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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Say it isn't so

It is so. I am actually done. Finished. I have reached the end of this marathon race. I have so many mixed emotions, it is hard to start describing them.

Elated because I don't have to worry about finishing assignments
Relaxed because I don't have to deal with the frustrations of school
Lost because I don't know what I should be doing now
Sad because I will miss the people that I have formed bonds with
Hopeful because I will get to see some of those people
Hesitant to celebrate because I am in the process of applying for grad school
Thankful for the support from my friends and family (especially Nate when he was patient with my less-than-optimally-clean ways)

I'm taking these positive emotions and remembering what it feels like, so I can learn how to appropriately adjust my attitude during stressful times. I'm off to accomplish some other exciting things I have been pushing off until I had more time. (Finish my christmas cards, buy a couple christmas presents, sign a lease, explore puppy ads, finish class slideshow, finish NCLEX application, take a bath :) I love life. **In other news, I reconnected with an old friend today** It just keeps on getting better.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Bits of self reflection

If I have learned anything this semester, it is how to be extremely vague and wordy without getting a point across. In filling out evaluations, I found that I can talk around things without really saying much or making many points. Maybe this is just a result of too many assignments and senioritis... (should invent a med for that). My last doosey of a paper - 40 pages of text written with a partner thank goodness - was essentially loops of words. When you get to a certain length and level, as long as you throw in enough big buzz words, they just think you know what you're talking about, when really you're just trying to find enough text to fill up so many pages so they really don't want to read it.

Reading through my stuff to find a perfect example has left me empty handed. However, I did not venture into said 40pg paper. Maybe at the time when I'm writing it, it doesn't seem to make sense when in actuality it does and I've just sat here for too long reading and trying to find the perfect words to describe how I've met Course Objectives #1-9.

In other news, I've started an extensive "for fun" reading list that I can't wait to conquer!!! First up, Marley and Me. I've read the first four chapters at Hastings as a stress reliever, comical break, bad procrastinaiton habit. Think I'll finally give in and buy the book as a present to myself on Tuesday, December 16.

*4 days, 15 hours, 40 minutes

Sunday, November 30, 2008

'Tis the Season!

'Tis the Season for Christmas Carols! Hope you enjoy this other little gem. Definitely will make you smile and feel warm and fuzzy.



Da Yoopers, Rusty Chevrolet

A little late, but a classic



I am in the process of writing my annual Christmas letter, and I needed to know the correct spelling for Da Yoopers when I found this gem! I didn't even know a video existed for it! Hope you enjoy.

Da Yoopers, Second Week of Deer Camp

Saturday, November 08, 2008

I can't do it!

I've decided for this one and only semester, I'm going to be fine with getting a C, whether it be on a paper, test, or crazy 20+ page project that needs to be started. I tried to not frantically study for my last test, and it went pretty well. I only studied for about three hours (on and mostly off) and managed to pull a high B/ low A away from it. I was completely satisfied with both the effort I put in and the grade I got out. (As I would have been with a low B/ high C.)

However, I'm finding that I cannot slack off on my papers!!!! Trust me, it is not because I want the good grade; it is because I'm passionate about the topics I am writing about. My latest paper was about universal health care. I think I have more than 6 references! WTF! I only needed one more reference other than the book I read for the stinking paper! Granted, one is a dictionary, one is a website, and three are different chapters in my edited book (all requiring separate entries according to APA guidelines). I wanted to support my ideas, but I don't think I needed to with this much annoying detail. Even though I am passionate about the subject, I go into this manic like phase when I write and I impulsively look for facts and figures and expert opinions to validate my opinions. It must be the journalist in me still hanging on from 6 years ago. Old habits do die hard...

Some randomness for you, oh reader, after the four and half hours I spent being a manic paper writer, I left this trusty cafe with the comfy seats and friendly baristas for the mall to get some real food. Even though I'm usually disgusted by early Christmas crap, I found myself happily engaging in the uplifting atmosphere. I ignored the looming cloud of schoolwork hanging above my head and imagined what it might be like to be those people having fun shopping for early Christmas gifts. Little kids squeal in delight, young teenage girls giggle about passing boys, a couple stare longly into each other's eyes, everyone looks like they don't have to do homework... EVER. I can honestly say that for a couple minutes I was able to completely forget what it was like to be buried under this suffocating heap of 'busy'work.

Ah.... such bliss.

Back to Paper #2 - Healthy Work Environment Status as Measured by Receiving the Beacon Award a 10-15 pager.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

aaahhhhhhh *sigh of relief*

It is strange how life gives you those simple reminders that you're doing the right thing. I was certain that my attitude for one class was less than positively radiant, and I felt guilty for this. I was worried that my instructor would take on the burden that my dissatisfaction and frustration was partly her fault, but of course it wasn't. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of work I still need to do in the 39 days and 20 hours left until The End, and I may have reflected this in my weekly update to her.

Thankfully, I had an opportunity to clarify my "concept of nursing" with her at my mid term meeting, and at the end of our meeting, she gave me one of the most heartfelt and sincere comments any nursing instructor gave me. She said that I may be quiet during our small group discussions and class, but when I do contribute to the group discussion, she feels that what I say is thoughtful and meaningful. She continued to say that this trait is very important for nurses to have because it lets patients feel as if they are being listened to.

Through all of the agony endured in my five and a half year stint as a student, these infrequent but memorable experiences remind me that I am doing something right and will one day be a successful professional in the career that I have invested so much emotional energy in. Thank you, comment givers, for helping me (and many others) see that glaring light at the end of the tunnel.

Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Wow.



I'm relieved that I don't have to abandon the country now.

Barack Obama Full Presidential Elect Acceptance Speech

Friday, October 24, 2008

Speaks for itself



Voter Caging in Montana, Missoula Red Tape, voter suppression Montana

Monday, October 06, 2008

Deadlines

Being a student teaches you all about deadlines and time management - most times in cruel and unusual ways. This post is not about the stress of being a college student. I'm slowly maturing into my 'professional life' and looking at the bigger picture. Right now, that 'bigger picture' is the impending election. 


Specifically, I was glad to see that Obama supported American Nurses Association initiatives 100% in 2005 and McCain supported ANA only 20% in 2005. 

Regardless of my obvious political bias, this is the reason why I'm writing. The deadline to register to vote in Montana by mail is today. However, if you're any bit of a procrastinator like I am, you can still register in person 'at your local election office'. 

Friday, September 26, 2008

Work of FICTION!

I touch your skin
it is electrifying - 
Oh how I've missed this.
~
I've missed touching you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I absorb your scent
memories flash before me,
of times you held me close.
~
I've missed your scent.
~~~~~~~~~~
You speak sweet words.
I've heard those words before,
but never with as much feeling.
~
I've missed your voice.
~~~~~~~~~~
Your lips gently press on mine -
you taste so sweet...
matches your personality.
~
Oh how I've longed to taste you.
~~~~~~~~~
Where are you?

For I cannot see you.

Oh please come back - 

I miss you.

***Disclaimer: For starters, I am not a genius at poetry metering and rhythm - sorry. Second - no part of this is true. *Not one lousy little part.* It is purely a work of fiction. 

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Picture Letter

One of many Lost Lakes in Minnesota by Vermilion Lake.





Fires in Missoula.




Funky flower from the farmer's market.





Edinburgh Dahlia



Duckling looking to jump



...maybe just a little closer



... one webbed foot,



and the other!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Sexism - take II

It is funny how an educated woman, who actually has a personal values system, is ridiculed by the "elite" media as a a woman that reminds married men of their "nagging wives". I am so frustrated by the GOP's move to choose a WOMAN as VP, I can't find words to explain how I feel.



At least someone isn't afraid to call her what she is...



Tina Fey as Sarah Palin SNL spoof, Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin SNL, Saturday Night Live
Sarah Palin and Stephen Colbert Report

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Enjoy - click for better views

There she is. 14,110 ft tall.



I think this picture shows the course from the ski area to Glen Cove.



One part of the W's at Pikes Peak.



The practice runs were held very early in the morning. The sun didn't have a chance to burn through this cloud front before it went on the course. If you look closely, you can see that this driver, Mike Childress #229, had his 2003 Ford F150 on two wheels! Mike finished 2nd in the ProTruck Divsion with a time of 14:16.701.



Fast car, nothing looks too wrong with it, right? Kind of throwing up a lot of dirt, but no biggie, right?
I think this is Robert Lopez #21 in the Pikes Peak Open division.



This tire and two more identical ones may be the reason for the car throwing up so much dirt! Mr. Lopez finished 2nd in his class in his 2006 Subaru WRX STI with a final time of 13:13.143. As a side note and not to discredit Robert's finish, half of the cars in the Pikes Peak Open division did not finish. Here is Marty Roestenburg, who was also in the Pikes Peak Open Division. Very nice guy and an exceptional racer. He was almost a full minute ahead of the other cars in his division at the 16 mile checkpoint!



Garden of the Gods.



Kissing camels at the Garden of the Gods. Can you see them?



Here are the camels close up.




COG railway. I hope it never needs these last couple of... inches!



2008 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb pictures, 2008 PPIHC pictures, 2008 Race to the Clouds pictures

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Issues




In such an important and close presidential race, why would you initiate tactics like this retard did? The people that are on the fence want to know how one candidate is going to better this messed up country, and where he stands on the things that matter - the issues. IF, IF, I was voting for McCain, I would hope that the genius behind this ad was fired. But, as far as I'm concerned, keep him (or her) on! He's single handedly ruining McCain's reputation. Good. But, doesn't McCain approve his ads before airing them? Hm... who should really be fired then?

John McCain, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears campaign ad parody

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Leavened or Unleavened



If I were a bread, I would like to imagine that my life would equate to a fresh bread made at the local bakery (Le Petit Outre). Free of preservatives and artificial colorings and flavorings. A simple yet complex blend of few ingredients that form together and the outcome is literally dependent on the weather. Somedays I'm tough and hard to swallow, other times, most enjoyable in moderation with a little bit of butter, and in some cases the sole perfect accompaniment to a warm, hearty bowl of soup.

Why in the world would a normally sane girl be comparing herself to a loaf of bread? Well, because I'm incredibly worried that my life is going to turn stale if I don't do something about it. I have been living in the freezer, known as Montana, for a while and haven't realized that life outside of the freezer is new and challenging, but what challenges do I want to take? Which ones do I want to avoid? Am I just making a huge mess of nothing? I want to go out and discover new places and breads, but at what cost? Will I be leavened and rise to the occasion and search out new experiences, or will I be unleavened, humble, and enjoy what I have for the fact that I'm familiar with my situation... does that breed contempt, or contentment?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed with open ears.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Very 'Cuil'

A new search engine that accesses more web pages. You can read all about it from Yahoo here. I tried it out by searching my own name, and I was surprised by how many more listings were found. One possible problem is that it seems to log a ton of spam pages. Maybe these were just kinks in my highly technical search. I'll definitely try using cuil more in the future.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fun way to inform ppl

Don't have a garage, but this is a smart idea presented in a very clever manner. Engineers can be interesting and fun!

PPIHC 2008 Highlight Video

I thought this video did a good job at combining a lot of the better racers - there were a lot of quads and motorcycles *yawn*. (Still braver than me to do it tho!) The monkeys in the side cars were absolutely crazy! It doesn't seem that bad if you're driving and have control over your vehicle, but essentially holding on and inspecting the road, very closely, at high speeds is absolutely insane! These guys (and gal) look like they enjoy it tho! (I wish the pictures were a little slower, tho - as you may know, I like to look at the bigger picture! ;)




Pikes Peak 2008 video, Race to the Clouds 2008 video, PPIHC 2008 video,

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

contentment vs. disappointment vs. frustration

I've been debating the differences between these words lately and how they each relate to my life. Am I just content? Is it disappointment? Maybe I'm just frustrated by the unknown.... more to come later...

Reset






My Clustrmap was reset while I was in Las Vegas. I was growing proud of my little red dots, and suddenly, they disappeared! :( Oh well, now I have new little red dots to look after and take care of by feeding them with new and entertaining posts. I hope they grow up to be big and strong! (I knew it was going to be reset, but it was a little shocking. I'm just glad I have access to the old map.) I did have another IP address tracker on here, but I thought it was a little too violating of people's rights albeit, very interesting that it could get that close. It might reappear from scratch, or maybe not. I'll probably debate it for a long time only to come to a decision that is completely out of the blue.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

In the musical dark

My iPod was acting up, so I showed it who was boss and reformatted the darn thing. (While losing music I did not have on my computer :( .) When I was playing around and trying to see if there was any way that I could save some of my songs, I stumbled on to the artwork buttons and realized it was much easier to add artwork than I had thought. I originally thought one had to buy the artwork (you probably do, and I'm doing this illegally, but that's really enough said).

Anyways, when I was going through all of my music (all 2 GB of music alone, not including podcasts) I realized a couple of things. The first thing that I realized is how out of touch I am with the current music scene. Not only with new bands, but with bands I have grown to love, but over time have just forgotten about. Take my love, Mason Jennings, for instance -- the last album I bought of his was Century Spring back in 2002 or 2003. Since then, he has released 3 more albums that I know nothing about - except sadly for their existence. :'( I don't even want to talk about the many shows I've missed of since I began living in the middle of a musically challenged black hole ** please note disclaimer**. (Tool cancelled their show here in December, and a couple of years ago, Ani DiFranco also cancelled in Bozeman, but is thankfully coming back this year to both Missoula and Bozeman.)

Aside from learning that many bands I love have new albums out, a couple of bands announced a hiatus beginning this year! WTF! (I guess it does give me some time to catch up on the albums I don't know.) Both Incubus and RHCP announced this spring that they were taking at least a year each to catch up on their lives. ...Come on! Don't they know how to multi-task? I am selfishly joking. Taking breaks from each other is a great thing- as long as they get back together down the line when I'm ready and can actually afford to take day trips to BFE to see their shows.

Since it is one o'clock in the morning, I suppose I'll get back to my "tasks". I leave on Thursday morning for Vegas.



** There are many musically gifted people already here in Missoula, and for that I am thankful for, I just miss *my* bands.

Monday, July 07, 2008

keeping me up to date



Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and cookie monster

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Randomness

Okay, so it has been a long time since I've posted a real post. I'm going to send my grandma Lois a visual letter. Who doesn't like to receive pictures? When I get all the pictures together I'll post a duplicate here. On a side note, it rained last night and it smells wonderfully today! On another side note, we have some wild pet birds. (They aren't really pets, they just perch on our open windows (with screens)). They are very cute, and they sing beautifully. More to come later.

Friday, June 06, 2008

"Freedom Drops"

As sad as it is, this is how I stay up to date on the news that matters. I can't even explain how disgusted I am by the news reporters featured in this clip. (Insert own wise crack about balding middle-aged men here).



Jon Stewart and Kristen Schaal and Hillary Clinton and sexism

Friday, May 30, 2008

Like morels from a burned forest floor...

Something good always comes from a disaster.



I don't know much about morels, but supposedly they are delicious. (I think they look creepy.) Isn't it interesting that disasters push people to create new inventions, discover new information, and become more diplomatic? I like to think that even though somethings are disasters currently, the amount of information that society takes from that event is amazing. Makes me proud to be a human - an Earthling.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

"Unauthorized reproduction is encouraged"

Stolen from another blog... hehehe! ... "corporal cuddling".



An Engineer's guide to cats by Klusmanp

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Why didn't we evolve with wings?

I know there are people looking at this blog ... vote on my poll! (By the way, I love Moby, and I'm ever so grateful that I got the opportunity to see him in concert... maybe it will happen again?)

Friday, May 16, 2008

Missoulians... beware!

This morning, I heard a cop pull over not 1, not 2, but 3 people in less than a half hour. The speed limit (conveniently unposted) is only 25 mph, and there is a stop sign at Johnson and North that people frequently slide through. The cops patrol this area like crazy. If you are over here, do not speed, and do not slide through the stop sign.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

New Season = Change

Decided to change my blog layout around. I did this for a couple of reasons. The primary reason was because my pictures and videos were difficult to see with the dark background. Another reason was that I simply like to change things around some times. (And, I'm avoiding cleaning up all of my school paperwork crap among other things like the dishes, laundry, and general organization). Hope you like the new do and...

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON MY POLL! yes... I'm talking to you. You don't even need to "register." Sweet and simple. Click on an answer and thats it. There is room for computer malfunctions, but luckily a mistake here doesn't decided our next four years. This poll is for my own curiosity.

Oh yea, it would probably be good for you to vote/register for the presidential election. Just got my voter card in the mail the other day! :D *Beaming proudly*

Long time coming


Here are some pictures I've been meaning to post since oh... September!


Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Ready, set, READ!!!

113 Days of summer here I come! I have several different Nicholas Sparks books lined up to read over the course of the summer (including the one that I checked out in February that I haven't gotten around to finishing yet). Others on my list include:
A Million Little Pieces
My Friend Leonard
Going to Bend
Prozac Nation
1000 Tables
The Way we Eat
Hubler's "Leadership and Nursing Care Management

Hopefully I'll be able to finish all of these this summer and still have a great time. I'm still looking for more suggestions!

Post Script - 5-13-08
When we were in Bozeman, we stopped at some bookstores: the Country Bookshelf and Vargos Jazz City and Books. While perusing the shelves, I found at least a dozen more books that look fascinating. Being the dork that I am, I took some pictures with my phone so I wouldn't forget them!
Cooking with Spices for Dummies
The Spice Bible
The New Intercourses
Dog Years - random- don't even know what it is about, but the dog is surely cute!
Letters to a Young Chef
Street World
The Expert's Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do

Thursday, May 01, 2008

ACP - Advanced Care Planning

I can understand why families have a hard time making end of life decisions. If they decide that DNR is best and comfort care is provided, the family can feel as if they are "giving up" on their loved one. If they want to prolong life at all costs, they may feel guilty that they are making them live in pain. What if a person with a DNR just needs a little help now and still has a couple years left? What if you're making the person live a life that you think is best when all they really want is a good ol' juicy cheeseburger? What if you give him that cheeseburger and it essentially kills him? What if you had just stuck to the healthy way and he would still be there five years down the road but those years would be painful?

While I do not have a person family member experiencing this now - she is better than any person, she is my dog. Come July 18, she will turn 13. My mom called me yesterday and said that she thought she had died the other day because she wouldn't get up and wasn't even moving very much to breathe. Kashmira has been with me more than half of my life. I haven't really talked with my mom about this, but I'm pretty sure she thinks that we should put her down soon. But, what if...? My mind is racing, and the tears are flowing.

I feel guilty that I haven't been with her very much the past several years I've been in school. I try to remind myself of all of the things that we did get to do together. When we were both much younger, she pulled me in a sled every where. It was the highlight of my day to come home from school and go race around on the trails by my house with her. She even had a real dog sled harness! Then she had puppies and they were oh so cute. Then we would go walking all around the woods all of the time. She loved to go to the park on Main St. and chase the squirrels. She would get very antsy whenever I would take her for a walk because she seemed to like it so much. Then, she was my only companion for a while, and we did everything together- including going to school! Then she traveled with me. We stayed next to a gopher town in N.D. and she had a blast there trying to hunt them down. (Of course it didn't work). We went to MT, UT, and NV. She stayed there for a while, then came back to MN with my mom and sister. I took her back out to MT to live for a while. It was funny watching her pounce through the deep snow. She got sprayed by a skunk one night after she had been to the groomer (or else she found a dead skunk and rolled in it). Classic. She tried to chase the deer once out there ( I know it is uncouth, but I couldn't stop her). Then she came back to MN and has lived with my mom until now.

I don't know what to do.





Disclaimer, she is 80% fur. When ever she gets wet you can see her body and she is not as big as she looks with her puffy fur.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Earth Week

I know this video seems long at first glance, but before you know it, you're already six minutes and then... it's over! I would like to post some more articles/pictures for Earth Week, but we'll see what how my procrastination abilities pan out.


http://view.break.com/381084 - Watch more free videos

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

My Simple Mind

I don't really get many opportunities to watch television. The only time that is pretty consistent for me is in the afternoon - when seemingly nothing is on. The afternoon is too late (and too early) for all of the good Food Network shows, and it is too early to watch classic reruns of CSI (the original in Las Vegas) on Spike. This lack of options has made me search out for something new. I found several wastes of my time such as Extreme Dating on Fox Reality (on a side note, how can there be an entire channel dedicated to reality TV?). However, I have found several shows that I actually like: The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Scrubs, DogTown (animal rescue), and Code Blue (or some other form of reality show that is situated in the ER). Yesterday I saw the funniest episode of Scrubs. Today I saw a very surprising thing on the Colbert Report. Who ever knew Stephen Colbert could sing like this! Wow. Well, I'll leave you with this video of Stephen singing and now, onto the mound of dishes! :p  



Sunday, March 23, 2008

Renewed Invigoration

After my last stressed out post, I found some ways to help cope. First, I decided to buy a subscription to Bead Style magazine. I rationalized this with my resolution to make more jewelry this summer. In buying the magazines, I'll hopefully be more inspired and my inspiration will grow and I'll be able to create my own works of wearable art. 

Second, I'm finally going to commit to changing my position to one that isn't as demanding in the amount of hours that I'm required to work. I know people can work 20+ hours a week and they are just fine. For me, it is mostly brutal. (Warning rant coming!) In working so much, I'm not able to spend as much time doing stuff that is good for me. I miss not being able to go out with Nate or my close friends on a whim. I miss not being able to cook dinner whenever I want (as opposed to 3 nights a week - usually I'm too exhausted anyways). And I miss being able to go to cultural things - even if I can't drag anyone along. 

What cemented my plan to switch positions was an email from Mason Jennings regarding his summer shows. He and Jack Johnson are playing at River's Edge in Somerset, WI on June 22. I think the last (and first) outdoor music festival I was able to dance freely at was the Green Man Festival outside of Duluth in the summer of 2002. I guess there were sporadic trips to Duluth to dance outside of Pizza Luce to WookieFoot and high school dances where people asked if my friends and I were on drugs (because we took up the unoccupied back half of the cafeteria to have room)! Anyways, rambling aside, I need to be in an unrestricted atmosphere and dance my little heart out to music that I like to dance to. If I were to keep my position, I would not be able to live as recklessly as I would like (take a week off here, week off there, etc). 

In addition to the above mentioned stress relievers, I also found a couple websites that I'm really enjoying right now. Baking Bites and Not Martha are my favorites so far.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Me

I don't like who I am. My less than ideal personality quirks have made things - life - more difficult. The latest confrontation I had about me made me feel so awful. Why do I do this? Why don't I do that? More often than not it seems that I could be more ideal if I just shut-up and didn't say anything to anyone. I have gotten better at moderating my comments and anything that comes out of my mouth, but I still am less than ideal. (I'm refraining from the word "perfect" because I am realistic.) 

When I was younger (throughout grade/middle/high school) I wanted to be other people because it seemed like they had everything - the nice clothes, caring parents, lots of friends. Now, I wish I had other people's personality traits. (On a positive note, I'm grateful because I recognize traits that I'm glad that I don't have.) It seems to me that if I were less of a "know-it-all" and more of a _____ (I don't even know what it is trait these people have), my life would be easier. How do I do this? How do I become a better person? I am trying but what if there's a key part that I'm missing because I can't see it and others can? Oh and on top of this - I don't want to be a nurse this week. Hopefully next week my perspective will change. 

Friday, March 14, 2008

Newly discovered oddities

At times, I am strange. Some may already know this to be true, but I am finally admitting it. Recently, I've found that I like to read obituaries. I'm not sure what started this fixation, but I enjoy reading about people's lives - some being very impressive! 

Another oddity is that I dislike when people ask how you are, and since I only use proper grammar when I have to, I say "good." When I return the question, they say "well". What are they trying to prove? Well you, sir, are working at a grocery store. I suppose that I annoy these people just as much because I am not using proper grammar, and am therefore, uneducated. 

During my spring break, my imagination is running wild. I have really odd dreams, and very odd daydreams. (Watching the Travel channel's lists of Best Beaches in Florida, the Caribbean, the United States, Hawaii, and the Sexiest Beaches of the World, only increases my daydreaming capabilities). One dream that I had, I was crawling in three feet of fluffy snow with a machete. 

This is all I can think of for now.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Quick Post

While perusing for some clips to add to our group project, I came across this YouTuber. When I watched the first video, "Grief is Like Racing," I wasn't sure if he was mocking grief or if this guy was for real. Some of the things he touched on were right on the money and sensitive, but Nascar racing??? Honestly, how can anyone take that seriously! 

Further investigation on my part would show me that this guy actually knows what he is talking about! He is a Master's prepared licensed counselor! I can't believe he has only been on YouTube for 2 months and doesn't have a huge fan base yet. Count me in! I think what I like best about him is that he is making light of serious situations and is discreetly offering serious advice. 

Here is one of his videos and a link to his YouTube profile with the complete list of his videos.



Saturday, February 09, 2008

I found some new shoes!

While this one isn't exactly like the ones I found, it is still very similar. They are little jewelry boxes that look like flip flops! Very, very cute! And, amazingly inexpensive at $6.50 per shoe. I bought three of them from the Garden of Beadin' to use as gift boxes for some hand made jewelry. 

But I still love 'em

My Danskos have molded to become my most favorite pair of shoes. However, they have one eensy weensy problem - they have put a damper on my love of shoe shopping. Granted, they cost around $100 and that alone would be enough to make some people quit buying shoes. These shoes are so perfect that other shoes can't live up to the standard that my Danskos have set. Even my other "almost every dayers" get jealous because I don't take them out as often as my Danskos. My Danskos fit like warm fuzzy slippers on a cold winter's day. My foot is ying and my Dansko, yang. 

Sunday, January 27, 2008

New "do"

I thought it would be fun to spice up the layout of my blog. I found this great website, Pyzam, from browsing another blog. I was overwhelmed by how many different layouts they had. I wanted to do a Valentine's Day theme without it being too corny, and this is what I found! I think it is beautiful, but I can't add sidebar links the same way that I could so nicely with blogger's layouts. They will have to do, though. I have several things that I want to post, so stay tuned!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Nothing is more disappointing

... than a dirty bathroom. My critique of bathrooms started when I was in about the third grade and I hated using a certain bathroom at a well known big box store. I hated it because it was disgusting. It always smelled of cigarette smoke or a stuffy combination of fake flowers and cigarette smoke. It was never clean, and it was always dark and dingy. 

Nate and I had dinner at a well known chain restaurant. A typical plate at this place costs anywhere from $15 - $26. I used the restroom, and it made me completely disappointed with the place. The bathroom was poorly laid out, had strange smell, had a dark, dingy look, and dealing with the faucets was a nightmare! Nothing can ruin a first impression faster than a dirty bathroom. It is one thing if you're a busy nursing student with a part-time job and you only get around to cleaning the bathroom every other week. But a nationally known chain restaurant (and I'm not talking about a fast food restaurant- one expects their bathrooms to be disgusting) should have clean bathrooms. (Not to mention, if you follow a particular "theme", why would you not include it in your bathrooms). I guess what really makes me upset about this is that a dirty bathroom makes one wonder what else is dirty that the paying customer doesn't see in a restaurant. 

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Wait for it!

This video is hilarious, you just have to wait until the end! When Kashmira was in Montana, she would get snow stuck in her paws so I bought her a similar pair of booties and she did the same exact walk! Very, very comical to me. (Probably not to Kashmira).


Friday, January 11, 2008

$200...not bad!

I purchased my school books and was surprised to see that I barely spent $200; a definite improvement from the $500 I paid last year! It is still hard to believe that I'm finally, FINALLY, a senior! Usually by four and a half years into college, most people are graduated with real jobs and real lives. Not this cool cat. I have less debt, so I'm fine with the time extension.

However, with this new 'seniority', I'm being forced into giving up this familiar life that I've actually grown accustomed to. School life is kind of convenient in an odd way: all of my loans stay in deferment, someone else picks my life's schedule, holidays and vacations are guaranteed off, and the end is always somewhere in the distance. That distance, however, is extremely illusive - until now. Job searches have been a way to day dream life as a real nurse. Deadlines for said 'real jobs' were always stress free because that wouldn't be me for another year or two. (I've been daydreaming for a while now!) But now I have to remember when hospitals are accepting applications for new grads. I have to decide on an internship that might give me an edge for a job. I have to decide where my life is going. 

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Blog turns 2

Upon waking, I experienced a revelation. Not only did I remember that my blog was now two, but I realized why I have failed in the past. I have been extremely negative, and about what I don't know (actually it was probably about everything). It makes me wonder where I'd be if I just lightened up more often. However, there's no sense in regretting my behavior because it will only continue to make me bitter and I'll miss out on what I have.

On that note, Nate and I went snowboarding twice so far this season. That is two times as much as we went last season!! The first time we went up to Snowbowl which is not very far from Missoula. This past time we went to Lookout Pass which is on the Idaho side of I-90. I couldn't believe how much snow they had! In one spot, the snow was up to my mid thigh! Thankfully I was blowing through it on my snowboard and not trying to hike in it! They were also very cheap and on Pacific Standard Time!! I was pretty bummed because I thought we got a late start and the roads were crappy, but when we got there we saw the Pacific Time sign and everything seemed better. We plan on making a trip to Schweitzer, but Nate has to get on that so I am able to take the time off.

Hopefully we'll be able to make a trip down to Big Sky at least once this season. I love the feeling that Big Sky gives me. I love riding their awesome snow, and it is so huge that you can explore a new trail every time you're there. To top it off, sitting in the Carabiner lounge drinking a Salmon Fly Honey Ale, spiced Apple Cider, or delicious hot chocolate completes the day and melts all of your sore muscles away.

Lately, Nate and I have been discussing living life in a ski town. It really sounds fantastic because we'll be able to keep doing the things that we love to do. However, ski towns usually don't have the good paying jobs, even for us 'professionals'! And we'll both have loans that need to be paid. I guess we'll just see where life takes us!