stuff i'm doing

I feel like my semester is going pretty well, so far. I'm keeping up with my homework and the hundred other pieces of crap she assigns us on a daily basis, and I still have time for other frivolities. I've been cross-stitching, reading (non-school stuff), and have recently acquired a slight addiction to Mahjongg.

I got it free from somewhere online, loaded it onto the computer, and now Vic & I are trying to like heck to beat it! It's not the regular Mahjongg; there are other Jongg-like games and we've made it our mission to win them all. I think it just gives us both something extra to bitch about.

random things

Random things:

* It's been really freaking cold here lately. So cold, that we're almost out of wood again! We really love our fires.
* I was really sick Monday. I just couldn't stop yakking. Vic says it's the peanut butter M&Ms I ate the night before. Whatever it was, I'm fine now.
* It seems as though our cell phone bill is way too high. My phone is at least 3 years old, so I don't think I should have to pay as much as people with really nice tricked-out phones.
* Having other people's blood and body parts on me doesn't gross me out as much as I think it should. I actually think it's kinda cool.
* I'm making nachos for dinner tonight.
* My jeep needs desperately to be washed. It's all the salt used to melt the snow on the roads. My black jeep is almost white!
* Invariably, my nose always itches after I'm gowned & gloved in the OR.

looking back, looking forward

Shannon In the Bayou
Originally uploaded by wahoo1265

Looking back, 2008 probably wasn’t the best of years for me. This was the year I lost my best friend, Shannon, we didn’t travel as much as we would’ve liked, the Tigers had a losing season, and it seemed like I was always busy with school. But when I think back on 2008, it’s the good memories that come to mind first. Shannon and I spent a lot of lovely evenings on the patio listening to birds, I finally started on a new career path, and the three of us (Vic, Shannon, & I) did make it up to the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. So I guess the past year, like most years, had its share of ups and downs. And I’m sure this year will probably be similar ~ but I’m really hoping for more ups.

The next six months are going to be tough, but by the end of the year I hope to be finished with school, be firmly settled in a fantastic new job, be a few pounds lighter, and hope to welcome a new addition to the family (I think Shannon would like that). Every January I resolve not to make resolutions, but I think that for 2009 I’m going to make just one. I’d really like 2009 to be a happier year. I’d like to travel more, bike more, relax more, and I’d really like the Tigers to pull their heads out of their collective asses and win more! I’m looking forward to a 2009 filled with promise!

week 1 at the hospital

Last Monday, the day before my first externship day, I realized that I wasn’t nervous like everyone else in my class. That made me nervous. I just didn’t think there was anything to be frightened about. I figured that if thousands of other people can graduate school and become surgical technologists, then certainly I could, too! And, at the end of my first week, I still believe that. Everyone has been very helpful, very patient, and very kind ~ this really makes all the difference in the world when you're learning something new. I've seen some icky stuff, some boring stuff, and a lot of interesting stuff this past week. I'm looking forward to next week!

first day results

My day was long, I'm super tired, and I still have that zit. Oh, and there are a ton of surg techs working there that graduated from my school, so that's good news!

oh zit!

I'm a little nervous tonight because tomorrow is my very first clinical in a real live hospital with real live surgery-getting people. And of course, I have a zit the size of Ohio on my chin.

too much snow

It's not looking like this is going to be my weekend for the DIA. I woke up Saturday morning to find it snowing. It started sometime during the night, and by the time I awoke we had about 2" of snow on the ground. It snowed the entire Saturday ~ sometimes just light flurries, but mostly great big scary monster flakes. Our neighbor snowblowed our driveway twice yesterday just to keep up with the blizzard! So, we spent the day catching up on TV shows we recorded and we started the second season of The Tudors (Anne gets a major neck ache in a few more episodes!). It was actually a great way to spend a chilly weekend. Shannon would've loved the snow and the warm cuddles in front of the fireplace!

Vic measuring the snow Saturday afternoon.

starting anew

Today was my last day of work. Everyone made snackies and the boss bought my little group lunch ~ free snackies and lunch is always a good thing! This was really a great bunch of people to work with and I'm sad to leave them. I've had plenty of jobs in my life, and working with people you like really makes all the difference. I'd like to think we'll all see each other again, though. Well, we'll definitely see each other next Friday when I pick up my final paycheck...but then we'll see each other again after that. It's kind've scary to leave one job for another (especially when the other job is unpaid labor!), but any fresh start is always a little challenging.

The plans for this weekend are to finally go to the DIA. The plans are also for it to snow 8", so we may put the DIA on hold (again!) and just plop in front of a warm fire and watch recorded things. I'm okay with either one. I'll let you know...

joy, luck

In a direct act of defiance against the start of the new school semester and the loads of studying I'll have to do, I have started a new cross-stitch and a new book. Go me! The cross-stitch is entitled "Dreaming of Tuscany." It doesn't look too difficult, so hopefully this will be a nice relaxing break from the stresses of school.

The book I've just begun is The Joy Luck Club. I picked it up years ago at one of the library book sales and have been saying I'm going to get around to reading it for as long as it's been on our bookshelf. It may have actually made the move with us from Florida! But anyways, I'm finally going to read it ~ partly because it looks like a fairly easy read, and partly because I really like the title. I could use a little joy and luck in my life right about now. Maybe this will be a good omen!

positive thoughts

Today was the first day of my last week of work. This time next week I'll be a full-time student and be full-time unemployed. I'm terrified of both. What if I suck at what I do? Or what if I decide I just don't want to be a surg tech? Or what if I love what I do and I'm really good at it, but the people are all meanies? I'm trying to remain positive. Maybe if we all think positive thoughts, I'll live thru the next 6 months!

slide down...just relax

To celebrate the new year, I've scheduled myself for a combination mammogram and pap smear tomorrow. It will be a full day of womanly fun. Needless to say, the weekly "shaving of the legs" will take place tonight!