Inception-isms

It's the day after Christmas.

There's a blizzard outside.

I took a picture of Kevin in the middle of a busy street right outside of our apartment, the Queens Midtown Tunnel Exit.

Guess we had dreamt of a a White Christmas one day late.
It's still snowing. Blizzard of 2010 in New York, NY.

Inception-- If you haven't seen the movie, it's mind-blowing. I have seen it only once...Months ago when it was in theaters. But let's get to the point here. The soundtrack is amazing. I found an app on my iPhone- Inception, the app. It uses the soundtrack of the movie (Hans Zimmer), and shapes it to your life. It uses the microphone on your phone headphones and the GPS. It takes your location/time/sound/surroundings and makes them into your 'dream world'. I'll be brutally honest-- It feels like you are tripping on some kind of drug. But then you realize it's music that's making you feel that way...Just the mere sound around you; it heightens your senses. Every step you take, you feel it. It's just really fascinating to me. That's the meaning of music to me. The kind that you can relate to makes you feel the most. You don't just hear the music, you feel it.

That's my rant for today. I love music. Thanks, Mrs. Stewart (circa Kindergarten through 6th grade) for helping to make it such a big part of my life. Kudos to teachers and their impact that they have on children......It lasts forever.

Undecided.

After three days of working in a row, I figured I would update this masterpiece.

I'm sitting on the 'couch' with Kevin (aka his bed), having a stay in night...for now at least. I need it.

Work is..Work. I'm just not sure if I like it that much anymore now that I'm on the night shift. I find solace in getting food delivered at 2am to the hospital. Not healthy. On my days off, I get nothing done because all I want to do is sleep. For example, take today. I was supposed to drop off laundry. Yes, drop off to get it done because I'm too lazy to carry it 1 block and 2 avenues to a place to do it myself (but it's so expensive, ugh). I couldn't drag myself out of bed for that. It feels like depression, but worse because I actually want to be up doing things instead of sleeping until 6pm. But my body needs it.


Did you know that if you're lying sideways, watching TV, there is a part of your brain that adjusts your vision and "turns" your point of view? That's awesome. Watching Arrested Development right now.




/End previous rant. That was last week. This is today.

Today, I celebrated Christmas with my Grandma, Aunt and Chinese food. It was quaint, but it was my life. It wasn't the Christmas I wanted, but the Christmas I will remember as my 23rd Christmas on the face of this earth. We ate, got stuffed with more food, and then I was forced to take home more food. Italian Grandmas are the BEST (I say this as my stomach is hurting to the extreme).

On New Year's I will be in Utah. How does New Year's work in Utah? It doesn't even go in sync with the ball dropping in NYC. It will be a different experience for sure. My first New Year's experience in a different time zone...Not to mention with a boy in a different time zone. Yikes. New York is WORLD eastern time. End of story.
Guess I'll end this post with pictures from my last trip to Utah....It was loverly.

This is from my last trip to Utah. My eyes are demonic. But we made some cool gingerbread houses.

What a cute guy. What not-cute gingerbread houses. Just kidding :)

So not artistic...Me, that is. Yikes.

And, it's almost 4am. Goodnight, World.

Graveyard Shift.

I just finished my second night shift. I'm going back in in two hours to start all over again.

It was quieter, but not by much. By the end, I was drunk off of tiredness. My nurse manager came in at 8am and told me that I'm not supposed to be working nights until next week (even though I was on the schedule for nights, plain and clear). What a mix up, what a sad letdown to know that I could have had one more week of day shift glory. However, I am to continue on nights this week.

I'm going to Utah tomorrow night for the weekend. I can't wait. I'm pretty sure this is my fourth trip in three and a half months. I will be making a trip to see the Temple Square Christmas lights for the first time ever, so excited! I've heard it's beautiful.

I'm reading a new book, "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. I have made it to page 65. It was on my list of "to-reads" but the library I go to never has the good books. I decided to look at the books on display, and much to my surprise a copy was available. Thanks, Kips Bay library. First time you have ever made me happy. What a dreary library it usually is. I found a quote in the book that I really like.
It reads "Cause that's what prayer do(es). It's like electricity, it keeps things going." I think I should remind myself that everyday. I don't pray nearly enough. Due to a recent tragic circumstance that happened in my home ward and then reading this the next day, it's reminding me that prayer is of importance and I tend to forget that. Both of these were reminders, one tragic and one uplifting. Needless to say, the family affected at home is in my prayers.

Anyway, off to work and the life of a grown up. Expect an update next week of Adventure #4 to Utah to see this one tall guy that I think I like a lot. A lot a lot.

Lucky.

I'm back in New York City.
I was pretty sad to leave home, and even sadder to be on a bus for 3 1/2 hours. But despite that, it gave me some time to just reflect. It sounds so lame, but I was watching the sun set (at 4:30pm, ugh) outside of the bus window, and I realized how happy I am. I am so lucky: Lucky to be alive, to have a great family, a wonderful significant other, to come from a great home town, and to hav a job. I think coming home this weekend rally humbled me and made me realize that I sometimes take things for granted. I really am a lucky girl. Spending time with my family members was amazing. They make me who I am.

On the bus, I was listening to Sufjan Stevens radio on Pandora. I swear, it was the soundtrack of my life.

I'm having a date night with myself tonight. Takeout (Indian food), movies, cuddling up in bed...Getting ready for my first night shift tomorrow night. Eek.

Anyway, that's all for now.

This is Home.

Current City: Horseheads, New York.

My Hometown.

A few days ago at work, I was thinking about how I will not be spending Christmas with my family. I then realized I have not visited home since August. This is the longest I have ever gone without making a trip home. It's been four months, and I guiltily didn't even think twice about it until a boring day at work. I hadn't seen my Mom in four months, my Dad in three months. Suddenly, I was so home sick. I wanted my Mom and Dad. I wanted familiarity and comfort. I think that's okay sometimes. When I'm old and grey, I know there will be days when I want my Mom and Dad. So, right on the spot, I decided to spend my 3 day weekend home. I looked up bus ticket prices (so expensive) and embarked on my journey.

I was like a happy little kid when I first saw my Mom pull up at the bus station. I thought I was going to cry, but thankfully didn't. I've missed her. We drove back to the house and as soon as I walked in, I smelled home. I have heard from someone/somewhere that scent can be the one sense that most often brings back memories. It does it for me. I saw my dogs and my cats, and immediately I felt good. Sitting with my mom just catching up and talking about adult things was surreal. She made me dinner, both one of our favorites, and we relaxed. Girls' Night with Mom is an invaluable time. You take advantage of it up until when you don't live at home anymore and realize how much you miss it. We got in our pajama pants and just spent time together. It felt really good to spend time with her. Doing nothing but chatting and relaxing with my Mom is one of my favorite things ever.

There's just something about waking up to a cat purring in your ear (creepy-sounding, but true). I used to think it was the grossest thing in the world that my mom had four cats and three dogs (it's narrowed down to three and two), but looking at my camera I obviously must enjoy it. All of my pictures so far are of my dogs and cats. I swear, they really do remember you. Much to my Mom's dismay, I decided to put ribbons on all of their necks. Sadly, I woke up this morning to see that most of them had clawed them off. Bummer.

This place, this home is one place I will always find comfort in.

(pictures to come)

Anyway...Tonight I'm hoping to decorate my Mom's tree with her. It'll be a blast I'm sure!!

I went to Jackson's for Thanksgiving in Utah. In short, it was great. His family made sweet potatoes so I had a little taste of home, and the food was delicious. I may have had seconds or thirds...

We always have such a fun time together. We are huge nerds and I love it; we are always laughing together. Sadly we didn't take any pictures. But, I will be there next weekend, and if pictures aren't taken at that time, I owe each of my blog readers a million dollars. That said, I WILL be taking pictures. I swear he exists. Where else do you think my big smile comes from?

BFFz

Five days until thanksgiving. Have I mentioned how anxious/excited I am for that day to come? Not just for the food...

I am SO thankful for true friends.

These past two years, I've grown up. A lot. My goal last year was to become less of a pushover. I think I'm still in the process of evolving into a self-sufficient, take-no-crap girl, but I have come such a long way since then. My standards have risen friend-wise, by a lot. I may be near-friendless, but at least I'm not the pushover friend anymore. This is an homage to my true friends. Ones that will be with me forever.

Nichole.

Remember when we were 17 and this picture was taken? Carly and Sam were visiting us, we were at my old house on Prospect Ridge on my old bed, in my old room that so many crazy memories with friends were made in. The night before, we had a hot tub party. We prank phone called people and made frozen margaritas. We drank them out of Senor Frogs' yard glasses, like many nights before that. Remember when we liked the same boys in middle school, which evolved into us liking 'best friends' so we could all hang out in highschool? But before that...Remember when we were Pokemon nerds, but boy crazy at the same time and made up ridiculous songs about them? I have so many amazing memories of us, starting from when I was an 8-year old girl wearing owl-like glasses and you were the new girl in school with the bowl cut. I have so many vivid memories of us. We've been friends for 15 years. Your mom always said we'd be friends forever. I think she was right. We don't talk to eachother everyday anymore, and we see eachother about 5 times a year or less, but how we grew up together and the memories we have will always keep us best friends in my heart.

Lauren.

I never thought I would meet someone so AWESOME at RS yoga night. We both knew nobody, and then we went to the Green Day concert the next morning. I'll always remember our Long Beach outings, Tourist Thursdays, and all the adventures we got ourselves into last summer. This past summer I was sad we didn't get to see eachother, and that's a big regret of mine. But, we both had our preoccupations-- Me studying for my boards, you and your first love. You will always be considered one of my best friends, and I can't wait for you to be in my wedding someday. You are such a great example, you are so smart and you are ALWAYS there for me. I hope you know that goes both ways. Rain or shine, middle of the night or middle of the day, we will always be there for eachother to laugh or cry with. It is a shame we have to live so far away from one another, but hopefully one day that will change. I absolutely love you!

Roni, Steph and Marissa.

I bunched all of you together because we all have so much fun together. It's never a dull moment with the four of us. I remember 2 years ago at Mike's house Steph, Roni and I reunited for the first time in years. We all wore Mike's Mom's bathing suits (oh jeeze) and jumped in the pond. It felt like no time had passed at all. Middle school/highschool with you guys was the absolute best. Parties at my house, canoeing and then sinking the boat in Steph's pond, and jumping off the dock in our underwear like losers...Those were the days.This past May-June, I loved every second with you girls. All of our outings turned into adventures, and the following mornings were hilarious. The Sand Dollar (the thug with dreadlocks....UGH what the heck), Denny's, waking up at Marissa's, my goodbye 'party'/bonfire and our recaps the following morning....I miss it all so much. I miss YOU all so much!!

Sam and Carly.

You guys are the best/craziest, most awesome girls I have ever met. We met in 2002 at ILC...8 years ago. I'm so glad we are still such good friends. Obviously ILC was one of the best times of our lives. You girls were a year younger than me, but taught me probably the most craziest things ever that any of us should have ever known at such a young age (hahah). Nichole and Jesse Gorney, taking deuces, our cabins, weirdo cabin-mates, New Found Glory... Simone, Autumn the stripper counselor...SUCH good times. And my times in Cheltenham? Priceless. I am friends with all of your friends, I'm the town's infamous guest, and the most troublesome. It's my own personal Cancun, my vacation getaway. I need to see you girls soon. COME visit me in NYC. I promise Kevin and I's apartment will be your new 'Cancun' getaway. I love you both...Ahhhh.

Shay.

(Shay is in the middle)

Shay, you're an honorable mention (but the most honorable of all)...Because our friendship was cut short due to me being lame/you moving to Utah. I sucked as a friend, because of school, because I was lazy, because of depressing events....But I swear if I ever move to Utah, I promise I will be a better friend. You are one of the like two faithful readers of my blog. The limited time we have spent together are memories I'll never forget. You were probably the only friend I'll ever remember from Pennsylvania. Both of us, stuck there, desperate for relief from the boredom. Making that soda, Wii parties at the house you were sitting, the photo shoot (one of the pictures seen above), Red Robin, and our fateful meeting at Institute (which I'm sure we both were dreading that night)...We had a few good times. I really cherished our time we spent together! You are absolutely a great girl of so much worth. I'm glad you are doing well...I hope it only gets better and better for you; You deserve it.

Kevin.

K-Dubs...I have loved you ever since the Kanye Concert in 2008, the faithful beginning of our friendship. I don't think we ever could picture then that we would be Living2Gethr.edu. As of now, we have 167 fans that follow our lives on East 38th Street in NYC, the city that never sleeps (or for us, that sleeps too much). What amazing lives we live. You are in our apartment right now playing Ke$ha, even though you know I hate her. You deal with my hormones, and I deal with your manic states once a month. You're the best. Thanks for letting your bed become our couch because we are ghetto and don't have one. BOOLAH boolah boolah! That's all I have to say. We'll discuss the extent of our friendship later. Bai.


You are all wonderful. I love you all so much.

Note: this is not including my family/significant others, etc., etc. But you are all special...And I am sure there will be plenty of blogs about you in the future.

Three days.

Three days off....What to do with myself? Obviously update my blog with random happenings.

Got my first paycheck yesterday.
Up Side: MONEY!!
Down Side: Taxes. More than half of my paycheck went to taxes. Thank you Obama and the government in general (in January, I'll thank you again since they're going up. Also, I know that it's not only Obama that makes the decisions....So does congress). Thank you New York City.

The apartment that Kevin and I live in is in shambles. Lead paint is peeling off of our walls. Good thing I don't have kids, or they would end up eating them and have neurological defects. Lead is in our tap water. NYCers, beware. This affects over 100,000 buildings in New York due to old plumbing (to prevent this, just let your tap water run for 30 seconds before drinking). The most sad though, is that I haven't had a real shower in over 3 days. Our drain doesn't work in the shower. I've used Draino, tried a plunger...Still, the tub is over half full with dirty, disgusting previous-shower water. Don't worry though, I took a Mexican shower yesterday--For those who don't know this drill, it involves washing my hair and necessary body parts via the sink water and some soap. Our apartment Superintendent, Duro, has yet to stop by. Kevin got locked out yesterday without a coat and Duro couldn't help because he doesn't have spare keys, the management does. Management is closed for the weekend. So what would happen if Kevin didn't have a roommate to save him? Thanks overpriced apartment management company that gives us nothing but problems. I'm sure many have this problem in NYC. If I were registered to vote in time for the November 2nd elections, I would have voted for "The Rent is 2 Damn High!" party.

Yesterday was by far my busiest day at work in the past 3 weeks. Talking to the other girl starting at the same time as me (Jessica, you are awesome), I knew I wasn't the only one that felt this way. I'm pretty sure both of us were near tears multiple times throughout the day, wondering how we will make it on our own without our preceptors. I am praying that the night shift will be less chaotic and that we will be blessed with helpful (and nice, not obnoxious) nurse aides and fellow RNs.

Today, I'm really thankful for having a job and getting my first paycheck. It felt like it was my first Christmas finally opening it. Even though I have complained above about how ridiculous this apartment management is, I am thankful for even having an apartment to live in.

P.S.....Obviously I got asked to move in with one of my patients. He was in his 80's, German, told me I was cute and lived near Columbia University. He promised free rent and meals if I took care of him every night. He told me, "No sex....Just love. Will you be my love?". Should I accept?

Do You Realize -- The Flaming Lips