so weird.

Two items of weird today. Sad or funny one first?

Funny. Actually, it's not funny at all. It's DISGUSTING.
So I'm napping in my mom's bed because hers is the most comfortable, and her dog Benji, who I hate, is lying there with me. He jumps off and then sneaks under the bed. I assumed it was to follow our cat PepperAnn because they like to cuddle sometimes, so I looked to see what was going on. It was then I found out that Benji is an underwear snatcher. He has 4 pairs of my (clean) underwear that he's collected under my mom's bed and is cuddling with them. Only MY underwear. I've learned one thing today, and it's to put my stuff in drawers. But, it just boggles my mind. I don't really have underwear just lying around. I'm thinking he went through my bags. And WHY not anyone else's underwear? My sister/mom had theirs all over the place this past week.

Sad and short.
I woke up today at an embarrassingly late hour, went into the kitchen, and my mom's looking at me weird. She goes, "Amy, why were you crying this morning?" I swore up and down I wasn't crying. She then told me at 9:30 this morning she hears me break into sobs for about 10 minutes. The dogs were outside of my door worried. So, I was crying hysterically while sleeping this morning. I remember what I was dreaming about, but I'm not going to share it just because it IS something that upsets me, even though it shouldn't. But still, I dream about this thing a lot so I wonder how many times I actually cry in my sleep. I didn't know I did that.


p.s. Kevin says.... "WHY YOU No HAF BOyFrAnnNnN?!"
Good question. Point to ponder.

sweet home.

Well...Sometimes. Bittersweet, I guess.
But these nights are what I live for. Obviously i had a lovely time yesterday due to Thanksgiving. I ate about a million pounds of food, more or less. It was glorious. My family is beautiful...Once I get pictures I'll post them. I enjoyed every minute I spent with them in Connecticut (minus the 5 hour drive). My baby cousin is 5. How did he get so big? I just don't comprehend little kids becoming big...It's not fair. My cousin Devin and I have much more in common than I thought; We had a lot of fun together. A Fine Frenzy, Meiko, and Regina Spektor were all included on our playlist last night while hanging out in her room. I haven't hung out with her in over 5 years. It was definitely amazing. Plus, I got 2 books out of it. "The Philosophy of Andy Warhol" and "Prozac Nation". I'm officially in reading mode, watch out world.
Right now, I'm having a girl's night (plus Kevin) at my mom's. Watching "The Sweetest Thing", loving life and loving the comfort of home. Late night Thanksgiving leftovers are what I am most looking forward to. Turnips, turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, need I say more? Maybe this was pointless, but right now I am so content.

P.S. All of my friends are out at bars...Where am I? LOVING my family. Even if some of them aren't related to me.

breaking.

Break.
It's been lots of late nights, but totally fun and worth it.
I love my family, even though they're loud and crazy sometimes.
It's been movie day. We're still in our Pajamas and it's 4:50pm. Ordering pizza and staying in. On movie number two. First was "The Taking of Pelham 123"- I don't remember the last time I got so into a movie, it was so intense and the actors were PHENOMENAL. Right now, "Sugar and Spice". Highly embarrassing to admit I'm watching that.
Tomorrow, going to Connecticut.
Happy Thanksgiving!!


p.s. 'Oceans' - The Format
Why am I scared of people in a room?
Why can't they see a good time are the people close to you?

These lyrics kind of remind me of tonight....The biggest party/bar night of the year, since everyone is home from college. I was invited to go out with a bunch of friends, but you know what I'm doing instead? Sitting home, playing with my sister and Kevin, possibly making forts and eating a lot of food. I think it beats a sweaty, crowded bar any day.
"You know the night life it's just not for me,
'Cause all you really need are a few good friends."

answers.

Laughter cures everything.
Watching TV in mom's bed makes life okay...But only if it's Ghost Hunters or THS Investigates.
Sometimes, all you really need are a few (or two, or one) good friends.
Home cooking is comforting.
Chelsea Handler is hilarious.
Lady GaGa is our Queen.

hope finds a way.

I'm avoiding studying at all costs.
It's been a while since I've posted about my student nurse experiences. Case of the seniors. However, right now I feel inclined to do so.
Once this semester, each of us in pediatrics gets to do a rotation in the specialty clinics. Today was my day. I was excited only because I didn't have to go in until 8am.
I was placed in the pediatric cancer specialty clinic, an outpatient clinic where kids go to get spinal taps, chemotherapy, infusions. There, I saw hope. I saw little kids with leukemia and cancer walking around with big smiles on their faces. They were the bravest little ones I've ever seen in my life. I saw their parents, carrying binders and folders filled with information, medication lists, blood counts. It was one big family, that clinic.
We can't say our lives are hard until we see these children and the optimism they carry with them. They light up a room with their big hearts, full of hope.


I saw a note on the bulletin board by a 7 year old girl. It said:
"Today is my last day of chemo, halleluia!! Now I don't have to go to the doctors for 3 months. I'll miss you." She listed all of her nurses and doctors who took care of her in a big heart.

My first two years of college, I was heavily involved in THON, a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon for these children with cancer at Hershey Medical center. Last year alone, they raised $7.5 million for the kids. Each year that number rises. THON is a schoolwide, year round ordeal at Penn State. It is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. These children treat THON like Christmas...They get to play with other kids who have the same struggles, and with cool college kids. Today, I saw what their lives were like. I will always remember today.

Cheers to...

Cheers to Pennsylvania, one of the most useless states out there.
Every year, my goal is to be a little more optimistic. This year, I'll set aside my hatred for this state and reflect on the good that has come of me living here.

1) Penn State. I'm not very grateful for some of the situations I've been put in, the lack of Church activities, the extreme overly-drunk students walking around 24/7 literally (me=negative Nancy), but I am grateful for being a part of this school. I can attest that they call it Happy Valley because of the school spirit and pride you feel on that campus. I remember walking plenty of times to class, taking a deep breath of air in and smiling because I went to such a great school on a beautiful campus.

2) Friends.

I'll be honest, I don't have a lot of close friends in Pennsylvania. I only really became close to 2 girls at main campus, and one was a friend from highschool, so I guess that doesn't count. So, albeit new friendships, I am thankful for friends here in Hershey. Cheers to sanity, or lack thereof.


3) NetFlix, scrapbooking, reading, Skyping....
Thanks to there being nothing to do in PA, I've found solace in getting that little red encased DVD in the mail. I reminisce monthly while trying to finish my New York City scrapbook, and sadly reflect back on the summer when I had it all. I read and read some more. I Skype (self explanatory).

4) Chocolate.
I live in "The Sweetest Place On Earth", (note: I am not grateful for living here).....Sometimes if you're lucky, while walking outside there's a hint of chocolate in the breeze. And it's not just me smelling things, it's real. The chocolate factory is pretty close by. On occasion, I'll lower my windows in my car for this reason. It smells good. But then there are bad days, when it's cow manure instead. It's basically Farmville out here (shoutout to farmville......not).




Pennsylvania and I have officially set aside our differences. I guess.

you don't know me...

Ha. Title is irrelevant. Usually they are. But to answer your question Shay (since you're like 1 of 3 that read my blog) but you were right, the last post title was a subliminal shoutout to Taylor Swift. I love that song.

I'm really feeling this 70 degree weather in the middle of November. Today is November 15th...This means exactly 6 months until I graduate. The countdown starts today. I feel like I can do this!!!

I went to my last Penn State football game as a student yesterday. It was the senior game. It was bittersweet. Not gonna lie, got a little teary eyed while watching the "senior video". I think it's because right now, I'm a part of something that's bigger than myself...I can affiliate myself with the Penn State students. Now, I can't anymore. Whatever. I'll get over it. I guess I'll still be "a part of something bigger": 1 of every 127 Americans with a college degree is a Penn State grad. So I guess I'll be in good company. In NYC, I'm sure that statistic will be even higher thanks to the concentration of people.
Honestly though, going on campus today, I felt so old. 3 out of 4 people I passed were little youngsters. The freshmen start to look like little babies to me. Too bad I was one of them 3 years ago, looking all confused roaming the campus.

This is me from the first week of freshmen year: Background, the dorms. Find me in the crowd of girls who I ceased to be friends with shortly after fall semester. Oh, the mems.