31 December 2009

cookies, diamonds, and fireworks


Taking these to Missy's New Years shindig tonight. There are plenty of big parties happening, but I'm more in the mood for a mellow time- just chillen and setting off fireworks without a lot of driving involved.

Been spending a lot of time with Chris this week- mostly packing and helping him move out of his apartment. Oy, so many boxes, cleaning supplies, packing tape, mopping floors, organizing, loading, and trips back-and-forth. Of course he drives the U-haul like he drives anything else- like a race car. Even in the rain. I'd be scared for my life if I didn't have faith that he's a professional driver. We stopped at this cool farmer's roadside stand on the way back Tuesday and got some fruits & veggies. I love those roadside stands. So, it's been a really tiring week but it's also been fun because we get along so well. I'm going to miss hanging out with him!

I'm so bummed that school starts in 4 days. I just got used to being on vacation and now I have to be at school at 7am every day for 2 months. Nooooo. That's freaking early. I don't know how it's going to go- I don't know if I will love it or hate it. I don't know if I will be busier or less busy than last semester. I guess I'll just have to find out.

Oh, check out the diamond earrings Chris got me for Christmas. Pretty sparkly, huh? I pretty much love them and I'm afraid I'll lose them!

Man, another year is gone. It was certainly an interesting one. Hope you guys have/had a great New Year's Eve!

P.S. I ordered a pizza online at Domino's and it's so cool that you get to watch the progress- you know when it's being made, baked, and delivered. Neat!

26 December 2009

work it babayyy

I would just like the record to show that my lazy ass worked out today. I will be SORE tomorrow. Most of the treats are gone, too, so I guess it's time to (really) start eating healthy.

Then Pumpkin got all hyper and decided to mess with my mp3 player. It's so random that she'll ignore me until I get down on the floor to do crunches, then she wants to snuggle and play.


Carrying her prey off in her mouth




Well, she needs to work out too. When I took her to the vet, he said she was overweight. She doesn't look overweight, but I should keep her healthy- less vet bills down the line. No more wet food! I guess we both will be eating healthier.

25 December 2009

Happy Happy

Happy Christmas!
Drinking my green tea and lazing around.

Frankish woke us up at 6am, as usual. It was fun opening gifts. My "big gift" this year:


So when Lappy dies I can get one that's not 6 years old. Yay! I love my mom's drawings. I was lucky enough to get a lot of great gifts- not necessarily expensive, but things that really were perfect.

Wednesday Chris and I drove up to Lufkin to visit his family, and I drove back by myself yesterday. After a long, tiring 2-hour drive back, I got home ready to chill and maybe have a drink- too bad the power was out! I guess the wind was so bad that it knocked like half of Sugar Land's power. I was soooo annoyed!

I ended up calling Jen, who came to the rescue and fed me. We played scrabble and some card games and had a good time, and when I came back home the power was back on- thank goodness.

I think I'm almost ready to start being healthy again. I borrowed the Black Eyed Peas CD from Chris' sister and I think I have some fresh work-out music.

My aunt was cleaning out some stuff and sent some pictures from when I was a kid. Here's two of me and my mom. I think it was around Christmas time, and they say 1986 on the back so I was 2 years old, but I think I look older than a 2-year-old. Check out my mom's big 80's hair, haha.


Hope everyone had a great holiday!

22 December 2009

a little bit of magic

Drinking green tea. Just finished off two pecan nut cups- they're a holiday treat at our house.


Scalloped potatoes w/ cheese in the oven. Our lives revolve around food. Yum. I've decided life's too short to diet around Christmas time.

My dad was pouting this year because the neighborhood decided that you can't win the same award for Christmas lights two years in a row, so he cut back on the lights. Too bad he still won Best Lighting! Just imagine if he'd actually tried...



I'm kinda disappointed that a lot of houses this year didn't put lights up. The economy? Bah humbugs? Dunno. They used to have a group award, and entire cul-de-sacs used to go crazy with lights, with every house going all out.

It was magical as a kid to turn down the street full of shiny, blinking lights and a santa, sleigh, and reindeer strung across the streetlamps across the street. Dayna- remember Fair Acres? That was so awesome. I think you could see that stuff from space, haha.

Our entire street used to put up lights along the sidewalk and lit-up arches at every walkway, and it looked so amazing. I think a lot of people stopped putting lights up because before they didn't want to let the street down in the competition, but now there's no incentive. It's like a little of that Christmas magic is gone this year.

Last night when we were in the mall shopping for mom's gifts (which was totally fun and we were way too loud in every store, haha) we came across the Santa and all the cute little kids were lined up to sit on his knee. The only thing was, people had brought their dogs to see Santa... like a lot of people. We all kinda thought that was strange, but we're really not "those" kind of pet people to begin with. The Santa looked good, too. Real happy and rosy-cheeked and all that.

I can hear my dad snoring on the couch and mom singing carols in the kitchen. We always joke that no one in our family can sleep during the daytime... a nap sounds really good right now. Happy night before the night before the night before Christmas!

21 December 2009

Tradition

Today was supposed to be the day that I started exercising again and eating healthy. Too bad I lounged around and snacked all day. The thing is, I feel absolutely no motivation. I know I might have gained some LBs, but I don't really feel it. In my head I know it's better for me, but I don't really care enough to get up and go. I'm so content with being lazy. I know I won't be ready till I'm ready, but then again I know if I force myself to do it, I'll have it done.

Tonight: mom's gifts. In my family we have a tradition, A few days before Christmas, everyone but mom goes out and shops for mom's gifts. We all have already bought her something separate, but we get her gifts from all of us. Mom usually has a glass of wine and soaks in the tub while we're out. I think it originated when we were little kids and she needed some time to chill out and get Santa's gifts wrapped, but we still do it.

We all go together, and she always gets: Calgon bath salts, some kind of gardenia bath stuff, socks, and slippers. Every year. She loves it. Then we decide what else to get her and we all go to pick out that gift. When you get six people coordinated and hyper, it's like too many cooks in the kitchen. Especially if we have to go to the mall because crowds never make a situation better. It's pretty much a recipe for someone's temper to flare, and there's usually at least one argument. But, it's tradition and we wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, my family gets over things pretty quick.

Then we come home, pile out of the vehicles (this was much cuter when we were little. Now that we're big it's much more like a stampede of grown people who are all hyped up and happy to be done with shopping) and make a big deal out of mom having to stay in her room while we wrap. Correction: While I wrap. Then when the gifts are under the tree she comes out and pokes arounnd a little bit, shakes a few, then we tell her to keep her snout out, we laugh, then we all go back to what we'd normally do.

I made it sound chaotic and annoying, and it kind of is, but it's usually a lot of fun too.

18 December 2009

Happy Joy

Things that are making me happy right now:

The best part of the cinnamon roll- the middle.

This stack of magazines that Jen brought over (THANK YOU)

Finishing up Christmas gifts (although Walgreens is taking wayyy too long to print three 4x6 photos that I need to finish & mail two of the gifts)

Vicky's graduation tonight. An excuse to wear my newest plain little black dress?

The Christmas party and game night/ toys for tots Saturday

San Antonio Sunday!!

The weather right now- cool & sunny

A worm-less cat

17 December 2009

animals are nasty

How appropriate that I just finished Parasitology.

Yesterday I happened to notice something stuck to Pumpkin's tail that looked like a grain of rice. A big red flag went up and the name Diphyllobothrium immediately came to mind. Ugh. Tapeworm.

I picked it off her tail with the tip of my pen, and looked at it closely. Sure enough, it was moving and having a great old time. I gave her the Revolution that keeps away fleas and roundworm and such, then didn't think much of it.

Then, this morning I thought to check the label and make sure it gets rid of tapeworm. Of course it wasn't listed. So, I called the vet and made an appointment. They asked if I could get a sample... Hm. She rarely poops in the litter box; she goes outside most of the time. How was I going to get a fecal/ worm sample?

So I've been following her around with a flashlight trying to lift her tail and find another stray piece, and of course there's nothing there. She hasn't been very happy with me and I'm sure she's wondering when I turned into a pervert, lifting her tail and checking out her asshole. After parasitology lab poop doesn't really bother me anymore. Good thing.

One other thing: and this is really gross. The way the life cycle works is the cat eats an infected flea, and the tapeworm grows in their intestine. It's segmented, and the segments break off and make their way to the poop or the booty hole. That's what I picked off her tail yesterday. When the segments break off and dry, they look like hard yellow seeds.
This past summer, I noticed hard yellow seeds on the windowsill where she hangs out and assumed that they were just seeds from rolling around in the dirt or something. I now know that Miss "Typhoid Pumpkin" over here has been shedding tapeworm segments all over the freaking place, at least since summer. GROSS!! The good thing is, if you eat them they won't hurt you- you have to eat the infected flea to become infected. Still. That's pretty freaking disgusting.

I'm so glad I don't let her on the tables or counters. My bedsheets and blankets are all going through a very soapy, hot wash right now, and her windowsill & amazon box has been thoroughly cleaned.

Another good thing is that tapeworms aren't the worst worm a cat can get. The symptoms are pretty mild compared to others. I wonder how much this little tapeworm episode is going to cost me at the vet.

16 December 2009

some doctors suck

Hm, Frankish is starting to have the same tummy symptoms that I had at about his age. The doctors tell him it's stress and refuse to test him for Celiac because his symptoms aren't textbook. Neither were mine! It's very frustrating and I know how it feels to -know- something is wrong, yet doctors think it's all in your head. You don't feel sick every single day no matter what you eat or do- for no reason. I feel for the poor guy.

I told him to go to the doctor and don't take "it's stress" for an answer without any further investigation. The doctor he went to at the quack shack at school performed no tests. I mean, how can you possibly know something's not wrong without at least checking for H. pylori, an ulcer, parasites, or any of the bajillion reasons your stomach could hurt? I just don't understand. Yes, doctors are busy, but if you don't investigate a patient properly, what is the goddamn point? Just rattle off the most common diagnosis and prescribe some pills- it's a disgrace.

I also told him to demand a celiac test- if at the very least to rule it out.

I'm glad my mom is going with him and she usually gets her way.

Ugh, I'm so frustrated at the lack of good doctors out there. Most of the ones that I've been to seem to not even listen or care about what you tell them. I once had a doctor stop me in the middle of describing my symptoms and prescribe me an allergy pill. I hadn't even told her what was hurting where, and she was already writing it off based on the first thing I said. Didn't even look at my nose with the little light-up thing. I was more than a little irked.

I don't know if doctors start out trying to help and just become bogged down by the system, or if they start out corrupted by the pharmaceutical companies, or what, but it's so disheartening to not be able to trust the "care" you're getting.

Anyway, I really hope Frank doesn't have celiac. That would suck for him.

15 December 2009

shopping

What have I been doing?

Laying around, sleeping all weekend. I was so beat.

Monday I got up and decided to do my Christmas shopping. I went to 6 stores in 2 hours, including some at the mall. Yes, I am a badass.

I got most of the shopping done, and I was so excited about all the gifts I got for everyone. I also made a few gifts, and they turned out pretty cute. I wish I could tell you all, but then I'd give suprises away.

I did get something for myself- a plant that was on sale. I need a houseplant. Good fung shui and all that. I actually had a book about fung shui once and it was kinda neat but there's no way I could ever accomplish it with the weird layout I have.


I have just a few more gifts to assemble, then I'm done for the season. I'm having so much fun with it this year- it's not a chore and it's not rushed or stressful. Once the gifts are done- then I get to start baking!

11 December 2009

Freeee



*one big huge sigh*

Done.

What a semester. Seriously the hardest EVER. And to end it all with a 4.0 GPA? Damn it feels good to be a gangster. (A dorky gangster is still a gangster) I woke up at 3am to pee and couldn't get back to sleep. I figured I might as well get up and study, and I'm feeling it now.

I have been in suprisingly good spirits, and I think it's because of my mini tree and other festive decorations. I've made a point to light the tree every day, and the sparkly garland just kinda lifts a bad mood.


We all got gifts from our teachers: these cute ornaments.


lab rat, te hee


I shall be spending the afternoon cozied up with some homemade hot cocoa, and if I make it out, a magazine.

I am ready to spend the holidays doing holiday-type stuff. I certainly have earned it.

10 December 2009

ONE MORE!

My brain is SO FULL! One more exam tomorrow, the most anticipated one: Chemistry. DUN DUN DUNNNN.

We get to wear real clothes to school tomorrow instead of scrubs. That might be a problem- I guess I've gained a little weight but that's the thing with wearing scrubs: you don't notice because they always fit. I couldn't button my jeans the other day, so I just wore a long shirt and hoped it didn't ride up, lol.

Buttoned pants or not, I'm kinda interested to see what people wear. You don't really get a sense of someone's style when they wear basically pjs every day. I'll probably put way too much thought into what I wear tomorrow.

Got a cheesecake in the oven for the potluck lunch tomorrow. It looks so pretty and I can't wait to just CHILL. I usually over-bake cheesecake so I'm keeping an eye on it. Look at the potential deliciousness!



I've also been dying to go Christmas shopping. I have all these ideas but I've had to quench the excitement and put studying first. Majorly looking forward to that.

08 December 2009

T-minus three...

I want to be here with a magazine:


Not here with Quizlet and body fluid notes:


So far, I'm not failing. There was a heart-pounding moment this morning when I was about to submit the hemostasis final, but I got by.

Three more days!!!

07 December 2009

tummy troubles

Blah.
Woke up last night at 2am with a hurty tummy. Took meds, curled up with a heating pad, and got back to sleep within an hour. Ate a small amount of oatmeal this morning with a sip of coffee, and headed to school. I started to feel better so I ate a banana and a bag of those baked cheetos. Bad idea- just as lab started my stomach started to feel hurty. I took a pepto that did nothing, and I felt light-headed and dizzy, and I broke out in one of those cold sweats again.

I was all in my PPE, and when I took off one of my gloves it was covered with sweat. I started to feel sick like I might gag or throw up, so I took off my lab coat and other glove and walked outside, even while the teacher was explaining everything for the practical. I got to the bathroom and, [this will tell how how bad I felt] I sat on the filthy floor by the door and brought my knees up to my chest, and just sat there. I felt so terrible that I couldn't even move.

For probably 5 minutes I was debating going in there and telling the teacher I felt too bad to do the practical, but I really didn't want to have to make it up, especially during finals week. So I forced myself off the floor and went back in the lab. It took so much effort to get up to do anything. As long as I was sitting and perfectly still, I felt ok. Once I stood up or tried to move, my stomach felt horrible. Several times I had to leave the lab and go sit on that nasty bathroom floor for a few minutes and stabalize.

I got through the practical, although I don't think I did very well. I don't know what the culprit is (gluten? stress? bad food?) but I'm feeling a little better now. I'm pretty scared to eat anything but some white rice, slowly. I hope I feel better soon because this shit had better not happen all week.

04 December 2009

snowww

I got up early and drove up to school to take an exam that I didn't feel prepared for, in a very sleep-deprived state. Fortunately, I did well on it and the afternoon's lab was cancelled because of the weather. Halfway during the exam, someone happened to look up out the window and said, "It's snowing!" So we all looked up and sure enough, it was coming down pretty good.

I was going to come home and sleep, but mom wanted to go Christmas shopping. By that time the snow had turned to rain so I figured the novelty was over. Halfway during shopping (and finding some GREAT deals and gifts), we looked outside and it was snowing really hard, and it was even sticking. It wasn't the usual 5-minute pussy snow that we usually see in Houston; it was like real snow! It was piled up on cars, the grass, rooftops, all over the place! People were outside taking pictures, all excited. I don't know if it was the shopping or the Christmas music or the snow, or a combination, but it put me in a really great mood. It was awesome.

It snowed for the better part of the day, and I got a few pics:



Suzy got some better ones:

Now it's really cold and I'm about ready to snuggle into a warm bed and get some much-needed rest. I'm in for a doozy of a week, and then I get a vacation!!!!

03 December 2009

insomnia

I had a headache that didn't go away till about 30 minutes ago, and even now it's still lingering. I think the pseudoephedrine in the pills I took is keeping me up because I still can't sleep.

Every time I can't sleep, Pumpkin gets up with me and moves to wherever I am. If I go to the computer, she moves to her box. If I sit on the couch, she crams up next to me. If I'm in bed, she's sitting on my feet. Such loyalty for a cat. She's probably wondering what the hell I'm doing up when I'm supposed to be asleep.

Man, tomorrow should be interesting- I have to stay awake long enough to study for Friday's exam. Speaking of Friday, the forecast says snow!! Let's hope.

01 December 2009

happenings

Man I wanted to write about all this stuff going on and elaborate on how great Thanksgiving was and how I passed my 2-year GF anniversary and how freaking awesome my birthday was and how I finished my sticks and all kinds of random stuff, but I'm so tired.

Just finished a 2-hour long quiz that was bullshit!! Please tell me why we started Parisitology in the last two weeks of the semester and added on 4 ridiculous quizzes right at the end of labs, right when Phlebotomy is due, right when we have our most difficult Chem exam coming up, right when Hematology coag case studies are due, right before finals? Because they're trying to kill us. It's a social experiment to see how much we can take before we CRACK! So, in the interest of staying whole, you get bullets.

-2 years! Yay! I feel like I should be doing more cooking at this point. New Years resolution in the making? Possibly.

-Birthday: the day at school sucked but dinner was GREAT. I haven't seen most of my friends in a while and it felt so great to hang out and chill. My mom worked really hard on dinner and on the cake (see GF blog) just so I could have a stress-free, fun birthday. She really is awesome and the day would not have been as good without her, or my awesome friends. I really am loved, and I don't know what I did to deserve it! I'll take it, though. :o)

-I feel strange being 25. When I was a kid and I imagined being 25, it seemed so much more adult-like than I feel now. I feel like I'm letting my kid-expectations down because I don't feel like a grown up. I think once I graduate, get a job, and move out I'll feel like a real grown up. For now, I just feel like a lame 25-year old. It's really strange that for some reason being 24 was ok, but once I hit 25 some line was crossed.

-Finished my sticks today!! It was uneventful except for some old guy who couldn't really speak. It was difficult because it's required that we get them to say their name and medical record number. I had him write down his name but then he kept writing his birthday instead of his medical record number. He didn't seem to understand, but I eventually got him to take out a card with the number on it and we communicated by pointing. I think he knew english because every once in a while he said a word that I understood, but most of it was like he didn't have a tongue or something. Really strange. Sweet guy though and an easy stick.
I felt extra proud of myself because I got one guy and I missed his vein at first, but instead of having someone else get it, I fished around and got it myself, and he said it didn't even hurt. Score for me.

-I'm actually doing okay and I'm on top of all the massive piles of assignments that have been due lately, all at once. Don't ask me how I'm doing it; I don't know! I just hope I can keep it up. For the most part I've been getting As, with the exception of the leukemia test yesterday that I got a 78 on- at this point I don't care. Fuck it, I just want to pass!

-Holy crap I'm tired and I have a cramp in my neck. Bedtime.

29 November 2009

flashing lights

It's a glorious-looking day outside. A little too warm for my tastes though. I knew if I took out my winter clothes it would get hot again.

Cramming for the chronic leukemias & myelodysplastic disorders exam tomorrow. 12 days to the end of the semester. I can't. freaking. wait.

Last night was interesting. First of all, the Coogs completely STOMPED Rice, 73-14. 59-0 at halftime. Whose house? Ruck Fice, baby.

Anyway, Chris and I were leaving his apartment to go get some dinner when two sheriff's cars turned the corner in the parking lot with their lights flashing, hauling ass. They slowed down and asked Chris if he called them, and when he said no they tore off again. When we left the cops were at the front of the complex, and we didn't see anything except some broken glass on the ground.

As we were driving down the road, we saw three more cars heading in that direction. When we got back about 20 minutes later, the street was partially blocked and there were a total of 5 or 6 cop cars right at the entrance of the apartment complex. I don't know what was going on, but I was really curious. I didn't see any news vans so I doubt there's anything in the paper. Maybe the office will distribute some kind of FYI to all the residents on Monday.

27 November 2009

Hey there

Well, Thanksgiving in College Station was fun, and I didn't even get glutened. I hope everyone had a good one.

I went to this store called Village Foods and they had a ton of gluten free stuff, so I got a few things that I haven't seen in Houston, like instant oatmeal, croutons, and gravy mixes. Too cool.

Now I have to focus on getting all these assignments done before Monday. Ugh almost over!

24 November 2009

coffee & suckage

I have decided that I suck at making coffee. Even though I follow the directions and it should not be hard, every cup of coffee I make kinda sucks. I usually only take a few sips before it's either time to leave or I'm sick of coffee.

Yesterday really, really sucked. Among the suckage was problems with a printer too damn early, dropping my entire lunch on the floor, and getting caught in traffic from the train derailment and going wandering through the ghetto to find my way back home. Although I'm sure the guy driving the train had a worse day than me...

So I'm hoping today is a little better. Sucky coffee and all.

22 November 2009

looks just like it.

I volunteered to decorate my sister Suzy's cake for her birthday, and she wanted Hello Kitty. Well, I had to decorate it inside the pan so I opted to draw Hello Kitty on the cake. This is what I was going for:

And this is how it came out:

LOL I laugh every time I look at it. It came out more like Hello BUNNY. Still festive, but not exactly what I was going for. I guess I should have had some coffee before I started on it, huh?

In other, completely unrelated news, I want to join/start a jogging photography group... inspired by Yes Man.

21 November 2009

hang in there lappy

My computer is making funny noises. Please, please make it to the end of the semester before you die.

Fibrinolysis is so boring. I look at the page and all I see is numbers and letters. Snore.

19 November 2009

NOoOooO

Oh my gosh. Today = feeling like crapola. I thought I woke up feeling better because my sore throat was gone, but my sinuses started to feel worse on the way to school. I dragged myself through the practical this morning, not even really caring if that cell was a monoblast or a lymphoblast. I flew through slides and I just wanted to get out of the lab and go eat a little something and lay down.

I ate some chicken soup that made my stomach feel funky, and then forced myself to study with Kathy for a couple hours- feeling terrible. I seriously wanted to do nothing else but lay down but instead I tried to remember that theophylline is a broncodilator and it metabolizes to caffeine. I finally took some meds and my head cleared up a little, then a little while later my stomach calmed down.

I still feel bad. Just a stupid head cold but my appetite is lame. Even if I feel sick tomorrow I'm going to take that exam. No point in worrying about making it up when I've already been studying for it. So tired...

In the mean time, my momma loves me. I love coming home to treats on the counter, which has been a lot lately. Yesterday it was a box of fruit snacks and a ton of GF granola bars. Today there was a box of Honey Nut Chex, a smoke alarm (so I don't die an accidental firey death), and a box of herbal teas which I think I'm going to partake in very soon. <3

18 November 2009

I don't think so, sickly.

Just made myself some really good chicken & rice soup. I would have taken a picture but I forgot that my camera is in Vegas.

Not feeling very well. I felt a scratch in my throat yesterday afternoon. I was so tired that I went to bed at 8 and this morning I woke up with a sore throat and crappy sinues. Other than that I feel fine, just a little tired. I can NOT get sick. I have managed to avoid getting sick all semester and I'm doing my best to avoid it now.

Lab practical on leukemias tomorrow.
Friday- exam. Reproductive hormones assignment and tumor markers quiz due by 10pm. (Then Bob Saget!)
Saturday- sticks & studying for coag.
Sunday- really figure out this coag shit.
Monday- Coag Exam

THEN maybe I can get sick for a couple of days.

Back to toxicology/ therapeutic drug monitoring. Its actually neat stuff but there's SO MUCH to remember!!

17 November 2009

lipids, phlebotomy, and frisbee.

Man, what a long day. It was a good(ish) one, though.

I woke up really early to drop Chris off at his friend's house so he could take him to the airport. His friend lives near school and it saved him a 50-mile drive. He's going to Vegas for supernationals, which is cool for him and good for me because I need some undistracted study time. I hope he wins some big money and shares it with me. ;o)

This morning we drew blood so we could run our own lipid panels. Um, yeah. Mine were not so good. It's not fair- I actually eat vegetables and whole grains and all that crap, and other people eat fast food and don't take care of themselves, and they had better lipid panels than I did. Gay.

After lunch we had some extra time and I was feeling quite blah and tired, so I pulled the frisbee out of my locker and convinced Kathy and Trish to play with me. Man, I sucked at frisbee but I got better as we played a little bit. It was nice and chilly today, and it was fun to take a break and play a game.

Then after class I decided to go get some sticks. The deadline is fast approaching and I'd only gone that one time and was only halfway done. It was hectic and it didn't go very smoothly. There were a lot of hard sticks; not just mine but everyone's. I ended up getting 5 sticks after staying an hour and a half. 18 total and 7 more to go. There were no mean people this time either. Not too bad. At least I'm getting them done.

I had more to write about, but hell if I can remember what's gone on in my life. Yesterday feels like last week, and last week feels like last month. Only a few more weeks till Christmas break!

12 November 2009

grouch

I hate getting up early.

11 November 2009

coffeemakers & curse words

I've had my coffeemaker for over a year, and this is the first time I've set the "delayed brew" function. I was always scared it would start a fire or something. I'm sure they've tested it to make sure that doesn't happen, but I vaguely remember hearing a story when I was a kid about a house that was burned down on Christmas morning because of the delayed brew function on a coffeemaker. I don't even know if that's actually what happened, or that's what my kid-head assumed happened. Anyway, I have come to equate coffeemaker timers with sudden, firey Christmas doom. Why did I finally use it? Dunno, I guess to challenge my superstition and I thought it'd be neat to wake up to the smell of coffee. No, I thought the smell of coffee might help me drag my ass out of bed. Still not any more of a morning person... I'll keep ya'll posted...

I'm eating cinnamon chex for breakfast this morning, thanks to my awesome brother and sister who brought me some back from Food Town. I went from having a little cushion to being broke once again. I took out what I normally take out in loans, but I forgot to take into account the fact that I'm not working this semester. I'm going to be barely making it by the end of the year. Everyone's getting baked goods for gifts! Unless I can get a job for two weeks during my break. God, not retail...

I have an academic advising meeting with my instructor this morning. Hope that goes well. I think she'll just tell me that my grades are ok, to finish up my sticks, and make sure I'm on track for graduation. Oh, and tell me not to curse in lab. Yesterday I spilled something during a test we were performing and I said, "Shit!" Of course she had to be standing right in front of me. Not the worst thing to happen, but certainly not the most professional. I felt like a dope either way, especially when she (jokingly?) brought up later something about her "ears being assaulted." I'm probably thinking too much about it.

07 November 2009

inner peace

You know how sometimes life just kinda swoops you away and you're going along, and all of a sudden you stop, have a moment and realize just how damn happy you are?

Yeah. Having one of those.

Been having those a lot recently. I'll be driving home from school frustrated and exhausted and I'll stop at a stoplight and the thought will pop into my head, "I'm so happy." For no reason at all.

I don't know why. From the outside looking in I'm barely keeping my head afloat in a hurricane of schoolwork. Even my dreams are anxious. I have to actively sacrifice sleep and energy to fit my friends and family into my schedule. The other day I had studied all day for a test the next day and was about to go to sleep when Luke came into my room asking for chemistry help. I was tired, and I could have snapped at him for asking so late, but instead I just said yes and we worked on it for about an hour and a half. I was tired the next day, but I didn't regret it.

I don't know why, but I have a heightened sense of appreciation lately. For the things most of us take for granted on a day-to-day basis. I've been letting go of the piddly details that would normally frustrate me, and I'm looking at the big picture. Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by cancer patients. Maybe the lack of sleep and brain strain is making me crazy. Maybe my way of coping with this strenuous schedule is thinking about how much worse it could be. Maybe I'm just aware that I'm blessed with understanding friends and an awesome family. Whatever it is, it's keeping me at peace right now.

04 November 2009

drippity drip

Take a 6-minute break and get a glimpse of what my night was like... except Donald Duck doesn't say the f-word. Good thing I figured out what he didn't- you can turn the water off underneath the sink. Thank GOD!



*UPDATE*

I'm an auntie again!! Exciting stuff!
Here's my blog shout-out to Dayna- Congrats!!!

02 November 2009

tortellini & naps

It's another gorgeous day.
I made a great score on my exam this morning.
I found some homemade tortellini in the freezer and it's delicious. I need to start writing my recipes down because I have no idea how I made it.
I think I see a nap on the horizon.
Not bad for a Monday, huh?

01 November 2009

it's hard to study today


Hope everyone had a good Halloween! It was tons of fun carving pumpkins but once again, I spent the night studying instead of dressing up and going out. I hate this crap.

I knew med tech school was going to be hard but I didn't expect to give up my entire life to it. I honestly don't know how I manage to keep cramming stuff into my head. I feel like those information overload people on the bing commercials. I'm expecting it to start leaking out of my ears in some cartoon fashion. My dreams aren't dreams. They are half-awake review sessions of everything I tried to learn that day. I don't even want to dream about that stuff; I just do! Ugh.

Remember to change your clocks! It felt good to give this sleep-deprived body some extra rest this morning.

Also, I'm addicted to these sugar cookies. I can't stop eating them. I put the rest of the batch in the freezer in little balls, so all I have to do to make more is put them on a sheet and bake them. Best idea ever? Or sugar overload self-sabatoge? We shall see. For some reason all my body wants is sugar today. I tried to eat healthy but I just want sugar. I bet it's my brain working overtime screaming for more glucose. Yeah, that's it...

29 October 2009

Today.

Hoo I'm tired.

Highlights of my day:

1. I told Ashley she could do her "30 day shred" workout video in my room this morning, and I decided to join her. Holy crap I was DYING. I can see how that thing can work in just 30 days.

2. On the way to school I saw a spider on the windshield, and it crawled up on the visor. Just as I was thinking, "I should probably kill it so it doesn't fall on me," Yep, it fell on me. I screamed and tried to swat it off of me and not get into an accident on the freeway, and it fell somewhere beyond where I could see.

I took the next exit, and I happened to come upon a cop who had pulled someone over. Of course as I'm exiting he decided to cut me off and get back on the road, and as I was trying to find a place to pull over he was saying something over the loudspeaker that I just ignored. He must not have been talking to me because he didn't pull me over or anything. I got out, made sure the spider wasn't on me, and checked the car. Of course I didn't find the spider. I still don't want to think about where it went.

3. As I was coming up the escalator leaving school today, there was an old man at the top. When my friend and I got to the top, he asked us if we were leaving for the day. We said yes, then he started a conversation with us, asking if we were nurses. We said no, we were students, and that we were lab students. He joked in that old man flirty way that there were so many pretty nurses at the hospital. (I know this is coming out creepy, but it really was cute.)
He then said that his wife was there for chemo and that the hospital was so nice, and everyone was really nice. At that point we had reached the point where we had to turn on the skybridge to the parking garage, and wished him a nice day.
I felt kinda bad and wished I had a few free minutes to talk with him. He just seemed so lonely and sad and wanted someone to talk to while his wife was getting her treatment. I know it's silly, but I felt guilty for not stopping to talk with him more.

4. I got mexican food for dinner. Now I'm full, tired, and don't want to study any more. I think I'll go to bed early and get up early to study before the test. I wish I could say I'm looking forward to this weekend (especially because it's Halloween!), but it looks like my Halloween will be mostly full of studying. Ughh.

28 October 2009

snooze

My snooze button is getting a lot of attention this semester. I'm actually starting to wear it out and you have to push extra hard to get it to work.

Tomorrow is another lab practical with a split day, and I about jumped out of my seat volunteering for the afternoon group.

It's not that I'm staying up late; I'm going to bed at a decent hour every night. I just hate mornings. I have a feeling I'll be working second shift when I graduate...

27 October 2009

hoodie

I am thrilled. Today it is cold enough to rock the hoodie!! At least for the morning, anyway.

The high is supposed to be a beautiful 71 degrees, and I will be stuck in a lab all day. At least our lab has windows. Most labs don't. I hope I end up working in a lab with windows.

The cool weather is only going to last for today before it hits the 80s again. I hate Houston's weather.

24 October 2009

Noooo!

What a disastrous morning.

Last night I worked on the fondant pieces for Dayna's boat baby shower cake, and baked the cakes so this morning I would only have to put it together. It went smoothly, and things turned out really nice.

I got up this morning and put the cake together and it turned out really cute. As I was walking from the counter to put the cake on the table, I tripped over the little bin that I keep my cake decorating supplies in, and I dropped the cake.

I could see it in slow motion sailing through the air and landing in a pile... it was awful. Like something you'd see in a movie. I sat there for a second looking at it and I'm sure my mouth was hanging open, then I stooped down, grabbed a chunk, and ate it. It was delicious, of course.

After my slow-motion stupor ended, I screamed for mom and then we began a frenzy of running to the store to pick up some emergency cupcakes while I cleaned up the mess and tried to salvage some pieces. I was able to save the little fondant baby Stephen on a life preserver, and the life preserver that was stuck to the side of the boat. Thankfully, Sam's came to the rescue and whipped up some cupcakes really fast. I put the fondant life preservers on the cupcakes, but that's all I could do.

I can't believe I dropped that cake. I didn't even get a picture of it. I know Dayna understands, but I really wanted her to have a nice baby shower cake. And thank GOD we were able to get some cupcakes at the last minute. Maybe I can make up for it on his 1st birthday. ;o)

The shower was fun, but we had to leave kinda early because my mom wasn't feeling well. It was just a really strange morning/ afternoon.

22 October 2009

Hey look

We have a microscope in the lab that can take pictures. SUPER COOL.

Here's my blood... and one of my white blood cells. I think it's a reactive lymph.


Did urinalysis today. I was kinda disappointed that my results were unremarkable... but relieved at the same time. :o)

20 October 2009

it's gotta be at least thursday.

Today, I drove to school into the sunrise. Twelve hours later, I drove home into a rather cool-looking sunset.

Hungry, tired, ready for this week to be over but, surprisingly, not crabby.

19 October 2009

my task at hand

don't you worry just hurry
kuz you have got a lot to lose here
but I'm catching up on that lost sleep
do I have a lot to lose?

now run along kuz you had best be on your way
hey hey hey

A on my test this morning. Why do I still feel like I could have done better?

I'm not that much of an overachiever.

Time to read about cerebral spinal fluid analysis. Got some mike n ikes for company; I'm all set.

...Do I?

18 October 2009

who stole the cookies?

I made cookies this morning. The peanut butter ones with a Hershey's kiss in the middle. I had them in a bag sitting here all day while I've been studying (OMG SNORE!!).

The bag is empty now and I'm pretty sure it was me who ate them, but I don't remember eating them.
Hm.

17 October 2009

study break

It is a positively glorious day. Sunshiney and cool with a nice breeze. I think all the windows and doors being open is making my allergies act up; I've been fighting a bad headache for a few days.

Saw Couples Vacation last night with a few classmates & Akhtar. It was good for a few laughs and it felt nice to be out doing normal stuff. Came home to my family sitting in the backyard drinking around a fire. They ended up burning the old man chair. I swear we are so hillbilly sometimes, lol!

I went and got a little retail therapy this morning. Bought a shrug-type thingy from Ross. It's red and has sequins on it. I know that sounds tacky but it's actually really cute.

I think I'm on my way to the library to study. I haven't been doing as well as I'd like on my exams. I study and I think I know the material, but I miss enough little details that it brings my grade down. I think I'm just getting tired and it's harder to remember everything. This week I have three exams so I will be grouchy and tired and stressed. *sigh*

Haunted house tonight! That should be fun.
I hope this headache goes away.

15 October 2009

oogie boogie girl

I am a pretty clean person. In fact, I think I'm the cleanest person in this house. I keep things tidy, except for a little dust here and there. The rest of my family is pretty gnarly sometimes. I love you guys, but look at your freaking rooms. Nuff said.

Anyway, the point is I keep a pretty clean house.

SO why is it that I attract the strangest infestations of bugs? Giant mutant spiders (which, knock on wood, have been awol lately), moths multiplying in the pantry, a roach living in the kitchen that kept pooping in one corner, and now carpet beetles in the old man chair! I don't get it!

Now I have the heebie jeebies because when we moved the chair there were a ton of beetles/ larvae under it and I had to vacuum them all up. GROSS!!

The chair went outside SO FAST and I've been banished from my room until the poison my dad sprayed dissipates.

Yuck.

oatmeal for breakfast

It's fucking early.

I have to be at school at 7.

Yesterday afternoon I was tired but I didn't want to nap, because then I wouldn't fall asleep at bedtime. So, I drank one of those bottled frappucinos and a cup of tea at around 3. I stayed up and got some good studying in. Then I went and walked/ran at about 530, hoping to tire myself out, and it worked.

I went to bed at about 9, and tossed and turned until 11 or so- of course. My brain was awake even though my body was pooped.

Woke up at 4 to let pumpkin out. I normally don't have a problem going back to sleep, but I laid there awake until 5, which is when my alarm goes off- but I never actually get up until a variable number of snooze buttons later. Since I was awake, and had been awake for an hour, I got up and got ready.

I usually wear at least mascara every day. I think it does wonders to make me look awake. I haven't worn makeup in about a month because I've been tired and don't have much time in the morning. In fact, most of the girls in my class don't wear makeup. No surprise there.
Anyway, since I had extra time I swiped some mascara on my lashes. Now my eyes are kinda itchy and watery. Was it always this way? Did I just never notice it and now I do because I haven't worn it in such a long time? Dunno, but I wish I had left them alone. I've gotten used to being able to rub my eyes whenever I want.

I can feel some kind of sinus issue trying to make me sick. I'm fighting it. I can't get sick!

There are coffee grounds in my cup. Balls.

12 October 2009

attack!

Dude, it happened again.

I was sitting in class, feeling really hungry, when I started to feel lightheaded, weak, and shaky.

Then I felt like I was dunked into a tub of icy hot, and my head started feeling intensely tingly and I knew I was having another one of those strange moments. I couldn't get up and walk out because I was afraid I'd fall down, so I just put my head in my hands and tried to be discrete.

Then I could see the blackness coming in out of my peripheral vision, but I knew that I wouldn't actually pass out because I haven't when this has happened before. I just closed my eyes and waited for it to pass. I couldn't hear anything, I couldn't see anything.

I broke out in a cold sweat and I could feel my forehead getting clammy, and my heart was pounding.

I don't know how long it lasted, but it felt like forever. I am so glad it passed before the lecture was over, but I felt exhausted and shaky and my stomach felt crappy.

I went down to lunch, but I couldn't eat anything because my stomach was so upset, so I left early for the day.

I took a little nap and my stomach feels a little better but now my head hurts.

What the heck is this? I haven't noticed a correlation between the few times that it has happened. Once was driving down the freeway, once was in the middle of the night during a migraine, once was when I was changing my prilosec dosage, and this one was in the middle of freaking class when I was starving.
They seem to be getting less intense each time it happens. Really odd.

11 October 2009

wishing

I wish I had the means to jet away to California whenever I wanted to.
Even when it's deliciously rainy and chilly and calm here.
I always want to run away to the west coast whenever I start to hate my life here. As if my problems couldn't possibly catch up with me 15oo miles away. Wouldn't it be nice?

Do I feel a huge amount of resentment that the main problem I'd like to run away from gets to be there, tainting my oasis? Is that fate or just cruel fucking irony? I wish I had that figured out.

I wish I wasn't so exhausted.

Even though I'm working really hard towards a goal and in the long run I like what I'm doing, I feel like I'm just on autopilot: learn the material, take a test. Every single day like a broken record. It's a necessary thing; you have to learn what you're doing before you can apply it.
I just wish I felt like I had a purpose on a day-to-day basis. It's been a long time since I felt like I've contributed anything to someone else's life, and it makes me feel useless.

I wish I was able to spend more time with my friends. There is just not enough time in the day and not very much energy in my bones when I do have the time. At least next week will be my last week with 3 exams. It starts to become more manageable after that and I will be able to breathe.

Do I nap? Or do I try to recreate a GF version of those pumpkin tarts Missy brought over yesterday?

Oh- and I decided to send my grandma flowers- sorry Tony, the rollerblades will have to wait till Christmas.

09 October 2009

Hmm.

What do you get an 87-year-old for her birthday?
By that age you pretty much have everything you need, and I don't want to give her a boring gift like socks or slippers.

I need suggestions!

08 October 2009

how?

So yesterday I studied a small amount while I was waiting at the car place. I went home to my disgusting living space, because I've been putting studying before cleaning. I did the dishes, vacuumed and swept the floors, cleaned off the table that always turns into the "clutter table," changed my bedsheets, and felt a lot better.

Then, while making a potentially perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies, I discovered only after adding in the chocolate chips that a moth had taken them over. EEEEeeewww. I sadly threw out the cookie dough, and brought ice cream instead. Last night I went through my pantry looking for more moths, fearing another infestation. I didn't find any, but now I have a really clean pantry.

I headed over to see Dayna and Scott, who I haven't seen in at least a month. I had a great time.

I woke up this morning realizing that I have a full day of lab ahead of me, I woke up tired, and I am probably going to be exhausted at the end of it. Have I studied for the test Friday morning? Nope. It's ridiculous that I've studied all week (for other tests), but taking the time to clean my house and have dinner with my friend puts me so far behind. All I wanted was one evening that didn't consist of straight studying.

Ok, venting over. Time to study before class.

07 October 2009

rude people and breaks

-I took my car in after class today to get the radio looked at. I don't know what was going on, but the guy helping me was RUDE. He was super short with me when he was asking questions about what was wrong, so I figured he was having a bad day and tried to be extra nice with my tone.

Then he held the door open for me and I followed him to my car. He got in the front seat, so I got in the passenger seat. I figured he wanted me to tell him what was wrong with the radio. He sat there for a second, wrote something down, then got out and wrote something off the windshield, shut the door, and left. All without a word or a glance in my direction.

I figured he left to get something so I sat there for a second. Of course I was a little confused until I realized that instead of saying, "Oh hey I just need to write some stuff down. You can go wait inside," he was going to straight up ignore me and be a huge dick. I dont know what crawled into his panties, but I hope karma gets him back for being a douche to me for no reason.

The plus side? I get a brand new radio thingy, and it's covered under warranty. The part doesn't come in until November, but at least now I don't have to worry about the warranty expiring.

-My mom must be worried about me, because I got flowers and a card (and a random bag of mini marshmallows?) today. It's pretty badass that my parents randomly tell me they're proud of me when they know I've been working my ass off lately.

I should have gotten it from a higher angle so you can actually see the flowers, but I don't feel like messing with it. :oP

-I actually got a 100 on my exam today even though I studied only a few hours for it. The instructor decided to make like 85% of the exam from the questions in the back of each chapter, word-for-word. I studied mainly from those, so I felt almost like I was cheating when I was taking the exam. That, and she gave a 10-point bonus question. What a nice little break and confidence booster after that last exam...

-Dinner at Dayna's tnite. I haven't seen her in a while and I'm really looking forward to it.

We got out of class early today, so maybe I have time to nap... or study... or nap. I just changed my sheets and you know that's like the best thing ever.

06 October 2009

?

I miss her. :o/

Don't feel like elaborating.

No time to study for this test tomorrow.
Feeling blah, tired, and down.

03 October 2009

wah wah

You know how a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was stressed and would probably cry soon? Well, I never did until last night.

I was pissed off about something unrelated to school, and I called Chris to get out of the house. I went over there and started to heat up a frozen dinner while bitching to him about what I was mad about. Well, he disagreed and told me to be more understanding about the whole thing. First of all, I am a very understanding person and I felt I was justified to be pissed off.

For some reason that was the tipping point. I've been sleep-deprived and brain-stuffed for a few weeks now. My unknown in lab took longer than I thought, was more stressful than I thought, and I left school feeling strung out with a bad headache. Then I came home, got pissed off on top of things, then I got criticized by the one person who I thought would back me up.

I had my back to him in the kitchen, and he was on the couch in the living room. I could feel the frustration and the urge to cry start creeping up, but I didn't want to start bawling over something stupid in the middle of his kitchen. I'm more of a private crier. So, I tried to vent and calm down by flinging and slamming things around in the kitchen.

1. I don't know if anyone else is this way, but if I'm about to cry I can hold back tears, take a few deep breaths and wait for it to pass- unless someone asks what's wrong. I don't know, it's like those words automatically make me cry.
2. I can also usually avoid crying if I can keep my mouth closed and I don't have to speak. If I open my mouth and try to talk, it will always come out shaky and high-pitched like I'm about to cry, and then of course I do.

So, of course, my little tantrum in the kitchen provokes Chris to ask me a question, to which I don't respond otherwise I would violate rule #2. Then, my silence provokes him to ask the dreaded rule # 1 question. Goddammit.

I really tried hard not to, but I started crying (as quietly as possible). Even with my back to him I knew by then that I had his attention and he was wondering why the fuck I was crying while stirring my meal.

So, I cried and blubbered a little bit. The thing is, I felt like I could cry for a long time. It wasn't one of those quick, "have a cry and feel better" moments. However, I wasn't going to sit there and have a long cry in Chris' living room and freak him out even more, so I sucked it up.

So, after my unsatisfying crying session, I have a feeling in the near future something small and insignificant will set me off again. Joy.

On an unrelated note, the breast cancer walk was kinda cool. I kinda want to get a big group together next year and wear t-shirts that say something funny and witty about boobs. Oh yeah, and raise money for the Susan G. Komen organization.

02 October 2009

dreams and morning mayhem

I had some stressful dreams last night. I studied aplastic anemias before bed, and in my dreams I was frantically trying to diagnose people based on their MCV and reticulocyte counts. I remember halfway waking up and hearing some major thunder.

At about 715 I was woken up by the muffled voice of my mom screaming up the stairs, and the thunk of my brother falling out of bed and walking across the room, which is right above mine. Then pumpkin wanted to be let in, so I got up and let her in. I flopped back on the bed facedown, and in a few minutes mom cracked open the door whispering, "Jen, are you sick?" I mumbled into the pillow that I didn't have to be at school till 1. Then, I heard my dad whistling and getting stuff ready in his truck, which is right outside my window. At that point, I figured God wanted me out of bed, so I got up. I slept in a little bit...

In other fabulous news, that major thunder I thought I heard brought some cool air through! I've got the door open and I'm enjoying the slightest of bites in the air.
My plan is to study today and tonight, get up early and walk for breast cancer tomorrow, and study till the evening. I miss my friends and I want to go out dammit. My cleavage hasn't been exposed in far too long.

30 September 2009

hump day update

-My newest creation:


I have made other ones besides white, I just haven't taken any pictures. Now if only I had an opportunity to wear it.

-The toilet is fixed. Now I don't have to put on pants and trip over laundry baskets to go pee.

-I just realized that I don't get to sleep in for 2 Saturdays in a row because this weekend is the breast cancer walk. Friday we have a practical and there is a morning and afternoon group. Most people want to get the morning group so they can finish early, but I'd love to sleep in and take the practical in the afternoon. I think I can ask to be in the afternoon group. I miss sleep dearly.

-We got news today that they were going to start enforcing the "no food or drinks" policy in classrooms. GAY. I totally count on lecture time as time I can snack so I'm not starving during the day, or if I'm running late I can eat my dry cereal and drink my coffee during lecture. Even our teacher doesn't like the change. She likes her coffee just as much as everyone else.

-Holy crap, tomorrow is the first day of October already. I hope it cools down soon because this heat blows.

-At some point here soon, I'm going to try and make my own hard candy. I'll let you know how that goes...

28 September 2009

say what?

This is too good to not post.

My brother started to google something about Henry Ford. He didn't get very far before he ran into my room laughing hysterically and took over the mouse.

(click on the picture to make it bigger)

What the hell? LOL random...

Try it!

26 September 2009

let me see your veins

I got up early this morning- my day to sleep in- to head to the clinic and get some sticks in. I knew what I was doing, but my heart would pound every time I did a stick. Most of the patients were super nice, and they're used to being stuck daily. I only missed 3 people's veins, and they said they were hard to begin with. One man came in saying he was a difficult one and he'd give me three tries, and I got him right away. One lady had such bad bruises that I felt bad even poking her again. Two people said they didn't even realize I'd stuck them until they heard me popping tubes. Hellz yeah.

Overall, I'm glad I finally got in to break the ice, and now I just have to pop in whenever I can to finish them up. Now it won't be in the back of my mind all the time. One less thing!

Gotta study- hoping I can catch some of the coogs game tnite.

Oh yeah:

Photo Challenge: Plants

Super awesome? I think so.

23 September 2009

wacky wednesday

I can't believe it's only Wednesday. I am seriously going to have to lower my standards if I want to keep myself sane. Do I really have to make A's? Hm...

Today I saw another body. I was waiting for the elevator with a few of my classmates to go get lunch. It was after an early exam and a particularly dry lecture on automated instrumentation, and I was in a really burnt-out slap-happy mood.

The elevator doors opened, and we were greeted with a human form inside a red velvet bag. Try to imagine the trail my eyes took: from the doors to the edge of the stretcher, to the velvet-covered feet, up the lumps and forms of the body, to the man standing at the head of the stretcher.

The man was the cutest little old man you ever saw. Not frail, but not huge either. White hair, round friendly face. He looked like he should have been working behind a soda counter way back in the day instead of rolling a body around.

Anyway, he looked up at us, and I'm sure our faces were priceless. He smiled and and said, "There's room for more!" I'm sure you're thinking he probably said it in a slightly mocking way, but he sounded as genuine as a guy that's standing in the elevator all by himself. If this was a movie and the body wasn't in the shot, you'd think you were being invited to sit at the soda counter to have a treat.

Well, there were quite a few of us and if we all squeezed in, we'd most definitely be squished up against the body. Kinda smiling awkwardly, we declined and said we'd wait for the next elevator.

Once inside the next elevator we all kinda laughed, and just as the doors were opening at the next floor I said rather loudly, "Since when do they put bodies in red velvet bags??" Of course, the cute old man was wheeling by just as I said that, and I hope he didn't think I was being rude. Doesn't matter now! Either way I'm guessing the bodies are going to be a regular occurence.

I also fell into a giggling fit in the middle of lecture today when my instructor accidentally said "little bitty tit cell" instead of "little bitty red cell." I whispered to Kathy, who was sitting next to me, "Did she just say little bitty TIT cell?!"
She started laughing, which set me off, and we both sat there trying not to laugh, which made us laugh harder. I felt like a little kid again goofing off in class. Of course the instructor called us out and asked what was so funny, and when we told her no one else laughed. Wow, I felt like a dorkus and quickly sobered up and tried to focus on the lecture. I was partially successful, and my eyes glazed over a few times.

Like I said, I was super slap-happy today.

Oh yeah, remember how I said the plumber was coming "tomorrow?" Well, I think we all knew in reality that wasn't happening. It's an enormous pain in the ass to not have a working toilet and I really hope it's not one of those home projects that sits there unfinished for months...

22 September 2009

chill out

Today I went to grab my cell phone, but I couldn't find it. I looked around for a bit, in the couch cushions and my pockets, then decided that it was probably on my car seat or dropped on the ground next to the car.

Except, I couldn't find my keys. I looked in the door to see if I forgot to take them out when I came in, and they weren't there. They weren't in the bathroom, my purse, my desk drawers, etc.

I looked around for a good fifteen minutes wondering where on earth I could have lost both my cell phone and my keys, since I have to have my keys to get in the door and I remember taking my cell phone off of the cigarette lighter charger.

Where did I eventually find them? The fridge, all nice and cold. I probably put them there, but I don't remember that at all.

I think I'm cracking up ya'll, haha.

21 September 2009

my life.

Study. Sleep. Wake up, take a test.
Talk about the test with classmates.
Start studying for the next test.
Sleep. Wake up, go to lab all day.
Study, go to sleep. Wake up, take a test.
Talk about the test with classmates.
Start studying for the next test.

repeat for the next three months.



Oh, by the way, my dad tried to fix my toilet yesterday.

A ton of curse words, a few toilet-water-soaked towels, some banging around, and a ton of lysol, bleach, and paper towels later, I have a dry toilet sitting in my bathroom and the sewer hole blocked up with a towel. Apparently the "filange" is broken. Whatever that is. The plumber comes tomorrow. In the meantime when I got up in the middle of the night to pee I banged straight into the door face-first trying to use my parents' bathroom. Nice.

19 September 2009

studying & shoes

I am having a really hard time studying at home today. I kept getting distracted, so I headed to the public library.

I couldn't find a table with a working plug near it, so I stretched the cord to the nearest outlet. I knew someone would eventually tell me it was a safety hazard, but I got a really good hour of studying in before I got caught. Then the battery was dying, so I came home. I get into a great study mode at the library, but when I come home there are so many distractions.

I need different surroundings. I might even drive up to school just to get some uninterrupted, un-distracted studying done.

Speaking of not studying, this morning my mom took us shopping. I got some dangly earrings, a cute shirt, and some socks and shoes. All on sale. Kohl's rocks.

Now, I don't wear tennis shoes very often. I pretty much wear them only when I exercise.
I have two pairs: one pair I stole from Ashley many years ago, and another pair that I got as a birthday gift a couple years ago. That means I have not actually shopped for a pair of tennis shoes in many, many years.

Today I decided that I need a new pair since I wear them every day with scrubs. I sat there for a while trying on shoes. Comparing brands, prices, comfort, sizes, color, etc. I never put so much thought into a pair of tennis shoes, but I wanted some that fit me really well.
I finally decided on these:

I think I'm going to like them!

I really need to get back to studying, and I'm going to regret not studying tomorrow when I get into panic mode.

18 September 2009

forreal?

Getting some progress regarding financial aid. One small step...

Made a lunch bag similar to this one. I'm diggin' it.



Oh, by the way, Glade Plug-ins Clean Linen scent sucks. You can't even smell it. I have a very sensitive sense of smell, so if I can't smell it you know it's not working. I don't know if any of the other scents smell stronger, but if you want a noticeable smell, don't buy Clean Linen.

School is absolutely nuts. I'm doing pretty well so far, but keeping up is a constant uphill battle. Studying every night. Waking up super early. Three exams next week. Four assignments due. Sticks on Saturday. I can't believe it is only going to get busier as the semester wears on.

Wearing scrubs every day makes getting ready super easy, but I'm starting to get tired of wearing the same blah thing. I'm trying to jazz things up with hair accessories and big dangly earrings, but any other jewelry is impractical and looks funny. Any ideas to combat scrubs burnout is appreciated!

Time to start crackin' on the chem exam Monday.

16 September 2009

financial PAIN-in-my-ass

So, I'm kinda worried.

I have tried to be very patient. It is about a month into school and I still do not have any financial aid. I don't even know how much I'm getting.

I have called the financial aid office many times. Sometimes I am able to talk to the lady handling my account, and sometimes I have to leave a voicemail which she never returns. Same goes for emails. It's like my messages go into a black hole.

When she's not in the office, sometimes I can talk to someone else. About half the time I get, "Your award letter is ready to be mailed. You should get it in the mail some time this week." The other half I get, "It's still under review."

Um, okay. Because that makes sense.

I was able to max out my credit card paying the first tuition installment, but the next payment is due next week and I keep getting dicked around.
I honestly don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get the money by then. I'm not working and I don't have any more room on my credit card. I'm not spending any extra money at all, and my meager savings will only cover my car/cell payment for so long.

I don't understand why this is taking so long and why I'm being told two different things. I sent an email to one of the people that is a little higher on the food chain than the lady I've been talking to, and hopefully soon I can get some answers.

Cross your fingers, send good vibes, prayers, etc, because this effing blows. I don't need to worry about this AND my mountians of schoolwork.

15 September 2009

my head hurts.

What a horribly busy week. So tired, not enough time in the day to get everything done. As soon as one thing gets done, two more are piled on top. It's only Tuesday and I'm soooo overwhelmed! 'Overwhelmed' seems to be the theme of this semester.

I'm not in a bad mood, I'm just soo tired and my mind is going over 50 billion things all at once.

Tears are imminent. Then, I will probably feel better.

13 September 2009

Sunday & links

Oh, the bittersweet Sunday. Still a free day, but you know you know you gotta get your shit together for the week.

I saw Extract last night. It was pretty good; about what you'd expect. After the movie we got some dessert at 59 diner. It was fun, and it was really nice to get away from the books for a while.

Some links to things I like:

-The Edge Brownie Pan. For the edge-brownie lovers like me. It even comes with a free spatula. It's not really a new product anymore, but it's still really cool.

-Quizlet. I just discovered this website because my classmates use it to share study notes. At first I was skeptical, but I really love it. Basically you make flash cards, and then you can test yourself a few different ways.
My favorite is to use the "learn" method. It gives you a term, and you have to type in the answer. If you get it wrong, it re-tests you on those terms until you get it right. It's basically like writing these things over and over until they're in your head really well. I find it better than using regular flash cards, because I learn better when I write/type things than when I just try to arbitrarily remember them.
It's also really cool because you can share flash cards. I can use any set that my classmates post, and sometimes they think of things that I forgot, or they have a different perspective that's easier to remember.
It's a very cool new study technique. I did pretty well on our first exam and that's the only thing I used to study.

-My sister Suzy has a new project: 365 Days of Suzy. A photo every day for a year. It's a great idea and I hope she keeps it up. Check it out.

-A reusable lunch bag tutorial. I bring my lunch every day for two reasons. 1: the obvious fear of being glutened and the hassle of asking questions in the busy hospital cafeteria. 2: it's cheap!
My lunch is usually more than can fit in a normal brown bag-sized bag, and this little tote bag looks so easy and cute. I am very paranoid about leaks, though, so I think I'd use oilcloth, a plastic-lined tablecloth, or make the inner layer a cheap shower curtain liner. Hm, should I do this today? Or should I resume studying? We shall see...

-Another cute idea I found at that same blog.

Okay, time to get a move on. Happy Sunday.

12 September 2009

sleep, hobbies

After that baking soda post, I thought, "Wow. I'm a loser. I'm writing about baking soda." It doesn't make me love baking soda any less, but it does remind me that I kinda have no life right now. These past few weeks my life has consisted of school, sleep, and occasionally hanging out with my friends. Mostly going to school, coming home, and trying to study before I get too tired to retain anything.

Although I'm loving school, it's super tiring and we get a TON of information every day. Like I said, it's overwhelming. But I love it. Strange dynamic. So, I have a feeling my blog posts are going to consist of: Today I learned how to perform a saline replacement for lipemic or icteric specimens. Or: Today I learned how to determine hematocrit and red blood cell indices. Super cool for me, not so interesting for you normal non-dorky, non-lab-loving folks. I apologize.

This type of lifestyle, as practical as it is, is going to get old and I'm going to burn out real quick. Once I get used to this new "getting up before dawn" sleep schedule, I need a cheap, interesting hobby that doesn't take up too much time.

I'm also thinking that I'm going to make myself take a break from studying one night a week. Make it my designated "fuck schoolwork" time. Obviously, I can't plan this the night before an exam, and we have exams every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'm thinking Saturday night would work. I just need to get away from my desk, away from my computer, away from my books, and actually spend time with my friends.

I think the biggest problem is that I'm NOT used to getting up at 5am. I'm the type of girl who needs her full 8 hours, so that means getting to bed at 9. It's been getting easier to go to sleep at 9, because I'm so exhausted I hit the pillow and sleep hard till my alarm goes off.

Then on the weekends I stay up late like normal, and sleep in until noon. That can't be helping, and I need to keep my weekend schedule closer to my weekday schedule. Last night I went to bed at 11 and I woke up this morning at 8. I'm still so tired that I did some laundry and forgot to put soap in it. Oops, haha.

I think things will start to get easier soon.

11 September 2009

baking soda love

Time for a domestic post.

I love baking soda. It's cheap, and if you google it, you can find a bajillion things to do with it. Some things sound a little, "ehhh," but here are some things I actually use it for.

-Obviously, in baking. Use it when there is an acidic ingredient, such as cocoa, molasses, brown sugar, or applesauce. Use 1/8 t. baking soda for every 1 c. flour.
You can also use it to create rise in vegan recipes. Use 1 t. baking soda and 1 T. vinegar to replace the egg. I've tried it and it really works.


-Anything smelly gets a dose of baking soda.

I've used it in the kitty litter box, but don't really have that problem anymore since she goes outside.

Sometimes after I store something really garlicky in a food container it will still smell after washing. Stick some baking soda in there and let it sit for a couple days.

Smelly shoes? Fill an old sock with baking soda and shove it in there when they're not being worn. Or better yet, buy new shoes!

If a drain is smelling funky or gets sluggish, pour some baking soda down the drain and follow up with some vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with water.

Also, there have been plenty of times when food has become baked on to a pan or dish, and baking soda really makes cleaning easier.

I keep a small dish full of baking soda in the freezer, and I have a cute little penguin that you can fill with baking soda for the fridge. There are little holes in his back that let the air flow through. I think I got it at a garage sale for 25 cents years ago. Go me!


-I keep a small container in my bathroom and I use it to:

Polish my teeth and freshen my breath- just sprinkle a little on the toothbrush/toothpaste and brush as usual. Don't do this every day because it might irritate your gums.

Exfoliate my face. A lot of exfoliators are too grainy and harsh for the face, but a paste of baking soda and water works great. It's a fine grain and isn't irritating.

Sometimes during the summer I'll dust a little on my underarms after applying antiperspirant. Let's be honest, no amount of deoderant/antiperspirant can keep you from sweating in the middle of July. Extra smell protection is always good.

I clean my combs and hairbrushes by soaking them in a baking soda/ warm water combo. I just fill the sink before I leave in the morning and come home to clean brushes. Easy peasy.

Okay, that's enough baking soda love. Do you use it for something that I forgot to mention?