Snow Storm

Wednesday it was 67 out, all that has changed. The wind did its work. It blew and brought in storms from the southwest. It is 20 something out. Yesterday I got out of work about ten minutes early. These precious minutes were spent using my ice scraper as a pickaxe to break the thick layer of freezing rain off my windshield. Thankfully, I had a warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves on to do the job as speedily as I could. Not so thankfully, I broke my poor scraper. Off I went on new tires [thanks Mom and Dad] down the highway home.

My two night classes were cancelled due to inclement weather and I was thankful. After I got home I had no desire to leave my apartment. The sleet and freezing rain did not let up until late that evening. When I woke up to go in to work today I stepped outside on a layer of sleet that looked like a thick blanket of snow. Upon inspecting the surroundings, keeping in mind the coming snow later in the morning, and noticing that my car was frozen shut [no, seriously, I tried to open it and still cannot], I called in to tell them I would be staying home from work. Back to bed I went and I didn't wake up until noon. Had I woken up earlier I may have considered braving the elements to work a half day. But my biological clock though forget that, you need to get better!

I spent the rest of the day lounging around on every piece of furniture in my apartment, sipping tea, watching Food Network and the Disney Channel, and baking cookies. I should have not baked those cookies, mostly because I had to use margarine [but partly because all weekend I'll have no one to share them with, no little brother to eat three fresh out of the oven]. Let's be honest, in baking there is NO exception to butter. Oh well, now I'm going to take a bath and climb into my warm bed because it hasn't even been 12 hours since we were together and we're good friends.

MJ- I dedicate these cookies to you, because I love you and because you are my buddy.

I Never Posted This

So it's mid week, the storm of the century is apparently coming our way from the west and people are getting prepared. I decided to venture to Target today, in hopes that I could get a few staple things. Apparently, the rest of the state of Oklahoma had the same idea and went to my Target as well. The entire bread isle was missing, and forget about finding bananas. They were even out of my special yogurt.

I miserably shuffled my way around the store. I've been battling with an unusual cold for the past few days. First symptoms began last Thursday with a sore throat. By Monday at 11 I had aches, cold sweaty chills, and an overwhelming desire to ralph all over the bread I was bagging. I tried to excuse myself quietly while I walked to the office to put my head down on something [anything] cold when a fellow worker told me I 'looked like hell...like death].

The following day I amped up my daytime medicine but still felt like I'd run a marathon the day before. One of my supervisors even made me gargle salt water three times that day. And when I say 'made me' I mean it. Today everything has traveled from my chest to my sinuses and apparently my tear ducts as well. Needless to say, I am the picture of beauty and perfection [heavy on the sarcasm please].

Like I said, tomorrow we are expecting some possible sleet, ice, and eventually 1 - 3 inches of snow into Friday. I just hope I don't get stuck somewhere with Oklahoma drivers that don't know how to function in winter weather conditions, or worse get into an accident of my own accord. I intend to leave early tomorrow [am hoping it doesn't hit until after I get BACK from work] and pray my second night class is cancelled, like my first already was. Many schools, church programs, activities around the city are already cancelled. They don't mess around down here.

If it is really bad, suffice it to say, I will be calling in to work to tell them I'm not risking my life. I don't get paid enough for that...oh wait. The governor already told Oklahomans in all 77 counties to avoid any unnecessary risk. Considering I'm extra help, don't get paid, and should acquire greater than the allotted hours I'll need there I'd saying rushing off to the hospital would be unnecessary. Again, I'm still waiting to see if this storm really hits and how intense it turns out to be. *Say a quick prayer here please* Getting into an accident doesn't sound like a good idea to me, especially when I already feel like a leaky faucet.

Oh, and here were my results from the computer matching program. I cannot believe I did not post these shortly after I found out I got the spot.

I am pleased to inform you that you have been appointed (computer matched) to Oklahoma - #.

You must respond to the appointment (computer match) by calling or faxing a letter to the Program Director on or before 5:00PM (time zone of the program) Tuesday, November 17, 2009. After that time, the program is under no obligation to hold the opening for you.

The Program Director will provide you with information necessary to confirm your appointment.

Congratulations and best wishes in your career.

Blond

I am smart. I know this, I was gifted through genetics with a sharp mind. I was gifted with a lot more than brains through my fantastic parents but, really, we're not going there today. I digress. I am smart...but, yes, but. There are times I could swear I really have no clue. Doing new things for the first time can be a bit...um, comical if you're watching me figure my way around. And seriously, it isn't always easy to find someone's apartment in a complex. Buildings should really be more Mara friendly. Thankfully, I do not embarrass easily and I'll just consider that one more of my quirks I hope my future spouse finds lovable.

After having slept 13 hours [recuperating from the ridiculous hours at the hospital and the chest cold and sore throat I managed to get despite the constant, and I mean constant, hand washing] I woke up Saturday morning still feeling like a train wreck but I had every intention of being productive. I was going to go to two fellow intern-mates' apartment to get all my homework done. Yeah, four girls in a room that just met a few weeks ago. Can you guess how much we got done? I guess one thing's better than none. We did go out and enjoy fantastic Mexican food though, BONUS!

More things to mention, I love my newly found church. I have been five times since the Oklahoma Adventures began and have felt so certain it was the church I was supposed to go to in the city I was supposed to do my internship. There's music and a band that play before mass starts and upbeat music to end [sometimes accompanied by clapping :)]. It is a large congregation connected to a school so it is very family oriented. The priests are also funny and talk in layman's terms. Thank you God, I actually like listening to the homilies. I even like the shape of the new church, it's the little things in life, isn't it?

In other news, the parents and baby brother returned from their trip overseas which makes me happy they got back safe and sound. They're all a little sick but they're all back, which is what matters most. And they brought GOODIES! And an authentic recipe from one of the locals, hooray! Also, Nicholas is heading for an interview tomorrow. Keep him in your prayers as he has been in mine. I'm certain he'll do well [I'm convinced he couldn't make a bad impression] but prayers always do help.

So today I'm actually hoping to be more productive and go to bed early because I'll need to be at work again tomorrow at 5:30. I'm becoming less paranoid my alarm clock won't go off so at least I'm sleeping more soundly without waking up every hour. Paranoia reminds me, I need to find the nearest shelter in case of a tornado. I've had a few natives tell me that.

Oh, and the weather...I will not complain about the wind because at least it is warm out.

Ugh, and seriously, Oklahoma drivers, do you need to speed up, cut me off, and brake abruptly? If you drove more laid back there would be fewer accidents on the highway congesting the already heavy traffic. Who am I kidding? The traffic is not bad at 4:45 in the morning.

Oh. Oh. Oh, and the recycling center only takes aluminum?!? Luckily the university takes paper and plastic. The things I do for mother nature!

Is anyone out there?

Miss you. Love you. Bye.

Rest in peace Auntie Sal

Week 2 Fog

I've finished my second week, thankfully it went much quicker than the first. If the days speed by like this for the rest of the year I will be a seasoned new professional by next January.

It's funny though, here I am working towards this great goal: get my masters, pass the RD exam, and become a professional, and yet I am still unsure what I want to do, if this is the right path [that is what the internship is all about though, learning]. Had you told me in high school that I would become a dietitian, that I would study lots of sciences and move to a different state to gain experience I need to further my career I would have laughed. Well, first I would have ignored it because looking back, that is just plain silly.

I guess I kind of happened to fall into this. Like many other things [call it what you will, destiny, coincidence, God's plan in action] I have been very blessed and charmed for things to work in my favor. Until the day I found out I did not get matched in April I cruised through things mostly without any road blocks. It was never that I simply didn't try, I worked hard for my good grades, for the things that I accomplished, but I never tasted defeat like I had shortly before graduation. So the path sort of cleared itself for me as I went through the college application process, the years there, and eventually to Oklahoma.

Many days this past week I have been leaving to head to work in a dense fog [5 a.m]. You cannot see much ahead of you and very little behind you as well. Street lights are hovering orbs of light. Cars are sparse on the highway and city streets. When you look out ahead of you in the distance there isn't much to tell, it's a blank canvas, gray and white swirling together to give you no glimpse of the road ahead, no opportunity to prepare for what is possibly in store. As I was driving through the fog however things began to form shapes, road signs became clear, and cars took shape.

I'm a big picture kind of girl, I think I've said that before, but it bears repeating. I look at the big picture to plan out the road map for life, just a general outline. If you over-prepare but expect to be flexible you are set any way the road turns. However, I'm also stubborn, and once I set my mind to something it is hard to get it out of my head, a persistent "bull dog" as my father lovingly puts it. I was set on my plans going my way. Boy was I wrong. In the past year I have found that the big picture can be extremely scary, it is unknown and fogged over. I am, in fact, not seeing the big picture as the Big Guy already has seen. So, going with what's right there in front of me, preparing as best for it, and working with obstacles as they come is essential.

So I'm in a fog, figuratively, metaphorically, and many mornings, literally. I'm working on letting God handle the hassle and the plans He has for me. I'm working on it. I'm not all the way there yet, but I am continuing to let Him take over. My plans are nothing compared to what is yet in store. I'm still young, I've much to do, much to give to others, and much to learn. I want to get the most out of the excitement that awaits me in the fog and I know that if I'm smart and make good decisions I will survive.

Who knows where I'll be in a few years, who knows what 2010 will have in store for me. All I know is that I'm going to follow the path as it presents itself with a clear head. If I end up on another scary adventure then so be it, another opportunity for growth and learning. My life is potential and possibility. I've no things to tie me down so the adventure is really the unknown.

Vloggin It

Mid-Week

Not much new to post. I've been getting better at knowing what I can do in the kitchen. Mid February I'll start learning and acting as Early Shift Supervisor. I'll be glad when all this extreme work is over. Having a big girl job doesn't even take this much effort, 9 hours of classes and 43 hours of work a week, plus occasional internship stuff on Saturdays. No thanks!

The weekend flew by, as expected. I'm getting better at waking up at 4:30, mostly out of fear that I'll get to the hospital late and get marked up for that. Bad marks are no good, nor is it professional. I've been working on getting to bed around 9 Oklahoma time. Needless to say, I have a half an hour until my bed time, yes, I've made myself a bedtime.

Like I said, not much else to say. Glad to hear from Mom and Dad and am pumped to skype with them upon their return adventure.

I miss everyone. Things are getting easier though, more bearable. The blessed routine I've been waiting for.

$3.54 for a gallon of skim milk is ridiculous, by the way.

Our Drive Down

Apartment Living

Youtube

Don't forget that I'll be posting videos on my youtube channel as I get them uploaded

The Email

I sent an email to Dad today to fill him and Mom in on what went down my first day. Their phone card isn't working so they borrowed someone else's and were not able to talk for more than a few minutes.

Here is the email I sent him.

Hi Dad,

I'm sure you can pass on this word to Mom and the little brother [if he cares to know] as well.

Monday morning started off badly. I ended up spilling water, thankfully only water, all over the floor as I was putting my crock pot ingredients in to cook for the day. I forgot my towel, underwear, and to turn on the fan in the bathroom. My school cross, which I like to wear when I'm feeling a little nervous got tangled with all my other necklaces and couldn't be worn.

I had to arrive my first day at the hospital on Monday at 8 am. I decided to leave ten minutes early just in case. I did in fact arrive with ten minutes to spare but everyone and their brother was arriving at the same time. I waiting in line to show my ID for 15 minutes and got upstairs to the Nutrition and Food Services area ten minutes late. Great for a good first impression. However, I did not get reprimanded because he was not there, in fact his door was locked. Seeing that I looked like a small lost child someone assumed I was the new student and told me to wait on him while he was in a meeting.

For the majority of the day I read over policies and working positions in the kitchen. It was painstakingly boring. After I finished I got to meet some of the supervisors. I went up to get my fingerprints taken, car pass, and ID badge then go home a little early.

The fingerprints lady at HR was not there so I had to return later on. I did finally get my car pass but did not know where the parking lot was, nor how to use the shuttle to get there, nor was I pumped about learning you have to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled time to get a shuttle on time [its a block over and not in the best part of town as you saw]. I still have yet to get in touch with the ID person to get my badge. He is not in his office and I have returned several times, left messages, and called multiple numbers.

As I was leaving I checked my phone and saw your text. I was texting back when I got a phone call from the apartment complex saying I still had $25 I owed [for every cosigner you need a $25 application fee]. Of course I told her I did not remember being informed about that.

After I hung up with her I figured I'd text you back after I got in the car [I forgot you were in the same time zone as me, I figured you'd already left by then]. Because I was in a hurry to get in the building I couldn't remember if I had locked the car and we ALL know how I am about that. So when I couldn't find my car between the two trucks I SWEAR I parked between I started crying in the middle of the parking lot. I thought someone had stolen my car. Of course I finally found my car a row over. When I sat down to text you you sent a message that you were boarding. That was the last straw, I started sobbing as I drove to find the employee parking and called you to tell you about my day.

So on the way back I got kind of lost, thankfully had the GPS, got into a scary part of town and managed to cut someone off. Took the wrong exit, had to get back on the highway and off again. To make matters worse I thought I had a flat tire because the noises I was hearing. The roads are not smooth. Mixed with the insane drivers and terrible road conditions I had had enough when I got back to the apartment.

Of course, I called Irv and she didn't answer. She called back later on. Navin texted me and I ended up crying to him on the phone instead. Oh, and my internet stopped working for a half hour, my wireless didn't even show up as an option but miraculously came back on. I don't know how long I spent trying to fix it. I was just getting ready to unplug it and replug things when it started working.

It wasn't that it was so horrible it was just the culmination of things and the overwhelming sense of work ahead and homesickness...and knowing I couldn't call you guys to vent.

Yesterday and today were ok. Much like a lost puppy I follow people around, give them lots of "tail wags" and smiles in hopes that they help me out. People [for the most part] have been very friendly and I feel more comfortable in asking the millions of questions I need/want to ask. There's probably 20ish staff members. Only two of them can pronounce my name right, what with their accent and my unusual name to them.

I'm exhausted already. Getting up so early [4 is still the middle of the night] is difficult. Going to bed so early is still foreign to me, I've been not napping to fix that. The time home, after work and class, has flown by. The times during work and class crawl. I know I'll be very ready to finish up and graduate come December. Looking much past tomorrow is scary though, so I don't. I'm dreading clinicals.

I think I'm going to two of the other girls' apartment on Friday to eat with another intern, get to know each other and the like.

I had to pay $7 in parking pass after class yesterday. I was two minutes after the deadline where I'd only have to pay $5. I also had a blond moment going in and forgot to hit the button to get the ticket. The guy at the window had to get out and show me and there was a line of cars behind me.

In short[ish], this week has been challenging. Good and bad. I miss you guys dearly. I wish I had the dog here with me to snuggle. I dreamed that I hadn't left yet which is sad to wake up from and haven't been sleeping well, I'm afraid I'll miss my alarm [I wake up probably 6 times a night since I've been home]. It's still not my bed either, not that it isn't comfortable. I'm scared to grow up and get a real job and have no idea what I want to do. I'm already excited about coming home in June for the graduation and time off and then December's graduation. I know I should be savoring this but things taste pretty bitter at the moment. Growing up is hard.

I love you so VERY VERY VERY much. Just hearing your voice and Mom's on the phone made me cry I was so happy.

Love you.

--- On Wed, 1/13/10, Dad wrote:

Hello my daughter.
Love you

Calm Before...

Tomorrow is my first day, an orientation for my management rotation. [No intention for rhyming] I'll be meeting the people I'll be working with in my management rotation tomorrow and getting the necessary things in order, computer access, parking pass, ID badge. I'm excited and a little nervous, I'll be more nervous when I start my clinical rotations. I don't think that is the direction I was meant to go with my degree.

My management rotation should consist of diet planning, and learning all the rotations in the kitchen. From how I see it now, it reminds me of working at the nursing home/hospital like I did those few summers back. I think I'll feel most comfortable in the management rotation for that reason alone. Clinical, like I stated before, is what scares me the most. Clinical is all about the details and I am NOT in any way shape or form a details sort of person. You could put me in the Big Picture category. Anyway, I have to be in tomorrow at eight, which means I'll be getting up early to make sure I eat a good breakfast, get ready in time, and get there before the traffic hits the highway.

In other news, my beloved parents and baby brother are heading across the pond for awhile and I am JEALOUS. I'll be anxious to see pictures and hear about the trip when they return in the latter part of the month.

Besides that, I have been to Target four times in the past seven days. Today I bought a hot/cold pad, cheese, hot sauce, and soy sauce. Can you get more random than that? You can't even make a complete meal out of that! I was going to buy bacon crumbles but considering I'll have to wait another month before my loans arrive, I'm going to keep things to the bare minimum until then. Stretching that dollar in these economic times, you know, that old chestnut.

Oh, and thank heavens it is warmer today than it has been all week, forty-four. Praise Jesus. I was actually happy to leave the apartment and park in the back of Target to get some sun on the walk in.

More late.

SYLYB.

Sparing the Details

My boxes are unloaded, my classes are paid for, everything, it would seem is in order. Mom and Dad left on Friday morning right before my orientation. There was a hasty goodbye session as I had to quickly head back to school for my orientation. If you're wondering, I arrived at 8:59; the orientation started at 9. It was a stressful week and safe to say I was not on my best behavior [frustrating week, and I'll spare you the details]. However, I am so thankful for Mom and Dad's assistance this past week and all the things they did for me and bought [there is always something you forget, no matter how well prepared]. I'll never be able to repay them for all they did.

As far as work and school go, I'll be busy and hopefully the experience should be a very good one. I'm hopeful everything will suit me well as far as my locations. I'm also hopeful that I'm safe and sound in the months to follow. I'm assuming everyone else does as well.

So there were somethings that went wrong but overall I'm all set. I'll add a video as soon as I get it up on the internet, along with the other videos I took on the trip down here.

Safe to say, I'm home sick already. The weather is not helping [it was colder here yesterday than Anchorage, according to the weather channel]. I even miss Sophie and her squirrel addiction. I'll just have to look forward to the plans ahead of me. This time next year, I'll be planning another new adventure, no matter how scary.

Miss you. Love you. Bye.

Missouri

It's funny what you miss when you fly somewhere. I do not like to complain about airplane rides because they get you somewhere so much faster than car can take you. However, I was able to see the arch in St. Louis and the scenery all along the way. Because of an accident we also drove through a sleeper of a town, Waynesville, Missouri. We would have missed it had we been able to continue down the highway.

The majority of the trip was sunny with blue skies. Things did not get rough until after the sun went down when the snow started to accumulate. Lucky for us the accumulation didn't touch the highways [yet] and we arrived surprised at the hotel to find four inches of snow at our feet.

Despite a few bumps along the way [what else do you get from moving across the country during the winter?] we arrived in Missouri, near Springfield to finish up our first part of the journey. A shorter drive to follow tomorrow.

Big Day

I am calm. My soul is peaceful. All of my angst has passed for the coming of this trip. The preparations are done and I am on my way in eight hours.

Don't get me wrong, I'm anxious about many things this coming year but right now my emotions have been put on hold. I am not sad, I am not scared, I am not tearful. I've managed to put myself on autopilot to get business done [except for getting CPR certified, oops, there's still time right?]. I cannot make that statement without say that yesterday I wanted nothing more than to put off the entire thing....what a wonder prayer can do.

I've made a road trip mix and my beloved Hannah and her roommate Dani have made me two CDs to keep my company; a mix I am sure will be full of variety.

I have seen all my close friends and family and given [and received] lingering goodbye hugs. I am loved to say the least.

One thing's for certain, I'll be happy when I see you all at home again. And on that note, Carol King's Home Again



Miss you. Love you. Bye.

Packing

Counting down the days has suddenly become counting down the hours. It's officially 2010 and that means I'm leaving for Oklahoma very soon.

I've been avoiding packing and now there is not much time to avoid it any longer. I have the dining room crowded with things and my bedroom is a disaster area. If I just put it off a little longer the day will never arrive because I'm not ready for it so it cannot be ready for me. Lousy thought process, but still something I somehow rationalized going to college and now heading for my masters.

After we pack up the u-haul tomorrow Mom, Dad, and I leave for OKC Sunday morning.

Ready or not....I'll be on my way.