke down? My fault. And not only that, your bad mood is CLEARLY directed towards me! Or at least it is in my head. I am not claiming that this makes sense, or that it is sane, or rational, or logical..No no...this is clearly NOT ok. It gets worse though...when I am convinced that your percieved negativity is being directed at me and then I accidentally drop something, or break a glass, and then come the tears. Its ridiculous, and looking back on it, when I wake up from the hormone induced psychosis, ( as i feel i did this morning with my new rose colored glasses) I can't help but laugh a little bit. And feel sorry for the people that have had to deal with me. This is my apology :)

2009-03-03T11:13:00.000-05:00

I think I need a project today but I am not sure what I want to do. I had the tiles, which I put up above the couch, but I still feel like that wall is super empty. Why do I care? I'm leaving soon... Because it feels weird. It feels empty, and cold, and I don't like it. I can't be comfortable. Its one of those weird things I have. So this is the wall currently...hmmmmmmmmm???

2009-03-03T10:40:00.000-05:00

Soooooooooooo...this is the kind of day I wish I was having.

But so far I am feeling a little more like this.

Luckily, it is early and I am hoping for some major improvements. There is nothing specific to look forward to today so I guess I am going to have to create a little happiness of my own! First, I am going to open all the blinds and let the sunshine in. Then, I am thinking a nice hot cup of tea, and a walk through the market to say hello to friends I haven't seen in a while. After that, I will sit in the front window at Mill Mountain with a book (NOT a school book), and maybe a newspaper. and people watch. Once I am done with that I might even go to the art museum since I haven't been yet. I am tired of being in this nasty funk and refuse to let it bother me anymore!

2009-02-26T15:50:00.000-05:00

I was just looking at all of the characteristics of my assigned personality types and for the most part, I am o.k. with them. Sure, a couple are not the MOST attractive or admirable (narcissistic, arrogant, center of attention, manipulative, self centered, image conciouss) but I can be these things and I definitely have my not-so-shining moments. Then I got to thinking, maybe its all relative...maybe what seems like a negative strike to me would be desirable to someone else. Or what seems like an excellent quality to have to me might be awful to someone else. I guess it just depends on what you value. For instance, did you notice I didn't list "opinionated" as one of my not so great characteristics above? That's because I don't see it as a negative...I appreciate people that have strong opinions (so long as you don't force them down my throat) and find those who lack them to be a waste of my time. I don't really care what your opinion is...but have one. Have SOMETHING to say...unless what you have to say is completely lacking common sense or ignorant. But someone else may not see "opinionated" as a good thing the way that I do. Or maybe it is just the way in which one communicates their opinions. Either way, I think you get my point...

I guess where all of these thoughts came from is that none of the personality traits say:

abrasive, vengefull, pathetic, likely to stalk their lovers, psyopathic tendancies, lazy, malicious, materialistic, hostile, boring...you get the point.

None of them say....This person is generally disliked by everyone they come into contact with.

It must be a type. I know people that I would put in this category.

I certainly have my fair share of flaws.

1) my room is messy...always

2)i interrupt people when they're talking

3)i'm a bad listener

4) i am a little self centered

5)i can be very snappy

6)i don't trust others to do things correctly

7)i have trouble admitting when i'm wrong

8) i'm unorganized

that's enough... I'm having a good day and really can't think of too many things I dislike about myself today....wait 9) i'm incredibly impatient...but I get shit done. (or make sure someone else does)

Just some thoughts... which I apparently have a lot of today so watch out!

The Guardian???

2009-02-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

So, in an effort to keep up my hugely successful procrastination streak, I decided to reassess my personality type. I have always been a borderline ESTJ/ENTJ but for the first time another personality type popped up. ESTP. Hmmm. Interesting. A good friend of mine that is a pshychiatrist once told me that these personality types generally do not change throughout our lifetime. I disagree.

I am always an extreme E (extrovert) and an extreme T (thinker). My sensing vs. intuition today is about 50/50 and so is my judging vs. percieving. More specifically, 67% of the time I am sensing instead of intuitive and 67% of the time I am more judging than percieving.

I think this new personality type may have emerged since I have been living in Roanoke because my lifestyle has changed so much. Can change in lifestyle bring about change in personality? Could you have a more dominant personality type in different environments? I suppose it may have to do with how well your primary personality type is at adapting...? I don't know...

ESTJ--
decisive, fearless, planner, thrill seeker, engaged, social, self centered, comfortable around others, image conscious, likes to be center of attention, adventurous, outgoing, manipulative, emotionally stable, leader, ambitious, hard working, dominant, prepared, hates to be bored, confident, opinionated, analytical, prepares for worst case scenarios, organized, orderly, clean, driven, resourceful, finishes most things they start, achieving, risk taker, desires fame/acclaim, image focused, narcissistic, arrogant, perfectionist, driven, academic, scientific, critical, avoids giving in to others, does not like to compromise, skeptical

(ENTJ and ENTJ have the exact same description)

***This is the new one...

ESTP--
content, emotionally stable, outgoing, social, group oriented, finisher, does not like to be alone, open, decisive, likes external praise, likes to be center of attention, frequently joking, adjusts easily, likes crowds, self confident, neutral moods, good at getting people to have fun, disorganized, messy, talented at presentation, not easily annoyed, does not like to be alone, enjoys crude jokes, likes to lead, likes sports, more likely to come off as masculine, risk taker, tends to dominate conversations, fearless, can handle criticism, hard to discourage

I can definitely see myself in some of these descriptions but there are obviously some I disagree with. I also think that perhaps I am a little bit of both ESTJ and ESTP but that they dominate according to my surrounding or the task at hand. When I am at the hospital I am an absolute ESTJ... to the extreme. But in my persoanl life I feel like I am more of an ESTP. I think its easy to see ourselves in things like this. Like when I read personality traits for an Aries they seem to have me pretty figured out. But what if someone tricked me and gave me a description of a Leo...would I still think it was mine? So, what I'm more interested in is how others percieve me. Do you see me in these descriptions?

To Cut or Not to Cut

2009-02-24T18:53:00.000-05:00

I think I am ready for a change but I am not sure what it should be. Do I keep letting the hair grow super long again??? I'm thinking this isn't the best idea with having to be at the hospital so early. If you don't have time to manage a hairstyle you shouldn't have it.

I don't want it really really short again. But maybe a trim? Just a few inches? A medium length bob?

The problem with the haircut to the right is that you have "in between bangs." These aren't officially bangs and if you try to pull your hair back into a ponytail they just keep falling down. They are a pain.

I have also had the following bobs and didn't hate them but I just don't think I want to go too short...but summer is coming up...

Things That Make Me Happy For Less Than $5.00

2009-02-24T17:45:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of things that do not cost a lot of money that bring me massive amounts of joy. Here are a few of them. (big monies don't think youre off the hook)

1. Mountain Dew-- major brownie points if you bring it to me first thing in the morning

2. A Miller Lite at Cornerstone

3. An egg sandwich at Ernies.

4. An awesome new CD with songs you illegally downloaded.

5. Scrambled eggs.

6. A card.

7. Air freshener plug-in refills.

8. Hair products.

9. Vaseline body lotion with aloe.

10. Yerba Mate tea from Mill Mountain.

Hooking Up Words and Phrases and Clauses

2009-02-24T15:48:00.001-05:00

So, my dear, dear friend Desperately Seeking Seersucker is wondering if she is being too critical in her search for the "holy grail." For those of you who do not know, Desperatley Seeking Seersucker has been serial dating, on a wild goose chase of sorts, for the perfect man. The most recent prospect has the grammar skills of a pre-schooler. One typed in text (wht do u do 4 a lvng?). One carried a guitar in the back seat and pulled it out for a post first date serenade. He also called her his "boo" and used the expression "cool beans." Which in my opinion is decidedly, not cool.

So is she being too critical?

Isn't true love about accepting one another's imperfections? About not caring if one tooth is slighlty out of place or if they clear their throat more frequently and much louder than they think they do and people in Thailand are looking around saying what the "f" is that god-awful sound? Thats love, right?

Negative Ghostwriter.

I don't think I am too much of a cynic. There is a part of me, somewhere, that hopes to find that someone that I am head over heels for in an I love you so much I even pretend to like your bad taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, stand outside your window with a radio over my head kind of way. But until then, I have standards. I refuse to be irritated by the person I date. I have been told MANY times that I am too picky but YOU don't have to spend time with these people. I do.

I can't even begin to tell you how many things I have refused to go on a date because of. Things I've noticed in the first 3 minutes of meeting. Off the top of my head...bad shoes, bad teeth (my #1 pet peeve), a bad laugh, a horrific dance move (this was one of those Flo-rida get low type moves that even most girls shouldn't attempt), did I mention bad teeth? a bad accent, occupation, too short pants, unable to spell, couldn't figure 20% on a tip and have the audacity to pull out the phone calculator at the table (thats tacky)...those are just a few. Actually, those are just the tip of the iceberg. (and when I say iceberg, I mean Antarctica) If Simon and Garfunkel can sing about 50 ways to leave a lover I can think of at least 100 reasons not to date them in the first place.

Sometimes we can all be a little too picky, but I am convinced that if you find someone you really like all of these things melt away. I know this. But I see nothing wrong with an initial screening process. If it bothers you now, imagine how you will feel about it in the future. You have to establish a baseline for dating. There is nothing wrong with that. You know what you want, don't settle.

Its My Party and I'm Not Above Crying

2009-02-24T15:01:00.000-05:00

For those of you that have started to wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, heart racing, pulse bounding, barely able to breathe, gasping for air, and thinking, "What am I going to get Jamie for her birthday??!!" I have compiled a list of items to help you out. I know, I know....there's just no way you can possibly get ALL of them for me, but you might be able to swing one or two. Now, for you big spenders out there with j-o-b-s, you know who you are, and more importantly, I know who you are, and I have very high expectations. I understand your concern. You will purchase some expensive gift and I will refuse to accept it saying that I am just not comfortable with the amount of money you spent on me or the time and effort you put into finding the perfect gift. I can assure you this will not happen. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Have no fear. This will not be one of those gifts that lives a lonely life in a shoe box in the back of my closet. I will WEAR these shoes. I promise. To events, with pretty dresses, to clean the tub, to bed, with my scrubs, to the gym...I will live in these shoes. You will not regret this purchase. These shoes will make me infinitely happy and you will feel better about yourself because of the joy you have brought to my life. Next.

2. Sustainable Tote, Dylan Collection, Cole Haan. I need a good bag to carry all my junk in. This will be a good, casual, day bag. Also good for light travel or a bottle of wine.

3. The Interlude bed by Wesley Allen. I have finally found the bed I want that matches my furniture. If you get me this bed I will enjoy it for a lifetime. Hand poured, double welding, and over 30 finishes to choose from!

4. A girt certificate to Sephora. I can have my pick of perfumes, hair and skin care products, and make up all in one place! This is one of my favorite stores!

5. Chocolate potato chips from Chocolate Paper. I don't even like chocolate and I love these. Nuff said.

6. A new camera. I need to document my life and for those of you that I will be moving away from, what better way to help me keep you informed than to get me a new camera??? Help me help you.

7. A teleporter. I've pretty much just always wanted one. I think it would come in handy in 1. awkward situations 2. break ups 3. long distance booty calls 4. last minute beach trips 5. when youre too drunk to walk home from the bar 6. when you want me to come visit you! 7. when the NSA is "on to you" 8. lunch breaks in Paris ...the possibilities are endless. Now there is the chance that not all of your body parts will arrive at the same destination, but this is a risk/benefit situation I'm willing to explore.

My Sister Has A Boyfriend....

2009-02-20T14:12:00.000-05:00

I just got a call from my sister that she brought her new little boyfriend over to the house last night and he met our dad. My dad is a bit of a character, to say the least. This is one of the first boys my sister has ever brought home. After meeting him all my dad had to say was, "He seems a little nerdy. I bet he makes good grades. Does he play any sports? At least we know he's not on steriods. Seems like a nice kid."

These are the moments I wish I was at home for... my crazy family.

Liner Notes

Dear Liner Notes

I've Moved!

Good Luck and Goodbye

New Computer. New Life.

Half the Sky

Mercy Corps

EngenderHealth

New York Times

Dateline NBC

The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.

29 Isn't Old

I'm Baaaaack! I hope :)

2009

A Quick (QUICK) Catch Up

Oh honey, I have a fake laugh with your name written all over it.

E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D.

She's Having My Baby

Labor Day Weekend

Children's It Is!!!

Yesterday Karma Was Not A Bitch

Long Time No Write :(

M.I.A.

Whats that saying about no news???

Today is the Day

Quick Job Update

How Not to Keep Your Dignity

TMI Thursday

Honest Scrap Part Deux

Honest Scrap

2 Thoughts...

Todays Projects...

Live Every Week Like It's Shark Week

Some thoughts for today...

Toddlers and Tiaras...and I Can't Stop Watching

Crabcakes and Football

Pet Peeves

Why do dishes when you can do daquiris???

Finger Painting Fanatic

Don't Rock the Juke Box

Brushes Cramp My Style

You Homewrecker!!!

INOVA UPDATE

Step 1: Get a Job

Me??? A Queen??? OKAY!!!

I Have a New Obsession

Topsail

Say Say Say, What You Want

My Grandpa Has A Garden...

I'm Just Here for My Kids....

Weekend Update

A Quickie

Life After School...So Far

My Horoscope for Today

One. Single. Thought.

I's like O. M. G., he trippin' hard, gurl

Seriously losing it girls........Be concerned.

New Tunes...Sort of.

When I graduate...If I graduate...

RAWR????????

Random Thought #6832047283

Life's Been Good to Me So Far.....

Who Knew????

Do You Twitter???

Boyfriend Status?

My Loves.

M.I.A.

21 Days

SPRING BREAK HAS ARRIVED!!!

Blue Monday

My Postive Thoughts Are Working!!!!!!

The Guardian???

To Cut or Not to Cut

Things That Make Me Happy For Less Than $5.00

Hooking Up Words and Phrases and Clauses

Its My Party and I'm Not Above Crying

My Sister Has A Boyfriend....