Sleeping Bears and Mini Ponies

Ok, not to start this lovely rainy Wednesday off on the wrong foot, but I just read a disturbing article on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition basically stating that the show has been duped by false claims made by some of the homes' recipients. A family claiming to have sick children in order to get a home? Another where five orphaned children were adopted by a couple only to be kicked out of the home once it was built? And yet another were the family's combined income was more than $200,000? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8973501/ns/msnbc_tv-the_abrams_report/t/extreme-makeover-lawsuit/

First, I have to ask... who DOES this? And how are these people getting away with this stuff? It's frustrating when you see and hear people with real problems (medical issues, income troubles, homelessness) going without while others reap the benefits of pure lies. Very sad when charity is wasted or abused like this. But enough about that, I promise positivity for the rest of this post.

Heather and I shopped last night for our wine tasting party which is very exciting! After Italian Wine Night at Chateau Thomas we thought it might be fun to do our own tasting, trivia and prizes included! Plans are moving forward....

Also, http://health.yahoo.net/articles/children/2011-12-best-childrens-hospitals-rankings makes me happy. Way to go, Boston!!! :) I wish all kids around the world could have the kind of exceptional treatment you find at Children's. What a dream it would be to work there someday....

We used our own Basil the other day! Because it's getting HUGE! Make note: I grew something and kept it alive. Score.

Last night I fell asleep on the floor and woke up to Chris singing, "Peaceful Mariah... she's so peaceful when she sleeps... " I died laughing. Chris loves when I'm asleep or when I'm in that barely awake, looking through half-shut eyes stage where I smile and burrow into the blankets. This is because I'm a hotheaded, feisty little woman the rest of the time apparently. Though I did explain to him last night that according to the calculations Mer and I did, we are 90% awesome, 5% emotional, and 5% crazy, though of that 5%, 3% of the crazy is warranted and therefore only 2% is unaccounted for, which for MOST people (ahem, women?) is extremely low.

It's like this bear... so nice and peaceful looking while it sleeps. When it's awake? MMM... yikes.

And finally, my favorite little boy turns 2 soon... and a bday party is in the works for the weekend! This is the best part of my job. Celebrating milestones with the cuties :)

He loves horses... what do we think of this for a present???

Hahaha....ohhhh if only.

Let's Have Fun Today :)

So after a great morning with my three Spanish classes and with the sun shining brightly, I am feeling like a fun post is in order. Well, I don't know that EVERYONE will think this is fun, but maybe those of you with a flair for interior design or art will enjoy :)

So Chris and I finally decided on a decorating style that BOTH of us like. I always talk about how I like things that have character and are more "homey or country." Chris likes more modern but still cozy and comfortable.... So we scratched our heads and tried to figure out what a combo of those two styles were, and low and behold, Chris found the perfect one! It is known as "rustic contemporary" and has all the feel of a cozy log cabin or Colorado/Vermont hideaway with the modern appliances and sleek finish that allows for a little extra kick of style. We love the exposed beams, stone and brick, and cool lofts... and I can just picture bright flowers and warm candles. Now granted, we certainly won't have anything nearly this elaborate in our apartment in Arizona, mostly just fun appliances or accessories that we get crafty with while we start out. But SOMEDAY, maybe, we will be able to take a few of these ideas! What do you think?

C.R.A.Z.Y Stands For Constantly Running Around Zanily, YAWN.

I cannot BELIEVE the semester is done!!!!!!! I feel like this is a huge feat for someone who felt like giving up many times this year. But I can safely say, it feels great to have accomplished a year of prereqs and know that the next step is the actual RN program :) Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement along the way!!!! I definitely needed it.
It's nice now to have a little more free time in the mornings to focus on job hunting and gearing up for the big move, versus drowning in textbooks and lab work. I am finding some cool stuff out in AZ and while it's still got me on edge waiting to see who's going to bite, I am hopeful that there is a good fit somewhere.
Ok, ok enough of the logistical bore...
Tomorrow night is friend Kimberly's grad party! And she has successfully completed the RN program! YOU GO GIRL! Really excited for that. Then Chris and I are headed for a little double date, cosmic bowling style. Haven't done that in YEARS!!! Should be a blast.
The weekends are starting to fill up quickly right before our eyes... lake trips, wine tasting parties, weddings, cookouts, family visits, the Indy 500... all fun stuff but hard to believe that there are only a few weekends left before we move across country. It feels really surreal right now. Though I suppose since we are filling out our apartment application this weekend, it'll feel more real soon.
I'd write more, but I've spent enough hours filling out apps and sitting in front of this computer today so it's time to take a break. Have a great weekend, everyone! And Happy Mother's Day to my AWESOME mom and all moms out there!!! xoxo

Words Of Wisdom... Or Something Like That

Some words of wisdom I would like to pass along as I near the end of a year of big changes and move onto new things…. You know, things I wish others had known or that I myself had known in dealing with new people, roller coaster feelings, and everything in between:

1) Ragging on a new place is a sign of homesickness. Be sensitive. Unless you are someone who enjoys moving around a lot or doesn’t have close ties to family and friends, moving far from everything you have known and loved your whole life feels like utter heartbreak, especially the first time out. Instead of criticizing, encourage said ragger/homesick individual to join your group, ask them about their life and where they come from, and be nice. Thanks to those people here who did that right from the start!! :) And I myself am going to make a much greater effort to help people new to wherever I am in the future.

2) Home is home. Sorry. You can grow up in Indiana, Maine, or Timbuktu. And you may never understand how someone new cannot possibly understand your love for your state. I have had this conversation with another blogger who is living my parallel life (except she moved from Indiana to New England) and she has encountered many of the same feelings of “unfriendliness” or “out-of-placeness” as I have. Both of us laughed when we realized there is a lot more underlying insecurity and nervousness than actual disregard for your new “home.” So again, take things with a grain of salt if a new person isn’t as pumped about your local sports team or favorite restaurant as you. They are most likely jealous that you have such an affinity for a place that you are furiously attempting to adapt to.

3) Once you are in a committed relationship, everything changes… offering words of wisdom according to what is best for each individual person is not productive and makes the other person feel slighted. Neither party is less important, no matter their job, dream, or talent. If a friend or relative comes to you for advice, do not tell them to “do what’s best for him or her” because it’s not longer just about him or her. This is the point of a relationship and if both people can’t be happy, they will one day wind up apart or divorced. As a very wise woman once told me, “Both people need a chance to grow and prosper, not just one.” It’s also not the 50s anymore... women and men both work hard and have many more opportunities than they used to. There is no need for one person to stand quietly in the shadows of another. Again, be sensitive and insightful and when possible? Imagine the other party in the relationship is your son, daughter, sister, brother or friend too. It might make you think differently about what words come out of your mouth. Respect the love between two people and remember that you are not with them day in and day out and cannot judge or make “best” decisions for them. Only they can. And honestly, even in a couple where both people love each other tremendously, there are also bound to be some big differences between them. Neither person is "right" or "wrong" or "smarter" or "more logical." We have all been raised differently and harbor different core values and that's OK. Plus, no offense to our overly hyped, driven society where we are all convinced that money buys happiness- but that’s a load of crap. Hugs and support from your family, laughter, spontaneity, and unconditional love keep us going no matter what anyone else thinks. You cannot live the depth of your life without the depth of love (romantic, familial, friendship-based, or otherwise).

4) Be patient. This goes for both the new guy/girl and the ones welcoming them into your world. Things will get better. But before they do, they might get ugly. The unknown and new is scary for all of us and there is no way around it, only directly through it. So barrel headfirst into the tangles and know you will find your way back out somehow.

5) Speak up. Don’t be scared to use outlets. Some of us blog, some of us use Facebook or MySpace, some of us call or text our confidantes. But don’t hold it in. Yes, you might offend fewer people or keep the waters calm if you do, but your stomach will be in knots and tears will be frequent. Let it out. “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

6) Think about yourself. Yes, this sounds selfish. But when you are uncomfortable or dreading something constantly… or when you just don’t feel like doing something because your heart isn’t in it… allow yourself a free pass now and again to say, “You know what? I’m going to get a good book and curl up on the couch with some wine.” Take time for yourself and the things that remind you of home or make you feel like YOU. Compromise doesn’t mean giving up everything or converting to someone else’s way of life. As a chronic people pleaser, it has taken me a long time to strike that balance and find ways to remain independent and happy while with someone but it has made a world of difference.

7) Remember that NOTHING is permanent or forever. Give things a try, allow yourself the chance to fall and the chance to get back, and do not harbor regret for all the adventures you end up on. It can be easy to resent the world when you make decisions that turn into struggles or when you try something and it fails completely. However, pat yourself on the back for being brave and remember that at the end of the day, if it isn’t worth it, you’ll know it and can also find a new path. Do not be fearful of entrapment. You are the only person who can allow yourself to be trapped.

8) And finally, there are always good people and friends to made, no matter where you go. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you find yourself laughing with friends over beers and thinking, “This isn’t so bad after all.” Don’t torture yourself by being a personal martyr to the cause of self-pity. Allow people in and connect, connect, connect whenever and wherever you can.

I am no expert, and again, this might be far too philosophical, deep or obnoxious for some of you to stomach. But, if at least one person reads this and takes one valuable point away to apply to their own situation, well, it won’t be for not then will it?