Week Two: an improvement upon week one, aside from one minor incident, which I will get out of the way first...
I took my landlady's business association travel mug to work, went window-shopping afterward, and lost it (what can I say, "Like Tornado, like daughter"). I retraced all my steps and still couldn't find it. I PRAYED, and then retraced all my steps again the next day, got redirected by someone who happened to hear from someone that a mug was found, and FOUND IT! Thank you, Lord. Because we want everything to go smoothly from now on...
and for the most part it has! The two cats that we're house-sitting love us. I met some new people at work, whom I really like. Bobby's already getting excellent reviews on all his cases. Our church is rocking. We finally got another tennis racket and are playing whenever possible. I'm cutting back on spending by planning out exactly what I'm going to buy from the grocery store and how much it will cost. I set the limit at $35 per week for food, but quickly realised that this was probably $15 too little, because I noticed that we started grabbing food while we were out. So, I'm going to tweek the amount until I find that perfect balance that allows for Bobby's lunches, our meals, as well as a few snacks around the house. I've learned that it's best for our waistlines and wallets to just not buy that much food because the more we have, the more we'll eat.
Halloween weekend was super relaxing for us. Believe it or not, it was the only weekend left in the whole rotation during which we don't have plans. We decided to make it a little special by buying some hot wings with celery and blue cheese, and watching scary (ok, funny) movies while waiting for tricker-treaters. When 9:00 pm rolled around, we were sort of disappointed that none had showed up to our house, but we consoled ourselves by eating more of their candy. It was nice. The only problem was that the next day, Sunday, the pastor said "Happy Halloween" (he then went into how it was "All Saints Day") and all the clues began to add up that we had celebrated Halloween a day too early. There's something about Bobby and I...especially with dates. Oblivious? It definitely tranfers into Trivia...(transition)
Yesterday, we found a Trivia game, "Play It Smart" and had to make up new rules that whoever gets 3 right first, wins, since it would take way too long for us to get five in one category like the rules say. I feel like I had been exposed to many of the answers to the questions, it's just that I have no memory for random facts like that. That's why I write: to not forget my life. Peoples names and dates allude me; however, words in Spanish were so easy for me to memorize because I could relate them to something. I digress. So, in the middle of this game, Bob-the-cat, comes walking into the dining room and begins meowing. He doesn't usually ask for attention like that, so I thought that perhaps he didn't realize that I had set out his dinner while he was outside. So, I went into the kitchen and called him in. He came in after me, and continued to meow. I looked over and saw that he had a gray mouse in his mouth! I yelled for Bobby and Bob put the mouse, who preceded to shake and run (it was still completely alive), down. Unfortunately, as Bobby was shooing Bob (bare with me, it's confusing with the similar names) away, and I was acting girlie in the corner, the mouse disappeared somewhere into the house. We searched, (which is scary, because in the movies when you search for a rodent, as soon as you shine a flashlight under the couch, they dart full-speed at your face) but didn't find anything. There was a little crack behind a board under the kitchen island, so Bobby thinks he went under the floor and was probably able to escape from there. I guess we'll know he wasn't if we begin to smell something foul. Reminds me of the time that a 5 foot snake randomly slithered through the kitchen at my Mom's house, but that's a whole other story, for a different time...
farewell, and hope you all had a Happy Halloween, remembering the Saints of old.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
North Carolinaaaaa: Week One
Well ya'll (I'm trying to blend in down here so I don't get any more backlash for being a Yankee), I have some catching up to do. Technically, it's the 3rd week, but I'm going to recap...so faaaade out to week one....
We drove into Chapel Hill, NC, toting a (little did we know it) TORNADO along in the backseat of our car. The tornado whirled through the house (which by the way, is beautiful: granite countertops, paintings, sculptures, and pottery covering each room...big, over-sized but tasteful pieces, and a secluded outdoor dining area with a twinkle-light covered trellis spattered with roses in a quiet wooded neighborhood...how's that for a run-on?). So, the tornado whirled through the house, sucking up dirt, trash, and dirty laundry in her path (along with a few of the landlady's pretty-little-napkins and roasted garlic olive oil). But then, inevitably, the 200 mph winds began to do what they can not help but do: create destruction. It began simply enough, "The window won't shut."
Bobby - "Tornado, You're pushing the lock the wrong way"
"Why's the frame crooked?"
"It's okay, we can fix that. We just need a ladder"
Then, I hear a CRASH in the next room. Oh no, Tornadooooo! Pieces of pottery on the ground....a sugarbowl, no, only the spoon to the sugarbowl...looks hand-made. Okay, good idea- the Tornado is looking for a replacement online. We look for about an hour. Bobby comes home. In five minutes, he's located a replacement...sort of. $80 starting bid for a similar replica. It's a collector's item.
I start checking around. Is there any other damage about which we're unaware? A marble pastry board used as a cutting board? Some of the landlady's food devoured? A ripped seat cushion?
Ok, Tornado...Thank you for your help, but now we want you to just be a guest. Just relax, we will serve you. Please don't do anything; don't touch anything...
So, that began our week in NC and struck fear into my heart as to what the rest of this rotation will hold. Well, that and the fact that I was already seeing some signs of cultural clashes at work. My first day on the job, I was introduced as coming from up in Maine and New York (significant looks given). The response by one girl was, "Oh, so we've got a..." Would you like to finish that? Perhaps with 'Yankee'??
Then, I got talked to by my manager because a client complained that I had made eye contact with her and not greeted her. In my defense, I have no memory of doing this wicked thing whatsoever...most likely, I was under mounds of clothing desperately searching the store for where they went while 2,078 other garments were being discarded onto the rolling rack. You're welcome for filling in for you on my first day in NC on the busiest day of the week.
Other than that, things went well. We played a lot of 5-Straight...great vintage game. I went with my family up to my Grandmother's 80th surprise party. It was lovely (first time I'd spent more than a day away from Bobby...didn't miss him too terribly, but felt sort of shy when I saw him again, like a first date). Bobby's KILLING it, as usual, in the OR (not literally). The city is clean and everywhere feels like country because they keep up a lot of trees down here.
BTW, I love the Tornado. She is very helpful, and I'm sorry that I gave her a hard time because she's the best and I love her just the way she is...200 mph winds and all! In her defense, the broken spoon incident is taken care of and all of her pottery lessons are finally paying off!
We drove into Chapel Hill, NC, toting a (little did we know it) TORNADO along in the backseat of our car. The tornado whirled through the house (which by the way, is beautiful: granite countertops, paintings, sculptures, and pottery covering each room...big, over-sized but tasteful pieces, and a secluded outdoor dining area with a twinkle-light covered trellis spattered with roses in a quiet wooded neighborhood...how's that for a run-on?). So, the tornado whirled through the house, sucking up dirt, trash, and dirty laundry in her path (along with a few of the landlady's pretty-little-napkins and roasted garlic olive oil). But then, inevitably, the 200 mph winds began to do what they can not help but do: create destruction. It began simply enough, "The window won't shut."
Bobby - "Tornado, You're pushing the lock the wrong way"
"Why's the frame crooked?"
"It's okay, we can fix that. We just need a ladder"
Then, I hear a CRASH in the next room. Oh no, Tornadooooo! Pieces of pottery on the ground....a sugarbowl, no, only the spoon to the sugarbowl...looks hand-made. Okay, good idea- the Tornado is looking for a replacement online. We look for about an hour. Bobby comes home. In five minutes, he's located a replacement...sort of. $80 starting bid for a similar replica. It's a collector's item.
I start checking around. Is there any other damage about which we're unaware? A marble pastry board used as a cutting board? Some of the landlady's food devoured? A ripped seat cushion?
Ok, Tornado...Thank you for your help, but now we want you to just be a guest. Just relax, we will serve you. Please don't do anything; don't touch anything...
So, that began our week in NC and struck fear into my heart as to what the rest of this rotation will hold. Well, that and the fact that I was already seeing some signs of cultural clashes at work. My first day on the job, I was introduced as coming from up in Maine and New York (significant looks given). The response by one girl was, "Oh, so we've got a..." Would you like to finish that? Perhaps with 'Yankee'??
Then, I got talked to by my manager because a client complained that I had made eye contact with her and not greeted her. In my defense, I have no memory of doing this wicked thing whatsoever...most likely, I was under mounds of clothing desperately searching the store for where they went while 2,078 other garments were being discarded onto the rolling rack. You're welcome for filling in for you on my first day in NC on the busiest day of the week.
Other than that, things went well. We played a lot of 5-Straight...great vintage game. I went with my family up to my Grandmother's 80th surprise party. It was lovely (first time I'd spent more than a day away from Bobby...didn't miss him too terribly, but felt sort of shy when I saw him again, like a first date). Bobby's KILLING it, as usual, in the OR (not literally). The city is clean and everywhere feels like country because they keep up a lot of trees down here.
BTW, I love the Tornado. She is very helpful, and I'm sorry that I gave her a hard time because she's the best and I love her just the way she is...200 mph winds and all! In her defense, the broken spoon incident is taken care of and all of her pottery lessons are finally paying off!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
North Carolina: Week One
It's all a bit of a blur. I posted pictures on facebook to "say a thousand words" to capture the last two weeks at Maine, which were filled with the company of friends and family: steaming up lobsters, playing flag football, walking through downtown Portland in the rain, interacting with Moose and chipmunks, going to the arcade at the beach, and swinging at the nearby park. Since then, we've visited our PA people and my family in NC on our way to our rotation at Duke University, where we are now settling.
The house that we're renting comes complete with two quite-large cats and is filled with artwork of all kinds and surrounded by rose bushes and woods. Even though the neighbors are within sight, it feels secluded and peaceful. However, for some reason, I'm a little more afraid of this rotation. This was the area that we wanted to go to most, and I've had this dream of settling in the south for some time. However, it may be just me, but it seems that things aren't off to the smoothest start ever, and I just have this feeling...
I'll keep you posted.
p.s. (I'll feel a bit safer when my Mother leaves. I LOVE her to death, but she has this way of creating "boon-doggles" as my Dad calls them. Somehow, the most innocent act can turn into disaster with her. lol) The "jury's out" on this rotation, and I'll keep you posted with more information.
The house that we're renting comes complete with two quite-large cats and is filled with artwork of all kinds and surrounded by rose bushes and woods. Even though the neighbors are within sight, it feels secluded and peaceful. However, for some reason, I'm a little more afraid of this rotation. This was the area that we wanted to go to most, and I've had this dream of settling in the south for some time. However, it may be just me, but it seems that things aren't off to the smoothest start ever, and I just have this feeling...
I'll keep you posted.
p.s. (I'll feel a bit safer when my Mother leaves. I LOVE her to death, but she has this way of creating "boon-doggles" as my Dad calls them. Somehow, the most innocent act can turn into disaster with her. lol) The "jury's out" on this rotation, and I'll keep you posted with more information.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Maine: Week Two & Three
Aaahhh...home again. Funny, we have so many places that feel like home now. When we traveled to Syracuse this weekend, it was like my insides breathed a sigh of relief...here are Adam and Harrison Street. Wanna go out to eat? I know a place. If I need to shop or meet up with a friend, I know where to go and who to call. Yes, Syracuse felt like home. But, guess what? When we returned, so did Maine. I equally breathed a sigh of relief to return to our little apartment above the garage because here is our routine; here is our peace and quiet, and here is where there is just us. This is home, for now.
Nevertheless, our five day, eight hour trip back to NY for Bobby's Perfusion Conference was just a great time. We sprung our arrival on the Butterfields only a week in advance (sorry!), who opened their beautiful home, accented with Lindor Truffles and mints in the bedroom, graciously for us, even calling us the "perfect house-guests." Well, they were the perfect hosts, then. They felt like family and we sat and chatted for hours whenever our schedules allowed, which wasn't often with everyone working, including me. Bobby was at school from morning till night helping with the conference, working on his presentation, and catching up with colleagues. Meanwhile, I filled in at a group home for girls with disabilities, and put in a good 23 hours. (Thanks, God!)
One of the highlights was the dance that I attended for people with mental disabilities. SO. Much. Fun. How can I describe it...? It was like a club, but in a church gym, complete with a live Elvis impersonator and DJ. People in wheelchairs were dancing their shoulders and knecks out. A heavy set couple with Downs-Syndrome were swaying happily to the romantic songs. One of my favorites was a middle-aged woman with half of her teeth missing who enthusiastically kept asking me, "Do you know how to clap?!" and then proceeding to clap her heart out in beat to the music. I saw break-dancing, some good, some not so good; sexy hair tossing, by a girl with unbelievably large hips, and a "train" with three men making up the compartments.
Upon entering, I was approached by a 6"3 gangly boy whose upper lip did not make it over his crooked teeth. He lingered in front of me, staring, until I said, "Hi, I'm Kara," and held out my hand. I decided to redirect him, because I could tell that he was looking for a serious love relationship, not just friendship, and introduced him to "Sarah", a large-toothed sweet girl from the house, who's generally much more interested in girls than boys. But what incredible teeth their children would have!
They hit it off right away, moving right into a hug after the handshake that "Ryan" (names are changed to protect privacy) didn't want to let go of. They linked hands and jitterbugged and shared one of the longest, most intimate good-bye hugs that I'd ever seen at the end of the night. Now, Sarah calls him her boyfriend, even though she continuously forgets his name (that's okay...three days in and she's still asking for mine).
After I had successfully pawned off Ryan, I was approached by a staff member who informed me that I was the only girl in the room with which his crutch-bound client would dance (the "Belle" of the ball, huh?). I encouraged him that I would be a good sport if his client could gather the courage to come out to the dance floor. Meanwhile, I continued dancing with "Gia", who, for her limited verbal and physical abilities, got really into it - clapping and standing in front of me so that I would shake her hips and move her arms for her. After two unsuccessful attempts, my crutch-bound suitor finally braved the floor, flanked by his two 6" tall staff/friends. None of them were dancing. Did they expect me to do a little dance for him while they all watched? Because that's not in my job description. I wasn't sure, so I danced closer to him with Gia, but felt a little shy as well. It all sort of fizzled out like a Middle School drama with him leaving, and me dancing away with my happy client. But the girls had so much fun and I'm sure that my hopeful dance partner's leg will heal and a suitable beauty will catch his eye again. There's so much more to say about it all - the dynamics of this particular house were truly fascinating.
However, I'll conclude by saying that it was a great, productive weekend. Bobby nailed his presentation. Although he woke one night with anxiety, his prayers paid off because he ended up seeming as calm as a clam (Maine reference) and fielding the questions from other perfusionists as if he had prepared and researched for each specifically. My smartie-husband, everyone seems to love him! I DO.
One sad event occurred on the way to the "Meet-and-Greet" at the hotel. A dred-locked man, supported by his parents, entered the elevator with us. He shuffled like a 90 year old and his face was shocking - half of it was swollen like a bloated gourd and deep, fresh tears scaled his skin, as if he'd been raked with a claw, from forehead to chin. His arm was also in a sling. I remember that he had pale yellow socks with rubber flip-flops over them. They told us that he was in the recent double-decker bus accident. The driver took the wrong exit and ended up crunching the top of the bus into a low bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway. It was an international tour bus and the incident made world news. Four died and this man was one of the 27 who were seriously injured. He spoke quietly and seemed so weak and childlike - still in shock. Life is fragile, but the Bible says not to fear sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, because He will be our confidence and keep our foot from being snared (devos this morning).
So, those were glimpses into our third week at Maine. Four more to go.
By the way, our second week was fairly uneventful, aside from the fact that I began working at the Loft and we did a phone interview to be on Jerry Seinfeld's show, "The Marriage Ref". I think that we blew it since the issue that we were debating is no longer present. Namely, my husband decided to leave his rotting old sleeping bag/obsessive-comfort-blankie named "Ribbie" at his Mom's house. I Win! (...and lose, since we could've gotten a free cruise had it all panned out.)
Oh well - my minute on Jay Leno will have to be enough.
Have a great week!
Nevertheless, our five day, eight hour trip back to NY for Bobby's Perfusion Conference was just a great time. We sprung our arrival on the Butterfields only a week in advance (sorry!), who opened their beautiful home, accented with Lindor Truffles and mints in the bedroom, graciously for us, even calling us the "perfect house-guests." Well, they were the perfect hosts, then. They felt like family and we sat and chatted for hours whenever our schedules allowed, which wasn't often with everyone working, including me. Bobby was at school from morning till night helping with the conference, working on his presentation, and catching up with colleagues. Meanwhile, I filled in at a group home for girls with disabilities, and put in a good 23 hours. (Thanks, God!)
One of the highlights was the dance that I attended for people with mental disabilities. SO. Much. Fun. How can I describe it...? It was like a club, but in a church gym, complete with a live Elvis impersonator and DJ. People in wheelchairs were dancing their shoulders and knecks out. A heavy set couple with Downs-Syndrome were swaying happily to the romantic songs. One of my favorites was a middle-aged woman with half of her teeth missing who enthusiastically kept asking me, "Do you know how to clap?!" and then proceeding to clap her heart out in beat to the music. I saw break-dancing, some good, some not so good; sexy hair tossing, by a girl with unbelievably large hips, and a "train" with three men making up the compartments.
Upon entering, I was approached by a 6"3 gangly boy whose upper lip did not make it over his crooked teeth. He lingered in front of me, staring, until I said, "Hi, I'm Kara," and held out my hand. I decided to redirect him, because I could tell that he was looking for a serious love relationship, not just friendship, and introduced him to "Sarah", a large-toothed sweet girl from the house, who's generally much more interested in girls than boys. But what incredible teeth their children would have!
They hit it off right away, moving right into a hug after the handshake that "Ryan" (names are changed to protect privacy) didn't want to let go of. They linked hands and jitterbugged and shared one of the longest, most intimate good-bye hugs that I'd ever seen at the end of the night. Now, Sarah calls him her boyfriend, even though she continuously forgets his name (that's okay...three days in and she's still asking for mine).
After I had successfully pawned off Ryan, I was approached by a staff member who informed me that I was the only girl in the room with which his crutch-bound client would dance (the "Belle" of the ball, huh?). I encouraged him that I would be a good sport if his client could gather the courage to come out to the dance floor. Meanwhile, I continued dancing with "Gia", who, for her limited verbal and physical abilities, got really into it - clapping and standing in front of me so that I would shake her hips and move her arms for her. After two unsuccessful attempts, my crutch-bound suitor finally braved the floor, flanked by his two 6" tall staff/friends. None of them were dancing. Did they expect me to do a little dance for him while they all watched? Because that's not in my job description. I wasn't sure, so I danced closer to him with Gia, but felt a little shy as well. It all sort of fizzled out like a Middle School drama with him leaving, and me dancing away with my happy client. But the girls had so much fun and I'm sure that my hopeful dance partner's leg will heal and a suitable beauty will catch his eye again. There's so much more to say about it all - the dynamics of this particular house were truly fascinating.
However, I'll conclude by saying that it was a great, productive weekend. Bobby nailed his presentation. Although he woke one night with anxiety, his prayers paid off because he ended up seeming as calm as a clam (Maine reference) and fielding the questions from other perfusionists as if he had prepared and researched for each specifically. My smartie-husband, everyone seems to love him! I DO.
One sad event occurred on the way to the "Meet-and-Greet" at the hotel. A dred-locked man, supported by his parents, entered the elevator with us. He shuffled like a 90 year old and his face was shocking - half of it was swollen like a bloated gourd and deep, fresh tears scaled his skin, as if he'd been raked with a claw, from forehead to chin. His arm was also in a sling. I remember that he had pale yellow socks with rubber flip-flops over them. They told us that he was in the recent double-decker bus accident. The driver took the wrong exit and ended up crunching the top of the bus into a low bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway. It was an international tour bus and the incident made world news. Four died and this man was one of the 27 who were seriously injured. He spoke quietly and seemed so weak and childlike - still in shock. Life is fragile, but the Bible says not to fear sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, because He will be our confidence and keep our foot from being snared (devos this morning).
So, those were glimpses into our third week at Maine. Four more to go.
By the way, our second week was fairly uneventful, aside from the fact that I began working at the Loft and we did a phone interview to be on Jerry Seinfeld's show, "The Marriage Ref". I think that we blew it since the issue that we were debating is no longer present. Namely, my husband decided to leave his rotting old sleeping bag/obsessive-comfort-blankie named "Ribbie" at his Mom's house. I Win! (...and lose, since we could've gotten a free cruise had it all panned out.)
Oh well - my minute on Jay Leno will have to be enough.
Have a great week!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Goodbye Rochester, Helloooo Maine!
We loaded up our clothing, lickety-split (?) and headed out for the 1,000 Islands to camp with Bobby's family. Bobby was sent off with exceptional reviews from Rochester, and promises of plenty of connections for when he needs to job search. Dreams of waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and floating up to restaurants in cute little towns were dashed when Phil's boat broke down and the guys' troubleshooting efforts were of no avail. We supplemented with playing Big-ball volleyball at least twice a day and toasting exotic s'mores using coconut, strawberry, and chocolate-swirl marshmallows over a campfire at night.
Bobby and I were tested when I happened across a 2-carat diamond ring with platinum band on the ground. Probably a once-in-a-lifetime find. I did turn it in to the authorities, and that same day Bobby found out that his application for NY state residency was accepted, which will save us about the equivalent to what that ring was worth!
Saturday morning we were scheduled to leave the Islands, but my car just wouldn't start, even after some heavy jumping. So, Maureen and I drove into to town to get a battery, came back, only to find that Bobby got it to work by flooring the gas (engine must have flooded somehow). So, we were on our way- a little late. The 11-hour drive through the Adirondack Mtns. was worth every extra hour that we added onto it by getting lost and having to use an old-fashioned paper map to renavigate (Bobby broke our GPS by slamming the end in the glove compartment door, and I refused to borrow his Mom's b/c I think we need to be more self-reliant). We drove around countless little lake towns, and past country homes that looked home-made. We went through the posh little town of Lake Placid that had huge ski jumps that looked like they'd shoot you to the moon and great big Olympic training facilities. The atmosphere changed into a wintery, pristine, nostalgia as we headed into Vermont, which was packed full of little artisan shops and signs boasting "Vermont Maple Syrup". The town of Woodstock charmed me the most, as each house was beautiful looked like it would be occupied by a stately old gentlemen who loves to read a good book and invite you to have some tea or coffee. The only remnant of the hippie-vibe from the well-known festival was one VW van that Bobby spied on the outskirts of town.
Which brings me up to the present....
Maine.
Bobby already lost me once in our 2 bedroom little apartment that sits above a garage in the little city/town of Saco. It's not big, but it is for us. He said that it seems like it will be more difficult to impress people at the Medical Center here because they don't ask as much work from him or have as exotic of cases as in Rochester. Still, the variety of experience that he had in NY already helped establish him a little. So far, we haven't seen too much of Maine yet...just the little roads from here to Portland and to Walmart (where we tried, unsuccessfully, to return the extra car battery). I did, already, buy clams and steam them up myself. Who can resist clams at $3.50/lb and lobster, $5.00/each, at the local farmers market??? Lobster will be my next murder victim. I have to admit that I'm not much of a killer. The mud clams up here have these long blackish/brown necks that stick out of the shells. I prodded each one to make sure they were still alive by watching them withdraw like a turtle in it's shell. But it was tough to see those necks crane out so far when I submerged them into boiling water as they tried to get some air and hold on to life. Bobby's aunt said that she'll never cook lobster again because the last one she boiled let out a high-pitched sort of scream when she put it in the water! agh.
On a similar note, I do really like dissecting things that are already dead. We have cable here, and I've been watching back-to-back episodes of "Dr. G", a lady who examines dead bodies to discover their cause of death. It really is a reminder that God's order of right/wrong is able to be seen everywhere...even in death. When the bodies are opened, many of people's flaws are discovered, even if the outside looks good. So many of the untimely deaths were a result of people's choices. What would your insides say about you if we could see? Some people died just because they just wanted to ignore and dismiss the problems in their body, others were more blatant: alcoholism causing black esophagus or other problems, cocaine leaving holes in noses, plaque build up...etc.
OH...one last thing....Baby Evan was born to Stephen and Angela Stello! Aunt Kara and Uncle Bobby!! I'm so excited to meet the little guy and want to call Angela and Steve allllll the time. Babies, babies, babies!
:)
Have a great week!
Bobby and I were tested when I happened across a 2-carat diamond ring with platinum band on the ground. Probably a once-in-a-lifetime find. I did turn it in to the authorities, and that same day Bobby found out that his application for NY state residency was accepted, which will save us about the equivalent to what that ring was worth!
Saturday morning we were scheduled to leave the Islands, but my car just wouldn't start, even after some heavy jumping. So, Maureen and I drove into to town to get a battery, came back, only to find that Bobby got it to work by flooring the gas (engine must have flooded somehow). So, we were on our way- a little late. The 11-hour drive through the Adirondack Mtns. was worth every extra hour that we added onto it by getting lost and having to use an old-fashioned paper map to renavigate (Bobby broke our GPS by slamming the end in the glove compartment door, and I refused to borrow his Mom's b/c I think we need to be more self-reliant). We drove around countless little lake towns, and past country homes that looked home-made. We went through the posh little town of Lake Placid that had huge ski jumps that looked like they'd shoot you to the moon and great big Olympic training facilities. The atmosphere changed into a wintery, pristine, nostalgia as we headed into Vermont, which was packed full of little artisan shops and signs boasting "Vermont Maple Syrup". The town of Woodstock charmed me the most, as each house was beautiful looked like it would be occupied by a stately old gentlemen who loves to read a good book and invite you to have some tea or coffee. The only remnant of the hippie-vibe from the well-known festival was one VW van that Bobby spied on the outskirts of town.
Which brings me up to the present....
Maine.
Bobby already lost me once in our 2 bedroom little apartment that sits above a garage in the little city/town of Saco. It's not big, but it is for us. He said that it seems like it will be more difficult to impress people at the Medical Center here because they don't ask as much work from him or have as exotic of cases as in Rochester. Still, the variety of experience that he had in NY already helped establish him a little. So far, we haven't seen too much of Maine yet...just the little roads from here to Portland and to Walmart (where we tried, unsuccessfully, to return the extra car battery). I did, already, buy clams and steam them up myself. Who can resist clams at $3.50/lb and lobster, $5.00/each, at the local farmers market??? Lobster will be my next murder victim. I have to admit that I'm not much of a killer. The mud clams up here have these long blackish/brown necks that stick out of the shells. I prodded each one to make sure they were still alive by watching them withdraw like a turtle in it's shell. But it was tough to see those necks crane out so far when I submerged them into boiling water as they tried to get some air and hold on to life. Bobby's aunt said that she'll never cook lobster again because the last one she boiled let out a high-pitched sort of scream when she put it in the water! agh.
On a similar note, I do really like dissecting things that are already dead. We have cable here, and I've been watching back-to-back episodes of "Dr. G", a lady who examines dead bodies to discover their cause of death. It really is a reminder that God's order of right/wrong is able to be seen everywhere...even in death. When the bodies are opened, many of people's flaws are discovered, even if the outside looks good. So many of the untimely deaths were a result of people's choices. What would your insides say about you if we could see? Some people died just because they just wanted to ignore and dismiss the problems in their body, others were more blatant: alcoholism causing black esophagus or other problems, cocaine leaving holes in noses, plaque build up...etc.
OH...one last thing....Baby Evan was born to Stephen and Angela Stello! Aunt Kara and Uncle Bobby!! I'm so excited to meet the little guy and want to call Angela and Steve allllll the time. Babies, babies, babies!
:)
Have a great week!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Week Six: Hair
This week we started saying our goodbyes already. Kristin and Jamie left for their cruise, so we said goodbye to them and took over doggie duties here at the house (Howie take 4 pills a day for his epilepsy). The ladies from Ann Taylor went out to Champs to say goodbye to me. I'll miss them all. Even though it hasn't been that long, I could see having a home here in Rochester. I could climb the "ladder" at Ann Taylor a bit, and Bobby is well-liked and respected here at Strong: he's even started training the new hire a bit. ;) We'd have some family around and could get more involved in Browncroft Church...
But, we have a lot more of the country to see.
On another note, for our one year anniversary, I had the idea of changing my hair each year at that time. Perhaps it'll keep the marriage fresh to look like a new woman every so often. Maybe it's a silly idea, but this year I just did subtle highlights and kept my hair long and layered with heavy bangs. I felt free this year, young and old simultaneously, and light-hearted in a lot of ways. Next year, I'm interested in doing a short dark bob with bangs, like from Pulp Fiction. This seems like a powerful, well-groomed haircut, although I don't know if I could do something so drastic. I still always have this nagging guilt when I cut my hair. I think this is because when I was young, my father (who never really weighs in with fashion advice) would always say, "I like your long hair," whenever I would think of cutting it, so I could never do it. We'll have to see how the year goes.
I can see that, as a married person, it'd be easy to lose something of your dreams...to sacrifice your drive towards your goals for following your partner's. Perhaps it's my circumstances of having given up my job to travel around for my husband's schooling that makes me feel this way. Maybe it's influence from the media's message that women should have lucrative careers to be good wives and even mothers. I don't buy into that completely, because I know that if I try to have a full-time career and a full-time job mothering and taking care of house, my attitude would crumble quickly and I'd do more harm than good. However, I do not want to lose sight of the dreams that I've had with me for decades. I WANT to provide for the family and contribute to humanity as much as I can. It means WORK. The ideal wife in Proverbs works hard...she invests; she wakes up early and goes to bed late; she is in charge of important things and values quality; she is there to meet her family's needs...she's very much a business woman, but rooted in the home.
Fulfilling these goals also means that I have to work to pave a way for it myself. There is a fight in marriage...a push to keep the other person from taking too much and a pull to get them to give. Bobby and I are selfish people - we like to pursue our own directions and expect the other person to rub our back while we do it. Thankfully, our goals are compatible, and hopefully we can avoid the pitfalls along the way: the traps of money, pride, infidelity, and all the lies that we're told about being "good".
I will pull for MY dreams to succeed and I will pull for his support of my dreams. I will push for his goals to succeed and defend him from the traps that I see that could destroy his soul. He will do the same for me. We'll pray a lot because nothing is in our control.
But I can so easily control my hair. Maybe next year, I'll move into a more powerful hairdo and let go of the free-spirited wavy locks for a while. We'll see how the year goes.
But, we have a lot more of the country to see.
On another note, for our one year anniversary, I had the idea of changing my hair each year at that time. Perhaps it'll keep the marriage fresh to look like a new woman every so often. Maybe it's a silly idea, but this year I just did subtle highlights and kept my hair long and layered with heavy bangs. I felt free this year, young and old simultaneously, and light-hearted in a lot of ways. Next year, I'm interested in doing a short dark bob with bangs, like from Pulp Fiction. This seems like a powerful, well-groomed haircut, although I don't know if I could do something so drastic. I still always have this nagging guilt when I cut my hair. I think this is because when I was young, my father (who never really weighs in with fashion advice) would always say, "I like your long hair," whenever I would think of cutting it, so I could never do it. We'll have to see how the year goes.
I can see that, as a married person, it'd be easy to lose something of your dreams...to sacrifice your drive towards your goals for following your partner's. Perhaps it's my circumstances of having given up my job to travel around for my husband's schooling that makes me feel this way. Maybe it's influence from the media's message that women should have lucrative careers to be good wives and even mothers. I don't buy into that completely, because I know that if I try to have a full-time career and a full-time job mothering and taking care of house, my attitude would crumble quickly and I'd do more harm than good. However, I do not want to lose sight of the dreams that I've had with me for decades. I WANT to provide for the family and contribute to humanity as much as I can. It means WORK. The ideal wife in Proverbs works hard...she invests; she wakes up early and goes to bed late; she is in charge of important things and values quality; she is there to meet her family's needs...she's very much a business woman, but rooted in the home.
Fulfilling these goals also means that I have to work to pave a way for it myself. There is a fight in marriage...a push to keep the other person from taking too much and a pull to get them to give. Bobby and I are selfish people - we like to pursue our own directions and expect the other person to rub our back while we do it. Thankfully, our goals are compatible, and hopefully we can avoid the pitfalls along the way: the traps of money, pride, infidelity, and all the lies that we're told about being "good".
I will pull for MY dreams to succeed and I will pull for his support of my dreams. I will push for his goals to succeed and defend him from the traps that I see that could destroy his soul. He will do the same for me. We'll pray a lot because nothing is in our control.
But I can so easily control my hair. Maybe next year, I'll move into a more powerful hairdo and let go of the free-spirited wavy locks for a while. We'll see how the year goes.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Week Five: Failure
Ever have one of "those" weeks? Where you feel like you just suck and you remind yourself of your younger emotional teenage years. It feels like the week is designed perfectly just to have you fail. This week was one of those for me and, well, I do believe that this week was designed to let me fail, because in the end, I'm at a better place: more humble and more passionate and more desperate for God.
I'm not sure how it began, but I felt this underlying fatigue and strain. Maybe it's the moving around and not having a place to call home. On another note, my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws were in town, so we were busy trying to spend as much time as possible with them. The day of their arrival, we all hiked to Stoneybrook park and then got Garbage Plates (a mess of unhealthy food thrown together and covered in a meat sauce) at around 10pm. The next day, I had just gotten off of work and drove over to Grandpa's to see if they wanted to come over for dinner. I decided to throw together a quick chicken cobb salad. or NOT quick...The oven fuse blew, the girls couldn't figure out the TV remote, and Bobby (the main attraction) along with Jamie and Kristin, were all not home. So, Grandpa and Ruth were unentertained while I tried to get our salad (with no side dishes) together. Noooo BIG deal...it all worked out. Still, I felt that my hostessing "skills"(?) may have taken a little hit, and decided that hostessing is only fun for me when I have ample prep time. Two days later, the girls and Maureen came over. Bobby wanted to play the card game "Pitch" right away...a card game that the Browns begin playing at about 8 months old and are fiercely competitive with. I like Pitch but I often get it confused with Euchre and have only played a handful of times, so I still make stupid tactical blunders. Bobby decided to be my partner and quickly realized that I was sabotaging the team beyond all repair (I was really unfocused). His mom began chastising him for getting angry at me, and then I called a spade a club and he made a comment about how the geniuses that he worked with wouldn't understand such an error or something, and I morphed into a 2 year old who's told she can't have dessert before dinner, and stomped off nearly in tears saying, "I'm not playing with you anymore; you're being a jerk." This was in front of everyone.
I recovered myself right away and came down to apologize, but had to leave again to get a good cry out of my system and make things up with my husband. This is not usual behavior for me, and hasn't been for at least 13 years. So, what was up with that????
There was more. Bobby was having a rough week too because, although we were enjoying his family's visit, he wasn't sleeping as much as usual. I had a crappy day at work after getting two cavities filled and having a customer nearly lose it when she was going to lose $300 on returns. To top it off with a cherry, Bobby and I had a major back-and-forth when Kristin invited me to go dancing on Saturday night. Long story short, I made a bad decision and went...only for about 10 minutes, but it was enough to have heaped a pile of stinky guilt on my shoulders for going against my husband and remind myself that the club scene is sooooooooooo not the type of place I want to be at. I wanted to cry all of Sunday morning at church. But, Sunday was a breath of fresh air...church was about Paul speaking to the Corinthians, who thought they were elite Christians, entitled to privileged "deep" wisdom. He reminded them that the "secret wisdom" is the crucified Messiah and it's all about Him. Also, Bobby and I both had chances to really open up and share our beliefs and reasons for our actions with Jamie and Kristin, who continue to be wonderfully comfortable hosts. Even though I enjoyed hanging out with Kristin and her friend, she knows that I think I made the wrong decision in going.
Sigghhhhh....so where does this leave me? I don't know. In God's hands, as we all are, whether we realize it or not. If there is a God, then what He says is important. The Bible is His word. I'm so thankful for it, because I think that it will keep me from a lot of pain and guilt that I would otherwise create for myself if I was just trying to figure it all out on my own.
Lots of love...
Kara
ps...and I'm so thankful for my family and that we got to see them- it was a bright spot even if the week had some downsides (mostly of my own making).
I'm not sure how it began, but I felt this underlying fatigue and strain. Maybe it's the moving around and not having a place to call home. On another note, my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws were in town, so we were busy trying to spend as much time as possible with them. The day of their arrival, we all hiked to Stoneybrook park and then got Garbage Plates (a mess of unhealthy food thrown together and covered in a meat sauce) at around 10pm. The next day, I had just gotten off of work and drove over to Grandpa's to see if they wanted to come over for dinner. I decided to throw together a quick chicken cobb salad. or NOT quick...The oven fuse blew, the girls couldn't figure out the TV remote, and Bobby (the main attraction) along with Jamie and Kristin, were all not home. So, Grandpa and Ruth were unentertained while I tried to get our salad (with no side dishes) together. Noooo BIG deal...it all worked out. Still, I felt that my hostessing "skills"(?) may have taken a little hit, and decided that hostessing is only fun for me when I have ample prep time. Two days later, the girls and Maureen came over. Bobby wanted to play the card game "Pitch" right away...a card game that the Browns begin playing at about 8 months old and are fiercely competitive with. I like Pitch but I often get it confused with Euchre and have only played a handful of times, so I still make stupid tactical blunders. Bobby decided to be my partner and quickly realized that I was sabotaging the team beyond all repair (I was really unfocused). His mom began chastising him for getting angry at me, and then I called a spade a club and he made a comment about how the geniuses that he worked with wouldn't understand such an error or something, and I morphed into a 2 year old who's told she can't have dessert before dinner, and stomped off nearly in tears saying, "I'm not playing with you anymore; you're being a jerk." This was in front of everyone.
I recovered myself right away and came down to apologize, but had to leave again to get a good cry out of my system and make things up with my husband. This is not usual behavior for me, and hasn't been for at least 13 years. So, what was up with that????
There was more. Bobby was having a rough week too because, although we were enjoying his family's visit, he wasn't sleeping as much as usual. I had a crappy day at work after getting two cavities filled and having a customer nearly lose it when she was going to lose $300 on returns. To top it off with a cherry, Bobby and I had a major back-and-forth when Kristin invited me to go dancing on Saturday night. Long story short, I made a bad decision and went...only for about 10 minutes, but it was enough to have heaped a pile of stinky guilt on my shoulders for going against my husband and remind myself that the club scene is sooooooooooo not the type of place I want to be at. I wanted to cry all of Sunday morning at church. But, Sunday was a breath of fresh air...church was about Paul speaking to the Corinthians, who thought they were elite Christians, entitled to privileged "deep" wisdom. He reminded them that the "secret wisdom" is the crucified Messiah and it's all about Him. Also, Bobby and I both had chances to really open up and share our beliefs and reasons for our actions with Jamie and Kristin, who continue to be wonderfully comfortable hosts. Even though I enjoyed hanging out with Kristin and her friend, she knows that I think I made the wrong decision in going.
Sigghhhhh....so where does this leave me? I don't know. In God's hands, as we all are, whether we realize it or not. If there is a God, then what He says is important. The Bible is His word. I'm so thankful for it, because I think that it will keep me from a lot of pain and guilt that I would otherwise create for myself if I was just trying to figure it all out on my own.
Lots of love...
Kara
ps...and I'm so thankful for my family and that we got to see them- it was a bright spot even if the week had some downsides (mostly of my own making).
Friday, July 23, 2010
Week Four: The Hump
I'm a little late in writing this blog, since it's already almost through week five already. I think that this is because week four truly did feel like the "hump" to get over and, in my slump, there didn't feel like a lot to write about. We're smack-dab in the middle of our rotation, and last week was definitely the hardest due to a lack of spending time with Bobby. I was scheduled almost all night shifts at Ann Taylor, and he was called in to work all weekend. We spent soooo much time together in Syracuse, so not seeing him feels like tearing the roots of a tree out of the ground, except the soil is my heart. (I've been reading "Breaking Dawn", hence the melodramatic simile)
I did get to see him Sunday night for a few hours and Monday morning when we had our "date" to the dentist's office. It was GREAT! I read magazines and drank gourmet coffee, talked to an old guy (with dentures that kept wanting to shoot out of his mouth) about the history of the Erie Canal. I joked around with the receptionist about the "Bird Man" who has a menagerie in his house and lives down the street from us. Meanwhile, Bobby was getting a major headache from the hygienist scraping plaque off his teeth, while stuck watching "The View", and eventually was told that he has an enormo amount of cavities! Thankfully, our first visit (X-Rays included) was all free! We'll wait and get a second opinion on his cavity situation.
[Minor Commentary on the Twighlight series: The author is obviously creating her dream reality, but at the same time, this reality reflects her real-life experiences: falling in love, and having a baby. In the book, it seems that she exaggerates about how wonderful it all is, but in a way, because words are so trite, you need to exaggerate to capture the "magic" of loving someone and having a child. I do look at my husband over and over and think how beautiful he is to me, like Bella does with Edward EVERY OTHER SENTENCE. I wonder how many women that I know have experienced an increased desire to have a baby due to the revelation of the joy/love that experience brings as described in those books. I know that reading the book, combined with friends of mine having children (Liberty!), has made me appreciate more what a gift it is.]
So, I got over the hump, because you do. Plus, I'm trying to embrace these slow, more purposeless days, and enjoy the quiet relaxation of them, instead of feeling pressured to find something meaningful to plug myself into and then guilty when I don't. I could and perhaps should volunteer though, and run...my body is getting weak.
Another semi-highlight of hump week was the impromptu road trip that Jamie took Kristen and I on to eat lunch in Buffalo at the bar/restaurant that created the original "Buffalo Wings"! Mom in the family who owned a restaurant didn't want some chicken to go to waste + her son and friends were hungry + some left over corn oil (?) = Buffalo Wings! Jamie is good about being spontaneous and appreciating the little activities that are at our fingertips every day. Plus, he doesn't mind driving long distances. Once, he drove 5 hours to NYC just for lunch!
Well, all this talk of Buffalo Wings is making me hungry, and there are some more in the fridge....
Later
oh, and Bobby is doing GREAT! He pumped a pediatric case this week, which requires more precision. He seems so strong to me...never complaining, hardly ever in a bad mood, and enthusiastic to share his days with me. He had a minute of a slump too though this weekend, because of working sooo much, and then having some of the patients die. It's got to be hard when you see a ton of money, as well as hours and hours of weekend time, and emotions all being spent by multiple people for what seems like nothing, because the patient dies. He knows that it's part of the job and, as long as he's not making an error that leads to their death, I don't think it'll weigh on him for too long. We'll see. Death is something that we can't quite reconcile, but shouldn't ignore.
I did get to see him Sunday night for a few hours and Monday morning when we had our "date" to the dentist's office. It was GREAT! I read magazines and drank gourmet coffee, talked to an old guy (with dentures that kept wanting to shoot out of his mouth) about the history of the Erie Canal. I joked around with the receptionist about the "Bird Man" who has a menagerie in his house and lives down the street from us. Meanwhile, Bobby was getting a major headache from the hygienist scraping plaque off his teeth, while stuck watching "The View", and eventually was told that he has an enormo amount of cavities! Thankfully, our first visit (X-Rays included) was all free! We'll wait and get a second opinion on his cavity situation.
[Minor Commentary on the Twighlight series: The author is obviously creating her dream reality, but at the same time, this reality reflects her real-life experiences: falling in love, and having a baby. In the book, it seems that she exaggerates about how wonderful it all is, but in a way, because words are so trite, you need to exaggerate to capture the "magic" of loving someone and having a child. I do look at my husband over and over and think how beautiful he is to me, like Bella does with Edward EVERY OTHER SENTENCE. I wonder how many women that I know have experienced an increased desire to have a baby due to the revelation of the joy/love that experience brings as described in those books. I know that reading the book, combined with friends of mine having children (Liberty!), has made me appreciate more what a gift it is.]
So, I got over the hump, because you do. Plus, I'm trying to embrace these slow, more purposeless days, and enjoy the quiet relaxation of them, instead of feeling pressured to find something meaningful to plug myself into and then guilty when I don't. I could and perhaps should volunteer though, and run...my body is getting weak.
Another semi-highlight of hump week was the impromptu road trip that Jamie took Kristen and I on to eat lunch in Buffalo at the bar/restaurant that created the original "Buffalo Wings"! Mom in the family who owned a restaurant didn't want some chicken to go to waste + her son and friends were hungry + some left over corn oil (?) = Buffalo Wings! Jamie is good about being spontaneous and appreciating the little activities that are at our fingertips every day. Plus, he doesn't mind driving long distances. Once, he drove 5 hours to NYC just for lunch!
Well, all this talk of Buffalo Wings is making me hungry, and there are some more in the fridge....
Later
oh, and Bobby is doing GREAT! He pumped a pediatric case this week, which requires more precision. He seems so strong to me...never complaining, hardly ever in a bad mood, and enthusiastic to share his days with me. He had a minute of a slump too though this weekend, because of working sooo much, and then having some of the patients die. It's got to be hard when you see a ton of money, as well as hours and hours of weekend time, and emotions all being spent by multiple people for what seems like nothing, because the patient dies. He knows that it's part of the job and, as long as he's not making an error that leads to their death, I don't think it'll weigh on him for too long. We'll see. Death is something that we can't quite reconcile, but shouldn't ignore.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Week Three
So, here's what's been happening lately...
Last week, Bobby worked 16-hour-days from 6:45am to 10:15pm. On Saturday, we slept in, slept in, and then slept in some more until 3:30pm. Although, I ended up wrecking the peace by having to throw up multiple times. I made it very dramatic...Bobby was sprinting to get the trashcan while I sealed my mouth shut with my fingers. The trashcan was full so he decided to search for a bag, but it was too late. I stumbled my way over to the trashcan, but knocked it over. Anyway, it was not cute.
Once that ordeal was over, we went "golfing" in what Bobby has now named "Buttswamp Course" (due to the marshy grass and nearby sewage plant). We really aren't golfers. Bobby gave the clubs over to me after about the fourth hole because his palms were bright red (even his practice swings look like he's attempting to chop down one of the Redwoods for speed and strength). My game was pretty good that day: meaning, I made contact with the ball on nearly every attempt. There were two main highlights of the entire afternoon: one, being lowered over a bridge by Jamie and Bobby into the stream to fish out a ball; and two, getting within 12 feet of a wild deer.
After that, we met up with Kristen and her friend to eat at a local, waterfront bar/restaurant, called Pelicans.
The next day was our FIRST ANNIVERSARY! We decided to go with the traditional gift materials, and give each other something paper this year. Bobby gave me nothing (but all his love and time), which I anticipated, so I made some of his coupons double-sided. In other words, if he wants to use his 15 minute massage coupon, I get to take him shopping with me (just an example). One of his favorite coupons was the 15 seconds of torture that he's allowed to freely inflict upon me...he was laughing maniacally (but I doubt he'll really use it).
We had a wonderful day: went to church, ate out on the water, talked about our marriage/year, and got lost taking an evening walk around the neighborhood. Because so much has changed in our lives, last year feels so long ago, but because our relationship has so much joy and love, it feels like less than a year since we married. I heard on the radio today, that out of 5,000 couples surveyed, the average amount of time after marriage that "love left the relationship" was 2 years and 6 months. Soooo, we'll have to keep a close eye out for signs of things that destroy that love and hold on to what we've got.
Well, lots of love to my friends and family reading this. I look forward to getting together with you!
Remember Amy in Belgium!
Last week, Bobby worked 16-hour-days from 6:45am to 10:15pm. On Saturday, we slept in, slept in, and then slept in some more until 3:30pm. Although, I ended up wrecking the peace by having to throw up multiple times. I made it very dramatic...Bobby was sprinting to get the trashcan while I sealed my mouth shut with my fingers. The trashcan was full so he decided to search for a bag, but it was too late. I stumbled my way over to the trashcan, but knocked it over. Anyway, it was not cute.
Once that ordeal was over, we went "golfing" in what Bobby has now named "Buttswamp Course" (due to the marshy grass and nearby sewage plant). We really aren't golfers. Bobby gave the clubs over to me after about the fourth hole because his palms were bright red (even his practice swings look like he's attempting to chop down one of the Redwoods for speed and strength). My game was pretty good that day: meaning, I made contact with the ball on nearly every attempt. There were two main highlights of the entire afternoon: one, being lowered over a bridge by Jamie and Bobby into the stream to fish out a ball; and two, getting within 12 feet of a wild deer.
After that, we met up with Kristen and her friend to eat at a local, waterfront bar/restaurant, called Pelicans.
The next day was our FIRST ANNIVERSARY! We decided to go with the traditional gift materials, and give each other something paper this year. Bobby gave me nothing (but all his love and time), which I anticipated, so I made some of his coupons double-sided. In other words, if he wants to use his 15 minute massage coupon, I get to take him shopping with me (just an example). One of his favorite coupons was the 15 seconds of torture that he's allowed to freely inflict upon me...he was laughing maniacally (but I doubt he'll really use it).
We had a wonderful day: went to church, ate out on the water, talked about our marriage/year, and got lost taking an evening walk around the neighborhood. Because so much has changed in our lives, last year feels so long ago, but because our relationship has so much joy and love, it feels like less than a year since we married. I heard on the radio today, that out of 5,000 couples surveyed, the average amount of time after marriage that "love left the relationship" was 2 years and 6 months. Soooo, we'll have to keep a close eye out for signs of things that destroy that love and hold on to what we've got.
Well, lots of love to my friends and family reading this. I look forward to getting together with you!
Remember Amy in Belgium!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Week One
Well, It's official. They've stolen my husband. I dropped him off at 6:45am; it's now 8:51 pm, and I haven't yet heard a word from B to come pick him up.
Part of me wants to pity him, worried that the long hours will be too much, but the truth is that I know he can handle it. I mean, he VOLUNTEERED to be at the hospital last Friday night from 1 am-7:30 am to get extra experience. He has definitely far surpassed me in nerdiness now. Wellllll, that's probably debatable: I have already gone to two libraries to try to get a card, which was unsuccessful. I will NOT pay $30.00 for a library card just because I don't have a permanent address! But I sort of crave books.
I am learning about medical procedures and the hospital environment though. The OR doesn't sound exactly like what you'd expect. From what I hear, there can be a lot more cursing, occasional lude comments, and even rap music. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much detail because there are things that go on in the hospitals that they don't want leaked...
As for me, I'm sort of all over the place, in a "focus" sense (as you may be able to pick up from this particular blog). One minute I'm thinking that I can become a technical writer, and the next I'm watching google videos about how to faux paint (which I think is sort of out, while wallpaper is back in -?). Agh, I need to stick to what I know: children/counseling, but it's kind of hard to find a job when you'll be leaving in seven - make that six - weeks. I can't complain though: today I laid by the pool, was fed food and drinks, and even got a little (oops)...burnt. (shhhh...getting a real tan is soooooo out, and soooo dangerous)
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, HOLLYWOOD...MY SKIN LOOKS CLEARER AND TIGHTER ALL SUMMER LONG. I'LL BE DARNED IF YOU THINK I'M GOING TO GET MY SUNSHINE OUT OF A SPRAYCAN!
(out of all the messages Hollywood sends, this is the one I choose to fight?)
but, I digress...I watched "Idiocracy" yesterday. It's sort of a satire about how all of the "smarter/successful" people are waiting longer and longer to have children and are having fewer and fewer of them, while the "dumber/unsuccessful" people are breeding like...like....really fast. I have definitely seen evidence of this. In the movie, the result of this is a future where everyone is really raunchy and stupid, and the president is a muscle-bound ex-wrestler. So, Holly, Krystina, I think that it is our moral obligation and duty to our country to have babies! (Liberty, good work, almost.)
Okay, well, if you have any refutations or remarks, I'd love to hear them.
Have a good week!
oh, another thing that happened this past week was that I would have gotten hit in the head with a foul ball at a minor-league baseball game if I hadn't ducked. It felt like slow motion.
Part of me wants to pity him, worried that the long hours will be too much, but the truth is that I know he can handle it. I mean, he VOLUNTEERED to be at the hospital last Friday night from 1 am-7:30 am to get extra experience. He has definitely far surpassed me in nerdiness now. Wellllll, that's probably debatable: I have already gone to two libraries to try to get a card, which was unsuccessful. I will NOT pay $30.00 for a library card just because I don't have a permanent address! But I sort of crave books.
I am learning about medical procedures and the hospital environment though. The OR doesn't sound exactly like what you'd expect. From what I hear, there can be a lot more cursing, occasional lude comments, and even rap music. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much detail because there are things that go on in the hospitals that they don't want leaked...
As for me, I'm sort of all over the place, in a "focus" sense (as you may be able to pick up from this particular blog). One minute I'm thinking that I can become a technical writer, and the next I'm watching google videos about how to faux paint (which I think is sort of out, while wallpaper is back in -?). Agh, I need to stick to what I know: children/counseling, but it's kind of hard to find a job when you'll be leaving in seven - make that six - weeks. I can't complain though: today I laid by the pool, was fed food and drinks, and even got a little (oops)...burnt. (shhhh...getting a real tan is soooooo out, and soooo dangerous)
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, HOLLYWOOD...MY SKIN LOOKS CLEARER AND TIGHTER ALL SUMMER LONG. I'LL BE DARNED IF YOU THINK I'M GOING TO GET MY SUNSHINE OUT OF A SPRAYCAN!
(out of all the messages Hollywood sends, this is the one I choose to fight?)
but, I digress...I watched "Idiocracy" yesterday. It's sort of a satire about how all of the "smarter/successful" people are waiting longer and longer to have children and are having fewer and fewer of them, while the "dumber/unsuccessful" people are breeding like...like....really fast. I have definitely seen evidence of this. In the movie, the result of this is a future where everyone is really raunchy and stupid, and the president is a muscle-bound ex-wrestler. So, Holly, Krystina, I think that it is our moral obligation and duty to our country to have babies! (Liberty, good work, almost.)
Okay, well, if you have any refutations or remarks, I'd love to hear them.
Have a good week!
oh, another thing that happened this past week was that I would have gotten hit in the head with a foul ball at a minor-league baseball game if I hadn't ducked. It felt like slow motion.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Welcome to Rochester!
Hi everyone (...anyone??)!
For those of you who don't know, Bobby and I have begun our year of traveling. The plan, subject to change, tentatively looks like this:
1. Rochester, NY
2. Portland, ME
3. Raleigh, NC (and then a break from Christmas during which we head back to Syracuse, NY for testing)
4. Portland, OR
5. New Orleans, LA.
Every seven weeks we'll be packing up and moving to the next destination, traveling in our car. I figured that a great way to keep in touch could be through blogging - that way a lot of people can get the day to day details that a phone convo may not contain.
Well, today is the first day of Bobby's clinical rotation so I woke up with him at some time after 5 am to drive him to the hospital. He wore a tie and button-down shirt and was a little nervous about making a good first impression. On the way to the hospital, I made a comment about his lunch being in a plastic Walmart bag, so he deserted it at the door, afraid that it might look bad or even that the Perfusionist might hate Wally-world for putting so many little companies under. So, I guess he got to buy today. I've spent the day running errands with Kristen and finding clever hiding spots for all of our clothing and stuff. "STUFF" being a LOT of bathroom products (this very very much includes Bobby's collection). You would think we would have gotten rid of more of those things, considering they're fairly cheap.
Rochester and the family here have treated us wonderfully so far. The first day we arrived, Kristen's mom had us over for BBQ ribs and clams. I discovered that I LOVE clams, dipped in butter....mmmm. I ate about 20. The only thing was that they were very poopy...full of green poopy. Jamie looked it up, and apparently they must not have been prepared properly by the grocery store. When you get them in alive, you're supposed to put them into water, without food, let them poop, and then skim the poo off the top. Unfortunately, these guys were either constipated or the little teenage seafood man didn't do his job properly. Jamie took the remaining clams to make soup, but he sort of pureed (sp?) them into a greenish looking mush that we decided would be better to throw out. By the way, I'm hoping Jamie's skills in the kitchen will rub off on Bobby. They seem to be a more independent couple than us in some ways. I think we'll work well together though.
Yesterday we celebrated Grandpa's 91st bday (picture the little old man from "UP", b/c that's what he looks like). It was nice - they always feed us so well there, and we had some pleasant convos. On the way home, we drove around the block to sneak up behind Grandpa and follow him home to make sure he made it safely. Jamie was tail-gating a bit but everything went okay, aside from Grandpa staying stopped at a green light and waiting for it to change again before turning and slowly.
Well, I'm going to go do something.
Bye for now (and let's have a clam bake someday!)
For those of you who don't know, Bobby and I have begun our year of traveling. The plan, subject to change, tentatively looks like this:
1. Rochester, NY
2. Portland, ME
3. Raleigh, NC (and then a break from Christmas during which we head back to Syracuse, NY for testing)
4. Portland, OR
5. New Orleans, LA.
Every seven weeks we'll be packing up and moving to the next destination, traveling in our car. I figured that a great way to keep in touch could be through blogging - that way a lot of people can get the day to day details that a phone convo may not contain.
Well, today is the first day of Bobby's clinical rotation so I woke up with him at some time after 5 am to drive him to the hospital. He wore a tie and button-down shirt and was a little nervous about making a good first impression. On the way to the hospital, I made a comment about his lunch being in a plastic Walmart bag, so he deserted it at the door, afraid that it might look bad or even that the Perfusionist might hate Wally-world for putting so many little companies under. So, I guess he got to buy today. I've spent the day running errands with Kristen and finding clever hiding spots for all of our clothing and stuff. "STUFF" being a LOT of bathroom products (this very very much includes Bobby's collection). You would think we would have gotten rid of more of those things, considering they're fairly cheap.
Rochester and the family here have treated us wonderfully so far. The first day we arrived, Kristen's mom had us over for BBQ ribs and clams. I discovered that I LOVE clams, dipped in butter....mmmm. I ate about 20. The only thing was that they were very poopy...full of green poopy. Jamie looked it up, and apparently they must not have been prepared properly by the grocery store. When you get them in alive, you're supposed to put them into water, without food, let them poop, and then skim the poo off the top. Unfortunately, these guys were either constipated or the little teenage seafood man didn't do his job properly. Jamie took the remaining clams to make soup, but he sort of pureed (sp?) them into a greenish looking mush that we decided would be better to throw out. By the way, I'm hoping Jamie's skills in the kitchen will rub off on Bobby. They seem to be a more independent couple than us in some ways. I think we'll work well together though.
Yesterday we celebrated Grandpa's 91st bday (picture the little old man from "UP", b/c that's what he looks like). It was nice - they always feed us so well there, and we had some pleasant convos. On the way home, we drove around the block to sneak up behind Grandpa and follow him home to make sure he made it safely. Jamie was tail-gating a bit but everything went okay, aside from Grandpa staying stopped at a green light and waiting for it to change again before turning and slowly.
Well, I'm going to go do something.
Bye for now (and let's have a clam bake someday!)
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