One year ago...

I was just getting to know this little girl. My precious niece Hannah had just been born. This weekend we celebrated her first birthday. It was making me think about the last year and how my life has been changed by having her around. First of all it's still surreal to me sometimes that this is my sisters offspring. I was hesitant to be living with an infant at first; now I realize how special of an opportunity it's really been. When I've had a long day and I come home to her big smile (she always smiles at me!) it really helps keep things in perspective. Hannah has also helped me realize how much I really do want to be a mom. Not that I'm in a rush but motherhood is so awesome. It's another part of God's creation that I'm in awe of. I don't know how much longer I'll be living with Hannah but I think we will always have a special connection. Man oh man I love this girl!

Here's to Monday

It's 9:30 which is bed time-ish for me, so I probably shouldn't take the time to write this (those are always the best kind of blogs). I guess I feel like I have so much to say. About what I don't really know. Nothing and everything. I wish I were better at writing so I could convey my thoughts more eloquently. Like Linda or Liz or so many others I know. Luckily I have bullet points to assist! So here we go with some of the latest happenings.

* In February I fulfilled my new years resolution by going on a date with someone I was actually interested in! Even though it didn't turn into forever it sure was a good experience and a great way to get back into the whole dating scene. Hot damn :-)

*Last weekend I got to see the moon through a telescope. I had never been to an observatory before and I really liked it. Nerd alert.

*I've thoroughly been enjoying my job since school ended. Being there 100% mentally makes a difference and I love my kids so much. Somedays I wonder if I can ever leave peds.

*I still have no idea where I will be working in a couple months but I'm not worried about it at all. That is definitely part of the freedom my faith provides. I'd be such a wreck without it.

*Baseball season started today and I'm excited. I'm also not sure who I am or how I got this way.

*More often than not this year I catch myself thinking I don't want to move out of Florida. Refer to the above bullet, second sentence. Seriously

*I recently read the Shack. I didn't find myself as into it as many others I know have been. Overall very interesting though. Maybe if I hadn't read the book review on discerningreader.com first it would be a different story. My advice is read it for yourself. Not while you are at the gym though. Crying on the treadmill is really confusing to anyone near.


However cheesy this sounds: I love where I'm at, what I do, who I know and what I'm learning.

This part of the journey is really exciting.

Thank God for Humor

...because over the past week or two I've been feeling so vulnerable. To what specifically I cannot say. I wanted to get a job at the VA in Gainesville and last week I learned that door closed. I'm not particularly upset about it because it's providing some direction. I'm applying to one other hospital here and if that doesn't work out then what? Will I actually end up moving out of Gainesville?

So now I'm thinking of applying in Clearwater, Tampa and maybe Orlando and Jacksonville. I have never desired to live in Orlando but they have such a large variety of really good hospitals (it seems). Jacksonville...eh at least it has beaches. AND I could work anywhere for at least one year.

God sure is keeping things interesting. If I didn't have Him to rely on then what would I do with myself? Xanax perhaps? I should drop that into my cocktail anyway and then I'd be in really good shape! haha nah

I LOVE CARDS

Giving and Receiving. Today I bought an encouragement card for a friend saying,

"A smart person once said 'When you are standing in the rain you can always look through the drops to see the Rainbow.' (inside) ' An even smarter person said 'If you are getting wet then get the hell out of the rain!' "

It was the perfect card for the perfect person in the perfect moment. Oh what sweet harmony.

being a woman is something I love

and men?....I'll save that for another post but I will say this...wonderful and yes please?

Whats been goin on

At the end of February I traveled to Albany, NY for the last exams for school. I had to work at St. Peter's Hospital for the weekend. It was stressful but it's so great to have it over with :-) I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast for the first time and it was AWESOME! What a cutesy town.
Now I will begin studying for the state boards which I hope to take sometime in May. Also I am scoping out jobs for the VA here in Gainesville. The whole hiring process takes a few months. Fortunately enough I have a great job with a great schedule that I don't mind sticking with for a little while longer. I do need something more challenging though and look forward to what's next!

It's funny how plans change

There are times when I can't believe I will most likely be staying in Gainesville. This is a brief review of my moving plans during my residence here.

Year ONE : Planned on moving to Ft. Collins, CO after year TWO.
Year TWO: Decided to stay in Gainesville to finish school.
Year THREE: Planned on moving back to Clearwater with my parents to save money and
pay off debt. There I would apply for jobs overseas under the VA umbrella
(aka department of defense). I also wanted to pursue the idea of living in one
of the bigger US cities. What can I say I love to travel.

So here I am nearing the end of year 3 and my heart has once again been changed. Over the
last few months I have decided that I want to start out at a local VA hospital
which narrows it to Gainesville or Tampa. I thought Adam and Meredith (and Hannah)
would be moving out in May so I figured I would have to come up with living arrangements
either way. Turns out they aren't moving at least for a little while. So this very cheap and
comfortable living situation can continue for a while. Did I mention how much fun we all
have together too! AND it's more time I can love on Hannah.

I definitely see God's hand in all of this and have been relying on His promises. A friend
asked me the other day where I see myself in 5 years. HA! I know better than to plan that.
I can't complain because I haven't been disappointed yet. He's provided a great church and
group of friends I can connect with. Also now that it's March I am appreciating our lovely
weather. I have no idea what's next but (dare I say it) if God wants me in Gainesville for
the rest of my life then that's His choice.

so far away

Hey just stopped by to let ya'll know I am (and have been) on a little blog-break. I am finishing up some school stuff and needed to minimize distractions. I look forward to returning shortly. Life is exciting!

Flowers in her hair...

The end of August was incredible as I took a trip to visit Jessica in San Francisco. What a beautiful city filled with endless things to see and do. Could I live there? If the situation were right, yes. I still feel drawn to the NE big cities like Boston, Chicago and of course NYC. It was really fun to spend time with Jessica and meet her friends. Here were some of my most memorable moments

*Experiencing the wide variety available for public transportation. I think having a car is nice, yes. Not having a car (and responsibilties that go along with it, which reminds me I'm due for an oil change)...even better.

*Visiting a wide variety of local bars and restaurants. The food was delicious, I experimented with beers I've never had and the atmosphere was everything enjoyable. I even indulged in tiramisu twice. So very sweet that was.

*Meeting J-mo's friends. I feel so privileged having opportunities to make new friends and develop connections with others all over the world. People are so fascinating.

*Our sight seeing adventures over the golden gate and up the hills.

*Shopping at the coolest thrift store I've ever seen (located in the Mission). Such a treat!

*Singing karaoke with the most amazing crowd and fellow singers I've experienced so far when it comes to that beloved hobby.

*The folk art (i think thats the name of it?) musuem where we learned all about the Shakers! My question for them (if they were still with us) is if you don't believe in having sex or reproducing then did you just plan on the religion dying out? Very cool furniture though.

*Watching Gilmore Girls as we rested in J-mo's great studio apartment! Also it was impressive that no matter what question I had about the show, Jessica knew the answer. The girl has mad skills!

I hope everyone who wants to go to SF makes it happen. Definitely worth it.

the effect of professional female body builders

While winding down from my workout on the treadmill today I changed channels to TLC just in time to catch the end of What Not to Wear. Next begins a story of a woman from England who is now 1 of 70 female professional body builders in the world. I understand that some women thrive off of this life style. I've never met one nor do I know someone who knows one but I accept they are out there.

Suddenly I became aware of every muscle in my body and they felt 10 times bigger. Watching this muscle woman literally made me stop working out for fear of bigger hamstrings or biceps. I stretched and drove home. Clearly that is not my calling. I was going to post a picture of her but I can't stomach seeing it on my blog.