In no particular order:
*Studied myself silly for an anatomy test. Got required grade. Things seem to be on track for nursing school. In fact, I start the registration process in a few weeks. I'm super-excited to find out what classes I'll be taking, and to see who my new best friends for the next two years are going to be.
*Went to devotions hosted by friend Caitlin. It was beautiful, and cathartic, and full of love. All things that devotions should be.
*Worked, a lot. The Cheese is taking over my life. New Friend Megan mentioned jobs at local HCA hospitals. Part time, great for nursing students, and you get to hold babies. Hmm...
*Received confirmation from Julie Walker, again. During her phone conversation with my mom, she once again mentioned that I am really stable, and that I'm going in the right direction; I just need to be patient. Julie is a wise, wise woman.
*Spent much of one night talking to my brother's girlfriend. Found out that I'm not the only one who remembers some of the things that went on during my childhood. Felt incredibly validated.
*Spent much, much time at the gym. I heart endorphins, and the relief I get from not thinking about anything but what's blaring from my iPod for an hour and a half.
*Picked up running again. Getting ready to go now, in fact. Then it's lunch with an old high school friend, and out for the weekend, for what will hopefully be a time of relaxation and reunion.
*Got more than my fair share of what I took to be messages from the world, thanks to the random songs on iTunes. I leave you with today's advice:
"It's not now or never. It's not black and it's not white. Anything worth anything takes more than a few days and a long, long night. Don't push so hard against the world. You can't do it all alone, and if you could, would you really want to? Even though you're a big strong girl, c'mon, c'mon lay it down."
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Aww, shucks
I was out walking the dogs this morning when a cute old man and his cute old wife pulled up beside me and rolled down the window.
"Those sure are cute dogs!"
"Thanks - do you want one?"
"No, we don't need a dog!"
"Well, if you decide you want one, you can adopt one of these!"
"We'd rather adopt you!"
It was a nice offer, especially considering I hadn't yet brushed my hair, but my mom and I get along really well, so I think I'll just stay with her. But thanks, mister!
"Those sure are cute dogs!"
"Thanks - do you want one?"
"No, we don't need a dog!"
"Well, if you decide you want one, you can adopt one of these!"
"We'd rather adopt you!"
It was a nice offer, especially considering I hadn't yet brushed my hair, but my mom and I get along really well, so I think I'll just stay with her. But thanks, mister!
Monday, September 24, 2007
And also...
I feel like my posts have been somewhat superficial lately. I've been writing things that are quite deep. I just don't feel ready to share them. Yet.
Also, I've been noticing that I tend to develop wanderlust when the weather starts to change. I want to go...somewhere. Somewhere...foreign. Because, quite frankly, it's been a long time since I've had concentrated Erin time, sans school and stress. The idea of being alone for a bit in a place with beautiful scenery, great food, and friendly locals (whose language I don't speak) seems incredibly appealing to me.
Also, I've been noticing that I tend to develop wanderlust when the weather starts to change. I want to go...somewhere. Somewhere...foreign. Because, quite frankly, it's been a long time since I've had concentrated Erin time, sans school and stress. The idea of being alone for a bit in a place with beautiful scenery, great food, and friendly locals (whose language I don't speak) seems incredibly appealing to me.
I like...
Podrunner! An hour (ish) podcast of music that's 130 beats per minute (ish). Perfect for running. And yes, I'm back in a running phase. I wanted to take a boxing class, but feel that I need to delay that until after my health insurance kicks in. So, running it is. The goal is a 5K in November. Wait. No, it's not. I just want to run because the weather is beautiful, the leaves are turning, the music is good, and I like the way it feels. The new goal is to run as long as I like it.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tagged!
I've been tagged! And so...
Ten things I like about myself:
1. People tell me things. I'm not sure why, but I tend to get life stories from friends and strangers alike. It happens all the time. I'll be standing in line somewhere, when all of a sudden the cashier/person behind me and I are chatting like we've been best friends for our entire lives. Perhaps it's because...
2. I'm a good listener. I really enjoy hearing what people have to say. I think they can tell.
3. I am not a gossip. I've gotten this compliment three times over the last two weeks. I try really hard to not repeat things I hear, and this kind of feedback makes me think I'm doing a good job.
4. I am not shy! I just discovered this. I'd spent most of my adult life thinking I WAS shy, despite being told otherwise by several people whose opinions I trust. After spending a day on campus two weeks ago wherein I was pounced upon and hugged by two strangers, made three new friends, and gave my phone number to some girl named Jennifer who wanted to talk about nursing school, I realized I was kidding myself. So - I'm not shy. And I like it.
5. I'm really intuitive. I can usually tell right away whether I'm going to be good friends with someone. This gift manifests itself further through the ability to "know," somehow, when a situation is serious and what the people I'm close to are feeling despite their attempts to hide it. It's also helped keep people I love safe...more than once. Yes, there are stories here. Ask if you're interested. I'll tell you, because, well...I'm not shy.
6. I am strong. No, silly, I don't mean I routinely bench my body weight. (Although I did, this morning. Before breakfast. With one hand. Just kidding.) I've been realizing recently how much I've gone through to get to where I am. And I've come through relatively unscathed, with a better understanding of life and love and all that is good and true. And, well, I think that rocks.
7. I am starting to be comfortable in my own skin. I've really started to love myself lately. Over the last several months I've realized that often, I'm too willing to sacrifice my own happiness for the happiness of others. So I've stopped pouring myself into relationships that don't give back what I put in, and focused on the ones that are fulfilling for the other person involved...and for me. It feels great.
8. I'm not afraid to apologize. Really. When I screw up, I'll admit it.
9. I've kept a journal since the beginning of college. I really like being able to look back on the person I was, and see how far I've come. It also helps me realize that life is, truly, cyclical.
10. I'm full of random facts and quotations. It comes in handy in moments of awkward silence. Did you know a giraffe has a tongue that's fourteen inches long and sticky? (That's one of my favorites.) "We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves." Tom Robbins. Another favorite.
If you've read this far...you're tagged. (Lurkers, this includes you.)
Ten things I like about myself:
1. People tell me things. I'm not sure why, but I tend to get life stories from friends and strangers alike. It happens all the time. I'll be standing in line somewhere, when all of a sudden the cashier/person behind me and I are chatting like we've been best friends for our entire lives. Perhaps it's because...
2. I'm a good listener. I really enjoy hearing what people have to say. I think they can tell.
3. I am not a gossip. I've gotten this compliment three times over the last two weeks. I try really hard to not repeat things I hear, and this kind of feedback makes me think I'm doing a good job.
4. I am not shy! I just discovered this. I'd spent most of my adult life thinking I WAS shy, despite being told otherwise by several people whose opinions I trust. After spending a day on campus two weeks ago wherein I was pounced upon and hugged by two strangers, made three new friends, and gave my phone number to some girl named Jennifer who wanted to talk about nursing school, I realized I was kidding myself. So - I'm not shy. And I like it.
5. I'm really intuitive. I can usually tell right away whether I'm going to be good friends with someone. This gift manifests itself further through the ability to "know," somehow, when a situation is serious and what the people I'm close to are feeling despite their attempts to hide it. It's also helped keep people I love safe...more than once. Yes, there are stories here. Ask if you're interested. I'll tell you, because, well...I'm not shy.
6. I am strong. No, silly, I don't mean I routinely bench my body weight. (Although I did, this morning. Before breakfast. With one hand. Just kidding.) I've been realizing recently how much I've gone through to get to where I am. And I've come through relatively unscathed, with a better understanding of life and love and all that is good and true. And, well, I think that rocks.
7. I am starting to be comfortable in my own skin. I've really started to love myself lately. Over the last several months I've realized that often, I'm too willing to sacrifice my own happiness for the happiness of others. So I've stopped pouring myself into relationships that don't give back what I put in, and focused on the ones that are fulfilling for the other person involved...and for me. It feels great.
8. I'm not afraid to apologize. Really. When I screw up, I'll admit it.
9. I've kept a journal since the beginning of college. I really like being able to look back on the person I was, and see how far I've come. It also helps me realize that life is, truly, cyclical.
10. I'm full of random facts and quotations. It comes in handy in moments of awkward silence. Did you know a giraffe has a tongue that's fourteen inches long and sticky? (That's one of my favorites.) "We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves." Tom Robbins. Another favorite.
If you've read this far...you're tagged. (Lurkers, this includes you.)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Games, and the guests who play them.
Gather round, dear readers. It's time for my semi-annual blog from the world of waitressing. Tonight's subject? As you may have guessed from the title, tonight we will be covering the games guests play with their server.
1. Musical chairs. Usually involves a table of 10-14 people. Best if table consists of several different families and friends. Each father figure will be paying for their meal, their wife's meal, their daughter's meal, their daughter's best friend Samantha's meal (she's the one in the pink stripes. NO, the OTHER one in the pink stripes!) and 1/5 of each of three shared appetizers. This must NOT be revealed in advance. Begins when guests come in, sit down, order drinks, and then proceed to re-arrange themselves while server is retrieving drinks. Bonus points are awarded if every drink is different or if they are all complicated bar mix drinks, OR if rearrangement happens more than once.
2. Fetch. Again, best if played in large groups, but can be successfully played by couples or individuals. Rules: must not ask for more than one thing from server on any one visit to the table. Must ask server for one additional item each time previous request is fulfilled. For example: initially order ranch dressing for salad. When delivered, ask for an additional side of vinaigrette. Upon appearance of vinaigrette, request soy sauce. When soy sauce arrives, see if you can exchange your iced tea for a Coke. Continue until end of meal, or until server appears with bald patches from pulling hair out.
3. Twenty Questions. This is another great game that can be played by individuals, couples, or large groups! Instead of reading the descriptions of the food in the menu, just ask your server to explain it to you. Interrupt frequently with specific questions on amounts of ingredients, further explanation of specific ingredients, and detailed questions about how foods are cooked. Best if you are an incredibly picky eater, and don't eat wheat products, sour cream, vegetables, or anything with mayonnaise. Bonus points are awarded if server is obviously trying to attend to four other tables, and you have server explain more than five menu items.
4. Math Attack. Best for making server cry, wrinkle forehead in confusion, consider running after you with change - or all three! To play, simply compliment server on service throughout entire meal. Use phrases with exclamation points - "This is the best service I've ever had!" "You're doing such a great job!" Then, leave server 10%.
Coming soon: Tips (pun intended!) for getting ahead in the restaurant world, written by an actual server! Flavor profile - slightly cheesy.
1. Musical chairs. Usually involves a table of 10-14 people. Best if table consists of several different families and friends. Each father figure will be paying for their meal, their wife's meal, their daughter's meal, their daughter's best friend Samantha's meal (she's the one in the pink stripes. NO, the OTHER one in the pink stripes!) and 1/5 of each of three shared appetizers. This must NOT be revealed in advance. Begins when guests come in, sit down, order drinks, and then proceed to re-arrange themselves while server is retrieving drinks. Bonus points are awarded if every drink is different or if they are all complicated bar mix drinks, OR if rearrangement happens more than once.
2. Fetch. Again, best if played in large groups, but can be successfully played by couples or individuals. Rules: must not ask for more than one thing from server on any one visit to the table. Must ask server for one additional item each time previous request is fulfilled. For example: initially order ranch dressing for salad. When delivered, ask for an additional side of vinaigrette. Upon appearance of vinaigrette, request soy sauce. When soy sauce arrives, see if you can exchange your iced tea for a Coke. Continue until end of meal, or until server appears with bald patches from pulling hair out.
3. Twenty Questions. This is another great game that can be played by individuals, couples, or large groups! Instead of reading the descriptions of the food in the menu, just ask your server to explain it to you. Interrupt frequently with specific questions on amounts of ingredients, further explanation of specific ingredients, and detailed questions about how foods are cooked. Best if you are an incredibly picky eater, and don't eat wheat products, sour cream, vegetables, or anything with mayonnaise. Bonus points are awarded if server is obviously trying to attend to four other tables, and you have server explain more than five menu items.
4. Math Attack. Best for making server cry, wrinkle forehead in confusion, consider running after you with change - or all three! To play, simply compliment server on service throughout entire meal. Use phrases with exclamation points - "This is the best service I've ever had!" "You're doing such a great job!" Then, leave server 10%.
Coming soon: Tips (pun intended!) for getting ahead in the restaurant world, written by an actual server! Flavor profile - slightly cheesy.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Unplugged
It is a fairly well-known fact that I am not a morning person. I am typically able to function by 8, but am not completely caught up with the world around me until closer to 10. My piano class is at 9, right on the border...
This morning, I walked into class a little early and sat down to practice before we officially started. Each of our pianos is equipped with a handy-dandy headset, which allows you to practice "Miniature Waltz" as many times as your little heart desires without your professor or your fellow students knowing that you tend to mess up the chord on the 5th bar, or that you must play it over...and over...and over...until it is perfect, because you are somewhat obsessive-compulsive.
That's the idea, anyway.
I had played for about ten minutes when Dr. Pretzel (his actual name) walked over, gave me a typical Dr. Pretzel look (wry amusement combined with despair) and held up...the dangling end of my headset cord.
So much for stage fright. And please pass the coffee.
This morning, I walked into class a little early and sat down to practice before we officially started. Each of our pianos is equipped with a handy-dandy headset, which allows you to practice "Miniature Waltz" as many times as your little heart desires without your professor or your fellow students knowing that you tend to mess up the chord on the 5th bar, or that you must play it over...and over...and over...until it is perfect, because you are somewhat obsessive-compulsive.
That's the idea, anyway.
I had played for about ten minutes when Dr. Pretzel (his actual name) walked over, gave me a typical Dr. Pretzel look (wry amusement combined with despair) and held up...the dangling end of my headset cord.
So much for stage fright. And please pass the coffee.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I have a cat. Sorta.
Warning: Do not read this post if you are easily scared. This is NOT like one of the banner ads on MySpace that says that, and then when you click on it, it's some lame ad for a new cursor. I mean it - if you have recently eaten, or are easily disturbed, or have been waffling about our friendship, don't do it.
Seriously.
Just stop. I warned you...
OK, you're still with me? Brave soul. Our topic today is...my A&P dissection class!
I have been forced to enroll in an anatomy dissection lab in order to complete the 6 hours of A&P required for nursing school. (Other requirements include grades of "B" or better in various and sundry science classes, letters of reference that do not imply I am insane, and the desire to cram two years of nursing school into one "accelerated" year. Obviously, having this desire does imply that I am insane, but I digress.)
We are currently dissecting cats.
There is no way to blog this without sounding weird, so I'll just state the facts.
1. Dissection is really interesting because you don't realize both how strong and how fragile the body is until you're able to see it (or something comparable to it) in detail. I'm constantly amazed.
2. Everyone in my class has named their cat. It's easier, somehow, to say "Can you lift (insert name here)'s triceps in order to observe the biceps brachii?" The cat at the table in front of us is Jake. The table behind us has christened theirs Bojangles. Our cat is Mr. Marmalade.
3. The most disturbing part of dissection class so far actually happened AFTER dissection class. Yesterday in microbiology lecture, I was packing up my notebooks when I noticed...cat fur on my backpack.
Bad kitty, Mr. Marmalade, bad kitty.
Seriously.
Just stop. I warned you...
OK, you're still with me? Brave soul. Our topic today is...my A&P dissection class!
I have been forced to enroll in an anatomy dissection lab in order to complete the 6 hours of A&P required for nursing school. (Other requirements include grades of "B" or better in various and sundry science classes, letters of reference that do not imply I am insane, and the desire to cram two years of nursing school into one "accelerated" year. Obviously, having this desire does imply that I am insane, but I digress.)
We are currently dissecting cats.
There is no way to blog this without sounding weird, so I'll just state the facts.
1. Dissection is really interesting because you don't realize both how strong and how fragile the body is until you're able to see it (or something comparable to it) in detail. I'm constantly amazed.
2. Everyone in my class has named their cat. It's easier, somehow, to say "Can you lift (insert name here)'s triceps in order to observe the biceps brachii?" The cat at the table in front of us is Jake. The table behind us has christened theirs Bojangles. Our cat is Mr. Marmalade.
3. The most disturbing part of dissection class so far actually happened AFTER dissection class. Yesterday in microbiology lecture, I was packing up my notebooks when I noticed...cat fur on my backpack.
Bad kitty, Mr. Marmalade, bad kitty.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Shag carpet, sign language, and an epiphany!
I keep meaning to do all kinds of things with this blog. I had big plans for it - a banner that expressed my personality, some nice font (something really glittery...) and maybe a format that was a little more organized. Then school started, and I remembered why I'd felt like I had so much time during the three week interim between summer and fall classes. It was because I DID have so much time! I'm not sure how I feel about bulleted updates on blogs, but for the sake of actually getting something out to my adoring fans (the four of us need to get together!) and more for the sake of getting some things out of my head that I'm happy about/proud of/just think are great:
- I just got done painting my bedroom. I am famous for underestimating the amount of time projects like this take. Instead of my optimistically estimated two hours, a mere (actual time not mentioned to save my pride) hours later I am DONE painting, rearranging, hanging new curtains, and resurrecting my down comforter from winter storage in the basement. (Yes, I know it's only September. But I do love snuggling with some goose-y goodness while I drift off to dreamland. Yes, I just said that. No, spellcheck didn't like it.) My room is now orange. It's like living on the inside of a hibiscus...or a fall leaf...or a citrus fruit...depending on the season. (Note: during the course of the project, I was inspired to lift the corner of my cream-colored, three-inch thick (long?) shag carpeting to see if there was hardwood underneath it. Sadly, there was not. Note II: I fail to understand why, when recarpeting a house, someone would recarpet every room BUT the room with the three-inch shag. Unless the entire house was shag and they wanted to leave some for the sake of nostalgia. Or perhaps they lost something important (like their pet - the carpet is probably shag-gy enough to hide a kitten, at the very least) in the carpet in that room and were hoping to someday recover it. Theories?)
- I got a letter last week saying that my admission status to Research College had been changed. Instead of re-reviewing my file in January, I will be automatically admitted as long as I receive a B in microbiology this semester. I got a 100% on a quiz last week. I hope that bodes well for the future.
- I have had two babies in to the Cheesecake Factory* over the past week who know sign language. I think this is fantastic. And, how cute is it to have a seven-month-old sign "thank you" when you hand her a plate of bananas? Pretty. Darn. Cute. I now know how to sign "You're welcome" just in case it happens again.
- I had an epiphany about Relationships tonight. It may be fairly obvious, but it's something I've been struggling with. I'd always been worried that because my parents did not have a successful Relationship, I wouldn't be able to either, or I would have a harder time forging** a successful Relationship. Then I realized something I'd never considered before - I will not have my parents' Relationship. I will share one of my own. Glorious!
*Please read this carefully - if you're reading too quickly, you might think it said, "I had two babies in the Cheesecake Factory over the past week." Which would be both medically miraculous, and somewhat (very) disturbing.
**This is not a phrase I came up with - but it's one I've been using since I heard it. (Thanks, Andrew!) I love the connotation when applied to a Relationship. Pretty fantastic, don't you agree?
- I just got done painting my bedroom. I am famous for underestimating the amount of time projects like this take. Instead of my optimistically estimated two hours, a mere (actual time not mentioned to save my pride) hours later I am DONE painting, rearranging, hanging new curtains, and resurrecting my down comforter from winter storage in the basement. (Yes, I know it's only September. But I do love snuggling with some goose-y goodness while I drift off to dreamland. Yes, I just said that. No, spellcheck didn't like it.) My room is now orange. It's like living on the inside of a hibiscus...or a fall leaf...or a citrus fruit...depending on the season. (Note: during the course of the project, I was inspired to lift the corner of my cream-colored, three-inch thick (long?) shag carpeting to see if there was hardwood underneath it. Sadly, there was not. Note II: I fail to understand why, when recarpeting a house, someone would recarpet every room BUT the room with the three-inch shag. Unless the entire house was shag and they wanted to leave some for the sake of nostalgia. Or perhaps they lost something important (like their pet - the carpet is probably shag-gy enough to hide a kitten, at the very least) in the carpet in that room and were hoping to someday recover it. Theories?)
- I got a letter last week saying that my admission status to Research College had been changed. Instead of re-reviewing my file in January, I will be automatically admitted as long as I receive a B in microbiology this semester. I got a 100% on a quiz last week. I hope that bodes well for the future.
- I have had two babies in to the Cheesecake Factory* over the past week who know sign language. I think this is fantastic. And, how cute is it to have a seven-month-old sign "thank you" when you hand her a plate of bananas? Pretty. Darn. Cute. I now know how to sign "You're welcome" just in case it happens again.
- I had an epiphany about Relationships tonight. It may be fairly obvious, but it's something I've been struggling with. I'd always been worried that because my parents did not have a successful Relationship, I wouldn't be able to either, or I would have a harder time forging** a successful Relationship. Then I realized something I'd never considered before - I will not have my parents' Relationship. I will share one of my own. Glorious!
*Please read this carefully - if you're reading too quickly, you might think it said, "I had two babies in the Cheesecake Factory over the past week." Which would be both medically miraculous, and somewhat (very) disturbing.
**This is not a phrase I came up with - but it's one I've been using since I heard it. (Thanks, Andrew!) I love the connotation when applied to a Relationship. Pretty fantastic, don't you agree?
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