Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday by far and this year only solidified it's spot on top of my 'favorite holiday' list. I love being able to drive down to see my family after work (well, the actual drive was a team effort). It's wonderful to not have to drop several hundred dollars and try to plan several months in advance. It was fun to introduce Mr.Wonderful to my extended family. He was a hit and fit right in. I knew he would be well received, everyone he encounters loves him.
We hit the road back to Seattle around 9pm on the 24th and got home around 1am. Mr. Wonderful--er "Santa"-- had one more gift for me and I opened it here. We were so excited about our new toys and stayed up until 3ish playing!
While I wouldn't trade playing with Christmas toys in the wee hours of the morning for the world, waking up Christmas day for work was no easy task! I worked 5 of the next 6 days, and needless to say I'm pooped. Work has been particularly exhausting lately and I worry that I'm starting to feel burnt out. Our patient acuity has been insanely high over the past couple of months and it just creates a very tense working environment. I am grateful for the next week, as I don't work again until Thursday! Then I'll work a couple of long stretches again, then will seek reprieve in LA! We found some super cheap tickets on Southwest awhile ago, and said "why not?" So January 14th (coincidentally, the 6-month mark...), we'll escape the dreary, cold, wet winter here and embrace a warm and hopefully sunny southern California, where I am sure that I was meant to live in the first place.
No crazy exciting things to report. I could go on and on about work, but it's frowned upon. I need to find an outlet for all that tension and stuff... it's driving me nutty! I am starting to dislike working long stretches of days in a row because I don't have time or energy to think about anything BESIDES work or do anything but recover from the day. It thwarts my cardiovascular comeback, it drains me of motivation to do anything fun. I love my job, I promise.. but too much of a good thing is never a good idea. I need to figure out a better way to schedule myself.
Hopefully I can figure that out in the next week and also reflect on the past YEAR and all its goodness and lessons learned.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Text Twist (sit, wit, wits, its, twit, twits...), etc.
So this whole dentist thing... I am quite conflicted! The entire staff is really very kind and personable and very welcoming. But I just cannot get over the shaky hand. I'm sorry! I really don't want to go back to this place, but I really should get my teeth cleaned! They keep CALLING ME about the damned appointment to bulk up my molars. Not only do I need the cleaning, but the original filling that Lipstick fixed still hurts. I would say it is getting worse, not in a dramatic fashion, but I feel it more and more often. It's probably just that the cavity underneath the filling she replaced is slowly growing. Sigh.
I feel comfortable telling them that I don't want to to the molar-bulk right now, but don't know how to say somethings wrong with that filling, but I want to get it fixed elsewhere.
I need to figure out how to get my records from this place (x-rays and such) because insurance will only cover so many x-rays so often. I don't want to be mean and say "You're nice, but your hand shakes so I'm taking my business elsewhere..." but that is what it ultimately boils down to. I've thought about how I can skirt around it... tell them that I'm moving far away or something... but I hate lying (especially to such nice people!) and it always ends up far too complicated. Boo!
In other news, Text Twist (warning, click on this link with caution, as it is a game that WILL take over your life), is my new favorite hobby. (Don't judge me.) My mind is constantly thinking of what words I can make out of the six letters in a different word, what six letters would make a up a good tricky word for the game, etc. I can't walk down the street without seeing a STOP sign and thinking 'stop? top..tops..pot..pots..opt..opts..spot.....etc' It's getting to be quite ridiculous. In conversation even I find it hard to focus on what the person is saying because the second they drop a six letter word, I feverishly start mentally rearranging the letters to get as many points as possible. I might have a small problem on my hands.
I'm slowly and anxiously getting back to the g-y-m. I'm hesitant to even acknowledge it for fear of jinxing the whisper of a comeback I'm approaching. On December 17th they're opening the new gym with the pool and classes, etc. I'm looking forward to that, and hope that some cross training will make getting back to running more practical and fun. There's a guy at my church (the pastor's father no less.. (...biological, not Heavenly...)) that is/was a running enthusiast. We met him early on when we started to get involved in this church and I always admired his wisdom and soft spoken nature. Last Sunday he asked how my recovery was coming and I didn't know what he was talking about-- then I realized, o yea I had surgery. Durr. I told him I feel pretty good but admitted that getting back to running is a really big challenge, and he offered some great advice. It was nice to hear from somebody who gets it... somebody who had been there... and who has come back! All encouragement is always appreciated, but there's something about hearing it from someone who truly understands where you're at that makes it that much sweeter. So, we'll see I suppose!
I can't wait to get home for the holidays and see my family. When I moved a year ago, I thought I'd see everyone so much more, but am shocked and disappointed (in myself) that the frequency of visits is still low. Maybe that should be a new years resolution. Either way, I can't wait to see everyone! I am also excited to introduce Mr. Wonderful. :) It's about time I bring someone to these family gatherings, shoot. I get to work Christmas Day (7am to 730pm, love me some day shift!), so we'll be driving back to Seattle late at night on the 24th. I'm praying for good weather... 'they' keep saying that towards the end of the month, the weather will get snowy again. Seattle with snow? Wtf. I don't really care, it will take a natural disaster to prevent me from going home. Wheather or not I get back in time for work... I'll try my darndest, but I will not miss family Christmas for it. Here's to the holiday spirit! (trip..trips..spit..pit..pits..its..sit..rip..rips..tip..tips....)
I feel comfortable telling them that I don't want to to the molar-bulk right now, but don't know how to say somethings wrong with that filling, but I want to get it fixed elsewhere.
I need to figure out how to get my records from this place (x-rays and such) because insurance will only cover so many x-rays so often. I don't want to be mean and say "You're nice, but your hand shakes so I'm taking my business elsewhere..." but that is what it ultimately boils down to. I've thought about how I can skirt around it... tell them that I'm moving far away or something... but I hate lying (especially to such nice people!) and it always ends up far too complicated. Boo!
In other news, Text Twist (warning, click on this link with caution, as it is a game that WILL take over your life), is my new favorite hobby. (Don't judge me.) My mind is constantly thinking of what words I can make out of the six letters in a different word, what six letters would make a up a good tricky word for the game, etc. I can't walk down the street without seeing a STOP sign and thinking 'stop? top..tops..pot..pots..opt..opts..spot.....etc' It's getting to be quite ridiculous. In conversation even I find it hard to focus on what the person is saying because the second they drop a six letter word, I feverishly start mentally rearranging the letters to get as many points as possible. I might have a small problem on my hands.
I'm slowly and anxiously getting back to the g-y-m. I'm hesitant to even acknowledge it for fear of jinxing the whisper of a comeback I'm approaching. On December 17th they're opening the new gym with the pool and classes, etc. I'm looking forward to that, and hope that some cross training will make getting back to running more practical and fun. There's a guy at my church (the pastor's father no less.. (...biological, not Heavenly...)) that is/was a running enthusiast. We met him early on when we started to get involved in this church and I always admired his wisdom and soft spoken nature. Last Sunday he asked how my recovery was coming and I didn't know what he was talking about-- then I realized, o yea I had surgery. Durr. I told him I feel pretty good but admitted that getting back to running is a really big challenge, and he offered some great advice. It was nice to hear from somebody who gets it... somebody who had been there... and who has come back! All encouragement is always appreciated, but there's something about hearing it from someone who truly understands where you're at that makes it that much sweeter. So, we'll see I suppose!
I can't wait to get home for the holidays and see my family. When I moved a year ago, I thought I'd see everyone so much more, but am shocked and disappointed (in myself) that the frequency of visits is still low. Maybe that should be a new years resolution. Either way, I can't wait to see everyone! I am also excited to introduce Mr. Wonderful. :) It's about time I bring someone to these family gatherings, shoot. I get to work Christmas Day (7am to 730pm, love me some day shift!), so we'll be driving back to Seattle late at night on the 24th. I'm praying for good weather... 'they' keep saying that towards the end of the month, the weather will get snowy again. Seattle with snow? Wtf. I don't really care, it will take a natural disaster to prevent me from going home. Wheather or not I get back in time for work... I'll try my darndest, but I will not miss family Christmas for it. Here's to the holiday spirit! (trip..trips..spit..pit..pits..its..sit..rip..rips..tip..tips....)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
White Elephant-- I mean super fancy stuff.
Preface
The way the legend of the white elephant was explained to me went something like this: in some far away land, long long ago, a white elephant was a super rare animal that only the highest people of the highest class might ever dream of owning. It was a status symbol, and the best possible one to have. A white elephant also brought prosperity and good fortune, suggesting the owner was wise and just. Upon the rare occasion someone got a white elephant, they were initially thrilled. However they soon realized it wasn't as great as they'd imagined. Since this animal was so rare and so important, it required delicate and around the clock care and it was insanely high maintenance. They could not be sold, slaughtered, be put to work, or given away. Soon enough the white elephant became a horrible and costly burden, and the owner no longer wanted it. Nobody wanted it.
So with modern day white elephant gift exchanges, I was under the impression you're supposed to bring something that nobody really wants. Something random, funny, off kilter a little bit.
So my small group decided to do a white elephant gift exchange. I couldn't think of something good... I consulted with people, googled ideas, but ultimately resorted to stopping by the clearance rack at Safeway. I pondered going to Goodwill, but there isn't one super close by so, that ruled out that option. Safeway failed me, so minutes before it was time to go, I was scrounging around my apartment. I ultimately found a touch light (where you just push the light and it turns on-- I think it's kinda cool, I won't lie), some sterile gloves from my "Nurse Kit" I got in nursing school, alcohol swabs, a loofah and some other exfoliating glove. Random, but that's okay, right? It's a white elephant exchange! I found an empty box in the recycling-- Golden Graham Treats. I stuffed it full and wrapped it in record time.
Flash forward to the exchange. I was excited. I was hoping to get something relatively cool-- someone else's junk could be my treasure! There were 9 people present, I drew number 8. The first person opened a gift and it was fancy-- two big martini glasses with a pomegranate martini mix. Yowzer, someone missed the white elephant memo... The next gift someone opened was a gift box of different fancy teas. What?! Who are these people!?! The next thing was a brand new fancy pants Mr. Potato Head. Really?! People spent REAL money on this?!?! Next was an ice cream topping set complete with cute bowls and everything. Oh shit. Some poor soul who put some real $$$ into this is going to get my touch lamp, loofah and alcohol swabs. How embarrassing! I prayed that no one would choose my box and I could just choose it myself and save someone from getting cheated (and save myself from mortification). However, the second I said "amen," the next person grabbed my modestly wrapped box off the table. I have to leave. I have to get out of here. I cannot watch this happen. But I was paralyzed and unable to sprint to the door like I so badly wanted to. Mr. Wonderful sat next to me, gleefully chuckling at my horror. Box unwrapped, the recipient was like "Awesome! Golden Graham Treats!!" Phew! They didn't open the box! As the next person chose their gift, I subtly made my way over to the unfortunate soul that got my box. I explained its contents and to not worry, that I'd steal it from him so he could get something awesome. He erupted into fits of laughter, far better than the response I expected: getting kicked out of small group. My plan worked marvelously and the only person who didn't get something super fancy was me, which was well deserved as I was the only person who didn't drop an entire paycheck on this shenanigan.
I am pretty annoyed to tell the truth. Am I completely wrong about the white elephant gift exchange??? Who are these clowns... how did they not know that you're not supposed to get ridiculously awesome things?! At the end of it, everyone got a good laugh from my misunderstanding, but I still maintain that they're the ones who misunderstood.
The way the legend of the white elephant was explained to me went something like this: in some far away land, long long ago, a white elephant was a super rare animal that only the highest people of the highest class might ever dream of owning. It was a status symbol, and the best possible one to have. A white elephant also brought prosperity and good fortune, suggesting the owner was wise and just. Upon the rare occasion someone got a white elephant, they were initially thrilled. However they soon realized it wasn't as great as they'd imagined. Since this animal was so rare and so important, it required delicate and around the clock care and it was insanely high maintenance. They could not be sold, slaughtered, be put to work, or given away. Soon enough the white elephant became a horrible and costly burden, and the owner no longer wanted it. Nobody wanted it.
So with modern day white elephant gift exchanges, I was under the impression you're supposed to bring something that nobody really wants. Something random, funny, off kilter a little bit.
So my small group decided to do a white elephant gift exchange. I couldn't think of something good... I consulted with people, googled ideas, but ultimately resorted to stopping by the clearance rack at Safeway. I pondered going to Goodwill, but there isn't one super close by so, that ruled out that option. Safeway failed me, so minutes before it was time to go, I was scrounging around my apartment. I ultimately found a touch light (where you just push the light and it turns on-- I think it's kinda cool, I won't lie), some sterile gloves from my "Nurse Kit" I got in nursing school, alcohol swabs, a loofah and some other exfoliating glove. Random, but that's okay, right? It's a white elephant exchange! I found an empty box in the recycling-- Golden Graham Treats. I stuffed it full and wrapped it in record time.
Flash forward to the exchange. I was excited. I was hoping to get something relatively cool-- someone else's junk could be my treasure! There were 9 people present, I drew number 8. The first person opened a gift and it was fancy-- two big martini glasses with a pomegranate martini mix. Yowzer, someone missed the white elephant memo... The next gift someone opened was a gift box of different fancy teas. What?! Who are these people!?! The next thing was a brand new fancy pants Mr. Potato Head. Really?! People spent REAL money on this?!?! Next was an ice cream topping set complete with cute bowls and everything. Oh shit. Some poor soul who put some real $$$ into this is going to get my touch lamp, loofah and alcohol swabs. How embarrassing! I prayed that no one would choose my box and I could just choose it myself and save someone from getting cheated (and save myself from mortification). However, the second I said "amen," the next person grabbed my modestly wrapped box off the table. I have to leave. I have to get out of here. I cannot watch this happen. But I was paralyzed and unable to sprint to the door like I so badly wanted to. Mr. Wonderful sat next to me, gleefully chuckling at my horror. Box unwrapped, the recipient was like "Awesome! Golden Graham Treats!!" Phew! They didn't open the box! As the next person chose their gift, I subtly made my way over to the unfortunate soul that got my box. I explained its contents and to not worry, that I'd steal it from him so he could get something awesome. He erupted into fits of laughter, far better than the response I expected: getting kicked out of small group. My plan worked marvelously and the only person who didn't get something super fancy was me, which was well deserved as I was the only person who didn't drop an entire paycheck on this shenanigan.
I am pretty annoyed to tell the truth. Am I completely wrong about the white elephant gift exchange??? Who are these clowns... how did they not know that you're not supposed to get ridiculously awesome things?! At the end of it, everyone got a good laugh from my misunderstanding, but I still maintain that they're the ones who misunderstood.
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