Exciting

It takes a lot to get me excited about television. The only show I really watch (excluding sports) is The Office.

However, Conan's first Tonight Show is tomorrow. Conan is kind of funny, don't get me wrong. But I'm pretty sure that his line-up for night one can't get much better.

Will Farrell and Pearl Jam.

This is actually something I want to watch. That doesn't happen often at all. I am excited. :)

Holy Smokes

"Maybe he's from the future."


That was an answer to a conversation at work today. Courtney happened to see a man on a bus "smoking a liquid cigarette". (Court, those were your words, not mine, and I love you, but you like picking on me, too.) I had no answer to this statement. Dustin, on the other hand, had questions. "Did it smell?" "He was smoking it on the bus?", among others. The first answer was "It was crack". Second answer: "Maybe he was from the future". At this point, I couldn't help but laugh. (Since, we have conquered a Google search that informed us that it is an anti-smoking agent that can perhaps have a cherry flavor.)


While all of that is laughable and fun, I started to ponder that question: Would or would I not like to see what's in store for me in the future?

Not that this is the first time I've thought about it. I just is a question that pops up here and there and jogs your mind.

Answer? Not even a little bit. Wouldn't that take all of the wonder out of life? I already know what my end goal is. Why would I want to disturb the beauty of it? The suprises, the twists, the turns; they make everything so different and exciting. If I knew where I ended up, who's to say there wouldn't be a part of me that, at times, would just want to seek that out? I try to be a straight shooter anyway, but there are parts of life that are supposed to be unexpected. I'd rather keep mine that way.

What would you do?

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, and weekend, was a little out of the norm. But so much more great than the norm.

Ben got to hang in Atlanta until Sunday morning, leaving me with a completely blank slate for the weekend. I got to hang out with my friend Alisha on Saturday. This included a very late breakfast at a restaurant downtown called Rooster (they specialize in crapes), a Salvation Army run, and a walk through Tower Grove Park. After the awesome hang out time, I had dinner with the Muehleisens: ribs, bread, coffee, birthday cake, and wonderful company. A winning combo. Sunday housed the regular activities: church and relaxation. Well... relaxation this Sunday meant laundry and cleaning a bathroom, but it needed to be done.

Memorial Days of past normally include seeking out a friend's barbeque and drinking a few beers. Due to some rain and me no longer consuming beer, this year consisted of a long relaxing day filled with food, video games, movies, and love. I wouldn't have traded that for a "normal" Memorial Day past for much of anything.

*WHEW!*

What a night! I'm sure Courtney would agree that work was certianly hopping tonight. I am still tired from Six Flags fun yesterday, didn't sleep well last night, and today has certainly kicked me in the pants.... I plan on sleeping like a baby tonight.

Anyway, today has been super busy! Got up at a decent hour to see Ben off to Atlanta and was enjoying a quiet morning. Then I remembered I had pre-op testing this afternoon.

I am having a surgery next Thursday. The last time I had surgery I was five, and I only have one memory (a very unpleasant one) from that surgery. This time I really don't know what to expect.

Working in an O.R., I knew they did pre-op testing, but that didn't register when I thought of my own surgery. (You know how that always works??!) I scheduled the pre-op work a few days ago, and in all of the craziness the last few days, completely forgot about it until about 10:30AM. Good thing I checked my organizer then, because my appointment was at 1:30. When I made the appointment, my mind could only think of one thing. That one thing? "I hope they don't have to draw blood."

I know they have to draw blood. I guess I thought my sweet-as-all-get-out self could convince them otherwise. Funny part? I almost did. Let me fill you in on what happens when you have pre-operative testing. (Or, at least, when I have pre-op testing.)

I signed in and began filling out some papers. I met with a nice woman named Jeanine who made sure my basic info was correct, then I sat back in the waiting room. Then another nice woman came and took my height and weight, then led me to a waiting room. Dana the MA came into the room and took my blood pressure. My BP is always great, and this girl's oxygen saturation is 100%!!! Becca then came in and we talked about all kinds of things regarding family history of illnesses and the like. Becca was most definitely awesome. She was really sweet and funny and told me of the awesome fight that happened that morning between two teenage females in the very same room I was in. (This fight involved a bottle of milk and some braids...) Becca gave me a lot of good advice and information and a hug, saying "Will you come up to visit us? I like you." Next, she sent in a little sixty-year-old Pakistani woman. This was Shireen, an anesthesiologist. She was AWESOME! At first, she thought I had a heart murmur, but then realized it was her stethoscope rubbing against my shirt. Then she looked at my teeth and tongue (for anesthesea mask purposes). Then she took a look at the surgical site. Next she told me she was proud of me "like her own child" for having the surgery done. She didn't want to move onto the next room, so she told me all about her family, how they came to America, what she did before that, what her children are doing now... Then she hugged me, laughed, and said "We need more patients like you". I said, "Shireen, you don't have to get any blood from me, do you?" Shireen said "You can't trick me! It won't hurt that bad!" (She was serious.... I was soooooo close!) Then another nice woman came in to draw blood. I explained to her that I do NOT like needles and I didn't do well with shots or injections of any sort. She promised to be nice, and she WAS! It was pretty much completely painless. So sticking me three or four times to find a vein. What a stellar team!

All in all, I would call today a success. From here on out, I just ask for prayers for a successful surgery next week! :)

See?? No bruising or anything!

I'm 100% Sure...

Mike Herrera and the Px just came to my rescue.

I'm at work. On the radio on the other side of the room is playing Delilah. This is my absolute least favorite radio show. It's just too cheesy and the songs are too gooey. (This does not add up to grilled cheese, as my vivid explanation may lead you to believe, because grilled cheese is delicious.)

Most of the time I can put up with whatever I happen to hear, because my iPod is always playing on the other side of the room. Tonight, however, a song came on that makes me cringe almost everytime: Bryan Adam's "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)". I was going to shout something like, "Hey, this is horrible! Turn it off!", but two of the four people in the room were singing it, so I would have been outvoted. Instead I was just hoping that something awesome would come blaring through the iPod stereo speakers, and it did. MxPx's "Chick Magnet".

Thank Goodness for iPod shuffle.

What songs make you crazy?! I wanna know.

Yum!

In an effort to lose some stress pounds I gained in the month of April, I am attempting to eat better. (Not that I gained that much, but I'd like to stop it before it gets out of hand.) I used to be one of the healthiest eaters I've ever known. Then I got busy and lazy and quit making lunches.

This month, I'm changing that fact. Previously, I have been eating whatever the Children's Hospital cafeteria had to offer. They have a Pizza Hut and a DQ. Also every day they have a featured item, which is almost always some sort of asian dish. Obviously the things they have to offer are not on the healthy end of the spectrum.

My lunch (and snacks) now include a sandwich of sorts, a few apples, some yogurt (or a snack pack), another type of fruit, and-here's the great item- strawberry yogurt-covered raisins. Those things are delicious! I try to stick to a handful a day, but it gets tough.

Anyway, I do plan on making other things, but life has been so busy I haven't had time to prepare much else. If anyone has any good ideas, let me know. It has to be easily prepared and healthy.

While I wait...

This week has been super busy. Scheduled a surgery, played house in a house that wasn't mine, tried to learn to sew, had lunch out with friends (twice!), went to a baseball game, held a game night, and my normal Sunday activities. I got to spend a lot of time with loved ones, and that was awesome.

Along with getting up earlier, I am trying to try new things. Hence, the sewing. The machine didn't want to work when I tried it, so when the instructional book is found, I can try again. I am also trying to carry whatever I learn in church throughout the week. Today's bottom line discussion is that God owns all. So, whether something is taken away from you or given to you, it's not really yours. When things don't go the way you like them to, it's important to remember that there's a masterplan for you. It happens God's way, on God's time, for God's good. So, rejoice in what you have AND what you don't. I dare you to challenge that.

Normalcy

As the title of the blog states, I believe things are getting back to normal. After April, I am happy this is the case.

Housesitting this week has been very relaxing. No nighttime interruptions. Also, not much unpacking/really cleaning up the apartment. That is on the agenda for tomorrow. I also have to get to WalMart and a grocery store, then have lunch with a friend before work at 3pm. Lots to do. Saturday isn't much better as far as being busy goes, but I am really looking forward to a booked schedule where there are a lot of fun activities on the agenda!

Today, I'll ask this question: Have you ever pulled paper towels out of a dispenser and they're so jam-packed into the dispenser that they just tear? That happens a lot in my facility of employment. It kind of irks me. Anyone else?

Sleeping In

I hate it.

Some people love it. And some days, sure, I really need to do so. (Or, at least, when I am really tired I convince myself that I need it.) Most days, though, I work a lot better on about 4-6 hours of sleep as opposed to the 7-8 recommended.

Why discuss this today?

Last night, Ben and I both stayed at his parents' house. (He had to be up early for a meeting out this way.) I got up at 5:30AM with him and we had breakfast and coffee. The pivital part of the morning was when Ben left. I was awake enough to stay up, but I fought that urge and went back to bed. And slept until 10:00AM. I should have stayed up and watered the plants, taken a shower, gotten some things together at my old apartment...

The reason that I bring this up is that I am in the process of changing a lot of things in my life. I think getting up at a decent hour daily is going towards the top of the list. So, as much as I will regret posting this, I encourage you to call me and get me up. Early if needed.

Parking Garages

Does anyone dislike parking garages?

Most of the time, I love parking garages. When there is inclimate weather, they keep your car covered. Sometimes they even have cameras, which create a sense of security.

I work in a huge facility that has a parking garage for employees. It sits about 4 blocks away from the facility itself. This is somewhat understandable because being in a city, there is not much room for huge parking complexes. However, this garage fills up pretty quickly. They have an overflow garage which also fills up pretty quickly. (And the overflow garage is a primary garage for another facility...)

Another thing that bothers me about said facility is the fact that the employees that actually do park there have no idea as to how to park in ONE parking space. There are lines. You park inbetween them. This is not a difficult concept, right?

There are security guys who patrol the garage pretty much on an hourly basis. Do you think a proper solution would be to ticket people who take up more than one spot? I would say that it's not a big deal if these drivers were slim in numbers. However, they are not. *sigh*

I still love my garage. I can normally find a place to park after driving around for about 20 minutes. As long as I have some time to spare, it works out.

Sweet Deal

This week is going to be pretty awesome. I'm house sitting out in West County for Ben's parents in their sweet place. It's like a vacation except that I'm about 20 minutes from home. Last night was the first night staying here. I'm sleeping in the master bedroom. The bed is bigger than mine (bonus plan) and the sheets are undescribably comfortable. The house is nestled right around 270 and Manchester, and you'd be surprised how quiet is it out here. Much quieter than my new apartment, where car alarms are going off at 2am, there's a cat on the roof crying all night, and some of the people in the apartment building next to me like to play some Indian music around 3am.

Speaking of the new apartment, I am slowly but surely getting settled in. I am trying to take my time and not be stressed out over any unpacking, but I have a game night planned for next Saturday night so I have to have everything done by then.

Staying out in a cozy place for a week should really give me some insight on some things I've had on my mind for quite some time now. I plan on enjoying the thinking time as well as the room!

Why?

If you know me, you understand what I huge football fan I am. I have a deep love for the game (especially my Steelers). It may not match my excitement for the game of hockey, but it does come a close second.

A few days ago, Brett Favre decided that maybe he should come out of retirement (again) and play football. This is the second time he will come out of retirement, if he really decides to do so. Retirement is a huge deal. When I think about where I'd like to be by the time I'm 70, the word "retired" is most definitely my preferred option. However, this takes a lot of planning. I would prefer to know 100% that I could take care of myself (and my spouse), as well as my children and grandchildren. Bottom line: a lot of hard work, and a lot more money to be saved. Still, totally doable. I doubt anyone would argue that it would be nice to have all of this by the time you're 39 years of age.

Look, Mr. Favre, we all have to think pretty heavily about retirement. But to be at such a young age and have complete financial stability for generations to come AND to go out on the top of your game? I think this is something most individuals only dream of.

All I'm saying is that when anyone decides to retire, it means you stop doing what you've been doing for a living. So, Brett Favre, STOP! Not only are you causing me to roll my eyes when ESPN covers another "coming out of retirement" story, but in the end it's like someone telling me the story of the little boy who cried wolf. I've heard it for many years, and it, as well as you playing football, is getting really old.

Ugh.

I think I'm on my way down a road that is going to change everything for the better. I just hate that feeling of nervousness that is present at the beginning of anything new... Oh well.

On another note, today I attempted to make a decent breakfast. Bottom line? I need to practice making a decent breakfast. So today I will ask, if anyone has any good recipes/ideas/suggestions, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

Cinco de Mayo

I think the only time I ever cared about Cinco de Mayo was in Spanish class in junior high.

Anyway, today I've gotten a lot accomplished. I chopped up all the veggies/fruits I bought at the store on Sunday, went through a couple of boxes I've been neededing to sift through, among some other things. I packed a lunch, took a shower, then took off for work. Not until I got onto the north campus did I realize that I had left my lunch in the fridge at home. It's not that it was something super delicious or exciting, but it was a lot healthier than what I'm going to pick up at Children's cafeteria later on tonight. Boo!!!

Frustrations abound.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a pretty awesome day if I do say so myself. It may not have started off on the right foot, but it was quickly turned around.

I woke up with some really bad allergy issues. I know a lot of people that have allergy troubles, but this year it seems to be worse than the ones before. I was not really all there in church (my head apparently decided to become super congested). After church, Ben had a baseball game. I couldn't really sit out for the entire game and watch it (see: allergy-related issues). Instead, I headed to Mid Rivers Mall. I will state that I am not a mall person. In fact, I don't really like spending money or shopping unless it is to purchase fun electronic gadgets (or head to Goodwill to get great deals on things I probably don't need). This trip was a little different though. I am trying to explore the Saint Louis area since I have recently become a resident of the city. So this trip was more about getting out and seeing a new part of the area I hadn't seen before. It was a worthwhile trip. I got a few Card's t-shirts for the game I'm going to next Saturday. Mid Rivers also has a Slacker's CDs and Games within the mall. In case you are not familiar with Slacker's, they specialize in the resale of music, DVDs, and video games. AKA a really fun place for me to waste some time when needed. I wandered around for quite some time, with nothing really catching my eye. I looked for some DVDs I have been wanting (which they didn't have), checked out the comic book section (yep, you read that right), and peered into what they had to offer concerning Game Cube games. I had already chatted with the guy behind the register (because I like being friendly) and had said the "Goodbye, enjoy the day" conversation. I was on my way out, then BOOM! I spotted it. A 2 DVD set that I knew I had to buy- Coheed's "Neverender" live from NYC set. I have been so busy this month (and pretty much the beginning of this year as well) that I was not even aware that the awesomeness had been released on DVD. Think that's exciting? I haven't even gotten to the best part of the day yet.

After actually enjoying a trip to a mall, I headed back to watch some of Ben's ball game. I didn't get to see much, except for a grand slam for the WIN! (Okay, Ben was not the one who got the grand slam, but it was still awfully sweet!) We left the game, home to let him shower and change for work, and then we had the pleasure of attending a family picnic. My cousin Christy and her family were in town from Florida, so it was nice to be able to visit with them.

After dropping Ben off at work around five, my plan was to go back to my apartment and continue the never-ending process of unpacking and going through all of my things. While that's really what I should have done for the remainder of the night until I met Ben back at Llywelyn's, I really only did that for a short period of time.

The aforementioned DVD was really calling my name.

So.

I put my cell phone on silent and only checked it every so often. I didn't even bother trying to connect to the free wifi that I found floating through the air in my living room. Instead I turned out the lights, opened the windows, grabbed a sweet Coors Light and threw in said DVD. Best DVD purchase ever? Why yes, it was. And you bet your rear end that I danced around my living room until I went back to Llywelyn's.

Besides the obvious, why, should are probably asking, is this so very awesome?

My answer to that question is that I cannot remember the last night I just decided to focus completely on myself. Yes, I should really get that unpacking completely done, but I've done a pretty good job of getting to where I currently stand. I could have done laundry, but I've got all kinds of time to do that. Bottom line is, I rarely have the time to spend on myself. Most of the time when that opportunity arises, I end up doing some sort of busy work, because I am used to being overwhelmed. Last night was the exacty opposite of overwhelming. It was liberating. Plus, I've got all of 'Heed's songs in a live version now. Pretty sweet if you ask me.

I encourage you all to do these sorts of things for yourself every so often. (And, really, I plan on practicing what I preach from now on, so to say.) And if you like Coheed, I really do suggest this DVD. If the idea of having their entire library on DVD isn't tempting enough, they do a cover of IM's "The Trooper" that pretty much melted my face off. I put it back together, but barely. ;)

Oh, the Beginning of May...

Things are off to a great start.

Courtney and I were discussing earlier in the week getting coffee this morning, but it didn't work well with her schedule. Instead, I woke up (at a decent hour, mind you) and unpacked a few things. I also rearranged the living room. Maybe just a little more time there and I'll have everything finished up.

Today, while in the shower, I left the door open. (Hey, I wanted to hear the iPod speakers that were in the living room, and these are the joys of living alone.) Of course, that little silly grey kitten follows me into the bathroom and I start the shower. She's looking as if she's thinking about jumping in, and I keep saying "NO!" (a word both of my cats completely understand). I get on in and start washing, when I look behind me, and there's a little grey kitten in the back of the shower. Mad because she's soaking wet. If only animals would listen...

I got a check in the mail today from my previous landlord. Got to put that in the bank.

With Fun May getting off to a decent start despite the craptastic weather, I am really looking forward to the month, and this weekend when my cousin and her family are coming in from Florida. Be safe Christy!